With all of the talk about going green, there is a way to be ecologically
friendly when building a home. Use Eco-Block Insulating Concrete
Forms!
ECO-Block is good for the environment, good for your health, and good for your pocketbook.
ECO-BLOCK SAVINGS
Energy Efficiencies - ECO-Block buildings consistently save 25- 50% in monthly utilitycosts
1over the life span of the structure, translating into fewer resources consumed for the
creation of energy. Beyond the insulating qualities of the foam block (R-22), the thermal
mass of the concrete acts as an energy reservoir, which helps maintain an even indoor
temperature. Consequently, the HVAC system can be scaled down by up to 35%, offering
another added cost savings.
Environmental Benefits - An average 2,000ft² home built with ECO-Block can save up to
47 trees, which would have been cut for creating lumber.
ECO-BLOCK AS A “GREEN” BUILDING MATERIALRaw Materials Acquisition, Processing and Manufacturing - There is no use of CFC or
HCFC blowing agents that would escape into the atmosphere. This means ZERO Ozone
Depletion Potential (O.D.P.). Since Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) is expanded to
approximately 50 times its original volume, it is a very efficient and economical use of basic
raw material. ECO-Block uses recycled material whenever possible. All of the embedded
webbing and a percentage of the connectors are manufactured from 100% post-industrial
recycled copolymer polypropylene. Concrete itself is inert, non-toxic, and produced from
natural and recycled materials.
Product Packaging - ECO-Block is 50% more efficient to ship and handle than other
Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) since it is sold in flat panels that pack tightly, thereby
shipping virtually no air space. A minimal plastic wrap is used to contain a bundle of panels.
Product Distribution - ECO-Block is manufactured in several strategic locations
throughout North America, generally within about 500 miles of any job site. Concrete is
always sourced locally. This both supports the local economy and saves on transportation
costs.
1 Portland Cement Association Study, www.concretehomes.com 25 - 50%
Lubbock, Texas Affordable Housing Program, 33.6%; Ritchie Corp, Hayesville, Kansas 58.2%.
Product Installation, Use and Maintenance - The ECO-Block construction method
involves minimal waste and all residual pieces can be recycled or reused in future projects.
A structure built with ECO-Block and concrete is more likely to withstand the ravages of
fire, high winds, driving rains and earthquake. There is no wood rot or rodent damage and
termites can’t eat concrete; hence there is little maintenance or need to rebuild, improving the
cost efficiency of the product over the lifetime of the building.
Disposal, Reuse and Recycling - Up to 5% (maximum allowable for structural stability) of
the EPS foam is recycled material. Manufacturing waste is kept to less than 3%, which is
generated in the set-up of the forms. This material is reground and reused in other EPS foam
products. In the expanded form, the foam material is recyclable, depending on cleanliness of
the material and availability of recycling facilities.
ECO-BLOCK AND INDOOR AIR QUALITY Improving the Quality of Building -. The ECO-Block building system does not contain
CFCs, HCFCs, formaldehyde, asbestos or fiberglass. The EPS used in the ECO-Block
forms is completely stable and inert, and it will NOT break down over time.
Improving the Quality of the Interior Air - ECO-Block foam is hypoallergenic, which can be very important for those with sensitive skin.2 It does NOT produce any fumes or
gasses once installed.
Improving the Control of Air Quality - Building with ECO-Block greatly reduces the air
infiltration into a structure, thereby allowing for greater control of the quality of the interior
air. There are no drafts or cold spots.
ECO-BLOCK AND INDOOR SOUND QUALITYImproving the Sound Barrier - ECO-Block can achieve a Sound Transmission Class
(STC) rating of 50 or more, and has become an efficient building system for movie theaters.
Homes are now being designed with media rooms, using ECO-Block in the surrounding
walls to isolate the sound.
ECO-BLOCK AND ENERGY-EFFICIENT MORTGAGES (EEM)
The FHA has devised an Energy -Efficient Mortgage (EEM) program to help achieve national
energy-efficiency goals (and reduce pollution) and provide better housing for people who might
not otherwise be able to afford it. By considering the savings on monthly utility bills when
determining how large a mortgage the household can afford, as many as 250,000 more new
home buyers could qualify per year, according to a 1986 study by the Joint Center for Housing
Studies. Although EEM’s have been available in some States since 1980, they have been little
understood or marketed.
2 Huntsman Chemical Corporation, www.huntsman.com
There are three components to this system. The Energy Rating System employs an independent
auditor to rate the energy efficiency of the home. The home is then awarded points, or stars to
possibly earn the Energy Star Rating, which qualifies the home for an Energy Efficient
Mortgage (EEM).
Energy Rating System - A Home Energy Rating System increases affordable housing
opportunities by:
Reducing utility bills
Increasing home resale value
Expanding a family’s range of home ownership choices
Qualifying more families for Energy Efficient Mortgages
Similar to the EPA rating that is given to vehicles stating the estimated miles a car can go on
a gallon of gas (mpg), the EPA measures how efficiently a home uses energy for its heating
and cooling purposes. Unlike an energy audit, or a house inspection, a Home Energy Rating
evaluates the energy efficiency of a house (not the occupants, nor just the structure of the
dwelling). The criterion is that the home exceeds the current building codes by 30%. The
Home Energy Rating is meant to stand over time and to be transferable to subsequent
occupants of the home. An independent third-party verification by a certified Energy Auditor
is needed for this rating.
Energy Star Home - EPA Energy Star Homes have passed stringent energy efficiency
guidelines established by the EPA Energy Star Homes program and verified by third party
energy auditors. EPA Energy Star Home builders are committed to building comfortable,
high quality, energy efficient homes that enable you to buy more house for the money, while
enhancing your home’s value.
The Home Energy Rating system awards stars on a scale of 1 to 5, equivalent to points from
1 to 100. To gain five stars, the home must have scored a minimum of 86 points. This rating
qualifies buyers for an Energy Efficient Mortgage.
Energy-Efficient Mortgages (EEM) - This program allow buyers of energy efficient homes
to qualify for up to a 5% stretch in their debt-to-income ratio because of their lowered
monthly utility costs. EEM is one of many FHA programs that insure mortgage loans. This
encourages lenders to make mortgage credit available to borrowers, such as first-time home
buyers, who would not otherwise qualify for conventional loans on affordable terms and to
residents of disadvantaged neighborhoods, where mortgages may be hard to get.
FHA-approved lending institutions-which include many banks, savings and loan
associations, and mortgage companies-can make loans covered by EEM insurance3
ECO-Block as a Major Contributor - Building with ECO-Block is a big step towardgaining the 5 star rating. The R-value of the ECO-Block forms alone is R-22, easily 30%
above the minimum standard for the current energy code. In addition, air infiltration is
greatly restricted, which allows for scaling down up to 35% of the HVAC system. These
factors, combined with a reasonably energy efficient window, door and roofing system will
make a 5 star rating easy to achieve.
For more information on Eco-Block Insulating Concrete Forms, visit www.eco-block.com. or a local builder at www.engineered-concrete.com.
Also, I represent the sellers of several Eco-Block homes, so take a look under the listings tab to see these marvelous creations!
