Recent developments at home and abroad have led to increased heating and cooling costs across America. No matter where you live in this country of wildly fluctuating, diverse climates, you'll benefit in both the short- and long-term by maintaining an energy-efficient home. You can realize hundreds of dollars a year in home energy savings by using insulated windows and energy-efficient doors. And in the long term, you'll experience greater valuation in an energy-efficient home, recouping the money you put into it.

How prepared are you today for escalating energy costs? You can calculate costs based on your zip code at The Home Energy Saver website of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). There is considerable help in creating an energy-efficient home. Many local and state energy utilities offer incentives and low-interest loans for weatherizing. Some states offer tax incentives. For the last 27 years, the DOE 's Weatherization Assistance Program has provided financial help to more than 5 million low-income families.

By installing weather stripping for your doors and windows, patching leaks and rot in window glazing and installing insulated windows, you can experience an immediate return on your investment. The Federal government's Energy Star website computes that homeowners with double-paned, clear-glass replacement windows will save $125-$340 a year in heating and cooling costs.

How will window replacements roll out when you sell your home? Remodeling Online reports that owners of mid-range priced energy-efficient homes will recover 89.6% of their window investments in increased valuations. Owners of upscale energy-efficient homes will recoup 88.6% of their investment. When you add home energy savings to the equation, your window and door improvements , should more than pay for themselves.

Select windows with low-e coatings. A low-e coating is a thin metal layer on the glass that retains radiant indoor heat in the winter and reflects outdoor heat in the summer. If you own an older home in the high-wind plains or blustery coastal regions of the country, you need to ensure that your existing windows and doors have an airtight fit.

If there's extensive wood rot in your window frames, have them examined by a professional, to determine if they can be repaired or are beyond saving. Be sure the molding, sweep and threshold gaskets in your outer doors are snug. If not, replace them with modern