
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?
"Free stuff" – we're talking £1,000s' worth – is a sexier phrase than "Energy Company Obligations (ECO) scheme", but they're the same thing. Generally, freebies are only for people who get certain benefits and have an income of £16,190 or less. Many big energy providers are giving away:
Boilers. Typically costing up to £2,300 – full info on boilers.
- Loft and cavity wall insulation. Worth up to around £1,100 combined – full info on insulation.
- Green Homes Grant. A separate scheme, worth up to around £10,000 to help pay for a range of different energy efficiency improvements – full info on the Green Homes Grant.
Quick questions:
Get up to £10,000 for energy efficiency improvements to your home
Under the new Green Homes Grant scheme, homeowners in England on certain benefits can get up to £10,000 in vouchers to cover the whole costs of energy efficiency improvements – such as low carbon heating systems, insulation or double glazing to replace single glazing.
If you're not on benefits, you can still get up to a maximum of £5,000 per household, though it will only cover as much as two-thirds of the costs.
To get involved, you'll need to go quick, as the Government has said you need to have completed the work by 31 March 2021, so there's only a six-month window to sort this.
However, it's not as simple as choosing any work available under the scheme and the process is far from flawless, so see our Green Homes Grant guide for full info on what you can get and how to apply.
Boiler grants

A new boiler typically costs £2,300, according to the Energy Saving Trust, but some householders can get a grant that can slash this to just £200-£400.
Who can get it?
It's likely you will qualify if:
You own your own home (or, in some cases, rent from a private landlord)...
- Someone living at the property qualifies for certain benefits, such as pension credit, universal credit, child benefit, carer's allowance and disability living allowance. See the full list of qualifying benefits.
What's on offer and how do I get a boiler grant?
Three big six providers offer grants toward new boilers:
- E.on – available to existing and non-E.on customers on certain benefits. If your boiler is broken or faulty, E.on will install a new energy efficient boiler, though you'll need to pay a £395 contribution. If the boiler installation requires extra work, such as additional or new pipes, there may be additional costs, however E.on will let you know beforehand. You can see the full eligibility criteria and apply online.
- EDF – available only to existing customers on certain benefits. If your boiler is broken, EDF will install a new energy efficient one, though you'll need to pay a £240 contribution. See its full eligibility online or apply by calling 0330 200 5119.
Ofgem also recommends the Simple Energy Advice website and the Energy Saving Trust as good sources of information. If you apply, we'd love to hear your subsidised boiler experiences.
How much can you save?
Aside from the cost of the boiler itself, the Energy Saving Trust says heating accounts for about 55% of what people spend each year on energy bills, so an efficient boiler will make a big difference. Depending on your boiler's age, a shiny new efficient one could save you up to £315/year.
Quick questions:
Free loft and cavity wall insulation

Cavity wall and loft insulation is worth up to £1,000 and can slice up to £530/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.
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 can get it?
It's likely you will qualify if:
You own your own home (or, in some cases, rent from a private landlord)...
- Someone living at the property qualifies for certain benefits, such as pension credit, universal credit, child benefit, carer's allowance and disability living allowance. See the full list of qualifying benefits.
What's on offer and how do I apply?
- E.on – available to existing and non-E.on customers on certain benefits. You can apply for either loft or cavity wall insulation, or both. See the full eligibility criteria and apply online.
- EDF – available to existing customers on certain benefits. You can apply for either loft or cavity wall insulation, or both. See its full eligibility criteria or call 0333 200 5119.
How much can you 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 £85 and £280 per year on your energy bills, depending on your home. Loft insulation costs up to £395 and can save between £135 and £250 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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