As a result of the installation of the SOLARWALL, it is estimated that the site has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 10 tonnes and will have a cost savings of almost $2,000 per year. If one tonne of greenhouse gas emissions fills six Double Decker buses, that means Lower Fort Garry has reduced it greenhouse gas emissions by 66 Double Decker buses! To put 10 tonnes of gas emissions into perspective another way the average Canadian produces approximately 5 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per year from driving, heating and cooling their homes, doing laundry and using other appliances. By installing the SOLARWALL, Parks Canada has reduced greenhouse gas emissions for two Canadians for an entire year!
So what is a SOLARWALL? The SOLARWALL consists of a dark perforated sheet metal panels, mounted alongside the south side of the Visitors Reception Centre at Lower Fort Garry. As the sun shines on the wall, a void, or six-inch space between the panels and the building, draws in air via thousands of tiny holes. The air is then pre-warmed inside the wall, and fans installed inside the building move the warmed air throughout the buildings ductwork. The building's ventilation system uses the pre-warmed air, instead of cold air that requires extra energy to heat. The result is a reduction in the use of natural gas, which leads to both a cost and energy emissions savings.
For more information about the SOLARWALL visit:
- www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/mb/fortgarry
- www.canren.gc.ca/solar
- www.solarwall.com
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