The big focus is on energy efficiency and the drive towards carbon neutral by 2050. And the stretch targets to reduce carbon emissions by 68% by 2030. That means a push for the installation of energy efficiencies both in new build houses and through the retrofit of existing properties.
What does this mean for double glazing grants 2022 and onwards though? Sure, double glazing has its part to play but, quite frankly, it’s nowhere near the top of the measures list. It’s certainly not worthy of straight forward, stand alone double glazing grants but it can be one of the measures included within overall program of energy efficiency measures. Particularly if you’re upgrading from single glazing.
To be honest it’s not looking great for UK double glazing grants in 2022 – that said, there are a few options so read on …
Let’s face it, when it comes to new build double glazing or highly efficient glazing is already included within the build spec so there’s no need for the government to through money in that direction. But when it comes to retrofit, refurbishment and upgrade of existing properties the focus is on a “whole house approach”. This means each property is assessed on its own merit as a whole and a package of energy efficiency measures is specified to give the best impact. Typically this will include an assessment of insulation, heating and micro generation.
Double glazing will be included as will external doors (usually under the insulation category) but the main focus will be on the measures which will deliver the greatest impact … insulation, heat pumps, solar panels etc.
So, just what double glazing grants are available in 2022?
There are a number of initiatives which may include grants for windows and doors from the government in 2022. Some of which are run by central government and cover the whole of the UK whilst others are country specific initiatives operated by individual administrations.
Whilst there’s nothing specifically designed as stand alone double glazing grants funding for replacement window upgrades are included within certain schemes which we’ve covered below.
The ill-fated Green Homes Grant is pretty much dead! Homeowners who have already a voucher have until the end of March 2022 to get their upgrades completed but no further applications can be made. You can read about the scheme but, as I said, it represents no further opportunity for double glazing grants.
The long standing Energy Company Obligation (known as ECO) is a GB wide grant scheme that aims to support households in receipt of certain benefits. It’s administered through the largest energy companies who are obliged to install energy efficiency measures in the homes of those who need them most but who maybe can’t afford it. All suppliers then pass on the costs to their customers through a levy on energy bills, particularly electricity bills. The target is to reduce carbon emissions and help the UK meet carbon reduction targets.
ECO first started back in 2013 and so far it’s estimated that 3.1 million measures have been installed in over 2.3 million homes. The good news is that it will be extended from 2022 to 2026. As this is the forth review the new 2022 grant scheme will be called ECO4. It’s scheduled to come into effect from 1st April 2022
Up to now the ECO scheme has prioritised the “low hanging fruits” by picking off the low cost measures like cavity and loft insulation. But now that so many of these measures are already installed it’s the harder to treat properties which are now forming the majority.
As we update this in June 2022, the final ECO4 framework is still not finalised. Whilst the bulk of the work is done it needs to pass through the right legislative channels before it can start. At the moment it’s sitting with Parliament waiting for the various debates etc that need to happen for the legislation to be officially “laid”. The big push is to get this over the line before MPs summer recess at the end of July.
Whilst it’s yet to be completely finalised we believe the eligibility criteria is expected to change slightly. As, we know, it’s aimed at households in receipt of certain benefits but it’s anticipated that a number of benefits (currently accepted under ECO3) will no longer be eligible under ECO4. The new list of eligible benefits are expected to be as follows:
Income based Jobseeker allowance,Energy efficiency measures included within the ECO scheme are very diverse and wide ranging. They all however have to fit into one of the three categories mentioned earlier: Insulation, Heating and Microgeneration.
Window Glazing along with High Performance External Doors are included within the Insulation category. But you should note that any improvements made under ECO need to be tackled on a “whole house” approach under the adopted PAS2035 framework. Nevertheless, if you fit the criteria then it’s a grant you don’t want to miss out on and it can include double glazing.
