• Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
  • Dealer Area
855-306-5678
Timberhaven Log & Timber Homes
  • Plans
    • Log Home Plan Portfolio
    • Log Cabin Series
    • Timber Frame Series
    • Log Home Design Center – 300+ Plan Library
    • Virtual Tours
    • Featured Homes
  • Photos
  • About
    • Why Timberhaven?
    • Builder Friendly
    • Our Manufacturing Process
    • Sustainability Matters
    • Testimonials
    • Press Releases
  • Our Products
    • Log Homes
      • About Log Homes
      • Kiln-Dried Engineered Logs
      • Kiln-Dried Traditional Logs
      • Seven Steps to Successful Log Home Planning
      • Material & Package Specifications
      • Log Profiles
      • Corner Options
    • Timber Frame Homes
      • About Timber Frame Homes
      • Kiln-Dried Engineered Timbers
      • Kiln Dried Traditional Timbers
      • Seven Steps to Timber Frame Home Planning
      • Material & Package Specifications
    • Hybrid Homes
      • About Hybrid Homes
      • Kiln-Dried Engineered Timbers
      • Kiln Dried Traditional Timbers
      • Seven Steps to Hybrid Home Planning
      • Material & Package Specifications
    • Timber Living Reimagined
    • Timber Frame Pavilion
    • Stair Systems
    • Warranty
  • Blog
    • Subscribe to Our Blog
  • Resources
    • Videos
    • White Paper: Engineered Logs
    • The Log Home Advantage
    • Finding the Right Land
    • White Paper: Thermal Mass
  • Log & Timber Outlet
    • Lineal Foot Logs
    • Log Siding & Corners
    • Maintenance Products
    • Stair Systems
    • Tongue & Groove
    • Barn Door Kits
  • Contact Us
    • Find a Representative Near You
    • Find an International Representative
    • Dealership Opportunities
    • Corporate Office
    • Upcoming Events
  • Dealer Area
  • Search
  • Menu Menu
You are here: Home1 / Energy & Sustainability2 / Alternative Energy Options for Your Timberhaven Log or Timber Home
Energy & Sustainability

Alternative Energy Options for Your Timberhaven Log or Timber Home

man holding light bulb in hands, alternative energy, log homes, log cabin homes, log cabins, post and beam homes, timberframe homes, timber frame homes, laminated logs, engineered logs, floor plan designs, kiln dried logs, Timberhaven local reps, log homes in Pennsylvania, log homes in PA, Timberhaven Log Homes, Timberhaven Log & Timber HomesPerhaps your log home, log cabin or timber frame home is located too far from the grid.  Maybe you’re just looking to save money in the long run.  Or, it could be that you believe public utilities can’t continue to keep up with the growing demand.  Whatever your reasons may be, alternative energy can be a very viable option for homeowners to cut back or entirely unplug from the electric company.

With ongoing advancements in technology, alternative forms of energy, such as wind, solar, and hydro-powered generators are not only becoming more common but more affordable as well.  But, which options are best for you?

Alternative Energy: Talk to the Pros

All of the possible options may seem daunting from the beginning, so there is no shame in turning to others for input and advice.  If your home is still in the planning phase, be sure to discuss your goals and ideas with all of the individuals involved.  Even if your home is already built, these knowledgeable professionals can help provide the answers you need to move forward.

Alternative Energy: The Numbers

man working on computer, alternative energy, log homes, log cabin homes, log cabins, post and beam homes, timberframe homes, timber frame homes, laminated logs, engineered logs, floor plan designs, kiln dried logs, Timberhaven local reps, log homes in Pennsylvania, log homes in PA, Timberhaven Log Homes, Timberhaven Log & Timber HomesYou will need to crunch a few numbers to get going.  How much electricity do you plan on using?  Are you looking to simply supplement existing service, or are you wanting to go entirely off the grid?  What appliances will you be running?  How many simultaneously?  How many kilowatt hours do you think you will be consuming each day?…week?…month?  Having a firm grasp on what your needs are – both the basics and with a comfortable cushion – will give you a good starting point in determining what volume of electricity you will need to generate.

