The Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme (NISEP) is an annual energy efficiency programme designed to help reduce fuel poverty and improve home energy performance across Northern Ireland.

The programme is funded through energy industry arrangements and delivered through participating energy suppliers and approved delivery partners.

Funding is reviewed annually and available measures can change from year to year depending on supplier programmes and available allocations.

A significant proportion of support is generally focused on lower-income households and those considered vulnerable to higher energy costs.

What Support Could Be Available?

Depending on supplier programmes and annual funding arrangements, support can include a range of heating and energy efficiency improvements.

Heating & Hot Water Improvements

Measures may include:

  • Boiler replacements where eligible
  • Heating controls and smart thermostats
  • Heating system upgrades
  • Improved heating efficiency measures

Insulation Improvements

Available measures may include:

  • Loft insulation
  • Cavity wall insulation
  • Solid wall insulation in selected programmes
  • Hot water tank insulation
  • Pipe insulation

Additional Support

Further assistance may include:

  • Draught reduction measures
  • Home energy advice and guidance
  • Renewable technologies in selected supplier programmes

Available measures may vary depending on annual programme arrangements.

Who Could Qualify?

You may qualify if:

  • You are part of a lower-income household
  • You receive qualifying benefits or meet income criteria
  • You are considered vulnerable due to age, disability or long-term health conditions

Additional information:

  • Homeowners, private tenants and landlords may qualify
  • Landlord consent is usually required for rented properties
  • Social housing improvements are generally managed separately through housing programmes

How The Process Works

Step 1 – Review Current Availability

NISEP programmes operate on annual funding arrangements and available support can change each year.

Step 2 – Contact Participating Suppliers

Participating energy suppliers administer support measures and can provide information on current schemes.

Examples may include:

  • Power NI
  • SSE Airtricity
  • Electric Ireland

Step 3 – Eligibility Review

Household information may be reviewed to assess income, benefits or vulnerability criteria.

Priority is generally given to households affected by fuel poverty.

Step 4 – Home Assessment

A property survey may be arranged to identify suitable energy efficiency improvements.

Step 5 – Installation

Approved contractors complete the agreed works in line with programme requirements.

Funding arrangements can vary depending on the support route.

Additional Information

  • Funding arrangements are reviewed annually
  • Available measures can vary each year
  • Private tenants generally require landlord consent
  • Support often prioritises lower-income and vulnerable households

Need Information On Current Grants & Support?

Support schemes and eligibility requirements can change over time.

Contact Grants Gateway to discuss current grants and support routes that may apply to household and property circumstances.

Available support and eligibility requirements can vary depending on location and individual circumstances

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Windows, Doors & Draught-Proofing – UK Grants & Support

Funding for replacement windows and external doors is generally more limited than support for insulation or heating systems. In most cases, support is available where improvements form part of a wider energy efficiency project or where homes still contain older, inefficient features such as single glazing.

Draught-proofing is more widely supported and is frequently included alongside insulation and heating upgrades.

Support can vary depending on your location, property type and eligibility.

Are Grants Available For New Windows & Doors?

Support for windows and external doors is usually linked to improving a property's energy performance.

General guidance includes:

  • Funding may be available where homes still have single-glazed windows
  • Front and rear external doors may be included where replacing older, poorly insulated doors
  • Windows and doors can sometimes be approved as part of larger whole-home retrofit projects
  • Secondary glazing may be considered in certain conservation properties
  • Replacing existing double glazing with newer double glazing is rarely funded
  • Cosmetic upgrades are generally not covered

Which Schemes May Include Windows & Doors?

England & UK-Wide

Support through ECO4 and some local schemes may include:

  • Window upgrades where single glazing remains
  • Draught-proofing measures
  • External doors where linked to wider energy improvements

Window and door measures are usually approved only where they contribute to overall EPC improvements.

Scotland

Support through Home Energy Scotland can include windows and external doors in some circumstances.

Current support routes may provide:

  • Grants and interest-free loans typically ranging between £7,500–£9,000+, depending on the wider package of improvements
  • Front and rear external doors where energy performance improvements are justified
  • Secondary glazing and heat-loss reduction measures

Funding applies to wider projects rather than fixed amounts per window or door.

Wales

Warm Homes Nest may include:

  • External doors
  • Window replacements where part of larger energy improvements
  • Draught-proofing support

Measures are based on property assessments.

Northern Ireland

The Affordable Warmth Scheme may include:

  • Replacement windows where eligible
  • Front and rear external doors
  • Draught reduction improvements

Funding support can reach up to £7,500 per household, or up to £10,000 in some first-time heating cases, although windows and doors form part of an overall package rather than receiving separate funding amounts.

Is Draught-Proofing Included?

Draught reduction measures are commonly included across multiple schemes and can include:

  • Sealing gaps around windows and doors
  • Floor draught reduction
  • Pipe and service-entry sealing
  • General heat-loss reduction works

These measures are often installed alongside insulation and heating improvements.

How The Process Works

Step 1 – Check Available Support

Support varies by location and available funding programmes.

Step 2 – Contact Grants Gateway

Grants Gateway can discuss current grants and support routes based on property and household circumstances.

Step 3 – Property Assessment

A survey can determine whether windows, front doors, rear doors or draught-proofing improvements may qualify.

Step 4 – Installation

Where approved, works are completed by accredited contractors.