Yes. The latest report from the National Research Council of Canada indicates that you can reduce your energy bill by up to 25% if you replace all the windows and doors in your home with high energy-efficiency products that are properly sealed and installed. An average home has a $500 monthly bill for heating and cooling and the average annual increase rate over the last 10 years was 11%. That means a $20,000 savings over 20 years.

You can expect a big difference! Modern energy-efficient, high-performance windows and doors are much more airtight and provide better technology in the way of low-emissivity (low-E) glass, better designed hardware, and inert gas between the panes.

If your doors and windows are more than 20 years old, the answer is 'absolutely'. New doors and windows can make your home feel cooler in the summer and less dry in the winter. They will also reduce or eliminate those uncomfortable drafts.

It’s easy to identify energy-efficient doors and windows. Simply look for the ENERGY STAR® symbol and label. That label ensures that the product has been certified to meet strict technical requirements.

The ENERGY STAR® symbol and label mean that a product has been tested by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) and certified to be compliant with their ENERGY STAR® program. Products that achieve certification are in the top 15 to 30 percent of their class for energy performance. It is recommended that you only buy doors and windows with the ENERGY STAR® certification as they are environmentally friendly and save you money.

Yes, vinyl windows are incredibly popular because of all their benefits. They offer energy efficiency and great durability. They are economical and virtually free of maintenance as they won’t need re-painted or stained. For best performance, ask if they are made from high quality virgin powder vinyl. Ideally, that is what you want because it is moisture-resistant and won’t crack, peel, or fade.

A steel door provides the best protection from burglary or forced entry and is definitely the right choice if security is a concern. Steel is much stronger than wood, which is what most older doors are made from. Steel is also stronger than fibreglass and won’t warp, crack, or come apart. Steel is the most durable and provides the highest level of protection from severe weather including heavy winds, rain or flying debris. Steel doors are also relatively inexpensive to manufacture and therefore offer significant cost savings over wood or fibreglass doors, making it an ideal choice for a home’s main entrance.

According to ENERGY STAR ratings, a vinyl frame with a solid-core mPVC construction and fusion-welded corners is the most energy-efficient window available. For windows with multiple panels, it’s most energy-efficient if the frame is wider (i.e. 4 1/2 inches versus 3 1/4 inches) because it is stronger and lets the glass sit closer to the inside wall. Also, choosing a one-piece frame gives you less air leakage and more visibility. Frames with multiple pieces that are glued or screwed together are less energy-efficient.

There are five key elements to look for:

1. Do you see moisture, condensation or fog between the panes of glass? If so, you probably have a seal failure.

2. Is your furniture or carpet faded from the sun's ultraviolet rays coming through the window? If so, you probably do not have Low-E glass that blocks the sun's harmful rays.

3. Do you have windows certified for your climate? Cold Canadian climates require higher ER ratings to increase energy-efficiency.

4. Do you struggle to open, close, or lock your windows? Poor operation means the window structure is weak and failing.

5. Do you see peeling or rotting wood around the window frame? If so, it’s time for a replacement.

Check the following four things. If you answer yes to any of these questions, it’s time to look at getting a new door.

1. Can you feel a draft of outside air coming in around your door?

2. Do you have a hard time properly opening or closing the door?

3. Is there peeling or rotting around the door frame?

4. Is the door more than 25 years old?

The most reliable way to determine whether a door or window can be repaired or if it needs replaced is to have a professional look at it. It’s possible that you may simply need a replacement part i.e. glass unit, hardware, etc.

Contact a local door and window company with a solid reputation that offers free in-home inspections and estimates.

Replacement windows and doors are typically higher quality products than those in newly-built homes. Home builders use contractor products to save money. They want to maximize the return they get on their home sales and usually select cheaper products. By law they only have to offer a minimum warranty of two years.

Most door and window companies offering replacement windows, on the other hand, offer better built products and a warranty of 15 years or more. They also offer better design and installation.

It isn’t necessary to replace all of them at the same time. You can spread out the replacements over time as your budget allows. Keep in mind that the sooner you replace your windows the sooner you start saving on energy bills.

Homeowners who have highly energy-efficient windows may notice condensation forming on the outside of their windows under certain weather conditions. Why is my bedroom window covered in moisture early in the morning? This question is often asked by homeowners who have highly energy-efficient windows. This condition usually occurs in late summer and early fall when the night time temperature drops several degrees – much like dew forming early in the morning.

Read more on this in our Ask an Expert feature: Why is there condensation on my windows?

Yes! Newer windows will most likely help reduce noise from the outside. Depending on the materials that the window is made of and the age of the older windows, a significant reduction in noise can be achieved by upgrading to newer replacement windows.

Read more on this in our Ask an Expert feature: Can new windows help reduce noise from outside?

PVC-wrapped, wood patio door frames due to their structural integrity, overall strength, and better insulation are a better option than pure PVC patio door frames, even with steel reinforcements.

Read more on this in our Ask an Expert feature: For patio doors, which is better? PVC frame patio door or a wood frame with PVC over?