Ground Source Heat Pumps (or geothermal) use the constant temperature of the earth instead of the highly variable outdoor temperature as the exchange medium that regulates the indoor temperature. They are twice as efficient as a conventional heat pump and are usually practical for any house with forced-air heating and cooling. Many of you are building on acreage so why not?
Tankless Water Heaters can increase your fuel efficiency by more than 50 percent. Tankless or "Flush" units heat water in as little as five seconds and can deliver up to 200 - 500 gallons of hot water per hour.
Exterior or Interior Wood-burning Stove may greatly reduce your gas or electric needs in the winter. Catalytic wood-burning stoves are so efficient, they are capable for being the primary heat source many homes.
Efficient Lighting to light up your home correctly from the start. Use new LED or Fluorescent Bulbs, inside and out. These types of bulbs run at a fraction of the energy required by standard bulbs. You can also use "Sun Tunnels" or "Sun Tubes" in any room you might want to have FREE daylight. This will save money by not running light fixtures during daylight hours.
Energy Star Appliances use 10 to 15 percent less energy and water than standard models. Appliances account for up to 34 percent of your home's utility bill. Plus, new modern appliances will make your home look better.
Solar Thermal Water Heaters (like those from Velux) use panels mounted on the roof and can reduce the amount of energy consumed for water heating by up to 80 percent.
Programmable Thermostats will do your temperature adjusting for you automatically. For Example: You can set the thermostat to "back off" on heating or cooling while you are at work. For every degree you cut back on heat or air conditioning over an eight-hour period, you will save one percent on your energy bills.
Passive Solar Design can save you a lot of energy cost. Let us help you design your new log home and make it as energy efficient as possible. The best time to do this is during the design phase because at that point it is easy to calculate the structure's energy needs.
A big part of this process is passive-solar design. Popular in northern climates where the sun swings high in the sky during the summer and low during the winter. The direction of how your home is situated on your lot, overhangs, and other factors can save you a lot of energy expense.
Photo Voltaic Shingles can generate enough energy for your home to reduce your dependency on the power company. These special shingles can turn your home's roof into a power plant that generates clean, reliable, and renewable energy. When installed on your log home's roof, the panels can provide all or most of your new home's energy needs. This cutting edge technology can provide reliable power even in partial shade.
Radiant Floor Heat can help you say goodbye to cold feet. Radiant in-floor heat is the perfect choice for any room, basement, or garage. You can use gas, wood, or electricity as the heat source for your floor's radiant system. These systems provide constant, penetrating heat that forced air can not duplicate.