Maximizing Energy Efficiency with ACM Panels in Calgary Climates
Calgary’s weather doesn’t hold back. With cold snaps that plunge well below freezing and summer highs that can push above 30°C, building envelopes need to work overtime to keep indoor environments stable.
Architectural panels like ACM (Aluminum Composite Material) reduce energy waste while maintaining aesthetic appeal.
Keep reading to learn how ACM panels improve energy performance through all seasons and help meet environmental and cost-efficiency goals.
Understanding Thermal Performance of ACM Panels
While ACM panels aren’t insulation on their own, they perform best as part of a rainscreen or ventilated facade system with a continuous insulation layer and air barrier behind them.
When properly installed, this assembly supports the creation of a thermal break, reducing energy transfer through the wall and preventing cold bridging. Key performance benefits include:
- Thermal buffering: Panels reduce exposure of insulation layers to weather extremes
- Moisture control: Rainscreen gaps allow drainage and drying, protecting insulation
- Air tightness: Sealed systems help prevent drafts and conditioned air loss
- Reflectivity: Light-coloured or metallic finishes can deflect solar heat gain in summer
Phoenix Metals offers
ACM systems that can be integrated into high-performance walls, making them the go-to for energy-conscious builders and developers in Alberta.
Calculating Energy Savings in Calgary
Heating is typically the largest energy demand in Calgary’s residential and commercial buildings. Adding ACM panels as part of a ventilated facade system can:
- Improve effective R-values
- Lower annual heating and cooling costs
- Reduce peak load demand on HVAC systems
The impact is most noticeable in newer code-compliant buildings, where tighter air seals and continuous insulation already exist. A high-quality ACM system acts as the protective skin, shielding the insulation and allowing it to perform at peak capacity.
Best Practices for Maximizing Efficiency
To get the most energy efficiency from an ACM system in Calgary, performance depends on the wall assembly, including insulation, air barriers, and installation detailing. Here’s what to prioritize:
- Use continuous insulation behind the panel system: Insulation should be uninterrupted by studs or fasteners, minimizing thermal bridging.
- Install an effective air and moisture barrier: Seal and layer the barrier system properly so the ACM panels can protect it from air and moisture leaks.
- Ensure ventilation behind the panels: A rainscreen gap helps with drying and temperature regulation, reducing condensation risk in winter.
- Choose panel orientation and finish intentionally: South and west exposures benefit from lighter finishes or metallics to reflect sunlight and lower cooling loads in summer.
Economic and Environmental Benefits
Energy-efficient wall assemblies pay off in more ways than one. In Calgary, long winters drive up utility costs, but ACM systems that reduce energy demand help bring those bills down.
Lower energy use also means fewer greenhouse gas emissions, aligning with LEED goals, ESG targets, and municipal green building policies. ACM panels add more sustainability by being fully recyclable at the end of their service life.
Protect Your Build With Phoenix Metals’ High-Performance ACM Systems
Phoenix Metals supplies ACM systems that support energy efficiency, moisture protection, and modern design across Alberta’s harshest climates.
To learn more about our ACM panel solutions or request a project quote,
contact us today!
