You know you have had your windows for a while now. You often find yourself wondering if it is time to replace them, but you don’t really know how to tell. The good news is that it may not be as difficult to tell as you may think.

For starters, if you notice the drapes are moving and your window is closed, it is probably time for a new one. This draft can be costing you a lot of money in your energy bills, and replacing your window will actually save you money in the long run.

Next, if you still have single-paned or single-glazed windows, it is time to upgrade. These windows are not providing your home with the insulation that you should be getting. Do you have the old awning and steel casement windows? Yep, it’s time to replace those, too.

If you do have double-pane windows, but you have started to notice that there is fog or moisture between them, that means they are not functioning properly and need to be replaced.

Do you have some other issues that have not been mentioned? Then you may be able to get away with a repair instead of a replacement. If the windows are less than eight years old, it is worth getting a repair estimate before going ahead with a new window purchase to see which one will be the most cost effective for you. However, if your windows are over 10 years old, there is a good chance that it will be less expensive for you to get new windows installed instead of repairing them.

You may think that old windows are just a matter of energy efficiency, but windows that do not open properly or do not stay open when raised are a hazard for you and your family. In the case of an emergency, such as a house fire, properly functioning windows are, simply put, a matter of life or death.