Are vinyl replacement windows a green product? This question is asked and almost every answer is based on what the author promotes for products. If we look at a few of the considering factors that label a product as “green” we can draw our own conclusions.

Will the product last for a long time?

Pure vinyl (UPVC) has a projected life span of over 50 years. Cheap vinyl that is mixed with plastic can fail in under a few years when exposed to the sun. Think of the cheap “vinyl/plastic” lawn chairs that break and chalk after only a season or two. In this case cheap vinyl is not a long lasting product at all. On the other hand some pure vinyl (UPVC) windows that were installed in the 1960’s are still in use today. I feel that if a pure product is used and it’s life span is greater than 50 years then the product meets the test of a long life span.

Will the product save energy?

Since vinyl windows are generally sold with double pane or triple pane glass they will reduce your heating bills. Almost all windows on the market today include double pane glass. Triple pane glass is offered by most vinyl window companies but very few salespeople ever tell anyone the benefits of it. A triple pane window can be considered a green replacement window in that no other product can save more energy. For some reason very few wood window companies promote triple pane windows.

One of the most rewarding benefits of a green replacement window is the fact that you can save over a hundred gallons of oil a season! If your home has old single pane windows and you replace them with triple pane windows you can reduce your fuel consumption by 20% or more. If you use 1000 gallons a year a 20% savings is 200 gallons of oil.

Note- Energy savings range from 10%-40% with a best rated vinyl window. Your savings depend on the condition of your existing windows, the quality of your new windows, the proper installation of your new windows and the type of glass that you purchase.

As the winter comes to a close, it is a good time to examine your heating bills to see where you can make some money saving changes. One of the major causes of high heating bills are doors and windows that let your warm air escape and the cold air enter. Experts agree that you can save between 20% and 40% on your heating and cooling bills just by replacing your doors and windows.

Replacement Entry Doors

Replacement entry doors include the frame of the door and the door itself. This assembly is generally referred to as a pre-hung door. The biggest benefit of a pre-hung door is that the weather stripping on the frame are perfectly matched to the door. If the door is installed properly it should keep out rain and very strong wind. Another benefit is that steel and fiberglass entry doors are filled with foam insulation that reduces heat loss.

Storm Doors

Storm doors are a great solution if you have drafty entry doors and you can not afford to replace the whole entry door. Adding a storm door prevents or retards wind and rain from hitting your entry door.

Replacement Windows

Replacement windows are the #1 home improvement when it comes to fighting high heating and cooling bills. Most of the new replacement windows have 2 or 3 layers of glass compared to most homes that only have a single layer of glass. These new double or triple pane windows contain Argon or Krypton gas between the panes that act like and insulation to reduce the transfer of heat. The new windows also use a product called Low E which is a film that helps prevent heat transfer and reduces the amount of harmful UV rays that enter your home.

Weather Stripping

If your budget is small and you can’t control the heat loss around your doors and windows, weather stripping is a good short term solution. For around $75.00 you can buy enough materials to weather strip the doors and windows on the average home.

Testing Your Doors and Windows

This is the fun part! Borrow a shop vacuum from a neighbor or use any vacuum with an exhaust hose to blow air towards your windows and doors. Have one person outside with the vacuum while you stand inside and feel for the drafts. You should retest your doors and windows after your repairs to make sure that your repairs worked.