Anyone out there have an ICF built home? (Insulating Concrete Form)?

Question

What do you like and dislike about the features of your home? What is your estimated cost savings each month?

How large is your home?

What was your reasoning for going with this option?

What climate do you live in?

Was it worth it?

Answer 1

ICF is a significant energy savings over traditional framing on many fronts.  The biggest advantage is the lack of air leaks around the home.  Air leaks are the biggest source of conductive energy loss from conditioned air (your furnace or air conditioner). When that conditioned air is not detected in your household thermostat, the appliance (furnace or AC) has put the temperature to the one you want the appliance will continue to run.  Every time it's running you are spending money.  

You need to make sure that if you use ICFs for wall framing that you have an energy star audit done to be sure it's as efficient as possible and to predict the need for fresh air exchanges.  www.energystar.gov you can find an auditor near you.  They can take your home plans and predict your energy efficiency based on ICF versus conventional framing and let you know if it's worth doing.  

p.s. I live in Michigan and I am a certified auditor.  

p.s.s. I would definately do ICF for a basement, I'm not sure if I would do it for walls.  Good sealing and insluation can be as effective for walls

p.s.s.s You need to also make sure that the HVAC contractor SEALS the ducts with T-181 tape or Duct Mastic - 30% of conditioned air leakage is due to mechanical fastening of the duct work.  Finally, make sure they do ducted returns versus panned returns - there is significant leakage in panned returns.  

You should do some research into how ICFs work for wall structures in the case of a fire in your home.