| Here is one of the
largest and most misunderstood questions concerning log homes: Efficiency.
Log home companies boast that
their homes are the MOST energy efficient, and many owners claim that Log
Homes are more energy efficient, but where's the proof you need?
Well, back in the 70's, some
state building codes added energy requirements calculated in "R"
-values. This was a measurement used to calculate the rate of static
thermal resistance, NOT heat storage, or rate of heat loss. Log home
producers objected to this, and sought recognition of Thermal Mass,
whereby solid-wood wall logs heated by the sun retain that heat as the
outside temperature falls, then radiates heat back inside the home,
requiring less heating energy use.
The National Bureau of Standards
and Technology erected test buildings and recorded their energy
consumption, their findings were amazing. I found that over a 3 week
spring heating period, the log buildings used 46% less energy than the same
sized insulated wood-frame building; during the 11 week summer period, the
log building used 24% less cooling energy than the insulated wood frame
building; and during the 14 week winter period; the log building used 15%
less than the insulated wood-frame building.
Minnesota Department of Public
Services and the National Association of Log Builders National Research
Center at a study in Minnesota, measured air leakage of 23 log homes. It
concluded that the worst leakage's were not log related but instead, they
were at cathedral ceilings, windows and door frames and the tops of the
walls.
Many more tests have taken place
by many institutes and the conclusion...... " Log Mass is a
significant benefit" to home construction.
But, no home --- no matter the
type of construction --- is energy efficient if poor construction methods
are use. That is why, we at Strongwood, build to exacting standards with
quality materials to insure that your home is energy efficient throughout
and maximizes the benefits of a full log home.
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