I am a potential owner builder on a small budget with a piece of property that  has a rocky ridge on the north side and a south facing slope. Mindful of increasing energy prices and tired of paying through the nose to heat my home, I would like to take this opportunity to do it right the first time. I have never built before but have become quite knowledgeable of what is out there and love the whole concept of “Not so Big”.

After much deliberation, I’m considering either ICF all the way….I see it being done with my friend’s house and it is exceptional, or Timber Frame with SIPS. The nice thing about the latter is that it goes up quickly and eliminates alot of stages but the thing about ICF is the passive solar element with the thermal mass in the walls. Any thoughts out there on either of those?

I really want to have a solar water heater and a masonry stove heater too. Would the SIPS be enough to have a passive solar home? I would probably  (if I went with the Timberframe kit I’m looking at) go with a 24w x36 length saltbox with a 10ft shed on the width side. The house would face south on its long axis with the shed on the north side. By the way, when I say Timber  Frame do not imagine huge cathedral ceilings with a massive open to below….that is not what I want and there are many cozy ‘not so big’ houses using the timberframes.

 That’s the overview…….any thoughts from voices of experience?