Section: Energy Efficiency
Eco Friendly Ratings for All New Homes
The drive towards zero carbon housing took a major step forward with the announcement that all new homes are to be rated on their green credentials from 1 May.
A rating against the Code for Sustainable Homes, which measures nine categories of sustainable design - including energy, water and waste, will be required for all new homes. Homes which exceed the sustainable standards in existing Building Regulations will be awarded up to six stars. Those homes that have not been assessed against the Code will score a nil-rating.
The Code also contains the standards for constructing new homes to age friendly designs, as set out in the Department's Lifetime Homes, Lifetime Neighbourhoods: A National Strategy for Housing In An Ageing Society (see this month's report in 'Housing Provision').
The Code is part of a package of measures aimed at improving the sustainability of new homes, which includes:
- Major progressive tightening of the minimum energy performance standards in building regulations - by 25% in 2010 and by 44% in 2013 - up to the zero carbon target in 2016. This will improve the energy performance of all new homes, and encourage the use of energy from renewable sources.
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Introducing new minimum standards in Building Regulations to make new homes more water-efficient - it is estimated that by installing low flush toilets and more water efficient taps in new homes we could reduce household consumption by up to 20%.
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The Planning Policy Statement on Climate Change, which puts climate change at the heart of the planning system - by ensuring that new communities are located and designed in a way which reduces the need to travel and makes best use of low carbon and renewable energy. It will apply to all development, not just homes, and makes clear references to the Code for Sustainable Homes.
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The stamp duty exemption for zero carbon homes, which came into effect on 1 October 2007 for houses, will act as a further incentive for developers to build zero carbon homes.
