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Sustainable Housing - Eco Homes
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Eco-Homes
EcoHomes is an environmental rating for homes. This straightforward, flexible and independently verified assessment method seeks to improve the overall environmental performance of new and existing homes. It forms part of the Building Research Establishment's (BRE) suite of environmental assessment tools.
The issues assessed by EcoHomes are optional, making it flexible and enabling housing associations and developers to adopt the most appropriate aspects of sustainability for their particular development and market. Seven categories are considered:
- Energy
- Water
- Pollution
- Materials
- Transport
- Ecology and land use
- Health and well being
Four ratings can be acheived from Pass, Good, Very Good and Excellent. Follow this link for a guide to achieving Eco-Homes.
EcoHomes 2006 published
The new EcoHomes 2006 has been published, and will come into effect on 6th April 2006. The environmental rating system for new homes has been updated in line with the new Building Regulations Part L1A for England and Wales and sets higher standards to reduce carbon emissions. EcoHomes 2006 will run as an interim measure until it is merged with the Code for Sustainable Homes later this year.
Homes funded by the Housing Corporation and English Partnerships previously had to achieve the "Good" standards, but from April 2006 they will be required to achieve level three "Very Good" of EcoHomes 2006.
The revisions in EcoHomes 2006 include increased credits for lower carbon emissions, a requirement to use SAP 2005, and a requirement for A+ rated fridges and freezers. Additional credits are also available for the use of on site renewables.
For further details follow this link.(This website opens in a new page)
If you would like any further information please ring the Sustainable Housing & Affordable Warmth (SHAW) team on 0114 273 5837. You can also email the team on shawteam@sheffield.gov.uk.
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