EAC can provide EcoHomes assessments; the environmental rating for homes.

EcoHomes (the homes version of BREEAM) is a voluntary certification scheme that gives developers a simple means of promoting the environmental credentials of housing projects to customers, investors, planners and others.

EcoHomes considers the broad environmental concerns of climate change, resource use and impact on wildlife, balanced against the need for a high quality, safe and healthy internal environment.

EcoHomes assessments are carried out by trained assessors (such as EAC) under license from BRE.

EcoHomes assessments can be carried out at the design stage or post completion. Every house type on a site is considered, but the award is given for the whole site. This enables developers to use the results to promote whole sites - every house that is part of the development has the same score.

EcoHomes is an easily understood, credible label for new and renovated houses, apartments and sheltered accommodation. It rewards developers who improve environmental performance through good design.

Ecohomes and BREEAM are registered trade marks of BRE.

An Ecohomes assessment is now a requirement of all new build Housing Association projects and is increasingly becoming a requirement for planning approval. The most cost effective means of achieving the best Ecohomes ratings is to carry out the assessment at an early point in the design stage.