Climate-Ready Homes for Albertans: From Small Upgrades to Full Home Renovations

Mobilizing Alberta is an initiative aimed at increasing engagement on climate change across Southern Alberta. Through Climate Action Grants, a Climate Conversation Speaker Series, and the Preparing Albertans for Climate Change e-course, Mobilizing Alberta provides a foundation on which Albertans can build awareness and support meaningful climate action. Over the next few months, we’ll share a series of informative blog posts to answer frequently asked questions, clear up common misconceptions, and break down climate solutions in a straightforward, easy-to-understand way.

As Alberta’s climate changes, we need to think about how to keep our homes safe and comfortable. How can we protect ourselves against risks and curb rising expenses? Albertans already feel the effects of damaging weather like hail, flooding, and forest fires, plus skyrocketing energy bills (in part due to a greater reliance on heating and air conditioning).

Technology and materials can help reduce our energy use and make our homes more resilient in the face of climate change, while saving money and increasing our comfort. Approximately 68% of Albertans say they would invest in technology for their homes, such as insulating, using renewable energy, or installing high-efficiency appliances to reduce their month-to-month energy costs.

Not sure where to start? We’ve created a guide to help you upgrade your home as an owner or renter, whether your budget is small or you can afford bigger upgrades.

Having a “climate-ready” home means you’ve taken steps to protect your home from the impacts of climate change, including damage from extreme weather or other events. This can include:

• Protecting your home against wildfires;
• Improving the comfort of your home through better insulation or increased shade;
• Preparing your home for major hailstorms, with more resilient roofing and exterior finishes;
• Reducing the risk of flood damage; and
• Improving your home’s energy efficiency and sustainability.

The Cities of Calgary and Edmonton offer free tools and guides to help get you started.

There are lots of ways to get started—some are quick and easy, others take a bit more time or investment. Things like using less water and energy, or making your home more prepared for wildfires, floods, and other extreme weather, all help.

Even small changes can make a difference. They can lower your utility bills, make your home more comfortable, and help prevent damage when storms or wildfires hit. And when more of us take these steps, it adds up to real progress on climate action. It’s about protecting and improving your home today and being part of the bigger solution for tomorrow.

Small Budget:

• Make changes to your garden like planting deciduous trees to shade your house, incorporating drought-resistant plants that require less water, and installing a rain collection system. Make sure your downspouts divert water away from your house, and clean out your gutters every season to prevent flooding.
• Install timers, sensors, or dimmers to help reduce energy use. Timers and sensors can help you make sure your lights are only on when you need them, and dimmers reduce electricity use, extend the life of your bulbs, and provide a gentler light that’s easier on the eyes.
• Install window coverings or shades that can help reduce the heat inside your home. Reflective blinds or blackout curtains can help you keep your house cool during the summer.
• Change your habits. Unplug (or turn off) electronics when you’re not using them, take shorter showers, and turn lights off when you aren’t in the room — these things all reduce your consumption of utilities. Learn how to store flammable materials, like propane tanks, to reduce the risk of damage if your home is affected by wildfires.
• Clean up the yard. Make sure you remove felled trees, brush, and other flammable material around your house to help reduce the risk of a wildfire spreading.

Medium Budget:

• Consider a smart thermostat.  An ENERGY STAR certified smart thermostat can help heat and cool your home more efficiently, learning the temperature you like and creating an automatic heating/cooling schedule based on your activity. Because they automatically switch to energy-saving temperatures when you’re asleep or away, they help save energy and reduce your utility bill.
• Replace appliances with more energy-efficient versions. When you’re in the market for new household appliances, like washers, dryers, dishwashers, freezers, refrigerators or even televisions, look for high-efficiency, ENERGY STAR certified models.
• If you need one, install a sump pump or a backflow prevention valve. If you live in an area that’s prone to basement flooding, these two measures can keep water and sewage out of your basement when there’s heavy rain.

