Kent Energy Company

Support for developers,  architects,  house designers  and builders, with the Planning Regulations surrounding Code for Sustainable Homes.

Code Assessment

A  Code for Sustainable Homes Assessment is a mandatory requirement for compliance with Building Regulations for any new build dwelling. At Kent Energy Company we  are qualified and accredited to help successfully navigate this potential minefield and in the process, remove all the stress from achieving Code!

The Code for Sustainable Homes is the UK's mandatory single standard for measuring the sustainability of new housing.

Each dwelling assessed under the Code is given a rating from zero to six stars. Zero stars means the equivalent of 2006 Building Regulations. Six Stars is the equivalent of Zero-Carbon.  Current regulations require Code 3 for domestic dwellings (Code 4 for Social Housing), this standard will become more stringent in due course.

The assessment covers 9 essential areas of design and build factors being: Energy, Water, Materials, Surface Water run-off, Waste, Pollution, Health & Well being, Management and Ecology (some elements are mandatory). The assessment process usually comprises three stages:

Pre- Assessment

- we will use any information that is known about the site, as well as our experience to produce a strategic report, outlining which credits are most suitable, as well as highlighting the mandatory parts of the Code which must be achieved. This stage does not result in certification, but is extremely useful in the planning stage.

Design Stage

 - A full assessment is carried out against design drawings, specifications, and commitments from the developer. This is submitted by us to the certification body (we use Stroma) who QA check it, allowing us to produce the interim certificate.

Post Construction Review (PCR)

 - The assessor will use as-built drawings, confirmation from the developers and a site visit/visits to confirm that all of the Design Stage commitments have been fulfilled. This results in the final certification required for Building Control sign-off of the project.

SAP Ratings and On Construction Energy Performance Certificates

Mandatory for all new dwellings and without a Pass rating of which a new development may not commence. SAP also informs  a mandatory element of the Code for Sustainable Homes Assessment.  SAP is carried out ‘in-house’ from drawings and specifications supplied by the client. As Built SAP and the consequent  On Construction EPC is necessary for Building Control compliance. Kent Energy professionals are fully qualified and accredited (by Stroma) for their production. We also apply SAP ratings where necessary for highly glazed extensions where the glazing factor exceeds 25% of the new floor area as per the Building Regulations Part L1B. Energy Performance Certificates  - For  marketing  ‘for sale’ or ‘to let’ on existing dwellings, Kent Energy  has a well established, fast and efficient turn around with professional backup service.