Heating Insulation Grants

  • Benefit from 0% VAT on Installation

External Wall Insulation Grants

External wall insulation grants in the UK enhance home energy efficiency by insulating exterior walls. These grants cover installation costs, reduce heat loss, lower heating bills, and improve comfort for eligible households, promoting sustainable and energy-efficient living environments.

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How Do Heating Insulation Grants Work?

Eligible households can receive heating grant funding, such as GBIS and ECO4, for different home insulation measures. These grants help improve energy efficiency by providing financial support for insulation upgrades, making homes warmer and reducing energy costs.

Eligibility Requirements

Grants are available to households that meet specific income and property criteria.

Application Process

Apply online or through a designated agency to check your eligibility.

Types of Insulation

Grants cover loft, cavity wall, and solid wall insulation measures.

Benefits of Insulation

Insulation reduces energy bills and improves home comfort.

External Wall Insulation Benefits and Savings

By installing external or solid wall insulation, you could save up to £660 annually on energy bills and significantly reduce household carbon emissions. Costs typically range from £7,000 to £15,000, but you might qualify for grants through the ECO scheme.

 

These grants enhance energy efficiency, supporting the government’s 2050 net zero target for reduced carbon emissions. External insulation can cut heat loss by about 35%.

 

Based on Energy Saving Trust data (January 2024 fuel prices), potential annual savings include:

 

  • Detached house: £660
  • Semi-detached house: £380
  • Bungalow: £285

Check your eligibility for an external wall insulation grant to help cover installation expenses and improve your home’s energy efficiency.

Qualifying for Solid Wall Insulation Grants

Under the ECO 4 scheme, grants for solid wall insulation are available to:

 

  1. Low-income households earning £31,000 or less annually or receiving specific government benefits.
  2. Homeowners and some private tenants in 2024 eligible for external wall insulation grants.

Qualifying benefits include:

 

  1. Income-based Jobseekers Allowance (JSA)
  2. Income-related Employment & Support Allowance (ESA)
  3. Income Support (IS)
  4. Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
  5. Working Tax Credit (WTC)
  6. Child Tax Credits (CTC)
  7. Universal Credit (UC)
  8. Housing Benefit (new eligible benefit under ECO4)
  9. Pension Credit Savings Credit (new eligible benefit under ECO4)

If you own at least 50% of your home with a Housing Association or are a Council/Housing Association tenant, contact them directly or seek guidance from the Energy Saving Trust.

The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) targets households with:

 

  1. Low energy efficiency (EPC rating of D or below)
  2. Lowest Council Tax bands (A-D in England, A-E in Scotland and Wales)

What is external wall insulation?

External wall insulation involves applying a layer of insulating material, typically 60mm boards, to the solid exterior walls of a building, which is then covered with render or cladding. Unlike internal solid wall insulation, which is installed inside the property, this method preserves floor area and minimizes disruption during installation.

 

Various finishes such as smooth, textured, tiled, painted, or brick/stone effects are available for external wall insulation. This process provides a weatherproof layer that protects brickwork, enhances sound resistance, and mitigates damp issues.

 

By adding insulation externally, homeowners can renew the appearance of their property, potentially increase its value, and achieve significant savings on heating bills. This method is particularly suitable for solid wall buildings without cavities for traditional insulation, although it may also benefit other building types under certain circumstances.

Benefits of External Wall Insulation

  • Substantial heat loss and energy bill savings.
  • Significant reduction in a household’s carbon emissions.
  • Reduction in draughts and a greater sense of warmth and comfort in your home.
  • Does not reduce the internal floor area.
  • Allows walls to contribute to absorb, store and release heat.
  • Increased weatherproofing and sound resistance.
  • Increased lifespan of the wall by protecting the brickwork.
  • Lowers condensation on the internal walls.
  • Particularly beneficial when refurbishing non-traditional housing.
  • Protects the existing building envelope.
  • Improves the appearance of your property.

Determining Suitability for External Wall Insulation

Before considering external wall insulation, ensure your property meets the following criteria:

 

  1. It is constructed of solid brick, stone, or concrete (not timber-frame).
  2. Walls are structurally sound without needing repairs.
  3. It is not a listed building or located in a conservation area/world heritage site.
  4. There are no signs of dampness on the walls.
  5. There is good access to the outer walls.
  6. The property does not have cavity walls that are already filled or can be filled.

Additionally, check with your local council regarding the need for planning permission. Permission may be unlikely if your property is listed or in a conservation area/world heritage site. In such cases, consider internal wall insulation as an alternative.

 

For brick-built homes, ensure they do not have fillable cavity walls if built before 1924, as they likely require external wall insulation.

Solid and cavity walls

Solid walls are characterized by square brick ends and an alternating pattern, often with some bricks laid across the wall to show smaller ends externally. In contrast, cavity walls exhibit an even brick pattern, with all bricks arranged lengthwise. Solid walls lack gaps, preventing them from accommodating cavity wall insulation. Cavity walls consist of two layers—an inner and outer wall—with a small gap or ‘cavity’ between them.

 

Another reliable indicator of solid walls is measuring their thickness near doors or windows. Typically, solid walls are less than 10 inches thick, while cavity walls generally exceed 10 inches in thickness.

What is external wall insulation?

External wall insulation involves applying insulating materials to the exterior walls of a building, which helps improve energy efficiency and thermal comfort.

How does external wall insulation benefit homeowners?

It significantly reduces heat loss, leading to lower energy bills and improved comfort levels inside the home. Additionally, it enhances the property’s appearance and can increase its market value.

Who qualifies for external wall insulation grants?

Homeowners with low incomes or receiving specific government benefits may qualify for grants through schemes like ECO4, aimed at improving energy efficiency in homes.

Do I need planning permission for external wall insulation?

Planning permission requirements vary by location and property type. Generally, listed buildings and those in conservation areas require permission, while others may not, depending on local regulations.

Can external wall insulation be installed on all types of buildings?

External wall insulation is suitable for most solid wall constructions, including brick, stone, and concrete. It is essential that the walls are structurally sound and free from damp issues.

What is the lifespan of external wall insulation?

With proper installation and maintenance, external wall insulation can last for several decades, providing long-term energy savings and enhancing the durability of the building envelope.

Why Install Home Insulation?

This is the perfect time to benefit from insulation funding grants.

  • Up to 25% of heat escapes through an uninsulated roof.
  • Homes without insulation lose a lot of heat.
  • Results in a less comfortable living environment.
  • Negatively affects the environment.
  • Leads to significantly higher heating costs.
  • Grants available for free insulation.
  • Includes cavity wall, loft, and solid wall insulation options.
  • Insulation helps lower bills amidst increasing energy costs.
  • Lowers carbon footprint.
  • Reduces heat loss in homes.

Types of Grants Available for Various Groups

Landlord Grants

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Disabled Grants

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Veteran Grants

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Pensioner Grants

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Varieties of Insulation Available

Numerous insulation options are accessible to accommodate every home.

Spray Foam Insulation

Spray Foam for Enhanced Energy Efficiency with Insulation Applications

Loft Insulation

Quickly insulate your home with one of the simplest methods.

External Wall Insulation

External installation of insulation on the exterior of the house.

Internal Wall Insulation

Effective internal insulation helps retain heat within your living spaces.

Party Wall Insulation

Insulate internal walls for improved room-to-room temperature control.

Cavity Wall Insulation

Insulate walls using cavity space for effective temperature regulation indoors.

Flat Roof Insulation

Insulation designed for various types of flat-roofed buildings.

Underfloor Insulation

Floor insulation reduces heat loss and enhances energy efficiency indoors.

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