Canada's Energy Efficiency Regulations

Proposed Regulations

Bulletin – March 2007

Automatic Ice-Makers

Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) is planning to amend Canada's Energy Efficiency Regulations (the Regulations) to strengthen the minimum energy efficiency requirements for automatic ice-makers. The Regulations apply to products imported or shipped interprovincially for sale or lease in Canada.

The upcoming amendment is included in Canada's Clean Air Regulatory Agenda and the accompanying Notice of Intent as published in the Canada Gazette on October 21, 2006.

This document is intended to inform and seek input from stakeholders on proposed changes to the regulated criteria for ice makers, that are expected to be pre-published in the Canada Gazette Part I in the fall of 2007.

Background

The Regulations, which came into effect in February 1995, are administered by NRCan and reference energy efficiency standards that must be used to test the products to ensure that they comply with the minimum requirements of the Regulations.

The energy efficiency of automatic ice-makers is presently regulated. Existing requirements are out-of-date compared to equipment that is now commonly available and compared to efficiency requirements that will come into force in other parts of North America. California will require higher efficiency levels in 2008 and requirements for the rest of the United States will follow in 2010.

The Canadian Standards Association test method CSA C742 Performance of Automatic Ice-Makers and Ice Storage Bins is used to test equipment and ensure compliance with the requirements of the Regulations. The CSA C742 subcommittee is active in updating the test method, but changes are expected to be minor.

Ice-maker efficiency is measured by the ratio of energy required divided by the weight of ice produced. Minimum efficiency levels vary by size and type of equipment. The Regulations also require minimum storage effectiveness that is specified in CSA C742-98.

In 2005, NRCan undertook a study to assess the economics and technical feasibility of higher minimum energy performance requirements. This study found higher efficiency is very attractive economically with simple paybacks of less than two years for the proposed efficiency levels. The study estimates the annual sales in Canada to be about 9,100 ice-makers.

Product Description

The proposed regulation applies to automatic ice makers that produce ice-cubes (batch type) and ice flakes (continuous process). About 90% of ice makers sold produce ice-cubes. Both air-cooled and water-cooled equipment are included. See table below where the equipment is listed.

Ice storage bins will continue to be covered in the amended regulations. Minimum efficiency requirements for ice-makers producing flakes are unchanged.

Energy Performance Test Method

Test method CSA-C742-98 Performance of Automatic Ice-Makers and Ice Storage Bins will continue to be used. When available, the new version will be referenced in a future amendment to the Regulations.

The standard is available in French and English from:

Canadian Standards Association
5060 Spectrum Way, Suite 100
Mississauga, ON L4W 5N6
Tel.: 1-800-463-6727
In Toronto, call 416-747-4000
Web site: http://www.csa.ca

or to purchase online at www.csa.ca

Effective Date

NRCan is proposing that these minimum energy efficiency requirements come into effect on January 1, 2008.

The effective date of the proposed regulations would be the date of registration of the amendment as published in the Canada Gazette, Part II, and is expected to be March 2008. This means that the energy performance test procedure, the energy performance standards, and all other requirements for regulated automatic ice-makers come into effect on that date. For regulated automatic ice-makers imported into Canada or shipped between provinces, the product date of manufacture would be used for determining compliance with the Regulations.

Proposed Minimum Energy Efficiency Requirements

NRCan is proposing that automatic ice-makers manufactured on or after the effective date must meet the minimum efficiency levels as specified in the table below. Proposed maximum condenser water use is shown in column 5. Note that these values are equivalent to the requirements for California that will become effective January 1, 2008.

Verification Requirements

The same verification requirements that apply to other products regulated under the Energy Efficiency Act will apply to automatic ice-makers.

These products will carry a verification mark indicating that the energy performance of the product has been verified. The verification mark is the mark of a Standards Council of Canada (SCC) accredited certification organization that administers an energy performance verification program for this product. NRCan will also accept labels issued by a province indicating that the product meets the provincial energy efficiency levels as a verification mark, provided that the provincial level is equivalent to or more stringent than the federally regulated level.

Reporting Requirements

Energy Efficiency Reports
The energy efficiency report required for automatic ice-makers will include the following information:

• Type of automatic ice-maker
• Whether single cabinet or split
• Whether remote condensing and/or remote compressor
• Whether air or water-cooled
• Batch (cuber) or continuous (flaker)
• Brand name
• Model number
• Manufacturer
• Oganization that carried out verification
• Capacity (harvest rate) in kilograms per day
• Condenser water use (if water-cooled)
• Energy use in kj per kg
• Brand and model number of the storage bin
• Storage bin effectiveness in percent

This report must be submitted, by the dealer, to the Minister of NRCan before the product is imported into Canada or traded interprovincially.

Importing Reports
A dealer who imports these products into Canada must include the following information on the customs release document:

• Type of product
• Model number
• Brand name
• Address of the dealer importing the product
• Purpose for which the product is being imported (i.e. for sale or lease in Canada without modification; for sale or lease in Canada after modification to comply with energy efficiency standards; or for use as a component in a product being exported from Canada)

Comments Invited

Please provide written comments by April 30, 2007 to: