An interesting client email from a homeowner who enjoys her and her husbands decision to build an ICF home.

Her ICF home in southern Wisconsin during construction

We offer energy efficient building envelope products and services.

An ICF solution can get up to 22 LEED points for your project.

Information Links:

http://www.energystar.gov/

http://www.focusonenergy.com/

NAHB Green Building Program

Hi Tom,

It was good to hear from you.

Jamie and I are completely satisfied with our decision to construct our new home with insulated concrete forms.  We moved in almost exactly one year ago, have gone through each season once in our home, and have lots of reasons why this was the right choice for us.

As you know, our home sits just off Hwy 59, a heavily traveled road.  With the exception of the loudest semi trucks and trailers which we hear if we are in the three rooms that face the highway, our home is extremely quiet.  It is also extremely energy efficient.  Jamie was having a conversation with a fellow fire fighter recently who commented that his furnace seemed to be running constantly.  Our runs very little, as did the a/c in the summer time.  I actually tried to count one day how many times the furnace ran, but since it ran so little, it took more effort than it was worth to sit and listen for it to kick in.  Our thermostat is set at 68-70 degrees and it is not uncommon for it to read 72-74, which is a temperature we are most comfortable with and where we had to have it set at our old house just so I stayed warm enough.   In 2008 we paid $1484 for LP gas , and $1029 for electrical power.  The total LP bill includes the LP gas consumed by our garage heater, and the electrical bill includes a swim spa (a large hot-tub like pool) which is plugged in constantly and runs completely off of electrical power.  So for our home, which is 3200 square feet upstairs, and the same square footage downstairs, our energy costs are less than even my parents, who live in a 1200 square foot traditionally built home.

What else can I tell you?  Our home is certainly air tight.  R.A. Heating and A/C installed an air exchanger which we run 24-7 except during heavy down pours or extreme weather events.  We have found that the air exchanger is essential to keep the air in the house fresh since it is so air tight.  But being air tight meant we rarely every saw a bug during the spring and summer months, which was FABULOUS!

We do have digital pictures of almost every stage of the construction process.  I have so many, in fact, I'm not sure which ones to send you.  Let me know what you're looking for, and we'll gladly send them your way.  Or feel free to call Jamie and come out sometime and we can show you the photos we have for you to pick from.

If we can ever put in a good word for you, let us know.

Best Regards,

Amy

Tom,

With the recent tornado and flooding devastation seen across the country, it seemed timely to spread the word about how insulating concrete form (ICF) construction will stand up to the forces of nature.

When an ICF wall assembly is used above grade, the steel-reinforced concrete walls that are constructed provide exceptional protection from tornados (and hurricanes). It’s a fact that structures built with ICF walls are more wind-resistant than traditional wood or steel stud walls.

Tests at Texas Tech University show that concrete walls can withstand the impact of debris hurled at an intense velocity by tornado-force winds. To duplicate tornado-like conditions in the laboratory, researchers shot wall sections with 15 pound 2 X 4 lumber missiles at up to 100-mph, simulating debris carried in a 250-mph wind. Reward walls, like all other concrete wall systems, survived the tests with no structural damage (video clip).

The following Reward house recently survived a confirmed EF5 tornado in Parkersburg , IA. Although there was superficial damage to the Reward house, the wood framed homes in the area were completely destroyed.

Engineering Proof…
Reward built structures have unmatched structural strength and wall stiffness, exceeding all building code minimums.

To put it into perspective: a typical 2x4 wood-framed structure built to code has an axial capacity of 435 plf, wall bending stiffness of 9.5 psf and a lateral capacity of 37.5 psf – this will only withstand up to 130 mph winds. A 6” Reward ICF wall however, which has 50 times the axial capacity of typical 2 x 4 wood studs (16” on center) and greater lateral capacity and wall stiffness, can endure wind forces up to 250 mph.

To learn more about why Reward built structures can survive devastating storms call 1-800-468-6344 to request our Wall Assembly Comparison charts. Also, if you’d like to join the rebuilding effort in a National Disaster area, be sure to check out Reward’s Disaster Relief Program.

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By choosing ICFs you will not only build green, but you will also build faster than traditional wall assemblies with smaller crews. Our 5-in-1 wall assembly means you can complete five steps – steel reinforced concrete walls, insulation, vapor barrier, air barrier and furring – all at the same time.