Bild Immobilier: building high performance properties pays off

From wastewater to clean energy: Making housing more affordable through energy efficiency

“Energy efficiency is at the heart of what I do.” That passion is what led Jessica Parsons, an engineer and cofounder of Bild Immobilier, to look beyond conventional solutions. Her company achieved a Canadian first by integrating a wastewater-to-energy system in a residential building. Backed by Hydro‑Québec, this innovation is helping to create more affordable living environments.

Building for the long term

Bild immobilier is part of a new generation of developers who approach building design with a long-term perspective. “We’re owner-developers,” said Léonie Lemay, cofounder of Bild immobilier and head of project development. “We build with the intention of operating our constructions for many years.”

This mindset guides every decision, from how spaces function to the range of unit types and a residential experience tailored to tenants’ needs at every stage of life. It is paired with a strong sense of social responsibility aimed at reducing the environmental footprint, preserving built environments, greening development sites and ensuring buildings blend seamlessly into their communities

Reducing water heating costs

In high-density residential buildings, hot water accounts for a significant share of electricity use—a fact that stood out to Jessica Parsons. “I’ve always been interested in finding ways to save energy at the source,” she explained.

In 2022, her meeting with Michaël Pelletier, cofounder of RegenEAU, came at exactly the right moment. His technology captures heat from drain and black water to raise the temperature of municipal water prior to household use.

The timing aligned perfectly with Bild’s plans for the Galileo complex, a multiphase development that includes more than 381 residential units and a commercial space (a café). Galileo 2 emerged as the perfect testing ground. “We wanted to test the limits and see if it would actually work,” she said.

Energy analysis as a decision-support tool

To confirm the project’s feasibility and long-term viability, the team needed clear data. Through a newsletter, Jessica learned about Hydro‑Québec’s energy analysis program, which covers the cost of a comparative assessment of a project’s energy efficiency measures.

Louis Dorval-Douville, commercial engineer at Hydro‑Québec, noted that several options were on the table: “We looked at other technologies that we ultimately didn’t select. RegenEAU had the strongest potential to reduce energy use and fit naturally into the building.”

The analysis also confirmed the value of air-source heat pumps, which lower heating costs and provide air-conditioning in summer to improve overall comfort.

Recovering wasted energy

Bild implemented a number of other measures, including high-efficiency lighting and heat recovery air exchangers in every unit.

Still, the core of the project remains the RegenEAU system, which recovers energy that would otherwise be lost and uses it to warm the cold water supplied by the municipality.

The process is simple:

1. All wastewater flows through a patented, self-cleaning separator that removes solids and maximizes the amount of potentially recoverable energy.

2. The clarified water passes through a heat exchanger that captures residual heat and transfers it to the incoming cold water to preheat it. “It’s free energy,” said Mr. Pelletier. “Instead of the wastewater being sent back into the municipal system at 20°C, it’s returned at 4°C.”

3. Finally, a heat pump brings the temperature of the preheated water to around 60°C. “For the same amount of energy, it provides nearly twice as much hot water as a standard resistance water heater,” said Louis Dorval‑Douville.

An innovation backed by Hydro‑Québec

Galileo 2 is the first multiunit residential building in Canada to integrate the patented RegenEAU technology. To make the project a reality, Bild received $410,000 through Hydro‑Québec’s Technology and Business Demonstration Program (TBD) to accelerate the rollout of innovative solutions.

For a company firmly committed to affordability, absorbing the initial $600,000 investment would have been a challenge.

“Without Hydro‑Québec’s financial support, the payback period wouldn’t have made sense,” said Jessica Parsons. The support covered nearly 75% of the additional cost—the maximum financial support available—making the project viable and replicable in other buildings.

Ensuring the sustainability of buildings

For Jessica Parsons, the takeaway is clear: “Constructing high‑performance buildings is profitable. As regulations become more stringent and costs rise, a long‑term vision is essential.”

She also said that the key to the sustainability of Québec’s real estate portfolio is implementing energy efficiency measures, managing power and reducing GHG emissions in all new constructions. “By working closely with Hydro‑Québec and our energy efficiency experts, we’re able to develop innovative solutions.”

A model worth replicating

“One of the strengths of these measures is how easily they can be replicated elsewhere,” explained Geneviève Langlois. “Developers should reach out to us even in the design phase. The earlier we start working together, the greater the savings and financial assistance.”

About Bild

Bild is a real estate developer specializing in high‑density, multi‑residential projects in the greater city of Québec area. Guided by a collaborative approach that brings together engineering, architecture and urban design, the company designs smart buildings that integrate seamlessly into their neighborhood and prioritize residents’ quality of life.

Attuned to the challenges of the energy transition, Bild is committed to creating sustainable, high‑performance living environments that preserve ecosystems. The goal is to build human‑scale communities where energy efficiency, comfort and the collective good are fully aligned.