Replacement Windows

H

heritage

< 25 Posts
My wife has scheduled someone from Sears to come out and give us a sales pitch for replacement windows for our home. I have already super-insulated our attic, changed out the furnace and a/c to a new, extra efficient model, put on a new roof with foil backed decking, etc. I am of the opinion that the economic return for window replacement does not justify the cost in terms of reduced electrical demand but I admit that was before the current run up in energy costs. We had someone come out and check our house for air leaks and install extra barriers, etc., some free project from the power company. Does anyone have knowledge about the cost vs. return on replacement windows? I am assuming they will try to sell thermopane windows, I've had experience with storm windows and will never do THAT again!
 
Funny, I was about to post this same thing yesterday.

I really only care about two windows - large ones in our bedroom and office that get a lot of sun and heat the **** out of those rooms. If I could get a big reduction in heat for just those two rooms I'd do it, but I'm curious as to the energy savings
 
There's no reason to guess what the potential cost savings of replacing your windows would be or to base it on a sales pitch. Hire a mechanical engineer to do a heat transfer analysis of your home with your existing windows and the new windows. Shouldn't cost more than $200. Money well spent since you'll almost certainly discover that it's not worth it to replace your windows. In fact, an ME experienced in the field could probably just take a look and tell you the answer. In any case, if you're in Austin call KWR Engr Services at 288-6523. They did a great job for me.
 
I just recently had the local Home Depot guy come out and measure and quote me a price for replacing all of my windows. For me half of it is the fact that these are the original windows and look it. Most of them have the moisture in the center. The guy said the new ones are much more efficient but $7500 - yikes!
 
If you replace a single-pane window with a low emissivity double-pane window, you will get a simple payback of around 30-35 years. If you replace an old double-pane window with a new double pane window, your simple payback will be like 3 million years.
 
We replaced the original windows in a 1920s bungalow with some Andersen replacement windows during a signifcant remodelling project, and I don't think it made a bit of difference on our energy bills. A couple of years later we replaced the roof with a second story (!) and our bills DROPPED because the new roof design was so much better. The house was almost twice as big, too.

I honestly can't see new windows ever paying off.
 
JohnnyM:

If your main problem is radiation heat transfer (sunlight), instead of window replacement you should consider other more cost effective measures. Maybe a reflective film on the glass.
 
New double pane windows are nice, and an upgrade to a home, but I have been told that almost all the gains in our climate are to be made through the attic and roof improvements. Most of our energy costs are for air conditioning, and the heat on the roof in the summer is brutal.
 
I have a window I need replaced that has some moisture/fog in the middle;

where would you go for just 1 window needing replaced? I don't know much about windows so I couldn't tell you what kind, etc..
 
Call a window company and tell them you need a reglaze on one window. They will send someone out to measure and then a few days later they bring out the window and put it in. It takes about 8 minutes. I had one done last month due to a weed eater thrown pebble. It cost $100.
 
First off, I'd be very skeptical of anything Sears would tell me but do what you want. My experience with Sears has been, I don't want to say deceptive, but less than straight-forward.

As accurate said, a better investment would be in insulating the attic/roof and adding ventilation for the heat to escape. that and adding the UV screens to the windows.
 
Just FYI for anyone interested....got a quote on the V-Kool today...

One window - two panes of 33.5" x 56"
One window - two panes of 27.5" x 43"

Total cost including installation of the V-Kool 70 is $522

Does anyone have any experience with this product?

I don't have any problem dropping the coin if it'll make a big difference in heat. One window is 3 feet from my side of the bed and the other is 2 feet from where I'm sitting right now...so summertime in this home office is a hotbox.
 
I had film put on some windows and while I didn't really see a big difference in my electric bills it was noticeably less hot. It was not cool, but less hot.
 
Solar screens on the outside of your windows are by far the most cost-effective way to reduce heat gain through your windows. Some of the materials available now are much better to look through than some you may have seen and didn't like. You're definitely looking at less than $50 installed for a large window.

The films are a good solution for windows where solar screens are not appropriate. The quote for over $500 is crazy. It's mostly labor. If you're a DIYer you can easily learn to do it yourself and save a lot of money. There are plenty of films available if you shop around.
 
I heartily recommend double cell cellular blinds as well. I've done the online ordering thing (take very good measurements) and they work great.
 
Just wanted to thank all of you for your thoughts and suggestions. I cancelled the Sears appt. I have a friend who is a manager with Entergy and even he said it was not a good move except perhaps on a single wall that is directly facing the west sun, which I do not have.
 
I had some windows put in on the West side. I need to get some solar screens for the South ones but I like the new windows where they are. My windows are mismatched but I don't plan on selling anytime soon and when I do, I doubt it would be a big deal. If it is, I will reduce the price a grand or so for the buyer. ****, I will be making now almost four or more times what I spent on the house so that won't matter much.
 
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