In partnership with Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), the Solar Rating & Certification Corporation (ICC-SRCC) added Canadian performance ratings to over 600 of its solar water heating system certifications. These performance ratings will allow energy professionals, architects and others in Canada to design and build more energy efficient homes and help Canadian consumers compare the performance between different solar water heating systems.

The Canadian One-Day Performance Ratings are based on the safety requirements and other conditions established by the CAN/CSA F379 standard for packaged solar domestic hot water systems. The rating values can be used in NRCan energy simulation tools for low-rise residential buildings along with details on construction, site and climate to model the energy use of a building with a solar water heater. EnerGuide home evaluation tools allow users to experiment with various types of efficiency features, like solar water heaters, to help reduce costs, add value and improve energy efficiency in homes in Canada.

ICC-SRCC provides certification of complete solar water heating systems to the ICC 9010/ICC-SRCC 300 Solar Thermal Systems Standard (OG-300) for companies throughout the world. This project focused on OG-300 certifications for active and photovoltaic water heating systems, those most commonly used in Canada. Ratings will be available from ICC-SRCC for all other system types through the solar water heating system program.
"This work is a great example of how new technologies and building practices are helping industry design and build more energy efficient homes so Canadians can use energy more effectively and save money," said Canada's Minister of Natural Resources, the Honourable Jim Carr. "We are proud to work with ICC-SRCC on this project as Canada moves towards a low-carbon future."

"ICC-SRCC is very pleased to offer Canadian ratings to our OG-300 certification holders. We currently certify a number of Canadian manufacturers of solar thermal equipment, and our certifications and ratings are used worldwide. This project will support the use of solar water heating systems in Canada and hopefully spur growth of the solar industry there," said ICC-SRCC Vice President of Technical Services Shawn Martin. "We're grateful to NRCan for their partnership and support in this project."

To learn more about the ICC-SRCC certification program, click here.

International Code Council | www.iccsafe.org

NRCan | www.nrcan.gc.ca