How to Make Your Windows More Energy Efficient

Most people imagine small home appliances when they think of Energy Star. This may include hair dryers, TV sets, vacuum cleaners and the like but what you may not know is that Energy Star also applies to the windows of your home. The Environmental Protection Agency has widened the Energy Star specifications to encompass energy conservative materials like residential windows. One of the ways the agency judges if a home is energy efficient is by checking for window leaks.

Estimates state that as much as 30 percent of the energy in your residence escapes through leaks in your windows. This also adds up to 25 percent to your heating and/or cooling bill. This is certainly not small change, especially in today's economy, so residents should take measures to prevent energy leakage through their windows. Although homes older than 15 years are unlikely to be energy efficient when it comes to window design, new homes are being constructed for maximum energy conservation.

Windows made now are two times as efficient as windows a quarter-century ago. When you cut down on your energy use, your utilities go down. The money you save on utility bills can be applied to other things you want or need. Fixing your windows to avoid air leakage can cut down on heating and cooling costs while efficiently using the energy in the home. You can see a difference without having to adjust the thermostat.

Window replacement may be necessary in cases of older homes. Today's modern, energy-efficient windows can cost in excess of $10,000 if you are replacing all the windows in your home. Consider an energy audit of your home to see if replacement of the windows is the right thing to do or if there are more affordable options available. You can buy inserts for windows that you want to upgrade but not replace.

The benefits to upgrading your windows to conserve energy are many. First of all, you save money on your utility bills while helping save the resources of our planet. Your comfort level is increased, and your health may even improve because of better heat and the reduction of mold and mildew encouraged by condensation. When your windows are Energy Star compliant, your carbon footprint is smaller, you make the most of natural sunlight and the double insulated design reduces outside noise.

You can even get a credit on your taxes for using Energy Star windows. It is estimated that you could be eligibile for up to 30 percent window cost. This makes a good selling point when it comes to upgrading to Energy Star windows. It's like getting a huge discount off the cost of your new environmentally friendly windows. Just make sure to verify your eligibility in this tax break program when shopping for windows because not all Energy Star windows are eligible.

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