Home insulation grants in the UK, serving as a financial incentive, significantly support homeowners in upgrading energy efficiency. The government wants to make your home more energy-efficient. This means using less energy to heat your house. As a result, you can save money on your heating costs and keep your home warm in winter. Moreover, it’s good for the environment because it reduces energy use.
To make insulation more affordable, there are different insulation grants. Take a closer look and see which ones you qualify for. In this way, you can pick the grant that gives you the most savings for the type of insulation you need.
How much money can you save?
It depends on a few things, but without a doubt, the savings can be significant. So you’ll see a clear reduction in your monthly bills. Plus, you’ll experience better warmth and feel more protected when insulation is done in your home. However, if you insulate from your wallet, it will cost you so much. Consequently, the best way to insulate is through government grants. Now, let’s break down different types of grants and how much they can potentially save you.
Insulation Grants
There are two main home insulation grant schemes in the UK:
The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS): Low-income families and vulnerable households can benefit from this scheme. This is a giant program for insulation. So if you meet the criteria, you may get totally free or heavily discounted insulation measures.
Energy Company Obligation (ECO): This is an old scheme running successfully till today. It provides lots of heating system upgrades. Currently, it is going through its fourth phase. Besides insulation, you may also get boiler replacement.
Free Insulation with GBIS: How Much Could You Save?
GBIS focuses on helping those who need it most. If you qualify, you could get free insulation for various parts of your home, like:
- Loft insulation: You can save on loft insulation between £200 and £640.
- Cavity wall insulation: GBIS can significantly reduce your cost on your cavity walls. It can potentially save you hundreds of pounds. Installation typically ranges from £400 to £525.
- Solid wall insulation: This is more expensive, so the grant might cover a portion of the cost. But installation can range from £1,500 to £4,000. But even partial savings with a voucher can be helpful.
Remember, these are just estimates. Well, the actual amount you save depends on your house size, energy usage, and fuel type. But adding it all up, free insulation from GBIS can potentially save you hundreds of pounds each year. There is no doubt about it.
ECO4 Scheme: How Much Can You Save?
Undeniably, ECO works differently. All major energy companies are part of this initiative. They provide totally free insulation measures for your home. Furthermore, if you replace your boiler through eco4, insulation measures will automatically follow it as part of the package. So under this program, all insulation measures could be covered. These include but are not limited to loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, solid wall insulation underfloor insulation, etc.
But remember, it’s important to compare quotes from different installers to get the best deal, even with grants.
Applying for the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS)
Now, there are two main eligibility groups for GBIS: General and Low-income. So here’s a breakdown of what you need to know:
General Group:
- Live in a specific Council Tax band: This depends on your location. In England, it’s bands A-D. In Scotland and Wales, it’s A-E. You can also find your Council Tax band on your Council Tax bill.
- Have a low EPC rating: Next, your home’s Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating should be D or below. An EPC shows how energy-efficient your home is. Moreover, you can get a free EPC online or from your local council.
So if you’re in the general group, you might only qualify for one insulation measure, not all.
Low-income Group:
- Receive means-tested benefits: These are benefits based on your financial situation, like income, savings, and expenses. Examples include income support, housing benefit, and child tax credit.
- Have a low EPC rating: Similar to the General Group, your EPC rating needs to be D or below.
List of Qualifying Benefits for the Low-income Group:
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support (IS)
- Pension Credit Guarantee Credit (PCGC)
- Working Tax Credit (WTC)
- Child Tax Credit (CTC)
- Universal Credit (UC)
- Housing Benefit
- Pension Credit Savings Credit (PCSC)
- Child Benefit
Bottom line
Insulation is very important for your home. So if your home isn’t well-insulated, you’ll end up paying increased bills. Moreover, despite the A-rated, new boiler, you’ll still feel the cold. It is because lots of warmth escaped from uninsulated windows, floors, doors, lofts and other areas. Plus, a home without insulation loses its market value. Renters or buyers often give priority to well-insulated properties. Now, applying for a home insulation grant is a simple process. This can lead to significant savings and a more comfortable home. Next, with the help of home insulation grants, you can keep your home warm, your wallet happy, and the environment a little greener.
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