On Tue, 17 Jun 2008 12:48:11 -0700, Joe wrote:
On Jun 17, 3:10 pm, franz fripplfrappl wrote:
On Tue, 17 Jun 2008 11:21:32 -0700, Joe wrote:
I have a 50 year old house and 50 year old windows. This winter I
noticed that the original glazing had been chipping off and the only
thing holding some of the panes in place was paint so I resolved to
reglaze the windows this spring (no summer). Should I just replace
them? They are pretty air-tight and I did not feel much of a breeze
coming through them except for the coldest and windiest days of the
winter and a lot of that I attribute to the old glazing. Each window
has a storm window but the inside window does feel very cold to the
touch in the winter so I'm not sure how much they help. I'm trying to
weight the cost of replacing the windows with the savings that I will
realize for replacing as opposed to the savings I will get from
reglazing.
Here's a picture of the window
http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/4526/windowtl5.jpg
What would you do in this situation?
I'd look at the cost for replacements. Newer windows will be more
energy efficient. Not sure, but you may qualify for a tax credit on
some Energy Star purchases. At least this was the case for 2007. Not
sure about 2008.
You mentioned a draft on a windy day. If the wind is coming in, heat
is going out. You could recover the cost of the windows in just a few
years.
I found a kit several years ago consisting of two side tracks and two
sashes. I could rip out the old window sash and stops, and install the
kit easily within 20-30 minutes a window. What a difference it made.
Newer windows are also double paned and some even have low-e glass.
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================================================= Franz Fripplfrappl
I'm also concerned about the heat in the house pushing up against the
freezing cold window and decreasing in temp. I've been putting this off
because I also need to do something about the 60 year old insulation in
my walls that seems to be quite lacking. I'd hate to replace the windows
only to start another project of insulating the walls. Seems to me that
both should be done at the same time. I'm just not sure which way I
should go on wall insulation. Some contractors tell me that blow in is a
waste and that I should rip out the inside walls and put in traditional
fiberglass, others tell me that I shouldn't bother with the wall
insulation and just reinsulate the attic so it's very confusing on what
I should be focusing on. Everything I read tells me that most of the
heat is lost through the attic and windows but I can't get over how cold
some of the walls are in my house in the winter.
Are you sure there's insulation?
I've owned 3 homes circa 1920's and 1930's: NO insulation. I blew in
cellulose and all houses were most comfortable and soundproofed. On a
brick house, the material was blown in on the inside to minimize damage
to bricks. On the other two, it was on the outside by drilling 2" holes
and plugging them. The issue is fire stops also prevent insulation from
filling the entire stud cavity.
It may be worth your while to have someone do a thermograph (?) of your
building so you can see where the leaks and deficiencies are.
If you plan to stay in your home for many years, what you do now will
cost you less than it will 5-10 years from now and you will start to save
money immediately with respect to heating/cooling costs. You have to
decide. No one else can.
My advice: Go for it and don't look back. Enjoy your house and make it a
place to which you love to come home.
I would also check for tax credits and incentives. Does your utility
company offer help?
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Franz Fripplfrappl