This Climate Ready Home Evaluation Report is for informational purposes only. It cannot be construed as technical advice with respect to any particular building(s) or construction project(s). This Report does not recommend or endorse specific products or companies. All products and measures should be installed by a professional contractor, according to manufacturer specifications and following all City Bylaws and codes.

As a homeowner, you can take the following actions to protect your home, belongings, and health from hazards. These hazards are worsening from climate change. This report also provides further information, including rebates or insurance discounts, you may be eligible for. 

Check out Calgary's climate projections to better understand how Calgary’s temperature and precipitation patterns are changing over time and what our climate will look like in the future.

Learn more about what The City of Calgary is doing about climate change at calgary.ca/ClimateProgram.

As a renter, there are many low cost, easy actions you can take to reduce your vulnerability to climate change. Our top recommendations are listed in this report. 

Start by talking to your landlord about the ways you can work together. This report can help you understand the options available to improve the climate readiness of your home, so you can discuss them with your landlord. Some of these actions will protect your health and safety and may also save your landlord money. Approaching it from a stance of savings and benefits could be a good way to initiate the conversation. 

Check out Calgary's climate projections to better understand how our temperature and precipitation patterns are changing over time and what our climate will look like in the future.

To learn more about what The City of Calgary is doing about climate change, visit calgary.ca/ClimateProgram.

1.0 General preparedness

• Since you are a tenant, consider purchasing insurance to protect your possessions. (Landlord’s insurance rarely covers the tenant’s possessions such as furniture, clothing, electronics, and other personal items). Tenant insurance is far less costly than paying to replace all your belongings. An insurance carrier can confirm the wide variety of insurance policies and coverage available.

• Create an emergency plan with your family or housemates. Download an emergency action plan and learn more at calgary.ca/getready.

• Choose a meeting space. Ensure you and your family or housemates know where to meet and who to call if you need to leave your home quickly.
• Have an emergency supply kit ready to go. This should include essentials like prescriptions, medications, items for your pets and children, cell phone chargers and personal documents. Get the checklist for what to put in your emergency kit.

• Create an emergency plan with your family or housemates. (Download one at calgary.ca/getready). Choose a meeting space where you and your family or housemates can gather in an emergency.
• Have an emergency supply kit ready to go (get the checklist for what to put in your emergency kit).

• You have an emergency action plan and kit in place – that’s great! Compare the contents of your emergency supply kit with recommendations from the Calgary Emergency Management Agency. 

• You know your neighbours – that’s great! Continue to reach out to neighbours to learn who may need extra help or transportation during an evacuation and the people who could help you during an emergency. 

• You know some of your neighbours - that's great! Getting to know the people in your community, especially those who live alone, is a great way to build resilience. Continue to reach out to neighbours. Learn who may need extra help or transportation during an evacuation and who could help you during an emergency. Exchange cellphone numbers, so you can call or text each other during an emergency.

• Get to know your neighbours. Getting to know the people in your community is one of the best things we can do to build resilience. Learn who may need extra help or transportation during an evacuation (such as elderly, people living alone, or single parents), and who could help you during an emergency. Exchange cellphone numbers, so you can call or text each other during an emergency.

• Monitor local weather forecasts and Alberta Emergency Alerts for storm watches and warnings. Visit calgary.ca/alerts to learn the best ways to obtain information during an emergency.

2.0 Heavy rain and flooding

2.1 General actions

• Understand your river flood risk by reviewing Calgary’s flood maps at calgary.ca/flood. 

Review your insurance policy every year when it renews. Products or your eligibility for coverage may have changed. Contact your insurance agent to learn about the coverage they offer and your eligibility. Here are some important things to keep in mind:

• Water damage is generally not covered as part of a standard home, tenant, or condo insurance policy. Still, several insurers now offer this type of coverage as an optional add-on.
• Insurers may cover water damage from sewer back-up, overland water, or groundwater incident. Consider your property’s flood risk level and ask your insurer what form of coverage is most suitable for you.
• Shop around and check with several insurance companies to compare policy coverage limits, exclusionary language, deductibles, and premiums.
• If your property isn’t eligible for flood insurance, ask what you can do to make your property eligible.
• Visit the Insurance Bureau of Canada’s website at https://www.ibc.ca/ for more information on water damage, flood protection, and FAQs for reviewing policies. 

Since you live in the floodway, flood fringe or overland flow zone, specific land use regulations apply. For information on the development and building regulations in each designated flood zone, please refer to Calgary’s Land Use Bylaw, Part 3 Division 3 (

calgary.ca/lub

). 

Specific land use regulations apply if you live in the floodway, flood fringe, or overland flow zone. For more information on the development and building regulations in each designated flood zone, please refer to Calgary’s Land Use Bylaw, Part 3 Division 3 (

calgary.ca/lub

).  

• Park your vehicle(s) on higher ground. Avoid low spots where water collects during flood or heavy rain. 

2.2 Basement

Although you don’t have a basement or below-ground unit, some of your assets can still be damaged due to flooding. Pay attention to alerts. If you suspect flooding is possible, move valuables and documents out of underground storage lockers. If there is a flood advisory, move your vehicle out of the building’s underground parkade (if applicable). To ensure the lower levels of your building are protected from flooding, ask your landlord or property manager:

• Does your building have a sump pump and sewer backflow valves?
• Have they been inspected/serviced in the past 12 months?
• Is flood damage covered by the building’s insurance policy?

• Maintain your weeping tiles regularly to minimize basement flooding from rainfall. It is important to have weeping tile cleaned by a professional basement waterproofing contractor. Inspect your property for soft ground and soggy soil, and look for leaks in your basement. This could be a clue that you need to clean the weeping tile.

• Inspect your sump pump annually to ensure it’s draining properly. You can do this by pouring water into the sump pit and seeing if the pump starts automatically. 

• Speak with your landlord about a backup power source for your sump pump. This will keep the pump working when needed, even during a power outage. A plumber or electrician can help you understand the options available.

• Make sure your sump pump has a backup power source to keep it working when you need it, even during a power outage. Talk to your plumber or electrician about options.

• Having a sump pump can lower your insurance coverage costs, as it lowers your risk of a claim. Make sure your insurer knows you have one.

• Consider installing a sump pump with a backup power supply if your home is vulnerable to basement flooding. A sump pump is a device that sits in a pit, or “sump”, in your basement. When the pit fills with water, the sump pump moves the water out of your basement and away from the house. Sump pumps can help protect your basement from flooding and mold caused by dampness and prevent water from damaging your foundation. 
• Installing a sump pump could get you a discount on your insurance premium. Purchasing a sump pump and battery backup costs approximately $400 to $800 (installed costs range from approximately $600 to $1200). The installation of a sump pump may require a plumbing permit. For more information, please contact 311. 
• This video series includes information on sump pumps: Are you Ready? Prepare your home video series 

If you feel your home may be vulnerable to basement flooding, speak with your landlord about installing a sump pump with a backup power supply. A sump pump is a device that sits in a pit, or “sump,” in your basement. When the pit fills with water, the sump pump gets the water out of your basement and away from the house. Sump pumps can help protect the belongings in your basement from damage caused by flooding and mold. It also prevents water from damaging the foundation of your home. Installing a sump pump could lower your landlord’s insurance coverage costs and benefit you both. 

For your landlord’s information, purchasing a sump pump and battery backup costs approximately $400 to $800. Installed costs range from approximately $600 to $1200. A sump pump installation may require a plumbing permit. For more information, please contact 311.

