Everything You Need to Know About Government Insulation Grants in 2024

Improving your home's insulation is one of the best ways to lower your energy bills and boost your home's energy efficiency in 2024. Did you know that about 35% of your home's heat escapes through the walls? That's a lot of warmth and money just slipping away!

A study by tado°, an intelligent home climate management company, found that UK homes lose more heat than any other country in Europe. On average, a typical UK home loses around 3°C in just five hours.

Given this, and the UK government’s goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, several government insulation grants have been introduced. These grants can help cover a large portion of the insulation costs. Some, like ECO4 and Nest, can even cover the entire cost.

By upgrading your insulation, you can enjoy a warmer home, lower energy bills, and contribute to a greener planet. It’s a win-win situation. So why not explore the available grants and make your home more comfortable and energy-efficient today? Read on to discover everything about these valuable government insulation grants.

Government Insulation Grants 2024

With a variety of government grants available throughout the UK, 2024 is the ideal time to upgrade your insulation at no cost and start saving on energy bills. Each grant has its own set of conditions and eligibility criteria. To help you navigate these options, we've gathered all the information you need to find the perfect grant for your home insulation. Start exploring today and take the first step towards a warmer, more energy-efficient home!

Want to jump straight into the eligibility check? Fill out this quick form, and we'll see if you qualify for free!

Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) Scheme

ECO4 is designed to improve the energy efficiency of low-income and vulnerable homes in the UK.It will be running until March 2026 and provides funding for various energy-saving measures. The insulation measures it covers include:

• Cavity Wall Insulation: This involves filling the gaps between the walls of your home with insulation material to prevent heat loss.
• Solid Wall Insulation: This is suitable for older homes with solid walls and involves insulating the exterior or interior walls to reduce heat loss.
• Loft Insulation: Nearly 25% of your home's heat escapes through the roof. Loft insulation adds insulating material to the loft or attic space to minimise this loss.
• Floor Insulation: Insulating your floor can stop about 15% of heat loss, contributing significantly to overall energy efficiency.

ECO4 takes a comprehensive, whole-house approach to improving energy efficiency. After a full assessment of your home, they determine the most beneficial upgrades to raise your home's energy efficiency. Whether it's insulation, a heat pump, or other energy-saving measures, there are no limits on the improvements they offer.

ECO4 provides qualifying households with enough upgrades to boost their EPC rating by up to two bands. The scheme prioritises homes with an EPC rating of F or G, aiming to elevate them to at least a D rating. Homes with an EPC rating of D or E can be improved to at least a C rating.

Great British Insulation Scheme

The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) is a government initiative designed to improve energy efficiency and reduce energy bills by providing insulation grants. Launched in March 2023 and running until March 2026, the scheme aims to assist around 300,000 households across Great Britain. To take full advantage of these valuable insulation grants, it’s best to apply as soon as possible.

GBIS follows a single-measure approach, providing one insulation measure for each qualifying household. This ensures that more people can benefit from free insulation. Instead of allowing you to choose any insulation measure, GBIS conducts a home assessment to determine which insulation measure will have the most significant impact on your home’s energy efficiency. The most common insulation measure provided has been cavity wall insulation, accounting for 50% of all measures installed so far.

Who Qualifies for a Government Insulation Grant in 2024?

The ECO4 and GBIS have almost similar eligibility criteria with minor differences. Here’s the combined eligibility criteria for both schemes:

• Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) Rating: Both schemes target homes with an EPC rating of D, E, F, or G. This rating indicates the energy efficiency of a property, with D being the highest eligible rating and G the lowest.
• Council Tax Bands:
  • In England: Bands A-D
  • In Scotland and Wales: Bands A-E
• Type of Property: Eligibility extends to both owner-occupied and privately rented properties. For rented properties, landlord permission is required.

Income and Benefits Criteria

• Low-Income Households: Both schemes prioritise low-income households. Households with a gross annual income below £31,000 are typically eligible.
• Means-Tested Benefits: Households receiving specific government benefits are eligible. These benefits include:
  • Universal Credit
  • Income Support
  • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
  • Pension Credit
  • Child Tax Credit
  • Working Tax Credit
  • Housing Benefit
  • Pension Guarantee Credit

Additional Criteria for Specific Groups

• Vulnerable Households: Households with vulnerable occupants, such as the elderly, disabled, or those with certain medical conditions, may also qualify under additional provisions like the Local Authority Flex (ECO4 Flex) route. This allows local authorities to refer households they deem vulnerable.

