Although replacing windows can be quite an investment, these upfront costs are quickly alleviated by the increased thermal efficiency and added property value that new windows offer.

What’s more, in some cases, UK property owners can even get financial aid from the government, to contribute towards the costs of newer, more energy efficient windows.

As it stands, in 2023, there are no specific UK government grants in place for windows and doors. But, funding is available to reduce the costs of replacing these units with more energy efficient options, including double glazing. These incentives are designed to help keep the carbon footprint of UK properties as low as possible.

Below, we’ve outlined a complete guide to the current UK government grants that are available, and a breakdown of their eligibility requirements.

If you are looking for a new double or triple glazed window, contact the team at Abbey Glass for a free quote!

Energy Company Obligation Scheme (ECO4)

ECO4 was launched in April 2022, and the scheme will run until March 2026. The initiative is available to property owners – living in energy-inefficient homes – that receive certain benefits, including Income-based Jobseekers Allowance, Income Support and Universal Credit.

Through ECO4, eligible property owners can increase the energy efficiency of their homes, with free upgrades (including draught-proofing for windows and doors) and double glazing.

Through this scheme, the government has made it a requirement that medium and large energy suppliers contribute towards reducing the cost of these upgrades (under the Home Heating Cost Reduction Obligation).

ECO4 is administered by Ofgem. To start the process, property owners need to speak to energy suppliers involved in the scheme to find out more about what they offer, before submitting their application.

Home Upgrade Scheme (HUG2)

The HUG2 scheme was launched in April earlier this year, and will see £1.4 billion allocated to local authorities and social housing throughout the country, to support more than 115,000 homes. The money will be awarded to low income homes, with an energy efficiency rating between D-G.

This money will be spent on increasing the energy efficiency of the selected homes, with upgrades including window and door replacements and draught-proofing.

The HUG2 grant is currently open for applications, and will close in March 2025. To find out if you are eligible, speak to your local council.

Great British Insulation Scheme

The Great British Insulation Scheme was recently launched by the UK government, to support its ECO4 scheme.

This scheme offers an alternative option for properties that aren’t eligible for the ECO4 scheme, but would still benefit from the energy efficiency improvements.

The Great British Insulation Scheme is designed to support vulnerable or low income households with low energy performance ratings (and so, as a result, have disproportionately high energy bills).

Warmer Homes Scotland

The Warmer Homes Scotland initiative was established in 2015.

Like ECO4, Warmer Homes Scotland is designed to help low income homes, and support them with the cost of improving their property’s energy efficiency. However, properties that already have double glazing in place are not eligible for the scheme.

The Scottish Government can provide up to £7,500 (or £9,000, for properties in rural areas) to contribute towards the costs of energy-efficiency improvements.

Affordable Warmth Scheme Northern Ireland

The Affordable Warmth Scheme was introduced in 2014, and is available for low income properties in Northern Ireland. To be eligible for the scheme, your total gross income needs to be less than £23,000 a year.

Similarly to the Warmer Homes Scotland scheme, the Affordable Warmth Scheme can provide property owners with up to £7,500, to support the costs of energy efficient home improvements, such as installing double glazing.

To apply for the support, you will need to speak to your local council, who will then arrange for an assessment by a technical officer.

To find out more about double glazing and triple glazing energy efficiency, see our guide here: Single Vs. Double Vs. Triple Glazing: Heat Loss & U-Values.

To find out more about any of the new window grants available in the UK, or to enlist a trusted, specialist installer of double glazing windows and triple glazing windows to upgrade your property, get in touch with Abbey Glass today.