Large air conditioners and large heat pumps
July 2022
Technical bulletin on amending 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 align large air conditioners and large heat pumps with energy efficiency and testing standards in 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 large air conditioners and large heat 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 updated 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
In Canada, large air conditioners and large heat pumps manufactured as of December 31, 1998, are subject to the Regulations, with products generally aligned with United States Department of Energy (U.S. DOE).
Large air conditioners and heat pumps use a significant portion of total commercial/industrial building energy consumption. The energy efficiency standards for large air conditioners and large heat pumps save energy and reduce energy costs for Canadians. The efficiency standards also reduce energy-related greenhouse gas emissions and help 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. More recently, in 2021, NRCan and the 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 where feasible and appropriate.
On January 15, 2016, the U.S. DOE published a direct final rule pertaining to large air conditioners and large heat pumps, which strengthened the energy efficiency standards for those products in two increasing tiers (81 FR 2420). This U.S. rule became mandatory for Tier 1 on January 1, 2018, and will become mandatory for Tier 2 on January 1, 2023.
NRCan is currently aligned with the U.S. DOE Tier 1 for large air conditioners and large heat pumps. However, NRCan is considering amending the Regulations to align with the energy efficiency standards, testing standards, and manufacturing dates of the U.S. DOE Tier 2 for large air conditioners and large heat pumps that are air-cooled.
Product description
A large air conditioner means a commercial or industrial unitary air conditioner with a cooling capacity of at least 19 kW (65,000 Btu/h) but less than 223 kW (760,000 Btu/h). It does not include a single package vertical air conditioner.
A large heat pump means a commercial or industrial unitary heat pump that is intended for air-conditioning and space-heating applications and that has a cooling capacity of at least 19 kW (65,000 Btu/h) but less than 223 kW (760,000 Btu/h). It does not include a single package vertical heat pump.
The considered regulatory amendments would only apply to large air conditioners and large heat pump that are air-cooled.
Testing standard
NRCan is considering providing more testing options by referencing the following testing standard, using an ambulatory incorporation by reference:
- Appendix A to Subpart F, Part 431 of Title 10 to the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, entitled Uniform Test Method for the Measurement of Energy Consumption of Air-Cooled Small (≥65,000 Btu/h), Large, and Very Large Commercial Package Air Conditioning and Heating Equipment.
Energy efficiency standard
The energy efficiency standards under consideration for large air conditioners and large heat pumps are summarized in the table below.
| Cooling capacity | Heating type | Efficiency level |
|---|---|---|
| ≥ 19 kW and < 40 kW (≥ 65,000 and < 135,000 Btu/h) | Either without a heating section or with an electric heating section | EERa ≥ 11.2 IEERb ≥ 14.8 |
| With a heating section other than an electric heating section | EER ≥ 11.0 IEER ≥ 14.6 |
|
| ≥ 40 kW and < 70 kW (≥ 135,000 and < 240,000 Btu/h) | Either without a heating section or with an electric heating section | EER ≥ 11.0 IEER ≥ 14.2 |
| With a heating section other than an electric heating section | EER ≥ 10.8 IEER ≥ 14.0 |
|
| ≥ 70 kW and < 223 kW (≥ 240,000 and < 760,000 Btu/h) | Either without a heating section or with an electric heating section | EER ≥ 10.0 IEER ≥ 13.2 |
| With a heating section other than an electric heating section | EER ≥ 9.8 IEER ≥ 13.0 |
|
| a Represents the energy efficiency ratio, which is the ratio of the produced cooling effect of an air conditioner or heat pump to its net work input, expressed in kW (Btu/watt-hour). b Represents the integrated energy efficiency ratio, expressed in British thermal units per watt hour, that constitutes a single number cooling part-load efficiency metric of a large air conditioner. |
||
Text version
The table is titled “Table 1 - Energy efficiency standards being considered for air cooled large air conditioners”. There are three vertical columns, with the left-hand column providing the cooling capacity categories, the centre column providing the heating type categories, and the right-hand column providing the efficiency levels.
