Summer Time and the Windows are Leaky

I live in an old house. It's a 1936 Craftsman in an area claimed by two historic neighborhoods Fourth and Gill and Historic Old North Knoxville. For the longest time I thought that there was an historic overlay that prevented me from getting new windows, mainly because the ones that appear "historically accurate" would be so expensive I couldn't buy them. There are those who disagree and say that the "greenest windows" are the ones in your home already. I can see their point. But historically we didn't have a lot of storm windows around here and I'm not sure I'd like the way they'd look.

Happily, with the stimulus tax credit for efficient windows gives a $1,500 incentive to do it, plus I learned that the overlay is not in effect yet at my house, so any real changes made before it takes effect will be "grandfathered" into the historical home. Check out more information on energy efficient windows here.

Does this mean I'll go buy the cheapest vinyl windows on the market, definitely not, I will want to sell this house some year and while energy efficiency is a big draw in an old house. People buy homes like mine for its character and ugly old houses are not like ugly little puppies. People won't talk themselves into it because they're so ugly they're cute, they just find a cute old house. There is tons of information about preservation from the national park service here.

In fact, houses that are cute in my neighborhood sell in at least 1/2 the time of those with visual deficiencies. It's the same in new neighborhoods. Maybe even more true. So keep in mind that energy efficiency and aestheic are both VERY important when considering your next home project. Character sells homes, high electric and gas bills will keep a home from selling!

As for tonight, I'm sleeping under the fans.