Free thermal efficiency test

By Tony Hoty, President; Window Depot and Bath Depot

A couple old adages always pop to my mind when it comes to windows: “You don’t know what you don’t know” and “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” They might sound a little cliché, but they apply to the timing of replacement.

Oftentimes homeowners will wait until their windows are literally falling apart, leaking, sweating, or unopenable before they decide to replace them. And that’s a shame. They could be saving big-time on their energy bills and enjoying nicer comfort in their rooms.

During a free thermal efficiency test, our technicians look for lead paint if the home was built before 1978 and run a test to gauge how well a homeowner’s windows are performing. A surface temperature thermometer shows the contrast between the window and an interior wall.

They also run a BTU meter to find out how much radiant heat loss is happening, which can be measured in three categories: conduction, convection and radiation.

Homeowners are almost always surprised at the outcome.

The good news is, with the current 30 percent tax credit that began in January, now is an advantageous time to replace your windows. It’s almost as if the government is paying you to upgrade.

As part of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, it extends and increases benefits of the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit.

Meant to incentivize homeowners to make upgrades to their homes that reduce household energy expenditure, the annual limit you can claim for new windows is $600. Stop in the showroom to see the new models or schedule a free thermal efficiency test so you can address the adage, ‘You don’t know what you don’t know.’

Window Depot is located just off I-90, at 24510 Sperry Drive in Westlake. Showroom hours are Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call 440-652-2900 or visit WindowDepotCleveland.com for more information.