Thermal insulation of the exterior wall, yes or no?

We are unsure whether we should have the exterior walls of our house insulated. We hear quite a bit about it, that it brings mold into the house, the indoor air becomes unhealthy, the walls get damaged over time because the masonry can no longer breathe... How have you handled this, insulation on the wall, what is your experience?

A house does not become moldy because of thermal insulation. There was mold on the walls even before there was such a thing as [Wärmedämmverbundsystem]. I am bothered by the large amount of plastic on the house; eventually, disposal will come, which certainly will not be cheap. A [Wärmedämmverbundsystem] does not last that long anyway. Thick walls give me a better feeling, more like a house and less like a backdrop for the latest building trends.

There are statistics showing that since the increased use of thermal insulation composite systems, the risk of mold in indoor spaces has risen. One reads about a "thermal insulation craze forced by the eco-mafia" and things like that. I do not want to go that far, but people are unsettled. On the one hand, the evidence and indications of how good and important proper thermal insulation is, and on the other hand, these "mafia" statements and again evidence against thermal insulation.

Hello everyone,

Hubertus is right, insulation on exterior walls does not cause mold; surface temperature and indoor humidity must "match" for a wall surface to develop mold. Incidentally, insulation increases the surface temperature of interior walls and thus tends to reduce the risk of mold. What can become problematic: the airtight envelope of modern houses. Airtightness is important to retain heating energy inside the houses. Used and humid indoor air (plants, bathroom and kitchen, pets, people contribute to this) must be ventilated. If ventilation is insufficient, excessively humid room air can condense on cooler wall surfaces, leading to a risk of mold.

I also know the slogans like "eco-terrorism," "insulation mafia," "insulation madness," etc. In these cases, things are "explained" to laypeople in a flowery populist way, causing a specialist to shake their head in disbelief. That belongs in the same drawer as 9/11, moon landing, and other conspiracy theories.

If you do not want to insulate your house, that is your choice; then you build with insulating masonry units, build thick exterior walls, etc.

Hello,
I am very interested in ecological building; ecology means sustainable management. This is also what insulating our houses is about.
When you read these pamphlets from insulation opponents, it often becomes clear that the cost of insulation and insulated windows is not worthwhile and therefore nonsensical. Here, the economic use is considered in isolation for one house, one owner. However, it is very possible that the economic investment for a well-insulated house does not pay off in a reasonable time – but thermal insulation has a purpose that goes beyond the economic!

The entirety of all modernly built buildings that manage heat energy ecologically ensures that non-renewable energy sources last us longer.
For the same reason, today we also drive cars that consume less gasoline – to preserve resources as far into the future as possible.

With the fuel-efficient car we save money, with insulation we have to spend money, in Germany you are forced to do so by law. In my opinion, the prices for insulation material are overpriced and the whole thing is tolerated by the legislator, if not even promoted. It's basically economic support on the backs of homeowners. My opinion.