What about the Code for Sustainable Homes?

On 13 December 2006, the Code for Sustainable Homes - a new national standard for sustainable design and construction of new homes was launched. The Code measures the sustainability of a new home against categories of sustainable design, rating the ‘whole home’ as a complete package. The Code uses a 1 to 6 star rating system to communicate the overall sustainability performance of a new home. The Code sets minimum standards for energy and water use at each level and, within England, replaces the EcoHomes scheme, developed by the Building Research Establishment (BRE). The Code for Sustainable Homes is thought to be a stepping stone towards all new homes being zero carbon by 2016. It is expected the Code may become mandatory in 2008.

Due to the lower CO₂ emissions from a heat pump it can help meet the mandatory reductions set out within the Code for energy reduction.

Code Levels	Minimum Percentage reduction in Dwelling Emission Rate Over Target Emission rate (as per SAP 2005)
Level 1 (*)	10%
Level 2 (**)	18%
Level 3 (***)	25%
Level 4 (****)	44%
Level 5 (*****)	100%
Level 6 (******)	Zero Carbon

The code will provide valuable information to home buyers, and offer builders and Architects a tool with which to differentiate themselves in sustainability terms.