Energy suppliers are required by the new government grant programme The Great British Insulation Scheme to provide their clients with grants to increase their homes’ insulation to reduce heating costs.

The Great British Insulation Scheme initiative will provide people in England, Scotland, and Wales with approximately £1 billion to cover the cost of energy-efficient home modifications.

If you qualify, your energy provider may present you with a grant of up to £2,000 that is not repaid.

This will assist in defraying the cost of installing or upgrading insulation in lofts, cavity walls, or smart-heating controls. Under the new Great British Insulation Scheme programme, two groups will have distinct eligibility requirements.

Two distinct groups qualify for the The Great British Insulation Scheme programme: the “general group” and the “low-income group.” The “generic group” will include residents of council tax bands A to D in England, A to E in Scotland, and A to C in Wales. The “low-income” group comprises residents in homes with an energy performance certificate (EPC) band between D and G.

The energy performance certificate evaluates a home’s energy efficiency using a scale from A (extremely efficient) to G (inefficient).

To be included in this group, you must also get a means-tested benefit and reside in social housing with poor energy efficiency. Otherwise, you are considered to be in “fuel poverty.” According to a government announcement, around 80% of the cash would be made available to households residing in the tiniest energy-efficient homes in the UK.

The government intends to commence the programme this spring, likely in April and will maintain it through March 2026. However, the government plans to collaborate with energy suppliers to launch The Great British Insulation Scheme programme sooner. To get the funds, you will need to contact your energy provider, who will assess your home and recommend energy efficiency solutions, as well as inform you of the amount of the grant you will receive.

Check your EPC Rating

Energy Performance Certificates

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) tells you how energy-efficient a property is. It would be best if you had an EPC  in England and Wales when you’re:

  • selling a property
  • renting out a property
  • building a new property

You must order an EPC for potential buyers and tenants before you market your property to sell or rent.

In Scotland, it is not compulsory to have an EPC rating though there is talk of legislation changing this in the future.

An EPC contains:

  • information about a property’s energy use and typical energy costs
  • steps to improve a property’s energy efficiency and save money

An EPC gives a property an energy efficiency rating from A (best) to G (worst) and is valid for 10 years.

EDF Energy states that cavity wall or loft insulation will be suggested in most cases.

However, EDF cautioned that more costly measures, such as solid wall insulation, may require a more significant consumer contribution to be implemented. The government estimates that you might save approximately £310 annually on energy expenses if you implement the scheme’s recommendations.