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Loft insulation is just one part of GBIS. There are several other insulation measures that GBIS covers. You may be eligible for solid and cavity wall insulation and underfloor and solid floor insulation. What’s more, you may also get park home and room-in-roof insulation under GBIS.
Moreover, even if you’re not on any benefits, but your home falls in GBIS’s General Group, you may get free loft insulation. However, you must own the property. In the case of a private-rented property, you may not get loft and cavity wall insulation. But even if you don’t qualify for any insulation measure under GBIS, you’ve got the option of the ECO4 Scheme where you can get free boiler replacement along with free loft insulation.
What’s the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS)?
Compared to ECO4, the Great British Insulation Scheme is relatively a new scheme. It aims to provide free insulation including loft and cavity wall insulation to qualifying households across the UK. Moreover, all major energy companies are part of this scheme. The government’s target is to provide insulation to more than 30,0000 households across the UK. So if you haven’t had insulation for your home, you should get the one through GBIS. It is time to make your home more energy-efficient and save your wallet. The Government through GBIS wants to help inefficient homes save energy.
Check if you qualify in a few minutes. Use our online checker for Great British Insulation. Fill out the form and wait for a quick call from our expert team. We’ll contact you as soon as possible for info and a property survey.
Who can qualify for free insulation under GBIS?
Fundamentally, two groups qualify for insulation measures under GBIS. Eligibility criteria vary, so carefully review to see if you qualify.
Criteria for General Group:
- Home in council tax bands A to D (England) and A to E (Scotland and Wales).
- EPC rating D to G (check yours).
- Private renters need EPC in band D or E.
- Eligible for one insulation upgrade, with a possible small contribution.
This group is eligible for lower-cost or free insulation. Owner-occupied households may receive heating controls.
Criteria for Low-income Group:
Qualify for the low-income group by:
- Receiving qualifying benefits
- Residing in the least efficient housing
- Having an EPC rating of D to G
This group is entitled to lower-cost or free insulation, and owner-occupied households may also receive heating controls.:
Qualifying Benefits
If you claim any of the following benefits you could be eligible for the ECO4 scheme.
- Income-based Job Seekers Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
- Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Universal Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Pension Credit Saving Credit
- Child Benefit with an income threshold
Always check your eligibility before applying for an insulation measure. When you qualify, a professional will survey your home to establish suitable measures. For now, cavity walls and loft insulation are the primary insulation options. In fact, the government regards them as the most cost-effective energy efficiency measures. GBIS decreases heating costs for the majority of households.
Great British insulation grants for loft insulation
The Great British Insulation Scheme aims to bring a substantial decrease in energy bills. It prevents heat loss from walls and roofs. Many people cannot afford the substantial upfront costs associated with insulating their homes. The goal of this program is to help qualified individuals install insulation. As a result, they can opt for energy bill savings of almost £3,000.
The program’s goal is to give free or inexpensive home insulation to about 300,000 people. It distinguishes itself by providing more aid to the poorest earners. What’s more, it provides support to low-income households. The intention is to increase the affordability and accessibility of energy-efficient upgrades.
Approximately a quarter of your home’s heat escapes through the roof. But you can mitigate this by laying mineral wool under the rafters. Insulation in lofts retains heat in between rafters or between joists. Moreover, it keeps heat from escaping and makes your house comfortable all year round. So always insulate your home.
What insulation measures does GBIS cover?
- External and Internal Solid Wall Insulation
- Pitched Roof Insulation
- Flat Roof Insulation
- Underfloor Insulation
- Solid Floor Insulation
- Park Home Insulation
- Room-in-Roof Insulation
Of course, the availability of these measures varies by supplier. It is contingent upon the agreement. Moreover, location plays a key role.
What other energy-saving options do I have other than GBIS
- New Boiler: Under the ECO system, repairs, upgrades, or replacements are available. This is limited availability, based on your present boiler.
- Heating Controls: You can get free thermostatic radiator valves if you are the homeowner.
- Installation Heaters: Do you own a house? You can fix or replace electric storage heaters that are already in place.
- Other Measures: Some properties qualify for better external doors, draught-proofing, and upgraded window glazing (single to double or updating existing double-glazing).
These measures fall under the ECO scheme, distinct from the Great British Insulation Scheme. Make sure you apply to the appropriate program for your needs.
Income criteria for free loft insulation government scheme
The income of the household is essential for GBIS eligibility. You are eligible if your gross annual income is less than £31,000. Pre-installation SAP band D-G is required for owned homes. But rental properties should have D-G, including F and G if they are exempt from regulations. This income cap covers all property sizes, types, and geographic areas. What’s more, it includes all means-tested and non-means-tested income sources with benefits.
So if you fit the income requirements, you might be eligible. Moreover, processing the application is possible if a household member has a health condition. Local governments employ a range of standards, with a primary emphasis on low-income and marginalized populations. To find out if they take part and whether you qualify, check with your local council.
What EPC score do I need to have to qualify for GBIS?
GBIS evaluates your home’s efficiency in the light of an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) grade. Improved energy efficiency and lower bills come with higher EPC ratings. Insulation upgrades can slash energy bills by around £300 to £400. Some suppliers include struggling households with fuel debt.
If your local authority is involved, it may refer to GBIS. Next, an assessor determines if your home requires any action. Moreover, eligibility does not provide a guarantee for the installation. It is up to the discretion installer or provider. Eligibility for GBIS is determined by the pre-installation SAP (Standard Assessment Procedure) energy-efficient rating of the residence as well as the household gross annual income.
Energy Efficiency Rating from SAP
The pre-installation SAP band for owned properties needs to be D, E, F, or G. For rental properties, a SAP band of D, E, F, or G may qualify. If it’s either F or G, though, the property has to be exempt from MEES, or Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards. Moreover, if you own a house, you are eligible for SAP bands D–G. But if you rented it with SAP F or G, you may qualify if exempt from MEES.
Further, the SAP band is immediately applicable to owned properties. Qualification for rental properties with SAP F or G is based on MEES exemptions. MEES forbids renting out properties that have a rating lower than E. Unless they take energy-saving measures. You are qualified for GBIS based on your income. But you should own a property with SAP D-G. Regardless of MEES, you can be eligible if you rent a home with SAP D-E. It is feasible to rent a property with SAP F or G. But your landlord needs to make energy efficiency improvements. Also, the property needs to be exempt from MEES.
How much can I save on Insulation?
Heat escapes from uninsulated dwellings through the windows, doors, floors, and walls. Moreover, a significant escape route is the roof, particularly through the loft. It increases the production of waste heat, energy costs, and carbon emissions. Costs of materials range from £250 to £1,500, depending on the kind of insulation (rock wool, boards, Knauf) and complexity of the loft. Ongoing savings justify higher upfront costs. Cavity wall insulation, including building work, can cost up to £1,800. However, annual savings range from £180 to £690. Loft insulation can save you anywhere from £330 and £590 annually, but it can cost up to £890.
For approximately £800, thermostatic valves and smart heating controls can save you up to £525 annually. Furthermore, the government anticipates paying up to 75% of the installation expenses in each instance. This increases households’ access to energy-efficient upgrades.
In Conclusion
Numerous insulating measures are available under the Great British Insulating Scheme. Renters and owners of homes with lower SAP ratings gain from it as well. For those on a tight budget, annual savings can add up, so it’s imperative. If you need insulation for your house, apply whether you own it or rent it. Examine your eligibility, check your EPC rating, and take pleasure in a warmer, more efficient house.
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