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Currently, across the UK, there are various region-based government schemes that many homes are entitled to. These grants mostly target the lowest-income households to address fuel poverty across the UK and upgrade the inefficient housing stock. In this article, we will discuss the various grants and schemes available in the UK and how much new windows cost with these policies.
While there are technically no grants for new windows and doors, there are financial incentive schemes that are hosted by the UK government, mostly aimed at glazing and eco-friendly improvements. The difference between the two is that these double glazing grants are not specifically for windows but include them as one possible measure.
Government grants for windows are a great way to help decrease the cost of new windows. However, it is not the only way you can save money on your windows. You can also cut costs by finding the right window installers and ensuring you’re getting the most value for your money. But how do you find qualified window installers quickly?
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As mentioned earlier, most available grants are more akin to government incentives to help pay for eco-friendly measures for low-income residents. A government grant for windows usually comes with means-testing measures and windows can be one part of this.
That said, these can still be an effective means of improving your windows and doors if you are eligible. Let’s go over the main ones.
Grant | Type of installation | Regions covered | Eligibility criteria | Timespan |
---|---|---|---|---|
ECO4 scheme | Varies based on inspection | England, Scotland, Wales | Based on income-related benefits | 1 April 2022 - 31 March 2026 |
Affordable Warmth Scheme | Draught-proofing windows and doors, replacing single glazed windows | Northern Ireland | Residents earning under £23,000 annually | September 2014 - ongoing |
Home Upgrade Grant (HUG2) | New windows, doors and draught-proofing | UK | Low income households,off-grid, low energy efficiency rated property | April 2023 - March 2025 |
Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan | Upgrading single glazing and draught proofing available on loan | Scottish homeowners | Scotland | May 2017 - ongoing |
Great British Insulation Scheme (previously known as ECO+) | Currently, only insulation measures | England, Scotland and Wales | Vulnerable homes, properties with low energy performance ratings | April 2023 - March 2026 |
Welsh Government Warm Homes Nest Scheme | Energy efficient home improvements (currently excludes double glazing) | Wales | Based on income-related benefits, properties with low energy performance ratings | 2011 - ongoing |
Warmer Homes Scotland | Energy efficient home upgrades, including insulation, new boilers (currently excludes double glazing) | Scotland | Vulnerable people living on their property over 6 months | 2015 - ongoing |
ECO4 was launched in April 2022 and will run till 31st March 2026. ECO4, the latest iteration of the UK government's Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme, obligates energy suppliers to support low-income, energy-inefficient homes in the UK to alleviate cost-of-living pressures by offering free energy efficiency upgrades. Included among these free home improvements is double glazing installation.
This windows scheme is available to any recipient of a list of means-tested benefits. These include Income-based Jobseekers Allowance, Universal Credit, and Income Related Employment & Support Allowance (ESA). You can potentially be eligible for free double glazing (depending on the size and number of installations).
Currently, there aren’t any government grants for double glazing in Wales. Therefore, ECO4 is the best option for homeowners in Wales looking to upgrade their windows with the help of a grant.
If you do not qualify for the ECO4 grant, you may still be eligible (via referral) for ECO Flex. This can widen the pool of eligibility, extending it to those outside of the set criteria but still classified as in need of assistance. To see if you qualify for the windows replacement grant, check with your local authorities and/or energy provider.
Serving as a brand-new window grant in 2023, the Home Upgrade Scheme will offer £1.4 billion in funding to local authorities and social housing providers. This will go towards energy efficiency measures in vulnerable homes and homes off the gas grid with an EPC rating of D and below. These serve as grants for replacement windows and home improvement to deter cold weather.
These measures will include loft insulation, draught-proofing as well as new doors and double glazing in England. The scheme expects to target over 115,000 homes in England and could save tenants between £220 and £400 on yearly energy bills.
Rural and island homes which can face increased costs to install home improvements can apply for these grants. These include a ‘rural uplift’ which is available to households in Remote Rural and Island areas. The grants can finance up to 75% of the price of the improvements, which can add up to the maximum grant amount of £7,500 (or £9,000 for rural uplifts).
Grant funding for heat pumps is up to £7,500, or £9,000 for households which qualify for the rural uplift. Any remaining portions of the funding request can be taken on as an optional interest-free loan. The caveat is that the scheme will upgrade your single glazed windows but does not offer loans for improving existing double or triple glazing.
Homeowners looking for window replacement grants can apply. However, it's important to note that as of August 2024, those building entirely new homes can no longer apply for this scheme.
The Warmer Homes Scotland grant is an initiative established by the Scottish Government. First established in 2015, this scheme targets low-income, energy-inefficient homes in Scotland by granting them up to £7,500 to make energy efficiency improvements or install low-carbon heating. Homeowners in rural areas can receive up to £9,000.
If you need double glazing in Scotland, then this includes double glazing replacements if you are replacing single glazed windows. However, you are not eligible if you already have double glazed units installed. This scheme is available to homeowners and new home builders who meet the eligibility criteria.
Since 2014, the Affordable Warmth Scheme aims to protect low-income Northern Irish homes from fuel poverty by providing £7,500 toward energy-efficiency improvements. These can include new double glazing installation.
Homeowners and private property tenants looking for new windows in Northern Ireland, with a total gross income of less than £23,000 per year. The amount you are granted is subject to approval following an inspection of your home and your needs. This assessment will also determine the extent of work needed to be carried out but it can easily supply sufficient funding for a double glazed windows grant.
If you are not eligible for any grants for windows and doors, you can still apply for loans. Many may not live in a region with free window grants or may not fit the criteria but loans have a lower barrier to entry.
In such cases, another option is to recycle your current windows for a discounted price. These schemes are not backed by the government but many companies provide this. Wooden windows and aluminium windows are widely recyclable, while uPVC windows can be recycled up to 10 times.
If your goal is to improve your home heating, you could instead opt for insulation and draught-proofing. Similarly, there are many grants for efficient heating systems. While they are more expensive than installing windows, technologies like heat pumps can also be more cost-effective in terms of running costs.
If you need help navigating prices and replacement window grants, you’ll need one thing above all: an installer you can trust. Instead of dedicating numerous hours to finding one on your own, why not let us take the wheel? GreenMatch can help you get new double glazed windows installed quickly by connecting you with up to 4 reliable installers available in your area.
By using our service, you save yourself hours of tedious research and can feel confident that you’re hiring someone qualified for the job. And what’s more, our service is completely free and non-binding, so you’ve got nothing to lose. Simply click the button below to start comparing window quotes and choose the best deal.
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In the UK, there are multiple schemes that could qualify you for a grant. These include ECO4, the Home Upgrade Grant, and the Home Energy Scotland Grant.
Yes. There are numerous schemes that include window replacement. These include ECO4, the Home Upgrade Grant, and the Home Energy Scotland Grant.
While it depends on the specific scheme, most grants in the UK are means-tested for low-income residents. Many are contingent on being a recipient of benefits such as Income Related Employment & Support Allowance (ESA) or Income Support (IS), or living in social housing.
This can depend on the grant you wish to acquire. While many grants offer window and insulation improvement, policies like ECO4 and the Home Upgrade Grant require proof of low-income status.
Ciaran is a content writer at GreenMatch. Whether writing about sustainable aviation fuel or heat pumps, Ciaran has passion for informing readers about pivotal technologies that are reshaping our world.
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