The Equipment Energy Efficiency (E3) Program

Sara Williams, Manager, Cooling and Heating Team

Commonwealth Department of Industry and Science

On behalf of the E3 Committee

16 September 2015

Outline

• Overview of the E3 Program

• Current regulations for air conditioners and chillers

• Future policy direction

E3 Program

• Jointly administered by Commonwealth, State and Territory and New Zealand governments.

• Given effect in Australia through the Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (GEMS) Act 2012.

Administration

• Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA).

• E3 Committee – policy and budget decisions.

• Australian GEMS Regulator administered by Commonwealth.

• Bilateral agreement with New Zealand.

• Implemented in consultation with stakeholders.

Governance

GEMS Act 2012

• Promotes the development and adoption of energy efficient products to reduce energy use and the production of greenhouse gases.

• Main policy tools:

–Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS)

– Energy Rating Labels (ERLs)

GEMS Determinations

• Legislative instruments that set requirements for products (e.g. MEPS and/or labelling for air conditioners).

–GEMS Determinations are what we refer to as regulation.

• May ‘call up’ the applicable clause of an Australian (or other) Standard or set requirements directly.

Registration

• All product models covered by a GEMS Determination must be registered at www.energyrating.gov.au

• The registration system is subject to continuous improvement incorporating industry feedback.

Compliance

• Assisting industry to understand their rights and obligations.

• Monitoring industry's compliance with the obligations.

• Actively pursuing those who opportunistically or deliberately contravene the law.

• In 2014/15, 5 out of 6 air conditioners passed check testing.

• 7 tests are currently underway.

MEPS requirements

• Air conditioners

– First introduced in 2001 on three phase air conditioners.

– Extended in 2004 to single phase air conditioners.

– MEPS levels revised a number of times since.

• Liquid chilling packages (‘chillers’)

– MEPS were introduced in 2009.

Current Energy Rating Label

Super efficiency scale

Energy efficiency improvements

Process to change regulations

2. Consultation RIS

Regulationscommence

Future policy direction

– Remove National Construction Code (NCC) energy efficiency requirements and include under GEMS.

– Expand scope to include portable air conditioners.

– Close Control Air Conditioners out of scope of RIS.

– Alignment of MEPS levels.

– Increased MEPS levels recommended in 2010/11 Decision RIS not being pursued.

– Adopt the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) standard and the Zoned Energy Rating Label.

Current Label - issues

Heating output at 2°C -voluntary

Zoned Energy Rating Label

Heating output at 2°C -mandatory

Also shows efficiency in cold climates

Any questions?

Thank you