Code for Sustainable Homes
The Code for Sustainable Homes was introduced to provide a comprehensive measure of the sustainability of new homes in order to deliver improvements in key areas such as carbon dioxide emissions and water use. As yet it remains a voluntary standard for the design and construction of new homes but it is increasingly being used by planning authorities as a guideline regarding the approval of planning applications. The ‘Code’ is also a useful ‘indicator’ for anticipating the direction the Government will take in placing the burden of meeting its ‘targets’ for cutting CO2 directly on both the public and private sector; possibly through direct legislation rather than ‘grants’.
The Government's Objectives (from PPS22:RE)
The development of renewable energy, alongside improvements in energy efficiency and the development of combined heat and power, will make a vital contribution to these aims. The Government has already set a target to generate 10% of UK electricity from renewable energy sources by 2010. The White Paper set out the Government's aspiration to double that figure to 20% by 2020, and suggests that still more renewable energy will be needed beyond that date. The White Paper sets out policies to stimulate the development of new technologies to provide the basis for continuing growth of renewables in the longer term, to assist the UK renewables industry to become competitive in home and export markets and in doing so, provide employment.
Increased development of renewable energy resources is vital to facilitating the delivery of the Government's commitments on both climate change and renewable energy. Positive planning which facilitates renewable energy developments can contribute to all four elements of the Government's sustainable development strategy:
- social progress which recognises the needs of everyone - by contributing to the nation's energy needs, ensuring all homes are adequately and affordably heated; and providing new sources of energy in remote areas;
- effective protection of the environment - by reductions in emissions of greenhouse gases and thereby reducing the potential for the environment to be affected by climate change;
- prudent use of natural resources - by reducing the nation's reliance on ever diminishing supplies of fossil fuels; and,
- maintenance of high and stable levels of economic growth and employment - through the creation of jobs directly related to renewable energy developments, but also in the development of new technologies. In rural areas, renewable energy projects have the potential to play an increasingly important role in the diversification of rural economies. “Our energy future – creating a low carbon economy”, CM5761, February 2003.
What is the Code for Sustainable Homes? (From: the Code for Sustainable Homes – 2008)
The Code measures the sustainability of a home against nine design categories, rating the ‘whole home’ as a complete package. The design categories are:
The Government's Objectives (from PPS22:RE)
The development of renewable energy, alongside improvements in energy efficiency and the development of combined heat and power, will make a vital contribution to these aims. The Government has already set a target to generate 10% of UK electricity from renewable energy sources by 2010. The White Paper set out the Government's aspiration to double that figure to 20% by 2020, and suggests that still more renewable energy will be needed beyond that date. The White Paper sets out policies to stimulate the development of new technologies to provide the basis for continuing growth of renewables in the longer term, to assist the UK renewables industry to become competitive in home and export markets and in doing so, provide employment.
Increased development of renewable energy resources is vital to facilitating the delivery of the Government's commitments on both climate change and renewable energy. Positive planning which facilitates renewable energy developments can contribute to all four elements of the Government's sustainable development strategy:
- social progress which recognises the needs of everyone - by contributing to the nation's energy needs, ensuring all homes are adequately and affordably heated; and providing new sources of energy in remote areas;
- effective protection of the environment - by reductions in emissions of greenhouse gases and thereby reducing the potential for the environment to be affected by climate change;
- prudent use of natural resources - by reducing the nation's reliance on ever diminishing supplies of fossil fuels; and,
- maintenance of high and stable levels of economic growth and employment - through the creation of jobs directly related to renewable energy developments, but also in the development of new technologies. In rural areas, renewable energy projects have the potential to play an increasingly important role in the diversification of rural economies. “Our energy future – creating a low carbon economy”, CM5761, February 2003.
What is the Code for Sustainable Homes? (From: the Code for Sustainable Homes – 2008)
The Code measures the sustainability of a home against nine design categories, rating the ‘whole home’ as a complete package. The design categories are:
- Energy and CO2 Emissions
- Water
- Materials
- Surface Water Run-off
- Waste
- Pollution
- Heath and Wellbeing
- Management
- Ecology
Each category includes a number of environmental issues which have a potential impact on the environment. The issues can be assessed against a performance target and awarded one or more credits. Performance targets are more demanding than the minimum standard needed to satisfy Building Regulations or other legislation. They represent good or best practice, are technically feasible, and can be delivered by the building industry.
In this era, with a more environmentally-conscious public, aware of the urgent need to limit their effects on climate change, there is a growing appetite amongst consumers for more sustainable products and services. With greater demand for homes that offer reduced environmental impact, lower running costs and features that enhance health and well-being, there is an increased need for home builders to demonstrate their capacity in sustainable home building, and to market the sustainability of their homes to homebuyers. The Code offers a tool for home builders to demonstrate the sustainability performance of their homes, and to differentiate themselves from their competitors.
The Code is closely linked to Building Regulations, which are the minimum building standards required by law. Minimum standards for Code compliance have been set above the requirements of Building Regulations. The Code signals the future direction of Building Regulations in relation to carbon emissions from, and energy use in homes, providing greater regulatory certainty for the homebuilding industry.
Household CO2 Emissions.
The average UK household produces over 4 tonnes of CO2 per year. Domestic space and water heating produce over 70% of an average home's CO2 emissions. Emissions from domestic lighting are 6% of the average.