That’s pretty much my experience too—sound insulation, yes, but not a huge dent in the utility bill. I keep wondering if the whole “impact window = energy savings” thing is just marketing, or if some brands really do better. Has anyone actually compared different manufacturers side by side? Maybe it’s all in the install, like you said.
- 100% agree on the install making a difference. Even a great window leaks if the frame’s not sealed right.
-
— I’ve wondered that too. Swapped out half my old single panes for impact glass and honestly, noticed more of a change in street noise than in my power bill.“impact window = energy savings” thing is just marketing
- Checked specs across a few brands, and the ratings weren’t wildly different. Maybe there’s a slight edge, but not enough to justify double the price for “premium” brands, in my experience.
- If your house is drafty elsewhere, new windows only help so much. Sealing up the rest of the place probably gives more bang for your buck.
I’ve always thought the “impact = energy savings” pitch was a stretch. When I swapped my old sliders for impact, the power bill barely budged, but the house got way quieter—like, I could actually hear myself think on trash day. Installation’s huge, too. My neighbor paid for top-tier windows but the crew left gaps, so now he’s got drafts and regrets. If your attic’s leaking air or you’ve got gaps around doors, windows alone won’t fix much. Sometimes I feel like sealing up the odd corner does more than dropping thousands on glass.
That’s interesting—when I put in impact windows, I didn’t notice much difference on my energy bill either, but the noise drop was unreal. Do you think the whole “energy savings” angle is just marketing, or does it depend on the house? I keep wondering if air leaks around old doors or attic hatches matter more than fancy glass. Anyone actually done a blower door test before and found surprises?
Energy savings from impact windows are real, but they’re usually incremental unless you’re also fixing other weak spots. I’ve done blower door tests on a few houses after window installs, and honestly, most of the air leakage came from places like attic pull-downs or old door frames—not the new glass. Did you seal up your attic hatch when you did the windows, or just stick with the original setup? Sometimes people overlook those details and then wonder why their bills barely budge.
- Swapped out my windows for impact ones last summer. Honestly, I expected a bigger drop in my electric bill.
- Didn’t even think about the attic hatch until a draft smacked me in the face this winter… turns out, it’s basically a giant hole up there.
- Taped it up with weatherstripping and foam—noticed more difference from that than the new glass, if you can believe it.
- Impact windows are tough and quieter, but yeah, if your doors and attic are leaking, you’re just paying for fancy glass and still cooling the whole neighborhood.
Funny you mention the attic hatch—mine was the exact same story. We did the big window upgrade a few years back, expecting to see our bill nosedive. The house felt sturdier and quieter, sure, but the power company didn’t seem to notice. Then one cold snap, I walked by the hallway and it was like a wind tunnel up there. That little door to the attic was basically sucking all the warm air right out. Threw some insulation and weatherstripping on it, and suddenly the furnace wasn’t running nonstop.
It’s wild how the less glamorous fixes end up making more of a difference than the big-ticket stuff sometimes. I think the windows are awesome for storms and peace of mind—ours have saved us a couple times during hurricane season—but for pure energy savings, it’s always those weird little leaks that add up. I even found a gap behind a light switch plate once that was letting in cold air.
Not saying impact glass isn’t worth it (we sleep better during storms now), but if someone’s after lower bills, I’d say start with all those spots you don’t think about—the attic hatch, door sweeps, even outlets on exterior walls. You’ll probably get more bang for your buck there first. But hey, at least now you’ve got both angles covered: safer AND snugger.
You nailed it about the “unglamorous” fixes making a bigger difference than you’d expect. I’ve been down that same road—spent a small fortune on new windows, which definitely made the place quieter and less drafty, but my utility bills barely budged. It was only after crawling around with a flashlight and a stick of incense (don’t ask) that I realized just how much air was escaping through spots like the attic hatch, basement rim joists, and even those weird gaps behind outlet covers. One winter, I swear the cold air coming through one outlet was enough to blow out a candle.
Totally agree: impact glass is worth it for peace of mind if storms are a worry, but if lower bills are the main goal, it’s those little hidden leaks that add up fast. I used to think weatherstripping and foam gaskets were kind of pointless, but after sealing up all those tiny spots, my furnace finally got a break. It’s not flashy work, but it does pay off.
Funny thing is, the money I spent on caulk, foam, and a couple rolls of weatherstripping was maybe 1% of what I paid for new windows... but I actually noticed the difference in comfort (and bills) way more after sealing up the small stuff. If only someone had told me sooner.
Anyway, sounds like you’re in a good spot now—safe from storms and not losing heat every time the wind picks up. It’s always a mix of big upgrades and small tweaks with these old houses. And yeah, sometimes the “boring” fixes end up being the most satisfying.
It’s wild how the little things make the biggest difference. I used to think caulking and foam was just busywork until I actually did it—huge change. If anyone’s wondering where to start, here’s what worked for me: First, check the attic hatch and basement rim joists (those are almost always leaky). Next, outlets on exterior walls—those foam gaskets are cheap and surprisingly effective. Only after sealing those did my new windows start to shine, comfort-wise. Impact glass is great for storms, but you’re right, it’s not a magic bullet for energy bills. Sometimes the boring stuff is just smarter.
I get where you're coming from with the air sealing—honestly, I did the same thing last winter and was surprised how much of a difference it made. That said, I still think people overstate the impact of caulking and foam compared to what you get from upgrading windows, especially in older homes. My place is a brick Colonial from the 60s, and after I did all the rim joists, attic hatch, and outlet gaskets, it helped, sure, but the single-pane windows were still the main culprit for drafts and cold spots.
Impact glass isn’t just about storms or break-ins. In my case, the noise reduction was huge. My street gets a fair bit of traffic, and after putting in impact windows, it was like night and day. Energy bills didn’t drop as much as I hoped, but the comfort level improved more than just sealing leaks ever did. Maybe it’s different if you’ve got newer double-panes to start with, but for anyone with old leaky windows, I’d argue the upgrade is worth it—just not for the energy savings alone.
One thing I do question is the cost. The price for storm-proof glass is wild, especially when you compare it to a full roof replacement. I had three quotes last year, and the windows were almost double the cost of my new shingle roof. I get that there’s more to the manufacturing, but it still feels like a stretch sometimes.
All in all, air sealing is a good first step, but sometimes those “boring” upgrades only go so far. At least in my experience, windows made a bigger difference for comfort, even if not for the utility bill.