Dear Chelsea Gardens,
As we enter the hot summer months several people have requested to install heat pumps. At our AGM we did pass a new bylaw and it is very important to be aware of this bylaw when getting quotes for your install as Energy Management Devices are now required to be installed.
(j) Additions to Electrical System Loads
For the purposes of this bylaw:
“Energy Management Device (EMD)” means a device, system, or software-enabled controller that actively monitors, controls, limits, schedules, or optimizes electrical load to prevent electrical service overload and manage peak demand.
“Electrical Permit” means any permit required for electrical work under applicable building or electrical codes.
“Gas-to-Electric Conversion” means the replacement or removal of any gas-fired appliance with an electrically powered appliance.
“Major Electrical Load” means any electrical installation that significantly increases demand on an electrical service, including but not limited to air conditioning units, heat pumps, electric vehicle charging equipment, or electric space and water heating.
- An approved Energy Management Device shall be installed when any of the following occur:
- Installation of a new or replacement:
- Air conditioning unit;
- Heat pump;
- Electric vehicle (EV) charging equipment.
Conversion from any gas-fired appliance to an electrically powered appliance, including but not limited to:
- Space heating;
- Water heating;
- Cooking appliances;
- Clothes dryers.
- Any combination of installations or conversions that materially increases electrical load, as determined by the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).
- Device Requirements
- The Energy Management Device shall:
- Be approved by the Authority Having Jurisdiction;
- Be capable of managing electrical loads to prevent service overcapacity;
- Operate automatically without requiring manual user intervention;
- Be compatible with the installed electrical equipment; and
- Comply with all applicable electrical codes and safety standards.
- Alternatives and Exceptions
- An Energy Management Device shall not be required where the applicant demonstrates, through a load calculation prepared by a qualified professional, that existing electrical service capacity is sufficient without load management for that specific unit capacity only.
- The Authority Having Jurisdiction may approve alternative load-management solutions that achieve equivalent or better performance.
- Temporary installations may be exempt at the discretion of the Authority Having Jurisdiction.
- Permitting and Inspections
- Proof of Energy Management Device installation shall be provided prior to final electrical inspection approval.
- The Energy Management Device shall be operational at the time of inspection.
Thanks
Jesse Train
Strata Agent
CrossRoads Management Ltd.