The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) offered free cavity wall, loft, and underfloor insulation to millions of UK homes in Council Tax bands A-D. Applications closed in January 2026, but if you missed it, alternative schemes like ECO4 and the Boiler Upgrade Scheme can still fund home energy improvements. This guide covers what GBIS was, what replaced it, and how to get free insulation now.
- GBIS applications closed 31 January 2026 - all installations must be completed by 31 March 2026, no new applications are being accepted
- Covered insulation worth up to £3,000 - cavity wall, loft, underfloor, room-in-roof, and flat roof insulation were fully or partially funded
- Council Tax bands A-D qualified - no benefits required for the General Group route, just your Council Tax band and EPC rating of D-G
- ECO4 is still open - if you qualify on income or benefits, ECO4 funds free insulation, boilers, and heat pumps until December 2026
- Boiler Upgrade Scheme offers £7,500 - for homeowners replacing gas or oil heating with a heat pump, no income test required
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What Was the Great British Insulation Scheme?
The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) was a UK government programme requiring energy suppliers to fund insulation improvements in energy-inefficient homes. Launched in March 2023, it aimed to insulate 300,000 UK homes by March 2026.
Unlike ECO4 (which targets low-income households), GBIS was available to a much wider group. Anyone in Council Tax bands A-D with an EPC rating of D or below could qualify, regardless of income. This “General Group” route made it the most accessible home energy scheme the UK has run.
The scheme covered measures worth up to £3,000 per household, with most homeowners paying nothing at all. Energy suppliers (British Gas, EDF, E.ON, OVO, Scottish Power, Octopus) delivered the scheme through networks of approved installers.
What Did GBIS Cover?
| Insulation Type | Typical Cost (Without Grant) | Under GBIS | Typical Annual Saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cavity wall insulation | £1,500 – £3,000 | Free | £295 |
| Loft insulation (0-270mm) | £500 – £1,500 | Free | £355 |
| Underfloor insulation | £1,000 – £2,500 | Free or subsidised | £165 |
| Room-in-roof insulation | £1,500 – £3,500 | Free or subsidised | £440 |
| Flat roof insulation | £1,000 – £2,000 | Free or subsidised | £230 |
Annual savings are based on Energy Saving Trust estimates for a typical semi-detached house with gas heating.
Who Qualified for GBIS?
GBIS had two eligibility routes:
General Group (no benefits needed)
- ✓ Council Tax band A, B, C, or D (England) or A-E (Scotland and Wales)
- ✓ EPC rating of D, E, F, or G
- ✓ Property suitable for insulation (assessor confirmed)
Low-income Group
Households on qualifying benefits (Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Income Support, JSA, ESA, Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit, Housing Benefit) or with income under £31,000 could qualify for a wider range of measures.
GBIS Has Closed – What Are Your Options Now?
If you missed the GBIS deadline, three alternative schemes can still fund home energy improvements in 2026:
ECO4 (best alternative for insulation)
ECO4 is the closest replacement for GBIS. It funds free loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, solid wall insulation, boiler replacements, and heat pumps. You need to be on qualifying benefits or have household income under £31,000. The scheme runs until December 2026, but funding is limited.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme (best for heating)
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme pays £7,500 towards replacing your gas or oil boiler with a heat pump. Available to all homeowners in England and Wales with no income test. Budget for 2025/26 is £295 million.
Home Upgrade Grant (HUG2)
HUG2 provides up to £10,000 for energy efficiency improvements in off-gas-grid homes. It covers insulation, heating upgrades, and solar panels. You must be on a low income and your home must not be connected to the gas network. Delivered through local authorities.
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Will There Be a Replacement for GBIS?
The government has not confirmed a direct replacement, but its Warm Homes Plan commits to insulating 5 million homes by 2030. A successor scheme is widely expected to launch in 2026/27, likely with similar eligibility to GBIS (Council Tax band-based, no income test).
In the meantime, apply for ECO4 if you are on benefits or low income, or the Boiler Upgrade Scheme if you want to replace your boiler with a heat pump. Both are live and accepting applications now.
Common Questions
I applied before January 2026 but haven’t had the work done yet
If your application was accepted before the deadline, your installation should still go ahead. Contact your energy supplier or installer to confirm your booking. All GBIS installations must be completed by 31 March 2026.
Can I get insulation through ECO4 instead?
Yes, if you qualify. ECO4 covers loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, and solid wall insulation. You need to be on qualifying benefits or have household income under £31,000, and your home needs an EPC rating of D or below. See our full ECO4 guide.
I’m not on benefits and my Council Tax is band E or above
Your options are more limited but not zero. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme has no income test (£7,500 towards a heat pump). You may also qualify for solar panel grants or local authority schemes.
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