Scottish Power first supplier to trial NHS warm home prescriptions

Scottish Power has become the first energy supplier to partner with Energy Systems Catapult (ESC) to deliver warm home prescriptions to vulnerable households.

Through the trial ESC will work with local NHS authorities to identify low-income households where people live with health conditions which are exacerbated by living in a cold or damp home.

Once eligible customers are identified, Scottish Power will arrange to supply and install measures such as upgraded or new insulation in lofts, cavity walls and under floors, upgraded heating systems like air source heat pumps and, where suitable, solar panels.

The cost of these measures will be borne by the supplier via its Energy Company Obligation.

Speaking at Utility Week’s Future of Heat conference in 2022, ESC’s Matthew Lipson revealed details about the project’s initial trial.

ESC ran the project with the NHS in Gloucestershire and energy charity Severn Wye and said it delivered “remarkable” results.

The initial pilot saw 28 patients prescribed warmth to reduce the risk that the cold would cause harm and an admission to hospital.

Following the success of the pilot, the scheme was subsequently scaled up.

ESC said the trial with Scottish Power aims to deliver measures for 1,000 households, with a long-term ambition of supporting up to 2,000 households.

Rebecca Sweeney, business leader – homes, at Energy Systems Catapult, said: “By investing in new and crucial ways of targeting support for households, such as the Warm Home Prescription, we can better support society’s most vulnerable.

“The first-of-its-kind partnership with Scottish Power is a step change in how we target support. We know that Warm Home Prescription delivers beneficial results for low income and vulnerable consumers, so to be working with a national energy supplier in rolling this support out will pay dividends.

“This coordinated delivery alongside a national energy supplier has the potential to reshape how we deliver Warm Home Prescription across the UK. We don’t want to stop here. If there are others – be they energy suppliers or energy organisations – we want to hear from you to help eradicate cold homes across the country.”

Mark Murphy, head of UK government obligations at Scottish Power, said: “We know first-hand how much of a difference energy efficiency measures can make to households.

“For those dealing with illnesses that are made worse by living in a cold home, these upgrades could be life changing.

“Our aim is to deliver ECO4 home improvements, and their benefits, sooner rather than later, the quicker we deliver the sooner recipients can live in a warmer home.”