R-2000 Requirements to Include Non-Energy Factors

The Canadian R-2000 energy-efficient homes program is revising and broadening its standards. The Technical Research Committee of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association has made its recommendations to Energy, Mines and Resources Canada (EMR), the government body that administers R-2000. The recommended changes include new requirements for the use of some recycled-content or otherwise resource-efficient materials, materials chosen to minimize sources of indoor air pollution, and water-conserving plumbing fixtures.

The new requirements will not make every R-2000 house into a demonstration eco-home, however. The recycled-content material clause requires that builders choose only one resource-efficient material from ten suggested options. The indoor air pollution section lists six good material substitutions for controlling sources of pollution, but requires only that builders choose two. Finally, the water-efficiency requirements are no better than the codes in some provinces.