Zero Carbon

Code for sustainable homes (CODE) was launched in 2007 to implement drastic changes to achieve greener homes through more energy & water efficient design to tackle climate change; it is seen as the future direction of the building regulations in relation to carbon emissions wit a tightening of energy efficiency.

A quarter of the UK’s carbon dioxide emissions came from energy we use to heat, light and run our homes in 2004.

Code homes are built more efficiently, sourcing sustainable materials and implementing with innovative design solutions, integrating higher sustainability performance standards into the design. Revolutionary design & planning of the layout of new developments will encourage owners to live a more sustainable lifestyle with improved wellbeing and quality of life.

Assessment of the code is measured on a rating of 1-6 stars, achieving a particular code rating depends upon inclusion of any combination of measures from nine design categories, the rating is assessed as a complete package ‘whole home’.

Code 6 rating been most sustainable, over the course of the year their net carbon emission would be zero.

By 2016 all new homes must be zero carbon rated; a 10 year drive being implemented on private housing from 2010 will see energy efficient improvement in stages up to the 2016 zero carbon target.

We at Cero see the problems faced by developers/builders alike, ‘selling‘; the public are more environmentally conscious then ever with a desire for sustainable products and services. We believe the introduction and inclusion of the code to current designs provides the perfect platform to differentiate developments from their competitors; with design excellence and technical innovation, marketing the sustainability of the homes to homebuyers. A high code level design would be far more attractive than an average off the shelf design as churned out in their thousands countrywide.

Innovative designs can find cost-effective solutions to achieve higher ‘code’ rating. Implementing the design solutions now will ensure future housing stock will be more suited and adapted to climate change.