Background:
Patrick (not his real name), calling from Scotland, reached out to Greener Homes on behalf of his mother, who is in her 90s and lives alone in Leyland. Her main source of heating—a hallway gas fire that previously served both floors—had broken down, leaving her with inefficient and costly portable electric radiators. Patrick was seeking a low-disruption, easy-to-use, and cost-effective heating solution suitable for his elderly mother and her carers.
Housing Conditions and Challenges:
- Wall-mounted hallway gas fire was no longer functioning.
- An additional gas fire in the front room was present but difficult for his mother to operate.
- Temporary heating was being provided by portable electric radiators, which are expensive and unsuitable long-term.
- The resident’s age and possible mobility issues made ease-of-use and low maintenance crucial.
- Patrick lives far away in Scotland, making in-person support limited.
Energy Usage and Resident Actions:
Patrick was proactively exploring alternatives to help his mother stay warm and safe. He was especially interested in a heating solution that could be programmed in advance, with minimal need for interaction.
Support and Advice Provided by Greener Homes:
Ashlea recommended modern high heat retention storage heaters, particularly models from ELNUR (commonly used in the Cosy Homes scheme). These heaters:
- Charge overnight on off-peak tariffs (Economy 7) to reduce running costs.
- Store and release heat during the day.
- Can be set up with minimal input, which is ideal for carers to manage.
- Are eligible for grant funding under the ECO4 scheme due to the resident’s age, low income (~£13,000 pension), and EPC rating of D.
Ashlea also:
- Offered to email Patrick with the details of three trusted local TrustMark-registered installers.
- Explained the process of switching to an Economy 7 tariff using comparison tools like Uswitch.
- Advised on the option of disconnecting the unused gas supply to avoid standing charges, if appropriate.
- Clarified installation would typically require just two visits to minimise disruption.
- Offered ongoing support via email to help Patrick manage the next steps remotely.
“I need to be confident this can be set up without me being physically there every step of the way.”
Impact and Next Steps:
Patrick left the conversation reassured and equipped with practical solutions. Greener Homes committed to sending further details by email, including installer contacts, tariff switching links, and ECO4 guidance.
This case demonstrates how proactive, family-led inquiries can be supported with tailored advice and low-disruption solutions that improve the quality of life for older residents.