You will likely see some savings but generally the ROI on window replacement is MUCH less than doing many other cheaper things first. A bigger bang for the buck is found in decreasing order by doing through airsealing/draftblocking of attic and basement penetrations and bypasses; adding attic insulation if needed; wall insulation especially kneewall issues if they exist; hvac upgrades; last and most expensive (and least return on your money)are the new windows. You might look into doing something cheaper if you are dead set on the windows like getting some storms for them. That is probably alot cheaper and just as effective as the new windows, but by all means do the other things i listed first if neccessary. Any installer that says you are gonna save 20-30% or more with new windows is full of it.

christine1950- I'm including a link for applying bubble wrap to your windows for additional insulation in the winter, using nothing more than water from a spritz bottle, so it's easy to do and completely reversible. We've been using this tip during the winter for a number of years and getting great results. Our home is 7-years old and has energy efficient windows and we can still tell a difference - especially the bay window in the dining room when we sit down to eat. Tips about using this method.... -Cut your bubble wrap just slightly smaller than your window. If the bubble wrap is a little too generous and is larger than the glass, it will quickly get air under it and begin to pull away from the window. -Check your bubble wrap occasionally and spritz it with water again if it's pulling away from the window. -If you have hard water, use distilled water for the application. Hard water contains minerals that can actually etch your windows. -Bubble wrap with large bubbles works the best, but we have plenty of windows that have bubble wrap with small bubbles on it. -Check furniture stores for a free or cheap source for bubble wrap. -Grainlady Here is a link that might be useful: Bubble wrap window insulation

remakr, Actually, Loewen and the higher-end Jeld-Wen manufacturers use the same glazing system...also the same one used by Andersen, Marvin, and many other window manufacturers. It does not include SuperSpacer. As you and Mike were discussing, web sites are primarily advertising and often give little useful information. This is unfortunate, but consider that as a general rule it is the marketing folks rather than product development or QA folks that "own" the website and whatever literature that the company distributes. Concerning independent lab results, well statistics can often be interpreted from different angles...it doesn't make them wrong, but it can be misleading without ever saying anything incorrect. Case in point...The folks at EdgeTech who make SuperSpacer have an absolutely amazing marketing department. They have quite literally introduced the concept of spacers to the general populace and in so doing have made many people believe that their product is so inherently superior to anything else on the market that a consumer would be foolish to consider any other option. Yet, the major manufacturers haven't jumped on the superspacer bandwagon...one might ask why not if it is so obviously superior? Well, one recent advertisement in an industry publication showed the results of a third-party P1 testing. The P1 test involves dropping samples of the IGU into a chamber with intense environmental conditions including heavy doses of UV light and 100% humidity levels. The idea is simply to see when the IGU fails. Some folks like to equate one week in a P1 chamber to one year real life in the field, but again, that is primarily marketing folks. Product development folks prefer to think of one week ina P1 chamber as - one week ina P1 chamber. So, the edgetech ad came out touting that superspacer did 80 weeks in the P1 without failure...it also showed the system that is used by Loewen, Andersen, Marvin, etc as "40+" weeks in the chamber. The ad didn't state exactly what "40+" meant though...in fact, the "other" system also stayed in the chamber for 80 weeks. Did the edgetech ad lie? Nope, it was quite truthful...was it misleading? Absolutely. Understand that I am not in any way slamming superspacer or edgetech...I am just saying that they have an amazing marketing concept and that it works really really well with consumers who are doing in depth research on their new windows. Which is the whole point of marketing. Which again takes us back to the websites that are also designed by marketing folks to draw consumers in...I do think that some companies are starting to understand the power of the internet and are making changes that affect how people are viewing their products, but I agree 100% that many web sites have little useful information. And enough rambling...have a great day!

When it comes to glass issues, Oberon is the best in the business! Anytime I have a question on glass I go to him first. He's by far the Gospel in my book. The only things I can really add are from every day issues we deal with here in MN as a Licensed General Contractor (specializing in doors & windows). As noted above, it's not ever worth the short cut when safety is on the line. As Oberon pointed out above, "the laws are made for the safety of those in your home". I can personally support that rule, as I have a ten inch & three inch scar running up my right forearm from a broken plate glass window when I was 8 years old. It's not the falling shards that get you as much as the sharp pieces still in tact as your arm goes through the window. That pain wasn't as bad as the lecture I received from my Mother for using her brand new white display towels to stop the bleeding! Growing up in the 60's was a bit different than today!! She was more concerned about my safety at the time, but thought I should have used the red towels next to the white. We laugh about it all the time today!! Back to the issue at hand though. I also agree with Mike and Oberon about the unfortunate "Bait & Switch" tactic used in the sale of your window. I would definitely get down there and get in someone's face and stir the pot. Obviously somebody else came in and probably floated some extra cash to get the tempered units. Hopefully you have some paperwork from the sale stating you purchased the tempered unit. With you taking the tempered sticker and pictures during your purchase. You should bring them down to the owner and show him your proof of your visit. Since you stated they were a window manufacturer you can always make them replace the glass in the unit instead of taking one of the others. If you get no where with him the best way to make him think things out would be, calmly and patiently telling him that any legal action would cost you both more than the window is even worth. You could then somehow compromise on splitting the glass replacement fee to remedy the situation. I don't know how your window is laid out, but there is a quick cheap fix to bring your unit compliant under the International Residential Code. This is the code most of the states are using across the Nation. Since your window falls under the glazing category R308.4 - Hazardous Locations. Under the Exception rules at the end we always use Exception #5 - Which allows you to install a protective bar on the accessible side of the window 36" (+ or - 2") above the floor. The bar needs to be capable of withstanding a horizontal load of 50lbs per linear foot without contacting the glass & be a minimum of 1.5" in height. By installing this bar you come to code and save some money until you can afford to change out the glass. We use a decorative piece of 2" solid oak round stock and mount it inside the window jambs. It can be somewhat appealing if done right. Hope this helped and good luck!!!