ECO4 is the primary route to free insulation in 2026. GBIS closed. Check what your property and household may qualify for — takes 30 seconds.
The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) closed on 31 March 2026. If you were told you qualified but didn’t receive the work before closure, you will need to apply through ECO4 or another scheme. GBIS is not accepting new applications.
ECO4 (Energy Company Obligation 4) requires large energy suppliers to fund energy efficiency improvements for eligible households. It runs until 31 December 2026. This is currently the main route to fully funded insulation in England.
Loft insulation is the most commonly funded measure under ECO4. If your loft has less than 100mm of insulation (or none at all) and you meet the household eligibility criteria, you may be able to have it installed free of charge.
| Measure | What ECO4 can cover | Typical value |
|---|---|---|
| Loft insulation (new) | Full installation, up to 270mm | £750–£900 (EST, May 2026) |
| Loft insulation (top-up) | Adding material to existing thin insulation | £150–£350 |
| Cavity wall insulation | Full installation including survey | £1,600–£2,800 |
| External wall insulation | Can be partially or fully funded for eligible households | £5,000–£15,000 |
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Free energy efficiency improvements including insulation for eligible owner-occupiers and private tenants. Contact Home Energy Scotland (0808 808 2282) for current availability and to apply.
Welsh Nest provides free insulation and heating improvements for eligible households. Contact Home Energy Wales or call Warm Wales for eligibility checking and applications.
Use our free checker to see which schemes may apply to your household and property. Takes under 2 minutes.
An installer will visit to assess your property, confirm the measures that can be installed, and verify your eligibility under ECO4.
If you qualify, the installer carries out the work at no cost to you (for fully funded measures). The energy company obligation funds the installation.
Yes, through ECO4 if you meet the eligibility criteria. The key requirements are being on qualifying benefits (such as Universal Credit or Pension Credit), having a property with an EPC rating of D or below, and having inadequate existing insulation. A quick eligibility check can confirm whether you may qualify.
GBIS closed on 31 March 2026. The scheme ran from 2023 and funded loft and cavity wall insulation for a broader range of households than ECO4. It is no longer accepting applications. ECO4 remains open until 31 December 2026 for eligible households.
ECO4 primarily targets households on qualifying benefits or with low incomes. If you don’t qualify for ECO4, you may still be able to access funding through the Warm Homes: Local Grant (if your local council is participating), or Scottish and Welsh schemes if you are in those nations. Our assessment can identify which options may be available to you.
Yes — cavity wall insulation is one of the most commonly funded measures under ECO4. Eligible households can receive fully funded cavity wall insulation. The property must have an appropriate cavity wall construction and meet eligibility criteria for the scheme.