Replacement windows can add value to a home and even save homeowners a substantial amount of money.Windows in a home are easy to take for granted. Unless windows are showing signs of wear and tear or so dirty that it's hard to see through them, it's easy for them to go unnoticed. However, replacement windows can add value to a home and even save homeowners a substantial amount of money.

Much of the savings that can be attributed to new windows is related to energy efficiency. The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy estimates that as much as 30 percent of heating and cooling energy can be lost through heat gain or heat loss, and aging, inefficient windows contribute to such losses. Replacing those windows can save homeowners substantial amounts of money, with one expert at Angi estimating that installation of energy efficient windows can help trim energy bills by as much as 12 percent.

Cost savings are often noted when firms promote replacement windows, but homeowners should know that replacement windows also provide numerous additional benefits. In fact, the following are three great reasons for homeowners to consider upgrading their windows today.

1. New windows help reduce carbon footprint. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports that replacing single-pane windows with ENERGY STAR® certified windows can help to reduce CO2 emissions by a significant margin. The EPA reports that such windows can save the equivalent of as much as 6,200 pounds of CO2 emissions thanks to reduced energy consumption associated with the new windows.
2. New windows can brighten a home. Natural light brightens a room and can make it appear larger. Homeowners who have grown accustomed to old windows may not realize how little light such windows let into their homes. Aging windows can become foggy over time and prevent natural light from getting into a home. That can create a gloomy feel and force homeowners to turn up the thermostat on cold days. New windows brighten the home and the natural light that pours in on a cold day can help heat the home at the same time.
3. New windows cut down on noise. Window manufacturers are always on the lookout for ways to produce windows that make homes more comfortable. Noise reduction is one way to accomplish that goal, and Consumer Reports notes that triple-glazed windows can help to dramatically reduce outside noise. Homeowners who currently have single-pane windows may be astonished by the difference in outside noise levels when upgrading to triple-glazed windows, which contain a third layer of glass. That third layer of glass significantly reduces noise levels, making triple-glaze windows ideal for homes on busy streets or those in urban areas with lots of foot traffic.
Replacement windows pay numerous dividends. Homeowners can reap these rewards and others by replacing aging windows.

The following are some of the best-selling non-religious texts to ever find their way onto a shelf.

Popular books have a way of finding their way into homes across the globe. Indeed, certain books transcend geographical boundaries and entice readers from all walks of life and cultural backgrounds. But which books have earned their place among the best-selling tomes of all time? Though it's hard to compile an indisputable list of history's best-selling books, as sales of religious texts such as The Bible and the Quran, which are routinely distributed for free, are hard to quantify, the following are some of the best-selling non-religious texts to ever find their way onto a shelf.

· "Don Quixote" by Miguel de Cervantes: This tragicomedy initially published in 1605 (part two was published a decade later) is estimated to have sold half a billion copies.

· "A Tale of Two Cities" by Charles Dickens: This novel with the famed opening line of "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." has sold an estimated 200 million copies since it was first published in 1859.

· "The Little Prince" by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry: This tale, published in 1943, was written for children but has proven equally popular with adult audiences, which no doubt accounts for its sales estimated at around 140 million copies.

· "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" by J.K. Rowling: This is just one of a handful of books in Rowling's Harry Potter series that are among the best-selling titles of all time. Estimates indicate this first book in the series is the best-selling Harry Potter title to date, with roughly 120 million copies sold since its initial publication in 1997.

· "And Then There Were None" by Agatha Christie: English mystery master Agatha Christie was a prolific writer, with more than 66 detective novels to her credit. None sold more than this classic murder mystery, which has sales of around 100 million copies since it was first published in 1939.

· "Dream of the Red Chamber" by Cao Xueqin: Western audiences may not recognize this title as readily as the other books that qualify for the list of the best-selling works of all time, but this classic Chinese novel written in 1791 has sold roughly 100 million copies over the centuries.

· "The Hobbit" by J.R.R. Tolkien: "The Hobbit" preceded Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings Trilogy," sales of which are believed to have exceeded 150 million copies (the trilogy was serialized, but many copies have since been sold in a single-volume work, making it difficult to determine where each book ranks on a list of best-selling titles of all time). Popular in its own right, "The Hobbit" has sold an estimated 100 million copies since Tolkien first introduced the world to "Bilbo Baggins" in 1937.

· "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" by C.S. Lewis: Many a child across the globe has had this 1950 work from C.S. Lewis on their bookshelf. Kids simply love the world of Narnia, which has helped to sell 85 million copies of this beloved tale.

These are just some of the best-selling books of all time, and each are worthy of a read of re-read for book lovers who enjoy a good page turner.

The following are some of the parts and features involved in vehicle operation.

It's been said it takes a village to raise a child. And when it comes to cars and trucks, scores of components are required to ensure a vehicle is operational. Various parts must work in concert to power a car or truck. Drivers may not fully understand the roles of the key components under the hood and elsewhere. The following are some of the parts and features involved in vehicle operation.

· Engine: The engine is the most important component in a gas-powered vehicle. Without it, the vehicle would not move. Most modern vehicles are powered by an internal combustion engine, which creates energy by igniting a mixture of fuel and air. Increasingly, however, customers are opting for electric motors that store energy in rechargeable batteries.

· Cooling system: This component keeps the engine at a temperature that is optimal to prevent overheating. It consists of a radiator that transfers heat from the hot engine coolant to the atmosphere; a water pump that forces coolant to circulate; and a thermostat to regulate the engine's operating temperature.

· Transmission: The transmission is a complex system of gear sets, hydraulic torque converters, and clutches and bands. Automatic transmissions work automatically to shift to accelerate and decelerate as needed for a smooth driving experience. Drivers control a manual transmission. AutoZone notes there's also a continuously variable transmission that continuously adjusts the transmission ratio to optimize fuel efficiency.

· Battery and alternator: The battery stores energy so it can be released as electricity to run the vehicle's electrical components. The alternator is responsible for generating electricity for the vehicle, but also to recharge the battery.

· Catalytic converter: This part is a component of the exhaust system. It is an emissions control device that will transform dangerous exhaust gases into water, carbon dioxide and nitrogen.

· Brakes: The brakes on a vehicle slow it down and enable it to come to a stop. Cars will have disc or drum brake systems. Disc brakes include calipers, rotors and pads. The calipers are housings for the brake pads and are responsible for converting hydraulic pressure when the driver presses the brake pedal into mechanical force. The brake pads create friction against the brake rotor (a spinning disc), generating the force needed to stop the car.

· Shock absorbers: A car ride would be very rough and bumpy without a suspension system. Shock absorbers are springs that smooth out the ride by ensuring the tires remain in contact with the road surface. Worn shocks can cause vibrations and uneven tire wear.

· Starter and solenoid: The starter is responsible for turning the engine's crankshaft. When the ignition is engaged, it moves a small gear called a pinion. Then the starter motor spins, cranking the engine to initiate the combustion process. The solenoid is an electro-mechanical switch between the battery and the starter that receives an electrical signal when the vehicle ignition is engaged. The solenoid powers the starter, which helps to crank the engine.

· Steering system: The steering components transfer input from the steering wheel to the front wheels. Modern cars have power steering, which reduces the amount of effort needed to turn the steering wheel. The steering wheel rotates the steering column, which rotates the pinion gear that connects to a rack that extends the width of the vehicle. As the pinion rotates, it pushes the rack, which then moves the tie rods and steering knuckles on the front tires.

Vehicles have hundreds of parts that work together to start and move the car so that people can effortlessly get from point A to point B.