Code for Sustainable Homes

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Code for Sustainable Homes the future of
building regulationsShona DunnSustainable
Buildings DivisionCommunities and Local
Government
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Today

• Why do we need to take action now?
• What is the Code and how does it work?
• Where next for Building Regulations - how do they
  link with the Code?
• What about existing homes?
• Energy Performance Certificates...

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Climate Change

• Climate change is happening
• Ten hottest summers in UK have occurred since
  1990
• Latest models predicts global average surface
  warming will be 1.8 to 4.0 by 2100
• There is still time to avoid the worst impacts of
  climate change, if we take strong action now
• The benefits of strong and early action far
  outweigh the economic costs of not acting.

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Buildings make a significant contribution to
climate change
Carbon emissions from energy use in buildings
account for nearly half of UK emissions, our
homes 27
1/3 of the energy that we use to heat homes is
wasted through poor insulation.
(1) Source Dukes 2003 and BRE data
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Future Agenda

• Towards Zero Carbon Homes
• One third of the homes standing in 2050 will have
  been built between now and then
• Ruth Kelly announced in December 2006 that new
  homes will be zero carbon by 2016, with steps on
  the way
• This will be supported by
• The Code for Sustainable Homes
• Stamp duty exemption for zero carbon homes
• Planning Policy Statement on Climate Change and
• Energy Performance Certificates

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Vision for the Code for Sustainable Homes

• A single national standard covering aspects of
  sustainable design and construction of a home
• Came into effect at beginning of April 2007

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What does the Code mean to industry and
householders?

• Enabling developers to demonstrate the
  sustainability of their homes and differentiate
  themselves from their competitors
• Empowers home buyers to drive demand for more
  sustainable homes

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Code for Sustainable HomesMinimum Standards
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Code the future of Building Regs
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Energy Performance of Buildings Directive -
ImplementationDr Carol SweetenhamEPBD
ImplementationCommunities and Local Government
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Energy Performance of Buildings Directive
Article 3 National Calculation
Methodology Articles 4 to 6 Building Performance
Standards Article 7 Building Certification Articl
e 8 Boiler Inspection Article 9 Air
Conditioning Inspection Article 10 Independent
Experts
Article 15 requires implementation by 04 Jan 06
with up to 3 more years for Articles 7 to 10
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The EPBD programme key milestones
Mar 07
Aug 07
Apr 08
Oct 08
Jan 09
Jan 11
Jan 08
Energy Performance of Buildings Directive
implemented

• RIA
• SI

• Predictive EAs for sale of dwellings before
  completion of construction
• EPCs on marketed sales of existing dwellings
• Phased in starting with larger homes (4 bedroom
  and above)

Phase 1 Introduce energy certification for new
/sold dwellings
Phase 2 Extend energy certification for dwellings

• EPCs for construction of all dwellings

Phase 3 Introduce certification for
non-dwellings Introduce display certification
for public buildings

• EPCs for sale or rental of non-dwellings gt 500m2
• EPCs for construction of all non-dwellings
• Display Certificates for Public Buildings gt 1000m2

Phase 4 Extend energy certification for rented
dwellings Extend consolidate energy
certification for non-dwellings

• EPCs for rented private sector social housing
  dwellings
• EPCs for sale of non-marketed dwellings
• EPCs for sale or rental of all remaining
  non-dwellings

Phase 5 Introduce air conditioning inspections

• AC Inspections gt 250 kWr

Phase 6 Extend air conditioning inspections

• AC Inspections gt 12 kWr

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Energy Performance Certificates a key part of
government policy

• Provide a tangible delivery mechanism
• Good feedback from potential recipients
• For construction, sale or rent
• Show
• the energy performance of the building.
• Benchmarks.
• To be accompanied by recommendations for
  cost-effective improvement.
• To provide an incentive to-
• Improve building management
• Consider investing in energy saving measures.
• EST Freephone number on EPCs provides a route to
  help people take action on recommendations

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HIPs - the first EPC Implementation

• This is first part of a number of EPBD
  implementation phases
• Big challenge is improving existing homes
• EPCs in HIPs changing awareness and attitudes
  wont all happen on Day 1
• Initial impacts on improvements made by buyers,
  but in time could become a bigger factor in
  buying decisions
• Secondary benefits from fridge ratings being
  seen on estate agent particulars raising
  awareness more generally

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Conclusions

• Climate Change is really happening
• There is time to avoid the worst aspects if we
  take strong action now
• Government has a clear strategy to deal with this
• The Code, the changes in Building Regulations and
  the EBPD measures are all fundamental elements of
  a strong government response

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Further information is available
fromwww.communities.gov.uk