Technoeconomic assessment of the impact of window shading retrofits on the heating and cooling energy consumption and GHG emissions of the Canadian housing stock

• The impact of Venetian blinds on energy consumption and GHG emissions was evaluated.
• The impact of shading retrofit was evaluated for Canadian housing stock.
• Addition of a controlled blind on the indoor side reduces energy and GHG emissions.
• The economic feasibility of VB depends largely on a variety of economic parameters.

This study evaluates the economic feasibility and the effect of window shading retrofits on the heating and cooling energy requirement of the Canadian housing stock based on detailed energy simulations conducted using the Canadian Hybrid Residential End-Use Energy and GHG Emissions Model (CHREM).The study found that adding 1/2 in. light aluminum VB on the indoor side of windows with automatic control based on zone temperature would result in substantial reduction in energy and GHG emissions in the Canadian housing stock. Other types of window shading devices may be effective in reducing the cooling energy consumption, but they result in an increase in overall energy consumption when both heating and cooling season performance is taken into consideration.The economic feasibility of VB depends largely on the fuel mix and cost of fuels used as well as the tolerable payback period and expected fuel cost escalation rate. Thus, the economic feasibility is different for each province.