JH
Energy Grants Advisor · Last updated 4 March 2026 · Reviewed by
Sarah Mitchell, MCS Certified
⚡ Key Takeaways
- Open to properties in council tax bands A-D (England) or A-E (Scotland and Wales)
- Covers cavity wall insulation and loft insulation as single-measure upgrades
- No means test required — eligibility is based on property, not income
- Home must have an EPC rating of D-G
- Funded by energy supplier obligations (separate to ECO4)
- Can be combined with ECO4 if you qualify for both
⚠️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 →
The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) is a UK government programme providing free cavity wall and loft insulation to households in council tax bands A–D (England) or A–E (Scotland/Wales), with no means test required. Funded by a £1 billion energy supplier obligation (DESNZ), the scheme covers measures worth up to £3,000 per household. According to BRE, 19 million UK homes are rated below EPC Band C, making the majority of the housing stock potentially eligible. GBIS closes on 31 March 2026, and there is no confirmed replacement scheme. Cavity wall insulation saves £200–£400 per year, and loft insulation saves £180–£350 per year (Energy Saving Trust).
What is the Great British Insulation Scheme?
The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS), formerly known as ECO+, is a UK government programme designed to improve home energy efficiency by providing free or heavily subsidised insulation to millions of households. It launched in March 2023 and is currently funded through March 2026.
What makes GBIS different from ECO4 is its broader eligibility. While ECO4 requires you to receive means-tested benefits, GBIS uses a simpler council tax band-based approach that opens the scheme to a much wider group of homeowners and tenants.
The scheme is funded by energy suppliers as part of their government obligations and delivered through approved installers. Like ECO4, you don't need to be a customer of any particular energy company to benefit.
Who is eligible for GBIS?
GBIS has two eligibility groups:
General Group (no benefits needed)
- England: Home in council tax bands A, B, C, or D
- Scotland: Home in council tax bands A, B, C, D, or E
- Wales: Home in council tax bands A, B, C, D, or E
- Property must have an EPC confirming an insulation need
- Available to homeowners and private tenants (with landlord consent)
Low-income Group
If you receive any of the qualifying benefits (same as ECO4 — Universal Credit energy grants, Pension Credit, etc.), you can qualify regardless of your council tax band. This group may also access additional measures.
Key difference from ECO4: GBIS focuses purely on insulation and uses council tax bands for eligibility. ECO4 covers a wider range of measures but requires benefits. Many households that don't qualify for ECO4 do qualify for GBIS.
What insulation does GBIS cover?
| Insulation Type | Typical Savings | Installation Time | Disruption Level |
|---|
| Cavity wall insulation | £395/year | 2-3 hours | Low — drilled from outside |
| Loft insulation (full) | £590/year | Half a day | Low — laid between joists |
| Loft insulation (top-up) | £175/year | 2-3 hours | Very low |
| Flat roof insulation | £350/year | 1-2 days | Moderate |
| Room-in-roof insulation | £490/year | 1-2 days | Moderate |
GBIS vs ECO4: which one is right for you?
| Feature | GBIS | ECO4 |
|---|
| Main focus | Insulation only | Insulation + heating |
| Eligibility | Council tax band | Benefits-based |
| Benefits required? | No (general group) | Yes |
| Covers boilers? | No | Yes |
| Covers solar? | No | Yes |
| Deadline | March 2026 | December 2026 |
If you receive qualifying benefits, you may be eligible for both schemes — and could get insulation through GBIS plus additional measures through ECO4. It's worth checking eligibility for both.
How to apply for GBIS
- Check your eligibility — Enter your postcode above. We'll check your council tax band and confirm whether your property qualifies.
- Property assessment — An approved installer surveys your home to determine which insulation measures are needed and suitable.
- Installation — Approved tradespeople carry out the work. Most insulation jobs are completed in a single day with minimal disruption.
- Quality inspection — An independent check may follow to ensure the work meets required standards.
Why insulation matters
Insulation is the single most cost-effective way to reduce your energy bills permanently. An uninsulated home loses heat through:
- Walls: Up to 35% of heat escapes through uninsulated walls
- Roof: Up to 25% through an uninsulated loft
- Floors: Up to 10% through uninsulated floors
- Windows and doors: Up to 20% through draughts and single glazing
By insulating your walls and loft, you can cut heat loss by up to 60% — meaning your boiler or heat pump works less hard, your bills drop, and your home is more comfortable year-round.
Insulation and heat pumps: the perfect combination
If you're considering a heat pump, getting insulation first is crucial. Heat pumps are most efficient in well-insulated homes because they operate at lower temperatures than gas boilers. Free GBIS insulation combined with a £7,500 BUS grant for a heat pump is one of the most cost-effective energy upgrades available to UK homeowners.
Common GBIS questions
Is GBIS really free?
For the general group, GBIS insulation is typically free or heavily subsidised. In most cases, there is no cost to the homeowner. If a small contribution is required, your installer will tell you upfront before any work begins.
My home is in council tax band E — can I still apply?
In England, only bands A-D qualify for the general group. In Scotland and Wales, band E is also included. However, if you receive qualifying benefits, your council tax band doesn't matter — you can apply through the low-income group instead.
I already have some loft insulation — do I still qualify?
Yes. If your existing loft insulation is below the recommended 300mm depth, you can receive a free top-up through GBIS. Many older homes have only 100-150mm of insulation, well below current standards.
Will insulation cause damp or condensation?
Properly installed insulation should not cause damp. In fact, cavity wall insulation can help reduce condensation by keeping internal wall surfaces warmer. All GBIS installations must meet PAS standards and are carried out by qualified installers who assess for any damp issues before proceeding.