Yes, you can get help with new windows in 2026, but there's no single "window grant" you can just apply for. ECO4 and the Warm Homes: Local Grant both cover glazing upgrades for eligible households, typically those on means-tested benefits or with poor EPC ratings. If you don't qualify for either, you'll likely need to fund windows yourself, though cheaper upgrades like insulation can sometimes free up budget. Here's how the funded options actually work and what your realistic chances are.
Can You Get a Grant for New Windows in 2026?
Let's get this out of the way first. If you've Googled "free window grant UK" you've probably landed on a dozen sites promising government-funded double glazing with no strings attached. That's not quite how it works.
There is no standalone window replacement grant from the UK government. What exists are broader energy efficiency schemes that sometimes include glazing as one of the measures they'll fund. Windows aren't the headline act in any of these programmes. They're a supporting measure, which means the scheme has to decide your home needs new windows based on an assessment, not just because you want them.
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Two schemes currently cover window upgrades: ECO4 and the Warm Homes: Local Grant. A third scheme, the Great British Insulation Scheme, did cover some glazing work but closed in March 2026. So your options have narrowed.
Here's the honest bit. Most households that get windows funded through these schemes are on benefits and living in homes rated EPC band D or below. If you're a working household with no benefits and a band C home, you're almost certainly paying for your own windows. That doesn't mean there's nothing you can do, and we'll cover alternatives later, but it's worth knowing where you stand before you spend an afternoon filling in forms.
Which Schemes Cover Window Upgrades Right Now
ECO4
ECO4 is the bigger of the two programmes and the one most people end up applying through. It's funded by energy suppliers (the big six and some smaller ones) and it's been running since 2022. It covers a wide range of home improvements including insulation, heating systems, and yes, window and door replacements.
The key thing for windows specifically: ECO4 treats glazing as a secondary measure. That means your home typically needs a primary measure first, usually insulation or a heating upgrade, and windows get added on top if the assessor decides they'll meaningfully improve your home's energy rating. You can't just ring up and say "I want new windows please." The assessor visits, looks at the whole house, and recommends a package.
Funding through ECO4 can cover the full cost for eligible households. We've seen cases where homeowners have had every single-glazed window replaced at zero cost, but we've also seen cases where the assessor recommended loft insulation instead and didn't include windows at all. It depends on your home.
ECO4 runs until December 2026, so there's a time limit here.
Warm Homes: Local Grant
This one works differently. Rather than being run by energy suppliers, the Warm Homes: Local Grant is administered through local authorities, and the amount and type of support varies enormously depending on where you live.
Some councils include glazing in their eligible measures. Others don't touch it. Nottingham City Council, for instance, has historically been generous with window funding. Meanwhile some rural councils in the south-west barely have enough budget for insulation. There's no national list of "councils that fund windows" because it changes year to year as budgets get allocated.
The scheme runs until the end of 2028, which gives it a longer runway than ECO4.
So how do you find out what your council offers? Contact your local authority's housing or energy team directly. Or use our eligibility checker, which cross-references your postcode against known local authority programmes.
Who Qualifies for Funded Window Replacements
Right, this is the part that trips people up.
For ECO4, you generally need to tick two boxes. First, your household income: you or someone in your home needs to be receiving a qualifying benefit. That includes Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Child Tax Credit, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, and several others. Second, your home's energy performance: it typically needs an EPC rating of D, E, F, or G. If you're not sure what band you're in, getting an EPC assessment costs around £60 to £120 and tells you exactly where you stand.
There's also a route called ECO4 Flex, where your local authority can refer you even if you don't receive qualifying benefits. This is designed for households that are "fuel poor" but fall through the benefits gap. Maybe you're on a low income but just above the Universal Credit threshold. Maybe you have a health condition made worse by a cold home. Councils have discretion here, and some are more flexible than others.
For the Warm Homes: Local Grant, eligibility criteria vary by council. Some mirror ECO4's benefits requirement. Others use their own income thresholds. A few target specific property types, like park homes or pre-1930s terraces with single glazing.
One thing we see regularly: people with an EPC rating of E tend to have the best shot at getting windows included, because their homes are inefficient enough that glazing upgrades make a measurable difference to the rating.
And if you're a landlord? Different rules apply entirely. The Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards mean you can't legally let a property rated F or G, but there's no grant specifically designed to help landlords upgrade windows. ECO4 does cover some rental properties, but the tenant usually needs to be the one on qualifying benefits.
How Much Could You Save With Glazing Support
£3,000 to £8,000. That's the typical cost of replacing all the windows in a three-bedroom semi with double glazing, depending on window sizes, frame material, and your location. London and the south-east sit at the top of that range. The Midlands and north of England tend to be cheaper.
If you qualify for ECO4, you could have the full cost covered. Zero out of pocket. That's the best-case scenario, and it does happen, but it's not guaranteed because the assessor decides what measures your home gets.
