Energy-Efficiency-Part-II

Part 2: Even More Tips for Creating a Comfortable, Energy-Efficient Log Home
 

Once you’ve created an air-tight building shell with a Ward log home package, it’s time to zero in on other aspects of your home’s energy usage. Lighting, appliances, and heating and cooling all account for a significant portion of your home’s energy needs. Read on for how to choose the best options for your Ward log home. 

1. Heating and Cooling
 

By the numbers: Your Ward log home’s heating and cooling system will account for more than 50 percent of your home’s energy usage.

The efficiency switch:  A forced-air HVAC system is the residential building standard, but there are many energy-efficient options available today that deserve consideration, including solar and geothermal systems as well as wind turbines. Solar and geothermal systems are the most popular among homeowners. And while average up-front costs are higher, these systems promise to pay for themselves over time. For example, geothermal systems will save about 70 percent on heating costs and 50 percent on cooling costs annually. 

If you do opt for a traditional HVAC system, be sure to size it properly to increase efficiency, seal all duct leaks with mastic tape, and install a smart thermostat, which can save a couple hundred dollars a year while keeping interiors comfortable. 

2. Lighting 
 

By the numbers: Expect your home’s lighting to account for about 10 to 15 percent of your total electricity consumption.

The efficiency switch: Keeping usage down in this area is as simple as swapping light bulbs. Switching old-school incandescent lights for newer Energy Star LED bulbs can save you hundreds of dollars over the course of a single bulb’s decade-long lifetime. Count up all the bulbs in your home, and you can quickly see how the savings add up over time. According to the Department of Energy, in one year after swapping out five of your most-used bulbs for with LEDs, you can expect to save around $75. Other smart switches include — well, switches. Switches with dimmers, motion detectors, and timers can help cut usage, too. 

3. Appliances
 

By the numbers: It is estimated that traditional home appliances, from refrigerators to dryers, account for nearly 15 percent of a household’s total energy usage. Include your water heater in this category as well. They typically account for about 15 percent of the total appliance energy usage. 

The efficiency switch: To make the most of the energy savings from your Ward log home’s superior building envelope, swap any outdated appliances for new ones labeled with an ENERGY STAR rating. These models must meet requirements that use one-quarter less energy than their non-rated counterparts.

Also, consider your household’s needs when choosing appliances. If it is just the two of you with occasional guests, full-size appliances might not be necessary. The larger the appliance, the more energy it will use. For example, maybe you can skip a side-by-side washer and dryer set and instead opt for a smaller, two-in-one model. 

Whatever appliances you choose, keep in mind that you can impact usage by your setting choices. Turn down the temperature on your water heater, choose the “cold water” setting when washing clothes and the “low” setting on your dryer. Run loads in your washer, dryer, and dishwasher only when full. These small choices can result in significant monthly energy savings over time.

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