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Internal Wall Insulation

Internal Wall Insulation Grants

Are you tired of high energy bills and a cold, drafty home? Internal wall insulation grants in the UK can help you create a warmer and more energy-efficient living space while saving money on your heating costs.

What is Internal Wall Insulation?

Internal wall insulation (IWI) is the process of adding an insulating layer to the interior surface of your home’s external walls. This layer helps trap heat inside, reducing the heat lost through the walls and creating a warmer, more comfortable living environment.

Why It Matters

Uninsulated walls can cause significant heat loss, leading to higher energy consumption and increased expenses. In fact, according to the Energy Saving Trust UK, up to one-third of all heat loss in a home occurs through uninsulated walls. Adding internal wall insulation can help reduce the amount you spend on heating your home, as more heat stays trapped inside, making your heating system work less to keep you warm.

Internal wall insulation not only saves money on energy bills but also:

  • Reduces your carbon footprint, contributing to a greener environment.
  • Improves home health by mitigating dampness, mold growth, and potential structural damage.
  • Increases property value by improving the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating.

Available grant options for internal wall insulation

The UK government offers two primary grant schemes to help homeowners and renters access affordable internal wall insulation:

Energy Company Obligation (ECO4)

Funded by major energy companies as part of their obligation to help reduce carbon emissions, The scheme provides grants for a variety of energy efficiency improvements, including internal wall insulation, boiler upgrades, heating system repairs and replacements, and smart heating controls.

ECO4 adopts a whole-house approach, allowing eligible households to benefit from a range of upgrades that collectively enhance energy efficiency.

Eligibility for ECO4: ECO4 has three eligibility groups:

Help to Heat Group: To qualify, you must:
  • Own your home or rent privately
  • Be considered a low-income household
  • Have a home with an EPC rating of D or below
  • Receive at least one of the listed means-tested benefits:
    • Child Benefit
    • Child Tax Credit
    • Income-Based Jobseekers Allowance
    • Income-Related Employment Support Allowance
    • Income Support
    • Pension Guarantee Credit
    • Universal Credit
    • Working Tax Credit
    • Housing Benefit
    • Pension Credit Savings Credit
Social Housing Group: This group is specifically for residents of social housing. You might qualify if:
  • Your home is let below market rate
  • Your property has an EPC rating of D-G
  • Your home does not meet the Minimum Insulation Requirements
ECO Flex Group: This group is for individuals who might not fit into the other categories. Eligibility is determined by Local Authorities based on localized criteria. This could include factors like:
  • Household income below £31,000 and an EPC rating of D-G
  • Vulnerability to living in a cold home due to health conditions

Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS)

The GBIS scheme provides a single insulation upgrade per qualifying household, with the type of insulation determined after a property assessment to identify the most impactful improvement. This targeted approach allows the scheme to reach a wider range of homes across the UK.

Eligibility for GBIS: There are two main eligibility groups for the GBIS:

Low-Income Group: You might qualify if you:
  • Own your home or rent privately
  • Have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D or below (E or below if renting)
  • Receive means-tested benefits:
    • Child Benefit
    • Child Tax Credit
    • Income-Based Jobseekers Allowance
    • Income-Related Employment Support Allowance
    • Income Support
    • Pension Guarantee Credit
    • Universal Credit
    • Working Tax Credit
    • Housing Benefit
    • Pension Credit Savings Credit
  • Live in social housing with a household income below £31,000 a year and are vulnerable to living in cold conditions
General Group: You might qualify if you:
  • Own your own home (unless in social housing)
  • Live in a property with a council tax band A-D in England, or A-E in Scotland and Wales
  • Have an EPC rating of D or below (E or below if in social housing)
  • You do not have to be claiming benefits

How to check your Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for an internal wall insulation grant, follow these steps:

  1. Access the EPC register online:
    • For properties in England and Wales, click here to access the EPC Register
    • For properties in Scotland, use the Scottish EPC register
  2. Enter your property’s postcode and select your address from the list provided.
  3. View and download your EPC report.

Once you have accessed your EPC, look for the following information:

Wall Construction and Insulation Status

In the “Summary of the home’s energy performance related features” section, look for information about your wall type and current insulation status5. Your EPC should indicate:

  • The type of walls your property has (solid, cavity, or other)
  • Whether the walls are currently insulated
  • If your property has solid walls or uninsulated walls, you may be eligible for an internal wall insulation grant.

