A home built with insulating concrete forms is more affordable than
you may think!
The old saying
goes: It takes money to make money. It also takes money to
save money. Insulating concrete forms cost a little more
about 3-5% on average than traditional stick wall construction,
but that additional investment is quickly recouped by the
tremendous savings in energy, interest, and insurance costs.
Then consider the reduced maintenance costs and higher resell
value and you can see why insulating concrete home structures
are actually more affordable than wood construction.
 How
much does an ICF house cost?*
Typical new U.S. homes cost $60-100 per square foot. Building
walls of ICFs adds $1.00-$4.00 to this figure. But since ICF
houses are more energy-efficient, the heating and cooling
equipment can be smaller than in a frame house. This can cut the
cost of the final house by an estimated $.75 per square foot. So
the net extra cost is about $.25-$3.25.
Increased Home Value
Not planning on staying in your home for more a than few years?
A recent study conducted for the EPA Energy Star Homes Program
concludes that home value increases by about $20 for every $1
reduction in annual utility bills. This means you can profit by
investing in energy efficient homes even if you're uncertain about
how long you might stay in the home. You'll enjoy positive cash
flow for as long as you live in your home and can also expect to
recover your investment when you sell the home. Visit the
Residential
Energy Service Network website for more details.
Insurance Savings
Because ICFs are included in the masonry construction class,
they qualify for a lower premium than a home in the traditional
wood frame class. Also, more and more insurance providers are recognizing the
fire and natural disaster-resistance of insulating concrete form structures and
are offering special discounts on top of those lower premiums.
(Check with local agents for availability in your area.)
Mortgage
Qualification
Because of the proven energy savings, certain mortgage companies
offer "Energy Efficiency" Home Mortgages which take into
consideration the decrease in energy costs. This allows you to
qualify for a higher mortgage payment. That means you're taking
that same money which would be going to the utility companies
and instead putting into your home!
|
