Energy Grants and Schemes UK 2026/27 — ECO4, GBIS and MoreHome Insulation Grants UK 2024 — Free and Subsidised Insulation
Complete guide to home insulation grants and schemes in the UK. ECO4, GBIS, local authority grants, and how to get free or cheap insulation for your home.
If you are planning insulation, heating upgrades, and grant-backed home improvements together, use the Energy Efficiency Hub as your main route map.
Insulation is one of the best ways to reduce energy bills. Here’s how to get it free or cheap.
Read more: See our Energy Grants guide for a complete overview of this topic.
Current Schemes
Overview of Help Available
| Scheme | Coverage | Who Qualifies |
|---|
| ECO4 | England, Scotland, Wales | Low income, benefits |
| GBIS (Scotland) | Scotland | Low income, fuel poor |
| HES (Scotland) | Scotland | All homeowners |
| Nest (Wales) | Wales | Low income, benefits |
| Local authority | Varies | Check with council |
ECO4 (Energy Company Obligation)
| Feature | Details |
|---|
| Funder | Large energy suppliers |
| Runs until | March 2026 |
| What’s covered | Insulation, heating, other measures |
| Cost to you | Free or heavily subsidised |
ECO4 Eligibility
| Qualifying Benefits | Also Eligible |
|---|
| Universal Credit | Low income (varies) |
| Pension Credit | Low EPC rating (D-G) |
| Child Tax Credit | High energy costs |
| Working Tax Credit | Flexibility criteria |
| Income Support | — |
| JSA (income-based) | — |
| ESA (income-related) | — |
| Housing Benefit | — |
What ECO4 Covers
| Measure | Covered? |
|---|
| Loft insulation | Yes |
| Cavity wall insulation | Yes |
| Solid wall insulation | Yes |
| Underfloor insulation | Sometimes |
| Heating upgrades | Yes |
| Draught-proofing | Sometimes |
Insulation Types
Loft Insulation
| Feature | Details |
|---|
| Best for | All homes with accessible loft |
| Recommended depth | 270mm (10.5 inches) |
| Professional cost | £400-£600 |
| DIY cost | £200-£350 |
| Annual saving | £200-£300 |
| Payback | 1-3 years |
Cavity Wall Insulation
| Feature | Details |
|---|
| Best for | Homes built 1920s-1990s with cavity |
| Process | Drill holes, inject insulation |
| Professional cost | £500-£1,500 |
| Annual saving | £200-£400 |
| Payback | 2-5 years |
| Guarantee | 25 years typical |
Solid Wall Insulation
| Type | External | Internal |
|---|
| Best for | Pre-1920s solid brick | Listed buildings |
| Process | Cladding outside | Insulated boards inside |
| Cost | £8,000-£15,000 | £4,000-£10,000 |
| Disruption | Less inside | Lose room space |
| Annual saving | £300-£500 | £250-£450 |
Other Insulation
| Type | Cost | Saving |
|---|
| Floor insulation | £500-£1,500 | £40-£80/year |
| Hot water tank jacket | £20-£30 | £30-£50/year |
| Pipe insulation | £20-£50 | £10-£20/year |
| Draught-proofing | £100-£300 | £50-£80/year |
How to Apply
ECO4 Application
| Step | Action |
|---|
| 1 | Check eligibility (benefits or low income) |
| 2 | Contact energy supplier |
| 3 | Or use ECO4 installer directly |
| 4 | Home assessment arranged |
| 5 | Suitable measures identified |
| 6 | Work completed |
| 7 | Quality check |
Finding ECO4 Installers
| Method | Details |
|---|
| Your energy supplier | Ask directly |
| TrustMark registered | Search online |
| Local authority | May have partnerships |
| Simple Energy Advice | Government service |
Scottish Schemes
| Scheme | Details |
|---|
| GBIS | Similar to ECO4, Scotland specific |
| HES (Home Energy Scotland) | Advice and grant access |
| Warmer Homes Scotland | For fuel-poor households |
| HES Loan | Interest-free for efficiency work |
Welsh Scheme
| Nest (Wales) | Details |
|---|
| Free improvements | For qualifying households |
| Eligibility | Low income or benefits |
| Application | Via Nest Wales website |
| Includes | Insulation, heating, advice |
Costs and Savings
Typical Investment vs Savings
| Measure | Cost (Paid) | Annual Saving | Payback |
|---|
| Loft insulation | £500 | £250 | 2 years |
| Cavity wall | £1,000 | £300 | 3.3 years |
| Solid wall (external) | £12,000 | £400 | 30 years |
| Floor | £800 | £60 | 13 years |
| Draught-proofing | £200 | £65 | 3 years |
If Getting Free Insulation
| Measure | Saving | Immediate Benefit |
|---|
| Free loft insulation | £250/year | From day one |
| Free cavity wall | £300/year | From day one |
| Free solid wall | £400/year | From day one |
What to Watch Out For
Cavity Wall Concerns
| Issue | Prevention |
|---|
| Damp problems | Check wall suitability first |
| Poor installation | Use TrustMark installer |
| Exposed locations | May not be suitable |
| Existing damp | Fix damp first |
Guarantees
| Expect | Details |
|---|
| Cavity wall | 25-year guarantee |
| Loft insulation | 25-year guarantee |
| Workmanship | TrustMark protection |
| Complaints | CIGA for cavity wall issues |
Red Flags
| Warning Sign | Action |
|---|
| Cold calling | Be wary |
| Pressure to sign | Don’t rush |
| No survey first | Should assess home |
| No TrustMark | Use registered installers |
| Upfront payment demands | Legitimate schemes don’t need this |
DIY Loft Insulation
When Suitable
| Good for DIY | Leave to Professionals |
|---|
| Accessible loft | Hard-to-reach areas |
| No damp issues | Existing problems |
| Comfortable working at height | Complex layouts |
| Basic task | Flat roof insulation |
DIY Cost
| Materials | Cost |
|---|
| Rolls of mineral wool | £100-£200 |
| Boards for access | £50-£100 |
| Safety gear | £30-£50 |
| Total | £180-£350 |
DIY Tips
| Tip | Why |
|---|
| Wear mask and goggles | Fibres irritate |
| Don’t compress insulation | Reduces effectiveness |
| Don’t cover spotlights | Fire hazard |
| Leave gap at eaves | Ventilation needed |
| Don’t insulate tank first | Then loses heat |
Summary: Insulation Checklist
Check Eligibility
| Question | Answer |
|---|
| On qualifying benefits? | Check ECO4 eligibility |
| Low income? | May still qualify |
| In Scotland? | Additional schemes |
| In Wales? | Nest scheme |
| Council schemes? | Contact local authority |
Assess Your Home
| Check | Details |
|---|
| Loft insulation depth | Need 270mm |
| Wall type | Cavity or solid? |
| Current EPC rating | Lower = more help |
| Damp issues | Fix first |
Getting Work Done
| Step | Priority |
|---|
| Check free schemes first | Save money |
| Get multiple quotes if paying | Compare prices |
| Use TrustMark installers | Quality assured |
| Check guarantees | In writing |
| Service | Contact |
|---|
| Simple Energy Advice | gov.uk/simpleenergyadvice |
| Home Energy Scotland | 0808 808 2282 |
| Nest Wales | 0808 808 2244 |
| Energy Saving Trust | energysavingtrust.org.uk |
Insulation is one of the best investments for your home. Check if you qualify for free installation first — many households miss out on help they’re entitled to. Even if paying, the savings usually pay back within a few years.
You Might Also Find Useful