Code For Sustainable Homes

The Code for Sustainable Homes has been developed to enable a step change in sustainable building practice for new homes. It has been prepared by the Government in close working consultation with the Building Research Establishment (BRE) and Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA), and through consultation with a Senior Steering Group consisting of Government, industry and NGO representatives.

The Code is intended as a single national standard to guide industry in the design and construction of sustainable homes. It is a means of driving continuous improvement, greater innovation and exemplary achievement in sustainable home building.

The Code complements the system of Energy Performance Certificates - introduced in June 2007 - under the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). The EPBD requires that all new homes (and other homes, when they are sold or leased) have an Energy Performance Certificate providing key information about the energy efficiency/carbon performance of the home. Energy assessment under the Code uses the same calculation methodology therefore avoiding the need for duplication.

Since May 2008 Code all home builders have had to declare the code level of their developments but the Government has defined a clear programme of developments for private and public sector homes and buildings in the future.

To download a copy of the Code For Sustainable Homes, click here.