More than half of British households currently adhere to the insulation standards established in the 1970s.
The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS), launched in April 2023, is currently focused on improving the energy efficiency of the least energy-efficient homes across the UK, particularly older properties. However, as the cost-of-living crisis continues to impact households, there is a growing need to address the energy inefficiency of older homes, which are often responsible for significant heat loss due to insufficient cavity wall insulation, absence of double-glazed windows, inadequate loft insulation, and poor floor insulation.
According to a study analysing 25 million homes in England and Wales, little progress has been made in improving the energy efficiency of older British homes in the past two years. In fact, over half (55%) of the homes only meet the insulation standards set in 1976 or earlier. This lack of improvement is causing millions of homeowners to miss out on significant savings on their energy bills.
Philippe Commaret, Managing Director for Customers at EDF, has highlighted the issue, stating that "little progress has been made in improving the energy efficiency of older British homes in the past two years." EDF Energy is now lobbying the government to expand the GBIS to include multiple measures in homes that require them, which could help customers lower their energy bills and carbon footprint, as well as reducing the costs of delivering the scheme.
One of the proposed enhancements is extending the GBIS eligibility to Council Tax Band E homes in England. This would bring in scope an additional 2.4 million homes, including those on low incomes who are struggling with the cost of heating a larger home. Including heating control measures as a secondary measure for all customer groups could also be beneficial.
Currently, only one measure of insulation per home is allowed under the GBIS. Allowing multiple measures in homes that require them could help address the insulation issues in older homes more effectively. For instance, older homes might need a combination of cavity wall insulation, double-glazed windows, improved loft insulation, and better floor insulation to achieve significant energy savings.
The government and Ofgem are in a consultation phase regarding detailed expansion proposals for the GBIS. Expected directions include enhancing scheme administration, possibly broadening technology and financing options (especially linked with related heat pump schemes), and integrating smart energy technologies to maximize benefits in older properties. However, explicit finalized proposals specifically for expanded insulation standards in older homes have not yet been published as of August 2025.
EDF's ongoing efforts aim to support and improve initiatives like the GBIS to empower customers to embrace energy efficiency and save both cash and carbon. As the cost-of-living crisis continues to impact households, it is crucial that the government and energy providers work together to address the energy inefficiency of older homes and provide much-needed support to customers.
[1] Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy. (2023). Great British Insulation Scheme. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/great-british-insulation-scheme-gbis/great-british-insulation-scheme-gbis
[2] Ofgem. (2023). Great British Insulation Scheme. Retrieved from https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/environmental-programmes/great-british-insulation-scheme
[3] Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy. (2023). Boiler Upgrade Scheme. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/boiler-upgrade-scheme/boiler-upgrade-scheme
[4] Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy. (2023). Smart Export Guarantee. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/smart-export-guarantee/smart-export-guarantee
[5] Ofgem. (2023). Consultation on the administration of the Great British Insulation Scheme. Retrieved from https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/consultations/consultation-on-the-administration-of-the-great-british-insulation-scheme
- The Great British Insulation Scheme could potentially be expanded to include multiple insulation measures in homes, such as cavity wall insulation, double-glazed windows, improved loft insulation, and better floor insulation, for more effective energy efficiency improvements in older homes.
- As part of the consultation phase, the government and Ofgem are considering broadening technology and financing options for the Great British Insulation Scheme, which could be linked to related heat pump schemes and incorporate smart energy technologies to maximize benefits in older properties.
- The energy industry is urged to explore renewable-energy solutions, like the integration of heat pumps, to reduce the reliance on fossil fuels and address climate-change concerns. This could lead to savings in personal-finance and lower carbon footprints for homeowners.
- Environmental-science professionals emphasize the importance of businesses supporting initiatives like the Great British Insulation Scheme, as they have a vital role to play in promoting energy efficiency and making a positive impact on the environment.
- In light of the increasing cost-of-living crisis, it is essential that the government and energy providers collaborate to address the energy inefficiency of older homes, provide necessary support to homeowners, and allow for the adoption of energy-saving strategies in line with environmental-science and business best practices.
