Heat Incentives & Tariffs | Code for Sustainable Homes

How the Code Works          How to Meet the Code

Introduction
The Code for Sustainable Homes is designed to be the single guideline to achieve improvements in the environmental performance of newly built homes, it supplements the current Building regulations.  It aims to help developers, self-builders and architects create more sustainable homes through better design and management of water usage, waste generation and using low-polluting materials and processes in construction.

The government is aiming to make all new homes zero-carbon rated by 2016 and the code is in place to help achieve this goal with a step by step approach.  Since April 2008 all new social housing has to achieve a ‘level 3’ and in 2010 this has moved to Level 4, for private buildings the code was introduced in April 2010 at an entry level 3.

The benefits of the Code

For the Environment:
- Reduced greenhouse gas emissions
- Homes will be better suited to inevitable future climate change
- Reduced impact on the environment overall

For House Builders
- Differentiation from competitors through optional take up of an enhanced code
- Code indicates future Building Regulations allowing business and investment planning
- Flexibility in deciding how to meet and exceed the minimum requirements

 For Social Housing Providers
- Lower running costs
- Improved comfort and satisfaction
- Raised sustainability credentials

For Consumers
- Provides information on the sustainability of the dwelling
- Reduced environmental footprint
- Lower running costs
- Improved well being

Find out more about How the Code Works and How to meet the requirements.