• Consider installing a water alarm(s) in your basement to detect water. Water alarms will alert you when water is backing up. Having a water alarm could also get your landlord a discount on their home insurance premium, so it benefits you both. Depending on the type of detector, they range in cost from $20 to several hundred.

• Install and maintain water alarm(s) in your basement to detect the presence of water. Water alarms will alert you when water is backing up. Having a water alarm could get you a discount on your home insurance premium. They range in cost from $20 to several hundred, depending on the type of detector.

• Inspect and clean the backflow prevention device located in your basement. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions, remove the cap, ensure the flapper moves freely, ensure the gasket is in good condition and remove debris. If repairs are needed, contact a licensed plumber.

• Every home in the city subject to sanitary or stormwater backflow from the municipal system is required to have backflow protection as per the National Plumbing Code. The most common form of backflow protection is a backwater valve, which is a device installed on your sewer pipes. It allows water to flow in one direction (out) but not in the other direction (in). It greatly reduces the risk of sanitary and stormwater flowing into your basement when a sewer system backs up.
• If you have experienced sewage backups, ask your landlord whether a backflow prevention device is installed on your sewer pipe. A plumbing permit is required to install a backflow prevention device. For more information, contact 311. If you experience a sewage backup, visit The City of Calgary’s sewage backup webpage.
• This video series includes information on backflow valves: Are you Ready? Prepare your home video series

• Install and maintain a backflow prevention device on your sewer pipe to help protect your home from sewage backups. A plumbing permit is required to install a backflow prevention device. For more information, contact 311. If you experience a sewage backup, visit The City of Calgary’s sewage backup webpage.
• Every home in the city subject to sanitary or stormwater backflow from the municipal system is required to have backflow protection as per the National Plumbing Code. The most common form of backflow protection is a backwater valve, which is a device installed on your sewer pipes. It allows water to flow in one direction (out) but not in the other direction (in). It greatly reduces the risk of sanitary and stormwater flowing into your basement when a sewer system backs up.
• This video series includes information on backflow valves: Are you Ready? Prepare your home video series (calgary.ca).

• Ask your landlord about the possibility of having cracks in your basement sealed. Even small cracks in the basement floor can allow moisture, water, and radon to enter the basement. 

• Seal cracks in foundation walls and basement floors. Even small cracks in the basement floor can allow moisture, water, and radon to enter the basement. Ask for products at your local hardware store.

• Look for cracks in foundation walls and basement floors. If you find them, ask your landlord about the possibility of having them sealed. Even small cracks in the basement floor can allow moisture, water, and radon to enter the basement. 

• Look for cracks in foundation walls and basement floors. If you find them, seal them. Even small cracks in the basement floor can allow moisture, water, and radon to enter the basement. Ask for products at your local hardware store.

• Move valuables and documents out of your basement if possible. It’s best to avoid storing anything of great value in your basement, especially in a flood prone area. If you must store in the basement, store valuables and hazardous materials in watertight plastic containers and use shelving racks to keep items at least 30 cm off the ground.

• As much as possible, store valuables and hazardous materials in watertight containers and/or use shelves to keep items like electronics off the ground. Keep floor drains clear and consider choosing water-resistant furniture. 

• Ensure your window wells are installed so that the tops sit 10-15 cm above the ground. Ensure any windows close to the ground are in good condition, as cracks and loose seals are water entry points. Keep your window wells clean by removing leaves or debris. 

• Ensure your window wells are installed so that the tops sit 10-15 cm above the ground. Consider upgrading to water-resistant windows. Ensure any windows close to the ground are in good condition, as any cracks and loose seals are a water entry point. Ensure your window wells have the required drainage and clean them of any leaves or debris.

2.3 Outside

• Clean your eavestroughs and downspouts of debris. Remove needles, leaves, etc., so excess rainwater doesn’t run down the side of your house and seep into your basement. Gutter guards or leaf screens can be installed to prevent debris from entering the eavestroughs.

• Direct rainwater away from your home. Eavestroughs and extensions should drain at least 1.5 metres (5 feet) away from your home and your neighbours’ home.

• Direct downspouts and sump discharge pipes onto landscaped areas (e.g., lawn, rain garden, or green surface) so the water can soak into the ground. When eavestrough extensions or downspouts drain directly on a paved surface, debris can enter stormwater drains. This may increase the chance of flooding in your community, and water can damage gravel lanes. 

• If your landlord is installing or replacing paved areas, speak with them about using permeable materials. Permeable pavement is a hard surface with large spaces that allows stormwater runoff to drain into a drainage layer or the underlying soils below. These materials help reduce stormwater runoff. 

• Consider replacing paved areas on your property with permeable materials. Permeable pavement is a hard surface with large spaces that allows stormwater runoff to drain. This water replenishes groundwater sources or is removed by a sub-drain (placed in a drainage layer) that connects to the existing stormwater system. Permeable pavement is one of many low-impact development practices that help manage Calgary's stormwater system.

• Speak with your landlord about constructing a rain garden to manage stormwater runoff. Rain gardens are shallow depressions filled with loose soil and planted with water-wise plants. When the downspout from your roof is directed toward the rain garden, water is captured and retained for longer. Rain gardens allow stormwater to soak into the ground, which reduces localized flooding. They also protect our watershed by managing the sediment and pollutants that reach our rivers from our stormwater system. Learn more at calgary.ca/YardSmart.

• Construct a rain garden to manage stormwater runoff. Rain gardens are shallow depressions filled with loose soil and planted with water-wise plants. When the downspout from your roof is directed toward the rain garden, water is captured and retained for longer. Rain gardens can reduce localized flooding and runoff by allowing stormwater to soak into the ground. They also protect our watershed by managing the sediment and pollutants that reach our rivers from our stormwater system. Learn more at calgary.ca/YardSmart.

• If you notice rainwater collecting near your home's foundation, consider working with your landlord to improve your lot grading so that it slopes away from the foundation. This will ensure that surface water is directed away from your home or building. Visit calgary.ca/LotGrading for more information. You can speak with your building management if you live in a condo or apartment.

• If you’re landscaping your yard, improve your lot grading so it slopes away from the foundation. This will ensure that surface water is directed away from your home or building. Visit calgary.ca/LotGrading for more information. Talk to your condo board if you live in a condo and have concerns with the lot grading.

• Check the storm drains in the street near your home and, if necessary, safe, and possible, clean leaves, yard waste and snow or ice away from the local storm drain or catch basin. If you’re unable to clean a storm drain, or if the water on the road or street hasn’t drained after 90-120 minutes, contact 311.

3.0 Extreme heat

Calgary’s temperatures are increasing and will continue to rise due to climate change. High heat days (temperatures reaching 29°C or higher) are projected to increase from our current average of six days per year to an average of 28 days per year by the 2050s. Our hottest days will become hotter than what we have experienced in the past. Extreme heat can make our indoor living environments uncomfortable or unbearable and can have serious impacts on our health.

No matter where you live in Calgary, you could be vulnerable during heat waves. However, due to the urban heat island effect, people who live closer to the downtown core or in a more built-up area with minimal vegetation are typically more vulnerable to extreme heat. 

3.1 General actions

• Plan ahead and have an action plan ready for heat waves

• Use the map at calgary.ca/heat to find the closest place(s) to cool down and escape the heat if your home is uncomfortably hot.
• Register for heat alerts on your phone (e.g., through the WeatherCAN app).
• Help your more vulnerable friends, family, and neighbours prepare and have a plan to check on them during heat waves.

