Essex, Vt. – January 23, 2010 - The 7th annual Vermont Log Home and Timber Frame Show kicked off with 33 exhibitors of log homes, solar power, wind power and other efficient energy sources, kitchen and cabinet manufacturers, and more. 

With all the log home offerings at the show, it begs the question. Why a log home? Besides the obvious natural rustic appeal?

Timothy Corey of Northeastern Log Homes in Groton, Vt. described some of the values of a log home over a traditional style home. “It is a renewable resource,” he said, as a majority of the materials are of solid wood. “You are buying locally, a local product.”
Concerning job site waste,  he said, “Your waste material is cut way down. There is far less waste material left over.”
Logs offer a finished surface inside and outside the home eliminating the need for additional non-recyclable manufactured materials.

He said homes from at least three of the major suppliers of log homes in Vermont offered blueprints and detailed instructions for assembly. “It’s an easy build product.” said Corey.

Corey said he believes, “because of the mass of the logs and their thermal energy properties you’ll see more solar energy incorporated into the log home industry.”

David Palumbo of Independent Power, LLC, in Hyde Park, Vt. talked about solar power for log homes. “Rooftop systems would be ideal for any home with a roof pitch of 35-40 degrees. “It would be ideal if you didn’t have dormers.” said Palumbo.

“You want the area of an open roof that doesn’t have any shade from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the afternoon, facing more or less due south. That‘s ideal.” he said. If dormers shade any part of the panels will . He explained that a lot of panels are put in the yard on pre-existing homes because the structure doesn’t get ideal sun exposure. “You can have these systems sell power back into the electric grid.” and you can either have no battery back up or you can elect to have battery backup. That backup adds significant cost he said. Battery lifespan averages about 5 years.

Palumbo said, “A system that’s about 5000 watts of solar electric will produce 435 kilowatt hours a month and the average home could use 500 or 600 kilowatt hours a month . But, a really green home that’s energy efficient can get by on 400-500 kilowatt hours.”

One feature people give little thought to, said Corey, “You can hang a picture anywhere! You don’t have to search for a stud.”

　

-Vermont Daily News staff report by Alden Pellett