Energy Efficiency
Green Built Window is more than just a name. Together, with our parent company, Green Built Northwest, we can offer more than just improved energy efficiency through windows. We offer full weatherization services for your home, including energy audits, insulation, duct sealing and other energy saving services for your home or multi-family building.
Many Seattle homeowners interested in saving energy also add insulation to their attic and basement, and do air sealing to increase the energy-efficiency of their home. New insulation helps make your home more efficient by better retaining the desired temperature of enclosed spaces. When used in conjunction with new windows, new insulation will help you save even more on utility costs, conserves non-renewable fuel sources and provides greater comfort throughout your home.
More than just return on investment
If your windows are more than 15 years old, you may be putting up with draftiness, windows that stick in their frames, and skyrocketing energy bills. Energy-efficient windows would be a great improvement, but replacement can be very expensive.
All-new vinyl windows for an average 2,450-square-foot house run about $15,000, according to the “Remodeling Impact Report” from the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.
But that doesn’t mean the numbers can’t make sense for you. For starters, window replacement is one of the best home remodeling projects in terms of investment return: For average-quality vinyl windows, you can recoup 80% of the project cost in added home value, according to the “Remodeling Impact Report.”
Based on the vinyl window replacement projects in the “Report,” that’s a value add of about $12,000 if you should decide to sell your house. Note that federal tax credits that were previously in place for energy-efficient window replacements have expired.
Will you love your new windows? Very likely — homeowners responding to the “2015 Remodeling Impact Report” gave their window replacement project a Joy Score of 9.4 — a rating based on those who said they were happy or satisfied with their remodeling, with 10 being the highest rating and 1 the lowest.
Great Company from start to finish! Beautiful work and very communicative. Fabian and his team are wonderful!
Search Our Site
Saving energy helps save our environment
Although it may not be obvious, there’s a direct connection between your energy use and the environment. When you consume less power, you reduce the amount of toxic fumes released by power plants, conserve the earth’s natural resources and protect ecosystems from destruction. By taking steps to reduce your energy intake, you increase your home’s performance.
Want to know more about home performance?
Start with a home performance assessment to understand your home’s condition and energy performance.
How does home performance make your home “green”? The goal of home performance is for every house to be comfortable, safe, durable, and energy efficient, and have good indoor air quality. this reduces your energy intake, and decreases the impact on the environment.
Other ways to save energy
These are some of the most recommended ways to save energy in your home, and in conjunction with Green Built Northwest, we can help you make desired improvements to your Seattle home. Keep in mind, many of the following improvements are also eligible for rebates and other financial incentives. Don’t forget to inquire whether your energy saving improvements are eligible for a rebate.
Sealing Air Leaks and Adding Insulation: These are critical first steps to improving the energy efficiency of your home.
Sealing Ductwork: Making sure ducts are straight, properly connected, sealed, and insulated where needed, will greatly improve your home’s comfort and energy efficiency.
Improving Heating, Cooling, and Ventilation Systems: If your furnace or air conditioner is old or damaged, you may want to replace it with a unit that has earned the ENERGY STAR label.
Upgrading Lighting, Appliances, and Water Heating Equipment: Energy used in these areas can account for nearly half your utility bill, so there’s a big opportunity to save by installing ENERGY STAR qualified products.
Replacing Windows: If it’s time to replace your home’s windows, we can recommend ENERGY STAR qualified models specific to the Seattle area.
Installing Renewable Energy Systems: Once energy efficiency improvements have been made to your home, we can also offer custom solutions, like installing solar panels or a solar hot water system to your home. Yes, even in Seattle!
Rebates and other savings
Your local utility (Seattle City Light, Puget Sound energy, Snohomish PUD) may have funds available to help pay for energy improvement. Contact them directly, or visit DSIRE, a database of federal, state, local, and utility rebates searchable by state. This search tool will help you find local grant programs, energy saving loans, rebates and other financial incentives available for saving energy.
Energy Star has a discount and rebate finder, too!