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Energy Efficiency in Canada

Energy Efficiency – Canada plays a vital role in reducing environmental impact, lowering utility bills, and supporting Canada’s transition to a low-carbon economy. Across the country, both federal and provincial governments have introduced ambitious programs and standards to promote smarter energy use. Whether you’re a homeowner, business owner, or manufacturer, understanding Canada’s energy efficiency landscape is key to making informed, sustainable choices.

To Whom do the Energy Efficiency Regulations Apply?

The Canadian Energy Efficiency Regulations apply to dealers, defined as:

  • Manufacturers
  • Sellers
  • Leasers of regulated energy-using products in Canada
  • Importers who import such products
Canada Enviropass
Energy Efficiency - energy-using products

Specifically, energy-using products include:

  • Standby for electronic products
  • Compact audio products
  • Television (TV) and TV combination units
  • Video products
  • External power supplies designed for use with household or office end-use products
  • Lighting sources
  • Refrigeration appliances

Obligations for Dealers

According to the Guide to Canada’s Energy Efficiency Regulations, dealers must:

  • Ensure that all the units they ship or import into Canada comply with the energy efficiency standards outlined in the Regulations
  • Provide an report to Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) before they ship their product;
  • Attach an EnerGuide label, refrigeration nameplate, or lightning product label to each of their articles, if needed;
  • If importing, supply the appropriate import information to Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and affix an energy efficiency verification mark to all their energy-using products.
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)

Summary of Energy Efficiency Obligations in Canada

The Standards

First, for each type of product, the NRCan provides, in the Regulations documents and online:

  • Its definition
  • The standards specifying how to test it to meet the applicable obligations
  • Its compliance dates
  • Its labeling conditions
  • Energy efficiency report requirements

Energy efficiency Report

Unless exempted, the energy efficiency report should be sent via email, fax, or post to NRCan if the article in question is not already in their database.

imds-data-reporting

In particular, the reporting document must include:

  • Product name
  • Brand name
  • Manufacturer’s credentials
  • Model number
  • Name of the party that tested the energy performance of the product
  • Product energy-use characteristics
  • Whether a mathematical model was used to determine any of the information above.

Energy Efficiency Labels

The EnerGuide label displays, in kilowatt-hours (kWh), the estimated energy consumption of the appliance per year. For instance:

  • The refrigeration nameplate includes:
    • The model
    • The manufacturing date
    • Its purpose
  • The lightning label shows a lamp:
    • Light output in lumens
    • Energy consumed in Watts
    • Bulb lifespan in hours
Energy Performance Label - EnerGuide Canada
Example of energy efficiency label

Import Information

Canada - Energy efficiency regulations

If a dealer is importing a regulated product, they must include the details below on the customs release document submitted to the CBSA:

  • Product name
  • Brand name
  • Model number
  • Dealer address
  • Product purpose

Energy Efficiency Verification Mark

The verification mark shows that:

  • The article complies with the energy; and
  • A certification body confirmed its energy performance.

This label must be visible and present before the dealer sells or ships goods. It is obligatory for all energy-using products.

Other Environmental Regulations in Canada

SOR/2016-311 are Canadian regulations. Other federal environmental obligations apply to businesses. For example, they are the:

  • Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA); and 
  • Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations.
TSCA : 5 restricted substances in Products

These laws impact the import and manufacture of chemicals.

Additionally, provincial and territorial procedures or policies may apply to appliances. Therefore, they may complement the federal obligations.

The Role of Smart Grids

Canada is investing in smart grid infrastructure to optimize electricity distribution, reduce losses, and enable better integration of renewable energy. Smart grids allow real-time data sharing between consumers and utilities, helping manage peak demand and improve overall system efficiency.

The Role of Businesses and Industry

Industrial Energy Efficiency

Industries are adopting energy management systems, such as ISO 50001, to systematically improve energy performance. These frameworks help organizations identify opportunities for energy savings and track progress over time.

Tax Incentives and Financial Benefits

Businesses investing in energy-efficient technologies may be eligible for tax credits and accelerated depreciation. These financial incentives encourage the adoption of sustainable practices and reduce operational costs.

Monitoring and Evaluation Tools

RETScreen Software

Developed by NRCan, RETScreen is a comprehensive tool for assessing the viability of energy projects. It allows users to evaluate energy production, savings, costs, emission reductions, and financial risk.

EnerGuide Rating System

The EnerGuide label provides information on a product’s energy consumption, helping consumers make informed choices. This system is applied to appliances, heating and cooling equipment, and homes.

Obligations in Other Jurisdictions

Canada is not the only jurisdiction implementing rules. Indeed, they are arising worldwide. For example, there are:

UK comparative energy efficiency label - example

Le règlement canadien de 2016 sur l’efficacité énergétique (DORS/2016-311) fournit des exigences d’efficacité énergétique et de marquage pour plusieurs catégories de produits dont:

  • des produits électroniques en mode veille
  • des produits audio compacts
  • des téléviseurs ou systèmes de téléviseurs combinés
  • des appareils vidéo
  • des blocs d’alimentation externes conçus pour être utilisés avec des produits d’utilisation finale domestique ou de bureau constituant la charge principale.
Efficacité énergétique

Should you have any questions on product energy efficiency, contact Enviropass!