So, we did it! We made our first major energy efficiency investment by purchasing new windows for our home… and despite having spent some cash, I’m actually very excited.
Home heating can account for approximately 27% of our carbon footprint and 25% of a home’s heat escapes through windows… pretty significant, I’d say. Our installation technician told us that he’s had customers that literally saved half on their home heating bill after installing new windows. Sure, the windows that had to be replaced were probably a disaster(!) but I’m excited to see what kind of savings are in store for us. It’s hard to forget that heating bill of $533 not so long ago.
We always put the most productive heating and cooling tips in place, (for my best home cooling tips click here or my best home heating tips click here) but I believe this is the final significant step of putting it all into place. The windows are Energy Star, Argon-filled, Double Glazed Low E glass and although those are a lot of fancy-schmancy terms, their combined definition is “efficiency!”
With the tax credit we’ll receive and projected annual heating and cooling savings, I’ve figured that the windows should pay for themselves in about five years. In addition, we purchased from a local owned and operated manufacturer so a minimal footprint was created to get those windows as well. I’m feeling mighty green today!
So, have you ever made a major replacement to “conserve”? What was the result? I’d love to know!
Disclosure Policy
Did your tech do the full on assament with the air envelope test? The fan thing is attached to your front door and all your doors and windows are closed. I hope you added weather stripping to your doors and considered checking your attic and basement for impovements for the future. An insulated blanket on your water heater is always a good idea, as is Insulating hot water pipes.. Forced air or central cooling systems may need ducts insulated or the insulation repaired. Has the outside heat pump (that boxy fan thing next to the house) been cleaned this year? In some systems that machine also heats the house untill the outside temp drops to like 30 something degrees celsious.
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