The Government of Canada's Super E house programme  is offering UK builders free one-to-one consultations at EcoBuild 2008  on how to drive down costs of sustainable housing through the application of healthy housing technology. 

Extensive Government of Canada research has revealed that a balanced ‘house as a system’ approach is the most effective and least costly approach to dramatically reduce energy use and carbon emissions in new dwellings.

Jeff Culp from the Super E® house programme said: “Adding insulation beyond a certain point is uneconomical and doesn’t really make sense unless you also take steps to minimise air permeability.

"However, if a home has low air permeability, then controlled ventilation with heat recovery and the careful choice of building materials become crucial to control pollutants as well as moisture levels to ensure occupant health. Consequently, a cost effective sustainable home must include healthy housing technology as part of its specification.”

Mr Culp said Super E will provide UK designers and builders with expert advice from leading international experts on techniques to meet new UK building regulations, EU requirements for Energy Performance Certificates and technical standards for the Code for Sustainable Homes. 

UK builders who visit the Super E stand at this year's EcoBuild will learn various lessons about the intrinsic link between health and affordable sustainable homes, including:
• How to avoid costly mistakes in designing and building low carbon, energy efficient houses
• Why low air permeability is as important as insulation
• The importance of balanced mechanical ventilation with heat recovery in healthy housing
• Why the UK’s climate and building stock provide the ideal conditions for a range of health problems to thrive
• Why healthy housing can be powerful marketing tool

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