The energy efficiency of multi residential buildings in Canada has not kept pace with energy efficiency improvements in other commercial building sectors. Energy efficiency is subordinated to a dedication to reduce first cost of buildings in this sector. Lower first cost and energy efficiency are not mutually exclusive, however, building designers will have to learn to work together to achieve optimum results. The current practice and energy use of new buildings are reviewed in this paper.

In 1989 the "Advanced House" was constructed in Brampton, Ontario as an example of leading-edge energy-efficient and environmentally responsible housing . It is part of Canada's contribution to the International Energy Agency Task XIII Advanced Solar/Low Energy Residential Buildings, which examines innovative methods of reducing residential energy consumption.

Two super insulated houses were built according to the Canadian R-2000 construction manual, in Sendai, Japan. The purpose of the construction is to clarify how much space heating energy is saved in a mild climate, and whether there are any problems related to indoor air quality and humidity in the winter and the thermal indoor environment during the summer, compared with an ordinary frame-construction house. This paper describes the measurement results of indoor temperature, humidity and indoor air quality for the winter and summer seasons, and annual energy consumption