EnerGuide refrigerator test specifications

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I am trying to find out more about these EnerGuide (Canada) and EnergyGuide (US) labels that are required on all the appliances we buy. Have you noticed that there are American ones and Canadian ones? There are yellow ones and white ones? There are some that have no rating on the label?

I noticed two labels in one freezer top refrigerator with different American and Canadian ratings. Do we test differently?

I decided to read what a manufacturer is told about the labels at Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), that branch of our government that administers the Canadian EnerGuide program.

You can get this document "EnerGuide Labelling Instructions and Labelling Scales for Appliances and Room Air Conditioners" for yourself from NRCan but you have to ask for it.

On page 12, you will find this statement (click to enlarge).

Here is my letter back to NRCan after getting the doc:

Thank you Lakhbir.

I am trying to understand the numbers on appliance labels and the tests that are done to arrive at those numbers. I am trying to relate mine to what I see from my smart meter data.

Do I understand correctly from the EnerGuide Labelling Instructions ... 2014 which you sent that if I want to see how my appliance is tested (ie - how the manufacturer arrives at the energy usage number for that appliance) that I have to buy a CSA specification CAN/CSA-C300-08 in the case of refrigerators/freezers for $155? (for example at the CSA website). Is this spec available on a loan basis?

Is there a repository of manufacturers' submitted test results that is publicly accessible, ideally via the web? Can I ask for a specific appliance's certification test submission?

Is there a newer Energuide Labelling Instructions than 2014?

I am a writer and a concerned individual who wants to explain the labels and the tests. How "real world" are the tests? I am interested in assumptions about household size, median test ambient temperatures and usage assumptions.

It seems there is an alternate American specification and we (Canada) are catching up?
https://subscribe.csa.ca/irj/servlet/prt/portal/prtroot/csa.sap.km.cm.docs/certification/Service%20Quality/Notices%20Informs%20TIL/VerificationServiceEE64.pdf

George Plhak
Lion's Head Ontario


On 8/29/2016 8:52 AM, Jawanda, Lakhbir (NRCan/RNCan) wrote:
> Hello,
>
> Please see attached as per your request.
>
> Regards,
>
> Lakhbir
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: George Plhak [mailto:george@ffwdm.com]
> Sent: August 28, 2016 10:06
> To: ES_SE_OEE-EE_report / rapport_EE (NRCan/RNCan)
> Subject: Request a copy of the EnerGuide Labelling Scales for Appliances
>
> Requesting a copy of the EnerGuide Labelling Scales for Appliances as listed on this page
> http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/energy/products/reference/publications/14522
>
> Thank you

I received the following reply the next day:

Hello George,
The labels that I sent you were for 2016.
Additional information can be found on http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/energy/products/reference/publications/14626.
This is the information available to manufacturers to create labels for their appliances.
We cannot provide you copies of test results as that belong to different manufacturers.
Each appliance has a specific standard and these are listed on the product pages on our website. http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/energy/regulations-codes-standards/6861
If you have any other questions, please contact me.
Regards,
Lakhbir

Thanks for your interest.

George Plhak
Lion's Head, Ontario, Canada

This seems to be the American standard and test procedure 10 CFR Part 430, Subpart B, Appendix A to Subpart B of Part 430 - Uniform Test Method for Measuring the Energy Consumption of Electric Refrigerators and Electric Refrigerator-Freezers

Minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) at Wikipedia

NRCan Energy Efficiency Regulations

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