Upgrade window or replace furnace, can anybody tell me which one is to be prioritze first?

Question

My husband and I decided to replace our old furnace.But which one should we prioritze first? We arguing about upgrading our windows first or replacing our furnace. For me, I want to upgrade the windows first because our windows are old(22 y/o). Everytime I stand 2 to 3 feet away from all of our windows, I could feel the cold. I check for any air leak using a candle but couldn't find anything. I even sealed them but still. We wanted to replace our furnace to cut our heating bill and save money. For me, i think it is useless to replace to furnace first while having an old windows which I think the reason why we are receiving this huse heating bill. We could only afford one project right now. The furnace is old too, it is working but not that good anymore, so we have to replace it. It is at the end of its life.

Answer 1

I would replace the windows - as old windows will let out a lot of heat from the room. If you live in the top floor, you might also want to see about getting insultation in the roof to keep the heat in.

The furnace may not be so costly to run when you have a better insulated house which is keeping the heat in, ie new windows/roof insulation. You should also check out the doors, and add cheap draft excluders if needed to the bottom. This will all help keep the heat in and thus require less work from the furnace to heat up the area.

Answer 2

If your windows are thermopane (hold a candle flame up to reflect off the glass, if you see a double reflection, they are thermopane) or have storm windows, you won't gain much by replacing them. If they are drafty, simple "V" strip plastic weatherseal will help, and it's cheap and easy to apply.

If they are NOT thermopane, or have storm windows...then I'd replace them. Otherwise, I'd do the furnace first.

When we stand next to something colder than we are, we radiate our heat away to it. The colder something is, the faster we radiate it away. That is why you feel the cold, while not really finding any air leaks. The windows will virtually always be the coldest part of the wall. The average sidewall of a wood frame house built 20 years ago, with regular insulation, has an R value of about R-15, while even the best windows don't do much better than R-5...so the windows are colder, you can feel that on your skin. Heavy drapes, like those with a backing on them, will make a big difference. If you are in the market for new window treatments, you might consider getting double or triple cell pleated blinds for the windows you spend the most time near, because they really cut down on this "radiant" effect.

Older furnaces are not "direct vent". All the air that is burned by the flame (and it's quite a lot!) is pulled into the house through every little opening. This will make it feel drafty.
New furnaces draw that air in directly through a dedicated pipe, so the house is not nearly as drafty. You will notice this effect right away. With an older furnace, the whole house is under a negative pressure...basically...it sucks!

Get the furnace and you will notice a big improvement in the way the windows feel.

Answer 3

I think you should replace the window. Because of the heat being allowed through, more heat needs to be used up to maintain same temperature. Thus the huge bills.
Without the new windows and the new furnace... your still gonna cancel out the heating effect to some degree..
But with new windows.. i believe you have a better chance of reducing bills. Save more money... and then change furnace.

Answer 4

I would suggest the furnace first and get the plastic sheets for the windows. We used one in our bedroom window last year as our bedroom was in the basement right under the window and it was very cold all winter. Then you can remove the plastic when it warms up and want to have the windows open. That way you save yourself on the heating bill and still get your new furnace. Even if you don't have the budget to do both the windows and furnace this year, you still don't have to freeze or waste energy with bad windows.

Answer 5

You didn't say whether your windows are single pane or double pane glass. If they are single pane glass, you are losing a lot of heat through them even though there is no air leak.

You can run a test to find out. Get a roll of 4-6 mil clear plastic (sold in the paint department of your hardware store), cut it to size, and tape it over your window(s) using blue tape, leaving an air gap of 1/8" or more from the glass. There should be a noticeable improvement when you stand near the window.

Your walls should also be insulated for maximum benefit.

I would opt for replacing the windows. This is something that can be done one room at a time, and would not interrupt your heat during the winter. Plus, you can give your heater a minor tuneup for around $100 that will extend its useful life.

Answer 6

i would get a new 90 plus furnace. old furnaces are about 70% efficient the new ones are over 90%. windows are nice but wont save 20 some %. put temp plastic on windows for now weather king inside film works for me

Answer 7

There are inexpensive options you can use to make your windows more energy efficient. For instance, you can install film kits (3m makes one) or even bolt exterior storm windows on to your house.

The furnace? If it is getting close to the end of its life, I'd budget to replace it NOW, otherwise, you could find yourself on the coldest day of the year, in the position of having to pay ANYTHING to ANYBODY to keep your house from freezing over.

Answer 8

i saw replace the windows cause if they are leaking cold air than it will be frezzing in the house and if it is then you will turn on the furnace and then your electric bill will be ^! so replace then windows and if you get good ones they will keep out the cold!! so go with the WINDOWS!!

Answer 9

replace the old furnace first if the furnace quits working it won't matter how good your windows are you'll be cold and possibly freeze your water pipes costing even more hard earned cash

Answer 10

There is no sense in trying to warm a house that has a serious draft. Fix the windows first. You might need a contractor to look and fix the draft if it's not through the windows. You can wear sweaters or jackets in the house too.