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Ecohomes Represents An Environmental Rating Process For Houses In The United ...

Ecohomes represents an environmental rating process for houses in the United Kingdom (EcoHomes, 2005). The process is the residential version of BREEAM that aids developers in the minimisation of the environmental impact of buildings (Association of Wildlife Trust Consultancies, 2000). BREEAM assesses the foregoing utilizing nine important areas (Association of Wildlife Trust Consultancies, 2000):
Management, representing the overall policy in this area, including the commissioning site management along with procedural issues.
Ecology, as evidenced by the ecological value and the conservation and enhancement of the site.
Energy Utilization, which addresses the manner in which energy is generated and the carbon dioxide emissions.
Health and Well-Being, taking into account the internal and external facets that could and do affect health.
Pollution, with respect to air and water.
Transport, taking into account transportation related emissions involving carbon dioxide that the building will contribute to the area as a result of private and public transport additions as represented by the additional individuals utilizing the area.
Land Use, and reflected by Greenfield and Brownfield site aspects.
Materials, which represents the environmental aspect of building materials and their life cycle utilizations and impacts.
Water, as reflected by water use efficiency and consumption.
The application of BREEAM concepts to EcoHomes is found in the following, which represents the improvement in the environmental aspects of developments and individual homes as a result of the application of good design, as opposed to the utilization of high capital cost solutions (EcoHomes, 2005). The use of principles under the EcoHomes scheme demonstrates (EcoHomes, 2005):
showing sustainability credentials to the planning authorities,
the use of green methods to investors,
the utilization of good design theories and use to home buyers,
a reduction in the running costs of homes as a result of the use of systems, materials and processes the produce enhanced energy and water efficiency,
the utilization of comfortable and flexible internal structure environments,
reduced dependencies on private vehicular transportation as a result of planning,
Assessments are conducted starting at the design stage and if qualified the homes or development site is provided with the EcoHomes certification that is an aid in selling the house as a result of the value added benefits. The preceding includes a post construction review to ensure that the features as indicated in the design phase were implemented (EcoHomes, 2005). The following further illustrates the credits provided under the EcoHome scheme, whereby a rating under a weighed system is utilized to provide a ‘Pass', ‘Good', ‘Very Good', or ‘Excellent' rating, the later which is achieved by scoring in excess of 70.


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