Insulation Grants: Free Loft and Wall Insulation Schemes
Last checked November 2026. Offers and rules change: confirm with the provider before you rely on them.
Free or part-funded insulation is available in every part of the UK, but through different schemes in each nation, and mostly for people on a low income, on certain benefits, or in homes with a poor energy rating. The safe way in is always through the official helpline or website for your nation, never through a cold caller.
Why insulation comes first
Insulation is the one energy measure that lets you be warmer and spend less at the same time. Heat escapes through the roof, the walls, the floor, and gaps around doors and windows. Slow that down and the same amount of heating keeps you comfortable for longer. That matters in later life, when many of us are at home for more of the day and feel the cold more.
| Type | What it involves | Disruption |
|---|---|---|
| Loft insulation | Rolls of mineral wool laid between and over the joists | Low: usually done in a few hours. The loft must be cleared first |
| Cavity wall insulation | Insulation blown into the gap in the outside walls through small drilled holes | Low: usually half a day, done from outside |
| Solid wall insulation | Boards fixed to the inside or the outside of walls that have no cavity | High: costly, and changes the look or the size of rooms |
| Draught-proofing | Strips and seals around doors, windows and the loft hatch | Very low: often a do-it-yourself job |
What is open now
We checked the official pages in November 2026. Schemes change often, so confirm before you rely on any of this.
England
- Warm Homes: Local Grant. Run by councils for privately owned homes, including those rented from a private landlord, with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D to G. GOV.UK says household income should usually be £36,000 a year or less, with exceptions for people on certain benefits or living in certain postcode areas. If you qualify and your council has funding, it arranges a survey and pays for the agreed work, which can include wall, loft and underfloor insulation. Apply on GOV.UK or ring 0800 098 7950.
England, Scotland and Wales: Energy Company Obligation (ECO)
ECO has funded insulation, through energy suppliers, for people on benefits such as Pension Credit in homes with a poor energy rating. GOV.UK states that it is closing on 31 December 2026. If you think you may qualify, ring your supplier straight away and ask if it is still taking applications. The separate Great British Insulation Scheme ended on 31 March 2026: anyone still advertising it is out of date at best.
Scotland
Ring Home Energy Scotland free on 0808 808 2282. Its advisers check you for:
- Warmer Homes Scotland — insulation and heating, usually at no cost, for homeowners and private tenants who meet the conditions, such as receiving a qualifying benefit.
- Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan — for homeowners, with no benefit test. At the time of writing it offers grants of up to 75% of the cost of insulation measures, within limits for each measure and an overall cap, with an optional interest-free loan for the rest and extra for rural and island homes.
Wales
The Welsh Government's Nest scheme offers free advice to every household and may provide free insulation and other improvements to eligible lower-income households in homes that are hard to heat. Ring 0808 808 2244, free.
Northern Ireland
Help for lower-income owner-occupiers and private tenants has come through the Affordable Warmth Scheme, and the Department for Communities plans to replace it with a new Warm Healthy Homes Fund from April 2027. Ring the Housing Executive's NI Energy Advice line free on 0800 111 4455 for what is open today.
If you do not qualify for a grant
Loft insulation and draught-proofing are the cheapest measures, and usually the quickest to pay for themselves. If your loft has little or no insulation, getting quotes from two or three local firms is worthwhile. Smaller jobs, such as a hot water tank jacket, pipe lagging and draught strips, cost a few pounds: see keeping warm for less. If climbing into the loft or kneeling at skirting boards is not for you, ask whether your council or local Age UK runs a handyperson service. For larger changes to the home, see home adaptations.
Avoiding rogue installers
- Work under government schemes should be done by installers registered with TrustMark, the government-endorsed quality scheme. Check the firm on the TrustMark website yourself.
- Be especially careful with spray foam in the loft. It can make a home harder to sell or to mortgage, and Home Energy Scotland's grant does not fund it. Get independent advice first.
- Get everything in writing: the survey, what will be fitted and where, the guarantee, and who to contact if something goes wrong.
- If you sign a contract at home after an uninvited visit, you normally have 14 days to cancel. See doorstep selling rights and your consumer rights.
Common questions
Is loft insulation free for pensioners?
Not automatically. It is free where you meet a scheme's rules on income, benefits and the home's energy rating. Being on Pension Credit often helps, which is one more reason to check whether you can claim it.
How do I know what insulation I already have?
Your EPC will give an estimate. For the loft, a depth of around 270mm of mineral wool is the usual recommendation. For walls, an installer or surveyor can check with a small inspection camera.
Does this tie in with heating grants?
Yes. Most schemes look at the whole home and treat insulation first. See boiler and heating grants and our energy-saving tips.