Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products: Test Procedures for Refrigerators, Refrigerator-Freezers, and Freezers, 29824-29876 [2010-11957]
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Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 102 / Thursday, May 27, 2010 / Proposed Rules
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
10 CFR Part 430
[Docket No. EERE–2009–BT–TP–0003]
RIN 1904–AB92
Energy Conservation Program for
Consumer Products: Test Procedures
for Refrigerators, RefrigeratorFreezers, and Freezers
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AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy, Department of
Energy.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
and public meeting.
SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of
Energy (DOE) today is issuing a notice
of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) to
amend the test procedures for
refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and
freezers. The NOPR consists of two
parts. First, it proposes amending the
current procedure by adding test
procedures to account for refrigeratorfreezers equipped with variable antisweat heater controls, amending the
long-time automatic defrost test
procedure to capture all energy use
associated with the defrost cycle
expended during testing, establishing
test procedures for refrigerator-freezers
equipped with more than two
compartments, making minor
adjustments to the language to eliminate
any potential ambiguity regarding how
to conduct tests, and requiring certain
information in certification reports to
clarify how some products are tested to
determine their energy ratings. Second,
the notice proposes amended test
procedures for refrigerators, refrigeratorfreezers, and freezers that would be
required for measuring energy
consumption once DOE promulgates
new energy conservation standards for
these products. These new standards are
currently under development in a
separate rulemaking activity. Pursuant
to the Energy Policy and Conservation
Act of 1975, as amended, these new
standards would apply to newly
manufactured products starting on
January 1, 2014. While the amended test
procedures would be based largely on
the test methodology used in the
existing test procedures, they also
include significant revisions with
respect to the measurement of
compartment temperatures and
compartment volumes that would
provide a more comprehensive
accounting of energy usage by these
products. Finally, the new test
procedure for 2014 would incorporate
into the energy use metric the energy
use associated with icemaking for
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products with automatic icemakers.
This NOPR also discusses the proposed
treatment of combination wine storagefreezer products that were the subject of
a recent test procedure waiver, the
testing of refrigeration products with the
anti-sweat heater switch turned off, the
treatment of auxiliary features used in
refrigeration products, the treatment of
electric heaters in the current and
proposed test procedures, and the
incorporation of icemaking energy use
in the test procedure.
DATES: DOE will hold a public meeting
on Tuesday, June 22, 2010, from 9 a.m.
to 4 p.m., in Washington, DC. DOE must
receive requests to speak at the public
meeting before 4 p.m., Tuesday, June 8,
2010. DOE must receive a signed
original and an electronic copy of
statements to be given at the public
meeting before 4 p.m., Tuesday, June 15,
2010.
DOE will accept comments, data, and
information regarding this NOPR before
and after the public meeting, but no
later than August 10, 2010. See section
V, ‘‘Public Participation,’’ of this NOPR
for details.
ADDRESSES: The public meeting will be
held at the U.S. Department of Energy,
Forrestal Building, Room 8E–089, 1000
Independence Avenue, SW.,
Washington, DC 20585–0121. To attend
the public meeting, please notify Ms.
Brenda Edwards at (202) 586–2945.
(Please note that foreign nationals
visiting DOE Headquarters are subject to
advance security screening procedures.
Any foreign national wishing to
participate in the public meeting should
advise DOE as soon as possible by
contacting Ms. Edwards to initiate the
necessary procedures.)
Any comments submitted must
identify the NOPR on Test Procedures
for Refrigerators, Refrigerator-Freezers,
and Freezers, and provide the docket
number EERE–2009–BT–TP–0003 and/
or Regulatory Information Number (RIN)
1904–AB92. Comments may be
submitted using any of the following
methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
• E-mail: Refrig-2009–TP–
0003@ee.doe.gov. Include docket
number EERE–2009–BT–TP–0003 and/
or RIN 1904–AB92 in the subject line of
the message.
• Mail: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S.
Department of Energy, Building
Technologies Program, Mailstop EE–2J,
1000 Independence Avenue, SW.,
Washington, DC 20585–0121. Please
submit one signed paper original.
• Hand Delivery/Courier: Ms. Brenda
Edwards, U.S. Department of Energy,
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Building Technologies Program, 950
L’Enfant Plaza, SW., Suite 600,
Washington, DC 20024. Telephone:
(202) 586–2945. Please submit one
signed paper original.
For detailed instructions on
submitting comments and additional
information on the rulemaking process,
see section V, ‘‘Public Participation,’’ of
this document.
Docket: For access to the docket to
read background documents or
comments received, visit the U.S.
Department of Energy, Resource Room
of the Building Technologies Program,
950 L’Enfant Plaza, SW., Suite 600,
Washington, DC 20024, (202) 586–2945,
between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Please call Ms. Brenda Edwards at the
above telephone number for additional
information about visiting the Resource
Room.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.
Lucas Adin, U.S. Department of Energy,
Office of Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy, Building
Technologies Program, EE–2J, 1000
Independence Avenue, SW.,
Washington, DC 20585–0121.
Telephone: (202) 287–1317. E-mail:
Lucas.Adin@ee.doe.gov.
Mr. Michael Kido, U.S. Department of
Energy, Office of the General Counsel,
GC–72, 1000 Independence Avenue,
SW., Washington, DC 20585–0121.
Telephone: (202) 586–8145. E-mail:
Michael.Kido@hq.doe.gov.
For information on how to submit or
review public comments and on how to
participate in the public meeting,
contact Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S.
Department of Energy, Office of Energy
Efficiency and Renewable Energy,
Building Technologies Program, EE–2J,
1000 Independence Avenue, SW.,
Washington, DC 20585–0121.
Telephone: (202) 586–2945. E-mail:
Brenda.Edwards@ee.doe.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background and Authority
II. Summary of the Proposal
III. Discussion
A. Products Covered by the Proposed
Revisions
B. Combination Wine Storage-Freezer
Units
C. Establishing New Appendices A and B,
and Compliance Date for the Amended
Test Procedures
D. Amendments to Take Effect Prior to a
New Energy Conservation Standard
1. Procedures for Test Sample Preparation
2. Product Clearances to Walls During
Testing
3. Alternative Compartment Temperature
Sensor Locations
4. Median Temperature Settings for
Electronic Control Products
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5. Test Procedures for Convertible
Compartments and Special
Compartments
6. Establishing a Temperature-Averaging
Procedure for Auxiliary Compartments
7. Modified Definition for Anti-Sweat
Heater
8. Testing With the Anti-Sweat Heater
Switch Turned Off
9. Incorporation of Test Procedures for
Products With Variable Anti-Sweat
Heating Control Waivers
10. Modification of Long-Time and
Variable Defrost Test Method To Capture
Precooling Energy
11. Establishing Test Procedures for
Multiple Defrost Cycle Types
12. Elimination of Part 3 of the Variable
Defrost Test
13. Corrections and Other Test Procedure
Language Changes
14. Including in Certification Reports Basic
Information Clarifying Energy
Measurements
E. Amendments To Take Effect
Simultaneously With a New Energy
Conservation Standard
1. Incorporating by Reference AHAM
Standard HRF–1–2008 for Measuring
Energy and Internal Volume of
Refrigerating Appliances
2. Establishing New Compartment
Temperatures
3. Establishing New Volume Calculation
Method
4. Control Settings for Refrigerators and
Refrigerator-Freezers During Testing
5. Icemakers and Icemaking
F. Other Issues Under Consideration
1. Electric Heaters
2. Rounding Off Energy Test Results
G. Compliance With Other EPCA
Requirements
1. Test Burden
2. Potential Amendments To Include
Standby and Off Mode Energy
Consumption
IV. Procedural Requirements
A. Review Under Executive Order 12866
B. Review Under the Regulatory Flexibility
Act
C. Review Under the Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995
D. Review Under the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969
E. Review Under Executive Order 13132
F. Review Under Executive Order 12988
G. Review Under the Unfunded Mandates
Reform Act of 1995
H. Review Under the Treasury and General
Government Appropriations Act, 1999
I. Review Under Executive Order 12630
J. Review Under the Treasury and General
Government Appropriations Act, 2001
K. Review Under Executive Order 13211
L. Review Under Section 32 of the Federal
Energy Administration Act of 1974
V. Public Participation
A. Attendance at the Public Meeting
B. Procedure for Submitting Requests To
Speak
C. Conduct of Public Meeting
D. Submission of Comments
E. Issues on Which DOE Seeks Comment
VI. Approval of the Office of the Secretary
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I. Background and Authority
Title III of the Energy Policy and
Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6291, et
seq.; ‘‘EPCA’’ or, ‘‘the Act’’) sets forth a
variety of provisions designed to
improve energy efficiency. (All
references to EPCA refer to the statute
as amended through the Energy
Independence and Security Act of 2007
(EISA 2007), Public Law 110–140 (Dec.
19, 2007)). Part A of title III (42 U.S.C.
6291–6309) establishes the ‘‘Energy
Conservation Program for Consumer
Products Other Than Automobiles,’’
which includes refrigerators,
refrigerator-freezers, and freezers, all of
which are referred to below as ‘‘covered
products’’. (42 U.S.C. 6291(1)–(2) and
6292(a)(1)) ‘‘Refrigerators, refrigeratorfreezers, and freezers’’ are referred to
below, collectively, as ‘‘refrigeration
products’’. Under the Act, this program
consists essentially of three parts: (1)
Testing, (2) labeling, and (3) Federal
energy conservation standards. The
testing requirements consist of test
procedures that, pursuant to EPCA,
manufacturers of covered products must
use (1) as the basis for certifying to the
DOE that their products comply with
applicable energy conservation
standards adopted under EPCA, and (2)
for making representations about the
efficiency of those products. Similarly,
DOE must use these test requirements to
determine whether the products comply
with any relevant standards
promulgated under EPCA.
By way of background, the National
Appliance Energy Conservation Act of
1987 (NAECA), Public Law 100–12,
amended EPCA by including, among
other things, performance standards for
residential refrigeration products. (42
U.S.C. 6295(b)). On November 17, 1989,
DOE amended these performance
standards for products manufactured on
or after January 1, 1993. 54 FR 47916.
DOE subsequently published a
correction to revise these new standards
for three product classes. 55 FR 42845
(October 24, 1990). DOE again updated
the performance standards for
refrigeration products on April 28, 1997,
for products manufactured on or after
July 1, 2001. 62 FR 23102.
EISA 2007 amended EPCA to require
DOE to determine by December 31,
2010, whether amending the energy
conservation standards in effect for
refrigeration products would be
justified. (42 U.S.C. 6295(b)(4)) As a
result, DOE has initiated a standards
rulemaking for these products. On
September 18, 2008, DOE announced
the availability of a framework
document to initiate that rulemaking.
(73 FR 54089) On September 29, 2008,
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DOE held a public workshop to discuss
the framework document and issues
related to the rulemaking. The
framework document identified several
test procedure issues, including: (1)
Compartment temperature changes; (2)
modified volume calculation methods;
(3) products that deactivate energyusing features during energy testing; (4)
variable anti-sweat heaters; (5)
references to the updated Association of
Home Appliance Manufacturers
(AHAM) HRF–1 test standard, ‘‘Energy
and Internal Volume of Refrigerating
Appliances’’, published in 2008 (HRF–
1–2008); (6) convertible compartments;
and (7) harmonization with
international test procedures. (‘‘Energy
Conservation Standards Rulemaking
Framework Document for Residential
Refrigerators, Refrigerator-Freezers, and
Freezers’’, RIN 1904–AB79, Docket No.
EERE–2008–BT–STD–0012) Separately,
DOE raised the issue of how to address
various aspects related to the icemaker,
including the manner in which to
measure icemaking energy usage as well
as set-up issues during testing.
(‘‘Additional Guidance Regarding
Application of Current Procedures for
Testing Energy Consumption of
Refrigerator-Freezers with Automatic Ice
Makers’’, (December 18, 2009) published
at 75 FR 2122 (January 14, 2010)) The
test procedure rulemaking announced
by today’s notice seeks to address these
issues and to establish a procedure that
will be used for determining compliance
with the new energy conservation
standards under development.
General Test Procedure Rulemaking
Process
Under 42 U.S.C. 6293, EPCA sets forth
the criteria and procedures for DOE’s
adoption and amendment of such test
procedures. EPCA provides in relevant
part that ‘‘[a]ny test procedures
prescribed or amended under this
section shall be reasonably designed to
produce test results which measure
energy efficiency, energy use * * * or
estimated annual operating cost of a
covered product during a representative
average use cycle or period of use, as
determined by the Secretary [of Energy],
and shall not be unduly burdensome to
conduct.’’ (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(3))
In addition, if DOE determines that a
test procedure amendment is warranted,
it must publish proposed test
procedures and offer the public an
opportunity to present oral and written
comments. (U.S.C. 6293(b)(2)) Finally,
in any rulemaking to amend a test
procedure, DOE must determine ‘‘to
what extent, if any, the proposed test
procedure would alter the measured
energy efficiency * * * of any covered
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product as determined under the
existing test procedure.’’ (42 U.S.C.
6293(e)(1)) If DOE determines that the
amended test procedure would alter the
measured efficiency of a covered
product, DOE must amend the
applicable energy conservation standard
accordingly. (42 U.S.C. 6293(e)(2))
With respect to today’s rulemaking,
DOE has tentatively determined that at
least some of the amendments it is
proposing may result in a change in
measured efficiency when compared to
the current test procedure, although
DOE has not quantified the full impact
of these anticipated changes. In such
situations, EPCA requires a standards
rulemaking to address such changes in
measured energy efficiency. (42 U.S.C.
6293(e)(2)) However, DOE is presently
under an obligation under 42 U.S.C.
6295(b)(4) to conduct an amended
standards rulemaking for refrigeration
products by December 31, 2010.
Consequently, DOE will consider the
impacts of the test procedure changes
that are affected by this rulemaking in
the context of that standards
rulemaking. DOE requests comments
regarding what impacts, if any, would
be associated with the test procedure
amendments proposed to be adopted
prior to the effective date of the new
energy conservation standards. These
comments should specifically address
the amendments proposed in section
III.D.
DOE also considers the activity
initiated by today’s notice sufficient to
satisfy the 7-year review requirement
established by Section 302 of EISA 2007
to review its test procedures for all
covered products at least once every
seven years, including refrigeration
products, and either amend the
applicable test procedures or publish a
determination in the Federal Register
not to amend it. (42 U.S.C.
6293(b)(1)(A))
Because DOE’s existing test
procedures for these products were
already in place on December 19, 2007,
when the 7-year test procedure review
provisions of EPCA were enacted (42
U.S.C. 6293(b)(1)(A)), DOE would have
had to review these test procedures by
December 2014. However, since DOE is
already considering changes to the test
procedure in anticipation of the 2014
rulemaking required by Congress, DOE
is satisfying this requirement in advance
of that date. This rulemaking satisfies
those review requirements in that it
constitutes a review of the current
procedures and proposes amendments
to those procedures for refrigeration
products.
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Refrigerators and Refrigerator-Freezers
DOE’s test procedures for refrigerators
and refrigerator-freezers are found at 10
CFR part 430, subpart B, Appendix A1.
DOE initially established its test
procedures for refrigerators and
refrigerator-freezers in a final rule
published in the Federal Register on
September 14, 1977. 42 FR 46140.
Industry representatives viewed these
test procedures as too complex and
eventually developed alternative test
procedures in conjunction with AHAM
that were incorporated into the 1979
version of HRF–1, ‘‘Household
Refrigerators, Combination RefrigeratorFreezers, and Household Freezers’’
(HRF–1–1979). Using this industrycreated test procedure, DOE revised its
test procedures on August 10, 1982. 47
FR 34517. On August 31, 1989, DOE
published a final rule establishing test
procedures for variable defrost control
(a system that varies the time intervals
between defrosts based on the defrost
need). 54 FR 36238. DOE most recently
amended these test procedures in a final
rule published March 7, 2003, which
modified the test period used for
products equipped with long-time
automatic defrost. 68 FR 10957. The
term ‘‘long-time automatic defrost’’
identifies the use of an automatic
defrost control in which successive
defrosts are separated by more than 14
hours of compressor run time. The test
procedures include provisions for
determining the annual energy use in
kilowatt-hours (kWh) and the annual
operating cost for electricity for
refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers.
Also, consistent with the regulations
set out in 10 CFR part 430, the 1989 and
2003 final rules terminated all the
previous refrigerator and refrigeratorfreezer test procedure waivers that DOE
had previously granted to manufacturers
before the issuance of the 2003 rule.
Since the issuance of that rule, DOE has
granted four waivers and three interim
waivers. First, on April 24, 2007, DOE
¨
permitted Liebherr Hausgerate to test a
combination wine storage-freezer line of
appliances using a standardized
temperature of 55 °F for the wine
storage compartment, as opposed to the
45 °F prescribed for fresh food
compartments of refrigerators and
refrigerator-freezers. 72 FR 20333,
20334.
Second, DOE has granted waivers and
interim waivers allowing manufacturers
to use a modified procedure to test
refrigeration products that use ambient
condition sensors that adjust anti-sweat
heater power consumption. These
heaters prevent condensation on the
external surfaces of refrigerators and
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refrigerator-freezers. The new control
addressed by the waivers uses sensors
that detect ambient conditions to
energize the heaters only when needed.
The procedure described by these
waivers provides a method for
manufacturers to determine the energy
consumed by a refrigerator using this
type of variable control system. The first
of these waivers was granted to the
General Electric Company (GE) on
February 27, 2008. 73 FR 10425. DOE
granted a similar waiver to Whirlpool
Corporation on May 5, 2009. 74 FR
20695. DOE published a petition for a
third waiver from Electrolux Home
Products, Inc. (Electrolux) and granted
its application for an interim waiver on
June 4, 2009. 74 FR 26853. On
December 15, 2009, DOE granted a
waiver to Electrolux (74 FR 66338) and
published a petition for a second waiver
to Electrolux seeking to extend the
coverage of this waiver to additional
basic models. 74 FR 66344. On
December 15, 2009, DOE also published
a petition from Samsung Electronics
America (Samsung) seeking a waiver for
variable control of anti-sweat heaters
and granted the company an interim
waiver. 74 FR 66340.
