Your Guide to House Insulation Grants: Benefits, Eligibility, and Application
Looking to lower your energy bills? Did you know that properly insulating your floors, walls, and roof can save you between £650 and £750 annually? In addition to these significant savings, effective house insulation can reduce your carbon emissions by 1.4 to 1.7 tonnes each year.
Recognizing these substantial benefits, the UK government has introduced various grants and schemes to encourage households to insulate their homes. These initiatives aim to help achieve the national goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. By taking advantage of these grants, you can save money on energy bills and contribute to a greener, more sustainable future.
According to the Office of National Statistics (ONS), England is considered one of the least energy-efficient throughout the UK. At the end of 2023, the average EPC rating of the UK homes was only D. This makes having proper insulation all the more important for all UK residents and through the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) and the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4), the UK government has made sure everyone can afford these energy-efficiency upgrades.
House Insulation Grants in the UK: ECO4 and GBIS
As of 2024, there are two generous grants available for you to upgrade your house insulation: the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) and the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4). Each has its own benefits and are designed to help fuel-poor, energy-inefficient, and low-income households in the UK, affordably upgrade their insulation and lower their energy bills while also contributing to the UK's target of total decarbonisation by 2050.
Free Home Insulations by ECO4 and GBIS
You can get a variety of insulation upgrades under the ECO4 and GBIS but the details of what you receive and how you receive it depends on the grant you apply for. Generally, these are the free house insulations they offer:
- Loft insulation grants
- Flat or pitched roof insulation grants
- Underfloor insulation grants
- Solid floor insulation grants
- Park home insulation grants
- Room-in-roof insulation grants
- Cavity wall insulation grants
- Solid wall insulation grants
- Internal wall insulation grants
- External wall insulation grants
The Great British Insulation Scheme offers a single insulation measure for each qualifying household. They do an assessment of your home to determine the most effective insulation option for your property.
On the other hand, the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) has a more comprehensive, ‘whole-house’ approach. Under the ECO4, you can fully insulate your home for free. They do a property assessment of the eligible homes to provide them with enough free upgrades to maximise energy-efficiency. These upgrades include a variety of insulations, boiler repair and replacement, heat pumps, solar panels, and more.
Benefits of Insulation
There are many advantages to upgrading your home insulation that go beyond just cutting carbon emissions. Explore the benefits to help determine if upgrading your house insulation is the right choice for you.
- Prevent Heat Loss: Improper house insulation can lead to a loss of 25% to 45% of your home's heat. By insulating your home, you can significantly reduce energy waste, as your heating system will operate more efficiently. This not only lowers your energy bills but also extends the lifespan of your boiler, ensuring it doesn't have to work as hard to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature.
- Reduce Energy Bills: Having house insulation means your heating system doesn’t have to use as much energy to keep your home warm. By insulating your floor, walls, and roof you can save £650 - £750 per year on your energy bills.
- Become Environmentally Friendly: By bringing energy waste to a minimum, you can contribute significantly to reducing the carbon emissions of the UK and create a greener future. Having proper house insulation reduces your CO2 emissions by 4 to 1.7 tonnes per year.
- Increase Property Value: House insulation increases the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of your home. A higher EPC means higher value for your property and more appeal to potential buyers and renters.
- Enhance Home Health: Moisture is the cause of mould and condensation issues. Home insulation prevents moisture buildup and reduces the risk of mould growth and structural damage.
Difference Between GBIS and ECO4
Although both schemes provide insulation grants and share similar eligibility criteria, they have different approaches:
- Wider Reach: ECO4 is mainly for low-income and vulnerable households but GBIS has a wider reach and is available to a larger portion of the population.
- Focus: GBIS is focused on providing house insulations, while ECO4 offers a range of energy-efficiency measures to qualifying households.
- Approach: GBIS offers a single insulation measure per qualifying household, while ECO4 has a 'whole-house' approach. After assessing your home, ECO4 can provide eligible households with full-house insulation as well as other upgrades to maximise the energy-efficiency of your home.
