Free insulation is available to thousands of UK households through government grants in 2026. The two main schemes are ECO4 and GBIS. Both fund cavity wall, loft, and solid wall insulation at no cost to eligible homeowners. Your income, benefits, EPC rating, and council tax band determine whether you qualify.
We have mapped every insulation grant available in the UK. This covers national schemes, local authority programmes, and energy company obligations. Below, we explain who qualifies, what each scheme covers, and how to apply step by step. All eligibility criteria are current as of April 2026.
- ECO4 funds cavity wall, loft, and solid wall insulation for households on qualifying benefits - grants cover 100% of installation costs with no upfront payment required from the homeowner
- GBIS extends eligibility to middle-income households in EPC band D-G properties - you do not need to be on benefits if your home meets the energy efficiency criteria and council tax band requirements
- Loft insulation grants save homeowners £315-£590 per year on heating bills - professional installation to 270mm depth is fully funded under both ECO4 and GBIS for eligible properties
- External wall insulation grants can be worth £8,000-£22,000 - solid wall homes are a priority under ECO4, with the full cost of installation covered for qualifying households
- Applications go through ECO-approved installers, not directly to the government - the installer handles the eligibility check, application, and installation as a single process
What Insulation Grants Are Available in 2026?
Two national schemes fund most free insulation in the UK. ECO4 (Energy Company Obligation 4) is the larger programme. It targets low-income households. GBIS (Great British Insulation Scheme) covers a broader range of properties with poor energy ratings.
| Scheme | Who Qualifies | What It Covers | Max Value | Runs Until |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ECO4 | Households on qualifying benefits + EPC D-G | Cavity, loft, solid wall, floor, room-in-roof | Up to £22,000 | March 2026 |
| GBIS | EPC D-G + council tax A-D (general) or qualifying benefits (any band) | Cavity, loft (primary focus) | Up to £6,000 | March 2026 |
| Local authority grants | Varies by council | Varies – often top-up for ECO4/GBIS gaps | £500-£10,000 | Varies |
| Energy company offers | Customers of specific suppliers | Discounted or free loft/cavity insulation | Varies | Ongoing |
Energy companies fund both ECO4 and GBIS. The “Big Six” and other obligated suppliers pay for the work. The installation is genuinely free. There is no loan, no charge on your bills, and no catch.
ECO4: Energy Company Obligation
ECO4 is the UK’s largest energy efficiency scheme. It has a £4 billion budget running from April 2022 to March 2026. The scheme targets fuel-poor households. It funds cavity wall, loft, solid wall, floor, and room-in-roof insulation.
For detailed eligibility requirements and the application process, see our full ECO4 scheme guide.
ECO4 Eligibility
You must receive at least one qualifying benefit. Your property must also have an EPC rating of D, E, F, or G.
- Universal Credit (income under the threshold)
- Pension Guarantee Credit
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income Support
- Child Tax Credit (income under £16,480)
- Working Tax Credit (income under £16,480)
- Housing Benefit
- Warm Home Discount (core group)
ECO4 also has a “flexible eligibility” route. Local authorities can refer households living in fuel poverty even without a qualifying benefit. Ask your local council’s energy team if they take part in ECO Flex.
Homeowners who receive an LA Flex referral report faster processing times. The referral counts like a qualifying benefit for ECO4 purposes.
What ECO4 Covers
ECO4 takes a “whole house” approach. The goal is to improve your EPC rating by at least two bands. An installer surveys your home, picks the best measures, and fits them at no cost. Common measures include:
- Cavity wall insulation (£250-£2,500 value)
- Loft insulation to 270mm (£400-£1,500 value)
- External wall insulation (£8,000-£22,000 value)
- Internal wall insulation (£4,000-£13,000 value)
- Floor insulation (£500-£2,000 value)
- Room-in-roof insulation (£1,500-£5,000 value)
GBIS: Great British Insulation Scheme
GBIS launched in 2023 with a £1 billion budget. It reaches a broader range of households than ECO4. Middle-income homeowners in poorly insulated homes can qualify even without benefits.
For the full scheme breakdown, see our Great British Insulation Scheme guide.
