Code for Sustainable Homes
Helyg Energy Services are Accredited 'Code for Sustainable Homes' assessors and as such can produce Pre Assessment Statements, 'Design stage' and 'As Built' Code assessments. It is beneficial to involve your Code assessor as early in the design process as possible, so as many of the credit-earning issues as possible can be included in the design.
The Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH)
The CSH sets six levels of sustainability for new build housing. These levels are indicated by stars. Each level includes mandatory requirements for energy performance and water usage, together with tradable requirements for other aspects of sustainability. On energy, the requirements are a percentage reduction in carbon emissions compared with Building Regulations Part L (2006) e.g. Level three = 25% reduction (31% in Wales).
The CSH offers an independently accredited, government-endorsed, sustainability rating for new build housing. This rating can be used to authoritatively define and recognise a ‘green’ home.
There are nine key areas of sustainable design principles:
- Energy and CO2 Emissions.
- Water
- Materials
- Surface Water Run-Off
- WastePollution
- Health and Wellbeing
- Management
- Ecology
The CSH assessment process comprises three stages:
Pre-Assessment Stage
First step to establishing the specification to be scored.
Any short fall in the initial specification can be identified early and action taken as required to meeting the planners and clients requirements.
Design Stage
Evidence gathering – letters of intent, Design specification, drawing notes and detailed construction drawings.
Interim Code certificate produced after BRE QA checks.
Post Construction stage
Confirmation of evidence – surveys, photos, manufacturers information, invoices, checked calculations, etc.
Final code certificate issued after BRE QA checks.
The Welsh Assembly Government
The Code has been adopted by the Welsh Assembly Government as the preferred tool to assess how sustainable development is being implemented in new homes in Wales. Since September 2009, any development of 5 or more dwellings in Wales must achieve Code Level 3 (+ 6 credits under the ENE1 issue). From 1st September 2010, all applications for any number of dwellings must achieve Code Level 3 (+ 6 credits under the ENE1 issue). See the MIPP statement and TAN 22 for more information (available from the Welsh Assembly Government site) on sustainable development goals in Wales.
