This is a compulsory assessment used to communicate and improve the overall sustainability performance of a home. This gives the property a 'star' rating communicated to the homeowner via the Home Information Pack.

Building to the Code can be seen as a mark of quality as well as a legal requirement as the Government pushes for its 2016 zero carbon targets and compliance with EPBD. There is a growing appetite amongst consumers for more sustainable products and services including homes that offer reduced environmental impact and lower running costs. Developers can use building to the Code for Sustainable homes as a way to differentiate themselves from their competitors and offer greater appeal to the market.

The Code measures the sustainability of a home and the site against nine design categories, rating the 'whole home' as a complete package. Each category is given a set number of credits, an environmental weighting factor from which a point score is derived. The total number of credits for each category is multiplied by a Weighting Factor to determine the points score for that category. These weighting factors reflect the relative importance of each of the issues covered in the Code. 

The process involves:

• Design Stage Assessment: consultation meeting reviewing specification and code rating;
• Progression checks: continuously monitor development to ensure Code requirements are to be met;
• Post Construction Review: final sign off and certification. 
  

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