• During a heat wave, lower demand on the energy grid and keep your home cool by

• Avoiding using your oven or stovetop, as this can heat your home. Instead, cook outside or make heat-free (no bake) meals.
• Use a clothesline instead of a clothes dryer, if possible.
• Sleep in the coolest space of your home (such as a basement).

3.2 Windows and doors

When your home is feeling hot, open your windows before going to bed to cool off your home, if safe. (If wildfire smoke coincides with hot temperatures, keeping windows and doors closed is important.) Visit Wildfire smoke 101: Combined wildfire smoke and heat - Canada.ca to learn how to protect your health when experiencing smoke and heat together). 

If you think your windows let in too much heat on hot days, consider speaking with your landlord about:

• Choosing windows with a lower solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC), particularly for the south and west-facing windows. SHGC measures the amount of solar radiation that is absorbed through the window. The lower the SHGC rating, the more effective the window is at blocking heat gain. Your landlord might be interested in the Canada Greener Homes Grant, The City of Calgary’s Clean Energy Improvement Program and the Home Energy Upgrades Program to learn about available incentives for window upgrades.
• Applying a window film designed to protect against solar heat gain. These window films are a relatively low-cost way to help keep your home cooler on hot days. (Films that protect against solar heat gain are less than 1 mm thick. They differ from safety film, designed to make your windows impact-resistant and shatterproof.) 

• Being triple pane, your windows already have excellent insulation. However, if you think your windows still let in too much heat on hot days, consider choosing windows with a lower solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC), particularly for the south and west-facing windows. The lower the SHGC rating, the more effective the window is at blocking heat gain from the sun. Windows with "Low-E" glass have a special coating that reflects heat, so these windows generally have a lower SHGC rating and will keep your home cooler in the summer. That said, in Canada, you don’t want a SHGC that is too low since solar heat gain in winter helps to warm your home. A SHGC of about 0.50 typically offers a good balance. Check out the Canada Greener Homes Grant, The City of Calgary’s Clean Energy Improvement Program and the Home Energy Upgrades Program to learn about available incentives for window upgrades.
• Applying a window film designed to protect against solar heat gain. These window films can help keep your home cooler on hot days. (Films that protect against solar heat gain are less than 1 mm thick. They differ from safety film, designed to make your windows impact-resistant and shatterproof.) To ensure window warranty coverage, the manufacturer’s instructions must be carefully followed, as well as applicable building code requirements.

• Consider applying a window film to protect against solar heat gain through existing windows. This lower-cost option can help keep your home cooler on hot days. (Films that protect against solar heat gain are less than 1 mm thick. They differ from safety film, designed to make your windows impact-resistant and shatterproof.) To ensure window warranty coverage, carefully follow manufacturer’s instructions and applicable building code requirements.

If replacing your windows, choose triple pane windows. With three panes of glass, these windows have more room for insulating gas. They are better than double pane windows at keeping your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter. 

Choose windows with a lower solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC), particularly for south- and west-facing windows. SHGC measures the amount of solar radiation admitted through the window. The lower the SHGC rating, the more effective the window is at blocking heat gain. Windows with "Low-E" glass have a special coating that reflects heat. These windows generally have a lower SHGC rating and will keep your home cooler in the summer. 

• In Canada, you generally don’t want an SHGC that is too low, as solar heat gain in winter helps warm your home. A SHGC of about 0.50 offers a good balance. 
• To better understand window technology and which type of window(s) you have, visit Technology primer (canada.ca).  
• Check out the Canada Greener Homes Grant, The City of Calgary’s Clean Energy Improvement Program and the Home Energy Upgrades Program to learn about available incentives for window upgrades.
• Apply a window film on existing windows to protect against solar heat gain. This lower-cost option can help keep your home cooler on hot days. (Films that protect against solar heat gain are less than 1 mm thick. They differ from safety film, designed to make your windows impact-resistant and shatterproof.) To ensure window warranty coverage, the manufacturer’s instructions must be carefully followed, as well as applicable building code requirements.

• If possible, install shading devices on the indoor side of your windows, such as cellular (or “honeycomb”) shades. Cellular or "honeycomb" shades are designed to trap air within their core. Offering an extra layer of insulation to help keep your home cooler in the hot months and warmer in the cold months. They are cost-competitive with other internal shading options.

• If your home really heats up, consider talking to your landlord about installing exterior shading devices, especially on the sunny side of your home. Exterior shading devices work even better than interior shades at reducing indoor temperatures. Both exterior roller shades (fabric) and roller shutters (aluminum or plastic slats) will reduce solar heat gain. Plus, roller shutters also protect your windows from hail and wind. Shutters must have an auto-release function for safe egress. Fixed or retractable awnings can also manage solar heat gain while directing water away from your home, and they can be closed to allow solar heat gain in the cooler winter months. 

• If possible, install exterior shading devices, especially on the sunny side of your home. Exterior shading devices work even better than interior shades at reducing indoor temperatures. Both exterior roller shades (fabric) and roller shutters (aluminum or plastic slats) will reduce solar heat gain. Roller shutters will also protect against hail. (Note that shutters must have an auto-release function for safe egress). Fixed or retractable awnings can also manage solar heat gain while directing water away from your home, and they can be closed to allow solar heat gain in the cooler winter months. 

Apply weather stripping around doors and windows that open to improve home air tightness.

• Apply (or re-apply) weather stripping around doors and windows that open to improve home air tightness. This action could be eligible for a rebate. Check out the Canada Greener Homes Grant, The City of Calgary's Clean Energy Improvement Program and the Home Energy Upgrades Program to learn about available incentives for window upgrades

• If replacing your door(s), choose one with good insulative value. Look for an ENERGY STAR certification. Purchasing an ENERGY STAR certified door may qualify for a rebate. Check out the Canada Greener Homes Grant, The City of Calgary's Clean Energy Improvement Program and the Home Energy Upgrades Program to learn about available incentives for window  upgrades.

3.3 Siding and insulation

Ensure your walls and attic are well-insulated. Your landlord can consider the following:

• Interior wall insulation (between the studs in the wall) is how most older homes are insulated. National Building Code – Alberta Edition requires an R-value of R22 in the wall cavities and R60 in the ceiling below the attics. (R-value measures how well a wall, window or ceiling resists the heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation). To keep your home comfortable during heat waves and energy bills low, your walls/attic should have at least this R-value, if not more. If your home gets hot in the summertime, consider speaking with your landlord about improving your interior insulation for an increased R-value.
• Upgrading your insulation may be eligible for federal or municipal rebates or incentives. Check out the Canada Greener Homes Grant, and The City of Calgary's Clean Energy Improvement Program to learn more. 
• Talking with an energy advisor is the best way to start. Your landlord could request a home energy evaluation and label to identify the best ways to improve your home's insulative value, keeping it cooler in hot months (and warmer in cold months). Working with a qualified contractor will help your landlord get the right type of insulation for your home. For more information, visit Home Energy Labelling.

