The government says the regulation is designed to "help kick start the market for zero-carbon homes, encourage microgeneration technologies, and raise public awareness of the benefits of living in zero-carbon homes".
Home buyers can save up to £15,000, but the building industry warns that not many are likely to benefit soon.
A spokesman for the Homebuilders' Federation said he could not think of a single development right now that would qualify for the relief on stamp duty.