Reinventing warmth in Québec’s cities: district heating as a sustainable and collective solution
Urban district heating isn’t a new concept, but it’s taking on a whole new importance as cities like Montréal, Laval, and Longueuil look to reduce their carbon footprints while ensuring optimal thermal comfort for residents. This system, based on centralized heat production distributed through a network of underground pipes, is attracting growing interest from property developers, public administrations, and building managers throughout Greater Montréal, both on the North Shore and the South Shore.
At AirGreen, we’ve taken a close interest in this urban energy revolution. As specialists in HVAC installations, we’re on the front lines, helping buildings adapt to this new infrastructure.
What exactly is urban district heating?
It’s a centralized system that produces heat in a thermal plant (usually powered by biomass, geothermal energy, electricity, or industrial waste heat) and then distributes it through an insulated pipe network to multiple connected buildings. This heat is then used to power:
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Hot water or air-based heating systems;
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Wall-mounted radiators or underfloor heating;
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Air handling units in commercial or multi-residential buildings.
The major advantages of district heating in Montréal
✔ Significant GHG reduction: By pooling heat production, it replaces multiple polluting sources with a single optimized plant, often powered by renewable energy.
✔ Less maintenance for users: No more furnaces to monitor, individual inspections, or complex equipment in every building.
✔ Improved energy efficiency: Centralized heat generation is far more efficient than traditional individual systems.
✔ Enhanced safety: No combustion inside units = fewer risks of fire or carbon monoxide leaks.
Where is Montréal in its district heating rollout?
Several neighborhoods are already powered or set to be powered by district heating networks:
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Downtown and the Quartier des Spectacles: served by Énergir’s network;
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Technopôle Angus: the first eco-neighborhood to adopt an integrated system combining geothermal energy and central heat pumps;
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New project in Griffintown: expected to serve over 3,000 homes by 2026.
AirGreen has been called upon multiple times to implement compatible HVAC systems, including fan coil units, direct expansion units, and centralized heat exchangers.
Technical challenges encountered on the ground
During a pilot project in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, we had to retrofit an old industrial building turned into condos so it could connect to the new local thermal network. Our main challenges:
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Replacing the old ducted air system with a low-temperature hot water system;
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Integrating Bosch BOVA IDS Premium central heat pumps for summer cooling while ensuring compatibility with the district heating system;
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Installing a smart zone control system, giving each condo owner independent temperature control.
The result? Improved comfort for all residents, a 38% reduction in energy use, and a building now eligible for LogisVert grants.
What types of buildings can benefit from district heating?
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New residential towers: infrastructure planned from the ground up to receive heat via an exchange substation;
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Hospitals and schools: often located in already-served zones, these buildings can tap into energy efficiency upgrade programs;
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Heritage buildings: with the right retrofits, they can be connected without altering their structure.
AirGreen also supports commercial buildings (grocery stores, office buildings, sports facilities) in assessing the feasibility of connecting to these networks.
Is it compatible with heat pumps? Absolutely.
A common misconception is that district heating excludes the use of heat pumps. In reality, it’s much more flexible. In several projects, AirGreen integrated high-efficiency wall-mounted heat pumps (such as FUJITSU KZAH, MIDEA ATOM X, or Sharp ZU1 models) as a backup or in reversible mode to ensure year-round comfort.
District heating then becomes a hybrid solution: the network provides baseline winter heating, while the heat pump handles mid-season comfort and summer cooling.
Pitfalls to avoid when connecting to a district network
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Failing to check compatibility between existing equipment and the thermal network;
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Ignoring the impact on condo association fees or unit-by-unit billing;
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Hiring a contractor unfamiliar with these specific system integrations.
At AirGreen, we’ve developed a unique expertise in assisting condo boards, developers, and property managers through every stage of the process.
AirGreen’s support: expertise, precision, and adaptability
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Feasibility study and thermal analysis of the building;
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Selecting equipment compatible with the district network;
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Coordinating with energy suppliers to install the substation;
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Integrating smart HVAC systems (zoned thermostats, automated control, etc.);
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Assistance in securing government grants.
Conclusion: Is district heating the future of Montréal winters?
In our view, absolutely. Urban district heating is a logical and sustainable solution for Québec cities facing climate, energy, and population challenges. At AirGreen, we believe in a future where HVAC technologies integrate seamlessly with smart networks to guarantee comfort, energy performance, and cost reduction.
If you’re a developer, property manager, or building owner in Greater Montréal, reach out to us—we’ll guide you toward a heating solution built for the future, and more importantly, tailored to the reality of your building.