Double Glazing Grants 2019
As we get over half way through the year and uncertain “Brexit” times very little has changed on the home improvement front, especially when it comes to double glazing grants 2019 in the UK.
There are still a few options for double glazing grants available though – particularly for those living in Scotland or Ireland.
The UK Governments own “Green Deal” closed back in 2015. This basically provided low cost loans which could be paid back using the money saved in energy usage for home energy efficiency improvement measures … including double glazing.
This program has been closed recently. However …
… since the closure the privately owned and backed Green Deal Finance Company have taken ownership of the scheme and now provide a similar lending service to support energy efficiency upgrades. As we said, the Green Deal Finance Company is now a privately funded organisation but the principle is still the same. That said, you are still borrowing the money and repaying the loan. Whilst in many cases it could be competitive, interest rates are still very low and so you may find it better to fund the cost yourselves through an unsecured loan, an increase in your mortgage etc.
Linking double glazing with other energy saving measures could significantly reduce fuel costs. These savings could go towards the cost of the loan so it’s worth considering.
We’re not financial experts so suggest that you shop around and take professional advice first.
Double Glazing Grants 2019 – England
The Governments own Energy Company Obligation (well known as ECO for short) was originally set up in 2013. It’s mission … to help certain households get financial support from energy suppliers in order to improve their homes energy efficiency.
ECO reformed in 2017 but closed in September 2018. It’s now been replaced by ECO3.
ECO3 has just started as we write this post (December 2018). It’s scheduled to run until 2022. However, its focus is exclusively on low income families, vulnerable households and those living in fuel poverty.
The “Big 6” energy companies all support ECO3. It’s estimated that it could still help around 900,000 households. However, when you examine the measures that it covers, the focus is mainly and understandably on heating and insulation.
If you’re a social housing tenant you should speak to your social hosing provider if you’re looking at improving energy efficiency. You will not be able to make these improvements yourself but you provider may be able to help or already have an improvement program in the planning. If you are a private tenant you should speak to your landlord but if you own your own property the you may want to check out a fairly new Government endorsed website called Simply Energy Advice. After a short survey starting with postcode, this website will suggest any potential grants available to you.
Before you get too excited though there’s nothing new here as any grants are still going to be under the Governments ECO funding program but they can on their Grants section, connect you to plenty of localised advice to help you reduce energy costs.
Double Glazing Grants 2019 – Scotland
Whilst there’s not much happening elsewhere for those in Scotland there is better news! The Governments Home Energy Efficiency Programmes for Scotland (HEEPS for short) is still going strong.
HEEPS is basically a scheme consisting of a number of different programmes or initiatives to address fuel poverty and improve home energy efficiency. You can read more about HEEPS HERE >>>
The actual programs linked to HEEPS are as follows:
Area Based Schemes or ABS. This is an area based scheme with a primary focus on deprived area. The original aim was to address all homes in such areas by 2023. Delivery is through local authorities and includes all measures but vary depending on each actual local authority scheme. These measures will be free to all so well worth looking into. More info on ABS can be found HERE >>>
Warmer Homes Scotland. This scheme was launched in 2015, has a value of £244m and is scheduled to last until 2022 at the latest. It’s managed, on behalf of the Government, by Warmworks Scotland . The target market is low-income homeowners or private tenants. Whilst certain conditions need to be met most energy saving measures will be considered under the scheme although there is no specific mention of double glazing. Find out more about Warmer Homes Scotland HERE >>>
Home Energy Scotland Loan Scheme. This is a newer initiative first launched in May 2017. It comes in the form of an interest free loan of up to £32,500 per property. This loan is available to home owners and private landlords alike and covers the whole of Scotland. The loan is only to be used against energy efficiency measures … all the usual measures and INCLUDING double glazing which it makes specific reference to. Home Energy Scotland Loan Scheme is a combination of the previous HEEPS loans scheme and the Home Energy Scotland Renewable Loan Scheme. It’s a great initiative made even better in the short term by a further 25% cash back offer so get in quick! More info can be found HERE >>>
Equity Loan Pilot Scheme. The scheme was launched in January 2017, initially in just three areas but now covers the following local authority areas: Glasgow City, Argyll and Bute, Perth and Kinross Inverclyde, Renfrewshire, Stirling, Dundee and the Western Isles. It’s an initiative to provide access to equity loans to home owners on low incomes, and small landlords. The advance (up to £40,000) is specifically designed to be used to help make essential repairs (leaks, cracks etc) to improve energy efficiency and reduce wastage. It’s often used to address any essential work that needs to be done before the installation of energy efficiency measures. More information is available HERE >>>
Double Glazing Grants 2019 – Ireland
In the Republic Of Ireland the Home Renovation Incentive is still going strong. This government scheme basically provides tax credits against the cost of home improvements. Again, this includes window replacement and double glazing.
