“Are new windows worth the investment?”
Summary:
Jeremiah says the answer depends on the individual and how they value comfort. Moving from an aluminum window to a vinyl window produces a noticeable comfort difference when standing or sitting near the window. However, he is direct that homeowners looking primarily to save money on heating will probably not see it, and that measured over thirty years it might make a small dent but will not deliver the return they are looking for. He describes the real benefits as comfort, appearance, and ease of opening and closing, noting aluminum windows can become hard to operate and build condensation. He explains energy performance depends on many variables beyond the window, including wall, crawl space, and attic insulation, and that the glass pack is the most energy-relevant part of the unit, with frame material also playing a role. He warns against salespeople promising specific savings, noting window companies have gone out of business over such promises.
Answer:
Are new windows worth the investment? I would say that really comes down to the individual and how they view their comfort. And I say that because if you're going from an aluminum window to a vinyl window, you're going to notice a huge difference as far as comfort is concerned when you're standing or sitting directly near where that window once was. If you're looking to save a bunch of money on your heating by replacing your windows, you're probably not going to see it. That's the honest truth. If you measure that over a thirty year period, maybe it might make a dent in it, but it's not going to be the investment that you're looking for. The biggest thing is overall comfort. Comfort, look, and accessibility to opening and closing the window. Some of those aluminum windows get pretty hard to open. Whether it's cold or whether it's hot, the condensation will start to build up. Yes, I noticed a difference when I went from the aluminum that I had when I originally bought my house to a vinyl energy efficient pack. There's a great difference as far as comfort, but as far as saving money on your energy bill, there are so many other variables to that. Insulation in the walls, insulation in the crawl space, insulation in the attic space, not just the windows themselves. The last thing when it comes to purchasing a window is just know that the glass pack itself is the most energy relevant piece of the unit. The frames are a key factor in that. Whether they're vinyl, wood, aluminum, or fiberglass, those all play a key factor in the overall energy efficiency of the window. But don't get caught by slick salesmen that try to tell you that replacing your windows will save you X amount of money over time. There are actually window companies that were put out of business because they promised that to homeowners. I will never do that to anybody. The biggest thing is comfort. Comfort, comfort, comfort when replacing your windows. Do you want to live a more comfortable life? Do you want to manage the temperature in your house a little bit better? Then yes, window replacement can benefit that in a great way.