Can You Get a Grant for New Windows in the UK in 2026?

Understanding Window Upgrade Grants and How They Work in the UK

Replacing the windows in your home is one of the most visible and impactful improvements you can make — but it is also one of the more expensive ones, with a full house of new double glazing easily running into thousands of pounds. Given that cost, it is no surprise that many homeowners are searching for financial help before committing to the work.

In 2026, it is possible to get a grant towards new windows in the UK, but only through specific routes — primarily the ECO4 scheme, the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS), and local authority funding programmes. There is no dedicated standalone window grant programme currently open to all homeowners; eligibility depends on your income, the benefits you receive, your home’s energy rating, and whether windows form part of a broader package of energy efficiency improvements.

Before diving into the schemes themselves, it helps to understand the difference between the types of financial support on offer, because homeowners frequently confuse them. A grant is money provided to you that you do not need to repay — it is the most desirable form of support. A voucher is a redeemable credit applied against the cost of a specific measure, which functions similarly to a grant but is tied to a particular product or service. A loan, by contrast, must be repaid, often with interest, and some home improvement finance products are loans dressed up in green language. Knowing which category applies before you engage with any scheme is essential.

It is also important to set realistic expectations from the outset. In the UK, window grants are rarely provided as a standalone measure. They are almost always bundled within broader home energy efficiency programmes that cover multiple improvements at once — insulation, heating upgrades, and glazing together. Very few homeowners receive 100% funding purely for windows in isolation; the full picture of your home’s energy performance, your household’s financial situation, and the scope of work proposed will all affect what you can access.

Practical tip — Before contacting any scheme or installer, locate your home’s Energy Performance Certificate on the GOV.UK EPC register. Your EPC rating is one of the first things any scheme will ask about, and having it to hand speeds up every subsequent step.

The Main Routes to Window Funding in 2026

Windows are a funded measure under ECO4, the Great British Insulation Scheme, and several local authority programmes in 2026 — but not through any dedicated standalone window grant open to all homeowners. Understanding which route applies to your circumstances is the single most important step you can take.

The old Green Homes Grant voucher scheme, which briefly allowed homeowners to claim up to £5,000 towards energy improvements including glazing, closed in March 2021 and was not replaced with a direct equivalent. No equivalent all-homeowner voucher programme for windows exists in 2026. This is a point of frustration for many people who remember the publicity around that scheme, and it is worth being clear about it so that expectations are grounded in what is actually available.

Eligibility for current schemes is either means-tested (based on the benefits your household receives) or property-rating-based (based on your home’s EPC score) — and in many cases, both criteria apply. Simply owning a home with old windows does not, on its own, qualify you for funded replacement. The three main routes available to UK homeowners in 2026 are

• ECO4 — the Energy Company Obligation 4 scheme, targeting lower-income and vulnerable households
• The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) — a related but separate strand focusing on the least energy-efficient homes
• Local authority and devolved nation schemes — council-run programmes that vary significantly by area and can sometimes reach households who do not qualify for the national schemes

Each of these routes is explained in full below, including who qualifies, how to apply, and what the realistic outcomes look like for a typical household.

Practical tip — Do not assume that failing one scheme means you fail all of them. ECO4, GBIS, and local authority programmes have overlapping but distinct eligibility criteria, and it is worth checking all three simultaneously rather than in sequence.

ECO4 and What It Means for Window Upgrades in 2026

ECO4 — the Energy Company Obligation 4 scheme — is the UK government’s primary mechanism for funding energy efficiency improvements in lower-income and vulnerable households, and windows are an eligible measure under it when installed as part of a broader package of improvements.

ECO4 is a government-mandated programme that requires large energy suppliers to fund energy efficiency improvements in eligible households. Rather than the government paying directly, the obligation sits with energy companies — British Gas, E.ON, EDF, Octopus Energy, and others — who must meet targets set by the regulator Ofgem. This means that the funding effectively comes from across the energy supplier’s customer base, channelled into improvements for those who need them most.

