Insulation under ECO4 and GBIS: Is It Really Worth It and Is My Home at Risk?

For many UK homeowners, the promise of free home insulation through government backed schemes sounds too good to be true. And in the past, for some, it sadly was. Stories of botched installations, moisture ridden lofts, and mould infested bedrooms plagued the news cycle, raising fair and understandable doubts about these initiatives. However, the landscape of retrofit insulation in Britain has changed dramatically in recent years. With the introduction of ECO4 and the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS), the government has not only increased the funding available to low income and fuel poor households but has also cracked down on cowboy builders and unregulated providers that once tainted the system.

This article will delve deeply into how the industry has evolved, how your home is now safeguarded by new regulations, what measures are available under the schemes, how they are funded, and why if you are eligible you should absolutely take advantage of the support you have already helped pay for.

The Troubled Past: When Insulation Went Wrong

To understand the current transformation, it is essential to reflect on the troubled history of home insulation in the UK. In previous decades, government schemes like earlier versions of ECO (Energy Company Obligation) were exploited by rogue traders and unscrupulous contractors. Many of these operators saw only pound signs, rushing installations without proper assessments, bypassing ventilation requirements, and submitting fraudulent claims for funding.

The result was thousands of homes left with structural issues. Cavity walls were filled in damp prone areas without any thought for existing moisture ingress, leading to internal damp and black mould. Loft insulation was laid across entire attic floors without airflow planning, turning once dry homes into condensation traps. Worse still, solid wall homes that were completely unsuitable for cavity insulation were sometimes mistakenly or fraudulently treated, causing long term and often irreparable damage to the building fabric.

Homeowners were often left footing the bill to put things right or worse, unable to sell their homes due to the risk of further structural problems. In some cases, insurers even voided home insurance policies where unaccredited insulation works had been carried out.

These failings led to deep mistrust in the schemes. Public perception shifted from viewing these initiatives as beneficial energy efficiency programmes to ticking time bombs with hidden costs and disastrous outcomes.

The Industry Overhaul: Regulation, Accountability and Peace of Mind

Recognising the urgent need to rebuild public trust, the UK government in partnership with TrustMark, the official quality assurance scheme, stepped in with major reforms. The latest iterations ECO4 and GBIS represent not just new funding but a completely new framework.

One of the most significant milestones was the removal of 37 companies from the TrustMark register, the only accrediting body that allows contractors to legally work on government backed insulation schemes. These companies were struck off due to poor workmanship, misrepresentation of qualifications, or failing to adhere to new ventilation and moisture risk standards. In essence, they were purged from the industry.

The result is that only fully vetted, professionally qualified and quality monitored companies can now carry out installations under ECO4 and GBIS. All works are overseen by qualified Retrofit Assessors and Retrofit Coordinators who ensure that insulation is installed only where suitable and that vital aspects like airflow, property age and moisture dynamics are correctly accounted for.

Even more reassuring is the TrustMark two year workmanship guarantee, a legally binding warranty that covers every funded installation under the schemes. If issues arise due to poor workmanship, they must be rectified at no cost to the homeowner.

What Are ECO4 and GBIS?

While they share similarities, ECO4 and GBIS have distinct purposes.

• ECO4 (Energy Company Obligation Phase 4) is a scheme running until 2026 and aimed primarily at low income and fuel poor households. It focuses on deeper retrofits including insulation, heating systems and smart controls delivered holistically to achieve significant improvements in a home’s Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating.

  
  

• GBIS (Great British Insulation Scheme), launched in 2023, is intended for a wider range of households including middle income earners. It focuses on single insulation measures such as cavity wall insulation or loft insulation and has slightly more relaxed eligibility criteria.

  
  

Eligibility Criteria

For ECO4, eligibility typically requires:

• Receiving a qualifying benefit such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit, or Housing Benefit

• Living in a home with an EPC rating of D, E, F or G

• Being either a homeowner or a private tenant with landlord consent

  
  

For GBIS, eligibility includes:

• Owning or renting a home in Council Tax bands A to D in England or A to E in Scotland or Wales

• Having an EPC rating of D to G

• No benefits required, which makes GBIS more accessible to the general population

  
  

There is also a “low income group” within GBIS which allows for a broader range of measures if you are on benefits or considered fuel poor by your local authority.

