Energy grants Free insulation deals
Insulating your home's loft or walls will save money on your energy bills
Insulating your home is one of the most effective ways to cut your energy bills - you could save up to £180 a year by insulating your loft and £140 with cavity wall insulation.
What free insulation can I get?
Until recently, most people were eligible for free or discounted insulation.
These offers were funded through a government-backed scheme called the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (Cert). Consumers all pay for this scheme through a levy on energy bills. Find out more in our energy grants from energy suppliers page.
The Cert scheme ended in December 2012, and most offers have already been withdrawn. Some offers still remain, mainly under the new ECO scheme, but you must comply with certain criteria now to be eligible for free or cheap insulation. See below for details of these schemes.
Scottish Power - free insulation if on selected benefits
1. Free loft insulation and cavity wall insulation.
Who is eligible? Scottish Power customers and non-customers in receipt of certain benefits.
What's the deadline for applications? The offer may be withdrawn at any time.
How can I apply? Over the phone by calling 0845 601 7836.
British Gas - free insulation if on selected benefits
What can I get? Free loft insulation and/or cavity wall insulation
Who is eligible? Eligibility is based on where you live and whether you receive certain income-related benefits.
What's the deadline for applications? The offer may be withdrawn at any time.
How can I apply? You can apply for free British Gas insulation online or by calling 0800 086 1486.
British Gas - £50 for referring someone for insulation
What can I get? British Gas is offering £50 to people who refer someone on eligible benefits for free British Gas insulation. The person receiving the insulation will also get £50.
Who is eligible? To qualify for the payment, the person who will receive the insulation must apply for it and provide details of the person who referred them to the deal. The offer is open to all, not just British Gas customers. The person receiving the insulation must meet the free insulation criteria, but the person referring them doesn't have to. Click to read British Gas' £50 insulation offer terms and conditions.
What's the deadline for applications? The offer may be withdrawn at any time.
How can I apply? Over the phone by calling 0800 084 3863.
Sainsbury's Energy - free insulation
What can I get? Free loft and cavity wall insulation.
Who is eligible? Anyone who is a Sainsbury's, www.sainsburys.co.uk or Sainsbury's Energy customer and over 70 or in receipt of certain benefits. Click to read Sainsbury's Energy terms and conditions.
What's the deadline for applications? The offer may be withdrawn at any time.
How can I apply? Over the phone by calling 0800 077 3831.
Npower - free insulation if on selected benefits
What can I get? Free loft and/or cavity wall insulation.
Who is eligible? Npower customers or non-consumers who are in receipt of certain benefits.
What's the deadline for applications? The offer may be withdrawn at any time.
How can I apply? You can apply for free Npower insulation online or by calling 0800 980 2135.
Npower - Cavity wall insulation or loft insulation from £149
What can I get? Discounted loft and cavity wall insulation.
Who is eligible? Available to all. Price starts at £149.
What's the deadline for applications? The offer may be withdrawn at any time.
How can I apply? You can apply for Npower discounted insulation online or by calling 0800 980 2135.
Discounts on DIY insulation products
If you decide to install your own loft insulation, look out for the Energy Saving Trust Recommended logo to ensure you are buying insulation products that have been through a quality control process and comply with building regulations.
You can buy insulation from shops such as B&Q and Homebase, with loft insulation products typically costing between £8 and £25 for around a 200mm roll.
What type of insulation do I need?
To work out which type of insulation is right for your home, read our guides to loft insulation and cavity wall insulation.
Before taking up any deal, you'll need to read the small print for each insulation offer to make sure you and your home are eligible. Companies typically need to be able to insulate at least two thirds of your loft space, and exclude properties with more than 60mm of loft insulation already in place.
Also, you may not be eligible if you live in a rented property, flats and maisonettes, housing association or council properties. Most deals apply only to people living in mainland Great Britain.
You may need to pay towards the cost of your 'free' insulation if you live in a particularly large or unusual house. We've listed the best deals above depending on your circumstances.
- Read our guide to installing loft insulation
- Top tips to help you cut your energy costs
- Find out which are the best and worst energy companies
