10 CFR 430, Subpart A - General Provisions

On November 23, 2011, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNOPR) to amend the test procedures for microwave ovens. That SNOPR proposed amendments to the DOE test procedure to incorporate provisions from the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Standard 62301, “Household electrical appliances—Measurement of standby power,” Edition 2.0 2011-01 (IEC Standard 62301 (Second Edition)). DOE published a second SNOPR on May 16, 2012, proposing additional provisions for measuring the standby mode and off mode energy use of products that combine a microwave oven with other appliance functionality, as well as minor technical clarifications. Those proposed rulemakings serve as the basis for today's action. DOE is issuing a final rule amending the DOE test procedure to incorporate by reference the proposed provisions from IEC Standard 62301 (Second Edition) and the technical clarifications. DOE is not amending the test procedure at this time to measure the energy consumption of products that combine microwave ovens with other appliance functionality, but may consider such amendments in a future rulemaking.

The comment period for the notice of public meeting and availability of the Framework Document pertaining to the development of energy conservation standards for commercial and industrial fan and blower equipment published on February 1, 2013, is extended to June 3, 2013.

On March 15, 2013, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) published a notice of public meeting and availability of the Framework Document regarding energy conservation standards for residential ceiling fans and ceiling fan light kits in the Federal Register. This document announces an extension of the public comment period for submitting comments on the Framework Document or any other aspect of the rulemaking for ceiling fans and ceiling fan light kits. The comment period is extended to June 14, 2013. DOE is also correcting an error in the docket number set forth in two places in the prior notice.

This document announces the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) denial of a petition from the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) requesting reconsideration of DOE's final rule to amend the test procedures for residential dishwashers, dehumidifiers, and conventional cooking products, as well as the direct final rule to amend energy conservation standards for dishwashers.

On February 28, 2013, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) published a notice of public meeting and availability of the preliminary analysis on general service fluorescent lamps (GSFLs) and incandescent reflector lamps (IRLs) energy conservation standards in the Federal Register . This notice announces an extension of the public comment period for submitting comments on the preliminary analysis or any other aspect of the rulemaking for GSFLs and IRLs. The comment period is extended to May 13, 2013.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) proposes to establish test procedures for electrically-powered devices used in residential heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) products to circulate air through ductwork, hereafter referred to as “furnace fans.” DOE proposes a test procedure that would be applicable to furnace fans that are used in weatherized and non-weatherized gas, oil and electric furnaces and modular blowers, even though DOE interprets its authority as encompassing more than just circulation fans used in furnaces. This notice proposes to establish a test method for measuring the electrical consumption of the furnace fans used in these products. Concurrently, DOE is undertaking an energy conservation standards rulemaking to address the electrical energy used by these products for circulating air. Once these energy conservation standards are promulgated, the adopted test procedures would be used to determine compliance with the standards. DOE is also requesting written comments on issues presented in this test procedure rulemaking. DOE does not plan to hold a public meeting to discuss the modified proposals of this supplemental notice.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) requests information to help inform its current rulemaking in which it has proposed to set energy conservation standards for classes of battery chargers and external power supplies. Specifically, DOE seeks information on battery chargers that manufacturers have certified as compliant with the California Energy Commission (CEC) standards that became effective on February 1, 2013. DOE is actively reviewing battery chargers that have been certified as compliant with the CEC standards to determine if the analysis DOE prepared in support of the notice of proposed rulemaking for Battery Chargers and External Power Supplies published on March 27, 2012, needs revision in light of the availability of these products. Based on testing data and information received from stakeholders, DOE may propose alternative energy conservation standard levels for battery chargers if it is determined that new energy conservation standards for battery chargers are technologically feasible and economically justified. If DOE determined that different standards could satisfy these criteria, DOE would issue a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking in order to discuss any new findings, propose alternative energy conservation standard levels, and request stakeholder feedback. At this time, DOE welcomes written comments from the public on the issues brought up in this Request for Information or on any other topic within the scope of this rulemaking.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is initiating the rulemaking and data collection process to consider amending the energy conservation standards for ceiling fans and ceiling fan light kits. DOE also plans to conduct a test procedure rulemaking for these products. To inform interested parties and to facilitate this process, DOE has prepared a Framework Document that details the analytical approach and scope of coverage for the rulemaking, and identifies several issues on which DOE is particularly interested in receiving comment. DOE will hold an informal public meeting to discuss and receive comments on its analytical approach and issues it will address in this rulemaking proceeding. DOE welcomes written comments and relevant data from the public on any subject within the scope of this rulemaking.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is informing the public of its collection of shipment data and creation of spreadsheet models to provide comparisons between actual and benchmark estimate unit sales of five lamp types ( i.e., rough service lamps, vibration service lamps, 3-way incandescent lamps, 2,601-3,300 lumen general service incandescent lamps, and shatter-resistant lamps), which are currently exempt from energy conservation standards. As the actual sales do not exceed the forecasted estimate by 100 percent for any lamp type ( i.e., the threshold triggering a rulemaking for an energy conservation standard for that lamp type has not been exceeded), DOE has determined that no regulatory action is necessary at this time. However, DOE will continue to track sales data for these exempted lamps. Relating to this activity, DOE has prepared, and is making available on its Web site, a spreadsheet showing the comparisons of anticipated versus actual sales, as well as the model used to generate the original sales estimates.