Energy Efficiency Rating

Check your home’s current energy efficiency rating, which ranges from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). Properties with ratings of D to G may be eligible for support under schemes like the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) and ECO4

What is the process of internal wall insulation?

  1. Preparing the walls and removing any existing fixtures or fittings.
  2. Attaching insulation boards to the internal walls.
  3. Re-plastering the walls to create a smooth finish.
  4. Reinstalling fixtures and fittings.

Key Benefits of Internal Wall Insulation

  • Significant Energy Bill Savings: Internal wall insulation can reduce heating costs, leading to significant savings on your energy bills. The Energy Saving Trust estimates potential annual savings ranging from £115 for flats to £415 for detached homes. For a detached home, the savings can reach up to £550 per year.
  • Reduced Environmental Impact: By reducing energy consumption, internal wall insulation contributes to a lower carbon footprint. Installing IWI can cut your home’s CO2 emissions by up to 1.5 tonnes.
  • Enhanced Comfort and Home Health: Internal wall insulation creates a warmer, more consistent indoor temperature, improving comfort and reducing drafts. It also helps prevent condensation, dampness, and mold growth, promoting a healthier living environment.
  • Increased Property Value: An improved EPC rating resulting from internal wall insulation can increase your property’s market value, making it more attractive to potential buyers or renters.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much does internal wall insulation typically cost?

A: The cost varies depending on the size of your home, the type of walls, and the insulation material used. On average, internal wall insulation for a semi-detached home costs around £7,500.

Q: Are internal wall insulation grants available to cover the full cost of the installation?

A: Yes, both the ECO4 and GBIS schemes can provide grants to fully cover the cost of internal wall insulation for eligible households.

Q: Can I choose any installer for grant-funded projects?

A: No, you must use a certified installer who is accredited to PAS 2030-2035 standards. This ensures the work is carried out to a high standard and complies with building regulations.

Q: What happens during a home survey?

A: The surveyor will:

  • Inspect your property’s external walls to determine their suitability for internal wall insulation.
  • Identify any potential challenges or considerations, such as the presence of dampness or existing wall treatments.
  • Discuss your insulation options and recommend the most appropriate solution for your home.
  • Measure the walls and calculate the amount of insulation required.
  • Provide you with a detailed quote for the installation, outlining the costs and potential savings.

Internal wall insulation is a method of insulating the interior surface of external walls. It is a viable alternative to external wall insulation and, in our opinion, a superior approach for properties with appealing character. Heat loss from solid-walled properties is mainly due to heat escaping through the walls, which accounts for nearly half of the total heat loss. By insulating these walls, the rate of heat loss can be reduced, keeping the warmth inside your home for longer. Internal wall insulation involves adding an extra layer of insulation to the interior walls, which can significantly enhance the overall appearance of your property.

Our internal wall insulation is implemented by mechanically fixing and gluing insulated PIR boards onto the existing walls within your property. While insulating solid walls from the inside is typically more expensive than insulating a standard cavity wall, the resulting energy savings on your heating bills are generally more substantial.

If you want to keep your home warmer and more energy-efficient, you can insulate the walls using a method called dry lining. This involves adding insulation to the inside of your walls using one of three methods:

  1. You can attach pre-made insulation boards directly onto the wall. These boards are made of plasterboard and come with up to 50mm of insulation material or mineral wool already attached.
  2. Alternatively, you can create a framework of wooden battens on the wall and fill the space between them with insulation material.
  3. Another option is to attach a metal frame to the wall and then fix insulation boards to the frame.

By insulating your walls, you can help to reduce your energy bills and make your home more comfortable to live in.

  • Insulating internally is easy to install and doesn’t require scaffolding.
  • It won’t change the appearance of your home from the outside, making it a good choice for visually attractive or period properties.
  • Internal insulation is also suitable for flats and maisonettes where external insulation may not be an option.
  • If you live in a Conservation Area with strict rules about changing the outside appearance of your home, internal insulation can be an acceptable option.
  • Lower installation cost compared to external wall insulation
  • Easier maintenance than external wall insulation
  • No scaffolding required for installation
  • No disruption to building appearance – ideal for installation in conservation areas
  • Installation not delayed by bad weather conditions
  • Can be installed on a room-by-room, single facade, or whole-house basis, or as part of a full refurbishment plan.