Comments on: About Me http://greenhomes.wordpress.com Build your own Energy Efficient Home Sat, 22 Aug 2009 03:27:07 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Ron http://greenhomes.wordpress.com/about/#comment-50 Ron Sat, 22 Aug 2009 03:27:07 +0000 #comment-50 Thanks for the suggestions. Having the power company come out and do an audit sounds worthwhile. I'll do some research on the insulation. Thanks for the suggestions. Having the power company come out and do an audit sounds worthwhile. I’ll do some research on the insulation.

]]> By: greenhomes http://greenhomes.wordpress.com/about/#comment-49 greenhomes Sat, 22 Aug 2009 01:26:12 +0000 #comment-49 If you think attic insulation is the culprit to losing cooling capacity then I would definately go with a spray foam insulation. The spray foam insulation will create a barrier to keep the heat out and the cold in. It will be more expensive then just doing the spray insulation or fiberglass but you'll save that money in no time. I used Icynene and am very happy with it, you can do some research at http://www.icynene.com/ I have no affiliation with them so it's not an ad, but I used them on my home and can speak first hand about the product, it's good. There are also some DIY kits available such as Tigerfoam and Fomofoam, you can do a Google search on them if you want to try and do it yourself. I also recommend getting an Energy Audit done on your home, most electric companies do it for free and will take an Infrared Camera around your house to find the problem areas such as window and door air leaks, water heater problems, bad breakers in the breaker box, problems with your air-conditioning system, ect. These can all lead to high electricity usage. Call your electric company about coming out to do one. Also, a lightly colored tin or terra cotta roof will reflect heat if you don't already have that, believe it or not, this makes a big difference. But if that's not an option the others mentioned above should get you enough savings to smile about. Hope this helps, let me know of your results! If you think attic insulation is the culprit to losing cooling capacity then I would definately go with a spray foam insulation. The spray foam insulation will create a barrier to keep the heat out and the cold in. It will be more expensive then just doing the spray insulation or fiberglass but you’ll save that money in no time. I used Icynene and am very happy with it, you can do some research at http://www.icynene.com/ I have no affiliation with them so it’s not an ad, but I used them on my home and can speak first hand about the product, it’s good. There are also some DIY kits available such as Tigerfoam and Fomofoam, you can do a Google search on them if you want to try and do it yourself. I also recommend getting an Energy Audit done on your home, most electric companies do it for free and will take an Infrared Camera around your house to find the problem areas such as window and door air leaks, water heater problems, bad breakers in the breaker box, problems with your air-conditioning system, ect. These can all lead to high electricity usage. Call your electric company about coming out to do one. Also, a lightly colored tin or terra cotta roof will reflect heat if you don’t already have that, believe it or not, this makes a big difference. But if that’s not an option the others mentioned above should get you enough savings to smile about. Hope this helps, let me know of your results!

]]> By: Ron http://greenhomes.wordpress.com/about/#comment-48 Ron Fri, 21 Aug 2009 15:27:06 +0000 #comment-48 We just purchased an ICF home in June, 2009. We live in Arizona and it's very hot, over 100 degrees most days. We were hoping to save on the electric bills but for July, it was over $300. We don't think there is enough insulation in the ceiling. What do you recommend? Thanks, Ron We just purchased an ICF home in June, 2009. We live in Arizona and it’s very hot, over 100 degrees most days. We were hoping to save on the electric bills but for July, it was over $300. We don’t think there is enough insulation in the ceiling. What do you recommend?
Thanks,
Ron

]]> By: Amanda http://greenhomes.wordpress.com/about/#comment-39 Amanda Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:00:34 +0000 #comment-39 You're house is amazing! Kudos to you! I had been looking at ICF house info, and your site is such a huge help! It really made a lot of things I was unsure about so clear! Now I can't wait to start on ours! Thank you! You’re house is amazing! Kudos to you! I had been looking at ICF house info, and your site is such a huge help! It really made a lot of things I was unsure about so clear! Now I can’t wait to start on ours! Thank you!

]]> By: greenhomes http://greenhomes.wordpress.com/about/#comment-36 greenhomes Sun, 31 May 2009 00:26:41 +0000 #comment-36 Thank you for your kind words. You won't be sorry using ICF construction to build you future home. I'm currently writing some more programs and editing some items to add many more useful tools to my site. I'll be happy to help you any way I can if you have any questions when/before you start building. Thank you for your kind words. You won’t be sorry using ICF construction to build you future home. I’m currently writing some more programs and editing some items to add many more useful tools to my site. I’ll be happy to help you any way I can if you have any questions when/before you start building.

]]> By: jon http://greenhomes.wordpress.com/about/#comment-35 jon Fri, 29 May 2009 19:29:33 +0000 #comment-35 Erik,your home looks great,you are an inspiration to me. I would like to build an icf home in the next few years possibly a DIY. I appreciate all the time you've taken to put all of this useful info. out there for others to benefit from. It's funny because your home is very similar to what my wife wants to build,a 2 story farmhouse with a wrap around porch.Hopefully we will get a basement as well. Erik,your home looks great,you are an inspiration to me. I would like to build an icf home in the next few years possibly a DIY. I appreciate all the time you’ve taken to put all of this useful info. out there for others to benefit from. It’s funny because your home is very similar to what my wife wants to build,a 2 story farmhouse with a wrap around porch.Hopefully we will get a basement as well.

]]> By: greenhomes http://greenhomes.wordpress.com/about/#comment-4 greenhomes Thu, 27 Mar 2008 17:34:15 +0000 #comment-4 I'll make a page with some links to my house plans and some pictures shortly. Just look at the top of the website under "Pages." It cost me right at 85/sq-ft to build it. This was doing most of the work myself and finding deals. The contractors price to build this home out of wood was $100-120/sq-ft! It may be cheaper in other areas. Florida has some high prices. I’ll make a page with some links to my house plans and some pictures shortly. Just look at the top of the website under “Pages.” It cost me right at 85/sq-ft to build it. This was doing most of the work myself and finding deals. The contractors price to build this home out of wood was $100-120/sq-ft! It may be cheaper in other areas. Florida has some high prices.

]]> By: nk http://greenhomes.wordpress.com/about/#comment-3 nk Wed, 26 Mar 2008 13:54:55 +0000 #comment-3 Hi Erik I want to build an ICF house also. They seem to be the best way to construct a house. Can you link your house plan? Curious to know how much it cost for your house, also? I want to build a smaller model with a basement(we are in NorthEast) and finish it to get the most bang for our buck. (Is my email address going to show up, if so, please omit it) Thanks. Hi Erik

I want to build an ICF house also. They seem to be the best way to construct a house. Can you link your house plan? Curious to know how much it cost for your house, also? I want to build a smaller model with a basement(we are in NorthEast) and finish it to get the most bang for our buck.

(Is my email address going to show up, if so, please omit it)

Thanks.

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