New furnace or windows? - HomeModders.com

87vert · 12-26-2007, 03:10 PM

Both the furnace and windows need to be replaced in my house

The furnace is about 25years old and I believe the windows are older, They are all wooden but not they are not rotten.

The windows on the 1st floor barely open without really having to force them. They have a wierd kind of weight and pulley thing attached to them but most have broken off. The upstairs windows open and close fine (aside from the bathroom one) But they are all single pane windows and I can really feel the cold air coming in from them.

Would it save me more money to replace the furnace with a more energy efficient model or replace the windows (possibly just the 1st floor for now)

The water heater also needs to be replaced (15years old) but I am going to do that soon.

ScrapinSTi · 12-26-2007, 04:38 PM

25 years old??? I WISH my furnace was that new!! I'd do the windows first... My furnace is 50 years old and still going... Just service it regularly and keep it happy...

Try to do New Constructions where possible if you can... IMO they look nicer, and wont give up that little bit of window...

sphipps · 12-26-2007, 04:43 PM

I would agree...do the windows first.

I have the same delima. My furnace has been milked along for the last two winters but I think this spring I'm going to have to replace it. The previous owner(s) didn't take good care of it and she is running...but only on a wing and a prayer. LOL.

briansol · 12-26-2007, 05:08 PM

yup, def windows first.

plus, there's tax incentives on the windows that you can write off that you won't get from the furnace

Airjockie · 12-26-2007, 05:54 PM

you can write off the furnace as well...but just not as much. new furnace runs about $1500...new windows for a house about $6000...or just change the ones needed... and your not really going to actually write off too much...just about $300-600.

getting heat into the house is the important part, keeping it there is the second part.

cut a plywood to the size of the window's and then just caulk them into place until you have the time and money to really replace them. or close the windows and caulk them where you feel a draft coming in. I caulked all my windows last year for winter, a few tubes of silicone saved me a lot for heating bills, and then I replaced them when I had the money.

sphipps · 12-26-2007, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Airjockie

close the windows and caulk them where you feel a draft coming in. I caulked all my windows last year for winter, a few tubes of silicone saved me a lot for heating bills, and then I replaced them when I had the money.

now that's a good idea.....something I'm going to consider doing.

ScrapinSTi · 12-26-2007, 06:58 PM

Instead of Caulking them, just buy a thick ML plastic to wrap around the windows... Thats what I do (NOT THE INSULATION KITS... THOSE ARE THIN).

And Clayton... $1500 for a furnace!?!? WHERE!?!? I'll take two! lol

James · 12-26-2007, 07:02 PM

windows first ftw!

87vert · 12-27-2007, 03:02 PM

alright sounds like i'll do the windows. I thought 25 for a furnace was old according to the home inspector.

When I do do the furnace I am going to have an a/c system installed so that was the benefit of doing it first

simplegreen · 12-28-2007, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScrapinSTi

Instead of Caulking them, just buy a thick ML plastic to wrap around the windows... Thats what I do (NOT THE INSULATION KITS... THOSE ARE THIN).

And Clayton... $1500 for a furnace!?!? WHERE!?!? I'll take two! lol

i'd say the same, i spent 5 grand on my my front window, granted a large window but depending on how many windows you have to replace and to what quality you replace them at will cost you way more 6k. You're looking on average around 10-15 (that i've seen)

I would replace the furnace first, i have to agree getting heat in is more important than making it stay in. Just put up those plastic liners Scrapin was talking about (the thick ones) that will hold you over another season (or two) and you can have the best of both worlds.

12-26-2007, 03:10 PM	#1
87vert Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Age: 24 Posts: 25 Rep Power: 0	New furnace or windows? Both the furnace and windows need to be replaced in my house The furnace is about 25years old and I believe the windows are older, They are all wooden but not they are not rotten. The windows on the 1st floor barely open without really having to force them. They have a wierd kind of weight and pulley thing attached to them but most have broken off. The upstairs windows open and close fine (aside from the bathroom one) But they are all single pane windows and I can really feel the cold air coming in from them. Would it save me more money to replace the furnace with a more energy efficient model or replace the windows (possibly just the 1st floor for now) The water heater also needs to be replaced (15years old) but I am going to do that soon. Last edited by 87vert; 12-26-2007 at 03:13 PM.

12-26-2007, 04:43 PM	#3
sphipps Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Baltic, CT Age: 40 Posts: 15 Rep Power: 0	I would agree...do the windows first. I have the same delima. My furnace has been milked along for the last two winters but I think this spring I'm going to have to replace it. The previous owner(s) didn't take good care of it and she is running...but only on a wing and a prayer. LOL. __________________ Steve

12-26-2007, 05:08 PM	#4
briansol Administrator Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Central CT Age: 30 Posts: 482 Rep Power: 10	yup, def windows first. plus, there's tax incentives on the windows that you can write off that you won't get from the furnace __________________ 1997 2050sqft Split Level

12-26-2007, 07:02 PM	#8
James Slacking off in the house Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: In IN Posts: 231 Rep Power: 4	windows first ftw! __________________ 1927 2200 sq feet 3 story renovation project. Done Washing Machine - 10.27.07 Windows Install - 02.13.08 (New) Gas Oven - 11.22.08 Needs to be Done Put in the (new) dryer New front freaking door that doesn't leak air right onto the tstat. Uh... Alot more.

12-27-2007, 03:02 PM	#9
87vert Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Age: 24 Posts: 25 Rep Power: 0	alright sounds like i'll do the windows. I thought 25 for a furnace was old according to the home inspector. When I do do the furnace I am going to have an a/c system installed so that was the benefit of doing it first __________________ 1200sq ft 2bed 1 bath (purchased June '07)

12-26-2007, 04:38 PM	#2
ScrapinSTi Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: In Debt. Posts: 252 Rep Power: 4	25 years old??? I WISH my furnace was that new!! I'd do the windows first... My furnace is 50 years old and still going... Just service it regularly and keep it happy... Try to do New Constructions where possible if you can... IMO they look nicer, and wont give up that little bit of window...

12-26-2007, 05:54 PM	#5
Airjockie Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 95 Rep Power: 4	you can write off the furnace as well...but just not as much. new furnace runs about $1500...new windows for a house about $6000...or just change the ones needed... and your not really going to actually write off too much...just about $300-600. getting heat into the house is the important part, keeping it there is the second part. cut a plywood to the size of the window's and then just caulk them into place until you have the time and money to really replace them. or close the windows and caulk them where you feel a draft coming in. I caulked all my windows last year for winter, a few tubes of silicone saved me a lot for heating bills, and then I replaced them when I had the money.

12-26-2007, 06:58 PM	#7
ScrapinSTi Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: In Debt. Posts: 252 Rep Power: 4	Instead of Caulking them, just buy a thick ML plastic to wrap around the windows... Thats what I do (NOT THE INSULATION KITS... THOSE ARE THIN). And Clayton... $1500 for a furnace!?!? WHERE!?!? I'll take two! lol

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