EcoHomes ends on 8/4/12 to be replaced by the BREEAM Domestic Refurbishment Scheme


EcoHomes is the homes version of BREEAM (BRE Environmental Assessment Method).

EcoHomes is a design stage assessment and covers all standard housing developments; private and social housing schemes flats/apartments and houses; new build and major refurbishments.

EcoHomes assesses the environmental quality of a development. It considers the broad environmental concerns of climate change, use of resources and impacts on wildlife, and balances these against the requirements for a high-quality internal environment. These concerns have been divided into eight environmental categories, under which issues are grouped.

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.

As you will know, EcoHomes awards ratings of “Pass”, “Good”, “Very Good” and “Excellent”. These apply to the entire scheme, not to individual dwellings.