After granting a waiver, DOE
regulations generally direct the agency
to initiate a rulemaking that would
amend the regulations to eliminate the
continued need for the waiver. 10 CFR
430.27(m). Today’s notice addresses this
requirement. Once this rule becomes
effective, any waivers it addresses will
terminate.
Freezers
DOE’s test procedures for freezers are
found at 10 CFR part 430, subpart B,
Appendix B1. DOE established its test
procedures for freezers in a final rule
published in the Federal Register on
September 14, 1977. 42 FR 46140. As
with DOE’s test procedures for
refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers,
industry representatives viewed the
freezer test procedures as too complex
and worked with AHAM to develop
alternative test procedures, which were
incorporated into the 1979 version of
HRF–1. DOE revised its test procedures
for freezers based on this AHAM
standard on August 10, 1982. 47 FR
34517. The test procedures were
amended on September 20, 1989, to
correct the effective date published in
the August 31, 1989 rule. See 54 FR
38788. The test procedures include
provisions for determining the annual
energy use in kWh and annual electrical
operating costs for freezers.
DOE has not issued any waivers from
the freezer test procedures since the
promulgation of the 1989 final rule.
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II. Summary of the Proposal
The proposed rule contains two basic
parts. First, it would amend the current
DOE test procedures for refrigerators,
refrigerator-freezers, and freezers, to
clarify the manner in which to test for
compliance with existing energy
conservation standards. As indicated in
greater detail below, these proposed
amendments, if adopted, would apply
strictly to the current procedures in
Appendices A1 and B1. These minor
amendments would eliminate any
potential ambiguity contained in these
appendices and clarify regulatory text to
ensure that regulated entities fully
understand the long-standing views and
interpretations that the Department
holds with respect to the application
and implementation of the test
procedures that are in place. The
current procedures would also be
amended to account for, among other
things, the various waivers granted by
DOE.
Second, the proposal would establish
comprehensive changes to the manner
in which the procedures are conducted
by creating new Appendices A and B.
Elements from the proposed
amendments to Appendices A1 and B1
would also be carried over into the new
Appendices A and B. The procedures
contained in these new appendices
would apply only to those products that
would be covered by any new standard
that DOE promulgates and would be
organized separately from the current
test procedures found in Appendices A1
and B1. EPCA requires these new
standards to take effect by January 1,
2014. While DOE is proposing to retain
current Appendices A1 and B1 for this
rulemaking to cover products
manufactured before the effective date
of the new standards, once the new
standards become effective, these
appendices would be replaced by
Appendices A and B, respectively.
Consequently, DOE would apply the
procedures detailed in the proposed
Appendices A and B to potential
revisions to the energy conservation
standards for refrigerators, refrigeratorfreezers, and freezers.
The proposed amendments discussed
in this notice would, if adopted, take
effect 30 days after issuance of the final
rule. However, manufacturers would not
need to use Appendices A and B until
the compliance date for the 2014
standards, which has been set by
Congress through EISA 2007 (i.e.
January 1, 2014). See EISA 2007, sec.
311(a)(3) (42 U.S.C. 6295(b)(4))
The proposed revisions of
Appendices A1 and B1 would achieve
four primary goals: (1) Address issues
raised in the framework document, by
stakeholders during the framework
workshop, and in written comments; (2)
incorporate test procedures for
refrigerator-freezers with variable antisweat heater controls that were the
subject of test procedure waivers
granted to General Electric, Whirlpool,
and Electrolux and an interim waiver
granted to Samsung, (3) modify the
long-time automatic defrost test
procedure to ensure that the test
procedure measures all energy use
associated with the defrost function,
and (4) clarify the test procedures for
addressing special compartments and
those refrigerator-freezers that are
equipped with more than two
compartments. The revisions also
address areas of potential inconsistency
in the current procedure, and eliminate
an optional test that DOE understands is
not used by the industry.
The test procedure revisions in the
new Appendices A and B would
include (1) new compartment
temperatures for refrigerators and
refrigerator-freezers, and (2) new
methods for measuring compartment
volumes for all refrigeration products.
These two amendments would improve
harmonization with relevant
international standards and test
repeatability. The compartment
temperature changes would
significantly impact the energy use
measured by the test for refrigerators
and refrigerator-freezers. The new
volume calculation method being
proposed would change the adjusted
volume for all refrigeration products.
The proposed temperature changes
would also affect the calculated
adjusted volume, which is equal to the
fresh food compartment volume plus a
temperature-dependent adjustment
factor multiplied by the freezer
compartment volume. Since the
standards for refrigeration products are
expressed as equations that specify
maximum energy use as a function of
adjusted volume, the proposed
modifications would impact the
allowable energy use for all of these
products. The proposed changes would
also change the energy factor, which is
equal to adjusted volume divided by
daily energy consumption.
This notice also discusses the
combination wine storage-freezer
products that were the subject of the
¨
Liebherr Hausgerate test procedure
waiver. While DOE expects to propose
modified product definitions to include
coverage of wine storage products in a
separate future rulemaking addressing
just these products, DOE proposes in
this current rulemaking to establish
consistency in its treatment of wine
coolers and wine storage-freezers.
Lastly, this notice also discusses (1)
the measurement of energy use of
electric heaters in refrigeration
products, (2) the energy use of auxiliary
features, and (3) the incorporation of the
measurement of icemaking energy use
into the test procedure. Incorporating
the measurement of icemaking energy
use would add the energy used to
produce ice in refrigeration products
that are equipped with automatic
icemakers. This addition would
improve the consistency of the
measurement with the representative
use cycle for such products.
III. Discussion
Table 1 below summarizes the
subsections of this section and indicates
where the proposed amendments would
appear in each appendix. Three of the
subsections address proposed changes
in sections of 10 CFR 430 other than
appendices A1, B1, A, or B, and four of
the subsections would not have any
proposed test procedure changes
associated with them.
TABLE 1—SECTION III SUBSECTIONS
Affected appendices
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Section
Title
A1
B1
A
B
A ....................................
Products Covered by the Proposed Revisions ...
No proposed change is associated with this section of the NOPR.
B ....................................
Combination Wine Storage-Freezer Units ..........
*
C ....................................
Establishing New Appendices A and B, and
Compliance Date for the Amended Test Procedures.
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TABLE 1—SECTION III SUBSECTIONS—Continued
Affected appendices
Section
Title
A1
D.1 .................................
D.2 .................................
D.3 .................................
D.4 .................................
D.5 .................................
D.6 .................................
D.7 .................................
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Incorporation of Test Procedures for Products
with Variable Anti-Sweat Heating Control
Waivers.
Modification of Long-Time and Variable Defrost
Test Method to Capture Precooling Energy.
Establishing Test Procedures for Multiple Defrost Cycle Types.
Elimination of Part 3 of the Variable Defrost
Test.
A: Simplification of Energy Use Equation for
Products with Variable Defrost Control.
B: Energy Testing and Energy Use Equation for
Products with Dual Automatic Defrost.
D.10 ...............................
D.11 ...............................
D.12 ...............................
D.13.A ............................
D.13.B ............................
D.14 ...............................
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E.5 .................................
Incorporating by Reference AHAM Standard
HRF–1–2008 for Measuring Energy and Internal Volume of Refrigerating Appliances.
Establishing New Compartment Temperatures ..
Establishing New Volume Calculation Method ...
Control Settings for Refrigerators and Refrigerator-Freezers During Testing.
Icemakers and Icemaking ...................................
F.1 ..................................
Electric Heaters ...................................................
F.2 ..................................
G.1 .................................
G.2 .................................
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Including in Certification Reports Basic Information Clarifying Energy Measurements.
E.1 .................................
B
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Testing with the Anti-Sweat Heater Switch
Turned Off.
D.9 .................................
A
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Procedures for Test Sample Preparation ............
Product Clearances to Walls During Testing ......
Alternative Compartment Temperature Sensor
Locations.
Median Temperature Settings for Electronic
Control Products.
Test Procedures for Convertible Compartments
and Special Compartments.
Establishing a Temperature-Averaging Procedure for Auxiliary Compartments.
Modified Definition for Anti-Sweat Heater ...........
D.8 .................................
B1
Rounding Off Energy Test Results .....................
Test Burden .........................................................
Potential Amendments to Include Standby and
Off Mode Energy Consumption.
E.2 .................................
E.3 .................................
E.4 .................................
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No proposed changes to the regulatory language are associated
with these sections of the NOPR.
amendment would appear in 10 CFR 430.2.
amendment would appear in 10 CFR 430.23.
amendment would appear in 10 CFR 430.62.
*** This
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A. Products Covered by the Proposed
Revisions
The current regulations define the
terms ‘‘refrigerators,’’ ‘‘refrigeratorfreezers,’’ and related terms as follows:
‘‘Refrigerator’’ means an electric
refrigerator.
‘‘Refrigerator-freezer’’ means an
electric refrigerator-freezer.
‘‘Electric refrigerator’’ means a cabinet
designed for the refrigerated storage of
food at temperatures above 32 °F and
below 39 °F, configured for general
refrigerated food storage, and having a
source of refrigeration requiring single
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phase, alternating current electric
energy input only. An electric
refrigerator may include a compartment
for the freezing and storage of food at
temperatures below 32 °F, but does not
provide a separate low temperature
compartment designed for the freezing
and storage of food at temperatures
below 8 °F.
‘‘Electric refrigerator-freezer’’ means a
cabinet which consists of two or more
compartments with at least one of the
compartments designed for the
refrigerated storage of food at
temperatures above 32 °F and with at
least one of the compartments designed
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for the freezing and storage of food at
temperatures below 8 °F which may be
adjusted by the user to a temperature of
0 °F or below. The source of
refrigeration requires single phase,
alternating current electric energy input
only.
10 CFR 430.2.
This rulemaking proposes to change
the definition for electric refrigeratorfreezer to limit the fresh food
compartment temperature range to a
maximum temperature of 39 °F,
consistent with the definition for
electric refrigerator. This specific
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proposal is discussed further in section
III.B. No change is being proposed to the
definition for electric refrigerator but
DOE is open to comments on possible
improvements to enhance the clarity of
this term and may incorporate such
changes in the final rule.
DOE notes that its regulations
currently define a freezer as ‘‘a cabinet
designed as a unit for the freezing and
storage of food at temperatures of 0 °F
or below, and having a source of
refrigeration requiring single phase,
alternating current electric energy input
only.’’ 10 CFR 430.2. No change in this
definition is being proposed at this time
but, as with the definition for electric
refrigerator-freezers, DOE is interested
in receiving comments on this issue to
help improve the definition’s clarity and
may decide to modify the definition
based on these comments.
B. Combination Wine Storage-Freezer
Units
DOE amended its definition of electric
refrigerators to exclude wine storage
products on November 19, 2001. 66 FR
57845. Specifically, the definition was
changed to exclude products that do not
maintain internal temperatures below
39 °F. The final rule explained that
these products ‘‘are configured with
special storage racks for wine bottles
and in general do not attain as low a
storage temperature as a standard
refrigerator. These characteristics make
them unsuitable for general long-term
storage of perishable foods.’’ 66 FR
57846. The final rule also stated that
‘‘sales of these products are small and
excluding them from coverage would
not have any significant impacts.’’ Id.
DOE, however, did not change the
definition of electric refrigerator-freezers
to exclude products such as the Liebherr
line of wine storage-freezer appliances,
which contain both freezer and wine
storage compartments. DOE believes
that the arguments made in favor of
excluding wine storage products from
the definition of electric refrigerators
also apply to combination appliances
such as these wine storage-freezer
combination appliances—i.e., the wine
storage compartment does not attain
temperatures which are suitable for
long-term storage of perishable foods,
and the sales levels of such products are
small.
The current test procedure does not
address the treatment of wine storagefreezer products. Because of this gap,
¨
Liebherr Hausgerate (Liebherr)
petitioned the agency for a test
procedure waiver to address this
product. (72 FR 20333) DOE granted a
test procedure waiver to Liebherr on
April 24, 2007 (Liebherr waiver) that
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permitted the company to test and
certify its combination wine storagefreezer line of appliances. (72 FR 20333)
The waiver specified that testing shall
be conducted following the test
procedures for refrigerator-freezers,
except that the standard temperature for
the wine-storage compartment shall be
55 °F, as opposed to 45 °F as specified
in the test procedures for refrigeratorfreezers. (72 FR 20334)
Under DOE’s regulations, DOE must
publish a NOPR to amend the DOE test
procedures to eliminate the continued
need for the waiver. A final rule must
issue ‘‘as soon thereafter as practicable.’’
The waiver would then terminate on the
effective date of the final rule. 10 CFR
430.27(m). Accordingly, to address this
requirement and the treatment of these
products, DOE proposes to modify the
definition of electric refrigerator-freezers
in order to exclude products with wine
storage or other compartments that do
not attain suitable temperatures for food
storage. The proposed modified
definition is as follows:
‘‘Electric refrigerator-freezer’’ means a
cabinet which consists of two or more
compartments with at least one of the
compartments designed for the refrigerated
storage of food at temperatures above 32 °F
and below 39 °F and with at least one of the
compartments designed for the freezing and
storage of food at temperatures below 8 °F
which may be adjusted by the user to a
temperature of 0 °F or below. Additional
compartments shall be designed for
temperatures in any range up to 39 °F. The
source of refrigeration requires single phase,
alternating current electric energy input only.
This definition of refrigerator-freezer,
if adopted, would exclude the Liebherr
product line and other similar products
from coverage under the test procedures
and energy conservation standards for
refrigerator-freezers. DOE is proposing
this approach to maintain consistency
with treatment of single-compartment
wine storage products, which were
eliminated from coverage by the
definition change for refrigerators
discussed above in this section, and to
clarify that energy conservation
standards have not been established for
these products. DOE expects to propose
modifications to cover wine storage
products in a separate future
rulemaking.
DOE notes that beer refrigerators, in
contrast to wine coolers, generally are
designed to operate with compartment
temperature below 39°F. Hence, these
products are, and would continue to be
treated as, refrigerators and would
continue to remain subject to the
current test procedures and energy
conservation standards of 10 CFR 430.
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C. Establishing New Appendices A and
B, and Compliance Date for the
Amended Test Procedures
As briefly discussed above, the
effective date for all of today’s proposed
amendments would be 30 days after
publication of a final rule. However,
only the amendments to Appendices A1
and B1 would have an immediate
impact on manufacturers.
For purposes of representations,
under 42 U.S.C. 6293(c)(2), effective 180
days after amending a test procedure,
manufacturers cannot make
representations regarding energy use
and efficiency unless the product was
tested in accordance with the amended
test procedure. A manufacturer,
distributor, retailer or private labeler
may petition DOE to obtain an extension
of time for making these
representations. (42 U.S.C. 6293(c)(3))
However, manufacturers would need
to use proposed Appendices A and B
once amended energy conservation
standards become effective on January
1, 2014. Likewise, the proposed
Appendices A and B would be
mandatory for representations regarding
energy use or operating cost of these
products once the new energy
conservation standards take effect.
Under EPCA, DOE must determine by
no later than December 31, 2010,
whether to amend energy conservation
standards that would apply to
refrigeration products manufactured on
or after January 1, 2014. As discussed
earlier, because the proposed modified
test procedures of Appendices A and B
would change the measured energy use
of these products, DOE is planning to
amend its energy conservation
standards for these products. (42 U.S.C.
6293(e)(2)) These amended test
procedures would be used in analyzing
and developing any amended standards.
D. Amendments To Take Effect Prior to
a New Energy Conservation Standard
1. Procedures for Test Sample
Preparation
Current DOE test procedures generally
address product features and functions
available at the time that the test
procedures were written. Advances in
technology and product design,
however, can lead to operating
conditions and/or product features and
functions that are not addressed in
current applicable test procedures. In
particular, these existing test procedures
may not specifically address these new
features or functions that are in addition
to (and not involved in) the primary
functions of maintaining temperatures
suitable for food storage (i.e.
temperatures up to 39 °F). To the extent
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that these new features or functions may
be directly involved with the primary
functions, in DOE’s view, the energy use
impact of these secondary functions
should be included when measuring the
overall energy consumption of a covered
product under the DOE test procedure.
Because DOE’s test procedures
provide a measurement of a
representative average use cycle, the
procedures need to reflect the changes
in technology and product design that
are present in current products. If
installation of a refrigeration product
according to its accompanying
instructions does not clearly explain
how to set up products with new
technology or design features, concerns
may arise as to whether a given test can
be conducted in a fashion that would
measure the representative energy use of
the product.
HRF–1–1979, parts of which are
included in the current DOE test
procedure by reference, requires that,
‘‘the cabinet with its refrigerating
mechanism is to be assembled and set
up as nearly as practicable in
accordance with the printed
instructions supplied with the cabinet.’’
HRF–1–1979, section 7.4.2. Similarly,
HRF–1–2008, parts of which are
proposed to be included in the new
Appendices A and B, has an essentially
identical requirement: ‘‘The cabinet with
its refrigerating mechanism shall be
assembled and set up as nearly as
practical in accordance with the printed
instructions supplied with the cabinet.’’
HRF–1–2008, section 5.5.2. DOE
proposes to emphasize this set-up
requirement by eliminating the words,
‘‘as nearly as practical’’, and providing
specific (permitted and required)
deviations from this set-up requirement
as warranted. DOE is proposing the use
of these specific deviations in order to
ensure that the procedure is clear and
yields consistent test results. This
provision would be inserted directly
into section 2 of Appendices A1, B1, A,
and B.
Permitted deviations from this
requirement would include set-up
details that are required for consumer
installation but do not affect measured
energy use. Examples include:
• Connection of water lines and
installation of water filters (not
required).
• Anchoring or otherwise securing a
product to prevent tipping during
energy testing (also not required, but
encouraged if necessary to ensure safety
during testing).
Required deviations needed to
achieve the necessary testing conditions
and obtain consistent results would
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include, but are not limited to, the
following:
• Clearance requirements:
Establishing a consistent approach for
wall-to-cabinet clearances that would
limit the clearance ranges when
compared to actual field installations.
• The electric power supply:
Establishing a tighter tolerance on the
voltage of the power supply than would
be found during field use.
• Temperature control settings:
Establishing standardized compartment
temperatures to ensure meaningful
comparisons of test results.
All of the permitted and required
deviations from the printed instructions
included with the manufacturer’s
product would be listed in section 2 of
Appendices A1, B1, A, and B. DOE
conducted a review of product
installation instructions to determine
which instructions would require
specific language describing allowed or
required deviations during testing.
