ECO and GBIS solid wall insulation scheme issues

The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme and the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) are intended to help better insulate homes and reduce energy bills. However, some issues have been identified with the quality of the insulation, which could affect up to 65,000 households. 

What is the Great British Insulation Scheme?

The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) seeks to tackle fuel poverty and reduce energy bills by providing help with free or cheaper single insulation measures.

It may be available to:

• people living in homes with an energy performance rating of D, E, F or G, and within Council Tax bands A, B, C and D
• low-income households living in homes with an energy performance rating of D, E, F or G and not eligible under the main ECO scheme.

What is the Energy Company Obligation?

The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme provides help with heating and energy efficiency measures, such as insultation, to those living in private housing who receive certain benefits, or those who live in social housing with a low energy efficiency rating (E, F or G.) Larger energy suppliers must participate in ECO and fund the delivery of these measures, to help customers reduce their energy usage.

What is the issue?

Routine checks have identified some quality issues with the fitting of internal and external solid wall insulation under two energy efficiency schemes - the Energy Company Obligation and Great British Insulation scheme, since 2022. This has included:

• missing or incomplete paperwork
• insufficient ventilation
• missing or exposed insulation

What is being done to tackle this issue?

The energy regulator, Ofgem, is writing to 65,000 households who could potentially be affected by this issue (although not all of these will necessarily need remedial work to be carried out.)

Checks of solid wall measures installed under ECO and GBIS since 2022 have been expanded.  A site inspection may follow, if necessary, to determine whether repairs to the insulation are required.

Trustmark (the certification body that oversees the scheme installers) should then arrange for any repair work that is identified to be carried out by the installer as soon as possible, at no cost to the household.