UK Double Glazing Grants 2020
UK double glazing grants 2020 will be driven by government policy. Let’s face it, when it comes to all things governmental and political it’s true to say 2019 (last year) was an “unusual” year!
Normal politics almost seemed to have been put on hold due to Brexit. A minority government, losing a prime minister, gaining a new PM, a general election and arguments all year. There’s been nothing like it.
Whilst, at the time of writing, we’re still not out of the woods, there is at last a light at the end of the tunnel with Brexit scheduled for end of January.
So, what’s the result of all this in respect of double glazing grants for 2020?
The result, as one might expect, is that nothing much has changed in 2019. And, as we move into 2020, there’s no firm proposals to improve the situation. That said, there are whispers and expectations in the refurbishment sector that things have to change (particularly in England). In Scotland also, whilst refurbishment is booming in terms of social housing there is talk of incentives in the private sector also.
We expect to be able to keep you updated as we go through the year. Let’s summarise where we are right now.
Update April 2020
Well … who’d have predicted the year to evolve as it has done. The current worldwide Coronavirus pandemic is affecting everyone and evey business to varying degrees. First and foremost everyone should follow Government guidelines to stay safe and help the whole country get through it.
With that in mind you’ll find that UK double glazing companies have suspended operations at the time of writing (May 2020). There’s no face to face quotes, no surveys and no installations right now.
However, many companies have taken steps to keep things moving. It’s possible to get accurate but remote quotes throuh the powers of social media and technology. There’s nothing stopping you moving things forward and getting prepared for when normality resumes. There may even be some great deals around at the moment because companies are going to need to get things moving again very quickly as soon as it’s safe to do so.
Update July 2020
As we begin to emerge from lockdown things are just starting to get back to some form of normality. Industry is getting going again, although with strict health and saftely regulations in place This means that things will feel different … at least for a while.
The Government is putting various support packages and incentives in place to help businesses, from all sectors, recover. One of the incentives is the introduction of a new Green Homes Grant.
Whilst we’re waiting for the full details to emerge and be confirmed here’s what we know so far, in very simple terms, The Green Homes Grant will give homeowners access to vouchers of up to £10,000 which can be used towards the cost of energy efficient home improvements. This means loft, wall and floor insulation. However, what is really interesting is that Alok Sharma (business secretary) has indicated that double-glazing will also be included! The scheme is purely for England and won’t start until September.
Final details are yet to be confirmed but it appears that double glazing grants may be back. Watch this space!
Update August 2020
On the 4th August 2020 the Government confirmed the details of the new, eagerly anticipated, Green Homes Grant. The good news is that it can cover the cost of double glazing. The bad news is that it’s classed as a secondary measure and only applies to an upgrade from single glazing.
It’s true to say that the UK double glazing industry is a little disapointed as it was hoped that this new scheme would help kick start the industry following the effect of Covid-19 to a much greater degree.
What does it all mean though? Read our condensed summary which we’ve entitled Double Glazing Grants 2020 And The Green Homes Grant.
Update September 2020
Full details of the Green Homes Grant scheme have now been released and applications for vouchers are now open: Double Glazing Grants 2020 And The Green Homes Grant.
Double glazing grants ARE available … but eligibility criteria is very tight.
Double Glazing Grants 2020 – England
It’s not just Brexit that’s dampened the refurbishment market as a whole. There’s also the continued knock on effect of the terrible Grenfell fire tragedy. With final reports still awaited many refurbishment schemes have been put on hold whilst we await the outcome. Understandibly, any future refurbishments HAVE to be carried out properly and with safety at the very forefront. As new windows form a part of most refurbishment schemes you’ll see why there’s not been much activity in 2019.There’s also been no new financial incentives or double glazing grants.
This makes sense perhaps? After all, there’s no point in incentivising refurbishment improvements if the industry is awaiting new guidelines. So, until the new Green Homes Grant is launched, it’s really just ECO3 funding. And the criteria is limiting:
ECO3 Eligibility
To be eligible for ECO3 funding you’ll need to be living in fuel poverty. Somebody living in the household should be in receipt of a qualifying (usually means tested) benefit. Alternatively they need to be certified as in the fuel poor, low income or vulnerable bracket.
If you fall into this bracket you’ll also need to check that your local council participates in the scheme as, it this stage, it’s still not compulsory. Getting access to funding is still therefore a bit of a postcode lottery.
