Green Replacement Windows Doors Reduce Energy Costs Increase Efficiency Home Cooling Heating Bills

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Heat rises. Unfortunately, so does the cost of energy.

Did you know that between 25 and 40 percent of the money you are spending on energy is likely going right out the window? Windows don´t just let light in: they also allow heat to transfer, both in and out. Trying to keep your house cool by running the AC? If you have older, inefficient windows, they could be letting in so much heat and light that your power bill will soar as the unit tries in vain to keep up. The same is true if you´re trying to heat your house. Whoosh! Out goes all your warm air through un-insulated glass and bad, crusty seals.

When you´re calculating how much you spend on energy, don´t just look at your power bill. It´s important to remember the "hidden" costs that contribute.

• Janet was wiping the dust off of her windowsills last week and noticed that the painted caulk around the edges of the glass was cracked and the aluminum frame was bent. The wall beneath felt cool to the touch and moist. When she had it inspected, the wall, insulation, and framing were all significantly wet from leaking seal. The total cost of repair to rip it all out and replace the wall, window, and moderately redecorate was nearly two thousand dollars.

• Steve loves his home´s massive floor-to-ceiling windows that let in tons of light. He hates using shades and prefers them to look bare and clean. The house was built in 1973 and the panes aren´t insulated. It gets pretty hot in his living room every day though and the whole house stays that way long into the night, when the AC finally catches up….just in time for a new day.

• Matt lives in an area that can see up to 40 inches of wind-driven snow each winter. Drafts are a constant problem. Each year he spends hundreds on firewood and hundreds more on gas. It makes him angry to walk past his windows and feel cold air coming from the windows. Last time he checked, the caulk crumbled in his hands. But he´s pretty sure new windows will cost too much.

What if Janet´s problem repeats in every room of her house that has that same old window model? Her cost of energy just rose significantly if it has to include major wall repair due to water damage! Steve´s biggest issue is heat conductivity. Insulated glass that is well sealed can make a huge difference in his ability to keep his home cool affordably. When Matt goes shopping, he is only looking at the sticker price of the actual window. In reality, he should be looking at the high cost of heating fuel and how much more of it he needs to spend due to his old and poorly caulked windows. A 40% savings pays for those new windows pretty quickly.

Do you need new windows?

If your windows rattle, don't lock properly or are drafty, it's time to replace them. Original builder grade windows are cheap and don't fit well. They often are hard to open due to inferior tracks and balance rails. The locks are often misaligned and inferior making you a target for burglars. If your original single pane windows are pitting, cracking, or peeling consider replacing them with a new high-quality vinyl replacement windows. Vinyl won´t crack, peel, or flake. Vinyl is also very durable against scratches and dents. Aluminum windows act as a heat conductor and have a structural strength than can often last 30 years or more. It can be painted whereas vinyl has one color that goes throughout the product. Regardless of whether you choose vinyl or aluminum, all windows should be properly caulked around all edges. Check your caulk regularly to make sure it´s not drying, shrinking, cracking, or peeling.

All-Tex Exteriors carries high quality Energy Star replacement windows for a variety of options and style. Almost anything can be accommodated: single or double hung windows, geometric shapes, sliding, bay, or bow windows, tempered glass or even hurricane glass that can withstand strong winds. For more information or to speak with an expert, visit www.alltexexteriors.com or call 866-921-5715.