New housing

Under Government plans, from 2016 all new homes will be built to a new zero carbon standard, and by 2050 the nation’s entire housing stock will be virtually zero carbon.

Although these targets may be a few years away in terms of legislation, zero carbon newbuilds are a long way from what existing regulations require. How do you start moving towards this demanding standard?

In 2006, the Energy Saving Trust introduced Good, Best and Advanced practice standards that exceeded the requirements of the 2006 Building Regulations. These now form part of the Code for Sustainable Homes, launched by the Department for Communities and Local Government and aiming to reach zero carbon for all new homes by 2016.

This section of the Housing professionals website outlines the Energy Saving Trust recommendations for new housing, including our guidance on achieving levels three to six of the Code for Sustainable Homes. We also provide further guidance that will enable builders, developers and householders hit the emissions reduction target.

The Code for Sustainable Homes

On 13th December 2006, the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) launched the Code for Sustainable Homes - a new national standard for sustainable design and construction of new homes.

Code guidance FAQs

The Energy Saving Trust Code for Sustainable Homes guidance has raised some frequently asked questions, the most common of which are answered here.

Mid Street Code level 5 home

Mid Street is the product of a collaboration between Osborne Homes and Raven Housing Trust, with technical support from the Energy Saving Trust. Officially opened on the 18th April 2008, it is the first 100% affordable housing scheme to achieve level 5 of the Code for Sustainable Homes.

A history of our newbuild standards

In 2006, the Energy Saving Trust developed Good, Best and Advanced practice standards that exceeded the requirements of the 2006 Building Regulations, but became obsolete with the introduction of the Code for Sustainable Homes.