ICF Building in Oregon: Case Study
July 13th, 2010 | Project Showcase
This story is an oldie, but a goodie and those numbers are similar all over the country with commercial ICF construction.
When Dr. Waters, owner of Silverton Surgical in Silverton, Oregon planned their new 3-story, 13,020 square foot medical building, they wanted to lower operational costs to improve the profitability of their investment.
Over $10,000.00 per year in utility savings increased the profitability of the project starting the very first month.
The Waters’ specified Reward Wall Systems Insulating Concrete Forms (ICFs) for the exterior walls of the project. To complement the insulated concrete walls, the Waters’ upgraded the roof insulation, windows, and the HVAC equipment to create a high-performance building envelope. The conservation upgrades for the project increased the cost of construction of this $2,100,000.00 project by $112,000.00 compared to a 2 x 6 wood frame building that meets Oregon energy code. The Waters’ justified the investment by counting on lower utility expenses.
The Waters’ commissioned an independent energy audit to determine if the investment in the conservation upgrades would be cost effective, and the results were astonishing.
The utility expense of the building constructed of 2 x 6 wood frame to meet Oregon Code was calculated to be $1,151.00 per month. The building with the Insulated Concrete exterior walls, increased roof insulation, window and HVAC upgrades was calculated to be $312.00 per month for a savings of $10,068.00 in utilities per year.
Even with the cost of construction increased by $112,000.00, this building is less expensive, and more profitable for the Waters’ starting the very first month of operation. The combined monthly mortgage and utility expense for the project is actually $175 less than the same building built with the less expensive 2 x 6 wood frame construction to meet code.
The Waters’ contracted a consulting firm to submit an application for the State of Oregon’s Business Energy Tax Credit (BETC). BETC was created to offer an incentive for investing in conservation upgrades. The incentive totals 35% of the $112,000.00 upgrades for a tax credit of $39,200.00 to be taken over five years.
Even with a higher cost of construction, the utility savings for this project result in a lower cost of ownership and increase profits for Silverton Medical Properties starting from the very first month of operation.
- 13,020 square feet
- CMU and brick exterior finish
- PVC sheet roofing over 3.5″ Polyisocyanurate R-22
- 5 AC units, total 25-ton inheat pump
- Energy Wise utility cost average, $312 per month
- Estimated $10,000 per year energy savings over wood
- Stairwells and elevator shaft built with Reward
- 11″ iForm for top two levels
- •13″ iForm for basement and crawl space
Net Zero Homes and ICFs
July 8th, 2010 | Project Showcase, Unique Applications, Unique Trends
Net Zero Buildings
A net zero building is a building that offsets all energy use by creating energy as well so by the end of it all there is an energy use of net zero. Now frequently at trade shows or talking with people in general about the future of green building and the new way to build homes, I always cringe at the people who jump right into wanting to create energy without taking the necessarily steps to use less in the first place.
Net Zero homes usually have a setup, through solar or wind, to create energy to offset any they use. However, the concept makes use of the most important part of creating energy.
YOU HAVE TO USE LESS ENERGY.
icf
I can’t imagine the size of a wind turbine, and cost of a solar panel (about 285 sq feet at $16-$30 thousand dollars) to generate the amount of electricity that is needed to power an average (14,400 watt-hours per day) home. That’s why ICFs are an ideal building system for net zero, they will reduce energy needs.
ICFs and Net Zero
That’s why insulated concrete forms have always been a great option when our customers want to built a net zero home. They reduce your energy so the owner can create a surplus of it and actually sell it back to the energy company!
Here is our Hyde Park example below, one of the first net-zero homes in the country to use ICFs and a first in New York. General contractor Bill Reilly of Hyde Park, New York, became interested in ICFs in the early 1990’s, but he never went any further with it at that time. However, when he started planning to build an energy efficient home for himself, ICF construction came to mind again. As a contractor with 40 years of experience, Reilly wanted to build the house himself and make it extremely energy efficient.
New York Energy Efficiency
The result was the most energy efficient house in the state of New York. With a geothermal HVAC system and photovoltaic cells on the roof to generate electricity, Reilly pays nothing for electricity. Part of the reason is that he is able to re-sell the excess electricity he generates back to the utility company. But would never be able to do that had he not built with insulating concrete forms.
