Summary of Code benefits

BENEFITS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
●    Reduced greenhouse gas emissions: With minimum standards for energy efficiency at each level of the Code, there will be a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions to the environment. This will enable us to reduce the threat from climate change.
●    Better adaptation to climate change: The Building Regulations (Approved Document L – 2006) already limit the effects of solar gains in Summer. With minimum standards for water efficiency at each level of the Code, and other measures in the Code, including better management of surface water run-off, our future housing stock will be better adapted to cope with the impacts of climate change which are already inevitable.
●    Reduced impact on the environment overall: Inclusion of measures which, for example, promote the use of less polluting materials, and encourage household recycling, will ensure that our future housing stock has fewer negative impacts overall on the environment.

BENEFITS FOR HOME BUILDERS
●    A mark of quality: Increasing media attention and public concern over environmental issues, notably climate change, has given rise to a growing appetite among consumers for more sustainable products and services. The Code for Sustainable Homes can be used by home builders to demonstrate the sustainability performance of their homes, and to differentiate themselves from their competitors.
●    Regulatory certainty: The levels of performance for energy efficiency indicate the future direction of building regulations, bringing greater regulatory certainty for home builders, and acting as a guide to support effective business and investment planning.
●    Flexibility: The Code is based on performance which means it sets levels for sustainability performance against each element but does not prescribe how to achieve each level. Home builders can innovate to find cost-effective solutions to meet and exceed minimum requirements.

BENEFITS FOR SOCIAL HOUSING PROVIDERS
●    Lower running costs: Homes built to Code standard will have lower running costs through greater energy and water efficiency than homes not built to the Code standard, so helping to reduce fuel poverty.
●    Improved comfort and satisfaction: Homes built to the Code will enhance the comfort and satisfaction of tenants. Costs may be saved in dealing with complaints.
●    Raised sustainability credentials: The Code will enable social housing providers to demonstrate their sustainability credentials to the public, tenants and funding bodies.

BENEFITS FOR CONSUMERS
●    Assisting choice: The Code will provide valuable information to homebuyers on the sustainability performance of different homes, assisting them in their choice of a new home.
●    Reducing environmental ‘footprint’: By asking for a new home which meets the Code standard, consumers will be able to encourage industry to build more sustainable homes, and reduce their own ‘footprint’ on the environment.
●    Lower running costs: Homes built to Code standard will have lower running costs through greater energy and water efficiency than homes not built to the Code standard, so helping to reduce fuel poverty.
●    Improved well-being: Homes built to Code standard will provide a more pleasant and healthy place to live, for example with more natural light, and adaptability for future needs.