WhitbY Free press, Wednesday, September 11, 1996, page 15 A HOME DESIGN AND IMPROVEMENT FEATURE The .benefits of an R2000 home More and More people are loolng for houses that are healthy te live in that save energy, and are easy on the envIronment. And yet not many people lcnow that the best energy- efficient enviromnentally friendly houses in the world are built in Canada using Canadlan-developed, -tech- nology. These houses, known as R- 2000 homes, are easily obtainable and affordable. If you're shopping for a new house, b. sure te weigh the following R-2000 benefits before buying. Builders get specialized ENERGY-SAVINGS TEPS Rot Water *Stop a dripping tap with a simple washer. Just one drop per'second wastes about 662 litres (175 gallons) of water a month. e Enjoy a hot shower and cut hot wator use by up te 75 per cent with an energy-efficlent shower head or faucet aerator. 0Whether it's clothes or dishes, wait for a full load before running -the washer. 0 When possible,, wash laundry in cold or warm water, and rinse in cold. on-going training and must prove their competence before receiving registered R- 2000 builder status. Ail R-2000 housesl must meet established standards, the Most important of which ls comprehiensive energy performance target. R-2000 designers and contractera use a heat-losa simulation program called HOT2000 te ensure that the house meets these* targets. By projecting space heating and domestic hot water requirements, HOT2000 predicts energy usage levels. When tests and inspections are successfullycoempleted, the home is issued a numbered certificate that identifies it as Rb-2000. A performance-tested con- tinuous air barrier is used te block lealcage of air in and out of the house. This reduces drafts and heat loua, and helps keep out dust and pollen. A mechanical ventilation system is required te deliver a' continuous supply of flltered fresh air throughout an R-2000 home, and te ensure a healthïy indoor environinent year round. .R-2000 homnes'use. a heat recovery ventlater (HRV) that captures heat from stale air- leaving the house and using 'it te pre-,heat fresh, incoming air. Today's R-2000 homes. also use special products and finishes te improve the air quality inside the home. R-2000 homes are typically *equlpped with high-efficiency space and- water heatlng equipment, energy-efficient windows and insulated doors. Higher levels of Insulation *help reduce heat loss and maintain consistent temperatures while providing soundproofing againat outside noise. While R-2000 homes may have a slightly higher price tag (two to six per cent on average), in nxany cases this cost is offset within several years thanka te the savings gained- from lower utility bils. Ini addition, R-2000 homes tend te ommirand a higher pricq a t resale time. ENERGY-SAVJNG TIPS Smart Cooldng *ryturning -your oven off 'a few minutes early. Food will continue te cook in the heated oven, and you'll samve energy and 'money. *More and more Canadians are enjoying the delicious taste of barbecured foods all year round. But if you insiat, packing up your natural gas barbecue for the winter is as easy as disconnecting your natural gas barbecue and storing it in the garage or basement. 'source: Consumer a oa Some niaterials used in the building of houses can be harnil to the environment. By limiting their use, and, by using recycled products and less energy, R-2000 homes offer unparalleled opportunities for envir- onnientally responsible living. 1-800-38R-2000. Fo Information on how you can get Into an R-2000 home alyu local home builders' association, or cal PceigHome & Leisure Centre <Brook Rd. & 401 East) LS T o Make room for 1997 New stock NoN>*si O nsok aret Vz s.ooin _ w w - w w