As we continue construction on a replica of a Scottish castle in nearby New Cannan, CT, we wanted to share with you some of the benefits of building your next home with insulated concrete forms. Did you know that you can heat 3 homes built with insulated concrete forms (ICF) for the same cost it would take to heat one home built with the traditional 2×4 wood frame construction insulated with fiberglass? Read on for specifics.

Source: Phil Kean Designs via Houzz.com

Create an airtight fit

The reason behind why ICF works so well is hidden in its construction. Think of an airplane that rides thousands of feet in the air. The temperature at that height can go down as low as -150 degrees Fahrenheit. Yet the airplane is still able to maintain a normal temperature, even though it is only about 2 inches thick. This is due to the plane’s airtight structure. ICF homes work in a similar fashion. The concrete is encapsulated in 2 inches of foam creating an airtight fit.

Save on your energy bill

Eighty percent of the air moving in and out of your home is through the walls. This is drastically reduced with ICF construction. The average amount of money spent on heating a traditional wooden frame home is about 10 cents per square foot. ICF homes cost only about 3 to 5 cents per square foot.

Better long term investment

Some may not see the value in paying the larger price tag up front for an ICF home. However many energy experts are saying that as energy costs rise, the price of your monthly energy bill may exceed the price of your monthly mortgage in 20 years.

If you’re looking for new ways to save money on your energy bill, contact us for more information.