Ottawa, ON — Changes are coming to Canada’s energy efficiency regulations that will directly impact the air conditioner and heat pump markets.
Amendment 17 would update energy efficiency and testing standards for both types of technology used in the residential sector. Additionally, minor changes would be made to currently regulated products to align Canada’s requirements with U.S. requirements.
The Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), the Heating, Refrigeration, Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI), and the Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating (CIPH) released a collective statement to the government in discussion on the pre-publication of the amendment.
In the letter sent to Rob Singleton, team lead of standards development at Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), they expressed appreciation for aligning regulations with the U.S. “However, there are issues in the current draft of this regulation whereby Canada is proposing to misalign its requirements with the United States that will cause confusion and unnecessary cost and compliance burdens for manufacturers.”
For the mechanical trades, split system central air conditioners, split system central heat pumps, electric motors, electric water heaters, gas-fired storage water heaters, oil-fired water heaters, and walk-in freezer/cooler components will each be affected by the amendment.
The consultation period for the proposed regulation is now closed. The amendment is expected to come into force six months after the date of publication in the Canada Gazette, Part Two. The 70-day public comment period ended on June 11.