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Post by troycethers on Jul 20, 2019 3:18:32 GMT -6
High thermal mass materials are an important design element of an energy-efficient home and typically used in walls and slab foundations. Thermal mass is the potential of a material to absorb and store heat energy. High thermal mass materials help stabilize temperature shifts within a home by slowing the rate of heat transfer. For example, at night an insulated concrete wall and floor will absorb the cool air and store it within its mass. During the day, if the walls and floors are shaded, they will stay cool and so will the interior of the home. In the winter, during daylight, the concrete walls and floors absorbs the sun’s heat energy. During the night, the heat then slowly spreads through the wall and floor (conductivity) and releases into the home. Water, stone, brick, and concrete are examples of materials with high thermal mass. Steel, wood, and carpeting are examples of materials with low thermal mass and should be avoided as part of an energy-efficient home design.
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