Ecohomes Assessments

EcoHome Assessments

voluntary environmental rating system

EcoHome is a credit-based environmental rating scheme, which is voluntary at present in the UK and designed to be used against new dwellings as well as major refurbishment projects. The environmental standards required exceed those imposed by building control to make any home built against EcoHomes, superior in many ways, ensuring that the sustainability of house building is maintained. Many of the issues listed below are voluntary, ensuring EcoHome is flexible enough to be tailored towards a particular development or market.

EcoHome assessments can be carried out at any stage during the development, design stage and post construction. However, it is recommended that the assessment be carried out as early as possible to minimize the need for any retrospective action to reach the rating required.

Does my development require an EcoHomes or Code Assessment?

The Government has announced that all new dwellings in England will require a rating in accordance with the Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH) from May 2008. EcoHomes will remain as an assessment method for new dwellings in Wales and Scotland, and for refurbishments in England. BRE advise that it will also apply to dwellings for which funding was in place based on EcoHomes prior to May 2008, even if the planning process is still underway.

What is the difference between EcoHomes and CSH?

EcoHomes assessments are carried out and presented as a single report at any time during the build, and are site-specific whereas the Code is dwelling-type specific. This means that, although the credit system for CSH has many similarities with EcoHomes, direct comparison between Code and EcoHomes ratings can be misleading. Award Energy can guide you through the differences between the two assessment systems.

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For further information or a quotation please contact us or call 01423 506070.