The Province’s Energy Efficiency Act (EEA) sets energy performance standards for devices that use, control or affect the use of energy such as:
- household appliances (washers, fridges)
- heating systems (furnaces, boilers, heat pumps)
- cooling systems (air conditioners)
- lighting (ballasts and fluorescent bulbs), and
- some industrial equipment (motors and transformers).
Click here to view the Energy Efficiency Act legislation.
Click here to view current and past public consultations for regulations.
Information Bulletins for EEA Regulations
The following Information bulletins summarize recent Energy Efficiency Act regulatory standards, compliance standards and penalties for non-compliance: Thermostats & CSA Verification; Furnace; Ballasts.
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November 9, 2009
On September 2nd, 2009, an Order-in-Council was signed which brought into effect new energy efficiency standards for general service lighting and gas and electric water heaters. The products regulated, along with the new requirements, testing standards, and effectives dates, are summarized in the following information bulletins:
The following regulatory amendments are proposed:
Standby Losses for Electronics and Equipment
Regulations are proposed for 5 product families: Compact Audio Products, Televisions, Video Products, Printers and Multi-function Devices. They are harmonized with Natural Resouce Canada's proposed regulations. See the Regulatory Assessment Report for more details, along with a Market Study on these and other products.
The proposed regulations are now open for public comment. Consumers, manufacturers, distributers, retailers, re-sellers, energy utilities and other governments and public interest organizations are invited to provide written comments on the proposed regulations by October 30, 2009 to:
Erik Kaye, Acting Manager, Energy Efficiency Policy
Email: Erik.Kaye@gov.bc.ca
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On March 13, 2009 an Order-in-Council was signed which brought into effect revised standards for windows, doors, skylights and commercial glazing and refined the regulations for gas furnaces to differentiate through-the-wall furnaces and furnaces with an integrated cooling component. The following information circular provides the overview of the final regulations for fenestration products:
On June 26, 2008, an Order-in-Council was signed which brought into effect three new or updated energy-efficiency regulations and one updated testing standard for an existing regulation. The products regulated, along with the performance requirements, new testing standards and effective dates are summarized in the following Information Circulars:
On July 13, 2006 an Order-in-Council was signed which brought into effect the five new or updated energy-efficiency regulations. The products regulated, along with the performance requirements and effective dates are summarized in the following Information Circulars:
The EEA applies to products that are manufactured, sold, offered for sale, or leased within the Province of B.C. and includes products that are manufactured outside of BC. The Federal Energy Efficiency Act also applies to products that are imported into British Columbia.
The Energy Efficiency Standards Regulation lists the energy efficiency requirements of the above products. The standards are regularly reviewed and product upgrades are done when new energy efficient technologies become available.
Any changes will be phased in and will take effect from 2008 to 2010. The approach and timing will depend on industry and consumers voluntarily adopting the new energy performance targets.
Regulations will achieve energy efficiency gains in the marketplace for future generations of buildings.
Last Updated: September 16, 2009
