NB 862
Aug. 12, 2004
FREDERICTON (CNB) - Changes are being made to regulations under the Energy Efficiency Act in the province to ban the sale of low efficiency appliances, such as fridges and stoves, which use abnormally high amounts of energy, especially electricity, compared to more efficient units.
The amendments will help bring the 1995 regulation up to date. The province committed in the 2001 Energy Policy to "expand the list of equipment regulated for energy efficiency levels in harmonization with other jurisdictions, support the development of energy efficiency standards on any additional equipment, and encourage the installation of high performance appliances."
The amended regulations will have no bearing on any new appliances that are for sale in stores which have been manufactured prior to Aug. 31, 2004. Retailers will be able to clear any inventory currently in place. The regulation does not have any bearing on private sales of used appliances through such means as yard sales, newspaper ads, or through second-hand stores.
Energy Minister Bruce Fitch said the province has already committed to buying the most energy-efficient appliances available whenever possible, usually those meeting the Energy Star® rating level. He notes that the amendments better reflect the higher minimum standards that are becoming more commonplace among appliance and equipment manufacturers.
"In the end, the biggest winners are the individual consumers and the environment," Fitch said. "In addition, we certainly like to see energy consumption reduced in our province because it is more important now than ever."
Natural Resources Canada estimates that since regulations have been put in place nationally on appliances and equipment, they have prevented the release of 44 million tones of carbon dioxide (CO2) and reduced average energy consumption for those appliances by 10 per cent from 1991 to 2002.
Updating the minimum energy efficiency standards in New Brunswick provides a catalyst to ensure consumers are buying good-quality, efficient equipment. The Energy Star® program identifies the very highest efficiency equipment in each appliance or equipment class.
The Department of Energy, in formulating the amendments to the Act, has consulted extensively with manufacturers and retailers in the province, with other provincial and federal government departments, as well as the inter-departmental committee developing the Climate Change Action Plan.
Consultation was also carried out with the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters Association, the Heating and Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada, Canadian Federation of Independent Business, NB Power, and other utilities.
The amendments cover a wide range of appliances including stoves, refrigerators, freezers, clothes dryers, dishwashers, furnaces, heat pumps, florescent lamps, induction motors, swimming pool heaters, transformers, vending machines, water coolers, water heaters (both gas fired and electric). They also set a new baseline for additional efforts by the province to continue to improve the efficiency with which it uses its own energy resources.
Information on specific equipment covered by the regulation can be obtained by calling the department at 506-453-6461. Information on the Energy Star® program can be found at: http://www.energystar.gc.ca.
04/08/12
MEDIA CONTACT: Danielle McFarlane, Communications New Brunswick, 506-457-4999.
04/08/12