Focus on Gas
EnerGuide Gas Hearth Stakeholders Meeting
HPBAC will be participating in the upcoming EnerGuide Gas Hearth
Stakeholders Meeting to be held on Wednesday, September 28th in
Mississauga, Ontario. In addition to a review of the program to
date, representatives from BC Hydro will participate in the meeting
to share the electric utilities’ interests in improved energy
efficiency and possible strategies to achieve their goal.
At a recent industry meeting, representatives from Natural Resources
Canada indicated that they plan to implement a minimum gas fireplace
efficiency level by 2010. While HPBAC would be supportive of a
minimum efficiency level for heating appliances it is difficult to
understand the need for minimum efficiency for decorative units.
HPBAC will be following this issue closely.
The BC government has proposed revisions to their regulations
regarding gas fireplace efficiency testing to match that of the
federal government. Consideration is also being given to requiring
manufacturers to participate in the EnerGuide Gas Fireplace Labeling
program – this program is currently voluntary.
A new information sheet will be available on the EnerGuide web site
www.oee.nrcan.gc.ca this month entitled Frequently Asked Questions
About the EnerGuide Fireplace Efficiency Rating. The text from the
information sheet is available to be faxed from HPBAC. Just call our
office at 1-800-792-5284 or visit the downloads page on hpbacanada.org. HPAC magazine will
publish an article in their upcoming issue on this subject.
Kids and Gas Fireplace Safety
At the Western Forum the issue of safety for young children and gas
fireplaces was brought home in graphic detail through photos
provided by Dr. Cindy Verchere of the Vancouver Children’s Hospital.
Committees have been struck to look at this area more closely but in
the meantime, retailers are encouraged to point out the potential
danger to parents of toddlers and consideration should be given to
offering some attractive screen options to minimize the potential
for severe burns. The glass temperature is particularly damaging to
young skin from unsuspecting children. At greatest risk is the 2-4
year olds who are up and walking but not yet conscious of the
danger. Keep in mind, the danger continues long after the fire is
extinguished.
The barbecue cook-off at the Western Forum, with the help of MC Mag
Ruffman, was able to raise $1,400 dollars towards awareness programs
offered through the Children’s Hospital.
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Give Us Green: Canadians
Canadians want consumer products that are energy efficient,
produce less waste, and are made of recycled materials, and
we’re willing to spend more to get them.
A survey from electronics manufacturers concluded 88 per cent of
Canadians are willing to spend more on products that are
eco-friendly, with 96 per cent preferring those that can be
recycled while 92 per cent want products that are manufactured
using environmentally conscious processes.
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