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Your Guide to Cavity Wall Insulation Grants in 2024
- Up to one-third of home heat loss takes place through uninsulated walls.
- Two nationwide schemes currently offering free cavity wall insulation are The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) and the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4).
- Both nationwide schemes are currently active until March 2026.
Despite cavity wall builds making up around 71% of all properties throughout the UK, a staggering one-third need better insulation. As a result, homeowners of damp drafty homes suffer from sky-high energy bills and an unhealthy home environment.
The solution? Cavity wall insulation. This straightforward and non-invasive insulation process is highly cost-effective and durable, bringing you up to £405 in energy bill savings for a standard UK home. While these savings might look tempting, not everyone can afford professional cavity wall insulation. Luckily, there is a solution.
The UK government has rolled out two key grant schemes to help low-income, fuel-poor, and energy-inefficient households with insulation grants. These are the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) and the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4). Both schemes can offer free cavity wall insulation or at the very least a sizeable coverage to assist with the cost of wall insulation.
This guide by Household Quotes UK will walk you through all the essentials of cavity wall insulation grants, complete with eligibility, application, and what a grant can get you.
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What are cavity wall insulation grants?
Cavity wall insulation grants are offered through the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) and the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4), and can significantly reduce or even completely cover the installation cost. These grant programs mainly focus on assisting low-income and fuel-poor households with insulation upgrades, helping improve the energy efficiency of the UK housing stock in line with the net zero carbon emissions goal by 2050.
Most qualifying households can receive free cavity wall insulation. Eligibility is determined by your circumstances, including household income, council tax bands, and government benefits you receive. A simple criteria assessment will reveal if you qualify for full coverage or a reduced-cost installation.
Even in complex installations requiring a financial contribution from the homeowner, this amount is determined by factors like your gross income. That way, both schemes ensure the assistance remains widely accessible to most households.
What are the advantages of cavity wall insulation?
Cavity wall insulation offers some of the most compelling benefits for homeowners, from major annual savings of up to £405 to domestic CO2 reductions by a massive 1.1 tonnes in a detached home. With a heavier wallet and a smaller carbon footprint, it’s a win-win!
Here's a breakdown of the key advantages you could expect with cavity wall insulation:
- Eco-friendly: By retaining heat more effectively, homes with cavity wall insulation require less energy to maintain comfortable internal temperatures. This translates to reduced reliance on your heating system and a significant cut in your home's CO2 emissions.
- Warmer & healthier home: Proper insulation minimises drafts and keeps your home at a consistent temperature. This improves comfort but also reduces the risk of dampness and mould growth, which can exacerbate respiratory problems and harm your immune system.
- Low maintenance needs: Cavity wall insulation is a low-maintenance solution. Once professionally installed, it can last up to 25 years, requiring minimal to no upkeep.
- Increased property value: Homes with higher Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) ratings are valued higher in the housing market. Cavity wall insulation is a proven way to boost your home's EPC rating, making it a valuable investment for potential sellers or renters.
- Fast payback: While there might be a higher initial cost, cavity wall insulation offers some of the best annual savings compared to other home insulation upgrades. The payback period for this investment can be as short as 10 years.
Here’s a full breakdown of the cost of cavity wall insulation, as well as the financial and CO2 savings you could expect for each property type in the UK:
| Property type | Typical installation costs (£) | Energy bill savings (£/year) | CO2 savings (kgCO2/year) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flat/Apartment | £1,000 | £110 | 305 |
| Mid-terrace house | £1,500 | £140 | 385 |
| Semi-detached house | £2,700 | £235 | 650 |
| Detached bungalow | £2,100 | £175 | 485 |
| Detached house | £4,600 | £405 | 1,100 |
All things considered, cavity wall insulation offers a compelling combination of financial savings, environmental benefits, and improved comfort and health for your home. It's a wise investment that can pay off for decades to come.
Are you eligible for free cavity wall insulation?
To be eligible for free cavity wall insulation through a grant scheme, you need to meet a series of eligibility criteria. The two main grant schemes currently active are the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) and the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4), both of which are made to complement each other and have similar qualification criteria.
