Why old windows cost you money
In a Central Florida summer, your windows are heaters you didn't ask for. Old single-pane windows — still common in Orlando's older block homes — let solar heat pour straight through. Your AC runs longer and harder to fight it. Even worn-out double-pane windows lose their insulating gas over time and perform worse every year.
How impact windows cut the heat
The laminated layer. The inner plastic layer in impact glass absorbs and reflects a meaningful share of solar energy before it reaches your rooms. Low-E coatings. A microscopically thin metallic coating on the glass reflects infrared heat while letting visible light through — like sunglasses for your house that you can still see through clearly. Tighter seals. New windows seal properly; old ones leak cooled air around every edge.
Realistic expectations
Most homeowners notice the difference in two ways: rooms that used to bake (west-facing rooms, rooms with big sliders) feel comfortable, and the AC cycles less on hot afternoons. Actual dollar savings vary a lot — it depends on your current windows, your home's insulation and shade, your thermostat habits, and your electric rates. Anyone promising you an exact payback period is guessing.
The comfort argument matters more than the math
Here's what homeowners tell us a year later: they didn't buy impact windows for the energy savings, but the comfort change is what they notice daily. No more avoiding the sunny side of the living room at 4pm. No more hot-cold spots. The lower electric bill is the bonus, not the reason.
Getting the most from the glass
Ask about low-E options when we quote — in Orlando's climate, the right low-E coating makes a real difference. Pair new windows with sealed attic ductwork and decent insulation and the whole house gets easier to cool. Windows are one piece of the efficiency puzzle, but for many homes they're the biggest piece.