Think of brick as a natural air-conditioner:
In summer, brickwork’s thermal mass cools down overnight and stays cooler during the heat of the day.

As part of a well-designed building: Thermal mass helps to achieve thermal comfort Thermal mass reduces the need for air-conditioning Thermal mass reduces greenhouse gas emissions over the life of a building

Research at the University of Newcastle has demonstrated that thermal mass can naturally moderate temperatures. This chart shows results from a summer heatwave. The external temperature fluctuations were moderated by brickwork to a range more consistent with human comfort. The brochures and background paper below provide more detail about the research.

Thermal Mass and the R-Value:

The most common measure of the thermal performance of a building material is its R-value. An R-value is a measure of the thermal resistance of a material. Although the use of a single number is convenient and easily understood, the R-value is only a measure of the material’s ability to insulate. The R-value is not a complete measure of a material’s thermal performance. Thermal mass is not easily measured, but is it easily found in dense materials like bricks. It is important to remember that an appropriate combination of both insulation and thermal mass (along with ventilation and orientation) will create a well designed home.

For further information please refer to the following brochures:

Thermal Mass Links: