We are all familiar with the Energy Star labels seen on computers, refrigerators, and other products. But did you know that the program also covers your entire home, from roof to basement? Like Brad and Daryl Thompson (see feature on page 40), you can design and build your log home using Energy Star guidelines to earn a five+ star rating and a home that has lower utility costs, optimum indoor air quality, and helps to reduce greenhouse gases and other pollutants in …
Gas Gas fireplaces are designed to burn either natural gas or propane. They emit very little pollution, need little maintenance, and can be installed almost anywhere, especially in a new home. Gas fireplaces have BTU ratings that measure how much heat is produced by the hour. They are also rated by fuel efficiency; that is, the amount of fuel consumed to generate heat and attain the ideal BTU. Direct-vent and top-vent gas fireplaces have an efficiency rating of 40 to 80 percent, meaning that, at …
Log homes and fireplaces go together like horses and carriages, to misquote a vintage song. More often than not, the fireplace is the focal point of the home and the primary gathering spot for family and friends. There’s nothing better than sitting in front of a crackling fire and inhaling that wonderful wood smoke. While you are enjoying the warmth and beauty of the fire, the heat in the rest of your home is being sucked up the chimney along with your ha…
There are many ways to store the heat from sunlight that enters your home, including stone floors and masonry interior walls. Another way people are choosing to capture that heat is through the use of Trombe walls . Trombe walls are named after Felix Trombe, the French engineer who developed them. The technique is to build a portion of the south wall of the home with a high thermal mass material such as concrete, then cover and seal it with a pane of glass a few inches from the surface of the wall on th…
For decades the assessment of energy efficiency in log homes has been the subject of debate. Building codes differ from one jurisdiction to another, while climate, cost, and quality of construction also weigh in. Finding the proper balance to achieve the necessary efficiency means identifying the components of log construction that will realize the best return on investment. Rob Pickett has spent more than 40 years in the log home industry, operating his own…
Saving energy is often a top concern of homeowners, whether driven by a desire to lower their utility expenses or tread lightly on the earth. Each year we see new technologies that help make saving energy easier than ever, but there are some tried-and-true methods to consider as well. Built-In Efficiency The most important thing you can do to reduce energy consumption is ensure that you are building a home with the least amount of air leakage as possible. That begins with the des…
With smart planning, you can create a home that’s beautiful to look at and does a beautiful job conserving energy. The design phase of building a log home is a perfect time to consider energy efficiency, as you can build in features that will make your home naturally efficient. You’ll end up with a home that will not only save money on power bills but will be comfortable to live in—free from drafts and moisture, with consistent temperatures throughout. Log homes on the whole are efficient buildin…
Control Moisture Controlling moisture also is important. But the house needs to breathe to allow excess moisture to escape. Seider recommends controlling this factor with good HVAC (heating, ventilating, and air conditioning) equipment. Grant also installs a growing number of encapsulated crawl spaces—a method of sealing off the crawl space from the ground and outside air by lining the area with a high-performance vapor barrier. This process not only eliminates moisture, mold, and mildew, but also impro…
