.jpg)
.gif)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Sun Shines On Notts - Solar Transplants For Company That Died Twice
A company that has gone bust twice in a matter of years and left hundreds of employees out of work has been saved as the directors of Solar Windows have...
Read Full Article
Ireland Shows The Way As UK Gov Still Ignores Windows
The Republic of Ireland has seen its government commit to including doors and windows in its national home energy upgrade programme – unlike the UK which always cuts windows and doors out of its plans.
Ireland’s Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, Darragh O’Brien TD, has launched a new package of enhanced grants supporting homeowners to invest in energy efficiency upgrades. The measures represent a clear recognition of the critical role that building fabric improvements play in delivering meaningful reductions in energy demand, carbon emissions and household energy costs.
The GGF has pushed the UK government to take a fabric first approach but to no avail.
Warm Homes Plan
The announcement from Ireland stands in contrast to the UK government’s recently published Warm Homes Plan for England, in which windows and doors were notably absent from the core package of nationally funded measures – most of which focused on energy production via heat pumps and solar and with very little attention to stopping heat escape from leaky homes.
The GGF continues to liaise with the government in its calls for a fabric-first approach in England, arguing that effective decarbonisation of homes cannot be achieved without addressing heat loss through the building envelope.
Loads of grants
Under the Irish scheme, homeowners in the Republic of Ireland can apply for grant support for replacement windows based on dwelling type, with grant values of €1,500 for apartments, €1,800 for mid-terrace homes, €3,000 for semi-detached or end-of-terrace properties and up to €4,000 for detached homes. External door upgrades are also supported at €800 per door, up to a maximum of two doors.
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) has confirmed that homeowners may apply for window grants, door grants or both, subject to eligibility criteria including a valid MPRN and a property built or occupied prior to 2011. Detailed requirements, including BER conditions for window upgrades, are published by SEAI.
Applications for the scheme will open on Monday 2 March 2026. Importantly, homeowners who commenced or ordered window and/or door upgrades following the government’s announcement on 27t January may still be eligible for grant support, provided works are carried out by SEAI-registered contractors.
“This announcement from the Irish Government provides welcome recognition of the important role that windows and doors play in delivering energy efficiency at scale,” says Chris Beedel, the head of government advocacy & stakeholder relations at the GGF. “Ireland’s approach reflects a strong, evidence-based understanding of how building fabric improvements contribute to lower energy demand and improved home performance, and offers a valuable reference point for ongoing policy discussions.”
Picture: The Glass & Glazing Federation encourages contractors operating in the Republic of Ireland to register with SEAI to enable homeowners to access grant support through qualified, compliant providers.
Article written by Cathryn Ellis
15th February 2026