An old saying in the window industry is "you are paying for your new windows whether or not you actually buy them now." I think that is truer today with escalating energy costs and the super low interest rates available than any other time I can remember. I believe it is pretty much indisputable that high performance, energy-efficient windows do save you money on your heating and cooling costs. Depending on the condition of your existing windows, the type of glass in them, how air-tight they are, their size and how many there are, and the direction most of them face, determines how much you could actually save in energy. Dramatic savings have been documented, but even if you take a fairly reasonable number like 20%, you are throwing 20% of the costs of your current energy bills literally out the window.

I'm not sure what the "average" household spends on home heating and cooling costs per year, but I'm guessing it's something around $5,000 a year. So if you only save 20% of your energy costs, you'll have $1,000 toward your new windows. That will go a very long way toward whatever monthly payment plan you put together for the purchase of new windows. If you spend more on energy per year, or save more than 20% because of the condition of your existing windows, then the amount of savings just increases.

Now the best part is that you not only will be saving energy, thus money, but you will be helping the environment while you are doing it. Then you'll also be more comfortable in your home year round. And isn't that kind of your responsibility to your family -- to make them happier and more comfortable? And you'll be helping the value and appearance of your home. Your neighbors will notice, maybe they will decide to spruce up their homes too, and you may just find the home values in your neighborhood going up, not a bad thing for resale sometime in the future. And, on top of the money you'll save each and every year on energy, when you do finally decide to sell your home, windows are one of the best payback items on a resale, so you'll get another big chunk of the cost back when you sell.

So, annual savings ... big payback on the sale of your home ... more comfortable living ... happier family ... prettier home ... easier to maintain ... happier neighbors. Do you think you've heard enough reasons yet because I can go on? C'mon, as they say -- it's time to get off the couch and pick up the phone.