It is difficult to convince some that all the heat produced in winter, in the hive is lost. Yes, every last bit of it. Happens in summer, too, of course but without the same consequences.
We can assume that every Joule of thermal energy generated throughout the winter months when the bees are clustered is derived from their stores. From nowhere else, unless there is a mouse snoozing somewhere in there (and that will be living on wax and honey)!
Can it be so difficult to accept that a better thermally insulated hive will require less thermal energy than a similar less well-insulated one standing next to it with identical prevailing weather conditions?
The only real question then is which is cheaper - sugar or insulation.
No contest really?
Pleeeese, Merrybee, think simply about it. No need to go on any more at all. Plain common sense is enough to arrive at the correct conclusion.
Would you remove all the insulation from your house roof, unfill the wall cavities, replace all double glazing with single panes, remove any draught excluding material and positively leave windows ajar all through the winter and expect the heating bill to remain the same? I think not.
Your house also loses exactly 100% of all the heating applied throughout the winter, just the same as the bees' home does. All simple physics.
RAB