On August 4th, 2021, Ontario adopted amendment O. Reg. 557/21 to Energy Efficiency Regulation 509/18. This amendment temporarily suspends the prohibition on selling gas fireplaces with continuous pilots (standing pilots) in Ontario for products manufactured from August 5, 2021, to June 30, 2022. Please see Schedule 3, paragraphs 28.1 and 28.2 of the consolidated O.Reg. 509/18.
This amendment has been adopted in response to the current electronic component shortage that has impacted the supply of electronic ignition systems needed to employ non-continuous pilot technologies in gas fireplaces. At least while the electronic component shortage exists, energy efficiency regulations that prohibit the use of continuous pilots are difficult to meet because control modules are scare and difficult to procure.
HPBAC continues to advocate for similar relief from Federal Energy Efficiency Regulation Amendment 15 and BC Energy Efficiency Standard Regulation 33.1.
Federal Amendment 15 prohibits fireplaces with continuous pilots from being imported into Canada or shipped from one province to another for the purpose of sale or lease. Consequently, without relief from Amendment 15 which is a federal regulation, the practical implication of Ontario’s Amendment is that it only applies to products manufactured in Ontario for sale in Ontario.
Additional updates and information can be found on the new Government Affairs Updates page on hpbacanada.org.