Energy efficiency milestone in Western Canada

Swift Current, SK, has the distinction of being the site of the first home in western Canada built to the voluntary 2012 R-2000 Standard. Homes built to the 2012 R-2000 standard are to be 50 per cent more energy-efficient than homes built to the 2005 R-2000 standard. This new standard also includes measures to reduce water consumption and improve insulation and ventilation. 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 new 2012 R-2000 Standard was published by Natural Resources Canada in February 2012 and all R-2000 builders have been following the new specifications as of July 2012.