Old double hung windows
#1
05-15-02, 11:20 AM
Old double hung windows
We've got a number of old double hung windows that have storm windows. I read in a handyman book that one way to make the best of old double hung windows is to replace the window channel so the windows can be sealed tighter, but I can't find any web references to doing this.
Is this something worth doing, or should we just replace the windows a few at a time and weatherstrip the others?
Is this something worth doing, or should we just replace the windows a few at a time and weatherstrip the others?
#3
05-15-02, 12:48 PM
You can go to http://www.windowrenu.com those are the channels you're referring to.
Is this better than replacing the window depends if you like doing things yourself, working with wood and saving a few bucks. If you have a lot of windows, this is a lot of work. Most people today don't have the time to do this kind of work, we live very busy lives.
For many years what I did for a living is resolve high energy complaints for Utilities. One of the most common complaints were about new replacement windows. I handled 8 complaints a day for 15 years. I'm talking literally thousands of complaints about new windows.
One of the misconceptions about windows is the savings. A common one is 20% savings and you'll get our money back in fuel savings in 5 years. Let's say the average house gas bill is $1,000. a year. If we subtract the cooking, clothes drying and water heating, let's say $300. a year, the annual heating cost is $700. a year. 20% of that is $140. a year. And 5 years of savings would be $700. Let's add cooling cost too. Let's say it's equal to heating savings or doubling the aforementioned. That's $1,400 for 5 year savings.
Does this mean you shouldn't replace your window? The answer to that is no. What I am saying is change the windows for the right reasons and lowering your energy bill is not one of them. If you want your house to look nicer, you don't like to paint windows and/or you want to be able to open and close them with ease, then by all means, change your windows.
Is this better than replacing the window depends if you like doing things yourself, working with wood and saving a few bucks. If you have a lot of windows, this is a lot of work. Most people today don't have the time to do this kind of work, we live very busy lives.
For many years what I did for a living is resolve high energy complaints for Utilities. One of the most common complaints were about new replacement windows. I handled 8 complaints a day for 15 years. I'm talking literally thousands of complaints about new windows.
One of the misconceptions about windows is the savings. A common one is 20% savings and you'll get our money back in fuel savings in 5 years. Let's say the average house gas bill is $1,000. a year. If we subtract the cooking, clothes drying and water heating, let's say $300. a year, the annual heating cost is $700. a year. 20% of that is $140. a year. And 5 years of savings would be $700. Let's add cooling cost too. Let's say it's equal to heating savings or doubling the aforementioned. That's $1,400 for 5 year savings.
Does this mean you shouldn't replace your window? The answer to that is no. What I am saying is change the windows for the right reasons and lowering your energy bill is not one of them. If you want your house to look nicer, you don't like to paint windows and/or you want to be able to open and close them with ease, then by all means, change your windows.
