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Heat loss through walls, floors and the roof accounts for about 45% of heat loss (or cooling loss, in summer) in a typical home, says Anna Lowen, researcher for the American Council for an Energy efficient Economy. Attics are often the easiest thing to insulate, and rolling out some Owens Corning fiberglass is often a DIY weekend project. Need more incentive? There’s a significant federal tax credit for installing insulation — 30% (up to $1,500) of the cost of materials.
Before we learn how to install replacement windows it’s a must to get the dimensions correct. The existing window whether a aluminum or wood sash, they both have 2 measurements in every opening. Industry standards make the width before the height, in other words a window call out numbers that are 3-0 x 5-0, tells me it’s three feet wide by five feet high.
This cross section illustrates the inside bevel being the lower point of the new replacement window, and the top is square, so pull the tape to get both measurements and if not exactly the same then use the smaller dimension. To avoid having any extra work later on this is very important. The existing window jamb after removing all the sashes and parting beads (milled divider) gives you a block number to use and the manufacturer will make it square.
Now that fall is just a few months away, many homeowners are looking to upgrade the insulating properties of their abodes. If reduced heating costs weren’t incentive enough to replace drafty windows, the federal government has sweetened the pot even further. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 includes a provision that rewards homeowners for replacing their windows. Specifically, they become eligible for a tax credit covering 30 percent of the cost of the new windows.
While replacement windows are beneficial to your personal comfort and your pocketbook, they also go a long way toward improving the environment. By taking the time to seal in the heat this winter, you’re helping to reduce the cost of energy for every local homeowner. The project is relatively inexpensive, and it can be completed well before the winds turn cold and autumn sets in.