Space Cooling

This section discusses:

• Principles of space cooling during a hot Manitoba summer

Principles of space cooling during a hot Manitoba summer

Maybe it's because Manitobans live in such a cool climate for the majority of the year that we seem to have a low tolerance to excessive summer heat. That may explain why, per capita, Manitoba has more home air conditioners than in any other province in Canada. On new homes, central air conditioners are no longer considered an option but rather more as standard equipment by most homebuyers.

Rather than simply installing an air conditioner, the first step in space cooling comes at the house design stage. The following should all be considered to reduce solar heat gain and the need for mechanical cooling.

A well insulated, airtight building envelope resists the inward flow of solar heat gain.

Large south, east, and west facing window glazing can be purchased with a solar blocking low emmisivity coating to limit the amount of the sun's heat energy entering your home.

South facing windows can have a larger roof overhang built above them to shade the glass area from solar heat gain during the hottest hours of the day.

Shade trees can be planted to block the sun from shining directly onto the windows and walls of the house.

Layout the operable windows in your home to allow for natural cross ventilation. The "free" cooling ventilation provided by the wind should be allowed to enter one elevation of your house, travel through, and exit at the opposite elevation.