- Responsibility: GBIS is administered directly by the UK government, while ECO4, as its name implies, places responsibility on energy providers to deliver cost-effective energy-efficiency solutions to homes across the UK.
Additional Support
GBIS and ECO4 are the only government grants in the UK that offer free insulation. However, there are still other support you can get from smaller government schemes and independent initiatives:
- British Gas Energy Trust: The British Gas Energy Trust is a scheme set up by British Gas and supports individuals struggling with energy debt. This scheme offers grants to free the UK households from their energy debts and provides guidance on managing energy costs. It has its own set of eligibility criteria, for instance you must have an energy debt of up to £2,000 and you must have not received a grant from British Gas Energy Trust in the past 2 years. For more detailed information and to apply, visit the British Gas Energy Trust official website.
- The Warm Home Discount Scheme: The Warm Home Discount Scheme is a small-scale initiative designed to assist UK households with their annual energy bills. This scheme provides a one-off discount of £150 on your energy bills each year, helping to ease the financial burden during the colder months. To learn more about the eligibility criteria and how to apply, visit the UK government’s official website.
Insulation Grants Eligibility Criteria
Discover who qualifies for insulation grants in the UK. This section breaks down eligibility requirements to help homeowners, landlords, and tenants understand their potential for financial assistance in upgrading their house insulation.
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Income-Based Criteria:
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Households receiving means-tested benefits such as:
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Housing Benefit
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Low-Income:
- Households with a combined income of £31,000 or below
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Energy Efficiency:
- Properties with poor energy efficiency ratings, particularly those with an EPC rating of D, E, F, or G.
- Homes that would benefit significantly from insulation improvements.
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Vulnerability:
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Households with vulnerable members, such as:
- Elderly residents over the age of 65
- Families with young children under the age of 5
- Individuals with health conditions exacerbated by cold conditions.
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Households with vulnerable members, such as:
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Property Ownership and Type:
- Homeowners
- Private landlords.
- Private renters
- Social housing tenants (primarily under ECO4)
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Property Suitability:
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Homes suitable for insulation improvements:
- Properties must meet specific conditions to qualify for the proposed insulation measures.
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Homes suitable for insulation improvements:
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Additional Criteria:
- Local authority schemes under GBIS may have additional criteria or priorities based on regional needs and objectives.
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Households receiving means-tested benefits such as:
To check your eligibility for free insulation, complete this form. If you need personalised advice or have any questions, feel free to reach out to us directly.
How to Apply for Free House Insulation Grant
Applying for free house insulation under GBIS and ECO4 is straightforward with ByEco. Our process is designed to be hassle-free, ensuring you get the insulation your home needs without any complications.
Steps to Apply
- Fill Out Our Form: Start by filling out our simple application form. We will review your information and get back to you promptly. Alternatively, you can contact us directly for immediate assistance.
- Free Assessment: Our services are completely free of charge. Our team will conduct a comprehensive assessment of your property to determine if you qualify for free house insulation.
- Eligibility and Grants: We will identify the best grant you qualify for, ensuring you receive all the funding you deserve. If you wish, our experts will also determine other ways to make your home more energy-efficient and reduce your energy bills.
- Expert Guidance: Once your eligibility is confirmed, we guide you through the application process. We ensure you have all the necessary documents for a fast and smooth application.
- Top-Rated Installers: Installation quality is crucial for optimal results. We save you the hassle of finding a good installer by providing quotes from top-rated installers in your area. You can choose the best deal, and we oversee the entire installation process.
Benefits of Applying with ByEco
- Eco-Friendly Upgrades: Our team of experts will help you choose the most effective insulation types and other free energy-efficiency upgrades available to you.
- Hassle-Free Process: From application to installation, we handle everything to ensure a seamless experience.
- Free Services: Our collaboration with the government allows us to offer these services at no cost to you.
Start Your Eco-Friendly Journey Today!
Your free house insulation is just a click away! Apply today and begin your journey to a more eco-friendly future with ByEco.
