Grant rules for windows changed again in 2026. ECO4, the scheme that pays for free double glazing for some households, now runs to 31 December 2026 and will not be replaced, and the routes that remain are tightly means-tested. This checker takes four answers (your nation, whether anyone is on income-related benefits, your EPC band and whether you own the home) and points you to the scheme most likely to fit. It runs entirely in your browser, sends nothing anywhere, and gives you a likely verdict rather than a guarantee.
The 2026 grant landscape in brief
In England, the Warm Homes: Local Grant is the scheme to know. It is open to 2028, targets lower-income households in EPC bands D to G, and can fund glazing from a pot of up to £15,000 for fabric measures. ECO4 also still funds glazing for some households on benefits until it closes at the end of 2026. In Scotland, Home Energy Scotland offers an interest-free loan of up to £8,000 towards windows. Wales runs Home Improvement Loans and the Nest scheme, which leans towards insulation and heating, so double glazing is not guaranteed. Northern Ireland's Affordable Warmth Scheme closed at the end of March 2026. For the full picture, including how to apply, see our main double glazing grants guide.
Why most people end up paying privately
The honest position is that grants reach a minority of households. With ECO4 winding down and the remaining schemes carrying strict income and EPC tests, the majority of homeowners will fund their windows themselves. That is not bad news on its own, because a well-chosen uPVC casement is already good value, but it does mean you should plan around the private cost rather than hope for funding. If you are comparing quotes, our guide on avoiding overcharging is worth a read before you sign.
Frequently asked questions
Rarely, and only through means-tested schemes. ECO4, which can fund close to 100% of the cost for some households on income-related benefits, now runs to 31 December 2026 and will not be replaced. The headline England scheme, the Warm Homes: Local Grant, covers up to £15,000 of fabric measures including glazing for lower-income households in EPC bands D to G, but only around 15% of households qualify, so do not assume free windows.
The Warm Homes: Local Grant is the headline England scheme in 2026, open to 2028. It targets lower-income households whose home is in EPC band D to G and can fund glazing from a pot of up to £15,000 for fabric measures, with a separate £15,000 available for low-carbon heating. You apply through your local council.
Yes. Home Energy Scotland offers an interest-free loan of up to £8,000 towards upgrading single glazing, rising to up to £9,500 with the £1,500 rural uplift. The non-repayable grant no longer covers windows specifically, and the scheme is for owner-occupiers only.