However, there may be other specific
installation instructions that would
affect energy use or would otherwise not
be necessary to conduct the test. DOE
seeks comment on whether these
proposed deviations are sufficient to
ensure that the procedure is clear and
produces consistent results.
DOE recognizes that in some cases
there may still be questions about how
to set up a product for testing. In cases
where the proposed modified language
does not address the specific type of
situation presented by a particular basic
model, a test procedure waiver would
be the appropriate course of action to
allow test procedures to be developed
for the specific characteristics of the
product. DOE proposes to incorporate
language into the test procedure
instructing manufacturers to apply for a
test procedure waiver in such cases.
DOE proposes adding language to the
set-up instructions of section 2 to alert
manufacturers to this issue.
In addition, DOE proposes to add a
new section 7 to the test procedure that
explains when a test procedure waiver
would be needed:
To the extent that the procedures
contained in this appendix do not provide a
means for determining the energy
consumption of a refrigerator or refrigeratorfreezer, a manufacturer must obtain a waiver
under 10 CFR 430.27 to establish an
acceptable test procedure for each such
product. Such instances could, for example,
include situations where the test set-up for a
particular refrigerator or refrigerator-freezer
basic model is not clearly defined by the
provisions of section 2. For details regarding
the criteria and procedures for obtaining a
waiver, please refer to 10 CFR 430.27.
DOE proposes to add this language to
Appendices A1, B1, A, and B.
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In addition to questions about product
set-up during testing, the introduction
of new technology in refrigeration
products may cause the product to
operate in a manner inconsistent with a
representative average use cycle. An
example of such technology in modern
refrigerators is the variable anti-sweat
heater control described in section
III.D.9. This type of control, which
responds to ambient humidity, generally
will not allow the anti-sweat heaters to
operate in a fashion consistent with a
representative use cycle when tested in
accordance with the required 90 °F
ambient temperature. This occurs
because the control operates on the
basis of relative humidity, which is not
required to be controlled and is
typically lower in a test chamber at 90
°F than in the temperatures typically
found in homes (approximately 70 °F).
(See, e.g,, Appendix A1, section 2.1).
Measuring the energy use of such a
product using the current test procedure
would not be repeatable because the
measurement can be affected by this
uncontrolled parameter. Hence, the
modifications provided by the current
waivers associated with this control
(and by the proposed amended test
procedure) provide a reasonably
designed procedure to obtain energy
costs during a representative average
use cycle.
In order to address these types of
situations, AHAM introduced the
following additional language in AHAM
standard HRF–1–2007:
The following principles of interpretation
should be applied to AHAM HRF–1, and
should apply to and guide any revisions to
the test procedure. The intent of the energy
test procedure is to simulate typical room
conditions (approximately 70 °F) with door
openings, by testing at 90 °F without door
openings.
Except for operating characteristics that are
affected by ambient temperature (for
example, compressor percent run time), the
unit, when tested under this standard, shall
operate equivalent to the unit in typical room
conditions. The energy used by the unit shall
be calculated when a calculation is provided
by the standard.
Energy consuming components that
operate in typical room conditions (including
as a result of door openings, or a function of
humidity), and that are not exempted by this
standard, shall operate in an equivalent
manner during energy testing under this
standard, or be accounted for by all
calculations as provided for in the standard.
Examples:
1. Energy saving features that are designed
to operate when there are no door openings
for long periods of time shall not be
functional during the energy test.
2. The defrost heater should not either
function or turn off differently during the
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energy test than it would when in typical
room conditions.
3. Electric heaters that would normally
operate at typical room conditions with door
openings should also operate during the
energy test.
4. Energy used during adaptive defrost
shall continue to be tested and adjusted per
the calculation provided for in this standard.
(HRF–1–2007, section 1.2)
HRF–1–2008 incorporates this
language and ENERGY STAR adopted it
as part of its Program Requirements that
took effect in April 2008. (see ‘‘ENERGY
STAR Program Eligibility Criteria for
Residential Refrigerators and/or
Freezers’’, section 4 (August 3, 2007)).
DOE proposes to use similar language
in 10 CFR 430.23(a) to address the
testing of refrigerators and refrigeratorfreezers, and 10 CFR 430.23(b) to
address the testing of freezers. The new
text would read as follows:
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The energy test procedure is designed to
provide a measurement consistent with
representative average consumer use of the
product, even if the test conditions and/or
procedures may not themselves all be
representative of average consumer use (e.g,
90 ßF ambient conditions, no door openings,
use of temperature settings unsafe for food
preservation, etc.). If (1) a product contains
energy consuming components that operate
differently during the prescribed testing than
they would during representative average
consumer use and (2) applying the prescribed
test to that product would evaluate it in a
manner that is unrepresentative of its true
energy consumption (thereby providing
materially inaccurate comparative data), the
prescribed procedure may not be used.
Examples of products that cannot be tested
using the prescribed test procedure include
those products that can exhibit operating
parameters (e.g, duty cycle or input wattage)
for any energy using component that are not
smoothly varying functions of operating
conditions or control inputs—such as when
a component is automatically shut off when
test conditions or test settings are reached. A
manufacturer wishing to test such a product
must obtain a waiver in accordance with the
relevant provisions of 10 CFR 430.
DOE’s proposal reflects the statutory
requirement, and the Department’s
longstanding view, that the overall
objective of the test procedure is to
measure the product’s energy
consumption during a representative
average use cycle or period of use. 42
U.S.C. 6293(b)(3). Further, the test
procedure requires specific conditions
during testing that are designed to
ensure repeatability while avoiding
excessive testing burdens. Although
certain test conditions specified in the
test procedure may deviate from
representative use, such deviations are
carefully designed and circumscribed in
order to attain an overall calculated
measurement of the energy
consumption during representative use.
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Thus, it is—and has always been—
DOE’s view that products should not be
designed such that the energy
consumption drops during test
condition settings in ways that would
bias the overall measurement to make it
unrepresentative of average consumer
use. While DOE may consider imposing
design requirements to prohibit certain
control schemes, the agency believes
that addressing this issue through the
applicable test procedure and related
requirements is appropriate at this time.
Accordingly, DOE’s proposed language
both (1) makes explicit in the regulatory
text the Department’s long held
interpretation that the purpose of the
test procedure is to measure
representative use and (2) proposes a
specific mechanism—the waiver
process—as a mandatory requirement
for all products for which the test
procedure would not properly capture
the energy consumption during
representative use.
DOE seeks comment on this proposed
language to address products equipped
with controls or other features that
modify the operation of energy using
components during testing. The
language does not identify specific
product characteristics that could make
the test procedure unsuitable for testing
certain products (e.g, modification of
operation based on ambient
temperature) but rather describes such
characteristics generally, in order to
assure that the language can apply to
any potential features that would yield
measurements unrepresentative of the
product’s energy consumption during a
representative use cycle. While the
proposed language does not delineate
what constitutes representative average
consumer use, in DOE’s view, this use
would include a variety of factors,
including ranges of ambient temperature
and humidity, multiple door openings
of a variety of durations, food product
loading, and ice production, among
others. DOE seeks comment on this
issue and invites commenters to submit
any data that would help define the
representative average use setting for
each of these parameters and seeks
comment and data on this issue. DOE
also seeks comment on whether more
specificity is needed to define (1) the
types of product characteristics that
would make the test procedure
unsuitable to use and (2) the concept of
representative average use.
2. Product Clearances to Walls During
Testing
Wall clearance is a necessary element
to refrigerator and refrigerator-freezer
energy efficiency testing because the
restriction of airflow due to close
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proximity to the wall can affect the
cooling performance of the condenser.
The condenser removes heat from the
refrigeration system to the ambient air.
In this regard, the current procedure
references the steps outlined in HRF–1–
1979, which provides that ‘‘[t]he space
between the back [of the cabinet] and
the wall shall be in accordance with the
manufacturer’s instructions or as
determined by mechanical stops on the
back of the cabinet.’’ (HRF–1–1979,
section 7.4.2).
The National Institute of Standards
and Technology (NIST) examined the
repeatability of energy testing based on
the current DOE procedure and
observed that the procedure does not
provide clear guidance regarding the
required clearance between the rear of a
test sample cabinet and the wall of the
test chamber or another simulated wall
during testing. (Yashar, D.A.
Repeatability of Energy Consumption
Test Results for Compact Refrigerators,
September 2000. U.S. Department of
Commerce, National Institute of
Standards and Technology,
Gaithersburg, MD. NISTIR.6560,
available at https://www.fire.nist.gov/
bfrlpubs/build00/PDF/b00055.pdf). The
alternative instruction provided by the
current procedure—i.e. ‘‘as determined
by mechanical stops on the back of the
cabinet’’—implies that a minimum
distance from the wall applies. HRF–1–
2008 provides greater specificity by
providing that ‘‘the space between the
back and the test room wall or
simulated wall shall be the minimum
distance in accordance with the
manufacturer’s instructions or as
determined by mechanical stops on the
back of the cabinet.’’ (HRF–1–2008,
section 5.5.2).
Refining this requirement is
particularly important for products
equipped with static condensers, which
rely on free convection (i.e. heat transfer
by air movement induced by the
buoyancy effects of temperature
differences rather than by fans) to cool
the condenser. Static condensers are
generally mounted on the back of the
refrigerator or refrigerator-freezer.
Manufacturers of most full-size
refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers
have replaced static condensers with
forced-convection condensers (fancooled condensers), which are generally
mounted at the base of the refrigerator
near the compressor.
However, many manufacturers of
compact refrigerators and freezers still
use static condensers. Compact
refrigerators are defined as refrigerators
and freezers ‘‘with total volume less
than 7.75 cubic feet * * * and 36
inches * * * or less in height.’’ 10 CFR
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part 430.2. While the performance of
refrigeration products with static
condensers tends to be sensitive to rear
clearance, the performance of products
with forced-convection condensers
tends to be less sensitive to this factor.
DOE believes that most refrigerators are
installed with the back of the
refrigerator positioned with at the
minimum distance from the wall as
specified in the manufacturer’s
instructions. The limited potential for
increasing exterior dimensions is often
cited by the industry as a reason why
increasing insulation thickness is not a
viable design option to improve
efficiency for these products. DOE noted
this limitation in its technical support
document that accompanied the 1997
final rule. See 62 FR 23102 (April 28,
1997) (noting that ‘‘[s]ince kitchen
dimensions and designed spaces for
refrigerator-freezers are limited, there
are restrictions on increasing the
exterior size of the product’’). (U.S.
Department of Energy-Office of Codes
and Standards, Technical Support
Document: Energy Efficiency Standards
for Consumer Products: Refrigerators,
Refrigerator-Freezers, and Freezers,
DOE/EE–0064, at 3–6 (July 1995)). If
there were any significant space
between the rear wall of the cabinet and
the kitchen wall, this limitation would
not be present. Accordingly, positioning
a refrigerator or refrigerator-freezer more
than the minimum distance from the
wall may not produce repeatable or
representative performance results
during the representative average use
cycle or period.
DOE proposes to include in the test
procedures of Appendices A1, B1, A,
and B, the following language, which
more thoroughly addresses clearance to
the cabinet walls:
2.9 The space between the back of the
cabinet and the test room wall or simulated
wall shall be the minimum distance in
accordance with the manufacturer’s
instructions. If the instructions do not specify
a minimum distance, the cabinet shall be
located such that the rear of the cabinet
touches the test room wall or simulated wall.
The test room wall facing the rear of the
cabinet or the simulated wall shall be flat
within @ inch, and vertical to within 1 degree.
The cabinet shall be leveled to within 1
degree of true level, and positioned with its
rear wall parallel to the test chamber wall or
simulated wall immediately behind the
cabinet. Any simulated wall shall be solid
and shall extend vertically from the floor to
above the height of the cabinet and
horizontally beyond both sides of the cabinet.
The additional specifications in this
proposed language, including touching
the rear wall, flatness and vertical
orientation of the wall behind the
product, use of a solid wall (i.e. rather
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than a perforated wall or screen), size of
the simulated wall, and product
orientation to be level and parallel with
the wall would collectively help ensure
the consistent application of simulated
walls in energy testing. DOE believes
that these additional requirements are
consistent with the current test
procedures, as well as the clearance
requirements found in HRF–1–1979 and
HRF–1–2008, but have the added
advantage of providing greater
assurance that the intended product
installation set-up is used for testing.
DOE seeks comment on this approach.
3. Alternative Compartment
Temperature Sensor Locations
The current test procedures indicate
that temperature sensor locations shall
be as indicated in HRF–1–1979, Figures
7.1 and 7.2. (see for example Appendix
A1, section 5.1). The test procedure
indicates what a manufacturer would do
in case the cabinet layout is not
consistent with these figures:
If the interior arrangements of the cabinet
do not conform with those shown in Figure
7.1 and 7.2 of HRF–1–1979, measurements
shall be taken at selected locations chosen to
represent approximately the entire
refrigerated compartment. The locations
selected shall be a matter of record.
Appendix A1, section 5.1
In order to provide clearer
instructions, and to avoid the potential
for significant deviation from the
standard temperature sensor locations,
DOE proposes to modify this
requirement, allowing manufacturer
selection of new locations only for small
deviations from the standard locations,
and otherwise requiring a waiver to
allow for the development of a new
diagram addressing the new
compartment configuration. DOE
proposes the following amended text for
section 5.1:
If the interior arrangements of the cabinet
do not conform with those shown in Figure
7.1 and 7.2 of HRF–1–1979, the product may
be tested by relocating the temperature
sensors from the locations specified in the
Figures by no more than 2 inches to avoid
interference with hardware or components
within the cabinet, in which case the specific
locations used for the temperature sensors
shall be noted in the test data records
maintained by the manufacturer in
accordance with 10 CFR 430.62(d). For those
products equipped with a cabinet that does
not conform with Figures 7.1 or 7.2 and
cannot be tested in the manner described
above, the manufacturer must obtain a waiver
under 10 CFR 430.27 to establish an
acceptable test procedure for each such
product.
DOE expects that the processing of
several such waivers and subsequent
development and incorporation into the
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test procedures of new figures
describing the test sensor location
requirements for modified cabinet styles
will help to improve energy testing
consistency. DOE proposes to make
these changes in Appendices A1 and
B1, and to include these requirements in
Appendices A and B. DOE seeks
comment on the frequency of
temperature sensor location revisions
from the specifications of the figures of
HRF–1–1979, and on whether the
exception allowing for minor relocation
of sensors is sufficient to limit to a
reasonable level the potential number of
waivers associated with the proposed
requirement.
In order to ensure that manufacturers
make DOE aware of small changes in
temperature sensor locations to avoid
interference with internal hardware,
DOE further proposes to include a
requirement that manufacturers report
that such a change has been made as
part of the certification reporting
requirements. This additional proposal
is discussed in more detail in section
III.D.14.
4. Median Temperature Settings for
Electronic Control Products
The procedure related to temperature
control settings is detailed in section 3
of Appendix A1. The procedure
specifies how to set thermostatic
controls for the freezer and fresh food
compartments of refrigerators and
refrigerator-freezers to permit testing
that yields results that are interpolated
based on compartment temperatures to
represent the energy use of these
products when operated with the
compartment temperatures set at the
specified standardized temperatures.
Interpolation in this context means
calculating the energy use associated
with a standardized compartment
temperature using two tests. In one test,
the compartment temperature is lower
than the standardized temperature. In
the other test, the compartment
temperature is higher than the
standardized temperature. This
approach is used so that the test
measurement can be based on the
standardized temperature without
requiring the numerous trial and error
attempts it generally takes to exactly
match this temperature during testing.
Most refrigeration products have useroperable temperature controls, for
which the procedures of section 3.2
apply. While section 3.2 provides a
number of alternative control setting
options, the specific provisions of
section 3.2.1 are most often applied
because the provisions of sections 3.2.2
and 3.2.3 have special conditions that
typically do not apply, such as the
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inability to achieve the standardized
temperature in the compartment.
Section 3.2.1 currently specifies the
adjustment of settings as follows:
A first test shall be performed with all
compartment temperature controls set at
their median position midway between their
warmest and coldest settings. Knob detents
shall be mechanically defeated if necessary to
attain a median setting. A second test shall
be performed with all controls set at either
their warmest or their coldest setting (not
electrically or mechanically bypassed),
whichever is appropriate, to attempt to
achieve compartment temperatures measured
during the two tests which bound (i.e., one
is above and one is below) the standardized
temperature for the type of product being
tested. (10 CFR part 430, subpart B,
Appendix A1, section 3.2.1)
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DOE is aware of some issues
associated with this procedure. First,
the section describes the defeating of
mechanical detents of controls that do
not allow controls to be set in the
median position. Many current products
have electronic controls, which
generally have setpoints indicating
specific control temperatures. For these
controls, an average of the coldest and
warmest temperature settings is
generally used as the median. However,
in some cases there is no temperature
setting exactly equal to this average, and
the controls cannot be mechanically
defeated as described in the procedure.
To address this situation, DOE proposes
to modify the test procedure language to
specify that products equipped with
such electronic controls be tested using
one of the following three options: (1)
Use of a setting equal to the average of
the coldest and warmest settings, (2) use
of the setting that is closest to this
average, or (3) if there are two settings
whose difference with the average is the
same, use of the higher of these two
such settings. This modification is being
proposed for Appendices A1 and B1,
and they would be retained for
Appendices A and B.
Additional issues and proposed
amendments addressing them for
Appendices A and B are discussed in
section III.E.4.
5. Test Procedures for Convertible
Compartments and Special
Compartments
Manufacturers recently introduced
refrigerator-freezers with compartments
that consumers can convert from fresh
food to freezer use and vice versa.
Under the current DOE test procedure,
which references section 7.4.2 of HRF–
1–1979, ‘‘compartments which are
convertible from refrigerator to freezer
are operated in the highest energy usage
position.’’ (This section of HRF–1–1979
is referenced in Appendix A1, section
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2.2.) DOE believes that the highest
energy use position would most likely
be the freezer mode since additional
energy is required to maintain the
colder temperatures required for freezer
use when compared to fresh food
compartment use. However, DOE
recognizes that the requirement does not
clarify whether such a compartment is
to be controlled as a freezer
compartment, or whether the controls
are to be set in the absolute highest
energy position.