The Warm Homes: Local Grant amount varies by local authority, so we can't give you a single figure. Some councils cap their contribution at £5,000 per household across all measures, not just windows. Others are more generous.
Beyond the upfront cost, new double glazing typically saves between £100 and £200 per year on heating bills according to the Energy Saving Trust, assuming you're replacing old single-glazed windows. If you've already got double glazing that's just a bit tired, the savings from upgrading to newer units are much smaller, maybe £30 to £50 a year, which is partly why schemes don't always prioritise window replacements when the existing glazing is functional.
An interesting aside: triple glazing is growing in popularity, particularly in Scotland and northern England where winters are harsher, but almost no grant scheme covers triple glazing specifically. The cost difference between double and triple is around 20% to 30% more, and the energy saving is marginal for most UK homes. Anyway.
If you're weighing up where to spend limited money, wall insulation and loft insulation almost always deliver better savings per pound spent than new windows. That's not a popular opinion with glazing companies, but the numbers are clear.
How to Apply for a Window Grant Step by Step
There's no single application portal. The process depends on which scheme you're going for.
For ECO4, the typical route looks like this:
Check you're receiving a qualifying benefit (or ask your council about ECO4 Flex referral)
Contact an ECO4-approved installer or your energy supplier directly. British Gas, OVO, EDF, E.ON, and Octopus Energy all have ECO4 programmes
An assessor visits your home, usually within two to four weeks
They produce a report recommending which measures your home qualifies for
If windows are included, the installer schedules the work. You don't pay anything
The whole process from first contact to installation typically takes six to twelve weeks, though we've heard of cases dragging on for months when assessor availability is limited.
For the Warm Homes: Local Grant, start with your local council. Some have online application forms. Others ask you to phone their housing team. A few contract the whole thing out to external organisations like Agility Eco or E.ON. Your council's website should have details, or search "energy efficiency grants" plus your council name.
One practical tip: if you apply for ECO4 and the assessor doesn't recommend windows, ask why. Sometimes it's because your existing glazing is functional enough that the scheme's scoring system prioritises other measures. You can't override the assessment, but understanding the reasoning helps you plan your next move.
What to Do If You Don't Qualify for a Window Grant
So you've checked and you don't meet the eligibility criteria. That's the reality for most homeowners, honestly.
You've still got options, though they involve spending your own money. Here's how to think about it.
First, consider whether windows are actually your biggest heat loss problem. A home with poor loft insulation, draughty walls, and an ancient boiler will benefit more from fixing those issues first. Windows are visible, which is why people focus on them, but they're rarely the most cost-effective upgrade. Our guide on how to improve your EPC rating walks through the cheapest upgrades in order.
Second, look at secondary glazing rather than full replacement. Fitting a second pane inside your existing window frame costs around £100 to £200 per window and captures about 60% to 70% of the benefit of full double glazing. For period properties where you can't change the original windows (listed buildings, conservation areas), this is often the only option anyway.
Third, if you do decide to go ahead with full replacement, get at least three quotes. The glazing industry has enormous price variation. We've seen identical specifications quoted at £4,200 by one company and £7,800 by another for the same house. Always check that your installer is FENSA or CERTASS registered, which means the work will comply with building regulations and you'll get a certificate you can use when selling the property.
And look, if your home's EPC rating is D or below, it's worth running through our eligibility checker even if you think you won't qualify. ECO4 Flex criteria vary by council, and some local authorities have surprisingly broad definitions of "fuel poverty" that catch people who wouldn't expect to be eligible.
Finally, keep an eye on what replaces GBIS. The Great British Insulation Scheme closed in March 2026, but the government has signalled that a successor programme is likely. Whether it'll cover glazing is anyone's guess at this point, but it's worth watching.
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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 a grant for double glazing if I'm not on benefits?
Possibly, through ECO4 Flex. Your local council can refer households that are fuel poor but don't receive qualifying benefits. Criteria vary by area, so it's worth contacting your council's housing team directly. Outside of that route, there's no general-purpose window grant for working households not on benefits.
Will a window grant cover triple glazing?
No. Current schemes fund double glazing replacements only.
How long does it take to get windows through ECO4?
From first contact to installation, expect six to twelve weeks on average. The main bottleneck is assessor availability. Some areas have long waiting lists, particularly in winter when demand spikes. If your installer quotes more than four months, it's worth contacting a different ECO4 provider to compare timelines. You're not locked into one supplier.
Do I need an EPC before applying for a window grant?
Not always. ECO4 assessors carry out their own survey, which effectively functions as an energy assessment. However, having an existing EPC helps you understand whether you're likely to qualify before you start the process. An EPC costs around £60 to £120 and is valid for ten years.
Can private tenants get window grants?
Yes, through ECO4, but you'll need your landlord's permission for any work to go ahead. The tenant typically needs to be on qualifying benefits. The landlord doesn't pay anything if the property qualifies, but they do need to agree to the installation. Some landlords resist because they worry about disruption or future maintenance obligations, which is frustrating but within their rights.