(wrote)
>The simple wall I envision: 6" thick concrete, with 3" of rigid board on
>the exterior, rendered with the normal (for out here) 3 coats of
>cementitious stucco. Plaster inside.
Ten years ago, (using Stein and Hannon's data from early 1970's Dept of
Commerce census data) I did an comparison of the energy embodied in a
simiar (.. mine was 8" of concrete and 4" of rigid foam) wall with that
embodied in wood frame wall (Larsen truss type). See 'Northeast Sun', June
1987
Concrete and foam - 142 x 10(3) Btu/sq.ft.
Frame and batt insulation - 57 x 10(3) Btu/sq.ft.
The R Value of the concrete and foam assembly is a little over half that of
the frame and batt insulation.
I am not making any specific point here, just keeping track of the likely
life cycle energy cost. Though perhaps I'm suggesting that your concrete
structure would do better to have a long service life.
Bruce Coldham
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