Why Replace Old Windows: Save Money & Improve Resale Value

If your home has been around for some time, the time has come to take a long hard look at the windows. While they may still function properly, there is a good chance that they need to be replaced. There are several reasons why you may want to consider window replacement, even if the cost seems somewhat prohibitive. Two of the more important considerations have to do with saving money over the long term and enhancing the resale value of your property.

Old Windows and Energy Consumption

Over time, windows will become less efficient in terms of preventing seepage of hot and cold air into the home. Sashes begin to become a little loose in the tracks, creating small passages that allow the air from outdoors to enter with relative ease. With older construction, settling over time can also produce small cracks around window facings that increase the flow of air from the outside. Those tiny streams of air make it harder to heat and cool your home efficiently.

Since your heating ventilation and air conditioning system has to work harder during the heat of summer or the cold of winter, more energy is consumed. More energy consumption translates into higher utility bills that only get higher as time passes. Over the course of a year, the extra amount you pay in utilities due to the less efficient windows can be significant.

The solution is to replace the old windows with new ones that are tight and more energy efficient. Consider going with a double paned design to maximize the ability to control temperature and humidity levels in the home. While the replacement cost is considerable, you will begin to see a difference in your utility bills beginning the first full month after the new installation.

Protecting Your Investment

Owning a home is one of the most important investments you will ever make. Along with the practical matter of providing a place to live, your home also serves as a means of securing a great deal of money later in life. At some point, you may choose to retire and move to a smaller place. Alternatively, the property may be part of the legacy you leave behind for your loved ones. In either case, you want to do all you can to protect the resale value of the home.

Windows that look worn out can easily make the rest of the home look tired, unkempt and in bad condition. This is discouraging for potential buyers, since they tend to want something that will not require a lot of work when they first move in. In addition, some buyers may take one look at the sagging sashes or damaged wood and not even take a look at the rest of the property.

To protect your investment, upgrading to new windows just makes sense. The fact your home is more energy efficient will impress buyers. In addition, new windows will provide the exterior of your home with a much needed enhancement. As a result, you are more likely to attract buyers who will pay your asking price and make it possible to get the full market value for the property.

Peter Wendt is a home improvement and energy efficiency enthusiast.  He frequently blogs on the benefits of energy efficiency and its impact on a home’s value.  You can click here to read more about energy efficient windows.