Retrofit Your Canadian Home to Beat the Summer Heat

As we enter an era of increasing temperatures and more frequent heatwaves due to climate change, retrofitting your home, whether you live in Halifax, Toronto, Calgary or Vancouver, to stay cool during the scorching summer months is becoming increasingly important.

Many Canadian homes, especially those built in the 1950s and 1980s, were designed without hot weather in mind, making them uncomfortable and inefficient during the hottest days.

In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the implications of climate change on Canadian summers, the drawbacks of older home designs, and the numerous benefits of retrofitting your home for a cooler and healthier living environment.

Additionally, we'll provide you with the top 10 improvements you can make to keep your home comfortable when the sun is blazing outside. This is particularly important near town and city centres, sue to the “urban heat island” effect.

Source: World Economic Forum

The Impact of Climate Change on Canadian Summers

Canada has historically been known for its cold winters, but climate change brings a new challenge — hotter summers.

Across the country, residents have witnessed a significant increase in the frequency and intensity of heatwaves. According to climate scientists, this trend is expected to continue, with temperatures projected to rise by several degrees Celsius by the end of the century.

As a result of climate change, Canadians can expect:

• Longer and More Frequent Heatwaves (aka Heat Domes): Summers are becoming extended periods of extreme heat, causing discomfort and health risks for residents.

• Increased Energy Consumption: Rising temperatures lead to higher energy bills as air conditioning becomes necessary, straining power grids and your pocketbook.

• Health Concerns: Heat-related illnesses and mortality rates are rising, particularly among vulnerable populations such as the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions.

For you average Canadian, the heat will simply make life uncomfortable, sleep might be a challenge, and if it’s too hot outside for your kids to play, then you’ll want a safe and comfortable place indoors where they can hang out.

Older Homes are Unsuitable for Hot Weather

Many homes in Halifax, Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver were constructed during the 20th century. These homes were designed primarily to withstand harsh winters and were ill-equipped to handle sweltering summer days.

Here's why:

• Lack of Insulation: Older homes often lack proper insulation, making it difficult to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature.

• Large South-Facing Windows: Large or south-facing windows are fantastic in the winter when you want to maximise natural light in your home. In the summer, they allow the full energy of the sun to penetrate your home when you want it the least.

• Single-Glazed Windows: Single-glazed windows allow heat to easily penetrate into your home, turning it into a greenhouse during hot summer days.

• Poor Ventilation: Inefficient ventilation systems block airflow and trap hot air inside, preventing the circulation of cooler outdoor air.

• No air conditioning: Many homes do not have air conditioning or air ducts throughout the home to make a central cooling system easy to install.

• Energy Inefficiency: Older homes are typically energy hogs during the summer. If they have central air, it’s not energy efficient. Also, they have poor seals, so they leak cool air in the summer and hot air in the winter, which makes your HVAC system work more than necessary. This results in high utility bills, waste, and negative environmental impact.

Benefits of a Retrofit for Your Health and Quality of Life

Before we delve into specific retrofitting options, it's essential to understand the profound impact a cooler home can have on your health and overall quality of life:

• Improved Comfort: Retrofitting your home for summer can make your living spaces much cooler and more comfortable, allowing you to enjoy your home year-round.

• Health Benefits: A cooler home reduces the risk of heat-related medical events, such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, stroke, and cardiac arrest. Also, a cool home reduces your stress levels and helps you avoid fatigue. Overall, a cooler during home peak summer temperatures promotes better physical and mental health.

• Improved Sleep: Cooler indoor temperatures lead to better sleep quality, increasing productivity and overall well-being.

• Lower Utility Bills: Retrofitting your home can significantly lower your energy bills, saving you money and reducing your carbon footprint.

Top 10 Improvements for a Cooler Home

Now that we've established the benefits and importance of retrofitting for a cooler home, let's explore the top 10 improvements you can make to beat the summer heat:

• Install Exterior Window Shutters or Blinds: You can adjust the angle of the shutters to control the amount of natural light that enters your home. This can help regulate the temperature and reduce glare, making your living spaces more comfortable. As an added benefit, they also help with home security, privacy, and they reduce street noise.

• Upgrade to Double-Glazed Windows: Replace single-glazed windows with double-glazed or Low-E windows to reduce heat gain. Glass is a good heat conductor, so much more heat is transferred between your home’s exterior and interior through windows than through the walls.

• Add Roof Vents: Proper attic ventilation prevents hot air from accumulating, reducing indoor temperatures.

• Install Ceiling Fans: Ceiling fans improve airflow, making your home feel cooler. by combining the air conditioner with a ceiling fan, you can achieve a cool internal temperature with less effort from the air conditioner.

• Seal Air Leaks: Seal gaps and cracks in your home's envelope to prevent warm air infiltration (or loss of warmth in the winter). When heating was cheap, many homeowners ignored drafts and leaks, but today, it’s worth the effort to fix.

• Reinsulate Your Home: Today, your typical insulation is ten (10) times more effective than the insulation installed 50 years ago. New insulation in the attic, walls, and floors keeps your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

• Plant Shade Trees: Strategically planted trees provide natural shade. They reducing outdoor temperatures near the home and also block the sun from shining directly on the walls of your home.

• Use Heat Reflective Roofing: Reflective roofing materials deflect sunlight, reducing heat absorption.

• Install a Programmable Thermostat: A smart thermostat allows you to regulate your home's temperature efficiently.

• Use Reflective Roofing: Reflective roofing materials deflect sunlight, reducing heat absorption.

• Upgrade Your HVAC System: Invest in an more powerful and energy-efficient air conditioner or heat pump to cool your home more efficiently.

Next Steps

The changing climate is causing Canadian summers to become hotter and more challenging to endure. Many homes, especially those built in the 1950s and 1980s, are ill-suited for these increasingly scorching conditions. Retrofitting your Toronto or Vancouver home offers numerous benefits, including improved comfort, health, and energy savings.

By implementing the top 10 improvements mentioned in this guide, you can transform your home into a cool oasis during the hottest months. Remember, retrofitting not only enhances your quality of life but also plays a vital role in mitigating the adverse effects of climate change. So, take action today and make your home a haven from the heat, ensuring a brighter, cooler, and more sustainable future for all.