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 Options: 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. 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 barrels.