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Domestic energy & environmental assessments

No matter if public or private, existing or new build, our accredited energy and environmental assessors can rate the performance of your residential buildings using the following quality assured energy and environmental assessment services:

Case studies

 

Home Energy Ratings

Our qualified Energy Assessors provide the full range of energy ratings to suit your requirements. Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) and national Home Energy Rating (NHER) assessments are required by building control and local authority planning departments, when existing dwellings are converted, extended or improved. When a new home is built it will require a SAP assessment and rating to be undertaken at both design and as built stages.

The energy performance certificate (EPC) provides an energy rating on a scale from A - G for dwellings. These certificates are currently mandatory when homes with 3 or more bedrooms are sold. Between now and January 2009 this requirement will be extended to homes being constructed or rented. The Energy Performance Certificate will form part of the Home Information Pack (HIP), and will detail average costs for heating, hot water and lighting in the home. It will also rate the energy performance of the home and provide useful information tailored specifically to the dwelling on how to improve efficiency.

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Ecohomes & Ecohomes XB

EcoHomes is an assessment model for homes that rates the energy efficiency and environmental impact of housing. It provides an authoritative rating for new build or major refurbishments including conversions or renovations, and covers houses, flats and apartments.

EcoHomes balances environmental performance with the need for a high quality of life and a safe and healthy internal environment. Many of the criteria are optional, ensuring Ecohomes is flexible enough to be tailored to a particular development or market. EcoHomes Assessments can be carried out at both the design stage or post construction. In April 2007 the Code for Sustainable Homes replaced Ecohomes for the assessment of new housing in England. EcoHomes 2006 will continue to be used for refurbished housing in England and for all housing in Scotland and Wales.

EcoHomes XB

This new tool developed by the BRE in conjunction with the housing Corporation allows stock holders to assess and monitor the environmental performance of their stock. Unlike other BRE Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) versions, EcoHomes XB does not give a specific rating, but is based on a single score, allowing stock holders to benchmark their initial performance and then set realistic efficiency targets. EcoHomes XB is an easy to use desk based self assessment tool. Our licensed EcoHomes assessor can provide this as an outsourced service if required.

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Code for Sustainable Homes

The Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH) has replaced EcoHomes in England from April 2007 for publicly funded, new build multiple dwellings. Compliance with the Code is currently voluntary within the private sector, but it is likely that compliance may become mandatory for all new homes in England in 2008.

The Code measures the sustainability of a home against key design categories, rating the ‘whole home’ as a complete package. The minimum standards for Code compliance are above the requirements of Building Regulations and are set by your Local Authority. Homes are assessed at design stage in a similar manner to that of the EcoHomes system, but additionally require verification at post-completion stage.

EcoHomes and CSH cover the following design categories:

  • Ecology
  • Energy – requires a SAP rating, which Carbon Descent can undertake
  • Health & Well-being (with the addition of Lifetime Homes for CSH) 
  • Management
  • Materials
  • Pollution
  • Surface water run-off
  • Transport (EcoHomes only)
  • Waste
  • Water
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Sustainability Statements

The purpose of a Sustainability Statement is to demonstrate the environmental benefits / impacts of a proposed development. Each local authority will have their own guidance and checklist which explains what this means and what the planning requirements are for the size and type of development being proposed. The Sustainability Statement should address all the planning requirements and considerations that apply to the development.

A sustainability statement is normally required for all major developments including residential types usually comprising of 10 or more units. Most statements will be required to address the following issues relating to a development:

  • Air Quality 
  • Biodiversity 
  • Energy and Resource Efficient Design
  • Energy Conservation
  • Energy Efficiency
  • Facilities for Pedestrians and Cyclists
  • Land & Building Use
  • Landscape/external works
  • Materials
  • Noise
  • Open space/Landscaping
  • Safeguarding water supply
  • Space and Roof Design
  • Site Location and Public Transport
  • Sustainable Heat & Power
  • Transport
  • Waste and Recycling

For residential developments, most of these issues can be assessed as part of an EcoHomes or Code for Sustainable Homes assessment.

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10% Renewables Statements

Many local authorities require major new developments to incorporate renewable energy to generate a set percentage of the building’s energy requirements. This is likely to be between 10% and 25%, and is specified by the local planning authority. A statement is required at planning application stage detailing the total energy demand for the development and which renewable energy technologies could deliver the specified percentage.

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