Montreal

Net Zero Energy condo in Laval hopes to reduce hydro bill to nothing

What if you never had to pay an electricity bill again? That's the idea behind a new condo project in Laval.

Main feature is app that monitors power use in real time

Your electric bill close to zero?

9 years ago
Duration 1:32
Six-unit condo in Laval, Que., called Net Zero Energy, is designed to keep residents' hydroelectric bills at zero. Here's how

What if you never had to pay an electricity bill again? That's the idea behind a new condo project in Laval.

The six-unit condo, called Net Zero Energy, is designed to keep residents' hydro bills at zero.

Its main features are triple-paned windows, lots of solar panels, and a handy app to monitor usage. Combined with careful energy use, these promise to keep energy consumption at a minimum.

Jean François Voyer, co-owner of Construction Voyer, says it's the first net zero condo in Canada with this many units.

Take a peek at some of the condo's energy-saving features.

These inverters, stored in a mechanical room on the lower level, convert the DC electricity from the solar panels to AC electricity. (Jaela Bernstien/CBC)
Hot water is pre-heated and stored the general mechanical room to save energy. (Jaela Bernstien/CBC)
Condo owners will have access to this web application, which lets them monitor their energy use, as well as the amount their home is producing in real time. Jean François Voyer says he thinks it will help people be more conscious of their energy consumption. (Jaela Bernstien/CBC)
The condo's 146 rooftop solar panels help offset residents' energy consumption. (Jaela Bernstien/CBC)