Quick Facts about the Hyde Park Net Zero home in New York
- One-story house with walkout basement
- 6,300 conditioned square feet
- 3,160 finished square feet
- HERS rating of 93.4 by Energy Star
- Highest Energy Star Rating to date in New York State
- Stone and vinyl exterior finish
- Asphalt shingle roof materials
- Climate Master Tranquility 27 geothermal heating and cooling system
- 70% smaller than it would have been with traditional construction
- Projected utility costs: Zero dollars
- 11″ iForm insulating concrete form
REAP the Rewards with Guaranteed Energy Savings
September 15th, 2009 | Marketing
Reward Energy Analysis Program
Program Overview:
Reward Wall Systems will give you a promotional code to give EnergyWise. They will perform an energy analysis at half the normal price on the home you will build, and will GUARANTEE you an energy savings (of heating and cooling costs) of 50-70% versus a conventional stick built home. Just purchase the Energy Analysis from EnergyWise to get started and Reward Wall Systems will reimburse you for the out-of-pocket cost of the analysis upon delivery and payment of Reward Wall Systems forms to your home construction site. EnergyWise will issue and manage the energy guarantee. See energywisestructures.com for details and more information.
FAQ
Why should I do this?
This program is set up to give you information on saving energy and money, and is 100% guaranteed by EnergyWise, if program details are followed. This is virtually risk-free, as you can reduce your carbon footprint at no cost to you!
Is this just for residential building?
Yes this is only for residential single family homes using Reward ICF’s
How much will it cost up front?
It will depend on the size of the home plan, but remember you will only pay 50% of the cost up front, and Reward will reimburse the cost to you if the Reward Energy Analysis Program rules are followed. Listed below is the estimated pricing breakdowns for new houses:
| Square Footage | Normal Cost | Up Front Cost with Reward Discount * | End Cost after Reward Reimbursement** |
|---|---|---|---|
| up to 2,999 | $600 | $300 | $0 |
| 3,000 – 4,999 | $800 | $400 | $0 |
| 5,000 – 6,999 | $1000 | $500 | $0 |
| Every 2,000 after | $200 additional | $100 additional | $0 |
*Please contact EnergyWise for final pricing
**Order must be placed, delivered and payment received
How do I let EnergyWise know I get the 50% discount?
You will need to call Reward Wall Systems and we will give you an exclusive code to give to EnergyWise. By doing so they will knock 50% off the initial fee and that code usage will entitle you to full reimbursement upon placed order and payment
When will I be reimbursed?
Reward will issue a refund or a credit to your account upon delivery and payment of Reward forms to your jobsite, in the full amount paid to EnergyWise
Who administers the guarantee?
EnergyWise will issue and manage all guarantees based on their program rules.
I want 50-70% Guaranteed energy savings where do I start?
Call into Reward Wall Systems at 1-800-468-6344 to receive your promo code to get started!
Who Is EnergyWise?
In Summary EnergyWise has developed the MOST comprehensive, easy-to-understand construction plan review and modification program available anywhere. Their proprietary software was derived from the experience of NASA thermal consultants on the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo space programs. This unique tool allows them to create a detailed energy analysis report from each building plan they review. The report accurately projects the heating and cooling consumption, comparative savings, and the optimal heating and cooling system sizing for your unique home or building. Best of all, the energy usage calculations and incredible energy savings are GUARANTEED in writing!
Check them out at www.energywisestructures.com to see their program, their guarantee in writing and more information on their company.The Guaranteed energy savings is based on savings of heating and cooling costs only, which accounts for over 60% of a home’s entire energy use.
Thermal Imaging of Insulated Concrete Forms
September 8th, 2009 | From the Field
It’s one thing to say that a house built with insulating concrete forms (ICFs) is energy efficient, but it’s quite another to be able to visually prove it.
Thermal imaging is a type of infrared imaging science. Thermographic cameras detect radiation in the infrared range of the electromagnetic spectrum (roughly 900–14,000 nanometers or 0.9–14 μm) and produce images of that radiation. Since all objects emit infrared radiation based on their temperatures, thermography makes it possible to “see” one’s environment with or without visible illumination. The amount of radiation emitted by an object increases with temperature, and thermography allows one to see these temperature variations (hence the name). When viewed by a thermographic camera, the presence of heat stands out against cooler backgrounds, day or night.
A reference point, ’R’, is a temperature point on the building determined by the thermal imaging that is considered normal at the given time and conditions the image was taken. Based on the laws of physics (heat loss/flow), the reference point is then assigned a color. The change in temperature and color from the reference point indicates a thermal loss. A thermal loss of < 2° is acceptable. A thermal loss greater than 2° is unacceptable and shows some anomaly causing excess thermal loss.
