Building energy performance is attracting growing interest in Quebec, and owners, managers and investors are paying closer attention to it every year. In that context, the energy efficiency certificate is a concrete tool for measuring, documenting and communicating how a building performs. Yet the concept remains little known in the commercial and institutional real estate sector. This article sets out what the certificate is, what it is used for and how to obtain one in Quebec.
What is an energy efficiency certificate?
Definition and purpose
An energy efficiency certificate is an official document attesting to a building’s energy performance at a given point in time. It follows an assessment carried out by an accredited professional using a recognized method. In practice, the certificate translates performance into a rating or a level, which makes it possible to compare buildings with one another or to track how a single property evolves over time.
Unlike a simple consumption summary, the energy efficiency certificate rests on a standardized methodology. The assessment accounts for the building envelope, the mechanical systems and occupancy conditions. The result is an accurate, objective picture of the building’s real energy situation.
Energy rating, certificate and certification: what sets them apart?
These three terms are often used interchangeably, yet they describe distinct realities.
An energy rating is a numerical or alphabetical indicator that places a building on a performance scale. It is usually included in the certificate.
The energy efficiency certificate is the formal document that records that rating along with the data used to establish it.
Certification, for its part, refers to a broader process in which a recognized organization assesses all of a building’s practices against a defined standard. Energy certification should not be confused with overall environmental certifications, which cover far more criteria than energy consumption alone.
What is an energy efficiency certificate used for in Quebec?
Transparency and information for the real estate market
The energy efficiency certificate serves an informational purpose above all. It allows buyers, tenants and investors to objectively compare the energy performance of different buildings. That transparency supports better-informed decisions at a time when operating costs weigh more and more heavily on real estate choices.
For managers of commercial and institutional buildings, holding an up-to-date certificate is a genuine competitive advantage. It demonstrates rigorous management and a commitment to long-term performance.
Access to programs and regulatory requirements
Several financial incentive programs require an energy assessment beforehand, and in some cases a recognized certificate can smooth the path to those programs. Energy performance disclosure requirements are also tightening in several Canadian provinces, and Quebec is gradually following the same course.
Anticipating these obligations puts owners in a stronger position when formal requirements come into force. Acting early avoids costly catch-up later on.
A management tool for owners and managers
Beyond its communication value, the energy efficiency certificate gives management teams a useful benchmark. It helps measure the gains achieved after improvement work and set clear performance targets.
Used within an energy management strategy, the certificate helps prioritize investments and demonstrate results. It then stops being a simple administrative document and becomes a real steering tool.
The main types of energy certificates and ratings
EnerGuide for buildings
The EnerGuide program, administered by Natural Resources Canada, provides a standardized rating that measures a building’s energy consumption and compares it with a reference building of the same type. Depending on the building assessed, the unit used is either gigajoules per year or kilowatt-hours per square metre. Natural Resources Canada explains how to make a building more energy efficient through benchmarking.
EnerGuide is used mainly in the residential sector, though assessments adapted to commercial and institutional buildings also exist. The process relies on rigorous data collection and a technical site visit by an accredited assessor.
BOMA BESt for commercial buildings
BOMA BESt is a certification program developed by BOMA Canada specifically for commercial buildings in operation. Certification is based on a structured questionnaire covering environmental and energy performance, backed by an on-site verification.
The program awards a certification level from 1 to 4 based on the results obtained. BOMA BESt is widely recognized in the office building and shopping centre sector. BOMA Québec administers the program for commercial buildings in the province, where more than 400 buildings are certified.
How this differs from environmental certifications
It is important to distinguish the energy efficiency certificate from broad environmental certifications such as LEED, BREEAM or Green Globes. Those programs evaluate a far wider range of criteria, including materials, water management, indoor air quality and site integration. Energy performance is only one component among several. A dedicated article will cover these environmental certifications.
How to obtain an energy efficiency certificate
The steps in the process
Obtaining an energy efficiency certificate starts with gathering consumption data and technical information about the building: the envelope, the mechanical systems, the lighting and occupancy patterns.
A technical site visit then validates that data on the ground and identifies the building’s particular features. On that basis, the assessor analyzes performance and assigns a rating according to the chosen standard. A report normally accompanies the rating and sets out the data used to establish it.
The role of the energy audit
In many cases, an energy audit precedes or accompanies the certification process. The audit delivers a detailed analysis of consumption and systems, which then serves as the basis for evaluating performance.
This complementarity is worth remembering. The audit identifies the causes of excess consumption and puts forward improvement measures; the certificate documents the level of performance reached. Together, the two reinforce one another within a continuous improvement strategy.
