Loft Insulation Grants in Wales: What's Available in 2026

Quick answer: In Wales, the main route to free loft insulation is the Welsh Government's Warm Homes Nest scheme, for low-income owner-occupiers and private renters in less energy-efficient homes. The GB-wide Great British Insulation Scheme ended on 31 March 2026, and ECO4 runs only until 31 December 2026, with no successor obligation. Grant rules change, so always check the official websites below before relying on any scheme.

We checked the information on this page in October 2026. It's a summary, not official guidance. Eligibility is decided by the scheme, not by us.

One thing to be clear about first: Cardiff Insulation Company is a private installer. We are not a Nest or ECO scheme installer, and we can't apply for grants on your behalf or tell you whether you'll qualify. What we can do is point you to the right place, and if you don't qualify, give you a straightforward private quote.

The Warm Homes Nest scheme (Wales)

Nest is the Welsh Government's home energy efficiency scheme. It has two parts: free, impartial energy advice for anyone in Wales, and a package of free home improvements for households that meet the criteria. According to the Welsh Government, eligible households may get improvements such as insulation, heat pumps and solar panels, and there's also help with repairing or replacing a broken boiler or storage heaters in some circumstances. The current version of the scheme launched in April 2024.

Who is eligible for Nest improvements

Based on the eligibility page on gov.wales, in October 2026 you need to meet all of these:

• Tenure: you own your home or rent it privately. Council and housing association tenants aren't eligible. Private renters need their landlord's permission for the work.
• Income: someone in the household receives a qualifying means-tested benefit (the list includes Universal Credit, Pension Credit and income-related Council Tax Reduction), or the household's income is below the low-income thresholds published on the Nest eligibility page. The thresholds vary with household size and are worked out after mortgage or rent.
• Energy rating: the home generally needs an EPC score of 54 (band E) or lower. If someone in the household has an eligible health condition – the page lists respiratory disease, circulatory disease, mental health conditions, dementia, and intellectual and developmental disorders – a score of 68 (band D) or lower is accepted.

You'll need evidence, such as a benefit award letter or proof of ownership. Don't rely on our summary – check the full criteria on the official Nest eligibility page. You can look up your home's current rating on the government's find an energy certificate service.

How to apply to Nest

• Call Nest free on 0808 808 2244, Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm. Calls in Welsh are welcome.
• Or request a callback through the Welsh Government's Get Home Energy Advice service, linked from the Nest apply page.
• If phone calls are difficult for you, the apply page gives an email address as an alternative.

If you're eligible, an assessor visits your home and Nest puts together a package of improvements for that property. The scheme arranges its own installers – you don't pick a contractor and then ask for the grant. Nest will also give advice if you don't qualify, including on tariffs and benefit checks, so it's worth calling either way.

ECO4 (Energy Company Obligation)

ECO4 is a GB-wide scheme, which includes Wales, where larger energy suppliers fund energy efficiency work for households in fuel poverty. It's run by Ofgem on the UK Government's behalf.

In January 2026 the UK Government confirmed that ECO4 would be extended by nine months to 31 December 2026, and that there will be no successor obligation after it. Councils and suppliers may stop taking new applications before that date, so if you think you might qualify, ask soon. Some councils have run a local route into ECO (often called ECO Flex) – check with your own council whether it is still taking referrals.

More detail is on Ofgem's ECO page.

The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS)

The Great British Insulation Scheme funded single insulation measures, such as loft or cavity wall insulation, for a wider group of households. It has now ended: GOV.UK says installations had to be completed by 31 March 2026, and its online eligibility checker has closed. If someone offers you a "GBIS grant" today, treat it with caution.

What about the UK Government's Warm Homes Plan?

You may see headlines about the UK Government's Warm Homes Plan and its funding for low-income households. Home energy efficiency grant support is largely devolved, and in Wales the Welsh Government's main scheme is Nest. Before acting on a news story, check whether the scheme it describes is actually open to homes in Wales.

A word of warning about grant cold calls

Grant schemes attract cold callers and door knockers who say you're "entitled" to free insulation. Some are genuine scheme partners; many aren't. Don't give personal details or sign anything on the doorstep. If you're unsure, ring Nest directly on the number above and ask.

If you're not eligible for a grant

Most households in Cardiff and South Wales won't meet the criteria for fully funded work. That doesn't mean loft insulation is out of reach. A few things to know:

• Loft insulation is one of the simpler upgrades. An uninsulated home loses around a quarter of its heat through the roof, according to the Energy Saving Trust, and topping up to the recommended 270mm of mineral wool is usually a one-day job.
• Check what you've already got. If you already have a decent depth, a top-up may be all you need. Our guide on how much loft insulation you need explains how to check.
• Know the likely cost. Our loft insulation cost guide for Cardiff sets out what affects the price.
• Get the job done properly. Whoever fits it, make sure the eaves are kept clear for ventilation, the hatch is insulated and draught-stripped, and any boarding is raised so it doesn't squash the insulation.
• Combine jobs where it makes sense. If you're planning loft boarding, a loft ladder or a new hatch, doing the insulation at the same visit avoids lifting and relaying it twice.
• Keep an eye on Nest. Eligibility rules and income thresholds are reviewed from time to time. If your circumstances change – a new benefit, a drop in income, or a health condition in the household – it's worth checking again.

Our loft insulation service uses Knauf Earthwool loft roll, installed from £600, and most jobs are finished in a single day. If grant funding isn't an option for you, ask for a free survey and quote – we'll tell you honestly whether your loft needs work at all.