ECO3 is the third phase of the Enegy Company Obligation which started back in 2013 and runs until 2022. It’s a governement scheme designed to reduce carbon emissions and to tackle fuel poverty. ECO3 is all about improved insulation, reduced heat waste and lower energy costs. The home improvement measures eligible for ECO3 funding is mainly focussed on improved insulation – particularly including loft insulation and wall insulation. Double glazing grants are not ruled out however. Section 2.76 “Percentage of a measure that must be installed” states:
“for glazing or draught proofing of windows and doors, 100% of the measure will be the treatment of all windows and doors in the premises, rather than the treatment of a single window or door”.
So, if you’re eligible for ECO3 funding it’s certainly worth checking whether you can get a double glazing grant.
Double Glazing Finance In England – Looking Ahead
Whilst none of us can see into the future it’s pretty obvious that England is lagging behind in terms of carbon emmissions and, in June 2019 the UK became the first major economy to pass a net zero emissions law. The new target set means that the whole of the UK is required to reduce all greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050.
As a result, one would expect there to be new initiative to incentivise and support this initiative which is why we are more hopeful that we will see some form of double glazing grant (obviously alongside a wider program of works) as we go through 2020 and once Brexit is out of the way. Indeed, the imminent introduction of the Green Homes Grant is encouraging. So … watch this space!
Double Glazing Grants 2020 – Scotland
The picture is still completely different as we go north of the border. Greener Scotland initiative run by the Scottish Government continues in earnest!
On a personal note we have to admire the work that’s ging on in Scotland. The improvements to living standards being made up there is really very impressive and will continue at similar rates for several years to come.
There are a number of various different programs which we’ll introduce below:
Options
- Warmer Homes Scotland: A scheme: “designed to help vulnerable people make their homes warmer and more comfortable by installing a range of energy saving measures.” It helps by: “offering assistance to homeowners and private sector tenants struggling to heat their home, who have lived in their property for at least 12 months, and who meet the qualifying criteria.” Whilst not the most popular measures, double glazing grants are not ruled out of this scheme. To find out more and to access funding call the Home Energy Scotland hotline: 0808 808 2282. Click Here >>>.
- Area Based Schemes: There are also various funding schems dependent on where you live. To find out what’s available in your area contact Home Energy Scotland from the Scottish Government on 0808 808 2282.
- Interest Free Loans: This is the big one! If you own your own property in Scotland you can apply for a loan of up to £15,000 for home energy improvements. Whilst this is not a double glazing grant what you should find is that if you make the right improvements your fuel costs should reduce and the value of your home increase to more than neutralise the cost of the works. Hence, the cost of the loan (no interest is added at all) may be funded by the savings made. The next best thing to a double glazing grant! Double glazing is included and listed as a primary measure and is eligible for up to £4,500 of funding. Find out More >>>.
Double Glazing Grants 2020 – Northern Ireland
As with England, nothing much has changed in 2020 from last year.
In Northern Ireland homeowners can get repair and improvement grants from the Housing Executive, but only in certain circumstances. There is also a Disabled Facilities Grant scheme and Mandatory Repair Grants scheme. None of these grant schemes are linked to home energy efficiency initiatives though. Find Out More >>>.
When it comes to energy efficiency Bryson Energy manages the Bryson Energy Advice Line. This is funded by the Department for Communities through the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. It’s specifically established to provide: “independent and impartial energy advice to domestic householders in Northern Ireland plus referrals to energy grants and other sources of help in the region.” So, when you’re looking for double glazing grants in Norther Ireland, we suggest this is your stating point: Bryson Energy Advice Line >>>.
Double Glazing Grants 2020 – Wales
Last but not least we can report little change in Wales with the continuation of the Welsh Government’s Warm Home Program.
Under this initiative are two seperate programs:
NEST is an initiative which is aimed at solid wall or hard to treat properties which are privately owned. At least one resident has to be in receipt of a means tested benefit. Under the improvement measures there is no mention of double glazing grants but it may be worth a discussion or finding out more. Click Here >>>.
The alternative ARBED scheme also continues. This scheme tackles a number of refurbishment improvements to properties. Again though, there’s no specific mention of double glazing grants but it does refer to draft proofing measures. Find out more about ARBED HERE >>>.
Conclusion
We eagerly await the official launch of the Green Homes Grant which is scheduled for September 2020. A slight resemblance to the failed Green Deal? Maybe a little but we’ll see when the details are confirmed. Will it include a grant towards the cost of double glazing? We can’t say for sure but the signs are good and the industry is lobbying hard!
In the main time double glazing manufacturers and installers continue to offer great private incentives and, with the cost of borrowing remaining very low, double glazing grants or not, 2020 may be a very good year to buy new windows in the UK.
