Commercial refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers and freezers

Energy Efficiency Regulations

Regulatory definition

Commercial refrigerator, a refrigerator that is self-contained or remote-condensing, that uses or is designed to be used with a vapour-compression refrigeration system and whose compartments are all designed for the display or storage of food, beverages or flowers at temperatures at or above 0°C. It does not include a household refrigerator, refrigerated buffet table, refrigerated preparation table or walk-in cooler.

Commercial refrigerator-freezer,a refrigerator-freezer that is self-contained or remote-condensing, that uses or is designed to be used with a vapour-compression refrigeration system and that has two or more compartments, at least one of which is designed for the display or storage of food and beverages at temperatures at or above 0°C and at least one of which is designed for the freezing and display or storage of food and beverages at temperatures below 0°C. It does not include a household refrigerator-freezer, walk-in freezer or walk-in cooler.

Commercial freezer, a freezer that is self-contained or remote-condensing, that uses or is designed to be used with a vapour-compression refrigeration system and whose compartments are all designed for the freezing and display or storage of food, beverages or ice at temperatures below 0°C. It does not include a household freezer or walk-in freezer.

Ice cream freezer, a commercial freezer that is designed to operate at temperatures at or below −21°C ± 1.1°C and that is designed or marketed for the storage, display or dispensing of ice cream.

Compliance date

Manufactured on or after March 27, 2017

For models manufactured prior, refer to the Regulations

Compliant product models

Commercial refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers and freezers as listed on NRCan’s searchable database.

Testing standard

CSA C657-2015, Test Procedure B

Energy efficiency standard

E_daily -  daily energy consumption in kilowatt-hours (kWh)

TDA - total display area in square meter (m²) 

V - volume in cubic meter (m³)

Energy efficiency report requirements

• name of product
• brand name
• model number
• manufacturer
• name of the certification body or province whose verification mark will be on the product or its package
• whether a mathematical model as defined in the Regulations was used to generate any of the information provided below
• E_daily
• for each of its compartments:
  • its equipment class designation and its TDA (total display area), V or AV, as applicable
  • if it is tested at its lowest temperature  setting, the integrated average temperature, expressed in degrees Celsius, at the lowest temperature setting

Download the energy efficiency reporting template.

This document does not constitute part of the Energy Efficiency Act (Act) or its associated regulations. This document is an administrative document that is intended to facilitate compliance by the regulated party with the Act and its associated regulations. This document is not intended to provide legal advice regarding the interpretation of the Act or its associated regulations. If a regulated party has questions about their legal obligations or responsibilities under the Act or its associated regulations, they should seek the advice of legal counsel.