Problem with water dispensers in Australia
Water dispensers are now common in many commercial and institutional buildings. Workplace kitchens often have a boiling water dispenser for making coffee and tea, and may have a machine or “bubbler” to supply cold drinking water. Chillers can be from the main water supply or can use bottled water.
The latest models tend to merge the supply of hot and cold water, often placed inconspicuously under kitchen work surfaces, feeding dedicated taps next to the sink. These types of water dispensers are also great for use in the home.
Today in Australia there are an estimated 450,000 water machines in use, consuming approximately 350 GWh of electricity each year, and boiling water machines are responsible for more than 70% of energy use. As the market for these products is progressively increasing, the annual energy consumption of the dispensers is projected to reach 570 GWh in 2020 without any intervention. By then, the role of the combined hot and cold water dispensers will have increased considerably in proportional terms.
Most water coolers waste a lot of time in conservation mode, keeping the water at the desired temperature. Many units do not automatically turn off overnight or offer a fixed button for user participation. The use of improved insulation levels and time clocks or similar automated controls can reduce energy consumption by 15 or even 25 percent economically. However, there is no obvious trend towards such technology and no apparent market interest or knowledge in these possible technical developments.
Specifying this lack of market motivation to obtain better product effectiveness, and the significant growth rate expected for water dispensers in Australia, the NAEEEC (NATIONAL EQUIPMENT AND APPARATUS ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAM) thinks about the introduction of standards of efficiency for dispensers as a priority.
In accordance with the applicable World Regulatory Best Practice Policy, NAEEEC plans to incorporate energy efficiency requirements into the water chiller standards, which are equal to the levels, used in North America. NAEEEC has reviewed the regulations in California and Canada and the ENERGY STAR criteria used in the United States. Australia plans to implement MEPS levels for boiling and refrigerated combination dispensers, equal to those used by the US Environmental Protection Agency.
For ice water dispensers, Australia also plans to adopt MEPS levels equivalent to the ENERGY STAR criteria. For boiling water dispensers, which are actually less prevalent abroad, Australia plans to apply new levels of MEPS supported by discussions with Australian stakeholders. In the absence of a clear international test method, Australia will include new test methods for water dispensers as part of the Electric Water Heater Standard.
The water heater standard will be developed through the Australian working group standards with industry input.