Though new windows are pricey, a lot of homeowners assume that they will pay for themselves in a few years in energy savings.
You might want to think twice about that. True, new energy-efficient windows can help keep your house warmer in winter and cooler in summer (assuming you use an air conditioner), but they won’t necessarily save you a bunch on your monthly energy bill.
An article in time.com’s Money section said that new windows produce about 5 to 15 percent of your total energy savings; and with the average homeowner in America paying about $1,000 a year to heat and cool a home, it would take more than 100 years to earn back your investment.
So does that mean you shouldn’t bother? Hardly.
You also need to determine whether the windows are doing their job of keeping moisture out, as they may need repairs or replacement on that factor alone. And even if they don’t save you the money you expected, new windows can make you feel a lot more comfortable by helping to reduce draftiness in the winter and retaining cooler air in the summer.
Newer windows are usually a lot easier to clean because of their tilt-in design, too. And new windows can help your home’s resale value; prospective buyers see new windows as a plus, not to mention an indicator that the house has been well cared for. The Time article said homeowners get about 73 percent of their replacement window investment back when they sell the house, according to the National Association of Realtors’ 2016 Cost Versus Value study.
