Window Industry Conspiracy Theory
Browsing online salvage stores (as we’re wont to do), we came across an article arguing against replacing old windows with new. In the broadest of strokes, the author Mark Pierce’s point is that the present value of the extra heating cost resulting from the marginal inefficiency of your old windows does not come close to…
Browsing online salvage stores (as we’re wont to do), we came across an article arguing against replacing old windows with new. In the broadest of strokes, the author Mark Pierce’s point is that the present value of the extra heating cost resulting from the marginal inefficiency of your old windows does not come close to the clost of installing replacement windows. Here’s his logic:
– My existing 19 windows lose about 17.4 million BTU’s of heat each heating season
– The annual cost of this lost heat is about $130
– New highly efficient ENERGY STAR* rated vinyl replacement windows would lose about 2 million BTU’s of heat annually. The annual cost of this lost heat would be about $16.
– If I install the vinyl replacement windows the total annual savings on my heating bill would be about $114.
– To realize this annual $114 savings I would need to invest $8000 in vinyl replacement windows.
His conclusion: “Spending $8,000 to save a little over $100 per year is not a good method for saving lots of money on heating bills. And vinyl windows will subtract from the beauty of my older home, rather than add to it as my older windows do. In addition, there are other less expensive options available to me for reducing loss of heat through my older windows.”
We don’t know much about this subject but expect a few of you will have some strong opinions!
Fix Up Those Older Windows [Significant Elements]
I’ve noticed the word “winter” comming up a lot. Don’t forget heat goes both ways. If you take an airconditioned house near miami and a heated house around Seattle, you might actually find the one in Miami loses more energy through summer heat traveling in that has to be removed by the a/c than the Seattle house spends making up for lost heat in winter. If some places, California included would realize how much energy they waste through air conditioning with poorly insulated windows, brown outs and energy crisis like the one a couple years back would be less common. And actually, it typically costs more in energy to air condition than to heat (everything makes heat, air conditioners not only remove heat but must also make up for that which they create with the air circulation fans, compressors (window mounted uints), etc. This means that heat gain in summer is often far more expensive than heat loss in winter. UV Reflective coatings combined with insulated windows can make a very dramatic energy cost difference in some parts of the country in summer. A friend of mine in Louisiana was spending $350 a month for power (primarily for a/c), and after replacing windows payed a mere $150. That $200 a month in savings April through September payed for the windows pretty quickly.
I replace ugly old (not historical) double-hung windows with expensive new tilt-and-turn.
forget the savings. The new windows are a pleasure: essentially sound-proof, awesome in terms of insulation (remember air-conditioning as well as heat)and very, very useful in terms of operation. During the day I leave them open in rain-proof “tilt” formation, and unless it’s too hot I open them wide like doors when I’m home in full “turn” position — airs out the apartment magically fast. And of course they’re a pleasure to open, unless the old double-hung.
Sure these trendy new windows cost money. But don’t people pay more for, say, comfortable furniture? Some of us live in our places — we’re not all landlords just looking at the bottom line.
A plus for the newer windows – double or sometimes triple paned – is cutting down noise level if you’re on a noisier block.
First I was stumped trying to figure out how to replace my windows (vinyl, fiberglass, aluminum clad wood, etc), now here’s this restoration option. Can you share the contact information for your window restorer? Have you been through a winter yet with your restored windows? If given the choice, would you do it again?
The engineer who looked at my building before I bought it said more or less the same thing as that article.
Getting old windows rehabed costs about the same as vinyl replacements (say, $350-$400 installed), and a LOT less than Landmarks approved wood or aluminum new ones. The guy at Dykes Lumber even suggested it (my windows aren’t in terrible shape)
You can get the weather stripping updated to help with those the drafts.
The other problem my window restorer pointed out was that with replacement windows they vinyl cap the old wood exterior frame, hiding water damage or other problems from view as the whole setup ages.
I learned all this of course after I replaced a couple of my back windows . . . phooey.
I have a home in Ditmas Park with older, very custom windows. They are a pain to open and clean, but not at all drafty. Your standard Victorian can just about get away on aesthetic grounds with newer vinyl windows. But if you have a Tudor or anything with arched windows or mullions, you’ll destroy the look of your house. Kind of like the shingle vs. siding argument… Easier. But uglier.
But what do you do if you have well functioning but cheap looking plastic windows in your house. Replace them with nicer wooden windows?
Yeah- I kinda wonder about those numbers myself. I’m debating the replacement question for my home in Ditmas Park. Yes, I know that it is difficult to recoup the costs of replacement through energy savings, but there are many other reasons to so it. Of course there’s the aforementioned cleaning convenience, but there’s also my disdain for storm windows. Newer double glazed replacement windows with built-in screens let me lose the storms. The other thing I dislike is spending ten minutes wrestling with an old window when I try to open it. I know these can be rehabbed but I guess the question is, at what point is it worth it to just get something new? I don’t know the answer, but to me the reason to update with replacement windows is less about savings and more about comfort.
it’s a noble pursuit but with all the other issues with keeping old vs. replacing you go thru in comparison new windows, if you can do it are a no brainer- from the little i know only those with tons of cash can refurbish original old windows to make it all worth while- where are all the people who keep there old windows even though they didn’t have to?