Buying Energy-Efficient Windows

Window replacements are considered among the top home improvement projects that yield the best returns. The benefits you can get from a new window can be both aesthetic and functional. A new window is one of the quickest ways to give your home a makeover.

Additionally, by installing energy-efficient windows, you can generate considerable savings on your energy costs. Furthermore, if the new window meets the standards set by the National Fenestration Ratings Council (NFRC), you may be entitled to tax credits equivalent to 10% of the cost, up to $200.

To ensure you get energy-efficient windows, look for models with the Energy Star label. A product which has this label has met the standards on energy-efficiency set by the federal government's Energy Star program. However, not all windows with the Energy Star label automatically qualify for a federal tax credit, which requires that a window should have a U-factor and solar heat gain coefficient of 0.30 at the most. Windows usually carry a label listing their NFRC measurements.

Meanwhile, to get optimum energy-efficiency with your new window, it is best to have it installed by a professional contractor. Improperly installed windows may leave gaps through which heat can escape, thereby negatively affecting their efficiency.