High Budget:

Before you make any major changes to your home consider working with an energy consultant. They’ll conduct an audit of your home’s energy efficiency and give you some guidance about which upgrades to your home will be the most energy efficient.

Some of the most effective upgrades you can make to improve the energy efficiency of your home include:

• Improving insulation — especially in your roof and attic. Hot air rises, and if your roof and attic aren’t well-insulated, that hot air will escape. Improving the insulation in your walls will also help your heating and cooling systems be more effective and energy efficient.
• Install a heat pump instead of air conditioning. Heat pumps are typically more energy efficient than air conditioning systems, and in the colder months can also heat your home. (In some areas, and with some types of heat pumps, you may need a backup heating system to manage extremely cold temperatures.)
• Install high-efficiency windows. There are a lot of options out there—double or triple glazing, different energy ratings, and materials—so aim for the best your budget allows. Well-insulated windows help keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter, which means you’ll use less energy year-round. The most efficient models can be up to 40% more effective than standard ones, and that can really cut down your utility bills.
• Upgrade the exterior of your house. Most homes in Alberta are finished with vinyl siding, which doesn’t stand up to climate hazards particularly well. It can melt easily when exposed to the high heat of a wildfire, is easily damaged by hail and high winds, and can even crack during temperature fluctuations. You can choose from a variety of siding types at different prices, and each has its own benefits and drawbacks. Fibre cement board, galvanized steel, brick, or stone siding are all resistant to hail, fire, and wind damage. It’s important to factor in maintenance costs, durability, insulating properties, and price point when you make your choice.
• Upgrade your roof. Most homes are finished with asphalt shingles — they’re cost-effective compared to other options and resistant to hail and fire, but need to be replaced every 20 years or so. There are other roofing options: white shingles (which reflect sunlight), rubber roofs (which are more resistant to hail), slate shingles (which are long-lasting and resistant to fire and hail), and concrete tiles (which can repel heat and are fire resistant). Invest in the finish that makes the most sense for where you live, your budget, and your concerns about longevity.
• Install new doors. Fire and impact-resistant doors can help delay the spread of fire into and throughout your home. They can also protect against hail and severe wind.
• Install solar panels. Solar is a great alternative energy option for Albertans — the province boasts the highest average number of sunny days per year in Canada at 312 days! Solar panels can drastically reduce your electricity bill and your reliance on the electrical grid. And yes, they do function well in the winter. 

If you rent your home, your options are more limited, but there are still ways to help make your home more climate-ready. Depending on the type of rental you live in (house or apartment), some of the low budget solutions above may be helpful.

• Check your doors and windows for drafts and air leaks. The easiest, cheapest way to do this is to burn incense or something that produces smoke, and slowly move it around your windows, doors, and other openings. If there’s a draft, you’ll see the smoke move.
• Install weather stripping. If you do find drafts, you can buy weather strip from home improvement stores and cut it to length. It’s easy to install and remove, and can help seal any gaps.
• Install removable insulating window film. Plastic film window insulation kits can help reduce air exchange between your home and outside. You’ll save energy and be more comfortable.
• Use your appliances efficiently. If your appliances are older and you only cook small portions, consider investing in an air fryer, microwave, or countertop convection oven and avoid using the larger appliances.

Talk to your landlord about your concerns and ideas. If you know your landlord is considering upgrades to the property, talk to them about installing the most energy-efficient options their budget allows, and why those upgrades will benefit both of you.

Ready to get to work making your home more climate-ready? Check out these resources and supports to help you along along the way, including:

• Alberta Municipalities Clean Energy Improvement Program provides information on financing energy efficiency upgrades and renewable energy upgrades from your local municipality.
• Retrofit Canada’s library of case studies on home retrofit projects that have improved energy efficiency and climate readiness.
• Alberta financial incentives related to energy efficiency offers rebates and programs that may be applicable to you.
• Home Upgrades Program – Open to qualified families living in Calgary, Canmore, and Edmonton. This program offers free energy efficiency education and upgrades, including furnaces, insulation, and air-sealing to help improve energy consumption and comfort.