LF: Deals on Efficient Windows (for a house)

Hey All,
I tried doing a search for windows but that just brought up a zillion computer topics so...

My buddy just recently bought a house and needs to replace all the windows. He lives in the Whitby (Ajax/Pickering, etc just outside Toronto area) and would like to know if anyone had recently had their windows replaced? He'd like to get the efficient kind that save on energy costs.

The prices are pretty steep with one window costing about $2200 to replace and this being his first house purchase, any money he saves would help.

Does anybody have any recommendations or some general rules-of-thumb? Any info would be greatly appreciated!


Thanks,

No windows experts here?

Sorry, I'm kind of in the same boat (out here in Vancouver).

If your friend hasn't done so already, I'd recommend that he register with this federal government programme that rebates you for making your home more energy efficient. It kind of goes like this:

- pay this assessment company (from a list of government-approved suppliers) $100 to provide a detailed assessment of your home's energy efficiency. Their report lists what they recommend you do to your home to improve efficiency (i.e. furnace, windows, etc.) and how much more efficient your home will be.
- you have 18 months to do any reno work on the list.
- after you're done, you have the same company come back and re-evaluate your home (part of the original $100 fee).
- based on the estimated effiicency increase, the feds will give you up to $3,000 back.

Here's the link (click on energy efficiency grant):

http://oee.rncan.gc.ca/houses-maison...tView=N&Text=N

Originally Posted by Bishop8

Sorry, I'm kind of in the same boat (out here in Vancouver).

If your friend hasn't done so already, I'd recommend that he register with this federal government programme that rebates you for making your home more energy efficient. It kind of goes like this:

- pay this assessment company (from a list of government-approved suppliers) $100 to provide a detailed assessment of your home's energy efficiency. Their report lists what they recommend you do to your home to improve efficiency (i.e. furnace, windows, etc.) and how much more efficient your home will be.
- you have 18 months to do any reno work on the list.
- after you're done, you have the same company come back and re-evaluate your home (part of the original $100 fee).
- based on the estimated effiicency increase, the feds will give you up to $3,000 back.

Here's the link (click on energy efficiency grant):

http://oee.rncan.gc.ca/houses-maison...tView=N&Text=N

After my assessment, I found that replacing windows will only decrease 24% the cost of heating. To me that is only $250 a year. Considering they are asking for $7000 for my windows, it would take close to 30 years to get my money back. Is this worth it? Anyone?

check out www.windowwise.ca

we got our windows replaced a few months ago by Brock Home Improvements based out of Brampton, the product is manufactured by North Star Mfg. who are near London, ON.... I looked at some of the tests performed by the govt. and they performed near the top. Brock did a pretty good job on the install.

will post some more links later, gotta run.

Considering that the price of energy will keep going up in the years ahead, that 30 year payback may improve considerably in time.

New windows can add to the appearance of the house and to your enjoyment of living there. They can also help increase the value of the house if he eventually sells. A lot depends though on what the current condition of the windows is.

The suggestion of going for a government grant is a good idea.

Originally Posted by pluto

check out www.windowwise.ca

we got our windows replaced a few months ago by Brock Home Improvements based out of Brampton, the product is manufactured by North Star Mfg. who are near London, ON.... I looked at some of the tests performed by the govt. and they performed near the top. Brock did a pretty good job on the install.

will post some more links later, gotta run.

Thanks for the tip. If you are bored, could you post some pics of one or 2 windows?

This is kind of time sensitive, because I have to decide by next Thursday.

Our home is going to be built with double glazed (paned) single hung windows according to the builder's standard features.

I asked how much it would be to upgrade to low-e coated windows that are argon filled. I was told it would be a bit over 900 dollars.

From what I have read, double glazed windows have an R value of roughly 2. Double glazed, low-e coated windows filled with argon have an R value of somewhere between 3.3 and 4.1, a substantial improvement.

