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  News Desk[Back to News Desk Main]History Trumps EnergyHomeowners across the country are bumping into restrictions as they attempt to conserve energy. Regulated developments and historic districts often prevent people from making energy-saving changes to their homes. A Massachusetts resident, tired of his $5,000 heating bill each winter, asked permission to install 17 new energy-efficient windows. The town’s Historic District Commission denied his request. In 2006 there were almost 413,000 designated historic properties, according to the National Park Service. Solar panels, light-reflecting roofs and new windows may “look ugly” or damage property values of a home in a historic district. Homeowner associations are growing as well and often put strict controls over what an individual property owner can do. In Arizona a man faced a $50 daily fine until he removed a solar panel from his roof. Some states are trying to promote energy-efficient improvements. California, New Jersey and Arizona now restrict homeowner’s associations from blocking solar-panel installation. Other states are considering measures to promote renewable energy while maintaining the aesthetic quality of their communities. |