Check out the specific availability for double glazing grants for windows and doors from government 2022 on a UK and country by country basis or visit the following websites:
https://www.simpleenergyadvice.org.uk/pages/energy-company-obligation
https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/information-consumers/energy-advice-households
https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/energy-at-home/financial-support/financial-support-for-home-energy/
https://www.gov.uk/improve-energy-efficiency
In the tabs below we’ve detailed the different grants available by the specific UK countries of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, Simpy click on each tab to read on:
As we move into 2022 the energy efficiency improvements specific focus in England is very much geared towards the upgrade of social housing stock – both local authority and housing association owned. There are a number of programs:
The Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme provides grants for public sector bodies to fund heat decarbonisation and energy efficiency measures. There are 3 phases so far:
Phase 1 provided £1 billion in grants and formed the major part of the Government’s ‘Plan for Jobs 2020’ which was a commitment to the UK’s post Covid economic recovery by supporting jobs in the carbon reduction and energy efficiency sectors.
Phase 2 provides an additional £75 million of grant funding for the financial year 2021/2022. It targets greater carbon emission reductions by taking a ‘whole building’ approach and decarbonising entire social housing estates.
Phase 3 will see a further £1,425 billion of funding over the period 2022/2023 to 2024/2025. The full details are yet to be published.
Both double glazing and secondary glazing are included within the category Insulation – building fabric of included measures but the grant funding is only available to public sector owned housing. But we stress, these double glazing grants are available to social landlords only.
The LAD Scheme provides £500m of targeted energy efficiency upgrades to those living on low income and in low energy efficiency homes. Aiming to improve energy efficiency in homes with a low EPC of E,F or G the Local Authorities control the scheme thus enabling them to support low-income, fuel-poor households in their local area.
Whilst this can cover double glazing grants the scheme ends in March 2022 and applications have already closed.
The Home Upgrade Grant (HUG) was something that was pledged in the Conservative Party 2019 manifesto. It is funded by the government’s Local Authority Delivery scheme as detailed above. The purpose is to support energy efficiency retrofit measures for low-income households living in highly inefficient homes.
The grant covers loft, cavity and room-in-roof insulation along with draft proofing but does not cover double glazing grants.
When it comes to double glazing grants in England 2022, apart from the specific options listed above ECO funding is also available.
As a starting point we suggest the following links:
https://www.gov.uk/improve-energy-efficiency
https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/energy-at-home/financial-support/financial-support-for-home-energy/
https://www.simpleenergyadvice.org.uk/
https://www.simpleenergyadvice.org.uk/grants
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/public-sector-decarbonisation-scheme
The Scottish Government has a number of initiatives https://www.mygov.scot/help-energy-bills
Warmer Homes Scotland is the main umbrella scheme which is funded by the Scottish Government. It’s designed to help vulnerable people and is managed through Warmworks Scotland: https://www.warmworks.co.uk/
The scheme helps people in need to make their homes warmer and cost less to heat. It does this by changing your home to use energy more efficiently.
It lists 5 categories of measures designed to make homes warmer and more efficient to heat:
Double glazing grants Scotland may be available under the scheme, depending on a survey which will be first carried out, but you’ll need to be a home owner or a private tenant and an eligibility criteria needs to be met.
Within the overall Warmer Homes Scheme sits HEEPS – the Home Energy Efficiency Programmes for Scotland. This is a true grant scheme as it can mean free installation of a range of energy saving measures for vulnerable homeowners and private sector tenants, who struggle to heat their home … as long as they meet the qualifying criteria.
HEEPS is an area-based scheme. It’s designed and delivered by various councils throughout Scotland who work alongside local delivery partners. The target is the fuel-poor areas within a council jurisdiction and to provide energy efficiency measures to a large number of Scottish homes while delivering emission savings and a reduction in fuel poverty.
Not exactly a grant but an interest free loan of up to £38,500 per home is available to owner occupiers. Of this total up to £15,000 is available for a range of energy efficiency improvements which includes double glazing or, as it’s officially listed; Improved Doors and Windows.
Private Rented Sector Landlord Loan
Similar to the above but specifically designed for landlords within the private rental sector
ECO funding is also available in Scotland but, when it comes to double glazing grants Scotland 2022, the best place to start is the Home Energy Scotland website:
https://www.homeenergyscotland.org/.
The site includes a really nifty grant and funding finder:
https://www.homeenergyscotland.org/find-funding-grants-and-loans/
Simply enter your postcode and you’ll get a list of exactly what grants are available in your area.
The Welsh Government operates the Warm Homes scheme which is the “umbrella” for two specific schemes called NEST and Arbed both designed (in different ways) to provide grant funding for energy efficiency improvements to low income households and those living in deprived communities throughout Wales.
