With the extreme fluctuations in temperature we experience in Saskatchewan, it can feel impossible to have an energy-efficient home. 

Air conditioning is a staple in many homes and businesses in the summer months. While HVAC systems keep us cool, there are a host of ways you can utilize your home and nature to minimize your reliance on them. If you’re looking for ways to reduce your energy costs and have a positive effect on the environment, we have 3 tips for you!

 

Cooling with cross ventilation is easy in the windy prairies!

 

Many homes are built to allow good ventilation, but it can feel impossible to get good airflow in your home if you don’t know how to maximize your windows and doors to their full potential.  During most of the prairie summer, prevailing winds hail from the west, making it easy for homeowners to open a west and east window to create an airstream that can cool off their home.

  1. Cross ventilation keeps your home cool

    If your rooms are located on the top floor, you can encourage warm air to be pushed out of the home by opening a west-facing window on the lower floors and east-facing windows upstairs; this is especially true at night, where the air is colder outside than inside the home.

     

  2. Utilize your ventilation system to circulate air out of the house

    In many new homes, ventilation is installed to help further circulate air to the outside. This ventilation can help cool your home by removing warm air, which tends to sit higher in a room than cool air. It can also increase the amount of air circulating through the home.

Hunter Douglas blinds can effectively block warm prairie sunlight from heating your home.

 

insulating shades for heat and efficiency

 

Did you know that homes lose 30% of their energy through their windows? It’s true! Windows account for a significant portion of heat gain and loss in Saskatchewan homes. Installing blinds designed to filter heat and light can save you money on heating and cooling. Hunter Douglas blinds are engineered to prevent energy loss in your home. Blinds create a barrier between the window and the home’s interior temperature, preventing excessive heat gain or loss throughout the day.

  1. Keep your blinds closed during the day

    In the summer, keeping your blinds closed during the peak hour of sunlight can prevent your home from absorbing excessive heat, meaning less money needs to be spent on running your air conditioner. Hunter Douglas blinds come in various opacities so that your plant friends can still receive the light they need without all the hot sticky air that comes with the sunshine.

     

  2. Open your blinds and windows to allow cool air flow in the evening

    The evening air is cool and refreshing and can easily push out the hot air accumulated through the day.

     

  3. Choose blinds that diffuse light rather than black it out for beautiful lighting for you and your plants all day long.

    Filtered light is far more beautiful than black-out blinds and still effective against heat gain. Choose an opacity that works well for your needs. If you’re a plant parent or a lover of natural light, you don’t have to sacrifice to be more carbon neutral.

Installing the right windows can make a big difference in your energy efficiency!

Casement windows provide superior opportunities for air circulation and insulation. These windows maximize efficiency in two key ways. The first is that, unlike double-hung windows, casement windows close firmly against the sash minimizing air leaks and allowing maximum protection from heat loss. In the summer months, these windows maximize the full surface area of the window to allow as much air into the home as possible.

  1. New windows are designed for optimal insulation for temperature maintenance

    Whether you choose dual or triple-pane windows, our windows have been expressly engineered for life in Saskatchewan. You can also choose low-e solutions like the Sun Gain ER or Solar Block U with argon gas for increased efficiency.

     

  2. Casement windows maximize airflow

    Casement windows provide maximum insulation while closed and great airflow when opened, allowing for superior ventilation.

Are you ready to reduce your carbon footprint, Saskatchewan?

New windows and blinds are a small investment in increasing your home’s energy efficiency. Modern windows are double or triple-paned, maximizing the potential insulation and lessening the degree of heat gain and loss––especially in comparison to single pane aluminum windows.  If you’re ready to replace your windows or upgrade your window dressings, talk to your Denovo representative about choosing the right product for your needs.