Two smiling girls relaxing on couch in a warm home with new ECO4 heating system

Millions of UK Homes Poorly Insulated- Get Support with ECO4 Grants

Struggling with energy bills? Poor insulation could be the problem—and the ECO4 scheme may be the solution.

As energy costs continue to challenge millions of UK households, the issue of poor home insulation has never been more urgent. According to recent studies, over 19 million UK homes are classed as energy inefficient, leaking heat through walls, roofs, and windows. The result? Higher heating bills, increased carbon emissions, and greater risk of fuel poverty. But there’s good news: the ECO4 grant scheme is here to help qualifying homeowners and tenants access free insulation grant and energy efficiency upgrades.

In this article, we’ll explore what poor home insulation really means for UK homeowners why addressing it is more urgent than ever, and how you could get help through ECO4 grants today.

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What’s Behind the UK’s Home Insulation Crisis?

Many homes in the UK built before the 1930s are poorly insulated and lose a lot of heat, making them energy inefficient. Around 15 million homes in Great Britain now have some insulation: 70% have cavity wall insulation, 67% have loft insulation, but only 10% have solid wall insulation. Still, millions of homes are cold, draughty, and expensive to heat, leaving many people struggling with high energy bills.

Find out what Government Grants you can receive & how much you can save.

How much could I save?

How Poor Home Insulation Affects Health, Energy Bills, and Carbon Emissions

Poorly insulated homes can increase energy bills by up to £600 a year, especially in F-rated properties. Homes rated F can have very high energy bills, around £4,431 a year, while homes rated C can have much lower bills, about £1,669. Poor insulation can also lead to serious health issues such as damp-related mould, breathing problems, slower child development, and a decline in mental health. In fact, the report says that living in cold homes can make people twice as likely to develop new mental health problems and three times more likely to make existing ones worse. On top of that, UK homes are responsible for around 17% of the country’s carbon emissions, so improving insulation is an important step towards reaching the net-zero emissions target by 2050.

Introducing ECO4: What It Offers & Who’s Eligible

ECO4 is the fourth stage of a government plan to make millions of homes in the UK more energy efficient. Through this scheme, eligible homeowners can apply for an insulation grant to help pay for home improvements, such as loft insulation, solid wall insulation, and other types of insulations that prevent heat loss. These upgrades are often available at little or no cost to the homeowner. This not only helps protect the environment by reducing energy use, but also lowers energy bills over time. The UK government has set specific budgets and rules to target homes that waste the most energy—especially older or poorly insulated properties. The goal is to make UK homes more sustainable, warmer, and better for the environment by cutting carbon emissions. The main aim of ECO4 is to improve energy efficiency in homes by offering insulation grants and related support, helping the government reach its target of making all housing more energy efficient by 2035.

Who’s Eligible?

You might be able to get free energy-saving home upgrades through Heat1 if you meet the following conditions:

  • Your home has an EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) rating of D, E, F, or G

  • You have a low income and spend a large part of it on energy bills

  • Your home isn’t connected to the gas grid or uses an old, inefficient heating system

  • Your boiler is a non-condensing model installed before 2005 or is over 20 years old

  • You receive one or more of these government benefits:

  • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)

  • Housing Benefit

  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

  • Income Support (IS)

  • Pension Credit Guarantee Credit (PCGC)

  • Working Tax Credit (WTC)

  • Child Tax Credit (CTC)
  • Universal Credit (UC)
  • Pension Credit Savings Credit (PCSC)
  • Child Benefit

This means that if you’re struggling with energy costs and meet these conditions, you could receive support through the ECO4 Grant to make your home more energy-efficient.

Types of Insulation & Savings

Loft Insulation: Save Up to 25% on Heat Loss

Loft insulation can reduce heat loss by up to 25% and save about £225–£230 per year on energy bills.

Solid Wall Insulation: Higher Cost, Bigger Savings

Solid wall insulation, whether internal or external, costs more (around £7,500+), but can save approximately £320 per year.

