Pre-fabricated homes
You’re about to buy a new home and you’ve opted to buy one from a Novoclimat-certified pre-fabricated home manufacturer? Novoclimat pre-fabricated homes are made to comply with the technical requirements of the Department before they leave the plant.
These strict assembly standards make for more energy efficient homes that are healthier and more comfortable for its occupants. You can decide to either let a Novoclimat-certified builder assemble your home for you, or you can do part of the work yourself.
Please feel free to contact us if you need additional information.
Cautionary warning
Make sure that the Novoclimat option is integrated to the construction of your pre-fabricated house before signing the contract of purchase. Some companies may have Novoclimat certification and build other types of homes using components that do not meet Novoclimat requirements.
The builder or manufacturer is fully responsible for any defect or flaw pertaining to the construction of a Novoclimat home. You must always address the builder or manufacturer when requesting corrective work. You may consult the Certified builders and professionals section on our Web site to find a Novoclimat-certified pre-fabricated home manufacturer.
Hire a Novoclimat-certified contractor to assemble your home
If you entrust the complete assembly of your home to a certified contractor, your contractor is responsible for:
- the foundations;
- the assembly of all materials;
- the insulation;
- the installation of the heat recovery ventilator (HRV) by a Novoclimat-certified ventilation specialist;
- the installation of a compliant heating appliance.
An evaluation consultant (PDF | 132 KB, in French) who is trained and mandated by the Department will inspect your new home. The inspection will include a blower door test.
Here is a list of the components that will be tested to comply with Novoclimat requirements:
Components | Characteristics |
|---|
Exterior walls & end joists | Minimum insulation: RSI 4.31 (R-24.5) |
Framing | Minimum insulation: RSI 0.70 (R-4) |
Roof | Minimum RSI 7.22 (R-41) |
Foundation walls | Minimum RSI 3.0 (R-17) |
Basement floor | Minimum RSI 0.88 (R-5) |
End joists | Minimum RSI 0.70 (R-4) |
Exterior doors | Steel doors, insulated with polyurethane, that comply with the manufacturing standard. |
Windows | Sealed double glazing filled with argon gas and an insulating barrier, and covered with a low thermal emissivity coating. |
Ventilation system | HRV type (heat recovery ventilator) with a heat recovery rate of 60% at -25°C and installed by a Novoclimat®-certified specialist. |
Air tightness of the outer shell | Infiltration rate of less than 2.5 air changes per hour. |
Your home will be registered for certification with the Department when the construction work is completed, thereby ensuring that it has been inspected and that it respects every Novoclimat requirement.
Assemble your Novoclimat pre-fabricated home yourself
You have chosen to assemble your Novoclimat pre-fabricated home yourself. This option ensures that every factory-manufactured component identified in the table below has been tested and complies with Novoclimat requirements.
Components | Characteristics |
|---|
Exterior walls and end joists | Minimum insulation: RSI 4.31 (R-24.5) |
Framing | Minimum continuous insulation: RSI 0.70 (R-4) |
Exterior doors | Steel doors, insulated with polyurethane, that meet the manufacturing standard CAN/CGSB-82.5-M88 |
End joists | Minimum continuous insulation: RSI 0.70 (R-4) |
Windows | Sealed double-glazing filled with argon gas and an insulating barrier, and covered with a low thermal emissivity coating. |
Ventilation system | HRV type (heat recovery ventilator) with a heat recovery rate of 60% at -25° C. |
You become eligible to receive a Novoclimat performance certificate when you decide to do some of the work in relation to Novoclimat requirements (such as the assembly, foundations, etc.). Please note that a performance certificate only confirms the quality of the materials used in the construction but does not offer all the benefits of a Novoclimat-certified home.
If you wish to have your home inspected, you can hire the services of an evaluation consultant (PDF | 132 KB - in French) who is mandated to work under the Novoclimat program. Professional fees should be taken into consideration (and negotiated with the evaluation consultant). This inspection does not lead to certification or to financial assistance options.
Follow the guide
The manufacturer will give you a copy of the Technical guide to assembly and finishing work on a pre-fabricated house (PDF | 1 MB) that is produced by the ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune or by the manufacturer and approved by the Department. This guide provides you with the major stages and recommendations to help you assemble your home while complying with Novoclimat requirements. In following these recommendations, you will be able to enjoy greater comfort, better ventilation and truly save on your energy bill.
Financial assistance
The Department delivers a Novoclimat performance certificate when you carry out a portion of the work on your pre-fabricated home. The work carried out must pertain to the requirements of the Novoclimat program. If you decide to contract out the entire construction of your pre-fabricated home to a Novoclimat-certified builder, the Department shall provide you with a Novoclimat certificate.
These documents enable you to request financial assistance from the Department.
- $1,500 for a pre-fabricated home when you do a portion of the work in relation to Novoclimat requirements. The house cannot receive Novoclimat certification but could be granted a performance certificate;
- $2,000 for a pre-fabricated home assembled entirely by a Novoclimat-certified contractor. The house can receive Novoclimat certification if the contractor provides a turnkey service.
In both cases, the pre-fabricated house manufacturer will provide you with the necessary documents and the form to request financial assistance from the Department.
If the house is entirely assembled by a certified builder, you can also take advantage of the insurance premium rebate offered by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).
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