PASSIVE HOUSE SUNPRO ENTERPRISES Exterior shutters and awnings save energy costs for Passive House projects Canadian Design and Construction Report special feature Sunpro Enterprises Ltd. Your expert in exterior shading solutions. SUNPRO ENTERPRISES INC. 5126 Oxley Road, Sechelt, BC V0N 3A2 Local: 604-805-6645 Toll Free: 1-877-886-9586 www.sunproenterprises.com 22 – July-August 2015 — The Canadian Design and Construction Report Sunpro Enterprises sup- plies key components for Pas- sive House projects: Shutters and awnings, including roll- shutters, patio covers, exterior venetians, rollscreens and patio covers. Owner Jorg Volmar says the most effective way to keep a building cool is to avoid the sun hitting the glass, something European design- ers have known and embraced for decades. “Interior blinds and window covers are not as effective because they still allow the sun to warm the glass and blind, creating solar heat gain, and that heat radi- ates in.” He says exterior covers and shades will absorb, reflect and re-emit up to 95 per cent of the total solar radiance. Some structures with large expanses of sun-facing glass have reported lower air conditioning costs by up to 50 per cent. “Exterior shading devices are not only environmen- tally friendly but can also pay for themselves in energy cost savings.” Exterior shades and shutters he says, also provide a high degree of privacy and shutters may offer the added benefits of security and storm protection. “Our exterior venetians are an aluminum profile, similar to an interior venetian but bigger. Guide rails stabilize it against wind and weather.” These motorized units can be raised and the angle of the louvres adjusted for full control over natural light com- ing into the building and so they can be fully retracted at times when full sun and heat gain may be desired. “Such flexibility is not only cost effective but also much more de- sired in today’s energy and environmentally conscious so- ciety.” Volmar says the product is suitable for residential, com- mercial and institutional applications and comes in a wide range of colour options. “Product like this has been used in applications all over Europe for more than 50 years. We have supplied it locally to many homes in Vancouver, Whistler, and the Sunshine Coast.” For more information on Sunpro products, visit sun- proenterprises.com.