Insulated Concrete Form Townhouses Part III

October 5th, 2011 | Distributor Spotlight, Project Showcase | Energy Data, energy efficiency, energy star, Project Showcase, tax credits, WA

Welcome back to this project profile of Devoted Builders and their Mediterranean town homes in Washington. Last time we spoke of the products that were used in constructing the ICF homes and also gave a quick ICF project scope and summary.

Cost and Savings Using Insulated Concrete Forms

There were many upgrades given to these homes to perform better than a Building America Benchmark home. We can take a look at one of them to show you the energy savings as well as the increases in costs and how it all shakes out for the buyer of the homes, compared to the 2006 Washington state energy code and the benchmark home. All of the energy calculations were done by WSU Extension Energy.

The Devoted Builders Home saves better than 25% on energy compared to the Washington Energy Code and has a savings of over 43% compared to the benchmark home.

The home would save over $1,300 a year in energy costs alone, and the owner would will net $500 a year after the 30 years of a mortgage, when costs of upgrades were taken into account.

It goes to show even with the added expense of insulated concrete forms and other energy savings features, the performance outweighs the costs. Homeowners and building owners across the country are coming out ahead.

Project Summary on All Energy Efficient Features

• HERS Scores 54-68
• R-22 Insulated Concrete Form Wall
• R-49 blown in cellulose in attic
• 0.29 U-value windows
• Whole house air leakage below 2.0 ACH
• Duct leakage less than 6 cfm 50 Pa
• 8.5- HSPF, 14-SEER heat pump with backup gas furnace
• Energy reovery ventilator, 75% efficiency
• 3-Star Built Green Certified
• Energy Star Certified

Cost Vs Savings of Energy Efficient Measures

Mortgage payment is an estimate calculated by CARB and is based on a 30 year mortgage with a 7% fixed APR

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