With alarmingly high energy price increases over the last few years, the UK Government has been seeking ways to help households (especially low-income households) across Britain make their homes more energy efficient, thereby lowering the long-term cost of their energy bills.
By helping energy-poor homes across the UK become more energy efficient, a reduction in carbon emissions also contributes to the UK government’s 2050 net-zero pledge.
What Is the Great British Insulation Scheme?
The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) was launched in April 2023, replacing the previous ECO+ government initiative. The government has allocated £1 billion to support free or reduced-cost home insulation installations. Unlike earlier schemes that focused on a comprehensive approach, GBIS targets the specific insulation measure that will have the most considerable impact on energy efficiency and cost savings for each home.
GBIS aims to assist more households across Britain, extending support to those who may not have qualified for previous funding initiatives.
Since the start of GBIS, there have been 76,900 measures installed in 60,600 households up to the end of March 2025. According to the UK Government
How much can I expect to save on my energy bills?
Homes that were poorly insulated but now qualify for GBIS can expect to save anywhere between £150 and £400 on their annual energy bills with new insulation measures installed. The amount depends on the insulation type and the level of heat loss your home is currently suffering from.
Who is eligible for free insulation under GBIS in the UK?
GBIS eligibility overview
There are two ways that you may be able to benefit from insulation funding via the Great British Insulation Scheme.
You live in a property with Council Tax Bands A-D (or A-E if your home is in Scotland), and with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D or lower.
or
You live in a low-income household and are on qualifying benefits, which Ofgem states must include at least one of the following.
- Child Benefit
- Pension Guarantee Credit
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income Support
- Universal Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Pension Credit Savings Credit
What types of insulation measures does GBIS cover?
The Great British Insulation Scheme aims to maximise the home’s energy efficiency, preventing heat loss, and ultimately lowering the property’s annual energy bills.
To do this, an assessor needs to visit your home to identify where the majority of heat loss is occurring and recommend the most suitable type of insulation for your property. Measures could include cavity wall insulation for houses with space between the internal and external walls, or solid wall insulation for those homes without cavity walls. As many homes experience heat loss through the roof, loft insulation, pitched roof insulation, or flat roof insulation may be the most effective options.
What is the GBIS application process?
At SmartStone, we believe that every household deserves to enjoy lower bills and warmer homes. We strive to take the headache out of energy funding applications by helping thousands of households across the UK access the funding they need to get the insulation they require, thereby reducing their energy bills.
Find out if you’re eligible for the Great British Insulation Scheme measures in three easy steps.
- Complete the form below.
- We’ll contact you to arrange for one of our expert assessors to visit you and evaluate your insulation needs and recommend the right measure to maximise your savings.
- Once we receive the survey results, if your property qualifies, we will advise you whether you’re eligible for full or partial funding and schedule a date for our team of certified installers to install your insulation.
After the installation of your new insulation measures, you can start to enjoy a cosier home and look forward to lower energy bills going forward.
