Who Qualifies for Free Home Insulation Grants in the UK?

Government backed free insulation grants are available in the UK to help homeowners and tenants improve energy efficiency, lower energy bills, and reduce carbon emissions. These energy efficiency grants, offered through schemes like the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) and the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4), provide financial support for installing loft, cavity wall, and other insulation measures. Many households may be entitled to free home insulation through these programs.

These insulation grants in the UK are accessible to homeowners, private tenants (with landlord permission), and landlords with eligible tenants. If you’re wondering who qualifies for insulation grants, the eligibility criteria often include factors like income, benefits received, and property type.

By taking advantage of Insulation Grants UK, you can save on energy costs and contribute to a more sustainable future while improving the comfort and efficiency of your home.

Find Out If You Qualify for FREE Insultion Grant

Government insulation grants are designed to help UK residents improve their home’s energy efficiency. Here’s what you need to know about qualifying for these energy efficiency grants:

Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS)

The Great British Insulation Scheme is a government initiative running from April 2023 to April 2026. It aims to improve energy efficiency in homes across Great Britain, focusing on low-income and vulnerable households.

Key features:

• Targets properties with EPC ratings of D to G

• Eligible for homes in Council Tax bands A to D in England and A to E in Scotland and Wales

• Unlike ECO4’s “whole house” approach, GBIS focuses on single insulation measures such as loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, or solid wall insulation.

• Can subsidise up to 75-100% of insulation costs for eligible households

Energy Company Obligation (ECO4)

ECO4 is the latest phase of the Energy Company Obligation scheme, running from April 1, 2022, to March 31, 2026. It places obligations on medium and large energy suppliers to promote energy-saving measures.

Key points:

• Focuses on low-income, fuel-poor, and vulnerable households

• Aims to improve the ability of these households to heat their homes

• Targets properties with low EPC ratings of D, E, F, or G

• Contributes to the UK’s strategy to reach net-zero emissions by 2050

Eligibility Criteria

Both GBIS and ECO4 share similar eligibility criteria:

1. Income threshold:

   • Households with a gross annual income below £31,000 are eligible for insulation grants under both GBIS and ECO4 schemes. This threshold ensures that low-income families receive priority support.

   • For self-employed applicants, this refers to profit, not turnover

2. EPC ratings:

   • Homeowners: Properties with EPC ratings of D or below

   • Private renters: Properties with EPC ratings of E or below

3. Council Tax bands:

   • England: A to D

   • Scotland and Wales: A to E

4. Qualifying benefits: Recipients of certain benefits Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, Child Benefit (subject to income limits), Pension Credit, and Employment Support Allowance are eligible for insulation grants.

Priority is given to:

• Low-income households

• Pensioners and over-70s, especially those in vulnerable conditions

• Households with members whose health conditions are exacerbated by cold homes

Looking Ahead: The Warm Home Plan

Looking Ahead: The Warm Home Plan

The UK government will launch the Warm Home Plan in spring 2025, aiming to lift over 1 million households out of fuel poverty by 2030. This comprehensive initiative includes:

1. Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS)

   • Grants up to £7,500 for heat pumps

   • £5,000 for biomass boilers

   • For homes and small non-domestic buildings in England and Wales

2. Warm Homes: Local Grant

   • £500 million fund launching April 1, 2025

   • Up to £30,000 per low-income household

   • Covers insulation, solar panels, heat pumps, and smart controls

3. Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund Wave 3

   • £1.29 billion from 2025 to 2028

   • Improves energy efficiency in social housing

The plan also includes proposals to raise minimum energy standards for rented homes to EPC Band C by 2030 and continued support through the Warm Home Discount scheme.

FreeInsulation will provide updates and assistance when these schemes launch.

100% grants are subject to a free, no-obligation survey. The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) and Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) aim to provide fully funded insulation for eligible households.

FreeInsulation can still help with a survey and quote, even if a full grant isn’t available.

