Regulations

The regulatory requirements aimed at energy efficiency in buildings are contained in the Regulation respecting energy conservation in new buildings (c. E-1.1, r.1) arising from the Act respecting the conservation of energy in buildings (R.S.Q., c. E-1.1, amended by S.Q. 1983, c. 9).

The regulatory requirements aimed at the other aspects of buildings are contained in the municipal construction regulations and in the Québec Construction Code (CCQ) (B-1.1, r.0.01.01).    

The Régie du bâtiment du Québec administers laws and regulations in buildings and adopts a construction code that is applicable to Québec. For more information, consult the List of laws, regulations and codes administered by the Régie du bâtiment du Québec.

Finally, to check the building codes and standards that are in force in your municipality, contact your municipal building inspection department.

You can find the minimum insulation requirements in the Regulation respecting energy conservation in new buildings (c. E-1.1, r.1). While this regulation is solely aimed at new buildings, it provides a guide for the minimum insulation levels used when renovating a home.

The minimum thermal resistance values are presented in metric values (RSI) and depend on the climatic zone (A, B, C, D, E, F) in which the building is located.

For example, a home located in Québec City (zone B) will have the following minimum thermal resistance values:

• Foundation:   RSI 2.2 (R-12)
• Above-ground walls:  RSI 3.6 (R-20)
• Roof:   RSI 5.6  (R-32)
• Exposed floors:  RSI 4.7 (R-27) 

However, it is important to note that regulatory requirements are currently being revised. The Department recommends that the insulation requirements of the Novoclimat standard be used instead. Novoclimat requirements are better adapted to the climatic conditions of Québec and provide a good return on your investment.

You can consult the Novoclimat requirements (PDF | 631 KB) as well as the technical drawings of the principal criteria forming the Novoclimat concept.  
 
To get advice and find out about the financial assistance options available to you when you improve the energy efficiency of your home, participate in the Rénoclimat program.

A draft regulation aiming to amend the Construction Code for the purpose of introducing new energy efficiency requirements for residential buildings was published in the Gazette officielle du Québec on February 22, 2012.

The terms of inspection of the proposed regulation will be determined and applied by the Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ).

You can obtain a more detailed version of this draft regulation on the Web site of the RBQ at: http://www.rbq.gouv.qc.ca/acces-a-linformation/projets-de-reglement.html (in French)

Energy consumption has a significant incidence on the budget of Québec households. Quebeckers deal with high energy costs, particularly those associated with heating their homes. Energy consumption also has an impact on energy supply during peak periods, on certain forms of energy and on greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, it is worthwhile to find out ways of reducing consumption as many possibilities present themselves to achieve this goal.

The most effective one, as well as the least costly for consumers, is to make sure that their dwellings are energy efficient, this means as early on as the construction phase.

That is why Québec is regulating the energy efficiency of buildings and proposing stricter regulatory requirements.

As a result, a draft regulation aiming to amend the Construction Code to introduce new energy efficiency requirements for residential buildings was published in the Gazette officielle du Québec on February 22, 2012. These requirements would enable Quebeckers to reduce their energy bills.

The draft regulation targets new buildings and enlargement work performed on residential buildings, such as single-family and multi-family dwellings, that house only dwelling units and their subsidiary occupancies, have a building area not more than 600 square meters and a building height not more than three storeys.

The draft regulation proposes to increase the energy efficiency requirements of new houses and dwelling units by improving the insulation of the roofs, walls and foundations, by increasing minimum requirements for doors and windows and by requiring the installation of ventilation systems that use heat recovery ventilators (HRVs).

More details are available on the RBQ Web site at:

http://www.rbq.gouv.qc.ca/acces-a-linformation/projets-de-reglement.html (in French)

The regulatory amendments could come into force on July 1^st, 2012. More information and the terms of the proposed regulatory requirements are available on the Web site of the RBQ at: http://www.rbq.gouv.qc.ca/acces-a-linformation/projets-de-reglement.html (in French)

While it can vary according to the type of dwelling, it is estimated that the energy performance of a dwelling that respects the proposed regulatory requirements could improve by approximately 25%.

The additional costs associated with the proposed regulatory requirements will vary according to the type of dwelling, the location and the building practice with which they are compared. They should represent approximately 1 to 2% for an average size single-family dwelling and a small building with dwelling units built in the south of the province. What is saved on energy bills should greatly exceed these costs.

The new requirements are inspired by the current Novoclimat program for new homes which has been operating since 1999 and has certified more than 17,000 housing units.

These requirements were also the subject of techno-economic evaluations to determine the levels of feasibility and profitability for the consumer as well as validations from different members of the construction industry collected during advisory committees, meetings and presentations.

No, Novoclimat certification is independent of regulatory requirements.

The ministry intends to continue improving the energy efficiency in buildings and is currently developing a new and improved version of the Novoclimat program.

The draft regulation is inspired by the principal technical requirements of the current Novoclimat program which includes the insulation of roofs, walls and foundations, window and door performance as well as the installation of ventilation systems using HRVs.

The Novoclimat program is a voluntary certification program for homes. Its objective is to create awareness and train workers from the building industry about the broader technical requirements associated with energy efficiency as well as incite this industry to adopt new work methods to encourage the construction of houses with even higher performance levels.

Training sessions and any information pertaining to the proposed regulatory requirements come under the control of the RBQ. You can find out more on the RBQ Web site at:

http://www.rbq.gouv.qc.ca/acces-a-linformation/projets-de-reglement.html (in French)

The Novoclimat program continues to operate whether the draft regulation comes into force or not. The ministry intends to continue improving the energy efficiency in buildings and is currently developing a new and improved version of the Novoclimat program.

All information pertaining to the Novoclimat program is available on the Web site of the energy efficiency division of the MRNF under the Novoclimat section:
http://www.efficaciteenergetique.mrnf.gouv.qc.ca/novoclimat