Are You Throwing
Money Out The Window
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(ARA) - Someone once said, "Have
nothing in your home that you do not
know to be useful or beautiful." The
old adage rings true today as
value-conscious Americans scrutinize
where theyre spending their money
and question whether they are
getting the best return on
investment - the largest of which is
typically a home. With fluctuating
gas prices, escalating energy rates
and the uncertainty of an election
year looming, getting the most for
your money is more important than
ever. Start the fiscal analysis by
taking a critical look at typically
your biggest investment - your home.
Is it saving you money or is it a
money pit that continues to drain
you of your hard-earned dollars?
Are you throwing money out the
window?
Start your home assessment with the
easiest and most obvious
energy-busters: windows and doors.
An old, single pane window is like
having a four-foot square hole in
the side of your house in terms of
potential energy loss. It leaks air
and offers little defense against
the energy-robbing ravages of Mother
Nature. Replacing old, drafty,
ineffective windows and doors is a
fundamental first step for saving
money down the road.
"The financial benefits from home
improvements, like window or door
replacement, are quickly realized,
said Elaine Sagers, vice president
of marketing for Pella Corporation.
"Day in and day out, the aesthetics
of the home are more appealing, the
utility bill is typically lower, the
home is more comfortable and the
outside noise level is reduced."
According to a recent Associated
Press article, replacement windows
are "the new stars among
energy-savers." Compare the
energy-efficiency of replacement
windows several ways before buying.
Get the facts about factors that
relate to energy efficiency, like
U-values, Low-E (low emissivity)
coatings, argon gas-filled windows
and weatherstripping. U-values
measure the insulating value of
windows and other fenestration
products. The lower the U-value, the
better job a window does in keeping
out heat and cold (which is the
opposite of R-value - the higher the
R-value, the better insulation in
the walls and ceilings). A low
U-value can help save money in all
climates.
Most quality windows today feature
glass with a Low-E microscopic
coating that helps reduce heat, as
well as ultraviolet (UV) rays that
can fade carpet, walls and
furniture, helping to protect your
investment in home furnishings and
family heirlooms. The addition of
argon gas in between panes of glass
enhances energy performance. In warm
climates where air conditioning is
essential, choose a window with a
lower solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC)
to block more of the suns heat rays
to keep your home cooler.
An easy way to choose
energy-efficient windows is to look
for products that meet ENERGY STAR
requirements. The ENERGY STAR
program was created by the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency and
the U.S. Department of Energy to
help consumers identify windows and
other products that save energy.
ENERGY STAR qualified windows help
assure homeowners the windows they
choose are the most appropriate for
their area in terms of energy
efficiency.
When replacing windows, have
installers fully insulate crevices
around the window before it is
fitted in place, to maximize energy
performance. Air leakage around
doors can add up as well. Look for
doors that carry the ENERGY STAR
label, offer tight weatherstripping
and high-performance glass to get
the most from your investment.
Consider adding a quality storm door
to your home to provide greater
protection from the elements and
added energy efficiency, in addition
to a quality entry door system.
Courtesy of ARA
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