Retired Sailor Builds Sustainable, Self-Sufficient Log Home

Castalia, NC, July 15, 2012 --(PR.com)-- Few people can say they live a life of self-sufficiency but in the hills of Castalia, N.C., Carther F. Jorgensen developed a sustainable, self-sufficient and off-the-electrical grid log home called the Clearwater.

Jorgensen, a retired Navy lieutenant commander and a teacher in the Nash-Rocky Mount public school system, worked with Log and Timber Home Builders, log home builders located in Nashville, N.C., and eLogHomes.com, one of the nations leading manufactures of log home packages and materials, in achieving his goal to build a home without relying on public utilities or amenities.

“This home incorporates many things that I wanted to do all my life,” said Jorgensen. “It is a lot of stuff in a relatively small home.”

The 1,572 square feet log home is an example of building or renovating with sustainability in mind. The idea of living of-the-grid typically means not relying on the main power grid for electricity, but it also includes disconnecting from the public water and sewer. The home is complete with an observatory, solar panel array, and a water and waste system. The use of solar power maximizes energy and (reduces) utility cost while promoting environmental and economic sustainability.

The three-bedroom, 2 1/2-bath home is powered by six 8-volt batteries designed to last 15 years, which are also 90 percent recyclable. The six batteries maintain their charge through the use of 18 200-watt solar panels. The solar panels can recharge the batteries to full charge in less than a day with minimal sunlight. The sun-powered option, which includes the solar panels, an inverter and batteries, can provide electric power for about four to five days without recharging and require little maintenance.

In developing the Clearwater, Jorgensen elected to live completely off-the-grid, which includes supplying his own water and waste system. Water is easily accessible, so Jorgensen tapped into this renewable resource and eliminated his water bill by digging a well, installing a fresh water cistern and fitting the home with a septic tank. The purpose of the septic system is to collect and release your waste water into the soil naturally. The log home is also equipped with an above-ground cistern to collect rain water to be used for irrigation. Rain water from Jorgensen’s gutters is channeled into the cistern.

“The Clearwater is a perfect example of a home that uses green technology to its fullest potential and naturally integrates right into the landscape,” said Michael Wild, eLogHomes.com information officer.

The use of logs increases the energy efficiency of the home. A natural property of logs called thermal mass helps keep inside temperatures of homes comfortable in all seasons. According to studies conducted by National Institute of Standards and Technology, Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the Research Center of the National Association of Home Builders, homes built with solid log walls are typically 2.5 percent to 15 percent more energy efficient than a conventionally built home. This natural property allows the logs to collect and store thermal energy, and gradually release the thermal energy back into the home throughout the day.

Thermal mass moderates temperature swings inside the home year round. In the heating season, logs retain heat and release it back into the home, which conserves energy. In the cooling season, thermal mass delays the need for air conditioning until later in the day, reducing utility costs. Additional features that contribute to heating and cooling the home are the white-metal roofing and proper ventilation between the basement and first-floor.

“My custom cabin, based upon my original concept, is more amazing than anything I ever dreamed and a major reason is the perfectly dried logs milled to perfection,” said Jorgensen. “I give these logs my highest recommendation.”

Jorgensen’s concept to maximize energy efficiency extended into the arrangement of elements in the log home to collect, store and distribute solar energy in the form of heat in the winter and reject solar heat in the summer. This simple concept is called passive solar design and includes the placement of windows and the use of a wood stove. Jorgensen selected his site with sustainability in mind by taking into account the orientation of the home and surrounding landscape.

“I expect this home to remain standing long after I’m gone,” said Jorgensen. “The corners are perfectly square; there are no gaps between the logs. This cabin is a work of art.”

The log constructed home, which integrates naturally into the environment, is known for its adaptability, use of renewable resources and structural soundness. The logs crafted to exact specifications for the Clearwater prior to delivery minimized waste and saved time. All the logs provide by eLogHomes.com were inspected to ensure logs used in construction meet national and regional building codes. The Clearwater is an example of the versatility of log homes. For more information about the Clearwater and the detailed information on log homes packages and materials visit www.eLogHomes.com or call (919) 746-7522.

About the Company: eLogHomes.com, one of the nations leading manufacturers of log home packages and materials, provides exceptional log homes that are attractive, affordable, and energy-efficient. With the industry’s most complete interactive online gallery and a highly trained and experienced support staff, at eLogHomes.com, traditional craftsmanship and customer service combine seamlessly with new-age technology.