Focus on Gas

EnerGuide Gas Hearth Stakeholders Meeting

The Stakeholder meeting was held on September 30 with Tex McLeod participating on behalf of HPBAC. Chris Barker, of Union Gas and a member of the HPBAC board of directors, also attended along with a number of representatives from gas fireplace manufacturers. The meeting was chaired by Roger Gripton of Napoleon. Ann Wilkins of Natural Resources Canada reported thirteen manufacturers were currently participating in the EnerGuide program. The group recognized home builders as the biggest challenge when asking to consider purchasing efficient units and suggested a poll be conducted among contractors and retailers to determine what they know about fireplace efficiency.

EnerGuide for Gas Fireplaces Web Site Visits

Proposed Minimum Efficiency Levels for Gas Fireplaces

NRCan reported that a regulatory plan has been proposed which includes proposals to establish a range of new and revised minimum energy efficiency standards by 2010. NRCan may consider establishing minimum gas fireplace efficiency levels for appliances sold in Canada but will conduct a cost benefit analysis including a market study and consult with industry before determining whether or not to propose minimum efficiency levels. HPBAC holds the position that minimum efficiencies, while appropriate for appliances sold as heaters, are not at all appropriate for the overall category.

Meetings with BC Ministry of Energy and Mines

Andrew Pape-Salmon of the BC Ministry of Energy and Mines met with the HPBAC Western Chapter to develop strategies for the gas fireplace market in BC. The ministry is interested in phasing out gas log sets. As there is no test method for gas log sets they are not included in the EnerGuide program and the NRCan web site notes that gas log sets are not efficient. Amendments to BC's Energy Efficiency Act will harmonize with federal regulation for gas fireplaces and ask that manufacturers participate in the EnerGuide Program.

Ed Grzesik of the Ontario Ministry of Energy confirmed that Ontario's new regulation also harmonizes with the federal regulation and requires all manufacturers to participate in the EnerGuide program.

Incentive Programs

Hearth manufacturers plan to meet soon to develop consensus on efficiency levels for gas hearth products for use by utilities when designing incentive programs. The idea of helping consumers make better choices by establishing categories is under discussion, such as decorative for appliances with less than 25% FE, decorative with some heat for 26% to 50% and supplemental heating for appliances above 50% FE. Ongoing discussions are underway with Terasen Gas, provincial and federal agencies to consider offering incentive programs for gas fireplaces.

EnerGuide Program - Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About the EnerGuide Fireplace Efficiency Rating are now available on the NRCan web site and can be viewed at http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/equipment/english/gas_fireplaces_faq.cfm?text=N&printview=N

Union Gas also has the FAQs on their site.