Want to give your house in Portland or Rockland a major upgrade in efficiency this year, all while boosting its curb appeal? New windows could be the answer. Here are five reasons to consider upgrading your windows this year.

Many homeowners in the region have to crank up their heating systems all winter long, only to keep the windows open all summer in order to stay cool. This makes insulation an especially valuable home investment here in Maine, as it can keep heat in during the winter and then block heat during the summer.

Even if you plan on staying inside all winter, it’s important to think about what could happen to the outside of your home when a winter storm strikes. One of the most common pains that coastal Maine homeowners have to deal with during the winter is ice dams on the roof.

Do you have areas in your home that just never seem to get warm in the winter, or astronomically high heating bills even though you keep your thermostat at a modest setting? If so, your home is probably not as energy efficient as it could be. Home efficiency issues are not always easy to find — especially when they are rooted somewhere inside your walls. Fortunately, thanks to infrared diagnostic technology, you can look at what’s going on inside your walls and pinpoint the source of home efficiency issues.