New housing

In 2006, the Energy Saving Trust introduced Good, Best and Advanced practice standards to encourage builders to incorporate energy efficient measures in new homes that went over an above the requirements of the 2006 building regulations.

The Energy Saving Trust standards in relation to energy efficiency were adopted to form part of the Code for Sustainable Homes, which was launched in 2006 by the Department of Communities and Local Government with the objectives to reach zero carbon standards for all new homes by 2016.

Recently we have launched a suite of publications that provide guidance and solutions to meeting the energy efficiency requirements of level 3, level 4 and levels 5&6 of the Code for Sustainable Homes. Whilst the specific guidelines have been set for England, the knowledge, processes and lessons learnt can be applied and adapted to new homes across the UK.

To download our guidance to the Code for Sustainable Homes, please see:

Energy Efficiency and the Code for Sustainable Homes level 3 (CE290)

Energy Efficiency and the Code for Sustainable Homes level 4 (CE291)

Energy Efficiency and the Code for Sustainable Homes level 5&6 (CE292)

As well as guidance to meet the Code for Sustainable Homes, a wide range of guidance and case study material exists and can be downloaded from our website, for a full index, please see to Energy efficiency is best practice (CE279).

Our dedicated helpline is able to provide advice on technical issues, please call 0845 120 7799.

In addition to the technical guidance and assistance, the Newbuild Outreach programme has been established to provide support services to individual developers and/or house builders committed to building to higher energy performance standards.