Skip to content 
In order to cut down on carbon pollution and move to cleaner energy sources, oil boilers are no longer the choice. The government doesn’t want to use oil because they care about the earth and want to leave less of a carbon footprint.
Here, we will talk about a few ways to get rid of oil boilers by the year 2035. Heat pumps, solar heating systems, gas boilers, and various alternatives exist. We’ll also talk about how to get ready for the change, and how this will affect the UK households.
Great British Insulation Scheme: A Brief Overview
The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS), announced by the government in March 2023, is a ground-breaking scheme aimed at improving residential energy efficiency and lowering consumers’ energy costs.
With a staggering £1 billion in investment, GBIS hopes to help over 300,000 families throughout the country improve their insulation and reduce their carbon footprints. The program’s goal is to minimise the cost of installing cutting-edge insulation technology, allowing homes to save money on energy while simultaneously helping the environment.
This large-scale strategy, which runs until March 2026, demonstrates the government’s commitment to combating climate change and supporting environmentally beneficial behaviour. GBIS, a model of proactive governance, is evidence of the country’s commitment to helping its residents live greener and more energy-efficient lives in the future.
Great British Insulation Scheme Apply: Categorisation
There are two categories under the Great British Insulation Scheme: the Low Income Group and the General Group. The majority of households belong to the General Group, whilst lower-income families are part of the Low Income Group. By supporting insulation, increasing temperature, and lowering energy expenses, both organisations want to assist houses in becoming more energy-efficient.
General Group
Fortunately, there’s good news if your home isn’t deemed qualified under the ECO4 criteria! If your house falls between council tax bands A through D in England, or bands A through E in Scotland and Wales, you may now be eligible for the Great British Insulation Scheme.
Thus, more individuals will be able to get assistance in improving the insulation in their houses and lowering their energy costs. Therefore, if your property fits into one of these groups, you may qualify for assistance in improving the energy efficiency of your house!
GBIS Eligibility Requirements for General Group
Council Tax Bands
Since its establishment on April 1, 1993, the Council Tax has divided homes into eight assessment bands (A through H). For taxation reasons, properties are categorised using this method, and the amount owed by inhabitants is determined by their band.
- Council Tax bands A, B, C or D in the UK (and E in Scotland & Wales).
- On a rare occasion, a house may be banded even when it is not subject to council tax. A house that has an exemption is often ineligible for GBIS and/or ECO4 financing. Supporting documentation must include photographic evidence of the property’s banding, if applicable.
Starting SAP Energy Efficiency Rating (EPC Band)
- Owner Occupiers:
- Homes must start with an EPC/SAP rating of D, E, F, or G.
- Private Rented:
- Properties should start with an EPC/SAP rating of D or E, unless exempt.
- Landlords must improve F and G rated properties per MEES regulations.
- For exemption proof, a screenshot of the PRS exemptions register is required for F or G-rated private rented properties.
- Social Housing:
- Not eligible under the General Group.
General Group — Available Measures
For homeowners, only one of the listed installations is allowed. Only the following suitable option for your home is provided to enhance energy efficiency:
- External Wall Insulation
- Internal Wall Insulation
- Internal or External Insulation
- Cavity Wall Insulation
- Loft Insulation
- Pitched Roof Insulation
- Flat Roof Insulation
- Underfloor Insulation
- Solid Floor Insulation
- Park Home Insulation
Note: Private rented properties are not eligible for Cavity wall insulation as well as Loft insulation.
Low Income Group
The low-income group includes those who fulfil the general household eligibility conditions of ECO4 (being on means-tested benefits or living in the least efficient social housing) and own homes with an EPC rating from D to G.
GBIS Eligibility Requirements for Low Income Group
Residents must be eligible under the same criteria as ECO4 and the property must be within a starting SAP Energy Efficiency Rating (EPC Band). For this group it will not be necessary to get evidence of council tax banding for the property.
Qualifying ECO4 Benefits and GBIS Flexible Eligibility
- GBIS has the same benefits as ECO4.
- The evidence needed, like providing a matching DWP reference number, is the same for GBIS as it is for ECO4.
- Properties qualified through Flexible Eligibility can use Flex Routes 1 to 3, which have criteria similar to ECO4.
- Flex Route 4 (Bespoke Targeting) is not an option in GBIS.
- Ofgem plans to combine templates for Statement of Intent, declaration, and declaration notification for both ECO4 and GBIS.
