Code for Sustainable Homes

The Code for Sustainable Homes has replaced EcoHomes in England from April 2007 and introduces minimum standards for energy and water efficiency at every level of the new national standard. The Code measures the sustainability of a home against key design categories, rating the 'whole home' as a complete package. The minimum standards for Code compliance have been set above the requirements of Building Regulations. New homes can achieve a rating on a scale of one to six 'Code Levels' depending on the standard achieved.

The key design categories included within the Code are:

• Energy
• Water
• Materials
• Surface water run-off
• Waste
• Pollution
• Health & Well-being
• Management
• Ecology

The Code builds on the EcoHomes system, and apart from the above design categories, it also includes new areas of sustainability design, such as Lifetime Homes and the inclusion of composting facilities.

Homes are assessed at design stage in a similar manner to that of the EcoHomes system, but additionally require verification at post-completion stage.

From May 1st 2008, all new built homes in England will require a Code rating, and all public housing in Northern Ireland from April 2008.

For further information about these new requirements announced in February 2008 click here:

February 2008 announcement

FAQs - 28-02-08

The Code for Sustainable Homes and the Technical Guide are published by the Department for Communities and Local Government. 

Click the links to download the document you require [PDF format].

• Code for Sustainable Homes
• Technical Guide - Code for Sustainable Homes

We continue to run our popular introductory Code course. Delegate places are available on open courses run at locations across the country, or as in-company courses at your own premises. The next series of open courses will run in April and June 2008, for which bookings are already being taken.

We have extended our highly succesful Ecohomes assessment and consultancy services to include the Code. In addition, we can provide services such as Air Leakage Testing and Pre-completion Acoustic Testing.