Internal wall insulation grants are available in the UK to assist low income households improve the energy efficiency of their homes, and is one of the most effective home insulation strategies available.
This method can enhance energy efficiency from the inside out, particularly in homes with cavity walls.
Consumer Rights are here to aid homeowners, landlords and tenants access internal wall insulation grants.
Why should you insulate your internal walls?
If you reside in the UK, installing internal wall insulation can be a wonderful way to increase the energy efficiency of your home. Adding insulation to your interior walls prevents heat loss and keeps your home warm during the winter.
This is particularly essential in the UK, where winters can be quite cold. A well-insulated interior wall functions as a thermal barrier and reduces heat transfer through the walls. This will result in lower heating costs during the winter months.
Internal wall insulation aids in temperature regulation by minimising cold spots within a room. It maintains a rooms temperature in winter and summer.
Numerous British residences, particularly older ones, lack sufficient insulation. Therefore, adding internal wall insulation can be one of the most effective methods to reduce energy costs and make your home more comfortable throughout the year.
Types of materials for internal wall insulation
There are a variety of materials that can be used for internal wall insulation, each with its advantages and disadvantages. Common options include:
- Mineral fibre insulation: Mineral fibre insulation is made of minerals such as rock or glass. Mineral fibre insulation has a high fire resistance, making it a safe choice for your home.
- EPS (expanded polystyrene) insulation: EPS insulation is lightweight and simple to install. It acts like a fluffy foam, trapping heat and keeping your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
- Polyurethane foam insulation: If you want top-notch thermal performance, polyurethane foam insulation is the way to go. It’s a superhero in the face of temperature extremes, keeping your home at a comfortable temperature all year.
While mineral wool is fire-resistant and provides excellent acoustic insulation, EPS is lightweight and simple to install. In contrast, polyurethane foam has a high thermal resistance but is more expensive.
Available grants for internal wall insulation
Internal wall insulation costs can vary based on variables such as the residence size, the insulation material selected, and the installation method. However, grants are available for internal wall insulation, enabling homeowners, landlords and tenants to implement this energy-saving measure.
At Consumer Rights, we strive to simplify the search for these grants. They can substantially reduce the insulation costs, making it a viable option for many homeowners.
There are a number of UK grants available. The main grant for internal wall insulation has been an ECO4 Grant, and ECO4 ends on 31 December 2026.
ECO4 scheme
The Energy Company Obligation is a British government scheme for energy efficiency that is administered by Ofgem. ECO4 is in it’s fourth phase, a government-funded scheme that improves the energy efficiency of households in the UK and combats fuel poverty.
Since 2013, over 3.1 million home improvements have been completed as part of the programme, but this final phase intends to go even further.
Consumer Rights can no longer help with ECO4 applications.
Eligibility
Individuals who receive the following means-tested benefits may be eligible for internal wall insulation:
- Income-related jobseeker’s allowance
- Income-related employment and support allowance
- Income support
- Pension credit guarantee credit
- Pension credit cavings credit
- Working tax credit
- Universal benefits
- Housing benefit
- Child tax credit
- Child benefit (With dependencies)
The LA Flex scheme
The government provides grant funding for energy efficient upgrades through the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) scheme. The LA Flex scheme is one of the opportunities available to homeowners, tenants, and landlords through ECO4, and it ends with ECO4 on 31 December 2026. However, it is essential to note, not every local council will offer LA Flex.
The following may be available to you through the LA Flex scheme:
- Boiler grant
- New heating technologies, including heat pumps and storage heaters
- Internal wall insulation
- Cavity wall insulation
- External wall insulation (with a contribution)
- Solar panels
To be eligible for the LA Flex fund, you must satisfy one or more of the following requirements:
- Low-income: If the household income is less than £31,000 before tax you will qualify through route 1 of the LA Flex scheme.
- Certain conditions that are impacted by the cold: Those with respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, neurobiological disease, cancer, limited mobility, or autoimmune and immunological diseases will qualify via route 3 of the LA Flex scheme.
The Great British Insulation Scheme
Individuals could obtain funding for internal wall insulation through the Great British Insulation Scheme, which closed on 31 March 2026.
The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) was a supplier obligation set up by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. The purpose of the scheme was to improve the energy efficiency of British residences.
Applicants had to meet the scheme’s eligibility requirements, typically income and property type. If they were eligible, an assessor was assigned to come and take measurements from the house.
If the property was deemed suitable for internal wall insulation following the survey, the household could get financial assistance to cover a substantial portion of the installation costs.
Installation process
Installation techniques for internal wall insulation include dry lining, insulated plasterboard use, and structural wall construction. Professional installation is necessary to ensure the task is done correctly and safely.
Unlike other insulation techniques requiring extensive exterior work, this method requires minimal exterior disruption.
Help with your energy bills
Insulation also plays an important role in combating fuel poverty by allowing vulnerable households to maintain comfortable temperatures without incurring exorbitant energy costs.
Looking to cut your energy bills? You can apply for a free home battery or see other funding options.
Final Thoughts
Internal wall insulation can be a worthwhile energy-saving upgrade for many residences in the UK. Although it requires an initial investment, the long-term savings on heating costs and enhanced comfort make it a wise decision.
A substantial portion of an eco-friendly, cost-effective home improvement endeavour can be covered. Use only a reputable installer for professional insulation installation.
With the appropriate installation, your home will be warmer and more energy-efficient for decades.
People also asked...
Internal insulation normally costs between £4,000 and £16,000, depending on the number of rooms insulated and the type of insulation utilised.
Upgrading your internal wall insulation is a good method to generate long-term savings and improve the comfort of your house if you want to reduce heat loss and improve energy efficiency.
The three cheapest techniques to insulate internal walls are as follows:
- Boards of insulation. Because they are reasonably inexpensive and simple to install, insulation boards are a popular alternative for internal wall insulation.
- Battening down the hatches.
- Making a Stud Wall.
High-quality insulating materials can help to keep damp at bay. Moisture-resistant insulation materials with good insulation qualities will keep the walls and insulation dry, reducing damp and mould formation.
Thermal liner is arguably the most cost-effective approach to lay insulation over plaster walls. It comes in rolls and is put to walls with adhesive, just like regular lining paper or wallpaper.
Useful Resources
- Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy – Retrofit Internal Wall Insulation
- UK Government – A simple guide to wall insulation
- UK Government – Great British Insulation Scheme Willingness to Cofund: A Discrete Choice Experiment Appendices
- Energy saving trust – What is the Great British Insulation Scheme (ECO+)?
- London Assembly – Warmer homes