The Home Renovation Incentive (HRI) provides income tax relief for everyone, regardless of whether you own a property, rent privately or are a social housing tenant. It’s possible to claim these credits if you’re renovating the property you’re living in or you’re making repairs or improvements to it.
Eligibility for the scheme is pretty open – you must pay tax under PAYE or self-assessment, all your Local Property Tax payments must be up to date (this is not applicable to social housing tenants) and any works MUST be by Home Renovation Incentive qualifying contractors.
HRI is an online program which you can read more about HERE >>>.
Double Glazing Grants 2019 – Wales
The Welsh Government also run a Warm Homes Program which incorporates its two main schemes known as NEST and ARBED by providing funding for energy efficiency improvements to low income households and those living in deprived communities across Wales. You can read more about the WHP HERE >>>.
NEST. NEST targets hard to treat (typically solid wall) properties under private ownership and resided in by at least one person who receives a means tested benefit of some kind. The property has to be energy inefficient to qualify. On the downside, whilst there’s mention of boilers, central heating, insulation and new technologies, there’s no specific mention of double glazing grants … in fact they specifically state that it doesn’t include windows or doors! Worth checking out nonetheless – find out more about NEST HERE >>>
ARBED. ARBED is a little different in as much as it’s an EU funded scheme (get in quick before Brexit!!!). Funding is obtained by scheme managers on behalf of the Welsh Government. It covers many refurbishment improvements to properties including Solid / External Wall Insulation and loft insulation, new boilers and central heating systems, newer technologies and, whilst there’s no specific reference to double glazing grants, it does mention draft proofing so may again be worth an enquiry – find out more about ARBED HERE >>>
Double Glazing Grants 2019 – Conclusion
So, whilst there’s various options in other parts, for the average private homeowner in the England, when it comes to double glazing grants, there’s very little to get excited about. The best bet is to contact your local council to see if there is any localised support they may be able to provide. In Wales there are a couple of schemes to check out as there is also in Ireland. Scotland, on the other hand, is where it’s all happening although, depending on your circumstances, it may be in the form of interest free loan and cashback rather than a specific double glazing grant.
It’s still worth remembering that, throughout the UK, interest rates are still very low which makes borrowing attractive. Replacing your windows may result in a considerable saving in fuel costs – especially when supported by other energy saving measures too like insulation, boiler replacement … right down to energy saving lightbulbs. These savings will go quite some way towards the cost of borrowing to fund the installation of double glazing which will also add value to your property so, double glazing grants or not, it’s still worth considering!
And don’t forget the golden rule … shop around! There’s some smaller, local, family type businesses who can offer amazing value for money when compared with some of the major players in the double glazing market. Take your time, get a variety of quotes and research the installers to ensure you’re going to get quality products and installation and remember that you’re looking for the best value for money rather than the cheapest – there’s a BIG difference!
Watch this space – if anything changes in respect of double glazing grants UK 2019 we’ll let you know.
