New Windows For My House

If anyone is thinking about getting new replacement windows at home, this is the year to do it!

I was super excited when I found out there is a new Federal tax credit for energy efficient windows that gives you back 30% of the total cost, up to $1500. So for me, the total was about $3000 and I'll get $1000 back. Yahoo! Of course, I have to wait til next year's taxes, but in the meantime, I get to enjoy my beautiful new windows and save some money on utilities. Goodbye 1975 metal framed squealing hard to open leaky windows! Hello pretty new Low-E glass high efficiency vinyl framed windows!!!

Do they tilt in for easy cleaning? Such a great invention.

I replaced my windows a few years ago, and there was a tax credit then, too. It was the first upgrade I made to my condo, and it was a great improvement.

Right now I'm getting estimates to replace my 17-year-old air conditioning/heating system with a new heat pump. It's expensive, but the current tax credit would apply, which makes now a good time to do it. And I'm looking forward to being more comfortable with a quieter system.

Enjoy your windows!

We actually really need new windows. Ours are from 1955 and are in desperate need of replacement. It's one of those tihngs that we've put off because it's going to cost us a pretty penny to replace them all (we have almost 30 :eek:).
Thanks for the heads up about the tax credit. :)

You get a tax credit for new furnaces too. Guess how I know that. :rolleyes:

Veronica

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Originally Posted by Tri Girl

We actually really need new windows. Ours are from 1955 and are in desperate need of replacement. It's one of those tihngs that we've put off because it's going to cost us a pretty penny to replace them all (we have almost 30 :eek:).
Thanks for the heads up about the tax credit. :)

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Hey, just a thought: if you spread the investment over 2 years, can you get the tax deduction twice? Lets say you have the first 15 windows installed in december 2009 and the other 15 in 1010, would they accept it?

I really ought to get new windows, since my house is 80 years old, but I really like the windows I've got now. I love the individual panes of glass (I think it's called true divided light); they've got so much more character than replacement windows, and with the ancient storm windows in place my heating bill isn't outrageous. When I compare my neighbors' replacement windows to my original windows, I like mine better. It's a dilemma for this environmentalist...but it sure would be nice to be able to clean them easily!

Attachment 9250

Make sure you save the sticker from each window. Otherwise, you won't get the tax credit. I thought my husband had ripped them off the windows and set them on the counter, and forgot to throw them away. I threw them out...
But, the energy savings has more than made up for the tax credit I didn't get. Our bill is half.

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Originally Posted by papaver

Hey, just a thought: if you spread the investment over 2 years, can you get the tax deduction twice? Lets say you have the first 15 windows installed in december 2009 and the other 15 in 1010, would they accept it?

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Yes, I think you can do this. The flyer I got says the credit is for 2009 and 2010. That's actually a really good idea. The one thing I didn't have replaced was my sliding glass door...but maybe I can do that in 2010.

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Originally Posted by Crankin

Make sure you save the sticker from each window. Otherwise, you won't get the tax credit. I thought my husband had ripped them off the windows and set them on the counter, and forgot to throw them away. I threw them out...
But, the energy savings has more than made up for the tax credit I didn't get. Our bill is half.

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Thank you for mentioning this! The window installer guy took all the stickers off and threw them away I guess...I don't have any of them! I'll have to call and ask about them. I really want to get this credit and I'll be so disappointed if I can't do it because the stickers are gone!

Window World didn't give me the stickers. They gave me a certificate for all the windows that says they are Energy Star rated.

I'd contact whoever did your windows and ask them what to do.

Karen

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Originally Posted by divingbiker

I really ought to get new windows, since my house is 80 years old, but I really like the windows I've got now. I love the individual panes of glass (I think it's called true divided light); they've got so much more character than replacement windows, and with the ancient storm windows in place my heating bill isn't outrageous. When I compare my neighbors' replacement windows to my original windows, I like mine better. It's a dilemma for this environmentalist...but it sure would be nice to be able to clean them easily!

Attachment 9250

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What an adorable house! Lots of character! My first house had super old windows like that. I did end up replacing them because they wouldn't go up and down anymore. But I kept some of the old ones and made chalkboards and bulletin boards out of them. I even sold some to my co-workers. The chalkboards are neat...I just masked off the edge of the glass and spray painted the middle part of the glass with chalkboard paint. They turned out cute.

Divingbiker: Your house is SOOOOO pretty!

I'd love to get new windows, but have never looked into it. I live in an historically protected area and can't use vinyl windows. I've never looked into whether there are energy efficient windows that meet the necessary criteria.