Ensure your walls and attic are well-insulated. Consider the following:

• The “R-value” measures how well a wall, window, or ceiling resists the conductive flow of heat. The higher the R-value, the better it is at insulating. This will keep your home cool during extreme heat (and warm during cold spells) and reduce energy bills. 
• Most older homes are insulated using interior wall insulation (between the studs in the wall). The National Building Code—Alberta Edition requires a minimum of R22 in the wall cavities and R60 in the ceiling below attics. Your walls and attic should have at least this R-value, if not more. This will keep your home comfortable during heat waves and your energy bills low. If your home gets hot in the summer, consider improving your interior insulation for an increased R-value.
• For even better results, consider also installing an additional layer of exterior wall insulation, which is a great way to improve the thermal comfort of your home. 
• Use a reflective wall air barrier to protect against extreme heat impacts. A wall air barrier is the material (typically felt paper, polyethylene, or polypropylene wrap) that goes on the outside of your wall sheathing before your siding material. 
• Upgrading your building envelope (such as insulation) may be eligible for federal or municipal rebates or incentives. Check out the Canada Greener Homes Grant, and The City of Calgary’s Clean Energy Improvement Program to learn more.
• Talking with an energy advisor is the best way to start. They can provide a home energy evaluation and label to find the best ways to improve your home’s insulative value. This will keep it cooler in hot months and warmer in cold months. Working with a qualified contractor will help you get the right type of insulation. For more information on the value of Home Energy Audits and Labels, visit Home Energy Labelling.

3.4 Outside

• Plant trees to lower the temperature around your home. If your space allows, plant deciduous trees on your house's south, east and west sides. This will provide shade in the summer and the shed leaves in the winter will let in sunlight. (In places at risk of wildfire, the use of vegetation must be considered alongside FireSmart guidance.) 
• Maintain any existing trees well. Maintaining existing trees is even better than planting new ones, as newly planted trees take time to establish before they provide shading.
• Visit calgary.ca/trees for information on tree maintenance, planting, and protection, including which trees are most suitable for Calgary’s climate. Visit The City of Calgary’s Branching Out Program webpage for information about how to get a tree at no cost from The City of Calgary to plant on your property.

• Add a pergola, sunshade, or umbrella to your outdoor space to keep your space cool.

• Place tall potted plants, sunshades, or umbrellas on your balcony to keep your space cool.

• If your landlord is landscaping your property (walkways, paved patios, etc.), speak with them about choosing materials with high reflective ability (“albedo”). These include light-coloured materials, permeable pavements, or vegetation cover. Painting hard surfaces with light-coloured, heat-reflective paint can help to reduce temperature. 
• Use vegetative cover instead of pavement where possible to reduce surface and air temperatures. Avoid using artificial turf, which gets very hot.
• Ask your building management about options if you live in a condo or apartment.

• When landscaping your property (walkways, paved patios, etc.), choose hardscaping materials with high reflective ability (“albedo”), such as light-coloured materials, permeable pavements, or vegetation cover. Painting hard surfaces with light-coloured, heat-reflective paint can help reduce temperature. 
• To reduce surface and air temperatures, use vegetative cover instead of pavement where possible. Avoid using artificial turf, which gets very hot.
• If you live in a condo, ask your condo board about their choice of hardscaping vs. vegetative cover.

3.5 Roof

• If replacing your roof, consider using cool roof shingles. Cool roof shingles have been engineered to reflect sunlight and decrease the amount of heat transferred into your home, reducing heat stress. Cool roof shingles can cost about 45% more than standard asphalt shingles but can protect your health during heat waves and reduce your cooling bills in the summer months. 
• A cool roof system can also be achieved by using light-coloured roofing materials, painting your roof white, or using heat-reflective paint. Lighter surfaces, if used throughout a region or neighbourhood, can help reduce the urban heat island effect at a community scale.

If you are replacing your roof, consider installing a green roof. This roof consists of a thin layer of soil with live plants growing on top of your house or garage. 

Green roofs can keep your home and neighbourhood cooler during heat waves. This can reduce cooling costs by as much as 25%. They can also:

• Reduce heating costs
• Reduce stormwater runoff from your property
• Improve local air quality
• Capture and store carbon
• Provide habitat and biodiversity benefits
• Increase property value, and 
•  Are resistant to strong winds and hail. 

Visit Green Roofs to learn more, and contact a professional contractor if pursuing a green roof project.

• If you are replacing your roof, consider using reflective roof underlayment (or "radiant barrier"). This protects against extreme heat and reduces home cooling costs. A radiant barrier is a reflective surface that prevents radiant heat from entering a home. Radiant barrier sheathing, which is plywood or OSB board with foil on one side, is often used in new homes. The foil faces into the attic space. You can retrofit older homes for extra energy savings by attaching radiant barrier material to the attic ceiling or floor.

• Consider adding insulation to your attic space. This will help keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Because hot air rises, attic insulation is one of the most important factors in protecting your home’s temperature. This could be eligible for a rebate. Check out the Canada Greener Homes Grant, The City of Calgary’s Clean Energy Improvement Program and the Home Energy Upgrades Program to learn about available incentives for insulation upgrades.

Consider discussing this list of actions with your property manager or condo board if they are considering renovating your roof:

• Consider using lighter colours or cool roof shingles for your roofing materials. Cool roof shingles have been engineered to reflect sunlight. They decrease the heat transferred into your home, reducing heat stress. Cool roof shingles can cost about 45% more than standard asphalt shingles but can protect your health and reduce your bills in the summer. Or use light-coloured roofing materials or paint your roof white or with heat-reflective paint to achieve a cool roof effect. If used throughout a region/neighbourhood, lighter surfaces can help reduce the urban heat island effect at a community scale.
• Consider adding insulation to your attic space to help stabilize the temperature of your home in both hot and cold conditions. Because hot air rises to escape, roof insulation is one of the most important factors in protecting a home from extreme heat (and cold). This could be eligible for a rebate – check out the Canada Greener Homes Grant, The City of Calgary’s Clean Energy Improvement Program and the Home Energy Upgrades Program to learn about available incentives for insulation upgrades.

3.6 Indoor cooling and ventilation (HVAC)

• Install ceiling fan(s) or free-standing portable fan(s) in the room(s) of your home that typically get hot in the summer. This can lower your cooling costs without having to rely as much on energy-intensive A/C. Considering these cost less than A/C, this option may appeal to you and your landlord. 

• Installing ceiling fan(s) or free-standing portable fan(s) in the room or rooms of your home that typically get hot in the summer can help lower your cooling costs without relying as much on energy-intensive A/C.

Using the summer or fan setting on your furnace, you can also cool your home. This will push cooler air from the basement or lowest area of your home to the hotter parts.   

• If your home gets uncomfortably hot, perhaps it’s time to speak with your landlord about installing an energy-efficient air conditioning system to help keep your home cool. Remember that air conditioning units are energy-intensive, and running them can be costly and contribute to climate change. Ideally, they should be used only after and with passive cooling measures that don’t require energy (e.g., shading devices on your windows, functioning weather stripping and improved insulation). 
• A heat pump is an ideal air conditioning system because it is an energy-efficient way to cool your home in the hot months. It also provides heating in the cold months. Watch this video: The City of Calgary - CEIP Energy Savers Episode 4: Heat Pumps for more information on heat pumps. There are also federal and municipal incentives available to install heat pumps. Check out the Canada Greener Homes Grant, and The City of Calgary’s Clean Energy Improvement Program to learn more. Be sure to use a qualified contractor if installing a heat pump in your home.
• You can also consider installing a window air conditioner unit in rooms that cannot be cross-ventilated effectively.