Does it look like this will make a difference of a couple hundred dollars a year or less?

For 900 dollars or so more, the payoff time should be around 5 years, and they will be more comfortable.

What do you guys think!?

The financial payback of window upgrades is never usually a strong argument. A 5 year payback is actually pretty good. Another factor to consider is the sound proofing quality of a better insulated window - something to consider if your neighbour's air conditioner is right outside your bedroom window, or if there is a lot of traffic on your street.

I have just signed a contract to replace all my windows in my 15 year old house, and if the original owner had spent an extra $900 for better insulated windows back then, I probably would not be replacing them right now.

900 bucks doesn't seem like much to upgrade all the windows and the patio door in the house, does it?

Comfort is the big factor I imagine, and the payoff period, even if it is more than 5 years, is not a big issue, I think you are right.

We just had all our windows replaced in our 16 year old home. We had Vinylbilt windows installed, the premium series. The premium series have 1 inch thermal spacers instead of the standard 1/2 inch spacers. They are also low e glass and argon filled along with the "clean glass" technology. Our new windows also slightly tint when the sun hits them, a huge selling feature in a east/west facing house. The other huge factor in us choosing Vinylbilt is the lifetime warranty that is tranferable if we sell the house.

feminazi, definitely upgrade the windows if you can afford to! In our subdivision the houses are 16 years old. Every house has windows that the seal has gone so the windows are fogged between the panes and collect water in them. In some of the houses, seals went in windows within 6 years! Because the seals are gone folks are now have mold issues. Good windows are worth every penny IMO.

http://oee.rncan.gc.ca/residential/p...ors.cfm?attr=4

This is a very useful section of the same energy efficiency website that was quoted earlier for energy rebates. In one page It mentions as well that;

"High-performance windows, described in the next section, offer other benefits too–better comfort levels, less condensation problems and lower sound transmission. While these benefits are not something you can readily put in the bank, they may be important to consider as you make your decision."

http://oee.rncan.gc.ca/publications/...n06.cfm?attr=4

Good reading for anyone upgrading windows, or considering upgrading windows with a new home builder such as myself!

I am almost positive that we are going to do it. The price is not a big deal considering they add to comfort, resale, and reduce energy costs! Thanks for everyone's advice!

http://oee.rncan.gc.ca/publications/...=N&PrintView=N

This article talks about the benefits. It says you can get 9-18% savings per year by going to low-e and argon filled windows over standard double glazed windows.

They give the example of $150 a year, which would mean approximatey a ~6 year payoff for me. Not bad, and it could be a bit better or a bit worse.

Etc. etc, higher comfort, higher humidity without condensation, etc. etc.

Originally Posted by CSK'sMom

We just had all our windows replaced in our 16 year old home. We had Vinylbilt windows installed, the premium series. The premium series have 1 inch thermal spacers instead of the standard 1/2 inch spacers. They are also low e glass and argon filled along with the "clean glass" technology. Our new windows also slightly tint when the sun hits them, a huge selling feature in a east/west facing house. The other huge factor in us choosing Vinylbilt is the lifetime warranty that is tranferable if we sell the house.

feminazi, definitely upgrade the windows if you can afford to! In our subdivision the houses are 16 years old. Every house has windows that the seal has gone so the windows are fogged between the panes and collect water in them. In some of the houses, seals went in windows within 6 years! Because the seals are gone folks are now have mold issues. Good windows are worth every penny IMO.

Just wondering how many windows and how much as well as any grants?

Hammer, we replaced 8 windows in total. Five double hungs and three double sliders. We signed the contract while our local dealer was running a promo. The platinum series windows were 30% off if you bought 6 or more. We ended up getting our windows for less than the cost of the standard, lowerend windows. With tax in, our 8 windows were $2500.00 . We talked to one of the companies that does the testing for the grants and they told us not to bother in our case. Because our house is only 16 years old with great insulation we wouldn't qualify for the grants at all.