Gas fireplaces

Energy Efficiency Regulations

Regulatory definition

Gas fireplace, a decorative gas fireplace or a heating gas fireplace.

Decorative gas fireplace means a vented fireplace that is fuelled by natural gas or propane, is marked for decorative use only and is not equipped with a thermostat or intended for use as a heater.

Heating gas fireplace means a vented fireplace that is fuelled by natural gas or propane and is not a decorative gas fireplace.

Description of gas fireplaces:

Gas fireplaces are gas or propane burning appliances which provide a view of the flames, and can resemble solid fuel-burning fireplaces. The circulation of heated room air may be by gravity or mechanical means. Gas fireplaces may be freestanding, recessed, zero clearance, orinsert units.

Venting configurations are natural venting, direct venting, and powered venting.

Gas fireplaces can be equipped with the following means of igniting the main burner or burners:

Continuous pilot — a pilot that, once placed in operation, is intended to remain ignited continuously until it is manually interrupted.

Intermittent pilot — a pilot that is automatically ignited when an appliance is called on to operate and which remains continuously ignited during each period of main burner operation. The pilot is automatically extinguished when each main burner operating cycle is completed.

On demand pilot — a pilot that, once placed into operation, is intended to remain ignited for a predetermined period of time following an automatic or manual operation of the main burner gas valve. The pilot is automatically extinguished when no automatic or manual operation of the main burner gas valve occurs during the predetermined period of time.

Remotely operated pilot — a pilot system that provides the user with a ready means of initiating the automatic ignition and extinguishment of a pilot ignition source. The pilot system includes a device that is external to the gas safety combination control and does not require direct interaction with the gas safety combination control by the user.

Compliance date

Manufactured on or after January 1, 2020

For models manufactured prior, refer to the Regulations

Compliant product models

Gas fireplaces as listed on NRCan’s searchable database

Testing standard

CAN/CSA P.4.1-15

Energy efficiency standard

Energy performance standard for gas fireplaces

Product type	Minimum performance level fireplace efficiency, %	Prescriptive requirements
Decorative gas fireplaces	None	The product must be capable of   automatically extinguishing pilot flame when main gas burner flame is established; automatically extinguishing pilot flame when main gas burner flame is extinguished; if it has the capability of being manually switched to a mode of continuous pilot operation, preventing pilot flame from burning continuously for more than seven days; or in absence of any automatic or manual adjustment to main gas burner flame height or appearance, preventing any ignition source for the main gas burner flame from operating continuously for more than seven days.  Must have a direct vent configuration, unless it is marked for replacement use only.
Heating gas fireplaces	≥50%	The product must be capable of   automatically extinguishing pilot flame when main gas burner flame is established; automatically extinguishing pilot flame when main gas burner flame is extinguished; if it has the capability of being manually switched to a mode of continuous pilot operation, preventing pilot flame from burning continuously for more than seven days; or in absence of any automatic or manual adjustment to main gas burner flame height or appearance, preventing any ignition source for the main gas burner flame from operating continuously for more than seven days.

Energy efficiency report requirements

• name of product
• brand name
• model number
• manufacturer
• the name of the certification body or province whose verification mark will be on the product or its package
• whether a mathematical model as defined in the Regulations was used to generate any of the information provided below
• the type of fuel it uses
• maximum and minimum input rates, expressed in kilowatts (British thermal units per hour BTU/h);
• the fireplace efficiency
• information that indicates whether the product is a decorative gas fireplace or a heating gas fireplace
• information that indicates whether it is intended for use as a replacement unit
• information that indicates whether it is freestanding, zero-clearance or an insert
• the type of ignition system it uses
• the venting configuration the product has, namely, natural venting, direct venting or powered venting

Download the energy efficiency reporting template.

This document does not constitute part of the Energy Efficiency Act (Act) or its associated regulations.  This document is an administrative document that is intended to facilitate compliance by the regulated party with the Act and its associated regulations.  This document is not intended to provide legal advice regarding the interpretation of the Act or its associated regulations. If a regulated party has questions about their legal obligations or responsibilities under the Act or its associated regulations, they should seek the advice of legal counsel.