New focus

The next few years will be a busy period for us communicating with you, the people who are covered by our energy efficiency regulations - importers, New Zealand based manufacturers and retailers. 

We are rolling out changes to our product registration system to reflect the amendments in a range of Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS), including air conditioners, electric motors, and commercial refrigeration. Hand in hand with this, we want to enhance our registration system to make it easier for you to use, such as auto form filling and better help boxes.

This is only the start as we will consult on introducing new MEPS for LED lamps, industrial/commercial pumps and compressors, and updating existing MEPS on products, such as televisions.  Next year, we will be keen to get your feedback on proposed changes to the regulations.  We want them to reflect 21st century market conditions, make them more user-friendly and easier to administer.

We are also investing more effort into raising awareness of the requirements of our regulations and providing advice on how to comply with them. 

Murray Bell, Manager of EECA's Standards and Regulations Team

New label for heat pumps/air conditioners

Important information for retailers and installers

A new Zoned Energy Rating Label for heat pumps / air conditioners will start appearing in retail stores in the next few months.

The new label gives retailers and consumers information about how a model will perform in different climate zones, its energy use and information about noise levels.  

It also shows how a model performs at a low outside temperature of 2°c which will help with selecting the right unit for heating in the cooler parts of the country.

Regulation changes

If you are a manufacturer or importer, significant new requirements will come into force next year for:  

·         three-phase electric motors

·         refrigerated cabinets

·         air conditioners / heat pumps

·         household refrigerating appliances (2021).

More information will be provided when the new regulations are finalized.

 Hot water systems project

The Hot Water Systems Project aims to improve the energy efficiency of water heating in residential households - there's been a lot of interest, with 24 parties making submissions for the first phase of the project.

Phase 2 of the project involves developing a database of current hot water systems available in Australia and New Zealand. This includes an evaluation methodology suitable for assessing the energy efficiency of all hot water system technologies. Water draw off profiles (tapping profiles) will be conducted across Australia and New Zealand. This will provide consumer hot water consumption data to enable comparability of technologies for different consumer profiles.

These activities will address stakeholder feedback from Phase 1.