NRCAN Releases Proposed Amendments to Energy Efficiency Regulations

July 3, 2010 - Canada's Office of Energy Efficiency has recently released a bulletin concerning Natural Resources Canada's proposed amendment to Canada\'s Energy Efficiency Regulations for Chillers, Air Source Heat Pumps, and Electricity Reporting Requirements for Air Handling Systems, among others.  These bulletins are being distributed for review and comment and can be found at this website. Comments are invited on each document as well as several others related to HVAC-R systems, all listed on the web link under the individual bulletin.

The Harmonized Sales Tax   (Abbotsford)

Date: Jun 25 2010 10:00AM - 12:30PM
Location: VRCA Office Abbotsford- Classroom (Below and Behind the Keg Restaurant) 103 - 2142 West Railway Street, Abbotsford, BC, V2S 2E2

Register Now!

With the implementation of the HST only weeks away there are a number of very important points for the construction business to consider.  Please click here for further information.

TECA is exhibiting at the following show

The Province of British Columbia Approves the Industry Led Thermostat Recycling Plan

June 1, 2010 - With the support of the thermostat manufacturer members of The Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating (CIPH) alongside allied associations The Thermal Environmental Comfort Association (TECA), and the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI), Summerhill Impact has brought the “Switch the Stat”Ô program to British Columbia as part of a responsible, industry-driven plan to recycle all thermostats as mandated by the province's regulations and commitment to divert waste products from landfill.

TECA members in the region consist of over 350 wholesale locations, hydronic installers and professionals. Every member removes or handles old thermostats as they off the wall at a jobsite.  TECA members can have a bin situated in their trucks or workplaces to make sure more thermostats are recycled.

The approved plan calls for putting thermostat recycling bins into the hands of contractors, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers; i.e. anyone who may have contact with old thermostats.

With the approval of this recycling plan, implementation can begin.

For TECA members, having a thermostat recycling will make it easier to support your local customers and participate in this program and stay green.

What this means to you:

a) There will be no cost to the installer, contractor, wholesaler or distributor to participate;

b) Make the bin available and your customers just have to put the old thermostats in;

c) A bin at your wholesale location will drive some traffic to you as you provide this service to the contractor;

d) The responsibility ultimately falls to the thermostat manufacturers - they are funding the program to recycle old thermostats and divert them from landfill.

If you want to become part of the solution, please register for a recycling bin at your location at http://www.summerhillgroup.ca/eng/impact/programs/switch-the-stat-signup.php

The more people participating, the more successful the program will be. REGISTER TODAY!

For information, please contact Jenna Bentley at

jbentley@summerhillgroup.ca
Telephone: (416) 922-2448 ext. 358
Fax:  (416) 922-1028
1216 Yonge Street
Toronto, Ontario   M4T 1W1

International Conference On Building Envelope Systems and Technologies, 2010 Vancouver (June 27- 30) - Register Today!

ICBEST 2010 is organized by the National Research Council Canada (NRC) in cooperation with the local British Columbia Building Envelope Council (BCBEC). The Homeowner Protection Office is one of the conference sponsors.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW CONFERENCE BROCHURE AND
SPONSORSHIP PACKAGE DETAILS » [2.7 MB, PDF format]

ICBEST provides a worldwide forum for the exchange of information and discussion of recent developments in building envelope engineering on a triennial basis. It aims to bridge the gap between researchers, engineers, designers and manufacturers to enhance the exchange of ideas. An equally important objective is the application of new findings to the development of design, manufacturing and construction methods and the codification of information for practicing engineers and architects.

Conference Info at a Glance:

• Event: ICBEST (International Conference On Building Envelope Systems and Technologies)
• Date: June 27 – 30, 2010
• Venue: Westin Bayshore Vancouver
• Estimated # of Attendees: 350 + delegates from 15 countries

Over 120 papers will be presented (Visit www.icbest.ca for more information). Some topics include:

- Sustainability
- Building envelope performance
- Watertightness
- Cladding and Facades
- Ventilation of attics: strategies and controls
- Practical applications / case studies
- Fire resistance
- Energy conservation

Who attends the conference?

- Engineers- Architects
- Consultants
- Building Owners
- Researchers
- Educators
- Manufacturers

Thank you for your interest in ICBEST 2010. Visit www.icbest.ca for more information.

Teca is TECA is Exhibiting at the CIPHEX West 2010

November 3 & 4, 2010 - Western Canada's largest trade show for plumbing, hydronics (hot water heating), heating,
ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration and water treatment products. Click here for details.

LIVESMART BC Program Extended

VICTORIA – The Province will extend provincial incentives for the popular LiveSmart BC: Efficiency Incentive Program for participants entering the program as of April 1, 2010, announced Blair Lekstrom, Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources today. Click here for details about this announcement or click here to view incentives brochure for the extended LiveSmart BC: Efficiency Incentive Program. 

Amendments to the Power Engineers, Boiler, Pressure Vessel and Refrigeration Safety Regulation

March 9, 2010 - The Power Engineers, Boiler, Pressure Vessel and Refrigeration Safety Regulation has been amended with sign off from the Province of BC, effective immediately. An Information Bulletin providing details and the Ministerial Order can be found here.

Key highlights include a change in the prescribed qualification requirements for the BC Safety Authority boiler safety officers, and the elimination of prescribed power engineer staffing for low pressure thermal fluid plants equipped with modern safety systems.

BC Issues Proposed Changes within the Boiler Safety System

Vancouver, BC - February 2010 - The need to modernize the regulatory framework in British Columbia and make changes to certain components of the Power Engineers, Boiler, Pressure Vessel and Refrigeration Safety Regulation has been raised by various stakeholders in the boiler safety system.

• To read more, please click here.
• To view the Notice to Stakeholders, please click here.

TECA Member Health Benefit Program

TECA and Independent Business Contractors Association (ICBA) have partnered together to provide TECA members and their employees with exclusive health and dental benefits. TECA Members please checkout this page of our web site for further information.

CIPH Works Cooperatively with Province of BC to Influence Positive Change for
Efficiency Regulations for Residential Water Heaters for 2010

For Immediate Release: October 8, 2009

CIPH along with its water heater manufacturer members worked cooperatively with BC Ministry of Energy, Mines
and Petroleum to find a practical and workable solution to meet the province's objective of raising the minimum
efficiency requirement for residential water heaters.

Working cooperatively over a 6-month period, CIPH and the BC government developed a win/win efficiency
regulation for gas and electric water heaters which will come into effect September 2010. A copy of the regulation
follows this Advocacy Link... Click here to view complete details.

UPDATE FROM THE BRITISH COLUMBIA SAFETY AUTHORITY

As of April 1st 2009, changes to gas regulations under the Safety Standards Act took effect in order to align the Regulations with provision of the Trade, Investment, and Labour Mobility (TILMA) and agreement on internal trade. Changes are for gas fitters who received their certification after April 2009 where they will be restricted to appliances with an input 120kW (409.000 BTU/hr) regardless of the type or approval. Class B fitters obtaining certification prior to April 2009, will continue under the original conditions of their certification. Out of province gas fitters wishing to obtain BC certification will have to produce the certification from other Province and pay the administration fee.

UPCOMING COURSES

TECA MEMBER BENEFITS