Technology Snapshot & Benefits:

Significant economic savings can come from modern windows. Unless recently upgraded, your windows are likely a major source of heat/AC loss. In cold climates, windows transfer heating energy out of the building through both conduction and radiation. Additionally, depending upon how weather-tight the frame and seals, windows may transfer energy by convection as well. This situation is reversed in hot climates, with windows allowing heat into a building and forcing expensive cooling systems to work overtime, this is a huge source of green house gases. Hard on the environment….and your wallet!

Typical walls in homes are insulated to a level of R-11 to R-19, (and if yours aren’t, we at Green Power can help you there too!) yet a single pane of standard glass has an insulating value of about R-1. In other words, heat can leak out of, or into, a building about 11 to 19 times more easily through glass than through the wall. Modern windows using specially developed E-glass are much more effective at keeping heat and cold where you want them. Most progressive window manufacturers offer several lines of energy efficient glass with "R" values in excess of R-4. New designs still in laboratory development promise R-values of 10 or more.

Since glass is a fixed part of the building envelope, it performs 24 hours each and every day. With energy efficient glass, less fuel is required for a given level of comfort with corresponding cost savings and pollution savings, this is why it’s so important to look at your whole energy use, at Green Power we look at all your energy use, analyze it, and offer solutions to reduce your entire energy needs, helping you save money and reducing your carbon footprint.

Estimated Cost Savings:

Assuming the same or greater level of comfort that you are used to, you can save a lot of energy and money by eliminating heat loss or gain through windows. It is common in Northern climates to save 30-40% of annual heating costs with super-efficient windows. With a monthly heating bill of $200 dollars, this equates to an estimated savings of $60-80 per month. Some large homes cost as much as $600 per month to heat, and the savings for these homes could approach $240 per month.

The value of new windows depends upon how much glass area you have in your home and upon local climate. The National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) provides an historical record of departures of average daily temperatures from a reference temperature of 65 degrees F. This information is available as "Heating Degree-Days per Year" and provides a very useful estimate of how much energy can leak through windows.

Issues:

With older homes, the choice of retrofit is a little more problematic. It is unlikely that the glass in your house will suddenly "conk out" or reach the end of its useful life like a failed furnace or hot water heater. Therefore, you will be faced with the prospect of switching out older intact glass panels for newer glass panels. Nonetheless, this can improve comfort and lower operating expenses. Capital costs can be $5,000 to $10,000 or more, and still make sound economic sense when combined with a program of solar electric/thermal, and insulation.

Regional Issues:

At Green Power we’ll help you select the right glass depending on your local climate. Windows can be "tuned" by the manufacturer for southern or northern exposures and for different climates. Be sure that you get the right glass for you.

More Information On This Topic:

U.S. Department of Energy's Building Technologies Program: Windows, Doors, and Skylights

National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC): Window Energy Performance Label

Energy Star® Purchasing Tips

Residential Windows, Doors, and Skylights Key Product Criteria

Let the 2009 Energy Savings Tax Plan Work for You

Congress Provides New Replacement Window Incentives

The newly enacted American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, or the Stimulus Bill, offers you incentives for improving your home’s energy efficiency. For 2009 and 2010, the tax credit for qualified energy efficiency improvements will increase to 30%. For example, if you purchase $5,000 worth of upgraded-glass windows from Window World, you may get the maximum 30% tax credit of $1,500 - making the real cost of your windows only $3,500.

Now, in addition to Window World’s professional consultation, expert installation and already lower prices, you get an additional 30% off the cost of your windows!

Qualifying and Claiming Tax Credit is Easy

To get in on the energy cost savings, as well as the attractive tax incentives:

• Install qualifying windows or doors from Green power, and well do all the paper work for you.
• Have your windows or doors installed between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2010.
• Claim the tax credit on your federal filing for the 2009 and/or 2010 tax year.

A “qualifying” window or door is one that carries both a U-Factor equal to or less than 0.30 and a Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) equal to or less than 0.30. You can find more information on energy ratings and qualifying products at the ENERGY STAR® website.

Replacement Windows: The Time is Now

Replacing windows from Green Power is a wise choice. They add value to the home and save money on energy costs. And now, with new federal incentives, replacement windows are more affordable than ever. So, call Green Power to schedule a free, no-obligation in-home window demonstration today. There’s never been a better time to invest in energy savings!

Frequently Asked Questions about the Tax Credit

1. What is the definition of a “replacement window?”
2. Do I need new replacement windows?
3. How do you determine the energy efficiency of a replacement window?
4. I often hear that replacement windows “pay for themselves.” Is this true?
5. Isn’t there some kind of tax incentive to install replacement windows?
6. So, how do I get started?

What is the definition of a “replacement window?”

Replacement windows from Window World are built specifically to fit within the space of your existing windows. Replacement windows will fit precisely, and can usually be installed without damaging your interior walls or exterior siding.