You got your gourds, your pumpkin candles and your pumpkin spice coffee. They pair nicely with the 90 degree temperatures that made a showing today! Summer can stay for a little bit longer if anyone asks you!
As soon as the middle of September arrives, there are many people who attempt to fast forward to the cooler temperatures of fall, the changing of the color or leaves, and many who simply want to up their pumpkin spice game. Although pumpkin spice is on the minds of many people when fall nears, there are certainly more serious concerns as well when the weather begins to change and the temperature starts to change. In fact, as the fall weather arrives there are a number of home owners who are looking at whether or not their home is as energy efficient as it should be.
Energy Efficient Home Construction Helps Property Owners Safe Money in the Long Run
With the use of breathable walls, insulated concrete forms (ICFs), and other kinds of light construction materials it is possible to create a home that is more energy efficient than homes of the past. And while many of these products may cost more money and take more time, there are a growing number of people who are willing to put in the effort and spend the cash if they know they are making a difference in the future of our planet.
Consider some of these facts and figures about the home building industry and the trend of moving toward using more environmentally friendly materials:
- ICF systems can cut final costs on a property by an estimate of 75 cents a square foot.
- The average ICF block is 10 inches in width, and buildings constructed with ICF are six to nine times stronger than buildings that are constructed of traditional build materials.
- ICF decking weighs 40% less and has superior insulation, when it is compared to concrete flooring.
- Although they may seem new to many people preparing to build a home, ICF systems have been used in global construction for more than 60 years.
- Measuring 16 inches high and 48 inches long, the first foam concrete form was patented in 1966 by the Canadian contractor Werner Gregori.
- In part due to reducing the number of steps in the building process, ICF construction typically costs 40% less than the conventional basement construction.
As the summer weather closes out and cooler temperatures arrive, it is important to take some time to determine if you are living in a home that is as energy efficient as possible. It may sound like a silly comment, but cooler weather really is about a lot more than filling your house with your favorite pumpkin spice items.