Understanding Montréal’s New Climate Regulations to Anticipate Upcoming Changes
The city of Montréal is actively pursuing its climate goals by adopting increasingly strict regulations concerning the use of air conditioners and heat pumps. At AirGreen, we frequently receive inquiries from customers seeking to comply with these new regulations while maintaining optimal comfort. In this article, we clearly outline which air conditioners will soon be banned in Montréal and how you can effectively anticipate these changes to remain compliant with environmental standards.
Which Air Conditioners Will Montréal Specifically Ban?
Facing climate urgency, Montréal is primarily targeting air conditioners that use polluting refrigerants and equipment with very low energy efficiency. The devices specifically targeted include:
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Older portable air conditioners: Generally very energy-intensive and inefficient, these devices often use harmful refrigerants like R-410A.
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Obsolete wall-mounted or central air conditioners: Models dating from before 2010, consuming excessive energy and releasing higher levels of greenhouse gases.
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Equipment using refrigerants with high Global Warming Potential (GWP): Particularly models using refrigerant gas R-22, already banned for new installations but still present in some older units.
Why Are These Air Conditioners Problematic?
The reasons for these upcoming bans are based on concrete and well-documented facts:
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Major environmental impact: Older refrigerants such as R-22 have an extremely high Global Warming Potential (GWP), up to 1810 times greater than CO2.
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Excessive energy consumption: Outdated air conditioners can consume up to 40% more energy than modern units, significantly inflating electricity bills and placing heavy loads on the municipal electrical grid during heat waves.
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Poor indoor air quality: Aging equipment generally offers limited filtration and deteriorates indoor air quality.
Concrete Solutions to Anticipate Montréal’s Regulations
To help our customers easily comply with these new measures, AirGreen provides several clear and effective solutions:
1. Replace Old Units with Modern, High-Efficiency Models
At AirGreen, we prioritize brands renowned for their exceptional energy efficiency, including:
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Gree Extreme R32 wall-mounted heat pumps: Offering SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) ratings above 22, these units are eligible for subsidies like Hydro-Québec’s Chauffez Vert program.
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Bosch IDS Premium R-454B central heat pumps: These modern systems deliver optimal comfort while significantly reducing your electricity consumption through Inverter technology.
2. Choose Environmentally Friendly, Low-GWP Refrigerants
Modern refrigerants such as R-32 and R-454B have substantially lower ecological impacts, with GWP levels up to 75% lower compared to older refrigerants like R-410A. These refrigerants are not only environmentally friendly but also deliver superior performance in cooling efficiency and energy use.
3. Regularly Perform Comprehensive HVAC System Maintenance
Regular maintenance of your air conditioner or heat pump extends equipment lifespan and optimizes energy performance. At AirGreen, our technicians perform comprehensive checks, including:
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Verifying refrigerant levels and quality.
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Thorough cleaning of filters and coils.
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Detailed inspection of electrical circuits and compressors.
Concrete Example: Recent AirGreen Intervention in Laval
A recent example of our expertise took place at a condominium in Laval. Our clients were using a central air conditioner dating from 2008 operating on R-410A refrigerant, now considered problematic under Montréal’s new standards. After a detailed analysis, we replaced their system with a Lennox Signature XP25 R-32 central heat pump offering:
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4-ton capacity (48,000 BTU).
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Exceptional SEER efficiency rating of 23.5.
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Eligibility for Hydro-Québec’s Chauffez Vert grant, significantly reducing installation costs.
This installation allowed residents to significantly enhance their comfort while fully anticipating Montréal’s upcoming regulations.
Common Mistakes to Avoid with the New Regulations
Here are several critical mistakes to avoid to ensure compliance with future standards:
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Ignoring your unit’s installation date: An air conditioner over 10 years old is highly likely to be affected by the ban.
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Continuing to use banned refrigerants (R-22): These gases are now strictly prohibited for refills or replacements.
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Postponing system modernization indefinitely: Waiting until the last moment could result in long installation delays during peak demand periods.
Why Trust AirGreen for Your Ecological Transition?
In Montréal, Laval, Longueuil, as well as on the North Shore and South Shore, homeowners and businesses choose AirGreen for:
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Our extensive technical expertise in modern and eco-friendly systems.
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Our personalized support, including assistance in obtaining available subsidies (Chauffez Vert, Rénoclimat, etc.).
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Our clear environmental commitment, offering proven solutions that effectively reduce ecological impact.
Choosing AirGreen ensures a smooth transition toward efficient, durable air conditioning that meets Montréal’s new requirements.