Government's Regulatory Plans for Gas Water Heaters

Download Stakeholder letter - 24 May 2007

Presentations

Liz Pye, AGO - Regulatory Proposal to Introduce MEPS for gas water heaters (734 kB)
Peter Dempster, Syneca Consulting - Cost Benefit Analysis MEPS for gas water heaters (853 kB)
Lloyd Harrington, Energy Efficient Strategies - Gas Water Heaters: New Test Method (5 MB)

Brief History of the Review of AS 4552 (Gas Water Heaters)

In 2005, the Ministerial Council on Energy agreed to bring the existing industry-sponsored gas labelling scheme within a consistent regulatory framework, similar to that which exists for electrical products. The Equipment Energy Efficiency (E3) Gas Committee, consisting of officials and representatives from Commonwealth, State, Territory and New Zealand government energy efficiency agencies, is charged with implementing this consistent programme for gas appliances and equipment. Information about the Ministerial Council plans for gas appliances can be found at http://www.energyrating.gov.au/library/details200419-switchongas.html

In April 2005, the first 3-year work plan under this strategy was released to cover the period to 2007/08. The key focus of this work plan was developed on the basis that a nationally consistent legislative framework would be agreed and put in place by 2008. Subsequent legal advice to the E3 Gas Committee in 2005 challenged the legal capacity of some jurisdictions to mandate consistent efficiency requirements and Government have been examining the legal deficiencies since that time. This has caused some delay in the programme.

At the same time, Energy Efficiency regulators decided to turn their focus to reviewing and revising the relevant methods of test to ensure they provide a basis for a credible and scientifically based Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) and/or labelling scheme. This revised focus is reflected in the revised 'Switch on Gas' work plan which is currently awaiting sign-off by the Ministerial Council on Energy. This document is available at http://www.energyrating.gov.au/library/details200611-revised-gas-workplan.html. Gas water heaters have been the initial focus of the programme and a review of AS 4552 (Gas Water Heaters) has been underway since 2005 through Standards Australia committee processes.

Whilst legal uncertainties were being resolved regarding a regulatory scheme, the Government presented a proposal to industry at an industry forum in October 2006 to have them voluntarily retire the least efficient water heaters from the market in anticipation of regulation http://www.energyrating.gov.au/forum-2006-gas.html. The Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association of Australia (GAMAA) on behalf of the gas industry responded to this proposal by offering a series of considerations, including support for a mandatory MEPS scheme.

This page last modified 01 June 2007