Is respecting the environment an important value for you? Discovering more about eco-friendly housing may inspire you to consider adopting this increasingly popular lifestyle!
According to the ministère de l'Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs of Quebec, eco-responsibility is based on "the integration of the 3RV-E Hierarchy (reduce, reuse, recycle, enhance and eliminate) and the concept of product or service life cycle. The latter involves taking into account environmental, economic, and social impacts at every stage". Eco-construction is bound by these principles as it shifts towards sustainable housing.
Generally, an ecological house respects the following guidelines:
It’s not more expensive than a traditional house but can be resold at a higher price.
It has smaller square footage, which helps limit heating costs.
It's located close to services and work as its goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from cars.
Its construction is composed of materials that are safe for your health and the environment – including brick, hemp, natural stone, fibre cement, wood, cork, straw, and architectural block.
It has south-facing windows so that sunlight can warm the rooms.
It has a recycling bin area to organize objects and waste efficiently.
It avoids using particle board from major retailers (e.g., wood by-products), thus supporting the purchase of local materials.
It’s equipped with a rainwater harvesting system designed to reuse water.
It’s important to note that making environmentally responsible choices is not enough to be considered “self-sufficient”. This requires creating your own electricity—through solar panels, for example; having self-sustaining heating and ventilation systems, and independently producing your own food.
Know 4 options
There are many different models of eco-friendly homes, also called “eco-responsible”.
1. Bioclimatic house
It generates few greenhouse gases, is built from recycled materials, has an efficient ventilation system, and is oriented towards the sun.
2. Passive house
It avoids using a traditional heating system and uses materials with thermal inertia.
3. Self-sufficient house
It supplies its own electricity and water.
4. Positive house
It produces more energy than is consumed by its occupants, via the use of heat pumps, for example.
Eco-construction will continue to be a growing trend. Stay informed about the different options available so we can make a real impact! It's also worth finding out more about eco-labels.
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