Sustainability at the Heart of Planning
The government has set its own targets of a 20% decrease in CO² emmissions by 2010 and a 60% decrease by 2050. Policies have been set in place for delivering sustainable developments which are reinforced by the planning system. These guidelines and policies offer a tool for house builders, developers and RSL’s to demonstrate the sustainability performance of their homes, and to differentiate themselves from their competitors.
Part L of the Building Regulations - sets out the energy standards for all types of buildings. There are 4 elements which make up Part L – L1 A covers new dwellings and L2A covers non dwellings; L1B covers existing dwellings and L2B covers existing non-dwellings. For a building to comply with the revised regulation it should be responsible for 25% less carbon emissions and meet minimum performance standards (SAP 2005).
SAP & Appendix Q – is the Government’s Standard Assessment Procedure for Energy Rating of Dwellings and is used to demonstrate the compliance for dwellings with Part L of the Building Regulations and to provide energy ratings for dwellings. SAP 2005 Appendix Q is the addendum to the Standard Assessment Procedure and allows the energy performance of new technologies and advanced versions of existing technologies to be evaluated and specified within SAP.
PPS22 Renewable Energy – enables local authorities to demand that a percentage of a buildings energy requirement be generated from onsite Renewables as a condition of planning. This is typically 10%; however some authorities are demanding as much as 20%.
EcoHomes Standard – which has recently been replaced by the Code for Sustainable Homes, is a scheme operated by the BRE as an independently assessed means of verifying the environmental performance of new and renovated dwelling and covers flats, houses and apartments. The scheme rates the environmental qualities of dwellings on a scale of Pass, Good, Very Good and excellent. EcoHomes 2006 will continue to be used for refurbished housing in England and for all housing in Scotland and Wales.
Pushing the boundaries of design
Code for Sustainable Homes – builds on the EcoHomes Standard. The code is intended as a national standard for the design and construction of sustainable dwellings as a means of driving continuous improvement, greater innovation and exemplary achievement in sustainable home building. The code rates the sustainability of housing on a scale of one to six based on the Ecohomes rating system. The Code is an integral part of the Governments zero-carbon strategy, which aims to prepare the housing and construction products industries for the challenge of delivering low and zero-carbon homes. Intended as a national standard for homes within the open and social market, a home can achieve a sustainability rating from one star (entry level) to six stars the highest level.
With a major source of CO2 emissions coming from the energy we use to heat, light and run our homes, it’s vital that homes are built in a way that minimises the use of energy.
The code sets out minimum performance levels in 6 key areas including energy efficiency/CO2, water efficiency and use of materials.
The dwelling must improve over the Target Emission Rate as determined by Building Regulations Approved Document L (2006) from -
- Level 1 = 10% - better than ADL
- Level 5 = 100%
- Level 6 = Carbon zero
Meeting the Challenge
In response, Nuaire has developed Sunwarm, the World’s first family of standalone and integrated systems to provide solar heated air and water, whole house ventilation and air-cooling.
For help and advice on using energy efficient ventilation, solar thermal renewable systems and providing healthy living environments that will contribute to achieving your desired star level, please contact