• Consider installing an energy-efficient air conditioning system to help keep your home cool. Keep in mind that air conditioning units are energy-intensive, and running them can be costly. They also contribute to climate change, so ideally, they should be used only after and in conjunction with passive cooling measures that don’t require energy. For example, good-quality shading devices on the inside or outside of your windows, improved insulation, and functioning weather stripping are all measures that cool your home without using energy.
• A heat pump is an ideal air conditioning system because it is an energy-efficient way to cool your home in the hot months. It also provides heating in the cold months. For more information or to learn whether a heat pump is right for you, watch this video: The City of Calgary - CEIP Energy Savers Episode 4: Heat Pumps and talk to an energy advisor about the heat balance of your home. 
• The Canadian Climate Institute has a heat pump calculator tool that allows you to compare the cost of heat pumps to other home heating and cooling options in cities across Canada.
• There are federal and municipal incentives available to install heat pumps. Check out the Canada Greener Homes Grant, and The City of Calgary’s Clean Energy Improvement Program to learn more. Be sure to use a qualified contractor if installing a heat pump in your home.
• You can also consider installing a window air conditioner unit in rooms that cannot be cross-ventilated effectively.

• Rearrange furniture to ensure nothing is blocking your A/C vents. Blocked vents could increase energy demand and slow down your home's cooling. 
• Routinely replacing and cleaning air filters can lower the energy needed to run the A/C in your home. 
• Remember that air conditioning units are energy-intensive and running them can be costly and contribute to climate change. Ideally, they should be used only after and with passive cooling measures that don’t require energy (e.g., shading devices on your windows, functioning weather stripping and improved insulation). 

4.0 Hail and high wind

Calgary is located in “hail alley,” a hotspot for hailstorms in Canada. Hail can cause significant damage to your home and property. According to climate projections, hail events may happen more often and be more intense in the future, and they are more likely to occur throughout more of the year. 

In Calgary, the strongest winds are usually caused by severe thunderstorms, intense low-pressure centers and cold fronts, and chinooks. With a changing climate, we will continue to experience high wind gust events in Calgary, which also have the potential to damage your home.

4.1 General actions

Learn how to stay safe during a hail event and what to do after your home has been damaged by a hailstorm at calgary.ca/hail.

• Consider options for protecting your vehicle(s) from hail – either a garage, carport, or other covered parking space.

• Review your insurance policies to ensure you are covered for hail damage. Sometimes specific types of damage can be excluded depending on your policy, or policy deductibles may vary depending on the cause of damage. Insurers can identify common sources of damage that you should watch for.
• Hail-related insurance claims involving homes often only repair visible damage. However, large hail events result in claims for replacement of damaged roofs, shredded and missing siding, and broken windows and skylights—all of which can allow water into a home, leading to even more damage. From an insurance perspective, most of Canada's largest hail damage events have occurred in Alberta.
• Visit the Insurance Bureau of Canada’s website at https://www.ibc.ca/ for more information on hail protection and FAQs for reviewing policies. 

4.2 Windows and doors

• If new windows and doors are installed, choose ones rated for impact resistance (IR). IR-rated windows and doors are made to withstand high debris impact and protect against flying objects, hail, and high winds.
• If new windows aren’t an option, consider applying a 4 mm thick safety film to your windows. This can improve impact resistance and protect them from shattering during a hailstorm. You can also install protective shutters to help make your windows impact-resistant and shatterproof. (Note that shutters must have an auto-release function for safe egress.)

4.3 Siding and insulation

• You have aluminum siding. Hailstorms and debris driven by high winds can cause aluminum siding to dent or scratch (but will not affect the integrity of your home). Refer to the Climate Ready Home Guide at calgary.ca/ClimateReadyHome for more details on the resilience of various siding options. If replacing your siding, ensure your new siding material is resilient and durable and that your walls are completely and properly sheathed to create more shear strength and stability in severe wind. 

• You have vinyl siding. Standard vinyl siding is not recommended for resilience as it is susceptible to damage from hail, fire, and high winds. It is, however, the least expensive and most common siding material in Calgary. Insulated vinyl siding (which uses a foam board backing to fill gaps behind the material) provides some impact resistance against hail and high winds. If you want to improve the resilience of your home, you should consider upgrading to a more resilient and durable material, such as fibre cement or brick. Refer to the Climate Ready Home Guide at calgary.ca/ClimateReadyHome for more details on the resilience of various siding options. If replacing your siding, ensure your walls are completely and properly sheathed to create more shear strength and stability in severe wind.

• You have brick siding. Brick siding is highly resilient against hail and high wind if the fastening system or mortar is in good shape.

• You have stone siding. Stone siding will not be damaged easily in high winds or hail.

• You have stucco siding. Stucco will withstand flying debris in moderate wind and hail, but severe storms can cause damage. If you are redoing your siding and want to improve the resilience of your home, you could consider upgrading to a more resilient and durable material, such as fibre cement or brick. Refer to the Climate Ready Home Guide at calgary.ca/ClimateReadyHome for more details on the resilience of various siding options.

• You have fibre cement siding. Fibre cement board (Hardie Board) is one of the most resilient siding types for hail and high wind.

• You have wood siding. Some siding materials, such as wood, can be more susceptible to hail and high wind damage than others. If replacing your siding, consider upgrading to a more resilient and durable material, such as fibre cement or brick. Refer to the Climate Ready Home Guide at calgary.ca/ClimateReadyHome for more details on the resilience of various siding options. If replacing your siding, ensure that your walls are completely and properly sheathed, to create more shear strength and stability in severe wind.

• If replacing your siding, choose a material resilient to hail and high wind, such as fibre cement or brick. Note that some materials, such as vinyl and aluminum, can be more susceptible to hail damage. Refer to the Climate Ready Home Guide at calgary.ca/ClimateReadyHome for a table that compares the resilience of various siding options. If replacing your siding, make sure that your walls are completely and properly sheathed, to create more shear strength and stability in severe wind.

4.4 Outside

• Securely anchor outdoor accessories such as barbecues and trampolines, including those on a balcony, so they won't blow over or away during a high wind event.

• Conifer trees can act as a good windbreak for your home. Since your property experiences a lot of wind, consider planting coniferous trees in a row on the side of your house exposed to the most wind (typically west), far enough away that falling branches will not cause damage.

• Keep trees and shrubs trimmed and maintained to limit impacts from wind, heavy snow, and ice. A certified arborist can help advise how to prevent damage from falling branches.

4.5 Roof

• Because your roof is relatively flat, it may be more susceptible to hail impacts than a steep roof would be.

If redoing your roof, choose roofing materials rated as Class 4 for impact resistance. Materials with this rating are the most impact-resistant products and can be made from asphalt, metal, or rubber. They will increase resistance to tears, splits, and water damage caused by hail, high wind, and rainfall. Many insurance companies offer discounts for homeowners who use Class 4-rated shingles.  Visit calgary.ca/ClimateReadyHome to learn more about the resilience of different types of roofing. If redoing your roof, also:

• Ensure your roof is completely and properly sheathed to create more shear strength and stability in severe wind.
• Apply two layers of continuous underlayment or waterproof ice and water shield on the entire roof deck, and additional fasteners (spaced closer together) for the shingles. (Consult manufacturer’s installation/warranty guidelines).

• Ensure your ridge and off-ridge vents are rated for high winds (i.e., over 100 km/h). Otherwise, they can be prone to damage.

5.0 Drought

When we turn on the tap in Calgary, it may feel like our city will always have abundant water. However, our water supply is finite and increasingly under pressure. Calgary relies solely on the Bow and Elbow watersheds for our source water, which face climate change and population growth. Calgary will experience hotter, drier, and longer summers, meaning drought conditions may become more common and widespread.

Looking ahead, we all have a part to play in using water wisely. Making water efficiency a way of life will help make drought less disruptive to our homes and businesses. Pay attention to current conditions in Calgary to understand when a drought occurs. When conditions become very dry, The City implements mandatory outdoor watering restrictions. Visit calgary.ca/droughtinfo to learn about current conditions and what water uses are and are not allowed during the four stages of outdoor watering restrictions.   

