“We’re planning our 2024 home project,” Denise said. “Every year we try to do something to make the house a little more valuable and energy efficient. We started with adding insulation to the attic – that’s been a real game changer – and this year, we’re thinking about having replacement windows installed.”
“Let me walk you through my thinking,” the South Shore homeowner said. “We have an older home – it was built in 1953, it’s 70 years old. Obviously the windows we have now are not the same windows it was built with. There’s actually two different types of replacement windows installed – there’s vinyl windows on the front of the house, but more basic aluminum frame windows on the back. I’m not sure which set of windows is leaking, but one of them definitely is – our house is very drafty!”
“We talked to the local window company about having replacement windows put in, and they gave us some numbers. We’re talking it through, but what I want to know is will this upgrade definitely save us money on our home heating costs? What kind of savings can I reasonably expect?”
Energy experts have found that having replacement windows reliably saves about 12% of your energy cost. The exact dollar amount varies, based on your local climate and the method you choose to heat your home, as well as how leaky your older windows were.
In Massachusetts, winter heating can cost up to $2,500 per season. 12% of $2,500 is $300. That’s what you can expect to save in the very first winter. Then these savings repeat, year after year after year.
Having high quality replacement windows installed also boosts the value of your home. Today’s buyers aren’t interested in old, leaky windows. They appreciate the style, security, and energy efficiency that the best replacement windows provide.
