How to Save Energy and Money by Preparing Windows for Winter - Part 2

Permanent window draft solutions are best for homes that experience all four seasons, and especially those homes in colder climates These solutions may set you back a few hundred or a few thousand dollars, depending on the size of your home and the number of windows.

• Start by replacing cracked glass panes. Full-service glass shops such as Glass Doctor can replace a single pane without having the replace the entire window.
• Foggy Insulated Glass Units (IGUs) have leaks, so they are not insulating like they should. Many products claim to remove moisture from IGUs, but the seal will never be the same. Full-service glass shops can repair or replace bad IGUs so that your home has the original insulation factor. If your home does not have IGUs, in 2009 and 2010 there is a federal income tax credit of 30% of product cost up to $1,500 for energy efficient replacement windows that can help you afford new windows.
• If you cannot afford replacement windows even with the tax credit, storm windows may be a more viable option. They can be installed on the interior or exterior of the existing windows to provide additional layers of glass. Storm windows do not reduce energy loss like IGUs, but they can prevent drafts.

For more information about energy-efficient window options, go to the Energy Savers Web site by the U.S. Department of Energy.