Green Tip: Consider Going Solar! What “Degree” is Right for You?

There are many ways to harness the sun’s rays, ranging from basic passive solar design to complete home energy systems. Whether you’re designing your dream log home/timber frame home or implementing modifications to your existing structure, here are some reasons to consider going solar.

Passive Solar: Consider Going Solar

For new home construction, utilizing passive solar principles helps keep the interior warm in the winter and cool in the summer, with plenty of natural light. If the landscape permits, set the home running east to west. A square-shaped home is ideal, because less of the exterior is exposed to the elements. Design the home’s layout so that the majority of windows are facing the south, with the rooms on the southern side “daylight” rooms, such as living room and kitchen. Taking advantage of deciduous trees on the south side is ideal, because they drop their leaves to let sun in during the winter, but provide shade in the summer.

Small Changes Make Big Differences: Consider Going Solar

Solar-powered outdoor lanterns, security lights and even paving stones don’t require special attachments, and provide electricity-free lighting to your log home or timber frame home’s exterior. In addition, solar generators can be set up either inside or outside, and will give you enough energy per unit to power up small appliances, medical equipment, and cell phones. Finally, it may surprise you to learn that the sun’s rays can actually be used to cool your house in warmer months, by powering solar attic fans that don’t need special panels or hookups.

 

Getting Yourself Into Hot Water: Consider Going Solar

A solar water heater can save significant money and energy. These heaters do require some kind of attached solar collector. Because of this, installation of the collector panel (most commonly on a roof) of the collector, along with the costs of replacing your current water heater, make a solar water heater something of an investment — but one that the U.S. Department of Energy estimates can be recouped within ten years.

Whole-House Systems: Consider Going Solar

If you decide you want a fully solar powered log home, you’ll first need to decide if you are going to still be plugged into a traditional utility grid, as a backup source of energy. (This is useful for log homes that don’t receive the recommended amount of sunlight in the winter.) The second option, going totally “off the grid” means that there is no utility backup system. In either case, your Timberhaven representative will work with you to make sure your log home or timber frame home meets local R-value requirements and that your roofline (or nearby array) is designed to accommodate several solar panels.

Consider Going Solar

There are many reasons why homeowners consider going solar, but improving the environment and cutting energy costs are the most common. What are your reasons?  Check out the sources below for additional information.

 

Sources
http://energy.gov/energysaver/solar-water-heaters
http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects/SolarHomes/UtahExtFact_Sheet_3.pdf
http://www.logcabins.com/Main/News/177.aspx
http://www.hgtv.com/remodel/mechanical-systems/small-steps-in-solar-power