ICF Energy Performance: 60% Cost Reduction Data

ICF homes consistently achieve 60% energy cost reductions compared to traditional construction. This performance advantage comes from three technical factors: continuous insulation, superior airtightness, and thermal mass effects.

ICF Thermal Performance Specifications

Measured Performance Data:

• Continuous R-Value: R-22 to R-26 (no thermal bridging)
• Air Infiltration: 0.02-0.1 ACH (90% better than traditional)
• Concrete Strength: 4,000+ PSI reinforced core
• Wall Thickness: 6-8 inches concrete with 2.5" EPS each side

Heat Transfer Control

ICF construction controls all three heat transfer methods:

Conduction: Continuous EPS insulation eliminates thermal bridging

Convection: Monolithic concrete structure prevents air leakage

Radiation: Thermal mass moderates radiant heat gain and loss

Thermal Mass Performance

The 6-8 inch concrete core provides thermal mass that stabilizes indoor temperatures and reduces HVAC cycling.

Measured Thermal Mass Effects:

• Temperature Stability: ±2-4°F vs. ±8-12°F in traditional homes
• HVAC Runtime Reduction: 40-60% fewer heating/cooling cycles
• Peak Load Shifting: Demand shifted to off-peak utility hours
• System Sizing: 40-50% smaller HVAC equipment required

Thermal Bridging Elimination

Traditional Construction Thermal Performance Loss:

• R-19 nominal insulation performs at R-12 effective (37% loss)
• Thermal bridges at every stud, header, and connection
• 20-30% performance reduction from bridging

ICF Continuous Insulation Performance:

• R-22 nominal performs at R-21+ effective (95% retention)
• Zero thermal bridging through structure
• Consistent performance across entire wall assembly

Air Infiltration Control

Measured Airtightness Performance:

• ICF Construction: 0.02-0.1 ACH50
• Passive House Standard: 0.6 ACH50
• Traditional Construction: 5-15 ACH50
• Performance Advantage: 50-750x better than traditional

Massachusetts ICF Energy Performance Data

Average Performance Results (100+ homes monitored):

• ICF Home Annual Cost: $847 (2,500 sq ft)
• Traditional Home Annual Cost: $2,180 (2,500 sq ft)
• Measured Energy Savings: 61% average

Project Performance Examples

Plymouth Oceanfront Home (2023)

• Size: 3,200 sq ft
• Annual Energy Cost: $623
• Energy Use Intensity: 18.2 kBtu/sq ft/year
• Code Compliance Savings: 68%

Duxbury Family Home (2023)

• Size: 2,800 sq ft
• Annual Energy Cost: $892
• Energy Use Intensity: 21.4 kBtu/sq ft/year
• Code Compliance Savings: 63%

Cohasset Modern Design (2024)

• Size: 4,100 sq ft
• Annual Energy Cost: $1,156
• Energy Use Intensity: 16.8 kBtu/sq ft/year
• Code Compliance Savings: 72%

HVAC System Sizing Impact

Equipment Sizing Comparison (2,500 sq ft home):

• Traditional Construction: 5.0 tons cooling ($12,000 installed)
• ICF Construction: 2.5 tons cooling ($7,500 installed)
• Equipment Cost Savings: $4,500

Financial Performance Analysis

ICF Energy Investment Returns:

• Typical ICF Premium: $8,000-15,000
• Annual Energy Savings: $1,300-1,900
• Simple Payback Period: 5-8 years
• 30-Year Net Savings: $40,000-70,000

Performance Summary

ICF construction delivers consistent 60% energy cost reductions through three technical advantages: continuous R-22+ insulation, 0.02-0.1 ACH airtightness, and thermal mass temperature stability. These measured performance benefits result in 40-50% smaller HVAC systems and 5-8 year payback periods for the construction premium.