Cheltenham resident Peter had lived in his 1990s bungalow for four years. Despite being relatively modern, it wasn’t proving to be the welcoming home he had hoped for. Because he relies on a breathing ventilator to manage a chronic health condition, Peter already faced higher than average electricity bills and the bungalow’s poor insulation was piling extra heating costs on top.
Concern about managing his energy bills was not helping Peter’s physical or mental health.
‘I was constantly worried about electricity prices,’ Peter explains. ‘I’d turn off all the lights every single time I left a room and left nothing on standby. And I was very anxious about managing through hot summers and freezing cold winters.’
With recent hikes in energy prices making his situation even harder, Peter called Severn Wye’s ‘Warm and Well’ advice service. ‘This lovely lady told me all about the NHS Retrofit scheme and reassured me they could help.’
NHS Retrofit provides long-term energy efficiency measures to Gloucestershire residents who live with health conditions made worse by the cold, to keep them healthy at home. The scheme not only cuts patients’ need for clinical interventions but significantly reduces the mental stress associated with unmanageable bills. The outcome is healthier, happier residents and lower costs to health services.
To find out whether Peter was eligible for support, Severn Wye’s adviser guided him through a wellbeing survey over the phone, asking about his health condition, how the cold affected his symptoms, and the impact of his energy costs on his life. Severn Wye then completed Peter’s application for the NHS Retrofit scheme, handling the paperwork on his behalf and liaising with health colleagues to confirm his eligibility.
One of Severn Wye’s energy experts visited Peter at home and worked out what measures would best help his situation. Based on their assessment, Severn Wye used NHS Retrofit funding to top up the bungalow’s loft insulation – making the building as effective as possible at retaining heat. It also paid for solar panels and a battery, so Peter could generate and store his own energy. And to make sure poor internal air quality wasn’t affecting his breathing, an efficient new extractor fan was installed in the wet room.
‘Retrofitting’ people’s homes with energy efficiency measures like these can feel daunting to residents – but Severn Wye and their installers took care at every step to make sure Peter knew what to expect and to keep disruption to a minimum.
‘I was a little apprehensive about having solar panels put on the roof,’ Peter says. ‘But everyone was so kind and professional. There was nothing negative about the process.’
Once all the measures were in place, Peter says he initially felt disbelief: ‘I still cannot get used to the fact that I have solar panels, and no longer have to be scared about affording my electricity. I am absolutely thrilled with the work.’
‘My bungalow now feels more like a home,’ says Peter. ‘I feel sure I will be warmer next winter because of the loft insulation, and no longer feel that I am paying just to stay alive when I go to sleep on my breathing ventilator.’
Though it’s too soon to see the impact of these changes on his bills, Peter would recommend the scheme to anyone. ‘It’s wonderful, I still cannot believe Severn Wye has helped me so much with all this. I cannot thank you enough. You have made my life so less stressful, and I am truly grateful.’
You can find more information on the support we can provide on our Advice & Support page.
