Ecohomes

EcoHomes is an assessment method that rates the environmental qualities of new and renovated dwellings. Buildings are verified by independent assessors and rated on a scale of Pass, Good, Very Good and Excellent.   It is optional, and is largely employed where achieving a standard might help to sell the property.  In some cases, such as those properties bought by Housing Associations, this may be a requirement prior to purchase.

Ecohomes predates Code for Sustainable Homes, but has not been fully replaced by Code at this time, although that is likely to be the Government’s intention.  It differs from Code in that it is applicable to a whole site, where Code assesses each dwelling individually. It is still applicable for sites undergoing Code Assessments where there is an element of refurbishment or change of use (e.g. a large house being converted into flats).  These presently cannot be assessed under Code for Sustainable Homes rules, but must be assessed under EcoHomes.

AES Southern does not provide this service but, when required, works with a long-term highly informed partner in order to fulfil our Client’s complete requirements on any one site.

Broadly speaking, EcoHomes assesses the environmental quality of a development by considering climate change, use of resources, pollution, and impacts on biodiversity (wildlife) balanced against the need to provide safe and healthy homes and a high quality of life.  The scheme rewards developers who improve the environmental performance of a development through good design, rather than through high capital cost solutions.

It demonstrates:

• Sustainability credentials to planning authorities
• Green credentials to investors
• Good design environmental to purchases
• For owners and occupiers, the EcoHomes Label means:
• Reduced running costs through greater energy and water efficiency, and reduced maintenance
• Healthy, comfortable and flexible internal environments
• Access to local amenities
• Less dependence on the car.

It provides good design and informed decisions in the following areas:

• Energy: Operational Energy and CO2
• Transport: Location issues related to transport
• Pollution: Air and water pollution (excluding CO2)
• Materials: Enviromental implications of materials selection, recyclable materials
• Water: Consumption issues
• Ecology and Land Use: Ecological value of the site, planting and landscaping.
• Health and Well-Being: Internal and external issues relating to health and comfort.

EcoHomes 2005 has a total of 89 credits covered by 26 issues spread across the 7 catagories listed above.
Credits are available for each issue meeting the specified levels of performance. The number of credits available in each category does not necessarily reflect the relative importance of the issues being assessed. Before the final score can be calculated each ach of the scores in the seven category areas have a weighting factor applied, to reflect their relative environmental contribution.

The EcoHomes Scale runs from 'Pass' to 'Excellent' as depicted.

The final rating is determined by the EcoHomes assessor and quality assured and certified by BRE.