To ascertain how manufacturers
might be treating these compartments
during testing, DOE examined data
reported to the ENERGY STAR program,
which are available at https://www.
energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=
refrig.display_products_excel. Based on
DOE’s analysis of these data, the entries
suggest that some manufacturers may
have rated their own products based on
the operation of these convertible
compartments as fresh food
compartments. DOE came to this
conclusion after noticing that the
calculated adjusted volume matches the
reported adjusted volumes when the
convertible compartment is treated as a
fresh food compartment. Accordingly, to
ensure manufacturer clarity, DOE
proposes including the following
language in section 2 of Appendices A1
and A: ‘‘Compartments that are
convertible (e.g,, from fresh food to
freezer) shall be operated in [their]
highest energy use position.’’
A related situation applies to special
compartments that are not convertible
from fresh food to freezer. The
procedure for such compartments is also
described in HRF–1–1979:
Other temperature controllable
compartments (such as crispers convertible
to meat keepers and temperature adjustable
meat keepers) are considered special
compartments and are tested with controls
set to provide the coldest temperature. (HRF–
1–1979 section 7.4.2)
To simplify the requirements of this
provision, DOE proposes to add similar
language as discussed above into section
2 of Appendices A and A1: ‘‘Other
temperature controllable compartments
(such as crispers convertible to meat
keepers), with the exception of butter
conditioners, shall also be tested with
controls set in the highest energy use
position.’’ DOE believes that this
language would retain the purpose
contained in the original provisions (i.e.
to maximize energy usage during energy
efficiency testing) while simplifying the
language of the procedure.
DOE seeks comment on this proposed
change to its procedure.
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6. Establishing a Temperature-Averaging
Procedure for Auxiliary Compartments
The current DOE test procedure
defines a refrigerator-freezer as ‘‘a
cabinet which consists of two or more
compartments with at least one of the
compartments designed for the
refrigerated storage of food at
temperatures above 32 °F and with at
least one of the compartments designed
for the freezing and storage of food at
temperatures below 8 °F.’’ 10 CFR 430.2.
Hence, a refrigerator-freezer includes at
least one fresh food compartment and at
least one freezer compartment. The
definition does not specify the
characteristics of any additional
compartments.
Some refrigeration products have an
additional freezer compartment or an
additional fresh food compartment, or
both, and some have enclosed
compartments within the primary
compartments that have separate
temperature controls and may represent
a substantial fraction of the primary
compartment volume. DOE notes that,
with respect to the latter group of
products, it is not yet proposing a value
of this fraction (i.e. such as 25% or
35%). However, this concept is
necessary in order to distinguish such
auxiliary compartments from the
‘‘special compartments’’ discussed in
section III.D.5. For the purposes of this
discussion, auxiliary compartments are
additional compartments in a
refrigerator or refrigerator-freezer that
are large enough that treatment as
special compartments is not appropriate
(generally, 2 cubic feet or greater).1
As discussed earlier in Section III.D.5,
products with additional convertible
compartments are examples of
refrigerator-freezers equipped with more
than two compartments. In such cases,
the convertible compartment could be
considered an auxiliary compartment.
While the special compartments
discussed in section III.D.5 would be
tested with their controls set to the
highest energy use position under the
proposed test procedure modification,
the compartments addressed in this
section are relatively large (i.e. 2 cubic
feet or larger) and represent instances in
which employing the highest energy use
position would be inappropriate. The
requirements for setting such a
compartment at the absolute highest
energy use position are inappropriate
1 Auxiliary compartments could be entirely
separate from the main two compartments of a
typical refrigerator-freezer (the freezer compartment
and the fresh food compartment), or they could be
substantial-volume, separately-controllable
compartments located within main compartments.
In the latter case, they are referred to as ‘‘subcompartments’’ for the purposes of this discussion.
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because (1) such a compartment would
likely be used for general food storage
rather than for a limited special purpose
and (2) the energy use impact during
testing when the controls are set for the
absolute highest energy use position
would be very significant and would not
necessarily be consistent with consumer
use.
Both HRF–1–1979 and HRF–1–2008
include definitions and special test
procedures for special compartments.
However, neither the current test
procedure (i.e. setting them to their
coldest temperature) nor the proposed
one (i.e. setting them in the highest
energy use position) would necessarily
be consistent with the required
representative average use cycles for
compartments representing a substantial
fraction of the product’s total
refrigerated volume. DOE is not aware of
many products currently being sold in
the U.S. market that have auxiliary
compartments. This section discusses
issues associated with testing
refrigerator-freezers with all such
auxiliary compartments.
DOE notes that a large drawer without
separate temperature control that is
located within a compartment would
not be considered a sub-compartment
for the purpose of this discussion. Such
a drawer would be part of the
compartment in which it is housed. In
contrast, for the purposes of this
discussion, a larger compartment with a
separate door without separate
temperature control would be
considered an auxiliary compartment,
since it is not part of any other
compartment. Further, if one or more
drawers or doors that open to the
exterior serve a space inside a
refrigeration product that is a single
compartment, the status as a single
compartment is not affected by the
presence of the additional drawer(s) or
door(s).
While there is no size limit for
classification as a special compartment
under the current DOE test procedure,
and DOE is not currently proposing
such a limit, DOE seeks comment on
whether such a size limit should be
imposed, and what the size limit should
be.
As discussed in section III.D.5, the
DOE test procedures require that a
convertible auxiliary compartment must
be tested in the ‘‘highest energy usage
position.’’ However, the current test
procedures do not state whether the
temperature for the compartment must
be set at a level to ensure energy use is
at its absolute maximum, or whether the
temperature must be the standardized
test temperature for the higher energy
use compartment type (5 °F for a freezer
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compartment and 45 °F for a fresh food
compartment for the current DOE test
procedures). DOE proposes that a
convertible auxiliary compartment with
separate exterior doors be tested as a
freezer compartment or fresh food
compartment, depending on which of
these represents the highest energy
usage position. For these compartments,
and for nonconvertible auxiliary
compartments with separate exterior
doors whose operating temperature
range specifies their status as freezer or
fresh food compartments, DOE proposes
that these energy measurements be
determined based on the compartment’s
standardized temperature.
In contrast, DOE proposes that subcompartments (i.e., auxiliary
compartments located entirely within
main compartments) be tested with their
settings in the absolute highest energy
use position. Although the discussion of
this section is intended to address large
sub-compartments, the common subcompartments with separate
temperature controls found in U.S.
refrigerator-freezer products usually
occupy a relatively small portion of the
fresh food compartment. Examples
include ice compartments, meat
drawers, deli drawers, and butter
conditioning compartments. Hence,
DOE believes that the proposed
procedures for special compartments
described in section III.D.5 (i.e. that the
consumer-adjustable setting be in its
highest energy-use position) are
appropriate for these compartments.
In contrast, auxiliary compartments
that have their own external doors often
have large volumes, which are
comparable to the volumes of other
compartments associated with the
products. An example of such a product
is the Samsung RM257ACRS, which has
an 11.8 cubic foot fresh food
compartment, a 7.0 cubic foot freezer
compartment, and two convertible
compartments of volumes 3.5 and 2.3
cubic feet.
Given that auxiliary compartments
with external doors would be tested as
either freezer or fresh food
compartments, requirements must be
established for (1) temperature settings
during testing, (2) measurement of
auxiliary compartment temperature, and
(3) incorporation of the auxiliary
compartment temperature in the
calculation of energy consumption. To
address these issues, DOE proposes the
following changes:
(1) Temperature settings, generally—
Consistent with current temperature
setting requirements, the temperature
settings for auxiliary compartments with
external doors that have individual
temperature control capability would be
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the same median, cold, or warm setting
required for all compartments when
performing testing as described in
section III.D.4.
(2) Auxiliary compartment
temperature measurements—
Measurement of compartment
temperature during testing is done using
temperature sensors. The placement of
temperature sensors (typically
thermocouples) is specified in HRF–1–
1979 in section 7.4.3.2 and Figure 7.1
for fresh food compartments and in
section 7.4.3.3 and Figure 7.2 for freezer
compartments. The DOE test procedures
incorporate by reference these sections
of HRF–1–1979. They provide further
instructions on determination of
compartment temperature, stating that
the ‘‘measured temperature of a
compartment is to be the average of all
sensor temperature readings taken in
that compartment at a particular time.’’
(10 CFR part 430, subpart B, Appendix
A1, section 5.1.1), and the
‘‘compartment temperature for each test
period shall be an average of the
measured temperatures taken in a
compartment during a complete cycle or
several complete cycles of the
compressor motor (one compressor
cycle is one complete motor ‘on’ and
one complete motor ‘off’ period).’’ Id. at
section 5.1.2. The same procedures for
measuring the compartment
temperature during testing would be
used for auxiliary compartments with
external doors.
(3) Incorporation of auxiliary
compartment temperature
measurements in the test procedure
calculations—Calculation of freezer
temperature for a product with more
than one freezer compartment
(including one or more auxiliary freezer
compartments with external doors)
would be a weighted average of the
compartment temperatures measured
within each freezer compartment. The
weighting factors for this average would
be the calculated compartment volumes.
Likewise, calculation of fresh food
temperature for a product with more
than one fresh food compartment
(including one or more auxiliary fresh
food compartments with external doors)
would be a volume-weighted average of
the measured compartment
temperatures. These freezer and fresh
food temperatures would be used both
in the determination of the appropriate
temperature settings for subsequent
testing, and in the energy use
calculation. The calculation of daily
energy consumption, described for
refrigerators or refrigerator-freezers in
section 6.2.2 of Appendix A1, uses the
freezer or fresh food compartment
temperature in the equation. This
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approach would be adopted for
auxiliary compartments using the
volume-weighted average temperatures.
DOE proposes these amendments to
address auxiliary compartments with
external doors in Appendices A1 and A.
DOE proposes similar amendments to
address auxiliary compartments of
freezers in Appendices B1 and B. DOE
further proposes a definition for
‘‘separate auxiliary compartments’’ to
refer to these auxiliary compartments
with external doors that would be
treated in the test procedures as
described in this section. This definition
would read as follows:
‘‘Separate auxiliary compartment’’ means a
freezer compartment or a fresh food
compartment of a refrigerator or refrigeratorfreezer having more than two compartments
that is not the first freezer compartment or
the first fresh food compartment. Access to
a separate auxiliary compartment is through
a separate exterior door or doors rather than
through the door or doors of another
compartment. Separate auxiliary
compartments may be convertible (e.g,, from
fresh food to freezer).
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DOE seeks comment on this proposed
approach.
7. Modified Definition for Anti-Sweat
Heater
The DOE test procedure for
refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers
defines an ‘‘anti-sweat heater’’ as ‘‘a
device incorporated into the design of a
refrigerator or refrigerator-freezer to
prevent the accumulation of moisture
on exterior surfaces of the cabinet under
conditions of high ambient humidity.’’
10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix
A1, section 1.3. (This accumulated
moisture is commonly referred to as
‘‘sweat’’, and the process of
accumulation of such moisture is called
‘‘sweating’’.) Similarly, the DOE test
procedure for freezers defines an ‘‘antisweat heater’’ as ‘‘a device incorporated
into the design of a freezer to prevent
the accumulation of moisture on
exterior surfaces of the cabinet under
conditions of high ambient humidity.’’
10 CFR part 430, subpart B, Appendix
B1, section 1.2. Some refrigeratorfreezers also use anti-sweat heaters to
prevent moisture accumulation on
internal surfaces of the cabinet. In
particular, manufacturers of French
door refrigerator-freezers with through
the door (TTD) ice service have used
anti-sweat heaters to prevent
accumulation of moisture inside the
fresh food compartment near the air
duct that carries refrigerated air to the
ice compartment.
In DOE’s view, to obtain consistency
and an accurate measurement of all
energy consuming components, the anti-
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sweat heater regulations should apply to
any anti-sweat heater regardless of the
heater location. To ensure that this
result occurs, DOE proposes to modify
the definitions of anti-sweat heater for
both the refrigerator and refrigeratorfreezer test procedures and for the
freezer test procedures to apply to both
interior and exterior surfaces. DOE
proposes to make these changes in
Appendices A1 and B1, and to include
these modified definitions in
Appendices A and B.
This proposed modification does not
change the test procedure. Rather, it
clarifies that interior heaters used to
prevent sweating are to be treated as
anti-sweat heaters for purposes of
calculating energy usage under the
procedure.
DOE seeks comment on this proposed
clarification.
Additionally, in DOE’s view, the
current and proposed definitions of an
anti-sweat heater encompass devices
that prevent moisture accumulation.
However, DOE is considering modifying
the anti-sweat heater definition to
indicate that a heater that prevents the
accumulation of moisture, irrespective
of whether that heater is designated as
an anti-sweat heater, should be defined
as an anti-sweat heater. DOE is
interested in whether additional
specificity is required to bring further
clarity to this concept, and seeks public
comment.
10 CFR 430.23(a)(2) and (b)(2). DOE
understands that most manufacturers
test refrigeration products equipped
with anti-sweat heater switches in this
fashion, and use the same results for
reporting both energy use and annual
operating cost.
DOE added the energy use calculation
requirements to the test procedure on
February 7, 1989. 54 FR 6062. At the
time of the final rule’s publication, the
annual operating cost calculation had
already been established in the test
procedure. The final rule, however, did
not discuss the different treatment
between the calculation for energy use
and the calculation of annual operating
cost.
It is unclear to DOE whether a need
exists for the distinction between the
annual operating cost and the energy
use calculations. Accordingly, DOE is
proposing to modify the calculation for
annual energy use to ensure consistency
with the annual operating cost
calculation. These changes would be
implemented by making changes to 10
CFR 430.23(a) and 10 CFR 430.23(b).
This test procedure modification
would not affect the way manufacturers
test products to establish their ratings or
alter the measured energy use of these
products.
8. Testing With the Anti-Sweat Heater
Switch Turned Off
The energy conservation standards for
refrigeration products are based on
annual energy use calculated for these
products. The annual energy use is
calculated based on a ‘‘standard cycle,’’
which is defined as ‘‘the cycle type in
which the anti-sweat heater control,
when provided, is set in the highest
energy consuming position.’’ This term
is applied throughout the regulatory
provisions governing refrigeration
products. See, e.g, 10 CFR 430.23(a)(5)
and (b)(5) (applying the term ‘‘standard
cycle’’), 10 CFR part 430, subpart B,
Appendix A1, section 1.7 (defining
‘‘standard cycle’’ for refrigerators and
refrigerator-freezers), and 10 CFR part
430, subpart B, Appendix B1, section
1.5 (defining ‘‘standard cycle’’ for
freezers).
In contrast, the annual operating cost,
which serves as the basis for the figures
reported on the Federal Trade
Commission’s EnergyGuide label, can be
calculated based on the average of
energy consumption test results using
the standard cycle and a cycle with the
anti-sweat heater switch positioned as it
is when shipped from the factory. See
On February 27, 2008, DOE published
a decision and order granting GE with
a waiver from the DOE test procedure
(‘‘GE waiver’’) to allow the company to
use a modified test procedure for a line
of appliances that use ambient
condition sensors to adjust the wattage
of anti-sweat heaters. 73 FR 10425.
These sensors use the detected humidity
levels to adjust anti-sweat heater
operation to prevent condensation. DOE
granted a similar waiver to Whirlpool
Corporation on May 5, 2009. 74 FR
20695. DOE published a petition for a
third such waiver from Electrolux Home
Products, Inc. (Electrolux) and granted
the application for an interim waiver on
June 4, 2009. 74 FR 26853. This waiver
was granted on December 15, 2009. 74
FR 66338. Electrolux also submitted a
petition to extend the initial waiver to
additional products—DOE published
this petition and granted the associated
application for an interim waiver on
December 15, 2009. 74 FR 66344.
Samsung also petitioned DOE for a
waiver for this type of control for antisweat heaters. The Samsung petition
was published and the associated
application for interim waiver granted
on December 15, 2009. 74 FR 66340.
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9. Incorporation of Test Procedures for
Products With Variable Anti-Sweat
Heating Control Waivers
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Because ambient humidity of the test
chamber is not specified in the DOE test
procedures, the current test procedure is
unable to accurately determine the
annual energy use contribution of antisweat heaters. The test procedure
allowed under the GE waiver involves
(1) conducting energy testing with the
anti-sweat heater switch in the ‘‘off’’
position, and (2) adding a correction
factor to account for the additional
energy use associated with the antisweat heater for a standard cycle (i.e., a
cycle with the anti-sweat heater switch
in the ‘‘on’’ position). 73 FR 10427.
While the test procedure allowed under
the GE waiver assumes that the antisweat heater operates on a switch that
can turn off the heater, this feature
would not necessarily be present on all
products equipped with variable antisweat heater control systems.
The test procedure allowed under the
GE waiver specifies calculation of the
correction factor as follows:
Correction Factor = (Anti-sweat
Heater Power × System-loss Factor) ×
(24 hrs/1 day) × (1 kW/1000 W)
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Where: Anti-sweat Heater Power
= A1 * (Heater Watts at 5%RH)
+ A2 * (Heater Watts at 15%RH)
+ A3 * (Heater Watts at 25%RH)
+ A4 * (Heater Watts at 35%RH)
+ A5 * (Heater Watts at 45%RH)
+ A6 * (Heater Watts at 55%RH)
+ A7 * (Heater Watts at 65%RH)
+ A8 * (Heater Watts at 75%RH)
+ A9 * (Heater Watts at 85%RH)
+ A10 * (Heater Watts at 95%RH)
Where A1–A10 are from the following table:
A1 = 0.034
A2 = 0.211
A3 = 0.204
A4 = 0.166
A5 = 0.126
A6 = 0.119
A7 = 0.069
A8 = 0.047
A9 = 0.008
A10 = 0.015
73 FR 10427
The System-Loss Factor noted in the
above calculation accounts for
additional energy use (a) of the
refrigeration system to overcome the
increased cabinet load imposed by the
anti-sweat heater, and (b) of the controls
associated with the anti-sweat heater. 73
FR 10427. The GE waiver specifies a
System-Loss Factor of 1.3, based on
experience-related data developed by
GE. Factors A1 through A10 represent
the national average frequency of
occurrence for various ambient relative
humidity ranges that a refrigerator is
likely to experience in a typical
consumer household. GE determined
these factors based on 30 years of
weather data for 50 major population
centers within the United States. 73 FR
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10427. The GE waiver defines the
Heater Watts parameter of Equation 1 as
‘‘the nominal watts used by all heaters
at that specific relative humidity, 72 °F
ambient, and DOE reference
temperatures of fresh food (FF) average
temperature of 45 °F and freezer (FZ)
average temperature of 5 °F.’’ 73 FR
10427.
