The three simple standards you need to know

A 3-stage set of realistic and workable energy performance standards lies at the heart of the CarbonLite Programme. Applicable to both residential and non-residential buildings, these performance standards act as clear and achievable targets designed to help guide all those involved in the delivery and use of energy-efficient, low-carbon new-build properties.

Expressed in terms of energy use and CO₂ emissions per square metre and year, the standards are based on a combination of limits on space heating energy consumption, primary energy consumption and CO₂ emissions. They can also be expressed as the percentage saving in energy and CO₂ relative to the same building type in the existing building stock. The standards also expect buildings to be monitored post-occupancy. This enables us to measure any gap between design intent and actual performance, and to achieve the levels of real-world accuracy required to make a significant impact on CO₂ emissions.

As well as being safe, comfortable, healthy and functional, buildings constructed to the three standards will help to meet the CO₂ performance requirements of the higher levels of the Code for Sustainable Homes, together with the proposed requirements of the Code for Non-Domestic Buildings. Research shows that working towards these standards represents the quickest and most effective way in which the building sector can contribute to a significant reduction in overall carbon dioxide emissions. For more detailed explanations of each of the three standards, please refer to specific documents available for download.

For a summary of each Step, please read on:

A low-cost, low-risk and easily achieved introduction to high performance