Energy Efficiency...The Details Matter!

Despite what some manufacturers may lead you to believe, the energy efficiency of your log home will depend on more than just the species of wood. In fact, there are several key areas to consider when discussing the energy performance of your log home.

An obvious place to start is the size of the log. A thicker log will perform better since it has a higher R- value and more thermal mass to draw from. As a result choosing a thicker log could lead to energy savings. Here at Beaver Mountain our standard 10" log wall will likely perform better than the a typical 6" or 8" log - regardless of species. However this is only part of the overall equation.

We feel it is important to pay close attention to the construction methods a manufacturer has in place in several key areas of the home. The areas that have been found to be crucial to energy efficiency are:

1) The ridge area of vaulted ceilings
2) The joint between the plate log and the roof
3) The protrusions of logs through the exterior walls (both frame and log protrusions)
4) The connection of the log wall with a frame wall
5) The connection of the window / door to the log wall
6) The log corner interface
7) The connections between the floor and the first “sill” log

The fact is many log home manufacturers leave these important items to the builder to determine how they should be constructed. At Beaver Mountain we address each of these items here, at our manufacturing facility. Our double tongue and groove between the logs is a double insurance against air infiltration/ heat loss, and our construction system is pre-cut, pre-grooved and pre-assembled prior to arriving to your job site. These added steps ensure that the assembly is air tight and your home is energy efficient.

We invite you to visit our showroom or take one of our scheduled tours or seminars to learn more about The Beaver Mountain difference and the energy efficiency of our homes.

Call 1-800-233-2770 for more information today!

Andersen Windows & Patio Doors Commitment to the Environment

Andersen Corporation will continue our longstanding commitment to leadership in environmental stewardship and to make a positive impact in the communities in which we live and work.


Some examples of our commitment to the environment include:


ENERGY STAR Program - The U.S. Department of Energy's ENERGY STAR Program made us the first national window and patio door manufacturer whose standard product line met all of its requirements in all three U.S. climate regions. For more information, visit ENERGY STAR Homes. The Environmental Protection Agency named us the 1998 Outstanding ENERGY STAR Homes Manufacturer Ally. Again, we were the first window and patio door company to win such an honor.


Green Seal Certification - Green Seal, the independent American environmental labeling organization, recognized us in 1995 & 1997, thus making us the only window manufacturer to receive such a certification. For more information, visit Green Seal. Said Green Seal President Norman Dean: "If all the windows in the U.S. were as energy efficient as those made by Andersen, we would save 2.5 percent of the annual U.S. energy consumption."


Development of Fibrex Material - Fibrex material is a unique composite that reduces our need for raw material by reclaiming much of the wood and vinyl from our waste stream. Forty percent of its weight is reclaimed wood. Initially, we used Fibrex material in the subsill of our Frenchwood hinged patio doors. But, because of its remarkable performance, we've taken it into other product lines. In fact, we're looking into using it in products besides windows and doors. The environment isn't the only winner. Independent tests show that Fibrex material is virtually resistant to rotting and insulates nearly as well as wood.


For more information about Andersen's commitment to the environment visit: www.andersenwindows.com/servlet/Satellite/AW/Page/awGeneral-3/1200437179427


Submitted by Ross Brown, Andersen Corporation

Can a “High Performance Home” be designed using Solid Log and Insulated Half Log construction?

In short the answer is yes! First though, let’s look at what a “High Performance Home” is. A high performance home, to me, is safer and healthier to live in, utilizes today’s technologies to use less energy, is built with sustainable materials and has a lower overall impact on the environment. A high performance home will outperform a traditional home that is built only with the goal of meeting code. The ultimate goal of a high performance home is to have all elements work together for greater energy efficiency and comfort, while also ensuring healthy indoor air quality.
Beaver Mountain Log & Cedar Homes has been focused on providing energy efficient homes for many years. I am currently working with several clients who are in the process of designing or building high performance homes (a.k.a. green or eco-friendly). Based on specific site conditions as well as personal preference, some are using solid log walls and others are using our insulated half log wall system. A few of the high performance methods being used include passive solar, geothermal, cool color roof shingles, solar panels and spray cellulose or foam insulation. These technologies combined with Beaver Mountain's expertise and quality of materials will set you well on your way to building a beautiful high performance home. The more natural wood products you use in your home such as logs and timbers (vs. man made conventional materials) the greener your home will be. We do not pre-treat or borate dip our logs so they are 100% natural and don’t emit harmful VOCs or other pollutants. Soil, water and air combined with energy from the sun are all that are needed to grow the trees our homes are made of. The thermal mass benefits of solid log construction better utilize available energy in both summer cooling and winter heating. According to the U.S. Department of Energy website you can save as much as 30-50% on your utility costs by incorporating various high performance or green building principles into the structure of your home. You can save 50-75% on your light bill alone by installing energy efficient fixtures and bulbs. The log and timber components our homes are milled from are not only beautiful they are renewable, recyclable and energy efficient.
Contact us today and find out how you too can benefit by designing and building a high performance home with Beaver Mountain.
John Lanner, Senior Design Consultant

Green Building Standard Approval

The National Green Building Standard was recently approved by ANSI (American National Standards Institute). This is the first and only green building standard that is coordinated with International Code Council (ICC) building codes and standards.

