Self Sufficiency Guide for Log Cabin owners

Many Timber Log Chalets are positioned in isolated areas, so for environmental or financial reasons with connecting services from the National Utility companies it becomes viable and often desirable to use alternative methods.

· Solar Hot water systems:

This usually consists of a Solar Collector (which is usually positioned on a roof), a Tank, and Hydraulics. There are many manufacturers on the market who usually loop you into a Government grant. They cost little or nothing to run and maintain. More sophisticated systems include a Photovoltaic panel powering a variable speed solar electric pump and a more efficient antifreeze system.

· Solid Fuel burners:

If you have a renewable source of suitable logs then this system is the oldest, easiest and cheapest way to provide heat for your Timber log cabin. There are hundreds of systems available from a simple small wood burner to a piped hot air system. The installation of a flu is just as easy and simple as a traditional house, and should be done by a appropriately qualified tradesman.

Biomatic heating systems are pretty efficient and burn many things including recycled pellets. They are a clean organic product manufactured from a by-product of sawmills and as such it does not reduce forest resources.

· Rain harvesting:

The better and more expensive systems involve split storage of a potable (drinkable) supply and water for any other uses. Water is collected (harvested) from rain via a standard gutter and drainpipe system and stored in tanks for all year round use. It does have an added advantage of making us think about every pint of water use, which cannot be a bad thing.

· Sewage Treatment:

Water can be treated continuously at a very low cost via a reed bed sewage system where water passes through it supporting a variety of plant and animal life before returning safely to the environment.

Small underground sewage treatment plants are available, which utilizes naturally occurring microorganisms, to rapidly degrade solid matter, and via a settlement area water can then be discharged safely into a waterway. Occasionally the solids need to be removed but again these have been safely dealt with.

· Solar Generators:

Photo voltaics is a method developed to produce electricity directly from Solar Energy. The power can be stored in batteries and used as and when required.

· Wind Generators:

Electrical power can be provided from a variety of turbines, which are available on the market. The power is stored in batteries and overload is usually prevented by a diode system. On occasions when insufficient wind is available and the batteries are becoming exhausted, then Diesel Generators can be used as a supplement.

If you want more infomation or a quote on any of the above products then please call 0844 844 9779 or email: LogCabinEnquires@homeandgardengifts.co.uk