Eligibility for The Great British Insulation Scheme – What Happens in 2026?
The Great British Insulation Scheme is now in its final phase. The official gov.uk eligibility checking service has closed, but this does not necessarily mean all support has stopped. Some energy suppliers may still be arranging installations or processing existing applications, so households are advised to contact suppliers directly to check current availability.
Installations under the scheme must be completed by 31 March 2026, which is the official end date set for delivery of insulation measures. The government explains that the referral service was closed early to allow energy suppliers enough time to complete surveys, approvals, and installations before the deadline.
What does this mean for homeowners, tenants, and landlords in 2026?
New applications through the gov.uk checker are no longer available.Some suppliers or installers may still accept enquiries while installations continue toward the March 2026 deadline. If you already applied, your energy supplier will manage the assessment and installation process directly.
The Great British Insulation Scheme was introduced to help eligible homes improve energy efficiency through free or subsidised insulation upgrades delivered by energy suppliers. This guide explains who qualified, what support was available, and what homeowners, tenants, and landlords should know as the scheme moves toward its March 2026 deadline.
What is the Great British Insulation Scheme?
The Great British Insulation Scheme is a UK government initiative to improve the energy performance of less efficient homes by funding insulation upgrades. Rather than giving direct payments to households, the scheme places legal obligations on larger energy suppliers to deliver improvements through approved installers.
Why was the scheme introduced?
GBIS was launched in 2023 as part of wider plans to reduce fuel poverty and lower household energy demand. It is concentrated on the properties that are lower in terms of their inability to keep the homes warmer, and to save energy costs in the long run.
What the scheme mainly delivers
Unlike full retrofit programmes, GBIS usually supports a single insulation upgrade for each property. With this method, they can achieve better ways to insulate the loft or inside the cavity wall faster and on more houses without losing out on national energy-saving goals.
How GBIS works in practice
The process of assessment is continued through energy suppliers to installation. When a home is found to be eligible, the survey is scheduled, and the necessary steps are to be taken by certified personnel. The aim is to improve thermal efficiency, reduce energy usage, and support wider environmental targets without households needing to manage the hefty process themselves.
How is GBIS Different From ECO4?
The Great British Insulation Scheme is in collaboration with the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4); however, the two schemes are meant to implement various forms of energy-efficiency enhancements. GBIS typically tends to upgrade insulation work more quickly and in a broader scope of homes, whereas ECO4 aims at those with greater energy demands or lower income to do more profound retrofitting work.
| Feature | Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) | ECO4 Scheme |
| Type of upgrades | Usually a single insulation measure | Multiple improvements across the home |
| Target homes | Properties with EPC ratings D-G within certain council tax bands | Primarily low-income or vulnerable households |
| Main goal | Quick insulation improvements to reduce heat loss | Whole-house upgrades to improve overall efficiency |
Who Qualifies for the Great British Insulation Scheme?
Eligibility for the scheme is divided into two main routes. Ofgem explains that the scheme was made to reach both low-income households and a wider group of properties that meet specific energy-efficiency criteria.
Low-income eligibility route
The low income households are targeted at those earning some qualifying benefits. They could be considered for the homeowners and tenants in the case that a person residing in the property had one or more eligible benefits.
- Universal Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Income Support
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Pension Credit or Pension Guarantee Credit
- Child Benefit
General eligibility route
The broad population expanded access to non-benefit funding. Rather than income, the eligibility was determined predominantly based on the energy performance of the property and the council tax band.
- The property has an EPC rating between D and G
- The home falls within specific council tax bands
- The property is suitable for insulation following an assessment
EPC rating rules
Homes generally needed a lower energy-efficiency rating to be considered for GBIS.
| EPC Rating | Likely Eligibility |
| A-C | Usually not targeted by the scheme |
| D-G | Main eligibility range for both groups |
Council tax band rules
For the general eligibility group, council tax bands were used as a simple way to widen access.
- England: Council Tax Bands A to D
- Scotland and Wales: Council Tax Bands A to E
Homeowners vs renters vs landlords
- Homeowners: Owner-occupied homes could qualify under either the low-income or general eligibility routes, depending on benefits, EPC rating, and council tax band.
- Renters: Private tenants were usually able to apply, but installation typically required landlord permission and confirmation of property eligibility.
- Landlords: Rental properties could be included where the home meets EPC and tenure requirements. If installation disputes, access issues, or property damage arise, these may fall under wider property litigation considerations.
What Insulation Upgrades were Available Under GBIS?