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Originally Posted by Crankin

Make sure you save the sticker from each window. Otherwise, you won't get the tax credit.

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Really??? :eek:
Drat. I think DH save one representative sticker, and we have the order for 13 low-E windows. But we didn't save each one. That stinks.

We just got new windows installed in February. We wavered back and forth on whether or not to get the internal grids. Both of us are sort of traditionalists in that respect, but we ultimately got them without the grids. First, was the cost - it's $75/window to put them in. Second was the increased light we get in the house without them. Our house - a 1960's brick rambler (ranch style) - doesn't really "require" the traditional window design that, say, DivingBiker's would to look its best.

We're very pleased with our windows and with the lower cost of heating (and now, or at least soon, cooling) associated with them. Our first thing done was adding new/more insulation to the attic. That, too, was amazing for what it did for the energy bills!

DB, our house is about the same age as yours, and the original windows were divided like that. When we put replacements in in 2007, we opted for divided double-pane replacements, like the internal grids that 7rider described. From the street, they look just like the originals, except the dividers are between the 2 big panes of glass. Makes for easy cleaning, while still looking appropriate for the age of the house. And I don't need to paint windows ever again- YAY!


Also, re: the tax credit: If this year's is anything like 2007's was, you will need a bill that separates the materials and labor. The contractor can't lump them together in one line item. Just something to double check.

The tax credit is a total for 2009 and 2010. So if you take the full credit for 2009, and then you install something else that qualifies in 2010, you can't take an additional credit.

My neighborhood is on the National Register of Historic Places, but we're allowed to install vinyl windows as long as they have the dividers to make it look like they have smaller panes of glass.

You may be able to pass off a paper from the installer, but the claim form clearly asked for a sticker for each window. We just didn't try after that.

I'm not trying to pick a fight but I wanted to give some food for thought.

http://www.myoldhousejournal.com/pro...c-wood-windows


I just restored 12 double-hung windows in my 90+ year-old house. It was dirty and hard and took forever but I now have weather-tight, environmentally friendly and historically accurate windows. The cost to me was labor and time and a little extra for the glass I accidentally broke. But it was worth every scraped knuckle when I see my beautiful windows. This room that was once the coldest room in the house is now the warmest. Personally I'm a little miffed that I won't be eligible for a tax credit after all my hard work.

I live in an historic house (not in an historic district), and I looked at that little piece about restoring wood windows. They totally lost me when they said "it can take up to 240 years to recoup enough money in energy savings to pay back the cost of replacement windows."

Um, no. I paid about $3500 for 13 windows, and I am saving at least $100 each of the months I have to run the HVAC. Let's say that's 10 months a year, that's 35 months. Of course, other's mileage my vary. But the credibility goes out the window when they make outrageous claims like that.

Karen

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Originally Posted by Veronica

You get a tax credit for new furnaces too. Guess how I know that. :rolleyes:

Veronica

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...and let me tell you a story about that...;)

When renovating my office building, we made the decision to spend $48,000 on totally new HVAC expecting a 10 year pay back. This was a difficult decision.

The first winter, the power company called to say they were investigating a problem with our gas meter.

"Oh", I asked, "Has our usage gone down with our new furnaces?"
"Yes", she replied.
"Great", said Mr. Silver, "How much did it go down?"
Her response: "To nearly 0!"

They thought the meter was broken, IT WASN'T! Instead of a 10 year payback, it's less than 4!

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Originally Posted by Tuckervill

I live in an historic house (not in an historic district), and I looked at that little piece about restoring wood windows. They totally lost me when they said "it can take up to 240 years to recoup enough money in energy savings to pay back the cost of replacement windows."

Um, no. I paid about $3500 for 13 windows, and I am saving at least $100 each of the months I have to run the HVAC. Let's say that's 10 months a year, that's 35 months. Of course, other's mileage my vary. But the credibility goes out the window when they make outrageous claims like that.

Karen

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I get your point but that was only one source. I've heard outrageous claims by window manufacturers as well. I just wanted to present another side of the story. My parents replaced wood windows and their bills went up! Also, if your wood windows were not in good repair (not just painted nicely) then really you can't credit the new ones with the energy savings. Not saying yours weren't but that is often the case. Of course new vinyl windows will be better than broken down wooden ones I'm just not convinced that they are actually better than wooden window that are properly cared for.

