R-2000: Protecting Our Environment

The effects of climate change

Climate change is affecting the weather and the stability of ecosystems in Canada and around the world. Every time we use energy from fossil fuels, we create the greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. The Government of Canada is committed to reducing these emissions in order to protect the environment from the widespread effects of climate change.

How R-2000 helps

When you choose an R-2000 home, not only do you get the most advanced new home available, you also help combat climate change and the depletion of our natural resources.

R-2000 homes lessen our impact on the environment by:

• Reducing greenhouse gases. The energy efficiency built into every
  R-2000 home helps reduce the production of greenhouse gases. Carbon dioxide (CO₂) – produced when we burn oil, natural gas and other fossil fuels – is the most significant cause of climate change. The average new home in Canada releases five tonnes of CO₂ each year. R-2000 homes cut these emissions by over 30 percent.
• Creating a market for recycled products. R-2000 homes use a range of advanced building products made from recycled materials. This can include drywall, wood and steel studs, insulation, roofing, concrete – even carpeting. By providing a market for these new products, R-2000 home builders help make our recycling efforts work.
• Making better use of natural resources. Many new building systems used in R-2000 homes make better use of natural resources. For instance, engineered wood products – ranging from floor systems to support beams – are made from the fibre of fast-growing tree species that aren't suitable for lumber production.
• Protecting water quality. R-2000 homes also help protect the water quality in our rivers and lakes. Every R-2000 home comes with a number of water-conserving fixtures – toilets, faucets and showers. 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.

How does your home compare with an R-2000 home?

R-2000 homes are more environmentally friendly than newly built conventional homes. When compared with older homes, though, the environmental benefits of R-2000 are even greater.

The chart below shows the average yearly CO₂ emissions resulting from energy use in homes of different ages. For the purposes of this comparison:

• all houses are:
  • based on HOT2000* archetype houses developed for climate change studies
  • use natural gas for space heat and hot water
  • located in Ottawa
• conventional houses built in 1970 to 1980 have space heat energy normalized to a volume of 720 m³
• there is probably little difference between a conventional house built today and one built in 1994
• greenhouse gas emissions are CO₂ equivalent
• 1 t = 1 (metric) tonne = 1000 kg

*R-2000 and HOT2000 are official marks of Natural Resources Canada.