What is the Great British Insulation Scheme?

Insulation is one of the most effective ways to reduce heat loss, and keep your home at a comfortable temperature. This is why the government has launched the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS): aimed at helping people in England, Scotland and Wales with the cost of installing, or improving, their home insulation.

If you live in a poorly insulated home, you could be losing up to a third of the heat you’re putting into it through the walls, a quarter through the roof, and between 10-15% through the floor.

Good insulation stops the heat you’re putting into your home from escaping, as well as cutting your home’s carbon consumption, and reducing energy bills.

Many parts of your home can be insulated, from hot water tanks, pipes and radiators, to walls, floors, roofs and lofts. Check out our home insulation guide for more information.

Is the Great British Insulation Scheme the same as the ECO+ Scheme? 

Yes: ECO+ was renamed to the Great British Insulation Scheme, relaunching under its new name in September 2023.

How does the Great British Insulation Scheme work? 

The scheme is a government initiative designed to help people with the cost of insulating their homes.

Running until March 2026, it’s expected the scheme will help around 300,000 households by contributing to the cost of installing new home insulation, or improving existing insulation. More than £1 billion in funding is being made available.

Eligible households can apply for the scheme on the government website. A free home survey will then be carried out by an installer, who will help you to decide which insulation measure will offer the greatest improvement to your home’s energy efficiency.

The insulation will then be installed, with either part or all of the cost covered by the scheme.

It’s worth noting that claiming the grant itself will be handled by your installer, and you’ll see the grant in the form of a reduction from the quote you receive.

How much funding could I get from the Great British Insulation Scheme? 

The costs of installing insulation may be covered in full through the scheme. Alternatively, you may be offered a sum towards your improvements that will cover a portion of the cost.

The amount of support available will vary depending on your circumstances, your property, and the proposed works. Our home insulation guide will give you a better idea of the typical upfront costs involved in insulation works, before any government grants have been factored in.

But on average, the government estimates that households using funding through the scheme can expect to save around £300-£400 on energy bills annually.

What type of insulation is covered under the scheme?

There are many different types of home insulation available. You can use the support grant to help with the cost of the following:

• cavity wall insulation
• solid wall insulation (internal or external)
• loft insulation
• flat or pitched roof insulation
• underfloor insulation
• solid floor insulation
• park home insulation
• room-in-roof insulation

The Energy Saving Trust estimates that loft insulation could save you up to £415 on your annual energy bill if you live in a detached house, or £410 a year if you live in a detached bungalow. For semi-detached homes and mid-terraced houses, estimated annual savings are around £250 and £225 respectively.

Am I eligible for the Great British Insulation Scheme? 

The scheme has been specifically designed to provide energy improvements to those on the lowest incomes, and people living in the least energy-efficient homes.

The government has outlined two main groups that are eligible for insulation grants:

• General group: Those who live in homes in Council Tax bands A-D in England or A-E in Scotland or Wales; and homes with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating between D to G.
• Low-income group: Supporting those on means-tested benefits, in the least energy-efficient social housing, or referred via a participating local authority or energy supplier, and considered vulnerable or on a low-income.

The scheme is available to home-owners, landlords and tenants (either renting privately, or from a housing association). If you’re a tenant, you’ll need to get permission from your landlord before any insulation can be installed.

The Great British Insulation Scheme is available in England, Scotland and Wales. You can find out about energy-saving schemes in Northern Ireland here.

How do I apply for the Great British Insulation Scheme? 

You can check whether you’re eligible for the scheme via the government website. You’ll be asked to provide:

• Your total household income
• The type of benefits anyone living in the property receives (you may be eligible for additional support)
• Your email address or phone number so your energy supplier can contact you if you’re eligible.

READ MORE: Home insulation guide: cavity walls, floors, roof and loft spaces