Keeping up with technology in the construction industry can be a full time job. Every now and then I run across items that are just so interesting that I feel compelled to write about them. Earlier I wrote about an Insultated Concrete Forms home that was being built in Atlanta. The contractor, ICF Total Solutions, who is building this home invited me out to the concrete pour on the basement walls and then also asked if I would like to attend the pour of the main floor of the home. Fortunately I was able to attend parts of both. These pours are accomplished via the use of a cement pump truck which pumps the cement through a large boom and into a flexible hose and is guided into the forms by a technician. In order to help the concrete settle and fill all voids technicians use recipricating saws with the blade removed to vibrate the forms.
During the second concrete pour I had the priviledge of talking in depth with Chris Etheridge, the future homeowner. Chris was certain that he and his wife Kim had chosen the proper construction materials. The cost of using the Insulated Concrete Forms for building all of the exterior walls in the basement and first floor was about 5% more than standard wood construction. Chris and Kim knew they wanted an extremely energy efficient home and wanted it to be as "Green" or enviornmentally friendly as possible. The additional cost will be offset by the energy savings and should be recouped in about 5 years.
Chris told me that he has started a blog, redstategreenhouse.com, to show the construction of the home from start to finish. I thought the site name was humorus and asked if he was making 
a political statement or just totally tired of the red clay we have in Atlanta. He just laughed and said yes.
Good Luck with your project and we hope to here from you regarding how much you feel you are saving on you energy expenses by utilizing this type construction.