Smaller-Scale Home Improvements Continue To Pay Off (NAPSA)—Recent research re- veals there is some good newsfor homeowners these days: Mainte- nance-related home remodeling projects and moderately priced upgrades will continue to provide stable paybacks, according to Remodeling magazine’s Cost vs. Value report. A View To Save One such trend is vinyl window replacement. The report cites that, unlike other remodeling ventures, vinyl window replacementis a necessary repair that involves durable, low-maintenance materials and improves the curb appeal of a home. Save Energy And Money What’s more, according to the Efficient Windows Collaborative, the heating bill for a 2,000-squarefoot home with high-performance, energy-efficient windowsis 39 per- cent lower than a comparable One investment that makes sense and offers immediate payback for homeowners is energy- efficient windows. 3. The Frame. Frames can be designed to provide more strength and performance and less noise andheatloss. It may be for these reasons and home with single-pane, aluminum low-maintenance requirements dollars saved a year. projects again have a high-returnon-investment rank among remod- windows—equating to hundredsof There are three basic elements that make up an energy-efficient window: 1. The Glass. The kind of that vinyl window replacement eling projects across the country. Cut Taxes, Learn More “One investment that makes sun’s light and heat get through. This is measured as a “solar heat gain coefficient.” Lower numbers sense and offers immediate payback is energy-efficient windows. Not only can they help reduce energy costs, but the revised Fed- 2. The Spacer. The area be- to $1,500 over the lifetime of the glass affects how much of the mean moreefficiency, which saves energy and helps keep home furnishings from fading. tween the window’s panes and the frame can be made to keep inside surface temperatures warm, reduce dampness and keep the windows sealed. Quality foam spacers can also keep outnoise. eral Energy Tax Credit for 2009 and 2010 can save the homeowner 30 percent of the purchase or up tax credit for qualifying windows,” explained Maureen Faccia of Mil- gard Windows & Doors. To learn more about durable, energy-efficient windows, visit www.milgard.com. Note to Editors: Milgard products are available only in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington D.C., Wisconsin and Wyoming. Information about percent savings and return on investment for specific communities is at www.costusvalue.com.