Based on the cooling capacities, there are three product types listed, with each product type being subdivided into two categories based on their heating type. The first heating type category is for products without a heating section or with an electric heating section and the second heating type category is for products with a heating section other than an electric heating section. There is a note, labelled “a”, that indicates that the abbreviation EER represents the energy efficiency ratio, which is the ratio of the produced cooling effect of an air conditioner or heat pump to its net work input, expressed in kilowatts or BTU per watt hour. There is also a note, labelled “b”, that indicates that the abbreviation I EER represents the integrated energy efficiency ratio, expressed in British thermal units per watt hour, that constitutes a single number cooling part load efficiency metric of a large air conditioner.
The first product type is for large air conditioners with a cooling capacity greater than or equal to 19 kW and less than 40 kW (in imperial units, this would be greater than or equal to 65,000 and less than 135,000 BTU per hour). For those products without a heating section or with an electric heating section, the energy efficiency ratio must be greater than or equal to 11.2 and the integrated energy efficiency ratio must be greater than or equal to 14.8. For those products with a heating section other than an electric heating section, the energy efficiency ratio must be greater than or equal to 11 and the integrated energy efficiency ratio must be greater than or equal to 14.6.
The second product type is for large air conditioners with a cooling capacity greater than or equal to 40 kW and less than 70 kW (in imperial units, this would be greater than or equal to 135,000 and less than 240,000 BTU per hour). For those products without a heating section or with an electric heating section, the energy efficiency ratio must be greater than or equal to 11 and the integrated energy efficiency ratio must be greater than or equal to 14.2. For those products with a heating section other than an electric heating section, the energy efficiency ratio must be greater than or equal to 10.8 and the integrated energy efficiency ratio must be greater than or equal to 14.
The third product type is for large air conditioners with a cooling capacity greater than or equal to 70 kW and less than 223 kW (in imperial units, this would be greater than or equal to 240,000 and less than 760,000 BTU per hour). For those products without a heating section or with an electric heating section, the energy efficiency ratio must be greater than or equal to 10 and the integrated energy efficiency ratio must be greater than or equal to 13.2. For those products with a heating section other than an electric heating section, the energy efficiency ratio must be greater than or equal to 9.8 and the integrated energy efficiency ratio must be greater than or equal to 13.
| Cooling capacity | Heating type | Efficiency level |
|---|---|---|
| ≥ 19 kW and < 40 kW (≥ 65,000 and < 135,000 Btu/h) | Either without a heating section or with an electric heating section | EERa ≥ 11.0 Heating coefficient of performance ≥ 3.4 with 8.3°C inlet air and ≥ 2.25 with -8.3°C inlet air IEERb ≥ 14.1 |
| With a heating section other than an electric heating section | EER ≥ 10.8 Heating coefficient of performance ≥ 3.4 with 8.3°C inlet air and ≥ 2.25 with -8.3°C inlet air IEER ≥ 13.9 |
|
| ≥ 40 kW and < 70 kW (≥ 135,000 and < 240,000 Btu/h) | Either without a heating section or with an electric heating section | EER ≥ 10.6 Heating coefficient of performance ≥ 3.3 with 8.3°C inlet air and ≥ 2.05 with -8.3°C inlet air IEER ≥ 13.5 |
| With a heating section other than an electric heating section | EER ≥ 10.4 Heating coefficient of performance ≥ 3.3 with 8.3°C inlet air and ≥ 2.05 with -8.3°C inlet air IEER ≥ 13.3 |
|
| ≥ 70 kW and < 223 kW ≥ 240,000 and < 760,000 Btu/h | Either without a heating section or with an electric heating section | EER ≥ 9.5 Heating coefficient of performance ≥ 3.2 with 8.3°C inlet air and ≥ 2.05 with -8.3°C inlet air IEER ≥ 12.5 |
| With a heating section other than an electric heating section | EER ≥ 9.3 Heating coefficient of performance ≥ 3.2 with 8.3°C inlet air and ≥ 2.05 with -8.3°C inlet air IEER ≥ 12.3 |
|
| a Represents the energy efficiency ratio, which is the ratio of the produced cooling effect of an air conditioner or heat pump to its net work input, expressed in kW (Btu/watt-hour). b Represents the integrated energy efficiency ratio, expressed in British thermal units per watt hour, that constitutes a single number cooling part-load efficiency metric of a large heat pump. |
||
Text version
The table is titled “Table 2 - Energy efficiency standards being considered for air cooled large heat pumps”. There are three vertical columns, with the left-hand column providing the cooling capacity categories, the centre column providing the heating type categories, and the right-hand column providing the efficiency levels.
