UK Double Glazing Grant Schemes: Comprehensive Guide for 2026

Getting free or subsidised double glazing through a government grant is possible – but only if you meet strict eligibility criteria. Most schemes are means-tested, require an EPC rating of D or below, and prioritise insulation and heating over windows.

The biggest change in 2026: ECO4 closed on 31 March 2026, and a new scheme called Warm Homes: Local Grant has launched to replace it. The new scheme explicitly covers double glazing, is funded with £500 million, and runs until March 2028.

This guide covers every UK grant and funding scheme that can help with double glazing costs – what’s still open, what’s closed, what’s coming next, and how to apply. We also flag schemes that do NOT cover windows, because several competitor guides get this wrong.

Which Grants Actually Cover Double Glazing?

Three active schemes cover double glazing in 2026: Warm Homes: Local Grant (England), Nest (Wales), and Affordable Warmth (NI). ECO4 closed on 31 March 2026. Scotland offers interest-free loans, not grants, for glazing.

ECO4 – CLOSED 31 March 2026

ECO4 was the main route to free double glazing for low-income households, but it closed to new applications on 31 March 2026. If you’re on qualifying benefits, contact your energy supplier now.

The Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) forces large energy suppliers to fund energy efficiency improvements for qualifying households. It has been the primary route to free double glazing for low-income families since 2022 – but it is being cancelled.

In the November 2025 Budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves described ECO as “a failed scheme” that cost households £1.7 billion per year in energy bill levies while reaching only 3% of fuel-poor families. Removing it is expected to reduce average household bills by approximately £59.

ECO4 Eligibility

• Benefits: Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, Income Support, Pension Credit, Child/Working Tax Credits, Income-based JSA/ESA
• Property: EPC rating D or below
• Coverage: Can cover 100% of costs – up to approximately £14,000
• Limitation: Only covers upgrading from single glazing to double glazing, not replacing existing DG

How to Apply for ECO4

You cannot apply directly to the government. Contact your energy supplier – British Gas, EDF, E.ON, OVO, Scottish Power, and Utility Warehouse all participate. An accredited installer will assess your property, and the supplier applies on your behalf.

Important: Energy suppliers often prioritise insulation and heating measures over windows because they deliver more “carbon savings” per pound spent. If your supplier says windows are not available under ECO4, try a different supplier or use the LA Flex route below.

LA Flex (Local Authority Flexible Eligibility)

If you don’t qualify for standard ECO4 but are in fuel poverty, your local council can refer you through LA Flex. This extends eligibility to households with income under £31,000 who have health vulnerabilities or live in energy-inefficient homes. Contact your council’s energy efficiency team – not all councils participate actively.

Warm Homes: Local Grant – The New Primary Scheme

Warm Homes: Local Grant launched April 2025 with £500 million in funding, explicitly covers double glazing, and runs until March 2028. England only – up to £30,000 per household.

This is the most important new scheme for anyone looking for help with double glazing costs. The Warm Homes: Local Grant (WH:LG) is funded by central government and delivered through local authorities across England. Unlike ECO4, it is not funded by levies on energy bills.

WH:LG Eligibility

• Location: England only (73 projects covering 270 local authorities)
• Income: Gross household income £36,000 or below, OR receiving a means-tested benefit (Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Housing Benefit)
• Property: EPC rating D to G
• Tenure: Private homeowners AND private renters (not social housing)
• Postcode: Must be in an eligible area – not all local authorities have signed up

What WH:LG Covers

Double and triple glazing are explicitly listed as eligible measures, alongside insulation, solar panels, and heat pumps. The funding covers up to £15,000 for energy efficiency measures (including windows) plus up to £15,000 for low-carbon heating – a potential total of £30,000 per household. There is no household contribution required – the grant pays the installer directly.

How to Apply

Check your eligibility on gov.uk using the postcode-based checker. If eligible, you will be referred to your local authority, who will arrange a property assessment and installer. You do not need to find your own installer.

Home Energy Scotland – Loans, Not Grants, for Windows

Home Energy Scotland offers interest-free loans of up to £8,000 for double glazing – not grants. Grants are available for other energy measures but not specifically for windows.

Many competitor guides incorrectly describe this as a “grant for double glazing.” The distinction matters: for glazing specifically, Home Energy Scotland provides interest-free loans, not grants. The grant component covers other measures like heat pumps and insulation.

