Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS)

Discover the Great British Insulation Scheme: A government-led initiative offering free or discounted insulation upgrades to make homes more energy-efficient, reduce energy bills, and combat fuel poverty across Great Britain.

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Welcome to the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS), a forward-thinking initiative by the UK government, overseen by Ofgem, designed to enhance the energy efficiency of homes across the nation. Uniquely inclusive, GBIS is available not only to those on benefits but also to a wider range of households.

GBIS Details and Eligibility

It targets properties with an Energy Performance Certificate rating of D to G, within Council Tax bands A-D in England and A-E in Scotland and Wales. The scheme offers essential insulation upgrades, such as loft, cavity wall, roof, and floor insulation, accessible to homeowners as well as tenants (with landlord consent).

Bubba Energy Involvement and Support

With GBIS focusing on providing one significant insulation upgrade per home, it marks a crucial step in reducing energy bills, improving home comfort, and advancing the UK towards its net-zero emissions ambition. Bubba Energy proudly participates in GBIS, providing expert assistance and services to help homeowners and tenants navigate and benefit from this essential scheme.

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Overview

1. Difference To ECO4

2. How to Qualify

3. One Insulation Upgrade Per Household

4. Benefits Of Each Upgrade

5. Three Step Process

6. Why Bubba Energy?

7. FAQs And Responses

8. Final Considerations

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We Take Care of Everything

Everything Installed for Free

1. Difference To ECO4

The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) and the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) are both about making homes more energy-efficient, but they do it in different ways. ECO4 is mainly for helping people with low incomes or who struggle to pay their energy bills. It asks energy companies to help these households by improving things like insulation or heating systems. On the other hand, GBIS is for a wider group of people. It’s not just for those with low incomes; it’s for anyone living in homes that aren’t very energy-efficient, which is shown by their Energy Performance Certificate ratings. This means GBIS can help more different types of households get better insulation.

Confirm your eligibility for GBIS government backed energy grants worth £’000s!

2. How to Qualify

Who Can Apply? GBIS is designed to improve energy efficiency in homes across Britain. Here’s how you can qualify:

Your Role as a Homeowner or Tenant:
  • Homeowners: Simply owning your home makes you partly eligible. See next steps below.

  • Tenants: You can apply with permission from your landlord, including those in social housing or properties owned by management companies​​.

General Group 

To be eligible for the GBIS under the general group, you must:

If you qualify, you will receive one insulation upgrade. You may be required to contribute a small amount towards the installation costs but this will be discussed with you before any work is carried out. 

Low Income Group 

To be eligible for the GBIS under the low-income group, you must:

      • Receive qualifying benefits (such as Child Benefit, Pension Guarantee Credit, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, Tax Credits, Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, Pension Credit Saving Credit).

      • Live in less efficient housing with an EPC rating of D to G. Find your EPC rating here.

This group may be eligible for lower cost or free insulation. Additionally, owner-occupied households could also receive heating controls as part of the upgrade.

Next Steps:
  • Fit into one of these groups? Great! Contact us by filling out our eligibility form.

3. One Insulation Upgrade Per Household​

Under the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS), every eligible household is entitled to a single, significant insulation upgrade, aimed at enhancing energy efficiency and reducing heating costs. This singular insulation upgrade is a pivotal step towards improving home warmth and energy conservation.

Additional Benefits for Low-Income Households

For those in the low-income group, there is an added benefit: the potential inclusion of heating controls along with the insulation upgrade. These heating controls are an essential addition for homes with less efficient heating systems, providing better temperature regulation and further contributing to energy savings. This approach ensures that while every household receives one major upgrade, those in greater need receive additional support to maximise their energy efficiency gains.

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Confirm your eligibility for GBIS government backed energy grants worth £’000s!

4. Benefits Of Each Upgrade

Each of these upgrades contributes to making homes more comfortable and energy-efficient, ultimately leading to cost savings and a lower carbon footprint.

  1. Cavity Wall Insulation (Including Party Walls)

    • Reduces heat loss through walls, leading to a warmer home.

    • Decreases energy bills by improving thermal efficiency.

    • Reduces external noise and increases comfort.

  2. External/Internal/Hybrid Wall Insulation (E/I/HWI)

    • Greatly improves a building’s thermal performance.

    • Can significantly reduce heating costs.

    • Enhances the external appearance of the property (in the case of external insulation).

  3. Loft Insulation

    • Keeps heat from escaping through the roof, maintaining a stable indoor temperature.

    • Can significantly lower heating costs.

    • Helps prevent dampness and condensation in the loft space.

  4. Room-in-Roof Insulation

    • Essential for effectively insulating rooms in the roof.

    • Increases comfort in these often colder spaces.

    • Reduces heat loss, leading to energy savings.

  5. Pitched Roof Insulation

    • Essential for homes with sloped roofs to retain heat.

    • Enhances overall energy efficiency of the home.

    • Helps maintain a consistent temperature throughout the seasons.

  6. Floor Insulation

    • Reduces heat loss through floors, particularly beneficial for ground floors.

    • Improves overall comfort by warming up floor surfaces.

    • Can lead to noticeable reductions in heating bills.

  7. Park Home Insulation

    • Tailored to improve energy efficiency in park homes.

    • Significantly reduces heating costs.

    • Enhances the living comfort within these unique home structures.

  8. Solid Wall Insulation

    • Vital for homes with solid walls to reduce heat loss.

    • Can drastically improve thermal efficiency.

    • Offers long-term savings on energy bills.

  9. TRVs and Boiler Programmer & Room Thermostats

    • Allow precise temperature control in individual rooms.

    • Lead to more efficient heating system usage and energy savings.

    • Enhance the overall comfort and usability of the heating system.

