Ontario Ministry of Energy to Amend Efficiency Standards for 24 Space and Water Heating Products

On July 10, 2023, the Ontario Ministry of Energy posted on the Environmental Registry of Ontario (ERO) and the Regulatory Registry (RR) a proposal to amend Ontario’s Energy and Water Efficiency Regulation (O. Reg. 509/18) under the Electricity Act, 1998, to introduce rolling incorporation of NRCan’s efficiency standards for 24 space and water heating products.  

According to the ERO/RR, the amendment would fully harmonize requirements and efficiency metrics for 24 space and water heating products with NRCan through rolling incorporation. Rolling incorporation would update product scope, test standards and efficiency requirements of these products automatically if, and when changes/updates are made in NRCan’s regulation. 

The proposal would introduce full rolling incorporation with NRCan for 19 space and water heating products that are fully harmonized with current NRCan requirements (test method, scope and efficiency requirements), and ensure Ontario’s requirements would update automatically when NRCan changes/updates their standards. The proposed compliance date for these changes to come into force is January 1, 2025. Affected products include: 

  • Water heater, oil-fired, tank-type, ≤30.5 kW (105,000 Btu/h). 

  • Water heater, gas-fired, storage, ≤22 kW (75,000 Btu/h). 

  • Water heater, gas, tank-type, >22 kW (75,000 Btu/h), residential duty. 

  • Water heater, gas-fired, storage, >22 kW (75,000 Btu/h), tank volume >530 L (140 US gallons). 

  • Water heater, gas, tank-type, >22 kW (75,000 Btu/h), other than residential duty. 

  • Water heater, gas, instantaneous, <58.56 kW (200,000 Btu/h). 

  • Water heater, electric, storage, input rating >12 kW. 

  • Water heater, oil-fired, storage, >30.5 kW (105,000 Btu/h), residential-duty. 

  • Water heater, oil-fired, storage, >30.5 kW (105,000 Btu/h), non-residential duty. 

  • Water heater, oil-fired, storage, >30.5 kW (105,000 Btu/h), and >530 L. 

  • Boiler, gas-fired, <88 kW (300,000 Btu/h). 

  • Boiler, gas-fired, ≥88 kW (300,000 Btu/h) and ≤732 kW (2,500,000 Btu/h). 

  • Boiler, gas-fired, >732 kW (2,500,000 Btu/h). 

  • Boiler, oil-fired, <88 kW (300,000 Btu/h). 

  • Boiler, oil-fired, ≥88 kW (300,000 Btu/h) and ≤732 kW (2,500,000 Btu/h). 

  • Boiler, oil-fired, >732 kW (2,500,000 Btu/h) and ≤2,930 kW (10,000,000 Btu/h). 

  • Boiler, electric, hot water, <88 kW (300,000 Btu/h). 

  • Fireplace, gas, vented. 

  • Unit heater, gas-fired. 

It would also update the scope of application and any minor differences in requirements for five products currently regulated by Ontario and NRCan, to fully harmonize these products with NRCan through rolling incorporation. These products are already harmonized for test method and efficiency requirements with current NRCan requirements. The proposed compliance date for these changes to come into force is January 1, 2025. Affected products include: 

  • Furnace, gas-fired, <65.92 kW (225,000 Btu/h). 

  • Water heater, gas, instantaneous, ≥58.56 kW (200,000 Btu/h). 

  • Water heater, electric, storage, 50–454 L, input rating ≤12 kW. 

  • Furnace, oil-fired, ≤65.92 kW (225,000 Btu/h). 

  • Furnace, electric, <66 kW (225,000 Btu/h), single phase. 

Comments are due no later than August 24, 2023. 

HRAI and affected stakeholders plan to submit comments on behalf of the industry. 

We will also host a webinar, if required, in advance of the comment due date. 

If any member wishes to provide input or would like more information, please contact Stephen Chartrand at 1-800-267-2231 ext. 276, or email schartrand@hrai.ca.  

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