Every time you take a shower, flush the toilet, or wash vegetables, you have the opportunity to save water. Below are some actions that can help you create a water-efficient home and yard prepared for drought conditions. 

5.1 Indoor water use

• Check your toilet for leaks every six months by putting a few drops of food colouring in the tank. If water in the bowl changes colour after 15 minutes, you have a leak.
• When it comes to household leaks, toilets and faucets are the most common culprits Most toilet leaks are silent, so you may not even know you’re wasting water, and the costs can add up

Use your water meter to check for leaks every six months. In Calgary, most water meters are installed inside the house where the water pipe enters your home. This is usually in the basement, near your main water shut-off valve. If you live in a unit within a larger building, you may not have access to your water meter.

1. Turn off all taps and water appliances (dishwashers, washing machines).
2. Watch the flow register on the face of the meter. Depending on the model of meter you have, the register could look like a gear (round or triangular, black or red) or a needle.
3. If it keeps turning, you have a leak somewhere in your house.
4. Check all water devices, such as your taps, humidifier, hot water heater and water softener. 

Use The City of Calgary’s High Water Consumption Investigation Checklist for more detailed instructions on finding a leak.

What to do when you find a leak? Follow our toilet or faucet repair steps at calgary.ca/WaterGuide if those devices are the issue. Visit a hardware store for repair tips and parts.

• Continue to check your toilet and water meter for leaks once every six months. If you think you may have a leak, use the City of Calgary’s High Water Consumption Investigation Checklist.

• If you have travel plans, ask someone to check on your home while you’re away. Insurance plans commonly require this. If you are leaving for an extended period, consider being proactive by turning off your main water supply. If a household leak occurs while you are away, you could waste a lot of water, and your water bill will increase substantially.

Install water-efficient fixtures. Water-efficient (low water use) fixtures are designed to conserve water while maintaining the same level of performance as older fixtures. All new homes and commercial construction, including renovations that require a plumbing permit, must install low water use fixtures per the Water Utility Bylaw. Look for WaterSense labelled toilets, faucets and showerheads when upgrading fixtures. Based on your evaluation responses, you could install:

• A water efficient toilet(s)

• A low-flow model showerhead(s)

• Low-flow aerators on your bathroom and kitchen faucets

• Low water-use clothes washer

• Low water use dishwasher

• Take shorter showers. A five-minute shower with an old showerhead can easily use 75 litres of water, so a shorter shower could save you water, time, and money!

• When bathing children in a tub, only fill the tub halfway.

• Consider using your dishwasher only when you have a full load, or run it on a shorter cycle if you must run it when not full. If you wash dishes by hand, keep the drain plugged to save water. 

• Try to wash only full loads of laundry. Set the water level appropriately if you must wash a small load of laundry. 

5.2 Outside: Be "YardSmart"

• Observe sun exposure and water drainage to choose plants for your yard’s unique conditions. Visit calgary.ca/YardSmart for garden bed designs and plant species that will be most appropriate for the conditions of your yard.

• Consider removing lawns where possible and replacing them with drought-tolerant gardens and ground coverings. (Speak with your landlord first before doing so). Rock gardens, or low water-use shrubs, flowering trees and ground cover use less water and require less maintenance than grass. They can also act as wonderful filters and sponges to help absorb rainwater. 

• Choose drought-tolerant perennials and grasses, and hardy trees and shrubs that thrive in Calgary. Native plants are a great option as they also support our pollinators. Once established, plants labelled Hardiness Zone 2 or 3 means your yard will stay beautiful for longer during hot and dry weather. Visit Calgary.ca/YardSmart for plant lists and a garden bed design guide series that includes layouts for all areas of your yard.
• If you want to keep your lawn, avoid Kentucky Bluegrass mixtures, which require much more irrigation and maintenance than drought-tolerant seed mixes. Or consider alternative lawn options such as creeping thyme or clover.

• Consider removing lawns where possible and replacing them with drought-tolerant gardens and ground coverings. Rock gardens, or low water-use plants and ground cover, use less water and require less maintenance than grass. They can act as wonderful filters and sponges to help absorb rainwater. 

• Choose drought-tolerant perennials and grasses, and hardy trees and shrubs that thrive in Calgary. Native plants are a great option as they also support our pollinators. Once established, plants labelled Hardiness Zone 2 or 3 means your yard will stay beautiful for longer during hot and dry weather. Visit calgary.ca/YardSmart for plant lists as well as a garden bed design guide series that includes layouts for all areas of your yard.
• If you want to keep your lawn, avoid Kentucky Bluegrass mixtures which require much more irrigation and maintenance than drought-tolerant seed mixes. Or consider alternative lawn options such as creeping thyme or clover.

Do not mow the grass too short if you have a lawn. Keep it 7 cm high to shade the soil and retain moisture. 

• However, note that under The City of Calgary’s Community Standard Bylaw, you must keep grasses and herbaceous plants under 15 cm in height unless they are in maintained gardens. A naturalization project on private property that is “maintained and displays purposeful design” (borders, edging, etc.) is within City bylaw.
• Watering your lawn less will also help develop a deeper root system, which will help it stay resilient to hot and dry weather. Remember that lawns can go several weeks without water and still survive. When lawns turn brown, they are initially going dormant and will bounce back to being green after a good rainfall.

• Speak with your landlord about installing a rain garden. Rain gardens are shallow depressions filled with loose soil and planted with water-wise plants. When the downspout from your roof is directed toward the rain garden, water is captured and retained for longer, minimizing the need for watering. Rain gardens not only help reduce the impacts of heavy rain and flooding, but they also are a great landscape feature from a drought perspective when placed in a low-lying area of your yard.  For more information about rain gardens, visit calgary.ca/YardSmart. 

• Construct a rain garden. Rain gardens are shallow depressions filled with loose soil and planted with water-wise plants. When the downspout from your roof is directed toward the rain garden, water is captured and retained for longer, minimizing the need for watering. This makes them a great landscape feature from a drought perspective. (They also help reduce the impact of heavy rain and flooding.) Go to Rain Gardens in Calgary for more information.

• Add a base of at least 20 cm of good-quality soil for a healthy garden or lawn that retains more water and, therefore, requires less watering. Use the topsoil calculator at calgary.ca/YardSmart to find out how much topsoil you need for your yard. 

• Add a base of at least 20 cm of good-quality soil for a healthy garden or lawn that retains more water and, therefore, requires less watering. Calgary.ca/YardSmart has a topsoil calculator to help determine how much topsoil is needed for your yard. 
• The best indicator of adequate watering is checking soil moisture with a soil moisture meter both before and after watering. Soils in Calgary are generally clay-based and retain more moisture than they might appear.

• Add mulch around trees, shrubs and flower beds to retain moisture (by reducing evaporation from your soil) and keep an even soil temperature. Adding mulch (e.g., bark, wood chips) or stones will slow weed growth and decrease erosion. To find out how much mulch you need to buy for a flower bed, visit Plan your YardSmart yard.  

• Only give plants the water they need. Some plants need regular watering, others less. How you water new plants affects the root development, which affects how much water they will consume in the future. Read plant tags to know how much to water your garden, and put plants in the right place based on their needs (e.g., full sun, part shade, shade, etc.). Visit calgary.ca/YardSmart and look for the Watering 101 - mature landscaping and Watering 101 - new landscaping guides for watering tips.

• Watch the forecast and skip watering when it has rained or is forecasted to rain.

