Book Description

A general guide to the principles of environmentally-friendly building and to BRE's rating scheme.

New and renovated homes are rated according to the environmental impact of building and occupying them. The categories are:
Energy: operational energy and carbon dioxide emissions
Transport: location issues related to transport
Pollution: air and water pollution (excluding carbon dioxide)
Materials: environmental implications of materials selection, recyclable materials
Water: consumption issues
Ecology and land use: ecological value of the site, greenfield and brownfield issues
Health and well-being: internal and external issues relating to health and comfort

Credits are awarded where specific performance levels are achieved in each category. Various options are available to developers to gain these credits. The number of credits available in each category does not necessarily reflect the relative importance of the issue, as the total rating is calculated according to a series of weighting factors. 23 pages.

2000 edition reprinted with minor revisions 2003 -
For changes since then (latest version April 2006), see http://www.breeam.org/pdf/SummaryEHChangesFrom2005to2006_v1.1April06.p df

In April 2007 the Code for Sustainable Homes replaced Ecohomes for the assessment of new housing in England. EcoHomes 2006 will continue to be used for refurbished housing in England and for all housing in Scotland and Wales.


For further information, see http://www.breeam.org/ecohomes.html