ICF Construction – Energy Efficient Building Option
Insulated concrete forms (ICF) are hollow “blocks” or “panels” made of expanded polystyrene insulation (EPS) that our professional in-house crew will stack to form the shape of the walls of a building. After inspection the workers then fill the center cavity with reinforced concrete to create the structure. ICF construction sandwiches a heavy, high strength material (reinforced concrete) between two layers of a light, highly insulated material (EPS). This combination creates a wall with many desirable properties: air tightness, strength, sound, sound attenuation, insulation and mass.
The use of ICFs is growing rapidly because it gives a building enhanced comfort, solidity, durability, resistance to natural disasters, quietness and energy efficiency. Buildings constructed with ICF walls have a more even temperature throughout the day and night. They have virtually no “cold spots” and far fewer drafts. ICF walls have negligible air infiltration. The superior insulation, air tightness and mass of the walls can reduce the cost of operating HVAC in a building by up to 40%. In addition ICFs allow the installation of smaller heating and cooling equipment. The high R-value combined with the thermal mass means ICF walls exceed most energy code requirements. If the building is like most buildings, it is using fossil fuel. By reducing the building’s fossil fuel requirements, the ICF plays an important role in reducing the negative environmental impacts associated with fossil fuel use.
Energy Efficient with Spray Foam Insulation
A foam insulation is sprayed into walls floors and ceilings. Sprayed on as a liquid, it expands in seconds to create a superior insulation and air barrier. By controlling air leakage your home will perform 30%-50% better than with traditional insulation methods. We also offer foam insulation which is pressure injected into the open cells of exterior block walls. Since this process seals the walls completely, it keeps out the heat, humidity, bugs and noise. Comfort and energy savings are sealed in with this “envelope” of protection, giving you a truly energy efficient home.
Energy Efficient HVAC
Imagine 12 months of total and complete comfort – from the hottest days to the coldest nights. Well, you don’t have to, thanks to the XL20i system from Trane. It’s designed to perfectly cool your home in the summer and perfectly heat it in the winter. When matched with a variable speed indoor unit from Trane, the XL20i has another special feature.
“These managed cycles reduce temperature variances for the optimum in home comfort.”
It’s a method of enhancing airflow that we call Comfort-R and it gives you greater humidity control in cooling. This is accomplished by running the fan at a slower speed during start-up. These managed cycles reduce temperature variances for the optimum in home comfort. The XL20i is among the industry’s most efficient heat pumps available, with a rating up to 19.00 SEER. Increased efficiency may substantially lower your home heating and cooling costs.
Add Trane Clean Effects to your system for advanced air filtration that removes more dust, pollen and other irritants from conditioned air for a cleaner, healthier, more comfortable home. And Trane Clean Effects is now proven to remove more than 99% of the common flu virus from your home’s filtered air.
Energy Efficient Windows
Double-paned, low-e coated ENERGY STAR windows improve comfort and decrease energy costs by reducing the amount of outside heat that passes through the windows.
Energy Efficient Lighting
ENERGY STAR compact fluorescent light bulbs and lighting fixtures produce the same amount of light as incandescent bulbs while consuming 50 to 80 percent less.
If you live in Brevard County, FL, be sure to keep Trade Wind Builders in mind for your next home or remodeling project. We’ll show you how to lower your energy cost through good “Green Construction.” Call us today to make your home Energy Efficient.
Contact Link: Trade Wind Builders
Energy Star Info: Energy Efficient