• Water when it’s coolest – early in the morning or later in the evening. Watering before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. will reduce evaporation.

• Water low and slow – use a soaker hose, watering can or drip irrigation for your garden, rather than sprinkling, to conserve water. Never apply water faster than your soil can absorb.

• Schedule annual maintenance with an irrigation professional and check often for leaks. Irrigation systems are one of the most common household leaks. For more information on irrigation, visit Irrigation Setup and Maintenance Tips.

• Drain your irrigation system before it freezes in the fall.

Capture and use rainwater collected in a rain barrel(s) to water your shrubs, trees, and flower beds. Plants prefer rainwater over water from the hose. Calgary's average rainfall of 5 cm per month will provide approximately 4,000 litres of water. That can fill a typical 45-gallon rain barrel 20 times. Ensure your overflow drainpipe or downspout is at least 1.5 metres from your house. Learn more, including how to get a rain barrel at a reduced rate through Green Calgary at calgary.ca/YardSmart. 

• Use a downspout extender to direct runoff away from hard surfaces and into landscaped areas of your property, such as rain gardens. This helps retain rainwater on-site and keeps your lawn and garden from drying out.

• Sweep your sidewalk and driveway rather than washing them with water.

6.0 Wildfire and smoke

Wildfires are happening more often because of climate change. Calgary has experienced a significant increase in smoky conditions over the last 30 years. We will continue to experience smoky conditions as Calgary’s summers get hotter, drier, and longer, with more potential for storms that cause lightning. Regardless of where you live in Calgary, you can to be impacted by wildfire smoke.

Calgary is not as exposed to wildfire as northern and mountain towns. Some Calgary communities are situated beside forested areas, grasslands and parks that have potential for fire control problems. If you feel your home is exposed to fire or wildfire risk (i.e., you live beside a forested area, grassland, or park), the following fire protection actions may be worth considering.

6.1 Indoor air quality

• Ask your landlord to repair damaged windows or offer to replace worn or missing weather stripping. Improving the air tightness of your home in this way will help to keep your home smoke-free during smoke events.

• Repair damaged windows and replace worn or missing weather stripping. Improving the air tightness of your home in this way will help to keep your home smoke-free during smoke events.. Improving the air tightness of your home in this way will help to keep your home smoke-free during smoke events.

• Consider purchasing a portable air purifier with a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter that traps microscopic particles. Air purifiers can be plugged in and used in most rooms in your home during wildfire smoke events.

• Download the WeatherCAN app for the Air Quality Health Index and current and forecasted smoke conditions in Calgary. Visit Canada.ca/Wildfire-Smoke for info about smoke and your health.

• If ever replacing your HVAC system or building a new home, consider incorporating an air purifier into your central air system to protect your health during smoke events.

During a wildfire smoke event:

• Keep all windows and doors closed and turn off bathroom or kitchen fans to keep smoke from entering your home.
• Some people, such as seniors, are at higher risk of health problems from smoke. Check on family and community members during smoke events and help those who may be more susceptible to health issues. 
• Reduce sources of indoor air pollution such as air fresheners, candles, gas stoves, vacuums, and cleaning products. If possible, prepare meals that don’t involve cooking, especially frying and broiling, as it can affect indoor air quality. 

• Make sure A/C filters and furnace filters are clean and replace them when necessary. During wildfire smoke season, it is a good idea to check them monthly to ensure they’re still clean. For your furnace, ask your landlord to choose a filter with a MERV 13 rating, or as high a rating as your system fan and filter slot can accommodate. Ask your landlord or property manager what they are doing to improve indoor air quality during wildfire smoke events.   

• Check your A/C and furnace filters monthly to ensure they are clean during wildfire smoke season. Replace the filters when necessary. For your furnace, choose a filter with a MERV 13 rating or as high a rating as your system fan and filter slot can accommodate. If you live in a condo, ask your property manager or condo board about how they improve indoor air quality during wildfire smoke events.   

• Your furnace should have a filter that improves your home’s air quality. During wildfire smoke season, check your furnace filter at least every month to ensure it’s clean, and replace it when necessary. To stay safe during wildfire smoke events, choose a filter with a MERV 13 rating or as high a rating as your system fan and filter slot can accommodate. If you have A/C, make sure that the filter is also clean. If you live in a condo, ask your property manager or condo board about how they improve indoor air quality during wildfire smoke events.      

6.2 Windows and doors

• If replacing your windows and doors, consider whether fire-rated options are a priority based on how close you are to natural areas prone to wildfire. Natural areas prone to wildfire include forests, parks, or unmaintained grassland.

• Tempered, thermal (double paned or greater) windows are recommended for fire protection. Single pane windows provide little resistance to heat from fires.

6.3 Siding and insulation

Aluminum siding is relatively resilient to fire. It can withstand extreme heat and will not easily ignite, burn, or melt if exposed to fire.

If redoing your siding, consider choosing siding materials that offer good protection against fire. Cement fibre, brick, or metal are better siding options than vinyl for protection against fire. Vinyl siding is not recommended. Since it is made from manufactured plastic, it quickly melts when exposed to high heat. Cheaper vinyl can also be damaged by extreme heat, crack with fluctuating weather, and is easily damaged by hail and high winds.

• For fire safety, ground-to-siding clearance should be at least 15 centimetres. For more information about the resilience and relative cost of different siding materials, visit calgary.ca/ClimateReadyHome.

Brick cladding is highly resilient against fire. For fire safety, ground-to-siding clearance should be a minimum of 15 centimetres.

Stone siding is resilient against fire. For fire safety, ground-to-siding clearance should be a minimum of 15 centimetres.

Stucco siding is resilient against fire. For fire safety, ground-to-siding clearance should be a minimum of 15 centimetres.

Fibre cement board is resilient against fire. Many fibre cement products carry a Class A fire rating and can withstand several hours of heat from fires before failing. For fire safety, ground-to-siding clearance should be a minimum of 15 centimetres.

Wood and engineered wood siding (wood composite) are less fire-resistant than other siding materials with a Class A fire rating, like fibre cement, metal, and brick. If you are re-doing your siding, consider choosing siding materials that offer good protection against fire. For more information about the resilience and relative cost of different siding materials, visit calgary.ca/ClimateReadyHome.

• Learn more about the type of siding material you have and its resilience to climate hazards such as fire. If replacing your siding, consider upgrading to a resilient material, such as Class-A-rated fibre cement or brick. Refer to the Climate Ready Home Guide at calgary.ca/ClimateReadyHome for more information on the resilience of various siding options.

6.4 Outside

• Remove needles, leaves and other combustible materials from your roof, vents, and eavestroughs. Sparks and embers can easily ignite these dry materials. Consider screening your eavestroughs with a metal mesh to reduce the amount of accumulated debris.

• Consider screening your eavestroughs with a metal mesh to reduce the amount of accumulated debris.

• If you consider your property to be potentially exposed to wildfire (e.g., near a natural area), if possible, keep anything that is combustible (firewood, lumber, etc.) at least 10 m away from your home. FireSmart Alberta recommends that this be a fire-resistant zone, free of all materials that could easily ignite from a fire. If applicable, ensure grass within 10 m of your home is cut and watered. Maintain a 1.5 m non-combustible surface around your home and deck by sweeping or raking down to mineral soil, rock, or concrete, and prune all tree branches within 2 meters of the ground.

• Try maintaining a 1.5 m non-combustible surface around your home and deck by sweeping or raking down to mineral soil, rock, or concrete. Continue to keep anything that is combustible (firewood, lumber, etc.) at least 10 m away from your home; FireSmart Alberta recommends that this should be a fire-resistant zone, free of all materials that could easily ignite from a fire.

