Honest Abe Log Homes designs its log cabins, timber frame homes and log homes with energy efficiency in mind. This saves our homeowners money on energy bills and reduces the carbon footprint.
Here are a few ideas:
Orient the home to maximize solar gain: Orienting the home to take advantage of the sun’s energy can help to naturally heat and light the home. South-facing windows can be used to allow sunlight to enter the home, while shading devices can be used to block the sun’s rays during the hottest part of the day. Here’s some advice on choosing the right spot for your new home.
Use energy-efficient windows: Energy-efficient windows can help to reduce heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer. They can also reduce the amount of UV light that enters the home, which can help to protect furnishings and reduce fading. For more window choices, click here.
Insulate the home: Proper insulation can help to keep the home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. It can also reduce noise pollution from the outside. Fortunately, log home walls do not require insulation. Even traditional chinked log homes are very energy efficient.Read a study about the performance of log walls here. Find out more about how our timber frame homes that utilize structural insulated panels helped one customer save money.
Use energy-efficient appliances and lighting: Choosing energy-efficient appliances and lighting can help to reduce energy usage and lower energy bills.
Use passive solar design principles: Passive solar design involves using the sun’s energy to naturally heat and cool the home. Strategies can include using thermal mass materials to absorb and store heat, using windows and skylights to allow sunlight to enter the home, and using strategic landscaping to block the sun’s rays during the hottest part of the day.
Consider using renewable energy sources: Renewable energy sources, such as solar panels or a wind turbine, can help to reduce your reliance on fossil fuels and lower your carbon footprint. Honest Abe’s log homes are built with renewal materials.
It’s important to carefully consider the specific needs and characteristics of your home and location when designing an energy-efficient home.
There are a range of other options for energy efficiency that can be incorporated into a log home. Check with your Honest Abe Log Home Independent Dealer or in-house sales representative to learn more.
– article by Honest Abe Log Homes, ©2023
