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 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.
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.
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 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 bands 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" 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
Both ECO4 and GBIS are set to end 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 now and secure your free insulation while funding is still available.