Based on the cooling capacities, there are three product types listed, with each product type being subdivided into two categories based on their heating type. The first category is for products without a heating section or with an electric heating section and the second category is for products with a heating section other than an electric heating section. There is a note, labelled “a”, that indicates that the abbreviation EER represents the energy efficiency ratio, which is the ratio of the produced cooling effect of an air conditioner or heat pump to its net work input, expressed in kilowatts or BTU per watt hour. There is also a note, labelled “b”, that indicates that the abbreviation I EER represents the integrated energy efficiency ratio, expressed in British thermal units per watt hour, that constitutes a single number cooling part load efficiency metric of a large air conditioner.
The first product type is for large heat pumps with a cooling capacity greater than or equal to 19 kW and less than 40 kW (in imperial units, this would be greater than or equal to 65,000 and less than 135,000 BTU per hour). For those products without a heating section or with an electric heating section, the energy efficiency ratio must be greater than or equal to 11.0; the heating coefficient of performance must be greater than or equal to 3.4 when using an inlet air temperature of 8.3°C and greater than or equal to 2.25 when using an inlet air temperature of -8.3°C; and the integrated energy efficiency ratio must be greater than or equal to 14.1. For those products with a heating section other than an electric heating section, the energy efficiency ratio must be greater than or equal to 10.8; the heating coefficient of performance must be greater than or equal to 3.4 when using an inlet air temperature of 8.3°C and greater than or equal to 2.25 when using an inlet air temperature of -8.3°C; and the integrated energy efficiency ratio must be greater than or equal to 13.9.
The second product type is for large heat pumps with a cooling capacity greater than or equal to 40 kW and less than 70 kW (in imperial units, this would be greater than or equal to 135,000 and less than 240,000 BTU per hour). For those products without a heating section or with an electric heating section, the energy efficiency ratio must be greater than or equal to 10.6; the heating coefficient of performance must be greater than or equal to 3.3 when using an inlet air temperature of 8.3°C and greater than or equal to 2.05 when using an inlet air temperature of -8.3°C; and the integrated energy efficiency ratio must be greater than or equal to 13.5. For those products with a heating section other than an electric heating section, the energy efficiency ratio must be greater than or equal to 10.4; the heating coefficient of performance must be greater than or equal to 3.3 when using an inlet air temperature of 8.3°C and greater than or equal to 2.05 when using an inlet air temperature of -8.3°C; and the integrated energy efficiency ratio must be greater than or equal to 13.3.
The third product type is for large heat pumps with a cooling capacity greater than or equal to 70 kW and less than 223 kW (in imperial units, this would be greater than or equal to 240,000 and less than 760,000 BTU per hour). For those products without a heating section or with an electric heating section, the energy efficiency ratio must be greater than or equal to 9.5; the heating coefficient of performance must be greater than or equal to 3.2 when using an inlet air temperature of 8.3°C and greater than or equal to 2.05 when using an inlet air temperature of -8.3°C; and the integrated energy efficiency ratio must be greater than or equal to 12.5. For those products with a heating section other than an electric heating section, the energy efficiency ratio must be greater than or equal to 9.3; the heating coefficient of performance must be greater than or equal to 3.2 when using an inlet air temperature of 8.3°C and greater than or equal to 2.05 when using an inlet air temperature of -8.3°C; and the integrated energy efficiency ratio must be greater than or equal to 12.3.
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 updated standards to large air conditioners and large heat pumps manufactured on or after January 1, 2025.
Labelling requirements
NRCan is not considering labelling requirements for large air conditioners and large heat pumps at this time.
Verification requirements
NRCan is not considering any changes for the verification requirements for large air conditioners and large heat pumps.
These products will continue to carry a third party verification mark indicating that the product meets the energy efficiency standard and that the 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
NRCan is not considering any changes to the energy efficiency report requirements for large air conditioners and large heat pumps.
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
There is no change being considered in regard to import reporting.
Comments invited
The purpose of this bulletin is to provide stakeholders with the technical detail required to comment on the requirements under consideration for large air conditioners and large heat pumps.
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 – Large air conditioners and large heat pumps – Climatiseurs et thermopompes de grande puissance – July 2022 juillet.
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