Here’s a general summary of the typical criteria you must meet to qualify for free cavity wall insulation:
- Property type: The walls of your home need to have a gap or ‘cavity’ space of at least 50mm in between for insulation filling. Most brick houses built after the 1920s have cavity walls. You can check your brickwork to see if it's symmetrical, evenly spaced, and lengthways. If so, chances are your home has cavity walls.
- Property ownership: Homeowners and private renters (with landlord permission) qualify to apply for grant assistance. Social housing tenants may need to check with their housing association for permission first.
- Income: Low-income households (classed under £31,000 gross annual income) are prioritised to benefit from grant assistance. This is followed by the general income group, which focuses more on your home efficiency and council tax bands.
- Energy performance certificate (EPC): Homes with a low EPC rating (D or below for homeowners, E or below for renters) are eligible for assistance through a grant scheme.
- Council tax band: This is a factor to determine how much tax you pay based on your property's value. Those in specific tax bands (A to D in England, A to E in Scotland and Wales) often qualify for grant schemes.
- Benefits: Receiving certain government benefits may indicate eligibility as part of the "Low Income Group" in the UK, making you eligible for support through a grant scheme.
- 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
In any case, the best way to confirm eligibility is to check the specific schemes directly through their respective websites or contact your energy company to learn more about the qualifications and how to apply.
It’s also possible to get cavity wall insulation grants for pensioners. Individuals over the state pension age of 66 can qualify for free cavity wall insulation even if they don’t meet all the eligibility criteria. Whilst age isn’t a qualifying factor in itself, pensioners may be eligible as part of the Low Income Group or General Group. Here are the criteria for each group:
Low-Income Group
- Recipient of a means-tested benefit (e.g. Pension Credit Guarantee).
- A home EPC rating below D (homeowner) or E (home renter).
- Annual gross income below £31,000.
- Resident of social housing and vulnerable to the cold (age can be a factor).
General Group
- Within council tax bands A - D (England) or A - E (Scotland & Wales).
- Medical diagnosis of an illness that can be exasperated by cold conditions.
- Resident with a child aged under 5 or a resident over the age of 65.
Even if you don't meet the standard ECO4 criteria, there's still a chance to qualify for energy efficiency upgrades through the ECO4 Flex program. This is a program where your local council (Local Authority or LA) can refer you for a grant if they consider your household:
- Vulnerable to the effects of living in a cold home
- Low-income
You can contact your local council to find out if they participate in ECO4 Flex and how you can apply.
Government grants for cavity wall insulation
The UK government offers two fantastic grant schemes designed to help qualifying homes with free or reduced-cost wall insulation grants. These are the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) and the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4).
Both schemes can provide significant financial assistance for installing cavity wall insulation, making your home warmer, your savings better, and reducing your carbon footprint. Here's a breakdown of each scheme:
- Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS): This scheme focuses on delivering a single energy efficiency measure per household, with cavity wall insulation being a popular option. This approach maximises the scheme's reach across the UK. To find out more and to apply, visit the official UK government website.
- Energy Company Obligation (ECO4): This scheme takes a more comprehensive approach, offering a combination of upgrades to improve your entire home. This can include cavity wall insulation alongside boiler replacements, improved heating controls, and other measures. For information and to apply, contact your energy supplier directly.
While most qualifying applicants receive full coverage for cavity wall insulation projects, there might be instances where complex projects require a financial contribution from the homeowner, depending on individual circumstances.
Cavity wall insulation removal grants
Do you have old cavity fill insulation in place that needs removing? You might be eligible for financial assistance from the government. Grants are available for cavity wall insulation that:
- No longer meets efficiency standards: Over time, insulation materials can lose effectiveness and become redundant. Insulation that is no longer doing its job needs to be replaced.
- Is damaged: Water leaks, infestation, or improper installation can compromise insulation and its effectiveness, rendering it useless.