Thermal Imaging of ICF vs “Stick Built” in same neighborhood.
The photos of the two houses above were taken in the same neighborhood within minutes of each other. The house on the left is wood framed, while the house on the right has exterior walls constructed with Reward ICFs. The ICF house shows less than < 2° temperature change. This indicates little to no heat loss. The yellow, orange and red colors indicate heat loss at >10° and up to 20° temperature change.
Thermographic photography provides us with visible thermal information, thus allowing us to identify distinguishing heat patterns. These heat patterns can then be measured to reveal building, equipment or environmental flaws (i.e. heat loss through the roof or windows). Ultimately, these thermal images show that an ICF structure delivers a significantly tighter enclosure than that of its wood framed counterpart.
The two photos below show the heating and cooling cost differences that can be directly attributed to the heat loss. The following pictures are merely a visual representation of heat loss. This is not scientific data
Further Thermal Imaging Comparison
| Stick Built Conventional Home | ICF Constructed Home |
|---|---|
| Shows heat loss through exterior walls | Shows NO heat loss through exterior walls |
| 800 sq ft ranch = Average heat bill $200 a month | 3,500 sq ft 2-story = Average heat bill $80 a month |
Even though the homes above are located in the same climactic region, the Reward built home (on the right), which is more than 4x bigger than the wood framed home (on the left), spends 60% less on an average heating bill.
“I have not seen any house that compares with the Reward ICF house for being thermally efficient as this one. Even the roof vents were cold when all other houses that we have inspected the roof vents were releasing heat from the attic, the ones on the ICF house were not.” ThermaScan Solutions photographer, Bryan Dring.
The New Standard of Sustainability. Tell the World.
LEED v3: ICFs & Energy and Atmosphere
August 11th, 2009 | Lets Get Technical!
Energy and Atmosphere (EA): This LEED topic covers measures to improve the energy efficiency and reductions in use of ozone depleting refrigerants and green house gases. If you give thought to your building envelope and design with Reward ICFs, it can be incredibly easier to achieve up to the maximum 21 point value.
Building the exterior walls with Reward ICFs contributes to this requirement and credit by providing superior air tightness, insulating value and thermal massing. Use of Reward Wall Systems will result in a better insulated, energy efficient exterior wall system. The continuous solid insulated concrete wall created by Reward will reduce air infiltration and provide thermal mass benefits.
Green
Combined with other components like energy efficient glazing and window units, well insulated roof assemblies, and design strategies like effective solar orientation, Reward can contribute to a project qualifying for minimum energy performance under EA Prerequisite 2, and for additional credits for energy performance beyond the minimum ASHRAE energy code requirements, under the Optimized Energy Performance credit.
| Credit | Title | NC | Schools | CS |
| EA Prerequisite 2 | Minimum Energy Performance | R | R | R |
| EA Credit 1 | Optimize Energy Performance | 1 – 19 | 1 – 19 | 3 – 21 |
Optimized Energy Performance
| New Buildings | Existing Renovation | Points (NC & Schools) | Points (CS) |
| 12% | 8% | 1 | 3 |
| 14% | 10% | 2 | 4 |
| 16% | 12% | 3 | 5 |
| 18% | 14% | 4 | 6 |
| 0% | 16% | 5 | 7 |
| 22% | 18% | 6 | 8 |
| 24% | 20% | 7 | 9 |
| 46% | 42% | 18 | 20 |
| 48% | 44% | 19 | 21 |
EA Prerequisite 2: Reward can contribute to the required prerequisite compliance with meeting the minimum performance standards of ASHRAE 90.1-2007 energy code
Credit is obtained for performance improvements beyond the minimum ASRAE 90.1 energy code requirements (up to 19 points).
For Thursday: Materials and Resources (MR) LEED v3 ICF Summary
Here we will talk about the recycled content of our forms and their ties as well as showing you our Regional Materials Map.
The New Standard of Sustainability. Tell the World.
Project Showcase: Belews Lake
July 30th, 2009 | Project Showcase
In North Carolina, Brickstone Enterprises is in the process of constructing a massive 22,000 sqft under- roof house on Belews Lake. The entire shell of the structure, as well as all retaining walls and pools, is being built with Reward Insulated Concrete Forms. All exterior patios are being constructed using a product called Insul-Deck which is an insulated concrete decking system. There is 3,000 sq ft of Insul-Deck on this job.
