Code for Sustainable Homes
Elvet Consultants recently qualified as licensed assessors in The Code for Sustainable Homes, which is a new standard introduced by the Housing Cooperation to assess the environmental performance of new-build homes. The Code identifies a route towards low and zero carbon domestic dwellings as part of a suite of measures to achieve the Governments target of all new housing being zero carbon by 2016. This enables developers from both the public and private sector to measure and improve the design specification and construction quality of schemes against a unified nationally recognised rating. From April 2008 Government funding released through the National Affordable Housing Programme will be reserved for developments awarded a level three code rating or above.
Similarly the private sector is also being encouraged to demonstrate their compliance with key aspects of the code via a series of planned amendments to the Building Regulations.
2010 - 25% more energy efficient and 50% more water efficient than 2006 standards (Code level three).
2013 - 44% more energy efficient and 50% more water efficient than 2006 standards (Code level four).
2016 - zero-carbon and 80% more water efficient than 2006 standards (Code level six).
Furthermore the Housing Regeneration Bill requires that from May 2008 all new homes need to state whether a Code rating has been sought, by either providing a sustainability certificate or a written statement to document its absence.
Appointment of Elvet Consultants during the early stages of planning will provide the client with a detailed design brief, which encapsulates the criteria necessary for attaining the desired credit rating.