Under ECO4, double glazing installed to replace existing single glazing is a recognised eligible measure. However, the critical word here is “part” — windows funded under ECO4 must be installed as part of a package of improvements, not as a standalone measure. A household applying purely for new windows and nothing else is very unlikely to receive ECO4 funding. The scheme is designed around whole-house approaches that address the property’s overall energy performance in a meaningful way.

Who qualifies for ECO4

To qualify under ECO4, a household must meet one or more of the following criteria

• Receiving a means-tested benefit such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit, Housing Benefit, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, or income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Living in a property with an EPC rating of D, E, F, or G
• Being identified by their energy supplier or local authority as being in or at risk of fuel poverty

Social housing tenants may also be eligible in certain circumstances, though ECO4 primarily targets privately owned and privately rented properties. If you are a private tenant, it is worth noting that your landlord’s cooperation is required for improvements to go ahead, which can add a layer of complexity to the process.

ECO4 runs until March 2026, with a successor scheme expected to be announced. If you are reading this later in 2026, check the Ofgem website and your energy supplier’s current offering for updated information on any replacement programme.

Practical tip — Contact your energy supplier directly and ask specifically whether they are currently accepting ECO4 applications. Supplier capacity can vary; if your supplier has already met its obligation, you may need to approach a different registered supplier or go through an ECO4 registered installer who works across multiple suppliers.

The Great British Insulation Scheme and Window Eligibility

The Great British Insulation Scheme — known as GBIS — runs alongside ECO4 but is a separate strand of policy, with its own eligibility rules and its own focus on improving the least energy-efficient homes in England. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have parallel programmes described separately below.

GBIS divides eligible households into two groups. Group A covers households receiving means-tested benefits — the same broad set of qualifying benefits that apply under ECO4. Group B is wider in scope and covers households in Council Tax bands A through D that also have an EPC rating of D or below. This second group is significant because it can include households who are not on benefits but are living in genuinely inefficient homes — making GBIS a useful route for households who fall just above the benefit threshold but still have poor energy ratings.

The primary focus of GBIS is insulation — loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, and solid wall insulation are the headline measures. Windows are listed as a potential secondary measure that may be funded in some cases, but this is not guaranteed, and the position on specific measures can be updated as the scheme’s funding rounds progress. Homeowners should not assume windows will automatically be included — the emphasis remains firmly on insulation as the lead measure.

The most reliable way to check your current eligibility under both ECO4 and GBIS at the same time is to use the government’s Simple Energy Advice service at simpleenergyadvice.org.uk. This free online tool gives you a personalised eligibility check without requiring you to go through a commercial installer first, which means you get impartial information before anyone has a financial interest in the outcome.

Practical tip — When using Simple Energy Advice, have your EPC reference number to hand along with details of any benefits your household receives. The more accurate the information you enter, the more reliable the eligibility result will be.

Local Authority and Area-Based Schemes Worth Knowing About

Local authority and devolved nation schemes represent a genuinely underused source of window funding, and they are particularly valuable for households who do not meet the national scheme criteria but still live in cold, inefficient homes.

Across England, many councils have administered funding through the Warm Homes Local Grant — a government-backed initiative distributed through local authorities that allows councils to fund energy improvements for households in their area. The flexibility built into local schemes means that windows can sometimes be funded here even when they would not qualify as a standalone measure under ECO4 or GBIS.

In the devolved nations, the picture looks like this

• Scotland has Warmer Homes Scotland, administered by Home Energy Scotland and available to owner-occupiers and private tenants on low incomes or receiving qualifying benefits. Glazing can be included as part of a wider retrofit.
• Wales operates the Nest and Warm Homes programmes, both of which cover a range of energy efficiency measures including glazing for eligible households.
• Northern Ireland has the Affordable Warmth scheme, run through the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, which funds improvements including windows for households on low incomes in inefficient homes.

The important caveat with all local and devolved authority schemes is that funding availability varies significantly by area and changes from year to year. What your neighbouring council is offering may not be available in your own borough, and a programme that was well-funded in one round may be exhausted in the next. Checking your council’s website directly — and searching for terms like “home energy grants,” “Warm Homes,” or “energy efficiency funding” — is the most reliable way to find out what is currently available where you live.

