- MLI Select (formerly APH Select) from CMHC awards points across three categories: affordability, energy efficiency, and accessibility.
- Energy efficiency points unlock better financing: lower down payment, extended amortization, reduced premium — depending on current benchmarks.
- The energy efficiency specialist models the building, targets improvements, and documents the file for CMHC.
- Québec grants (Rénoclimat, LogisVert, Chauffez vert) can be stacked with energy improvements.
- Prefer to sell as-is? ImmoMulti buys plex and multiplex properties on the North Shore — offer within 48 h, zero commission.
The MLI Select program (formerly APH Select) and its points system
The MLI Select program — formerly APH Select — is offered by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) for the financing of multiplex buildings. Its logic rests on a points system: under current CMHC benchmarks, a building accumulates points across three main categories — affordability (rents below certain thresholds), energy efficiency (building performance), and accessibility (adapted units). The higher the total points, the more favourable the financing terms.
The key idea, in general terms, is that a building that "performs" across these three categories receives better treatment from CMHC. Since the thresholds, tiers, and points associated with each category can change over time, this guide remains intentionally general: for your specific file, always refer to the current official CMHC benchmarks and validate with your lender. For an overview of the program, also see our dedicated page on APH Select / MLI Select.
Why energy efficiency is a major lever
Among the three MLI Select categories, energy efficiency is often the most actionable: unlike affordability (which affects your rents) or accessibility (which depends on unit configuration), it can be addressed directly through design or renovation choices. That is precisely what makes it a major lever for strengthening a file.
In concrete terms, energy efficiency points contribute — under current CMHC benchmarks — to more favourable financing conditions:
- Lower down payment: a stronger score may reduce the capital you need to put in upfront.
- Extended amortization: a longer amortization period lightens payments and supports cash flow.
- Reduced mortgage insurance premium: a better-scored file may lower the cost of mortgage insurance.
The combined effect of these benefits can transform the profitability of an acquisition or construction project. That is why more and more investors integrate energy performance at the file-building stage rather than treating it as an afterthought. Again, the exact magnitude of the gain depends on the current CMHC benchmarks and your financing structure: validate the numbers with a multiplex mortgage broker.
What the energy efficiency specialist does
The energy efficiency specialist — in some cases an energy advisor, in others an energy modeller — is the person who translates your building into actionable numbers for CMHC. Their work goes well beyond "recommending windows": they document, simulate, and quantify, so that points are actually recognized. In practice, they can:
- Model and simulate the building's energy performance using recognized modelling tools.
- Assess the building before and after the work, to measure the real gain and attest to it.
- Document the CMHC file: produce the reports and supporting materials needed to have the energy efficiency points recognized.
- Recommend improvements that offer the best ratio of cost to points earned.
In other words, the specialist bridges the gap between the physical work and the administrative requirements of the program. A good professional prevents you from undertaking work that doesn't "count," or from missing points due to inadequate documentation. Since energy modelling is a technical field, look for a specialist holding a recognized credential with experience in MLI Select files.
Common improvements that earn points
Every building is different, and that is precisely the purpose of modelling — to prioritize. That said, certain improvements come up frequently in energy efficiency files for a plex or multiplex:
- Insulation: better-insulated walls, roofs, and basements reduce heat loss and improve overall performance.
- Windows: replacing older windows with higher-performance models limits energy losses.
- Heat pump: a heat pump heating and cooling system is often more efficient than traditional systems.
- Air sealing: reducing air infiltration (building envelope tightness) improves comfort and reduces energy consumption.
The order of priority depends on the current state of the building, the budget, and the target number of points. This is where the specialist delivers the most value: they avoid spending on low-yield improvements and concentrate the investment where it "pays off" most — both for the energy bill and for the CMHC score.
Québec programs that can be stacked
Good news: energy efficiency improvements made for MLI Select may also qualify for Québec financial support programs. When properly coordinated, these programs stack and reduce the net cost of your improvements. Among the best-known:
- Rénoclimat: a Québec program that supports energy improvement work, generally backed by an energy assessment before and after the work.
- LogisVert (Hydro-Québec): incentives tied to equipment and improvements that reduce electricity consumption.
- Chauffez vert: a program aimed at replacing heating systems with cleaner solutions.
Conditions, amounts, and eligible work vary from program to program and change over time. An energy advisor can prepare the required assessments and help you stack the right programs without duplication. Keep your expectations general and refer to the current official conditions of each program before committing to any expenses.
How much does an energy efficiency specialist cost?
The cost varies depending on the building size, the scope of the mandate, and the region. A mandate may cover only the modelling, or extend to pre- and post-work assessments and full CMHC documentation. Some specialists charge per assessment; others offer a flat rate for a complete MLI Select file.
Before hiring someone, request a written estimate, compare a few specialists, and clarify what is included (modelling, reports, follow-up with the lender and CMHC). Keep in mind that the cost of the specialist should be weighed against the financing gains and grants that a well-prepared file can unlock: a well-executed mandate often pays for itself.
How to choose your specialist
Not all professionals are equally suited to this type of specific file. For MLI Select, target a specialist who checks these boxes:
- Experience with MLI Select files: they have already documented energy files accepted by CMHC and know what supporting materials are expected.
- References: they can cite comparable projects (same building type, same region).
- Recognized energy modelling credential: modelling is technical; a recognized credential is a sign of rigorous methodology and report credibility.
If you are unsure which professional to consult — energy specialist, broker, architect, or contractor — our quiz to find a specialist will guide you to the right profile for your situation.
Direct sale — no broker. ImmoMulti is a direct buyer of plex and multiplex properties on the North Shore (not a broker). If the energy optimization process seems too burdensome, we buy your building as-is: offer within 48 h, zero commission. Let's talk, no obligation, via our contact page.
Energy efficiency and selling your building
A more energy-efficient building finances better and generally sells more easily: lower energy bills and a solid MLI Select file reassure buyers. If you are running an optimization project, this is often where a multiplex mortgage broker, an architect, and a general contractor team up with your energy specialist.
But energy optimization takes time, capital, and coordination. If you would rather not undertake the work and the CMHC process, you can also sell as-is to a direct buyer who takes the building in its current condition.
Sell as-is, without renovating. ImmoMulti buys plex and multiplex properties on the North Shore in their current condition, with no prior energy work required: offer within 48 h, zero commission. You don't need to build an MLI Select file to sell. Let's talk about your building.
To go further, also read our guide on CMHC financing and MLI Select in 2026. This content is informational: for your specific file, validate the points and figures with CMHC, your lender, and a specialist holding a recognized credential.
An MLI Select project to optimize for energy?
Take the quiz to find the right specialist — energy, broker, architect, or other — based on your goal. Or, if you prefer to sell as-is on the North Shore, get a direct offer.
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