In the last post we talked about the benefits of window replacement. In this post were going to talk about a very common question I see all the time. Will replacement windows pay for themselves over time?
When it comes to home improvement projects, window replacement can be one of the best choices that you make as a homeowner. There are many great benefits of replacement windows. One issue that many people face is the fact that they have never purchased windows before and the entire process can seem somewhat daunting at first. How do you know what type of window you should buy? What window company should I use? How much is it going to cost? These are just a few of the questions that you may have. Another one is whether or not the cost of of the project is worth it.
Will New Windows be Cost Efficient?
As with anything that is purchased, the cost is a concern. Many people wonder whether or not the cost of window replacement will pay for itself. The answer to this is yes, but only if it is done in the right way. Consider this story of a homeowner who bought their house in 2008. The house when purchased had double hung windows that were single pane. The storm windows were original to the home, which was built in 1950.
[wpipn-related-links posts=”578,112,154,433,1106,1253,1122″ ]The homeowner spent the first three New England winters with these drafty windows. In 2011, he replaced the windows in the home with newer, more energy efficient replacement windows. That winter the homeowner used one less tank of gas than was used the previous three winters. This savings alone means that within just a couple of years the cost of the windows is paid for and you will continue to save for many years to come. It is like the windows start paying you after just a few short years.
In addition, for replacing the windows in the home, there are certain tax breaks that you will receive. This can help offset the cost greatly as you will recover some of your costs through your tax return, but this does change every year so you will need to see what the tax break is at this time.
How They Can Pay you Back
There are two major ways that you will be paid back by your new replacement windows. The first is as mentioned above in energy savings. Even if you live in a warmer climate, you are going to save on cooling costs for your home during those hot months. The amount of money that can be saved on both heating and cooling costs can be substantial.
The second way that replacement windows can help pay for themselves is in the resale value of your home. New windows add curb appeal to the home, which can increase the amount of money that you can ask for when going to sell it. In addition, energy efficient window replacements are a great selling point. Typically, the cost of replacing the windows can be added into the asking price for the home.
Other Benefits
The savings in heating and cooling costs alone are enough reason to consider window replacement. In addition, you are going to increase the resale value of your home, as mentioned above. Other benefits include increased comfort of the home during both the winter and summer months, reduced noise levels, and increased curb appeal.
Replacement windows are also much better for the environment. The reduced amount of energy that is needed to heat and cool the home means that less natural resources are being used, which is much better for the earth.
When it comes to home improvement projects, purchasing replacement windows is one of the best options when it comes to the return on your investment as they will pay for themselves in just a few years.
If you have any questions regarding whether or not you think window replacement in your home will pay you back you can contact me from the Ask the Advisor page or on our Facebook page.
In the next post we’re going to talk about replacement window jargon. There are many terms that are used to describe different features and options that you will come across while shopping for new windows. We are going to fill you in with all the terms used.
