--- title: "Free Insulation Grants UK 2026 — ECO4 & GBIS | Alliant Energy" description: "GBIS closed March 2026. Free insulation still available through ECO4 until December 2026. Check eligibility with Alliant Energy — TrustMark-registered installer, North West." lang: en json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": [ "Organization", "LocalBusiness", "ProfessionalService" ], "@id": "https://alliantenergy.co.uk/#organization", "name": "Alliant Energy Ltd", "alternateName": "Alliant Energy", "legalName": "Alliant Energy Ltd", "url": "https://alliantenergy.co.uk", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://alliantenergy.co.uk/logo.png", "width": 320, "height": 80 }, "image": "https://alliantenergy.co.uk/og-default.jpg", "description": "MCS-registered renewable energy specialists installing solar PV, battery storage, EV charging and air source heat pumps for UK homes and businesses across the North West. ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001 certified. 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}, { "@type": "City", "name": "Wirral" } ], "knowsAbout": [ "Solar Panel Installation", "Commercial Solar PV", "Battery Storage Systems", "Air Source Heat Pumps", "EV Charging Installation", "Smart Export Guarantee", "MCS Certification", "Renewable Energy", "Energy Saving" ], "sameAs": [ "https://maps.google.com/?cid=12149377311066770099", "https://mcscertified.com/find-an-installer/", "https://www.trustmark.org.uk/find-a-tradesperson/" ] }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://alliantenergy.co.uk/#website", "url": "https://alliantenergy.co.uk", "name": "Alliant Energy", "inLanguage": "en-GB", "publisher": { "@id": "https://alliantenergy.co.uk/#organization" } } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Service", "name": "Great British Insulation Scheme & ECO4 Installations", "description": "GBIS closed 31 March 2026. 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However, ECO4 is still running until 31 December 2026 and covers many of the same measures — including cavity wall and loft insulation — for eligible households." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What is ECO4 and how is it different from GBIS?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "ECO4 (Energy Company Obligation 4) is a government scheme funded by the large energy suppliers. It targets low-income and fuel-poor households specifically. GBIS had broader eligibility (including mid-range EPC properties without a qualifying benefit) but is now closed. ECO4 remains open until December 2026." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What if I applied for GBIS before it closed?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "If you were already in the GBIS pipeline before 31 March 2026, your energy supplier may still be processing your installation. Contact your energy supplier or the installer you were working with to confirm the status of your application." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Do I have to pay anything?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "If you qualify under ECO4 or LA Flex, the installation is fully funded — zero cost to you. For households that don't qualify but want insulation, we offer competitively priced private installations. Ask us for a quote." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How long does an installation take?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Most insulation measures (cavity wall, loft) are completed in one day. Solid wall insulation and heat pumps take longer — typically two to five days depending on the property. We give you a precise timeline before any work begins." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Will you install solar at the same time?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes. Where eligibility allows under LA Flex, solar PV can be included as part of a whole-house energy package. Even where it isn't funded, many customers choose to add solar to their installation — our packages start from £5,999 with." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What areas do you cover?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "We install across the North West — Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Cheshire and surrounding areas. If you're not sure whether we cover your postcode, call 01282 501589 or use our online checker." } } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://alliantenergy.co.uk/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Services", "item": "https://alliantenergy.co.uk/services" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Great British Insulation Scheme", "item": "https://alliantenergy.co.uk/services/great-british-insulation-scheme" } ] } ] --- [![Alliant Energy — Renewable Energy Solutions](/__l5e/assets-v1/3bd22195-cc6e-43e6-b5ff-5a808ce292d3/alliantenergyltd-2.svg)](/) [Home](/)[About](/about-us) [Services](/services) [Guides](/guides)[Case