Deciding When to Replace Windows

PARKERSBURG, W. VA. – Are your old wooden frames so swollen that your windows won’t open? Are your heating and cooling bills growing every year? Sounds like you need a self-test to determine if it’s time to replace your windows.
 
“All the ‘Windows 101’ advice I offer our listeners starts out with evaluating the condition and functionality of their current windows,” says Tom Kraeutler, host of the national home improvement radio show, The Money Pit. “Every product in the home has a lifespan. For windows, it’s usually advised to start assessing their condition after 10 years ‘on the job.’ At the 15-year mark, it’s time to seriously determine if the windows are still doing their job.”
 
In conjunction with Simonton Windows^® , Kraeutler offers the following tips on how to determine if your windows should be replaced:

1. Determine how many panes of glass are in your windows. Single-paned windows are the least energy efficient, and can cause your energy bills to soar. Replace these inefficient windows with double- or highly-efficient triple-paned ENERGY STAR^® qualified windows to enhance energy savings and make a home more comfortable during all seasons.  
2. Look for condensation appearing inside the glass on double- or triple-paned windows. This could indicate seal failure. If this is the case, you might need to replace the glass or the entire window.
3. Do your windows open and close easily? If your windows are hard to open or close—or they won’t stay open or locked—this could be a sign that the windows need replacing.
4. Does it seem especially noisy in your house? If you live near an airport or busy street, consider replacing your windows with laminated glass or double-paned windows to help reduce noise transmission into your home.

One piece of important advice Kraeutler offers homeowners these days is to watch the calendar. “There are some great incentives on purchasing energy-efficient replacement windows that expire at the end of 2010,” says Kraeutler. “For example, when purchasing 12 or more qualified Simonton windows with their Energy Tax Credit (ETC) glass package, you can receive up to $150 toward preparation of your 2010 personal income tax return with H&R Block^®.
 
“Simonton’s ETC windows are guaranteed to qualify for the Federal Energy Tax Credit, so homeowners can qualify for up to $1,500 in federal energy tax credit savings in 2010. However, once the calendar turns to 2011, these savings will disappear.”
 
In his free on-line “Window Replacement Guide” Kraeutler covers everything from assessing your ability to make a window replacement a do-it-yourself project to understanding what to seek out when purchasing new windows. The booklet also includes care and maintenance ideas to maximize the life of replacement windows. The valuable guide can be found at http://www.myhomemymoneypit.com/your-guide-to-replacing-the-windows-in-your-house.php. 
       
Simonton Windows produces ENERGY STAR qualified replacement and new construction windows and doors, including a line of impact-resistant products. Simonton ranked #1 in quality in the 2009, 2007, 2002 and 1998 Brand Use Studies sponsored by Builder magazine and has won three Best-In-Class Awards from Market Research Associates.
 
Founded in 1946, Simonton’s hallmark has been to deliver its made-to-order products in five days or less. Part of the home and security business of Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE: FO), Simonton delivers award-winning products nationwide to key markets throughout the 48 continental United States. For information, call (800) SIMONTON (1-800-746-6686) or visit www.simonton.com.

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ENERGY STAR is a government program that helps consumers protect the environment through superior energy efficiency and is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.