However, the alternate test procedure
permitted under the GE waiver does not
state how the Heater Watts parameter is
determined during an energy test
conducted under the waiver. It also does
not disclose the associated number of
heater-watts for each product equipped
with variable anti-sweat control
features. Hence, it would be impossible
to independently verify published
energy consumption measured under
the GE, Whirlpool, Electrolux, or
Samsung waivers. To address these
deficiencies, DOE is proposing to
incorporate a modified version of the GE
waiver procedure into Appendices A
and A1.
Proposed Amendment
DOE proposes amending its test
procedures to require measurements of
variable anti-sweat heater energy
contribution under various specific
ambient air conditions to permit
laboratory verification of the resulting
energy consumption estimates. DOE
also proposes using the relative
humidity factors A1 through A10
established in the GE waiver. The
proposed changes would be
implemented by modifications in
various sections of Appendix A1, which
would also be implemented in
Appendix A. These humidity factors
represent the national average frequency
of the relative humidity levels for
refrigeration product ambient
conditions. While field test data
corroborating the methodology for
determining typical consumer
household humidity levels were not
provided as part of the waiver petition,
DOE is unaware of more accurate or
comprehensive information to better
represent field conditions.
Although the GE waiver includes a
calculation involving ten relative
humidities, testing to determine
performance of variable anti-sweat
heater control systems would not
require ten separate measurements. The
proposed approach is based on the fact
that the rate of heat energy input
supplied by the electric anti-sweat
heaters required to prevent
condensation at a fixed ambient
temperature and compartment
temperature should vary linearly with
dew point temperature (i.e., the
temperature of a given mixture of dry air
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and water vapor at 100% relative
humidity). This means that the wattage
increment associated with the heater
control system needs to be determined
for only two humidity conditions. DOE
defines this type of anti-sweat heater
control as ‘‘ideal’’.
Based on DOE’s analysis, at a fixed
ambient air dry-bulb temperature such
as the 72 °F ambient specified in the GE
waiver, ideal anti-sweat heater power
varies linearly as a function of dew
point temperature, increasing from zero
power at some dew point temperature
lower than the ambient dry bulb
temperature (i.e., at low relative
humidity) to a maximum requirement at
a dew point temperature equal to the
ambient dry bulb temperature (i.e., at
100% relative humidity). DOE
conducted this analysis for a surface
that (1) loses heat to the refrigerator
interior at a rate proportional to the
difference in temperature between the
surface and the interior, (2) gains heat
from the ambient air at a rate
proportional to the difference in
temperature between the ambient air
and the surface, and (3) gains a
controlled amount of heat from the antisweat heater to maintain the surface at
a fixed small temperature difference
(such as 1 °F) above the dew-point
temperature of the ambient air.
One can establish correlations for the
ideal heater wattage once the heat-flow
characteristics from the heated surfaces
to the refrigerator interior and the
ambient air are understood. The linear
nature of these correlations with respect
to ambient dew point suggests that tests
conducted at a limited number of
ambient humidity conditions could
provide sufficient information about the
operating characteristics of a variable
anti-sweat heating system. Based on
DOE’s analysis, for operation in a
normal ambient near 72 °F, the freezer
compartment of a typical refrigeratorfreezer should require no anti-sweat
heating at relative humidities below
roughly 50 percent and the fresh food
compartment of a typical refrigeratorfreezer should require no anti-sweat
heating at relative humidities below
roughly 65 percent. However, the actual
relative humidity at which no antisweat heat is needed would vary among
products and even at different surfaces
of the same product, depending on
design details.
DOE proposes to amend the DOE test
procedures to determine the
incremental energy contribution of the
variable anti-sweat heater in the manner
described below.
a. DOE proposes specifying that tests
be conducted in a chamber with both
temperature and humidity control to
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verify the behavior of the variable antisweat heater control. Three tests would
be conducted, as described below.
i. Ambient Conditions: The tests
would be conducted in a chamber
controlled to 72 ± 1 °F dry bulb
temperature, at three different relative
humidities, 95 ± 2 percent, 65 ± 2
percent, and 25 ± 10 percent. DOE
proposes wide tolerances in the relative
humidity for the 25 percent relative
humidity test because it is expected that
the anti-sweat heater would be turned
off throughout this range of conditions,
thus obviating the need for tight control.
The 25 percent relative humidity test
would determine energy use of the
refrigerator-freezer with the anti-sweat
heaters turned off in the 72 °F dry bulb
condition specified for these tests. The
difference in energy use measured
during this test and energy use
measured during the tests conducted at
65 percent and 95 percent relative
humidities would be the energy use
contribution of the anti-sweat heaters at
the higher humidities.
ii. Cabinet Temperatures: Appendix
A1, as amended, would specify cabinet
temperatures of 5 ± 2 °F in the freezer
compartment and 38 ± 2 °F in the fresh
food compartment for the variable antisweat heater tests. Appendix A would
specify cabinet temperatures of 0 °F
± 2 °F in the freezer compartment and
39 °F ± 2 °F in the fresh food
compartment, consistent with the new
compartment temperatures prescribed
in HRF–1–2008. These modified cabinet
temperatures would be more consistent
with the modified standardized cabinet
temperatures used for all of the testing
conducted under Appendix A.
iii. Test Period: Each test would be
similar to an energy test for a
refrigerator without automatic defrost
(as described in section 4.1.1 of 10 CFR
part 430 subpart B Appendix A1),
including compressor cycling but no
defrost cycles.
iv. Stabilization: The test would
require waiting to achieve steady state
conditions as the test starts. However,
for each test that is conducted
immediately following another test in
which the ambient dry bulb temperature
is maintained between tests, the
standard stabilization period may be
waived, and the test can proceed two
hours after the required ambient
humidity conditions have been
established.
b. The energy use in kilowatt-hours
per day for the 25-percent relative
humidity test would be subtracted from
the energy use per day for the 95percent and 65-percent relative
humidity tests to determine energy use
contributions of the anti-sweat heaters
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at 95-percent and 65-percent relative
humidities.
c. DOE proposes calculating the antisweat heater energy contributions for
the same ten relative humidities
specified in the GE waiver based on the
measured energy use contributions of
the variable anti-sweat heaters at 95percent and 65-percent relative
humidity, assuming that the anti-sweat
heater energy contribution varies
linearly with dew point, but with a
minimum energy contribution of zero
kilowatt-hours (i.e., the anti-sweat
heater cannot have negative energy use,
which would represent electric energy
generation). The correction factor would
be calculated using the ten RH factors
(A1 through A10), but without using the
system adjustment factor (1.3 in the GE
waiver) and without converting from
watts to kilowatt-hours.
d. The correction factor would be
added to the energy use measured for a
normal energy test as conducted in 90 °F
ambient temperature.
e. For a product with an anti-sweat
heater switch, DOE proposes to require
that all tests be conducted with the
switch in the on position, in order to
ensure proper measurement of the
energy use associated with the ambient
sensing functions of the variable antisweat heating control, and to reduce the
possibility of circumvention associated
with the switch—i.e. using this switch
to control heaters or components other
than the anti-sweat heater. In order to
ensure that the anti-sweat heater itself is
not energized during the normal energy
test conducted in 90 °F ambient
conditions, this energy test would be
conducted in a chamber with
sufficiently low humidity to prevent
activation of the heater. DOE proposes
adding the following language to
Appendix A1, section 2.1: ‘‘If the
product being tested has variable antisweat heater control, the ambient
relative humidity shall be no more than
35%.’’
f. DOE proposes eliminating the
averaging of tests with the anti-sweat
heater switch on and off for products
with variable anti-sweat heater control.
The GE waiver specifies that the
correction factor for the energy use
associated with the variable anti-sweat
heaters would be applied to the
standard cycle. 73 FR 10427. Under the
current test procedure, the standard
cycle is a cycle with the anti-sweat
heater switch turned on. (10 CFR part
430, subpart B, appendix A1, section
1.7). The calculation of annual operating
cost for a product with an anti-sweat
heater switch is based on an average of
a test with (1) the switch set in its
position just prior to shipping from the
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factory (typically off) and (2) a test of
the standard cycle. 10 CFR 430.23(a)(2).
However, this approach of averaging
of the standard cycle and the cycle for
a test with the anti-sweat heater switch
turned off is inappropriate for products
with variable anti-sweat heater control
because the position of the switch
would impact the operation of the antisweat heaters only during times when
ambient conditions are sufficiently
humid to trigger the operation of the
anti-sweat heater. For this reason, it is
unlikely that the switch would be
moved to the off position during times
when it could save energy. Hence, it is
unlikely that the anti-sweat heater
switch could generate any significant
energy savings in addition to the savings
provided by the variable control.
Accordingly, DOE proposes to eliminate
the averaging of tests with the antisweat heater switch turned on and with
the switch turned off for products
equipped with variable anti-sweat
heating.
The above proposed modifications to
the test procedure to address variable
anti-sweat heater control would be
made in both Appendices A1 and A.
DOE is proposing at this time to
implement the variable anti-sweat
heater test only for refrigerators and
refrigerator-freezers because of the
limited use of electric anti-sweat heaters
in freezers. DOE seeks comments as to
whether a similar requirement in
Appendices B1 and B should also apply
to freezers.
DOE seeks comments regarding the
proposed test procedures for
measurement of energy use of products
with variable anti-sweat heater control.
10. Modification of Long-Time and
Variable Defrost Test Method To
Capture Precooling Energy
DOE is proposing to modify the test
method for products with long-time or
variable defrost to capture precooling
energy. Precooling involves cooling the
compartment(s) of a refrigerator-freezer
to temperatures significantly lower than
the user-selected temperature settings
prior to an automatic defrost cycle.
Before DOE established test procedures
for long-time defrost (defrost control in
which compressor run time between
defrosts exceeds 14 hours) and variable
defrost (defrost control in which the
time interval between defrosts is
adjusted based on the need, i.e. on the
amount of moisture collecting on the
evaporator as frost), the DOE test
procedures had captured energy use
associated with defrost by specifying
that duration of an energy test be ‘‘from
one point during a defrost period to the
same point during the next defrost
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period.’’ 10 CFR part 430, subpart B,
Appendix A1, section 4.1.2. In 1982,
DOE amended the test procedures to
include the alternative procedure for
long-time defrost (section 4.1.2.1 of
Appendix A1) to accommodate long
periods of time between defrosts (i.e.
significantly greater than 24 hours of
test time) without making the energy
test period unduly burdensome. 47 FR
34517 (August 10, 1982).
The current long-time defrost test
consists of two parts. The first part
measures the steady cycling energy use
of the refrigerator-freezer with no
contribution from the defrost cycle. The
second part measures all of the energy
use contribution associated with the
defrost cycle. The equation for total
energy use for a 24-hour period
combines these two energy use
contributions and weights the
measurement of the second part of the
test based on the reciprocal of
compressor run time between defrosts.
10 CFR part 430, subpart B, Appendix
A1, section 5.2.1.2.
The variable defrost test, introduced
in 1989, accommodates even longer
times between defrosts compared to the
time periods in the long-time defrost
test. (See 54 FR 36238 discussing
calculated values of CT (hours of
compressor run time between defrosts to
be used in the equation for energy
consumption) with values ranging from
28.96 to 45 hours, as compared to
approximately 14 hours for long-time
defrost). The current DOE test
procedures provide an optional step
(Part 3) to measure the mean time
between defrosts based on ‘‘typical’’
ambient and door-opening conditions.
This optional step would be used in
cases where a manufacturer chooses to
measure the mean time between defrosts
rather than using the default value
prescribed by the test procedure. 10 CFR
part 430, subpart B, Appendix A1.
When DOE first introduced the test
method for long-time defrost in 1982,
few refrigerator-freezers, if any,
employed electronic controls. Instead,
refrigerator-freezers controlled defrost
using mechanical defrost controllers.
Because of their simpler nature,
mechanical defrost controllers are
incapable of performing any of the more
complex control functions handled by
models equipped with electronic
controls.
On August 3, 2001, DOE granted an
interim test procedure waiver to
Electrolux Home Products (Electrolux)
for products that use a sophisticated
control algorithm. 66 FR 40689. The
associated test procedure modification
was incorporated into the DOE test
procedure on March 7, 2003. 68 FR
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10957. The modified procedure allows a
delay between the end of the last
compressor on-cycle and the start of the
defrost cycle. This delay saves energy by
allowing the evaporator to warm
naturally after the compressor turns off.
66 FR 40690. The modified test method
only applies to products using long-time
or variable defrost. If such a control
strategy were applied to a product not
equipped with long-time or variable
defrost, the product would be tested in
accordance with Appendix A1, section
4.1.2, which specifies a test period
‘‘from one point during a defrost period
to the same point during the next
defrost period.’’ Such a test would
measure the reduction in energy use
from the natural warming of the
evaporator, making this modified
procedure unnecessary.
Precooling before defrost also requires
a more sophisticated control system
than a defrost timer. A precooling
control system initiates an extra long
compressor run (i.e. a compressor oncycle that continues for at least 10% of
the length of a typical compressor oncycle after the compartment temperature
has dropped down to the temperature at
which the compressor typically turns off
during steady state cycling operation
between defrosts) before the defrost
cycle to reduce the temperature of the
cabinet or one of its compartments
significantly more than would occur
during a normal compressor cycle.
Precooling before defrost may prevent
unacceptable increases in freezer
compartment temperature during the
defrost cycle. Precooling will also
reduce the recovery time after a defrost
cycle, which could reduce the measured
energy use of the recovery portion of the
defrost cycle. However, the long time
automatic defrost test procedure does
not consider the energy use of
compressor operation to provide
precooling, since the second part of the
test starts after compressor operation
has stopped but prior to the initiation of
a defrost cycle. The measured energy
use of a refrigerator-freezer or freezer
using precooling before the defrost cycle
may underrepresent the product’s actual
energy consumption.
DOE intends for its test procedures to
capture all of the energy use associated
with defrost and to provide results that
accurately represent the energy use of
the product by consumers. In light of
this intent and the recognized
limitations present in the current
procedure, DOE proposes modifying the
test method for long-time defrost in a
manner consistent with what Fisher
Paykel suggested in its comment to the
Electrolux petition for waiver
mentioned above. 68 FR 10958. Fisher
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Paykel proposed amending the third
sentence of section 4.1.2.1 of the test
procedure to read as follows: ‘‘The
second part would start at the last
compressor off [-cycle] that is part of
steady-state operation (or at a point still
within stable operation if there are no
temperature swings) before a defrost is
initiated * * *.’’ 68 FR 10958.
Currently, section 4.1.2.1 calls for the
second part of the test to start either
when the defrost heater is energized or
at the end of the last compressor oncycle prior to defrost. If this last
compressor on-cycle is an extended run
for precooling, its energy use impact
will be captured neither in the first part
nor the second part of the test.
Amending the test procedure as
described would enable the test to
capture such an increase in compressor
run time needed to accomplish
precooling before the defrost cycle
occurs.
The language suggested by FisherPaykel addressing the ‘‘no temperature
swings’’ scenario apparently referred to
systems with variable-speed
compressors that modulate capacity
over a wide range such that the
compressor operates at a low speed but
does not turn off during steady-state
operation between defrosts. DOE is
aware that such products have been
commercialized. However, DOE believes
that the instructions suggested by Fisher
Paykel for this type of operation are not
sufficiently clear to ensure consistent
application of the test procedure
because such stable operation has not
been defined. DOE proposes to clarify
that the second part of the test would
start when the compartment
temperatures are within their measured
ranges during steady state operation or
within 0.5 °F of their average
temperature during steady state
operation if this range is 1 °F or less
when testing products that do not
experience compressor off cycles during
steady-state operation between defrosts.
Language addressing the end of the
second part of the test for products for
which there is no compressor off-cycle
between defrosts is not needed, because
this possibility is already addressed by
the maximum time for the test of 4
hours after the defrost heater is first
energized.
Accordingly, DOE proposes
modifying the description of the long
time automatic defrost test procedure
found in section 4.1.2.1 as follows for
Appendices A1, A, B1, and B:
4.1.2.1 Long-time Automatic Defrost. If
the model being tested has a long-time
automatic defrost system, the two-part test
described in this section may be used. The
first part is the same as the test for a unit
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having no defrost provisions (section 4.1.1).
The second part starts when the compressor
turns off at the end of a period of steady-state
cycling operation just before initiation of the
defrost control sequence. If the compressor
does not cycle during steady-state operation
between defrosts, the second part starts at a
time when the compartment temperatures are
within their ranges measured during steady
state operation, or within 0.5 °F of the
average during steady state operation for a
compartment with a temperature range
during steady state operation no greater than
1 °F. This control sequence may include
additional compressor operation prior to
energizing the defrost heater. The second part
terminates when the compressor turns on the
second time after the defrost control
sequence or 4 hours after the defrost heater
is energized, whichever occurs first. See
Figure 1.
In conjunction with these changes,
DOE proposes modifying the current
illustration in Appendix A1, which
shows how to measure long-time defrost
and would be modified to reflect the
proposed language discussed above.
DOE also proposes adding a second
illustration showing the appropriate
measurement technique when there is
precooling. These amendments are
proposed for both Appendices A1 and
A.
DOE anticipates that these proposed
modifications could affect the energy
use measurement for those products that
employ precooling. However, these
products represent a minority of the
products available on the market.
Adjustment of energy use standards to
address the small increase in the
measurement for these products would
be a relaxation of energy use standards
for all other products. If an adjustment
were made to accommodate the
minority of products with precooling,
the energy use of a given product class
would be increased. This would
represent an increase in allowable
energy use for the majority of products
of the class for which the new test
would make no change in measured
energy use.
