Window Replacement 101 Date:03/11/2010 - 23:35

Written by guest poster Valery Tessier-Leon

Finally, we are getting new windows! The house we purchased 3 years ago has the original windows – 1950’s steel casements (the ones that swing out, like a door). We had obtained proposals to replace them when we moved in but had to postpone this project for financial reasons.

So a few months ago, with many manufacturers offering specials and nowhere else safe to invest, we decided to look into it again. We did find a great offer and made our purchase late January. So here I am today, writing from my home as a crew of professional window installers are putting in the first unit.

Being in the field, I thought I knew a lot about windows. But this morning, I am learning a great deal about how challenging taking out steel windows can be and that my windows were in fact composed of 3 parts: the steel casing, the window frames and the glass. There is certainly a lot to be talked about the work and my personal remodeling experience. However, what I wish to touch on today are the few basic benefits of replacing old windows.

Energy efficiency
Energy efficiency is perhaps the greatest benefit of all. Windows installed before the ~1960’s were single pane and most often had true divided glass lites (where each lite was an individual pane of glass). Based on today’s standard, which did not exist back then, those windows are not energy efficient. There is a great amount of heat lost in the winter and heat gain in the summer, requiring more from your furnace and HVAC to heat and cool the space. With energy costs on the rise, old windows can only contribute to an increase in your heating and cooling bills. Today, windows are a science. There are standards, requirements and ratings that vary by regions. The glazing, coating, argon-gas option, frame, seals, are a few features that affects the performance of a window. Each window should have a NFRC (National Fenestration Rating Council) label which tells the U-factor and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) of the unit along with visible transmittance, air leakage and condensation resistance.

Comfort
Old drafty single pane windows can leave a room very cold in the winter and very warm in the summer. New windows will allow for even comfort year around. New windows can also reduce the outside noise which some may see as a great benefit if they live near a railroad crossing or a high traffic street.

Curb appeal
New windows can have a major impact on the look of your home. We all know that windows will do more than help spruce up your house but for a prospective home buyer, this could be love at first sight.

Energy tax credit
Without knowing, timing couldn’t have been better for us. We all know about the new Federal Tax Credit for Energy Efficiency. This credit allows homeowners to take a 30% credit, up to $1,500, on the cost of the material for energy efficient improvements. This includes windows, as long as the windows have a U-factor and SGHC equal or less than 0.30. This is a true credit, not a deduction, and the program runs for 2009 and 2010. This is certainly something to keep in mind when talking to window replacement specialists. Also, make sure to keep all your paperwork and the NFRC labels.

Hope this helps. Feel free to drop me an email if you want to learn more about windows or simply want an update on my remodeling project.
Finally, here are some links to learn more about ratings, tax credits and replacing windows.
http://www.nfrc.org/
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.pr_tax_credits
http://www.aceee.org/consumerguide/windows.htm

If you have questions for Valery, you can email her by clicking here.