Code for Sustainable Homes (CHS)
The Code for Sustainable Homes
The Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH) is an environmental assessment method for certifying new homes in the England, Wales and Scotland. The CSH uses a rating system to allocate credits to the property or properties being designed and constructed.
The Code works by awarding new homes a rating from Level 1 to Level 6, based on their performance against nine sustainability criteria which are combined to assess the overall environmental impact. Level 1 was entry level above building regulations, and Level six is the highest, reflecting exemplary developments in terms of sustainability.
Projects Requiring CSH
The Government withdrew the requirement for the Code for Sustainable Homes in 2015, so there are very few projects still requiring the CSH.
The sustainability criteria by which new homes are measured are:
-
Energy and CO2 emissions
-
Water – Internal and external
-
Materials – The sourcing and environmental impact
-
Surface water run-off
-
Waste – Storage for recyclable waste and compost
-
Pollution – reducing causes of pollution
-
Health and well-being
-
Management
-
Ecology