What is an Energy Star Rating?

You can save a lot of money installing windows yourself. And if you choose to install insulated windows, you will have the satisfaction that comes with completing a home improvement project yourself that also saves on your energy costs.

Installing insulated windows requires basic tools and skills, and several hours of your time. Window replacement companies often charge five hundred dollars, or more, per window. The window itself usually costs about two hundred dollars, so the remaining overhead is simply that; labor and overhead. If you're thinking about installing insulated windows in your house, here are some great tips:

• Measure. Raise the sash of your existing window and measure the width at the top, in the middle, and at the bottom, noting the measurements on a piece of paper. Then measure the height of the window from the jamb to the sill. If you're replacing more than one window, measure all of the existing windows. Do not assume the measurements will all be the same.
• Remove. Pry away the inside stop. If your existing windows have outside stops, they are not removable, so do not try to remove them. Save the stops, as you can reuse them. Cut the ropes of the sash with heavy-duty scissors or a sharp knife, and remove the lower sash.
• Clean. Inspect the sill and window opening for wood cracks, defects, old caulking, and residue, and clean as necessary.
• Install. Set the new replacement window into the clean opening and check for a snug fit, ensuring that there are no gaps. Use shims or nail a strip of wood to fill gaps.
• Center. Just before screwing the window into place, center it with a carpenter's square and outside stops.
• Position. Pry away the blind stop, remove the upper sash, screw the window into place, ans then replace the inside stops.
• Inspect. Work the window up and down to ensure proper alignment and functionality. Once the new window works properly, caulk all around it to seal any gaps between the outside stop and the window.

Before replacing any window, always check the condition of existing frames. If you discover rot, or if the window frame is out of square, the entire unit may need to be replaced. If so, you might consider calling a professional window installer to tackle that job.