Saving you money on your billing

Richard Unger completed the R-2000 Builder's Training Workshop in 2005. 

Only Licensed R-2000 Builders can construct R-2000 houses. To be eligible for R-2000 certification, the house must be constructed by a trained and licensed R-2000 Builder. R-2000 trained builders are required to register, build and certify an R-2000 demonstration home before they can become licensed.

To be eligible for R-2000 certification, the house shall comply with the rules and procedures established by Natural Resources Canada for plans evaluation, quality inspections, airtightness testing and issuance of an R-2000 certificate.

R-2000 certified homes are one of the best homes you can buy, from an energy efficiency point of view. R-2000 new homes include high levels of insulation, clean-air features and other characteristics that help protect the environment.

For the homebuyer, this translates into energy savings, more comfort and a healthier living environment.

Every R-2000 home is built to the strict R-2000 Standard. R-2000 was developed by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) in collaboration with others in the energy efficiency sector more than 35 years ago.

Home building technology is always changing and improving because of research. An updated R-2000 Standard came into effect in July 2012. Homes built to the new R-2000 Standard are on average 50% more energy-efficient than typical new homes built to code.

It’s what goes into the construction of your R-2000 home that separates it from other homes on the market. R-2000 homes are built by innovative builders who use leading-edge building techniques.

• high insulation levels in walls, ceilings and basements
• high-efficiency windows and doors
• high-efficiency heating
• whole-house mechanical ventilation
• minimal air leaking from the house
• water-conserving fixtures such as taps and showerheads

• constructed by trained builders
• evaluated, inspected and tested by an independent third-party inspector
• certified by the Government of Canada

Every R-2000 homeowner will get an R-2000 certificate and label from NRCan. The certificate is given to the homeowner and the label is put on the electrical panel.

Saving on your energy bills is important to consider when you buy a home, and R-2000 homes are some of the most energy-efficient on the market. Your designer and builder will choose the most effective and affordable way to build your R-2000 home for your local climate and how you live.All R-2000 homes have high levels of insulation and an airtight building envelope, which translates into energy savings for you.Your actual cost savings will depend on

• the local costs of your main fuel source
• the number of people living in the home
• your lifestyle

For 35 years, R-2000 homes have set the standard for indoor air quality. With R-2000, you get clean-air features that go beyond those required by building codes. This includes a balanced, whole-house mechanical ventilation system that is professionally installed in every R-2000 home. The system removes stale air from your home and delivers fresh air to every room of the house.To protect indoor air quality even more, you can ask your builder to use products that protect the indoor environment such as

• carpet that is certified green
• water-based paints and varnishes
• an air filtration system

R-2000 homes are also designed to keep indoor moisture at the right level. This is important, since mould can grow if your home is too moist.High-efficiency sealed-combustion heating systems also help make sure that dangerous combustion products don't get into your home and make your family sick.

The high standards set for an R-2000 home certification ensure that you enjoy a more comfortable home.Once it’s built, every R-2000 certified home is tested by a certified technician for airtightness. This, in combination with high-quality windows and well-insulated walls, will keep your house from being drafty and also keep the temperature steady inside.R-2000 homes are designed to take advantage of the sun's energy during the winter. Energy-efficient windows can provide a larger window area and more light without boosting your heating costs.

By using much less energy for heating and cooling, you help meet Canada’s climate change goals, and reduce air pollutants. Your R-2000 builder will put extra effort into using resources efficiently and protecting the environment.

• Lower greenhouse gases – The energy efficiency built into every R-2000 home helps lower greenhouse gases by reducing the need to burn fossil fuels. Carbon dioxide (CO2), which we produce when we burn oil, natural gas and other fossil fuels, is the major cause of climate change. The average new home in Canada releases five tonnes of CO2 each year.
• A market for recycled products – Many R-2000 certified homes are built with advanced building products made from recycled materials. These can include drywall, wood and steel studs, insulation, roofing, concrete and even carpeting. By providing a market for these new products, R-2000 helps make our recycling efforts work.
• Reduced water use – Every R-2000 home comes with a number of water-saving fixtures; this means your community has less water to purify and less sewage to treat. Water conservation makes great environmental sense. It also cuts your monthly energy and utility costs.