New Windows For My House

[RolliePollie]

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!!!

[ny biker]

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!

[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 ).
Thanks for the heads up about the tax credit.

[Veronica]

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

Veronica

[papaver]

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 ).
Thanks for the heads up about the tax credit.

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?

[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!

[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.

[RolliePollie]

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?

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.

[RolliePollie]

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.

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!

[Tuckervill]

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

[RolliePollie]

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!

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.

[indysteel]

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.

[7rider]

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

Really???
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!

[Becky]

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.

[ny biker]

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.