In the Air - HRAI Industry News

NRCan Announces Amendments 18 and 19 to Canada’s Energy Efficiency Regulations

On June 15, 2022, Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) announced a series of webinars, which will be held between June 22 and June 30, 2022 to initiate the pre-consultation phase for Amendments 18 and 19 to Canada’s Energy Efficiency Regulations.

According to NRCan’s Forward Regulatory Plan 2022-2024, the amendments will “update testing procedures and/or energy efficiency standards for previously regulated and new products. The specific contents of these amendments have not yet been determined. Consideration will be given to 19 products that are already regulated and to the introduction of requirements for 7 new products.”

This includes 3-phase central air conditioners and central heat pumps, large air conditioners and heat pumps, and electric, gas- and oil-fired water heaters. The full range of products under consideration, along with the webinar details, are listed below.

On amending 3-phase central air conditioner and heat pump regulations, NRCan “intends to align its testing standards and energy efficiency standards for three-phase central air conditioners and heat pumps (not more than 65,000 btu/h) with the "small commercial air conditioner and heat pump" requirements recently finalized by the United States Department of Energy. The changes under consideration would apply to three-phase central air conditioners and heat pumps imported into Canada for sale or lease that are manufactured on or after January 1, 2025.”

On amending large air conditioner and heat pump regulations, NRCan “is currently aligned with the U.S. DOE Tier 1 for large air conditioners and large heat pumps. However, NRCan is considering amending the Regulations to align with the energy efficiency standards, testing standards and manufacturing dates of the U.S. DOE Tier 2 for large air conditioners and large heat pumps that are air-cooled.”

On amending water heater regulations, NRCan “intends to align its testing standards and energy efficiency standards for water heaters with those of the United States. The changes under consideration would apply to electric, gas- and oil-fired storage-tank water heaters imported into Canada for sale or lease that are manufactured on or after January 1, 2025.”

The pre-publication of the amendments in Canada Gazette, Part I is expected sometime in 2023. This will launch an official 70-day public comment period. Technical bulletins will be posted in early July to provide further information.

The exact date for final publication of the amendments in Canada Gazette, Part II will depend on the number and nature of comments received during the public comment periods, but are typically within a year of the initial public comment period.

For more information, please contact Stephen Chartrand at 1-800-267-2231 ext. 276, or email schartrand@hrai.ca.

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