Air Barriers Cut Energy Costs

Innovative energy-saving air barriers reduce facility operating costs and have an average return on investment of two years.

How can a door remain ajar in the Alberta winter without putting the furnace into early retirement?  One innovative solution is to install an air barrier.  By shooting a strong current of air across doorways, an air barrier traps heated air inside the building and blocks cold air from crossing the threshold.

The installation of an air barrier is eligible as an energy efficiency improvement project under the Alberta Government's ME first! program which is administered by Climate Change Central.

"Municipalities can receive an interest-free loan through ME first! to aid in the installation of an air barrier," says Fred Walter, Program Manager for Climate Change Central.  "This technology is eligible for ME first! because it efficiently reduces a building's energy consumption."

In buildings where doors are required to remain open for long periods of time or are continually opened and closed, the barrier of air reduces energy consumption in the winter and keeps cooler air inside during the summer.  In fact, it also serves as a filter to block out insects and dust particles.

"The greatest energy inefficiency found in a building is an open door," says Mike Launer, President of Enershield Industries Ltd.  "The air barrier will seal off an open door by approximately 90 per cent, translating into substantial energy savings."

Launer's best example for the success of air barriers comes from a client in Fort McMurray Alberta whose workers, upon installing the air barrier, went from wearing parkas and ski masks in the shop to wearing T-shirts, even when the outside temperature dropped below -35°C.  Another client, facing -23°C weather outside the shop, watched the inside temperature drop by only one degree after leaving the shipping door open for over an hour.

Several Alberta municipalities have purchased air barriers and are awaiting installation.  Some of these municipal projects include: The City of Calgary Transit Garage, The City of Edmonton Police Services and two recreation centres in Edmonton.