Cost / benefit of replacement windows?

[Lorenzo]

Seems like we do that a lot.

I guess I provided a thread for people to vent / discuss windows anyway.

For people to vent about windows. I see what you did there.

 

[Texas Proud]

Just shooting from the hip... with the people who say they saved a lot on utilities... I would ask how much?

I pay like $2,000 a year for all utilities... I doubt that new windows would save me even 20%... but let's say $500 per year... spending $20K or more on windows would take 40 years to pay without counting lost income on that money... even $10K would be 20....

Nope... does not make any economic sense to me...

 

[Gumby]

Our house is 168 years old. When we moved in, it still had the original 6/6 double hung windows. They were interesting, with the wavy, imperfect glass, but they rattled and the wind came right through. So, in 2009, we replaced them all. Since we live in the historic district, the new windows had to match the originals in appearance. We got Marvin Ultimate replacement windows, which had to be custom cut since the original windows were not all exactly the same size. The builder who did our kitchen also measured, ordered and installed all the windows (there were 30 of them). I think it ran a little over $1000 a window then, so probably at least twice that now.

We have been very happy with the windows for over 15 years now, including most especially the fact that all of them, upper and lower, tilt in for cleaning.

 

[AudiDudi]

After 30 years, the some of the window frames that face the weather have rotted. I figure it will be easier to sell the house with some new up-to-date windows - cost about $6k. Not really worried about utility savings but the old double pane windows have about 1/4 inch between the panes and the new ones about 1/2 - I'd guess the new ones will save a tiny bit but won't pay for themselves in my lifetime. .

 

[Koolau]

Seems like we do that a lot.

I guess I provided a thread for people to vent / discuss windows anyway.

Guess we are all just burning some time on a retirement forum.

It's cheap therapy!

 

[Koolau]

Just shooting from the hip... with the people who say they saved a lot on utilities... I would ask how much?

I pay like $2,000 a year for all utilities... I doubt that new windows would save me even 20%... but let's say $500 per year... spending $20K or more on windows would take 40 years to pay without counting lost income on that money... even $10K would be 20....

Nope... does not make any economic sense to me...

I can't tell you how much I saved as I didn't track it. Also, one year's weather to the next is not a good comparison. BUT in the summer time, I rarely used the AC after we got our new windows because I could open the windows to the built in stop at night, run a couple of window fans upstairs and use the cool night air to cool the whole house. In the morning, I'd seal the windows and not need AC until late at night if at all. The previous year, we just had the AC on all day. The old windows were virtually useless to manage outside air. They stuck and leaked and were just generally more trouble than they were worth.

I did the same for parts of the late spring and early fall to heat the house with outside air. Did this management pay for the windows. Of course not. Over the life of the windows, would it have saved the cost? Maybe. The new windows were wonderful to use and also to have (attractive and blocked outside noise) AND they saved us some unspecified amount of heating a cooling costs.

This isn't for everyone. It just happened to w*rk well for us. YMMV.

 

[Teacher Terry]

Koolau, I went to three places today that offered the tilt in windows and decided which company I’m going to buy them from. I only have one window in each bedroom so not a big hit to my budget. The total cost was 2K. They are made by Milgard. They had them in the showroom so they could demonstrate how easy they are to clean.

 

[Badger]

Unsolicited sales always raise a red flag for me weather it is left over concrete, magazines for college, or band candy. I even got a letter offering cash for my house that was about $500k short of its estimated value. I view them all as scams. The only thing I might consider is a one time lawn mowing at an agreed upon price to be paid after the work was done.

 

[athena53]

BUT in the summer time, I rarely used the AC after we got our new windows because I could open the windows to the built in stop at night, run a couple of window fans upstairs and use the cool night air to cool the whole house. In the morning, I'd seal the windows and not need AC until late at night if at all. The previous year, we just had the AC on all day. The old windows were virtually useless to manage outside air. They stuck and leaked and were just generally more trouble than they were worth.

I've found that, too. Far easier to open/close the new windows so there are times in the year when I don't use either the heat or the AC. I'm sure there's a savings there but haven't quantified it.

Unsolicited sales always raise a red flag for me weather it is left over concrete, magazines for college, or band candy.

I know- I should have learned my lesson by now. Years ago "two guys and a truck" approached us as we were getting out of the car and offered to trim some trees. They handed us a flyer claiming they were insured. The estimate was reasonable and we paid them by check. I left the house on an errand and DH said they came back frantic because the check was from an out-of-state bank (USAA, for heaven's sake- hardly a fly-by-night operation) and the check-cashing place wouldn't cash it. I had to go to the ATM and get cash. He returned promptly to give the check back and take the cash.

Now I wonder if they really were insured- in theory they could track payroll/income in a cash business, but...

It leaves you open to not being able to collect if they damage your property and also leaves you vulnerable to a worker's comp claim if they're injured.

 

[Music Lover]

I've found that, too. Far easier to open/close the new windows so there are times in the year when I don't use either the heat or the AC. I'm sure there's a savings there but haven't quantified it.

It's also a quality of life issue. We love fresh air so properly operating windows are a must. Even if the energy savings were non-existent we still would have replaced ones that didn't operate correctly.

