Save Money and Energy with Replacement Windows

LESLIE: Well, you’ve thought about it and you know it’s got to be done but you’ve just never quite gotten around to replacing those old, single-pane windows that you’ve got in your house.
 
TOM: Well, it can definitely make a huge difference in energy efficiency. Here to explain that is Kevin O’Connor [1], host of This Old House [2], and the show’s general contractor, Tom Silva [3]. And guys, saving energy and money is pretty popular right now and windows seem to be a good place to start.
 
KEVIN: These days, it seems like everyone is interested in saving money and saving energy at home [4]. And if you have single-pane windows, you’ve got a great opportunity to do both.
 
TOM SILVA: Right, and if you compare a single-pane window with the windows that they make today, it makes a big difference.
 
KEVIN: So, what do you think, Tom? Is replacing windows always the solution?
 
TOM SILVA: Well, compared to single-pane windows, the advantage of replacement windows – there’s a lot of them, actually – you can get a maintenance-free window outside; no painting to deal with. You can get dual-pane, you can get triple-pane. You’ll actually get a gas in between that window that will improve the efficiency of that glass and you can actually get a low-e coating which will reflect the heat that you make in the winter time back into the house.
 
TOM: Now, is now a good time to do that because of the tax credits?
 
TOM SILVA: There’s a great tax incentive right now. Before 2010, if you get your new windows, you can get 30 percent off the cost of the windows. Take advantage of it.
 
KEVIN: Alright, well if you need more information, there are several videos about replacement windows and storm windows on ThisOldHouse.com.
 
LESLIE: And for all the details that you’re going to need to either do this project on your own or even hire a pro, you can download the Complete Replacement Window Guide [5]. It’s a free chapter from our book, My Home, My Money Pit: Your Guide to Every Home Improvement Adventure and it’s available right now at MoneyPit.com and we’ve put it together with help from our expert friends over at Simonton windows.  
TOM: Tom Silva, Kevin O’Connor, thanks so much for stopping by The Money Pit. Great tips.
 
TOM SILVA: Our pleasure. Happy to help.
 
TOM: And of course you can watch Tom and Kevin on This Old House, which is proudly sponsored by GMC. GMC – we are professional-grade.