Planning to build a new home or have one built? Energy-efficient construction offers many advantages that will make your future home a comfortable haven, as well as a more profitable investment in the long term1.
Understanding energy-efficient construction
Energy-efficient construction is based on a number of features designed to reduce energy consumption and maximize efficiency. Here are the key things to consider in your project or discuss with your contractor:
- 1
Superior insulation and sealing:
Walls, roofs and floors with a high thermal resistance value help minimize heat loss in the winter and cold loss in the summer. (See our articles on insulation and sealing to find out more.)
- 2
High-performance windows:
Triple-glazed, low-E windows with PVC2 frames help keep heat in during the winter and out during the summer.
- 3
An efficient heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system:
A high-efficiency heat pump combined with radiant floor heating or a heat pump can more easily maintain your home’s temperature. Since 2012, new construction must also be equipped with a heat/energy recovery ventilator3, which uses the heat released by your HVAC system for preheating.
- 4
Use of renewable energy:
You can reduce your consumption by using energy from renewable sources, such as geothermal or solar heating to preheat air or water.
- 5
Energy-efficient equipment and lighting:
Including LED bulbs and ENERGY STAR certified appliances, can significantly reduce energy consumption—up to 25%4 for household appliances5 and up to 90%6 for light bulbs7.
- 6
Sustainable materials:
Using sustainable materials contributes to both energy efficiency and comfort. Options include locally sourced or renewable wood, insulated concrete, or white and green roofs that reduce heat island effects.
- 7
Bioclimatic design:
Bioclimatic design optimizes building orientation and layout to take advantage of natural climate conditions. One example is strategically placed windows to maximize winter sunlight and avoid overheating in summer, improving comfort and energy efficiency.
Benefits of an energy-efficient home:
- Reduced energy consumption for heating and air conditioning. For example, the annual energy bill for a Novoclimat energy-efficient home is estimated to be 20% lower8
- Increased comfort through superior thermal and acoustic insulation
- Better indoor air quality thanks to a high-performance HVAC system
- Enhanced durability thanks to superior insulation and sealing
- Higher resale value as energy savings are increasingly valued both economically and socially
Good to know
The main green home certifications in Canada are:
- ENERGY STAR certification, which indicates that a home is on average 20% more energy efficient than standard construction
- R-2000 certification, which reflects an even higher level of energy efficiency than ENERGY STAR
- Novoclimat certification, which in Quebec often complements ENERGY STAR
Take action
Your action plan for an energy-efficient construction project
- Plan your project. Meet with specialized contractors to discuss your project and determine your energy efficiency goals. Look for a certified builder if you are seeking a specific certification.
- Find out what financial incentives you may be eligible for. While Énergir does not offer residential grants for energy-efficient home construction, it does provide a $100 grant for the purchase of an ENERGY STAR-certified smart thermostat9. For heating, you could consider dual energy or geothermal energy.
- Take action. Kick off your project and enjoy the energy savings in the first few months.
Want to talk to our team?
Go further
Want to learn more about energy-efficient construction?
See our solutions for “Insulating your home” and “Sealing your home” for more information.
Legal notices
- Compared to a similar home without energy efficiency measures.
- *PVC is less conductive than aluminum and therefore better at preventing heat transfer.
- Under the Québec Construction Code, Part 11.
- Compared to an uncertified device.
- Source: https://www.quebec.ca/en/housing-territory/heating-energy-consumption/reducing-energy-consumption-at-home/appliances-energy-management/household-appliances (opens in new tab)
- Compared to incandescent bulbs.
- Source: https://www.hydroquebec.com/residential/energy-wise/tips/lighting/led.html (opens in new tab)
- Source: https://www.quebec.ca/en/housing-territory/heating-energy-consumption/novoclimat-financial-assistance/program-benefits (opens in new tab)
- For a maximum of 75% of the cost of the device. Certain conditions apply. Grants subject to change without notice. Check the webpage for eligibility criteria.