Practical tip — Many councils have dedicated energy advisers or partnerships with local energy advice services. A phone call to your council’s housing or environmental health team can save hours of online searching and may reveal funding pots that are not prominently advertised.

How Much New Windows Cost in 2026 and How Much a Grant Could Cover

Understanding the realistic cost of new windows in 2026 helps you assess how much financial help you actually need and whether a grant would make the project affordable — or whether you would still need to contribute a significant sum.

Window pricing in the UK varies based on the frame material, glazing type, window size, and the number being replaced. The figures below reflect typical supply-and-fit prices from established UK installers in 2026, and are intended as a realistic guide rather than a guaranteed quote.

Under ECO4 or GBIS, eligible households may receive partial or full funding depending on the scope of the overall retrofit package being proposed. Full funding for windows is most common when they form part of a whole-house improvement that includes insulation and potentially heating upgrades too. Where windows are a secondary measure added to a primarily insulation-focused project, the funding contribution may be partial, with a top-up payment required from the homeowner.

It is important to understand that grant coverage amounts under ECO4 and GBIS are not published as fixed per-measure rates. Registered installers submit costs to the scheme and funding is allocated based on the total project scope and the eligible measures involved. This means you will not know the exact grant amount until you have had an assessment and received a written proposal from a registered installer.

According to Energy Saving Trust data, upgrading from single to double glazing in a typical semi-detached home can save approximately £95 to £115 per year on energy bills. While that figure is modest relative to the upfront cost, it represents a genuine long-term benefit on top of improved comfort and reduced draughts.

Practical tip — Always get a written quote before any work begins, even if the project is grant-funded. The quote should specify which measures are fully funded, which attract a top-up contribution from you, and what the total cost would be if funding were not available — this protects you if the grant application is later reduced or declined.

How to Check Whether You Qualify — A Step-by-Step Guide

Following a clear process before approaching any scheme or installer puts you in the strongest possible position to secure funding and avoid being misled by unscrupulous companies who profit from the grant system at homeowners’ expense.

1. Check your current EPC rating — Find your property’s Energy Performance Certificate on the GOV.UK EPC register at find-energy-certificate.service.gov.uk. An EPC rating of D, E, F, or G strengthens your eligibility for most schemes. If your property does not have a current EPC, you can commission one from an accredited domestic energy assessor for approximately £60 to £120.
2. Check your benefit entitlement — Confirm whether anyone in your household currently receives Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, or income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance. These are the primary qualifying benefits for both ECO4 and GBIS Group A.
3. Use the Simple Energy Advice tool — Visit simpleenergyadvice.org.uk for a free, impartial eligibility check. This government-backed service will tell you which schemes you may qualify for without directing you towards any commercial installer.
4. Contact your energy supplier — All major energy suppliers are obligated under ECO4. Contact British Gas, E.ON, EDF, Octopus Energy, or whichever company supplies your energy and ask specifically whether they are currently accepting ECO4 applications and what measures they are funding. Supplier capacity and focus can vary at different points in the scheme year.
5. Contact your local council — Search your council’s website for home energy grants, Warm Homes Local Grant, or home improvement schemes. Some councils have dedicated energy advisers who can carry out a home visit and help you understand every avenue of funding available to you.
6. Seek independent advice — Citizens Advice, National Energy Action, and local energy advice centres can guide you through the eligibility landscape without any commercial interest in the outcome. This is particularly valuable if you have had confusing or contradictory information from installers.

Practical tip — Be cautious of cold callers or door-to-door salespeople who claim to offer “free windows” under a government scheme. Legitimate ECO4 and GBIS work is arranged through your energy supplier or via an accredited installer following your own eligibility check — not through unsolicited contact. If someone approaches you unexpectedly, verify their credentials before engaging further.

How to Choose the Right Windows and Installer for a Grant-Funded Project

Grant-funded window installations come with specific product and installer requirements that differ from a standard private purchase — getting this right is what stands between a smooth, compliant installation and one that leaves you with a dispute, a funding withdrawal, or work that does not meet Building Regulations.

