Our house in WA state that we are selling to move back to TX is ICF construction (layer of foam, 10 inches of concrete, then another layer of foam). It is extremely well insulated because of the construction. Our walkout basement is covered with windows and a patio door on the backside and in the side of the hill in the front side. Our house overlooks the Yakima River and mountains, so that's the view from my sewing room The basement temperature stays the same cool year-round, and we have absolutely no humidity problems. My recommendation to anyone who may be planning to build a new house is to consider ICF construction. Our house is 3,314 sq ft (half upper level, half basement level). The entire back side of the house is windows and patio doors, yet our heat/air bill is extremely reasonable.