Government Home Insulation Grants and Schemes 2025

What are Government Home Insulation Grants?

Government-backed home insulation grants are funding schemes designed to help households in England, Scotland and Wales improve the energy efficiency of their properties. In 2025, many UK homes can still access support to install measures such as loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, solid wall insulation, underfloor insulation and roof insulation.

The main aim is to reduce your energy use, cut carbon emissions and make homes warmer and more affordable to heat. Depending on your circumstances and the scheme you qualify for, insulation may be:

• Fully funded (no upfront cost to you)
• Part-funded (you pay a contribution)
• Offered alongside other upgrades such as heating controls or renewable technologies

These grants are usually delivered through energy suppliers and approved installers, but the money ultimately originates from government policy. You do not normally repay a grant, as it is not a loan.

Key UK Home Insulation Schemes in 2025

Several major schemes support residential insulation in 2025. The exact options depend on where you live, your household income, your property type and its current energy performance certificate (EPC) rating.

1. ECO4 (Energy Company Obligation)

ECO4 is a long-running government scheme that requires larger energy suppliers to fund energy efficiency improvements in eligible homes. Running until March 2026, ECO4 continues to be one of the main routes to free or subsidised insulation in 2025.

Under ECO4, qualifying households may receive:

• Loft insulation
• Cavity wall insulation
• Solid wall insulation (internal or external)
• Underfloor and room-in-roof insulation

The focus is on improving the EPC rating of less efficient homes (typically rated D or below) and supporting lower income or vulnerable households.

Who ECO4 is aimed at

While eligibility can vary between installers, ECO4 usually targets:

• Homeowners and private tenants in England, Scotland and Wales
• Households on qualifying means-tested benefits or with low incomes
• Properties with poor insulation and higher heating costs

2. Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS)

The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) is a national programme that focuses specifically on insulation. It is designed to help more households access relatively simple, high-impact measures, particularly loft and cavity wall insulation.

Compared with ECO4, GBIS has a broader reach. You may qualify even if you are not receiving means-tested benefits, particularly if you live in a home with an EPC rating of D or below and fall within certain council tax bands.

Typical measures under GBIS include:

• Loft insulation top-ups and full installs
• Cavity wall insulation
• Some forms of solid wall insulation, where appropriate

3. Local Authority Flex (LA Flex)

Local Authority Flexible Eligibility (LA Flex) is an additional route into ECO funding. It allows councils and local authorities to set their own criteria for identifying vulnerable or low-income households that might not qualify under standard rules.

Through LA Flex, councils can work with approved installers to deliver insulation and heating upgrades in their area. Criteria often include:

• Households with health conditions made worse by cold homes
• Residents on modest incomes but with high energy costs
• Properties with very poor insulation or hard-to-heat layouts

Availability and rules vary by council, so it is worth checking if your local authority participates.

4. Devolved Nation Schemes

If you live in Scotland or Wales, there may be additional country-specific programmes alongside ECO4 and GBIS. Examples include:

• Scotland: Schemes such as Home Energy Scotland grants and loans can support insulation and low-carbon heating for eligible households.
• Wales: Programmes like Nest and Arbed (where available) offer support for lower income households living in cold, inefficient homes.

These initiatives are separate from ECO4, but they share the goal of cutting energy use and tackling fuel poverty.

Who Can Get Home Insulation Grants in 2025?

Eligibility rules differ by scheme, but the main factors considered in 2025 include:

• Your household income and whether you receive certain benefits
• The current energy efficiency of your home (EPC rating)
• Whether you are an owner-occupier, private tenant or social tenant
• The age and construction type of your property
• Whether your home already has sufficient insulation

Typical qualifying benefits

Many schemes prioritise households in receipt of income-related benefits, such as:

• Universal Credit
• Pension Credit (Guarantee or Savings Credit)
• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Working Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit (subject to income limits)
• Housing Benefit and certain disability benefits (depending on scheme rules)

Some funding is also available for households not claiming benefits but with low incomes and high energy costs, particularly through LA Flex, GBIS and devolved nation schemes.

Owner-occupiers, private tenants and landlords

Most government-backed insulation support is aimed at owner-occupiers and private tenants, but the details differ:

• Owner-occupiers: Often have access to the broadest range of measures and highest funding levels.
• Private tenants: May be eligible, but landlords usually need to provide permission and may be asked to contribute.
• Social housing tenants: Some schemes cover social housing, but housing associations and councils may already have separate upgrade programmes in place.

Types of Insulation Commonly Funded

Not every home needs the same type of insulation. Part of the assessment process involves identifying the measures that will make the biggest difference in your property.

How Much Could You Save with Better Insulation?

The savings you can achieve depend on your home size, fuel type and current insulation levels. However, government data shows that upgrading from little or no insulation to recommended standards can save hundreds of pounds a year on typical energy bills.

Better insulation can help you:

• Use your heating less often and at lower temperatures
• Keep your home warmer for longer in winter
• Reduce overheating in summer by stabilising indoor temperatures
• Improve the overall EPC rating of your property, which can support future resale value

In many cases, the value of grant-funded work far exceeds any contribution you might be asked to make, particularly under ECO4 and GBIS.

Step-by-Step: Applying for Home Insulation Grants in 2025

The process is designed to be straightforward. While details can vary slightly depending on the installer and scheme, it usually follows these steps:

1. Initial eligibility check: Provide basic information about your home, benefits and energy use. This can be done online or over the phone.
2. Home energy survey: If you appear eligible, a qualified assessor may visit to inspect your property, confirm the current EPC rating and identify the best insulation measures.
3. Funding confirmation: Based on the survey, the installer confirms which scheme(s) will be used, how much will be funded and whether you need to contribute.
4. Installation: Approved engineers install the agreed insulation measures, usually within a day or two depending on scope.
5. Aftercare and documentation: You receive paperwork confirming what has been installed, including warranties and updated EPC information where applicable.

You do not normally need to deal directly with energy suppliers or government departments; accredited installers manage the technical and funding aspects for you.

Why Apply Now for 2025 Insulation Support?

Funding programmes such as ECO4 and the Great British Insulation Scheme have defined budgets and end dates. As more households apply, localised funding can run low or criteria can change.

Applying early in 2025 can help you:

• Secure access to the widest range of grants and measures
• Have upgrades installed before colder weather returns
• Start benefiting from lower energy bills sooner
• Avoid missing out if eligibility rules tighten later in the scheme

If you are unsure whether you qualify, the best step is to request a free, no-obligation eligibility check.