If you're like most people, you're looking to save money. But like most people, you're probably also too busy to hunt beyond the obvious for the best places to save.
That's why you may be happy to learn that recent events have resulted in a huge savings opportunity in an unusual place; your home's windows.
The immediate trigger was the passage of the stimulus bill last year. As a result, the federal government is offering a tax credit of up to $1,500 for people upgrading their primary residence with energy saving exterior windows, doors and skylights. Homeowners can get a tax credit of up to thirty percent of the purchase price, of their windows, doors or skylights, up to $1500.
The second, longer term trend has been the huge strides made by the window industry in developing new products that translate into significant energy savings.
These innovations include:
- Edge spacers (the part of the window that hold the panes apart) made from insulated steel, butyl rubber, silicone foam, and vinyl that don't conduct heat and cold like old fashioned aluminum.
- Lighter, less noticeable window tinting that can be a real energy saver in sunny, warm climates.
- Filling the space between glass panes with a gas such as Argon, that's less conductive than regular air, which increases the energy saving properties of a window.
- Clear Low-E coating applied to glass that lets in light, but keeps the radiant heat out in the summer.
What's most important about these innovations what they can do to your bottom line. According to ENERGY STAR® -a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy, upgrading single-pane windows to new energy efficient windows can save you as much as $460 on your annual heating/cooling costs, depending on where you live.
Combine this with the $1500 tax credit and the payoff on the cost of replacing your windows is now shorter than ever. And new windows don't only mean savings - they mean less maintenance, less noise and an upgrade to the look and the value of your home.
And if you are looking to replace your windows, you can save even more by using a company that both manufactures and installs its own windows.
One of the premier such window companies is Champion Window. In business for over 50 years, Champion is an award winning leader in innovative high-performance, maintenance-free technology combined with beauty and styling. Champion has earned the Good Housekeeping seal, is certified by the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) and is ENERGY STAR ® qualified in all 50 states. Champion is also one of only four window manufacturing companies to achieve the Green SealTM certification which certifies that its products are designed and manufactured in an environmentally responsible manner.
Champion offers new customers a free, no obligation in-home consultation to discuss your needs. Better yet, they're currently offering an additional $100 discount per window if you replace 6 windows or more.
To learn more about Champion Windows or schedule a free consultation, click here.