On January 19, 2012, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) in which DOE proposed a new test procedure for television sets (TVs). To address comments in response to the NOPR, DOE conducted additional research and analysis, which is incorporated in today's supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNOPR). DOE also incorporated elements from the draft Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) standard “CEA-2037-A, Determination of Television Average Power Consumption” into the SNOPR. In today's SNOPR, DOE proposes to update the input power requirements in the TVs test procedure NOPR by referencing International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Standard 62301 Ed. 2.0, “Household electrical appliances—Measurement of standby power.” The SNOPR also proposes to include example accuracy tolerance calculations for light measuring devices (LMD). Additionally, DOE proposes to update the video source input cable hierarchy in the test procedure, as well as specify the TV input terminal for testing. Further, today's SNOPR clarifies TV warm-up and stabilization prior to testing, removes the standby-active, high mode test, includes a test for standby-active, low mode, updates the test order, and provides details for testing TVs shipped with Automatic Brightness Control (ABC) enabled. Finally, today's SNOPR adds rounding requirements to the TV test procedure NOPR that provide guidance for any calculated values used for representation in multiple metric outputs, including an annual energy consumption metric. The multiple metric outputs will also be subject to a sampling plan in today's SNOPR. DOE will hold a public meeting to receive and discuss comments on the proposal.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has completed an initial analysis that estimates the potential economic impacts and energy savings that could result from promulgating a regulatory energy conservation standard for set-top boxes. At this time, DOE is not proposing any energy conservation standard for set-top boxes. However, it is publishing this initial analysis so stakeholders can review the analysis's output and the underlining assumptions and calculations that might ultimately support a proposed standard. DOE encourages stakeholders to provide any additional data or information that may improve the analysis. The analysis is now publically available at: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/rulemaking.aspx/ruleid/33.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) will hold a public meeting to discuss and receive comments on: the product classes that DOE plans to analyze for purposes of amending energy conservation standards for general service fluorescent lamps (GSFLs) and incandescent reflector lamps (IRLs); the analytical framework, models, and tools that DOE is using to evaluate standards for GSFLs and IRLs; the results of preliminary analyses DOE performed for these products; and potential energy conservation standard levels derived from these analyses that DOE could consider for GSFLs and IRLs. DOE encourages written comments on these subjects. To inform interested parties and facilitate this process, DOE has prepared an agenda, a preliminary technical support document (TSD), and briefing materials, which are available on regulations.gov, docket number EERE-2011-BT-STD-0006 at www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=EERE-2011-BT-STD-0006.

The Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA), as amended, prescribes energy conservation standards for various consumer products and certain commercial and industrial equipment, including residential water heaters. EPCA also requires the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to determine whether more stringent amended standards would be technologically feasible and economically justified, and would save a significant amount of energy. Accordingly, DOE established amended energy conservation standards for several classes of residential water heaters in an April 2010 final rule. Subsequent to the publication of that final rule, a number of utility companies brought forth concerns regarding the amended energy conservation standard levels for electric storage water heaters and the impact of these standards on electric thermal storage programs that utility companies administer to manage peak load. In this document, DOE proposes to establish a waiver process that will mitigate the concerns of utility companies regarding the implementation of the April 2010 standard levels by allowing for the manufacture of certain large-volume electric storage water heaters provided that they meet a set of conditions discussed in this proposed rule. The document also announces a public meeting to receive comment on the proposed waiver process and criteria for obtaining a waiver.

The comment period for the notice of public meeting and availability of the Framework Document pertaining to the development of energy conservation standards for commercial and industrial fan and blower equipment published on February 1, 2013, is extended to May 2, 2013.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is initiating the rulemaking and data collection process to consider amending the energy conservation standards for residential boilers. This rulemaking will satisfy the statutory requirement for DOE to conduct a second round of energy conservation standards rulemaking for residential boilers, and it will also fulfill DOE's statutory obligation to review energy conservation standards within six years after issuance of any final rule establishing or amending a standard to determine whether such standards should be amended. After concluding its initial review of the available information and public comments, DOE will publish either a notice of the determination that standards do not need to be amended, or a notice of proposed rulemaking including new proposed standards. To inform interested parties and to facilitate this process, DOE has prepared a Framework Document that details the analytical approach and scope of coverage for the rulemaking, and identifies several issues on which DOE is particularly interested in receiving comments. DOE will hold a public meeting to discuss and receive comments on its planned analytical approach and issues it will address in this rulemaking proceeding. DOE welcomes written comments and relevant data from the public on any subject within the scope of this rulemaking. A copy of the Framework Document is available at: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/residential/furnaces_boilers.html .

