Energy saving support for Hospice Patients

Helen and Julia from the Community Disability Energy Advice team at SCOPE kindly visited patients at the Hospice to share energy saving tips and advice.

They returned to the Living Well Service in December 2025 to share information about keeping warm after a visit in the summer about keeping cool!

The team can support eligible people with:

• Energy and water debt
• Switching tariffs with current suppliers
• Becoming more energy and water efficient
• Identifying benefits, grants and trusts that you can apply for
• Free fuel vouchers
• Helping you understand your bills
• Signposting and referring to other support services.

Tips and advice included:

Washing and Drying Clothes
Wash clothes at 30⁰c and wait for a full load. If you are concerned about bacteria, you can use Napisan or Milton or something similar with your wash. They said that by reducing the temperature people can save around £29 a year.

Dry clothes outside when you can or on a clothes airer. They said people can save around £60 a year by not using a tumble dryer.

Turn sockets off
Turning off sockets and appliances such as the Microwave or TV when they are not in use. They said doing this it could save people around £55 a year.
Use timers for appliances for when you are not using them.

Fixing draughts
They said by fitting draught excluding foam to windows, letter boxes and keyholes can help people save around £95 a year.

Keeping warm
Close your curtains at dusk.
Keep your thermometer for your heating set between 18-21⁰c. They said turning it down by just 1⁰c can save pounds.
Set individual radiator settings for each room you use – or turn off for rooms you are not using.
One patient commented:

“My wife is the Gadget Queen. We have a valve on each radiator which she can operate from her phone.”

Warm the person – use hot water bottles or an electric or weighted blanket when you are sitting still.
Utility providers Octopus and OVO have supported people with a disability with electric blankets in the past.
Electric blankets can cost only 1-4p an hour to run but make sure you get them checked regularly. The library or fire service may have information to signpost you to support you with this.
Hot water bottles should be replaced every two years (there is a date on the neck of the bottle) to let you know it’s age.
Use rugs to create warmth on your feet.
Use blankets, ponchos or seat pads if you use a wheelchair.

Budgeting
IE HUB can help to support with budgeting and to check if you are receiving all the benefits you are entitled to.

Priority Service Register (PSR)
Energy and water companies must make sure that their services are accessible to you. Anyone who is vulnerable can register with service at https://www.thepsr.co.uk/

There are many ways they can support you when you are on the PSR including:

• Providing information in accessible formats
• Helping with meter readings and bill payments
• Letting you know how they’ll help when there are planned cuts to supply
• They can support and alert you with any planned utility cuts and record you as a priority.

One patient who is registered with the service said:

“It is a brilliant service and it is easy to get on. I called them to say I am a priority service customer. You can also check if there is a scam”.

Ventilation
Check your appliances annually. Your gas flame should burn crisp and blue. Contact the Gas Emergency Line on 0800 111 999 if the flame is orange or lazy.
Landlords must provide annual checks and alarms.
Make sure you have a Carbon Monoxide Alarm. They cost around £10-15 but SCOPE may have some to give away for free.

If you or a loved one are disabled and concerned about energy costs, SCOPE can offer free advice.
Visit scope.org.Uk/community. Call 0808 800 3333 and choose option 3 or ask in your nearest SCOPE shop.

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Our ‘Outstanding’ services are provided free of charge to patients and their families. Our aim being to provide the highest quality care, helping people to make every moment count. You can find out more about how we are funded here: arhc.org.uk/how-we-are-funded.