Can High-Tech Windows
Trim Your Energy Bills?
Nov. 12, 2002 -- One of the biggest culprits of high energy bills is windows .
Frigid air leaks through them in the winter, hot air in the summer. More leaks means higher heating or air-conditioning costs.
To lessen the effect drafty windows have on energy bills, many homeowners are turning to high-tech replacements. The problem is, there are so many kinds to choose from that it can leave you wanting to put walls where the windows were and buy high-powered lamps instead.
Still, the benefits of modern windows are clear. "Energy-efficient windows can save up to 30% on heating and cooling costs," says Alison Tribble, program manager for the Efficient windows Collaborative, a project of the Alliance to Save Energy, a nonpartisan group that promotes energy efficiency.
That fact has created a lot of demand among window manufacturers. "The number one reason people replace their windows is energy efficiency," says Craig Evanich, general manager and vice president of Renewal by Andersen, a Bayport, Minn., window company.
Consumers should be careful that the expense of changing windows doesn't outweigh energy-bill savings in the end.
One way to do that is to use an energy-savings calculator. There's a good one at EnergyStar.gov, the Web site of the U.S. government agency that promotes conservation.
Plug in information about your house and your energy costs (have your utility bills handy), and the program spits out recommendations about how to save.
If you don't have Internet access, call Energy Star for more information, 888-782-7937.
These days, windows aren't just a pane of glass and some wood, but complex items made of space-age materials. The industry has come to call these new products "high-performance window systems," an indication of the complexity in making them -- and in choosing them.
A big improvement in the past 20 years has been coated windows , according to Ms. Tribble. The coatings regulate the amount of the sun's warmth that penetrates into the building.
Other improvements include double panes or insulated glass, as well as gas-filled windows . Instead of wood, today's windows are usually made with vinyl or aluminum.
To help you decide what windows to install, check out the Efficient Windows Collaborative. The site, run by the Alliance to Save Energy, helps consumers compare energy performance of different window types.
window costs vary widely. But figure to spend at least $200 to $400 per window , including installation.
Before you buy, check with your local utility. Power companies often have incentive programs to help homeowners purchase energy-efficient products, including windows .
California's Pacific Gas & Electric Co., for example, offers a rebate of 50 cents for each square foot of energy-efficient window used in a home.
Getting new windows isn't all about energy savings. Other benefits, according to the Alliance to Save Energy, include reduced condensation, less fading in furnishings, and increased light.
Email your comments to rjeditor@dowjones.com.