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 £175 a year by insulating your loft and £135 with cavity wall insulation.
What free insulation can I get?
Most people are eligible for some sort of discount on insulating their home, particularly if your are over 70, receive state benefits or earn £16,190 or under. Below we’ve highlighted some of the best free or cheap insulation and cavity wall insulation deals.
The offers are 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 on our energy grants from energy suppliers page.
CERT is due to end at the end of 2012, so act now to benefit from the discounted or free schemes below.
What type of insulation do I need?
To work out which type of insulation is right for your home, read our advice guides on 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 depending on your circumstances.
EDF — free insulation for all and £200
1. Free loft insulation and cavity wall insulation.
Eligibility Open to everyone, not just EDF customers
Deadline Apply before October 2012
Waiting time 30 working days for a survey. Installation 60 working days after survey
2. £200 cash bonus
Eligibility Anyone receiving state benefits such as Child Tax Credit or Pension Credit, and with an income of less than £16,190.
Deadline Apply before October 2012
Waiting time Up to six weeks from when the insulation has been completed
Apply for free EDF insulation or call 0800 015 7786
British Gas — free insulation and £50
For one month (until 31 May 2012) British Gas is offering free loft insulation and cavity wall insulation for all Daily Mirror readers, regardless of whether they are British Gas customers. You can find full details on the Daily Mirror website.
After May 2012:
1. Free loft insulation and cavity wall insulation
Eligibility Existing British Gas customers receiving state benefits such as Child Tax Credit or Pension Credit, and with an income of less than £16,190.
Deadline Apply before 31 July 2012. Installation must be completed by 31 December 2012.
Waiting time Three weeks for a survey. Installation four weeks after survey.
Apply for free British Gas insulation or call 0800 980 8177 (customers) 0800 077 3718 (over 70s)
British Gas terms and conditions
2. £50 for referring someone for insulation
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.
Eligibility 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.
Deadline The offer may be withdrawn at any time.
Waiting time A cheque for £50 will be sent to both the insulation applicant and the person who referred them to British Gas within 30 days of the insulation being installed
To apply call 0800 975 1195
British Gas £50 insulation offer terms and conditions.
Eon - free insulation and a £100 cheque towards energy bills
1. Free insulation
Eligibility Anyone receiving state benefits such as Child Tax Credit or Pension Credit and with an income of less than £16,190.
Deadline May be withdrawn at any time
Waiting time Three months for installation from time of registration.
2. £100 cheque towards energy bills
Eligibility The £100 applies if you claim specific additional benefits to the ones already qualifying you for the free insulation.
Deadline May be withdrawn at any time
Waiting time The £100 cheque will arrive within two months of installation.
Apply for free Eon insulation or call 0845 301 4927.
Npower — free insulation
Eligibility Anyone receiving state benefits such as Child Tax Credit or Pension Credit and with an income of less than £16,190.
Deadline May be withdrawn at any time
Waiting time TBC
Apply for free Npower insulation or call 0800 975 6617
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 that you are buying insulation products that have been through a quality control process and comply with Building Regulations.
You can buy insulation from stores such as B&Q and Homebase, with loft insulation products typically costing between £8 and £25 for around a 200mm roll.
See our advice guides on the types of loft insulation to work out what is best for your home.
- Read our guide to installing loft insulation
- Top tips to help you cut your energy costs
- Find out how British Gas, EDF and Npower performed in our energy company satisfaction survey
