What is the Code for Sustainable Homes?

• Background• Key features• Technical Guide• Code levels • Minimum standards• Assessment process• Certificates• Non-Code dwellings• Costs vs Benefits

Overview

Background

• Supercedes BREEAM EcoHomes• Mandatory requirements:England

- April 2007 : mandatory L3 in all social housing- May 2008 : mandatory for all new dwellings to have a Code rating

Wales- May 2008 : mandatory L3 for all social housing

Northern Ireland- June 2008 : mandatory L3 for all social housing

• Nine categories of environmental sustainability

• Applied at the level of individual dwellings

• 2 stage process – Design Stage Assessment and Post Construction Assessment

• Mandatory performance standards for energy, water, materials, waste and surface water run-off, health and well-being

• 6 level rating system « « « « « « – a tool for marketing and a mark of quality

Key features

The Code aims to drive the standard of housing forward

The Technical Guide• Public Document

– PDF format– http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planning

andbuilding/codeguide• Purpose of the guide• Process of obtaining a code rating• Scoring• Environmental weightings• Categories

– Issues• References• Remember there are updates!

EcologyManagementHealth and Wellbeing

PollutionWasteSurface Water Run-off

MaterialsWaterEnergy and CO2Emissions

e.g. Ecological Value of Site5Ecology

-34TOTAL:

e.g. Considerate Constructors Scheme4Management

e.g. Daylighting4Health and Well-being

e.g. Nitrogen oxides2Pollution

e.g. Composting3Waste

e.g. Flood Risk2Surface Water Run-off

e.g. Environmental Impact of Materials3Materials

e.g. Indoor Water Use2Water

e.g. Internal Lighting9Energy and CO2 emissions

ExampleNo. of IssuesCategories

Environmental Categories and Issues

Energy

Water

Materials

Surface Water Run-off

Waste

Pollution

Health & Well-being

Management

Ecology

Cat

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core

s

Envi

ronm

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l wei

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Final score

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Level 4

Level 5

Level 6

Scoring Process

Total Credits Available, Weighting Factors and Percentage Points.

Categories of Environmental Impact

Total credits in each category

Weighting factor (% points contribution) Approx. weighted value of each credit (percentage

point)

Category 1Energy and CO2 Emissions 29 36.4 % 1.26

Category 2Water 6 9.0 % 1.5

Category 3Materials 24 7.2 % 0.30

Category 4Surface Water Run-off 4 2.2 % 0.55

Category 5Waste 7 6.4 % 0.91

Category 6Pollution 4 2.8 % 0.70

Category 7Health and Wellbeing 12 14.0 % 1.17

Category 8Management 9 10.0 % 1.11

Category 9Ecology 9 12 % 1.33

Total - 100 % -

Code levels and points scoreCode Levels Total Percentage Points out

of 100 (equal to or greater than):

Equivalent Rating (Energy - approx)

Level 1 («) 36 Points Above RegulationsEST Good Practice

Level 2 (««) 48 Points EST Best practice

Level 3 («««) 57 Points Possible without LZC energy sources

Level 4 (««««) 68 Points PassivHausEST exemplary

Level 5 («««««) 84 Points Zero SAP

Level 6 (««««««) 90 Points Zero operational carbon

Minimum standardsCategories FlexibilityEnergy 6 levels of minimum standards one for each level of the

CodeWater Three levels of minimum standards each covering two

levels of the Code

Materials A single basic standard at Code entry levelSurface Water Run Off WasteHealth & Well-Being Level 6 OnlyPollution No minimum standardsManagementEcology

Ene 1 - Dwelling Emission Rate

• % Improvement in CO2 when compared to Building Regulations targets

• Defined by Building Regulations AD L1A• Calculated using SAP 2005

• Mandatory Percentages for all Levels• Builds on EST energy efficiency standards

– L3 – High building fabric/systems efficiency

– L4 – PassivHaus standard– L5 – 100% Improvement over TER– L6 – Beyond SAP, true zero carbon

15 Credits

Ene 1 – Dwelling Emission Rate% improvement of DER over

TER Credits Mandatory Levels

≥ 10 % 1 1≥ 14 % 2≥ 18 % 3 2≥ 22 % 4≥ 25 % 5 3≥ 31 % 6≥ 37 % 7≥ 44 % 8 4≥ 52 % 9≥ 60 % 10≥ 69 % 11≥ 79 % 12≥ 89 % 13≥ 100 % 14 5

‘Zero Carbon Home’ 15 6

Wat 1 - Indoor Water Use• Theoretical average water consumption, using normalised

use patterns• Measured in Litres / person / day• Measure water used (l/p/d) by:

– WC / bidet– Basin taps– Shower– Kitchen sink taps– Bath– White goods– Water softeners

5 Credits

Wat 1 - Indoor Water Use

Water consumption (litres / person / day)

Credits Mandatory Levels

≤120 l/p/day 1 Level 1 and 2

≤110 l/p/day 2

≤105 l/p/day 3 Level 3 and 4

≤90 l/p/day 4

≤80 l/p/day 5 Level 5 and 6

N.B 150l/p/day is typical

• Single basic standard• No credits for meeting

mandatory• Hydrological consultant/engineer

needed• Incorporates PPS25• Very simple for some sites,

can be difficult for others!