The owners were originally going to build their home out of structural steel and 2×6 framing with a poured wall foundation. What they found when doing the cost analysis between the steel with wood frame and ICF construction, was that building with Reward ICF’s, all the way to the roof, significantly lowered their stucco and electrical installation costs. They were also able to eliminate $25,000 of structural steel out of their budget.
They determined that it would be less expensive to build their home almost entirely out of concrete. This was all determined before factoring in the energy savings for heating and cooling the interior of the house. Ultimately it comes down to the fact that they are getting an extremely high quality home for less than if they had followed through with their original plans.
Keep checking back throughout this year as this enormous project gets completed.
The New Standard of Sustainability. Tell the World.
Energy Star Rated Parade of Homes
July 16th, 2009 | Project Showcase
In June Reward Wall Systems had a couple houses featured in the Lancaster County Parade of Homes, built by Providence Homes and Neighborhoods and supplied by Construction Supply Centers of New Holland. One of the homes was built for Mr. Gerhart, near Denver, PA. The house was built with a superior “envelope” by using Reward insulating concrete form walls and a closed attic system, using spray foam to complete the enclosure. What the owner, as well as the attendees of the Parade of Homes, got was an incredibly “tight”, energy efficient home which could easily become a model for all future custom homes built in the future. In fact the home won the Best in Show Prize for their Category, among other awards for the Parade as well.
Providence Homes was referred to Reward and our unique in-person training, from their spray-in insulation company, Foam-Tech who is an avid proponent of our Insulating Concrete Forms. Scott, seeing the knowledge and commitment our company dedicated to his project, he was able to present the idea to Mr. Gerhart, who is a professional contractor himself, and was instantly sold on the idea.
Over the next months of building and pouring concrete, what unfolded for the public to see was a custom home that was designed around the principle of securing the building envelope, and experiencing the efficiencies of doing so.
The house is 4,458 square foot ranch style sitting on a 3.5 acre lot, with a slope that affords a lower walkout level. The main floor is 2,548 sq ft of finished space and features a side load 3-car garage and a hexagonal shaped library as well. Windows on each floor are southern facing window groupings, which will absorb the sun in the winter months, and the thermal mass of the ICF walls and footings will keep the interior temperatures even through the year.
The rear covered deck has tile flooring and a handsome wood burning fireplace finished with Eldorado Stone. The lower level has 1,910 sq. ft. of finished space and is accessed by stairs and an elevator. It has in-law quarters with a full handicapped bath on one end and a kitchen in the middle living area, as well as an additional two bedrooms and a full bath on the other end of the basement. It also walks out onto a spacious patio.
Here’s the cool part of it. By now if you’ve read aBlog by Reward HOPEFULLY you’ve read a little on our product. One key measurement of the building envelope is the air change per hour, or ACH- the number of times the home’s air is replaced by outside air in an hour. Normally in the ICF industry you’ll see numbers from .04 to .09 advertised which is extremely good. By comparison from Wikipedia, the average ACH for an average American home is 1.0 and 2.0 per hour, and newly constructed “tight” homes are around .35 – .25 ACH.
However, they were able to test the home to certify through Energy Star, and Mr. Gerhart’s house came in at 0.04 and 0.03 ACH for heating and cooling respectively. That is TEN times more tight than the average “tight” American home.
What does this mean? It means we don’t lie.
It means:
Reward ICFs can get an ACH rating of .03
Less air infiltration gives you control on the outside air coming in, thus being able to reduce allergens
Comfortable even temperatures- there aren’t cold or hot spots in the house
Less Warm air leaks out when you want your house cozy, reducing energy use of your furnace
Less Warm air leaks in when you want your house cool, reducing energy use from your A/C
Energy Use
Speaking of less energy use, here’s the finale for Mr. Gerhart’s home. By using Reward Insulating Concrete Forms and partnering with Foam-Tech for the spray-in attic insulation and sealing window openings to secure a tight envelope the Gerhart house will:
1. Use 55 mmBTU/year vs. 204 mmBTU/year for the average American home
2. Cost an average of $53 a month on Heating and Cooling costs- that’s 1.2 cents a square foot!
3. Use 62% less energy for heating and 36% less energy for cooling than a similar home
4. Reduce CO2 consumption by a total of 55% LESS pounds per year than a similar home
These numbers are staggering.
We want to congratulate Mr. Gerhart, Providence Homes, Construction Supply Center of New Holland, and Foam-Tech on your Energy Star Rated home and being able to show Lancaster County Parade of Homes The New Standard of Sustainability.