Who Qualifies for Loft Insulation Grants? A Quick Guide

Studies have shown that up to 25% of heat can be lost through the roof if it lacks proper insulation, meaning that extra heating is required to keep the space at a comfortable temperature. To combat rising energy costs, the UK government has invested heavily in energy-efficiency improvement schemes, offering free insulation to reduce households' reliance on heating.

In this guide, we’ll explore loft insulation grants in detail, explaining how this type of funding works and the terms and conditions of obtaining free loft insulation. This should give you a better understanding of whether you could be eligible for the scheme.

The Benefits of Loft Insulation

Before diving into the ins and outs of loft insulation grants and the terms and conditions surrounding eligibility, let’s quickly outline the benefits of loft insulation and how they can improve your home.

●      Lower Energy Bills: Loft insulation improves heat retention, meaning less energy is needed to heat your home. This can equate to 10 to 20% savings on heating bills.

●      Reduced Carbon Footprint: By enhancing the energy efficiency of your home through loft insulation, you can reduce your energy consumption and embrace a more sustainable lifestyle.

●      Enhanced Comfort: Installing loft insulation ensures a more consistent, comfortable indoor environment and reduces cold spots and draughts, which can occur during colder months.

●      Higher Property Value: Energy-efficiency measures make a home more attractive to buyers, as it indicates lower heating requirements. Upgrading loft insulation can be a selling point from which you can negotiate a higher price.

●      Simple Installation: Loft insulation has a straightforward installation process, making it a quick and easy long-term solution for energy efficiency issues.

●      Low Cost: Loft insulation is one of the most affordable ways to boost your home’s energy efficiency. Particularly with loft insulation grants, many installations are free of charge to residents in Great Britain.

Investing in loft insulation not only lowers your energy bills but also creates a cosy, consistently comfortable home environment for years to come—all while making a meaningful contribution to reducing your carbon footprint.

How Do Loft Insulation Grants Work?

Loft insulation grants are available to households across England, Scotland and Wales under the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme. This initiative aims to combat fuel poverty by obligating the largest energy providers to support low-income households in improving their home's energy efficiency.

Eligible households can receive full financial support for the installation of loft insulation As these grants are completely free, no repayment is necessary. The scheme is designed to help families reduce heating costs, create more comfortable living environments and lower carbon emissions.

Who Is Eligible For Free Loft Insulation?

For households to be eligible for loft insulation grants, they must meet certain criteria. Residents of England, Scotland or Wales must either own their own home or have permission from the private landlord they rent the property from. If any loft insulation is currently installed in the home, it must be less than 100mm. You must also be receiving one or more of the following government benefit payments:

●      Armed Forces Independence Payment

●      Attendance Allowance

●      Carer’s Allowance

●      Child Tax Credit

●      Constant Attendance Allowance

●      Disability Living Allowance

●      Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)

●      Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

●      Income Support

●      Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefits

●      Pension Guarantee Credit (you will not be eligible if you only claim Pension Savings Credit)

●      Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

●      Severe Disablement Allowance

●      Universal Credit

●      War Pensions Mobility Supplement

●      Working Tax Credit

You may also be eligible for free loft insulation if you are claiming child benefit payments. However, you must also be within a certain income threshold, as shown below.

How Do I Apply For Free Loft Insulation?

If you meet the eligibility criteria we have outlined, you are likely to be eligible for a loft insulation grant. The next step is to find out which energy providers are performing loft insulations under the grant in your area. This step can be a little difficult, as E.on Energy is the only direct energy provider that lets you apply online. The rest of the energy providers, including British Gas, EDF Energy and Octopus Energy, must be contacted via email or phone.

Alternatively, a number of loft insulation contractors, like us at NEIS, offer their insulation services on behalf of large energy providers participating in the scheme. These loft insulation contractors act as the ‘middlemen’ between you and the large energy providers, handling every step of the process from initial checks to installation.

At NEIS, we’re fully qualified and accredited green energy installers who work under the ECO scheme, offering a range of home insulation services, including cavity wall, solid wall, loft and room-in-roof insulation. By visiting our website, you can apply online to quickly check your eligibility and arrange a site survey to confirm your suitability for loft insulation or another energy-efficiency upgrade.

NEIS: Your Local Loft Insulation Contractors

Our family-run business is committed to providing energy-efficiency improvements that help families in the North East of England live more comfortably. By drawing on government schemes, we proudly supply and install fully-funded insulation services that save you money now and in the future.

To discuss your eligibility for energy-efficiency upgrades with a member of our staff, contact us today!