“New is Always Better”, so says Barney Stinson, Neil Patrick Harris’ character in the sitcom “How I Met Your Mother”; and this little nugget of wisdom is certainly true in many cases involving home windows. Karen Beuerlein writes about the need for replacement windows in an article for Houselogic:
If your windows are more than 15 years old, you may be putting up with draftiness, windows that stick in their frames, and skyrocketing energy bills. Energy-efficient windows would be a great improvement, but replacement can be very expensive, from $8,000-$15,000 or more for a typical home. While the cost of a replacement window may be substantial, the benefits that a homeowner can get from one can make the investment worthwhile. For one, residents of Salem, MA may be entitled to state and federal incentives given to homes that use energy-efficient fixtures and installations, such as the windows. Additionally, an energy-efficient window installation in Salem, MA by reliable contractors like A&A Services, can result to significant savings in energy costs. The road to a better insulated house begins with an energy assessment which may be performed by a trusted contractor. If a window replacement is needed, Beuerlein encourages homeowners to learn about window components, their specifications, and their functions, to guide them in their selection of new windows. For instance, many of today’s energy-efficient windows have up to three panes with layers of composite materials and argon gas sandwiched in between to increase their insulating capabilities. Beuerlein also advises her readers to look for Energy Star-labeled windows. She says, “Energy Star labels will tell you whether a window performs well in your climate based on ratings from the National Fenestration Rating Council.” Many homeowners may find Energy Star-rated windows to be on the pricey end, as they cost at least $120 each. However, according to Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value Report, installing such a window can yield a 71.2% return on investment in added home value. Additionally, using Energy-Star-rated windows can save a homeowner as much as $465 per year in energy costs. All these benefits point to the conclusion that getting energy-efficient replacement windows in Salem can be well worth the cost, particularly if homeowners take the time to learn about the various options that are available to them. (Article excerpt and image from What You Need to Know About Buying Energy-Efficient Windows, HouseLogic)