Studies](/case-study)[![Levelise](/__l5e/assets-v1/59fd362e-361a-47d7-ad1f-65e9beeb5289/levelise-logo.webp)](/guides/levelise-hub-explained) [01282 501589](tel:01282501589)[Get a Quote →](/quote) Government insulation scheme # Free home insulation. The rules changed in 2026. Here's what you can still get. The Great British Insulation Scheme closed to new referrals on 31 March 2026. But free and heavily subsidised insulation is still available through ECO4 — which runs until December 2026. If you were looking for GBIS, this is the page you need. - TrustMark Registered - PAS 2030 Certified - MCS Registered - ECO4 Approved - 5-Year Workmanship Warranty Alliant's own guarantee on the quality of our installation and labour — separate from, and in addition to, the manufacturer's product and performance warranties (up to 30 years on solar panels), which cover the equipment itself. \*The 5-Year Workmanship Warranty covers Alliant's own installation and labour — distinct from the manufacturer's product and performance warranties (up to 30 years on panels), which cover the equipment itself. [Check Your Eligibility →](/quote)[Request a Callback](/request-callback)[Download Brochure](/brochure) Alliant Energy is a TrustMark-registered, MCS-registered installer approved to carry out government-funded insulation and energy efficiency measures. We serve homes across Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire. Scheme status ## What happened to the Great British Insulation Scheme? GBIS launched in 2023 as a standalone scheme sitting alongside ECO4. It was designed to help households in England with lower EPC ratings (bands D to G) get cavity wall and loft insulation, regardless of income — a broader eligibility than ECO4. By the time the referral service closed on 31 March 2026, GBIS had funded upgrades for around 98,600 homes across England. The scheme achieved close to its target and was not extended. **GBIS is closed.** New applications are no longer being accepted through any channel. ECO4 is still running — extended to 31 December 2026. If you qualify, you could still get free insulation, a heat pump or other energy efficiency measures at no cost to you. Apply soon: once suppliers hit their targets, the funding stops — even before December. What's available now ## What you can still get in 2026. Through ECO4 and its Local Authority Flex (LA Flex) route, eligible households can receive a range of free energy efficiency upgrades — fully funded by energy suppliers, at no cost to you. ### Cavity wall insulation Fills the gap between inner and outer walls with insulating material. Most effective single measure for reducing heat loss. EPC D–G, qualifying benefit or LA Flex ### Loft insulation Insulating material laid between and over joists in the loft. Prevents up to 25% of heat loss through the roof. EPC D–G, qualifying benefit or LA Flex ### Solid wall insulation Internal or external insulation for homes without a cavity. Higher cost — more commonly funded through ECO4 than GBIS was. Qualifying benefit + EPC D–G ### Air source heat pump Replaces a gas boiler with a low-carbon heating system. Runs on electricity, produces 3–4 units of heat per unit used. EPC D–G + qualifying benefit ### Heating controls upgrade Smart thermostats, TRVs and room controls that reduce waste by heating rooms only when needed. Often bundled with insulation ### Solar PV (in some cases) Solar panels, typically installed alongside insulation as part of a whole-house package. Subject to LA Flex criteria All measures are fully installed by TrustMark-registered, PAS 2030-compliant contractors. Zero cost to the householder for qualifying installations. Eligibility ## Do you qualify for free insulation through ECO4? ECO4 has two eligibility routes. You only need to meet one of them. ### Route 1 — Qualifying benefits You receive at least one of the following: - Universal Credit - Pension Credit (Guarantee or Savings Credit) - Income Support - Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) - Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) - Housing Benefit - Child Tax Credit (household income below £16,190) - Working Tax Credit (household income below £16,190) ### Route 2 — LA Flex Your local council may extend eligibility to households that are low-income, fuel-poor or vulnerable, even without a qualifying benefit. Typical thresholds range from £31,000 to £38,000 gross household income depending on family size and location. Your home must also have an EPC rating of D, E, F or G (band D only applies to some measures). We can check your property's current EPC rating for free as part of your eligibility assessment. Not sure if you qualify? We'll do a free eligibility check over the phone in under 10 minutes. No commitment, no hard sell. Call [01282 501589](tel:01282501589) or request a callback. [Check My Eligibility →](/quote)[Request a Callback](/request-callback) How it works ## Four steps. Step 1 ### Free eligibility check Call us or request a callback. We'll ask a few questions about your household, income and current EPC rating. Takes 10 minutes. No forms to fill in at this stage. Step 2 ### Home survey If you're eligible, we book a free home survey. One of our surveyors visits to assess your insulation type, roof condition, wall construction and heating system. This takes around an hour. Step 3 ### Measure recommendation We present a written recommendation of what you qualify for and what we'd install. You decide what you want. There's no obligation to proceed. Step 4 ### Installation If you go ahead, we schedule the installation. Most insulation measures are completed in one day. All work is carried out by our TrustMark-registered, fully insured teams and backed by installation guarantees. What comes next ## What comes after ECO4? The Warm Homes Plan. The UK government has committed £15 billion to the Warm Homes Plan — the successor to ECO4. It's designed to upgrade 5 million homes over the next few years, with a focus on low-carbon heating (heat pumps) alongside insulation. The Warm Homes Plan is expected to roll out in phases from 2026 onwards. Eligibility is likely to be similar to ECO4, with expanded provision for owner-occupiers and a greater emphasis on whole-house retrofits. **ECO4 ends December 2026.** If you're eligible now, don't wait for the Warm Homes Plan — apply while ECO4 funding is available. Supply is not guaranteed to last until the December deadline. Why Alliant ## Why choose Alliant Energy for government-funded work? Government-funded schemes require your installer to hold specific accreditations. Using an unaccredited contractor risks losing your funding, failing your installation inspection, and being liable for remedial work costs. Alliant holds every accreditation required. ### TrustMark registered Mandatory for all government-funded energy efficiency work from 2024 onwards. Without it, installations don't qualify for ECO4 / Warm Homes funding. ### MCS Registered Required for any solar PV, heat pump or renewable technology installed under a funded scheme. ### NAPIT approved Electrical competence scheme approval — required for heating controls, solar and EV charging installations. ### PAS 2030 compliant The retrofit installation standard. Required by all ECO4 and Warm Homes Plan specifications. ### ISO 9001 certified Quality Management System — ensures consistent installation standards and audit trails. ### RECC member Renewable Energy Consumer Code — consumer protection for funded renewable energy installations. We serve homes across Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Cheshire and beyond. We work directly with households — not as a referral middleman. FAQ ## Common questions. ### Is the Great British Insulation Scheme still open? No. The GBIS referral service closed on 31 March 2026. New applications are no longer being accepted. However, ECO4 is still running until 31 December 2026 and covers many of the same measures — including cavity wall and loft insulation — for eligible households. ### What is ECO4 and how is it different from GBIS? ECO4 (Energy Company Obligation 4) is a government scheme funded by the large energy suppliers. It targets low-income and fuel-poor households specifically. GBIS had broader eligibility (including mid-range EPC properties without a qualifying benefit) but is now closed. ECO4 remains open until December 2026. ### What if I applied for GBIS before it closed? If you were already in the GBIS pipeline before 31 March 2026, your energy supplier may still be processing your installation. Contact your energy supplier or the installer you were working with to confirm the status of your application. ### Do I have to pay anything? If you qualify under ECO4 or LA Flex, the installation is fully funded — zero cost to you. For households that don't qualify but want insulation, we offer competitively priced private installations. Ask us for a quote. ### How long does an installation take? Most insulation measures (cavity wall, loft) are completed in one day. Solid wall insulation and heat pumps take longer — typically two to five days depending on the property. We give you a precise timeline before any work begins. ### Will you install solar at the same time? Yes. Where eligibility allows under LA Flex, solar PV can be included as part of a whole-house energy package. Even where it isn't funded, many customers choose to add solar to their installation — our packages start from £5,999 with. ### What areas do you cover? We install across the North West — Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Cheshire and surrounding areas. If you're not sure whether we cover your postcode, call 01282 501589 or use our online checker. ## ECO4 ends December 2026. Check your eligibility now. Funding is available now — but it won't last indefinitely. Energy suppliers close their allocation when targets are met, which can happen months before the official end date. If you think you qualify, the best