Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) Closed 2024 — Here’s What Replaced It
The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) closed to new applications in March 2024 after its £1bn funding pot was exhausted. The Warm Homes Plan now replaces it as the primary UK route for free home insulation, with ECO4 and the Boiler Upgrade Scheme also continuing. This guide explains what GBIS was, why it closed, and where to get free UK insulation grants in 2026.
GBIS funding closed in March 2024 — here are the active alternatives
GBIS is no longer accepting new applications. If you’re looking for free UK home insulation funding in 2026, apply through one of these active schemes instead:
Muhammad founded KilowattKit after spending hours trying to decode confusing electricity bills and realising there were no clear, jargon-free tools for ordinary homeowners. He researches energy rates, solar payback, EV charging, and heat pump economics across the US, UK, Canada, and Australia — sourcing every figure directly from official government and regulatory data.
GBIS at a Glance
Our 6-question eligibility checker covers GBIS, ECO4, Warm Homes Plan, and more — see all the grants available to your household.
What Is the Great British Insulation Scheme?
The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) is a UK government programme that funds free home insulation for properties with poor energy efficiency ratings. It launched in October 2023 alongside ECO4 and is funded by energy suppliers — meaning the costs are spread across all energy bill-payers, not paid from central taxation.
GBIS has a £1 billion budget and one key difference from ECO4: it has a general route that doesn't require you to receive benefits. If your home has an EPC rating of D or below and is in a lower council tax band, you may qualify regardless of your income. This makes GBIS one of the most accessible UK home energy schemes.
GBIS covers insulation measures only — it does not fund solar panels or heat pumps directly. However, it frequently operates alongside ECO4: if you qualify for ECO4 solar panels, GBIS may fund the accompanying insulation improvements in the same visit, making your solar installation more effective.
The Two GBIS Routes
Best for: Households with poor insulation but not receiving benefits
Best for: Low-income households already claiming benefits
What Insulation Does GBIS Fund?
Minimum 270mm depth. Reduces up to 25% of heat loss in a typical home. The most common and fastest GBIS measure — often installed in half a day. Works by trapping heat before it escapes through the roof.
Injected insulation for cavity-walled homes (typically built between 1930 and 1995). A surveyor checks your walls are suitable first. Can reduce heat loss through walls by 35%. Installed in a few hours.
For older solid-walled homes (pre-1930). Either internal (plasterboard lined) or external (cladding added to outside of wall). More disruptive and expensive — typically means-tested route only.
For properties with a converted loft room. Insulates the sloped ceiling and walls of the attic room. Often missed in standard loft insulation — creates a warm box around the living space.
Underfloor and roof insulation for residential park homes. Park homes lose heat rapidly due to their construction — insulation dramatically improves comfort and reduces heating bills.
☀️ How GBIS Makes Your Solar Panels More Effective
Solar panels generate electricity from sunlight — but if your home is poorly insulated, a significant portion of your heating energy escapes through walls and the roof. Better insulation means your solar-powered electric heating (via a heat pump or storage heaters) goes further, and you export more surplus electricity to earn SEG payments.
If you qualify for ECO4 solar panels, ask your installer whether GBIS insulation can be added in the same package. Many ECO4 installers are also GBIS-registered and can combine both in one visit.
How to Apply for GBIS
Call your energy supplier (British Gas, Octopus, EDF, E.ON, etc.) and ask specifically about GBIS. All large suppliers participate. Alternatively, use the Simple Energy Advice website (simpleenergyadvice.org.uk) to find participating installers independently of your supplier.
Confirm your EPC rating (can be found free at gov.uk/find-energy-certificate) and council tax band (on your council tax bill or at voa.gov.uk). If you receive benefits, have your benefit entitlement letter ready.
A qualified surveyor visits to confirm what insulation your home needs and whether your walls/loft are suitable. For cavity wall insulation, they use a drill test. This survey is free.
An approved, TrustMark-registered contractor installs the insulation. Loft insulation is typically done in a morning. Cavity wall insulation takes a few hours. Solid wall insulation may take several days.
