LED bulbs use 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs — DOE
    Turning off lights when leaving saves $30-50/year per household — ENERGY STAR
    Standby power ('vampire load') can account for 5-10% of home energy use — DOE
    ENERGY STAR certified TVs use 25% less energy than standard models
    Programmable thermostats can save about 10% on heating/cooling — DOE
    Sealing air leaks can save 10-20% on heating and cooling costs — ENERGY STAR
    Heat pumps can reduce heating energy use by 50% vs. electric resistance — DOE
    Ceiling fans allow you to raise AC settings 4°F with no comfort loss — DOE
    Heating water accounts for about 18% of home energy use — DOE
    Low-flow showerheads save 2,700 gallons/year for a family of four — EPA
    Washing clothes in cold water can save $60+/year on water heating — ENERGY STAR
    Fixing a leaky faucet can save 3,000+ gallons/year — EPA
    ENERGY STAR refrigerators use 9% less energy than standard models
    Clean refrigerator coils annually for optimal efficiency — DOE
    Air-drying dishes instead of heat-dry saves 15-50% on dishwasher energy — DOE
    Proper attic insulation can cut heating/cooling costs by 15% — ENERGY STAR
    Windows can account for 25-30% of home heating/cooling energy use — DOE
    Window film can reduce solar heat gain by up to 70% — DOE
    Average US home solar system offsets 3-4 tons of CO₂ annually — EPA
    Solar panel costs have dropped 70%+ over the past decade — SEIA
    EVs cost about 60% less to fuel than gas vehicles — DOE
    Proper tire inflation improves gas mileage by 0.6% on average — DOE
    The average US household spends $2,000+/year on energy — EIA
    ENERGY STAR products have saved Americans $500 billion on energy bills
    LED bulbs use 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs — DOE
    Turning off lights when leaving saves $30-50/year per household — ENERGY STAR
    Standby power ('vampire load') can account for 5-10% of home energy use — DOE
    ENERGY STAR certified TVs use 25% less energy than standard models
    Programmable thermostats can save about 10% on heating/cooling — DOE
    Sealing air leaks can save 10-20% on heating and cooling costs — ENERGY STAR
    Heat pumps can reduce heating energy use by 50% vs. electric resistance — DOE
    Ceiling fans allow you to raise AC settings 4°F with no comfort loss — DOE
    Heating water accounts for about 18% of home energy use — DOE
    Low-flow showerheads save 2,700 gallons/year for a family of four — EPA
    Washing clothes in cold water can save $60+/year on water heating — ENERGY STAR
    Fixing a leaky faucet can save 3,000+ gallons/year — EPA
    ENERGY STAR refrigerators use 9% less energy than standard models
    Clean refrigerator coils annually for optimal efficiency — DOE
    Air-drying dishes instead of heat-dry saves 15-50% on dishwasher energy — DOE
    Proper attic insulation can cut heating/cooling costs by 15% — ENERGY STAR
    Windows can account for 25-30% of home heating/cooling energy use — DOE
    Window film can reduce solar heat gain by up to 70% — DOE
    Average US home solar system offsets 3-4 tons of CO₂ annually — EPA
    Solar panel costs have dropped 70%+ over the past decade — SEIA
    EVs cost about 60% less to fuel than gas vehicles — DOE
    Proper tire inflation improves gas mileage by 0.6% on average — DOE
    The average US household spends $2,000+/year on energy — EIA
    ENERGY STAR products have saved Americans $500 billion on energy bills
    LED bulbs use 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs — DOE
    Turning off lights when leaving saves $30-50/year per household — ENERGY STAR
    Standby power ('vampire load') can account for 5-10% of home energy use — DOE
    ENERGY STAR certified TVs use 25% less energy than standard models
    Programmable thermostats can save about 10% on heating/cooling — DOE
    Sealing air leaks can save 10-20% on heating and cooling costs — ENERGY STAR
    Heat pumps can reduce heating energy use by 50% vs. electric resistance — DOE
    Ceiling fans allow you to raise AC settings 4°F with no comfort loss — DOE
    Heating water accounts for about 18% of home energy use — DOE
    Low-flow showerheads save 2,700 gallons/year for a family of four — EPA
    Washing clothes in cold water can save $60+/year on water heating — ENERGY STAR
    Fixing a leaky faucet can save 3,000+ gallons/year — EPA
    ENERGY STAR refrigerators use 9% less energy than standard models
    Clean refrigerator coils annually for optimal efficiency — DOE
    Air-drying dishes instead of heat-dry saves 15-50% on dishwasher energy — DOE
    Proper attic insulation can cut heating/cooling costs by 15% — ENERGY STAR
    Windows can account for 25-30% of home heating/cooling energy use — DOE
    Window film can reduce solar heat gain by up to 70% — DOE
    Average US home solar system offsets 3-4 tons of CO₂ annually — EPA
    Solar panel costs have dropped 70%+ over the past decade — SEIA
    EVs cost about 60% less to fuel than gas vehicles — DOE
    Proper tire inflation improves gas mileage by 0.6% on average — DOE
    The average US household spends $2,000+/year on energy — EIA
    ENERGY STAR products have saved Americans $500 billion on energy bills
    Active
    UK
    Windows/Insulation

    Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) (United Kingdom)

    Free or low-cost single-measure insulation upgrades for low-efficiency or low-income homes in Great Britain.

    Available Amount

    Up to 100% of installation cost

    Start Date

    April 2023

    End Date

    March 2026

    Eligibility

    Homes in council tax bands A-D (England) or A-E (Scotland/Wales) with EPC band D-G.

    Eligible Upgrades & Scope

    Cavity wall insulationLoft insulationSolid wall insulationUnderfloor insulation

    Policy Context & Overview

    Short Answer: GBIS provides free or heavily subsidized single-measure insulation improvements to boost the thermal performance of less efficient homes across Great Britain.

    The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS), formerly known as ECO+ and administered by Ofgem, was launched by the UK Government to target fuel poverty and reduce national residential carbon emissions. Unlike previous schemes that focused on whole-house deep retrofits, GBIS focuses primarily on "single-measure" insulation upgrades. This targeted approach allows the program to reach a much larger volume of properties, helping households quickly reduce energy demand and protect themselves against high utility bills.

    Subsidy Tiers & Financial Support

    GBIS is funded through obligations placed on large energy suppliers. It supports two primary customer groups:

    1. The General Group

    This group is eligible for subsidized insulation. While the upgrade is often free, some households may be asked to make a partial contribution to the installation cost depending on the complexity of the property:

    • England: Homes in Council Tax bands A, B, C, or D.
    • Scotland & Wales: Homes in Council Tax bands A, B, C, D, or E.
    • EPC Gate: Property must have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D, E, F, or G.

    2. The Low-Income Group

    This group is eligible for 100% fully funded insulation measures. No financial contribution is required:

    • Includes households where a resident receives qualifying means-tested benefits (e.g., Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Income Support).

    Supported Measures

    The scheme funds the installation of one primary insulation measure per property:

    • Cavity Wall Insulation: Typically fully funded for both groups.
    • Loft Insulation: Subsidized or fully funded.
    • Solid Wall Insulation (Internal or External): Heavily subsidized, though the General Group may require a co-payment.
    • Underfloor Insulation: Subsidized for suspended timber floors.
    • Pitched Roof or Flat Roof Insulation.

    Step-by-Step Application Guide

    1. Online Eligibility Check: Use the official UK Gov online checker tool to verify if your home's council tax band and EPC rating meet the scheme criteria.
    2. Energy Supplier Matching: If eligible, you will be matched with a participating energy supplier (e.g., British Gas, E.ON, Octopus Energy).
    3. Technical Survey: The energy supplier will send a qualified surveyor to assess your property, confirm insulation feasibility, and measure ventilation requirements.
    4. Installation: A certified contractor completes the insulation work.
    5. Completion & Payout: The funding is transferred directly from the energy supplier to the installer.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    • Q: Can I get multiple insulation measures under GBIS?
      • A: No. GBIS is strictly a single-measure scheme. If your home requires multiple measures (e.g., both cavity wall and loft insulation), you should check if you qualify for the deeper ECO4 scheme.
    • Q: Do I have to be a customer of the energy supplier doing the installation?
      • A: No. Any participating major energy supplier can fund the installation, regardless of who supplies your electricity or gas.

    Ready to Apply?

    Visit the official program website to check your eligibility, find application forms, and get the most up-to-date information.

    Visit Official Program Site

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    Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) (United Kingdom)

    Government subsidies helping homeowners in England and Wales replace fossil fuel heating with low carbon systems.

    Up to £7,500

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    Energy Company Obligation (ECO4 & Flex) (United Kingdom)

    Mandatory utility-funded deep retrofits for vulnerable, fuel-poor, and low-income households in Great Britain.

    Up to £20,000+ (Fully funded)