The higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation.
R value of concrete wall below grade.
The table below shows what levels of insulation are cost effective for different climates and locations in the home.
R 0 125 per inch for soil sounds pretty reasonable if we assume about 20 moisture content and if we consider for comparison or a sanity check that the r value of uninsulated concrete is about r 0 8 inch.
Above grade concrete wall including inside and outside air films r 1 2 for 6 inch r1 4 for 8 inch.
564 to obtain copies of this reference.
In addition the doe recommends r 10 to r 20 insulation for under a slab which we have not taken into consideration for this article.
R value is a measure of insulation s ability to resist heat traveling through it.
Insulation level are specified by r value.
Concrete block wall with air in cavities r 2 0.
In addition to r value stability rigid foam insulations differ in their rates of moisture absorption and their ability to dry.
By comparison most xps warranties typically cover only up to 90 percent of the published r value to account for the r value degradation that occurs in the field.
The r value listed by pca for a normal weight 144 pcf 6 inch concrete wall is 1 23 and includes inside and outside air film resistances which contribute to overall thermal resistance.
Concrete block wall with perlite in cavities r 2 9.
The r value of an uninsulated 8 inch thick basement wall built using normal weight concrete is 1 35 based on data from the 1993 american society of heating refrigeration and air conditioning engineers handbook.
By doubling the thickness of the wall to 16 inches the r value only increases by 0 50.
The minimum insulation r value recommended by the department of energy for horizontal below grade surfaces in cold climates is r 10 to r 15.
Ensure minimal long term moisture absorption.
Concrete and block walls.
Other engineering sources cite the r value of earth as about r 0 25 per inch or double our calculation.
For example if you have a type of insulation.