Appliances - Trade Page

Some manufacturers have issued new EnerGuide labels for ranges already on the market. Why?

Canada has an updated energy efficiency standard for ranges, including ovens and cooktops, effective October 8, 2003. The updated standard includes new consumption variables that have resulted in lower energy consumption ratings for all range models currently sold in Canada. These changes have also resulted in a reduction in the maximum allowable energy consumption per year for ranges under the new standard.

What changes have been made in the consumption variables?

Through consultations with major appliance manufacturers and other research, Natural Resources Canada has determined that consumers are using ovens, as well as the energy-intensive self-cleaning feature of ovens, less frequently than in the past. The new variables take this into account. For example, the new standard assumes four self-cleaning operations per year rather than the 11 assumed for the previous standard. The updated standard thus provides a more accurate estimate of annual energy consumption based on current usage patterns.

Do lower EnerGuide ratings mean that ranges already on the market are more energy-efficient than previously believed?

No. The rating on the EnerGuide label is an estimate of the model's annual energy consumption, based on normal usage in a typical Canadian home. Consumers are not using ovens as much as they did in the past, so the standard has been updated to reflect this change. Reduced oven use means reduced energy use, which in turn results in a lower annual energy consumption rating, even though no changes have been made to the range itself. It's important to keep in mind that EnerGuide ratings are estimates only and are intended to help consumers compare the energy consumption of different appliance models.

What other changes been made in the standard for ranges?

Ranges that have tungsten halogen elements, which were exempt under the previous standard, are now regulated. Effective October 8, 2003, these ranges must comply with the reference standard and must bear an EnerGuide label that shows their annual energy consumption relative to other ranges of the same size and class. Another change is that the calculation method used to determine the amount of energy consumed by freestanding ranges will now also be used for built-in ovens.

Why does Canada regulate energy efficiency standards?

Canada regulates energy efficiency standards for a wide range of energy-using products, with the objective of eliminating the least energy-efficient products from the Canadian market. Energy efficiency is an important way that all sectors of the economy and individual consumers can reduce emissions of greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change and other pollutants found in urban smog. Energy efficiency is also good for the economy because it saves consumers money, reduces business operating costs and contributes to Canada's competitiveness in domestic and international markets.

Will manufacturers be required to retest existing models under the new standard?

No. A simple mathematical calculation using existing test data is all that is needed to determine annual energy consumption ratings under the new standard. For existing models that continue to be manufactured after October 8, 2003, manufacturers will be required to report annual energy consumption based on the updated standard. For products manufactured before this date, manufacturers may continue to use the model's existing EnerGuide label or attach a new label that shows annual energy consumption based on the updated standard. However, all new models introduced to the market after October 8, 2003, will have to be tested for energy consumption based on the new standard.

Is it possible to compare the energy consumption of range models that were tested using different standards?

No. The updated standard will result in lower energy consumption ratings than the previous standard, even for the same model of range. To avoid confusion, consumers should compare EnerGuide ratings for ranges only with other models that have been tested to the same standard.

How will consumers know if a model has been tested using the previous standard or the new standard?

When comparing models in the store, consumers should carefully check the scale on the EnerGuide labels. New EnerGuide scales have been issued by Natural Resources Canada to reflect the updated standard. If models in the same class and size do not have the same scale on their respective EnerGuide labels, ask a salesperson for help in making the comparison.

Are the ratings for ranges contained in the EnerGuide Directory still accurate?

Yes. These ratings can still be compared with each other because they were all calculated using the same standard. However, you may find that an EnerGuide rating for a specific model in the directory is higher than the rating on the EnerGuide label in the store. This is because the manufacturer has recalculated the energy consumption rating for this model using the updated standard and has produced a new EnerGuide label to reflect the change.