How Does R-2000 Ensure Quality?

The Government of Canada certifies every R-2000 home, based on a thorough quality assurance process that goes well beyond the building codes all houses must meet. The outstanding R-2000 quality guarantee is a product of three key components:

• the R-2000 builder
• the R-2000 quality assurance process
• the R-2000 certificate

The R-2000 builder

R-2000 homes can be built only by builders trained and licensed by the Government of Canada. To earn this licence, a builder must successfully:

• complete an R-2000 builder training course
• construct a "demonstration" R-2000 home

Once certified, R-2000 home builders need to attend periodic updating courses to maintain their licensed status. Furthermore, they must belong to a new home warranty program.

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The R-2000 quality assurance process

Becoming licensed is only the first step. R-2000 builders must subject every home they build to the rigorous R-2000 quality assurance process. This involves:

1. Computer analysis. Before a proposed R-2000 home can be constructed, a licensed R-2000 plans evaluator will analyse the home's design by using the HOT2000* software program. The home's design, orientation on the lot, component specifications and local climate data are used in the analysis. This process determines whether the proposed design will deliver the level of energy performance required by the R-2000 Standard.
   
   – or –
   
   Pre-approval. Builders may alternatively select the new Pre-Approval Method. This has been developed so that a house or group of similar houses can be designed and pre-approved as meeting the energy target, although each house may have minor differences. Houses built using this method must still be individually inspected and tested before certification.
2. Construction inspection. After design approval, construction begins. An independent R-2000 inspector will visit the home during this process to verify that the construction conforms to the approved plans. The inspection is in addition to the regular building inspections carried out by the local municipality.
3. Ventilation inspection. Every R-2000 home must be equipped with a mechanical ventilation system that meets the CAN/CSA-F326 standard, such as a heat recovery ventilator (HRV). This system must be designed by a technician authorized to work on R-2000 homes. After a certified installer sets it up, an independent R-2000 inspector must test it to verify proper operation and air balancing.
4. Air leakage testing. Warm moist air that leaks from the interior of a home into the wall cavity can cause condensation, reducing the effectiveness of insulation and durability of the structure.
   
   That’s why every R-2000 home, at completion, must undergo an air leakage test (sometimes referred to as a fan depressurization or blower door test) to verify that the air leakage doesn't exceed a specified level (1.5 air changes per hour at 50 pascals depressurization). This must be done by a licensed R-2000 air tester.
5. Process review. Once all of these quality assurance steps are completed and the home's compliance with the R-2000 Standard is verified, the builder submits the complete R-2000 file to their provincial R-2000 office for review. If everything is in order, the file is forwarded to Natural Resources Canada, where the data is verified.

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And, finally, the homeowner is issued …

The R-2000 certificate

The R-2000 certificate is proof that the home has met all the R-2000 requirements and is, in fact, an R-2000 home.

In addition, homeowners receive an R-2000 sticker for the electrical panel in their home. This sticker carries the R-2000 certificate number and should be left on the panel permanently. In the event that you sell your home, the certificate and the sticker will identify the house as an R-2000 home to potential buyers – an important resale feature.

"Almost" isn’t good enough

There's no such thing as "almost R-2000" or "as good as R-2000." Without the R-2000 certificate, it’s not an R-2000 home. The difference isn’t in the certificate itself, but rather in what the certificate represents: a home that has been designed, built, inspected, tested and approved in accordance with the R-2000 Standard.

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