14 May 2026 · Updated 12 August 2026 · Updates
Government and energy-supplier funding can cover some or all of the cost of insulating your home, but the schemes move quickly and 2026 has brought big changes. Here is a clear, current picture of what is available now, who qualifies, and whether you can get free loft insulation.
| Scheme | Status | Who it is for | What you can get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) | Closed (ended 31 March 2026) | Closed to new applicants | No longer available |
| ECO4 | Open, until 31 December 2026 | Low-income and vulnerable households, via benefits or local-authority referral | Insulation and heating measures, supplier funded |
| Warm Homes: Local Grant (England) | Open | Low-income owner-occupiers and private renters in EPC D to G homes | Up to £15,000 for energy-efficiency measures plus up to £15,000 for low-carbon heating, no cost to occupant |
GBIS, which used a simpler council-tax-band route to widen access to insulation funding, closed to new applicants in October 2025 and ended on 31 March 2026. If you had been counting on GBIS, that route is gone, but it is not the only option.
The Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) has been extended and now runs until 31 December 2026. It is funded by energy suppliers and supports insulation and other energy-saving measures for lower-income households, typically those receiving qualifying means-tested benefits or referred by their local council through a route known as ECO Flex (LA Flex). ECO4 tends to fund more comprehensive upgrades, so it is well worth checking if you think you might qualify.
Under the government's multi-billion-pound Warm Homes Plan, the Warm Homes: Local Grant is delivered by local authorities in England. Eligible households can receive up to £15,000 towards energy-efficiency measures such as home insulation, draught-proofing and glazing, plus up to a further £15,000 for low-carbon heating like a heat pump, and the occupant does not contribute to the cost.
To qualify you generally need to be an owner-occupier or private renter, on a low income, in an existing home with an EPC rating of D to G. You apply through your local authority. Most eligible councils in England have been allocated funding, so it is worth checking what is available where you live.
Yes, but only if you are eligible. Free or fully funded loft and cavity insulation is available to lower-income households through ECO4 or the Warm Homes: Local Grant, where the occupant pays nothing. It is not available to everyone, and now that GBIS has closed the older, broader route has gone. If you are on a low income but not on benefits, you may still qualify through a local-authority ECO Flex route or the Warm Homes: Local Grant, though it is not guaranteed.
Most current schemes target households more likely to struggle with energy costs. Eligibility commonly considers:
Not everyone qualifies, and it is worth being upfront about that. But many homeowners assume they will not be eligible and never check, missing out as a result.
Support differs across the UK. In Scotland, contact Home Energy Scotland (including Warmer Homes Scotland). In Wales, the Nest scheme offers help. In Northern Ireland, the Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme (NISEP) offers grants for measures including loft insulation.
In late 2025 the National Audit Office reported quality problems with some wall insulation installed under government schemes, and free TrustMark audits are being offered to affected homes. Whether your work is grant funded or paid for privately, it matters that it is done by a vetted, accredited installer. Read our guide to choosing insulation installers.
If grant funding is not available to you, insulating your home is still one of the most worthwhile improvements you can make, and comparing quotes is the best way to keep the cost down. See typical insulation costs and our cavity wall insulation cost guide, then tell us about your home and we will match you with vetted installers so you can compare competitive prices.
Possibly. Fully funded loft or cavity insulation is available to eligible low-income households through ECO4 or the Warm Homes: Local Grant, where the occupant does not contribute to the cost. It is not available to everyone, and the broader Great British Insulation Scheme that once offered a wider route has now closed.
Eligibility usually depends on your household income, whether anyone receives qualifying means-tested benefits, your home's EPC rating (D to G for the Warm Homes: Local Grant), your tenure, and sometimes a local-authority referral known as ECO Flex. Criteria vary by scheme and change over time, so always check the current rules.
No. GBIS closed to new applicants in October 2025 and ended on 31 March 2026. ECO4, which now runs until the end of December 2026, and the Warm Homes: Local Grant are the main routes for help in England today.
Sometimes. Some support, such as parts of the Warm Homes: Local Grant and local-authority ECO Flex routes, looks at low income and your home's energy rating rather than benefits alone. It is not guaranteed, so it is worth checking with your local authority.
It is an England scheme delivered by local authorities under the Warm Homes Plan. Eligible low-income owner-occupiers and private renters in EPC D to G homes can receive up to £15,000 of energy-efficiency measures, including insulation, plus up to a further £15,000 for low-carbon heating, at no cost to the occupant.
For the Warm Homes: Local Grant, apply through your local authority (see GOV.UK). For ECO4, contact your energy supplier. Always confirm current scheme details before proceeding, as funding and eligibility rules change frequently.
With GBIS closed, ECO4 (to the end of 2026) and the Warm Homes: Local Grant are the routes to watch in 2026. Schemes and criteria move quickly, so always confirm current details before committing. Tell us about your home and we will help you check what is available right now, at no cost and with no obligation.
Official sources (verified 12 August 2026): GOV.UK Warm Homes: Local Grant, Ofgem GBIS, Energy Saving Trust. This article is general guidance only, is not financial or eligibility advice, and reflects the position at the time of writing. Grant schemes, eligibility criteria and funding levels change frequently and are subject to availability. Always confirm current details with the relevant provider, your local authority or GOV.UK before proceeding.
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