Code for Sustainable Homes

The Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH) is a  form of environmental assessment applicable to new build residential projects. It  assesses  the building on a number of environmental factors. The building is scored against each principle with an overall level between 1 and 6 given at the end of the assessment.

The Code is often used as a marketing tool as even a Level 1 rating shows a significant improvement over and above Building Control minimum environemntal requirements. Overall the Code offers a standout badge of environmental stability both in the way a house has been constructeed and its ongoing environmental impact.

Other Code rated developments are driven by legislation as all publicly funded residential developments much reach Code Level 3.

FES have experience of producing large volumes of Code assessments for a range of clients. We know that our clients want each site to be assessed on its own individual merits and with no generic advice given, so this is the service that we provide.

A specific assessor is allocated to each case and will be your single point of contact for all technical matters throughout the construction process. This way the assessor gets to understand the case and your construction methods in great detail.

If you would like to know about some of the projects that we have worked on in the past or would like to see some case studies then please contact us and we will be happy to share our experiences.

The Code can be a complicated process, one which our experienced assessors and tested methodologies can help you to navigate with the minimum of fuss.

Carbon Trust Standards:
PAS 2050:

PAS 2050 is a specification for assessing product life cycle GHG emissions, prepared by BSI British Standards and co-sponsored by the Carbon Trust and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). PAS 2050 is an independent standard, developed with significant input from international stakeholders and experts across academia, business, government and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) through two formal consultations and multiple technical working groups. It assess GHG emissions of an individual product, either a good or a service , across its entire life cycle-from raw material-from raw materials through all stages of production(or service production),distribution, use  and disposal/recycling.

Internal assessment of product life cycle GHG emissions
– Evaluation of alternative product configurations, operational and sourcing options, etc. on the basis of their impact on product GHG emissions
– A benchmark for measuring and communicating emission reductions
– Support for comparison of product GHG emissions using a common, recognised and standardised approach
– Support for corporate responsibility reporting

Carbon Trust Standard

The Carbon Trust Standard enables organisations to demonstrate a commitment to and achievement of carbon footprint reduction.

To achieve the Carbon Trust Standard organisations must:

• Measure their carbon footprint including their electricity and gas consumption, any onsite fuel consumption (e.g. heating oil, diesel, etc.) and fuel consumption of owned vehicles
• Meet an absolute reduction in emissions or a 2.5% per annum reduction in a carbon efficiency benchmark
• Provide evidence that the organisation is managing carbon in an appropriate manner through effective governance, procedures, accurate carbon accounting and carbon management programmes.
• Reduce the cost of compliance under the Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme (CRC).

EAL assessors will use the Carbon trust methodology to undertake assessment of applicant organisations and provide cost effective solutions to meet them.

Thermal comfort:

Thermal comfort is a key criterion to be achieved for working spaces to be comfortable. It is generally ignored in design due to lack of coordination between architect and mechanical engineer. At EAL, we advise architect, client and mechanical engineer on how to achieve comfortable working conditions by optimising mechanical systems.

“Creating thermal comfort for man is a primary purpose of the heating and air conditioning industry, and this has had a radical influence ... on the whole building industry …thermal comfort is the ‘product’ which is produced and sold to the customer…’ Fanger 1970

Heating and cooling Loads:

Building Industry is significantly under pressure to reduce its Energy use through legislation and higher energy bills. Heating and cooling consumption represent significant amount of energy in the building.

We at EAL, provide predicated monthly and annual Energy consumption using building simulation software and advise engineers the correct sizing of mechanical systems corresponding to the load.

Facade studies:

Facade is an important component of the building through which lot of solar gain enters into the space. Higher solar gain leads to lot of cooling which in turn increases carbon emissions of the building.

 It represents close to 15 -20% of the building cost in the commercial and 10 percent in the residential. EAL guides and gives bespoke advice to clients, engineers and architects in design of cost-effective, visually best and lower carbon emission.

At EAL, we have wealth of experience in designing facades staring from inception stage to final stage so that it is integrated with building structure and mechanical systems.

Sustainability/Renewables Feasibility Study:

We at EAL, provide practical, independent and cost effective renewable solutions that are right fit to the property. Renewables are becoming mandatory due to tighten of building regulations, increased option to home owners to reduce Energy bills and revenue generation through Feed in Tariff/Renewable Heat incentive.

We assess the fabric first and ensure that it is Energy efficient and then only move to active renewable technologies. We help the clients from the concept stage, feasibility study, power purchase agreements, installation and implementation.

For leading architect in North London, We assisted in developing feasibility study on block of flats. We suggested appropriate technologies that are right fit for the property and value engineered in terms of payback. Thus, we saved the client thousands of pounds.

Feed in Tariffs:

Feed in Tariff s is the latest policy by the Government based on Energy Act 2009 to encourage home owner’s to install renewable technologies. The Feed in Tariffs are based on the electricity generated by renewable Energy systems which is used in the property and also Energy produced which is exported to the grid.

Detailed Tariff prices are given in the DECC Website or http://www.fitariffs.co.uk/eligible/levels/.

We at EAL, estimate the approximate payback of renewable technologies and assist the clients to choose right module and make. We advise on Micro generation certified installers and ensure the client gets the payback.

Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI):

Renewable Heat Incentive is similar to Feed in Tariffs but only difference is Heat producing renewable technologies are given incentives. Currently consultation is going on the tariff prices and policy.

RHI SUMMARY

• £860M dedicated to the project from 2011 to 2015
• A better deal than anticipated
• June 2011 Launch (delayed by 2 months)
• RHI Consultation is ongoing
• DECC to talk with stakeholders
• £105M p.a. efficiency saving by 2014/15
• Funded directly by the government
• Final RHI policy to be announced
• Tariff Rates to be confirmed
• Updates on Climate Change policy

Call us now for more information on 020 8930 5668