The Great British Insulation Scheme is an initiative, overseen by Ofgem, that aims to make the least energy-efficient homes in Great Britain more eco-friendly. This effort is not only designed to lower household energy bills but also to combat fuel poverty. Unlike the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4), which focuses on a comprehensive home improvement strategy, this scheme primarily targets individual insulation enhancements.

Who stands to benefit?

The Great British Insulation Scheme primarily focuses on households that are either low-income or vulnerable. Additionally, homes with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating ranging from D to G and falling within specific Council Tax bands can also benefit from the scheme. It operates by mandating medium to large energy companies to undertake measures that will reduce household energy consumption.

How does it work?

Qualification for this scheme requires your home to need certain energy-efficient improvements such as cavity wall insulation. Each home is eligible for a single type of insulation, as determined through a comprehensive retrofit assessment. In some special cases, additional measures like room thermostats may be offered to lower-income families.

You will be paired with an assessor by your energy supplier, who will visit your home to recommend suitable upgrades. Homeownership or landlord approval is a prerequisite for eligibility.

Eligibility criteria

Alongside low-income and vulnerable households, a broader range of homeowners and tenants may also qualify for the scheme. If you are a recipient of certain benefits like Child Benefit, Pension Guarantee Credit, or Universal Credit, among others, you may be eligible. Additionally, homes falling within specific EPC ratings and Council Tax bands also qualify.

Local authorities also have the authority to recommend residents for participation in the scheme, widening the scope of who can benefit from the programme.

Insulation options available

The scheme offers a variety of insulation options such as cavity wall, loft, and solid wall insulation. If you belong to the low-income category and own your home, you may also be eligible for secondary heating controls like room thermostats.

Financial contributions

While energy companies are obliged to fund retrofit projects, the level of financial support may vary, and you may need to contribute to the cost. This is not a grant scheme, so different companies may offer varying levels of support. It’s advisable to compare quotes and understand what’s included and what’s not before committing.

Co-funding and other grants

It’s important to note that funding from this scheme cannot be combined with other government schemes like the Warm Home Discount or Boiler Upgrade Scheme.

Resolving issues and making complaints

If you encounter issues with installations or funding, your primary point of contact should be the obligated energy suppliers, not Ofgem. While Ofgem is responsible for administering the scheme, they do not intervene in individual cases.

Special cases: Local Authority Flex

Local governments and Devolved Administrations have the authority to refer households facing persistent fuel debt or those who are struggling to stay connected to their energy supplies due to financial constraints. Your local authority can make joint referrals for both the ECO4 Flex and the Great British Insulation Scheme Flex if you meet specific eligibility criteria.

Types of insulation measures

The scheme provides various insulation options for both low-income and general groups:

• Cavity wall insulation (including party wall)
• Loft insulation
• Solid wall insulation
• Pitched roof insulation
• Flat roof insulation
• Under-floor insulation
• Solid floor insulation
• Park home insulation
• Room-in-roof insulation

For the low-income group, secondary measures like room thermostats can also be installed.

Cost implications

The level of funding provided by energy companies varies, and households might be required to contribute towards the installation cost. The scheme is not a grant programme.

Delivery Standards

All installations must comply with PAS2030/2035 standards, a set of publicly available specifications for domestic retrofit work. Unlike ECO4, there is no requirement to improve the property’s Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) rating.

Opportunities for innovation

Obligated energy suppliers have incentives to deliver innovative energy efficiency solutions. However, only these suppliers can apply under the innovation routes.

Key information data

• GBIS will run from Spring 2023-2026 with the opportunity for early delivery (£1bn over 3 years, split £130m/£435m/£435m)
• In most cases, GBIS funding will only pay part of the measure. Ofgem assumes that a customer contribution will be required (unlike ECO4 which endeavours to focus on fully funded projects wherever possible)
• Innovation measure delivery receiving uplifts is capped at 10% of the low-income groups 20% minimum (So 2% of the overall GBIS obligation per supplier). No additional 5% uplift if submitted to the supplier who sponsored the measure, unlike ECO4.
• GBIS Flex can be used up to a maximum of 80% of the low-income group until you have achieved 20% of the obligation through low-income. Flex can then be used unrestrictedly after that point
• No minimum requirement of xx EPC bands unlike ECO4
• Scoring will be calculated using the ECO4 partial project scores without the 20% deflator
• No need to first rule out/ evidence ECO4 could not be used instead
• Properties not prevented from getting ECO4 funding if has already have GBIS and vice versa (ECO4 min requirements would still apply, however)
• Can only be funded by GBIS once (Trustmark will add a new indicator so this can be checked)
• Projects must comply with PAS 2035 standards e.g. ventilation, and retrofit assessment (The government will continue to explore if this could be reduced to compliance with Trustmark LicencePlus in the future)
• As with ECO4, as part of any GBIS project, the installer must provide the resident with information on the benefits of smart meters and how to request the installation of one
• If installing heating controls, these must be installed within 3 months of the primary insulation measure

GBIS Matrix