Methodology

Cost Savings and Thermal Resistance

To estimate the cost savings of an ICF villa, a villa built with such specifications will be referred.
The energy consumption data was taken from a contracting company based in Dubai, UAE who
extensively work in the construction of ICF villa. The information collected was of 8000 sq ft.
approximately. Similarly, to compare these costs, a traditional CMU villa data was also collected
from a consulting company in UAE. The data included energy consumption of a CMU villa of
similar size. Once, the data was collected, a graph was prepared to depict the costs of respective
villas in terms of electricity. This comparison of electricity costs would explain on how effective
an ICF villa is terms of cost savings.
For further understanding of ICFs thermal resistance, an infrared based image was also
taken by the contractor to clarify ICFs efficiency in terms of heat transfer. This image was also
compared with an infrared image of a CMU villa. At the end, these images were compared with
results based on similar research in the western region. Moreover, some factors of ICF were also
compared with green building specifications of UAE to assess whether ICF can be integrated in
the UAE construction industry.
Thermal Resistance (please include this after cost savings discussion)
The savings in ICF villa is primarily due to exceptional thermal resistance. The foams
that cover the concrete help in insulating the villa i.e. less leakage and temperature are efficiently
maintained inside a villa. The following figure shows the comparison of an ICF and CMU villa
in terms on thermal resistance.

Figure ( ): Thermal Imaging of an ICF, and CMU villa

In the figure the yellow color depicts higher energy loss in a CMU villa. Whereas, the blue color
means that the energy loss is minimum and that the sources of energy loss are through windows,
and doors. This minimum energy loss is because of high thermal resistance of ICF that
maintains the temperature inside a villa. In fact, it is also because an ICF material has an Rvalue of 22 i.e. an insulation value (higher the R value, better the material in terms of insulation).
Moreover, this also means that in a CMU villa energy is needed to maintain the temperature of a
villa, thus, increasing the electricity consumption, and result in increasing the consumption cost.
In addition to this, these results can also be compared with published work in the western
region, where similar results were achieved. For instance, according to a concrete solutions
provider, ICF has high energy efficiency due to the presence of this system in walls and roofs.

Figure
( ) Thermal Image of a Conventional Building in USA [1]
Like the previous picture, it can be seen that a conventional building has high energy loss,
hence, more energy being used to maintain certain temperature. The use of materials has a
significant contribution in the overall costs of the building, and this can be seen where such
energy losses can result in higher energy costs.
The following image shows similar results of an ICF building that resists energy loss. It
can be seen that due to high insulation, energy does not escape the premises. This also indicates
that less energy is required, and that it will lead to lower energy bills. Also, the use of ICF can
help in reducing overall costs, and help in accrediting such premises as green building. As
discussed, this is necessary because the shift towards sustainable projects is paramount, and UAE
government has also endorsed the implementation of green buildings. Therefore, ICF can assist
in achieving desired results. However, whether there can be successful through legislations,
awareness, and barriers are analyzed later.

Figure (
) Thermal Image of ICF structure in USA [1]
Note: Light yellow represents high energy loss, whereas, Dark color represent low energy loss
[1] Quad-Block, Thermal Imaging. 2013. This is the reference for it