High-performance buildings have many benefits, which include:

• Improved occupant comfort and indoor air quality (see below):
  • Reduced drafts from air leakage
  • Stable and uniform ambient interior temperatures due to higher-performance enclosure assemblies
  • Solar shading and natural ventilation can reduce the potential for overheating
  • Continuously ventilated and filtered air with the use of heat recovery ventilators
  • Reduced risk of mould growth caused by condensation on cold surfaces

• Future-proof construction (see next page):
  • Mandatory home energy labelling program is being implemented as part of the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change by the Government of Canada

• Climate adaptation/climate change resilience:
  • High-performance enclosures can withstand the effects of severe seasonal temperatures
  • Less dependence on grid infrastructure increases public safety during times of crisis and natural disasters
  • Carbon abatement from lower emissions may reduce the impact on climate change
  • Indoor temperatures sustained longer in the event of power outages

• Reduced energy consumption and the opportunity for lower utility bills
• Lower greenhouse gas emissions:
  • Less combustion of fossil fuels and lower demand for electricity generation (and corresponding environmental impacts)

Many of these benefits are dealt with extensively throughout this guide. Occupant comfort and future-proofing are discussed briefly below.