Proposed Amendment to Canada's Energy Efficiency Regulations for Clothes Washers
Bulletin, July 2003
Natural Resources Canada's (NRCan) Office of Energy Efficiency (OEE) is proposing that Canada's Energy Efficiency Regulations be amended to increase the efficiency of clothes washers.
The purpose of this document is to provide stakeholders with background information on the proposed content of the amended Regulations so that they can submit comments before it proceeds to prepublication in the Canada Gazette, Part 1. Depending on the nature of the comments received, NRCan may initiate further consultation.
Background
On January 12, 2001 the U.S. Department of Energy (US DOE) published a final rule requiring the testing of clothes washers to a new test procedure that, among other things, takes into account the amount of water removed from the clothes during the spin cycle. A new minimum energy performance standard was introduced that would move the market towards the performance of horizontal axis machines. Significant energy and water savings can be achieved by products meeting this new standard.
NRCan is currently gathering data to calculate the consumer and environmental impacts of the proposed new standard and based on analysis conducted in the U.S. to support the standard it is expected that these results will be positive for both consumers from an economic perspective and the environment from an emissions reductions perspective.
The regulations currently reference the Canadian Standards Association standard C360-98. The CSA is in the process of balloting a draft of C360-03 which proposes a test procedure and minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) levels harmonized with the US DOE. The proposal that follows references the draft standard, but will reference the final standard, if published as proposed later this year, in the regulations.
Product Description
NRCan is proposing that the Regulations will apply to horizontal-axis and vertical-axis compact and standard automatic clothes washers.
The regulations will not apply to wringer washers or twin tub washers/spinners.
The CSA standard scope has been revised to included semi-automatic or faucet connected washers. NRCan plans to include these products in the amendment.
The CSA standard scope has been revised to included residential style clothes washers that are coin or card operated. NRCan does not propose to include these clothes washers in the scope of this amendment but intends to evaluate them over the next 18 months and potentially include them in a subsequent amendment.
Energy Performance Test Procedure
The Canadian Standards Association standard, CSA-C360-03 Energy Performance, Water Consumption, and Capacity of Household Clothes Washers, (draft as balloted June 2003) is the proposed test procedure for clothes washers prescribed under the proposed amendment.
This standard is currently available in draft from:
Canadian Standards Association
5060 Spectrum Way, Suite 100
Mississauga ON L4W 5N6
Tel.: 1 800 463-6727
In Toronto, call 747-4000.
Web site: http://csa.ca
Energy Efficiency Standards
The proposed minimum modified energy factor will be as found in the Canadian Standards Association standard, CSA-C360-03, Energy Performance, Water Consumption, and Capacity of Household Clothes Washers (draft as balloted June 2003), Table 9:
|
| Product class |
|
Modified Energy factor,
L/kW · h/cycle (ft3/kWh/cycle)
|
|
Vertical-axis compact
(less than 45 L capacity)
|
|
>= 18.40 ( .65) |
Vertical-axis standard
(45 L or greater capacity)
|
>= 29.45 (1.04) |
| Horizontal-axis* |
>= 29.45 (1.04) |
| Suds-saving* |
Not applicable |
|
| *These product classes shall be equipped with an unheated rinse water option. |
and table 10:
|
| Product class |
|
Modified Energy factor,
L/kW · h/cycle (ft3/kWh/cycle)
|
|
Vertical-axis compact
(less than 45 L capacity)
|
|
>= 18.40 ( .65) |
Vertical-axis standard
(45 L or greater capacity)
|
>= 35.68 (1.26) |
| Horizontal-axis* |
>= 35.68 (1.26) |
| Suds-saving* |
Not applicable |
|
| *These product classes shall be equipped with an unheated rinse water option. |
Effective Dates
NRCan is proposing that the energy efficiency standard for clothes washers per table 9 come into effect on January 1, 2004. The effective date for the standards in table 10 will be January 1, 2007.
Labelling Requirements
Clothes washers will continue to be labelled using the mandatory EnerGuide label and voluntary ENERGY STAR® mark (where qualified). No changes are proposed at this time.
Verification, Reporting and Importing Requirements
NRCan proposes no changes to the verification, reporting and importing requirements currently in place for clothes washers. (http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/regulations/)
Harmonization
The revision to the CSA Standard C360, as approved by consensus, is to harmonize with the final rule published by the US DOE on January 12, 2001. C360 has been updated to include changes required to address test cloth discrepancies discovered after January 2001.
The proposed effective dates are also harmonized with those in the US DOE final rule.
Comments Invited
The information in the bulletin is being issued in advance of prepublication in the Canada Gazette to allow time for concerned parties to comment on the proposal. All correspondence should be forwarded to:
Katherine Delves
Office of Energy Efficiency
Natural Resources Canada
1 Observatory Crescent, Building 1
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0E4
tel.: (613) 947-1207
fax: (613) 947-5286
e-mail: kdelves{at}nrcan.gc.ca
http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/regulations/
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