What you can do as a company

All companies, small, medium or large, can take action to reduce GHG emissions and improve the energy efficiency of their buildings. If you are a business owner, you can:

• Convert your heating system to hydroelectricity, a renewable energy source from Québec that produces 100 times less GHG emissions than natural gas.
• Recommend the installation of heat pumps, which are much more efficient and therefore less expensive to operate than electric baseboards for heating, in addition to making occupants more comfortable during the summer.
• Dispose of refrigeration/air conditioning units that are at the end of their life in a responsible manner. Just visit the companies section of the RECYC-QUÉBEC site for more information (in French).
• Use LED bulbs (more sustainable and less energy intensive). Your company will reduce its energy consumption and save on its electricity bill.
• Turning off your computers and electronics completely when they are not in use can reduce their annual electricity consumption by up to 40%.
• Consider bioclimatic energy sources such as solar heating and promote natural ventilation and lighting.

What you can do as a home or building owner

Discover Chauffermieux.com, an online platform that guides you to the best heating solution for your home when your current system is nearing the end of its life or you are considering renovations. The platform compares the environmental impact of your current heating system with that of existing alternatives. It also provides an overview of available subsidies to replace or optimize your heating system.

You can also take action at home to protect the environment, such as:

• Replace your oil or natural gas heating system with a new efficient electric heating system. An electric system pollutes 160 times less than an oil system. You could benefit from financial assistance under the Chauffez vert program. In addition, the city will support lower-income households who want to replace their oil heating system.
• Renovate ecologically by insulating your home well. You will emit fewer GHGs and save on heating. For example, choosing EnergyStar-certified windows and optimal caulking (in French) will offer you year-round thermal comfort.
• Choose an efficient electric heating system for new or existing buildings. Hydro-Québec’s LogisVert program offers a substantial subsidy for the purchase of a heat pump, which is more efficient and less expensive to operate than electric baseboard heaters.
• Dispose of refrigeration/air conditioning units that are at the end of their life in a responsible manner. Just visit the companies section of the RECYC-QUÉBEC site for more information (in French).
• Join a dynamic Hydro-Québec pricing program, which will allow you to save money while minimizing consumption during peak periods.
• Introducing solar shutter equipment (blinds) will allow you to improve the heating of your home in the winter while keeping it cool in the summer.
• Turn off your electronic devices (computers, TV, etc.). Even when they are on standby, these devices consume energy. Unplug them: You can save up to 10% on your electricity bill.

The city’s commitments

There are about 500,000 buildings in Montréal. The potential for reducing energy consumption and GHG emissions is huge. The city itself owns 1,250 of these buildings. More specifically, the city undertakes to:

• Replace the use of fossil fuels (such as fossil natural gas, fuel oil and propane) in municipal buildings with renewable energy by 2030
• Regulate GHG emissions from all buildings in the agglomeration, (starting with the largest, under the By-law concerning GHG emission disclosures and ratings of large buildings
• Regulate combustion heating appliances, which are now prohibited in new residential, commercial and institutional buildings.
• Improving energy efficiency by-laws and promoting sustainable building construction
• Continue to support green renovations through funding programs for building owners.

Thanks to financial support from Natural Resources Canada’s Codes Acceleration Fund, Montreal is rolling out a roadmap that aims to decarbonize buildings by 2040 and clarifies targets by building category.