ENERGY STAR® is a government-backed program launched in 1992 to help homeowners choose energy-efficient upgrades that could lead to less consumption of nonrenewable natural resources. Among the most notable upsides of investing in ENERGY STAR windows is the expectation of reduced heating and cooling costs as a result of installing upgrades that improve a home’s insulation against outside temperatures.
Fast-forward almost 30 years, and there’s plenty of evidence to indicate that an investment in ENERGY STAR windows is indeed worth it—provided the windows selected are also built to last. If you live in the Kansas City metro area and you’re planning to replace your home’s windows, you’ll definitely want to consider investing in windows that meet or exceed ENERGY STAR standards for energy efficiency in this region, where extreme temperatures can cause energy bills to skyrocket in both winter and summer.
How Do ENERGY STAR Windows Pay Off?
According to government estimates for 2018 alone, the most recent statistics available, ENERGY STAR upgrades for both homes and businesses led to:
- $35 billion in reduced energy costs
- A reduction of more than 4 trillion kilowatt-hours of electricity consumption
- A drop of over 3.5 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions
ENERGY STAR replacement windows account for only a portion of those impressive results, of course. And even though choosing energy-efficient upgrades may provide you with peace of mind that you’re doing your part to improve the global environment, you’re probably most interested in cost savings. So, let’s discuss that.
The savings you’re likely to see in terms of reduced heating and cooling bills can vary widely, depending on whether you replace single-pane windows with multi-pane upgrades, the direction your windows face, and other factors. The ENERGY STAR program estimates that homeowners can save from $100 to over $500 a year in heating and cooling costs with energy-efficient replacement windows. Plus, there are hard-to-quantify cost savings related to reduced wear and tear on your HVAC unit and increased UV protection for floors, carpets, and furniture.
If you’re planning to replace the windows of your home in the Kansas City metro area, the experts at Johnson County Siding & Window Co. will be happy to guide you toward high-quality ENERGY STAR-certified windows that will stand the test of time and help you reap the maximum rewards of investing in energy efficiency. Contact us today for more information.
