Eco-friendly choices in renovation in Montreal

For ideas on eco-friendly choices during a residential renovation in Montreal, three main themes must be addressed: reducing the environmental footprint of the construction site, improving the building's energy efficiency, and taking advantage of locally available grant programs.

Introduction: Why Renovate Green in Montreal?

• Explain that buildings are a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions, primarily due to heating, poor insulation, and inefficient windows.

• Mention that eco-friendly renovations often reduce energy bills while improving comfort and indoor air quality.

Eco-Planning and Strategy

• Discuss the importance of planning a "green" budget and defining priorities: building envelope (insulation, airtightness), mechanical systems, and interior materials.

• Introduce the 3Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle) applied to renovation: limit demolition, reuse doors, flooring, cabinets, and organize the sorting of construction waste.

Eco-friendly and Healthy Materials

• Explain how to choose sustainable, local, and certified materials (FSC-certified wood, low-VOC products, recycled or recyclable materials).

• Provide concrete examples:

• Flooring: certified wood, cork, bamboo, or sanding existing flooring rather than replacing it.

• Paints and finishes: products with no or low VOCs to reduce indoor pollution.

• Cabinets and countertops: panels without added formaldehyde, certified wood countertops, local stone, or recycled materials.

Energy Efficiency of the Building Envelope

• Explain the major impact of insulation and airtightness on the energy consumption of a multi-unit building or a single-family home in Montreal.

• Suggest interventions: wall and roof insulation, improved airtightness, replacement of windows with high-efficiency models, and the addition of weatherstripping.

Mechanical Systems and Water

• Discuss replacing old heating systems with more efficient equipment (heat pumps, high-efficiency appliances, electronic thermostats).

• Talk about water-saving plumbing: low-flow faucets and showerheads, low-consumption toilets, and greywater heat recovery in more advanced projects.

Health, Air Quality, and Comfort

• Emphasize adequate ventilation (air exchanger, HRV) and humidity control to prevent mold and health problems.

• Link the choice of materials (adhesives, varnishes, paints) and cleaning products to indoor air quality, prioritizing certified low-emission products.

Useful Certifications and Labels

• Briefly present the main categories of certifications relevant in Quebec: LEED for sustainable buildings, Novoclimat for high energy performance, FSC for wood, and other ecolabels for materials.

• Explain that even without aiming for full certification, these standards can serve as a guide for design, material, and system choices.

Subsidies and Programs in Montreal

• Provide an overview of the main support programs:

• Quebec government's Rénoclimat program: EnerGuide energy assessment, recommendations, financial assistance for insulation, airtightness, heating, and windows.

• Canada Greener Homes Initiative: subsidies for eligible work and interest-free loans for energy-efficient renovations.

• Municipal programs in Montreal (e.g., RénoPlex, borough programs for energy-efficient renovations): subsidies for insulation, windows, and mechanical systems, with maximum amounts.

• Emphasize the importance of verifying eligibility requirements, deadlines, and the order of steps (pre-renovation energy assessment, program registration, etc.).

Choose environmentally conscious professionals

• Suggest working with contractors or designers familiar with eco-friendly renovation practices, capable of managing waste sorting and proposing sustainable solutions.

• Recommend specifying environmental requirements (type of materials, waste management, reuse of existing elements) in contracts to ensure they are met on the construction site.

For more information

Lineaire, General Contractor, can also provide information about your project, with its team of carpenters and joiners. You can contact them through their website: www.lineaireconstruction.com or on social media @lineaire.entrepreneur.general

Ecological Renovation in Montreal