- Is damp or rotten: Moisture buildup can damage insulation and create health hazards for your home environment.
Removing old insulation is typically a prerequisite for installing new insulation. Grant schemes like the ECO4 cover both removal and installation costs if you qualify.
Option 1: Claiming from the installer
If the insulation failure is due to a faulty installation, you might be able to claim the removal cost directly from the installer. This is usually the case if you have an active guarantee in place or a plausible reason to claim that the installation was faulty. If the installer is out of business, consider claiming through the Cavity Insulation Guarantee Agency (CIGA).
- Claiming through CIGA
CIGA is the official UK agency for enforcing cavity wall insulation guarantees. Most professional accredited installers will likely possess a CIGA guarantee on their work, ensuring that faulty installations are covered. Here's the claim process:
- Contact CIGA: Fill out the online claim form directly on the official CIGA website. Expect a response within 2 days.
- Inspection Arrangement: CIGA will schedule a free "Complaint Inspection Report" for your property within a week or so from initial contact.
- Outcome and Decision: Within a month, CIGA will assess the report and send you a detailed explanation of their findings, recommended actions, and whether they are responsible for the issue.
- Removal Process: If CIGA concludes that the removal of cavity wall insulation is necessary and their responsibility, they will initiate remedial works within 90 days.
Option 2: Claiming from the ECO4 scheme
The ECO4 scheme also offers cavity wall insulation removal grants. However, this option requires installing new insulation afterwards.
Here's what you need to qualify for ECO4 removal:
- Expired or no CIGA Guarantee: Existing insulation must either lack a CIGA guarantee or have an expired one. If it's under a valid CIGA guarantee, you must first attempt resolution through CIGA.
- No conflicting insurance: The removal should not be covered by any existing building or home insurance in place. If so, you will need to solve your issue through your existing home insurance package.
- Competent person recommendation: An inspection and recommendation for removal (to install new insulation) must be obtained from a qualified professional (e.g. a chartered surveyor).
By considering these options and meeting the criteria, you can potentially have your old cavity wall insulation removed and new, efficient insulation installed with government grant support.
How can you apply for a cavity wall insulation grant?
To apply for a grant scheme, you need to first assess your two main options and decide on which grant scheme meets your needs better. This will also give you a better idea of who to contact, what documents you need, and what you can get if you qualify.
Here’s the process:
- Step 1: Choose your grant scheme
There are two main cavity wall insulation grant schemes in the UK. The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) is open to a wider range of households, with eligibility based on factors like income and property type. The Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) is offered by your energy supplier, and eligibility may vary.
Research both schemes and their criteria to see which one best suits your situation.
- Step 2: Check your eligibility
Before diving into the application process, make sure your property qualifies for your chosen grant. Most schemes have eligibility checkers online or via phone. This saves you time and ensures you're applying for the right program.
- Step 3: Apply for the grant
For the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS), head to the official UK government website and fill out the provided online application form For the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) scheme, contact your energy supplier directly. They'll advise on what you need and the specific application process.
- Step 4: Find a certified installer
Grant schemes require you to use a professional, certified installer that is in line with government-set standards. Look for installers with PAS 2030-2035 accreditation – this ensures that they meet the necessary standards for grant-supported installations.
- Step 5: Get multiple quotes
Don't settle for the first installer you find! Get quotes from several PAS 2030-2035 certified installers to compare prices and find the best deal for your project. That way, you can best ensure that you land a bargain worthy of your home.
While the process may seem straightforward enough, it can be a lot more difficult to find your perfect fit for wall insulation. With so many installers on the market, finding the right fit for your needs can have you spend countless hours on websites and phone calls just to vet for the perfect installer. Instead of wasting all this time, let Household Quotes UK handle it for you!
Through our wide-spanning network of accredited professional installers, we can connect you to the best bargains at just a moment's notice. Simply spend 30 seconds filling out our online form and receive up to 3 free home-tailored quotes delivered right to you. The best part? Our services are completely free, and there is no obligation to accept a quote. Click below to begin and land the best bargain for your home today!
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