Ask for the best: a certified quality home!

• For construction professionals
• What is Novoclimat?
• To participate in the program
• Compare before you buy
• Walk your way through the Novoclimat virtual house!
• Publications

For construction professionals

Construction professionals interested in the Novoclimat program can consult the Business clientele section. They will find information about financial assistance, training and technical documentation in this section.

Important note – Please be advised that as of March 8, 2010, letters from first buyers who waive their right to financial assistance and transfer it to their contractor are no longer accepted. For more information (French only).

What is Novoclimat?

Novoclimat is a new home program available to consumers interested in buying a home with a high energy efficiency rating. It helps consumers reduce their heating costs by at least 25% and guarantees superior comfort to its future occupants.

The Novoclimat program encourages the home construction industry to continually improve its building techniques. On a voluntary basis, contractors can follow training courses that lead to Novoclimat certification, receive the technical support they need, have the home inspected during the construction phase and have it certified if it satisfies all applicable requirements.

Please feel free to contact us if you need additional information.

To participate in the program

New single-family homes (including semi-detached and row houses) as well as pre-fabricated homes and duplexes (triplexes and quadruplexes) are eligible* for Novoclimat^® certification as long as the construction is carried out by an certified contractor and that it satisfies program requirements.

As regards apartment buildings and condominiums (5 units or more and 7 storeys or less), project developers are not required to possess Novoclimat^® certification. However, the developers must forcibly use the services of a Novoclimat^®-certified ventilation expert for the installation of the ventilation system.

Persons who opt for a pre-fabricated home can receive a Novoclimat^® certificate if the entire house is built by a certified company. Or they can receive a performance certificate for all factory-assembled materials if they decide to accept the responsibility of overseeing the work pertaining to the requirements of the Novoclimat^® program.

*With the exception of homes using wood as the principal source of heating and of homes built north of the 51^st parallel.

Are you considering buying a new single-family home? It’s easy!

• Find a Novoclimat^®-certified contractor in your region by consulting the section on Certified contractors and professionals.
• Ask your contractor about the Novoclimat^® option for your new home. 

Your builder will take care of registering your home in the program, scheduling the mandatory inspections and requesting certification. Your builder will also provide you with the form used to request financial assistance.

The process is somewhat different for apartment building or condominium projects. Simply find a project in your area by consulting the list of Novoclimat^® buildings.

Compare before you buy

To make sure that your home will satisfy the requirements of the Novoclimat program, we suggest you use the following checklist (PDF | 916 KB):

• Insulation
• Doors and windows
• Air quality and ventilation
• Heating of water and spaces
• Airtight, waterproof and moisture proof
• Quality control

This checklist should meet the demands of any informed consumer wishing to purchase a healthy, comfortable and energy efficient home.

Examine the difference in cost between a conventional home and a Novoclimat-certified home (in French - PDF | 441 KB). Take note that financial assistance is granted to persons buying a new single-family or pre-fabricated home. Find out more. 

Note
To improve air quality, avoid health problems and excess humidity, make sure that there is controlled ventilation and a fresh air intake in the main rooms of the house. The type of equipment selected and the qualifications of the tradesmen doing the installation are also important factors to consider.

Publications

• Leaflet (PDF | 375 KB)
• Normative framework (in French - PDF – being revised)