The Great British Insulation Scheme

That's where the Great British Insulation Scheme comes in, helping you improve your home's energy efficiency without breaking the bank. We'll walk you through everything you need to know before applying, so you'll be back in control of your home's temperature and bills in no time.

What is the Great British Insulation Scheme?

The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) helps people in England, Scotland, and Wales save money on their energy bills by cutting down on heat loss through their walls and ceilings.

This government-funded scheme is expected to help 300,000 households install free or low-cost insulation options, making homes more energy-efficient and cheaper to heat. Unlike other energy schemes, the GBIS isn't just for low-income families — it also supports other, less energy-efficient homes, even if they don't qualify for other means-tested grants or benefits.

Originally launched as ECO+ in 2023, the GBIS will run until March 2026. So, if you've been struggling to keep your home warm in winter or noticed your heating bills creeping up, this scheme could give your home the boost it needs.

What free insulation can you get with the grant?

The GBIS covers various insulation types, but you'll only be able to get one installed through the grant. To figure out which type is best for your home, your energy supplier will arrange a home survey before installation.

Here are the main insulation types covered by the scheme:

• Cavity wall insulation (CWI) — Older homes built between 1920 and 1990 usually have a small air gap between their internal and external walls. This space was designed to prevent homes from becoming damp, but these days it allows heat to escape, making it harder to keep your home warm. Cavity wall insulation fills this gap to trap heat inside, helping reduce heat loss and lower your energy bills.

• Loft insulation — While lofts are great for keeping old decorations and clothes out of sight, they can also add to your heating bill. Without proper insulation, up to 25% of your home's heat can be lost through the roof. The GBIS helps install first-time loft insulation — though you'll need to cough up a £500 contribution yourself. This can save you a decent amount on energy costs, so it's an investment that pays for itself over time. If your loft has some insulation already, you might be able to get a top-up through the grant, though your contribution amount will likely be higher.

Depending on the age and layout of your home, you might need a more expensive insulation method. These aren't as common, and not every supplier offers them — but they're still partially covered under the scheme. These include:

• Solid wall insulation (for internal and external walls)

• Pitched or flat roof insulation

• Underfloor or solid floor insulation

Your energy supplier will confirm which type of insulation is available to you after your home assessment.

Who is eligible for an insulation grant?

Unlike other government funds that target specific groups, the Great British Insulation Scheme is designed to help as many people as possible improve their homes’ energy efficiency. That said, there are still two eligibility groups you might fall into; the 'general group' and the 'low-income group', but these cover a much broader range of households.

We've broken down each category:

1. General group

You don't need to be on a benefit scheme to get a low-cost wall or loft insulation. To fall into this group, you'll need to meet each of the following criteria:

• You own your home or rent (either privately or from a housing association).

• You're in a council tax band between A–D (England) or A–E (Scotland and Wales).

• Your property has an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D or below.

OR:

• If you rent privately, your EPC needs to be between bands D–G, and you'll need written permission from your landlord before any work can start.

2. Low-income group

Households on a low income or receiving certain benefits also qualify for lower-cost or free insulation. To be eligible, you must either:

• Own your home or, in some cases, rent from a private landlord (see below).

• Receive a qualifying benefit.

• Live in a less energy-efficient home with an EPC rating of D or below (or E or below if renting).

• Be in social housing, or earn under £31,000 per year and classed as vulnerable to the effects of living in a cold home.

The qualifying benefits for the low-income group include:

• Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)

• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

• Income Support

• Pension Credit

• Working Tax Credit

• Child Tax Credit

• Universal Credit

• Housing Benefit

• Pension Credit

• Child Benefit

What changes will be made to my home?

The work that needs to be carried out under the GBIS will depend on your home's layout, building materials, and overall energy efficiency. While the most common change is installing insulation materials in your wall cavities or loft, the grant can also remove unnecessary cavity wall insulation in areas where more ventilation is needed to avoid moisture build-up.

Before any work begins, your energy supplier will arrange a home survey to decide the best type of insulation for your property. Here's what you can expect:

Ventilation improvements

Good insulation keeps heat in, but your home also needs ventilation to prevent dampness and condensation. If necessary, your installer might:

• Add extractor fans in your kitchen, bathroom, and other rooms with running water.

• Fit trickle vents to your windows, providing airflow without letting out too much heat.

• Trim the bottom of internal doors slightly (by 1–2cm) to improve air circulation.

Insulation installation

The actual insulation work will depend on the type of insulation being installed:

• Cavity wall insulation — Small holes are drilled into your external brickwork to inject insulating material. These holes will be filled and sealed before the installer leaves, so there’s no need to worry.

• Loft insulation — If you're getting first-time loft insulation, the installers will roll out lightweight insulating material between the roof rafters to trap any rising heat. If you already have insulation but need a top-up, they'll add another layer to improve efficiency.

• Internal wall insulation — If you need internal wall insulation, it will usually be done using solid 10cm blocks of insulating material attached to the inside of any external-facing walls. This process is a bit trickier, as a plumber and electrician will need to remove any radiators or sockets on this wall. Don't panic; everything will be put back and working before your installer leaves, though you may need to give the wall a fresh coat of paint.

• Underfloor insulation — This type of insulation is rarely needed, but if you've been told you need it, you can expect to have to remove your floorboards or carpet in preparation for the installer to fit your insulating material. Unfortunately, it's one of the more disruptive insulation processes, but in homes with older floors, this can help keep the heat where it's needed.

If you're not eligible, don't worry – there are other funding options available to improve your home's energy efficiency. We've covered these below.

What alternative schemes are available?

While it can be disappointing to find out your GBIS application has been rejected, this doesn't automatically mean you don’t have access to other schemes –  you might still be able to get help through other funding options.

Here are some alternatives to think about:

ECO4 Scheme

If you don't qualify for GBIS but still need help cutting down on lost heat, the ECO4 Scheme could be right for you. This initiative helps councils provide low-income and vulnerable households with insulation and more efficient heating setups. You can check if you’re eligible and apply via the website.

Home Upgrade Grant

If you live in England and your home is off the main gas grid, has an EPC rating of D to G, and your household is on a lower income, you could qualify for the Home Upgrade Grant. This scheme covers a range of improvements including installing wall, loft, and underfloor insulation and even fitting heat pumps, solar panels, and double glazing.

Warm Homes Scheme

If you live in Wales, you might qualify for the Warm Homes Nest scheme, which provides free energy-efficiency upgrades like insulation, heat pumps, and solar panels. You'll need to receive certain benefits and have a chronic respiratory, circulatory, or mental health condition to be eligible.

Warmer Homes Scotland

Homeowners and private renters in Scotland can apply for free energy-efficiency upgrades through the Warmer Homes Scotland initiative. If you've lived in your home for at least six months and receive certain benefits, you could get help with insulation, central heating upgrades, or renewable energy installations.

Support for Northern Ireland

While the Great British Insulation Scheme isn't available in Northern Ireland, you might still be about to claim help with insulating your home via:

• Affordable Warmth Scheme — Provides insulation, heating, and ventilation improvements for low-income households. Learn more about the scheme here.

• Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme (NISEP) — Helps fund energy-efficiency improvements for households in fuel poverty. Find more information available here.

Even if you don't qualify for these schemes, there are plenty of ways to save money on your energy bills. Check out our energy-saving tips guide for easy ways to stop overspending on your monthly bills.

Save more on your energy with UW

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Save on your gas and electricity bills with prices that are always cheaper than the energy price cap at UW. Plus, we'll give you up to £400* towards any early exit fees with your current supplier to make switching as hassle-free as possible.

Discover our energy deals here and find the right plan for your home.