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Can Energy Efficient Windows Get You a Cheaper Mortgage? Green Mortgages Explained
Can Energy Efficient Windows Get You a Cheaper Mortgage? Green Mortgages Explained
📌 The Mortgage Hack: Energy Efficiency
- Green Mortgages: Lenders like Nationwide and Barclays now offer lower rates or cashback for homes with an EPC rating of A or B.
- The Window Impact: Upgrading from single/old double glazing to A++ Triple Glazing significantly boosts your EPC score.
- The Saving: Beyond the mortgage, you can save up to £140/year on energy bills (Source: Energy Saving Trust).
Buying a home in Hampshire has never been more expensive. But what if your choice of windows could actually lower your mortgage repayments?
Ten years ago, this was just a theory. Today, “Green Mortgages” are a reality. Major high-street lenders are now actively rewarding homeowners who invest in energy efficiency, offering preferential interest rates and cashback incentives that can add up to thousands of pounds over the life of a loan.
Table of Contents
1. What is a “Green Mortgage”?
A Green Mortgage is a product designed to reward you for owning an energy-efficient home. Lenders view these properties as “lower risk”—the bills are cheaper, so you are less likely to default on payments, and the resale value is generally higher.
There are typically two types:
- Purchase Rewards: You get a lower interest rate if you buy a home that already has an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of A or B.
- Retrofit Rewards: You get discounted additional borrowing or cashback if you carry out improvements (like installing new windows) that improve your EPC rating.
2. Who Offers Them? (The Current Landscape)
According to data from Money Saving Expert External (2025), over half of UK lenders now offer some form of green incentive. Here is a snapshot of what is available:
Current Green Mortgage Offers
The Offer
£500 Cashback
Criteria
Buying a property with an EPC rating of A.
Retrofit?
0% interest on loans up to £20k for green improvements.
The Offer
Lower Interest Rate
Criteria
Buying a new-build home with EPC A or B.
Retrofit?
£2,000 reward for retrofitting your existing home.
The Offer
£250 Cashback
Criteria
Buying or remortgaging a home rated A or B.
Retrofit?
Up to £2,000 cashback for heat pumps/solar.
*Note: Offers subject to change by lenders. Always consult a financial advisor.
3. The EPC Connection: How to Hit Band B
The golden ticket for these mortgages is an EPC Rating of B or above. Currently, most older UK homes sit in Band D.
Your EPC score is calculated based on your heating system, insulation, and glazing. Losing heat through single glazing or blown double glazing drags your score down significantly.
4. How Many EPC Points do Windows Add?
This is the most common question we get. While every house is different, upgrading your windows can yield significant points.
Why Triple Glazing Matters: Standard double glazing helps, but Triple Glazing is the real game-changer for EPCs. With U-values as low as 0.8 W/m²K, triple glazing maximizes your points for the “Windows” section of the assessment.
5. The 2025 Outlook for Landlords
If you are a landlord, this isn’t just about saving money—it’s about legality. The government has proposed that all rental properties must achieve an EPC rating of C or above by 2028 (previously 2025).
Investing in high-performance windows now not only increases the value of your asset but future-proofs it against upcoming rental legislation.
📚 Essential Reading for Efficiency
- The Science: U-Values & Energy Ratings Explained
- The Upgrade: Is Triple Glazing Worth the Investment?
- Refurbishment: The Ultimate Guide to Replacement Windows
6. Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. It is a legal requirement to have a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) when you build, sell, or rent a property. They last for 10 years. If you install new windows, it is worth getting a new assessment done to reflect your improved score.
Yes. Glazing is a key metric on the assessment. Replacing single glazing with A-rated double or triple glazing will increase your points. However, to jump an entire band (e.g., D to C), you usually need to combine windows with other measures like loft insulation.
Not always. While the interest rate might be lower, you need to factor in any product fees. However, when you combine the mortgage saving with the £140+ annual energy bill saving, the “Total Cost of Ownership” for an energy-efficient home is almost always lower.
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