Yes, you can get double glazing funded through a grant in 2026, but only if you meet specific eligibility criteria. Two active schemes cover window replacements right now: ECO4 for low-income households on qualifying benefits, and the Warm Homes: Local Grant which varies by council area. Most homeowners over 60 also qualify through one of these routes. Here's exactly how each one works and what to do if you don't qualify.
Can You Get a Grant for Double Glazing in 2026?
Short answer: yes, but not everyone.
The UK government doesn't run a standalone double glazing grant. There's no scheme where you fill in a form and someone turns up to replace all your windows for free. What does exist are two broader energy efficiency programmes that include window replacements as one of the measures they'll fund, alongside things like and . Double glazing sits within those programmes because single-glazed or old double-glazed windows are a major source of heat loss, and replacing them can shift a home's EPC rating by a full band in some cases.
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Here's the honest bit: most of the ads you'll see on Facebook promising "free double glazing" are lead generation companies who'll sell your details to installers. Some are legitimate ECO4 referral partners. Many are not. The two genuine routes are the government-backed schemes below, and we'd always recommend going through those directly or through a trusted referral.
If you've already got double glazing from the last 15 years and it's in decent condition, you almost certainly won't qualify. These schemes target homes with single glazing or very old, failed double glazing units where the seals have gone and condensation sits between the panes. The worse your windows, the better your chances.
Which Schemes Cover Double Glazing Costs Right Now?
Two schemes. Not five, not ten, despite what some websites claim.
ECO4
ECO4 is funded by the big energy suppliers (British Gas, EDF, OVO, Octopus and others) and it can cover the full cost of double glazing for eligible households. No contribution from you. The scheme runs until December 2026, and it works on a "worst first" principle: homes with the lowest EPC ratings and the highest energy costs get priority. If your home has single glazing and an EPC of D or below, you're exactly who this scheme was designed for.
We've covered ECO4 eligibility in detail in our free boiler scheme guide, because it's the same programme that funds boiler replacements. The key thing for double glazing specifically is that window replacement is classified as a secondary measure under ECO4. That means it usually needs to be installed alongside a primary measure like insulation or a new heating system. Your installer will assess what combination of measures makes sense for your property.
Warm Homes: Local Grant
This one's newer and works differently. Rather than being run by energy companies, the Warm Homes: Local Grant is administered by your local authority. The amount available and the specific measures covered vary by council, which makes it harder to give a single answer on what you'll get.
Some councils are funding full window replacements. Others are prioritising insulation and heating systems and won't touch windows at all. The scheme runs until December 2028, so there's more runway here than ECO4. Your first step is checking what your specific council offers, either through their website or through our eligibility checker.
What about the Great British Insulation Scheme?
GBIS closed in March 2026. When it was running, it occasionally covered some window upgrades, but its focus was always insulation. It's no longer accepting applications, so ignore any website still listing it as an option. We've written up what replaced GBIS if you want the full picture.
Who Qualifies for Funded Double Glazing?
Right, this is where most people either qualify or don't, and there's no way to fudge it.
For ECO4, you need to be receiving a qualifying benefit. The main ones are Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Child Tax Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Housing Benefit, and Working Tax Credit. If you're on Pension Credit, you automatically qualify, which is why double glazing grants for over 60s come up so often in searches. Pension Credit is the most common route for older homeowners.
Your home also needs to meet certain criteria. An EPC rating of D, E, F or G is typically required, and the property should be your main residence. If you're not sure what your current rating is, you can find out what an EPC costs and whether you already have one on the register.
For the Warm Homes: Local Grant, eligibility varies by local authority. Some councils use a household income threshold (often around £31,000 to £36,000 combined household income). Others mirror the ECO4 benefits list. A few have additional criteria around property age or council tax band. Honestly, the only reliable way to check is to contact your council directly or run through our eligibility tool.
One thing we see regularly: people over 60 who assume they're too old to qualify or that the process will be too complicated. If you're receiving Pension Credit, you're in one of the strongest eligibility positions. And if you're over 60 but not on Pension Credit, it's worth checking whether you should be. Around 880,000 eligible households don't claim it, according to the Department for Work and Pensions.
How Much Could You Save on New Windows?
£3,000 to £7,000. That's the typical cost of replacing all the windows in a three-bedroom semi with A-rated double glazing, based on Energy Saving Trust data. If you qualify for ECO4, you pay nothing. If you qualify for the Warm Homes: Local Grant, you might pay nothing or a contribution depending on your council's approach.
Beyond the installation cost, there are the ongoing energy savings. The Energy Saving Trust estimates that replacing single glazing with A-rated double glazing saves around £100 to £135 a year on heating bills for a typical semi-detached home. Not transformative on its own, but double glazing also reduces draughts, cuts outside noise, and eliminates condensation problems that can lead to damp and mould.
