Floor insulation grants for underfloor insulation are part of the government’s ECO4 scheme, which aims to increase your homes heat production and reduce annual energy costs.

Even if your loft and walls are insulated, as much as 20% of your heating can escape through the floor. Insulating the floor in your home can be a significant and cheaper way to retain heat.

As with other types of insulation, you may qualify for a free underfloor insulation grant under the ECO4 scheme if you match the eligibility requirements. Consumer Rights are here to help you with this.

Significant energy and heating expense reductions can be realised by installing underfloor insulation.

Why should you insulate your floor?

Insulating your floors is a smart decision for a variety of reasons. First, it substantially contributes to the enhancement of your homes overall energy efficiency.

Insulation helps maintain a consistent indoor temperature by preventing heat loss through the floors, reducing the need for excessive heating during the harsher months. In turn, this results in reduced energy costs and carbon emissions, making your home more environmentally friendly.

Floor insulation enhances the comfort and livability of your space. It eliminates draughts from below, making your floors warmer and more comfortable to walk on, particularly during the winter.

In addition, it reduces sound transmission between floors, resulting in a quieter and more comfy living environment.

How can I get a grant for floor insulation?

Floor insulation can be expensive for many households in the UK. If you or a household member meets the criteria listed below, you can access a grant through the government and will not be required to pay any of the grants back at any time.

Once you have received the grant and the work in your house has been completed, you should be able to start noticing a significant difference in your household bills and the heat circulating in your home.

Available floor insulation grants

ECO4

ECO is an abbreviation for Energy Company Obligation. This government-led initiative in the UK seeks to eliminate fuel poverty and cut carbon emissions.

The Energy Company Obligation finances the installation of energy-efficient measures in British residences by large and medium-sized energy companies. Installers and required energy suppliers collaborate to install energy-saving measures in your homes, such as loft, wall, and heating improvements.

The Home Heating Cost Reduction Requirement (HHCRO) is the only requirement within the ECO4 scheme.

ECO4 eligibility

  • Income-based job seekers allowance
  • Income-related employment and support allowance
  • Income support
  • Pension credit guarantee credit
  • Working tax credit
  • Child tax credit
  • Universal credit
  • Housing benefit
  • Pension credit savings credit
  • Child benefit (with dependencies)

Local authority flexible eligibility (LA Flex)

The government provides grant funding for energy efficient upgrades through the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) scheme. The LA Flex scheme is one of the opportunities available to homeowners, tenants, and landlords through ECO4.

The following may be available to you through the LA Flex scheme:

To be eligible for the LA Flex fund, you must satisfy one or more of the following requirements:

  • Low-income: If the household income is less than £31,000 before tax you will qualify through route 1 of the LA Flex scheme.
  • Certain conditions that are impacted by the cold: Those with respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, neurobiological disease, cancer, limited mobility, or autoimmune and immunological diseases will qualify via route 3 of the LA Flex scheme. 

    The Great British Insulation Scheme

    Individuals can get funding for floor insulation through the Great British Insulation Scheme.

    The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) is a supplier obligation being developed by the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero of the UK government. The purpose of the scheme is to improve the energy efficiency of British residences.

    First, applicants must determine if they satisfy the scheme’s eligibility requirements, typically income and property type. If you are eligible, an assessor will they be asssigned to come and take measurements from your house.

    If the property is deemed suitable for floor insulation following the survey, individuals may be eligible for financial assistance or grants to cover a substantial portion of the installation costs.

    When funding is released for GBIS, this post will be updated accordingly. 

    How much does floor insulation typically cost?

    The costs associated with floor insulation without the ECO4 grant can vary between £1,000 and £3,000, depending on the size of your home and how much of your home requires insulation.

    This scheme is designed specifically to help those who need to lower their household bills but may struggle to afford them. By receiving this grant, homeowners can save a large amount of money and improve their homes simultaneously, without the additional costs.

    How much money can be saved with floor insulation?

    The following data, compiled by the energy saving trust in 2018, illustrates that the average yearly energy savings depend on the type of home.

    • Independent home – £65
    • Semi-detached home – £40
    • Mid-terraced home – £25
    • Bungalow – £60

    Final Thoughts

    In conclusion, grants for home floor insulation remain an essential means for low-income households in the UK to increase energy efficiency and reduce energy costs. While government policies and priorities regarding residential energy efficiency have shifted over the past decade, grants for floor insulation are still available through schemes such as ECO4 and local governments.

    Government initiatives have focused more on cavity wall insulation, but floor insulation offers comparable energy savings and should remain a part of energy efficiency efforts.