Adding or improving insulation is one of the best ways to improve your energy efficiency and reduce your bills. High upfront costs can be a major barrier, but there are grants and schemes available to reduce these if your home is eligible.

Over time, insulation will pay for itself in the savings you make on your energy bills. It will also make your home feel cozier and put you in a good position if you ever decide to switch to a low-carbon heating system. So it’s worth doing, especially if you can get a grant to help.

According to the Energy Saving Trust, you could save £230 a year on your energy bills by insulating your loft and £240 with cavity wall insulation if you live in a terraced house.

We’ve rounded up the plans currently available that offer free or cheaper isolation in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

You can also apply for financing directly through certain energy providers. Learn more about how to access Free insulation offers from energy companies. in our guide.

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Evaluate the energy efficiency of your home

Before looking into grants you might be eligible for, it’s worth assessing the current state of your home’s energy efficiency. Think about any insulation you already have in the attic, ceiling, walls or floor.

You can use our home energy planning service tool to help start this process and keep track of any updates you make:

Other useful things you can do before searching for grants, to help you in your search and application:

• Locate and read your Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating
• Find out your municipal tax band
• Take note of any government benefits you receive

To learn more about the different types of insulation and how to interpret your EPC, read our guide to how to insulate your house.

The Great British Isolation Plan

The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) offers cheaper or free roof, loft, cavity or solid wall insulation.

It is the latest phase of the Energy Companies Obligation (ECO) scheme, which requires energy suppliers to help homes improve their energy efficiency.

Qualifying properties must have an Energy Performance Certificate rating of D or lower and be in council tax bands AD in England or AE in Scotland and Wales. GBIS is not available in Northern Ireland.

Homeowners, landlords or tenants can apply, but tenants will need to talk to their landlord to get permission before anything can be installed.

You can try the Great British Isolation Plan eligibility tool on the government website. Alternatively, call 0800 098 7950 or speak to your energy supplier directly.

The tool will ask you questions such as how you heat your home, whether it has solid or hollow walls, and whether you receive any benefits.

After using the tool, you will be referred to your energy supplier for further assistance.

For more details on the types of home improvements available and which energy providers are enrolled in the plan, read our guide on Energy Company Obligation (ECO).

Insulation grants in England

In some English postcodes, your local council may be able to help you with a home improvement grant. To be eligible, you need:

• Own and live in the property you are applying for
• Do not use a gas boiler as the main heating system in your home
• Have an energy performance certificate (EPC) rating D, E, F or G

You generally need to have a household income of £36,000 a year or less, although this limit is higher in some postcode areas.

If you are eligible, your local council will send a surveyor to suggest improvements, which may include:

• Insulation of walls, lofts and floors
• Air source heat pumps
• electric radiators

You can apply at the government website.

Read more: Find out how much you can save on your bills with insulation in different types of housing

Insulation grants in Scotland

In Scotland, Home Energy Scotland’s Warmer Homes Scotland program offers free home improvements to improve energy efficiency.

The key criteria to be eligible are:

• Live in the property as a primary residence for at least six months, as an owner or tenant
• The home has a poor energy rating (assessed by the regime)
• The municipal tax band is from A to F
• Receive one or more of a variety of government benefits.

The Scottish Government will pay all costs in most cases, but on occasional occasions you may have to come up with some money. If so, there are interest-free loans available to help you with this.

Possible improvements they can offer you include:

• Wall insulation
• Loft insulation
• draft proof
• Central heating (including new gas boilers or air source heat pumps)

Use the Home Energy Scotland website to check if you are eligible and apply.

Learn more about:

Insulation grants in Wales

The Welsh Government offers free advice and home energy efficiency improvements through the Warm Homes Nest programme.

Nest offers free, impartial advice to:

• Make sure you have the best energy and water rate
• Check if you are entitled to any benefits
• Reduce your carbon footprint
• Install your own low carbon technology

You can check if you are eligible to receive free updates on the Welsh Government website or by freephone 0808 808 2244. Calls are welcome in Welsh.

You may be eligible for energy efficient home improvements, including:

• Isolation
• a heat pump
• Solar panels

To be eligible you must:

• Own or privately rent your home
• Receive a means-tested benefit or live in a low-income household
• Have a property with an EPC rating of 54 (E) or less; or an EPC score of 68 (D) or less when you or a member of your household has an eligible health condition.

Read more about: How to use a thermal camera to reduce energy bills.

Isolation grants in Northern Ireland

Although the Great British Insulation and ECO programs are not available in Northern Ireland, other supports are available.

The Northern Ireland Housing Executive runs the Affordable Heat Programme, which aims to help people struggling with fuel poverty and energy inefficiency.

To be eligible, you must:

• Own your own home or rent from a private landlord
• Have a total annual gross income of less than £23,000

To apply, contact the NI Energy Advice Service (NIEAS) by phone (08001114455) or email ([email protected]).

Improvements are offered on a tiered priority, with insulation being priority one, and include:

• Installation or filling of loft insulation up to 300 mm.
• Ventilation of roofs, attics and eaves.
• Provide a jacket for the hot water cylinder.
• Provide cavity wall insulation (if suitable for the property)
• Draft-proof doors and/or windows
• Removal and replacement of ineffective cavity wall insulation.

Once these works are completed, priority two (heating), three (windows) and four (solid wall measurements) can be considered.

For quick and affordable ways to increase your home’s energy efficiency and make it cozier, read our guide at How to protect your house against drafts.