What’s the embodied carbon cost of new windows vs long-term savings?

[AndrewRR]

I’m trying to figure out if it’s even possible to have a truly sustainable home renovation. I just got quotes for new windows and the embodied carbon from manufacturing and transporting them seems to completely offset the long-term energy savings they’re supposed to provide.

[Justin.M]

I tried to upgrade to new windows last year and the math surprised me. The carbon from manufacturing and shipping added up fast, and the heating savings felt modest in the first winters.

[Sofia.M]

I keep wondering if the real issue is not the glass but where the carbon and energy go in the rest of the house. Sealing gaps and improving insulation might be the bigger lever.

[JerryR]

We did a small test with a quick seal of a few leaks and a simple weather strip. It reduced drafts in one room, but the effect on overall energy use was hard to pin down and the project stalled.

[HarperCH]

If we are honest we still not sure if the problem is the renovation or our own habits and the energy price mix. Should we chase a different plan or wait for better materials to come down in embodied carbon?