Before making a large financial investment in new windows, explore all options for increasing the energy efficiency of your existing windows, and overall home, with your home performance auditor or contractor. You may be able to achieve comparable or even greater energy savings for far less cost.

If you do determine that you need to replace your windows, consider all aspects of a window: the frame, glass or glazing, and operation. There are many energy efficient options and performance measures to take into account: insulated double/triple glazing, Low-E (emissivity) coatings, air leakage rate, and more. Windows are rated using a variety of energy performance characteristics: U-factors, Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC), Sunlight transmittance, and more. Learn more about selecting energy efficient windows and check out these tips on window-related energy savings from EnergySavers.gov.

Watch this video on the benefits of Low-E windows or this video that demos Low-E windows.

HISTORIC CONSIDERATIONS: If you live in the City of Frederick’s Historic District, all window repairs and replacements must be approved by the Historic Preservation Commission. If your home has early or original windows, the Commission is likely to recommend repair or storm windows over replacement. If your property is on the National Register of Historic Places, read this Preservation Brief for more information about repairing and replacing historic windows.