February 16, 2012
Ottawa— A new standard for energy efficiency aims at lowering Canadians’ energy costs for new homes while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Honourable Gordon O’Connor, Minister of State and MP for Carleton–Mississippi Mills, on behalf of the Honourable Joe Oliver, Minister of Natural Resources, and Ron Olson, President of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association, launched the new 2012 R-2000 Standard today.
“Our Government is committed to new standards that promote energy efficiency, save Canadians money, create jobs and strengthen the economy,” said Minister O’Connor. “Today’s announcement is the result of our successful collaboration with industry to continually improve residential building standards.”
The new standard includes measures to reduce water consumption and improve insulation and ventilation. Homes built to this standard will be 50 percent more energy-efficient than homes built to the 2005 R-2000 standard.
“R-2000 continues to play a pivotal role in makingCanadaa world leader in energy-efficient housing technology,” said Mr. Olson. “The 2012 R-2000 Standard is an important milestone that will keep the Canadian home building industry at the forefront of building homes that are better for the environment, better for our communities and better for the people who live in them.”
Over the past 30 years, R-2000 has been key to encouraging, recognizing and supporting innovation in energy efficiency for residential housing. All R-2000 homes are constructed by licensed and trained builders; evaluated, inspected and tested by independent third-party inspectors; and certified by the Government of Canada.
The Canadian Home Builders’ Association, representing the residential construction industry with more than 8,000 member firms across the country, has been an active participant in the delivery of the R-2000 initiative since its inception. The launch took place inOttawaatCanada’s first home built to the new standard, unveiled by Urbandale Construction.
“Urbandaleis proud to be able to offer our customers homes built toCanada’s highest building standard,” said Matthew Sachs, General Manager of Urbandale Construction.
The new 2012 R-2000 Standard was published by Natural Resources Canada in February 2012, and all R-2000 builders will follow the new specifications as of July 2012. The demonstration home at 80 Equestrian in Bridlewood will be open to the public for viewings from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
- 30 -
Media may contact:
Patricia Best
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister
Natural ResourcesCanada
Ottawa
613-996-2007
or
Gary Sharp
Canadian Home Builders’ Association
R-2000 Coordinator
613-230-3060
gary@chba.ca
or
Media Relations
Natural ResourcesCanada
Ottawa
613-992-4447
The general public may contact:
Mon.–Fri., 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. EST
Telephone: 613-995-0947
TTY: 613-996-4397
(teletype for the hearing-impaired)
E-mail: questions@nrcan.gc.ca
The following media backgrounder is available at www.nrcan.gc.ca/media:
R-2000 Homes: Continuing a Proud Tradition
NRCan’s news releases and backgrounders are available at www.nrcan.gc.ca/media.
