The most compelling reason for building a home with concrete is energy efficiency. Concrete’s thermal storage capacity enables the home to stay warmer in winter and cooler in summer than traditional houses; its mass prevents wide fluctuations in temperature. External air infiltration is eliminated, thanks to airtight construciton and rigid insulation. This keeps indoor temperature consistent and comfortable.

In fact, the Energy Star home program of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has consistently given a five-star rating to homes built by SecureTech, the provider of wall forms used in Safe Haven Homes. Homes with the Energy Star label are designed to use less energy and help protect the environment. Depending on lifestyle, climate and number of people in the household, the typical family can save 40 to 70 percent on energy costs. Also, the homes’s furnace and air conditioner can run during off-peak times, taking advantage of power rate discounts from utility companies. Within a few years, energy savings on heating and air conditioning can total thousands of dollars.

What’s more, the home’s energy efficiency enables installation of a smaller sized furnace and air conditioner than in a stick-built house of comparable size.