You receive a certificate confirming the insulation installed, the depth/type, and any warranties. Loft and cavity wall insulation comes with a 25-year guarantee. Keep this for your records — it is required if you ever sell your home.
GBIS Application Timeline: What to Expect Week by Week
Most GBIS applications complete within 8 to 12 weeks from first contact to finished installation. The exact timeline depends on demand at your chosen installer, the type of insulation being installed, and the time of year (winter is busier). Here is the realistic week-by-week breakdown:
| Week | Stage | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Initial enquiry | Phone or online eligibility check with your energy supplier or an approved installer. Confirms EPC and council tax band. Usually 1 to 5 business days. |
| Weeks 2–3 | Property survey | A qualified surveyor visits your home (free) to confirm what insulation is needed. For cavity walls, they perform a drill test. The survey takes 45 to 90 minutes on-site. |
| Weeks 3–6 | Approval & scheduling | Your application is submitted to Ofgem under the GBIS scheme. Approval typically takes 1 to 3 weeks. Once approved, the installer schedules an installation date. |
| Weeks 6–10 | Installation | Loft insulation: half a day. Cavity wall: 4 to 6 hours. Solid wall (internal): 2 to 5 days. Solid wall (external): 1 to 2 weeks plus scaffolding time. |
| Week 10–12 | Certification | You receive your installation certificate, the 25-year insurance-backed guarantee documentation, and an updated EPC reflecting the new insulation. Save these — you need them when selling your home. |
Tip: Apply in spring or early summer rather than autumn. Winter demand can double the timeline as installers prioritise emergency work. Spring applications often see installation completed within 6 weeks.
GBIS for Renters and Tenants
Private renters and tenants can absolutely apply for GBIS — and many already have. The scheme is structured to allow renters to initiate the application, but a key requirement is your landlord's written consent before any work is carried out. Here is how the process works for renters:
If you're a private renter
- Check eligibility yourself first. Confirm your property's EPC rating (gov.uk/find-energy-certificate) and council tax band (voa.gov.uk) before approaching your landlord. This makes the conversation easier.
- Approach your landlord with the facts. Explain that GBIS is free, that the insulation increases the property's EPC rating (mandatory under MEES regulations for landlords from 2028), and that it is typically completed in under a week.
- Get written landlord consent. Email or letter format is fine. The installer needs to see this before scheduling the survey. Some landlords are happy to sign the GBIS application directly.
- Allow access for the survey and install. The surveyor will need access to the loft, walls, and meter cupboard. The installer will need similar access plus a clear work area.
- Receive a tenant copy of the certificate. Ask the installer for a copy of the post-installation certificate. This is your record that the work was done and protects you if the landlord later disputes it.
If you live in council or housing association property, the route is different. Contact your landlord directly first — they may have their own social housing decarbonisation funding (SHDF) which often runs alongside GBIS and covers more measures. Do not apply for GBIS directly without consulting them.
GBIS for Landlords: Why It Makes Business Sense
For private landlords, GBIS is essentially free upgrades that improve your rental property's compliance, value, and tenant retention. Several factors make this particularly attractive in the current market:
Private rental properties in England and Wales must currently have an EPC of E or above. The government has signalled that this minimum will rise to EPC C by 2030 (proposed). GBIS insulation can take a typical EPC E property to D, and an EPC D property to C — keeping you ahead of regulation.
Rightmove and Zoopla data consistently show that EPC C properties command 4 to 7 percent higher monthly rents than EPC E properties in the same area. Across a 10-year hold period, this is a substantial uplift on an investment that cost you nothing.
Well-insulated properties have noticeably lower void periods and tenant turnover. Tenants stay longer in homes that are warm in winter and cool in summer with affordable bills. Reduced advertising and re-let costs add up over time.
Buy-to-let lenders increasingly offer green mortgage products with preferential rates for EPC C or above. NatWest, Barclays, and Paragon all currently offer rate reductions of 0.10% to 0.25% for energy-efficient rental properties — a meaningful saving on a £200,000 BTL mortgage.
