Replacing the windows in your home can mean spending some money upfront to purchase them and get them installed, but over time you can recoup this investment and even start saving money. With new, energy-efficient replacement windows in place, you can minimize heating costs, stop drafts and energy leaks, and increase the potential value of the home for resale in the future.

Why Put In New Windows?

The Department of Energy reports that homes can lose up to 30% of conditioned air through the windows and the caulking and weatherstripping around them. If you can hear rattling when you try to shake the window with your hands, chances are there is an air leak present. Another sign of a window-based air leak is light seeping in around the outside of the window frame, which shows that the framing needs replacement. You may also feel a draft or a drop in temperature when you stand close to the window. In older homes that hold a historical designation, you might be obligated to keep older windows in place to keep the traditional look of the place. But if you can replace your old-style windows with a newer energy-efficient model, you should do it for the benefits and savings. A replacement window can make your home green-friendly by trapping the air where it is, stopping potential damage from rain getting in, and making the home safer by making it harder to break in.

Increase Energy Efficiency

Traditional glass windows with wood frames usually use two panes of glass to slow the process of air leaking out of the house. New windows, like the ones made of fiberglass or vinyl framing, are more energy-efficient than old-fashioned double-pane models. The panes of glass are coated and treated to make them more energy-efficient, and triple-pane windows now exist to increase the energy efficiency even more. These innovations help to better insulate the window surface and the area around it, trapping air where it is instead of allowing it to seep through the window surface or spaces that exist around the windowpane. By stopping the untreated air from outside from coming into the house through the window, you use less power to keep conditioning the air in the home. The temperature across the house stays stable, even when you stand close to a window or door. You save on energy costs and reduce your home's carbon footprint by incorporating environmentally friendly materials into the home.

Prevent Storm Damage

If you live in an area likely to be hit by hurricanes, thunderstorms, tornadoes, or other inclement weather, getting energy-efficient storm windows put in can save you a lot of effort on preparation when a storm is coming. Built to withstand heavy winds and impacts from debris, storm windows do not require covering, freeing you from the need to board them up. They will resist impact thanks to the way they are put together and treated during the process. Storm windows can be coated in a treatment that helps them protect against energy transfer, making them energy efficient and keeping you more comfortable day to day in the home.

Appeal to Future Buyers

Windows are a long-term investment that is most likely to pay off when you are ready to put your home on the market and move on to a new place. When you are ready to list your home for sale, potential buyers will be looking for updated features and secure entry points so they can feel the property is move-in ready. Having new windows in place can help you appeal to more potential homeowners who want an environmentally friendly home without taking on projects themselves. According to Energy.gov, on average, homeowners recover around 78% of what they paid for new window installation when their home sells. This is over and above any saving they've experienced on power bills while living in the home themselves.

These are just a few of the ways that new, energy-efficient windows can save you money once they are installed in the house. With proper care and maintenance, you can keep your new windows for decades before you even have to think about replacing them again. Call Tiltin Windows, Doors and More! to learn about which windows could be right for your home.