To replace my windows. Or, to retrofit? How is a homeowner to decide?
Preservationists have long encouraged property owners to keep the original windows in their homes. Yet, with the barrage of advertising from new window manufacturers and their promises of great energy savings, it’s hard to know what to do.
A recent study demonstrates definitively that replacing windows is not necessary to achieve energy savings – and a warm home. According to a new study, commissioned by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, by retrofitting their existing windows, homeowners can achieve nearly the energy efficiency of the high-performing replacement windows (i.e., the top quality, most expensive replacements) at a fraction of the cost.
The report, Saving Windows, Saving Money: Evaluating the Energy Performance of Window Retrofit and Replacement, reveals more cost-effective and preservation-friendly strategies to energy savings. To learn more, go to: http://www.preservationnation.org/information-center/sustainable-communities/sustainability/green-lab/saving-windows-saving-money/#.UKEXca4sAY4
