The Code for Sustainable Homes
- Achieving Energy and CO2 targets

 

The Code for Sustainable Homes was published in December 2007, and set a new national standard for the Sustainable design and construction of new homes.

 

The Code is to be mandatory for all housing from May 2008.

There are nine design categories to assess the sustainability of new homes, and these together with the maximum points available are shown below.

 

	Code category	Maximum points
1	Energy	36.4 points
2	Health & well-being	14.0 points
3	Ecology	12.0 points
4	Management	10.0 points
5	Water	9.0 points
6	Materials	7.2 points
7	Waste	6.4 points
8	Pollution	2.8 points
9	Surface water run off	2.2 points
	Total	100 points

 

Energy plays a major part of Code compliance and minimum standards are set above Building Regulations at every Level of the code.

But how do you get started given variables such as fabric performance (U-values, Airtightness), orientation and the need or not to introduce renewable technologies such as solar hot water and photovoltaic. To assist with this key aspect of design, Tarmac Topblock has collaborated with The Concrete Centre to produce a straightforward and easy guide 'Energy and CO2 Achieving targets with concrete and masonry'.

Download Energy and CO2 - Achieving targets with concrete and masonry guide (pdf, 996kb)

Our Technical Services team will be pleased to answer any further queries you have about our masonry products (Durox, Toplite, Hemelite and Topcrete) in relation to The Code for Sustainable Homes. We can calculate U-values for walls and floors offering practical block solutions, and provide advice on meeting other design categories such as 'Material' and 'Health and well-being'.

12 March 2008

Please Contact Us for further information.