Sustainable Homes

GREENER LIVING: THE CODE FOR SUSTAINABLE HOMES

The Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH) has become a familiar term in the development industry over the last two years - but what implications does it have for housebuilders?  CSH is a rating system from 1 to 6, level 6 being a carbon neutral home.

CSH assesses the sustainability of a house through a complex scoring system which is translated into a star rating for each property. This is an all encompassing list from energy and water usage, materials, and waste to ecology and cycle parking, and includes aspects such as the fuel used to manufacture the construction materials.  

Level 3 is usually described as similar to the BRE Ecohomes rating VERY GOOD, and seems to be the standard that many housebuilders are currently willing and able to achieve.  This is the minimum level adopted by the Housing Corporation and English Partnerships.  

So what does it cost? English Partnerships in association with the Housing Corporation commissioned a cost review, which provides a useful guide. The cost of achieving Level 3 is on average 3% more than a 2006 Buildings Regulations compliant home.  The additional cost varies depending on house type. The most expensive being traditionally built detached houses adding up to 7% to construction costs, most of that cost being the inclusion of features such as photovoltaics. Costs can be reduced with site wide features such as a single energy source e.g. wind turbine. Achieving Level 4 requires a significant increase in cost from 12% to 20%.  

The CSH became mandatory for all new homes from 1 May 2008.  Speaking at the Eco Build 2008 Conference, Housing Minister Caroline Flint said:  

"We need to tackle climate change by improving how green and energy efficient our homes are. New build housing will play an important part in this, and we are already committed to all new housing being zero carbon from 2016. These measures are essential in tackling climate change.

"By requiring a rating for all new homes against the Code for Sustainable Homes in the run up to 2016, we are making the standards that different homes reach more transparent and are creating an important incentive for house builders to provide greener, more sustainable homes”.