There are some programs that can reduce the cost of construction or renovation. Rénoclimat offers subsidies for insulation, weatherproofing, and door and window replacement, with an energy assessment included. For new construction, Novoclimat certifies homes built slightly above code requirements and provides up to $2,000 for a single-family home. Hydro-Québec's LogisVert program offers rebates for the installation of heat pumps and certain equipment, geothermal systems, sola

There's a reality of the construction industry that we often avoid facing: every time we build, renovate, or demolish, we produce a considerable amount of waste. And, contrary to what one might think, renovation is often worse than new construction in this respect, because we tear things down before rebuilding, we mix the materials to be removed with those to be installed, and nobody has time to dedicate to sorting when a construction site is moving quickly. There's also a fu

Solar panels on a roof are eye-catching. Geothermal energy sounds very serious in conversation. Certainly, these are interesting technologies that work and will continue to improve. But in Quebec, in a residential context, it's worth considering their placement before making them the focus of a project. Hydro-Québec's grid is powered by nearly 99% hydroelectricity. Our residential rates, among the lowest in North America, reflect the reality of a collective choice. In this pa

I saw the film, Anthropocene, last week. How it turns desolation and destruction into beauty is testament to the vision of the filmmakers bu

Oh how we’d love to just say yes. Our hippy conscience is horrified by the sight of piles of polystyrene in the lumberyard. Yuck!

But does building a high performance house mean having to go through the certification process? Why not just apply the building science ...

The term “passive house”, once obscure jargon used solely by engineers, is now being heard more and more among construction professionals..

Ever walk past someone sitting in their parked (but running) car on a hot, summer day? They sit in air-conditioned comfort as the car’s ...