The Great British Insulation Scheme was primarily aimed at the insulation measures that minimise the heat loss and enhance the general energy efficiency. An installer would advise the best upgrade that would suit a building, depending on the building type, EPC rating, and the feasibility of installing it. GBIS tended to fund a single insulation measure per property, but the choice was based on the result of the survey.
Loft insulation
One of the most common enhancements that were provided as part of the scheme was loft insulation, since a significant amount of heat loss through UK households is via the roof. Loft insulation or upgrading loft insulation reduces the rate of heat loss, and therefore homes can be warmer without supplemental heating.
| Benefit | When it’s suggested |
| Helps reduce heat loss through the roof and improve EPC performance | Homes with uninsulated or poorly insulated loft spaces |
| Can contribute to lower heating costs over time | Properties where roof access and ventilation allow safe installation |
Cavity wall insulation
Cavity wall insulation was commonly provided where suitable external wall construction of the properties existed. The insulation fills the hole between the internal and exterior walls and is used as a way of retaining the warmth and preventing drafts. Suitability checklist:
- The property has unfilled cavity walls
- External walls are in good condition
- The building is not in an area with severe exposure risks
- A professional survey confirms the property is appropriate
Solid Wall, Underfloor/roof Insulation
In some cases, additional insulation types could be recommended depending on the structure of the property. These included:
- Solid wall insulation (internal or external)
- Underfloor insulation
- Pitched roof or room-in-roof insulation
Heating controls and related upgrades
Despite GBIS’s primary focus on insulation, other energy-efficiency measures were incorporated into some installations as needed. Heating controls or minor efficiency upgrades could be recommended during the assessment to support overall energy savings, depending on the supplier and installation plan.
Is Cavity Wall Insulation Right for Every Property?
The cavity wall insulation is also capable of enhancing energy efficiency if it is fitted in the right buildings, but it does not apply to all homes. Professional evaluation is never left out during the work, and factors such as the state of the wall, weather, and ventilation all determine the safety and effectiveness of the installation. The government recommendations emphasize that the appropriateness must be verified during the survey of the property and not presumed based on age and appearance.
Key checks before cavity wall insulation are recommended:
Property condition
- External brickwork or masonry should be in good repair
- Existing damp issues or structural cracks may affect suitability
Exposure risk
- Homes in areas with severe wind-driven rain or harsh weather exposure may require extra assessment
- Some locations or building types may not be appropriate for cavity wall filling
Survey requirement
- An accredited installer must carry out a full assessment before installation
- The survey determines whether cavity walls are present and suitable for insulation
Ventilation
- Air bricks, vents, and drainage points must remain clear
- Proper airflow is important to reduce the risk of moisture problems after installation
How to Apply for the Great British Insulation Scheme
The Great British Insulation Scheme is applied by energy suppliers and not the direct payments of the grants to households. After the eligibility is established, suppliers organize the assessment and installation processes using the approved installers.
Since the gov.uk referral service is no longer available, households usually have to call a supplier or installer and enquire whether the installation has been processed before the deadline of the scheme.
Contact supplier or installer
Start by contacting an obligated energy supplier or an approved installer to ask whether they are still delivering GBIS measures in your area. Suppliers can also handle the application process even when you are not their energy customer since the scheme is supplier-led.
Eligibility check
The supplier will look into the rudimentary information of the property and the home to verify whether the property and the home are suitable for the scheme requirements. This may include checking EPC ratings, council tax bands, or benefit eligibility where relevant.
Home survey
In case the property seems to be eligible, a survey will be conducted by an accredited installer. The survey establishes the appropriate measure of insulation and ascertains whether or not there is a contribution or further work to be carried out before installation.
Installation scheduling
Upon approval, the work is scheduled by the installer. The timing may be based on the availability of the installer and the remaining delivery period up to the scheme deadline in March 2026.
Guarantees and documentation
Once installed, the households must be issued with confirmation paperwork, guarantee information, and work done information. The reason why these records are kept is important in future management and maintenance of the property.
What Happens After You Apply?
Once your details are accepted by a supplier or installer, the process moves through a few clear stages. Every step is taken to ensure that it is suitable before work begins.
Survey > Approval > Scheduling > Installation > Sign-off
- Survey: A qualified installer comes to the location to inspect the insulation appropriateness, verify EPC information and examine the state of the building.
- Approval: The supplier gets to go through the results of the survey. The recommendation as to what measure is recommended and whether you are expected to make any contribution will be told to you before any work is undertaken.
- Scheduling: In case you accept the proposal, a date of installation is scheduled, depending on the availability and access to the property.
- Installation: Approved installers carry out the insulation work according to scheme standards and safety requirements.
