Heating in a wooden house
A log house requires a properly installed heating system that determines whether the premises will be warm, the house’s service life will be long and the logs’ appearance will be preserved.
Wooden structures can save money on heating due to the thermal mass of the logs – they are able to absorb light and heat, emitting energy as they cool. Moreover, wood can regulate the temperature due to its natural mechanism of ventilation. Heat accumulation properties can also be improved artificially – for this, you need to better site your home and windows in relation to the cardinal directions. For example, it is advisable to site the living spaces on the eastern, southern or western sides as they enjoy the most sun during a day, brining in extra heat and light. Useful recommendations for designing heating systems:
- A stove or a fireplace is not only an excellent source of heat, but also a decorative element. It is desirable to install it in a wall or corner so that it could provide space heating for several rooms at the same time. Choose a model with high heat dissipation, for example, a heat-storing pot stone stove;
- Modern log homes often have a large area, and one heating source is obviously not enough. People often install radiators working on any type of energy or underfloor heating;
- Radiators should be spread evenly throughout the room, and take into account also its distance from the wall. If placed too close, this can lead to wood drying and cracking;
- A house must have good ventilation in order to optimize the flow of cold and hot air which have different weight and velocity;
- Proper waterproofing, thermal insulation of the roof and basement.
The best heating system for a log house where you live all year round is a combination of different sources of heat, for example, a stove (a fireplace) and underfloor heating.
