Improving Energy Efficiency Pays Off in Major Way for One U.S. Family

Here's how one American family cut their heating oil consumption in half

News Release
May 21, 2009
HousingZone

After installing energy efficient windows and doors, the Quimbys saved hundreds in utility bills by cutting their heating oil consumption in half.

Improving energy efficiency is an idea that generates a lot of lip service these days. But does the work, effort and initial investment to reduce home energy use really pay off?

That’s the theory JELD-WEN put to the test when the company set out to find the worst utility bill in the nation last year. The goal: to see just how much of a difference the latest energy efficient window technology could truly make.

Horribly high bills from all over the country were submitted by hopeful homeowners wanting to win JELD-WEN’s energy efficiency makeover. But in the end, it was the Quimby family in Maine and their 119-year-old farmhouse that took the top prize with their incredible $1,100 December utility bill. Over the course of a year, the Quimbys were paying upwards of $5,000 to fill their home heating oil tank.

After putting in 35 new ENERGY STAR qualified JELD-WEN Vinyl windows and two JELD-WEN AuraLast Wood door systems last spring, along with proper insulation in the basement, the Quimbys have become poster children for proving that energy efficiency makes a significant difference in more ways than one.

So far, the Quimbys have reduced their home heating oil consumption by half. The family also notices a big difference in their home’s comfort level, especially near its windows.

“When we first moved here, we made the huge mistake of focusing on the cosmetics,” said Jennifer Quimby. “Once we got the utility bill, I realized that we needed to start focusing on making it more energy efficient. The windows have definitely made a big difference. To see such dramatic savings in our bills this year is more than we expected.”

True value of energy savings

This year, the saving opportunities are even better for homeowners. In addition to the average $125 to $450 that can be saved by replacing windows, federal tax credits give homeowners even more incentive to realize long-term value and reduce environmental impacts.

“The latest technology advancements have really increased the value of new energy efficient windows and doors,” said Brian Hedlund, windows product marketing manager for JELD-WEN. “Not only are homeowners seeing greater utility savings, but they’re also seeing an increased level in comfort and return on investment.”

In a tight economy, homeowners are looking for ways to get the most value out of their home improvement projects.

The recent Cost vs. Value Report from the National Association of Realtors® and Remodeling magazine shows that window replacements are one of the top valued projects, returning approximately 76 percent of investment costs plus the savings on energy bills. 

For more information about JELD-WEN energy efficient windows and doors, visit

www.jeld-wen.com/energyefficiency.

About JELD-WEN

JELD-WEN, inc. is the world’s leading manufacturer of reliable windows and doors. Based in Klamath Falls, Ore., JELD-WEN began as a small Oregon millwork plant with 15 employees in 1960 and has grown to more than 20,000 employees in nearly 150 locations worldwide. Today the company manufactures a full breadth of windows, doors and garage doors, and has earned numerous awards and endorsements for reliability, innovation and excellence. For more information about the exceptional value and reliability of JELD-WEN® products, or to find a dealer near you, please visit jeld-wen.com or call 800-877-9482, Ext. PREE.

© 2009, Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All Rights Reserved.