CLG publishes revised zero carbon homes guide

Communities and Local Government (CLG) has published revised guidance on how to meet the government's zero carbon homes target under the Code for Sustainable Homes, following feedback from the construction industry.

The key changes to the new guidance are:

• The way in which energy efficiencies for flats without renewables are calculated
• The way water efficiencies are calculated

A further change will mean that off-site renewable energy sources will be eligible to count towards overall energy efficiency unless it is directly connected to the development concerned. But the Code for Sustainable Homes will still allow homes to be connected to the gas and electricity grids so long as they produce net zero carbon emissions over the year.

Housing and planning minister Yvette Cooper also called on developers to refocus their efforts to deliver energy efficient homes in light of the new guidance.

"The ambition for all new homes to be zero carbon by 2016 is a challenging one. We need to work in close co-operation with housebuilders and the green technology industry to achieve this," she said.