My old windows were 113 yo single pane wavy glass. The wood was fine. The sash cords had been cut by some idiot previously. They wouldn't open. That could have been fixed, but there's no way that single pane glass would keep out the heat and cold the way the new windows do. Plus, now that I have windows that open, I can take advantage of the way they were placed and designed, in conjunction with tall ceilings, to provide fresh air circulating through the house when the weather is nice out.

Karen

Well, even without the tax credit, our heating bills are about 1/3 to 1/2 less and the AC doesn't go one until about 1 PM, even if it's 95 out. So it's definitely paid off.

I did them myself, with Lowe's Pella version. About 1 a month for a year. Sure went alot quicker on the 12th one, than the first. I am also miffed my own work isn't recognized, but I did a far superior job that the window company who installed my neighbors. I guess in the end it's for the earth, anyway.

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Originally Posted by Tuckervill

My old windows were 113 yo single pane wavy glass. The wood was fine. The sash cords had been cut by some idiot previously. They wouldn't open. That could have been fixed, but there's no way that single pane glass would keep out the heat and cold the way the new windows do. Plus, now that I have windows that open, I can take advantage of the way they were placed and designed, in conjunction with tall ceilings, to provide fresh air circulating through the house when the weather is nice out.

Karen

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I'm sorry, I should have been more specific. I meant wood windows in good repair AND with good quality storms. I'm glad you are happy with your choice though and perhaps we'll just have to agree to disagree. It's the preservationist in me.

Being preservationist doesn't gain me anything in my town. The historic houses stay on the market for years before they're sold. I can count 3 in my neighborhood (which I think are still overpriced) that are empty and/or still on the market after more than a year. It only takes one buyer, but those that want to take on a big old house (or a small old house) are few and far between around here. Fortunately, I knew I would be leaving this house feet first when I bought it, so I'm not fazed by the chance I couldn't sell it.

I fought it hard, getting the new windows. I didn't want to do it. I wanted to have the storm windows repaired, but they were hideous aluminum. The $300 gas bill (plus electric) in the winter for a 1200 sq ft house was just way way too much for the long haul, so I gave in. I'm very very happy with them, and I still have the old windows, which some of my artistic friends have begged me for (for art projects).

There is no market for the old windows (I looked for a year before I found anyone else even selling their old windows--this was before I replaced mine.) So, it seems to me that people are either keeping their old windows, or replacing them with energy efficient ones.

Now my preservationist bent is being challenged again because I can't find anyone to replace the plaster in the upstairs bathroom. They all want to just slap up drywall and call it good, but I'm just not doing that. All the plaster in the house is good, except where they glued paneling to it! I won't be doing traditional plaster (we'll be putting in veneer plaster, which goes over blueboard) and we'll have to do it ourselves, I think.

Karen

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Originally Posted by Tuckervill

There is no market for the old windows (I looked for a year before I found anyone else even selling their old windows--this was before I replaced mine.) Now my preservationist bent is being challenged again because I can't find anyone to replace the plaster in the upstairs bathroom. They all want to just slap up drywall and call it good, but I'm just not doing that. All the plaster in the house is good, except where they glued paneling to it! I won't be doing traditional plaster (we'll be putting in veneer plaster, which goes over blueboard) and we'll have to do it ourselves, I think.

Karen

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Keep your old windows in case you decide to sell the house at a later time. It will be a good selling point. As far as the plaster. There is a product called Master of Plaster that is really easy to use. I only had to do a skim coat though and I don't know how far gone your walls are. If you go to the Old House Journal Website there is a poster named Clarence Bauer ( I think I spelled that correctly). He is a master plasterer and he highly recommends the stuff and gives great instructions on how to repair walls. Are there holes or did the whole wall get destroyed?

My house is 70 years old with the original single-hung windows. I love them. They have four vertical panes on top and one single pane on the bottom. Vinyl replacement windows would just look terrible and really diminish the character of the house.

I plan on repairing my existing windows (like FlyingScot did) and putting up good-quality storm windows and screens. The storm windows are not all aluminum frames these days. They can be painted to match whatever color scheme you have on your house. With properly repaired windows (sash repaired, weatherstripping, storms), the savings is at least as good as the replacement windows, and there are no old windows to add to the landfill.

Thanks for the link, FlyingScot. I may not get the tax credit (but I think you still can for stormwindows), but for me, it's important to retain the character of my house while still increasing the energy savings.

While I have not looked into it, there might be replacement windows that are wood framed, copy historic patterns, and are super efficient. But you still have the problem of how to dispose of the old windows.