Loft Insulation Grants 2025

Are you looking to save money on your energy bills and make your home more comfortable? With rising energy costs, now is the perfect time to explore opportunities for free loft insulation. Loft Insulation Grants may be available to cover some or all of the cost of having Loft Insulation professionally installed. If you are in receipt of a qualifying benefit, you may be entitled to assistance via a FREE grant.

Government-backed schemes, such as the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) and the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS), provide loft insulation grants to eligible homeowners and tenants. These schemes work alongside main Energy Suppliers such as British Gas, NPower, E-ON, etc. who have obligations to provide insulation, and assist with funding.

Could You Be Eligible for Loft Insulation Grants?

A grant for loft insulation could help with the cost of professionally installed loft insulation. You may qualify if:

• You own or rent your home (with landlord’s permission).

• You receive qualifying benefits (see the list below).

• Your property has an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D, E, F, or G.

Click here if you are not sure whether Loft Insulation is required.

Even if you don’t receive benefits, you could still be eligible based on your household income. Even if you don’t qualify for assistance with a 100% grant, we can still put you in touch with an approved local installer who can carry out a free survey and provide you with a quote. Loft Insulation typically costs around £300 to £500, but this can vary. Learn more about obtaining support for loft insulation!

As energy bills continue to rise, Loft Insulation remains a way to potentially make savings on heating bills and prevent heat from escaping through the roof. Actual savings will depend on a range of factors.

Why Upgrade Your Loft Insulation?

Imagine a cosier home in winter and lower energy bills year-round. Upgrading your loft insulation is a smart investment that pays off in multiple ways:

• Reduced Energy Bills: Save money each year.

• Increased Comfort: Enjoy a warmer home in the winter and a cooler home in the summer.

• Smaller Carbon Footprint: Lower your energy consumption and contribute to a greener environment.

• Enhanced Home Value: Increase your property’s energy efficiency rating, potentially boosting its market value.

Eligibility for loft insulation grants in the UK is determined by several key factors, including income, benefits, property type, and energy efficiency. These grants are primarily offered through schemes like the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) and the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4).

1. Benefit-Based and Income-Based Eligibility

The government prioritises low-income and vulnerable households when distributing loft insulation grants. Eligibility often hinges on receiving specific means-tested benefits or meeting certain income thresholds.

Key Eligibility Criteria

• Means-Tested Benefits: You may qualify if you or someone in your household receives benefits such as:

  • Universal Credit

  • Pension Credit

  • Income Support

  • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)

  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

  • Child Tax Credit

  • Working Tax Credit

  • Housing Benefit

  • Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

  • Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

  • Attendance Allowance

  • Carer’s Allowance

  • Severe Disablement Allowance

  • Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit

OR

• Low-Income Households: If your household income is £31,000 or less per year, you may qualify even without receiving benefits. For self-employed individuals, eligibility is based on household profits rather than turnover.

• Pensioners: Those aged 70 or above, especially those receiving Pension Credit, are prioritized. Even without benefits, you may qualify if your income is low or your property is energy inefficient.

• Health Conditions: Households with members who have cold-sensitive health conditions (e.g., respiratory or cardiovascular issues) may also qualify, regardless of income or benefits.

2. Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) Requirements

Your home’s energy efficiency plays a crucial role in determining eligibility for a loft insulation grant.

• EPC Rating of D or Lower: Homes with an EPC rating of D or lower are eligible under the GBIS and ECO4 schemes.

• Private Tenants: For private tenants, properties must have an EPC rating of E or lower.

• Properties with Higher EPC Ratings: Homes with ratings of C, B, or A may not qualify unless specific criteria are met (e.g., low-income status or health-related conditions).

• Grant Impact: The insulation grant can help improve your EPC rating, potentially boosting it to C or above, making your home more energy-efficient and increasing its market value.

3. Property and Insulation Requirements

In addition to personal eligibility, your property must meet certain physical conditions for loft insulation installation.

• Existing Insulation Levels: To qualify for a free insulation grant, your home must have less than 100mm (4 inches) of loft insulation. Grants typically cover the cost of topping it up to the recommended 270mm (11 inches).

• Loft Access:

  • Headroom: Your loft must have at least 4 feet (1.2 meters) of headroom from the joists to the roof peak.

  • Loft Hatch Size: The hatch must be a minimum of 400mm x 400mm (16 inches x 16 inches) to allow the installer to access the space.

• Clear Space in the Loft: The loft must be free of stored items. If there are any, you will need to clear them before installation. If your loft is boarded, at least 80% of the space must be accessible for the insulation.

• No Damp Issues: The loft must be dry. If there are damp problems, these need to be addressed before the insulation can be installed.

4. Property Type and Occupancy

Eligibility also depends on the type of property and whether you’re a homeowner or tenant.

• Homeowners: Homeowners can apply directly for loft insulation grants through both GBIS and ECO4.

• Private Tenants: Private tenants are eligible, but they must obtain permission from their landlord, who can also apply on their behalf.

• Council Tenants: Eligibility may depend on local council policies, although many councils offer insulation grants for their tenants.

• Social Housing Tenants: Tenants in social housing may also be eligible, especially if their home has a poor EPC rating (E, F, or G).

5. Additional Considerations

• Professional Installation Only: DIY loft insulation is not covered under these schemes. All insulation must be installed by certified professionals to ensure safety and efficiency standards are met.

• Grant Funding: The grant typically covers 75% to 100% of the insulation installation costs, depending on your circumstances and property needs.

• Complementary Energy-Saving Measures: Some schemes may also cover additional energy-saving improvements such as cavity wall insulation or draught-proofing.

• Council Tax Bands: Eligibility extends to properties in Council Tax bands A-D in England and A-E in Scotland and Wales.

• Scheme Duration: Both GBIS and ECO4 schemes are available until March 2026, so there is plenty of time to apply.

While many homes are eligible, you won’t qualify if:

• You already have more than 100mm (4 inches) of insulation.

• There’s no loft access, or the hatch is too small (under 400mm/16″).

• There’s less than 4 feet (1.2m) of headroom.

• You’re unwilling to clear stored items from the loft.

• The loft is heavily boarded, and you can’t provide reasonable access.

• There is dampness in the loft.

• You require insulation for sloping roofs, flat roofs, or under floors.

• You want to install the insulation yourself (DIY projects are not covered).

• You require a specialised type of loft insulation (e.g., sheep’s wool).

How long does Loft Insulation take to install?
An averaged size loft will take an hour, to an hour and a half to insulate.

How can I tell if my loft already has too much Insulation?
If the Insulation is level with or below the joists on the floor of the loft (i.e. 4 inches or less) you are likely to qualify for a grant to top up the Insulation.

What if my loft is boarded?
A small amount of boarding is allowed, but if there is more than 20% you will need to have the boards lifted before the work is carried out. Our approved Installers are not insured to do this. If you intend on replacing the boards, the joists will have to be raised with blocks due to the extra thickness of the Insulation. Again, unfortunately our Installers cannot help with this.

What if I have damp in my loft?
The cause of the damp will have to be rectified and the loft must be dried out before you can apply for a Loft Insulation Grant. Common causes of damp in lofts include damaged tiles and poor ventilation.

My hatch is too small. Can you still install Insulation?
The loft hatch must be 400mm/16″ square. Some of our Installers can enlarge the loft hatch or a builder may be able to organise this for you.

Can you install Loft Insulation if I have a lot of stored items?
Installers can work around a few items, but if there is too much the surveyor may advise you to remove them. Our Installers will not be able to do this.

Do Loft Insulation Grants cover the sloping part of the roof?
No. This Grant scheme only covers Insulation rolled out in blankets on the floor of the loft, between and then across the joists. However, we are able to help with grants for Room in Roof Insulation.

What if I don’t want mineral wool (glass fibre) Insulation?
Unfortunately, the Grant scheme does not cover other types of Insulation such as sheep’s wool, recycled materials, etc. Mineral Wool is a natural product made from sand, which fits in with the natural fabric of the building i.e. the bricks and mortar.

Does Loft Insulation have any health risks?
Once the Insulation is installed, the loft hatch is draught proofed so it is effectively sealed. It is not advisable to go into the loft after the Insulation is installed if you have any respiratory problems.

Can I get a Grant to do the work myself?
No. ECO Grants are only for Loft Insulation supplied and fitted by FreeInsulation‘s approved Loft Insulation Installers. DIY stores occasionally sell rolls of insulation that are subsidised by the same or similar grant schemes.

Is there a guarantee?
It is not currently mandatory for guarantees to be issued but installers have the option of putting a two year financial protection mechanism in place. They are issued by organisations including GDGC and CIGA. Loft insulation guarantees may become compulsory during 2021.