OBC Amendment 11 – Efficiency Standards

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There seems to be some misunderstanding about energy efficiency standards outlined in the OBC. Specifically, the products that must conform to these standards in order to be sold within Ontario.

Over the past couple of years, Ministry of Munical Affairs, in conjunction with NRCan, has made strides to increase minimum efficiency levels. On April 12, 2012, Amendment 11 took force.  Amendment 11 increases the stingency and/or scope off existing minimum efficiency standards for seven currently regulated products.

• Electric Motors
• Residential Gas Boilers
• Residential Oil Boilers
• Dry-type Transformers
• Large Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps
• Commercial Self-contained Refrigeration
• General Service Incandescent Reflector Lamps

I would like to address the “Large Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps” products.  The details are outlined on the NRCan website.  CLICK HERE

It is noted, by NRCan, that the equipment within this product category must be tested to one of the following standards:

• AHRI 340/360-2007
• CSA Standard C746-06

In review of these testing standards, they have been created for testing of standard Packaged RTU and Heat Pump equipment.  You cannot test the following equipment to these standards:

• Natatorium Dehumidifiers (Dry-o-tron)
• Make-up Air Handling Equipment (Bousquet)
• Energy Recovery Products (Valent)

It follows that these products DO NOT fall under the requirements of Amendment 11.  That being said, these products are excellent solutions for delivering energy efficient designs.  In fact, O’Dell has been involved in many recent projects where these products were integral in the LEED design approach.

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