All newly built homes will have to comply with a new code for sustainable homes from spring onwards.

Developers will have to make sure all buildings meet the three star criteria under the Code for Sustainable Homes Assessment.

Currently, performance is measured against nine factors. These include the amount of energy a household needs to be run, materials, waste generated from household use and construction, pollution, ecological impact and the effect on the wellbeing and health of the occupants.

The highest possible award for a newly built home is currently six stars – a level three rating is already mandatory for all new social housing developments.

Right now, the scheme with its extension to all new private dwellings is only applicable in the UK, but the National Welsh Assembly recently announced plans to adopt the code.

The government aims to make all new homes zero carbon from 2016 with the implementation of the scheme setting the foundation for new developers.

Sourced from The Low Carbon Economy Feb 2010