Chance to sign up for free insulation

Your local hospital might not be the first place you’d think of to visit if you were looking for tips on how to save energy in your home and keep warm, but the initiative is all part of Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust’s energy-saving partnership with British Gas.

The energy company will be hosting stands in the hospitals to advise people on how they can access free* insulation for their homes, as follows:

Grimsby hospital restaurant – Monday December 8 and Tuesday December 9, 9am to 2pm

Goole hospital main entrance – Wednesday December 10, 9am to 2pm

Scunthorpe hospital restaurant – Thursday December 11 and Friday December 12, 9am to 2pm

British Gas staff will be on hand at the stands to hand out information explaining how people can apply for a free no obligation survey.

Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust’s waste manager Sharon Benson said: “We’re really pleased to be able to support our staff and members of the public to access this excellent scheme.

“The Trust wants to help people keep warm and keep well as well as save money on their energy bills, and this is just one of the beneficial features of our partnership with British Gas.”

The energy supplier estimates that a property with uninsulated cavities will waste about £145 a year on energy bills and £150 a year for an empty uninsulated loft.

Patrick Bevan, head of energy performance at British Gas, said: “British Gas are building a long term partnership with the Trust to meet their ambitious goals to reduce energy costs and improve the environment at the hospitals.

“We are also delighted to support the staff, patients and visitors of the Trust through the promotion of our Energy Company Obligation scheme, offering free loft and cavity wall insulation for their homes.”

The Trust intends to make annual savings of over £500,000 across its estate as part of its energy performance contract with British Gas by undertaking a number of initiatives, including:

* Installation of solar panels

* Improvements in thermal insulation and in the efficiency of boilers and pumps

* Optimisation of the Trust’s building management system and installation of high-efficiency lighting

* A staff engagement programme across the Trust for ideas on energy savings to be heard.

At Grimsby hospital £385,000 is expected to be saved each year alongside 2,150 tonnes of carbon.

At Scunthorpe hospital £120,000 is expected to be saved each year alongside 720 tonnes of carbon.

At Goole hospital £83,000 is expected to be saved each year alongside 480 tonnes of carbon.

Free installations are through the Energy Company Obligation and are subject to assessment, technical survey and eligibility criteria.