If you are the owner of an older home that has never been remodeled, chances are you peering through one of the chief energy wasters in your home-bad windows. Older windows sin in a variety of ways. See here how this occurs. The frames leak, the glass is sealed poorly, and they are often single-paned. The Department of Energy estimates that almost half of all American homes have single-paned windows. You might say, "so what? How much difference can it make?" Well, simply put its a lot. Windows account for the expenditure of 10%-25% of your energy costs. You really want your costs to be on the low end of that range. If you have single-paned windows, then your cost certainly are in the higher end of that range, and may actually be higher. This is tremendously wasteful, and quite likely it makes your house uncomfortable or even drafty in extreme weather. If you are interested in efficiency, and in a place financially to do so, consider changing those windows. Here are a few things for you to look for.
An absolute must is buying Energy-Star rated windows. If a window has an Energy Star rating, it means it meets a certain level of efficiency. Energy Star refers to a program formed between the EPA and the Department of Energy. These entities introduced ENERGY STAR as a "voluntary labeling program designed to identify and promote energy-efficient products to reduce greenhouse gas emissions", according to the Department of Energy. It is a system that has encouraged manufacturers to make thousands of products more energy efficient, and must be considered an unmitigated success. Find out more at the government's excellent Energy Star website. It is full of useful information for saving energy in a multitude of applications. Energy Star rated windows might not be the absolute cheapest windows you will find, but the marginal cost will be made up for in the energy savings.
Depending on what kind of climate your home is in, you will be looking for different features. If you are in a cold weather climate, Low-E windows that are of course Energy Star rated should be your choice. Low-E means Low Emissivity coating have been applied to the glass. They are usually double-paned, and gas filled, often with Argon. This reduces heat transfer loss in cold climates.
If you are in a warm weather climate, you will want to select windows with what is known as "spectrally selective" coatings. These windows reduce the amount of UV rays that come through the glass, reducing heat gain. Take the time to compare windows, and ask question of the retailer.
Another factor to consider the type of window framing. Vinyl windows have come such a long way. The material is tough, it is easy to work with, it seals well, and it looks good over all periods of time, and is available in different colors. Wood and aluminum frames are also popular, but my preference is vinyl. I recently replaced all of the aluminum windows and doors in a condo I own, and installing vinyl windows changed the whole look of the house.
Besides the look of the house, the energy saving transformation was surprising. The reduction of direct conduction of heat through the windows was just incredible. The condo is in Arizona, with south and west facing windows, and the area of the home by the windows went from a sweatbox, even with A/C running,(due to leakage and direct sunlight) to my new favorite room in the home. It also eliminated the winter drafting that occurred. Yes, it does get chilly in Arizona sometimes! I chose a double hing slider model from Jeld-wen that I ordered from a Menards In Scottsbluff, Nebraska. I have found Mendards to compare very favorably in price to Home Depot and Lowe's, even with the additional shipping cost.
I had only four windows to change, plus, two french doors, so it was a job that I could handle myself, but you may wish to have windows professionally installed. You can try a window company such as windowbuyer. They can give you a package price for windows and installation using local contractors. I am not a fan of searshomepro, but they likely have service not far from your community. You will probably learn a lot from visiting Pella or Marvin windows as well. They are both quality manufacturers of windows. Andersen is also an excellent maker of windows. There is some excellent information about window replacement available at the Department of Energy's website.
For not a lot of money I was able to change the whole comfort level of the house. The house looks so much better than the neighbors' with their old aluminum frame style. Remember to consult with your homeowners associations about what you are going to do, escpecially if you are going to change the look of your home's exterior. Some associations are sticklers for a consistent look, and may be able to veto your project. Better to find that out front than after you have started.
Regarding installation, I was able to do it myself, with some expert help, but most people will want to have a professional installation done. It is very important that the windows seal properly, and if you don't know what you are doing, you may be better off not doing anything. I have since purchased another older home, complete with single pane windows, and the difference in efficiency is noticeable. As this is a much larger project I have not changed these yet, but it is going to happen soon.
Your savings will vary depending on the size of your home, and how long you intend to stay in it. One item that should encourage you is the $200 tax credit when you install new Energy Star windows. Remember, this is a credit, not a deduction, so its effect is like a much larger deduction. Consult a tax professional about the credit, or the window retailer. They use these as part of their sales pitches, so they should be able to give you information.
Window replacement should be a priority not just for the homeowner as in individual, but for our society as a whole. Billions of dollars are wasted each year through poor window performance. This is wasteful, but it is also preventable if we make window replacement a priority of our national conscience. It is difficult to change gas mileage in cars quickly, but it is very easy to save 10%-15% of energy loss by simply replacing poor quality windows.
Thank you for reading this article. I would appreciate anyone with knowledge of the subject to expand or even correct any information I have posted. I am trying to encourage people to think about ways how Americans can make significant differences, not just symbolic ones. Look for my next article on Real World Energy Conservation regarding what you can if you can't afford to replace windows. -DV
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