Fully Funded Insulation – FREE for Qualifying Households!

For households receiving qualifying income-related benefits or tax credits (such as Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, Child Benefit, Pension Credit, or Employment Support Allowance), the following insulation types are typically provided completely free of charge:

• Cavity Wall Insulation

• Loft Insulation

If you receive qualifying benefits, you will likely not have to pay anything for these standard insulation measures!

These insulation measures can significantly improve your home’s energy efficiency and reduce heating costs. For example, cavity wall insulation can save between £180 and £690 per year on energy bills, while loft insulation can save between £330 and £590 annually.

Additional Insulation Options

Grants may also be available for other types of insulation, including:

• Roof Room Insulation

• Internal Wall Insulation

• External Wall Insulation

The level of funding for these options can vary depending on your individual circumstances and the specific grant scheme. Here’s what you need to know:

• Roof Room Insulation and Internal Wall Insulation are often fully funded for those receiving qualifying benefits.

• External Wall Insulation may be eligible for grants covering up to 25% of the installation cost, even if you don’t receive benefits.

Key Considerations

Eligibility for these grants depends on factors such as household income, benefits received, property type, and energy efficiency ratings. Funding is typically provided through nationwide schemes like the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) or the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4).

Looking ahead, the upcoming Warm Home Plan, launching in spring 2025, will provide grants of up to £15,000 per property for energy performance upgrades, including various types of insulation. This new scheme is expected to expand opportunities for more households to benefit from energy-saving measures.

See if you qualify:

Building Types Covered

Different free insulation grants are available for various types of properties in the UK. Here’s a breakdown of the main types of insulation and the properties they cover:

Cavity Wall Insulation

To qualify for a free Cavity Wall Insulation grant, the property must meet the following criteria:

• Typically brick-built and constructed between 1924 and 1982

• Have unfilled cavity walls

• Assistance may also be available for uninsulated properties built up to 2005

• Properties built before 1924 are more likely to have solid walls and may not be eligible

• Homes built after 1982 should already be insulated

For more detailed information on this type of insulation and how it can benefit your home, visit our Cavity Wall Insulation Grant page.

Loft Insulation

Loft Insulation Grants are available for properties that meet these requirements:

• Have accessible lofts

• Existing insulation is less than 100mm thick

• Grants typically cover insulation up to a depth of 270mm

These improvements can significantly enhance your home’s energy efficiency and reduce heating costs. If you’re interested in learning more about how loft insulation can benefit your home, visit our Loft Insulation Grants page for further details.

Room in Roof Insulation

You may be eligible for a free Room in Roof insulation grant if your property meets these conditions:

• Originally built with roof rooms or the loft has been converted

• Minimal or no existing insulation is present

• A fixed staircase leads to the room(s), rather than a pull-down loft ladder

For more information on this type of insulation and to see if your property qualifies, visit our Room in Roof Insulation page.

External and Internal Wall Insulation

External and Internal Wall Insulation grants are typically available for:

• Properties with solid walls or system-built constructions that lack a cavity

• May be considered for cavity wall properties if cavity wall insulation is not possible or practical

• Grants covering up to 25% of the cost of external wall insulation may be available regardless of income or benefits

For more details on how these insulation types can improve your home’s energy efficiency, see our External Wall Insulation and Internal Wall Insulation pages.

Regional Variations

While most government insulation grant schemes are available across the UK, there are some regional differences to consider:

• Council Tax band eligibility: A-D in England, A-E in Scotland and Wales

• Northern Ireland has separate grant options; residents should consult local authorities

• Western regions of England, Wales, and Scotland may have restrictions on cavity wall insulation due to exposure to wind-driven rain

• Local councils may offer additional or alternative insulation schemes

Vulnerable Groups

Pensioners over 70 are classified as a “Priority Group” under most insulation grant schemes and receive preferential treatment in grant allocation. They can qualify for insulation grants through the Low Income Group or General Group criteria. For tenants aged 70 or over, or those whose main income is the state pension, they are likely to receive free insulation without any contribution.

