Pool pumps
July 2022
Technical bulletin on developing the standards
On April 1, 2022, the Office of Energy Efficiency at Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) updated its Forward Regulatory Plan which identifies its intention to amend Canada’s Energy Efficiency Regulations (the Regulations) to introduce pool pumps as a new energy-using product, including energy efficiency and testing standards. The intent is to align pool pump requirements with those of the United States.
This technical bulletin has been released to initiate the consultation process and to collect stakeholder views on the requirements being considered for pool pumps.
Input received during this stage of the process will inform the development of the next amendments considered. In addition, NRCan will undertake a cost-benefit analysis using the best available Canadian market data to assess the economic and environmental impacts of these new standards and to ensure Canadian consumers and businesses benefit from their implementation.
The Government of Canada intends to pre-publish a regulatory proposal in the Canada Gazette, Part I, in 2023.
Background
Pool pumps are not currently defined as an energy-using product in the Regulations.
Efficiency standards for pool pumps would save energy and reduce overall costs for Canadians. The efficiency standards would also reduce energy-related greenhouse gas emissions and encourage manufacturers to adopt efficient product designs.
In 2018, the Memorandum of Understanding between the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat and the United States Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs Regarding the Canada–United States Regulatory Cooperation Council was signed to move forward on energy efficiency and foster alignment of federal regulations where feasible and appropriate. In 2021, NRCan and the United States Department of Energy (U.S. DOE) signed the Memorandum of Understanding Between the Department of Natural Resources of Canada and the Department of Energy of the United States of America Concerning Cooperation on Energy, which acknowledges that both countries will collaborate on new and updated energy efficiency and testing standards when appropriate and when possible.
On January 18, 2017, the U.S. DOE published a Federal Register direct final rule pertaining to dedicated-purpose pool pumps, which established new energy efficiency standards (FR 82 5650). This U.S. rule became mandatory on July 19, 2021.
NRCan is considering amending the Regulations to align with the energy efficiency and testing standards of the U.S. DOE.
Product description
A pool pump is defined as a pump that is designed for use with a pool and that is:
- a self-priming pool filter pump having a hydraulic horsepower (hhp) up to 1.865 kW (2.5 hp);
- a non-self-priming pool filter pump having a hhp up to 1.865 kW (2.5 hp);
- a pressure cleaner booster pump;
- a waterfall pump with a maximum head less than or equal to 9.144 m
(30 ft) and a maximum speed less than or equal to 1800 RPM; - an integral sand filter pool pump;
- an integral cartridge filter pool pump;
- a pump for a storable (inflatable) electric spa; or
- a pump for a rigid electric spa (permanent).
It does not include:
- a submersible pump; or
- self-priming or non-self-priming pool filter pumps with hydraulic output power greater than or equal to 1.865 kW (2.5 hp).
Testing standard
NRCan is considering referencing the following testing standard, using an ambulatory incorporation by reference:
- Appendix C to Subpart Y, Part 431 of Title 10 to the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, entitled Uniform Test Method for the Measurement of Energy Efficiency of Dedicated-Purpose Pool Pumps
Energy efficiency standard
NRCan is considering energy efficiency performance standards for single-phase self-priming pool filter pumps, non-self-priming pool filter pumps, and pressure cleaner booster pumps.
NRCan is considering energy efficiency prescriptive standards for integral cartridge filter pool pumps, integral sand filter pool pumps, and for all pool pumps that include freeze-protection.
NRCan is considering referencing the following standards, using ambulatory incorporation by reference:
- Items (f), (g) and (h) of §431.465 to Subpart Y, Part 431 of Title 10 to the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, entitled Pump energy conservation standards and their compliance dates, as described below
The energy efficiency standards under consideration for pool pumps are summarized below.
10 CFR §431.465(f)
| Pool pump type | Hydraulic horsepower (hhp) applicability | Motor phase | Minimum weighted energy factor (WEF) [kgal/kWh] |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-priming pool filter pumps | 0.711 hp ≤ hhp < 2.5 hp | Single | -2.30 x ln (hhp) + 6.59 |
| Self-priming pool filter pumps | hhp < 0.711 hp | Single | 5.55, for hhp ≤ 0.13 hp -1.30 x ln (hhp) + 2.90, for hhp >0.13 hp |
| Non-self-priming pool filter pumps | hhp < 2.5 hp | Any | 4.60, for hhp ≤ 0.13 hp -0.85 x ln (hhp) + 2.87, for hhp > 0.13 hp |
| Pressure cleaner booster pumps | Any | Any | 0.42 |
Text version
The table title is “Energy efficiency standards being considered for pool pumps”. There are four vertical columns. The first column provides the pool pump type. The second provides the hydraulic horsepower (hhp) applicability. The third column provides the motor phase, and the fourth column provides the minimum weighted energy factor (WEF) in kilogallons per kilowatt-hour (kgal/kWh).
