Huntsville’s J.M. Construction
opens healthy, energy efficient
R-2000 home

Building science behind healthy, energy efficient home construction revealed

( July 5, 2004 – Huntsville, ON) J.M. Construction opened their latest healthy, energy efficient R-2000 home today. The 1,436 square foot home is located west of Huntsville on Lake Vernon. At the opening ceremony, media were invited to participate in a “behind the walls” tour of the home to learn why R-2000 homes are more healthy and energy efficient than homes built to minimum Ontario Building Code standards.

During the event, Peter Love, President of EnerQuality Corporation which is responsible for the
R-2000 Standard in Ontario stated, “All R-2000 homes exceed Ontario Building Code standards and incorporate quality construction which is backed by a government regulated independent quality assurance process and warranty. This ensures that R-2000 homes are more energy efficient, have superior air quality and are healthier to live in than standard homes.”

Joe Hanrath, President of J.M. Construction, pointed out several unique features of the home that combine to ensure energy efficiency and superior indoor air quality. These include: Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF), energy efficient windows, optimal home siting, a high efficiency propane furnace, window overhangs, a Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV) and recycled pine flooring from barns and old warehouses.

“This home incorporates a large amount of window area in order to capture the spectacular view of Lake Vernon,” said Hanrath. “As a result, we used Low E/Argon gas filled windows and thermal edge spacers to reduce the amount of heat loss during the winter. As well, insulated concrete forms (ICF) (where concrete is poured into stacked foam forms to produce the core of exterior walls) were used for the basement crawl space, and spray foam insulation was applied to the bedrock upon which the house is built to ensure a tight “building envelope” to maximise our insulation value.”

“Two other important features of the house are the way it sits on the lot and the use of window overhangs,” said Hanrath. “We built the home facing south so that during the winter when the sun is low in the sky, its rays will help to heat the home. In the summer, when the sun is higher, two-foot window overhangs help keep out the sun and keep the home cool, reducing the need for air conditioning.”

A key feature of this home, and of all R-2000 homes, is the use of a heat recovery ventilator (HRV). The HRV functions as the “lungs of the house.” It draws fresh air into the home where it is warmed by the stale humid air passing through the unit before being expelled. A high quality filter in the duct work ensures a steady supply of fresh air entering the home and helps make R-2000 homes healthier than other conventional homes.

“Some people are concerned about houses being too airtight,” continued Hanrath. “However by using a properly installed HRV and building to the R-2000 Standards, indoor air quality issues such as mould are eliminated. As a professional builder, I won’t construct anything other than R-2000 homes as I can’t afford to take the chance of having a mould problem in a house. The R-2000 certification assures me and the client that I have constructed a quality house that will be good for the homeowner and the environment.”

Mr. Love presented Mr. Hanrath with an R-2000 Builders Certificate and EnerQuality’s Home Heating Guarantee which guarantees that the house will not use more than 4,479 litres of propane gas for space heating over the next three years.

Arnie Gallo, Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) Director for Northern Ontario also presented J.M Construction with a Healthy Housing Builders Recognition certificate which honours builders and renovators who have a demonstrated knowledge of healthy housing practices.

“Each R-2000 home has better air quality and uses at least 40% less energy than a comparable sized conventional house,” said Love. “Every R-2000 home constructed delivers a meaningful, immediate and ongoing reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. It’s a win-win situation: the environment benefits and the homeowner has a healthier home and lower heating bills.”

A donation of $150 will be made by the Cement Association of Canada to the Earth Rangers Centre at the Kortright Centre near Woodbridge, north west of Toronto. The Centre will house Canada’s only oil spill response unit dedicated to rescuing wildlife. The centre will also feature interactive displays, and a world class veterinarian training and research hospital capable of handling 5,000 animals per year.

“For every R-2000 home sold in Ontario, CAC will make a financial contribution to the Earth Rangers Centre,” said Sally Moore, Director of Business Development, Cement Association of Canada. “This program has the potential to generate up to $20,000 per year for the Centre, which is just part of CAC’s commitment of $250,000 in support over five years.”

R-2000 homes go beyond the requirements of the building code. They are more energy efficient, offer better indoor air quality, and environmentally responsible products are used in their construction. An independent, third party expert inspects each house to make sure that it meets these requirements before it can be certified as an R-2000 home. Only licensed R-2000 builders who have been trained by the Government of Canada can build R-2000 homes. If it’s not certified, it is not an R-2000 home!

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