How did mideval R-10 log cabins survive winters that would crush modern R-25 homes?

This was a very thought-provoking video so I thought I'd share.

This is an interesting video.  I suspect much has to do with one’s definition of “warm”.  In Northern Minnesota I was invited to a coworkers house. He always bragged about about how warm his house was…even at 40 below.  The temp inside his house was 55f.  

I am not critizing his definition, but his definition and mine were substantially different.

Thank you for posting this video. I got a lot out of watching it.

Yes, this was definitely worth a watch. I have been preaching thermal mass for a long time, but I had no idea that they considered wood thermal mass, as I was taught it was a "poor insulator".  Finding the kind of wood they were talking about isn't going to happen where I live, but there are other ways to help add thermal mass.

What the video *doesn't* say, is how our modern homes get sick when too well sealed because we have too many artificial materials treated with toxins inside that envelope. This is why I push for second hand *solid* wood furniture, rather than plastic/manufactured wood. Fabric is a problem, because companies aren't obliged to tell us what chemicals (like formaldehyde, PFAS etc) they have treated fabrics with. HVAC is part of the solution, but well chosen house plants can be a part too!

I have read about people who are very happy living at 55F, but not only do I turn into an icicle, in my environment, I suspect there would be a lot of mold growth. Masonry heaters/RMHs are both systems where you heat with a short hot fire, then count on radiant heat to keep the living area comfortable.  That coupled with a return to smaller rooms, lower ceilings, and intelligent design that keeps the heat contained where I need it, would be a huge help.