time to apply is today. Alliant Energy will handle the eligibility check, home survey, measure recommendation and installation. One point of contact. No referral fees. No middlemen. [Check My Eligibility →](/quote)[Request a Callback](/request-callback)[Download Brochure](/brochure) Areas we cover ## Insulation grants across the North West Our Nelson-based team installs funded insulation measures in [Nelson](/solar-panel-quotes-north-west/nelson) , [Burnley](/solar-panel-quotes-north-west/burnley) , [Blackburn](/solar-panel-quotes-north-west/blackburn) , [Preston](/solar-panel-quotes-north-west/preston) and [Manchester](/solar-panel-quotes-north-west/manchester) , plus every town below across Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire. [Insulation grants Manchester](/solar-panel-quotes-north-west/manchester)[Insulation grants Liverpool](/solar-panel-quotes-north-west/liverpool)[Insulation grants Preston](/solar-panel-quotes-north-west/preston)[Insulation grants Lancaster](/solar-panel-quotes-north-west/lancaster)[Insulation grants Blackpool](/solar-panel-quotes-north-west/blackpool)[Insulation grants Bolton](/solar-panel-quotes-north-west/bolton)[Insulation grants Warrington](/solar-panel-quotes-north-west/warrington)[Insulation grants Chester](/solar-panel-quotes-north-west/chester)[Insulation grants Altrincham](/solar-panel-quotes-north-west/altrincham)[Insulation grants Accrington](/solar-panel-quotes-north-west/accrington)[Insulation grants Crewe](/solar-panel-quotes-north-west/crewe)[Insulation grants Southport](/solar-panel-quotes-north-west/southport)[Insulation grants Knutsford](/solar-panel-quotes-north-west/knutsford)[Insulation grants Macclesfield](/solar-panel-quotes-north-west/macclesfield)[Insulation grants Rochdale](/solar-panel-quotes-north-west/rochdale)[Insulation grants Wilmslow](/solar-panel-quotes-north-west/wilmslow)[Insulation grants Chorley](/solar-panel-quotes-north-west/chorley)[Insulation grants Burnley](/solar-panel-quotes-north-west/burnley)[Insulation grants St Helens](/solar-panel-quotes-north-west/st-helens)[Insulation grants Oldham](/solar-panel-quotes-north-west/oldham)[Insulation grants Blackburn](/solar-panel-quotes-north-west/blackburn)[Insulation grants Wigan](/solar-panel-quotes-north-west/wigan)[Insulation grants Stockport](/solar-panel-quotes-north-west/stockport)[Insulation grants Wirral](/solar-panel-quotes-north-west/wirral)[Insulation grants Padiham](/solar-panel-quotes-north-west/padiham)[Insulation grants Nelson](/solar-panel-quotes-north-west/nelson) Three ways to get started ## Ready to find out what solar saves you? Get a tailored quote in one working day. No obligation. No hard sell. Speak to a renewable energy engineer — not a salesperson — at a time that suits you. [Get a Quote → ](/quote) [Request a Callback →](/request-callback) [Download Brochure →](/brochure) Accreditations ## Certified, registered, and insured. Every time. MCS certification isn't a box-ticking exercise — it qualifies your system for Smart Export Guarantee payments and government grants. Our installers are also NICEIC-approved and TrustMark-registered, and every install is fully insured. ![Citation ISO Certification: ISO 9001 quality management, ISO 14001 environmental management and ISO 45001 occupational health and safety](/__l5e/assets-v1/180183cd-e6fd-4b0a-984c-83e6a41390d7/accreditations-iso.jpg) ![Alliant Energy — Renewable Energy Solutions](/assets/logo-IFrgP5Dc.png) Renewable energy & energy-saving specialists. MCS-registered solar PV, battery storage, heat pumps and EV charging across the UK. #### Quick Links - [Home](/) - [About Us](/about-us) - [Services](/services) - [Case Studies](/case-study) - [Areas We Cover](/solar-panel-quotes-north-west) - [Contact](/contact) - [Privacy Policy](/privacy) - [Terms & Conditions](/terms) #### Services - [Solar for Homes](/services/solar) - [Commercial Solar](/services/commercial-solar) - [Battery Storage](/services/battery-storage) - [Air Source Heat Pumps](/services/heat-pumps) - [EV Charging](/services/ev-charging) - [Energy Saving Advice](/services/energy-saving-advice) #### Contact - [01282 501589](tel:01282501589) - [info@alliantenergy.co.uk](mailto:info@alliantenergy.co.uk) - Unit 214 Northlight Industries, Pendle Road, Brierfield, Nelson BB9 5FL [Get a Quote](/quote)[Brochure](/brochure) Alliant Energy Ltd is an Introducer Appointed Representative (Financial Services Register No. 1020779) of Phoenix Financial Consultants Limited (Phoenix). Phoenix is a credit broker, not a lender. Phoenix is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN: 539195), and offers finance from its panel of lenders. All finance subject to status and credit checks. © 2026 Alliant Energy Ltd. All rights reserved. [Privacy Policy](/privacy)[Terms & Conditions](/terms) MCS Registered · TrustMark · NICEIC [Chat with AI](/chat) [Call back](/request-callback) [Get a Quote](/quote) [Get a Brochure](/brochure) [Get a Quote](/quote) [Chat with AI](/chat)