[MRM]

My main client is the country's largest manufacturer of residential windows and glass doors. In terms of bang for your buck, conventional wisdom is that attic insulation will pay back its cost many times before new windows will repay their cost. It's a little different in Florida where heat is the big issue instead of cold; up here all our heat escapes through the roof, making attic insulation the best bang for the buck.

If your house is 15 years old, you're probably about due for new windows. The mid 1990s weren't a good time for window technology. The stuff that's available now is much improved, but I can't say you'll see a big energy savings. The fit, finish, glass quality, and overall performance and lifespan have improved since then. I know Low E windows qualify for the $1,500 tax credit.

Unless your windows have seal failures, are rotting out of their sills, or are obviously leaking air, you're not likely to see an energy savings with new windows that exceeds simply getting heavy blinds and closing them when you want to block the sun and opening them when you need the solar gain.

But nothing dresses up a house better than nice windows with good interior trim. Think of them as your newly polished Fuchs.