Powering High-Performance Buildings
Improving energy efficiency, reducing operating costs, and supporting smarter building decisions.
At Innoveum, we go beyond simulations to identify practical, cost-effective strategies that improve building performance and create real value for owners, developers, and investors.
We provide energy audits and building energy modeling services for real estate development, building retrofits, and financing applications across the Montréal metropolitan area. Whether you are designing a new multi-residential project or planning improvements to an existing building, we help you:
- Reduce energy consumption and operating costs
- Lower greenhouse gas emissions
- Meet evolving energy code requirements
- Qualify for CMHC MLI Select and ACLP financing
- Access Hydro-Québec, Énergir, and provincial incentive programs
- Make informed decisions about building performance based on reliable data
Our energy studies serve developers, investors, architects, lenders, and building owners who need to understand how their buildings consume energy and what can realistically be done to improve it.
Who Needs an Energy Study?
Energy modeling and energy audits are commonly required for:
- Multi-unit residential buildings pursuing CMHC MLI Select mortgage loan insurance
- Developers applying for CMHC Apartment Construction Loan Program (ACLP) financing
- New multi-unit construction projects requiring compliance with NECB or NBC energy codes
- Existing building retrofit and modernization projects evaluating improvement strategies
- Architects and design teams assessing building performance during early design stages
- Projects pursuing Hydro-Québec or Énergir energy efficiency incentives
- Feasibility studies comparing design options during project planning
- Investors evaluating energy performance and operating costs during acquisition due diligence
These studies provide the technical foundation for evaluating energy performance, quantifying improvement opportunities, and supporting financing and incentive applications.
Unlocking CMHC MLI Select Financing Through Energy Performance
The CMHC MLI Select program provides enhanced mortgage loan insurance terms for multi-unit residential properties that achieve measurable outcomes across three categories:
Projects accumulate points across these categories. A minimum of 50 points is required to qualify.
Higher scores unlock significant financing advantages:
- Higher loan-to-value ratios
- Extended amortization periods (up to 50 years)
- Reduced mortgage insurance premiums
- Improved debt coverage ratios
These advantages can substantially improve the financial feasibility of multi-unit residential acquisitions and new developments.
Achieving Measurable Energy and Carbon Reductions
Energy efficiency scoring within the CMHC MLI Select program is based on projected improvements in building energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions relative to a baseline reference building.
Energy modeling is used to demonstrate these performance improvements through comparison between the baseline building and the proposed building design or retrofit strategy.
Important Notice — Updated CMHC Energy Performance Requirements
Recent updates to CMHC policies incorporate the 2020 National Energy Code for Buildings (NECB) and the 2020 National Building Code (NBC) as reference standards for evaluating energy performance in new construction projects.
These updates were introduced through CMHC Advice No. 268, effective November 28, 2025, with a transition period allowing projects to qualify under previous criteria until September 30, 2026.
Innoveum performs the whole-building simulations and technical reporting required to demonstrate projected reductions in energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions for CMHC MLI Select applications under both the current and updated frameworks.
Supporting Sustainable Rental Housing Development
The CMHC Apartment Construction Loan Program (ACLP) supports the development of purpose-built rental housing through low-cost financing during construction and stabilization phases.
- Purpose-built rental housing developments
- Conversions of existing buildings into rental housing
- Projects with a minimum of five residential units
Energy modeling may be required to demonstrate compliance with climate performance commitments and evaluate building performance relative to NECB or NBC reference buildings.
Innoveum works closely with developers and design teams to prepare the energy analysis required to support ACLP financing applications.
Unlocking Energy Efficiency Incentives
Energy efficiency improvements may qualify for financial assistance through provincial and utility programs. Innoveum's technical studies support applications for programs including:
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Innoveum assists project teams with energy analysis, modeling, and technical documentation required for program applications.
Energy modeling combines engineering analysis with building data to simulate how buildings consume energy under real operating conditions. Innoveum follows a structured engineering workflow to produce reliable, defensible results.
From Building Data to Performance Insight
Project Data Collection
Collection and review of architectural drawings, building envelope characteristics, mechanical systems, lighting, domestic hot water systems, utility data, and site observations.
Baseline Energy Model Development
A whole-building simulation model representing either the existing building or a code-compliant reference building, developed in accordance with applicable NECB or NBC performance standards.
Model Calibration
Where historical utility data is available, the energy model is calibrated against actual consumption to improve the accuracy of performance predictions.
Energy Efficiency Measure Analysis
Potential improvements are evaluated through simulation, including high-efficiency HVAC systems, envelope upgrades, lighting improvements, and renewable energy integration.
Performance Simulation and Sensitivity Analysis
Multiple scenarios are modelled to assess the impact of proposed measures on total energy consumption, GHG emissions, peak electrical demand, and operating costs.
Technical Reporting
Results are compiled into structured engineering reports supporting CMHC financing applications, energy incentive submissions, design optimization, and retrofit planning.
Energy Modeling Software
Energy simulations are performed using recognized whole-building modeling platforms, including:
- eQUEST (DOE-2 simulation engine)
- RETScreen Expert
These tools simulate building energy consumption for both existing buildings and proposed new construction, enabling comparison with code-compliant reference buildings under NECB and NBC.
From Energy Analysis to Measurable Results
Energy modeling helps translate building design decisions into measurable performance outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Build Smarter. Perform Better.
Whether you are developing new housing or improving an existing building, Innoveum provides the engineering expertise and energy analysis needed to evaluate performance, reduce consumption, and support financing applications. Every project receives direct, senior-level attention.
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