Did you know ...

... that, on average, replacing clear (non-low-e) dual-pane windows with dual-pane low-e windows takes 22 years* to pay off in low-desert climates like Phoenix?

Don't get me wrong. New windows can provide many benefits -- comfort, noise-reduction, efficiency and so on. But, generally speaking, return on investment should play a lower-priority role in deciding to replace windows.

Your money may be better spent on solar shade screens (80%+) or even low-gain window film such as Madico Sunscape Purelite series.

Some caveats: If your home has a large east-, west- or unshaded south-facing window area, window replacement moves up a notch on the priority list -- though shade screens or window film offer almost the same benefit for a fraction of the cost.

Also, if your windows are physically damaged or pose a fire-egress risk because they are hard to open, and if repair isn't possible, then it's worth considering new windows.

However, on shaded or north-facing walls, new windows may not be worth it. Consider a house that is 78 degrees inside on a 98-degree average midsummer day. The difference in temperature is only 20 degrees. However, a 78-degree house with a 138-degree attic sees triple that temperature difference, with perhaps 20 times the surface area. Duct-sealing, air-sealing the home -- and, as the final step, insulation (never insulate before air-sealing) -- are usually a better payoff.