[AlphaBeta]

With the recent cold spell, I am now wondering if it's worth the cost to replace the 10 year old sliding patio door for something more energy efficient. I can feel cool air coming through and the floor around the door is very cold. I have seen Low-E and windows with gas in them. Does anyone have these, which is better? Or is there something else? I have only visited Lowes and Home Depot and that's all I have found.

[C_A_Braun]

Originally Posted by AlphaBeta

With the recent cold spell, I am now wondering if it's worth the cost to replace the 10 year old sliding patio door for something more energy efficient. I can feel cool air coming through and the floor around the door is very cold. I have seen Low-E and windows with gas in them. Does anyone have these, which is better? Or is there something else? I have only visited Lowes and Home Depot and that's all I have found.

My understanding is that replacing windows is so expensive vs the money you recoup in energy savings that it often takes 30-40 years to recover the cost. You would likely be much better off financially to weather strip, seal, caulk etc than to actually replace. Those solutions will cost pennies in comparison and will likely save you close to the same on your monthly energy bills.

[WestieJeff]

+1. If you have to replace the door/window for other reasons (leaking, broken, etc.) then you should consider low E and potentially argon filled, etc.

The payback on replacing the window/door just for energy efficiency just isn't there.

Originally Posted by C_A_Braun

My understanding is that replacing windows is so expensive vs the money you recoup in energy savings that it often takes 30-40 years to recover the cost. You would likely be much better off financially to weather strip, seal, caulk etc than to actually replace. Those solutions will cost pennies in comparison and will likely save you close to the same on your monthly energy bills.

[cre8lite]

Tere is something to be said about not feeling the butt cold wind come thru during the winter.... we recently replaced our 2 master bedroom windows because of this issue. We chose Pella windows. The instant they were installed, it was like magic. No more air movement around the windows.

How long before they pay for themselves? Idk, but at least I don't have air movement anymore

[AlphaBeta]

^^ good points in all posts above... Maybe I should see how my first winter goes before I spend more $$ on the house.