New Energy Efficiency Regulations for Water Heaters
Water heaters are among the largest users of energy in the home and are a significant source of residential greenhouse gas emissions. After carrying out a public consultation in late 2008, in the fall of 2009, the Government of British Columbia passed new energy efficiency regulations for water heaters.
The regulations, which will come into effect September 1, 2010, cover both electric and gas and propane- fired water heaters. Electric water heaters will also now require installation of a heat trap and pipe insulation. Models compliant with the new regulation may, in some cases, have different dimensions than non-compliant models. The resulting increases in efficiency are expected to have a positive financial impact on the average homeowner and result in over 23,000 tonnes of reduced CO2 emissions per year by 2016.
The new regulations can be found at www.empr.gov.bc.ca/EEC/Strategy/EEA. Questions should be directed to Katherine.Muncaster@gov.bc.ca or 250-952-0154 at the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources.
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