An energy conserving active thermal insulation arrangement installed upon the ambient surface of an insulated structure employing alternately spaced insulated air channels and insulated conductive ply channels. A thin conductive ply conveys the energy by conduction from the airflow into the adjacent conductive ply channels, that contain an additional layer of foam which improves the conservation of energy. The conductive ply is placed above and below structural openings which would otherwise restrict airflow. The airflow is drawn from beneath the frost line, exhaust ventilation or sunspace. A math model solution determines the energy necessary to maintain a desired room temperature for each hour of the day which characterizes the thermal resistance. As the ambient temperature fluctuates, the resistance varies, however the energy for 24 hours is used to determine the total apparent resistance. Examples of apparent resistance R-value have been improved beyond any published resistance values to date.