Are your windows drafty this time of year? It may be time to replace them. Today, homeowners have many window styles to choose from.
News Four's Tessa Darlington shows you what's available in this Angie's List report.

Replacing your windows can be expensive, so it's important to know if it's necessary.

"If you see fogging between the glass of the windows that would be a good time to look at it and then always look at your energy bill. If you think your energy bill is too high, a good place to start would be your windows,” Joseph Daniels, a window contractor, said.

While replacing will cost you upfront...

"If you replace your windows you can save as much as thirty percent on your heating and cooling bills. In the long term you can potentially get seventy to eighty percent of that investment back,” Angie’s List Founder Angie Hicks said.

Now-a-days there are so many options when it comes to windows. So which one is best for you?

"Today, consumers can choose from vinyl, wood and even fiberglass. The most popular choice tends to be vinyl because of their durability and the face that they are low maintenance,” Hicks said.

However, if you like the look of wood but not the maintenance, fiberglass is a good choice. Besides material, you need to pay attention to energy efficiency and the company you hire to do the job.

"When hiring a window company you should insist on an in-home estimate and the estimate should be in writing,” Hicks recommends.

Once you've chosen a company, make sure you both agree on the timeframe of the job.

"The window process will vary depending on how many windows you are doing in a home. Most common homes we can probably do in a day or a day and a half. If you have a really big job, it could take up to three days depending on how many windows you have,” Daniels said.

Here are some items you need to look for in regards to energy efficiency:

U-factor: indicates a window’s overall insulating value. An efficient window should be rated 3.0 or below.

Solar heat gain co-efficient: measures how well a window deflects incoming solar heat. An efficient window should be rated 3.0 or below.

Design pressure rating: the design pressure rating represents how well the window drains water and how strong the window frame is. You want a window with a design pressure rating between 35 and 45. The higher the number, the better the frame, the more rain drainage it can withstand, and the more wind pressure it can endure.