EXTERNAL WALL
INSULATION
Under the official Government backed ECO4 scheme, you can get FREE home energy improvements!
Installing external wall insulation (also known as solid wall insulation) in your home can lead to substantial savings of up to £660 a year on energy bills and significantly reduce household carbon emissions. With external wall insulation, you can cut down heat loss by approximately 35%, contributing to a more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly home.
External wall insulation generally costs between £7,000 and £15,000, depending on the type and size of your home. However, you could be eligible for external wall insulation grants through the ECO (Energy Company Obligation) scheme, making this investment more affordable.
Below are the estimated annual savings you could enjoy by having external wall insulation installed, according to the Energy Saving Trust (based on fuel prices as of January 2024):
Under the ECO 4 scheme, low-income households (with an annual income of £31,000 or less) or those receiving specific government benefits can qualify for free grants. Homeowners and some private tenants can be eligible for these grants in 2024.
Qualifying Benefits Include:
If you part-own your home with a Housing Association, as long as you own at least 50%, you could still be eligible for a grant. If you are a Council or Housing Association tenant, you should speak to them directly or contact the Energy Saving Trust for assistance.
The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) also provides funding for households with low energy efficiency (EPC rating of D or below) and in the lowest Council Tax bands (A-D in England and A-E in Scotland and Wales).
External wall insulation involves installing a layer of insulating material (typically 60mm boards) to the solid outside walls, which is then covered with render or cladding. This method is an alternative to internal solid wall insulation, which is installed inside the property.
*Savings estimated on insulating a gas-heated home based on fuel prices in January 2024 (Source: Energy Saving Trust).
Your home must meet the following criteria to be eligible for external wall insulation:
Check with your local council whether you will need planning permission to have external wall insulation fitted. It is unlikely that permission will be given if the property is a listed building or in a conservation area/world heritage site. If denied planning permission, consider internal wall insulation as an alternative.
Solid walls have square brick ends and an alternating pattern, with some bricks laid across the wall so you can see the smaller ends from the outside. Cavity walls have an even pattern with bricks organized lengthways. Solid walls do not have gaps and cannot be filled with cavity wall insulation, while cavity walls consist of two layers with a small gap between them.
Another indicator of solid walls is measuring the thickness next to doors or windows. Solid walls tend to be less than 10 inches thick, whereas cavity walls are generally more than 10 inches thick.