About the R-2000 Standard
	The R-2000 Standard
	HOT2000 software
	Whole-house ventilation
	How a heat recovery ventilator works
	Indoor air quality and environmental features
	High-performance windows
	Heating systems
	Engineered floor systems
	Advanced wall systems

About the R-2000 Standard

Read the current version of the R-2000 Standard in HTML or PDF.

Rationale

The R-2000 Standard includes requirements related to energy efficiency, indoor air quality and the use of environmentally responsible products and materials. It does not, however, specify exactly how a house must be built.

Rather, the R-2000 Standard sets criteria for how an R-2000 home must perform. This leaves the designer and builder free to choose the most effective and economical way to build it.

Research

The R-2000 Standard is supported by an extensive program of research, development and testing.

Natural Resources Canada’s team of technical experts – in consultation with industry technical experts – reviews the R-2000 Standard regularly. Before changes to the R-2000 Standard are adopted, thorough testing is carried out. Once the Standard is changed, home builders and other industry professionals receive training updates.

Requirements

The R-2000 Standard sets out a series of house performance requirements that are in addition to those required by building codes. In general terms, the R-2000 Standard involves the following:

• Builder’s licence: Only home builders who have completed R-2000 builder training and hold a current R-2000 builder licence can build homes that can be certified to the R-2000 Standard.
• Energy budget: R-2000 homes must operate within a specific energy budget, based on the characteristics of the home and the climate conditions where it's built. Typically, R-2000 homes need 30 percent less energy to operate than conventional new homes. Common in
  R-2000 homes are additional insulation; double-glazed, low-emissivity, gas-filled windows with insulated spacers; and high-efficiency heating systems.
• Whole-house ventilation: Every R-2000 home must have a whole-house ventilation system that supplies fresh outdoor air to all living areas in the home. This system must be designed and tested to meet the CSA International standard CAN/CSA-F326 M91 ("Residential Mechanical Ventilation Systems"). Installers must be trained by the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada, or equivalent. After renewing the latest building research and any new technologies on the market, a technical review committee initiates potential changes to the Standard within Natural Resources Canada.
• Environmental pick list: Every R-2000 home builder must choose from a "pick list" of options for indoor air quality and environmental features. The indoor air-quality features can include items such as hardwood flooring, low-emission cabinetry, low-emission (low volatile organic compound [VOC]) paints, and non-solvent-based adhesives and finishes. Features to conserve materials include choices for insulation, siding, sheathing, wall studs and foundation drainage.
• Cleaner heating: The heating systems in the home must not be susceptible to combustion spillage.
• Water conservation: Every R-2000 home must be equipped with water-conserving toilets, faucets and shower heads.
• Independent inspections: Every home submitted for R-2000 certification must undergo a series of independent inspections and tests to verify that the requirements of the R-2000 Standard have been met.

R-2000 is an official mark of Natural Resources Canada.