DOE is aware that sophisticated
control systems could be used to reduce
the energy use measured in the second
part of the test through the use of partial
temperature recovery after the defrost,
followed later by a full recovery. This
control scheme cuts short the first oncycle of the compressor after the defrost
heater has been energized, before
cabinet temperatures recover fully. The
second part of the test then stops when
the compressor starts operating a second
time. The second compressor on-cycle is
allowed to run long enough for full
cabinet temperature recovery, but this
additional energy use is not captured in
the test. A number of options could be
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considered to address this issue
including, but not limited to, the
following: (1) Requiring the recovery to
continue until the average freezer
temperature is within a specified
temperature difference of the average
lowest temperature attained during
steady-state cycling operation,
(2) requiring that the test continue for a
specified extended time period after
completion of defrost, and (3) requiring
that the average temperature of the
compartment during the second part of
the test be incorporated into the freezer
temperature calculation. DOE requests
comments on whether consideration
should be given to further modification
of the test to avoid partial recovery and,
if so, what type of changes would be
appropriate.
11. Establishing Test Procedures for
Multiple Defrost Cycle Types
DOE is aware of products that use
more than one control sequence for
defrost cycles. Examples include
products with refrigeration systems
equipped with a single compressor and
two evaporators, in which the
evaporators have different defrost
frequencies. Each defrost cycle type may
have a different control sequence. For
example, one defrost cycle type may
involve defrosting the freezer evaporator
while another may involve defrosting
the fresh food evaporator. Alternatively,
one defrost cycle type may involve
defrosting both evaporators, while
another may involve defrosting the fresh
food evaporator, which may require
more frequent defrost cycles. The
current test procedures do not address
products that employ these types of
defrost cycles. DOE proposes to remedy
this omission by defining the term
‘‘defrost cycle type’’ as follows.
‘‘Defrost cycle type’’ means a distinct
sequence of control whose function is to
remove frost and/or ice from a refrigerated
surface. There may be variations in the
sequence of control for defrost such as the
number of defrost heaters energized. Each
such variation establishes a separate distinct
defrost cycle type.
In cases where these systems use
automatic defrost control with less than
fourteen hours of compressor run time
between defrosts for all defrost cycle
types, and in which compressor run
hours for distinct defrost cycle types are
multiples of each other (e.g., the freezer
defrost occurs every 12 hours of
compressor run time and the fresh food
defrost occurs every 6 hours of
compressor run time), the automatic
defrost test procedure of 10 CFR 430,
subpart B, Appendix A1, section 4.1.2
applies. This procedure includes a
single test period, which lasts ‘‘from one
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point during a defrost period to the
same point during the next defrost
period.’’ (10 CFR part 430, subpart B,
appendix A1 section 4.1.2). As currently
written, the defrost period can be
interpreted as being associated with the
defrost cycle type with the longest
compressor run time between defrosts,
which would enable the test procedure
to measure all energy use, including the
defrost energy use of the product. DOE
proposes to amend the language in the
current procedure to ensure that the
defrost period used during testing is the
period associated with the defrost cycle
type with the longest time between
defrosts.
In particular, DOE proposes to
establish a procedure that addresses the
energy contribution of each of the
defrost cycle types. Appendix A1
currently provides a procedure for long
time defrost that allows separate
measurement of the energy use
associated with the defrost cycle in a
second part of the test. 10 CFR part 430,
subpart B, Appendix A1, section 4.1.2.1.
DOE proposes that this second part of
the test be applied separately to each of
the defrost cycle types and that the
energy use contribution associated with
each of these defrost cycle types be
included in the energy use calculation.
The calculation would be adjusted as
appropriate according to the applicable
frequency of the cycle types.
DOE proposes to incorporate these
changes into Appendix A1 and the new
Appendix A. The changes are not
considered to be applicable to freezers,
making similar changes to Appendices
B and B1 unnecessary.
DOE seeks comments on this
approach and its related assumptions
and analyses.
12. Elimination of Part 3 of the Variable
Defrost Test
As described in section III.D.10,
language addressing variable defrost
was introduced in the test procedures in
August 1989. 54 FR 36238. This test
procedure amendment established a
three-part test for products equipped
with variable defrost. Part 1 measures
the steady-state energy use between
defrosts. Part 2 measures the energy use
associated with each defrost cycle. Part
3, which is optional, provides a
measurement of the time interval
between defrosts. 10 CFR part 430,
subpart B, appendix A1, sections 4.1.2.1
and 4.1.2.2 (describing Parts 1 and 2 of
the variable defrost test).
Part 3 reads as follows:
4.1.2.3 Variable defrost control optional
test. After steady-state conditions with no
door openings are achieved in accordance
with section 3.3 above, the test is continued
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using the above daily door-opening sequence
until stabilized operation is achieved.
Stabilization is defined as a minimum of
three consecutive defrost cycles with times
between defrosts that will allow the
calculation of a Mean Time Between Defrosts
(MTBD1) that satisfies the statistical
relationship of 90 percent confidence. The
test is repeated on at least one more unit of
the model and until the Mean Time Between
Defrosts for the multiple unit tests (MTBD2)
satisfies the statistical relationship. If the
time between defrosts is greater than 96
hours (compressor ‘‘on’’ time) and this defrost
period can be repeated on a second unit, the
test may be terminated at 96 hours (CT) and
the absolute time value used for MTBD for
each unit.
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10 CRF part 430, subpart B, appendix
A1, section 4.1.2.3.
The time required to conduct this part
of the test ranges from 1 to 2 weeks,
which can double since a second unit
must also be tested.2 DOE had
previously estimated that the energy use
captured during this part of the test to
comprise between 1.5 to 7 percent of a
tested unit’s total energy consumption.
See 47 FR 34522 and 54 FR 36238.
DOE’s testing of refrigeration products
to support the energy conservation
standard rulemaking involved testing
one product using the third part of the
test, as described above. Using the
optional Part 3, the test yielded a CT
value of 20.9 hours, while using the
default CT calculation (using the default
value 0.2 for F, as specified in Appendix
A1 section 5.2.1.3) resulted in a value of
24.0 hours. The energy use calculated
using the CT determined by the test
differs from the energy use determined
using the default value of CT by less
than 0.4%.3 In this case, use of the
default results in a lower energy use, but
achieving a reduction of 0.4% in the
measured energy use would generally
not be sufficient to justify running the
Part 3 test. Because of the high test
burden and the small amount of energy
use involved, a manufacturer may
decide not to use this optional step.
DOE is unaware of any manufacturer
that has used the test to rate a
refrigeration product.
Manufacturers that choose not to
conduct the optional third part of the
test instead use a prescribed equation to
determine the appropriate time interval
between defrosts for use when
calculating energy consumption. The
equation is described as follows:
2 As
an example, DOE contracted with a test
facility to conduct such a test in October 2008. This
test was started on October 10 at 4 p.m. and
continued until October 21 at 8 p.m., a total
duration of more than 11 days.
3 The energy use contribution of defrost is
inversely proportional to the value of CT, which
represents hours of compressor run time between
defrosts.
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CT = (CTL × CTM)/(F × (CTM¥CTL) +
CTL)
CTL = least or shortest time between defrosts
in tenths of an hour (greater than or
equal to six but less than or equal to 12
hours)
CTM = maximum time between defrost cycles
in tenths of an hour (greater than CTL but
not more than 96 hours)
10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix
A1, section 5.2.1.3
In the equation for CT, the value F is
the ratio of per day energy consumption
in excess of the least energy and the
maximum difference in per day energy
consumption, and is set equal to 0.2 if
the optional part of the test is not
conducted to determine CT directly.
(Appendix A1, section 5.2.1.3). For
example, if using the maximum time
between defrosts and the minimum time
between defrosts in the equation for
defrost contribution to energy use gives
results of 0.1 and 0.2 kilowatt-hours per
day, a value of CT would be selected so
that the defrost energy use contribution
is set equal to 0.1 + 0.2 × (0.2¥0.1),
equal to 0.12 kilowatt-hours per day.
Since the alternative energy
calculation method can be used, the
optional step is not necessary. As
mentioned above, DOE is unaware of
any manufacturers that use this optional
part, which indicates that the industry
generally considers the equation for CT
described above to be an adequate
representation of the performance of
variable defrost systems. For this reason,
and to simplify the test procedure, DOE
proposes to eliminate this optional test.
This amendment would be made in both
Appendices A1 and B1.
13. Corrections and Other Test
Procedure Language Changes
This section discusses two other
proposed amendments to the current
test procedure.
A: Simplification of Energy Use
Equation for Products With Variable
Defrost Control
Section 5.2.1.3 of Appendix A1
provides the equation for ET, energy use
in kilowatt-hours per day, for
refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers
with variable defrost:
ET = (1440 × EP1/T1) + (EP2¥(EP1 ×
T2/T1)) × (12/CT)
where 1440 is defined in 5.2.1.1 and EP1,
EP2, T1, T2 and 12 are defined in 5.2.1.2.
CT = (CTL × CTM)/(F × (CTM¥CTL) +
CTL)
CTL = least or shortest time between defrosts
in tenths of an hour (greater than or
equal to six but less than or equal to 12
hours)
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CTM = maximum time between defrost cycles
in tenths of an hour (greater than CTL
but not more than 96 hours)
F = ratio of per day energy consumption in
excess of the least energy and the
maximum difference in per day energy
consumption and is equal to
F = (1/CT ¥ 1/CTM)/(1/CTL ¥ 1/CTM) =
(ET¥ETL)/(ETM ¥ETL) or 0.20 in lieu of
testing to find CT.
ETL = least electrical energy used (kilowatt
hours)
ETM = maximum electrical energy used
(kilowatt hours)
For variable defrost models with no values
for CTL and CTM in the algorithm the
default values of 12 and 84 shall be used,
respectively.
10 CFR part 430, subpart B, Appendix
A1, section 5.2.1.3.
Should DOE adopt the changes to the
variable defrost control test as discussed
in Section III.D.12 above,—i.e.,
eliminating it—much of the language
describing the factor F (i.e., the ratio of
daily energy consumption in excess of
the difference between the maximum
and minimum (‘‘least’’) daily energy
consumption) explained above in
section III.D.12) would no longer be
necessary and would be dropped. For
cases in which the optional Part 3 is not
conducted, CT is calculated based on
the default value of F, and either the
manufacturer-specified or the default
values of CTM and CTL. If, on the other
hand, DOE retains the optional step, the
agency believes that the clarifying
equations for F, ETL (least electrical
energy used (kilowatt hours)), and ETM
(maximum electrical energy used
(kilowatt hours)) are not needed, as
described below. For cases in which the
optional step is conducted to measure
the value of CT (i.e., hours of
compressor run time between defrosts to
be used in the equation for energy
consumption), this value is used
directly in the equation for ET. The
value of F does not need to be
calculated for any of these situations.
Regarding specific issues that DOE is
proposing to amend, DOE notes that the
values of CT, CTM, and CTL should be
in units of hours to the nearest tenth of
an hour rather than in units of tenths of
an hour. Section 5.2.1.2 indicates
clearly that CT is in units of hours: ‘‘CT
= Defrost timer run time in hours
required to cause it to go through a
complete cycle, to the nearest tenth
hour per cycle’’ (Appendix A1 section
5.2.1.2). DOE proposes to modify
Appendix A1 to remove the clarifying
equations for F, ETM, and ETL, to
eliminate reference to the optional third
part of the test, and to correct the units
in the definitions for CTM (maximum
time between defrosts in hours of
compressor run time) and CTL (lowest
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time between defrosts in hours of
compressor run time). If the optional
part of the test is retained, DOE would
propose all of these changes except
elimination of the reference to the
optional step. DOE is also proposing
that parallel changes be made in
Appendices B1, A, and B. (In Appendix
B1, the change would be made in the
current section 5.2.1.3.)
B: Energy Testing and Energy Use
Equation for Products With Dual
Automatic Defrost
Section 4.1.2.4 of Appendix A1
describes the manner in which to test
products equipped with a dual
automatic defrost cycle. The section
provides:
4.1.2.4 Dual compressor systems with
automatic defrost. If the model being tested
has separate compressor systems for the
refrigerator and freezer sections, each with its
own automatic defrost system, then the two
part method in 4.1.2.1 shall be used. The
second part of the method will be conducted
separately for each automatic defrost system.
The auxiliary components (fan motors, antisweat heaters, etc.) will be identified for each
system and the energy consumption
measured during each test.
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10 CFR part 430, subpart B, Appendix
A1, section 4.1.2.4.
The energy use of each compressor
system must be measured separately in
order to properly measure the energy
use associated with each defrost system.
Section 4.1.2.4 does not describe all of
the key components—e.g., the
compressor and the defrost heater are
not mentioned—that must have their
energy use separately measured. DOE
proposes to modify the text to explicitly
include the compressor and defrost
heater in the list of components
associated with each system that must
have their energy use separately
measured to clarify the required
procedure.
Additionally, DOE is proposing to
modify the current energy use equation
for products equipped with dual
automatic defrost cycles. Currently, the
energy use equation for products with
dual automatic defrost in section 5.2.1.5
of Appendix A1 reads as follows:
ET = (1440 × EP1/T1) + (EP2F ¥ (EPF
× T2/T1)) × 12/CTF + (EP2R ¥ (EPR
× T3/T1)) × 12/CTR
Where 1440, EP1, T1, EP2, 12, and CT are
defined in 5.2.1.2
EPF = energy expended in kilowatt-hours
during the second part of the test for the
freezer system by the freezer system.
EP2F = total energy expended during the
second part of the test for the freezer
system.
EPR = energy expended in kilowatt-hours
during the second part of the test for the
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refrigerator system by the refrigerator
system.
EP2R = total energy expended during the
second part of the test for the refrigerator
system.
T2 and T3 = length of time in minutes of the
second test part for the freezer and
refrigerator systems respectively.
CTF = compressor ‘‘on’’ time between freezer
defrosts (tenths of an hour).
CTR = compressor ‘‘on’’ time between
refrigerator defrosts (tenths of an hour).
10 CFR part 430, subpart B, Appendix
A1, section 5.2.1.5.
DOE proposes correcting several
errors in the above definitions. The
value EPF, defined as the energy use of
the freezer system during the second
part of the test for the freezer system,
should instead be defined as the energy
use of the freezer system during the first
part of the test. Similarly, EPR should be
the energy use of the refrigerator system
during the first part of the test rather
than the second part of the test.
Also, the value EP2F should be the
energy use of the freezer system for the
second part of the test for the freezer
system, rather than the total energy use
for the second part of the test for the
freezer system. The total energy would
include the fresh food system energy.
Calculating defrost contributions for
each system requires that the
measurements be conducted only for
that particular system. Subtracting the
total energy use for steady state
operation (adjusted for the time period
of the defrost part of the test) from the
total energy use for the freezer defrost,
the fresh food part of these
measurements will not necessarily
cancel out, because they will not
necessarily include a whole number of
compressor cycles. The situation created
by the current equation’s definitions can
result in the measurement being
erroneously adjusted based on the
random nature of when the fresh food
compressor cycles on and off, rather
than calculated based just on the
operation of the freezer system.
Similarly, EP2R should be the energy
use of the refrigerator system during the
second part of the test for the
refrigerator system. The values CTF and
CTR should also be denoted in hours to
the nearest tenths of an hour.
DOE proposes to amend the test
procedure of Appendix A1 to correct
these errors. The corrected text would
also appear in Appendix A.
14. Including in Certification Reports
Basic Information Clarifying Energy
Measurements
This section discusses a proposal to
include information in certification
reports that would clarify how products
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29841
with advanced controls features (e.g.,
variable defrost control or variable antisweat heater control) or with
modifications from standard
temperature sensor locations are tested.
Section III.D.10 discusses test
procedures for products with long-time
or variable defrost, section III.D.9
discusses test procedures for products
with variable anti-sweat heater control,
and section III.D.3 discusses alternative
temperature sensor locations.
Measurement of energy use of such
products cannot be conducted properly
without knowledge of specific
information regarding these control
systems or without knowledge that the
temperature sensor locations have been
modified from their standard locations.
This information impacts how such a
product is tested and how its energy use
is calculated. In order to allow
verification of the energy use ratings for
such products by parties other than
their manufacturers, DOE proposes that
this information be included in
certification reports.
The calculation of energy use for
products with variable defrost control
involves either use of control
parameters CTL and CTM or a test to
determine the appropriate compressor
run time between defrosts. (see for
example Appendix A1, section 5.2.1.3).
Section III.D.12 above proposes
elimination of the approach using the
test, because DOE believes that this
approach is rarely if ever used in rating
products. In order to properly measure
the defrost portion of the energy use for
a product, a test technician must know
(1) whether the product has variable
defrost control, and (2) the values CTL
and CTM. DOE proposes that these three
sets of data be provided in certification
reports for refrigeration products.
The proposed procedure for
calculation of energy use for products
with variable anti-sweat heater control
is described in section III.D.9 above.
Proper energy use measurement for such
a product according to the proposed
procedure requires the disclosure of
whether a particular product has this
type of control. Hence, DOE proposes
that this information be provided in
certification reports.
The inclusion of details regarding the
relocation of temperature sensor
locations in test reports to be
maintained by manufacturers is
discussed in section III.D.3 above.
However, knowledge that such
modification has been made to conduct
a test would not generally be available
unless DOE requested the test records.
Hence, DOE proposes that notification
be provided in the certification report
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for a product if such an adjustment has
been made.
These modifications would be
introduced into the regulations by
modifying 10 CFR 430.62(a)(4)(xii),
which requires the reporting of
information specific to refrigeration
products that must be provided in
certification reports. Reporting of the
presence of variable defrost or variable
anti-sweat heater control would be
required for all such products, while
reporting of the variable defrost
parameters CTL and CTM would be
required only for products equipped
with this type of control. If specific
values of these parameters are not used
in the control algorithm, the default
defrost parameters specified for example
in Appendix A1 section 5.2.1.3 would
be reported. In the case of products with
multiple defrost cycle types (see section
III.D.11 above), the defrost cycle
parameters for all of the defrost cycle
types would be provided.
DOE requests comment on whether
this proposal would be sufficient to
allow accurate testing, and, if this
information is not sufficient, what
additional or alternative information
should be provided.
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E. Amendments To Take Effect
Simultaneously With a New Energy
Conservation Standard
In addition to the proposed changes
discussed above, DOE is considering
additional changes to the test procedure
that would become effective in
conjunction with a final rule amending
the energy conservation standards for
these products. These proposed changes
are discussed below.
