Saving Energy thru Super Insulated Exterior Walls

Super insulated exterior wall in your house can definitely save energy. 
The latest in the National Energy Code has minimum requirements for exterior wall insulation. It depends on the location and heating degree days.  For houses without a HRV heat recovery ventilator, Alberta has minimum requirements of 3.8RSI or R18. This is usually built as with an exterior sheathing, a  2"x 6" stud wall filled with fiberglass batt insulation, and an interior sheathing. With thermal bridging, wherein the walls lose heat through the studs, the value of your insulation is technically lower.

Seen below is a thermal picture of a basement wall.  The stud's temperature is at 14 degrees Celsius, and the actual wall is 16 degrees. 

2 degrees Celsius is lost and I took this picture on a spring day, about 11 degrees outside.

If you are doing any exterior renovation, you should consider doing an  R40 wall.
The R40 wall translates to 10-12 inch wall- a double stud wall, or a structurally insulated panel.
To lose 2 feet around the perimeter of your house, most especially on an urban property,  is a lot.
In reality, people are open to living in smaller homes. In the end, the investment on the superinsulated walls pays off in terms of savings in energy.

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