Alternative Engery Sources

Started by JimS • 9 replies • 1458 views

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JimS (Delaware)
Posts: 10

Posted:

We are experiencing requests or inquiries concerning the residental use of wind mill and solar panels. Presently we have no specific guidelines in the covenants. I would want to encourage residents to use these sources, but I think the residents would also want some consistnecy in the aesthetic applications. For instance, there are solar shingles which look like normal shingles. They are not as efficient and take up to 50% more roof space, but on a road facing structure, they are more aesthetically pleasing. The use of windmills present another situation. Some are relatively small (4 foot blades on a vertical structure, the whole device 7 feet wide and tall). If these are to be used they could be placed on the non street facing roof lines. Is there any federal guidelines what HOAs can prohibit? If so, what? I know we cannot prohibit any satellite dish 18 inches or less under feddral regs.
Has anyone else had experiences with these alternatie engery sources?

Jim

BrianB (California)
Posts: 2,820

Posted:

there are some state laws about alternative power sources, California for example has some. I suggest a google search for your state as a starting point.

RogerB (Colorado)
Posts: 5,067

Posted:

Jim, state and federal laws superceed your CC&Rs for these items. In Colorado the state law on solar was passed in 1984. This year the Colorado legislature is in the final stages passing a bill on other energy saving devices including retractable clothes lines and windmills.

JosephW (Michigan)
Posts: 882

Posted:

Jim,

It's agood time to start thinking about these items. It's better to plan ahead, or be proactive, than reactive. First, I would suggest that this would be a good time to start a committee to look into all of the possible energy conservation/generation issues that will be coming at you. Aesthetics should be a consideration, but not the only one. The more people you can get involved in this, the more likely they will come out with something that will be acceptable to the greater number of residents. Have them look into (besides the two you mentioned):

Clothes lines
Xeriscaping
New irrigation systems
Regular pressure tests for water leaks
Awnings
Replacement lighting for the common areas

Helping owners with renovations by providing information on: (or the board if some of these items are common elements)

Water conservation - low flow toilets, shower heads, etc.
Increased insulation
Window and door replacements; weather stripping
Window film
Furnace/AC

In other words, provide educational materials to the owners about how they can help with energy efficiency. Get them all involved and changes to common areas will go down a little easier.

Joe

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DonnaS (Tennessee)
Posts: 5,671

Posted:

I also think that HOA's are going to have to readdress many restrictive covenants in the near future as many of them do not allow any energy saving means at all. With respect to our fellow neighbors, there are ways to conserve energy without affecting property values.If we continue, we won't have to worry about our property values because we will all be burning up our furniture to keep warm. (a little exaggerated) We are the gluttens of the world and need to do something about it. Then we can teach China how to do it.

BrianB (California)
Posts: 2,820

Posted:

i normally ignore typos and spelling in posts, as we are all human and susceptible to errors.

However, gluttens are biochemicals found commonly in the wheat, rice, barley (grasses) family.
gluttons are people who consume too much.

Donna gave me a little chuckle that we were the wheat proteins of the world. Thanks for the smile!

please return to your regularly scheduled good advice.

DonnaS (Tennessee)
Posts: 5,671

Posted:

HA!!,
I looked it up and glutens are the proteins. Gluttan is from Merriam/Webster--I spelled it with an "e" instead it is an "a" but Thanks for bringing it to my attention

Main Entry: glut·ton
Pronunciation: \ˈglə-tən\
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English glotoun, from Anglo-French glutun, glotun, from Latin glutton-, glutto; akin to Latin gluttire to swallow, gula throat, Old English ceole
Date: 13th century
1 a: one given habitually to greedy and voracious eating and drinking b: one that has a great capacity for accepting or enduring something

MaryA1 (Arizona)
Posts: 7,043

Posted:

Thank you Brian and Donna for the chuckle. I've been called a lot of things but never a wheat protein! LOL

JC3
Posts: 290

Posted:

Don't forget geothermal. That's one source we hope to be able to use. Apparently there some companies that are offering both solar and geothermal IF there are groups of houses, probably in a small area, that will go for it, to make it cost effective. For you folks in windier areas, you might be able to do the same with windmill people.
Geothermal is used for both heating and cooling.

JC3
Posts: 290

Posted:

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