The Land

A real estate agent can help you select the right plot of land.  Will the land have ample sunlight, good wind currents, or perhaps a stream with a sufficient flow rate to help you accomplish your goals?  Some of this may be determined by geographic location.  For instance, if you are looking at going solar, how many sunny days does your intended building site experience per year?  If you are thinking of wind generation, what are average local wind speeds?  Does you intended site receive enough rain annually to keep small streams flowing at a steady rate?  All of these can be factors in determining which is best for you.

HELPFUL TIP:

weather underground logo, alternative energy, log homes, log cabin homes, log cabins, post and beam homes, timberframe homes, timber frame homes, laminated logs, engineered logs, floor plan designs, kiln dried logs, Timberhaven local reps, log homes in Pennsylvania, log homes in PA, Timberhaven Log Homes, Timberhaven Log & Timber HomesWeather Underground (https://www.wunderground.com) can be an excellent tool for helping you to evaluate the conditions in your intended building area.  Weather Underground is a crowd-sourced weather network which gathers real-time weather data from over 250,000 personal weather stations around the globe.  Most often the weather reports you receive on TV, the radio, or even on your phone are pulling from readings miles away, such as airports and broadcast stations.  Weather Underground provides real, close-to-home weather information that is automatically uploaded from individual citizens who have their own weather stations linked to the network.  Many of these stations include such information as current and average rainfall, current and average wind speeds and direction, barometric readings, etc.  When exploring their map (https://www.wunderground.com/wundermap), simply click on temperature icons close to where you are looking to build, and you can explore the data – sometimes going back years – to get a better picture of what conditions are like in the immediate area.

Alternative Energy: The House

You will also want to speak with your Timberhaven Log & Timber Homes’ sales representative and your builder.  If your goal is, for example, to have a roof-mounted solar array, these individuals can help to provide the necessary details for exactly how that can be accomplished.  What additional structural considerations need to be taken into account?  Do you need to call in an additional professional, or is your builder already an alternative energy-certified specialist?  Making sure all parties involved are on the same page is important.  And, chances are, they already know a qualified professional who can help get the job done.

Alternative Energy: The Legal

Another group of people you will want to talk with is the local planning commission or governing body in charge of issuing the permits necessary to implement your source of alternative energy.  Different jurisdictions and councils have different rules and regulations, and you would hate to move forward in making plans only to find out that you couldn’t get the permits to finish them.  Can you get a permit to install solar panels on your roof but not in your yard?  Are there height restrictions on wind turbines?  What are the laws concerning tapping into local streams and waterways for electricity generation?  All of these aspects need to be taken into consideration before too much time and money is invested.

solar panels on roof, alternative energy, log homes, log cabin homes, log cabins, post and beam homes, timberframe homes, timber frame homes, laminated logs, engineered logs, floor plan designs, kiln dried logs, Timberhaven local reps, log homes in Pennsylvania, log homes in PA, Timberhaven Log Homes, Timberhaven Log & Timber Homes wind turbines, alternative energy, log homes, log cabin homes, log cabins, post and beam homes, timberframe homes, timber frame homes, laminated logs, engineered logs, floor plan designs, kiln dried logs, Timberhaven local reps, log homes in Pennsylvania, log homes in PA, Timberhaven Log Homes, Timberhaven Log & Timber Homes

A Word of Caution

While you may have the confidence to do all the work yourself or know someone who can get you “hooked up” for less than a qualified professional, please proceed with caution.  We are talking about high amounts of electricity, battery banks for energy storage, distribution boards, charge regulators, etc.  Not knowing what one is doing can lead to disastrous results.  What we’re talking about is not just the physical harm that can come from improperly wiring a home but the structural and financial damage that can take place as well.  Some homeowner insurance policies can be nullified by not having the proper professionals install and hook up electrical wiring and power sources.  And, as heartbreaking as it would be to lose a home to an electrical fire, having your insurance claim denied because you tried to save a few bucks would be devastating.

So, talk to the pros.  Learn what type of alternative energy is best for you.  And, most of all, power on.