What Types of Insulation Are Offered?

Under both schemes, the following measures are typically funded depending on your property type and assessment results.

• Cavity Wall Insulation

  This involves filling the gap between your home’s external and internal brick walls with insulating material. It is cost effective, quick to install and can save homeowners hundreds annually on heating bills. However, proper damp assessment and ventilation are essential to avoid moisture problems. These are now strictly regulated under ECO4 and GBIS.

  
  

• Loft Insulation

  Up to 25 percent of a home's heat is lost through the roof. Installing or topping up loft insulation to the recommended 270 millimetres can make a significant difference to comfort and energy bills. Proper ventilation in the roof space ensures moisture does not build up, avoiding mould and condensation.

  
  

• External Wall Insulation (EWI)

  This is ideal for homes with solid walls. It involves fixing insulation boards to the outside of the building then rendering them for weatherproofing and visual appeal. EWI greatly improves thermal performance but must be designed and installed with attention to vapour control and airflow.

  
  

• Internal Wall Insulation (IWI)

  Where EWI is not viable, IWI is the next best option. Installed inside the home on external facing walls, this method improves warmth but does slightly reduce room size. ECO4 and GBIS installers now follow strict protocols to avoid cold bridging and trapped moisture behind the insulation.

Who Is Paying for This? Not the Government You Are

One of the most common misconceptions about ECO4 and GBIS is that they are funded directly by the government. In reality, these schemes are paid for by the UK’s major energy suppliers as part of their legal obligation to support energy efficiency. This obligation is the very reason for the name Energy Company Obligation.

But how do energy companies afford to do this? The answer lies in your energy bills. Since 2021, an environmental and social obligation cost, commonly referred to as the green levy, has been included in energy tariffs. This levy accounts for approximately 8% of your total bill. That means if your household energy bill is £2,500 annually, around £200 of that is already being allocated to fund energy efficiency initiatives like ECO4 and GBIS.

In simple terms, if you are eligible to receive free insulation measures under the scheme, you have effectively already paid into it. By claiming insulation measures for your home, you are not receiving a handout but reclaiming value from a fund you contributed to. The sooner eligible homeowners act, the more they stand to benefit from an investment they have unknowingly made.

The Eco Advisory Bureau: A Company You Can Trust

Amidst the chaos of industry reform, The Eco Advisory Bureau stands out as a benchmark for integrity and excellence. Unlike the companies struck off the TrustMark register, the Bureau remained fully accredited thanks to its dedication to customer service, compliance and skilled workmanship.

Each property assessed by The Eco Advisory Bureau is reviewed by qualified Retrofit Assessors who consider the full structure, thermal performance and ventilation needs of the home. If insulation is deemed unsuitable, it is not installed. This is a crucial step in protecting the homeown

er and the property.

Where insulation is appropriate, the Bureau ensures that additional ventilation is installed where necessary. This avoids the condensation and mould issues that once plagued the industry. Their Retrofit Coordinators manage the entire process from assessment to aftercare, giving homeowners peace of mind from start to finish.

Final Thoughts: So, Is It Worth It?

In 2025, the answer is clear. Yes insulation under ECO4 and GBIS is worth it and thanks to robust safeguards, your home is no longer at risk.

With strict regulation, improved quality assurance and a long overdue purge of rogue operators, today’s insulation schemes are more trustworthy than ever. Backed by a two year workmanship guarantee and delivered by accredited professionals, you can now confidently improve your home's warmth, reduce your carbon footprint and cut energy bills by hundreds each year without paying a penny upfront.

Most importantly, remember you have already helped fund these schemes through your energy bills. If you qualify, it is your right to claim the benefits and enjoy a more comfortable, energy efficient home courtesy of the very system you have supported.

Do I Qualify

Find out Today if you qualify for Free Insulation measures.