LESLIE: Well, you’ve thought about it and you know it’s got to be done but you’ve just never quite gotten around to replacing those old, single-pane windows that you’ve got in your house.
TOM: Well, it can definitely make a huge difference in energy efficiency. Here to explain that is Kevin O’Connor, host of This Old House, and the show’s general contractor, Tom Silva. And guys, saving energy and money is pretty popular right now and windows seem to be a good place to start.
KEVIN: These days, it seems like everyone is interested in saving money and saving energy at home. And if you have single-pane windows, you’ve got a great opportunity to do both.
TOM SILVA: Right, and if you compare a single-pane window with the windows that they make today, it makes a big difference.
KEVIN: So, what do you think, Tom? Is replacing windows always the solution?
TOM SILVA: Well, compared to single-pane windows, the advantage of replacement windows – there’s a lot of them, actually – you can get a maintenance-free window outside; no painting to deal with. You can get dual-pane, you can get triple-pane. You’ll actually get a gas in between that window that will improve the efficiency of that glass and you can actually get a low-e coating which will reflect the heat that you make in the winter time back into the house.
TOM: Now, is now a good time to do that because of the tax credits?
TOM SILVA: There’s a great tax incentive right now. Before 2010, if you get your new windows, you can get 30 percent off the cost of the windows. Take advantage of it.
KEVIN: Alright, well if you need more information, there are several videos about replacement windows and storm windows on ThisOldHouse.com.
LESLIE: And for all the details that you’re going to need to either do this project on your own or even hire a pro, you can download the Complete Replacement Window Guide. It’s a free chapter from our book, My Home, My Money Pit: Your Guide to Every Home Improvement Adventure and it’s available right now at MoneyPit.com and we’ve put it together with help from our expert friends over at Simonton windows.
TOM: Tom Silva, Kevin O’Connor, thanks so much for stopping by The Money Pit. Great tips.
TOM SILVA: Our pleasure. Happy to help.
TOM: And of course you can watch Tom and Kevin on This Old House, which is proudly sponsored by GMC. GMC – we are professional-grade.
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