On March 28th, Natural Resources Canada hosted industry consultations to explore what it will take to achieve “market transformation” for space heating and water heating equipment in Canada. HRAI was represented by Martin Luymes, as well as Contractors Division Chair David Weishuhn (Blue Flame) and Manufacturers Division Chair Dave McPherson (Rheem), and a dozen invited member company representatives.
For purposes of the discussion, “market transformation” was defined as:
“A series of strategic interventions to cause lasting changes in the structure or function of a market, or the behavior of market participants, to accelerate the adoption of energy efficient products, services or practices.”
The intent of the meetings was to:
1. Share federal-provincial-territorial governments’ aspirational goals for market transformation in space/water heating equipment in the short, medium and long term;
2. Engage with industry in a candid and informal discussion about the key barriers and challenges associated with moving the market towards those aspirational goals; and
3. Understand what is needed from governments to overcome key barriers and maximize success in achieving the aspirational goals.
The key space heating technologies reviewed were: commercial gas furnaces; cold climate air source heat pumps; gas-fired heat pumps; ground source heat pumps; micro combined heat and power (MicroCHP); and integrated systems. Key water heating technologies discussed were: condensing storage tanks; heat pump water heaters (including electric and gas); solar thermal/PV water heaters; and integrated systems.
NRCan representatives reported that the federal government wants to develop a plan for “strategic and effective interventions” in the market to accelerate the adoption of high efficiency space heating technologies in Canada between now and 2035.
The “aspirational goals” that the government has set for the moment are as follows:
By 2025:
- All fuel burning technologies for primary space heating for sale in Canada have an energy performance of at least 90%
- All air source heat pumps for sale in Canada have a seasonal coefficient of performance (SCOP) of more than 2.5* (or 30-50% better than today’s minimum performance)
- *For ASHRAE region V, when tested to the CSA express document on testing variable capacity heat pumps
By 2030:
- Heat pump technologies will be cost effective and commercially accessible for all major end uses.
- The deployment of heating systems using renewable technologies and resources is supported (the meaning of “supported” here was not defined).
By 2035:
- All major space heating technologies for sale in Canada have an energy performance of more than 100%
Participants outlined the barriers and challenges to achieving those goals and discussed the effectiveness of existing policy tools available to help overcome those barriers (e.g. ENERGY STAR® labelling, regulated standards, building codes, R&D, incentives, etc.)
The outcome of these workshops will help support the federal and provincial governments to draft high-level market transformation strategies for consideration at the Energy and Mines Ministers’ Conference (EMMC) scheduled for August, 2017.
For more information, contact Martin Luymes at 1-800-267-2231 ext. 235 or email mluymes@hrai.ca.