Everything to Know About the Novoclimat Program

The Government of Quebec initiated its energy transition in the last few years, encouraging consumers to pivot toward green energy solutions. Green projects are focused on clean energy, also highlighting transportation electrification. To promote new construction projects in an effort to keep up with the trend, subsidies and financial assistance have been made available. 

The Novoclimat Program introduced a certification, serving to encourage new house builds with high-energy performance, done according to pinpointed building requirements. An energy-efficient dwelling mitigates the power used by existing systems. The greater the number of energy-efficient homes, the lower the overall energy consumption. 

What Is the Novoclimat Program? Process to Follow

First, hire a Novoclimat-accredited contractor to jumpstart your project. They will register your project with the program before initiating any of the renovation work.

Then, a follow-up is carried out by an energy advisor who will ensure the building process meets the goals targeted by the program. Once the building is deemed compliant, the certification is greenlit, and the homeowners will then receive government-issued financial assistance. 

If you install an eligible heat pump, you’re entitled to even more financial assistance! For more information about how this specific aspect of the program works, head to the webpage dedicated to heat pumps eligible for financial assistance.

Different financial assistance was established for installing or replacing heat pumps; check out this article for more information: Hydro-Québec’s Efficient Heat Pump Program.

The Subsidies Offered by Novoclimat Certification

Three different subsidies are made available to the public: the Novoclimat Home program for new, single-family home builds, the Novoclimat Small Multiple-Unit Building, and the Novoclimat Big Multiple-Unit Building. Given that they target homeowners, this article will focus on the first two.

Novoclimat Program: Home Tier Requirements

The Novoclimat Home program tier allows contractors to design their new builds according to mandated requirements. Particular attention must be paid to wall insulation and waterproofing, both of which must exceed established standards.

Adequate ventilation is also designed to maintain quality indoor air. Heat recovery ventilators installed in the new build must be listed under the eligible devices, as per the Novoclimat requirements. Note that windows and doors must be ENERGY-STAR-certified to ensure the project is eligible for the Novoclimat Home tier.

If you purchase a Novoclimat-certified home, you’re entitled to $2,000 in financial assistance, followed by an additional $2,000 if you’re a first-time homeowner. Moreover, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) reimburses 15% of your insurance premium!

Some banks even offer revised and lower mortgage rates for those buying a Novoclimat-certified home. 

Even if you choose to have your house built, you can still benefit from the previously mentioned advantages. However, the house itself must be built by a Novoclimat-accredited contractor. A pre-fab home can also be eligible for available subsidies but must be built entirely by an accredited contractor.

What Are the Novoclimat Program Standards for Small Multiple-Unit Buildings?

This program tier promotes new duplex, triplex, and quadruplex builds. It also serves private units or public housing with three or fewer stories, measuring 600 square metres or less.

However, building a Novoclimat-certified small multiple-unit building doesn’t automatically give you access to financial assistance, but you're entitled to a 15% rebate on your insurance premium with CMHC.

When it comes to a multiple-unit building, long-term savings on account of a Novoclimat build are anything but trivial. With newly built, insulated, and ventilated units, done according to energy-efficient standards, the need for renovating your units won’t be as frequent. Moreover, by doing so, you’re protecting your units against damage that commonly occurs in older dwellings, such as humidity problems and air ingress. With this in mind, note that all windows and doors installed must be ENERGY-STAR-certified to qualify for the Novoclimat Small Multiple-Unit Building tier.

In a Nutshell

Take advantage of the Novoclimat program to upgrade your new-build home to top energy-efficiency standards, without having to do the legwork yourself. A Novoclimat-certified home will cut your energy consumption costs, which often increase as a result of poor insulation.

Also, we tend to underestimate the impact of indoor air quality: this program provides you with advice in this regard so you can choose a system that's tailored to your situation.