In last month's Blog, we mentioned a term,which peaked some interest. Thank you for your emails about it.
Thermal mass
Thermal mass is a term you may have heard before, but what exactly does it mean and why is it essential when building or buying a log home? In simple terms, thermal mass refers to the ability of a material to store and release heat energy over time.
Log homes are known for their thermal mass properties, which make them unique and energy efficient compared to other types of homes. The walls of a log home are made of thick logs, which act as natural insulators and have a high thermal mass. This means that they can absorb and store a large amount of heat during the day, and then slowly release it at night. This helps to regulate the temperature inside the home, making it more comfortable to live in and reducing the need for additional heating or cooling.
The thermal mass of a log home can be explained in more technical terms as well. Logs are a good heat conductor, so they can absorb and store heat from the sun during the day and release it slowly at night. This heat storage effect is known as the thermal flywheel effect, and it is the reason why a log home can maintain a comfortable temperature with less energy input.
It's also worth noting that the size and type of log used in constructing a log home can also affect its thermal mass. For example, larger logs have more thermal mass than smaller logs, and denser wood species like cedar or Douglas Fir have more thermal mass than less dense species like Pine.
In conclusion, thermal mass is a key characteristic of log homes that makes them unique and energy efficient. The thick logs used in the construction of log homes absorb and store heat during the day, and release it slowly at night, to regulate the temperature inside the home, making it comfortable to live in and reducing energy consumption. The size and type of log used in the construction of log homes can also affect its thermal mass and should be considered during the planning and construction phase.
Combining the benefits of log homes (and their thermal mass) and our unmatched precise handcrafted log panels assembled to an airtight home will generate radiant heat during the evening when the outside cools off leaving you with less spent heating expenses during peak hours.
Reach out to my coworkers or me to hear more about thermal mass, the wood we use and what we can do for you.
in EZE Blog