Landlords with multiple properties can apply for GBIS on each one separately, provided each meets the eligibility criteria. The installer typically coordinates surveys and installations to minimise disruption to your tenants. If you manage properties through a letting agent, the agent can act as your representative throughout the GBIS application.
What to Do If Your GBIS Application Is Rejected
Rejection is uncommon when applying through the correct route, but it does happen — usually for one of these specific reasons. The good news is most rejections can be addressed:
The surveyor found that loft insulation already meets the 270mm minimum or cavity walls have already been filled.
What to do: Ask if any other GBIS-eligible measure is available (room-in-roof, solid wall, park home). Request a second opinion if you suspect the existing insulation is degraded.
A drill test showed the cavity is too narrow, blocked, damp, or your walls are timber-frame.
What to do: Solid wall insulation may be possible through the means-tested route. Consider applying through ECO4 instead, which has slightly different criteria.
Your property's EPC is C or higher and you're applying under the general route (which requires D or below).
What to do: Check that your EPC is current (they expire after 10 years). If outdated, request a new EPC assessment — sometimes a re-rating reveals a lower band that qualifies.
The surveyor identified problems that must be fixed before insulation can safely go in.
What to do: Address the damp or structural problem (you may need a separate Healthy Homes Initiative grant if available locally), then reapply.
If you believe your application was wrongly rejected, you can raise this with your energy supplier directly. Ofgem oversees the scheme — they will not handle individual complaints, but will investigate systemic issues if multiple consumers complain about a specific supplier.
Real-World GBIS Savings by Home Type
The actual savings GBIS delivers depend on your property type, age, and existing insulation. These three worked examples reflect typical post-installation savings using Energy Saving Trust figures and current Ofgem unit rates:
Solid walls, no cavity, original loft, EPC E
Most impactful GBIS combination. Solid wall insulation alone delivers the largest single saving. Combined with loft top-up, the property becomes significantly warmer with lower running costs.
Cavity walls (unfilled), 100mm loft insulation, EPC D
Quick win for cavity-walled homes. Cavity wall fill takes 4 to 6 hours and pays back immediately. Combined with loft top-up, both measures complete in one day.
Single-skin walls, original insulation, EPC F
Park homes benefit dramatically from GBIS as they typically have very poor original insulation. The single-skin wall construction means heat escapes rapidly without intervention.
Figures based on Energy Saving Trust insulation savings data (2024) applied to current Ofgem default tariff cap unit rates. Actual savings vary by usage pattern, heating system efficiency, and regional weather.
GBIS vs ECO4: What's the Difference?
| Feature | GBIS | ECO4 |
|---|---|---|
| Covers solar panels | No | Yes |
| Covers insulation | Yes — primary focus | Yes — secondary |
| No benefits required | Yes (general route) | No |
| EPC requirement | D, E, F, G + council tax band | D, E, F, G |
| Budget | £1bn | £4bn |
| Can be combined? | Yes — often stacked | Yes |
Frequently Asked Questions
When did GBIS funding end?
The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) closed to new applications in March 2024 after its primary funding pot was exhausted. The scheme had originally been designed to run until March 2026, but high demand depleted the available funding earlier than scheduled. Installations already approved before the closure continued through 2024 and into 2025. New applicants in 2026 should apply to the Warm Homes Plan instead, which is the government's direct successor scheme.
What replaced the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS)?
The Warm Homes Plan replaces GBIS as the primary UK government route for free or subsidised home insulation. Announced as a Labour manifesto commitment in 2024, the Warm Homes Plan covers insulation measures (loft, cavity wall, solid wall, floor) plus heating upgrades and renewable energy generation. ECO4 (the Energy Company Obligation scheme) also continues alongside the Warm Homes Plan and runs to April 2026. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme remains the route for heat pump grants.
Can I still apply for GBIS in 2026?
No — new GBIS applications are not being accepted as of 2026. If you contacted an installer before March 2024 and were approved, your installation may have already taken place or may still be in progress. For new insulation funding, apply to the Warm Homes Plan via your local council or check ECO4 eligibility through your energy supplier. The Warm Homes Local Grant, delivered by councils, is the most direct equivalent to the original GBIS general route.