Households with members suffering from health conditions exacerbated by cold homes may also qualify for grants without meeting income-based criteria. Qualifying health conditions include cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases like asthma or COPD, limited mobility conditions such as arthritis, and immunosuppression due to cancer treatment or autoimmune diseases.

Mental health conditions like severe anxiety, depression, or chronic fatigue syndrome can also qualify.

To demonstrate eligibility based on a health condition, applicants may be asked to provide one or more of the following:

• A letter from a General Practitioner (GP) or other healthcare professional: This letter should confirm the diagnosis of a relevant health condition and state how the condition is negatively impacted by cold or damp living conditions.

• A copy of a prescription: A recent prescription for medication related to a qualifying health condition can serve as evidence.

• A discharge summary from a hospital stay: If the individual has recently been hospitalized due to a health condition exacerbated by cold weather, the discharge summary may be used as proof.

• A care plan from a social worker or healthcare provider: A care plan outlining the individual’s health needs and how they are affected by their living environment can be submitted.

• A disability living allowance or personal independence payment award letter: Receipt of these benefits can be used as evidence of a long-term health condition or disability.

Eligibility can be obtained through GP referrals or assessments by health boards. A medical assessment by an NHS GP can determine eligibility under the medical condition route for ECO4 grants.

Landlord Permissions for Private Renters

Private renters require landlord approval before applying for insulation grants. Landlords are encouraged to participate as it improves property value and tenant satisfaction. Tenants can apply on behalf of landlords for insulation grants, but landlords must provide written permission for the work to be carried out.

For single property rentals, landlords can complete the application form themselves with tenant information. For multiple properties, landlords can contact grant providers for assistance with applications on behalf of multiple tenants. In England and Wales, landlords cannot let properties with an EPC rating below E unless they have a valid exemption.

If a landlord refuses permission for insulation upgrades, the tenant, unfortunately, cannot proceed with the grant application under the current schemes. Tenants may wish to discuss the benefits of energy efficiency upgrades with their landlord, highlighting potential increases in property value, improved tenant satisfaction, and compliance with minimum EPC requirements.

Insulation grants offer numerous benefits to homeowners and tenants, enhancing both financial savings and environmental sustainability.

Cost Savings

Insulation grants can significantly reduce energy bills by preventing heat loss from homes. For example:

• Loft insulation can save up to £270 annually for a semi-detached house.

• Detached houses can save up to £445 per year with proper loft insulation.

• Cavity wall insulation can result in savings of up to £300 annually.

• Overall, households could save between £630 to £730 per year on energy bills with comprehensive insulation measures.

These savings are particularly impactful given the rising energy costs in recent years. With a potential payback period of just a few years, energy efficiency insulation grants provide a cost-effective solution for improving home energy efficiency.

Environmental Impact

Insulation grants contribute significantly to reducing carbon emissions and improving overall energy efficiency:

• Proper insulation can reduce a home’s carbon footprint by approximately 1.7 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually.

• The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) aims to retrofit 300,000 homes by March 2026, significantly reducing the UK’s overall carbon emissions.

• Insulation plays a crucial role in the UK’s journey towards achieving its Net Zero by 2050 goal.

Additional Benefits

Beyond cost savings and environmental impact, insulation grants offer several other advantages:

• Improved home comfort by reducing drafts and maintaining consistent temperatures.

• Enhanced property value due to improved energy efficiency ratings.

• Healthier living environments by reducing dampness and mold growth.

• Support for vulnerable groups, including pensioners and those with health conditions exacerbated by cold homes.

With the upcoming Warm Homes Plan set to launch in spring 2025, even more comprehensive support for home energy efficiency improvements is on the horizon, further enhancing the benefits of insulation grants for UK households