Design for comfort, not just finishes.

Describe what comfort means to you

Talk about temperature differences between rooms, draughts, noise, summer overheating, air quality and the way spaces are used. For a new home, explain how you expect each area to feel and operate. For an existing home, record the problems you experience now.

Treat the home as one system

Natural Resources Canada explains that envelope, ventilation, heating, cooling and occupant activity interact. Discuss insulation, air sealing, windows, solar exposure and mechanical systems together rather than purchasing upgrades independently.

Ask your advisers how proposed choices affect humidity, fresh air, distribution and maintenance. A product label does not establish the performance of the complete home. Request a coordinated explanation of the design rather than a list of premium products.

Investigate before renovating

For an existing home, an EnerGuide evaluation can identify energy use and possible retrofit priorities. Ask the evaluator and your design team how findings should inform the renovation scope.

Distinguish an energy evaluation from structural, moisture or other condition investigations. They answer different questions. Confirm the scope of each assessment and which professional addresses issues outside it.

Ask how performance will be verified

Discuss appropriate modelling, testing, inspection, balancing and commissioning with the project team. Ask what will be measured, when, by whom and against which project-specific targets.

At handover, request operating instructions, filter information, maintenance access guidance and relevant test or commissioning records included in your agreement. Plan a review after you have lived in the home so operational questions can be addressed. Incentives and eligibility change; verify any program directly before relying on funding.