Requirements for Gas Space Heaters, Gas Water Heaters and Gas Cookers

Energy labels can be found on gas space heaters (AS4553 and AS4556) and gas water heaters (both storage and instantaneous) (AS4552). Gas energy labels are similar in format to those found on electrical appliances, except they are blue in colour and with annual energy shown in MJ. The gas labelling program is currently an industry voluntary scheme that was once managed by the Australian Gas Association (AGA). A review of the scheme is under way by the Gas Industry and Governments.

Note that the AGA is no longer responsible for publishing standards. This organisation now provides accredited product certfication services with respect to the gas, electrical and plumbing sectors within Australia. More information about product certification for gas products is available at:

http://www.aga.asn.au (Australian Gas Association)
http://www.saiglobal.com (SAI Global)

Energy tests, label requirements and relevant performance requirements are specified in following standards:

AS 4551 (AG 101) Domestic Gas Cooking Appliances
AS 4552 (AG 102) Gas Water Heaters
AS 4553 (AG 103) Gas Space Heating Appliances
AS 4554 (AG 104) Gas Laundry Dryers
AS 4555 (AG 105) Domestic Gas Refrigerators
AS 4556 (AG 106) Indirect gas-fired ducted air heater
AS 4557 (AG 107) Domestic Outdoor Gas Barbecues
AS 4558 (AG 108) Decorative gas log fires and other fuel effect appliances

These standards can be purchased from SAI Global webshop.

A trial web site listing gas water heaters available in Australia is also available.

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For those stakeholders interested in accessing background information about the review of AS 4552 (Gas Water Heaters) through Standards Australia's committee process, recent presentations and links to key documents are available at www.energyrating.gov.au/2007-regplans-wh.html

Strategy and Work Program for Gas Appliances

The main objective of the Switch on Gas ten year strategic plan is to implement a nationally consistent regulation scheme for energy efficiency of gas appliances and equipment. This strategy is an important part of the package of measures being implemented by the MCE under the National Framework for Energy Efficiency (NFEE).

By progressively increasing the energy efficiency of gas appliances and equipment beyond business as usual levels, Switch on Gas responds to the evolving needs of the community by providing world class energy efficient gas products. Switch on Gas will also make a contribution to national efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Natural gas currently supplies about 30% of total household energy in Australia. Within 20 years it is projected that Switch on Gas has the potential to reduce the expenditure on natural gas of Australian consumers by up to $115 million per annum and consumption by over 5% below business as usual.

The Australian and New Zealand Equipment Energy Efficiency Program released its inaugural work plan for Switch on Gas, in April 2005 which outlined products targeted for potential regulation in both countries for the three year period, 2005/06 to 2007/08. An updated version of this work plan was released for comment in October 2006 (2006/12) and is a consequence of:

The administrative and regulatory basis of the gas appliance efficiency programme;
New information about gas appliance technology and testing;
Gas consumer response to energy labels.

The final version of this revised document will be published by July 2007. This document is the first in a series of rolling plans.

Changes to the Gas Labelling and MEPS Scheme for Appliances

In 2002, the Sustainable Energy Authority Victoria (SEAV) (now Sustainability Victoria (SV)), the Victorian Office of Gas Safety (OGS) and the Australian Greenhouse Office (AGO) commenced working together to review the gas appliance labelling and MEPS scheme, and to explore options for enhancing its effectiveness at driving energy efficiency improvements. The first step in this process was to commission a consultant study on the gas appliance scheme. The consultant's report was prepared by Mark Ellis and Associates (and others) and is available from the electronic library (Report 2002/17). This version of the report includes comments and a response on the report from the Australian Gas Association (AGA) and the Gas Appliance Manufacturers' Association of Australia (GAMAA).

In November 2002, a joint government-industry working group comprising SEAV, OGS, AGO, AGA and the GAMAA agreed to work cooperatively to enhance the effectiveness of the gas appliance efficiency scheme. A discussion paper developed on behalf of the joint working group sets out a range of options for the future direction of the gas appliance efficiency scheme. The aim of the discussion paper "Driving energy efficiency improvements to domestic gas appliances"(July 2003) is to stimulate debate on the future directions of the gas appliance efficiency program, and to canvas views from a broad spectrum of industry and other stakeholders.

In 2005 and 2006 a round robin of 10 gas water heaters was conducted in 3 NATA accredited test labs (report 2006/11) (available in the electronic library).

In 2006 and 2007 work has been undertaken on the development of a revised energy test method for gas water heaters which is expected to be released for public comment in late 2007 of early 2008.

An example of the gas appliance energy label

This page last modified 02 February 2009