I am now living in my ICF house, self built.  I like the idea of living in a concrete house, the design features of the thick walls, the quietness, although no big storms to date.  Energy savings were not the most important factor in selecting ICF's but I am curious how I would evaluate the success or failure of the design in terms of energy savings.  I came from a milder climate, am now in southern Colorado, so I have no basis of comparison from another home.

We are having freezing nights with mild days.  I expected to use the furnace less, but maybe that was unrealistic.  Maybe when real winter comes I will see a value.  House is 2200 feet, 9'4" ceilings generally with a couple of vaulted areas to twelve feet. R50 insulation in the attic. A fair amount of windows, most on the south, but  not a radical design.

I'm happy with the house,  just curious about what to expect. Will I see more value in the summer than winter?

Thanks,  John

Two things:

- Spring for at least a blower-door test. Or go ahead and apply for EnergyStar rating and this test will be run. ~$300 up here, and greatly adds to the value to be certified. The blower-door test will tell you if you have air leaks; sounds like you do. Air changes had better be less than .5/hour in the test. Spring for FLIR imaging to spot your culprits. Have this done on a night when it's cold outside.

- Window design is critical. It must be double-paned (which I'm sure you have), it must be carefully foam-sealed around all windows, and one side of one of each of the panes must have a nickel coating. This nickel coating must face where you want the heat reflected. In cold weather, to the inside; in hot, to the outside. The Germans are now making a window that actually has a reversible nickel-plated pane!