Great British Insulation Scheme
Previously known and consulted on as ECO+, the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) supports the worst performing households across Great Britain to make energy efficiency improvements. This includes low-income and vulnerable households, as well as those living in homes with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D or below and in Council Tax bands A-D in England, and A-E in Scotland and Wales.
The scheme complements the ECO4 scheme. However, in contrast to ECO4’s ‘whole house’ approach, the GBIS scheme focuses on delivering single insulation measures.
How Does the Great British Insulation Scheme Work?
The scheme works by obligating energy suppliers to help customers reduce their heating bills through the installation of energy efficiency measures. The cost of these measures may be partially or fully subsidised, depending on the proposed measure and any property issues.
Worth £1 billion, the scheme aims to provide 300,000 households with targeted energy efficiency upgrades, saving consumers an average of £300 -£400 a year on their bills.
What Does the Great British Insulation Scheme Cover?
The Great British Insulation Scheme focuses on all types of home insulation, These include,
- cavity wall insulation
- solid wall insulation (internal or external)
- loft insulation
- flat or pitched roof insulation
- underfloor insulation
- solid floor insulation
- park home insulation
- room-in-roof insulation
If you’re eligible for the scheme, your may get support with one type of insulation for your home. In some cases, secondary measures, such as room thermostats, may be available for households in the low-income group.
Which Installation Measure Is Best For My Home?
If eligible for the GBIS scheme, the type of installation measure suitable for your home will be decided through a retrofit assessment of your property. This assessment will analyse which installation measure is likely to have the biggest impact on cutting your home’s energy use and carbon emissions.
A selection of tools will be used throughout the retrofit assessment. However, homeowners will be pleased to know that the assessment is non-invasive, with no drilling or hammering into walls.
Am I Eligible For The Scheme?
To qualify for the Great British Insulation Scheme, you must meet the requirement below and be eligible under the two income thresholds.
Qualifications Required for Applicants
To qualify for the GBIS scheme, your property must require an energy efficiency upgrade, such as loft insulation. You must also either own your own home or have permission from your landlord.
Income Thresholds for Eligibility
The GBIS scheme is split into two groups: the low-income group and the general group.
Low Income Group: The low-income group is for homeowners and tenants who claim one of the following benefits:
- Child Benefit
- Pension Guarantee Credit
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income Support
- Tax Credits (Child Tax Credits and Working Tax Credits)
- Universal Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Pension Credit Saving Credit
The General Group: The general group is for homeowners with properties that have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D to G, and which are within Council Tax bands A to D in England and A to E in Scotland and Wales.
However, please note that the above eligibility does not guarantee that an energy supplier or installer will install an energy efficiency measure in your home.
How Can I Apply For The Great British Insulation Scheme?
For more information on the Great British Insulation Scheme and details of how to apply, please visit the government webpage by clicking the button below.
MORE INFORMATION >
Further Resources
Helpful Links:
- Summary of the Great British Insulation Scheme: January 2024 – https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/great-british-insulation-scheme-release-january-2024/summary-of-the-great-british-insulation-scheme-january-2024
- Apply for support from the Great British Insulation Scheme – https://www.gov.uk/apply-great-british-insulation-scheme
Related News:
- March 2023: Great British Insulation Scheme: Government Response – https://www.elmhurstenergy.co.uk/blog/2023/03/31/great-british-insulation-scheme-government-response/
- August 2023: Proposal for ECO schemes to use latest version of SAP and RdSAP – https://www.elmhurstenergy.co.uk/blog/2023/08/16/proposal-for-eco-schemes-to-use-latest-version-of-sap-and-rdsap/
- September 2023: £1bn Great British Insulation Scheme Launched – https://www.elmhurstenergy.co.uk/blog/2023/09/15/1bn-great-british-insulation-scheme-launched-to-the-public/