Energy Saving Grants | Government Grants for Energy Efficiency

The Great British Insulation Scheme:
How Does It Work?

The Great British Insulation Scheme

Is your home difficult to keep warm? Perhaps you have cold spots in some rooms, or it’s draughty throughout. In the middle of winter, the chills may become unbearable causing you to turn the heating up higher and your energy bills to skyrocket. What if there was a way to make your home cosy, reduce those bills and pay nothing or very little in return? That’s where the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) comes in. It is a Government energy-efficiency funding scheme that will provide a grant to insulate your home and keep your heating costs manageable.

Why Insulate?

When you insulate your home, whether through loft insulation, cavity wall insulation or room in roof insulation, you trap warmth that would otherwise be lost. It’s all about enhancing the efficiency of your home and pocketing the savings. By preventing heat from escaping through your roof, floor or walls, you can reduce your energy costs significantly. In fact, with the correct insulation, you could save an average £300 to £900 per year. However, while the advantages of installing insulation are hard to ignore, there’s one problem that still exists: paying for it. Many homeowners understand the long-term benefits of insulation but are put off by the up-front expenses. And that’s not surprising when you consider that cavity wall insulation can cost up to £3,500. That’s where the Great British Insulation Scheme can help.

The Great British Insulation Scheme: What’s In It For You?

The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) is a government-funded scheme that aims to provide insulation to around 300,000 UK homes. GBIS is designed to specifically support low-income households and those living in the least energy-efficient homes. The scheme offers the following benefits:

Substantial Savings: Better insulation makes it easier and more affordable to keep your home warm, resulting in reduced energy costs.

Enhanced Comfort: Say goodbye to cold draughts and hello to a cosy home.

Eco-friendly: By insulating your home and reducing energy consumption, you also reduce your carbon footprint and help to combat climate change. 

Are You Eligible For The Great British Insulation Scheme?

The eligibility criteria for GBIS are quite wide, ensuring that as many homes in the UK as possible are made more energy-efficient. Let’s explore these criteria and whether you could qualify for improvements.

General Group Criteria

Your home should fall within council tax bands A to D if you’re in England. For those in Scotland and Wales, it’s bands A to E.
Your home should have an EPC rating of D to G. Not sure about your EPC rating? Find your energy certificate if you live in Scotland, or if you live in England or Wales or ask your landlord or housing association for a copy.
If you’re a private renter, your EPC should fall in band D or E. 

If you qualify under this group, you’ll qualify to receive insulation upgrade assistance. However, you might have to contribute towards the cost (a no-obligation survey of your property would be required to determine whether any contribution is required).

Low-Income Group Criteria

You should be receiving one or more of the listed qualifying benefits below.
Living in the least efficient social housing.
An EPC rating between D to G. 

Those who fall under this category could benefit from free or drastically reduced insulation costs. Additionally, owner-occupied households might also receive heating controls via the grant scheme.

How Energy Saving Grants Can Help

Use our free Eligibility Criteria Checker below to see if you qualify for free or low-cost insulation under the Great British Insulation Scheme. Our energy advisors can also let you know of any other Government funding schemes that you may be eligible for. Make a difference to your comfort and energy costs today.

Qualifying Benefits

Income-based Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) Income Support Pension Credit Guarantee Credit Working Tax Credit Child Tax Credit Universal Credit Housing Benefit Pension Credit Saving Credit Child Benefits (dependent on the total income of the property) Warm Home Discount payment

More Than Just Another Grants Program

The Great British Insulation Scheme is more than just another grants programme; it’s one of the best ways to create a warm and comfortable living space and reduce your energy costs. If you’re living in a cold and draughty home or wanting to reduce your fuel bills, this is a great opportunity for households throughout the UK.

What Types of Insulation Are Available?

There are two main types of insulation available under GBIS. They are:
Loft Insulation: A whopping 25% of a home’s heat is lost through its roof if left uninsulated. Loft insulation acts as a thermal barrier, ensuring that warmth remains where it’s needed – inside your home.
Cavity Wall Insulation: Think of this as your home’s winter coat. Insulating the cavity between the internal and external walls reduces heat loss and keeps your home warm and cosy.

Useful Resources

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/environmental-and-social-schemes/energy-company-obligation-eco/local-authorities
https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2022-09/ECO4%20Flex%20fact%20sheet.pdf

Check Your Eligibility Using Our Grant Checker

Please ensure that all information provided below is 100% accurate. Any errors in your personal information could delay or prevent you qualifying for a government funded grant 

Please note that you do not necessarily need to be in receipt of tax credits or benefits as we still may be able to obtain funding for you via your Council or through other funding schemes.  



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