Measuring true cost of any building material goes beyond the initial product cost.
Product Cost ~ RASTRA may cost slightly more than traditional building materials on a given project. However RASTRA provides savings in other areas that offset this slight increase including tax credits, eliminating membrane and wire mesh on stucco installations; eliminating vapor barriers, eliminating air exchangers and downsizing the HVAC unit.
Installed Cost ~ RASTRA installs much faster and requires less trade coordination. Construction cycles are shortened and properties are available for sale faster.
Life-Cycle Cost ~ RASTRA is the least expensive option by far over the life of the property. Heating and cooling costs are reduced by at least in average by40% or more each and every year. Maintenance costs are reduced because timber that warps and degenerates is eliminated. The HVAC unit has a longer service life because it doesn’t work as hard or often to maintain environmental settings. Insurance premiums are lower.
As energy costs continue to rise, and as ICF construction is more widely understood, it is reasonable to project that RASTRA houses will command a 10-15% premium over comparable wood frame homes in the near future. And finally, when you are selling your property the resale value is higher.
It's not unfair to think of energy costs in the same terms as an adjustable rate mortgage - You have no control over how much of an increase you could realize - By minimizing your energy consumption, you are controlling this unknown expense to the best of your ability.
