According to the U.S. Department of Energy, leaky and inefficient windows, skylights and doors account for up to 25 percent of the average household's energy bills. Some sources estimate as high as 40 percent. A lot depends on where you live:

• Cold climates lose energy in the form of heat
• Hot climates lose energy in the form of cooling

The colder or hotter the climate, the greater your heating or cooling costs and the greater potential you have to save money on energy costs. Nearly everyone can benefit by replacing leaky, inefficient windows with modern energy-efficient windows. Depending on your location, you can cut energy costs by as much as 15 percent.

Save on Energy Costs and Get Up to $500 in Tax Credits

Replacing all of a home's windows can be a big investment. The good news is, it's an investment that can pay for itself in just a few years. Here's how:

• Improves curb appeal and increases resale value. According to the 2008/09 Cost vs. Value Report (a combined effort by Remodeling magazine and REALTOR^® magazine), homeowners can expect to recoup about 93% percent for vinyl or wood window replacement.
• Reduces heating and/or cooling costs, which saves you money every year.
• Increases the comfort of your home.
• Can qualify you for rebates and tax incentives, like the Federal Tax Credit for Consumer Energy Efficiency, which provides up to $500 back in tax credits for replacing existing windows, doors, or skylights in your home with newer energy efficient models.
  
  Learn more about the Federal Tax Credit for Consumer Energy Efficiency