Line voltage thermostats
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 line voltage thermostats (LVTs) as a new energy-using product, including energy efficiency and testing standards.
This technical bulletin has been released to initiate the consultation process and to collect stakeholder views on the requirements being considered for LVTs.
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
LVTs are not currently defined as an energy-using product in the Regulations.
Energy efficiency standards for LVTs would save energy and reduce overall costs for Canadians. Energy efficiency standards would also reduce energy-related greenhouse gas emissions and encourage manufacturers to adopt efficient product designs.
The Government of Canada is committed to improving energy efficiency standards for consumer, commercial, and industrial products to reduce energy consumption and support the goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.
As British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick have adopted energy efficiency standards for LVTs, based on the performance requirements in various versions of the Canadian Standards Association standard CSA C828, NRCan is considering regulating LVTs. They are not regulated in the U.S.
Product description
A line voltage thermostat means a thermostat that is an electronic or mechanical regulating device that is intended for line-voltage (120 to 240V) switching of a controlled resistive heating load. It includes a wall-mounted thermostat used with baseboards, panel convectors or radiant floors; a built-in thermostat (from 1,000 to 1,500 W) used in baseboards or panel convectors; and two-component thermostats.
It does not include thermostats used exclusively for or built into: fan-forced heaters; kick spaces; fireplaces; thermal storage heaters; electric baseboards; convectors incorporating both convection and radiant heating elements; portable heaters; and central heating units under the control of a single thermostat.
Testing standard
NRCan is considering referencing the following testing standard using a static incorporation by reference:
- CSA-C828-19 - Performance requirements for line voltage thermostats used with individual room electric space heating devices
Energy efficiency standard
The energy efficiency standard under consideration for LVTs is summarized in the table below.
| Droop | Differential | Control Point Precision |
|---|---|---|
| ≤1.5 degrees Celsius (°C) | ≤0.5°C (±0.05°C) | ≤ 0.5°C of the original thermostat setpoint of 22°C |
Text version
The table title is “Energy efficiency standard being considered for line voltage thermostats”. There are three vertical columns, with the left-hand column providing the droop and the middle column providing the differential and right-hand column providing the control point precision. The droop is less than or equal to 1.5 degrees Celsius (°C), the differential is less than or equal to 0.5°C, plus or minus 0.05C. The control point precision is less than or equal to 0.5°C of the original thermostat setpoint of 22°C.
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 efficiency and testing standards to LVTs manufactured on or after January 1, 2025.
Labelling requirements
No labelling requirements are being considered for this product.
Verification requirements
NRCan would require that LVTs 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 LVTs would include the following information:
- Name of product (i.e. line voltage thermostat)
- 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
- Product type description (e.g. electronic non-programmable)
- Nominal input voltage in volts
- Operating load in watts
- Droop in °C
- Differential in °C
- Control point precision in °C
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 LVT.
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 – Line voltage thermostat – Thermostat à tension – July 2022 juillet
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