If your home has old double glazing from the 1990s with blown seals, the savings are smaller but still real. You're looking at maybe £50 to £75 a year, plus a more comfortable home.
And there's the EPC angle. Upgrading from single to double glazing can improve your EPC by one band, sometimes two if combined with other measures. That matters if you're a landlord approaching the 2030 EPC C deadline, and it matters for grant eligibility too, since a better EPC can qualify you for different schemes. Our guide on how to improve your EPC rating covers which upgrades give you the biggest band jump for the least money.
How to Apply for Double Glazing Funding Step by Step
So you think you qualify. Here's the process.
For ECO4, you don't apply to the government directly. You apply through an ECO4-approved installer or a referral partner. The installer will check your benefit eligibility (you'll need to provide proof), arrange an EPC assessment if you don't already have one, and then survey your property to determine which measures are appropriate. If double glazing is recommended as part of your package, it gets included at no cost to you. The whole process from first contact to installation typically takes 6 to 12 weeks, though we've seen it take longer in busy areas.
For the Warm Homes: Local Grant, start with your local council's website or call their housing team. Some councils have online application forms. Others require a phone call or a home visit first. The council will assess your eligibility and then either arrange the work directly through their approved contractors or refer you to a delivery partner.
One practical tip: get your EPC done before you apply if you don't have a recent one. It speeds everything up. An EPC assessment costs £60 to £120 depending on your area, and you'll need one anyway.
Don't pay anything upfront to an installer who claims to be ECO4-approved. Legitimate ECO4 installations are fully funded. If someone asks you for a deposit or a "survey fee," walk away.
What to Do If You Don't Qualify for a Grant
Look, most homeowners won't qualify. That's the reality. If your household income is above the thresholds and you're not on qualifying benefits, neither ECO4 nor the Warm Homes: Local Grant will cover your double glazing.
That doesn't mean you're stuck with single glazing.
0% VAT still applies to all energy-saving materials installed in residential properties, including double glazing, until at least March 2027. That saves you roughly £600 to £1,400 on a full house of windows compared to the standard 20% rate. Make sure your installer is applying the zero rate. Some still charge VAT incorrectly, either through ignorance or optimism.
Beyond the VAT saving, consider whether double glazing is actually the best use of your money right now. If your loft insulation is thin or your walls are uninsulated, those upgrades deliver bigger energy savings per pound spent. A full set of windows might cost £5,000 and save you £100 a year. Topping up your loft insulation might cost £400 and save you £150 a year. The maths isn't always in favour of windows first.
Some local authorities run low-interest loan schemes for home improvements that include glazing. These aren't grants, but they spread the cost. Check with your council's energy or housing team.
And if you're over 60, not on Pension Credit, and struggling with energy bills, contact your local Age UK branch. They can check whether you're missing any benefits you're entitled to, which might bring you into ECO4 eligibility. It's a surprisingly common situation.
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Grant amounts and eligibility criteria are based on publicly available government data and may change. Always verify current terms directly with the scheme provider.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get double glazing grants if I'm over 60?
Yes, if you receive Pension Credit or another qualifying benefit. Being over 60 doesn't automatically qualify you, but Pension Credit is one of the strongest routes into ECO4 funding. If you're over State Pension age and on a low income but haven't claimed Pension Credit, check whether you're eligible. Around 880,000 households miss out on it, according to the DWP, and claiming it could open the door to fully funded double glazing.
Is there a standalone government grant just for double glazing?
No. Double glazing is covered as part of broader energy efficiency schemes like ECO4 and the Warm Homes: Local Grant, not through a dedicated windows-only programme.
Do I need to pay anything towards ECO4 double glazing?
Nothing. ECO4 installations are fully funded for eligible households. If an installer asks you for a deposit, survey fee, or any upfront payment, they're either not a legitimate ECO4 provider or they're trying to charge you for something that should be free. Walk away and report them to your energy supplier.
Will double glazing improve my EPC rating?
Usually by one band, sometimes more if you're replacing single glazing and combining it with other measures like insulation. The exact improvement depends on your home's current rating and what other upgrades have already been done. It's worth getting an EPC assessment first so you know your starting point.
Can private tenants get double glazing through these schemes?
It's complicated. ECO4 can fund work in private rented properties, but the landlord needs to agree and there are rules about landlord contributions. In practice, some landlords cooperate and some don't. The Warm Homes: Local Grant varies by council, with some specifically targeting owner-occupiers. If you're renting, start by asking your landlord to apply, and contact your council's housing team if they refuse. Landlords have a legal obligation to meet minimum EPC standards, which can work in your favour.