Funding Available on a First Come First Served Basis

£1bn in Funding Available

300,000 Homes are Eligible

1

Check Your Eligibility

Fill in the quick form - we’ll call you (usually within a day)

2

Retrofit Assesment

If eligible we'll book a free survey. Once complete, we’ll secure your energy grant

3

Get installed

Our accredited Installation partners will make the heating improvements

Confirm your eligibility for GBIS government backed energy grants worth £’000s!

5. Three Step Process

 

Check Your Eligibility​

Embark on your journey to a more energy-efficient home by initially checking your eligibility. Simply complete our brief online form, and we’ll promptly get in touch with you, typically within a day. This first step is crucial to understand if you meet the criteria for the energy-saving measures under the Great British Insulation Scheme. Our team will guide you through the eligibility requirements, ensuring a smooth start to your application process.

Retrofit Assessment​

Once your eligibility is confirmed, the next step is a comprehensive retrofit assessment. We’ll schedule a free survey of your property, conducted by our team of experts. This assessment is pivotal in determining the specific energy efficiency measure(s) that your property requires. Our team will evaluate various aspects of your home, from insulation needs to heating system efficiency, ensuring that every recommendation is tailored to maximise your energy savings. Upon completion of this survey, we’ll proceed to secure your energy grant, a critical step in funding the proposed improvements.

Get Installed​

The final stage of this process is the installation of the energy efficiency measure(s). We collaborate with accredited installation partners who are skilled in implementing the latest energy-saving technologies. Our partners will carry out the installation of the recommended measure(s), ensuring that they are executed to the highest standards. This phase transforms the plan into reality, leading to a noticeable improvement in your home’s energy efficiency, reduced heating costs, and a significant step towards a greener, more sustainable living environment.

6. Why Bubba Energy?

Choosing Bubba Energy as your partner in the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) offers you a unique blend of commitment, expertise, and tailored service. At Bubba Energy, we’re your allies in making your home more energy-efficient and comfortable while reducing your carbon footprint. Our deep commitment to eradicating fuel poverty and advocating for climate change solutions drives every project we undertake.

Unique Service Approach and Customer Focus

Bubba Energy stands out for its dedicated focus on underserved customers and its mission to make positive environmental impacts. Our approach is holistic; we understand that each home and every customer has unique needs. This understanding guides our retrofit assessments, ensuring that the solutions we provide are not only effective but also customized to meet your specific requirements.

Expert Installation

Furthermore, our partnership with the GBIS is underpinned by a robust network of accredited installation partners. These skilled professionals are not just installers; they are experts in energy efficiency, equipped with the latest knowledge and technologies. Their expertise ensures that the installation process is seamless, efficient, and of the highest quality.

Proactive Customer Service and Support

Lastly, our proactive customer service and support throughout the process, from eligibility checks to the final installation, ensures that your journey towards a more energy-efficient home is smooth and hassle-free. Choose Bubba Energy, and take a step towards a greener, more sustainable future.

7. FAQs And Responses

The Great British Insulation Scheme is primarily funded by the UK government and is part of a broader initiative to improve energy efficiency. While the scheme is administered by Ofgem, large energy companies contribute to its funding as part of their obligations. In some cases, there may be a customer contribution required, but this will be clearly discussed with you before any work is carried out, ensuring transparency and consent.

The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) and the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) are distinct UK energy efficiency initiatives, differing in scope and approach. GBIS typically offers one insulation measure per home, with potential for more in specific scenarios, focusing on individual upgrades for homes with EPC ratings D-G. ECO4, however, adopts a comprehensive ‘whole house’ approach, potentially providing multiple energy-saving measures, not limited to insulation, and targeting broader retrofitting for low-income and vulnerable households. This difference makes ECO4 more extensive in its range of improvements compared to the more singular focus of GBIS.

Who Can Apply? GBIS is designed to improve energy efficiency in homes across Britain. Here’s how you can qualify:

Your Role as a Homeowner or Tenant:

  • Homeowners: Simply owning your home makes you partly eligible. See next steps below.

  • Tenants: You can apply with permission from your landlord, including those in social housing or properties owned by management companies​​.

General Group To be eligible for the GBIS under the general group, you must:

If you qualify, you will receive one insulation upgrade. You may be required to contribute a small amount towards the installation costs but this will be discussed with you before any work is carried out. 

Low Income Group To be eligible for the GBIS under the low-income group, you must:

      • Receive qualifying benefits (such as Child Benefit, Pension Guarantee Credit, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, Tax Credits, Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, Pension Credit Saving Credit).

      • Live in less efficient housing with an EPC rating of D to G. Find your EPC rating here.

This group may be eligible for lower cost or free insulation. Additionally, owner-occupied households could also receive heating controls as part of the upgrade.

Next Steps:

  • Fit into one of these groups? Great! Contact us by filling out our eligibility form.

Under the Great British Insulation Scheme, each eligible household can typically receive one insulation upgrade. This measure is chosen based on a retrofit assessment to ensure it’s the most effective for your home’s energy efficiency. In some instances, additional secondary measures like heating controls may be available, especially for homes in the low-income group. For more details, please refer to the GBIS information on Ofgem’s website.

8. Final Considerations

In summary, the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) is a pivotal step towards enhancing the energy efficiency of homes across the UK. It’s essential for homeowners and tenants to understand the benefits of this scheme, including improved home insulation, reduced energy bills, and contributing to environmental sustainability. Bubba Energy is dedicated to guiding you through the GBIS process, ensuring eligibility criteria are met, and providing a seamless transition to a more energy-efficient home. Embrace this opportunity for a sustainable and cost-effective home environment.

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Confirm your eligibility for GBIS government backed energy grants worth £’000s!