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Welcome to The Leelanau Log Home Company E-Newsletter. This is a free monthly electronic newsletter that offers helpful tips and suggestions about log homes in general and specifically The Original Lincoln Logs LTD system. We'll cover a variety of topics from planning, buying, constructing, owning and maintaining a log home. The Leelanau Log Home Company welcomes your feedback, including topics you may wish to see in future issues. If, at any time, you decide you would rather not receive our E-newsletter, please visit http://www.leelanauloghomes.com to remove yourself from our electronic subscriber list. Thank you for subscribing to our E-Newsletter. Enjoy! ========================================================================= August 2006 (Volume 2, Issue 1):
1. Tip of the Month: Creating a Healthy Environment in Your Home: Controlling Humidity · Do you wake up some mornings feeling parched, dry nose and itchy eyes? · Are the hardwood floors in your new log home creaking like an old ship? · Did static electricity make loved ones and pets cringe at the touch? If your answer is "YES" to any or all of the above you, your home could be suffering from lack of moisture in the air. The measurement is called "Relative Humidity" which is defined as the ratio of the water vapor density (mass per unit volume) to the saturation water vapor density, usually expressed in percent. Too little humidity can have a dramatic impact on your home's comfort, but so can too much. One of the ways to create a healthy environment in your home is to control the level of humidity. Too much can encourage mold growth, dust mites and place condensation on cold windows. And too little can create potential respiratory problems, damage to the home and furniture, plus the annoying items listed above. Both extremes can be potentially bad for humans and your log home. Dry air can also be expensive -- adding water vapor to your home can also reduce your heating bills. Increasing the relative humidity by 10% is roughly the equivalent of raising the room temperature by one degree. Years ago people would boil a kettle of water on the wood stove. This was not very effective; it only worked marginally because the wood stove was in the center of the living area. Today's log home is typically much larger and using the kettle on top of the wood stove is totally inadequate. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends keeping indoor relative humidity at 35 to 50 percent. The good news is there are several options to create and maintain the appropriate relative humidity in your log home. Here are some suggested guidelines to help you decide what's best for you: Portable humidifiers: Simple to operate, easy to install, countertop size or free standing. Prices range from $25-$150. The main disadvantages are the small area they cover (you may have to purchase more than one) and they can be noisy and a hassle to refill with water. Select an evaporative unit, one that creates water droplets can emit bacteria or aid in mold growth. Make sure you check the humidifier output to insure it's sized right for your home. Whole house systems: By far the best way to go is to have it installed by your HVAC contractor at the time of construction (you can also add it later). Costs can range from $400-$800. The main advantage is they connect to your central water supply and you can control the level or percent of humidity. They still require maintenance and should be checked periodically like other appliances in your home. Portable dehumidifiers: Inexpensive and simple to operate, but are noisy, only affect a small area and a hassle to empty the water. Prices range from $100 to $250. A portable dehumidifier is best used in conjunction with your air conditioning system. Air conditioning: Many folks think that by installing a whole house air conditioning system will control the level of humidity in the home. By lowering the actual air temperature in your home can actually increase relative humidity and reduces the temperature of the materials in the structure which increases the risk for condensation. If you attempt to control humidity by reducing the temperature, you'll accomplish only having a very cold living space, jacking-up your energy costs and putting excessive wear on your cooling system. Whole house dehumidifier system: These systems are designed to remove moisture from your home. Depending where you live, this may be a sound choice. A whole house dehumidifier senses the level of humidity in your home and maintains that ideal level. Better systems work in conjunction with your air conditioning system. Check with your HVAC contractor for prices. By maintaining the right level of humidity in your home using these systems you'll be able to increase the temperature without sacrificing comfort, ease the wear on your cooling system and save energy costs Which ever systems you choose, always consult a HVAC professional for advice and costs. Think of controlling humidity is an investment in your home and health. 2. Featured Floorplan:
3 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms Main level: 1,414 sq. ft. One of our most popular homes, this 3-bedroom plan features a prow in the great room with cathedral ceilings and floor-to-ceiling glass. The large kitchen is great for entertaining guests, and the private loft is the perfect place to relax when they're gone. For more floorplans access our floorplans database.
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