Financial support to insulate a solid walled property may be available if you meet certain criteria or live in certain areas in England, Scotland or Wales. If you own an older property, it may be possible to get a stone wall insulation grant to help with the large investment of retrofitting insulation to a solid wall.
Travel almost anywhere in the British Isles and you’ll come across stone-built houses and cottages of all shapes and sizes. They are among the most elegant properties you could hope to find but they do come with some major challenges when considering insulation and energy efficiency.
Many older stone buildings have solid walls without a cavity, causing heat to escape more readily. This presents some interesting challenges when it comes to improving energy efficiency.
The Unique Nature of Stone Walls
While they look fantastic, traditional stone walls can be less efficient at retaining heat compared to modern cavity walls.
If you own such a property, you may notice higher heating costs, cold interior surfaces and even damp patches. These issues generally stem from the lack of an internal cavity and the natural permeability of stone. Combined, you can end up with a situation where moisture and cold penetrate more easily.
For those wishing to boost the thermal efficiency of their property, investing in stone wall insulation is a key step. Yet the initial outlay can be a stumbling block, particularly for homeowners on lower incomes. Having said that, the benefits of updating your wall insulation can certainly help reduce heating costs and improve comfort in the long-term.
- Reduced Heat Loss: Stone walls can lack that extra buffer offered by a cavity. Proper insulation minimises this problem, keeping more of the heat you pay for inside your home.
- Lower Energy Bills: Cutting back on heat loss in various ways is going to save you money. With gas and electricity still on the rise, this is more important than ever before.
- Improved Comfort: A warmer indoor environment, free from draughts and dampness, significantly improves things. Rooms heat up faster, and interior walls feel less cold to the touch.
Since many older stone walls do not have a cavity, homeowners typically choose from two main types of insulation: Internal Wall Insulation (IWI) or External Wall Insulation (EWI). Both methods can be effective, but their suitability will depend on the building’s layout, planning constraints and budget.
Internal Wall Insulation (IWI)
Insulation boards or stud walls are fitted with insulating materials and installed against the internal surfaces. This is usually the less expensive option and also has the benefit of preserving the exterior look of the building. On the other hand, it will reduce the size of your interior space and can be more disruptive whilst the work is being installed.
External Wall Insulation (EWI)
Here, the layers of insulating material are attached to the building’s outer walls and finished with render, cladding, or stone slips. This provides a good deal of insulation but can be a lot more expensive than interior wall insulation. It can also mean significant visual changes to the outside of the building.
Stone Wall Insulation Grants
Across the UK, several grant initiatives aim to improve energy efficiency in domestic properties. While each scheme operates under distinct criteria, their overarching goal is to alleviate fuel poverty and reduce carbon emissions.
England and Wales
Energy Company Obligation (ECO)
The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) is a government-backed scheme that puts the onus on energy suppliers to assist homeowners in making energy-saving improvements. This can include offering a stone wall insulation grant.
Who Qualifies?
- Households in receipt of certain means-tested benefits such as Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, Employment and Support allowance, Working tax credit, Child tax credit and Pension Credit.
- Properties identified as hard-to-heat or occupied by vulnerable individuals.
In some cases, private tenants may be eligible if they meet income or benefit thresholds, with their landlord’s permission. You can find out more about ECO and a stone wall insulation grant here.
Local Authority Flex Scheme (LA Flex)
Local authorities in England and Wales can extend eligibility for ECO funded improvements through the Local Authority Flex Scheme. This basically gives Councils the power to help certain households that might not meet the standard ECO criteria but could still benefit greatly from insulation measures.
Who Qualifies?
- Households with modest or borderline incomes who are not in receipt of traditional benefits.
- Residents with health conditions worsened by cold living environments.
- People in communities with higher levels of fuel poverty.
The amount of support available can vary greatly depending on location.
Find out more about LA Flex here.
The Great British Insulation Scheme
This is a more recent initiative designed to help homeowners and tenants across England and Wales enhance the energy efficiency of their properties. It’s aimed at households that receive a low income or have particularly vulnerable members. If your property has a low Energy Performance Certificate and the insulation is inadequate, you may also qualify if you are on a moderate income.
You will need to have a professional assessment of the efficiency of the property and what is required to be more energy efficient. The Great British Insulation Scheme includes the potential for stone wall insulation grants.
Scotland: Home Energy Scotland and Stone Wall Insulation
For those living in Scotland, the financial support for energy efficiency measures like stone wall insulation is basically the same but is administered slightly differently. Home Energy Scotland (HES) is funded by the Scottish Government and not only provides free advice on reducing energy bills but also helps homeowners access grants or loans.
- Owner-occupiers and private landlords can apply.
- Households receiving specific benefits or tax credits may be prioritised for larger grants.
- Properties with particularly low EPC ratings may also be eligible for enhanced measures.
Home Energy Scotland offers both grant funding and interest-free loans for insulation improvements, including stone wall insulation. In some cases, a blend of grant and loan can be arranged, helping cover installation costs while minimising upfront outlays.
Making sure you take advantage of obtaining a stone wall insulation grant is critical if you want to save money and improve the energy efficiency of your home. To find out what is available in your area, complete our grant checker below.
