2007/4 (b)

BACKGROUNDER

Energy-Efficiency Regulations

Action through regulation

One way that the Government of Canada can address harmful greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) and air pollutants is through its regulatory powers. When the Government tabled amendments to the Energy Efficiency Act in Parliament on October 19, 2006, as part of the Clean Air Act, it took concrete action to raise the bar on the energy-efficiency standards for a range of consumer products and equipment.

Improving the energy efficiency of consumer products and equipment

Regulations under the Energy Efficiency Act, in effect since 1995, set minimum energy-performance levels for a number of energy-using products such as appliances, lighting, and heating and air-conditioning products. Broadening and strengthening the Act means that 80 percent of the energy used in homes and businesses will soon be regulated. Over time, the set of planned new regulations will address about 20 currently unregulated products such as commercial clothes washers and boilers, and will tighten requirements for 10 products such as residential dishwashers and dehumidifiers. Stricter regulations mean that, over time, inefficient products will disappear from the market, leaving only the best-performing items to compete for that spot on our already crowded power bars.

It is estimated that the amendments will have an impact equivalent to eliminating the energy use of all households for one year in a city the size of Barrie, Ontario, or Abbotsford, BC, both with an approximate population of 131,000.

Amendments also improve labelling so consumers have the latest information on the most energy-efficient products on the market. This way, Canadians can tap into huge potential savings in terms of energy and money, and they’ll benefit from the improved air quality that results when emissions are reduced.

The Energy Efficiency Act amendments will either set a minimum energy performance standard for a series of new products or will make existing standards more stringent for others. The amendments will come into force between 2007 and 2010.

New products to be regulated:

1. External power supplies
2. TV Set top boxes
3. Digital T.V. converters
4. Battery chargers
5. Standby power
6. Pre-rinse spray valves
7. Line voltage thermostats
8. Traffic signals
9. Pedestrian signals
10. Torchieres
11. Compact fluorescent lights (CFL)
12. Metal-halide fixtures
13. Mercury-vapour lamps
14. Ceiling fans
15. Unit heaters
16. Very large air conditioners, heat pumps and condensing units
17. Commercial boilers
18. Furnace blower fans
19. Wine coolers
20. Commercial clothes washers

Products that will be subject to more stringent standards are the following:

1. Dishwashers
2. Refrigerators
3. Freezers
4. Gas furnaces
5. Large air conditioners and heat pumps
6. Package terminal air conditioners and heat pumps
7. Ice makers
8. Dehumidifiers
9. Commercial refrigerators
10. Reflector lamps

ecoENERGY Initiatives

To complement this regulatory package, the Government of Canada has announced a suite of ecoENERGY Initiatives designed to help boost clean energy supplies, help Canadians use energy more efficiently and develop clean energy technologies. One component, the ecoENERGY Efficiency Initiative, invests approximately $300 million in targeted programs that promote smarter energy use across all sectors of society. The Initiative will directly help Canadians make wise energy choices that save energy, money and our environment. It also fills the gaps where the Government can not regulate and encourages energy-efficiency action by Canadians, businesses and industries.

For more information and energy-saving tips and the Government of Canada’s ecoENERGY Initiatives, visit www.nrcan.gc.ca.

For more information, media may contact:

Inquiries from the general public - please call:
Telephone 1-800-O-Canada (1-800-622-6232)
Teletypewriter 1-800-926-9105
Facsimile 613-992-0792
Contact ecoENERGY

NRCan's news releases and backgrounders are available at www.nrcan.gc.ca/media.