How do you know if your home needs new windows? Are the windows in the home that you are buying efficient or will you need to replace them?

Windows are an important part of a home's structure. They can let the cold air in and allow the hot air out during the winter months. Alternately, they do the opposite in the summer months. Inefficient windows can become very costly to your utility bills. Heating bills will go up while you may still feel cold indoors. Electric bills from using air conditioning in the summer may skyrocket while you still feel warm. If this is happening to you, it just may be that the windows of your home need replacing.

There are several things to look for to see if your home needs new windows.

-If the window frames are rotting, then chances are you need new windows. The same is true if the metal frames are rusting.

-If it is becoming more and more difficult to open and close the windows, the chains or channels of the windows are aging and the windows should be replaced.

-Any condensation on the windows is a sign that the windows are sweating. This happens especially during the winter months.

-Can you feel a draft coming in from outside in the winter? Are the windows hot to touch in the summer? These windows are not insulated and need to be replaced.

-Is your heating bill high? This is usually a sign that the windows are not keeping the heat in the home while the cold are in also entering the home.

-Is your energy bill high in the summer? Again, heat is entering the home through the windows while the cool air conditioned air is escaping.

These are common problems that plague homes that have older windows. Today's double pane insulated windows are made to combat this problem. They are made to be energy efficient. The cost of replacing old, worn windows will be seen in lower heating and energy bills over a period of time. In addition, the value of the home will increase when replacing old windows with more energy efficient ones which is a bonus for both a buyer and a seller of a home.