Developer
The Code for Sustainable Homes

The Code for Sustainable Homes is the national standard for the sustainable design and construction of new homes. The Code aims to reduce our carbon emissions and create homes that are more sustainable. The Code measures the sustainability of a new home against nine categories of sustainable design, rating the 'whole home' as a complete package. The Code uses a one to six star rating system to communicate the overall sustainability performance of a new home.

 

 
Mandatory Minimum Standards In The Code For Sustainable Homes (UK). 

 

 

Code Level

 
Category
Minimum Standard
1 (*)
 
2 (**)
 
3 (***)
 
4 (****)
 
5 (*****)
 
6 (******)
Energy/C02
Percentage improvement over Target Emission Rate (TER) as determined by the 2006 Building Regulation Standards
10%
 
18%
 
25%
 
44%
 
100%
 
A ‘zero carbon home’ (heating, lighting, hot water and all energy uses in the home)

 

The Code will provide valuable information to home buyers, and offers builders a tool with which to differentiate themselves in sustainability terms.
 
 
Examples of The Codes and What they Mean

  

Level 1: For a dwelling to reach an overall Code Level 1, it must have achieved Code Level 1 in the CO2 emmissions category.  If a property attains Code Level 1, this means that performance is above that required as minimum by the Building Regulations.
 
Level 4 (Passivhaus) - A dwelling which meets the Passivhaus standard will include very good levels of insulation with minimal thermal bridges, good utilization of solar and thermal gains, excellent levels of air tightness and can be used as a base to go on to achieve higher code levels.  A dwelling is deemed to satisfy the PassivHaus criteria if the total energy demand for heating and cooling is less than 15 kWh/m2 of treated floor area per year.  The total primary energy use for all appliances, domestic hot water and space heating and cooling also needs to be less than 120 kWh/m2 of treated floor area per year.  For energy requirements of the code PassivHaus will usually meet code level four.
 
However the PassivHaus only achieves a code level four for the Energy Use and Co2 emissions because it does not necessarily involve the use of Renewables. The NuTech Passive Solar House can achieve a Code Level 5 rating, because it does utilise renewable energy in a very efficient way.  For comparisons and further information please click here
 
 
Level 5 - This is where net carbon emissions are 100% less than Part L1A of the building regulations stated in 2006. The CO2 emissions are from the energy used for heating, hot water and lighting, so code level 5 is achieved when CO2 levels are reduced or generated onsite.
If you wish to find out more information about how NuTech Renewables Ltd can help you build a level 5 low carbon house, please click here for more information.
 
Level 6 (Zero Carbon) - This is where net CO? emissions resulting from all energy use in the dwelling is at zero or better. This includes energy used in the operation of space heating /cooling and hot water systems, ventilation, internal lighting and electrical appliances. It also takes into account contributions from onsite renewable/low carbon installations. A zero carbon home must also have a heat loss parameter of 0.8W/m²K or less, and net zero CO? emissions from the use of appliances and cooking in the home.
 
 
 Design Categories Within the Code
 
 
The Code introduces minimum standards for energy and water efficiency for every level. There are minimum standards for materials, surface water run-off and waste at entry level only. Additional points can still be gained by performance in other areas.
  
The design categories included within the Code are:
  • Energy/CO2
  • Water
  • Minerals
  • Surface water run-off
  • Waste
  • Pollution
  • Health and well being
  • Management
  • Ecology
 Current Regulations 
 
 
 Since May 2008 all new homes are required to have a Code rating. A Code certificate has to be included within the Home Information Pack. 
An assessment against the Code is not mandatory for every new home, but a rating will be required for all new dwellings (with a zero star rating being allocated if there is no assessment). For some developments, including individual dwellings, developers may not wish to build above Building Regulations and this is ok. They would not necessarily want to pay for an assessment to tell them that they had not exceeded Building Regulations. In this case, the developer must download a “zero-star certificate”. So either an assessment or a “zero star certificate” will be required for all new dwellings and these must be included in the Home Information Pack (HIP). The certificates can be downloaded from the HIP website.
 
The Code is closely linked to Building Regulations, which are the minimum standards required by law. The Code is intended to show the future direction of Building Regulations and provide greater regulatory certainty for the home building industry.
Current Building Regulations require a reduction in Carbon emissions of 20% compared
 
 
Regulations:
Date
2010
2013
2016
Carbon improvement compared to Part L Building Regulations 2006
25%
44%
Zero carbon
Equivalent standard in the Code
Code Level 3
 
 
Furthermore Northern Ireland has required Code Level 3 for all public sector housing since April 2008
 
 
How Installing Renewable Energy Systems from NuTech Renewables Ltd Will help you to achieve the Code for Sustainable Homes
 
 
Renewable Energy Application is all about how you can maintain the day to day running of your building using sustainable products and low impact elements, such as
  • Solar Thermal Heating Systems - a method of collecting solar energy in order to produce hot water for heating and domestic use
  • Heat Pumps - a method of collecting thermal energy from , air and water and converting to useful heating and cooling without the use of fossil fuels
These are just some of the renewable energy applications which can be applied using the Sustainable Code,and other authoritative guidance in order to optimise the Energy Efficiency Certification of your building.
 
NuTech Renewables Ltd can assist you with a wide range of eco-building services which will maximise Code credits. We specialise in providing bespoke solutions to each development – this will avoid the need to buy expensive “off the shelf” products. By getting us involved right at the start of your project, we can incorporate cost effective, practical techniques to reduce energy for minimal cost.
 
 
Please download the NuTech Brochure on Sustainable Codes for further informaiton
 
 
Additional Information for Architects and Developers
 
  Technical Downloads
 
 
 
 
 Energy Saving Trust Downloads
 
 Energy Efficiency and the code for sustainable Homes Level 3