1. Incorporating by Reference AHAM
Standard HRF–1–2008 for Measuring
Energy and Internal Volume of
Refrigerating Appliances
The current DOE test procedures for
refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers
reference sections of AHAM Standard
HRF–1–1979. The referenced sections
specify the test facility, test sample setup, measurement procedure, and
volume calculation requirements that
manufacturers must follow when testing
their products. The most recent version
of this industry procedure, HRF–1–
2008, incorporates many changes,
including the specification of new
requirements for compartment
temperatures and new methods of
volume calculation, discussed further in
sections III.E.2 and III.E.3 of this notice.
Adopting the provisions in HRF–1–
2008 for new compartment temperatures
and new volume calculation methods
into the DOE test procedures for
refrigeration products would alter the
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measured energy efficiency of these
products. These new compartment
temperatures are lower for refrigeratorfreezers and refrigerators with freezer
compartments larger than 0.5 cubic ft. in
size. This proposed change would create
a greater temperature difference
between the exterior and interior of the
cabinet during the test, which in turn
would increase thermal loads placed on
the tested unit. In addition, the
refrigeration systems of refrigeratorfreezers would operate with a greater
temperature lift (i.e., the rise in
temperature between the refrigeration
system’s evaporator, where heat is
absorbed, and the system’s condenser,
where heat is transferred to the ambient
air), which would reduce its coefficient
of performance (COP, refrigeration
provided divided by power input). Both
factors would increase the measured
energy use for these products, the first
by increasing the amount of heat that
must be removed by the refrigeration
system, and the second by reducing the
refrigeration system’s effectiveness in
removing heat.
The proposed changes in the volume
calculation method would change the
calculated refrigerated volume and the
adjusted volume because both factors
depend on the volume measurements.
2. Establishing New Compartment
Temperatures
Working Group 12 of Technical
Committee 59 of the IEC is developing
IEC 62552, a new international test
procedure for refrigeration products.
DOE understands that one of the chief
goals of this effort is to harmonize the
energy test procedure for countries that
comprise key markets for these
products. Among the procedures
addressed in IEC 62552 is the treatment
of compartment temperatures for
refrigeration products.
In developing HRF–1–2008, AHAM
incorporated some of the provisions
being considered for IEC 62552. Among
these provisions, AHAM changed the
compartment temperatures for
refrigerator and refrigerator-freezer
testing. These temperature changes
include (1) lowering the standard test
temperatures from 5°F to 0°F for the
freezer compartment of a refrigeratorfreezer and from 45°F to 39°F for the
fresh food compartment, (2) raising the
standard test temperature from 38°F to
39°F for an all-refrigerator, and (3)
lowering the standard test temperature
from 45°F to 39°F for the fresh food
compartment of a refrigerator having a
freezer compartment. (HRF–1–2008,
section 5.6.2). AHAM believes the new
temperatures more closely represent
compartment temperatures typically
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experienced during normal use of these
products. (See AHAM (Framework
Comments), No. 11 at p. 2. See also
Godwin, S.L. et al., ‘‘A Comprehensive
Evaluation of Temperatures within
Home Refrigerators’’, Food Protection
Trends, Vol. 27, No. 3, pp. 168–73,
International Association for Food
Protection, 2007 (assessing the actual
temperatures at which cold foods are
stored in homes and noting the need to
maintain refrigeration temperatures at
40°F or lower) and Kosa, K. et al.,
‘‘Consumer Home Refrigeration
Practices: Findings from a Consumer
Survey’’, presented at the ADA Food &
Nutrition Conference & Expo, Honolulu,
Hawaii, (September, 2006) (noting the
need to maintain refrigeration
temperatures at 40°F or lower and the
significant number of surveyed
households that did not follow this
practice).)
These compartment temperature
changes also led AHAM to change the
volume adjustment factors, which
depend on compartment temperatures.
AHAM changed the volume adjustment
factor for (1) freezer compartments of
refrigerator-freezers from 1.63 to 1.76,
(2) freezers from 1.73 to 1.76, and (3)
freezer compartments of refrigerators
from 1.44 to 1.47. (Compare HRF–1–
1979, section 10.4 with HRF–1–2008,
section 6.3).
Volume adjustment factors are used in
the calculation of adjusted volumes,
which are the basis of the energy
conservation standard equations for
refrigeration products. Adjusted volume
is defined for refrigerators and
refrigerator-freezers as ‘‘the sum of (i)
the fresh food compartment volume as
defined in HRF–1–1979 in cubic feet,
and (ii) the product of an adjustment
factor and the net freezer compartment
volume as defined in HRF–1–1979, in
cubic feet.’’ 10 CFR part 430, subpart B,
Appendix A1, section 1.2.
DOE proposes to adopt the new
compartment temperatures of HRF–1–
2008 and their associated volume
adjustment factors in the DOE test
procedures. It is doing so to improve the
ability of the required procedure to
produce measurements that are more
representative of field energy use and to
help facilitate the international
harmonization of appliance test
procedures. Reducing the energy test
compartment temperatures for
refrigerators (excluding all-refrigerators)
and refrigerator-freezers will result in
higher energy test numbers because of
the higher thermal load associated with
the increased temperature difference
between ambient conditions and the
compartments. Chapter 7 of the
preliminary Technical Support
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Document for the ongoing rulemaking
on Energy Conservation Standards for
Refrigerators, Refrigerator-Freezers, and
Freezers addressed field energy use for
refrigeration products. This analysis was
developed using the U.S. DOE’s Energy
Information Agency’s Residential
Energy Consumption Survey (RECS) of
2005. For all product classes for which
data were available in the RECS
database, the field energy use was
determined to be greater than the energy
use associated with an energy test using
the new compartment temperatures that
are under consideration in today’s
proposal. Part of this energy use
increase is associated with icemaking,
which is not covered by the current
energy test procedure. However, DOE’s
initial analysis shows that the higher
energy use measured using the new
compartment temperatures provides a
more accurate representation of energy
use during typical consumer use of
refrigeration products. This observation
reinforces the position that energy tests
conducted using the new compartment
temperatures are more representative of
field energy use than the temperatures
used in the current test procedures.
Under today’s proposal, these new
compartment temperatures and their
associated volume adjustment factors
would be incorporated into the
proposed Appendices A and B to
coincide with the compliance date for
any new standards that manufacturers
would need to meet in 2014.
3. Establishing New Volume Calculation
Method
In HRF–1–2008, AHAM simplified
the volume calculation method. (See
HRF–1–2008, preface). Specifically, the
revised calculation involves far fewer
instructions regarding the inclusion or
exclusion of various components and
regions of the compartments, and
provides far fewer diagrams illustrating
these varied instructions. AHAM
provided DOE with data illustrating the
impact that the new volume calculation
method would have for certain
representative product classes. These
data show that calculated compartment
volumes change in the range of 1 to 3
percent. (‘‘Impact of HRF–1 Test
Procedure Change on Reported Adjusted
Volume and Reported Energy
Consumption Values’’, RIN 1904–AB79,
Docket No. EERE–2008–BT–STD–0012
(data provided by AHAM for the
Rulemaking for Energy Conservation
Standards for Refrigerators, RefrigeratorFreezers, and Freezers)).
DOE proposes to amend the DOE test
procedures to adopt the volume
calculation procedure used in HRF–1–
2008. The new volume calculation
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method is simpler and leaves less room
for subjective interpretation by test
technicians in developing a volume
estimate when compared to the current
method. Adoption of the simplified
method is expected to improve the
accuracy of volume reporting. Further,
since the energy conservation standard
is based on the adjusted volume
determined from volume measurements,
this improved accuracy is also expected
to improve compliance with the energy
standard.
Questions have surfaced during DOE
review of AHAM HRF–1–2008 in regard
to requirements for the treatment of
icemakers and related hardware for the
purposes of volume calculations. HRF–
1–2008 does explicitly mention whether
automatic icemakers or ice storage bins
should be considered part of the
internal volume. The key clause of this
standard, which specifies components
whose volumes are to be included in the
volume measurement, reads, ‘‘(w)hen
the volume is determined, internal
fittings such as shelves, removable
partitions, containers and interior light
housings shall be considered as not
being in place.’’ (HRF–1–2008, section
4.2.2).
In contrast, HRF–1–1979 specifically
addresses the volume of the icemaker
and the ice storage bin:
Volumes to be included. The total
refrigerated volume is to include
volume occupied by special features,
such as baskets, crispers, meat pans,
chiller trays, icemakers (including
storage bins for automatic icemakers)
and water coolers. (HRF–1–1979,
section 4.2.1.1(a))
Volumes to be deducted. The total
refrigerated volume is not to include
volume occupied by fixed projections,
such as control knobs, shelf hangers,
shelf and pan rails, and thermostat
escutcheons, which collectively, exceed
a volume of more than 0.05 cubic foot
(1.4 liters) per compartment. (Id.,
section 4.2.1.2(e))
DOE does not intend to change the
test procedure for volume calculation to
require excluding the volume of the
icemaker and the ice storage bin in the
volume calculation. Hence, DOE
proposes to include the following
clarifying language to this effect in
section 5.3 of Appendix A:
In the case of refrigerators or refrigeratorfreezers with automatic icemakers, the
volume occupied by the automatic icemaker,
including its ice storage bin, is to be included
in the volume measurement.
DOE proposes a similar amendment to
Appendix B, recognizing that freezers
may also incorporate automatic
icemakers.
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As with the proposed incorporation of
new compartment temperatures, DOE
plans to incorporate the proposed
volume calculation changes as part of
the procedures that manufacturers
would apply when certifying
compliance to any standards that apply
in 2014. These changes (i.e.,
temperature and volume measurements)
would have a significant impact on the
overall standards for refrigeration
products and necessitate, in DOE’s
view, that sufficient time be provided to
manufacturers to adjust to these
changes. In light of this belief, DOE
believes it appropriate to require that
manufacturers use these new
calculations within the initiation of any
required standards for 2014. These
amendments would appear in the new
Appendices A and B.
4. Control Settings for Refrigerators and
Refrigerator-Freezers During Testing
Section III.D.4 above introduces one
issue associated with the current test
procedure requirements for temperature
control settings. Additional issues and
proposed amendments to resolve these
issues are discussed in this section.
The use of two tests conducted at
different temperature control settings is
described above in section III.D.4.
Appendix A1, section 3.2.1 requires the
adjustment of settings in the second test
so that the compartment temperatures
measured during the two tests bound
the standardized temperature for the
product under test. The standardized
temperatures for the products covered
by Appendix A1 are defined in section
3.2: All-refrigerator, 38 °F (3.3 °C) for
the fresh food compartment
temperature; Refrigerator, 15 °F (¥9.4
°C) for the freezer compartment
temperature; Refrigerator-freezer, 5 °F
(¥15 °C) for the freezer compartment
temperature. For refrigerators and
refrigerator-freezers, the current
procedure requires that the settings
adjustment for the second test be based
only on the freezer temperature
measured during the first test, even
though the product’s energy use would
also be impacted by the temperature of
the fresh food compartment during the
test. Hence, ensuring consistency of the
test measurement with the
representative use cycle of these
products should also require
consideration of bounding of the
standardized temperature of the fresh
food compartment.
DOE understands that manufacturers
conduct tests of refrigerator-freezers and
of refrigerators that are not allrefrigerators with consideration of the
fresh food compartment temperature.
The controls are set to their warmest
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position(s) for the second test only if
during the first test all compartment
temperatures are lower than their
standardized temperatures. Otherwise,
the controls are all set to their coldest
position for the second test required
under the procedure. The fresh food
compartment’s standardized
temperature under the practice followed
by the manufacturers is 45 °F, which is
consistent with the temperature used for
the energy use calculation
(interpolation) based on fresh food
compartment temperature of Appendix
A1, section 6.2.2.2. DOE understands
that manufacturers have adopted this
approach to ensure that the energy use
calculation provides an interpolation to
a setpoint condition for which the
temperatures of all compartments are
either equal to or lower than the
standardized temperatures for the
compartments. This practice is most
clearly described in the Canadian
Standards Association Standard C300–
08, ‘‘Energy performance and capacity of
household refrigerators, refrigeratorfreezers, freezers, and wine chillers’’
(CSA C300–08), section 6.1.3.2.2, which
states:
If the first test produces average
compartment temperatures that fall into
quadrants B, C, or D of Figure A.1, the second
test shall be performed with all controls at
their coldest setting(s). If the first test
produces average compartment temperatures
that fall into quadrant A of Figure A.1, the
second test shall be performed with all
controls at their warmest setting(s).
CSA C300–08, section 6.1.3.2.2.
In Figure A.1 of C300–08 at least one
of the compartment temperatures is
above its standardized temperature for
quadrants B, C, or D, but only for
quadrant A are both compartment
temperatures lower than their
standardized temperatures.
DOE proposes to modify the energy
test procedure to make it consistent
with the procedure manufacturers
already use to adjust settings.
Specifically, by requiring that the
second test be conducted with all
controls at their warmest settings only if
both compartment temperatures during
the first test were lower than the
standardized temperatures, DOE will
help ensure that the required procedure
is more rigorous than what is currently
in place in its test procedure. It would
also create a procedure that is consistent
with current industry practices. DOE
proposes also to modify the
specification of standardized
compartment temperatures by adding a
standardized compartment temperature
for the fresh food compartment of
refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers.
The standardized fresh food
temperature would be specified as 39 °F
in Appendix A.
Conducting a Third Test
DOE also notes that the current DOE
test procedure specifies that as many as
three tests may need to be conducted for
calculating energy use. In particular, it
specifies when the first two tests are
sufficient for calculating energy use and
when a third test is required. The
current test procedure provides:
If the compartment temperatures measured
during these two tests bound the appropriate
standardized temperature, then these test
results shall be used to determine energy
consumption. If the compartment
temperature measured with all controls set at
their coldest setting is above the standardized
temperature, a third test shall be performed
with all controls set at their warmest setting
and the result of this test shall be used with
the result of the test performed with all
controls set at their coldest setting to
determine energy consumption. If the
compartment temperature measured with all
controls set at their warmest setting is below
the standardized temperature; and the fresh
food compartment temperature is below
45 °F (7.22 °C) in the case of a refrigerator
or a refrigerator-freezer, excluding an allrefrigerator, then the result of this test alone
will be used to determine energy
consumption.
(10 CFR 430, subpart B, Appendix A1,
section 3.2.1).
Test Results Not Addressed in the
Current Test Procedure
Table 2 below illustrates the logic
behind the temperature setting
requirements for refrigerator and
refrigerator-freezer testing. This logic is
based on the current test procedure and
incorporates the clarification regarding
the treatment of fresh food and freezer
compartment temperatures for the first
test, as described above. The tests for
Cases 2, 5, and 6 in Table 2 are not
clearly addressed in the current test
procedure—specifically, while the
freezer compartment temperature is
lower than the setpoint for both tests,
the fresh food compartment temperature
is higher than 45 °F for at least one of
the tests. The current procedure does
not explicitly state which set of results
are to be used when calculating energy
consumption in these cases.
TABLE 2—TEMPERATURE SETTING CHART FOR REFRIGERATORS AND REFRIGERATOR-FREEZERS
First test
Second test
Settings
Results
Settings
Results
Fzr Mid ........
FF Mid .........
Fzr Low .......
FF Low ........
Fzr Warm ....
FF Warm .....
Fzr Low .......
FF Low.
Fzr Low .......
FF High.
Fzr High ......
FF Low.
Fzr High ......
FF High.
Fzr Low .......
Fzr Cold ......
FF High .......
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Fzr Low .......
FF Cold .......
Fzr High ......
FF Low ........
Fzr High ......
FF High .......
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Fzr Cold ......
FF Cold .......
Fzr Cold ......
FF Cold .......
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FF High.
Fzr Low .......
FF Low.
Fzr High ......
FF Low ........
Fzr Low .......
FF Low.
Fzr Low .......
FF Low.
Fzr Low .......
FF High.
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Third test
settings
Energy calculation based on
None ...........
Second Test Only ....................................................
1
None ...........
Not Clear: Propose use of First and Second Test ..
2
None ...........
First and Second Test .............................................
3
None ...........
First and Second Test .............................................
4
None ...........
Not Clear: Propose requiring a Third test with
Warm/Warm settings and use of the Second and
Third Tests.
5
None ...........
Not Clear: Propose use of First and Second Test ..
6
Fzr Warm ....
FF Warm.
None ...........
Second and Third Tests ..........................................
7
First and Second Tests ...........................................
8
None ...........
First and Second Tests ...........................................
9
None ...........
First and Second Tests ...........................................
10
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TABLE 2—TEMPERATURE SETTING CHART FOR REFRIGERATORS AND REFRIGERATOR-FREEZERS—Continued
First test
Second test
Results
Settings
Third test
settings
Energy calculation based on
Results
Fzr High ......
FF Low ........
Fzr High ......
FF High .......
Settings
Fzr Warm ....
FF Warm.
Fzr Warm ....
FF Warm.
Second and Third Tests ..........................................
11
Second and Third Tests ..........................................
12
Case No.
Notes: Fzr = Freezer Compartment, FF = Fresh Food Compartment.
DOE proposes that for cases 2 and 6
that the results of the first and second
tests be used for the energy
consumption calculation, since this
calculation will ensure that all
compartment temperatures do not
exceed their standardized temperatures
at the calculated condition.
Warm Compartments
Similarly, cases 5, 7, 10, 11, and 12
all involve at least one compartment
that is warmer than its standardized
temperature when all controls are at
their coldest setting. These cases
represent substandard product
performance, but the test procedure
allows for the rating of products under
some of these scenarios. When one of
the warmer compartments is the freezer
compartment (as in cases 7, 11, and 12),
the current test procedure calls for
conducting a third test with all controls
set at their warmest setting and using
the second and third tests to determine
energy use. For case 10, the results for
the freezer compartment comply with
the requirements of the current test
procedure (using the results from the
first and second tests to calculate energy
use), even though the fresh food
compartment temperature is higher than
the standardized temperature when the
unit is tested at the compartment’s
coldest setting. As mentioned above, the
current test procedure provides no
guidance for case 5, where the freezer
compartment temperature is below the
standardized temperature but the fresh
food compartment temperature at its
coldest setting is higher than the
standardized temperature.
These amendments are proposed for
new Appendix A.
