Homeowners have many options for installing an HVAC system in a new log home or upgrading a system in an existing log home. Carefully explore your options to determine what is best for your home and climate. If you plan to sell your house in a few years, consider what prospective buyers might want in an HVAC system.
What Is Included In An HVAC System
As the letters HVAC imply, a system contains devices and equipment to heat, ventilate, and cool a home. An experienced building contractor is an excellent source of information to help select a system that fits your year-round needs. Considerations for selecting a system can include:
- Type and size of equipment
- Efficiency standards
- Placement of equipment
- Your HVAC budget
- Available power sources
- Where to buy the equipment
- Who to hire to install the system
Installing an HVAC system in a log siding home is faster and easier than installing one in a full log home. Placing electrical wiring, ductwork, and plumbing requires more work in a full log house and can cost more. It’s not much different than installing the system in any conventionally-framed house with vinyl, metal, brick, or stucco siding.
Log Siding Home HVAC Efficiency Standards
The U.S. Department of Energy sets the minimum energy efficiency standards for HVAC equipment that manufacturers must follow. Most homeowners rely on contractors to know and apply the current energy efficiency standards for the systems they install. Online retailers may offer equipment that does not meet the standards for your climate. That’s why it is important to check with your local HVAC installers.
HVAC equipment typically relies on electricity to run heating and cooling systems. Equipment carries a Season Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER) minimum that varies from area to area. A minimum SEER rating for an air conditioner in the north is 13.4 and higher efficiency is required for an AC in southern states.
Furnaces must reach at least 80% Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) but more efficient ones can reach 90% or more. Electric furnaces can reach up to 100% efficiency but are too expensive to use as the main source of heat in most homes.
“Carefully explore your options to determine what is best for your home and climate.”
Central Heat And Air Systems
Central forced heat and air conditioning systems are the most common equipment used today. It’s critical to know that installing the system correctly is just as important as choosing the right size system. Consider these pros and cons of this system for your log siding home:
| Pros | Cons |
| Consistent temperature control | Can be expensive to install |
| Can improve indoor air quality | Some ductwork may be missing in older homes |
| Potential year-round energy savings | May lead to uneven temperatures in rooms |
| Relatively easy to find installers | Problems occur if not installed correctly |
| Durable and reliable | Potential efficiency loss through ductwork leaks |
| Can add humidity devices |
Ductless Mini Split Systems
Ductless mini split condenser equipment is usually mounted on the exterior wall of a house with room air handlers mounted on walls in each room. These are the pros and cons:
| Pros | Cons |
| Set different temperatures in each room | Higher equipment and installation costs |
| Fast and easy to install | Room units may seem unattractive |
| More energy efficient- lower bills | Potential for more maintenance |
| No ductwork to run through house | May be less effective in extreme temperatures |
| Quiet operation and better air quality |
Log Siding Home HVAC: Heat Pumps
Heat pumps are energy-efficient alternatives to furnaces and air conditioners for any climate. They use electricity to transfer heat from a cool space to a warm space. During the cooling season, they move heat from a house to the outdoors. They transfer heat rather than generate heat or chilled air.
| Pros | Cons |
| Very energy efficient | Higher equipment and installation costs |
| Provide dual heating and cooling | Reduced efficiency in extreme cold |
| More environmentally friendly | Can be noisy during defrost cycle |
| Can manage humidity levels | May require additional space for equipment |
| Lower maintenance issues |
Wood-Burning Stoves And Window Air Conditioners
Wood-burning stoves are classic in log homes and cabins. People either like them for their coziness or dislike them for the amount of work to use them. Pros and cons include:
| Stove Pros | Stove Cons |
| Cost-effective wood fuel | Can cost more than gas, oil, or coal stoves |
| More energy independent | Can cause indoor and outdoor pollution |
| Uses sustainable fuel | More of a fire risk than other equipment |
| More efficient than fireplaces | Require regular maintenance |
If you want a simple cooling system for one or more rooms, use window air conditioners. They possess these pros and cons:
| Window AC Pros | Window AC Cons |
| Relatively inexpensive | Noise levels can be high |
| Easy and fast to install | Less efficient than central AC systems |
| Can cool individual rooms effectively | Obstruct views in windows |
| Units are portable from room to room | Can present a security risk |
Use the pros and cons of each type of heating and cooling system to determine what is best for your log siding home. Consult a building contractor to learn more about HVAC equipment and systems for your climate and needs.
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