

Free insulation and boiler grants
Including 'free' £1,000+ cavity wall & roof insulation
There are freebies on offer from energy providers if your home qualifies, from new loft and cavity wall insulation to boiler grants.
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What can you get?
£1,000s in grants and freebies are available under what's known as the Energy Company Obligations (ECO) scheme. It's only available to people who get certain benefits and have an income of £16,190 or less. Many big energy providers are giving away:
Boilers. A grant toward the cost of replacing an old or broken boiler, which can cost up to £2,500 – full info on boilers.
- Loft and cavity wall insulation. Worth up to around £1,000 combined – full info on insulation.
Which suppliers are offering grants and freebies?
Energy suppliers with more than 150,000 customers are required to offer energy efficient home improvements under the ECO scheme. However, the number of measures they'll install depends on their market share, so smaller suppliers will generally have very limited availability.
Suppliers that are part of the scheme include all the big names, including British Gas, E.on, EDF Energy, Scottish Power, SSE and Ovo, as well medium-sized providers such as Octopus Energy, Shell Energy, Utility Warehouse and Utilita. For the full list, including contact details see Ofgem's website.
Quick questions
Boiler grants

A new boiler typically costs £2,500, according to the Energy Saving Trust, but some householders can get a grant that can slash this to just £200-£400, or even get one installed for free.
Who can get a boiler grant?
It's likely you will qualify if:
You own your own home (or, in some cases, rent from a private landlord) AND...
- Someone living at the property qualifies for certain benefits, such as pension credit, universal credit, child benefit (subject to income limit), carer's allowance and disability living allowance. See the full list of qualifying benefits.
Which firms offer boiler grants?
Suppliers that must offer this include all the big names, such as British Gas, EDF Energy, E.on, Scottish Power, SSE and Ovo, as well as medium-sized providers such as Octopus Energy, Shell Energy, Utility Warehouse and Utilita. See Ofgem's full list and contact details for the firms.
How do I get a boiler grant?
Unfortunately, applying isn't that simple as most suppliers don't let you apply online.
- First, check that you qualify. Use the Simple Energy Advice eligibility calculator if you're in England or Wales, or Home Energy Scotland for those in Scotland. In Northern Ireland, you may be able to get free insulation and other freebies through other schemes. For more, see Energy Saving Trust's advice on grants and support for Northern Ireland.
- Contact a supplier. You can then contact any participating supplier (it's best to call as suppliers have differing application processes, but it doesn't have to be your own firm). Only E.on lets you apply online.
Free loft and cavity wall insulation

Cavity wall and loft insulation is worth up to £1,000 and can slice up to £570/year off energy bills. Energy firms are offering it for free, as long as you own your home and meet their eligibility criteria – but make sure it's right for your home first.
What exactly is loft and cavity wall insulation?
Cavity wall insulation. Most homes built between 1920 and 1990 have a gap between internal and external walls. Filling the cavity with insulating material means cold air's kept out, and warm air stays in – but it's not suitable for all.
Loft insulation. Up to a quarter of your home's heat escapes through the roof, but you can limit this by laying mineral wool under the rafters.
Cavity wall insulation ISN'T right for everyone
Installed properly and in appropriate properties, cavity wall insulation can improve energy efficiency and cut home heating bills. Yet there has been a catalogue of horror stories of major damp and mould problems emerging after installation – with claims it's cost some £1,000s to fix, and even impacted their health.
If you're considering cavity wall insulation, it's vital to first check that it's suitable for your home.
Quick questions
Who qualifies for free insulation?
It's likely you will qualify if:
You own your own home (or, in some cases, rent from a private landlord) AND...
- Someone living at the property qualifies for certain benefits, such as pension credit, universal credit, child benefit (subject to income limits), carer's allowance and disability living allowance. See the full list of qualifying benefits.
You own your own home (or, in some cases, rent from a private landlord) AND...
Which firms offer free insulation?
Suppliers that must offer this include all the big names, such as British Gas, EDF Energy, E.on, Scottish Power, SSE and Ovo, as well as medium-sized providers such as Octopus Energy, Shell Energy, Utility Warehouse and Utilita. See Ofgem's full list and contact details for the firms.
How do I apply for the free insulation?
Unfortunately, most suppliers don't let you apply online, so applying isn't that simple.
- First, check that you qualify. Use the Simple Energy Advice eligibility calculator if you're in England or Wales, or Home Energy Scotland for those in Scotland.
- Contact a supplier and book a survey. You can then contact any participating supplier to check what it's offering in your area (you don't have to go to your supplier – any participating firm can help, depending on availability).
You'll likely have to call the supplier to find out its exact application process as only E.on lets you apply online. You'll then be able to book a survey to assess if your home is suitable. The work should be free, but if the installation is particularly complex, you will be told if there's likely to be a cost and can choose not to go ahead.
How much can I save with insulation?
The Energy Saving Trust reckons cavity wall insulation typically costs up to £610 to install (including building work), and can save between £75 and £255 a year on your energy bills, depending on your home. Loft insulation costs up to £395 and can save between £125 and £315 a year.
Quick questions
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Our top thrifty heat-saving tips
On top of the help available above, there are sensible changes you can make which can save you large, from homemade draught excluders to insulating your chimney. Here's some of the top thrifty ways to keep your home toasty and your bills low:

- Make your own sausage dog draught excluder. Draught excluders stop heat escaping in gaps between the door and the floor. If you're a creative type, you can make your own sausage dog draught excluder from an old pair of woolly tights filled with some stuffing or old socks.
- Try a chimney sheep to reduce draughts. If you've an open, uninsulated chimney, you could be losing money on wasted heat. Chimney Sheep is a wool draught excluder, starting at £16. It's made from felted sheep wool, so it's naturally breathable and allows moisture to pass through. Be fire aware though – make sure there's nothing blocking your chimney if you're planning to use it.
Another option is a chimney balloon, which is an inflatable 'pillow' that can block your chimney. You can pick them up from DIY shops for around £15.
- Line your curtains with cheap fleece. Chunky window-wear, especially lined and insulated, will keep the warmth in. If you're on a budget, line curtains yourself with cheap fleece blankets (from about £2 at places such as Ikea and Asda) – but remember to check it's fire retardant.
More top tips:
Other ways to cut your energy bill
Here are five energy-saving basics to keep your costs down:
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