Stephen Beech, owner of Beech Properties triumphs at National Environment Awards. The property achieved 100% carbon neutral status and has an ‘A’ EPC rating.

Small business Beech Properties beat John Lewis and Costa Coffee to win The Best Energy Efficient Refurbishment Award at this week’s Environment and Energy Awards. The prestigious Environment and Energy Awards 2011 are seen as one of the highest accolades for sustainability in the corporate sector in a year notable for both the record number and the high standard of entries. Manchester Landlord Stephen Beech, the owner of Beech Properties, entered his green refurbishment of a previously energy-guzzling terraced property. He installed green technology, including solar panels, an air source heat pump for underfloor heating and hot water, a heat recovery system, and insulation 50 percent above average at the nine-bedroom student home in Manchester.

The property has achieved 100% carbon neutral status and has an ‘A’ Energy Performance Rating. It’s been regarded by energy performance engineers as “the most remarkable improvement in energy efficiency ever seen”.

Stephen Beech said, “We’re delighted to win such a prestigious national accolade especially when this category received the highest number of entries and was regarded as the most closely fought in the competition.”

“Even better is that we beat big-name companies such as John Lewis and Costa Coffee so it’s real proof that you don’t need to be a multinational company to be green in business.”

The awards were announced during Sustainabilitylive! 2011, on Tuesday 24^th May, at a special black-tie evening dinner held at the National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham, hosted by Steve Parry, the Olympic medalist, and GB swimming team captain. There were thirteen award categories including Best Energy Product/Service Award, Renewable Innovation, and Environmental Technology.

Donna Bushell, event director, says: “The standard of entries was so high this year that in many cases, choosing the winner was almost impossible. As a result, the judges decided that they had to give highly commended awards in many categories.

“Unquestionably, it shows that even when economic conditions have been, and continue to be, very tough companies are continuing to invest in improving sustainability. It is extremely encouraging.”

On the back of his success with Beech Properties, Stephen Beech is now helping other property owners get grants for solar panels with his company Beech Solar. He says “I’m committed to demonstrating that going green is not only good for the environment, it’s good for your finances too. With the current high rate government feed-in tariffs, you can even generate an income by installing solar.”

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