Is it worth it to have your windows replaced? You may wonder if new windows will help you save money on your energy bills. Your windows are broken and need to be changed, either way, you may also benefit from learning how you can maximize the energy-saving benefits you’ll get down the road from window replacement.

Will New Windows Reduce Your Utility Bills?

Windows allow light into your home. In the summer, that light can heat up your home and make more work for your air conditioner. In the winter, that heat can help take some of the pressure off your furnace but also create warm and cool spots. Windows with an old or improper seal will also allow heat to escape your home in winter and enter it in the summer.

Ultimately, higher quality windows with better glazing can reduce your home’s heating needs in the summer and cooler needs in the winter. In theory, this should reduce your utility bills. However, if you already have high-quality windows, you’ll need to get even better ones if you want to see a reduction in your bills. At some point, there are diminishing returns on investing in more expensive windows to get a utility bill reduction. Ultimately, it is best to reach out to a professional to determine if the windows you plan to buy are better than the ones in your home.

What are High-Quality Windows?

Few homeowners actually have very high-quality windows in their home from an energy efficiency standpoint. That is because window glazing technology has come a long way in the last few years, and windows are very rarely replaced in homes. Most homes will have single-paned windows, and simply switching away from these could save you up to $500 per year, depending on the orientation of your home, your climate, etc.

A step up from single-paned windows are double-paned. These have two sheets of glass with a gas filling, which acts as insulation. The type of gas matters. Argon, Krypton and Xenon are the options. Most homeowners choose Argon because it is the most cost-effective, and the other two gases are not so much better that their higher cost is justified.

Should I Change Out Good Windows for the Energy Savings?

If your windows are currently functional, does it make sense to change them for higher quality windows just for the energy savings? Probably not unless they are very low quality. If you have reasonable quality windows, but they are just old, you can get more mileage out of them by fixing the caulking around them. A better seal will prevent drafts and is much less expensive than replacing the windows outright.

Other home improvement projects may get you more energy efficiency. You might consider changing your home’s insulation, upgrading your furnace or heating system. If those are in order, then your windows may be your best bet to reduce your energy bill, and improve the value of your home while you’re at it.

If you are looking for Kansas City window replacement, contact Empire Construction Group today!