Sur 1 - Management of surface water run-off from developments

Sur 1 - Management of surface water run-off from developments

• Surface water runoff no greater post development than pre development– Peak Rate Run-off no greater– Volume of Run-off no greater

• Typically involves soakaways, rainwater harvesting, holding tanks, permeable paving etc.

Mat 1 - Environmental Impact of Materials

• Rates specifications based on environmental impact over life cycle

• Based on BRE Green Guide rating• A+ to E ratings• Assessment covers:

– Roof– External walls– Internal walls– Floors– Windows

15 Credits

Mat 1 - Environmental Impact of Materials

• 3 elements which are rated D will result in compliance with the mandatory requirement, but no credits will be awarded

Green Guide 2007 Rating

Credits

A+ Rating 3A Rating 2B Rating 1C Rating 0.5 D Rating 0.25E Rating 0

• 3 out of 5 named elements will need to be rated D or above

Was 1 - Storage of non-recyclable waste & recyclable household waste

• A suitable area of sufficient size to house the greatest volume of

EITHER– All containers provided by the Local Authority

(Refuse and Recycling)OR– The minimum capacity as calculated using BS

5906:2005

• Storage area accessible to all, particularly wheelchair users

Hea 4 - Lifetime Homes

• Mandatory at Level 6 ONLY

• Accessibility to and within dwelling

• Potential for future adaptability

• Adhere to all principles of Lifetime Homes (applicable to the dwelling)

• Checklist with 16 sections

4 Credits

• Energy – % Improvement CO2 over Building Regulations target

• Water– Average water consumption (litre/person/day)– WC, taps and shower fittings key

• Surface Water Run-off– Run-off pre and post development

• Materials – Minimum Green Guide rating ‘D’ in 3 elements– Roof, external walls, internal walls, floors, windows

• Waste– Minimum volume for waste storage

• Health and Welling Being– Lifetime Homes Level 6 ONLY

Mandatory Requirements Summary

The Assessment Process

Registration

Design Stage Report

For each dwelling PC Stage report submitted

Quality Assurance and Final Code Certificate

Quality Assurance

Site to be assessed

Employ assessor BRE Training & Licensing

BRE issues Interim Certificate

For each dwelling

Pre-Assessment/Pre Planning Advice

For each dwelling

For each dwelling

Technical Advice /Process support

A Two-stage Process

• Design Stage

– Based on design drawings, specifications and commitments

– Results in ‘Interim’ certificate of compliance

– Most up-to-date certificate to go into HIP

• Post Construction Stage

– To show the Design Stage assessment goals have been met

or– If any material changes, for them to be identified

and reassessed– Surveys, photos, manufacturer’s information,

invoices etc.

A Two-stage Process

Certificate• Certificate presents:

– Details of the development

– Overall rating and score– Breakdown of score by

category– EPC CO2 rating

• Interim certificate issued after report passes Design Stage QA process

• Final certificate issued after report passes Post Construction Stage QA process

• No assessment can claim to have an assessed Code Rating unless a certificate has been issued

Interim and Final Certificates

Nil-rated Certificates

• Building to the Code performance standards is not compulsory

BUT• the provision of information

relating to the sustainability performance of the dwelling is.

• New homes built to minimum Building Regulations standards require a nil-rated certificate in the Home Information Pack

1. Refurbished homesEcoHomes still in use in England and Wales:• For all refurbishment projects• For existing assessments registered under

EcoHomes• For sites where it is required as a result of

contractual commitment

What the Code Cannot Assess

What the Code Cannot Assess2. Any development that is not a standard home• Sheltered homes• Nursing homes• Student accommodation• Prisons• Military accommodation

Can be assessed using other schemes

Costs? • Initial indicative costings compiled from theoretical information;

Cost Analysis of The Code for Sustainable Homes (CLG, 2008)

Market town: Detached home End terrace Flat

Code level three £4,991 (5%) £5,027 (7%) £2,922 (4%)

Code level four £11,733 (13%) £9,490 (13%) £6,059 (8%)

Code level five £22,197 (24%) £18,738 (25%) £12,267 (15%)

Code level six £38,817 (43%) £31,747 (42%) £21,251 (27%)

TABLE : Costs to achieve Code levels, variety of dwellings (wind excluded)

Source: Housing Corporation

Benefits? Environmental benefits

Plus:• Increased building value

• Lower running costs

• Improved health and well being of occupants

• Inclusive design

• Future proof buildings

Overview

• Background• Key features• Technical Guide• Code levels • Minimum standards• Assessment process• Certificates• Non-Code dwellings• Costs vs Benefits