Air Compressors

Energy Efficiency Regulations

Regulatory definition

Air Compressor means a lubricated rotary compressor that is designed to compress air, has an inlet open to the atmosphere or another source of air, is made up of one or more compression elements (bare compressors), one or more drivers, mechanical equipment to drive the compression elements and any ancillary equipment and has all of the following features:

1. it is driven by a brushless three-phase electric motor;
2. it is air- or liquid-cooled;
3. it is fixed- or variable-speed;
4. it has a full-load operating pressure that is greater than or equal to 0.52 MPa (75 psig) and less than or equal to 1.38 MPa (200 psig);
5. it has a full-load actual volume flow rate that is greater than or equal to 0.99 m3/min (35 cfm) or has a motor whose nominal power is greater than or equal to 7.46 kW (10 HP);
6. it has a full-load actual volume flow rate that is less than or equal to 35.4 m3/min (1250 cfm) or is sold or supplied with a compressor motor whose nominal power is less than or equal to 149.14 kW (200 HP).

It does not include a liquid ring compressor, a reciprocating compressor or a rotary-type positive displacement compressor for use in the petroleum, petrochemical or natural gas industries.

Compressor means a machine or apparatus that converts different types of energy into the potential energy of gas pressure for displacement and compression of gaseous media to any pressure value above atmospheric pressure and has a pressure ratio at full-load operating pressure greater than 1.3.

Compliance date

Manufactured on or after July 1, 2026

For models manufactured prior, refer to the Regulations

Compliant product models

Air Compressors, as listed on NRCan’s searchable database

Testing standard

10 C.F.R. Appendix A

Energy efficiency standard

The energy efficiency standard that applies to an air compressor is the minimum package isentropic efficiency set out for the applicable equipment class in 10 C.F.R. 431.345.

Energy efficiency report requirements

• name of product
• brand name
• model number
• manufacturer
• the name of the certification body or province whose verification mark will be on the product or its package
• whether a mathematical model as defined in the Regulations was used to generate any of the information provided below
• equipment class
• air compressor motor nominal power, kilowatts (HP)
• dimensionless full-load package isentropic efficiency or part-load package isentropic efficiency, as applicable
• full-load actual volume flow rate, m3/min (cfm)
• full-load operating pressure, MPa (psig)
• maximum full-flow operating pressure, MPa (psig)
• its pressure ratio at full-load operating pressure and
• if any ancillary equipment that is not part of the air compressor package is installed for testing,
  • a description of the ancillary equipment,
  • the manufacturer of the ancillary equipment and, if it is different than the manufacturer, the brand
  • the model number of the ancillary equipment
  • the serial number of the ancillary equipment, if any,
  • and the input voltage, number of phases and input frequency of the ancillary equipment, if applicable.

This document does not constitute part of the Energy Efficiency Act (Act) or its associated regulations. This document is an administrative document that is intended to facilitate compliance by the regulated party with the Act and its associated regulations. This document is not intended to provide legal advice regarding the interpretation of the Act or its associated regulations. If a regulated party has questions about their legal obligations or responsibilities under the Act or its associated regulations, they should seek the advice of legal counsel.