Code for Sustainable Homes

In February 2008 the UK government confirmed that a mandatory rating against the Code would be implemented for new homes in England from 1 May 2008. The Code measures the sustainability of a new home against categories of sustainable design, rating the ?whole home? as a complete package. It uses a 1 to 6 star rating system to communicate the overall sustainability performance of a new home. It also 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 also gives buyers of new home better information about the environmental impact of their new home and its potential running costs, and offer builders a tool with which to differentiate themselves in sustainability terms. Since April 2007 the developer of any new home in England has been able to choose to be assessed against the Code.