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Code for Sustainable Homes

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Code for Sustainable Homes Pilot Project: Interim Report

Code for Sustainable Homes Pilot Project: Interim Report
Feedback on how the project is developing and outlines some initial findings.

Housing

Housing
The aim of the housing strategy is to ensure that people have a high-quality, warm, secure and energy-efficient home to live in.

Building Regulations Part L Review

This consultation on Part L - Conservation of Fuel and Power closes on 23 October 2012.

Code for Sustainable Homes and Energy Performance of Buildings, January to March 2012

Figures giving a measure of the running costs of dwellings.

Renewable energy

Renewable Energy
There are different types of renewable energy sources available to us. Some of the technologies and their benefits are explained here.
Construction of building

We have adopted the Code for Sustainable Homes to support our zero carbon aspirations. The code replaces the Ecohomes standard and applies to all new housing promoted or supported by us or our Sponsored Bodies.

The Code for Sustainable Home (CSH) is a recognised standard in the UK for key elements of design and construction which contribute to the effect a new home has on the environment. It has been adopted by the Welsh Government as the preferred tool to assess how sustainable development is being implemented in new homes in Wales.  

The CSH scheme covers nine sustainable design principles. The nine principles covered are:

  • Energy and carbon dioxide emissions;
  • Water;
  • Materials;
  • Surface water run-off;
  • Waste;
  • Pollution;
  • Health and well-being;
  • Management; and
  • Ecology.

A home can achieve a rating from one to six stars, depending on how well it has achieved Code standards. One star is the entry level and six stars is the highest level – a zero carbon home. A zero carbon home is a home that achieves zero net emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) from all energy use in the home over a 12 month period. There are mandatory standards contained within the Code (for energy, surface water run-off and water) and credits for each of the categories are weighted to give an overall score.

The Code provides valuable information to local authorities and home buyers. It also offers developers and builders a tool to set themselves apart in terms of sustainable development.

Guidance

An updated version of the Code for Sustainable Homes Technical Guide was published by Communities and Local Government on 11 November 2010. See our Technical Guidance page on the left of this page.

Further information on the Code for Sustainable Homes can be found on the Info4Local website.

Visit: Info4Local (external link)

Code assessors and service providers

Code service providers are organisations that train and accredit Code assessors to carry out assessments on homes against the Code for Sustainable Homes.

Finding a Code assessor

If you are looking to hire the services of a licensed and accredited Code assessor, both organisations hold lists of Code assessors that have been trained, accredited and licensed by them to carry out Code assessments.

A list of Building Research Establishment (BRE) Global accredited Code assessors is available on the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) website.

Visit: BREEAM website (external link)

A list of Stroma accredited Code assessors can be obtained by contacting Stroma.

Visit: Stroma (external link)

Energy Saving Trust

Published guidance documents on how to achieve the various standards for levels of the Code for Sustainable Homes is available on the Energy Saving Trust website.

Visit: Energy Saving Trust (external link)

Statistics on the Code for Sustainable Homes

The latest official statistics on the Code for Sustainable Homes can be viewed using the related link on the right.

Code for Sustainable Homes: Pilot Project

We have published an interim report into the Code 4/5 Pilot Project which started in 2008. The report gives guidance to Registered Social Landlords still developing schemes. It also gives insight into issues for the house building industry that are building to higher sustainability standards.