Green Building Design Elements

Green Design Elements

Plan for Green Power
There are a number of ways you can incorporate green energy into the design of your home. You may want to add solar panels to your roof or piece of your land. You may have access to geothermal heat. Some people might even install a personal wind turbine. Knowing your options and desires helps us to better incorporate these aspects into your home.

Use Eaves, Porches and Awnings
When you are able to reduce the amount of summer sunlight entering your windows, you reduce the amount of energy needed to cool your home. You also reduce the amount of moisture which will meet your windows thus increasing the life of the window system.

Placement of Your Home on the Lot
Place your log home or timber home on your land so that you minimize the effects of the afternoon sun. Also review natural site characteristics such as solar access and topographic rise that may enhance or restrict your log home design.

Install Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs)
SIPs can not only decrease the build time of your log home or timber frame home, but can also create a permanent energy envelope, thus decreasing air loss. Learn more about SIPs.

Limit Vaulted Ceilings
The more air within a room, the more energy it takes to heat or cool. Work with your architect to find creative alternatives.

Use Radiant Heating
Radiant heat is more efficient because there is no loss of energy do to leaky ducts. If you have taller than average ceilings (common in log homes and timber frame homes), radiant heating is a good option. Learn more about radiant heat options.

Avoid Recessed Can Lights
By cutting a hole in the thermal envelope of your log home or timber home, you are allowing space for outside air to infiltrate and inside air to escape.

Placement, Type and Size of Windows
A creative designer will be able to design your home with a unique flair, while considering the effects of window size and location. For instance, a large unprotected window on the west side of your home is not optimal. The use of clerestory windows can add light to log homes and timber homes while minimizing energy loss.

Add a Cool Pantry or Root Cellar
Think about all types of loss. How much food did you "waste" last year due to rot? Root cellars can store large quantities of produce and other perishable goods. Cool pantries can add to the shelf-life of many products.

Post-Design Elements

Use ENERGY STAR Appliances & Products
Chose ENERGY STAR rated products such as dishwashers, washing machines, refrigerators and freezers. This is any easy way to save money and conserve energy.

Choose Eco-Friendly Stain and Sealant
Log homes are the ultimate renewable resource. Protect your home with treatments that are not created using toxic chemicals. For environmentally friendly stains & finishes, visit Sansin.

Utilize Energy-Efficient Lighting
There have been remarkable breakthroughs in fluorescent lighting. One of the easiest ways you can live green is to use low-watt fluorescent lighting throughout your log home or timber frame home.

Installing the Right Water Heater
Water heating can account for 14%–25% of the energy consumed in your home so choosing the right water heater is important.

Landscaping Water Conservation
Don't forget about the land you plan to build your log home or timber home on. Employing eco-smart landscaping techniques and watering responsibly are also part of living green. Consider catching rain water from roofs to water some of your vegetation.