Code for Sustainable Homes and Energy Performance of Buildings, July to September 2011

Code for Sustainable Homes

Statistics relating to the Code for Sustainable Homes (the Code) show the number of dwellings that have been certified to the standards set out in the Code Technical Guide. Code certificates are issued at two stages, the design stage and post construction stage.

Dwellings are awarded a star rating (one star being the lowest achievable level and six stars being a zero carbon home). If a dwelling does not achieve the mandatory standards and/or does not reach the minimum score for a one star rating, it will receive a certificate with no stars. The assessment and certification of Code homes is undertaken by the 1491 assessors, who are licensed by BRE Global Ltd, Stroma Accreditation and RDL Ltd.

Between April 2007 and September 2011:

• Across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, 68,944 dwellings have received a three star rating at the design stage and 329 dwellings have received a six star rating (i.e. zero carbon home).
• Across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, 37,913 dwellings have received a three star rating at post-construction stage and 34 dwellings have received a six star rating (i.e. zero carbon home).
• A total of 80 per cent of the certificates at design stage and 88 per cent of those at post-construction stage have been awarded at Code level 3 since April 2007 across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
• Of the 86,659 certificates issued at the design phase, 2,027 were issued in Wales, whilst 928 of the 43,038 post-construction certificates were issued in Wales.

Average energy efficiency (SAP) rating of new homes

SAP refers to the Government’s ‘Standard Assessment Procedure’ for assessing the energy performance of dwellings. The SAP rating is expressed on a scale of 1 to 100 – the higher the number, the lower the running costs.

The energy efficiency rating, on a quarterly basis, is volatile due to a number of factors including the mix of dwelling types, the mix of heating systems used in new developments and the location of those developments where there are a small number of new homes being assessed in some of these categories.

The figures shown in this headline for July to September 2011 are provisional and may be revised when next published.

The key points for July to September 2011 are:

• The average energy efficiency, SAP rating, of new homes in Wales was 78.5 compared to 79.7 in England.
• Across England and Wales, the average energy efficiency (SAP rating) of new homes varied from 78.3 in Yorkshire and the Humber to 80.6 in both London and in the East.
• In Wales the average energy (SAP rating) by dwelling type, ranged from 75.9 for bungalows to 79.9 for houses and maisonettes.
• Overall, England had higher average SAP ratings than Wales for houses, bungalows and flats, but lower average SAP ratings than Wales for maisonettes.

Further information

Communities and Local Government website: Code for Sustainable Homes, July-September 2011.

Contact

Tel: 029 2082 5055
E-mail: stats.housing@wales.gsi.gov.uk

Next update

February 2012 (provisional - to be confirmed on 'Due out Soon' page)