At GREEN ENERGY GRANTS, we are dedicated to helping homeowners and tenants across the UK improve the energy efficiency of their homes through Solid Wall Insulation Grants, often included along with other home insulation measures. The UK Government’s GREEN ENERGY GRANT, Great Britain Insulation Scheme (GBIS), and now the Local Authority FLEX mechanism provide valuable financial assistance to improve the insulation of homes with solid walls, enhancing comfort while lowering energy costs.

Both the Energy Company Obligation (GREEN ENERGY GRANTS) and the Great Britain Insulation Scheme (GBIS) aim to tackle fuel poverty, reduce carbon emissions, and help homes become more energy-efficient. The Local Authority FLEX mechanism adds another dimension by allowing flexible eligibility for households that may not qualify for other schemes. Let’s take a closer look at how these schemes work and how you can benefit.

What is the GREEN ENERGY GRANT?

The GREEN ENERGY GRANT is a government-backed initiative that focuses on reducing carbon emissions and improving energy efficiency in homes. It’s part of the broader Energy Company Obligation, which requires large energy companies to fund energy efficiency measures in eligible households. Under this scheme, homes with solid walls, which typically lose a significant amount of heat, can benefit from solid wall insulation at little or no cost.

If you are eligible, GREEN ENERGY GRANTS will cover the cost of the insulation, ensuring that your home stays warm in winter and cool in summer, without the large expense usually associated with such upgrades. Solid wall insulation can reduce your energy bills substantially and improve your home’s Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating.

What is the GBIS Scheme?

The Great Britain Insulation Scheme (GBIS) is another important initiative aimed at improving the energy efficiency of homes, but it primarily targets properties with lower energy performance ratings, from D to G. It provides support to households in England, Scotland, and Wales, focusing on homes with council tax bands A-D in England or A-E in Scotland and Wales.

If your home falls into these categories and you have a lower EPC rating, you may qualify for solid wall insulation funding under the GBIS. This scheme is designed to ensure that more homes, particularly older ones with solid walls, are better insulated and more energy efficient, thus lowering energy costs and reducing carbon emissions.

What is the FLEX Route?

The Local Authority FLEX mechanism is an important addition to both the GREEN ENERGY GRANTS and GBIS schemes. It was introduced to provide flexibility in the eligibility criteria, allowing Local Authorities to refer households that do not receive any qualifying benefits under GREEN ENERGY GRANTS but are still considered fuel poor or vulnerable.

If your Local Authority participates in the GREEN ENERGY GRANTS Flex, households with low income, fuel poverty, or those vulnerable to the effects of living in a cold home can be referred for funding. There are four distinct FLEX routes through which you could qualify:

FLEX Route 1 – Household Income

Households with a gross annual income of less than £31,000 are eligible under this route. This income threshold applies irrespective of the property size, composition, or region, and it includes income from all members of the household aged 18 or over.

FLEX Route 2 – Proxy Targeting

This route targets households based on a combination of specific indicators or “proxies” of vulnerability, such as living in a deprived area, receiving council tax reductions, or having a child eligible for free school meals due to low income. Households need to meet at least two proxies to qualify.

FLEX Route 3 – NHS Referrals

Households where a person suffers from severe or long-term ill-health conditions that are worsened by cold living conditions can be referred by a health professional under this route. Conditions like cardiovascular diseases, respiratory problems, limited mobility, or immunosuppression make such households particularly vulnerable to the cold.

FLEX Route 4 – Bespoke Targeting

Local Authorities and energy suppliers can propose new methods of identifying households in fuel poverty under this route, offering flexibility and innovation in targeting those in need. This route allows for the development of local schemes that can better serve specific communities and circumstances.

Solid wall insulation is one of the most effective ways to prevent heat loss and improve the energy efficiency of your home. Here’s how it benefits you:

Reduced Energy Bills

Solid wall insulation significantly reduces heat loss, which in turn reduces the amount of energy required to heat your home. This can lead to savings of up to 45% on your heating bills.

Increased Comfort

Insulating your solid walls can help to maintain a consistent temperature in your home. It keeps your house warm in the winter and cool in the summer, providing a more comfortable living environment year-round.

