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What is Super E®?
Super E® is a Government of Canada initiative to “export”
Canada’s expertise in wood-frame housing to environmentally-conscious,
quality-focused builders around the world. The
Super E Program partners Canadian member companies with
local builders to combine best practices and deliver high-quality,
high-performance, healthy homes.
Super E technical standards are based on Canada’s domestic
R-2000 Program for energy-efficient homes, but are adapted
for international markets. Super E standards meet or exceed
local building code requirements, and are recognized by building
warranty programs around the world.
In the UK, many of the practices that gointo building a Super E house can also help builders comply with the Code for Sustainable Homes. (view the PDF here)
What makes a Super E® House?
A Super E® House is designed, built and tested to meet
strict performance and warranty standards, ensuring an extremely
durable building in any climate. But the focus on performance
does not come at the expense of design – Super E homes
can be built in a variety of styles, sizes and layouts to
reflect the design vision for your project.
A Super E home is designed “as a system”, factoring
in the local climate, the building envelope (walls, roof and
floor) and the mechanical system. The plans for every Super
E house are evaluated with an energy analysis software tool
– HOT2000 – enabling the designer to achieve optimal
energy performance by considering all of the factors that
will affect the home’s energy consumption.
The key to the Super E approach is controlling heat, air
and moisture flows. High levels of insulation ensure that
the home is affordable to heat/cool and can maintain a comfortable
living temperature. A well-sealed air barrier makes the house
draft-free, easy to heat/cool and very quiet. A high-quality
mechanical ventilation system controls indoor humidity and
ensures a continuous supply of fresh air for occupant comfort.
Energy-efficient windows reduce heat loss and minimize condensation.
To be recognized as a Super E Home, the building must pass
an air tightness test post-construction. Test results, along
with approved design details, ventilation system details and
as-built specifications must be submitted to the Super E House
Program to confirm compliance with the technical standards.
Only houses that have passed this stringent third party review
and testing are eligible for registration.
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What are the benefits of a Super E® home?
The advanced housing technology of Super E® results in
a quiet, clean and durable living space that is:
- Healthy – Super E homes are built
with healthy building materials to create a healthier indoor
environment. Whole-house ventilation and climate control
systems provide the best indoor air quality.
- Energy efficient – Years of research
and development come to bear in delivering an extremely
energy-efficient building. Lower operating costs reduce
the monthly cost of home ownership.
- High quality – Super E uses superior
designs, products and systems. All meet strict performance
standards to ensure a high-quality house – proven,
third-party tested and registered.
- Comfortable – Super E homes are
well-insulated and draft-free, allowing easy control of
indoor temperature and humidity. Effective ventilation systems
deliver fresh air throughout.
- Attractive – Your design vision
will not be compromised when you build a Super E home. Virtually
any size, style or layout of home can be designed to meet
Super E standards.
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How do I build
a Super E® home?
DAC has been a Canadian member supplier of Super E® housing
for more than a decade, and has been an important contributor
in the development of the Super E standard.
To make your next project a Super E project, contact
DAC . We will walk you through the Super E project approval
process, and will then work with you to design, build and
register your Super E homes.
See our Case Studies for more
detail on a few of our Super E projects.
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+1.613.838.6145