Proposed Overhaul of Code for Sustainable Housing

The Housing Minister, John Healy, has recently announced new proposals that will help to create a more ‘consumer-friendly’ Code for Sustainable Homes.

The code was brought in during April 2007, and was designed to help builders improve energy efficiency for new homes, as well as sustainability.

The code is based on a rating system for key areas of work, including waste, pollution, materials, management, ecology, CO2 emissions, health and well-being, water, and surface water run-off. Each area is then given a star rating.

If the property gets one star this shows that it meets the mandatory Building Regulations. However, those that are given six stars show excellent standards in terms of sustainability development.

Proposed changes announced by Healey state that the code will work with government plans to produce zero carbon homes by 2016. It will also be designed to help builders work within the code despite the current economic climate.

One way of producing more sustainable, eco friendly homes includes using double glazing in windows, which will prevent heat being lost and make the home naturally warmer.

Healey said of the code that it has ‘proved its worth but now is the time to make it a more user-friendly standard for consumers.’