I had a customer last month who’d paid full price for attic insulation - £2,800 out of pocket. When I mentioned the Energy Saving Trust grant, she nearly cried. She’d have qualified for £1,500 back.
The grants are there. The money is sitting waiting. But half the homeowners I meet either don’t know about them or think the paperwork is too complicated to bother.
It’s not. And in 2026, the grants are better than ever. Let me walk you through everything you can claim for roofing and insulation work.
The Main Energy Saving Trust Grants for Roofing Work
Energy Saving Trust (Sustainable Energy Authority of UK) runs several grant schemes. For roofing-related work, these are the main ones:
1. Individual Energy Upgrade Grants
These are the most common grants for homeowners doing single improvements. Apply yourself, choose your own contractor, get work done, claim the grant back.
Relevant Grants for 2026:
| Upgrade Type | Grant Amount |
|---|---|
| Attic Insulation | £1,500 |
| Rafter Insulation | £3,000 |
| Flat Roof Insulation | £3,000 |
| Cavity Wall Insulation | £1,700 |
| External Wall Insulation | £6,000 |
| Internal Wall Insulation | £4,500 |
2. Better Energy Homes Scheme
Same individual grants, different name. This is the umbrella scheme that covers all the individual upgrades above.
3. One Stop Shop Service
A managed service where an Energy Saving Trust-registered One Stop Shop company handles everything - assessment, work, paperwork, grant claims. You pay the reduced price upfront.
Good for complex multi-measure upgrades. Less good for single improvements.
4. National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme (Fully-Funded)
For lower-income households (income below £35,000 or on certain social welfare payments), you can get upgrades completely free.
Not just grants - 100% funded. We’ve done several homes through this scheme.
Attic Insulation Grant: £1,500
This is the big one for most homeowners. The £1,500 grant covers a significant chunk of typical attic insulation costs.
What Qualifies:
- Homes built before 2011
- Existing insulation less than 100mm (or none at all)
- Insulation installed must achieve minimum R-value of 0.16 W/m²K
- Installed by Energy Saving Trust-registered contractor
What You’ll Actually Pay:
| House Type | Typical Cost | After £1,500 Grant |
|---|---|---|
| 2-bed apartment | £1,200-1,800 | £0-300 |
| 3-bed semi | £1,800-2,500 | £300-1,000 |
| 4-bed detached | £2,500-3,500 | £1,000-2,000 |
For smaller homes, the grant often covers almost everything. Even for larger homes, you’re getting at least 50% back.
The Catch:
The contractor must be registered with Energy Saving Trust. Not all are. We’re registered and have been for 8 years - but always check before committing.
Rafter Insulation Grant: £3,000
This is different from attic insulation and worth understanding.
Attic Insulation (£1,500 grant) - Insulation laid between and over the ceiling joists. Keeps heat in your living space. Attic remains cold.
Rafter Insulation (£3,000 grant) - Insulation fitted between and below the rafters. Makes the attic itself a warm space. Essential for attic conversions.
If you’re planning to use your attic as living space (home office, bedroom, etc.), rafter insulation is what you need.
What’s Involved:
- Insulation boards fitted between rafters
- Additional layer below rafters (to meet thermal requirements)
- Vapour barrier to prevent condensation
- Usually followed by plasterboard finishing
Typical Costs:
| House Type | Cost Without Grant | After £3,000 Grant |
|---|---|---|
| 3-bed semi | £4,500-6,500 | £1,500-3,500 |
| 4-bed detached | £6,000-9,000 | £3,000-6,000 |
The £3,000 grant makes attic conversions much more affordable.
Flat Roof Insulation Grant: £3,000
Flat roofs are notorious for heat loss. The £3,000 grant recognises this and encourages proper insulation.
What Qualifies:
- Existing flat roof with inadequate insulation
- New insulation achieving minimum U-value of 0.16 W/m²K
- Can be done as part of flat roof replacement or as standalone
How It Works:
When we replace a flat roof, we can add insulation boards (typically 100-150mm PIR) between the deck and the membrane. This transforms your flat roof from a heat leak into an efficient building element.
Combined with Roof Replacement:
This is the smart approach. If your flat roof needs replacing anyway:
- Roof replacement: £3,500-5,500 (typical)
- Add insulation: £800-1,200 extra
- Claim £3,000 grant
- Net insulation cost: Effectively free or less
I always recommend combining these works. You’re opening up the roof anyway - adding insulation at that point costs a fraction of doing it separately.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step
The grant process isn’t as complex as people think. Here’s exactly how it works:
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility
Your home must be:
- Built before 2011
- Connected to electricity grid
- Owned by you (or you have landlord permission)
Step 2: Get a EPC Assessment (If Required)
For some grants, you need a EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) assessment before and after. This costs £150-200.
For straightforward attic insulation, you don’t always need this - the contractor can often do a Declaration of Works instead.
Step 3: Choose a Registered Contractor
This is critical. The contractor MUST be registered with Energy Saving Trust for the specific work type. Use the Energy Saving Trust contractor finder: www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/grants/home-energy-grants/contractor-search/
We’re registered for attic insulation, rafter insulation, and associated roofing works.
Step 4: Get Quotes
Get at least 2-3 quotes. All should break down:
- The work being done
- Materials being used
- Grant-eligible amounts
- What you’ll pay after grant
Step 5: Apply Online
Before work starts, apply at www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/grants. You’ll need:
- Your MPRN (electricity meter number)
- Postcode
- Quote from registered contractor
- Bank details for grant payment
Step 6: Wait for Approval
Takes 2-4 weeks typically. Don’t start work until approved (or you lose the grant).
