The government is planning to launch the Green Homes Grant scheme in September 2020. The grants will help UK homeowners and landlords to improve the energy efficiency of their properties by covering at least two-thirds of the upfront costs of home improvements like insulation and renewable heating.
The scheme has not yet been fully confirmed, but here is what we know about Green Homes Grants for window replacement so far.
NOTE: This page was published 7th August 2020. We will update this page when more information is available.
What is the Green Homes Grant?
The government is offering a total of £2 billion in Green Homes Grants to enable thousands of homeowners to make their properties more efficient. The grants will take the form of vouchers which will be up to £5,000 in value, with up to £10,000 available for the lowest-income households.
Why has the government introduced the Green Homes Grant?
The government is investing £3 billion in a carbon reduction strategy. The ultimate ambition is for the UK to reach net-zero carbon emission by 2050 and, as 20% of the country’s carbon comes from our heating systems, we need to take action.
Property in the UK is well-known to be poorly insulated, especially when compared to other European countries. When a home is poorly insulated, it struggles to keep heat inside. This leads us to use our heating at higher temperatures and for longer periods of time. As most homes in the UK rely on natural gas or oil fired boilers, this increases our consumption of fossil fuels which in turn increases carbon emissions.
By improving insulation in our homes, we can reduce heat loss, lower our fuel consumption, reduce carbon emissions and reduce heating bills. By installing a renewable heating system such as a heat pump or solar thermal panels, we can further reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.
Unfortunately, the majority of people do not have the cash available to make the necessary home improvements.
The Green Homes Grant is intended to address this problem by covering around two-thirds of the upfront cost of energy efficiency improvements. The government has claimed that the Green Homes Grant could help families to save around £200 per year on energy bills.
What home improvements does the Green Homes Grant cover?
The scheme has two categories of home improvements: primary and secondary. Window replacements have been classed as a secondary measure and as such are not eligible for funding unless you are receiving a grant for a primary measure.
Primary Green Homes Grants grants will be available to homeowners installing:
Find out more about Green Homes Grants for Insulation and Green Homes Grants for Renewable Heating.
If you are having primary work completed, you may also be eligible for a secondary grant for:
How much are Green Homes Grants for windows worth?
As grants for windows are only available as a secondary measure, you can only receive up to the same amount as the primary grant. So, if you receive £2,500 towards the cost of installing insulation or a heat pump, you can get up to £2,500 towards the cost of new windows.
How will double-glazed windows benefit homeowners?
It is estimated that 10% of a home’s heat is lost through poor quality windows. By installing double or triple-glazed windows, you can significantly reduce this heat loss. The key benefits of installing double or triple glazing include:
Improved comfort – all year round
Double or triple glazing will keep your heat inside during the winter and prevent outside heat from entering the home in the summer, both of which will improve your comfort.
Energy cost savings
When a room has double or triple glazed windows, less heat will be able to escape so you will need to use your boiler less and spend less on fuel .
Improved safety
Double and triple glazed windows are harder to break and have a tight seal which makes your home more secure.
Reduced condensation
Double glazed windows have an airtight seal which prevents moisture from building up on your window panes and forming mould.
Reduced noise pollution
Double glazed windows can also improve noise insulation which will make your home quieter and increase your privacy if you live in a busy area.
Reduced carbon footprint
We are all concerned about the impact we are having on our environment and the future of our planet. By using your heating less, you will be reducing your carbon emissions significantly.
Increased property value
Because double glazed windows offer so many benefits, they can be an attractive feature for house buyers and could make it easier to sell your home.
Who can apply for a Green Homes Grant for windows?
You cannot apply for a grant towards window replacement if you are not also applying for a grant towards a primary home improvement. Here is the eligibility criteria for primary Green Homes Grants.
Grants of up to £5,000
For the general Green Homes Grants scheme (funding up to £5,000) the following properties are eligible:
New-build properties (domestic and non-domestic) are not eligible.
Grants of up to £10,000
The low-income scheme offers grants of up to £10,000 to only owner-occupied properties and park homes. Households receiving income-based or disability benefits are eligible for a fully funded package of efficiency measures.
To qualify for the Green Home Grants low-income scheme you must be in receipt of at least one of the following benefits:
How do homeowners apply for a Green Homes Grant?
The application process has not yet been confirmed, but it will be an online process starting in September 2020 and lasting until the end of March 2022.
Only tradespeople and companies which have registered with the scheme and are TrustMark approved will be able to complete work under the Green Homes Grants scheme. Homeowners will then request quotes from those suppliers for the work needed and the government will pay the supplier directly.
