The Great British Insulation Scheme is also known as the ECO+ scheme and was established to assist least energy-efficient homes and income groups insulate their homes thereby reducing their energy consumption and saving money on their heating bills.
The initiative which is administered by Ofgem will help eligible households in England, Wales and Scotland combat fuel poverty and reduce carbon emissions. This guide will give you details about this scheme as well as the energy saving measures available under the scheme.
The £1 billion funded Great British Insulation Scheme helps more homes who were not eligible under the ECO+ scheme to make needed home improvements. It not only targets low-income groups like the ECO scheme but also energy-inefficient households in lower Council Tax bands.
Here are some basic facts you need to know about the scheme;
The scheme is expected to run for three years (April 2023 - March 2026)
The funds for the scheme come from the main energy companies who have at least 150,000 customers
The GB Insulation Scheme is targeted to help households who do not qualify for the ECO scheme
The scheme is expected to benefit up to 70,000 UK homes
Insulation grants to the tune of £1,500 are available to households for several energy saving measures
About 80% of the ECO+ scheme funding is available for the least energy-efficient homes such as those with an EPC rating of D or below as well as homes in the lower Council Tax bands
About 20% of the funding is aimed to help vulnerable UK homes including those who are on benefits and those categorised to be in ‘fuel poverty’
Here is how you qualify for the ECO+ scheme;
Your property has to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D or below. You can check the EPC register for the EPC rating of your home.
Your home must fall within the following council tax bands
Bands A-D in England
Bands A-E in Scotland
Bands A-E in Wales
You can find out your council tax band if you are unsure.
Your home must require energy-efficiency upgrades such as a loft or cavity wall insulation. You will not qualify if you have previously received government funding for energy efficiency home improvements.
The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) is available for homeowners, as well as properties owned by a social housing provider or management company.
Low income groups who are in receipt of the following benefits are also eligible for the scheme
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 Saving Credit
You can also qualify under the Great British Insulation Scheme local authority flex.
Under this option, local authorities, and the Scottish and Welsh governments which are referred to as Devolved Administrations or Das can refer vulnerable households who are not in receipt of the means tested benefits listed above to an energy supplier.
Alternatively, energy suppliers can also refer households who are in fuel poverty and are using pre-payment metres but due to financial difficulty have been unable to remain connected to their fuel supplies.
You can be eligible under Great British Insulation Scheme Flex if;
If you live in a property that requires energy efficiency upgrades and Your combined gross annual household income is below £31,000.
Or you have someone in your home who has been battling long term health conditions which is made worse by living in a cold home. Some of these conditions may include respiratory disease, mobility problems, cardiovascular condition, etc.
You can reach out to your local authority or Devolved Administration (or visit their website) to find out if they are participating in the scheme and check also if you are eligible.
Note:
Please be aware that eligibility does not guarantee that an energy supplier or installer will decide to install the needed energy saving measures in your home.
Also note that the scheme is designed to allot one insulation measure per home. Decisions on upgrades are made through a retrofit assessment which assesses how home improvements can cut down energy use and reduce carbon emissions in your home.
Sometimes, other measures which include boiler upgrades, installation of room thermostats may be recommended for low-income households. In this case, your energy supplier will match you with an assessor who will check and decide what type of measure is required in your home.
The variety of insulations covered under the scheme include;
Cavity wall insulation
Solid wall insulation (internal and external)
Room-in-roof insulation
Underfloor insulation
Solid floor insulation
Pitched roof insulation
Flat roof insulation
Park home insulation
Secondary heating controls
Homes built before 1920 are most likely to have a gap (cavity) between their internal and external walls which can be filled with cavity wall insulation to stop heat loss and improve thermal efficiency. However, loft insulation is arguably the most cost-effective way to reduce heat loss. It can reduce heat loss in a home by up to 25% and it is one of the least expensive to install.
This actually varies. After you must have applied, the energy company will inform you of how much you will receive as a grant amount. This may cover all or a large part of the insulation cost. Remember that the ECO+ scheme is not a loan but a grant and therefore it is up to the energy companies or installers to determine which retrofit projects they want to fund and how much funding they can provide.
For some simpler or straightforward installations such as loft insulation, you may get a grant amount to cover the entire cost of your insulation. However, for other more complex insulation measures, you may be expected to contribute towards the installation cost.
An average household can save up to £310 annually on their energy bills. However, your savings will be determined by the type of insulation being installed, your property type as well as prevailing energy prices.
The table below gives some potential savings figures from the Energy Saving Trust relating to bills and CO2 savings for loft insulation and cavity wall insulation.
| Insulation type | Typical installation cost (without grant support) | Energy bill savings (£/year) | Carbon dioxide savings (kgCO2/year) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cavity Wall insulation | £2,700 | £280 | 650kg |
| Loft insulation (adding 270mm of insulation to a previously uninsulated loft) | £930 | £270 | 620kg |
The Great British Insulation Scheme is a great initiative which can help your home access energy grants for the needed eco home insulation measure.
You can apply for the Great British Insulation Scheme by filling out our online form and we will match you with a top-rated certified installer for the scheme. All installers under the scheme must be Trustmark-accredited and will have a registration number.
Trustmark is a government-endorsed quality scheme that provides a high-level of assurance and protection to consumers who need some work to be done in or around their home. When an installer contacts you, always request to see their registration details. You can find more about this on the Trustmark website.
For more enquiries or information, do well to reach us via helpline number 08081754911 or fill out our online form and we will get in touch with you.
