How can replacement windows pay for themselves.

Replacement windows that pay for themselves?  Sounds like a bold claim.  Or worse, a sales tactic.  But they absolutely canpay for themselves!.... but the circumstances have to be right.  When I say that, I mean, if you find a company to sell them to you for $3,000 a window, you will never see the return on that.  And if you are planning on selling the home as soon as the install is done, then it is likely you will not be able to enjoy the benifits of new, modern, energy efficient windows long enough to see the return on what is most likely going to be a substantial investment.  So how do you do it?  There are a few things to take into account.  

 One, the longer you stay, the better your return.  On average new, double pane vinyl windows reduce the cost of your energy bills by 31%.  And if you live in the Houston, Texas area, as I do, this means any where from $50 to $150 per month.  And this number increases as the cost of energy increases.  But for the purposes of this article, lets say that means $600 annually (since you wont realize that savings in months with milder weather.  If you have a 15 window home and spent $12,000 (a typical price) that means the windows would pay for themselves in roughly 20 years.  That alone, probably wont justify buying new windows.  But add to that, research shows that a homes value increases by 74% of the cost of the windows, on average.  So, now the homes value just increased by $8,800.  So, in about 5 and a half years, 100% of the cost of the windows has been recouped thruough increased home value and energy cost saving.  That we havent even talked about the increased life of your air conditiner and reduction in maintenance costs that are harder to quantify.  There are also, tax benefits and regional credits and grants available like in Sugarland TX, Harris County, Cypress TX, Spring TX, Tomball TX, and Houston TX that you might be eligible for.  Not to mention the other benefits of new windows that simply make your life more comfortable such as the sound dampening properties, increased security and more stable temperature in your home.  So, if you catch your self saying, "can I really afford to get new windows?", think about it a little more.  Think about new windows more like an investment into your home and well being and less like a luxury expense.