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The Code for Sustainable Homes became operational from April 2007 and introduces the minimum standards for energy and water efficiency at every level of the new national standard. The Code measures the sustainability of a home against key design categories, rating the 'whole home' as a complete package.
New homes can achieve a rating on a scale of one to six 'Code Levels' depending on the standard achieved. Compliance with the Code became mandatory for publicly funded homes in England from April 2007, but was voluntary in the short term within the private sector. It is likely that compliance may become mandatory for all new homes in England as early as 2008.
The key design categories included within the Code are:
- Energy
- Water
- Materials
- Surface water run-off
- Waste
- Pollution
- Health & Well-being
- Management
- Ecology
The Code builds on the current EcoHomes system, and apart from the above design categories, it will also include new areas of sustainability design, such as Lifetime Homes and the inclusion of composting facilities.
Homes will be assessed at design stage in a similar manner to that of the current EcoHomes system, but will additionally require verification at post-completion stage. It is proposed that the post-completion checks will be carried out on a sample basis.
To achieve points under the materials section of the Code, A+ - D rated specification in the Green Guide to Specification need to be used for at least three out of the five following elements:
- Roof
- External Walls
- Internal Walls (incl. party walls and partitions)
- Floors – upper and ground floors
- Windows
Materials
To achieve points under the materials section of the Code, A+ - D rated specification in the Green Guide to Specification need to be used for at least three out of the five following elements: Roof, External Walls, Internal Walls (incl. party walls and partitions), Floors - upper and ground floors, Windows.
How can Marley Eternit help?
Marley Eternit can help you achieve credits within the Code as the following products achieve an A-rating in the Green Guide to Specification):
• Concrete Roof Tiles
• Fibre Cement Slates
• Melbourn Slates (resin slates)
• Clay plain tiles
It is important to note that in the Green Guide to Specification, fibre cement slates achieve a 'B' rating and resin slates achieve a 'C' rating.
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