In the Living Room: Inside Ricky Martin's gorgeous Beverly Hills home!

Inside Ricky Martin's gorgeous Beverly Hills home!

This post is provided by Katherine Smith.

You have finally purchased the log cabin of your dreams! You get to kick back and enjoy quiet evenings next to the fire among the relative isolation of the woods. You can imagine yourself in a world before technology and before all the pressures of our fast-paced society.

But you do not want to get carried away and live life without all technology! You will still want things like electricity and heat. But since you live in a log cabin, you might have problems keeping your energy bills low. Here are a few things you can do to make your log cabin more energy-efficient:

Get New Windows

One of the most effective things you can do to improve energy savings in your log cabin is to invest in new windows. Oregon, Washington, the mountains in Tennessee, Colorado- these are all great places to own a log cabin since they offer picturesque views, but they also have very cold climates. The windows are like huge holes in the side of your log cabin if they are not designed properly. That means you could be losing a lot of heat, which will drive your energy bills sky high. Invest in the type of window replacements Portland and other cold-climate residents use, and you will see a significant reduction in your energy bills.

Invest in double-hung windows that fit your personal style with superior construction, and you will get extra insulation for your log cabin that will help you maintain steadier temperatures. You can also add window tints to improve the energy efficiency of the windows.

Replace The Doors

The doors of your log cabin are also like big holes in your home. Some doors are just hollow inside, offering no insulation whatsoever. You need to replace the doors with insulated options. Not only will you improve your home’s energy bills, but you will also get a sturdier door that will hold up to damage a bit better.

For maximum energy efficiency, replace both the exterior and interior doors with insulated options. You will get more stable temperatures in each room of your log home.

Get New Appliances

Log cabins tend to be on the older side. It is part of what gives them their charm. The appliances that came with the log cabin may be equally on the older side. The refrigerator, stove, washer, and dryer could all be soaking up more electricity than they should, which can send your bills sky high.

Invest in new appliances that are Energy Star rated. These appliances come with information about how much energy they use and how much they can potentially save you on energy bills.

Update The Roof

The roof plays one of the most important roles in maintaining energy efficiency. If the roof on your log cabin is old, in disrepair, or simply not appropriate for the property, it could be letting out cool air and heat, causing your energy bills to skyrocket.

Hire an experienced roofer to check out your home. The roofer may be able to improve energy efficiency by just making repairs, or the roofer may recommend that you replace the roof. Metal roofs are known for their energy efficiency, but your roofer can make recommendations to get the look you want while still maintaining energy efficiency.

Upgrade The Insulation

Different types of insulation will offer different levels of protection. Spray foam insulation will offer the highest level of protection, but it is also the most expensive. Work with a contractor to have the insulation in your log home inspected and to make a decision for what type of insulation would give you the best energy efficiency for your budget. You may not be able to get the very best product on the market, but you should be able to get something on your budget that will bring down your log home’s energy consumption.

Plant Some Trees

The winter months are not the only thing you have to worry about wreaking havoc on your home’s energy consumption. The summer months can get pretty hot, too, even in colder climates like Oregon. Planting some trees will help provide some shade to the house during the hot days so your air conditioner does not have to work as hard to cool the house. You will improve the look of your property and bring down your energy bills during the summer.

Do not let your dream of owning a log cabin put a strain on your finances. Make these upgrades to your cabin to bring down your energy costs and save big in the long run.