Maryland Windows Replacement Guide

Maryland may be a relatively small state when it comes to land area, but its residents live across a diverse range of climates and extreme weather conditions. Along the Chesapeake Bay in the southeast of the state, homeowners may be protected from severe cold by the ocean climate, but they're also prey to seasonal storms that rattle the windows and doors. In the Cumberland area west of the Appalachian Mountains, residents can face winter chills and snow. Summers can be sizzling hot and humid.

That's why you really need expert advice when you choose the Maryland windows that are best suited to protect your home and contain your energy costs. For Maryland windows, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends replacements with a minimum U-Factor of 0.32 and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) of 0.40.

If you're considering the cost of replacement windows, you should factor in the federal tax credit as part of a program to reimburse the materials costs (not installation) of replacement windows that meet ENERGY STAR requirements--a U-Factor rating of 0.3 or lower. Maryland residents receive 30% (up to $1,500) in tax credits for windows installed this year as part of the federal energy stimulus package. The credits are only available for the cost of replacement windows.

When evaluating the cost of replacement windows for your Maryland home, remember that an estimated 30 percent of home energy loss can be blamed on leaky windows. Investing in replacement windows can pay off again and again in reduced energy bills; include savings from your federal tax credit and your replacement window investment provides exceptional value.