Code for Sustainable Homes Aims to Reduce Carbon Emissions

Code for conduct is a well-known phrase, but ever thought of code for sustainable homes? Well, let us talk about this and how environmental consultancy and environmental engineers can help implement code for sustainable homes. Though, this code is not strictly a set of regulations, it sets forth the national standard for England, Wales and Northern Ireland as to how to design and build new homes that are ecologically sustainable.

The major aim of the code is to lower the carbon emissions and build more and more homes that are sustainable. The code is voluntary and experienced environmental consultancy can help promote higher standards of sustainable design using code for sustainable homes. The authorities have decided nine categories against which the sustainability of the home is measured. Those nine include: Energy/CO 2 , Water, Materials, Surface Water Runoff (flooding and flood prevention), Waste, Pollution, Health and Well-being, Management and Ecology. It is against this that the house is measured as a whole package and not as a fragmented piece of bricks and walls.

Since, it is based on rating system, the code for sustainable homes uses one to six star rating to decide the overall sustainability of the home against these nine categories. As per this code, minimum standards of energy and water are set at each level. It replaces Echo Homes scheme in England. This scheme is developed by the Building Research Establishment (BRE). This code was officially launched on December 13, 2006. It has become a voluntary standard set of codes in England in 2007. The code for sustainable home is a complement to the system of Energy Performance Certificates for new homes introduced in 2008 under the European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. The code also adapts to the most recent changes to building regulations in England and Wales.