- GBIS is a government energy efficiency scheme managed by Ofgem that replaces the older ECO+ scheme.
- The scheme is aimed at low-income households and those with homes in lower energy efficiency bands (EPC D to G).
- If you are eligible, the scheme will provide insulation solutions like cavity walls, lofts, and solid wall insulation to help reduce energy bills.
The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) is an insulation government grant initiative to improve energy efficiency in homes across Great Britain. Its idea is that offering insulation upgrades helps households reduce energy bills and tackle fuel poverty.
The scheme targets low-income and vulnerable households and properties with lower energy efficiency ratings, ensuring more homes are better insulated and energy-efficient. If this sounds good to you, read on to learn more.
Here’s a short guide to what the Great British Insulation Scheme is all about. Credit: ecorenovations/Flickr
What is the Great British Insulation Scheme?
The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) is a British Government energy efficiency initiative managed by Ofgem. It replaced the older ECO+ scheme and is designed to improve the energy efficiency of the least energy-efficient homes in Great Britain.
The scheme aims to help reduce the cost of installing insulation, tackle fuel poverty, and lower energy bills for eligible households. It complements other existing government grants, like ECO4.
GBIS support is available for low-income and vulnerable households, as well as homes with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D to G, within Council Tax bands A to D in England and A to E in Scotland and Wales.
Medium and large energy companies are required to implement measures to reduce energy usage under this scheme, which began in April 2023 and will run until April 2026.
If eligible, the scheme can help homeowners save hundreds of pounds per year on energy bills by providing insulation solutions like loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, and solid wall insulation.
Insulating your home is one of the best ways to slash your bills. Credit: hamlin honor/Flickr
Eligibility for the Great British Insulation Scheme
To qualify for free insulation (and possibly other energy-efficient measures) under the scheme, you need to belong to one of two main groups:
- Low-Income Group:
- You must own your home or rent from a private landlord.
- The property must have an EPC rating of D or below (E if renting).
- Someone in the household must receive one of the following benefits:
- Child Benefit (subject to income limit)
- Pension Guarantee Credit
- Pension Credit Savings 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
- Social housing tenants may qualify if the household’s total income is under £31,000 per year and are considered vulnerable to the effects of living in a cold home.
- General Group:
- You own or rent your home (privately or from a housing association).
- Your property is in Council Tax band A to D in England and A to E in Scotland and Wales.
- The home must have an EPC rating of D or below.
- General group applicants will only be eligible for one type of insulation (e.g., cavity wall or loft insulation, not both).
It is important to note that “General” group applications will only get one type of insulation if deemed eligible. This means they can apply for, say, either cavity wall insulation or loft insulation, but not both.
Under the BGIS, if you are eligible, you could get free home insulation. Credit: pilkington insulation/Flickr
How to apply for the Great British Insulation Scheme
To apply for the BGIS, you’ll need to follow these steps:
- Check Eligibility: Use the government’s online eligibility checker. It will ask for details about your household status, energy supplier, address, and council tax band.
- Find a Registered Installer: If eligible, your energy supplier will contact you within ten working days to discuss the process, which includes a home survey. Contact your supplier if you don’t hear from them in that time frame.
- Post application: Your energy supplier will manage the process, including arranging for a qualified, TrustMark-accredited installer. The installer will assess your home and recommend suitable measures, coordinating installation dates.
Can you apply through your energy supplier directly?
You can apply directly to your energy supplier, but this isn’t always that simple. Suppliers with more than 150,000 customers are legally required to offer insulation upgrades under the Great British Insulation and ECO schemes.
Here is a list of the biggest UK energy suppliers and how to apply to directly with them.
| Supplier | Where to apply |
|---|---|
| British Gas | Register online |
| E | Call 0333 103 9575 |
| E.on Next | Register online |
| Ecotricity | Call 0345 555 7100 |
| EDF Energy | Register online |
| Octopus Energy | Register online |
| Outfox the Market | Apply through Gov.uk |
| Ovo | Register online |
| Scottish Power | Register online |
| So Energy | Register online |
| Utility Warehouse | E.on Next will manage installations on behalf of Utility Warehouse. On the Government portal, when selecting Utility Warehouse as your energy supplier, you’ll receive a message that E.on Next will subsequently contact you to complete your referral. |
| Utilita Energy | Register online |
Courtesy of Money Saving Expert.
