ICF homes are much more energy efficient than homes built with wood, yet they cost only slightly more. Among the many benefits of building a concrete home are tax incentives. And concrete homes are quieter, safer, lower-maintenance and provide all the same flexibilities as wood.

What makes ICF homes so energy-efficient?
Energy savings and comfort are built into every ICF system. ICFs start with a high it-Value. Four inches of ASTM C 578 polystyrene foam insulation, combined with a five inch concrete wall a typical ICF system - are rated above R-17 at 75* mean test temperature.

But that's not all! Air infiltration in an ICF Home is minimal due to the continuous air barriers provided by the foam insulation and the concrete. Likewise, there are no convection currents within wall cavities. The concrete walls of an ICF home have high thermal mass, which buffers the interior of a home from the extremes of outdoor temperature during every 24-hour cycle. This reduces both peak and total heating and cooling loads.

This combination of high R-values, low air infiltration, and high thermal mass is believed to account for the amazing 25% to 50% energy savings of ICF versus wood or steel-framed homes. Equivalent wood-frame thermal performance would require 2 x 12 construction, with super-insulated wall cavities.

How much does an ICF home cost?
The many benefits of a concrete house built with insulating concrete forms (ICFs) are available for only slightly more than the cost of ordinary wood frame. ICFs are simple to assemble and they consolidate several construction steps into one.

The walls can be economical despite the use of high-quality materials. ICF material cost ranges from about $1.75 per square foot to about $3.50 per square foot. Cost for installation labor, reinforcement, bracing, and concrete placement will be additional. On average, ICF homes cost about two- to five-percent more than wood-framed construction.

Are there tax advantages to building an ICF home?
The Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct 2005) established tax incentives for energy efficiency measures on buildings or systems placed in service from January 2006 through December 2007. Legislation is pending that would extend this program.

Under the current bill, a residential builder can receive a $2,000 tax credit for each home with a performance calculated to exceed IECC’s heating and cooling use by 50 percent. The building envelope component improvements must account for at least one-fifth of this 50 percent. Houses built with ICF exterior walls have been found to require an average of 44 percent less energy to heat and 32 percent less energy to cool than comparable frame houses—well within the parameters of the EPAct 2005 bill requirements

What other advantages do ICF homes provide for homeowners?
Growing enthusiasm for Sustainability – ICF buildings reduce the use of wood and steel, optimize energy performance, and build durable, easy-to-maintain structures. The concrete used to fill the form cavities use recycled materials, is manufactured locally, will not burn or rot and contains negligible levels of VOCs. The easiest and most economical way to achieve LEED Certification for residential and light commercial projects is to build them with ICFs.

QUIET
New ICF homeowners almost always remark on how unbelievably quiet their new house is, compared with their old stick-built home. They expect the new-found comfort and energy efficiency, but the peace and quiet -the protection from outside noise - never fails to surprise and delight them.

SAFE
The high-mass walls of an ICF home not only give it a remarkably solid feel, but they also make it safer for the family. And make it a remarkably solid and secure investment, too. Concrete homes have a proven track record of withstanding the ravages of hurricanes, tornadoes and fires, when all the stick-built houses around them are in ruins. In fire wall tests, ICFs stood exposure to intense flame without structural failure longer than did common frame walls. The polystyrene foam used in most ICF forms is treated so it will not support combustion. Also, tests show that its tendency to transmit an outside flame source is less than that of most wood products. Many insurance carriers are now offering a discount on a home owner's policy for an ICF home.

LOW MAINTENANCE
With ICF homes, the equation is simple. No Rot = Less Repair and Maintenance. Neither polystyrene nor concrete will ever rot or rust. Concrete can even be exposed to the elements for centuries with few ill effects. Reinforcing steel, buried deep inside and protected by concrete's alkalinity, does not corrode.

FLEXIBILITY
ICF homes can be designed in any style, and will accept any traditional exterior finish including vinyl or wood siding, stucco and brick. Because custom angles and curves are easily created, it's simple to build in bows, bays and radiuses. And ICF systems accommodate any of today's most popular design features, such as tall walls, large openings, long floor spans, and cathedral ceilings.

These inherent benefits of ICF Construction Technology are the final market driver. ICF buildings are strong, safe, quiet, comfortable, secure, easy-to-maintain, highly energy-efficient, demonstrably environmentally-friendly, and affordably cost-effective.

For more information on ICFs, contact the Wisconsin Ready Mixed Concrete Association at (608) 250-6304, or email at info@wrmca.com.