Energy Usage
Think about the amount of energy that is usually consumed in a home. A significant number of people would be surprised to find out that a large part of the energy used up is simply in cooling and heating. Cooking, lighting, and electronics combined only comprise a few percentage points of the total energy consumption.
Insulation
Insulation efficiency is typically calculated using its R-value, and a masonry wall will typically give you an R 0.72 rating on its own. A typical masonry home is built using wood framing, fiberglass insulation, building paper, an air space and brick or stone veneer.
Thermal Mass
Wall materials that are dense, such as bricks, concrete block or stone, absorb heat and hamper its conveyance through walls. Because of this fact, houses built using masonry are proven to be up to 13% more energy efficient than those built with materials such as stucco or siding.