Insulation is important for maintaining comfort and having an energy-efficient home, as it keeps the interior warm during winter and cool during summer. Because of this, less energy is used on heating and cooling systems, which can mean huge savings on energy bills. If properties are poorly insulated, they could lose as much as one-third of the interior heat through the walls, about 25% through the roof space, and around 10-15% through the floor.
With such an issue at hand, Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) has come forward to insulate over 300,000 homes in the UK – so far – saving £400 every year on average for families. Let’s look at the types of properties that can benefit from the free insulation grants.
What is the Great British Insulation Scheme?
The Great British Insulation Scheme, formerly known as ECO+, is a government scheme intended for essential energy efficiency in all homes across Great Britain. This scheme aims to tackle fuel poverty, energy cost reductions, and carbon emissions.
This scheme is targeted at the most energy-inefficient properties, offering the possibility of financial assistance with installing insulation to walls, roofs, and floors, thus making the home warmer and more energy-efficient.
Unlike the ECO4 scheme, which takes a "whole house" approach to energy efficiency, GBIS focuses on single insulation measures. Starting in April 2023 and continuing until April 2026, medium and large energy companies will be required under the scheme to contribute toward a reduction in energy consumption by offering these insulation improvements.
What Properties Can Benefit from the Insulation Scheme?
The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) offers a range of insulation solutions for various types of properties all over the UK to reduce heat loss and enhance energy efficiency. A breakdown of the property types that can benefit from the scheme is:
Detached House
Detached houses usually lose their heat through walls, roofs, and floors, as they are exposed on all sides. Insulating these areas can dramatically improve energy efficiency.
Detached Bungalow
Bungalows, especially detached ones, lose a great amount of heat through the roof. Properties like these highly benefit from loft insulation. It maintains indoor temperatures throughout the year, retaining warmth in winter and coolness in summer.
Semi-Detached House
Semi-detached houses – that is, those sharing a common wall with a neighbouring property – still lose much heat through external walls and the roof. Free insulation allows such houses to have cavity wall insulation from heat loss.
Semi-Detached Bungalow
Just like semi-detached houses, semi-detached bungalows also have the added advantage of both wall and loft insulation. These measures can provide a warm home in winter and cool in summer.
End Terrace House
Being at the extreme ends, end terrace houses are more exposed to weather elements than their mid-terrace house counterparts. This makes them even more vulnerable to heat loss via their walls and roofs. Upon the installation of external wall and loft insulation, end terrace house owners can significantly cut down on energy use, thereby greatly improving comfort and economies in heating.
End Terrace Bungalow
The end terrace bungalows face similar issues to the end terrace houses, with the problems extending to their low-rise structure heat loss. Insulation of both walls and the roof helps maintain a stable indoor temperature, especially during colder months.
Maisonette
Maisonettes are often multi-storey and, therefore, can lose heat through both the roof and the walls. The scheme can provide loft and cavity wall insulation to ensure that homes are better insulated, reducing energy wastage and providing residents with a more comfortable place to live.
Top Floor Flat
Top-floor flats are most prone to heat loss through the roof. Loft or roof insulation saves heating and keeps indoor spaces warmer.
Ground Floor Flat
The most significant losses of heat in ground floor flats occur through the floors and walls. Ground insulation offers comfort features by reducing draughts and cold spots that might be common in these homes.
Mid Terrace House
Mid-terrace houses, although insulated on either side by neighbouring properties, can still lose considerable heat through external walls and via the roof. Hence, the cavity wall and loft insulation for such homes make sure energy efficiency is improved and heating costs are minimised.
Park Home/Council Property
Park homes, often less energy efficient, can benefit significantly from insulation. The external wall insulation can reduce up to 50% of the heat loss, adding both efficiency and comfort to these homes.
Eligible Property Types
Properties with an EPC Rating of D to G
Free insulation grants are available to properties with an EPC rating between D and G. These are energy-inefficient properties, as they lose heat at a much faster rate, which results in much higher heating bills. These homes will see huge decreases in energy bills and carbon emissions after making improvements in insulation.
Poor and Vulnerable Households
It is of most help to low-income families because it covers some of the upgrade cost through its financial incentives to make the energy-efficient upgrades more affordable. In particular, the scheme targets those in receipt of any government benefits, including:
Child Tax Credit
Income-related Jobseekers Allowance
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Income Support
Pension Credit Guarantee
Pensions Credit Savings Credit
Universal Credit
Working Tax Credit
It allows these households to have considerably warmer and more energy-efficient homes, thus helping reduce fuel poverty.
Homes in Lower Council Tax Bands
The scheme is also devised in the way that it supports lower bands of council tax – those homes in bands A to D in England, and in Scotland and Wales, this includes bands A to E.
Landlords and Private Tenants
The scheme is not just about homeowners; the scheme can also be beneficial for private tenants and landlords. This will help the landlords make their private rented properties more energy efficient to attract tenants. The tenants will see their homes warmer and bills reduced without having to pay for insulation upgrades themselves.
Benefits That the Free Insulation Scheme Brings to Your Property
Better insulation means less energy consumption, and it directly contributes to lowering carbon emissions.
The insulation will reduce the amount of energy one needs to keep their home warm by simply better keeping it that way.
A well-insulated house is warm during winter and cool during summer. Hence, it is comforting to stay inside it no matter the season of the year.
The scheme is good for investing in insulation to increase the value of your home.
Insulation can help ensure a better quality of indoor air because it prevents cold spots while reducing any potential damp situation or mold building up.
It acts as a barrier to external noise, thus creating a quieter and more peaceful living environment.
The Bottom Line
The Free Insulation Scheme is a fantastic opportunity for both homeowners and tenants to improve the energy efficiency in their properties for free. Whether one is eligible through the low-income group or through the general criteria, this scheme makes insulation upgrades accessible to a wide range of properties throughout the UK.
With the added advantages of lower electricity costs, comfort, and better consideration for the environment, all exist to apply for this grant to make your home a little bit warmer and greener.
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