For any grant-funded window installation, the product must meet minimum energy performance standards. Look for windows rated A or A+ on the BFRC (British Fenestration Rating Council) Window Energy Rating scale — this is the UK industry standard for measuring a window’s thermal performance, taking into account the heat the glazing gains from the sun as well as how much heat it loses. A BFRC-rated window label is similar in concept to an energy rating on a fridge or washing machine, and it makes comparing products straightforward. Windows installed under ECO4 or GBIS will be required to meet minimum thermal performance standards, and any reputable installer should be able to demonstrate compliance.

Installer accreditation matters enormously on grant-funded work. For ECO4 and GBIS projects, installers must be registered on the relevant scheme’s approved contractor list. For window installations more broadly, check that your installer is registered with either FENSA (Fenestration Self-Assessment Scheme) or CERTASS — both are competent person schemes that allow installers to self-certify that their work complies with Building Regulations. This is important because replacing windows is notifiable work under Building Regulations, and using an unregistered installer means you would need to pay for a separate building inspector to sign off the work, adding cost and complication.

For ECO4-linked work specifically, installers must also hold relevant accreditation under TrustMark — the government-endorsed quality scheme for home improvement work. TrustMark registration means the installer has undergone checks on their technical competence, financial standing, and customer service standards. You can verify any installer’s TrustMark status at trustmark.org.uk. Always check before signing anything.

Even on grant-funded work, getting at least three quotes is strongly recommended. This is because homeowners may still be required to contribute a top-up payment towards the total project cost, and the price you pay for that contribution — as well as the quality of the product being installed — varies between companies.

Practical tip — Ask any installer for written evidence of their FENSA or CERTASS registration number, their TrustMark registration, and their inclusion on the ECO4 or GBIS approved contractor list before agreeing to any survey or work. A legitimate, experienced installer will provide this information without hesitation.

Verifying Your Installer’s Credentials Before You Sign Anything

Checking an installer’s credentials takes less than ten minutes and could save you thousands of pounds — yet it is a step that many homeowners skip, particularly when they are excited about the prospect of grant-funded work.

For ECO4-linked window installations, installers should be registered with MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) if the project involves low-carbon heating measures alongside glazing, or on the relevant ECO4 approved contractor database maintained by Ofgem-regulated parties. You can search for MCS-certified installers at mcscertified.com. MCS certification is primarily associated with technologies like heat pumps and solar panels, but on multi-measure retrofit projects that bundle these with window upgrades, you will often find your lead installer carries MCS accreditation.

For the glazing element specifically, FENSA and CERTASS are the two primary routes to verifying installer legitimacy. FENSA maintains a public register at fensa.org.uk where you can search for any registered company by name or postcode. CERTASS operates a similar register at certass.co.uk. If an installer claims to be registered with either scheme but cannot produce a registration number, treat this as a serious warning sign.

TrustMark is the overarching government-endorsed quality mark for all home improvement work, including energy efficiency retrofits. Under the requirements associated with government-funded retrofit schemes, TrustMark registration is expected for all contractors carrying out publicly funded work. Checking an installer’s status at trustmark.org.uk takes moments and gives you an important layer of assurance.

It is also worth asking whether the installer carries professional indemnity insurance and public liability insurance, and requesting a written contract that clearly sets out the scope of work, the products being installed (including energy ratings), the timeline, any grant funding being applied, the total cost including any homeowner contribution, and the warranty terms for both the product and the installation.

One of the most common concerns among homeowners considering grant-funded improvements is whether the work will be done to a high standard or whether the free-at-point-of-use nature of the project reduces the quality of materials or workmanship. This is a legitimate concern. The best protection is choosing an installer with a verifiable track record — look for reviews on Trustpilot or Which? Trusted Traders, ask for references from previous ECO4 or GBIS customers, and ask specifically what windows they plan to install, from which manufacturer, and with what energy rating.

