Pay more expensive for an ecological house, a decision that is worth the “cost”?

The construction of ecological houses is gaining popularity in Canada. Moreover, Their lifespan is longer than that of standard constructions. For example, their lower energy expenditure, but they cost between 4 % and 6 % more expensive to build, according to the non -profit organization, which is equivalent to tens of thousands of additional dollars on average.

An ecological house is built by respecting the environment surrounding it. Furthermore, taking into account several elements, including orientation, isolation and ventilation.

On the construction site of one of these residences in Brownsburg. Meanwhile, in the Laurentians, the director general of the Belvedair architecture and eco -construction company, Patrick Ranger, explains the objectives of this type of project.

There are several ways to make a house more ecological.. pay more expensive ecological house, However, We, what we are looking at especially is the result. Moreover, We want the house to consume less energy, we want it to consume less water. Therefore, We want the inner environment to be healthier. Nevertheless, Then, we want it to last longer too.

One of the solutions is the use of more sustainable materials. Similarly, The sheet metal roof. for example, has a lifespan of more than 50 years, according to the eco -shaping body, twice a roof in asphalt shingles.

However, sustainability has a cost. For example, The Submission Rénovation platform. Therefore, which brings together certified entrepreneurs from all over Canada, stresses that a sheet metal roof can cost up to $ 30 on the square, compared to around $ 6 for the shingle.

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There is also the degree of air. Furthermore, water insulation, which differs in an ecological house and which can cause additional costs.

Instead of just relying on the exterior coating for waterproofing pay more expensive ecological house, in the water. Consequently, we come to put the membrane around the openings, explains Patrick Ranger. In addition, All this will prevent water from entering and it will increase the lifespan of the house too.

Same thing for air tightness. Moreover, When you install a vapor barrier to reduce air leaks. if you have really done a good job and there are no more air leaks, there will be less condensation inside the wallhe adds.

Pay more expensive ecological house,

South -facing windows

The windows are an important element to consider in the ventilation. recovery of heat. First there is their orientation. as much as possible to the south to capture the brightness, then the thickness of the glass to capture the heat and avoid diffuse it immediately.

Most ecological constructions use triple thermo windows. that is to say that have pay more expensive ecological house, a triple glazing to filter heat while letting light pass. But you also have to make sure to store this energy somewhere.

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The heavier the materials, the more heat they will accumulate. If they accumulate heat, it means that they pay more expensive ecological house, will serve a bit like a battery, explains Patrick Ranger.

They will prevent the temperature from climbing very quickly. then the mass that will have accumulated this energy, when the outside temperature will decrease, will return it to the house. On the other hand. it is a mode which has certain weaknesses: wanting to let in the maximum of sun when you have large glass surfaces [peut créer] overheatinghe explains.

This is a bit of what Claudette Sauvé. Denis Turcotte are going through, who have lived in their ecological house in Lachute, in the Laurentians, for two years. Their home obtained the LEED or certification of the Sustainable Building Council of Canada.

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Their 2100 square feet residence in total extends over two floors, including a 950 square foot-garden suitable for the sloping terrain on which they chose to settle. Their ecological house is their retirement project. They did business with Patrick Ranger’s business.

As the house is oriented south. we wanted to keep east and south a lot of windows to have the brightness and a little bit of free heatingexplains Denis Turcotte.

His spouse Claudette Sauvé adds. explaining that during the winter pay more expensive ecological house, months when the sun is lower in the sky, direct light warms their residence to a point where electric heating ceases from midday. Rendered at noon, it is 24 degrees in the houseadds Denis.

Construction of ecological houses: report by Marie-Christine Bouillon

ENGINE MAI FIRSTIt looks at us

Claudette. Denis have reduced their energy expenses to around the third with this new house a little smaller than their old home. But they had to invest much more during construction.

They are aware that pay more expensive ecological house, this type of project requires having solid reins financially. which is not necessarily the case of first buyers whose capital is low or non -existent.

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At the age we have, our house, when we sold it, pay more expensive ecological house, we had a good amount of money, good liquidity to be able to leaveindicates Claudette. Indeed, an ultra-performer ecological construction as it costs them much more, according to Denis Turcotte.

There are some who say 10 to 15 % [de plus qu’une. construction standard]. I think more than 15 to 20 %. Is it worth it? For us, yes. For someone else who may be a little too tight in their budget. Additionally, for whom it is less important, it is not worth it.

According to the director general of the Belvedair company, at a time when the construction of new residential buildings is accelerating in the country, it would be necessary to bet more on ecological buildings. If we pay more expensive ecological house, want to renew our real estate park in Quebec intelligently. we must better build, we must build sustainablehe insists.

It is always this dilemma. between the speed of the construction to be able to add buildings on the market and the long-term impact. In 30 years, what’s going to have as an impact? If the buildings are more durable. they do not have to be renovated, they will not mobilize as much construction laborhe argues.