The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) is a government initiative aimed at helping households improve their energy efficiency and save on energy bills.
Starting in March 2023, this £1 billion scheme is designed to support approximately 300,000 homes across the UK by covering part of the costs that come with new insulation.
With the program expected to last until March 2026, this gives homeowners and renters a chance to take advantage of improved energy efficiency measures.
In this blog post, we’ll explore everything you need to know about the Great British Insulation Scheme such as the eligibility criteria, types of insulation available, and how to get started.
What Is The Great British Insulation Scheme?
The Great British Insulation Scheme focuses on improving the energy efficiency of the least efficient homes in Great Britain to combat fuel poverty and lower energy bills.
Whilst it will help low-income and vulnerable households, those living in homes with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D-G are also eligible, as well as those in Council Tax bands A-D in England and A-E in Scotland and Wales.
The scheme started in April 2023 and is expected to end in April 2026.
How Does This Differ From the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) scheme?
The scheme is an expansion of the existing Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) scheme but it allows for broader eligibility criteria.
While ECO4 is mostly for low-income and vulnerable households with extensive energy efficiency improvements, the Great British Insulation Scheme extends beyond this to support a range of households. This covers middle-income families, and focuses specifically on easier, lower-cost insulation measures such cavity wall insulation.
Furthermore, unlike ECO4’s ‘whole house’ approach, this scheme will mostly deliver single insulation measures to quickly improve energy efficiency in homes that need smaller upgrades.
This idea is to help more households reduce their energy bills and carbon emissions.
What Is the Criteria For Benefitting From The Great British Insulation Scheme?
Properties that can qualify for the Great British Insulation Scheme must need energy efficiency upgrades already.
The scheme works by providing one insulation measure per home. This is determined through a retrofit assessment that identifies how the changes could reduce energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. Low-income households might be able to claim additional measures such as thermostats to further lower their energy bills.
To conduct the assessment, your energy supplier will connect you with an assessor who will come to your home to evaluate which energy upgrades you need.
It’s important to note that you must either own your home or have permission from your landlord first. This includes properties that are owned by social housing providers or management companies.
You can contact any participating energy suppliers for help, even if they aren’t your current provider.
Am I Eligible For The Great British Insulation Scheme?
As the scheme has broader eligibility criteria than the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) scheme, more homeowners and tenants can benefit from it.
Alongside those living in low-income and vulnerable households, the Great British Insulation Scheme helps people living within a wider, general group.
The low-income group includes homeowners or tenants receiving at least one of these benefits:
- Child Benefit
- Pension Guarantee Credit
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income Support
- Tax Credits (Child Tax Credits and Working Tax Credits)
- Universal Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Pension Credit Savings Credit
The general group is for those households with properties that have the following:
- An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D to G
- Are within Council Tax bands A to D in England
- Are within Council Tax bands A to E in Scotland and Wales
Local authorities can also put forward residents in their areas to energy suppliers, so that they can be offered support. More information about this can be found under the Great British Insulation Scheme local authority flex.
What Type of Insulation Could I Benefit From?
Both general and low-income households are eligible for different insulation measures including the following:
- Cavity wall insulation (including party walls)
- Loft insulation
- Solid wall insulation
- Pitched roof insulation
- Flat roof insulation
- Under-floor insulation
- Solid floor insulation
- Park home insulation
- Room-in-roof insulation
For low-income households with owner-occupied properties, certain heating controls, like room thermostats, may also be available as secondary measures.
Higher-cost measures, such as solid wall insulation, may require a financial contribution from the property owner.
What Is The Great British Insulation Scheme?
The Great British Insulation Scheme helps more people save money on their energy bills and improve their energy consumption, as an extension of the ECO4 scheme.
By enabling more people to apply for help and broadening the criteria parameters, it will benefit more households, including middle-income families.
It also targets lower-cost insulation measures, such as loft and cavity wall insulation, to make energy-saving improvements more accessible and achievable.
You can read more about our free insulation grants and check your eligibility here.
