HBF Technical Conference 2006 Code for Sustainable Homes

HBF Technical Conference 2006 Code for Sustainable Homes Dave Mitchell Technical Director

Background to The Code • • • Climate Change Agenda/Targets New Direction of Building Standards Future Direction of Building Regulations Rising Energy Costs Security of Supply of Energy Water

Climate Change • Climate change is already happening. The 10 hottest summers on record have occurred since the beginning of the 1990 s • Models predict that global temperature could rise from between 1. 4 to 5. 8 degrees over the next 100 years

For the UK • • • …. . this means Warmer Temperatures Wetter Winters Drier Summers Higher Sea Levels Flooding of Coastal Areas & Floodplains

The UK has firm Policy Commitments • Kyoto Protocol 1997 – set legally binding reduction targets for CO 2 of 5. 2% below 1990 levels by 2008 - 2012 • UK has set itself a target to reduce CO 2 to 20% below 1990 levels by 2010 • With a long term target of 60% by 2050 • Energy supply – to produce 12% UK electricity from renewable sources by 2010

CO 2 emissions • 46% are from the use of Buildings • 27% from Dwellings

6 Water Use Wash basin 8% Outside use 6% Kitchen sink 15% Bath 15% Leakage Water used by non-households (industry) Water used by unmeasured households Water used by measured households Toilet 35% Shower 6% Dishwasher 4% Washing machine 12%

Why a Code? • • • Well, DCLG say Fresh approach to achieve outcomes – encourage Developers to offer more innovative solutions Because we want to give aspirations above the regulatory base, in measured steps Because we want to point the way to future regulations and give certainty Because we want to tackle sustainability in the round Because we cannot and should not regulate for everything Sustainable Buildings Task Group report recommended a Single National Code – with minimum standards for key resources: Energy, Water, Waste and Materials

What was in the Consultation Document ? • Voluntary Code of essential and optional elements • Potential to inform home-owners how Sustainable the Home they are buying is compared to another • With a transparent system of ‘star’ ratings • Consultation ended 6 th March 2006

Strengthening The Code (1) • ODPM (DCLG) Press Notice issued 9 th March 2006 on proposals to ‘Strengthen The Code’

Strengthening The Code (2) • Make Assessment to The Code Mandatory • Code to signal Future Direction of Building Regulations • Widen Coverage of The Code • Make Energy & Water Efficiency Levels nontradable • Set 1 Star above Building Regulations

Strengthening The Code (3) • Code should form the basis for the next wave of improvements to Building Regulations • ie: indicate where Building Regulations should be in 5, 10, 15 years time • Ministers minded for Code to cover existing homes, as well as new ones • & perhaps non domestic buildings, new & existing too

Responsible Housebuilders • • • Of course we care about Global Warming The Future of The Planet Our Childrens Children

But is it responsible • Increase the cost of 1 st time purchasers homes • Fit say wind vanes that have more embedded CO 2 in their manufacture than they would ever save • Go at such a pace that the only way we can get the materials required is by importing them

CO 2 25% better than Part L • Energy Savings Trust (EST) Best Practice • Back stops will give about half the 25% • Remaining half from either tighter construction & better thermal performance or from solar hot water.

To Conclude Thank you all for listening

HBF Technical Conference 2006 Code for Sustainable Homes Dave Mitchell Technical Director