Are you living in a home that was built prior to the mid-1990s? If you haven’t had the original windows replaced, then there’s a good chance that your home has single-paned glass windows. These aren’t particularly energy efficient, and as a result, you may be losing heat and/or cool air. Furthermore, these types of windows also allow outside noise to enter into your home, which can obviously be annoying.
When you have single-paned windows and regular doors throughout your home, you’re losing about 38% of the heat that you generate during the colder months. If these windows and doors also have drafts, then this amount can increase up to 50%. While this can be due to a variety of factors, what is often the case is that the windows and doors are not properly seated or weatherized. Warm air can also be lost when there are cracks and holes in wood windows that allow the warm air to escape and the cold air to enter.
If your home has drafty windows and doors, there’s a good chance that your bills are higher than they could be. This situation can increase energy costs by ten percent to 25%. When you purchase new replacement windows and doors, however, you can potentially reduce these energy bills. This includes taking other measures into consideration such as insulating attics and other areas where air can enter or escape.
While the savings that you experience will depend on where you live, such as hotter or colder climes, Energy Star approved windows may save you as much as $501.00 every year, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Energystar.gov reported that when windows and doors adhere to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Star program, bills can be potentially lowered by seven percent to 15%.
Whether you’re planning to sell your home in the near future or live in it for years to come, you may be interested to know that when you opt for a residential window replacement, this can bring you a solid return on your investment. While it will depend on a variety of factors, you will usually be able to obtain a return on your investment of as much as 73% to 77% of the energy-efficient windows’ original cost.
Landscaping is another way to increase your home’s value and bring a good return on your investments. The American Public Power Association reported that this can also reduce your air conditioning costs by as much as 50%. When you add shade trees or large bushes by the walls and windows of your home, this can provide welcome insulation and assist with keeping your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.
If you have old sliding glass doors that open up to your backyard or patio area, it may also be time to have a sliding door replacement. French doors are another addition that may be of interest to you. French doors can provide a nice design touch and close off an area of the house to maintain a comfortable temperature. Many homeowners have French doors that lead to sun rooms or other sections of their homes that that they want to close off or open up, such as bedrooms and home offices.
In addition to replacing your home’s windows, you may also be considering the benefits of a commercial window replacement for your business. It’s important to note that you will usually be able to experience increased energy efficiency and reduced costs when you have a commercial window replacement at your store, office, or other business establishment.
In addition to having a commercial window replacement, there may be other environmental factors that you will need to address in order to increase your energy efficiency and reduce your overall costs. When you speak to a contractor, they will be able to provide you with more detailed information on commercial window replacements along with other energy-saving tips.
