Code for Sustainable Homes

What is the Code for Sustainable Homes?

The Code for Sustainable homes was launched on December 13, 2006 by the Department Communities and Local Government to enable a step change in sustainable building for new homes and replaces the former EcoHomes ratings. Under the Code, homes are given star ratings at six levels, with Level 1 requiring thermal efficiency and Level 6 being ‘zero carbon’.

The code works by awarding new homes a star rating from 1 to 6, based on their performance against 9 sustainability criteria which are combined to assess the overall environmental impact. One star is entry level above building regulations, and six stars is the highest, reflecting exemplary developments in terms of sustainability.

The sustainability criteria by which new homes are measured are:

Energy and CO2 Emissions – Operational Energy and resulting emissions of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere
Water H20 – The consumption of potable water from the public supply systems or other ground water resources
Materials – The environmental impact of construction materials for key construction elements
Surface Water Run-off – The change in surface water run-off patterns as a result of the development
Waste – Waste generated as a result of the construction process and facilities encouraging recycling of domestic waste in the home
Pollution – Pollution resulting from the operation of the dwelling
Health and Well-Being – The effects that the dwelling’s design and indoor environment has on its occupants
Management – Steps that have been taken to allow good management of the environmental impacts of the construction and operation of the home
Ecology – The impact of the dwelling on the local ecosystem, bio-diversity and land use

Our low flow range of products reaches Code 3-6 in the New Code for Sustainable Homes. For more information please download the file below, or contact us.