Installers are being urged to enter Jewson’s Making Better Homes Awards, which celebrate sustainable construction and retrofits across the UK. The awards spotlight installers, builders and tradespeople across the country who’re playing a key role in making the UK’s housing stock higher quality, more comfortable, and more energy efficient.
It comes as the builders’ merchant announces the finding of recent research that shows millions of people are suffering from physical and mental health problems because of the quality of their home. A survey of over 2000 homeowners found that in the last 12 months: 55% have experienced problems in their homes relating to poor indoor air quality or ventilation, including condensation (52%), mould in at least one room (26%), leaks (25%) and damaged walls (23%). Of these, 44% said they’ve experienced a mixture of side effects and symptoms, such as allergies, chest infections, poor sleep, low mood and difficulty concentrating.
The statistics have been revealed to coincide with the launch of the Making Better Homes Awards.
Entrants can be nominated in three categories – Best use of renewable energy, Best building fabric, and Best sustainable project of the year. The winner of each category, which will be revealed at Jewson Live in December, will receive a trophy and £1000 in Jewson credit – plus the kudos of being able to tell your customers you’re a national award winner. The runner-up of each category will receive £250 in Jewson credit.
The awards are free to enter. A panel of judges will evaluate submissions and choose five finalists per category. The final winners will be determined by a public vote and announced live at Jewson Live on December 7.
KEY DATES
2 October: Entries open
23 October: Entries close
13 November: Finalists announced and the public vote opens
27 November: Public vote closes
7 December: Winners announced at Jewson Live
Matthew Handley, category innovation manager at Jewson, says: “There’s been an increased awareness on the dangers of mould, condensation and other issues relating to poor indoor air quality in the last 12 months due to shocking news stories that show why ventilation is such an important part of our homes. But poor indoor air quality is just one challenge our research highlighted.
“Homeowners are also struggling with keeping their homes cool in the summer, as many of us experienced with the recent heatwaves, and are worried about rising energy bills this winter. These problems all impact people in terms of comfort, health and wellbeing, which is why it’s so important to build homes that are energy efficient and benefit people and the planet.
“We know what a pivotal role the nation’s tradespeople, builders and installers have in improving the nation’s housing stock – whether through retrofit projects or building new homes. That’s why we’ve launched the Making Better Homes Awards, to recognise those who improve the day to day lives of their customers, as well as build properties that are sustainable and comfortable. There are three different categories to choose from, and we encourage anyone who’s playing a key role in this transformational period for UK housing to enter.”
The Making Better Homes Awards is open for entries now, and people can make submissions here.