The loan is genuinely interest-free with no hidden fees, making it one of the most accessible funding options in the UK — just not a free grant as some sites claim. For Scottish homeowners, our Edinburgh double glazing guide covers how to combine Home Energy Scotland loans with local installer quotes.

Affordable Warmth Scheme (Northern Ireland)

The Affordable Warmth Scheme offers Northern Ireland residents up to £7,500 for energy efficiency measures including double glazing, if household income is under £23,000.

• Location: Northern Ireland only
• Income threshold: Under £23,000 annual household income
• Covers: Double glazing, insulation, heating – up to £7,500 (£10,000 for solid wall insulation)
• How to apply: NI Energy Advice Service – 0800 111 44 55
• Status: Active, but the current phase may end March 2026 – no confirmed extension

Nest Scheme (Wales)

The Nest scheme in Wales can cover double glazing for qualifying households, but in practice most funding goes to insulation and heating. Eligibility is based on benefits and EPC rating.

Nest is the Welsh Government’s energy efficiency scheme, delivered by British Gas. It offers free home energy improvements for households receiving means-tested benefits who live in a property with an EPC rating of D to G.

• Eligible measures: Insulation, boiler replacement, heating systems – and in some cases, double glazing
• Location: Wales only
• Income: Must receive a qualifying benefit (similar list to ECO4)
• How to apply: Call 0808 808 2244 or visit nest.gov.wales

Be aware: Nest prioritises insulation and heating over windows, so double glazing is not guaranteed even if you qualify. It is worth applying, but have realistic expectations – the scheme helps far more people with boilers and loft insulation than with windows.

Schemes That Do NOT Cover Windows

The Great British Insulation Scheme and Home Upgrade Grant (HUG2) do not cover double glazing – GBIS is insulation-only, and HUG2 closed in March 2025.

Two schemes are frequently mentioned in double glazing grant guides that should not be:

Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) – covers cavity wall insulation, loft insulation, and underfloor insulation only. It does not cover double glazing, replacement windows, or doors. The scheme is also ending on 31 March 2026, and the GOV.UK referral service has already closed. Some energy suppliers may still accept direct applications until the deadline.

Home Upgrade Grant Phase 2 (HUG2) – this scheme did cover double glazing for off-gas-grid properties in England, but it closed to new applications in March 2025. Some local authority pages still appear active, but no new applications are being accepted.

What If You Don’t Qualify for a Grant?

If you don’t qualify for a grant, getting multiple quotes from FENSA-registered installers and timing your purchase for winter or early spring can save 20–30% on double glazing costs.

Most homeowners will not qualify for free double glazing. If that is your situation, here is how to minimise costs – our double glazing tips guide covers each of these in more detail:

• Get at least 3 quotes from FENSA-registered installers – prices vary by 30-50% for the same job
• Include a local independent installer – they often undercut national brands like Anglian, Everest, and Safestyle
• Time your purchase – winter and early spring are quieter, and installers may offer better prices
• Consider 0% finance – many installers offer interest-free payment plans over 12-24 months
• Use our cost calculator to get a baseline figure before any sales appointment

For a full breakdown of what double glazing costs without a grant, see our complete cost guide. A standard 3-bed semi typically costs £4,000–£6,000 for uPVC double glazing installed. If your seals have failed rather than the frames, double glazing repairs cost far less than a full replacement – see our best companies guide for recommended installers.

0% VAT on Energy-Saving Materials

Since April 2022, energy-saving materials including double glazing are charged at 0% VAT when installed in residential properties across the UK. This rate applies until March 2027 (after which it reverts to 5%). The zero rate is automatic – your installer should not charge VAT on the materials or installation. If they do, query it. On a £5,000 job, this saves £250 compared to the old 5% rate and £1,000 compared to the standard 20% rate.

Argon gas fills improve thermal performance significantly – see our argon gas double glazing cost guide for details. If energy savings are your priority, our guide to energy efficient windows covers the key specifications.

Laura Bennet

Home Energy & Sustainability Editor

Laura leads coverage on home energy, heating, and sustainable living. With over 12 years in the UK energy sector, she writes about boilers, solar panels, insulation, and eco-friendly upgrades that reduce household costs.

Reviewed by

Tom Reynolds

Business Energy Specialist