R-2000 is a performance standard. As such there is no typical way of putting together an R-2000 Home. Homes can vary from what appears to be a fairly conventional design to double wall or structural insulated panel high performance systems.

In Manitoba, a house heated by natural gas in the southern portion of the province might typically meet the R-2000 performance target with the following components:

• R-50 attic insulation with raised heel trusses.
• 2 x 6 exterior wall construction with R-20 insulation.
• R-20 or R-24 basement wall insulation.
• Triple paned, lowE, argon filled, window glazing with insulated spacer bars.
• Perimeter rigid foundation insulation over drain tiles.
• High efficiency sealed combustion gas furnace.
• High efficiency heat recovery ventilator.
• Electric or induced draft gas hot water tank.
• Air tight building envelope.

These upgrade costs typically add between 2% to 4% onto the cost of your home depending on your location and local market. Since each of the upgrade items has the effect of lowering your heating bills (R-2000 Homes consume 20% - 30% less energy than equal conventional homes) the upgrade costs are paid off through energy savings. See calculator.

Because the R-2000 standard takes into account all factors such as local weather conditions and heating fuel used, the design requirements for R-2000 homes vary for each individual house.