• Consider using non-combustible materials when building or maintaining your deck (or any outdoor structure). Sparks and embers can collect under spaces like decks, so consider enclosing the underside of your deck with flame-retardant materials to prevent the collection of flammable materials. The base of the deck should also be sheathed with fire-resistant material.

• Choose fire-resistant shrubs and trees for landscaping. Plant fire-resistant trees and shrubs, which have moist, supple leaves, accumulate minimal dead vegetation, water-like sap, and a low amount of sap or resin material.

Visit FireSmartAlberta.ca for more information about protecting your home from wildfire.

• If re-doing your roof, consider choosing roofing materials less susceptible to fire. A Class A fire-rated roof cover offers the best protection and can be metal, asphalt, clay, or rubber. Your shingle’s fire-resistance rating may depend on your underlayment, so choose the underlayment with a Class A fire rating and fire-rated roof sheathing. For more information about the resilience of different types of roofing materials, visit calgary.ca/ClimateReadyHome.

• Soffits and facia should be fitted on your eaves to reduce the risk of embers and heat reaching your home's wooden rafters. 

• If your home has roof eaves that overhang the walls, even by just a few inches, you probably have soffits. The soffit is the material beneath the eave that connects the far edge of your roof to the exterior wall of your house. They are often vented. Soffits should be fitted on your eaves to reduce the risk of embers and heat reaching your home's wooden rafters.

• Add a non-combustible 3 mm screen to external vents (except dryer vents!) to keep embers out.

• Installing a chimney spark arrestor screen can help protect your home from fire.

Although you don’t own your home, you can advocate for certain actions to ensure your roof is resilient to fire. Consider discussing these items with your landlord if they are considering renovating your roof:

• Consider choosing roofing materials that are less susceptible to fire. A Class A fire-rated roof cover offers the best protection and can be made of metal, asphalt, clay or rubber. For more information about the resilience of different types of roofing materials, visit calgary.ca/ClimateReadyHome.
• If your home has roof eaves that overhang the walls, even by just a few inches, you probably have soffits. The soffit is the material beneath the eave that connects the far edge of your roof to the exterior wall of your house. They are often vented. Soffits should be fitted on your eaves to reduce the risk of embers and heat reaching your home's wooden rafters.
• Add a non-combustible 3 mm screen to any external vents (except dryer vents) to keep embers out.
• Installing a chimney spark arrestor screen can help protect your home from fire.

Consider discussing these items with your property manager or condo board if they are considering renovating your roof:

• Consider choosing roofing materials that are less susceptible to fire. A Class A fire-rated roof cover offers the best protection and can be made of metal, asphalt, clay or rubber. For more information about the resilience of different types of roofing materials, visit calgary.ca/ClimateReadyHome.
• If your home has roof eaves that overhang the walls, even by just a few inches, you probably have soffits. The soffit is the material beneath the eave that connects the far edge of your roof to the exterior wall of your house. They are often vented. Soffits should be fitted on your eaves to reduce the risk of embers and heat reaching your home's wooden rafters.
• Add a non-combustible 3 mm screen to any external vents (except dryer vents) to keep embers out.
• Installing a chimney spark arrestor screen can help protect your home from fire.

6.5 General fire safety actions

• Have a home fire extinguisher or know where one is stored in your condo. A portable fire extinguisher can save lives and property by putting out a small fire or containing it until the fire department arrives. Portable extinguishers have limitations, so the number one priority for residents is to get out safely. 
• Be aware of local fire bans by visiting calgary.ca/firebans.
• Ensure your smoke and CO alarms are working properly. Visit Are you Ready? Prepare your home video series for information about smoke and CO alarms.
• Practice a home escape plan.
• Visit calgary.ca/fire for more information about protecting yourself from fire risks at home.

7.0 Winter storms

Winter storms include snowfall events, freezing rain, ice storms, and rain-on snow events. Winter storms can happen in the spring and fall, not just in winter. Climate change is increasing the amount of winter precipitation and temperatures, although average winter temperatures are projected to remain below 0°C average by the 2080s. This means that Calgary will continue to experience the high-impact frozen and freezing precipitation events and heavy snow loads that often occur when temperatures are near but remain below 0°C.

7.1 Roof

• Removing heavy snow from your roof after a snowstorm will help mitigate moisture issues and avoid a sagging roofline. Be sure to do so in a safe way, such as using a roof rake to clear snow while standing on the ground.  

• Ice damming is one of Canadians' most common causes of roof damage. To prevent ice damming, check your eaves periodically for rot, and make sure your eavestroughs fit properly. Clean all debris from gutter/eavestrough and downspouts in the spring and fall to ensure water has a clear path of travel away from the home. You can also speak with your landlord about improving your attic insulation or installing heat trace cables (a wire that gives off heat to melt the snow on your roof).

Ice damming is one of Canadians' most common causes of roof damage. To prevent ice damming: 

• Improve your attic insulation. This action could qualify for a rebate. Check out the Canada Greener Homes Grant, The City of Calgary’s Clean Energy Improvement Program and the Home Energy Upgrades Program to learn about available incentives for insulation upgrades.
• Consider installing heat trace cables (a wire that gives off heat) to melt the snow on the roof and throughout the roof drainage system, particularly near the eaves, which can minimize the effects of snow and ice buildup.
• Inspect your eaves periodically: Check for rot and make sure your eavestroughs fit properly. Clean all debris from gutters/eavestroughs and downspouts in the spring and fall to ensure water has a clear path of travel away from the home.

To limit damage caused by ice damming:

• Ensure your soffits are vented for air flow in the attic. This helps to dry out any condensation, leakage, or moisture build-up in the attic. Check vented soffits at least once yearly to ensure screens aren't blocked by insulation or debris.
• If redoing your roof, install two continuous layers of waterproofing underlayment (ice and water shield) over the entire roof deck.

Ice damming is one of Canadians' most common causes of roof damage. Consider discussing this list of actions with your  property manager or condo board to limit ice damming:

To prevent ice damming: 

• Improve your attic insulation. This action could qualify for a rebate - check out the Canada Greener Homes Grant, The City of Calgary’s Clean Energy Improvement Program and the Home Energy Upgrades Program to learn about available incentives for insulation upgrades.
• Consider installing heat trace cables (a wire that gives off heat) to melt the snow on the roof and throughout the roof drainage system, particularly near the eaves, which can minimize the effects of snow and ice buildup.
• Ensure your eaves are inspected periodically: have your eaves checked for rot, and make sure your eavestroughs fit properly. Clean all debris from gutter/eavestrough and downspouts in the spring and fall to ensure water has a clear path of travel away from the home.

To limit damage caused by ice damming:

• If applicable, ensure your soffits are vented for airflow in the attic, which helps to dry out any condensation, leakage, or moisture build-up in your attic. Check vented soffits at least once yearly to ensure screens aren't blocked by insulation or debris.
• If your roof is being re-done, install two continuous layers of waterproofing underlayment (ice and water shield) over the entire roof deck.
• If snow builds up on your roof after a snowstorm and creates unsafe conditions, ensure it is safely removed. This will help mitigate moisture issues and avoid a sagging roofline. 

7.2 Outside

• Prune any trees for structural health as needed by a certified arborist to ensure branches don’t break during heavy snowfalls. 

7.3 General actions

Winter storms can lead to power outages. Incorporate a back-up power supply into your home design to protect your home from power outages.