Heating costs comparison - ICF vs Stick Frame

As it turns out, a close family member has a similar size house as this - one story with basement totaling around 2700 SF. This comparison home was built about ten years ago and is in an effectively identical climate, thus making for a good comparison of heating costs which is the measure of efficiency that we really all care about. Both homes set the thermostat to 68F as well.

So the initial numbers look good! Our first noticeably cold billing cycle was 11/11 to 12/11 and my natural gas bill was about $45. This comparison stick frame home had a bill of about $93. Based on measurements from warm months, we can subtract about $15 from each for gas that goes in to the water heater rather than the furnace. So the ICF vs Stick comparison really comes out to $30 vs $78!

Christmas Time!

Thought I would follow up here occasionally as I realize a house is never really "done". Eventually there will be a basement getting finished, as well as countless smaller tasks before then.

But for now, it's time to rest and enjoy the Christmas season!

Final photos

Done and done. Enjoy!

 

 

 

Carpet and other things

I've been getting a bit behind on updates, but recently we had the carpet installed by Abbey Decorating. Here is the carpet in the guest bedroom. We also got the bi-fold closet door and trim installed after the carpet was laid:

Here is a shot of the stairs from above.

 Here is the master bedroom. It is the same thick carpet as the other bedroom. The color works well with both the red and green paint in those rooms, as well as the rich color of the cherry trim.

 Trimming is a bit tricky against an ICF wall, since you're shooting nails into just drywall and styrofoam, but if you use enough at some creative angles, it holds plenty well.

Moving past carpet, the master bathroom is all done as well:

Doors and appliances

We have been making good progress on the doors. They are now all hung.

It takes a while to get it right, but this is something you do not want to do in a sloppy manner, as you'll pay for it later.

 

Some of the doors have had the hardware and trim installed as well.

In addition, appliances were delivered over the weekend from ApplianceSmart.