0% VAT

The 0% VAT scheme is designed to make energy efficiency upgrades more affordable for UK households. Launched on May 1, 2023, and running until March 31, 2027, this initiative cuts the Value Added Tax (VAT) on insulation materials from the standard 20% to 0%. This makes it easier for you to invest in energy-saving improvements for your home.

After March 2027, the VAT on insulation will return to a reduced rate of 5%. To benefit from the 0% VAT, you need to work with contractors who both supply and install the insulation. If you buy insulation materials separately, the VAT will still be 20%.

Additional Government Insulation Grants for Scotland and Wales in 2024

If you're in Scotland or Wales and don't qualify for the ECO4 or GBIS schemes, there are still other government insulation grants available. These grants can provide free insulation or cover a significant portion of the costs. Additionally, if you don't qualify for free funding, you may be eligible for interest-free loans to help with the expense.

Nest Scheme, Wales

The Nest Scheme is one of the most comprehensive government insulation grants available in Wales. Designed to tackle fuel poverty, it offers a range of energy efficiency upgrades. Similar to the ECO4 scheme, Nest takes a whole-house approach. After an assessment, it provides a tailored package of improvements to enhance your home’s energy efficiency.

The Nest Scheme covers a variety of measures, including:

• Loft Insulation
• Cavity Wall Insulation
• Solid Wall Insulation
• Floor Insulation
• Energy-Efficient Boilers
• Central Heating Systems
• Heat Pumps
• Solar Panels

In addition to these upgrades, Nest offers free, impartial energy efficiency advice. This guidance helps households reduce their energy bills and consumption, providing valuable insights into best practices and available schemes for achieving greater energy efficiency and sustainability.

Warmer Homes Scotland

Warmer Homes Scotland is a transformative government initiative funded by the Scottish Government and administered by Warmworks. Designed to combat fuel poverty and lower energy bills across Scotland, this scheme offers substantial support for upgrading heating systems and enhancing energy efficiency. It offers funding for the following:

• Wall insulation
• Loft insulation
• Draught-proofing
• Central heating – including new gas boilers or air source heat pumps
• Renewables

Warmer Homes Scotland offers up to £10,000 in funding, which is available as both a grant and an interest-free loan. This support is designed for work that has not yet begun and must be carried out by an approved installer. Please note that applicants cannot receive this grant if they have already benefited from Warmer Homes Scotland funding since October 2023.

Home Energy Scotland

Home Energy Scotland is a government initiative designed to help homeowners reduce their environmental footprint and cut down on energy costs. This program provides substantial financial support for both energy efficiency upgrades and clean heating systems, making it easier than ever to enhance your home’s performance.The scheme provides two main types of funding:

• Energy Efficiency Upgrades: Receive grant funding covering up to 75% of the cost for improvements such as insulation, with a maximum grant of £7,500. Additionally, you can apply for an interest-free loan of up to £7,500 to further support your upgrades.
• Clean Heating Systems: If you’re considering upgrading your heating system, you can secure up to £7,500 in grant funding for clean heating technologies like heat pumps. An interest-free loan of up to £7,500 is also available to help with the cost. For detailed information about government grants for heat pumps, check out our Guide to UK Heat Pump Government Grants in 2024.

This program is an excellent opportunity to make your home more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly while significantly reducing your energy bills. With generous grants and interest-free loans, Home Energy Scotland makes it easier to invest in sustainable upgrades.

How to Apply for Government Insulation Grants in 2024?

Applying for government insulation grants has never been easier. Simply fill out our form, and we’ll handle everything else. Here’s why you should trust us with your insulation upgrade:

• Expert Review and Consultation: After you submit your information, our team will review your details and promptly contact you to schedule a comprehensive home assessment.
• Thorough Home Assessment: Our experienced professionals will visit your home to accurately determine your eligibility for all available government insulation grants.
• Maximised Grant Opportunities: We will identify and select the best grants you qualify for, ensuring you get the maximum financial support.
• Seamless Application Process: We manage the entire application process on your behalf, ensuring everything runs smoothly and quickly. We monitor your application every step of the way to prevent any issues.
• Top-Quality Installation: Once your application is approved, we dispatch our top verified installers to complete the job to the highest standards.
• Comprehensive Oversight: We oversee the entire installation process to guarantee optimal results and your complete satisfaction.

With our expertise and dedication, you can rest assured that your insulation upgrade will be efficient, hassle-free, and professionally managed from start to finish. Trust us to make your home more energy-efficient while securing the best government grants available.