GBIS vs Warm Homes Plan: what's the difference?
GBIS was a 3-year insulation-only scheme with a £1 billion budget, delivered through energy suppliers with two routes (general and means-tested). The Warm Homes Plan is broader and longer-term: it covers insulation PLUS heating upgrades and renewable generation, has a larger multi-year budget commitment, and is delivered primarily through local councils rather than energy suppliers. The Warm Homes Plan eligibility rules largely mirror GBIS for insulation (EPC D-G, lower council tax bands or qualifying benefits) but the application route is different.
What free UK home insulation grants are still available in 2026?
Four schemes remain active for free or subsidised UK home insulation in 2026: (1) Warm Homes Plan (the GBIS successor, applies through your council); (2) ECO4 (Energy Company Obligation 4, runs to April 2026, applies through energy suppliers for households on qualifying benefits with EPC D-G properties); (3) Boiler Upgrade Scheme (£7,500 grant for heat pump installation in England and Wales); (4) Warm Homes Local Grant (council-delivered local schemes funded by central government). Eligibility varies — most schemes require qualifying benefits or a poor EPC rating.
What was the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS)?
GBIS was a UK government scheme that provided free or subsidised home insulation through energy suppliers between April 2023 and March 2024 (when its funding pot closed). It ran alongside ECO4 with a £1 billion budget. Unlike ECO4, GBIS had two routes: a means-tested route (similar benefit requirements to ECO4) and a general route open to any household with an EPC of D or below in a lower council tax band. GBIS covered loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, solid wall insulation, room-in-roof insulation, and park home insulation.
Does GBIS cover solar panels?
No — GBIS covers insulation measures only, not solar panels, heat pumps, or other energy-generating technology. If you want solar panels under a government scheme, ECO4 or the Warm Homes Plan are the relevant programmes. However, GBIS and ECO4 can complement each other: better insulation reduces your heating demand, which makes solar panels more effective (more of your solar generation goes towards useful power rather than compensating for heat loss).
What is the difference between the GBIS general and means-tested routes?
The general route is open to any household with an EPC rating of D or below AND in council tax band A–D in England, A–E in Scotland, or A–E in Wales. No benefit requirement applies. The means-tested route has the same benefit eligibility as ECO4 (Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, etc.) and applies regardless of council tax band — though it prioritises EPC E, F, G properties. The means-tested route also typically covers a wider range of insulation types.
Can I get GBIS and ECO4 at the same time?
In many cases, yes. If you qualify for ECO4 (benefits + EPC D–G), you may receive ECO4 primary measures (like solar panels or a heat pump) AND GBIS insulation through the means-tested route simultaneously or sequentially. In practice, many energy suppliers bundle ECO4 and GBIS measures in a single installation visit, particularly when loft insulation supports an ECO4 solar installation. Your energy supplier will advise on what can be combined.
How did GBIS applications work? (Historical)
When GBIS was open (April 2023 to March 2024), applicants contacted their energy supplier directly to ask about GBIS — all major suppliers including British Gas, Octopus Energy, EDF, E.ON and Eon Next participated. The Simple Energy Advice service also routed applicants to participating installers. The process was a phone or online eligibility check, followed by a property survey. Since GBIS funding closed to new applications in March 2024, new applicants in 2026 should apply through the Warm Homes Plan via their local council instead.
What council tax bands qualify for the GBIS general route?
In England, properties in council tax bands A, B, C, and D qualify for the general route. In Scotland, bands A to E qualify. In Wales, bands A to E qualify. If your property is in a higher band (E, F, G, H in England), you may still qualify through the means-tested route if you receive qualifying benefits. You can find your council tax band on your council tax bill or at voa.gov.uk.
What insulation does GBIS install?