Lower Carbon Footprint

By reducing the amount of energy needed to heat your home, you are also reducing your carbon emissions. This makes your home more environmentally friendly and contributes to the UK’s goal of becoming net-zero by 2050.

Noise Reduction

Solid wall insulation can also provide an added layer of soundproofing, reducing the impact of outside noise and making your home quieter.

Increased Property Value

Improving your home’s energy efficiency with solid wall insulation can boost its value, making it more attractive to potential buyers.

For homes where external solid wall insulation isn’t suitable, such as listed buildings or properties in conservation areas, internal wall insulation offers an effective alternative. Rather than insulating from the outside, this method involves applying insulation to the internal side of external walls. It achieves similar benefits in terms of reducing heat loss, improving energy efficiency, and lowering bills.

Internal wall insulation may be recommended during your property assessment, and it is fully supported under GREEN ENERGY GRANTS, GBIS, and the FLEX scheme where appropriate.

To qualify for a Solid Wall Insulation Grant and any other relevant insulation measures under the GREEN ENERGY GRANT, you must be in receipt of certain benefits. The scheme is designed to support low-income and vulnerable households in making their homes more energy-efficient. If you or someone in your household receives any of the following benefits, you may be eligible::

• Child Tax Credits (CTC)

• Income based Jobseekers Allowance (JSA)

• Income related Employment and Support

• Allowance (ESA)

• Pension Credit Guarantee Credit

• Pension Credit Savings Credit

• Universal Credit (UC)

• Child Benefit dependent on income threshold*
  (Please see below table)

• Working Tax Credit (WTC)

• Income Support

• Housing Benefit

Child Benefit Income Threshold

Eligibility for Child Benefit is subject to an income threshold. The qualifying income levels vary depending on the number of adults and children in your household. Please refer to the table below for the specific thresholds:

If your household income exceeds the specified threshold for Child Benefit, you may not qualify for this particular benefit, but you may still be eligible for a Solid Wall Insulation grant if you receive any of the other qualifying benefits.

GBIS Scheme Eligibility

Under the GBIS scheme, eligibility is based on your home’s Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating and council tax band. To qualify for a grant under this scheme, your property must meet the following criteria:

• Have an Energy Performance Rating (EPC) of D to G

• Be in a council tax band of A to D in England or A to E in Scotland and Wales

If your property qualifies, GBIS will help cover the costs of installing solid wall insulation, making your home more energy-efficient and reducing your energy bills.

Applying for a Solid Wall Insulation Grant with GREEN ENERGY GRANTS is simple and straightforward. Our dedicated team will guide you through each step of the process to ensure a hassle-free experience. Here’s how it works:

1. Complete the Online Application Form

Begin by filling out our online application form. This form collects essential information about your property and your eligibility for the grant. The application is quick and easy, taking only a few minutes to complete.

2. Contact from Our Team

Once we receive your application, a member of our team will get in touch with you. They will confirm your details and discuss the next steps. We are here to answer any questions you may have about the process and the available grant options.

3. Property Assessment

A professional assessor will visit your property to evaluate its current condition and energy efficiency. This assessment helps us determine the specific insulation and energy efficiency measures that will benefit your home the most.

4. Discuss Your Grant Options

Based on the assessment, our team will discuss your Solid Wall Insulation grant options with you. We will outline the full range of energy efficiency improvements available under the grant and ensure that you understand all the eligible measures that can be installed alongside your new insulation.

5. Installation of Solid Wall Insulation and Other Eligible Measures

Once the grant has been approved and the necessary arrangements are made, our certified installers will begin the process of insulating your solid walls. In addition, any other eligible energy efficiency measures will be installed to ensure that your home achieves maximum energy savings.

If you believe you qualify for a Solid Wall Insulation Grant under the GREEN ENERGY GRANTS, GBIS, or FLEX scheme, it’s time to take the next step towards a warmer, more energy-efficient home. At GREEN ENERGY GRANTS, we are here to help guide you through the application process and ensure you receive the full benefits of the scheme.

To apply for a Solid Wall Insulation grant, simply complete our online application form, or contact us for more information. Our team of experts is ready to answer any questions you may have and assist you in determining your eligibility.