Once you’ve applied for the scheme and are eligible, your energy supplier should handle the rest of the process on your behalf. This will include contacting a registered and approved installer. This typically means they hold the TrustMark qualification.
This screening or pre-qualification service that checks that tradesmen meet certain minimum criteria to operate in their industry (like experience, insurance, etc.).
They will typically conduct a home survey to determine which measures are needed. Once the survey is completed, the installer will guide you through the rest of the process, including which measures are needed and arranging dates for when the work can be completed.
To complete the process, you’ll need to agree with the installer about which measures they can install and when.
BGIS can cover the cost of things like cavity wall insulation. Source: Knauf Insulation
Types of insulation covered by the Great British Insulation Scheme
The types of insulation covered under the GBIS are as follows:
| Type of Insulation | Description |
|---|---|
| Cavity Wall Insulation | Most homes built between 1920 and 1990 have a gap between internal and external walls. Filling this cavity with insulating material keeps out cold air and retains warm air, but it is not suitable for all homes. |
| Loft Insulation | Up to a quarter of your home’s heat escapes through the roof. Laying mineral wool under the rafters can help limit this heat loss. |
| Solid Wall Insulation | Includes both external and internal insulation for solid walls to improve energy efficiency. |
| Pitched Roof Insulation | Insulation is installed under the sloped sections of a roof. |
| Flat Roof Insulation | Insulation is designed specifically for flat roofs to reduce heat loss. |
| Underfloor Insulation | Insulating beneath floorboards to prevent heat loss through the floor. |
| Solid Floor Insulation | Insulating solid floors, such as concrete or screed, to improve thermal efficiency. |
| Park Home Insulation | Specialized insulation for park homes to enhance energy efficiency. |
| Room-in-Roof Insulation | Insulation for rooms built within the roof space (e.g., attic conversions) to improve comfort and energy efficiency. |
It is also important to note that when an eligible insulation measure is installed in owner-occupied premises within the low-income group, certain heating controls, such as room thermostats, may be installed as a secondary measure.
If you install higher-cost measures, such as solid wall insulation, you may be asked to help with the cost but ensure you get a written quote before proceeding. Ofgem also recommends you ask if anything has been omitted from the quote to ensure their are no hidden costs down the line.
What happens when you apply
Once approved for eligibility, your energy company will contact an installer on your behalf. The installer will conduct a home survey to determine which measures are suitable. The installer must be accredited by TrustMark.
Once your home survey is completed, the installer will inform you about the measures needed to improve your home’s Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating. They will also confirm when the work can begin. To be eligible for these improvements, you must agree to all suggested measures, especially if more than one is proposed.
Can I change energy supplier after I have applied for BGIS?
BGIS is energy supplier agnostic, meaning allowing you to apply anytime with any energy supplier of your choice.
If you’re considering changing your energy supplier, you can apply for the scheme before the switch is completed.
You may also be able to get other types of insulation, like floor insulation, under the scheme. Credit: Martin Pettitt/Flickr
What happens if your application is rejected?
If you do not meet the eligibility criteria mentioned above, you might still be able to apply through your local council under the ECO Flex scheme. This initiative allows councils to assist in reducing fuel poverty within their communities by providing funding to those who qualify in their area.
Eligibility under ECO Flex will depend on your home’s EPC rating, and you must meet two qualifying criteria, which include your age, health, low income, or the area you live in. However, not all local authorities may be participating, so contact your local council to find out if it can help you.
Summary
- GBIS aims to improve energy efficiency in British homes by providing insulation upgrades.
- It targets low-income households, homes with lower EPC ratings, and certain Council Tax bands.
- Medium and large energy suppliers are required to offer insulation measures under this scheme.
- Homeowners can check eligibility online and contact their energy supplier for the next steps.
- Additional support may be available through the ECO Flex scheme for those who don’t qualify under standard GBIS criteria.