The Nest scheme is managed on behalf of the Welsh Government by British Gas and their approved subcontractors. It can provide a package of energy efficiency measures in order to reduce home energy bills providing you meet the eligibility criteria:
You must own your own home or rent from a private landlord
Your home is expensive to heat and energy inefficient
You or someone you live with are in receipt of a qualifying means tested benefit from the following:
Alternatively you or someone you live with has a chronic respiratory, circulatory or mental health condition as follows:
Your income falls below defined thresholds
Meet the criteria and your home will be assessed for a package of energy efficiency improvements at zero cost to you. This can include a double glazing grant which covers the full cost … should the survey specify it.
The Arbed scheme funds energy efficiency improvements in specific and targeted areas – mainly economically deprived communities throughout the whole of Wales.
Should you live in one of these areas your local authority will contact you – you need not apply for this grant scheme. It includes multiple measures … including double glazing window upgrades.
For more information visit: https://gov.wales/home-energy-fuel-poverty
By no means are we suggesting this is a double glazing grant in Wales but for those who find themselves needing essential repairs but are unable to pay you can apply for this interest free loan through your local authority subject to meeting the criteria which varies by local authority. You can apply for up to £35,000 but, although it’s interest free, there is an administration fee of 15%.
To find out more and apply, contact your local authority or visit: https://gov.wales/apply-home-improvement-loan
Don’t forget, when it comes to double glazing grants in Wales 2022, apart from the specific options detailed above ECO funding is also available.
As a starting point we suggest the following websites:
https://gov.wales/get-help-energy-efficiency-households
https://gov.wales/home-energy-fuel-poverty
https://www.arbedambyth.wales/
https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/energy-at-home/financial-support/financial-support-for-home-energy/
The Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Program (NISEP) is the energy efficiency initiative which aims to address the effects of fuel poverty and energy inefficiency in Northern Ireland.
There are various individual schemes within the overall program but, at the time of writing, none appear to offer any form of double glazing grants or financial support towards the cost of windows upgrade: https://www.uregni.gov.uk/
This scheme is designed specifically for low-income households and operates a targeted approach whereby it prioritises areas where levels of fuel poverty are at the highest.
To qualify you must:
In addition, your property must not be a holiday home, bed and breakfast or operate as any form of commercial establishment.
The scheme is designed to provide grant assistance to upgrade and improve most forms of energy efficiency measures in your home. It’s delivered via your local Council.
Double glazing grants are included within the scope of works – they fall into two categories of measures:
Priority 1: Insulation / Ventilation / Draught-proofing – draught proofing doors and/or windows
Priority 3: Windows – replace single glazed windows
With ECO funding not being available in Northern Ireland there are limited options for double glazing grants in 2022. As a starting point we recommend you check out the following websites:
https://www.nihe.gov.uk/Housing-Help/Affordable-Warmth-Boiler-Replacement/Affordable-Warmth-Scheme
https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/energy-at-home/financial-support/financial-support-for-home-energy/
https://www.nihe.gov.uk/Community/NI-Energy-Advice/Energy-Efficiency-Grants
As you’ll see from the above, most of the focus of energy efficiency and double glazing grants is centred around fuel poverty (and rightly so). However, if the gossip within the industry and Westminster is to be believed, it looks like a wider scheme is being considered and this will target the refurbishment of all properties. It’s likely any scheme would be run under the current ECO scheme framework (it’s known to work and would speed up the delivery). Very early days but this concept does appear to be gaining momentum and we are watching developments closely.
Could it be that good news is coming shortly? Fingers crossed!
So, what have we learnt about UK double glazing grants 2022 … the outlook is not great if you’re just looking to upgrade your windows because the grant funding is very much aimed towards a whole house approach to optimise the energy efficiency measures taken to make your home more efficient and to lower the carbon footprint. The focus is also on hard to treat homes and those in fuel poverty (and rightly so one could say).
That said, if you’re looking at the whole fabric of your property then there could be improvement grants available which could save you a good deal of money … but not necessarily on double glazing.
The onus is therefore very much on the UK double glazing industry to stimulate the market so, double glazing grants or not, we can expect some good offers and competitive finance packages coming through so shop around and bag a great deal.
As ever, we’ll keep you updated should anything change in relation to double glazing grants as we go through 2022.