Recognized professionals in Quebec
In Quebec, energy assessments are carried out by professionals accredited under the relevant program. For EnerGuide, residential evaluations are conducted by assessors accredited by Natural Resources Canada. For commercial and institutional buildings, engineers or technicians specialized in energy efficiency are generally involved. The ENERGY STAR certification page for buildings in Canada details the steps in the process and the eligibility criteria.
Working with a recognized expert guarantees the validity of the certificate. It also makes the document easier to use in financial incentive applications or real estate transactions.
Energy efficiency certificates and building value
A credible signal for tenants and investors
An up-to-date energy efficiency certificate sends a tangible signal to everyone involved in a real estate project. Institutional tenants pay ever closer attention to predictable operating costs, and to the environmental performance of the space they occupy.
For investors, a certified building carries lower regulatory risk and offers better predictability of operating expenses. That consideration directly shapes acquisition decisions and financing terms.
Anticipating future disclosure requirements
Several North American jurisdictions have adopted energy performance disclosure requirements for commercial buildings. These laws require owners to measure their buildings’ energy consumption and to report it, often through a standardized rating system. The directory of ENERGY STAR certified buildings in Canada shows the market visibility such an approach can bring.
The trend is gaining ground in Quebec. Owners who put measurement tools and a recognized certificate in place now will be better prepared when requirements formally apply to their portfolio.
What the certificate does not cover
Scope and limits of energy certification
The energy efficiency certificate assesses a building’s performance through the lens of energy consumption alone. It leaves out other important aspects of sustainability: material quality, water management, embodied carbon emissions and occupant well-being all fall outside its scope.
A building can therefore earn a strong energy rating while falling short on other environmental dimensions. The certificate gives a partial but rigorous picture of one specific facet of overall performance.
A complement to a broader approach, not an end in itself
The energy efficiency certificate is most useful when it forms part of a broader continuous improvement effort. On its own, it simply documents a situation at a given moment without necessarily leading to concrete action.
Combined with an audit, an improvement plan and ongoing consumption monitoring, it becomes a genuine management tool. Seen that way, it delivers its full value for owners and managers of commercial and institutional buildings in Quebec. To go further, practical strategies can improve a building’s energy efficiency in line with what the certificate reveals.
The role of professional support
Navigating the various programs, standards and stakeholders in the energy efficiency field can prove complex. Professional support helps pinpoint which type of certificate best suits the building, its use and the objectives being pursued.
Energy efficiency specialists such as the team at ORT Énergie can guide owners through every stage of the process. From data collection to interpreting the results, this support ensures a structured approach adapted to the Quebec context. In practical terms, it covers preparing the file and choosing the accredited assessor, as well as understanding the requirements specific to each program.
Professional support also makes it easier to identify which measures to prioritize in order to earn a higher rating at the next assessment. Rather than treating the certificate as an end point, this approach places it within a continuous improvement process, one better matched to the long-term concerns of institutional and commercial owners.
Getting your certificate: where to start
The commercial and institutional real estate market is moving quickly. The expectations of tenants, investors and regulators all converge on greater energy transparency. In that context, the energy efficiency certificate is no longer an optional asset: it is gradually becoming a de facto standard.
Owners who start the process today hold a strategic advantage. They choose their program, select their professionals and plan their improvements at their own pace. Those who wait for formal obligations will have to act under pressure, usually with far less room to manoeuvre.
Working with recognized experts from the outset remains the best way to structure the process. It avoids duplicated effort and gets the most out of every assessment.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is an energy efficiency certificate mandatory in Quebec?
At present, the energy efficiency certificate is not mandatory for all buildings in Quebec. Some financial incentive programs may nonetheless require one as a condition of eligibility. North American regulatory trends do suggest, however, that disclosure requirements will tighten over the next few years.
How long is an energy efficiency certificate valid?
Validity varies with the program and the type of certification, generally ranging from one to five years. After that period, a reassessment is required to keep the certificate recognized. Any major change to the building may also warrant an update.
How much does the certification process cost?
The cost depends on the size of the building, the program chosen and the complexity of the assessment. For commercial and institutional buildings, the accredited assessor’s fees are the main expense. Financial incentive programs can sometimes help cover part of these costs.
What is the difference between an energy audit and an energy efficiency certificate?
An energy audit is an in-depth analysis that identifies sources of waste and recommends improvement measures. The energy efficiency certificate documents the level of performance reached at a specific point in time. The two are complementary: the audit guides the work, while the certificate validates the results.
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