There are four pool pump types. The first pool pump type is self-priming pool filter pumps having a hydraulic horsepower equal to or greater than 0.711 horsepower and up to but not including 2.5 horsepower. The motor phase is single. The minimum weighted energy factor, in kilogallons per kilowatt-hour, calculated using the formula -2.30 multiplied by the logarithm of the hydraulic horsepower plus 6.59.
The second pool pump type is self-priming pool filter pumps having a hydraulic horsepower less than 0.711 horsepower. The motor phase is single. The minimum weighted energy factor is 5.55 kilogallons per kilowatt-hour for hydraulic horsepower equal to or less than 0.13 horsepower subtracting 1.30 multiplied by the logarithm of the hydraulic horsepower plus 2.90, and for hydraulic horsepower greater than 0.13 horsepower.
The third pool pump type is non-self priming pool filter pumps having a hydraulic horsepower less than 2.5 horsepower. The motor phase is “any”. The minimum weighted energy factor is 4.60 kilogallons per kilowatt-hour for hydraulic horsepower equal to or less than 0.13 horsepower subtracting 0.85 multiplied by the logarithm of the hydraulic horsepower plus 2.87, and for hydraulic horsepower greater than 0.13 horsepower.
The fourth pool pump type is pressure cleaner booster pumps. The hydraulic horsepower applicability and motor phase are “any”. The minimum weighted energy factor is 0.42 kilogallons per kilowatt-hour.
10 CFR §431.465(g)
Each integral cartridge filter pool pump and integral sand filter pool pump must be sold with a pool pump timer that is either integral to the pump or a separate component that is shipped with the pump.
10 CFR §431.465(h)
For all pool pumps with freeze protection controls, the pump must be shipped with freeze protection disabled or with the following default, user-adjustable settings:
- The default dry-bulb air temperature setting is no greater than 4.4 °C (40 °F).
- The default run time setting must be no greater than 1 hour (before the temperature is rechecked).
- The default motor speed must not be more than 1⁄2 of the maximum available speed.
Important dates
These modifications to the Regulations would come into force six months after the date of publication in the Canada Gazette, Part II.
NRCan is considering applying the new energy performance and test standards to pool pumps manufactured on or after July 19, 2021.
Labelling requirements
NRCan is considering that the permanent nameplate of a pool pump, including a pool pump without energy efficiency performance and/or prescriptive requirements, must be marked clearly with its weighted energy factor (WEF) and total horsepower (THP), in alignment with 10 CFR §431.466(b) Pumps labeling requirements for dedicate-purpose pool pumps.
Verification requirements
NRCan would require that pool pumps carry a third party verification mark indicating that the product meets the energy efficiency standards and that information to be reported has been verified.
The verification mark is the mark of a Standards Council of Canada accredited certification body that operates an energy efficiency certification program for the product.
Reporting requirements
Energy efficiency report
The energy efficiency report for pool pumps would include the following information:
- Name of product (i.e., pool pump)
- Brand name
- Model number
- Name of the manufacturer
- Name of the certification body whose verification mark would be affixed to the product
- Whether a mathematical model was used to generate any of the product specific information
- Type of pump (self-priming, non-self-priming, integral sand-filter pool pump, integral-cartridge filter pool pump, waterfall pump or pressure cleaner booster pump)
- Its nominal motor power in kilowatts
- Its rated hydraulic horsepower (hhp)
- Its total horsepower (THP)
- In the case of:
- Pumps with an integral filter, whether it has a separate or built-in timer
- All other pumps, its weighted energy factor (WEF)
The Regulations apply to products imported or shipped inter-provincially for sale or lease in Canada. This report must be submitted, by the dealer, to NRCan before the product is imported into Canada or traded inter-provincially for the first time.
Import report
A dealer who imports these products into Canada would include the following information on the customs release document:
- Name 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
The purpose of this bulletin is to provide stakeholders with the technical detail required to comment on the requirements under consideration for pool pumps.
NRCan is specifically interested in getting feedback on the manufacturing date under consideration.
It is important to NRCan that we engage the public and stakeholders on amendments to the Energy Efficiency Regulations. If you are aware of any dealer, manufacturer, importer, retailer, utility provider, small business, consumer group, organization, or representative of a specific group(s) of the population (including, but not limited to, women, 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, socio-economic status, residency, housing status, etc.), Indigenous peoples/communities, and/or other person or group that may be interested in participating in the amendment discussion and/or may be negatively impacted by this proposal, please forward them or the representative this bulletin. Please email equipment-equipement@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca to be added to the email distribution list (emails are used to notify stakeholders of upcoming amendments, technical bulletins, webinar registrations, and official publication in the Canada Gazette).
Additional information on Canada’s Energy Efficiency Regulations including a current list of Standards Council of Canada accredited certification bodies can be found on the Department’s website.
We welcome your comments by September 15, 2022. All correspondence should be forwarded to:
Natural Resources CanadaOffice of Energy Efficiency
580 Booth Street
Ottawa, ON, K1A 0E4
E-mail: equipment-equipement@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca
Email subject heading to be:
Bulletin – Pool Pumps – Pompe de piscine – July 2022 juillet
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