It’s more complicated than that as you well know. If CO2 was the only culprit every scientist would agree on that as the source of GW. Obviously there are many factors in atmospheric chemistry and dynamics, where we should draw the line is where the liberal control freaks try to justify themselves as KINGS OF THE WORLD, algore being their poster boy. Really though, just adding insulation to existing houses would make a lot of this energy nonsense go away. Think of mammals and their fur-insulation, they are naturally smarter than homo sap pouring energy-money out into the cold winter night through windows/poorly insulated walls.
You are correct about the insulation reducing the energy consumption.
Only market forces will drive that train though. Until it becomes cost effective it will never happen. I know that it is really cost effective now in the long run but the advantages have to be seen up front to make the jump. I don’t think they will ever get to the insulation level that you are talking about though. We just don’t build things anymore that are that farsighted.
It’s going to require much more than just putting the insulation in the home. The house will have to be constructed differently to negate the weep problems. Just a vapor barrier won’t do it. I used to build houses and I know what kind of problems insulation can cause even in dry climates. Wood frames have real; issues here so it would almost have to be some kind of masonry/concrete and solid insulation composite construction. That’s a pretty expensive way to go right now.