Practical tip — Before any surveyor visits your home, write down a list of questions to ask, including which scheme the work will be funded under, what your expected contribution will be, what brand and model of window will be installed, what their FENSA or CERTASS number is, and how long the installation warranty lasts. A trustworthy company will answer every question clearly and in writing.

Other Funding Options If You Do Not Qualify for a Grant

If your household does not qualify for ECO4, GBIS, or local authority schemes, you are not without options — though it is important to approach alternative funding routes with clear eyes about costs and repayment obligations.

Many local authorities and councils operate home improvement loans at low or zero interest rates for households just above the benefit threshold who are still living in inefficient properties. These are loans, not grants, and must be repaid — but the rates are typically far more favourable than commercial finance. Contact your council to ask whether a home improvement loan programme operates in your area.

Some energy suppliers and financial institutions offer green finance products specifically for energy efficiency improvements, including windows. These are commercial loans, and the interest rate and terms vary considerably. Always compare the total repayable amount — not just the monthly payment — before committing, and be aware that borrowing to fund windows means the energy bill savings will partially go towards repaying the loan rather than into your pocket.

If your windows are in a heritage or listed building, or in a conservation area, the picture becomes more complicated because planning and listed building consent requirements may restrict the type of glazing you can install. Some local authorities have conservation area grants or heritage improvement funds that partially offset these costs. guide to replacing windows in listed buildings and conservation areas

For homeowners who do not qualify for any funded scheme and cannot access affordable credit, secondary glazing — where a secondary pane is fitted inside the existing window frame rather than replacing it — can be a significantly cheaper alternative. Secondary glazing typically costs £100 to £350 per window, improves thermal performance meaningfully, and does not require Building Regulations notification in most cases. It is not as effective as full replacement, but for a household on a tight budget it can make a real difference to draughts and heat loss. secondary glazing vs double glazing — what is right for your home

Practical tip — If you are not eligible for a grant now but think your circumstances may change — for example if you are approaching pension age and will soon qualify for Pension Credit, or if your home’s EPC rating is borderline — it may be worth waiting a short time before making a private purchase. A small change in eligibility status could mean the difference between paying in full and receiving significant funding.

Common Misconceptions About Window Grants in 2026

Misinformation about window grants is widespread online, and a number of common misconceptions cause homeowners to either miss out on funding they are entitled to or fall prey to companies exploiting the confusion. Setting the record straight on the most persistent myths is worth doing clearly.

The first and most persistent misconception is that there is a government grant available to all homeowners who want new windows. This is false. No universal window grant exists in 2026. The schemes that are available are targeted at specific groups based on income, benefit status, or energy performance — and windows are a secondary rather than primary funded measure in most cases.

The second common misconception is that applying for a grant through an installer found online or via a cold call is the standard and safe way to access these schemes. In reality, the safest starting point is always the government’s own Simple Energy Advice service or your own energy supplier — not a company that contacted you first.

A third misconception is that grant-funded windows will always be inferior in quality to privately purchased ones. This is not necessarily true — the minimum standards set by ECO4 and GBIS require A-rated or better products — but the range of products offered can be narrower, and installers working at scale on funded projects do not always offer the same choice of styles, colours, and finishes as a specialist private installer. This is a reasonable trade-off for many households, but it is worth knowing in advance.

Finally, some homeowners believe that if they received ECO4 or GBIS funding in the past, they cannot access any further support. This is not always the case — scheme rules change, and depending on what improvements were previously made and what your current EPC rating is, further funding under a successor scheme or local authority programme may be available. what improvements can you claim on the same property twice under ECO4

For further guidance on related improvements that work well alongside window upgrades, it is worth exploring what insulation options are available for your property type cavity wall insulation grants UK 2026 and whether your heating system is efficient enough to work in harmony with improved glazing boiler upgrade scheme 2026 — what you need to know. The most energy-efficient homes take a whole-house approach, and windows are just one piece of a wider puzzle.

Practical tip — The Energy Saving Trust, National Energy Action, and Citizens Advice all publish free, impartial guidance on home energy grants that is updated regularly. Bookmarking these sources and checking them before making any decision means you are always working from current, reliable information rather than outdated articles or commercially motivated advice.