JH
Energy Grants Advisor · Last updated 4 March 2026 · Reviewed by
Sarah Mitchell, MCS Certified
⚡ Key Takeaways
- ECO4 and GBIS both provide free or subsidised insulation to UK homes
- ECO4 requires qualifying benefits; GBIS is open to council tax bands A-D (England) or E-G in Scotland
- Covered: cavity wall, loft, solid wall, underfloor, and flat roof insulation
- Typical savings: £200-£600/year depending on insulation type
- Your home needs an EPC rating of D-G for most schemes
- Funding is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis
⚠️GBIS closes THIS MONTH — apply before 31 March 2026The Great British Insulation Scheme ends March 2026. Once funding runs out, free insulation will no longer be available through GBIS. Check your eligibility now →
Can You Get Free Insulation in 2026?
Yes. The UK government funds two major insulation schemes — ECO4 and the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) — that provide completely free insulation to eligible households. Combined, these programmes have a budget of over £4 billion and aim to insulate hundreds of thousands of homes before their respective deadlines (GBIS March 2026, ECO4 December 2026).
The catch? Funding is running out. Both schemes operate on a first-come, first-served basis, and energy companies are rapidly filling their obligations. If you think you might qualify, check now — waiting could mean missing out entirely.
What Types of Insulation Are Available for Free?
Loft Insulation (Saves ~£590/year)
Loft insulation is the quickest and cheapest energy efficiency measure. If your loft has less than 270mm of insulation (about 10 inches), you could benefit. Installation takes just 2-4 hours and makes an immediate difference to your heating bills. Around 25% of heat escapes through an uninsulated roof.
Cavity Wall Insulation (Saves ~£395/year)
If your home was built between the 1920s and 1990s, it likely has cavity walls — two layers of brick with a gap between them. Filling this gap with insulation material takes just 1-2 days and prevents around 35% of heat loss. The installer drills small holes in the outside wall, injects the insulation, and patches them — barely visible when done.
Solid Wall Insulation (Saves ~£640/year)
Older homes (pre-1920s) typically have solid walls with no cavity. These lose heat rapidly — up to 45% of your home's warmth escapes through uninsulated solid walls. External wall insulation (EWI) wraps your home in an insulating layer, while internal wall insulation (IWI) is fitted inside. Both are available free through ECO4.
Important: External wall insulation changes the appearance of your property and may require planning permission — particularly in conservation areas or for listed buildings. Check with your local planning authority before work begins.
Underfloor Insulation (Saves ~£100/year)
If you have suspended timber floors (common in pre-1950s homes), underfloor insulation can stop cold air rising through gaps in the floorboards. It's often installed alongside other measures as part of a whole-house approach.
Insulation Savings Comparison
| Insulation Type |
Annual Saving |
Installation Time |
Heat Loss Prevented |
| Loft insulation |
~£590/year |
2–4 hours |
~25% of heat loss |
| Cavity wall insulation |
~£395/year |
1–2 days |
~35% of heat loss |
| Solid wall insulation |
~£640/year |
1–2 weeks |
~45% of heat loss |
| Underfloor insulation |
~£100/year |
1 day |
~15% of heat loss |
Source: Energy Saving Trust, based on a typical gas-heated 3-bed semi-detached house. Savings vary by property.
Who Qualifies for Free Insulation?
Route 1: ECO4 Scheme (Benefits-Based)
You qualify if you receive ANY of these benefits:
- Universal Credit
- Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit)
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
- Housing Benefit
- Child Tax Credit (income under £19,900 for single parent with 1 child)
- Working Tax Credit
- Warm Home Discount (Core Group)
Your home also needs an EPC rating requirements of D or below. Don't know your EPC? Our checker can help you find out.
Route 2: Great British Insulation Scheme (No Benefits Needed)
Even without benefits, you may qualify through GBIS if your home is in council tax band energy grants A-D (England) or A-E (Scotland/Wales). This £1 billion scheme specifically targets homes that would benefit most from insulation upgrades.
Route 3: Local Authority Flex (LA Flex)
If you don't meet the standard criteria, your local council can refer you under "LA Flex eligibility" provisions. This covers households in fuel poverty, people with health conditions worsened by cold homes, and low-income households on the borderline of qualifying benefits.
How to Apply
- Check eligibility — Use our free eligibility checker (takes 60 seconds)
- Get matched — We connect you with TrustMark-registered installers in your area
- Home survey — An assessor visits to confirm what measures your home needs
- Installation — Work is carried out by certified installers at no cost to you
- EPC update — Your Energy Performance Certificate is updated to reflect the improvement
⚠️ ECO4 Deadline: December 2026
GBIS ends in March 2026, and ECO4 in December 2026. While successor schemes may follow, there's no guarantee they'll be as generous. The current funding is first-come, first-served — once it's gone, it's gone.
Don't wait. Check your eligibility with Great British Energy eligibility checker now and secure your free insulation while funding is still available.