How Montréal is built
- Before 1961 48%
- 1961–1990 38%
- 1991–2000 6%
- 2001 or later 8%
Why it matters in Montréal
In the Montréal area, 54% of households heat mainly with electric baseboards, 15% with a heat pump, 10% with a forced-air furnace and 6% with a boiler and radiators; electricity is the main heating energy for 71% of households, natural gas for 5% and oil for about 2% (Statistics Canada, 2023).
The risk rises after air sealing: a tighter house plus a strong exhaust fan or dryer can pull exhaust back down a chimney. That's why advisors test for spillage during an evaluation and why it should be repeated after serious tightening.
The CO alarm rule in Quebec
Quebec has no province-wide rule requiring CO alarms in existing houses: provincial rules cover larger multi-unit buildings, and for houses it's up to each municipality's by-law, so ask your local fire service.
What the check involves
- Worst-case depressurization: exhaust fans and the dryer on, doors set to make the appliance room as negative as it gets.
- A spillage and draft check at each appliance, with a CO reading.
- A plan if anything fails: often a sealed-combustion appliance or a fix to the venting, done by a licensed gas or oil technician.
Communities served
Nearby communities without a page of their own: Beaconsfield (about 21 km away). Montréal is the closest city we cover.
The organizations and professionals listed for Montréal may or may not travel to every community, so ask when you call.
NRCan-licensed service organizations serving Montréal
In Quebec, EnerGuide evaluations for existing homes run through the provincial Rénoclimat program; the organizations below are the ones NRCan lists for Montréal postal codes.
Energy advisors check for combustion spillage during an evaluation; fixing a venting problem is work for a licensed gas or oil technician.
- Expertbâtiment Services-Conseils
- ENERGIE3R
- Expertise en batiment Champagne
Combustion safety test in Montréal: common questions
Are CO alarms required in Montréal homes?
Quebec has no province-wide rule requiring CO alarms in existing houses: provincial rules cover larger multi-unit buildings, and for houses it's up to each municipality's by-law, so ask your local fire service.
Who does combustion safety testing?
Energy advisors check for spillage during an EnerGuide evaluation. Repairs to venting or appliances are done by a licensed gas or oil technician.
I have CO alarms. Isn't that enough?
Alarms warn you once CO is already in the house. A spillage test finds a venting problem before it produces CO.