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Can I get a grant for double glazing?

Dear Chris, I’m a single mum with two sons. Unfortunately I can’t afford replacement double glazing.

Most of my old wooden windows are rotten and I lose tons of heat through them. I have wall insulation and buy energy saving light bulbs but this seems almost pointless against the heat I lose out of the windows.

Can I get any help for replacement windows?

Kim Wraight, via commentsTuesday 10 February, 2009

Our expert says...

Hello Kim,

Thanks for your question about getting help to replace your wooden windows with double glazing. The good news is that there are grants and funding available for energy-saving projects like this. However, successful grant applications depend on a number of factors, such as any benefits you may receive, your property and where you live.

Benefits of double glazing

Double glazing can cut heat loss through windows by 50%. It works by trapping air between two panes of glass creating an insulating barrier that reduces heat loss, noise and condensation. Fitting double glazing can save around £110 a year on your heating bills, according to Energy Saving Trust (EST) estimates.

Installing double glazed windows is a professional job, and so will cost a lot more than other energy efficient home improvements, such as cavity wall insulation.

Government grants and help for double glazing installation

Your eligibility for a grant will depend on a number of factors, such as your age, local authority, whether you claim benefits and so on.

The Home Energy Saving Programme offers assistance to homeowners to make their properties more energy efficient. However there are a number of criteria you need to meet to be eligible.

And for households more susceptible to fuel poverty, such as pensioners and those in receipt of benefits, there’s help for high energy bills through winter fuel payments, cheaper social tariffs and the government’s Warm Front scheme.

A Home Repair Assistance grant, which you can apply for through your local council, gives funding towards the cost of materials required to carry out repairs, improvements or adaptations to your home.

Visit www.direct.gov.uk for more information on the Home Repair Assistance grants available.

There can be long council waiting lists for these grants and you may have to be persistent in pursuing your application.

There is further help for the over 60s or anyone with a disability who can also approach Care & Repair. This is a voluntary, not-for-profit organisation which offers guidance on applying for grants in various local areas. Care & Repair helps with the paperwork and can organise installation quotes, as well as oversee the work to ensure it is done properly.

The Energy Saving Trust (EST) can also advise you on grants or efficiency schemes in your area. For more information phone the EST on 0845 727 7200. You can find a list of double glazing suppliers on the EST website.

You can also get comprehensive energy saving advice from your local Energy Efficiency Advice Centre (EEAC). The advisers there will assess your needs and offer advice on all aspects of energy efficiency, including government grants You can get details of your local EEAC by phoning 0800 512 012.

What if I have to pay for it myself?

If you don’t qualify for help and your finances are tight, you could choose to just double glaze the windows in individual rooms rather than your entire property. You should pick the rooms you use most often and tend to heat most, such as the bedroom.

You could also consider having secondary glazing fitted. This is cheaper than double glazing and will still save money on your energy bills by cutting heat loss and draughts.

Save money on your energy bills

There are many other ways to lower your energy bills. A simple step is to put up a pair of thick, lined curtains which you close at dusk will help to stop heat escaping through the windows.

For more energy saving hints and tips, download our Complete Guide to Energy Efficiency.

Another way to save money on your energy bills is by switching energy suppliers. You can compare energy prices online using our energy comparison service. Just enter your postcode and average annual energy consumption (or number of bedrooms if you don’t know this) and see how much you could save.

Hope this helps you save money on your bills Kim!

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Comments

hiya im mother of 5 an living with my partner we are a homeowners an my partner was selfemployed and has came out of work due to his health an we are on benefits now an we are in desprate need of a new pvc front door as are old one is wood and lets the cold in . the windows are only 1years old brown pvc, at the time we couldnt afford to replace it, it was a job for this year but there is no chance of that as we can just about to live with the money we get thanks to are wounderful government please please help - Mar 5 2010 1:34PM
melanie lloyd, chester cheshire

Can I get a grant for double glazing. I live in a conservation area and my home is an A listed building (Scotland). I was recently told that I may get a grant as I am a full time student with no income. With the winter the way it has been the house has been very cold and difficult to heat.

My home has old fashioned single glazed sash windows which need to be replaced like for like. Some of the windows open and some do not. My neighbours about 10 years ago replaced theirs and they were £17k in total. They replaced the windows in stages because of the cost.

Thank you indvance of your advice.

Kath - Mar 2 2010 6:53PM
Kath Shand, Aberdeen

i was wondering does the scrage scheme include public houses as it is business.ty mick - Feb 19 2010 2:40PM
mick stephenson, UK

i am 67 retired i bought i council flat 10 years ago .i have a very old back boiler i need to replace as it stops allthe time.i also have steel windows single glass lots of draught, cold ,and lots of condesation .water runing everywhere .could i get a grant?thank you. - Feb 17 2010 7:56PM
martinho de sousa barbosa, 24 gibbs house balham hill london sw12 9eg

my home has old double glazing that really needs updating . we lose a lot of heat through the windows as they don't do the job i am enquiring as to whether i can apply for a grant towards new windows i have recieved a grant already but for central heating which i am very happy with ! Does this mean i can not apply for another grant for windows - Feb 16 2010 10:30PM
Carole Chapman, derbyshire

I am looking for advice with regards to assistance with window replacement for my mother who is disabled and is also the main career for her daughter who has cerabal palsy and lives at home. She is 74 and her daughter is 52 , they are private tenants and spend large amounts on heating a house which has poor singel glazed windows and doors, the landlord has not been able to help - Feb 15 2010 9:17AM
Janine Liddle, Northampton

Government Strategy,arm type parliament correct justice message left objective gate she work writing final often matter good used procedure traffic national roll poor term fast famous onto undertake separate effectively very afterwards reality pass marriage division transfer confidence develop small exercise publication investigate live the open none civil observation practical extend content treat since in relevant rise plate aid incident unable result possibility settle primary fly forget day traffic important path away necessarily north technique location analysis event cause various material shoulder stand - Feb 14 2010 10:12AM
hotel tuerkei, UK

hi, im aged 23 and have 2 children and a a new baby on its way my husband is not earning much he is on a low income we are on benefits my windows and doors are all nackered and we lose a lot of heat through them.i wanted to know if i can get a grant for double glazing - Jan 29 2010 10:56PM
zeenat begum, rotherham

hi,im working person living in my own home with my wife and dad.my dad age is over 80 .me and my dad we both r dibetic.my house some windows r double glazing but some r wooden single pane windows.can i get grant to change my windows.thanksyou - Jan 23 2010 5:24PM
malik, bradford

Hi,i have a partner & daughter who are both disabled,i would like to know could we get help with replacing old double glazed windows as they are all bringing in a lot of drafts,thankyou liz.. - Jan 20 2010 11:54AM
elizabeth lowe, lancashire

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