National Hickman

RISING TO THE CHALLENGE OF GOVERMENT INITIATIVE

National Hickman is leading the way in research and development towards meeting the Government’s Code for Sustainable Homes. This initiative aims to reduce carbon emissions and create homes that are more sustainable.

LoCo2mmc Limited has been registered as a new division of the Group – it’s an easy to remember abbreviation of ‘Low Carbon Modern Methods of Construction’ and it will deliver just what it says – innovations supporting the industry’s move towards a zero carbon future.

The Loco2 programme has been under development over a period of time, in conjunction with a consortium of both supplier and home builder partners, to provide a commercially sound solution encompassing several different components. These will target both the fabric of the building, heat recovery & renewable technologies.

The code measures the sustainability of a new home against nine categories and gives a ‘whole home’ rating of one to six stars. It has been put together to support the Government’s own targets of zero carbon homes from 2016 and the changes in Part L leading up to this.

Detailed changes to wall, floor and roof elements are all incorporated into the LoCo2 system which will suit both brick and block or timber frame constructions, to deliver a home that is similar in appearance to established homes built throughout Britain today.

The Loco2 homes will provide a ‘quick’ build solution on-site, using off site technologies. New components, that together deliver a commercially acceptable overall build cost, will at the same time, meet the new code 4 sustainable construction standards and beyond.

Trial homes are planned to be built during Q3 of 2010.