Should I just go with replacement windows??

Ok to preface this - 2 months ago I bought a house built in 1905. The windows are original as is the hardware on them. But the paint is peeling and some of the cords on the weights that lift the windows are broken and the windows are a bit loose. Needless to say they are not efficient at all. There was at one point, storm windws added outside the house and flashing but the caulking is in bad shape and some of the windows in the storm frames are missing rendering them useless.

So I am left with some decisions. I can get new windows for the missing ones in the storm windows and then recaulk them. Then I can replace the window cords and repaint the windows. But I need to figure out how to make these more energy efficient.

or I can get replacement windows and put them in. This will make the efficency of the windows significantly better but at the expense of taking away character from my home.

Some of my windows are very odd shaped (they have points in the top of them instead of being square). A few of the windows are stained glass and still a few of them are about 6.5 feet in length. This would make the replacement window option difficult. Also the glass is still the original hand blown wavy looking glass.

I really do not want to go with a replacment. Am I crazy for wanting to keep these windows? is there a good way to make these existing windows better? I have 31 windows in my house so either option is going to take me a while to get done

 

Talk about a rock and hard place, gee. Keeping the windows is nostalgic and may qualify you for the National Registry, but being efficient, they ain't. Finding replacements at a big box store won't cut it either. You will probably have to special order them due to their odd size. Roll off the wallet, as they won't be cheap.
I am so glad you have to make this decision, and not me!

 

If it helps with the decision, don't forget that if you go with vinyl replacements you will lose some of the window size. Expect a 10% or more loss of glass.

If you have a deep budget, the obvious choice is modern, efficient, custom windows.

I don't know if there have been improvement in storm window technology, but depending on your location, storms may be your best solution,