⚡ Key Takeaways
- ECO4 and GBIS both provide free or subsidised insulation to UK homes
- ECO4 requires qualifying benefits; LA Flex and Warm Homes may help households outside standard ECO4 criteria
- Covered: cavity wall, loft, solid wall, underfloor, and flat roof insulation
- Typical savings: £200-£600/year depending on insulation type
- Your home needs an EPC rating of D-G for most schemes
- Supplier funding and local authority routes can be limited
⚠️GBIS referral service closed on 31 March 2026The GOV.UK referral route for new GBIS applications is now closed. Some suppliers may still handle existing enquiries; new applicants should check ECO4, LA Flex and Warm Homes routes. Check current grant routes →
Which insulation grants are open now (2026)?
Three routes are open today: ECO4 (benefits-based, runs to 31 December 2026), LA Flex (council-run flexible eligibility — no benefits needed in many areas), and the Warm Homes: Local Grant (council-delivered in England, April 2025 to March 2028). The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) closed to new applications on 31 March 2026.
Can You Get Free Insulation in 2026?
Yes. Current UK support can still fund insulation through ECO4, LA Flex, Warm Homes and some supplier-led routes. The GOV.UK GBIS referral service closed on 31 March 2026, so new applicants should use the checker to find live routes and confirm eligibility with the relevant supplier, installer or local authority.
The catch? Funding remains limited. ECO4, LA Flex, Warm Homes and supplier-led routes all have eligibility rules and local capacity. Check the current route before arranging work.
What Types of Insulation Are Available for Free?
In the loft — save ~£590/year
The quickest and cheapest measure: if your loft has less than 270mm of insulation (about 10 inches), a top-up takes just 2-4 hours and stops around 25% of your home's heat escaping through the roof. Full savings, eligibility and how installation works are on our loft insulation grant page.
In your walls (with a cavity) — save ~£395/year
Homes built between the 1920s and 1990s usually have two layers of brick with a gap that can be filled in 1-2 days, preventing around 35% of heat loss. See what's funded and who qualifies under the current cavity wall insulation grants.
In your walls (no cavity) — save ~£640/year
Pre-1920s homes with solid walls lose heat fastest — up to 45%. External or internal wall insulation is fully funded through ECO4 for eligible homes; note external work changes your property's appearance and may need planning permission. Compare both routes under solid wall insulation grants.
Underfloor Insulation (Saves ~£100/year)
If you have suspended timber floors (common in pre-1950s homes), underfloor insulation can stop cold air rising through gaps in the floorboards. It's often installed alongside other measures as part of a whole-house approach.
Different property types have their own routes: see park home grants if you live in a park or mobile home, and loft conversion grants if your loft space is converted or being converted.
Insulation Savings Comparison
| Insulation Type |
Annual Saving |
Installation Time |
Heat Loss Prevented |
| Loft insulation |
~£590/year |
2–4 hours |
~25% of heat loss |
| Cavity wall insulation |
~£395/year |
1–2 days |
~35% of heat loss |
| Solid wall insulation |
~£640/year |
1–2 weeks |
~45% of heat loss |
| Underfloor insulation |
~£100/year |
1 day |
~15% of heat loss |
Source: Energy Saving Trust, based on a typical gas-heated 3-bed semi-detached house. Savings vary by property.
Who Qualifies for Free Insulation?
Route 1: ECO4 Scheme (Benefits-Based)
You qualify if you receive ANY of these benefits:
- Universal Credit
- Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit)
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
- Housing Benefit
- Child Tax Credit (income under £19,900 for single parent with 1 child)
- Working Tax Credit
- Warm Home Discount (Core Group)
Your home also needs an EPC rating requirements of D or below. Don't know your EPC? Our checker can help you find out.
Route 2: Great British Insulation Scheme (No Benefits Needed)
Even without benefits, you may qualify through GBIS if your home is in council tax band energy grants A-D (England) or A-E (Scotland/Wales). This £1 billion scheme specifically targets homes that would benefit most from insulation upgrades.
Route 3: Local Authority Flex (LA Flex)
If you don't meet the standard criteria, your local council can refer you under "LA Flex eligibility" provisions. This covers households in fuel poverty, people with health conditions worsened by cold homes, and low-income households on the borderline of qualifying benefits. See our full LA Flex scheme guide for how councils decide and how to apply without benefits.
How to Apply
- Check eligibility — Use our free eligibility checker (takes 60 seconds)
- Get matched — We connect you with TrustMark-registered installers in your area
- Home survey — An assessor visits to confirm what measures your home needs
- Installation — Work is carried out by certified installers at no cost to you
- EPC update — Your Energy Performance Certificate is updated to reflect the improvement
⚠️ ECO4 Deadline: December 2026
The GOV.UK GBIS referral service closed on 31 March 2026. ECO4 runs to December 2026, and LA Flex or Warm Homes routes may still help households that need insulation support.
Check current routes. Use the Great British Energy eligibility checker to compare ECO4, LA Flex, Warm Homes and supplier-led options before arranging work.