Winter in Calgary
Winter in Calgary can Sting
How cold does winter in Calgary get?
Occasionally it can get very cold in Calgary, temperatures have been known to dip to -30 degrees Celsius! However, usually the average temperature in Calgary during winter is between -5 and -10°C. In general, January is the coldest month in Calgary.
Surprisingly enough, when the Chinook Winds blows temperatures can suddenly increase with as much as 15°C! Furthermore, while it’s cold in winter, Calgary is the sunniest large city in Canada. And nothing beats being outside on a cold and sunny day…
Is winter in Calgary colder than Toronto or Ottawa?
Yes, winter in Calgary is generally colder than in cities on the East coast of Canada. However, locals describe the cold as a ‘dry cold‘ making it easier to cope with than with the ‘wet cold‘ of the east.
And, as mentioned above, Calgary is also the sunniest Canadian city so on many winter days going outside is still very enjoyable.
WHAT TO DO IN CALGARY IN WINTER
There are many places to visit in Calgary in winter, which isn’t surprising for a city that experiences winter for almost six to seven months a year. While the Calgary Stampede is the biggest draw when visiting Calgary in summer, the Calgary winter season has no shortage of festivals and celebrations either.
From the High-Performance Rodeo (Calgary’s international art festival) to the BIG Winter Classic (music, arts, and local craft beer) and Glow (a family-friendly Winter Light Festival held in downtown Calgary), there are lots of Calgary winter events.
What can wrong when Winter hits
School is in full swing, the leaves are changing color, and that pumpkin spice latte just isn’t enough to stave off the morning chill. It’s time to switch your HVAC system over to Heat. Check the following list to be sure your furnace is ready for the coming winter.
1. Turn on the thermostat.
Switch from cooling to heating and set the temperature a couple of degrees higher than the current room temperature. If you don’t hear the heat kick on within a minute, pull off the cover and make sure the wire connections are secure (if you feel comfortable doing so). If the connections are snug, make sure the power source to the HVAC system is turned on. If it’s still not working, you could check the furnace fan, blower or heat pump — but it likely makes better sense to call in a professional.
2. Change the air filters.
You probably have air filters behind a vent grill in the wall or ceiling, or a single filter in the HVAC system itself. Change these filters every few months. Or, if you have a permanent electrostatic filter, you can wash and reuse it. Cleaning or replacing your filters regularly keeps particles out of your HVAC system and can prolong its life. While you’re at it, change your humidifier filter and set the humidistat, if your HVAC includes a humidifier.
Schedule a furnace checkup with one of our heating & cooling experts, and stay warm all winter.
3. Cover the AC condenser.
Unless your HVAC is a heat pump (in which case, don’t cover it at all because it runs all year), cover the condenser to protect it from falling icicles. “A large trash can lid secured with bungee cords works quite well for this function,” says David Kenyon, training manager for Sears Home Improvement. You can also use a board to cover the fan — but don’t wrap it in a moisture-trapping plastic tarp.
4. Clean the heat exchanger.
“The heat exchanger should be brushed and vacuumed out annually by a trained professional while the unit is disabled,” Kenyon says. While it’s being cleaned, a Sears technician will look for cracks, which could lead to a dangerous carbon monoxide leak into your home.
5. Lubricate and clean the blower motor.
First check the owner’s manual to see if your motor is the kind that needs lubricating. If it does, turn off the power, open the cover and clean the caps covering the bearings. Then remove the caps and lubricate the bearings.
6. Test the igniter switch.
On an old system, you might have to relight the pilot. Newer systems have electronic ignitors. If the ignitor isn’t working, push the reset button. If that doesn’t do the trick, check your breaker. Still not working? Call in a professional.
7. Inspect the chimney and carbon monoxide detectors.
Chimneys can house carbon buildup or even small animals. “A professional should inspect them periodically,” Kenyon says. Routinely test or replace carbon monoxide detectors as well, as they help protect you from the “silent killer.”
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