At the same time as the provisions of Bill 16, which has recently entered into force, are applied, syndicates may request an energy audit of their condominium. This is an initiative that is perfectly in line with the spirit of Bill 16, which strives to take the aging of buildings into account. It’s also a way to go further by taking steps to make them more energy-efficient.
What does a condo energy audit involve?
In fact, property maintenance management is one of the main missions of the condo syndicate, which may delegate it to a manager. However, even if you’re managing the condominium as diligently as possible, there comes a time when it’s impossible to reduce the energy bill of old buildings unless you’ve taken steps to save energy.
The condo energy audit: a useful investment
When conducting a condo energy audit, the expert carries out:
- A description of the common and private areas of the building(s);
- A survey of the residents of the building, whether they are owners or tenants;
- If necessary, a visit to multiple apartments;
- An estimate of the amounts of energy consumed annually;
- A recommendation of measures aimed at optimizing the use of the collective facilities;
- A work implementation proposal to improve the energy efficiency of the building;
- A summary report covering the various points.
If they are in charge of the administrative management of the condominium, the manager can attach this report to the invitation to the general meeting of co-owners to discuss the work at the meeting.
The impact of the condo energy audit
Once the condo energy audit has been conducted, the syndicate or the manager can implement the recommended measures to reduce energy costs. For example, this may include:
- Choosing energy-efficient light bulbs (such as LED bulbs) in the common areas;
- Installing timers on the lighting in the common areas;
- Installing presence detection systems that trigger the lighting only when a person arrives;
- Maintaining the exhaust outlets and the air intakes more regularly and periodically checking the filters and replacing them if needed.
When it comes to energy renovations, the general meeting can also vote on work in the common areas, such as:
- Restoring the building with thermal insulation from the outside;
- Replacing the communal boiler;
- Replacing the windows or balcony doors;
- Thermal insulation work on the roof (rooftop terrace, roof slopes, etc.);
- Thermal insulation work in unheated areas (basements, parking spaces).
The condo energy audit shouldn’t be seen as a sunk cost, but instead as an investment.
Indeed, its cost as well as the resulting measures and work are amortized over the long term on the energy bills. Furthermore, this makes it easier for a selling co-owner to find a buyer and get a better price for their property.