AECB members are encouraged to build to our Silver Standard. It is aimed at those wishing to create high-performance buildings using widely available technology at little or no extra cost. We estimate that this low-risk option will reduce overall CO2 emissions by 70% compared to the UK average for buildings of each type – a highly significant result given the relative ease and low cost with which this standard can be met. Individual self-builders and large-scale residential and non-residential developers could make a valuable contribution to low-carbon building by meeting this standard. If you build to this standard you can certify the project with us.
To keep costs as low as possible it is a self certification process whereby the self certifier takes responsibility for certification and for underwriting the Silver Standard claim. The AECB has provided a form of declaration for completion by the certifying consultant but will deliberately not audit or take responsibility for the certification.
The AECB self certification process is designed to make explicit the project’s claim to be a low energy design and to provide the consumer with a degree of protection under trading standards – without the AECB having to get involved in quality control and legal matters. This approach puts the responsibility for performance claims clearly with the person signing the certificate and a duty of care on the client to ensure that the consultant is competent and suitably insured. Certificates are produced once the project is completed and can be useful when marketing properties for sale.
You can read more details about the Silver Standard, including fees, at: www.aecb.net/carbonlite/carbonlite-programme/building-certification/aecb-silver-standard/
Silver Standard Certification is handled at the Low Energy Building Database website (www.lowenergybuildings.org.uk) and you will be required to either create an account or log in to process certification.