Great British Insulation Scheme
Heating a home has never felt more expensive. Energy bills keep climbing, and many properties across the UK still lose warmth through walls, lofts, and draughty spaces. That’s why the government launched the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) in 2023. It’s a national programme set up to help households cut waste, save money, and stay warm.
GBIS replaced the old ECO+ scheme with a sharper focus on insulation upgrades. By targeting one of the biggest causes of heat loss, the scheme gives homeowners and tenants a clear way to improve their property’s energy rating and reduce monthly costs.
Free Energy Savings works directly with certified installers across the country to make things simple. From the first eligibility check to arranging the survey and managing the application, we handle everything on your behalf. Think of us as the partner who makes sure the paperwork is correct, the installers are approved, and the funding is secured.
Apply Now For The GBIS Grant
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3 Step Eligibility Process
Complete Online Form
Fill out our quick online form to apply for your GBIS Grant.
Get a Survey
Schedule a free home survey to assess your property’s insulation and energy needs.
Get a GBIS Grant
Receive a grant for brand new insulation at no cost.
What Is the Great British Insulation Scheme?
The Great British Insulation Scheme, often shortened to GBIS, is a government-backed programme created to help households cut energy waste by improving insulation. Put simply, it provides free or low-cost insulation upgrades so that homes hold on to more heat and waste less money.
The scheme is funded by the UK’s largest energy suppliers and regulated by Ofgem. That means it is not a short-term offer or a sales gimmick. It is a national effort to make homes warmer, cheaper to run, and better for the environment.
GBIS is designed to reach two main groups:
- Low-Income Group – This group covers households on certain means-tested benefits such as Universal Credit or Pension Credit. The rules are very similar to those used in the ECO4 scheme.
- General Group – This opens the door to many middle-income households who may not claim benefits but still live in less efficient homes. If your property is in EPC band D to G and falls within the right council tax band, you could qualify.
Unlike ECO4, which often funds multiple measures, GBIS focuses on delivering a single, high-impact insulation upgrade. The idea is simple. By targeting the one measure that makes the biggest difference, households can enjoy a faster improvement in energy performance and bill savings.
Why insulation? Around a quarter of a home’s heat can be lost through walls and roofs if they are not properly insulated. By plugging these gaps, GBIS reduces wasted energy and cuts bills year after year. For many households, that means hundreds of pounds saved without any change to heating habits.
It is also worth noting that GBIS and ECO4 complement one another. Some households who do not qualify for ECO4 may still be able to access support through GBIS, and in some cases the two schemes can work side by side.
In short, GBIS is about making homes more efficient without the usual financial barrier. It is straightforward, government-backed, and already helping families across the country.
What Insulation Measures Does GBIS Cover?
The Great British Insulation Scheme is all about tackling the biggest sources of heat loss. That means it funds the types of insulation that make the most difference to bills and comfort. Depending on your home, you could qualify for one of the following:
- Loft insulation – A large amount of heat escapes through an uninsulated roof. Installing or topping up loft insulation can save around £300 to £400 a year on energy bills.
- Cavity wall insulation – Many homes built after the 1920s have cavity walls that can be filled with insulating material. This stops heat from leaking out through the walls, with typical savings of £250 to £450 per year.
- Solid wall insulation – Older homes with solid brick or stone walls lose heat quickly. Insulating them internally or externally can be a bigger job, but the potential savings are also greater, often £500 to £1,000 or more each year.
- Room-in-roof insulation – If you have a converted loft or rooms built into the roof space, insulating the sloping ceilings and walls makes them more comfortable to use and can cut heating costs by £200 to £400 annually.
GBIS does not usually cover every possible measure. Instead, it focuses on whichever option provides the biggest uplift to your home’s Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). In many cases, just one well-chosen upgrade is enough to transform how a property holds on to heat.
All work is carried out by certified installers and comes with warranties for peace of mind. That means you can be confident the installation is safe, effective, and built to last.
A common concern is whether insulation will be disruptive or take weeks to finish. In reality, many installs are completed in a single day. Loft and cavity wall insulation are especially quick, while more complex solid wall upgrades may take longer but deliver bigger savings.
With GBIS, the aim is simple: give households the most effective insulation measure for their property so they see the biggest difference in energy use and heating costs.
GBIS Eligibility – Who Qualifies?
One of the most common questions people ask about the Great British Insulation Scheme is simple: who actually qualifies? The good news is that GBIS was designed to help a wide range of households, not just those on the lowest incomes.
There are two main groups covered by the scheme:
1. The Low-Income Group
This group is very similar to the eligibility rules for the ECO4 scheme. Households can qualify if they receive certain means-tested benefits, such as:
- Universal Credit
- Pension Credit
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income-based Employment Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
If someone in your household receives one of these, there is a strong chance you will meet the criteria for GBIS support. The aim here is to make sure vulnerable households are not left struggling with high heating costs in cold, inefficient homes.