The ICC and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) developed the standard with input from code officials, building professionals and the green building community. The National Green Building Standard is an alternative to rating systems such as the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED rating system.

According to the NAHB, the newly approved standard provides a framework "...for all residential construction work including single-family homes, apartments and condos, land development and remodeling and renovation...".

The ICC reports that "The standard's rating system allows builders, designers and communities to choose the levels of high-performance green building that best suit their needs." Minimum points must be earned in area such as land conservation, rainwater collection, construction of smaller homes to conserve resources, site design , resource efficiency, high energy performance standards and homeowner education. These mandatory requirements, plus discretionary options, allows for final certification at one of four levels.

Considered by many as rigorous yet flexible, the standard defines the green practices that can be used in residential construction and further educates homeowners on operation and maintenance of their green homes.

To learn more about incorporating green building standards into your project, contact a Beaver Mountain sales consultant.

Going Green for the Holidays

Going green isn't just good for the environment, it's good for your wallet as well! New green christmas lights are solar powered, recyclable wool sweaters and e-holiday cards to save paper are just a few ways to be eco-friendly this holiday season. What about wrapping your gifts in a beautiful scarf that the giftee can wear all winter? Or buying a Christmas tree from a farm that replants trees every year? Or making popcorn and cranberry garland for your tree (remember that from when you were a child?)

Want more ideas? Here's a few of our favorite green sites:
http://www.earth911.com/
(A great site that gives you some green ideas for your everyday activities.)
http://www.thedailygreen.com/
(Everything you could want to know about living green, including a great reseource for finding local green efforts.)
http://www.onegreenmommy.blogspot.com/
(Written by a Mom, this blog is full of green tips and ideas for living green with children or grandchildren.)

5 easy tips to live greener!

There's a big buzz around "living green" right now. And hundreds of ways to do it! Here's a few easy steps you can take to start living to be more environmentally friendly!

1. Use less hot hair
Your clothes dryer uses a lot of energy to get your clothing dry. But now that summer's here, consider putting your clothes outside to dry. Not only will it save electricity or gas, but your clothes will smell wonderful and will last longer! If you do need to use your dryer, throw in some dryer balls, which will fluff clothing and can cut drying time by 25%!

2. Use EnergyStar appliances
As you build your new home, shop around for appliances that comply with EnergyStar efficiency standards. These can save you about 30% in energy costs per year (compared to a normal appliance.) You can find more information at http://www.energystar.gov/.

3. Don't idle
If your car is stopped for longer than 15 seconds, turn it off. Letting it idle will use more gas and emit toxic fumes. Not idling could have a significant impact on greenhouse gases - just ask Burlington, VT's mayor Bob Kiss. They've had a law against idling on the books since 1990. So just turn your car off when you're stopped and you'll save money and the planet.

4. Use eco-friendly cleaners
Next time you start to pull out the industrial strength window cleaner, ask yourself if you have anything in the house that's eco-friendly to clean with. Chances are you do. Warm water coupled with a microfiber towel or scrubber will clean up most messes. Add a little white vinegar or baking soda and you've got an environmentally friendly solution that's tough on messes. For more homemade cleaning ideas, visit http://organizedhome.com/pantry-recipes-homemade-cleaning-products

5. Check over your vehicle before heading out on your summer vacation
Millions of people will hit the road this summer and if you're one of them there's a few things you can do to get the most out of your road trip.

• First, check your tire pressure. Tires with low air pressure will mean you get a lower mpg. Fill up those tires and watch your mpg rise!



• You can also pack lighter. Vehicles that are loaded down with luggage and weight will be less efficient than the same vehicles that are carrying less cargo.



• Tune up your car before you leave. Replacing your vehicles air filter, changing the oil and regular maintenance will help cut down on emissions.



• Visit http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/maintain.shtml for more tips for keeping your vehicle in shape

Remember, living green isn't about taking a huge leap. It's about all the little things that we can do every day to make our lives more environmentally friendly!