| Log homes are a special form of building which has | | | | to maintain an constant 72 degrees F inside the |
| been utilized for centuries. But with all the new | | | | home over a 24 hour time frame. |
| technology, insulation, greener building practices, etc., | | | | The standard construction home, on the other hand, |
| but where do log homes stand? Many times, as | | | | needed 8.1 kilowatt hours to maintain the same |
| builders, we are asked this question. So here is what | | | | temperature for the same period of time. |
| my research revealed. | | | | This resulted in a 25% energy savings over just 24 |
| Many studies have been conducted which compared | | | | hours. That is outstanding. |
| log home to a standard construction home. Of course | | | | Another study done by the Log Home Council found |
| a standard wall has lots of insulation in it. But what | | | | that a typical cabin can be up to 15-18% more |
| about a log? What properties can it offer to insulate | | | | energy efficient than a conventional framed home. |
| our homes from the outside elements? | | | | Log cabins are capable of excellent energy efficiency, |
| A log has what is referred to as thermal mass. | | | | but they must be constructed with high quality |
| Thermal mass is the ability of an object to absorb | | | | craftsmanship. Many log homes tend to have draft |
| heat or cold and then slowly release it. The log is | | | | problems. That is usually because the logs have |
| made with a special cell structure. This cellular | | | | shrank and someone needs to go back and fill in the |
| structure naturally wants to perform this. Just as a | | | | gaps. |
| rock is warm after the sun goes down, so our cabins | | | | With a log construction, this is very true- you either |
| retain that warmth. | | | | pay now or you pay later. If the home is fairly |
| A study on this subject, that was conducted in | | | | inexpensive to put together, you will pay for it later |
| Michigan, USA, I thought was very insightful. One | | | | in the quantity of caulking you will end up buying. |
| home was log and one was standard construction for | | | | Precision cuts, finger joinery, full saddle notch corners, |
| this test. It was found that when the temperature | | | | and double tongue and groove stack are key to |
| outside reached a minimum of 25 degrees Fahrenheit, | | | | making a cabin weather tight and energy efficient. |
| the log home needed 6 kilowatt house of electricity | | | | |