The aesthetic benefits of replacing tired old windows with fresh new windows are obvious, but what most people don't realize is how much money they can actually save by replacing basic older windows with energy efficient Renewal by Andersen windows. There are countless ways to invest in your home and it can be difficult to decide where to spend your money.
If you're like most owners, you want to make the practical choice and invest in your home in ways that will increase its value - but you also want to make improvements that you can really enjoy. The greatest benefit of choosing replacement windows for your next home improvement project is that you can do both while also enjoying other significant cost savings benefits. Here, we'll take a look at some of the most significant financial rewards of choosing to install replacement windows in your Sacramento home.
There are few home improvement projects that offer such aesthetic charm along with long-term cost savings. Renovating a roof or installing new insulation can make a big difference in the conservation of energy, but doesn't necessarily add as much aesthetic value to your California home. Most people don't consider the cost savings associated with replacing older windows with more energy efficient windows, but the savings can be significant.
There is a big difference between a standard window and an Energy Star rated window like the Renewal by Andersen product that is specifically designed for energy efficiency. Just purchasing newer windows that are not designed for energy efficiency won't deliver the savings you might imagine. Renewal by Andersen Energy Star windows incorporate advanced technology in insulation in order to help you lower your energy bills.
Windows that earn the Energy Star rating like Renewal by Andersen products normally include a multitude of features that are not standard with basic windows. Double paned Low-E4 glass delivers 35% more energy efficiency in the winter and 41% more energy efficiency in the hot Sacramento summer months. What's more, between the two panes of Low-E4 glass is a pocket of argon, a non-toxic odorless and colorless gas that works to absorb temperature changes as well as noise. Other factors like the Renewal by Andersen's Fibrex® material frame provide greater insulation value than wood, aluminum, or vinyl.
You and your Sacramento neighbors aren't the only ones motivated to reduce energy usage. The government created the Energy Star tax credit as an incentive for consumers to purchase products that will significantly reduce energy consumption. It's not a simple task for a window to earn an Energy Star rating like the Renewal by Andersen window has. In order to gain the rating, products must prove that they can lower energy consumption drastically.
When you install Energy Star rated replacement windows in your home, you'll actually get money back at tax time. Unlike a tax deduction which simply lowers your taxable income, the Energy Star tax credit reduces the amount of taxes you will owe. You can subtract 10% of the purchase of your windows up to a total of $200 from your tax bill when you complete the IRS tax form 5695, which is available for download from the IRS website at http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f5695.pdf.
With the current state of the Sacramento housing market, features that make your house stand out on the marketplace are essential to a timely sale. When builders construct new communities, they normally install the same basic windows in every house on the block. Replacement windows like the Renewal by Andersen choices that have 35% more glass surface as a result of the window's durable Fibrex® material frame construction make your home really stand out from the masses.
Not only do high quality replacement windows look great, they are a future money-saving perk for potential new owners as well. Additionally, the lifetime warranty on Renewal by Andersen replacement windows is transferable between owners - an incredible selling point for potential buyers. Before choosing any other replacement window product, be certain to read the fine print about the product's lifetime warranty. Most high quality replacement windows will offer a lifetime warranty - but only to the original owners. Once the home is sold, the warranty becomes void.
Even more exciting is that replacement windows will just about pay for themselves. In a recent survey conducted by Remodeling Magazine, homeowners that installed replacement windows in Sacramento and other markets throughout the US recouped as much as 85% of the installation cost. Remodeling Magazine's Cost vs. Value report also reports that homes in Sacramento with replacement windows realized a 72% increase in home value.
These are exciting statistics that will leave you feeling great about your decision to embark on a window replacement upgrade. Not only will your home look fabulous with fresh new windows to let in all of that wonderful California sunshine, you'll have money to spare to work on your next home renovation project.
