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I am trying to replace all my windows but have a very low budget (just moved). As of now i have estimates from Window World, Champion, Nationwide Windows and Sidings, and Install America. The highest estimate out of these was Champion (around $2K higher than the lowest estimate). Can someone tell me which would be my best option? and if none, can you recommend a company? Thank you.

Hard to tell without know more about the windows that were quoted. Brand, model, options, install options, size, etc?

What county in NJ?
What is the quantity of windows?

We are in Bergen County. 18 Windows total. None of the companies gave us model numbers. I just know they are custom made with their special glasses (as they claim). Nationwide had 2 types that can get the tax credit and we got the quote for the better one (better frame). Of course 3 out of the 4 said they would not give me that price if they walked out the door. I'm hoping if i do end up calling they would give me that price. In all honesty I liked window world's sales rep the best. I feel like I can trust him the most but of course that doesn't mean he had the best windows out of them all. We just bought the house and quite honestly we can't afford to do the windows but they are very very old and some have broken glass. anything would be better than what we have so we are more focused on price. I just want to make sure I get the best out of what we can afford. Thank you!

Best replacement window company and cheap do not go together. Save your money and hold off until you can afford good windows. Don't spend $200-400 an opening and be disappointed. Have a glazer replace the broken pains and hold off till you can make a proper investment. Or look into financing with better manufacturers.

The companies you named are all low end companies. I don't know much about Champion but the rest are low end.

Check out Soft-lite, Gorell, Okna, Simonton.

I would also check out Richlin and Gerkin for higher end windows.There are also some good mid grade windows by Atrium and others if you do a search.And as always a good install is key.You may want to have an engery audit done as well,old windows are usually not the weak link unless they have broken panes and in reaaly poor condition.

Todd,

Normally I would agree with you, however, I have done test in/test out on several homes that have just had their windows replaced that saw significant airflow decreases and will result in dramatic energy efficiency improvements on that fact alone.

I work with a non profit that does several hundred blower door/infa-red test a year.From talking with the personel that does the testing and writes the recommendations ,the windows being the biggest leakers is a myth.It is extremely rare that they would recommend to replace windows.Either way,a blower door test is highly recommended and can be done for cheap through many local utility companies.Also here in Mn alot of the old windows do have storm windows which would seem to help.

Sorry Todd but I think I'll go with Windows on Washington's opinion on this one since he's a certified energy auditor and does these tests as part of his business.

WOW and W4U are correct.
In the weatherization business the tip of the hat goes to the fastest pay back which is low cost tighten up measures as air sealing througn caulking and stopping chimney effects. Windows and doors make huge energy savings but not as 12 to 24 month pay backs.

"I have done test in/test out on several homes that have just had their windows replaced that saw significant airflow decreases and will result in dramatic energy efficiency improvements on that fact alone."

As a RESNET certified HERS rater, I absolutely agree with WoW. While replacement windows have a longer payback period, they can make a significant difference in the amount of air changes a house experiences. It's all part of keeping conditioned air in and unconditioned air out.

Todd,

As I said, normally I would agree with you from the get go. Windows are not, as a general rule, the first item on the priority list when it comes to residential energy efficiency. As Dave mentioned, I am BPI Building Analyst and Envelope Professional certified. Randy out of Houston is also very educated on this stuff as well.

More recently, we have done energy audits on several homes that showed a +26% reduction in building air flow from just the replacement of their windows (installed air tight windows, foam sealed, best practices install, etc).

Those numbers are huge and we normally shoot for 30% with an entire house air sealing and weatherization retrofit. Where we are with this home, there is the risk of overtightening this home. The homeowners are two adults with no children or pets so we can go lower on the BAS scale but we will probably do a partial air sealing and re-test prior to doing the whole home. Where we are now is very close to an "Energy Star" home.

Not the rule but there certainly are some homes out there where the windows are first on the list.

Wrong or right ,I would reccomend an energy audit first(maybe by someone who isn't going to profit from there results).I do realize that windows in poor condition and with obvious flaws will be big leakers.

Todd,

There is a large anti-window replacement contingent in the Building Analyst/Energy Auditor community. They have the impression that every window replacement organization does the 3 hour presentation and promises 40% energy savings. I was almost tarred and feathered when we introduced ourselves in a recent roundtable discussion.

There are scheisters in every construction field. It is very easy to sell the results in the direction of whatever you are selling.

Someone who "isn't going to profit from the results" eliminates most of the people that can actually fix the problem at hand as well as those persons that actually have the application knowledge and not just the theoretic side of it. I don't personally like crawling around in attics or on mud floors, but I have done it enough to link the science and technical aspects more than someone who has just taken some classes.

The agency that I was speaking of have field experience.They also have funds available for window replacements as well if needed.They also have insulation specialist contractors that they use and they use a blower door test before and after they insulate.I know some of these people personally and they are not anti-window replacement people.