GBIS Eligibility
GBIS has two eligibility routes – a general route based on your property, and a low-income route based on benefits. You only need to meet one.
| Route | Requirements | Measures Available |
|---|---|---|
| General eligibility | EPC band D, E, F, or G + council tax band A-D (England) or A-E (Scotland/Wales) | Cavity wall, loft insulation |
| Low-income | Receiving a qualifying benefit (same list as ECO4) – any council tax band | Cavity wall, loft, solid wall, flat roof, room-in-roof, floor |
The general route is what sets GBIS apart. If your home has an EPC of D or below and is in council tax band A-D, you qualify. You can get free cavity wall or loft insulation regardless of income. This opens the scheme to millions of homeowners not on benefits.
Quick Eligibility Checker
This table helps you assess which scheme you likely qualify for. You still need a formal check from an approved installer. But it gives you a solid starting point.
| Your Situation | Likely Eligible For | Measures Covered |
|---|---|---|
| On benefits + EPC D-G | ECO4 + GBIS | All insulation types (cavity, loft, solid wall, floor) |
| Not on benefits + EPC D-G + council tax A-D | GBIS (general route) | Cavity wall and loft insulation |
| On benefits + EPC A-C | May qualify via ECO Flex | Depends on local authority assessment |
| Not on benefits + EPC A-C | Not eligible for national schemes | Check local authority grants and energy company offers |
| Private renter | ECO4 or GBIS (with landlord consent) | Same as above but landlord must agree |
| Social housing tenant | ECO4 (via housing association) | Housing association applies on your behalf |
You do not need to know your EPC rating before applying. The installer will check it as part of the application. If you want to check in advance, search the EPC register at gov.uk/find-energy-certificate using your postcode.
How to Apply for Insulation Grants
Applying is straightforward. An ECO-approved installer handles everything: eligibility check, application, survey, and installation. You do not apply to the government or your energy company directly.
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Find an ECO-approved installer – search the TrustMark register or ask your energy supplier for a list of approved companies in your area
- Request an eligibility check – the installer will ask about your benefits, property type, EPC rating, and council tax band
- Home survey – a surveyor visits your property to assess what insulation measures are needed and confirm eligibility
- Application submission – the installer submits the application to the energy company funding the work (you do not need to do this)
- Approval – typically takes 2-4 weeks, sometimes faster for straightforward cases
- Installation – the approved installer completes the work (cavity wall: 2-3 hours, loft: half day, solid wall: 2-4 weeks)
- Guarantee – you receive a guarantee certificate (25 years for cavity wall via CIGA, varies for other measures)
The whole process takes 4-8 weeks from first contact to finished installation. There is no upfront cost at any stage. Legitimate ECO installers never ask for a deposit or payment.
Beware of companies charging “administration fees” or “survey fees” for grant applications. ECO4 and GBIS installations are completely free for eligible households. If a company asks for payment, they are not following the scheme rules. Report them to your local trading standards office.
Local Authority Grants
Many local councils offer extra grants alongside ECO4 and GBIS. These vary by area and change often. They can be valuable if you fall outside the national scheme criteria.
Common programmes include top-up funding for ECO4 measures and home improvement grants. Some councils offer interest-free loans for energy efficiency works. Others run their own insulation schemes in winter, targeting fuel-poor households.
Contact your council’s housing or energy team to ask what is available. The Simple Energy Advice service (simpleenergyadvice.org.uk) lists local grants by postcode.
What Does “Free Insulation” Actually Mean?
Free insulation through ECO4 and GBIS is genuinely free. You pay nothing for installation, materials, or any related work. Energy companies cover the cost as part of their legal obligation to improve UK homes.
There is no loan, no charge on your energy bill, and no equity release. You do not need to switch supplier. The insulation belongs to you and stays with the property if you sell. You just need to meet the eligibility criteria and allow the work to be done.
The only “catch” is that you do not pick the installer. The energy company assigns one from their approved panel. You also cannot choose the material. The installer specifies what meets scheme rules. In practice, this rarely causes problems. All approved installers meet the same quality standards.
If you do not qualify for grants, see our cost guides: home insulation costs, cavity wall insulation costs, loft insulation costs, and external wall insulation costs. For help choosing an installer, read our best insulation companies guide.
