Ecohomes
EcoHomes is an assessment scheme introduced by the Building Research Establishment (BRE) to assess the environmental impact of homes in the UK.
The Ecohomes scheme was designed as the domestic version of Building Research Establishment’s Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM). The scheme has been revised with significant changes; the latest approved document was released in 2006.
The aim of the scheme is to encourage energy efficiency and sustainability in both new and existing homes. The criteria for assessment cover areas that help reduce CO2 emissions and incentivise sourcing responsibly for building materials and using renewable energy sources. By increasing the sustainability of the building, the running costs can be reduced long term and the building products that can be used to meet these criteria will not hinder the design scope.
EcoHomes is designed to assess the energy efficiency of dwellings that also meet the requirements of building regulations, which are given credits based on requirements met in the following criteria:
Energy
- Dwelling emission rates
- Building fabric
- Drying space
- Ecolabelled goods
- Internal lighting
- External lighting
Pollution
- Insulant GWP
- NOx emissions
- Reduction of surface run-off(Sustainable Urban Drainage (SUDS))
- Renewable and low emissions energy sources
- Flood risk
Materials
- Environmental impact of materials
- Responsible sourcing
- Recycling facilities
Water
- Internal potable water use
- External potable water use
Land Use and Ecology
- Ecological value of site
- Ecological enhancement
- Protection of ecological features
- Change of ecological value of site
- Building footprint
Health and Well-Being
- Daylighting
- Sound insulation
- Private space
Management
- Home user guide
- Considerate constructors
- Construction site impacts
- Security
The EcoHomes assessment scheme
The EcoHomes assessment scheme was replaced in 2007 by the Code for Sustainable Homes, introduced by the Government to increase sustainability and reduce the environmental impact of construction.
EcoHomes will continue to be used to assess the refurbishment of homes in the UK. The Code for Sustainable Homes is largely based on the EcoHomes scheme with revisions to the criteria to cover environmental issues that have arisen more recently.
