The Great British Insulation Scheme targets low-income households and those in the least efficient homes
If your home is draughty and expensive to heat, a government programme may cover the cost of new insulation. The Great British Insulation Scheme is a UK government initiative administered by Ofgem and delivered by energy suppliers, designed to improve the energy efficiency of homes with poor insulation (GOV.UK, 2026). It replaces parts of the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) and is funded by a levy on household energy bills, not taxpayer money. The primary goal is to reduce energy bills and carbon emissions by installing insulation measures in eligible homes.
Eligibility depends on your property’s Energy Performance Certificate rating and council tax band
To qualify for the scheme, your home must have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D, E, F, or G. This means the property is currently in the least efficient categories. Also, the property must fall within Council Tax bands A to D in England, or A to E in Scotland and Wales (GOV.UK, 2026). If you are unsure of your EPC rating, you can check it on the government’s EPC register. Your council tax band is listed on your annual bill or can be found on your local council’s website.
The scheme is for owner-occupied homes and private rented properties, but not most social housing
Owner-occupiers and private tenants (with landlord permission) can apply if they meet the EPC and council tax band criteria. Social housing tenants are generally excluded unless the property is in the lowest EPC bands and the landlord agrees to participate (Ofgem, 2026). If you rent from a private landlord, you will need their written consent before applying, as the work will affect their property.
Quick numbers, what you get, what it costs, and how much you save
| Measure type | Cost to homeowner | Average annual saving | Total homes targeted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cavity wall insulation | £0 (fully funded) | £285 | 300,000 (all measures combined) |
| Loft insulation (top-up to 270mm) | £0 (fully funded) | £180 | 300,000 (all measures combined) |
| Solid wall insulation (internal or external) | £0 (fully funded) | £395 | 300,000 (all measures combined) |
| Underfloor insulation | £0 (fully funded) | £120 | 300,000 (all measures combined) |
Savings figures are based on Energy Saving Trust averages for a typical gas-heated semi-detached home (Energy Saving Trust, 2026). The total homes targeted is 300,000 across all insulation types by March 2026 (DESNZ, 2026).
The direct answer to “great british insulation scheme”, it pays for insulation in homes that need it most
The scheme fully funds cavity wall, loft, and solid wall insulation for eligible low-income or low-EPC households, with no repayment required. It does not cover boilers, heating systems, or renewable technologies, only insulation measures. To apply, contact your energy supplier or visit the GOV.UK page; you do not need to find a private installer. Compare this with the Boiler Upgrade Scheme for heat pump grants
You must use an MCS-certified installer to ensure the work is valid and grant-funded
All insulation work must be carried out by an installer registered with the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) or a TrustMark-approved contractor (MCS, 2026). The installer must also be registered with the relevant competent persons scheme, such as FENSA for windows or NICEIC for electrical work if applicable (Ofgem, 2026). Your energy supplier will arrange an approved installer for you, so you do not need to find one yourself.
The application process is handled by your energy supplier, not a government body
You apply directly to your energy supplier, such as British Gas, EDF, E.ON, or Octopus, who administers the scheme for your region (Ofgem, 2026). The supplier will arrange an assessment of your home’s EPC and eligibility, then schedule the installation. There is no need to pay upfront or arrange a contractor yourself. If you are unsure which supplier to contact, start with your current electricity or gas provider.
There is no cap on the number of homes that can apply, but the scheme has a fixed budget
The government has allocated £1 billion for the scheme, with a target of 300,000 homes by March 2026 (DESNZ, 2026). If the budget is fully used before the scheme ends, new applications may be paused. Check the GOV.UK page for current availability before applying. Read about the ECO4 scheme for alternative funding options if this scheme is full
