is replacing windows (not the OS kind) worth it?

[Mike Sellers]

JEBB wrote:
Although it feels less drafty in the house I'm not really sure my heating & cooling bills are much less.

What, you mean you didn't save UP TO 50% ON YOUR ENERGY BILLS???

I've asked several people who've replaced their windows if it really saved them any money and I've never gotten more than an "I kinda think so, maybe" from anyone.

[thermarest]

I asked this question of the inspector I hired for a pre-purchase for a 1976 house with wood windows. His firm opinion was that in terms of cost savings via energy conservation new windows were not worth it. But there are plenty of other reasons to get new windows--you don't like the drafty feeling, you want them to open and close smoothly, want a certain look, want to see out better (frosted or "smoked" old windows).

Doing it yourself is totally reasonable, depending on your level of DIY determination. If you enjoy that kind of thing and have a friend who has done it before and/or a complicit spouse, I'd say go for it.

[DCrunch]

My house was built in 1987. It has double panned windows that slide up and down. Just after moving in I put up storm window. They cost about $60 each. They help protect the window, provide some noise abatement, and help cut down on the drafts.

[rouderon]

thermarest - were the wood windows high quality energy-efficient windows? If not, I beg to differ from what the inspector told you. The windows I sold could give around 30% utility bill saving (we actually had a lady call literally crying [for joy] because her 1st utility bill was cut in half). Good replacement windows really do eventually pay for themselves. People normally don't consider it, but they're paying for it one way or another.

[Plumbking]

I would love to replace all the windows in my 90 year old house but it's not cost effective.

Like rouderon you have to buy quality windows ($1000.ea) to make a difference.

I have 42 windows in my house and I won't live long to break even. I might replace the windows one day just to keep some sound out.

Good Luck

[clay]

Plumbking wrote:
I would love to replace all the windows in my 90 year old house but it's not cost effective.

Like rouderon you have to buy quality windows ($1000.ea) to make a difference.

I have 42 windows in my house and I won't live long to break even. I might replace the windows one day just to keep some sound out.

Good Luck

Does the $1000/window estimate include installation, or is that just the cost of a good quality window?

[clay]

thermarest wrote:
I asked this question of the inspector I hired for a pre-purchase for a 1976 house with wood windows. His firm opinion was that in terms of cost savings via energy conservation new windows were not worth it. But there are plenty of other reasons to get new windows--you don't like the drafty feeling, you want them to open and close smoothly, want a certain look, want to see out better (frosted or "smoked" old windows).

Doing it yourself is totally reasonable, depending on your level of DIY determination. If you enjoy that kind of thing and have a friend who has done it before and/or a complicit spouse, I'd say go for it.

I would actually enjoy doing most of the install myself, with the help of my wife or a friend. And if we're talking about $1000/window + installation, I would rather start by replacing the worst ones first, maybe doing a couple a year as I can afford it.

There's no way I'm spending $10,000+ on something that I could do myself for a lot less. I know there would be hassles, but I can't really say I don't have enough spare time to handle this sort of thing...

[thermarest]

rouderon wrote:
thermarest - were the wood windows high quality energy-efficient windows? I

No, I'm pretty sure not. They have two panes, but they're not sealed. The outside pane comes off by flipping 4 little half-inch levers on the outside.

What do you think of casement vs. sliders for heat leakage/energy savings?

[Bill in NC]

Used to be able to feel the cold air in the winter coming through the basement windows.

When we added vinyl siding to cover the trim (mostly brick exterior) including the window trim no more worries about the above.

And frankly wood windows look better than most vinyl windows - of course, we still have to paint the exposed wood sashes.

[Black]

clay wrote:
[quote=thermarest]
I asked this question of the inspector I hired for a pre-purchase for a 1976 house with wood windows. His firm opinion was that in terms of cost savings via energy conservation new windows were not worth it. But there are plenty of other reasons to get new windows--you don't like the drafty feeling, you want them to open and close smoothly, want a certain look, want to see out better (frosted or "smoked" old windows).

Doing it yourself is totally reasonable, depending on your level of DIY determination. If you enjoy that kind of thing and have a friend who has done it before and/or a complicit spouse, I'd say go for it.

I would actually enjoy doing most of the install myself, with the help of my wife or a friend. And if we're talking about $1000/window + installation, I would rather start by replacing the worst ones first, maybe doing a couple a year as I can afford it.

There's no way I'm spending $10,000+ on something that I could do myself for a lot less. I know there would be hassles, but I can't really say I don't have enough spare time to handle this sort of thing...
Easy there. $1,000 has to be a typo or a thinko.
What was my estimate-- chopped liver?
I've replaced windows several times-- even giant ones like mine don't cost more than $250/window installed/trimmed.