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) proposes to amend its test procedures for residential clothes dryers established under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act. The proposed amendments would clarify the installation conditions for console lights, the method for measuring the drum capacity, the maximum allowable scale range, and the allowable use of a relative humidity meter.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) proposes to revise its test procedures for cooking products established under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act. Test procedures for cooking products can be found at DOE's regulations for Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products, subpart B, appendix I (Appendix I). The proposed amendments to Appendix I would amend the test method for measuring the energy efficiency of induction cooking tops and ranges. Appendix I does not currently include any test methods applicable to induction cooking products. The proposed amendments would incorporate induction cooking tops by amending the definition of “conventional cooking top” to include induction heating technology. Furthermore, the proposed amendments would require for cooking tops the use of test equipment compatible with induction technology as well as with gas burners and electric resistance heating elements. Specifically, the amendments would replace the solid aluminum test blocks currently specified in the test procedure for cooking tops with hybrid test blocks comprising two separate pieces: an aluminum body and a stainless steel base. Appendix I currently specifies the test block size for electric cooking tops based on the surface unit diameter; however, there are no provisions for determining which test block size to use for non-circular electric surface units. The proposed amendments include a clarification that the test block size be determined using the smallest dimension of the electric surface unit.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) proposes to establish a new test procedure for set-top boxes (STBs). The proposed test procedure describes the methods for measuring the power consumption of STBs in the on, sleep (commonly known as standby mode), and off modes. Further, an annual energy consumption (AEC) metric is proposed to calculate the annualized energy consumption of the STB based on its power consumption in the different modes of operation. DOE has tentatively identified that the test methods described in the draft Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) standard, CEA-2043, “Set-top Box (STB) Power Measurement” are appropriate to use as a basis for developing the test procedure for STBs. The draft CEA-2043 standard specifies the test methods for determining the power consumption of a STB in the on, sleep, and off modes. The proposed test procedure in this rulemaking is primarily based on the draft CEA-2043 standard, which was issued as an email ballot to the members of the CEA working group developing the standard for a vote on November 27, 2012.

On November 23, 2011, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNOPR) to amend the test procedures for microwave ovens. That SNOPR proposed amendments to the DOE test procedure to incorporate provisions from the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Standard 62301, “Household electrical appliances—Measurement of standby power,” Edition 2.0 2011-01 (IEC Standard 62301 (Second Edition)). DOE published a second SNOPR on May 16, 2012, proposing additional provisions for measuring the standby mode and off mode energy use of products that combine a microwave oven with other appliance functionality, as well as minor technical clarifications. Those proposed rulemakings serve as the basis for today's action. DOE is issuing a final rule amending the DOE test procedure to incorporate by reference the proposed provisions from IEC Standard 62301 (Second Edition) and the technical clarifications. DOE is not amending the test procedure at this time to measure the energy consumption of products that combine microwave ovens with other appliance functionality, but may consider such amendments in a future rulemaking.

Through this Request for Information (RFI), the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is initiating the rulemaking and data collection process to develop a uniform efficiency descriptor and accompanying test method for residential water heaters and commercial water heaters. This test procedure rulemaking is intended to fulfill DOE's statutory obligation to develop a uniform efficiency descriptor for residential and commercial water heaters pursuant to the amendments to the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) brought about by the American Energy Manufacturing Technical Corrections Act (AEMTCA; H.R. 6582), which was signed into law on December 18, 2012 (Pub. L. 112-210). To inform interested parties and to facilitate this process, DOE has identified several issues in this RFI on which DOE is particularly interested in receiving comment from interested parties. In overview, the issues outlined in this document are mainly associated with: Currently available efficiency metrics and test procedures for rating the efficiency of residential and commercial water heaters; the requirements for a uniform metric set forth in the AEMTCA; and available options for DOE to address those statutory requirements. DOE welcomes written comments from the public on any subject within the scope of this rulemaking (including relevant topics not specifically raised in this RFI).

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is initiating a rulemaking and data collection process to consider amendments to DOE's test procedure for residential furnaces and boilers. Because DOE has recently completed a test procedure rulemaking for the standby mode and off mode energy consumption of these products, the primary focus of this rulemaking will be on active mode operation. This rulemaking is intended to fulfill DOE's statutory obligation to review its test procedures for covered products at least once every seven years. To inform interested parties and to facilitate the process, DOE has gathered data and has identified several issues that might warrant modifications to the currently applicable test procedures, including topics on which DOE is particularly interested in receiving comment. In overview, the issues outlined in this document mainly concern reducing the test burden, test conditions impacting the annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) metric, test conditions impacting non-AFUE efficiency parameters, the performance test for automatic means in boilers, harmonization of standards, alternative methods for furnace/boiler efficiency determination, and scope. These topics (and others which commenters identify) are ones which DOE anticipates may lead to proposed test procedure amendments in a subsequent notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR). DOE welcomes written comments from the public on any subject related to the test procedures for residential furnaces and boilers, including topics not specifically raised in this RFI.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) proposes to revise its test procedures for residential clothes dryers established under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act. The proposed amendments to appendix D1 would include testing methods for more accurately measuring the effects of automatic cycle termination. In addition, the proposed amendments would update the reference to the latest edition of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Standard 62301, “Household electrical appliances—Measurement of standby power,” Edition 2.0 2011-01. For the test procedures at both appendix D and appendix D1, DOE proposes to clarify the cycle settings used for the test cycle and the requirements for the gas supply for gas clothes dryers.