 

[sengsational]

As has been mentioned a few times, but not central to the discussion, is that unless the wind is blowing right through, you're not going to justify the expense of new windows based on energy savings in a remainder of your lifetime. I did energy audits as a volunteer and helped people get their energy projects in proper order (biggest bang for the buck first). New windows never made the top half of the list in the dozens of audits I worked. Now, addressing infiltration around windows, yes. But nobody is going to come knocking on your door to install weather stripping!

That's not to say you shouldn't have all new windows, but do so because you want them to operate freely, want to be able to clean them from the inside, etc.

I just wish I could find replacement parts for my existing windows...I have a few broken springs. Not that we ever open the windows...in NC if the outdoor temperature is amenable, there's too much humidity and/or pollen.

 

[Texas Proud]

Ding, Ding, Ding.... ^^^^^

Yep, here we do not open windows.... most of the time too hot... heck, in the 80s at night... and HUMID!! We have been living here for 16 years and most of the windows have never been open...

If you open the windows and let all that humidity in it feels muggy... so you have to run your AC to get rid of all that humidity...

Right now it is coolish outside... 78... but raining so very humid... and the AC is running at a low level to remove that humidity...

 

[steady saver]

We're in the process of ordering windows for our renovation (old farmhouse that has been added onto). We're in a rural area so no door-to-door salespeople, thank goodness. Anyway, I've gone down the rabbit trail of window forums and research and, to read it all, you'd think nothing is good but the very highest end of things. There is so much conflicting info out there.
I agree about Houston Window Experts...great videos. We've actually driven into town and gone to their showroom a couple of times. First time was last year, just kicking the tires. This year we went back and the saleswoman wasn't super helpful (pushing Marvin windows which were way out of our budget and then not so helpful when we wanted to consider other things). That said, the guy's videos are good.
In the end, we are ending up with Andersen windows...200 series and 400 series for different areas. Our builder will be installing them and while we have confidence in his knowledge, etc we'll be talking to him about guaranteeing his work...

 

[Teacher Terry]

Living in northern Nevada we have plenty of in between weather so we can open our windows. It also cools down most nights. I enjoy having fresh air, but can’t open the windows when the pollen count is high because of my asthma allergies.

 

[steady saver]

Ding, Ding, Ding.... ^^^^^

Yep, here we do not open windows.... most of the time too hot... heck, in the 80s at night... and HUMID!! We have been living here for 16 years and most of the windows have never been open...

If you open the windows and let all that humidity in it feels muggy... so you have to run your AC to get rid of all that humidity...

Right now it is coolish outside... 78... but raining so very humid... and the AC is running at a low level to remove that humidity...

We're in Texas too and we do open our windows a lot in certain months. Maybe not now (you can cut that humidity with a knife!) but we definitely take advantage of it in cooler weather as much as possible. Love that breeze and fresh air. Different strokes...

 

[Gumby]

In the summer, we open our windows at night and close them in the morning, because we don't have central air. We do have a window unit in the bedroom, so we can sleep when it is really warm at night.

 

[Texas Proud]

We're in Texas too and we do open our windows a lot in certain months. Maybe not now (you can cut that humidity with a knife!) but we definitely take advantage of it in cooler weather as much as possible. Love that breeze and fresh air. Different strokes...

Don't get me wrong... when living in London and New York I was able to have open windows all the time... DW really loves them open.. but now for fresh air goes out to the deck.... mostly at night...

BUT, DW will complain to me about being too hot way too often and I have it at 74... or 73...

 

[steady saver]

Don't get me wrong... when living in London and New York I was able to have open windows all the time... DW really loves them open.. but now for fresh air goes out to the deck.... mostly at night...

BUT, DW will complain to me about being too hot way too often and I have it at 74... or 73...

I hear you. Definitely gotta be cool while sleeping. And if there's no breeze but the humidity is still there, then it's a no go.

 

[Kings over Queens]

BUT, DW will complain to me about being too hot way too often and I have it at 74... or 73...

I'd kill for 73 or 74.

Our termo's are all set at 68, 24/7/365. I've got an elaborate under floor radiant heat system that I'm essentially not allowed to use, and because our AC isn't perfectly balanced, the temp in my bathroom right now is 66.

 

[steady saver]

I'd kill for 73 or 74.

Our termo's are all set at 68, 24/7/365. I've got an elaborate under floor radiant heat system that I'm essentially not allowed to use, and because our AC isn't perfectly balanced, the temp in my bathroom right now is 66.

Brrr. 76 is my limit. We were at my son's last month and he keeps it at 68 at night. DH had to go downstairs where it was a bit warmer and found blankets to pile on himself on the sofa...

 

[Texas Proud]

I'd kill for 73 or 74.

Our termo's are all set at 68, 24/7/365. I've got an elaborate under floor radiant heat system that I'm essentially not allowed to use, and because our AC isn't perfectly balanced, the temp in my bathroom right now is 66.

LOL, we are cooling it to that temp... when heating I like 68 or 69... but DW likes 71 or 72...

 

[AudiDudi]

60-62 is great for sleeping.

 

[Koolau]

60-62 is great for sleeping.

Heh, heh, better avoid Hawaii unless you have lots of money for running AC. We don't have AC but consider nights generally comfortable with ambient temps in the upper 60s to lower 70s most nights. Of course, we have whole "walls" of open windows.