Every time you get close to the windows in your home, you can feel it. The feel of cold as the temperature drops near your view of the outside world. You may just want to ignore it, but the truth is clear. Your home’s windows are no longer providing the insulation and energy savings they once did.

As long as you pretend it’s not happening, you don’t have to quantify it. However, you may be losing more heat and energy than you care to know. An average home loses up to 30 percent of its heat through its windows and air leaks around them. If your windows are over 10 years old, you may be losing much more than that.

The True Cost of New Windows

While you may have been putting off replacing your windows because you fear the cost, changing out your old windows may actually start saving you money quicker than you realize. Upgrading old windows to more energy-efficient windows with low E-coatings can start saving you almost 15 percent a month right away. A recent study by government entity Energy Star estimated that you could save almost $465 a year when you replace single-pane windows with double-pane, energy efficient ones. Even if your home already has double-pane glass, if they are older than 10 years, new windows will save you over $100 per year.

Saving Money With New Windows

New, upgraded windows won’t just save you money in the cold winter months when your old, drafty windows struggle to keep your home’s heat inside. They’ll also keep the hot air out during the summer. How much you can actually save depends on the climate you live in, as well as a couple other factors.

When considering new windows for your home, there are a number of things to take into account. Choosing the right windows can maximize your home’s energy savings, and make sure you get the most bang for your buck.

• Consider a window’s U-Factor, which is a rating of the heat loss for a window.
• Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) is a measurement of how effectively a window blocks heat from the sun from entering your home.
• Different parts of the country will want to employ windows with different coatings. Cooler climates may prefer to let the sun’s energy warm their home through clear glass, while warmer climates can seek to keep the sun’s warmth at bay with Low-E coated glass.

There’s no doubt that replacing your home’s windows can come with a hefty price tag, but it’s also important to consider the investment. Spending $10,000 to update your home’s windows seems like a smart decision, especially when you can realize energy savings between $3000 and $1200 in the first year alone. When it’s time to sell your home, new windows will also bring increased value. Armorvue Home Exteriors is an industry leader. With over 75 years of combined experience in selling and expert installation, there’s no need to go anywhere else. Contact us today for a free in-home estimate.