A Cardiff business has been announced as a finalist in the first ever Making Better Homes Awards, a competition from national builders’ merchant Jewson.
Channel Electrical Systems will now compete in an online vote against two other finalists in the Best Use of Renewable Energy category of the awards, with entrants in the Best Sustainable Project and Best Building Fabric categories also going head-to-head. Winners will be announced at a ceremony later this year.
Created to recognise the tradespeople who are working hard to create energy efficient, safe and comfortable homes, the Making Better Homes Awards received a wealth of entries from up and down the country. After nominations closed, a panel of judges assessed all the entries with the three highest scoring projects in each category making the shortlist.
Channel Electrical Systems’ entry focused on its project at Oak Court, Penarth, where solar panels were sourced and installed at more than 40 individual homes, helping elderly residents to save money on energy bills.
Speaking of their shortlist, Alun Lewis, Director at Channel Electrical Systems, said: “For us, being a finalist signifies recognition not just for our company but for the collective dedication of our team towards integrating renewable energy solutions. Winning would mean a great deal – it would validate our efforts, showcase our innovative approaches, and elevate our profile within the industry. More importantly, it would serve as a platform to amplify the message of sustainability, encouraging others to follow suit.”
Sitting on the judging panel were Gavin Crane, CEO for Band of Builders, Nicola De Sousa, Central Director for the Federation of Master Builders, Matthew Handley, Category Innovation Manager at Jewson, and Chris Pearman, Regional Sales Manager at Build Aviator.
Nicola De Sousa commented: “This project showcases a remarkable approach to shared renewable energy. By implementing a shared solar system, they have significantly reduced energy bills, combatting fuel poverty. It’s a commendable model for bringing renewable energy to community settings, proving its viability and impact in real-world scenarios.”
The public can now vote online for the winners of the three categories – Best Building Fabric in a Project, Best Use of Renewable Energy in a Project, and Best Sustainable Project of the Year.
