Your existing windows and doors could be costing you money. Depending on their age and condition, replacement windows and doors could dramatically improve your home’s energy efficiency, improve your comfort and security, and reduce your utility bills.
The cost effectiveness of replacing windows depends on the condition of your existing windows and your home. Installing replacement windows will generally pay for itself, in the form of lower energy bills, within two to ten years. EnergyStar.gov estimates a 7- 24% savings when installing Energy Star qualified windows. The percentage will be on the high end if you are replacing old single-paned windows. In the same vein, the U.S. Department of Energy estimates that a typical homeowner in the Northwest will save $258 a year when replacing single-pane windows and $112 a year when replacing double-pane.
Hi-efficiency windows suitable for the Northwest have two panes of glass surrounding a pocket of argon gas, have several layers of low-emittance (low-e) coating, and incorporate other technologies such as “warm spacers” and insulated frames. Energy Star in the Northwest is considered any window with a U-factor or .30 or less. Depending on the configurations of the glass and coatings, windows can do more than keep your home warmer in the winter – they can even block solar gain in the summer. There are a variety of windows and window frame types – vinyl, fiberglass, and wood. Check a window’s energy performance ratings before you buy.
If you have older doors in your home, replacing them might be a good investment, resulting in lower heating and cooling costs.
Entry doors can contribute significantly to air leakage and wasted energy through conduction, especially if the door is old, uninsulated, improperly installed, and/or improperly air sealed. Newer exterior doors have a polyurethane foam insulation core and are pre-hung and weather stripped.
Models that are Energy Star-qualified often boast tighter-fitting frames, higher efficiency cores, and, for models with glass, double- or triple-panel insulating glass to reduce heat transfer. Entry doors are also known as door systems because they come pre-hung in a frame and are often predrilled for a knob and deadbolt.
Modern energy-saving entry door designs and technology can make a difference in your comfort and energy costs.
Energy efficient windows and doors are eligible for utility rebates and tax credits. To learn more, call Energy Efficiency First at 360-236-9684 or visit their website by clicking here.
