Short answer: there are grants for new windows in the UK, but they are usually part of wider energy-efficiency schemes rather than a straight "free windows" handout, and most have eligibility rules around income, benefits or the energy rating of your home. Here is a plain-English look at what is around in 2026 and who actually qualifies.
New windows are rarely funded on their own. Government and energy-company schemes tend to focus on heating, insulation and the measures that save the most energy first. Windows sometimes come into it, but often only where single glazing or very poor glazing is dragging a home's efficiency down. So it is worth knowing what exists, and being realistic about whether windows are covered.
Because these schemes change often and vary by area, always check the current rules with your local authority and the official scheme websites before you count on anything. What follows is a guide to the types of help, not a promise of eligibility.
The Energy Company Obligation puts larger energy suppliers under a duty to help households improve efficiency. It is mainly aimed at lower-income households and those on certain benefits, and it usually prioritises insulation and heating. In some cases glazing improvements can be included, particularly where a home has single glazing.
Councils sometimes run their own energy schemes or use a route that lets them refer households who do not claim benefits but are still on lower incomes or living in cold homes. Availability varies enormously from one area to the next, so your local council is the first place to ask.
Various support programmes come and go for lower-income and vulnerable households, and the details shift year to year. If you receive certain benefits or your home has a low energy rating, it is worth checking what is running where you live at the moment.
If you live in a listed building or a conservation area, occasional grants exist for sympathetic repairs and improvements, though these are usually about preserving character rather than energy. In York, with its many period and protected properties, this is worth a look if your windows are original.
Most window-related help is aimed at one or more of these groups:
If none of that applies to you, you are unlikely to get a grant, but there are still ways to keep the cost sensible, which we cover below.
Plenty of people fall outside the schemes. If that is you, focus on value rather than the lowest price. Good uPVC windows are the most cost-effective route for most homes, and modern double glazing pays you back in comfort and lower bills over time. Our uPVC windows in York page runs through the options.
A few practical tips:
We are always happy to give an honest steer on whether replacement or repair makes more sense for your windows.
If an advert promises completely free windows with no strings, be cautious. Genuine schemes have eligibility checks and paperwork, and reputable installers will explain them clearly rather than pressuring you into signing on the spot. If something feels too good to be true, take your time and check the official scheme details.
There is no blanket grant just for windows, but energy-efficiency schemes such as ECO and various local authority programmes can sometimes cover glazing for eligible households. Check current rules with your council, as they change regularly.
Help usually targets households on certain benefits, lower-income households and homes with a poor energy rating, often those still single glazed. Exact criteria vary by scheme and area.
Occasionally, through a funded scheme if you meet the eligibility rules, but for most households windows are a paid improvement. Be wary of adverts promising free windows with no conditions.
Start with your local authority and the official scheme websites, since availability and criteria differ by region and change over time. An honest local installer can also point you in the right direction.
If a grant is not on the cards and you want to plan a sensible upgrade, request a free quote and we will give you a realistic price. You can also download our latest brochure to see the full range of styles and finishes.