Building With Awareness
Using adobe, stone, or brick walls
for thermal mass 
Construction Tour 5 of 14 
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Thermal mass is often overlooked when designing an energy-efficient building. Using straw bale walls for insulation does not in itself guarantee stable indoor termperatures. Thick thermal mass walls (of at least 10" in thickness) will store and release excess heat. In the summer, heat is absorbed by the walls to help cool the home. The adobe thermal mass, combined with the highly insulated exterior straw bale walls, made it possible to eliminate the mechanical air conditioning system in this home. In the winter, the thermal mass walls release heat into the room at night. If adobe is not available in your area, there are alternative materials for thermal mass such as stone and brick (click here for picture). |
Building With Awareness
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