You’re shivering through another winter, staring at sky-high energy bills, and wondering: “Could I actually get help with both insulation AND a new boiler?” Here’s the warm truth: Yes, you absolutely can—and often should. Let’s untangle how these grants work together to turn your draughty house into a cozy, cost-efficient home.

🤔 Why Pair Insulation with a New Boiler?

Think of it like this: installing a shiny new boiler in a poorly insulated house is like heating a tent with all the flaps open. Up to 60% of your heat escapes through walls, roofs, and floors without proper insulation. Tackling both fixes:

• Slashes £300–£620/year off bills
• Boosts your home’s EPC rating (critical for grant eligibility)
• Maximises government funding so you pay less upfront

💡 The Grant Schemes That Let You Combine Upgrades

Not all programs play nice together, but these two are your power duo:

1. ECO4 Scheme (Energy Company Obligation)
   The gold standard for whole-home upgrades. It covers:
   • Boiler replacements or repairs (for gas-grid homes)
   • Insulation (loft, cavity wall, underfloor)
   • Even solar panels or heat pumps
     Eligibility: Households on benefits (Universal Credit, Pension Credit) or with incomes under £31,000 (via ECO4 Flex). Your home must have an EPC rating of D–G.
2. Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS)
   Focuses solely on insulation (loft, cavity wall, solid wall). While it doesn’t cover boilers, pairing it with the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) is smart:
   • GBIS funds insulation (e.g., £1,000+ savings via free loft insulation)
   • BUS offers £7,500 for air/ground source heat pumps or £5,000 for biomass boilers 
     Catch: BUS requires your home to have no outstanding insulation needs per its EPC. Translation: Use GBIS first to qualify for BUS.

🏡 Real-Life Hack: Susan in Yorkshire used GBIS to insulate her cavity walls (free under Council Tax Band C). With her improved EPC, she then secured a BUS grant for an air-source heat pump—cutting her bills by 40%.

📊 Can You Stack These Grants? The Quick Comparison

⚠️ Watch Out for the Fine Print

• Landlord permission is non-negotiable for renters.
• EPC ratings dictate everything. Check yours via the gov.uk portal—it’s free if >10 years old.
• Suppliers lead the process. For ECO4/GBIS, apply via your energy company (e.g., British Gas, EDF) or councils.
• BUS applications need MCS-certified installers. They handle paperwork but charge fees—get quotes.

🚀 Your Action Plan: Get Both Grants

1. Check your EPC & Council Tax band (gov.uk tools make this easy).
2. Prioritise insulation if your EPC flags it—this unlocks BUS later.
3. Contact your energy supplier about ECO4 first—it’s the only scheme bundling boilers + insulation. If ineligible, pivot to GBIS → BUS combo.
4. Document everything: Benefit letters, income proof, EPC reports. Delays happen if paperwork’s messy.

💬 “But what if I’m rejected?” Don’t panic. Schemes like 0% VAT on energy-saving materials (until 2027) still offer 5–20% savings. Local council grants (e.g., Home Upgrade Grant) also fill gaps.

🌟 The Bottom Line

Combining insulation and boiler grants isn’t just possible—it’s strategic. You’ll block heat loss and boost heating efficiency, compounding your savings. With ECO4 ending in March 2026 and BUS in 2027, acting now is crucial.

 So grab that EPC report, ring your energy provider, and turn grant synergy into your home’s superpower. ❄️🔥