- If a local authority hasn’t updated its Statement of Intent to include GBIS, the measure won’t be accepted through GBIS Flexible Eligibility (but it might be eligible through the General Group).
Starting SAP Band Energy Efficiency Rating
- For homes owned by individuals, the initial EPC/SAP rating should be D, E, F, or G.
- In privately rented properties, the starting EPC/SAP rating must be D or E, unless there is an exemption. Landlords are obligated by the local authority (LA) to enhance properties rated F and G under MEES regulations.
- Social housing units need to have an initial EPC/SAP rating of E, F, or G. However, a D rating is only allowed for Innovation Measures that are not related to heating controls.
Low Income Group — Available Measures
Households that would have been eligible under ECO4 but only require a single measure (that would have failed to meet ECO4 minimum requirements).
- For homeowners, only one of the listed installations is allowed, similar to the General group. Only the following option for home is provided for Low-income group to enhance energy efficiency:
- External Wall Insulation
- Internal Wall Insulation
- Internal or External Insulation
- Cavity Wall Insulation
- Loft Insulation
- Pitched Roof Insulation
- Flat Roof Insulation
- Underfloor Insulation
- Solid Floor Insulation
- Park Home Insulation
- Homeowners in the ‘low income’ group can get Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRVs) and/or Boiler Programmer & Room Thermostats as part of a Secondary Installation. They can receive both, not just one.
- However, the installation of smart thermostats, time and temperature zone control (TTZC), and compensation are not considered eligible for secondary installation.
- It’s crucial to note that Secondary Installation, also known as a secondary measure, must be reported at the same time as the Insulation measure. If not, it will be rejected.
Note: In the Low-income group, private rented properties can get all of the above mentioned types of home insulation including Cavity wall insulation and Loft insulation (which are not covered under the General group). Moreover, no secondary installation or measurement is allowed under the Low-income group. As far as social housing is concerned, all insulation installation (no secondary installation) are eligible as opposed to the General group.
Steps to Apply for GBIS: A Simple Walkthrough
Now that you are aware of the essential qualifying criteria, let’s proceed to the detailed application procedure for the Great British Insulation Scheme:
1. Check Your Eligibility
Check to see whether you fit the qualifying requirements first. Make sure you have all the required paperwork, including your EPC, proof of residence, and property age information.
2. Compile Data
Gather information about your property, such as its age, the condition of its insulation, and any problems that may be present. Having these information will be essential when submitting the application.
3. Locate a Certified Installer
Find a qualified installer who has a GBIS registration. These experts are qualified to evaluate your house and suggest appropriate insulation upgrades.
5. Get Ready to Talk
Following the evaluation, you will get a call from our expert who will ask you more questions to check your eligibility.
6. We Proceed Your Application
Once you are eligible, we will forward your application to proceed. Typically, the application procedure is simple, asking you to supply information about your home, the installation, and the intended insulation measures.
7. Approval and Installation
Once your application is accepted, the installer will arrange an installation date. They will make the required changes to your home’s energy efficiency on the agreed-upon date.
Key Statistics of GBIS Result from Mar to Nov 2023
The primary information is taken from the Data Warehouse of the TrustMark. It contains installation measures from the initiation of GBIS (i.e. March 2023) to the end of 2023. They are to be used as a gauge of the GBIS measures that have been put in place so far. In subsequent releases, these numbers will be updated with data on implemented initiatives from Ofgem.
Note: These numbers are subject to change and have not been submitted to Ofgem inspections.
Total 2766 homes got free insulation installation under the Great British Insulation Scheme at the end of November 2023. More than half of these homes received cavity wall insulation, and around 400 received loft insulation.
Because the majority of homes received just one installation as part of the project, the regional distribution of improved households is almost identical to the regional breakdown of home insulation installed.
Moreover, half of the homes where the insulation installed were from four regions: South East, South West, North West and Yorkshire & the Humber. The complete report (including the month of December) is expected to be available on Thursday 18 January 2024.
Conclusion
The Great British Insulation Scheme applying process is a step towards a sustainable and energy-efficient future, not merely a programme. You may create a house that keeps you warm and helps the environment at large by paying attention to the qualifying requirements and completing the application procedure as described in this guide. So why hold off? Discover the potential of the GBIS eligibility and open the door to a more comfortable and environmentally responsible living environment.
