External Wall Insulation Grants 2025
External wall insulation grants are financial assistance programs designed to make homes more energy-efficient and reduce energy bills. These grants aim to help homeowners and landlords install external wall insulation, which can significantly improve a property’s thermal performance.
Available Grant Schemes
Two main nationwide grant schemes are currently available in the UK:
- Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS)
- Energy Company Obligation (ECO4)
Both schemes offer full or partial coverage for external wall insulation costs, helping to make this energy-saving measure more accessible
What is External Wall Insulation (EWI)?
External Wall Insulation (EWI) means wrapping your house in a warm coat. Insulating boards are stuck to the outside walls and then covered with a protective layer that looks nice and keeps out the weather. This stops heat from escaping, so your home stays warmer and you save money on bills.
Click here if you are not sure whether you have Solid Walls or if they are already insulated.
How Much Does External Wall Insulation Cost?
Want to find out if you qualify for a grant? Get a free assessment today!
Important Update:
The UK’s Warm Homes: Local Grant Scheme, launching in Spring 2025, is a new, simplified way to get help with home energy upgrades. Starting April 1, 2025, and lasting 3-5 years, your local council will manage it. You can get up to £15,000 for things like insulation and new windows to make your home more energy-efficient. Plus, another £15,000 is available for low-carbon heating systems, especially for homes not connected to the gas grid. The goal is to make homes across the UK warmer and greener.
How It Works
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Complete Online Form
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Free Survey Booked
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Insulation Installed
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Grant Claimed
Who Qualifies for External Wall Insulation Grants?
External wall insulation grants are available to help UK homeowners and tenants improve the energy efficiency of their properties. However, eligibility criteria vary depending on the specific grant scheme and the applicant’s circumstances. Below is a detailed breakdown of who qualifies for these grants as of March 2025.
Income Threshold
One of the key factors in determining eligibility is household income:
- Households with an Annual Income Below £31,000: Most grant schemes, including the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) and Energy Company Obligation (ECO4), prioritise households with a gross annual income of £31,000 or less.
- Self-Employed Applicants: For self-employed individuals, eligibility is assessed based on profit rather than turnover, ensuring fairness for those with fluctuating incomes.
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) Rating
The energy efficiency of your property plays a critical role in qualifying for external wall insulation grants:
- GBIS: Properties with an EPC rating of D, E, F, or G are eligible. Priority is often given to homes rated E to G due to their higher energy inefficiency.
- ECO4: This scheme also focuses on properties with an EPC rating of D, E, F, or G, but it often prioritises homes with the lowest ratings (E to G) for deeper retrofits.
Council Tax Band Criteria
To ensure funding reaches those who need it most, eligibility is also influenced by your property’s council tax band:
- England: Properties in council tax bands A to D qualify.
- Scotland and Wales: Properties in council tax bands A to E qualify.
This ensures that funding is targeted at homes that are likely to benefit the most from insulation improvements.
Benefits Recipients
Households receiving certain government benefits may automatically qualify for external wall insulation grants. These benefits include (but are not limited to):
- Universal Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Pension Credit
- Child Benefit (subject to income thresholds)
- Employment Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
- Working Tax Credit
If you are receiving any of these benefits, you may be fast-tracked for eligibility under schemes like ECO4 or GBIS.
Property Ownership and Tenure
Both homeowners and tenants can apply for external wall insulation grants. However, specific conditions are depending on property ownership:
- Homeowners: Must meet income or EPC criteria.
- Private Tenants: Landlords can apply on behalf of tenants but must comply with Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES). Written permission from the landlord is required.
- Social Housing: Social housing properties may qualify under ECO4 if they have an EPC rating of E, F, or G.
Priority Groups
Certain groups are given priority under these schemes due to their vulnerability or higher risk of fuel poverty:
- Low-Income Households: Families struggling to meet heating costs.
- Pensioners and Elderly Residents: Especially those over 70 years old or in poor health.
- Health Conditions: Households with individuals whose health is worsened by living in cold homes (e.g., respiratory or cardiovascular conditions).
Property Characteristics
Eligibility also depends on the type and condition of your property:
- Solid Wall Properties: Homes with solid walls (typically built before 1920) are ideal candidates for external wall insulation since they lack cavity walls that can be insulated more easily.
- Poor Energy Efficiency: Properties with inefficient heating systems or inadequate existing insulation may be prioritised for grants.
Regional Variations
Eligibility may also depend on where you live:
- In some areas, local authorities offer additional funding through regional schemes that complement national programs like ECO4 and GBIS.
- Northern Ireland has its own separate grant programs; residents should consult local councils for details.
See if you qualify:
Click HERE to Find Out >>External Wall Insulation FAQs
Are any grants available?
A grant of up to 25% is available. External Wall Insulation normally costs between £7,000 and £15,000 depending on the property size.
What if there is damp or other repair work required?
The grants do not cover the cost of repairs. A local builder may be able to assist you with this.
Why can’t I have my walls insulated if I have a cavity?
Because the same or similar heat loss can be prevented (and carbon savings made) by installing Cavity Wall Insulation, which is much cheaper to install.
Will it spoil the appearance of my property?
The insulation typically improves the appearance and increases the value of the property. There are several different finishes that will be discussed with you at the time of the survey.
How long does the work take?
Depending on the size of the property, it can take up to one full week.
Is there much mess?
Due to the nature of the work, it is inevitable that there will be some disruption and mess during the installation. However, our approved installers will endeavour to keep this to a minimum and tidy up after themselves.
Do I get a guarantee?
Yes. You will be issued a 25 year guarantee from either GDGC, Kinnell or SWIGA, the Solid Wall Insulation Guarantee Agency.
How much can External Wall Insulation save?
External Wall Insulation (EWI) is one of the most effective energy efficiency improvements you can make to your home, helping to reduce heat loss through walls by up to one-third. This results in significant savings on energy bills.
For example, a detached home can save up to £460 per year, a semi-detached home can save around £260 annually, and a terraced home can save about £180.
According to the Energy Saving Trust, a typical gas-heated semi-detached house can save up to £270 per year. Beyond the financial benefits, EWI also provides environmental advantages by reducing carbon emissions, with savings ranging from 410 to 2,100 kg of CO₂ annually, depending on the type and location of the home.
How Can FreeInsulation help?
When you apply through FreeInsulation, we will refer you to an approved installer operating in your local area.
The installer will then telephone you to arrange a free, no-obigation survey. They will make sure your property is suitable for External Wall Insulation, explain the options available and go through their finance package if applicable.
If you're happy to go ahead after the survey, the installer will carry out the work and arrange the External Wall Insulation grants and the finance if required.