Timberhaven logo, alternative energy, log homes, log and timber homes, Timberhaven Log & Timber Homes, Timberhaven, log homes in PA, PA log home manufacturers
#855-306-5678
info@timberhavenloghomes.com

June 16, 2017/by Bobbi Landis
Tags: Green Tip
Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on WhatsApp
  • Share on Pinterest
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Share on Vk
  • Share on Reddit
  • Share by Mail
https://timberhavenloghomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/energy-1.jpg 333 500 Bobbi Landis https://timberhavenloghomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/timberhaven-logo.png Bobbi Landis2017-06-16 08:56:462017-07-31 09:56:50Alternative Energy Options for Your Timberhaven Log or Timber Home
You might also like
Green Living Tips That Pay for Themselves: Start Saving Today
Log Home Exterior Cape Cod Style Green Tip: Consider Going Solar! What “Degree” is Right for You?
Ditch the Switch: Ways to Save Using Home Timers
Cape Cod In The Winter - Timberhaven Understanding Insulation in Your Log or Timber Home
Green Tip: Going Solar. What “Degree” is Right for You?

Get A Free Copy Of Our Brochure!

You can now get a copy of our award-winning, 16-page log home brochure which includes an introduction to Timberhaven Log Homes, our products, package offerings and services. Stunning full-color photography, a sampling of design considerations, and a log home planning checklist are also components of the brochure.

To request a copy of the brochure by regular mail please go to this page.

To get a link to download the pdf version of our brochure go to this page.

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Recent Posts

  • A Perfect Storm as seen in Log Cabin Homes Magazine
  • The Timberhaven Difference: Lifetime Warranty
  • Log Home Dreams Do Come True
  • Timberhaven Expands Regional Markets in MO & CO
  • Timberhaven Honored by National Awards Program

Categories

  • Commercial Projects
  • Energy & Sustainability
  • Events
  • Log Home Construction
  • Log Home Designs
  • Log Home Living
  • News
  • Outdoor Living
  • Press Releases
  • Testimonials
  • Timber Frame Homes

Tags

Awards Builder Friendly Commercial Projects Custom Design Delivery Day Educational Seminars Employee Spotlight Engineered Logs Events Exterior Finishes Family Traditions FAQ Feature Home Designs Floor Plan Designs Green Tip Hybrid Homes Interior Finishes Log Cabin Living Log Home Builders Log Home Kitchens Log Home Kits Log Home Living Log Homes log homes in Pennsylvania Log Profiles Magazine Features Manufacturing Misc Products NAHB Nature Friendly Outdoor Living Outdoor Timber Structures Post and Beam Homes Relocation to Middleburg Resources Special Projects Timber Accents Timber Frame Homes Timber Frame Structures Timberhaven Local Rep Timberhaven Local Reps Timberhaven Log & Timber Homes Timberhaven Log Homes Trend Alert Under Construction

Search 300+ Plan Library

Connect With Us

timberhaven log homes, social icon,facebook timberhaven log homes, social icon, twitter timberhaven log homes, social icon, google plus timberhaven log homes, social icon, pinterest timberhaven log homes, social icon, pinterest timberhaven log homes, social icon, rss feed

Find A Representative

Timberhaven Log & Timber Homes has an extensive network of the industry's best and most knowledgeable representatives. These highly trained and skilled professionals will assist you throughout the entire process. Find a Representative

People Are Talking

The purpose of this letter is to thank everyone at Timberhaven Log & Timber Homes. We would not hesitate to highly recommend Brad Mercer (our sales rep) and Timberhaven to anyone considering building a log home. Your company is the facilitator of dreams come true.
Pam and Ron Reiter

Take an Interactive 3D Virtual Tour

3D Virtual Tour Timberframe

CONTACT US

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

© Copyright 2022 – Timberhaven Log & Timber Homes | 1081 Salem Church Road, Middleburg, PA 17842 | All Rights Reserved | 855-306-5678 | info@timberhavenloghomes.com

Rock Solid Contracting Brings Bitter Sweet Dream Home to RealityDesigning Your Log or Timber Home to Include a Home Office
Scroll to top
Posting....