In harsher climates, installing new windows can make a significant difference on heating costs during cold winter months. In San Diego, window replacement is probably not going to change your energy bills as dramatically, but the reduction of heat transfer between your home's interior and the outside world can still have an effect on overall efficiency and how comfortable the air feels inside your house. That's not the only benefit of window replacement in San Diego, howeverthe aesthetic and financial aspects of this kind of project both play a role in making it a very viable option in southern California.
Financial Benefits of San Diego Window Replacement
If you're like most people, there are quite a few things that you'd probably like to improve about the structure of your house. Picking the right projects to start should take several factors into account. One of the biggest aspects of what makes one particular home improvement project better than another is how much value it will add to your home. In San Diego, window replacement is at the top of the list when it comes to recovering construction costs in added resale value. Installing new vinyl windows generally recovers about 91% of construction costs in added market value, and installing wood windows averages over 96%.
In addition to adding a significant portion of construction costs back onto your homes total value, window replacement, even in a place with a climate as mild as San Diego's, makes your property more desirable to prospective buyers. If you're not looking to sell any time soon, you'll still get the benefit of windows that look good and function well.
Aesthetic Benefits of San Diego Window Replacement
There are tons of projects out there that can enhance the appearance of your house, but in San Diego, window replacement might be one of the best. Installing new windows will give you more control over how natural light enters your home, which in turn can have a dramatic effect on how everything looks indoors. From the outside, replacing old windows that are dull, broken, or simply unattractive can boost the property's curb appeal.
If you really want to take your home's appearance to the next level, you might consider installing a picture window, bay or bow windows, or windows containing stained or etched glass. These specialty windows will cost more, but in many instances, the extra price is well worth the look of your home, or the view from your home of the outside.
Prices of San Diego Window Replacement
Of course prices will vary depending on the kind of windows you choose and the company you pick to install them, but, on average, for standard wood window replacement, San Diego residents can expect the bill to be somewhere in the area of $12,500. Vinyl windows are slightly less expensive and come in at around $11,500. Vinyl windows also have certain practical benefits that make them desirable in addition to their lower cost.
As with any major home improvement project, it's always a good idea to get several estimates from several different companies. In some cases, the savings between one company and another can be quite significant. 
Jon Nunan is a freelance writer who draws on his experience in construction, ranging from landscaping to log home building, for his articles on home improvement.