The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS)
For Tenants, Homeowners, and Landlords in the United Kingdom

This page provides official guidance on The Great British Insulation Scheme  (GBIS)—a UK Government initiative aimed at supporting households with the cost of improving home insulation. The scheme is designed to enhance energy efficiency in domestic properties across England, Scotland, and Wales by funding a single insulation measure per eligible home.

The information is intended for homeowners, private tenants, and landlords looking to reduce energy bills, increase household comfort, and contribute to carbon emissions reductions. The scheme is administered by Ofgem on behalf of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ).

Purpose of the GBIS

The purpose of the Great British Insulation Scheme is to:

  • Improve the energy performance of homes with poor EPC ratings (D–G)
  • Lower energy bills by reducing heat loss
  • Provide access to free or subsidised insulation for low- and middle-income households
  • Support national carbon reduction and fuel poverty alleviation targets

GBIS targets a broader range of households than previous schemes, including both low-income and middle-income residents who may not qualify under more restrictive programmes.

Who Can Apply

The scheme is divided into two eligibility categories:

1. Low-Income Group (Core Group)

Households where at least one resident receives a means-tested benefit such as:

  • Universal Credit
  • Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit)
  • Income Support
  • Housing Benefit
  • Child Tax Credit
  • Income-based JSA or ESA

Property must also:

  • Be in EPC band D, E, F, or G
  • Be suitable for an insulation upgrade

2. General Group (Standard Group)

This group is income-neutral and available to a wider population. To qualify:

  • Property must be in council tax bands A–D in England (A–E in Scotland and Wales)
  • EPC rating must be D to G
  • Property must not already have received upgrades under similar funding scheme

Eligible Measures

Only one insulation measure can be installed per property under GBIS. Eligible upgrades include:

  • Loft insulation
  • Cavity wall insulation
  • Solid wall insulation (internal or external)
  • Pitched or flat roof insulation
  • Underfloor insulation
  • Room-in-roof insulation
  • Park home insulation

All works must be:

  • Installed by TrustMark-registered contractors
  • Compliant with PAS 2035 retrofit standards
  • Subject to a pre-installation property survey

For detailed information, see: Insulation Upgrades Under GBIS

How the Scheme Works

Step 1: Eligibility Assessment

  • Contact your energy supplier or an accredited installer
  • Provide details such as EPC rating, benefit status, and council tax band

Step 2: Home Survey

  • A qualified retrofit assessor visits your property to determine suitability
  • Assessor recommends the appropriate insulation measures

Step 3: Installation

  • One measure is installed at no or low cost, depending on property characteristics and installer arrangements
  • Work is signed off

Step 4: Post-Installation Documentation

  • You receive confirmation of completed works, energy efficiency improvements
  • You receive (where applicable) warranty details

There is no application fee, and no repayment is required for eligible households.

Landlords and Tenants

  • Private tenants must obtain landlord consent before works can proceed
  • Landlords can benefit from GBIS support to meet Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES)
  • Social housing properties may be eligible if EPC rating is E, F or G, subject to funding limits

Landlords must not charge tenants for insulation works funded through GBIS.

Administration and Oversight

The scheme is regulated by Ofgem, which is responsible for:

  • Verifying installer and supplier compliance
  • Monitoring delivery standards
  • Handling data reporting and audit procedures

All participants must retain records for verification and future reference.

To begin the GBIS process:

  1. Check your property’s EPC rating using www.gov.uk/find-energy-certificate
  2. Determine your eligibility group (Low-Income or General)
  3. Contact your energy supplier or an authorised installer to request an assessment
  4. Arrange for a property survey to identify the most appropriate insulation measure
  5. Confirm installer accreditation (TrustMark and PAS 2035 compliance) before work begins
  6. Keep all documentation related to installation for warranty and compliance purposes

For additional guidance and to check your eligibility, use The Consumer Rights’ GBIS Eligibility Checker