The Centre for Advanced Building Envelope Research (CABER) is a new research facility and program focused on the advancement of residential and commercial building envelope materials and designs.
Energy use in residential and commercial buildings accounts for 27% of Canada’s secondary energy consumption and 22% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Nearly two-thirds of this energy is used for space heating, which is predominantly caused by heat transfer through the building envelope (including air infiltration, and conduction through ceilings, walls, windows and doors). As such, the building envelope has a significantly impact on the energy use, utility costs and GHG emissions.
CABER will develop new technologies that can improve insulation and air-sealing in new construction and in retrofit applications. Drawing upon advances in super-thin insulation materials, prefabricated construction and panelized retrofits, CABER researchers will seek technical innovations that cut heat loss in housing and buildings by 65% or more, and reduce the cost associated with Net-Zero Ready and Deep Energy Retrofit construction.