How Much Can Window Replacement Cut Your Energy Bills?

From Margaret on November 10th, 2011 in Window Replacement

Window replacement can be a baffling home improvement. The renovation includes many technical details, a need for a contractor, and some important aesthetic choices. Not to mention the varying dollar amounts that come your way as you’re trying to compare costs.

Sound familiar? There’s good news for you. You can get help gathering estimates to save time and money on window replacement. And if you choose the right windows, you can save as much as $500 annually on energy bills. This is to say nothing of the initial return on investment, which equals as much as 72% of the project cost in added home value, according to Remodeling Magazine’s annual Cost Vs. Value Report.

Price-Check Your Replacement Windows

You can start the process smoothly by price-checking window replacement in your area. We make the process easy by giving you two options:

1. You can browse through CalFinder’s database of contractors by state.
2. You can click here to fill out a quick form, and we’ll send you the 2-3 contractors closest to you.

In my opinion, option two is easiest. But we know how people love their choices.

Why Bother with a Contractor?

If nothing else, a contractor can help you in the early stages. They’ll make sure that:

• You haven’t chosen an energy-efficient triple-pane argon-gas window that you don’t really need.
• Your windows fall in the right price range for your home and climate zone.
• You receive any government rebates you might qualify for when choosing an energy-saving window option.

In your planning stages, you can help your installer by providing important information about your windows and home. Take note of the structural condition and materials of your walls, both inside and out . Roughly measure the size of your window openings. Know the number and types of windows to be replaced, and any extras to be added.

Comparing Costs for the Best Deal

Doing this can help you narrow down the huge window that contractors usually give for general window replacement estimates—which ranges from about $275 to $750 per window. Replacement window prices are typically not firm, so gathering all of the details about your home and talking to a contractor can help you start comparing costs now—and get the best deal later.

Plus, if you choose windows that are energy-efficient and qualify for the federal tax credit (which requires that solar heat gain coefficient ratings must be 0.3 or less), you can take around $200 off the purchase price for windows installed in the year 2011.

Not only will you improve the quality and beauty of your home (as well as value when it comes time to sell)—you can save money in the meantime on your energy bills. If your windows are more than 15 years old, you may be dealing with inefficient drafts, windows that stick or that don’t seal completely, and skyrocketing energy bills, especially this coming winter.

Adding new and more efficient windows can pay off at resale—and can provide savings more immediately through your energy reductions.

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Photo via Houzz