As the housing economy slows and energy costs accelerate, many Americans are looking for home improvement projects that add value to their homes and add to their monthly savings. Forty-four percent of homeowners surveyed said that if presented with the free services of a contractor, window replacement would be more important than a variety of popular home improvements like a kitchen remodel, installing new carpeting, landscaping the yard or building a new deck, according to a study commissioned by a major window and door manufacturer.

“A majority of homeowners (51 percent) said their windows aren’t ‘green’ or energy-efficient enough,” said Elaine Sagers, vice president of marketing, Pella Windows & Doors. “That fact combined with this new sense of practicality about home improvement projects tells us that many consumers are looking for ways to reduce how much their house costs them in monthly bills and upkeep.”

In the study, over half (51 percent) of Americans said that of anything in their home windows offer the most potential when it comes to energy efficiency — even more than other products including lights (48 percent), insulation (48 percent) and heating systems (43 percent).

Nearly two out of three (65 percent) homeowners believe that energy efficiency is the most important quality to consider when choosing new windows. The virtues of “green” energy-efficient windows easily won out over other qualities like durability, safety, ease of use, soundproofing and clarity.

Despite worries about energy efficiency, drafts and other issues, some homeowners are reluctant to initiate a window replacement project.