Home insulation is one of the most effective ways that households can improve their energy efficiency and reduce bills. With the colder seasons approaching, keeping your home warm through the winter whilst facing the increasing gas prices is going to be an extreme challenge for some households. Many homeowners will face difficulty during the colder months, however there are solutions available to make things easier for particular households. Our article takes a look at free government initiatives that aim to provide free insulation solutions to eligible households. From cavity wall insulation to loft insulation, there are many ways that different households can cut their energy costs and cope with the rise in bills. Whether you're looking to reduce your home emissions or learn more about government schemes, keep on reading our blog for more information.
What Are Free Home Insulation Grants?
For low income households, or households that are on benefits, there are government grant options that allow them to apply for free insulation. Insulation can benefit these homes, especially during the winter, helping low income properties to cope with their bills and reduce their emissions. Depending on a household's eligibility, they may be able to get free, complete insulation installations for their home. In addition to this, households that aren't low income or on benefits may be able to claim up to 25% on external wall insulation. There are several government initiatives that have been set up to help different households. You can find these schemes here, but we’ve outlined some previous government schemes, alongside the current scheme that households are able to apply for.
Warm Front Scheme - The Warm Front scheme was a government initiative that was set out to provide heating and insulation improvements for low-income households throughout England. Eligible households were able to receive grants to cover insulation, boiler replacements and other energy efficiency upgrades. This scheme ran from 2000 all the way through to 2013.
Green Homes Grant - The Green Homes grant was a government initiative that was available from 2020 through to 2021. This scheme provided homeowners with vouchers which covered up to two-thirds of the cost of energy efficiency improvements (including insulation). The scheme was designed to give incentives for these home upgrades and improve household energy performance across the UK.
The ECO4 Scheme - The ECO4 Scheme is the current scheme available here in the UK, and has been in effect since 2022, continuing through to 2026. This scheme is in place to help low-income and vulnerable households to reduce their energy bills, given the drastic increase in gas and heating prices over the last couple of years. The ECO4 scheme provides funding for insulation, such as cavity wall insulation and loft insulation. The scheme is primarily aimed at homes that are fuel poor or are receiving benefits.
Why Is Insulation Important?
You may be wondering why insulation is so important for homes, especially during the colder months. Insulation in any property is essential for keeping your property warm and preventing you from losing heat. Read below to understand more about why insulation is so important for households.
Energy Saving
Insulation is a very effective way to improve the energy efficiency of a home, and in turn, help to save energy. For homes without insulation, they may experience more heat loss than homes with insulation. Insulation can be very useful in both winter and summer, helping to regulate the temperature of your property. In the winter, homes without insulation may be spending unnecessary amounts by having the heating on continuously. Insulation can help to trap this heat inside, keeping your home warmer for longer, and helping you save on your energy bills.
Preventing Heat Loss
Insulation can help with keeping heat inside your home, instead of losing it, which can cause an increase in energy bills. Insulation can help with draught proofing, keeping hot air from escaping, and even regulating the temperature of your home during the summer months too.
Environmental Impact
The energy saving benefits that come from insulation are also beneficial to the environment. Having to have your heating on constantly throughout the winter isn't only damaging to your bank account. Investing in insulation can also help you reduce your household emissions, reducing your carbon footprint and your impact on the environment as a whole.
Types Of Free Insulation Available
As we’ve covered, the ECO4 scheme is the current government scheme which allows those in vulnerable or low-income households the chance to apply for a grant. This scheme offers various types of insulation for homes, including:
Loft Insulation
Internal Wall Insulation
Room In Roof Insulation
For some households, they may be offered enough to cover 100% of the installation, however other households may not receive the full grant, and may need to cover part of the costs themselves.
Who Is Eligible For Free House Insulation Grants?
In order to be eligible for the ECO4 scheme, someone living within the property must be receiving at least one of the benefits we’ve listed below.
Child Benefit (household income limits apply)
Child Tax Credit
Employment and Support Allowance
Housing Benefit
Income Support
Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
Pension Credit Savings Credit
Universal Credit
Working Tax Credit
Any household receiving less than £31,000 gross annual income or less is also allowed to apply for grant funding.
For households with child benefits, the amount each household is entitled to will depend on the number of children in the house, and whether the parent is a single parent or in a couple.
If you’re unsure about whether you’re eligible for a government grant scheme, you can get in touch with our experts today to learn more. Alternatively, you can check your eligibility on the GOV.UK website by searching for the ECO4 scheme.
How Can I Apply For Government Grant Schemes?
There are a few, simple steps you can take to apply for a government grant scheme. Read below to understand more.
Check Eligibility - The first step in applying for the ECO4 scheme is to check your eligibility. You can do this on the GOV.UK website. If you're a homeowner, private tenant or receiving certain benefits, you may be eligible, but it's important to check the specific criteria that can be found on the official government website.
Gather Documentation - You will then need to prepare the necessary documents to support our application. This can include things like proof of income, any benefit entitlement documents and details about your property. Without these documents, it may not be possible to progress your application any further, so ensure you have the appropriate letters for your grant application.
Find An Approved Installation Service - You'll need to contact a regulated insulation installer who is a part of the ECO4 scheme next. You can find a list of approved organisations on the government website, or through your local council. These installation services will assess your property and make recommendations for suitable insulation solutions. Here at North East Insulation Services, we can help.
Submit Your Application - Once you've chosen your installer, they can help you through the next step, which involves submitting your application for funding. Your installer will take care of paperwork and they will ensure that everything meets the necessary requirements of your scheme. If everything is successful, your application will be approved and your installers will schedule a time to come and fit your new insulation!
North East Insulation Services: Home Energy Improvements
Government schemes are a useful and effective tool, especially for households that are vulnerable and seeking support when it comes to energy efficiency and energy costs. Here at North East Insulation Services, we understand the importance of finding the right solutions for your home. We draw on government run schemes, helping homes achieve energy efficiency and helping them to save money.
If you're looking for a reliable installation for your government grant upgrades, North East Insulation Services are here to help. You can check eligibility and learn more about how we can help you with house insulation grants on our website. For any further enquiries, feel free to get in touch with our team today for more.
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