Energy efficiency for motors

The Energy Efficiency Certification program tests and certifies energy-using and energy-related products for their compliance to a variety of energy efficiency requirements. Our program offers:

• Energy Efficiency Certification offers access to North American markets
• Expert opinion and real-time updates to changing regulations
• Exemption for Quality Assurance requirement under EPA and DOE based on manufacturer's participation to 3^rd party certification program
• Service alignment with UL safety testing

United States: Starting on December 19, 2010, most three-phase electric motors shipped to the US must meet new, more stringent energy efficiency requirements imposed by the US Department of Energy (DOE). These new requirements were laid out in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA 2007). Products found not in compliance will not be admitted into US ports of entry. Additionally, the efficiency level of small electric motors (those operating under 746 watts) will soon need to meet similar energy efficiency requirements mandated by legislation and enforced by the DOE.

Canada: Large three-phase electric motors are already required to meet energy efficiency levels set in Canada. Those levels will similarly become more stringent as of January 2011.

US Energy Independence and Security Act enhancements

Energy efficiency requirements will be enhanced for motors manufactured (alone or as a component of another piece of equipment) on or after December 19, 2010, as a part of the 2007 EISA Enhancements. Specific efficiency levels are identified in § 10 CFR Part 431.25 of the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations impacting the following products:

• General purpose electric motor (subtype I), with a power rating between 1 horsepower and 200 horsepower
• Fire pump motors
• NEMA design B general purpose electric motor with a power rating of more than 200 horsepower, but not more than 500 horsepower (energy efficiency certification for these motors was not previously required).

NRCan enhancements

• Increase the stringency of most current motor efficiency requirements for 1 to 200 HP (0.75 to 150 kW) motors to premium efficiency levels.
• Eliminate most of the current exclusions for 1 to 200 HP (0.75 to 150 kW) motors so that they would have to meet the current efficiency levels.
• Extend the MEPS coverage to include some 201 to 500 HP (151 to 185 kW) motors to current efficiency levels

Energy verification service (EVS)

UL's energy verification service (EVS) provides verification of product compliance with minimum energy efficiency requirements.  Product evaluation is completed in accordance with the applicable U.S. or Canadian standards. Find out more about UL's energy verification services.