How to apply for the Great British Insulation Scheme
The Great British Insulation Scheme pays for loft, cavity wall, and solid wall insulation for eligible homeowners in England, Scotland, and Wales. It launched in 2023 and runs through 2026, replacing predecessor programmes under the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) framework (DESNZ, 2026).
Apply through your energy supplier for free loft, cavity or solid wall insulation under the Great British Insulation Scheme. You pay nothing for one measure if your home meets EPC and Council Tax criteria.
- Apply through your energy supplier, not the government, for free insulation.
- One insulation measure is fully funded per household under ECO framework.
- Check your EPC rating must be D, E, F or G on GOV.UK register.
- Council Tax band A–D in England or A–E in Scotland and Wales required.
- Benefit claimants or general eligibility route both qualify for the scheme.
- How to apply for the Great British Insulation Scheme
- Eligibility is determined by your property's EPC rating, Council Tax band, and whether you receive certain means-tested benefits
- Quick numbers typical savings, installation costs, and grant values for the three main insulation types
- Applying starts with a free assessment from your energy supplier or an authorised installer, not a government form
- You must use an MCS-certified installer for the work to qualify for funding under the scheme
- After installation, your EPC rating improves, which can increase your home's value and reduce future heating costs
- The scheme runs until March 2027, but funding is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis per supplier
The direct answer is that you apply through your energy supplier, not the government, and the entire cost of one insulation measure is covered at no charge to you. Funding comes from obligated energy suppliers under the ECO framework, not from general taxation or your own pocket (DESNZ, 2026).
The scheme targets households in Council Tax bands A–D in England, or A–E in Scotland and Wales, with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D, E, F, or G. A single insulation measure is fully funded per household; the homeowner pays nothing towards the installation cost (DESNZ, 2026).
Eligibility is determined by your property’s EPC rating, Council Tax band, and whether you receive certain means-tested benefits
Your home must have an EPC rating of D, E, F, or G. Check your current certificate on the GOV.UK EPC register (GOV.UK, 2026). In England, your property must be in Council Tax band A, B, C, or D. In Scotland and Wales, bands A, B, C, D, or E apply (DESNZ, 2026).
If you receive one of the following benefits, you may automatically qualify: Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit, or Housing Benefit (DESNZ, 2026). Households without benefits may still qualify if they fall within the Council Tax and EPC criteria. This is called the “general eligibility” route and widens access beyond benefit claimants (DESNZ, 2026).
If you are unsure about your EPC rating or Council Tax band, contact your local council or check your most recent energy bill. ONS housing stock data shows that around 40% of homes in England fall into bands A–D, meaning many households are potentially eligible (ONS, 2026).
Quick numbers typical savings, installation costs, and grant values for the three main insulation types
| Insulation type | Annual energy saving (typical home) | Grant value (2026) | Installation time | Payback period (if self-funded) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loft insulation (270mm top-up) | £180–£260 | £500–£1,200 | 1 day | 2–4 years |
| Cavity wall insulation | £250–£380 | £800–£2,000 | 2–3 hours | 1–3 years |
| Solid wall insulation (internal or external) | £400–£700 | £3,000–£7,000 | 3–7 days | 5–15 years |
Source: Energy Saving Trust “Insulation savings calculator” (EST, 2026); EST “Great British Insulation Scheme: what you get” (EST, 2026).
These savings assume a typical gas-heated home with a current EPC rating of D. Actual savings depend on your property size, existing insulation levels, and energy tariff. The grant value covers the full installation cost, so you pay nothing.
Applying starts with a free assessment from your energy supplier or an authorised installer, not a government form
You cannot apply directly to the government. The scheme is delivered through obligated energy suppliers: British Gas, EDF, E.ON, Octopus, OVO, Scottish Power, Utilita, and others (Ofgem, 2026).
Step one: contact your energy supplier’s ECO team or use the online eligibility checker on the supplier’s website. Step two: the supplier arranges a free home survey to confirm insulation suitability and measure your property. Step three: if eligible, the supplier books an MCS-certified installer to complete the work at no cost to you (Ofgem, 2026).
There is no upfront payment, no deposit, and no loan. The entire cost is covered by the supplier’s ECO obligation (Ofgem, 2026). If you are unsure which supplier to contact, check your latest energy bill for the supplier name. You do not need to switch energy supplier to apply through a different one.
compare ECO4 vs Great British Insulation Scheme eligibility differences
You must use an MCS-certified installer for the work to qualify for funding under the scheme
All insulation installations under the Great British Insulation Scheme must be carried out by a Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) certified company (MCS, 2026). MCS certification ensures the installer meets quality standards for materials, workmanship, and customer service.
After installation, you receive an MCS certificate and a completion certificate. Keep these for your EPC update and any future property sale. To verify an installer, use the MCS “Find a Contractor” tool online. Do not rely solely on a supplier’s recommendation (MCS, 2026).
TrustMark registration is also required. Check both MCS and TrustMark before work begins (TrustMark, 2026). If an installer cannot provide both certifications, do not proceed with them. The scheme will not fund work done by uncertified companies.
After installation, your EPC rating improves, which can increase your home’s value and reduce future heating costs
Typical EPC improvement: loft insulation moves a D-rated home to C; cavity wall insulation moves an E-rated home to D or C (EST, 2026). A higher EPC rating can increase property value by 1–3% according to estate agent data cited by the Energy Saving Trust (EST, 2026).
Lower energy bills persist for the life of the insulation: 25+ years for cavity wall, 40+ years for loft (EST, 2026). Your energy supplier must update your EPC record within 30 days of completion. Request a copy of the new certificate for your records (DESNZ, 2026).
how insulation improves EPC rating step by step
The scheme runs until March 2027, but funding is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis per supplier
The current obligation period ends on 31 March 2027, with no confirmed extension beyond that date (Ofgem, 2026). Each energy supplier has a fixed funding allocation for its customer base. Once that allocation is used, applications close for that supplier (Ofgem, 2026).
If your supplier has exhausted its funding, you can apply through a different obligated supplier. You do not need to switch energy supplier to apply. Apply as soon as you confirm eligibility. Waiting reduces your chance of securing a place (DESNZ, 2026).
The scheme targets around 300,000 homes across Great Britain over its lifetime, according to DESNZ projections. Given high demand, early application is strongly advised.
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact your energy supplier directly to apply. Ofgem confirms that obligated suppliers manage applications and installation under the ECO framework, not the government.
Households in England with Council Tax band A–D or Scotland/Wales band A–E, and an EPC rating of D, E, F or G. Benefit claimants or those on low incomes may also qualify via the general route, according to DESNZ (2026).
Yes, the cost of one insulation measure is fully covered at no charge to you. Funding comes from obligated energy suppliers under the Energy Company Obligation framework, not from your pocket, as stated by DESNZ (2026).
It covers loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, and solid wall insulation for eligible homes. Only one measure per household is funded under the scheme, per DESNZ (2026).
The scheme launched in 2023 and runs through March 2026. It replaces predecessor programmes under the ECO framework, according to DESNZ (2026).
