Lots of people will tell you that installing energy-efficient windows in your Nashville home will save you money, but that’s only partially true. Replacing old windows with Energy Star qualified windows is proven to lower household energy bills by 7-15 percent, but if we’re being honest–which we make it a point to be–you should know that it would take years and years of energy savings for you to recoup what you spent on your energy-efficient windows. Luckily, there are lots more good reasons to swap out your old windows for energy-efficient replacement windows. And if you’re planning on getting new windows regardless, it’s foolish to get anything other than energy efficient windows. Here’s why:
At Stratton Exteriors we almost always advise our customers to choose double-hung, low-emissive (Low-E), argon-filled windows, which cost about 10 percent more than standard windows. (In particular, we use Alside Excaliber Fusion-Welded Vinyl Windows, which are a big hit with our customers in Nashville.) Very few people know what “Low-E” or “argon-filled” mean or why they should cough up the extra dough to make sure that their windows fit this description. We’re about to tell you, but first: Know that the cost difference between energy-efficient windows and basic windows pays for itself within an average of four years, after which you’ll see significant energy savings each year.
Improve the exterior look of your home. This kind of goes without saying, but new windows can do a lot to improve your home’s facade. Especially if the frames of your old windows are cracking, chipping, or rotting, your home will get a clean and fresh update with new windows. The Alside Excaliber windows that we swear by are also great because they come in a variety of colors.
Reflect heat but allow light to pass through. When a window has been treated with a Low-E coating it means that it’s been treated with an invisible metal or metallic oxide coating. This coating creates a surface that reflects heat while still letting light pass through. This helps reduce energy consumption, but also helps protect window treatments from fading.
Not as cold to the touch. Double-paned windows that are filled with argon, which is a non-toxic, odorless, noble gas, benefit from having a full barrier between the atmosphere outside and the temperature inside a house. The gas acts as an insulator because it’s heavier than air. Among other benefits, this results in glass panes that are less cold to the touch than single-paned windows.
Easier to clean. Double-hung windows aren’t just super easy to open and close, but they’ll tilt in for easy cleaning without removing screens.
Green benefits: Besides lowering your energy consumption, energy-smart windows will also reduce greenhouse gas emissions from power plants and shrink your home’s carbon footprint.
Claim a tax credit: Homeowners may receive a tax credit equal to 10 percent of the cost of your windows, up to $200 for eligible windows and skylights and $500 for eligible
doors. For more specifics, visit
energystar.gov.
Please contact us if you have any questions at all about replacement windows for your Nashville home.
