Below you'll find a brief history of the R-2000 program as well as a re-print of the text from a popular R-2000 brochure from 1998.

When the first “R-2000 homes” were built, it was difficult, even for the visionaries in the industry, to imagine the impact of the technology, and how it would revolutionize the industry.

It began in the mid-1970s with a research project in the Prairies to develop ways of building homes that were comfortable and healthy to live in during the frigid winters, but used much less energy than conventional homes. These forerunners of R-2000 were modest-looking homes, with thick walls and small windows—a far cry from today's bright and sunny homes.

The research resulted in the "house as a system" concept—a major evolution in building science. "House as a system" thinking recognizes that the flow of air, heat and moisture within a home is affected by the interaction of all the components, i.e., everything works together. If you make changes in one area, it will affect other areas—a simple concept that has profoundly changed the way all homes today are built.

The R-2000 Program was created in 1981 as a partnership between the Canadian Home Builders' Association and Natural Resources Canada to begin moving this exciting new technology into the marketplace. The R-2000 Standard was formalized, home builders were trained in the new design and construction techniques, and consumers began to learn about these "better-built" homes.

Since then, thousands of R-2000 homes have been built, and thousands of building professionals trained.

Indirectly, R-2000 has influenced the way every home is built today, spawning a new generation of better builders, better materials and products and better homes.

Periodic upgrading of the R-2000 Standard has ensured that R-2000 remains at the forefront of construction technology. Over the years, requirements for indoor air quality and resource conservation have been added, along with stricter energy targets.

R-2000 technology has enjoyed tremendous international success. Early on in the Program, R-2000 was “exported” to Japan as well as the US where it had a great influence on the evolution of energy-efficient construction. R-2000 homes have also been built in Poland, Russia, Germany, and most recently, England, as a collaboration between Canadian builders and British developers.

This is from a brochure distributed by the New Brunswick Home Builders Association and the R-2000 program.

Today's homes have changed dramatically from those built only 10 or 20 years ago. Construction standards have evolved, building products and materials have improved, and houses are more energy-efficient than ever before.

Among all of today's new houses, there is one that leads the way - the R-2000 home.

Based on a leading edge, Canadian developed standard, the R-2000 home offers the maximum in comfort, affordability, quality, energy savings and environmental benefits. In fact, an R-2000 home is probably the most energy-efficient, environmentally-responsible house commercially available on the market today - both in Canada and around the world!

So what sets the R-2000 home apart? To begin with, the design of the home is checked to ensure that it can meet the R-2000 energy target. As well, R-2000 homes are constructed by some of the best builders in the country. These people are typically leaders in their industry who received specialized training and must prove their competence before they can be licensed as qualified R-2000 builders. Even when these initial requirements have been met, each R-2000 house they build is fully tested and inspected before it is certified. R-2000 builders also receive ongoing training to keep them up-to-date in this constantly evolving field.

A unique blend of technology and craftsmanship goes into each R-2000 home. Licensed builders must work to exacting technical requirements that exceed current Canadian building code. The end result is a better built house that can maximize the return on your investment.

Higher levels of insulation and better sealing against air leakage reduce heat loss and drafts, help maintain consistent temperatures, and provide sound-proofing against outside noise. As well, R-2000 homes are equipped with energy-efficient windows, doors and space and water heating equipment. They can also have energy-efficient lighting and appliances, and are designed to use passive solar heat gain wherever possible and desirable. The end result is a more comfortable, quieter home with lower energy bills.

R-2000 homes use a mechanical ventilation system to deliver a continuous supply of fresh air throughout the home, ensuring a healthy indoor environment all year long. This job is done efficiently by a heat recovery ventilator that captures most of the heat from stale air leaving the house and uses it to pre-heat fresh incoming air. Indoor air pollutants and excess moisture are exhausted to the outdoors. Careful sealing against air leakage also helps keep dust and pollen out of the house. All this translates into a healthier, more comfortable living environment.

Every R-2000 house must meet certain standards, including a comprehensive energy performance target. This is initially determined during the plans evaluation stage, using a state-of-the-art computer program known as HOT-2000. As well, the house is inspected and tested during the construction stage to ensure that it meets the standards for air-tightness, insulation levels and ventilation levels. This process is unique to the R-2000 home.

R-2000 homes are recognized across Canada as being better built homes whose market value will always be strong. And in recognition of their lower monthly energy bills, some bankers offer reduced mortgage rates for R-2000 homes. It's worth looking into!

Home heating accounts for much of Canada's energy use. R-2000 homes minimize the impact of housing on the environment by reducing energy-related noxious emissions, including carbon dioxide, that contribute to global warming and other environmental problems. Also, R-2000 builders are encouraged to limit the use of materials that cause harmful emissions, and to reduce waste during the construction of the house.

Many builders make claims of energy-efficiency, but there is no mistaking the R-2000 home - it's certified!

Only a properly trained and registered builder can construct an R-2000 home. If you are hiring a builder, contact your provincial home builders' association for a list of registered R-2000 builders in your area. Or ask your friends and neighbors to recommend someone - more and more people are finding out about the R-2000 home! Keep in mind that a house is not R-2000 unless: the building plans have been evaluated to ensure the house will achieve a specified "energy performance target"; the house has been tested and inspected in accordance with approved procedures and criteria.

When the house has been proven to meet the R-2000 standard, you will be issued a numbered certificate - your home's own testimonial of excellence. If you are purchasing an existing R-2000 home, the current owner should have a numbered certificate, and an identifying label should be attached to the electrical panel. If the homeowner has misplaced the certificate, check with your provincial home builders' association to find out whether the home has been certified as R-2000.

Depending on market conditions, an R-2000 home can cost from two to five percent more to build than a conventional house. But the benefits are many, including the financial incentive of lower heating costs for as long as you own the home. And don't forget the possibility of preferred mortgage financing!

Other benefits to consider include increased comfort and quiet, clean and healthy indoor air, excellent re-sale value and the knowledge that your home has been built and equipped with the environment in mind.

Today's R-2000 home represents years of research and development by some of the world's leading experts in housing technology. It is generally acknowledged that many of the developments in Canadian housing over the past decade can be attributed directly to the research that has gone into the R-2000 home. These ongoing developments are the result of a cooperative effort of governments, the home building industry, energy utilities, financial institutions and others that strongly support the R-2000 Home Program in Canada. In fact, some building codes have begun to approach the R-2000 standard in certain areas as housing authorities and builders have recognized the energy, environmental, and other benefits of these better built homes.

To ensure that the R-2000 home maintains its leadership position, governments and the private sector have developed a complementary cooperative research and demonstration initiative - the Advanced Houses Program.

Advanced Houses are the testing ground for innovative home building ideas, products and systems, particularly as they relate to reduced energy use and water consumption and strict environmental standards. Over time, the best of the products and techniques that are proven through the Advanced Houses built across Canada will be incorporated into the R-2000 standard, keeping Canada at the international forefront in home construction technology.

We built the first R-2000 home in the United States in Hamden, Me. in 1996 for Dave and Christine Mower.  Dave got a job offer in New Hampshire that he couldn't turn down, so they reluctantly had to sell their home.  Here is a letter I received.