- Pre-Feasibility Studies
- Feasibility Studies
- Project Development
- Due Diligence
- Energy Strategies
- Energy Statements
- ECO Homes Assessments
- Code for Sustainable Homes
- Sustainability Statements
- Renewable Energy Studies
- SAP Assessments
- General Consultancy
Code for Sustainable Homes
The Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH) has replaced EcoHomes in England from April 2007 and introduces 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. The minimum standards for Code compliance have been set above the requirements of Building Regulations. New homes can achieve a rating on a scale of one to six 'Code Levels' depending on the standard achieved. Each level is an increasing reduction of carbon emissions, for example, Level 1 requires a 10% reduction of the Target Emission Rate (TER), Level 3 requires a 25% reduction, and Level 6 requires a 100% reduction and is deemed a ‘zero carbon’ structure.
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 EcoHomes system, and apart from the above design categories, it also includes new areas of sustainability design, such as Lifetime Homes and the inclusion of composting facilities.
Homes are assessed at design stage in a similar manner to that of the EcoHomes system, but additionally require verification at post-completion stage. One of the key differences is that EcoHomes is based on the overall rating for the site built up from various elements, including location, ecology and amenities. Whereas, CSH assesses the sustainability of individual dwelling types against the specific design categories. This environmental assessment method is based on EcoHomes and many House builders who currently use EcoHomes will be familiar with the credit system used within CSH.
Pre-Assessment
It involves 3 main stages:
Stage 1: SAP Calculation.
Stage 2: Upgrading the SAP to include the necessary reduction in carbon emissions (Level 1–6).
Stage 3: Providing an Upgrade Report which outlines how closely the existing design is to achieving the required Code Level (set by the Local Authority Planning Dept) and any additional features recommended to meet the required Code Level (level 1 – 6).
Achieving a specific Code Level
It is anticipated that most Planning Applications will require a full CSH Assessment at planning submission stage.
Achieving Levels 1 – 6 involves a two-step process;
1) Design Stage Assessment
2) Post Construction Stage
If your Planning Officer requires a Pre-Assessment, the first stage is to complete a SAP Calculation and Upgrade Report on each of the dwellings. Alternatively, if a full CSH Assessment is required, an on-site meeting (Design Stage Assessment) will need to take place. Please advise us which option you prefer. Our Pricing Team will be able to make these arrangements and provide you with a Quotation.
Enviko can provide the full range of advisory services and technology provision to suit your development’s requirements. For an informal discussion email or call our Technical Director on +44 (0)783 7081720.