solar roofs at springfield

[thina@springfield]

Hi everyone !!!!
I'm planing to buy a house in Springfield area next couple years but i want to do some research about energy saving first.
Does houses in Springfield can have solar roofs set up?
If anyone have any idea please post it on here.
Thank you....

[movedsouth]

Thanks for looking into moving here! Springfield is the best place to live in Jacksonville, and you will find others interested in sustainability. I don't think there are an solar roofs in Springfield yet. As you probably know, Springfield is a historic district, and subject to special restrictions in particular when it comes to the outside appearance of the house.

Your best bet is to check with the historic preservation commission (HPC) with the city if they have any guidance on solar roofs in Springfield. I know there was a "green roof" approved in Riverside last year, which is subject to similar restrictions then Springfield.

Overall, you will probably have no issues with a solar roof on new construction. Also for the larger 2 story homes you find here, with metal or shingle roofs, you probably will not find much opposition to installing a solar roof. If the roof is very visible (for example there are a couple of clay tile roofs in the neighborhood), you may have more of a problem getting it approved.

Once you decide what to do, you need to file a "CoA" (Certificate of Appropriateness) with the historic preservation commission. They will then tell you if it is allowed or not. In many cases, decisions are made by the staff within a day. Sometimes (and a solar roof may be one of these cases as there may not be clear guidance yet), the issue has to be presented to the full commission which meets once a month. Make sure your contractors are aware of this process and account for any delays it may cause. The biggest mistake people make is to just ignore the process.

[bananas]

There are precedents in some of California's historic districts for solar roofs on historic properties. And I believe HPC has told me in the past that they are not prohibited - but def call them and ask. If they hassel you, look up the California precedents to use as an arguement. The National Register is a good resource too - I believe they are supportive. Also, if the panels were on the back of the house and not visible from the street you will probably get less pushback.

Also, FYI there is a green roof in Riverside that was approved by HPC last year. It is on a residential home, on the porch, so not part of the origianl house. But it needed approval nonetheless and was approved last year.

Adding the panels to a shed or garage maybe a way to get around push back, but again, I don't believe you will get alot of push back. I know someone on Liberty who has panels visible from the street for their water heater, which is solar

[thina@springfield]

Thank you for your guys information. I'm thinking wont be easy for solar roofs in historic area, however two story home and large space would cost so much money for utility bills.

[fsu813]

If they're not easily seen by the street, then it probably won't be an issue.

Also, you can consult with the SPAR Design & Review Committee. They are asked to review and give an opinion of all work brought before HPC, and would be happy to go over your plans or give advice as how to best implement your idea. They don't make the final call (that's HPC) but HPC does give weight to their opinion.

sparoffice@sparcouncil.org to reach them.

[thina@springfield]

Thank you fsu813, I have to get time off to visit them and talk about solar roofs possible.
First I went to Springfield and I said to myself yes ! I'll make here to be my home then I took my friend to there and thier said no this place is not for you. So I want to be here I have to prove to my friend why here going to be my home. Two persons conformed utility bills are high, one said $500.00 per month and other one said $800.00 per month so I need to find the solution about lower utility bills.
Please if anyone have a good suggestion on this.
Thina...

[bananas]

Thina, alot of utility bill cost depends on what is done to the house (if you are getting a historic home). Our house is renovated and has new windows, insulation in the walls, insulation in the attic and underneath. Our house is about 2300 sf and our high bill in the summers is in the $250-$300 range.

Also, there are newer construction homes that are built to be more energy efficient than the renovated homes tend to be, so that maybe an option too.

The size of the home is also important too, of course. There are lots of people in the neighborhood with construction and architecture backgrounds that can suggest things, even small upgrades, to help with utility bills.

If you plan on being in the house for less than 10-15 years solar may not be cost effective anyway.

[Naples Chica]

We have a 2000 feet home and our bill is somewhere between 150 and 350 a month. It was renovated like ten years ago.

[thina@springfield]

Thank you everyone .
The house I like about 2000-3000 sqt big and two story so I just afraid that utility bill would be too high, anyway I like old house but need to make sure that house will have insolation.
I am planing to go to event on main street this evening and E ride on Sunday 9 of september too.

[Debbie Thompson]

Look into photo voltaic (sp?) shingles. Solar shingles. They appear to be regular shingles, and don't have the appearance of the panels. I haven't done serious research on them because I don't have the funds to go solar, but I've heard of them and like the look of them. I'll bet they are easier to maintain too.

We have a 2000 square foot, 106-year-old, currently all electric, two story house with 40 (yes 40!) windows. All but 2 windows are original to the home, with the original glass and sashes. Until we installed spray foam in the attic last year, we had little insulation.

Some of our neighbors have high bills. I don't know what the difference is. Maybe it's because we have the original plaster walls and, although not fashionable or historic, our house still has the asbestos shingles applied at one point. Both of which have some insulating properties.

Our electric bills, without water/sewer, average about $150 maybe. In maybe two very hot, and two very cold months, they are more...maybe $250 to $300.

Because we have animals, the HVAC runs all day. We don't turn it off when we go to work. To conserve and keep our electric bills down, we are careful with power. We use CFL's in our light fixtures. We turn off lights when we leave the room. We set the thermostat at reasonable temps. 65 in winter, and we wear sweaters. We don't try to dress in t-shirts in December. It's generally set at 80 in summer, and it's comfortable in here. Not super cool, but comfortable. We dont' let ourselves perspire to save money.