Winter is finally winding down in Ohio; the warm spring weather that is just around the corner means that many homeowners will begin to be able to open up their windows and let in the fresh air. But that may be easier said than done, especially if the windows in your home are older. Windows that are even only 10 years old probably do not have the same energy efficient technology of windows that are being produced today. And the cold Ohio winters can only help to increase damages to your windows. Windows that are not energy efficient are allowing heat in the winter and cool air in the summer to escape your home; it is literally like you are throwing money out your windows.

There are many signs that your Ohio home may need its? windows replaced. If there are noticeable gaps around the window itself, this mean the window is not properly lined up in the frame and air is entering and escaping your home. Windows that allow condensation to form on them; along with mold or mildew forming along the frame should be replaced. Other signs that your windows need to be replaced are if they are difficult to open or close.

If you think that replacement windows may be too expensive you are in luck because the installation of many ENERGY STAR -qualified windows qualifies for the 2012-2013 tax credit as long as they are installed by December 31st 2013.

• Consumers can claim a credit of 10%, up to $200, of the purchase price on qualifying windows.
• Includes the purchase price only, does not apply to installation costs.
• Tax credits under this law are capped at a cumulative lifetime total of $500 for all qualifying products installed from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2013.

Contact your tax professional today to see if you will qualify. And you can click here to check the list of eligible products.

If you are living in an older home you may begin to notice the high traffic parts of your home including the entry doors are beginning to show wear and tear. Over the years doors can become troublesome to open and close and increasingly drafty. So many homeowners are faced with the question of whether to repair or to replace the entry doors. Although it may seem like an easier solution to repair what is already there, you may be surprised to know that replacement doors could end up saving you a lot of time and money down the line.

• 75 different styles of doors

• 35 different glass options

• 40 different color and stain options

Energy efficiency is perhaps one of the best ways to save money with a door replacement. By replacing old, drafty doors with new doors that fit properly and contain energy efficient materials you will be able to stay cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter all while using less electricity. Your home will stay more comfortable all year round and save money on your heating and cooling costs.

Our team is very proud that 94% of our customers who completed a post-installation survey said they were ?very satisfied? and 98% of our customers would refer us to a friend or family.

This year for the Pella Service Award, GuildQuality and Pella joined forces to select the winning companies who received greater than a 90% recommendation rate on customer satisfaction surveys.

So who are GuildQuality and Pella?

Eliminate the maintenance work

If You'repair your damaged siding this time, it will probably not be the last time. Rotting wood will affect even the sound wood and slowly but surely you will continue to need repairs. Old siding generally requires a lot of work to sand down and refinish in order to help preserve the wood. But with vinyl siding you can avoid that. In fact the only maintenance you will need to worry about is simply spraying the side of the home with a hose.

Increase your energy savings

A damaged piece of siding will let air flow through your home. In the summer this means that hot air will circulate and in the winter, cold air will flow inside. A home that is not properly sealed off from the outside elements will result in a much higher cost in your energy bill. Both heating and cooling costs will greatly decrease when you opt to go with vinyl siding replacement. Your home will feel much more comfortable in both extremes of summer and winter and your energy bills will go down to boot!

Increase the curb appeal and value of your home

Another advantage of replacing the siding on your home is that you can increase the curb appeal and value of your home. Vinyl siding is made to look like wood but maintains a clean, well-kept look that lasts for years to come. You will be able to watch your neighbors continuously repair their siding while yours looks just as great as day one. There are also many style and color options which means you can change the look of your home or maintain its original beauty with no worry of fading colors.

Energy Savings? Insulated vinyl siding will help to save you money on heating and cooling costs. No matter what time of year, your home will require less use of the heat and air conditioning because it will reach the desired room temperatures more effectively.

More Comfortable ? You will experience a more comfortable indoor temperature overall when the home is properly insulated. No longer will you have to worry about warm and cold spots in different rooms because the insulated siding will keep the entire home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.

Reduce Noise ? A big problem for homes in cities, near major highways, or just on a noisy block is the outside noise level. Insulated vinyl siding will again be most beneficial to anyone with this problem. You will not experience the same level of noise traveling through the siding of the home, which will keep the home more peaceful and cozy. So even if you are right in the middle of a lot of chaos, you can draw the blinds and be in your own haven.