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Winter Electricity Bill Radiography: Traditional House vs. Canadian House
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Winter Electricity Bill Radiography: Traditional House vs. Canadian House

March 5, 2026
Canadian Houses
2 min read

When you quote a house, you usually look at the construction price per square meter. But there is a "hidden price" you will pay month after month throughout your life: the cost of living in it. In southern Chile, heating a poorly insulated house can cost more than the mortgage.

The Case Study: Temuco, July 2025

We compared two 120 m² homes, located in the same climate zone of Temuco, during the coldest month of the year.

House A: Traditional Construction (Masonry 2010)

  • Heating: Wood stove + Support electric heaters in bedrooms.
  • Insulation: Simple expanded polystyrene in roof (40mm), walls without specific thermal insulation (only brick and stucco).
  • Estimated Monthly Expense:
    • 3 meters of firewood: ~$120,000 CLP
    • Extra electricity: ~$80,000 CLP
    • Total: ~$200,000 CLP / month

House B: Canadian Houses (Model 2025)

  • Heating: Inverter Air Conditioning (100% Electric).
  • Insulation: R100 perimeter walls (High-density mineral wool), R100+ Roof, Low-E Double Glazed Windows.
  • Real Monthly Expense:
    • Heating electricity consumption: ~$75,000 CLP
    • Total: ~$75,000 CLP / month

Why is the difference so big?

The key is not just generating cheaper heat, but not losing it.

  1. Airtightness: A Canadian house works like a thermos. Once you reach 20°C, the heating system turns off or works at a minimum (Inverter) because the heat does not escape through walls or roofs.
  2. Thermal Inertia vs. Insulation: The brick house has high inertia (it takes time to heat up and cool down), but it constantly transfers heat outwards. Our Metalcon structure with mineral wool insulates immediately.
  3. Windows: 30% of heat is lost through single glass panes. Our Low-E double glazing reflects heat back into the interior.

Savings over 10 Years

If we project this difference ($125,000 monthly savings in winter, lower weighted annual average), the savings over 10 years exceed $8,000,000 CLP. That is money that stops being burned in firewood and stays in your pocket, paying for a good part of your initial investment.