Is it possible to get free insulation? – Carswellfamilyfoundation

Adding or upgrading insulation is one of the best ways to improve energy efficiency and reduce costs. High upfront costs can be a major barrier, but there are grants and schemes available to help reduce these if your home qualifies.

Over time, the insulation will pay for itself through savings on your energy bills. It will also make your home cozier and put you in a good position if you ever decide to switch to a low carbon heating system. So it’s worth doing, especially if you can get a grant to help.

We’ve rounded up the schemes currently available offering free or cheaper insulation in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

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Assess the energy efficiency of your home

Before you look for grants you may be eligible for, it’s worth assessing the current state of your home’s energy efficiency. Think about any insulation you may already have in your attic, roof, walls or floor.

You can use our home energy planning tool to speed up the process and keep track of the updates you make:

Other helpful things to do before searching for grants that will help you in your search and application:

Find and read your Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating
Find out your council tax band
Write down all government benefits you receive.

For more information on different types of insulation and how to interpret EPCs, read our guide to how to insulate your home.

Great British Lockdown Scheme

The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) offers cheaper or free roof, loft, cavity or solid wall insulation.

This is the latest phase of the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme, which requires energy suppliers to help households improve energy efficiency.

Eligible properties must have an energy efficiency rating of D or lower and be in council tax bands AD in England or AE in Scotland and Wales. GBIS is not available in Northern Ireland.

Homeowners, landlords or tenants can apply, but tenants will need to ask their landlord for permission before anything can be installed.

You can try out the tool to become eligible for the Great British Lockdown Scheme. on the government website. You can also call 0800 098 7950 or speak to your electricity supplier directly about this.

The tool will ask questions like how you heat your home, whether it has solid or cavity walls, and whether you get any benefits.

After using the tool, you will be referred to your energy supplier for further support.

For more information about the types of home improvements available and which energy suppliers are participating in the scheme, read our guide to Energy Company Obligations (ECO).

Insulation grants in England

In some English postcodes, your local council may be able to help you with a home renovation grant. To be eligible, you must:

Own and live in the property you are applying for.
Do not use a gas boiler as the main heating system for your home.
Have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rated D, E, F or G.

Typically you’ll need to have a household income of £36,000 a year or less, although some postcode areas have a higher limit.

If it meets the criteria, your local council will send a surveyor to suggest improvements, which may include:

Insulation of walls, attic and floors
Air source heat pumps
Electric radiators

You can apply for government website.

Read more: Find out how much you can save on your bills with insulation in different types of houses

Insulation grants in Scotland

In Scotland, free home energy efficiency improvements are available through Home Energy Scotland’s Warmer Homes Scotland programme.

Key criteria for eligibility:

Occupying a property as a primary residence for at least six months as a homeowner or renter.
The house has a low energy rating (assessed according to the scheme)
Municipal tax range from A to F.
Receiving one or more government benefits

In most cases, the Scottish Government will pay all costs, but in some cases you may need to contribute some money. If yes, then interest-free loans can help with this.

Potential improvements you may be offered include:

Wall insulation
Loft insulation
Draft protection
Central heating (including new gas boilers or air source heat pumps)

Use Home Energy Scotland website to check if you are eligible and apply.

Find out more about:

Isolation grants in Wales

The Welsh Government offers free advice and measures to improve the energy efficiency of homes through the Warm Homes Nest programme.

Nest provides free and unbiased advice:

Make sure you have the best electricity and water tariff
Check if you are eligible for any benefits
Reduce your carbon footprint
Install your own low carbon technology

You can check if you are eligible for free updates. on the Welsh Government website or freephone 0808 808 2244. Calls are accepted in Welsh.

You may be eligible for home energy efficiency improvements, including:

Insulation
Heat pump
Solar panels

To be eligible, you must:

Own your own home or rent it privately
Receive a means-tested benefit or live in a low-income household
Have a property with an EPC rating of 54(E) or lower; or an EPC rating of 68(D) or less if you or a family member has a qualifying health condition.

Isolation grants in Northern Ireland

Although Great British Insulation and ECO schemes are not available in Northern Ireland, other support is available.

Northern Ireland Housing Authority runs the Affordable Heat program to help people struggling with fuel poverty and energy inefficiency.

To be eligible, you must:

Own your own home or rent from a private landlord.
Have a total annual gross income of less than £23,000.

To apply, contact the NI Energy Advice Service (NIEAS) by telephone (08001114455) or email ([email protected]).

Improvements are proposed in a staggered manner, with insulation being a priority, and include:

Installation or addition of attic insulation up to 300 mm.
Roof, attic and eaves ventilation
Providing hot water boiler jacket
Providing cavity wall insulation (if appropriate for the property)
Draft-proof doors and/or windows
Removing and replacing ineffective cavity wall insulation.

Once these works are completed, priority two (heating), priority three (windows) and priority four (solid wall measures) can be considered.

For inexpensive, quick ways to improve your home’s energy efficiency and make it cozier, read our guide to how to protect your house from drafts.