Step 7: Get Work Done
Contractor completes the work to Energy Saving Trust specifications.
Step 8: Sign Off and Claim
Contractor submits completion paperwork. You confirm work is done. Grant payment arrives in 4-6 weeks.
Common Mistakes That Cost People Grants
I’ve seen homeowners lose out on grants for preventable reasons:
Starting Work Too Early
Work must start AFTER grant approval. If you’re eager and let the contractor start before approval arrives, you’ve disqualified yourself.
Using Unregistered Contractors
Your neighbour’s friend who’s “done loads of insulation”? Unless they’re Energy Saving Trust registered, you get nothing back.
Wrong Materials
The insulation must meet specific performance standards. Some contractors cut corners with lower-spec materials. We only use grant-compliant products.
Missing Documentation
Keep everything. Receipts, contractor declarations, before photos. Energy Saving Trust occasionally audit claims.
Not Knowing What’s Already Installed
If you already have decent insulation, adding more might not qualify. The grant is for bringing homes up to standard, not gold-plating already-adequate installations.
Can You Combine Grants?
Yes, with conditions.
Same Project, Multiple Measures:
If you’re doing a full energy retrofit (attic insulation, wall insulation, heating upgrade), you can claim grants for each measure. No problem.
Different Funding Sources:
You cannot claim Energy Saving Trust grants AND local authority grants for the same work. It’s one or the other.
With Other Schemes:
You can combine energy grants with general home improvement loans (credit unions, bank loans, etc.).
The Warmer Homes Scheme: Free Upgrades for Qualifying Households
This is the fully-funded scheme I mentioned. If you qualify, Energy Saving Trust pays 100% - you pay nothing.
Who Qualifies:
- Household income below £35,000
- Receiving Fuel Allowance
- Receiving certain social welfare payments
- Home built before 2006
What’s Covered:
- Attic insulation
- Cavity wall insulation
- Draught-proofing
- Lagging jackets
- Energy-efficient lighting
- Sometimes external wall insulation
How to Apply:
Different process - contact Energy Saving Trust directly at 01 808 2100 or through Citizens Information.
Tax Credits vs Grants: What’s Better?
UK doesn’t currently have significant tax credits for home energy improvements - the grants are the main support mechanism.
That said, you CAN claim a 13.5% VAT rate (instead of 23%) on certain construction works, including insulation. Your contractor should apply this automatically.
What Doesn’t Qualify for Grants
To avoid disappointment, here’s what’s NOT covered:
- Roof replacement - No grant for replacing tiles, slates, or membranes (unless combined with insulation)
- Roof repairs - No grant for fixing leaks, replacing flashings, etc.
- Gutters and drainage - Not covered
- Velux windows - No specific grant (though triple-glazed windows have grants for wall-mounted windows)
- Chimney work - Not covered
- Cosmetic work - Anything purely aesthetic
The grants focus specifically on energy efficiency, not general maintenance or improvements.
Landlords: You Can Still Claim
If you own a rental property, you’re eligible for grants, but there are conditions:
- Same application process
- You must own the property
- Tenants benefit from improved energy efficiency
- You can’t pass grant costs to tenants
Many landlords I work with use grants to upgrade rental properties. It’s good business - better EPC ratings mean higher rents and easier lettings.
What’s Changing in 2026
Energy Saving Trust updates grant amounts and conditions periodically. Recent trends:
Grant Amounts Stable
The current amounts have held for the past year. No announced reductions, which is good news.
More Emphasis on Heat Pumps
Government is pushing heat pumps hard. If you’re doing major energy works, consider combining insulation with heating upgrades for maximum grants.
Possible Future Changes
Rumours of additional support for solar integration, but nothing confirmed. I’d recommend acting on current grants rather than waiting for possible future improvements.
How We Help with Grant Applications
We’re Energy Saving Trust-registered and have been doing grant-supported work for years. When you work with us:
- We check your eligibility upfront
- We provide grant-compliant quotes
- We handle contractor declarations
- We use only approved materials
- We submit completion paperwork on time
- We have a 100% success rate on grant claims
The grant process adds some paperwork, but it typically saves our customers £1,500-3,000. Worth it.
Real Example: What a Typical Job Looks Like
Here’s a recent job that shows how this works in practice:
Property: 3-bed semi in Glasgow, built 1998 Problem: Cold house, high heating bills, minimal existing insulation
Work Done:
- Full attic insulation (300mm mineral wool)
- Draught-sealing at hatches and around pipes
- Ventilation checks (to avoid condensation)
Costs:
- Our quote: £2,400
- Energy Saving Trust grant: £1,500
- Customer paid: £900
Outcome:
- EPC improved from D2 to C1
- Estimated heating savings: £400/year
- Payback on £900 investment: ~2.25 years
That’s what a well-run grant project looks like.
Ready to Claim Your Grant?
If you’re considering attic insulation, rafter insulation, or any energy upgrade to your roof, let’s talk.
We’ll tell you exactly what grants you qualify for, give you a clear quote showing the before and after-grant prices, and handle all the paperwork.
Call us: +44 89 981 9675
Or request a quote online - we’ll assess your eligibility and get back to you within 24 hours.
The grant money is there. You might as well use it.
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