I'll trade my new windows for your old ones...my house was built in 1906 and I have the new high energy vinyl ones. They don't make much difference in the heat bill, since my house isn't insulated anyway. Plus they don't open down from the top, which would allow the hot air upstairs in the summer to escape along the ceiling line. And they put the new casing inside the old wooden casing and cold air leaks around the sides of the windows in the winter. At least they are really easy to open and close.

I think they were installed to improve the appeal of the house when it was put on the market.

I guess the grass is always greener, hmm?