2. The General Group
This is where GBIS is different from ECO4. The General Group makes the scheme accessible to a much larger number of households. To qualify, your property usually needs to meet these two conditions:
- It must fall into EPC band D, E, F, or G (less energy-efficient homes).
- It must be in council tax bands A–D in England, or A–E in Scotland and Wales.
This means that even if you are not on benefits, you could still get insulation help if your home is considered inefficient and within the right council tax range.
Tenants and Landlords
GBIS is not just for homeowners. Tenants can also benefit, as long as the landlord agrees to the work. Landlords themselves can apply if their tenants meet the eligibility rules. This makes the scheme useful for improving rented properties, where tenants often face higher bills due to poor insulation.
EPC Assessments
Every application starts with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) check. This confirms the current energy efficiency of the property and helps identify the most effective insulation measure. The EPC is key because the scheme’s funding is based on how much of an improvement the insulation will make.
What if You Don’t Qualify for ECO4?
This is another area where GBIS proves its worth. Many households that do not meet the stricter ECO4 rules may still qualify under GBIS, especially through the General Group. That means more families have a chance to reduce their bills and improve comfort, even if they are not on benefits.
Local Authority Involvement
In some cases, local councils can also play a role in referring households for support. This adds another route into the scheme and ensures more people are reached.
A Quick Recap
- Low-Income Group: households on qualifying benefits.
- General Group: wider eligibility for households in EPC bands D–G within council tax bands A–D (England) or A–E (Scotland and Wales).
- Tenants and landlords can apply if permission is granted.
- EPC checks confirm eligibility and identify the best insulation measure.
If you are unsure where your home stands, that is exactly what the free survey and eligibility check are for. Many households are surprised to learn they qualify, even if they assumed otherwise.
How Much Can You Save with GBIS?
The real impact of insulation is seen on your heating bills. By cutting the amount of heat that escapes, GBIS helps households spend less each year and stay warmer in the process.
Here are some typical annual savings after insulation upgrades:
- Loft insulation – Around £300 to £400 saved each year.
- Cavity wall insulation – Around £250 to £450 saved each year.
- Solid wall insulation – Often the biggest saving, from £500 to £1,000 or more depending on the size of the property.
- Room-in-roof insulation – Typically £200 to £400 saved each year.
These figures are averages, but they highlight just how much difference insulation can make. For many households, the savings continue to build year after year, which means long-term protection against rising energy prices.
It is not just about bills either. Proper insulation also makes a home feel more comfortable. Rooms stay warmer for longer, draughts are reduced, and heating systems do not need to work as hard. Over time, that can also extend the life of your boiler and reduce wear on other heating equipment.
There is an environmental benefit too. By using less energy to heat your home, you lower your carbon footprint and contribute to the wider effort to make UK housing more sustainable.
In short, the savings are financial, practical, and environmental. A single insulation upgrade can pay for itself many times over through reduced bills and better living conditions.
GBIS Application & Installation Process
Applying for the Great British Insulation Scheme may sound complicated at first, but the process is designed to be straightforward. With Free Energy Savings, everything is managed from start to finish so you don’t need to worry about the paperwork or chasing contractors.
Here is how it works:
- Quick online check
Start by filling in a short eligibility form. This takes just a few minutes and gives us the key details we need about your home. - Free property survey
If you appear to qualify, we’ll arrange a visit from a qualified surveyor. They will assess your home, check your current insulation, and identify the measure that will deliver the biggest improvement. - Application submitted on your behalf
Once the survey is complete, we handle the application for funding. All documents and evidence are prepared and sent to the scheme administrators. - Installation scheduled
If your application is approved, we book the work with certified local installers. The installation itself is usually quick. Loft or cavity wall insulation can be completed in a matter of hours, while solid wall insulation takes longer but brings greater savings. - Quality checks and aftercare
Once the work is finished, quality assurance checks are carried out. You’ll also receive warranty details for peace of mind.
Most households move from application to completed installation within three to six weeks. The timeline can vary depending on the property and the type of insulation, but the process is designed to be as smooth and stress-free as possible.
With Free Energy Savings, you are not left to figure things out alone. We make sure every stage is handled properly, from the first survey right through to the final checks.
Why Choose Free Energy Savings?
With so many schemes and installers out there, it can be hard to know who to trust. That’s where Free Energy Savings comes in. We specialise in government-backed energy schemes like GBIS and ECO4, working with households across the UK to cut bills and improve comfort.
Here’s what makes us different:
- Free, no-obligation surveys – We check your home first so you know exactly what support is available before making any decisions.
- Certified nationwide installers – Every installation is carried out by trusted professionals who meet strict standards.
- End-to-end management – From the initial eligibility check to the final quality sign-off, we handle everything on your behalf.
- Proven experience – We’ve already helped thousands of UK households access insulation funding and lower their energy bills.