Underfloor Insulation: Added Comfort and Savings

Underfloor insulation improves comfort and can save around £70 per year. Heating controls are also commonly installed as part of ECO4.

Overall Savings from ECO4 Measures

Typical annual energy savings from ECO4 upgrades range from £300 to £400, and can be as much as £730 depending on the improvements made.

Benefits of ECO4 Upgrades for Homeowners

  • Lower energy bills – Save hundreds of pounds each year.

  • A warmer, more comfortable home – Less cold and fewer drafts.

  • Higher home value – Energy-efficient homes are easier to sell or rent.

  • Help the environment – Cut carbon emissions and support the UK’s goal for Net Zero.

How Do You Apply for Loft and Wall Insulation?

Check If You Qualify
Enter your postcode to see if you can take part in the scheme. Heat1’s free grant checker only takes about 60 seconds to complete.

Book Your Installation
After your eligibility is confirmed and your home is inspected, Heat1 will schedule the loft insulation installation. Their experienced engineers will complete the work quickly and with minimal disruption to your routine.

Prepare Your Documents
Make sure you have all the important papers ready, like proof of income, your home’s EPC rating, and any benefit information that shows you qualify for the grant.

Why Insulation Grants Are Essential for UK Homeowners

Many UK homeowners struggle with rising energy bills due to poor home insulation. Insulation grants, like those offered through the ECO4 scheme, provide vital financial support to help improve home energy efficiency. Through these grants, homeowners can access funding for loft insulation grants and solid wall insulation, which significantly reduce heat loss, lower monthly energy costs, and create a more comfortable living environment. These grants make energy-saving improvements affordable, especially for low-income families and those living in older, harder-to-heat homes. If you want these insulation grants, you may be able to get them for free through Heat1 under the ECO4 scheme.

The Environmental Impact of Better Home Insulation

Improving home insulation is not just about saving money—it’s also a key part of the UK’s plan to reduce carbon emissions and fight climate change. Homes are responsible for around 17% of the country’s carbon footprint, largely due to heat loss. ECO4 grants encourage homeowners to upgrade their insulation and heating systems, reducing energy consumption and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. By participating in these schemes, homeowners contribute to national goals like the Net Zero target set for 2050.

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Final Thoughts: Don’t Let Poor Insulation Drain Your Wallet

Millions of UK homes continue to lose heat and money due to poor insulation. Fortunately, the ECO4 scheme offers vital support to make your home warmer, more energy-efficient, and more comfortable at no cost. These improvements not only save you money but also help reduce carbon emissions and contribute to the UK’s goal of reaching net zero by 2050. If you think your home might be eligible for insulation or heating upgrades, don’t wait—check your eligibility and apply for ECO4 grants today through the heat1.co.uk website to start saving on your energy bills.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Yes, you can get free loft insulation through the ECO4 scheme if your home has a low energy rating (below D) and someone living there gets certain government benefits.

The ECO4 scheme helps low-income and fuel-poor households improve their home’s energy efficiency. You may qualify if you have a low income, receive certain benefits, live in a home with a low EPC rating (E, F, or G). This support is designed to help reduce energy bills and make homes warmer.

As of 2024, there is a government grant scheme available for home insulation in the UK — the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) scheme.

Yes, external wall insulation is a great way to make your home more energy efficient. About 33% of heat is lost through uninsulated walls. By adding insulation to solid walls, you could save up to £550 a year on energy bills and reduce your home’s carbon footprint by around 1.5 tonnes especially if you live in a detached house.

The whole process usually takes just a few days. The eligibility check is quick, the home survey is done in 1–2 days, and the installation is completed within 1–2 days after approval.

Free Boiler Scheme

Qualified engineer installing a modern Worcester boiler in a kitchen, enhancing energy efficiency as part of the ECO4 scheme.

Homeowners on benefits with a 15 year+ boiler can claim a Free boiler grant.