A new quality rating scheme is set to be introduced by BRE to promote more sustainable homes across the UK…
The Building Research Establishment (BRE) has launched a new 5-star rating scheme that will help home buyers see how sustainable their home is.
The Home Quality Mark (HQM) will award ratings to new build homes based on meeting a number of environmental and health criteria such as using sustainable materials, improving energy efficiency, and air quality. It will include three measurable outputs: knowledge sharing, my home, and our surroundings.
Community Team Leader of BRE New Homes Gwyn Roberts said: ‘‘HQM aims to significantly contribute to the future of our housing industry, to set a new national standard and to become the de-facto sign of a better home.
“By talking directly to the consumer, we strive to encourage greater awareness and appreciation of the Mark’s merits and the varied and wide-reaching benefits it can bring to residents of all ages across the UK.”
Homes that are awarded the highest criteria for HQM are expected to be up to 50 per cent more energy efficient than many existing properties in the UK.
HQM was enacted following research carried out from BRE, which revealed over 65 per cent of UK home buyers and renters thought it was important for their home to be sustainable. One in five said they would be prepared to pay more for a home that was sustainable.
A public consultation for the HQM is set to close today. Advice and feedback from consumers and professionals will be analysed before the final version of the standard is launched in October.
Energy efficient homes remain a key part of the construction industry, but government support is seemingly falling for such projects. In July, zero carbon building regulations for future UK homes were scrapped, leading to significant criticism from supporters of sustainability.
