Download
1 / 33
330 likes | 355 Views
Explore the Code for Sustainable Homes and its implications for sound insulation, driven by climate change factors like CO2 reduction targets, energy efficiency, and water conservation. Learn how the Code influences UK building regulations and why it's crucial for sustainable living.
E N D
The Code for Sustainable HomesLes Fothergill Sustainable Buildings Division
Content of presentation • Overview of Code for Sustainable Homes • Discussion on proposed section on sound insulation • The content of the Code has not yet been finalised and so is subject to change
Background to the Code:Main Drivers • Climate change agenda and CO2 targets • Rising energy costs • Security of supply of energy • Water conservation • Signals future direction of Building Regulations
Background to climate change 1 • Climate change is already happening. • The ten hottest summers on record have occurred since the beginning of the 1990s • Models predict that global temperature could rise from between 1.4 to 5.8 degrees over the next 100 years
Implications for the UK • milder, wetter winters • drier, hotter summers • higher sea levels - leading to the flooding of coastal areas and floodplains
UK policy commitments • Kyoto Protocol of 1997: ratified by over 150 countries – set legally binding reduction targets of 5.2% below 1990 levels by 2008-2012 • The UK has set itself challenging targets to reduce carbon emissions by: • 20% below 1990 levels by 2010, and • 60% below 1990 levels by 2050 • Energy supply – to produce 12% UK electricity from renewable sources by 2010
Current trend of carbon emissions 2010 target = 129 mtC
Climate change and buildings • 46% of carbon emissions are from the use of buildings • 27% from dwellings
Rainfall Rainfall: Percentage of long term average – November 2004 - March 2006
Average household (litres per head per day) 2030 2004 Water consumption <130 130-149 150-169 170-189 >190
Leakage Water used by unmeasured households Water used by non-households (industry) Water used by measured households Water use 6 Wash basin 8% Outside use 6% Kitchen sink 15% Bath 15% Toilet 35% Dishwasher 4% Shower 6% Washing machine 12%
Why a Code for Sustainable Homes? • Sustainable Buildings Task Group report recommended a single Code for England and Wales - with minimum standards for key resources: energy, water, waste, materials. • Fresh approach to achieve outcomes: • Encourage developers to offer more innovative solutions • Empower homebuyers.
Advantages of a Code • Advantages of a Code over Regulation: • Encourage aspirations above the regulatory base, in measured steps. • Point the way to future regulations and give certainty.
The consultation document 1 • Voluntary Code comprising essential and optional elements • A transparent rating system to inform home-buyers how sustainable the home they are buying is compared to another • Out to consultation (closed 6 March 2006) - over 2100 responses
Government has announced that all homes built with government funding (e.g. Housing Corporation, English Partnerships, etc) will meet Code Level 3 • As an interim measure – BRE EcoHomes “Very Good” from April 2006
Strengthening the Code 1 • ODPM (DCLG) Press Notice issued 9 March 2006 signalled proposals to “Strengthen The Code”; • Based on an initial analysis of consultation returns • Main options: • Make assessment to the code mandatory • Widen coverage of the Code • Encourage micro renewables • Use the Code to signal the future direction of Building Regulations
Strengthening the Code 2: Make assessment mandatory • All new homes and those sold or let will already have an • energy performance certificate • (a requirement of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive); • Ministers are considering mandatory assessments against the whole Code - a sustainability rating.
Strengthening the Code 3: Widen coverage of Code • Ministers minded to extend the Code to cover existing homes, as well as new ones. • Perhaps to cover non-domestic buildings - new and existing.
Strengthening the Code 4: micro-renewables • Ministers wish to use the Code to promote on-site energy generation. • Homes that use micro-renewable technology will gain extra Code Points. • Details now being worked upon.
Strengthening the Code 5: Signal future direction of Building Regulations • Code should form the basis for the next wave of improvements to the Building Regulations. • It should indicate where the Building Regulations could be in 5, 10, 15 years time.
The Code - is it worth it? • Code base (in Consultation Document) saves up to 25,000 litres of water a year per house. Utility bill potential to save up to £800 per household. • Make homes less wasteful, more secure, and more comfortable. • As easy to understand as washing machine efficiency labels.
