The government has rolled out the Great British Insulation Scheme – an energy efficiency plan previously known as the ECO+ scheme. The main aim is to upgrade homes across Great Britain, with a focus on fighting fuel poverty and cutting down energy costs. Unlike the full home upgrade approach of the ECO4 scheme, this new initiative delivers just insulation upgrades.
The revamped £1 billion scheme, is set to assist approximately 300,000 households nationwide. By funding the installation expenses of new home insulation, consumers can save between £300 to £400 annually on their energy bills.
Eligibility for the scheme could mean insulation at no charge or at a reduced rate, dependent on your specific insulation needs and property type.
What is included under the insulation grant?
The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) covers a spectrum of home insulation options. If you’re eligible, you’ll get support with one type of insulation for your home:
- Loft insulation
- Solid wall insulation (both internal and external)
- Room-in-roof insulation
- Underfloor insulation
- Solid floor insulation
- Pitched roof insulation
- Flat roof insulation
- Park home insulation
- Secondary heating controls
Who is this scheme targeted to?
The GBIS has been put in place to help homeowners that have not been able to benefit from the ECO4 scheme. The scheme is targeted at 2 Groups:
1) General Group
- Those living in homes with an EPC rating of D-G
- Within council tax band A-D in England and A-E in Scotland & Wales
- This groups will receive one of the above insulation measures
2) Low-income Group
- Those living in homes with an EPC rating of D-G
- This group mirrors the eligibility requirement of ECO4 in terms of being on means tested benefits or living in the least efficient social housing. The only difference is that the Great British Insulation Scheme is for people on gas
- Will receive heating control and one insulation measure
Check Your GBIS Eligibility
You can use this form to check if you are eligible for the GBIS grant. If you are eligible, you will be given the option to apply and we will pass your details onto a local accredited installer approved by Energy Saving Club energy experts.
How will the Great British Insulation Scheme help lower energy bills?
As mentioned before, the Great British Insulation Scheme main aim is to cut energy bills by boosting home energy efficiency. As a result, this initiative significantly controls heat loss, leading to substantial reductions in heating costs.
Insulation serves as a protective barrier, ensuring that heat doesn’t escape through windows, walls, or the loft. In effect, there is a considerable financial savings, as you use less energy to keep your home comfortable.
The most common insulation measures within the scheme usually involve loft and cavity wall insulation. We’ve gathered some potential savings data from Energy Saving Trust. The numbers below show the amount you could save on bills and the reduction in CO2 emissions for these types of insulation:
Insulation type | Typical installation cost | Energy bill savings (£/year) | Carbon dioxide savings (kgCO2/year) |
Cavity Wall insulation | £1,000 | £395 | 670kg |
Loft insulation | £640 | £355 | 601kg |
The steps to a more energy efficient home
In conclusion, participating in the Great British Insulation Scheme is a straightforward process. Therefore, follow these easy five steps:
- Firstly, verify your eligibility for the scheme based on your location and home criteria.
- The scheme will pair you with a qualified installer suited to your location.
- An installer will conduct a complimentary survey of your residence to determine insulation needs.
- Based on the assessment, the installer will recommend the most suitable insulation measure
- Lastly, enjoy a more energy-efficient home.
If your home is without a mains gas supply you could be eligible for the ECO4 grant: Free Heating Systems in ECO4 Scheme – Free Heating Scheme
Comments 3