The Code is to be the pathway towards the UK Government’s target for all new homes to be zero carbon by 2016. To ensure the industry takes its first steps towards this goal, a Code rating is soon to become mandatory for all new homes, whilst all affordable housing must already achieve a Code Level 3 rating. Many councils are also requesting a Code assessment as a planning condition.

The Code for Sustainable Homes has evolved out of the EcoHomes assessment method originally developed by the BRE. Nine separate environmental categories are assessed with the overall score translating into a rating band from Level 1 to Level 6.

An assessment also incorporates a Post Construction Review before formal certification is awarded, to ensure that design intent is translated into reality. Although there is some flexibility in choosing which credits are most suitable for a particular site, there are also some mandatory targets for each level, most important of which are carbon emissions and water consumption. For example, a Code Level 6 dwelling must be ‘Zero Carbon’ and incorporate water recycling technologies.

Achieving a Code rating can be difficult to attain using standard specifications, and anything beyond a Level 3 rating requires a fundamentally different approach to the design process, particularly with regard to dialogue between architect and engineer. It is important to ensure that your assessor is involved as early as possible to ensure that a rating is achieved cost-effectively. 

Links

Code for Sustainable Homes