Masonry and Energy Efficiency: Reducing Your Home’s Energy Costs

​Masonry is a durable and long-lasting building material that can help improve the energy efficiency of your home. Here are some ways that you can use masonry in Kingston to reduce your home's energy costs:

1. 1. Insulate Your Masonry Walls: While masonry is a great material for construction, it can also be a poor insulator. Adding insulation material to the cavity between the masonry walls can help improve the thermal performance of your home. This can be done during construction or as a retrofit project by drilling holes in the walls and blowing insulation material into the cavity.
2. Use Thermal Mass: Masonry materials have thermal mass, which means that they can absorb and store heat. By exposing masonry walls to sunlight during the day and using shading devices to prevent overheating, you can use the thermal mass of the walls to keep your home cool in summer and warm in winter.
3. Install Energy-Efficient Windows: Installing energy-efficient windows can help reduce heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer. Masonry structures can support the weight of these windows, making them an ideal option for masonry homes.
4. Incorporate Passive Solar Design: Passive solar design uses the natural elements of the sun, wind, and landscape to regulate indoor temperatures. By designing your home with the right orientation, window placement, and shading devices, you can use the sun's energy to heat your home in winter and keep it cool in summer.
5. Choose Energy-Efficient Masonry Materials: When choosing masonry materials, opt for those that are energy efficient. These materials have higher insulation values than traditional masonry materials, reducing heat transfer through walls.

How We Helped a Homeowner

When a homeowner in Kingston’s Sydenham neighbourhood noticed their winter heating bills climbing, they called Masonry Kingston for an inspection. We discovered that the home’s aging brickwork had multiple deteriorated mortar joints and small gaps that were allowing cold air to penetrate the interior walls. Our team completed a full repointing of the affected sections, sealed the exterior masonry, and repaired a draft-producing crack near the chimney base. Within the next billing cycle, the homeowner reported a noticeable reduction in heat loss and an average savings of about 18% on their monthly energy costs. By fixing the masonry envelope instead of relying solely on their furnace, they gained long-term efficiency, reduced moisture intrusion, and a far more comfortable home — all from a targeted, cost-effective masonry repair.


For further assistance in lowering your Kingston Hydro bills, do not hesitate to call of the top masonry contractors in Kingston, ON.

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