Spiral balance

Thanks for posting. See our S900-29. The yellow tip option is for a window sash in the weight range of 24 through 34 lbs.

Thanks for posting. It looks like you have a yellow tip. For the S900-29, the yellow tip is for a window sash in the weight range of 24 through 24 lbs. The red tip is for a window sash in the weight range of 10 to 22 lbs, whereas the green overlaps both ranges at 14 through 26 lbs. If you want to be extra safe, you can weigh your window sash as precisely as possible and see what weight range that measurement falls into.

To answer your question, it does indeed make a difference what colored tip you select. If the colored tip is meant for a weight range lighter than your window sash, you will have trouble opening your window. If it is meant for a window sash heavier than your own, you will have trouble keeping your window closed. You want your balance's calibration to be just right. 

Like Bob said, it does make a big difference. Speaking from personal experience, yours looks like it was a discolored White, which makes things even more complicated. 

The best way to cut through the complication and get a straight answer is to get the exact weight of your sash and refer to the chart on the S900-29 store page. That's the only way to be 100% sure.