We know many people are cautious when they hear about “free insulation.” That’s why we keep everything transparent. The Great British Insulation Scheme is funded by energy suppliers and overseen by Ofgem, so there are no hidden catches or surprise costs. Our role is simply to guide you through the process, making sure you get the support you are entitled to.
Think of us as your partner in the process. We do the hard work, you enjoy a warmer home and cheaper bills.
Ready to Apply for the GBIS Scheme?
The Great British Insulation Scheme is one of the simplest ways to cut energy waste and lower household bills. By focusing on insulation, it tackles one of the biggest causes of heat loss in UK homes. The result is warmer rooms, reduced draughts, and hundreds of pounds in savings each year.
Unlike other schemes that can feel complicated, GBIS is designed to be straightforward. It is backed by the government, funded by energy suppliers, and overseen by Ofgem. That means you can be confident it is genuine support, not just another offer that sounds too good to be true.
The scheme is open to two main groups: households on certain benefits, and a much wider set of homes in EPC bands D–G within specific council tax bands. Whether you own your home, rent from a private landlord, or let out a property yourself, there is a real chance you could qualify.
At Free Energy Savings, we take care of everything. From the first eligibility check to arranging the survey and booking the installation, we manage the process from start to finish. You do not need to deal with confusing paperwork or chase contractors. We do that for you.
Check your eligibility today and see if your home qualifies for GBIS insulation funding. A warmer, cheaper-to-run home could be just weeks away.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) is a government-backed programme that helps households across the UK access free or low-cost insulation. It was introduced in 2023 to replace the ECO+ scheme and is funded by energy suppliers, with Ofgem overseeing how it operates.
Both schemes aim to reduce energy waste, but there are a few differences:
ECO4 focuses mainly on low-income and vulnerable households and often covers multiple energy-saving measures (like boilers and heating systems as well as insulation).
GBIS is open to a wider range of households and focuses only on insulation upgrades. Many families who do not qualify for ECO4 can still receive help through GBIS.
In many cases, yes. If you meet the criteria, your insulation upgrade could be fully funded. In other situations, the scheme may cover the majority of the cost, leaving you with only a small contribution. The exact funding depends on your property, energy rating, and which group you fall under.
You may still qualify. GBIS has a “General Group” that is designed for households not on benefits. If your home is in EPC bands D–G and your council tax band is A–D in England (A–E in Scotland and Wales), you could still be eligible for support.
It depends on your property. The scheme usually funds the single most effective measure identified in your home survey. For example, if your loft is uninsulated, that will likely be prioritised. If your walls are losing the most heat, cavity or solid wall insulation may be chosen instead.
Yes. Tenants can apply with their landlord’s permission, and landlords can also apply directly if their tenants meet the eligibility criteria. This is often a good way to improve rented properties and reduce bills for tenants.
To qualify, homes generally need to:
- Be in EPC bands D, E, F, or G.
- Fall within council tax bands A–D in England or A–E in Scotland and Wales.
- Pass a property survey to confirm that an insulation upgrade is suitable.
Both houses and bungalows are commonly covered. Flats and maisonettes may have more restrictions, depending on the property type and construction.
Savings vary depending on the property and type of insulation, but typical figures are:
- Loft insulation: £300–£400 per year.
- Cavity wall insulation: £250–£450 per year.
- Solid wall insulation: £500–£1,000+ per year.
- Room-in-roof insulation: £200–£400 per year.
It depends on the measure. Loft or cavity wall insulation can often be completed in just a few hours. Solid wall insulation may take several days but delivers some of the largest savings. From start to finish, including the application and approval process, most households see work completed within three to six weeks.
Yes. Insulation upgrades improve your Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating by reducing heat loss. A better EPC means a more energy-efficient home, lower bills, and potentially a higher property value.
The scheme has a set budget and aims to support around 300,000 homes. However, the exact amount of funding you receive depends on your home and which group you qualify under. Some households receive full funding, while others may be asked to make a small contribution. Either way, the goal is to make insulation affordable or free for as many people as possible.
What Our Customers Have To Say
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We’ve had some bad experiences with installers in the past, but Free Energy Savings was a breath of fresh air. They were helpful and patient, answering all of our questions about the ECO4 scheme and making sure we understood how it worked. The installation was done quickly and professionally, and the team was extremely respectful of our home.
- Jessica B
We were a bit unsure about how the ECO4 grant worked, but Free Energy Savings made everything so simple. The team explained every detail of the grant and the benefits from a new boiler installation. When it came time for the installation, they arrived right on schedule and worked hard to get everything set up. What impressed me most was the attention to detail….
- Amelia L
Free Energy Savings exceeded all of our expectations. From the moment we contacted them, they were responsive and informative. The team helped us through the paperwork for the ECO4 grant, which was a big help since we had no idea where to start. The installation crew was friendly, professional, and fast. It’s been a couple of months now, and we’re already…
