Yay! We're getting a new roof!!!

We're at the very beginning stage of research, so I don't even know what we're considering. We seem to have composition shingles now, will probably be something like that. Would like value + quality, nothing too fancy.

Sozobe, before going ahead- check with your state energy department about solar rebates. I think Ohio is one of the states that offers great rebates for adding solar panels. You could at least do your hot water that way, but it might also be possible to do electric (with grid backup). The easiest/cheapest time to do it is at the same time you do a new roof. The rebates should cover all the alternative energy solutions you install, if what I remember reading about Ohio is correct. Federal tax rebates for solar are also possible.

Wow, good to know!! Will look into that.

I found something about tax credits at the Federal level -- Energy Star. Haven't found anything at the state level so far, will keep looking.

Here's the part about solar panels:



That's Energy Star again though. The Ohio Office of Energy Efficiency (OEE) points to it on their website.

http://www.greenenergyohio.org/page.cfm?pageID=319

It doesn't look like Ohio does tax credits but they do have programs for both loans and grants.

Congrats on the new roof, Piffka. I'll be needing a new one myself, in a few years. The winds here up north like to occationally take roof tiles with them

Thanks, Montana. That's a big wind that would tear off tiles. <shudder> I figured if we had 110 mph winds here, we'd have lots more to worry about than the roof.

I hope you have really good luck and handsome roofers when you start your roof project.

We live on the ocean, so those gusts of wind are so strong sometimes, they shake the house

Now that you mention it, I think it would be a good idea to get lots of estimates before I decide which men would be best suited for the job. I may have other things they can do while they're here as well

Thanks for the tip ;-)

(Thanks, fishin'!)