Free loft insulation is available through ECO4 (Energy Company Obligation) if you meet certain criteria. Outside that scheme, grants are rare in 2026. Here's what's available and how to apply.
ECO4: free loft insulation for eligible households
ECO4 is the main route to free loft insulation. You qualify if:
- You receive certain benefits (Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, Child Tax Credit, etc.), or
- Your household income is under £36,000 and your home has an EPC rating of D or below
The scheme covers the full cost of installation. There's no charge to you. Energy companies fund it as part of their obligation to help reduce fuel poverty.
How to apply for ECO4 loft insulation
- Check eligibility. Use the gov.uk Simple Energy Advice tool. Answer questions about your benefits, income, and property. It will tell you if you qualify.
- Contact your energy supplier. Most energy companies run ECO4 schemes. Call them or apply through their website. They'll refer you to an approved installer.
- Book a survey. The installer visits to check your loft is suitable (no damp, accessible, not already insulated to 270mm).
- Installation. If approved, the installer fits the insulation at no cost. Takes half a day to a day.
You don't pay anything. You don't need to repay it if you move house. The grant is tied to the property, not you personally.
What ECO4 covers
ECO4 loft insulation grants typically include:
- 270mm of mineral wool or equivalent insulation
- Clearing old insulation if needed
- Loft hatch insulation
- Tank and pipe lagging
If your loft needs other work first (repairing leaks, clearing clutter), the installer will tell you. ECO4 won't cover structural repairs, but they'll advise what needs fixing before they can insulate.
Local council schemes
Some councils run their own loft insulation schemes, separate from ECO4. These are less common in 2026 than they were a few years ago, but worth checking.
Contact your local council and ask if they have any home energy grants. Most schemes are means-tested (similar eligibility to ECO4). Some offer discounted rates rather than free installation.
If you don't qualify for a grant
If your income is too high or your property already has an EPC C or above, you won't qualify for ECO4. In that case, you pay the full cost yourself.
Professional installation costs £300 to £600 for a typical house. DIY costs £150 to £400 in materials. Given the low cost and fast payback (2 to 4 years), most people who don't qualify just pay for it themselves.
See our full guide on whether loft insulation is worth it for the payback calculation.
Grants that no longer exist
Schemes that have closed or been replaced:
- Green Homes Grant (closed 2021). Offered vouchers for loft and wall insulation. Replaced by ECO4.
- Warm Home Discount (not for insulation). Still running, but it's a £150 credit on your energy bill, not an insulation grant.
- ECO3 (replaced by ECO4 in 2022). Same concept, but ECO4 has wider eligibility and higher income thresholds.
Who to trust
Only use installers who are part of an approved ECO4 scheme. Your energy company will refer you to registered installers. Don't respond to cold calls or door-to-door offers claiming to provide free insulation.
Legitimate installers will:
- Survey your property before quoting
- Provide a written quote and grant confirmation
- Be registered with TrustMark or similar quality schemes
- Not ask for payment upfront (ECO4 is fully funded)
Sources
- Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (2024), "Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) guidance", gov.uk
- Ofgem (2025), "ECO4 scheme overview and eligibility", ofgem.gov.uk