Are you trying to live a healthier lifestyle and make better choices for you and your family? Are you eating a balanced diet and getting enough exercise? Even with our increased awareness of healthier living, it can be difficult to always make the best and most efficient choices.

These values apply to the houses we live in as well.

Today, many Canadians are buying, renovating, and building homes that take their family's health and comfort into consideration.

For example, with initiatives like the R-2000 Standard and Energy Star for New Homes, you can work with your builder to incorporate energy efficiency upgrades into your home before it's built, to ensure that the upgrades you choose reflect your family's lifestyle.

The R-2000 Standard and Energy Star for New Homes are Natural Resources Canada's Office of Energy Efficiency initiatives for new home construction. By integrating energy efficient upgrades at the design stage, you can decide which measures to take that will best suit your family. For example:

- energy efficient windows to keep heat in and prevent condensation;

- extra insulation and tight construction to minimize winter drafts and cold spots;

- a mechanical ventilation system to help make your house fresh and comfortable all year round.

The use of healthier building materials during the construction of your home, such as non-solvent adhesives, low VOC paints and formaldehyde-free cabinetry provide a healthier environment as fewer chemicals are released into the air. And when you choose to buy a new energy efficient home that meets the R-2000 standard, you often have even more choices when it comes to features that can improve the health and comfort of your family.

If you are instead thinking of renovating your home, an EnerGuide evaluation can help you implement improvements to address similar concerns. Having a certified energy advisor undertake an evaluation provides you with a current rating, an assessment of your home's energy efficiency potential, and a prioritized list of recommended upgrades that will not only save energy, but provide a more comfortable home.

Get information at: oee. nrcan.gc.ca/homes

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