- Sign-off: Upon this, you will be issued with confirmation documents and a guarantee. Maintaining this paperwork is useful in future maintenance, managing property, or compliance records.
What Landlords, Tenants and Property Managers Need to Know?
The insulation jobs on government-supported programs may be connected with occupied houses, the access to which is significant. Effective communication between tenants, property managers, and the landlords will assist in preventing delays and ensure that installations are done in the right process.
If you rent, what permissions are needed?
In the majority of cases, it is impossible to install insulation in a rented house without the consent of the house owner. Installers may also need confirmation that access arrangements and tenancy conditions allow work to take place.
- Landlord consent is usually required before any installation
- Tenants should be informed in advance about survey and installation dates
- Access times must be agreed so installers can enter safely
- Property condition may need to be reviewed before approval
Property manager checklist
The organisation of the process can ensure that there are no problems in keeping records about the property and prevent conflicts in the future.
- Confirm access arrangements with tenants and installers
- Check installer accreditation and scheme approval
- Record before-and-after photos of the work area
- Store all documents and assurances in the property file.
- Inform tenants of the schedule, disruption, and completion.
Quality Checks, Guarantees, and What to Do if Something Goes Wrong
Under government-supported programs, insulation installed should adhere to recognised standards of installation, and most of the work done is performed by accredited installers. Record keeping and understanding the right complaint channel can be used to solve problems at hand in a short time, in case anything is not performed to expectations. If a problem occurs, follow this simple escalation flow:
Installer
- First, contact the company where the work was done.
- Give dates of installation, documentation, and images where applicable.
- A significant number of problems may be sorted out directly under the process of the installer’s guarantee.
Accreditation body
- In case it is not solved, refer to the corresponding accreditation or oversight organization corresponding to the installation.
- Installers who engage under energy-efficiency schemes are normally under an obligation to meet accepted quality standards and registration requirements.
Formal complaint
- Provided that concerns are not addressed, you could step up officially via complaint mechanisms, e.g., the ombudsman process.
- Government advice also describes that Ofgem may be able to offer some details concerning disputes of ECO or GBIS installations raised.
What if you don’t Qualify for GBIS anymore?
With the Great British Insulation Scheme heading to the last delivery stage, there are households that might discover that either they do not qualify anymore or the suppliers ceased to accept new installations. Nevertheless, there can still be other support avenues that can be offered to you depending on your situation.
ECO routes
The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme is still in operation with GBIS and may provide wider coverage, particularly to low-income earners or vulnerable households. ECO programmes usually cover a number of energy-efficiency measures and not just one insulation measure, and are often limited by an income or benefits requirement.
Local authority funding
Other councils have flexible eligibility paths or local energy-efficiency programs which are aimed at assisting residents that do not meet national eligibility criteria. Services are different depending on the region and it might be beneficial to make a direct call to your local authority to see what current programmes or referrals are available.
Other insulation grants
Depending on where you live and the condition of your property, alternative funding schemes or regional grants may be available. These can include insulation upgrades or wider energy-efficiency improvements, but eligibility rules and funding levels differ, so it’s best to confirm details with a supplier or accredited installer.
Other schemes related to GBIS
Some energy efficiency schemes co-exist or supplement the Great British Insulation Scheme. These plans are oriented on the various categories of upgrades, the eligibility paths, or the requirements of property; this is the reason why households will not be left out in reaching the support even after GBIS is closed.
| Scheme | What it supports | Who it is mainly for |
| Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) | Whole-house energy-efficiency upgrades such as insulation, heating, and ventilation improvements | Low-income or vulnerable households |
| Boiler Upgrade Scheme | Support for low-carbon heating systems like heat pumps | Homeowners looking to replace heating systems |
| Home Upgrade Grant | Energy-efficiency measures for off-gas properties | Homes without mains gas heating in certain areas |
| Local authority energy schemes | Insulation or retrofit support depending on council funding | Households meeting local eligibility criteria |
Benefits of Improving Insulation Even After GBIS Ends
Although the Great British Insulation Scheme is in its last phase, insulating is still one of the most feasible tasks that can be done to improve the energy consumption and comfort in a house. The process of insulation upgrading can still have long-term benefits even after the government programme.
- Lower energy use and heating costs: The enhanced insulation prevents the loss of heat this implies that heating systems do not have to strain in order to provide comfortable temperatures in the room.
- Improved EPC performance: The upgrades of insulation can be used to enable a higher EPC rating, potentially for future property sales, letting, or compliance planning.
- Greater comfort for occupants: A well-insulated house is more likely to have a more stable temperature, which means that cold spots and drafts will be minimized, whereas the general living conditions will be enhanced.