GBIS covers: loft insulation (to minimum 270mm depth — the most common and impactful measure), cavity wall insulation (for properties with unfilled cavity walls, typically built between 1930–1995), solid wall insulation (internal or external, for older solid-walled properties), room-in-roof insulation (for converted lofts/attic rooms), and park home insulation (for mobile homes and park homes). Floor insulation is not covered under GBIS.
Is GBIS still open in 2026?
No. GBIS closed to new applications in March 2024 after its £1 billion funding pot was exhausted earlier than its planned March 2026 end date. In 2026, the equivalent funding is delivered through the Warm Homes Plan (via your local council) and ECO4 (via your energy supplier, runs to April 2026). Households on qualifying benefits with EPC D-G properties should check ECO4 eligibility first; everyone else should apply to the Warm Homes Local Grant through their local council.
How long does the GBIS application process take from start to finish?
The typical GBIS process takes 8 to 12 weeks from first contact to installation. The initial eligibility check takes 1 to 5 business days. The property survey is usually scheduled within 2 to 4 weeks. Once approved, the installer is assigned within another 2 to 4 weeks, and installation itself takes anywhere from half a day (loft insulation) to several days (solid wall insulation). High-demand periods, particularly winter, can extend this timeline by 4 to 6 weeks.
Can I get GBIS as a tenant or private renter?
Yes — private renters can apply for GBIS, but you must have your landlord's written consent before any work begins. The application is typically made jointly by the tenant and landlord, with the property surveyed and the landlord providing access permissions. Some installers will handle the landlord communication directly on your behalf. Council and housing association tenants should contact their landlord directly, as the social housing route is different.
Can landlords apply for GBIS on their rental properties?
Yes, and many landlords actively do so. Under MEES (Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards), private rental properties in England and Wales must have an EPC of E or above to be legally let. GBIS provides a free route to upgrade properties to compliance. Landlords benefit through higher rental values, reduced void periods, and lower tenant turnover (better-insulated properties have happier tenants). The installation also typically qualifies as an allowable expense for tax purposes.
What should I do if my GBIS application is rejected?
First, ask the installer or supplier for the specific reason in writing. Common reasons are: the property already has insulation that meets minimum standards, the surveyor found a technical reason it cannot be installed (damp, structural issues, unsuitable cavity), or eligibility data is missing. You can: (1) request a second survey from a different GBIS installer, (2) apply through ECO4 if you qualify on benefits, (3) check Warm Homes Plan eligibility once it rolls out, or (4) contact your local council about the Warm Homes Local Grant.
How do I check if my GBIS installer is genuine and approved?
All GBIS installers must be TrustMark registered AND certified under PAS 2030 (the installation standard for insulation work). You can verify any installer at trustmark.org.uk by entering their company name. Red flags to avoid: cold callers asking for upfront fees (GBIS is always free at point of installation), pressure to sign immediately, no written quote, no TrustMark certificate, vague answers about which scheme they're working under, or requests for full payment via bank transfer.
Will GBIS insulation affect my home's EPC rating and property value?
Yes — typically positively. Most GBIS measures improve EPC ratings by one or two bands. A property going from EPC E to EPC C through GBIS insulation can see an increase in market value of 5 to 10 percent according to studies from Rightmove and the Department for Levelling Up. The improved EPC also makes the property more attractive to mortgage lenders, particularly for green mortgage products that offer preferential rates for EPC C properties or higher.
Is GBIS insulation guaranteed if something goes wrong?
Yes. All GBIS insulation comes with a minimum 25-year insurance-backed guarantee provided through the Cavity Insulation Guarantee Agency (CIGA) for cavity walls, or equivalent bodies for other measures. If problems develop (settling, dampness caused by faulty installation, etc.), the guarantee covers remediation. Keep your installation certificate safely — you will need it to claim, and you should also pass it to any future buyer of your property.
Related Guides & Tools
Sources
Ofgem GBIS guidance (ofgem.gov.uk/gbis); DESNZ Great British Insulation Scheme Order 2023 (legislation.gov.uk); Simple Energy Advice (simpleenergyadvice.org.uk); Energy Saving Trust insulation savings data (energysavingtrust.org.uk).