There is lots of talk these days about going green and how to best select eco-friendly products without breaking the bank. Well, if you are in the market to replace your current windows, then replacing them with “green windows” is a great way to make your home more eco-friendly without it costing you a ton of extra money. Energy efficient windows will cost more up front than less efficient windows, but the savings you will recoup in energy costs over the life of the windows will more than make up for the extra upfront cost. There are also added benefits to installing green windows in addition to the green it will save you in the future.
Replacing your current old and drafty windows with more energy efficient green windows is one of the best investments you can make in turning your home into a more energy efficient place. Windows are the largest culprit in energy loss in homes, accounting for as much as 25% of the heat lost during the winter months, and older models that allow a lot of solar energy into the home during the warm summer months make your air conditioning work overtime as well.
Energy efficient windows can improve your home’s energy efficiency drastically and can also add to the value of your home. They can also make your home more comfortable to live in, add to the health and air quality in your home and they look nice as well.
Of course, some homeowners are concerned that green windows will cost too much to install and will be above their budget. There are all levels of energy efficiency and with that all price tags as well, but even if you can incorporate some green features into your windows but not others, you will benefit more than if you don’t select energy efficient windows at all. One thing to keep in mind, however, is that the cost of installation for green windows is the same as for traditional windows, so the only added cost you will incur is in the cost of the windows themselves and not any additional installation costs. Since installation costs typically run about half of the finished cost of installing windows, the difference in selecting green windows will not be as drastic as you may have thought.
When you factor in how much you will be saving on energy costs by replacing green windows, you will soon see how quickly they will pay for themselves. Energy efficient windows can save a typical homeowner as much as 30 percent or more on their energy bills. In addition to decreased heating and cooling costs, homeowners can consider some other green design elements in their home when replacing windows which can reduce the need for electricity by providing natural light and can harness the benefits of passive solar heating and thermal mass.
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