Sustainable green building technologies and methods
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Insulated Concrete Form (ICF)
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Spray foam insulation
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Geothermal heating and air conditioning
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Triple Glaze windows
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Geothermal HVAC System
Geothermal systems maximize efficiency by utilizing the earths temperature to heat or cool the house. These systems lower heating and cooling costs significantly and will pay for themselves in savings.
Spray Foam Insulation
Closed cell spray foam insulation contributes to the sealed envelope technology of your new home by insulating 100% of the space and eliminating 100% of the gaps and cracks and air draft spaces inherent with standard batt type insulation.
As well, Closed cell insulation adds to the structural value of the walls and ceilings, adding rigidity and shear value to the building. At only 3″ thick in the attic, this foam will support a 250 lb man walking on it.
This picture shows a custom home built with ICF. The attic space was insulated with 3.5″ of closed cell spray foam and 18 inches of fiberglass blown-in insulation, providing an effective rating of R70 in the attic space.
Geothermal system
A geothermal system uses the earths natural temperatures to heat and cool the house.
In this picture, you are seeing one trench with two loops buried at 6 feet depth. The entire system installed on this project required 5 miles of continuous pipe.
This is an incredibly efficient system.
For more information on geothermal technology, contact NW Geothermal.
ICF Building technology
This custom home was built with ICF technology, providing thermal house combined with a high R value, a completely sealed building envelope, and extremely energy efficient.
COMFORTABLE CLIMATE
Improved ventilation for healthier indoor air quality and an environment that’s less susceptible to mold.
A sealed building envelope will reduce energy loss through drafts and air exchanges, creating a more efficient and comfortable indoor climate while reducing the costsof heating and cooling.
ICF is ideal for basement construction. The insulation is already built into the wall, providing more usable space in the basement. The exterior insulation keeps the ground temperature away from the basement, and the thermal mass of the of the concrete core resists the temperature transfer to the interior.
FIRE and STORM PROTECTION
ICF – Insulated Concrete Forms – Non-toxic, fire-retardant expanded polystyrene foam provides a fire protection rating of up to 4 hours.
In addition, installing non-combustible and non-flammable siding and metal roofing will increase the fire rating of your home.
In the Inland Northwest, the primary natural threat we all face is wildfire, making ICF the ideal choice for rural and wilderness construction.
ICF Construction can withstand winds up to 250 MPH, which is the equivalent of a F4 tornado.
Lower Energy Bills
Thermal mass walls create a more efficient home that can reduce heating and cooling costs by up to 60% a year.
ICF walls with a 6″ core have a rating up to R50.
The sealed envelope provided by ICF construction creates a very energy efficient environment that lowers heating and air conditioning costs substantially.
The last ICF home we built in north Idaho only fluctuates about 10 degrees year round, reducing the demand on the HVAC system substantially.