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Alternative Approach for High
Compartment Temperatures
While DOE proposes that a third test
be required for case 5, and that the
results of the second and third tests be
used to calculate energy consumption,
the agency is considering an alternative
to address the nonstandard performance
of all of these test cases in a manner
described below. While the current
proposal does not incorporate this
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alternative, DOE seeks comment on
whether it should be implemented to
discourage designs for which any of the
standardized compartment temperatures
are not achieved.
The alternative would be to modify
the test procedure to prevent the rating
of products if any measured
compartment temperature exceeds its
standardized temperature when all
controls are at their coldest settings. If
a tested unit’s fresh food compartment
exceeds its standardized temperature,
the product would not meet the
refrigerator definition, which specifies
the use of ‘‘temperatures above 32 °F
and below 39 °F’’. (10 CFR 430.2). Under
the proposed definition for a
refrigerator-freezer (see section III.B),
the product would also fail to meet that
product definition. Similarly, if the
freezer compartment temperature of a
refrigerator-freezer exceeded its
standardized temperature, the product
would not comply with the current
requirement that the freezer
compartment ‘‘may be adjusted by the
user to a temperature of 0 °F or below.’’
(10 CFR 430.2). The maximum
temperature for the freezer compartment
of a refrigerator is 32 °F, substantially
higher than the 15 °F standardized
temperature (10 CFR 430.2). Hence, a
modification to the test procedure
preventing a rating would not directly
be supported by the product definition
for the case of a refrigerator whose
freezer compartment is warmer than the
15°F standardized temperature.
Precedent for disallowing the rating of
a product for which a compartment is
above its standardized temperature
when the product is tested with
temperature controls at their coldest
settings is found in CSA C300–08:
5.2.7.3 Noncompliance and Product
Description
For the standard and alternative
testing sequences, the conditions of
noncompliance with prescribed thermal
performance shall be as follows:
(a) if, with all compartment controls
at their coldest settings, the freezer
temperature remains above the standard
operating temperature specified in
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Clause 5.2.6.2, the product description
shall be revised in accordance with the
measured temperature; and
(b) energy consumption shall then be
declared in accordance with the revised
product description.
CSA C300–08 Section 5.2.7.3
DOE seeks comment on a possible
general test procedure requirement that
would provide that any product that
exhibits such substandard performance
would be ineligible of being rated as a
product associated with the
standardized temperature that was not
achieved. DOE further seeks comment
on whether such a provision should be
considered for current Appendices A1
and B1 as well as proposed new
Appendices A and B. Note that the
reduction of some of the standardized
temperatures upon transition to
Appendices A and B would increase the
level of performance required for these
products.
Alternative Test Methods Involving Just
Warm and/or Cold Settings
The DOE test procedure allows two
alternative approaches: (1) Using just a
test with controls at their warm settings
and (2) conducting two tests with
controls at their cold settings for one
test and at their warm settings for the
second test. (see Appendix A1 sections
3.2.2 and 3.2.3). For the second of these
approaches, the compartment
temperature is higher than the
standardized temperature at the coldest
setting. Depending on the results of
these tests, they can be used to
determine energy consumption. Except
for the fact that a test with median
temperature setting has not been
conducted as the first test, these cases
are equivalent to the cases listed in
Table 2. In these cases (cases 1, 6, 7, 11,
and 12), the results of the first test are
not used in the energy consumption
calculation.
General
DOE proposes to add a modified
version of Table 2 to the test procedure.
The proposed changes would clarify the
energy consumption calculation by
dictating both the (1) temperature
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settings of subsequent tests and (2) test
results that would be used when
calculating energy consumption. These
changes would apply to Appendices A.
DOE also proposes that the equivalent
of the logic chart represented by Table
2 be included in the test procedures to
describe the temperature settings and
tests to use for the energy use
calculation for all-refrigerators and
freezers. An example of such a chart is
shown in Table 3 below. This change
would be made in Appendices A and B.
TABLE 3—TEMPERATURE SETTING CHART FOR ALL—REFRIGERATORS AND FREEZERS
First test
Second test
Third test settings
Settings
Results
Settings
Results
Mid ...........................
Low ..........................
Warm .......................
High .........................
Cold .........................
Low ..........................
High .........................
Low ..........................
High .........................
DOE seeks comment on these
proposed amendments, on whether the
circumstances listed in Table 2 and
Table 3 adequately address all test result
possibilities for their respective
products, whether the proposed
approaches for the currently unclear
cases 2, 5, and 6 as indicated in Table
2 are appropriate, and whether the
alternative approach disallowing a
rating in the case of warm compartment
temperatures should be adopted. DOE
also seeks comment as to whether its
understanding regarding manufacturer
practices with respect to setting
adjustments during testing are accurate
and, if not, what those practices are and
how best to address them within the
context of DOE’s proposed amendments.
Finally, DOE requests comment on
whether any of these amendments
should be directly applied to
Appendices A1 and B1 so that they
would take effect prior to the effective
date of new energy conservation
standards; such comments should
indicate whether implementing these
changes would make any impact on
measured energy use.
5. Icemakers and Icemaking
Nearly all refrigerator-freezers
currently sold either have an automatic
icemaker or are ‘‘icemaker-ready’’,
meaning that they have the necessary
water tubing, valve(s), and icemaker
mounting hardware already installed to
allow quick conversion to icemaking
None ........................
None ........................
None ........................
Warm .......................
operation if an automatic icemaker is
installed at any time after product
shipment. Production of ice increases
the energy use of a refrigerator-freezer in
two ways: (1) Additional refrigeration is
required to cool and freeze the incoming
water, and (2) some icemaker
components (e.g, the mold heater, the
gear motor) also consume energy.
The current test procedure for
refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers
does not measure the energy use
associated with ice production (HRF–1–
1979, section 7.4.2). (This is a separate
issue from energy used by heaters as
part of the icemaking system, which is
addressed in section III.F.1.) Limited
information has been publicly available
regarding ice production energy use,
which depends on the product’s
efficiency in producing ice and the rate
of ice production. Publicly available
information on this issue includes the
following:
• Measurements of the impact of ice
making on energy use in tests which
were otherwise consistent with the DOE
energy test procedure for four
refrigerator-freezers meeting 1993
energy standards show energy use
increase of 72 to 121 kWh/year. (Alan
Meier and Mark Martinez. 1996. Energy
Use of Icemaking in Domestic
Refrigerators. ASHRAE Transactions:
Symposia. AT–96–19–2)
• Similar measurements with a single
refrigerator showed energy use increase
of 130 to 150 kWh/year. (Haider, Imam;
Energy calculation based
on:
Second Test Only.
First and Second Tests.
First and Second Tests.
Second and Third Tests.
He Feng; and Reinhard Radermacher.
Experimental Results of a Household
Automatic Icemaker in a Refrigerator/
Freezer. ASHRAE Transactions:
Symposia. SA–96–7–3)
• Energy impact at full production of
ice was estimated at 250 kWh per year,
average ice production is suggested to
be 500 grams (g) per day (roughly onequarter of full production), and the
overall impact is estimated to be about
10% of the rated refrigerator energy use.
This is based on testing of refrigerators
that likely were compliant with the
1993 energy standards, considering the
1995 date of the report referenced in the
article. (Alan Meier, Energy Use of Ice
Making in Domestic Refrigerators,
https://eetd.lbl.gov/EA/1995_Ann_Rpt/
Buildings/energy.use.of.ice.html)
DOE conducted testing to determine
icemaking energy use. The average
energy consumption and ice production
rates were measured for extended
periods of refrigerator-freezer operation
involving multiple icemaking cycles
during the steady-state operation of the
products between defrost cycles for
three refrigerator-freezers. Two of these
products were bottom-mount
refrigerator-freezers with TTD ice
service. The other was a side-mount
refrigerator-freezer with TTD ice service.
The results of the tests are summarized
in Table 1 below. The results show a
fairly consistent energy use per pound
of ice in the range 175 to 200 Watthours.
TABLE 4—REFRIGERATOR ICEMAKING TEST RESULTS
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Refrigerator type
Bottom-mount
Refrigerated Volume (cubic ft.) ..................................................................................
Rated Annual Energy Consumption (kWh) ...............................................................
Test Average Wattage
With Icemaking ...................................................................................................
Without Icemaking ..............................................................................................
Differential ...........................................................................................................
Ice Production Rate (lb/day) ......................................................................................
Production Efficiency (Watt-hours/lb) ........................................................................
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Bottom-mount
26
540
25
547
26
728
85.1
75.6
10
1.35
178
130.0
104.5
25
3.44
174
98.2
60.9
37
4.6
193
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Assuming a daily ice production rate
of 1 pound per day (consistent with the
1995 Meier report), the energy use
increase associated with icemaking is in
the range of 64 to 73 kWh represents
10% to 15% of the rated energy use of
the tested products. While the energy
use in kWh is consistent with the 1995
Meier report (one-quarter of 250 kWh, or
63 kWh), the percentage of rated annual
energy use is higher. DOE believes this
discrepancy is due to the lower annual
energy consumption of current
products. DOE concludes from these
data that icemaking energy use can be
a significant portion of overall energy
use of refrigerator-freezers.
DOE notes that AHAM has been
developing a test procedure for
measuring icemaking energy use.
Preliminary work on this effort was
presented to DOE on November 19,
2009. The handout for this presentation,
‘‘AHAM Update to DOE on Status of Ice
Maker Energy Test Procedure’’,
November 19, 2009, has been
incorporated into the docket for this
rulemaking (RIN 1904–AB92, Docket
No. EERE–2009–BT–TP–0003). While
AHAM has not completed its icemaking
test procedure, the presentation
provides measurements of icemaking
energy use determined using a
preliminary test method. The average of
these measurements is 128 Watt-hours
per pound. The preliminary AHAM
procedure specified a daily production
rate of 1.8 pounds of ice—thus, the
average daily energy use associated with
icemaking of these preliminary
measurements is 0.23 kWh and the
average annual energy use is 84 kWh.
In light of the amount of overall
energy use that icemaking appears to
require, DOE is considering
incorporating a test procedure for
measuring icemaking energy use in the
energy test for refrigerators, refrigeratorfreezers, and freezers. However, as
described in the AHAM presentation
handout, and as noted in several
comments associated with the
refrigeration product energy
conservation standard rulemaking (see
for example comments provided by
AHAM, No. 34 at p. 2, RIN 1904–AB79,
Docket No. EERE–2008–BT–STD–0012),
development of an icemaking test
procedure is complex and consensus
has not been reached that a satisfactory
procedure has been developed.
Consequently, rather than incorporate a
measurement of icemaking energy use
into the procedure at this time, DOE
proposes to introduce the inclusion of a
fixed placeholder value for icemaking
energy use into the calculation for the
energy use of refrigeration products
with automatic icemakers. This
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approach would satisfy the need for
improved accuracy in reporting the
representative energy use of products,
since the reported energy use would no
longer be omitting icemaking energy
consumption.
DOE proposes use of the average daily
icemaking energy use value reported by
AHAM, 0.23 kWh per daily cycle. While
there are questions about the suitability
of the test method used to determine
this value, the data reported by AHAM
represents the most thorough and
complete test series addressing this
issue that is available for consideration.
DOE welcomes comment on this
approach. Further, DOE will consider
updated information, such as revised
data based on a more thoroughly
developed test.
DOE proposes incorporation of
icemaking energy use for products that
have automatic icemakers. This
includes products either with or
without TTD ice service, and could
include freezers and refrigerators as well
as refrigerator-freezers. While the
icemaking energy use of products
having automatic icemakers could vary
significantly, accurate data that would
allow the development of fixed
icemaking energy use values that are a
function of product class or other
product characteristics is not available.
DOE proposes incorporation of the
icemaking energy use into the energy
use calculation by integrating the
icemaking energy use value, designated
IET and measured in kWh per cycle,
into the equations for energy use per
cycle, which would be included in the
proposed Appendices A and B in
section 6.2. For example, the energy use
per cycle for refrigerators or refrigeratorfreezers in which the compartment
temperatures are lower than the
standardized temperatures during the
test with control settings in their
warmest positions would be determined
as follows:
6.2.2.1 If the fresh food
compartment temperature is at or below
39 °F (3.9 °C) in both tests and the
freezer compartment temperature is at
or below 15 °F (¥9.4 °C) in both tests
of a refrigerator or at or below 0 °F
(¥17.8 °C) in both tests of a refrigeratorfreezer, the per-cycle energy
consumption shall be:
E = ET1 + IET
Where:
ET is defined in 5.2.1;
IET, expressed in kilowatt-hours per cycle,
equals 0.23 for a product with an automatic
icemaker and otherwise equals 0 (zero); and
number 1 indicates the test period during
which the highest freezer compartment
temperature was measured.
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29847
These amendments would be
incorporated in the proposed new
Appendices A and B.
DOE may consider modifying the test
procedure requirements associated with
icemaking energy use to incorporate
testing to determine the icemaking
energy use of particular products. If a
suitable test procedure for this purpose
can be developed in time for
incorporation in the final rule for this
rulemaking, DOE will consider adopting
such an amendment. However, such a
step will involve issuance of a
supplementary NOPR (SNOPR) prior to
the final rule. Stakeholders are invited
to provide comments including
recommendations for the test procedure
if DOE were to propose an SNOPR. DOE
expects to consider the following factors
in developing a proposal for test
measurement of icemaking energy use:
(1) Applicability of the test procedure
for all types of automatic ice makers;
(2) Submitted test data demonstrating
accuracy and repeatability of the
procedure;
(3) Proposal of an ice production rate
in pounds per day (or per year) so that
daily or annual icemaking energy use
can be calculated and data supporting
the production rate; and
(4) The degree of consensus among
industry representatives that the test is
viable and that burden is not excessive.
One issue that has come to DOE’s
attention during consideration of a test
for icemaking energy use is the possible
impact on energy use measurements of
the presence of ice in the ice bin. (See,
for example, comment 9 from the July
14, 2009 HRF–1 Task Force meeting,
included in information provided by
AHAM, No. 34 at p. 2, RIN 1904–AB79,
Docket No. EERE–2008–BT–STD–0012).
The current test procedure does not
clarify whether ice may be in the bin
during the energy test. Appendix A1
section 2.2 references sections 7.2
through section 7.4.3.3 of HRF–1–1979.
(Appendix A1 section 2.2). Section 7.4.2
of HRF–1–1979 states, ‘‘[i]ce bins of
automatic ice makers are to be full of
frozen food packages;’’ (HRF–1–1979
section 7.4.2). However, Appendix A1
section 2.3 states, ‘‘For automatic defrost
refrigerator-freezers, the freezer
compartments shall not be loaded with
any frozen food packages.’’ (Appendix
A1 section 2.3). The test procedures are
currently silent regarding the presence
of ice in the ice bin during the test. DOE
requests comment on whether a
requirement regarding presence of ice in
the bin should be incorporated into the
test procedure. Such a requirement
would be implemented by inclusion of
appropriate language into the set-up
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requirements in sections 2 of
Appendices A1, B1, A, and B.
F. Other Issues Under Consideration
1. Electric Heaters
Refrigeration products use electric
heaters for a variety of functions. This
section identifies some of those
functions, discusses established
approaches to heater operation during
energy testing, and highlights sections
of this notice that address modifications
to the current test requirements for
heaters.
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Anti-Sweat Heaters
The DOE test procedures have always
incorporated provisions addressing the
operation of anti-sweat heaters. These
components are defined in both
Appendices A1 and B1 (See 10 CFR part
430, subpart B, appendix A1, section 1.3
and 10 CFR part 430, subpart B,
appendix B1, section 1.2) as devices
designed to prevent moisture
accumulation on a product’s exterior
surfaces under conditions of high
ambient humidity. For products that
have an anti-sweat heater switch that
controls operation of anti-sweat heaters,
both Appendices A1 and B1 require
tests to be conducted with the antisweat heater switch in both the on and
off positions. (See 10 CFR part 430,
subpart B, appendix A1, section 2.2 and
10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix
B1, section 2.2). The ‘‘standard cycle’’ is
defined as a 24-hour cycle of operation
of a refrigeration product with the antisweat heater switch on. (10 CFR part
430 subpart B appendix A1 section 1.7,
10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix
B1, section 1.5). Calculation of annual
operating cost for refrigerators,
refrigerator-freezers, and freezers
involves averaging the energy use of a
standard cycle and a cycle with the antisweat heater switch in its position just
prior to shipping from the factory. (10
CFR 430.23(a)(2) and 430.23(b)(2)).
Section III.D.7 of this NOPR discusses
a proposed modification to the
definition of what constitutes an antisweat heater under DOE’s regulations.
Section III.D.8 addresses a proposed
change that would address anti-sweat
heater switch positions during testing.
Finally, section III.D.9 discusses
incorporating procedures for variable
anti-sweat heating controls that were
most recently addressed by waivers.
Any electric heater that falls under the
current definition of anti-sweat heater
must be tested according to the current
test procedures as defined in the current
Appendices A1 and B1. Likewise, any
electric heater that falls under the
proposed definition would be required
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to be tested according to the proposed
test procedures of Appendices A1 and
B1 prior to the date that new energy
conservation standards take effect.
Manufacturers would use proposed
Appendices A and B, which incorporate
the proposed changes to Appendices A1
and B1, on and after the date that the
new standards take effect.
Defrost Heaters
Defrost heaters, including both
heaters used to remove frost from
evaporators and heaters used to prevent
defrost water from refreezing in the drip
pan or discharge tubing are addressed
by the DOE test procedures. Automatic
defrost is defined in Appendices A1 and
B1. (See 10 CFR part 430, subpart B,
appendix A1, section 1.8 and 10 CFR
part 430, subpart B, appendix B1,
section 1.7). Additional definitions are
provided for long-time automatic defrost
and variable defrost control. (10 CFR
part 430 subpart B appendix A1 section
1, 10 CFR part 430 subpart B appendix
B1 section 1). The test procedures were
modified on August 31, 1989 to respond
to the development of adaptive defrost
technology. 54 FR 36238. Section 4 of
both Appendices A1 and B1 address the
test time period for automatic defrost
and its variations (See 10 CFR part 430,
subpart B, appendix A1, section 4 and
10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix
B1, section 4). The methods for
measuring daily energy use that
incorporate the energy use of defrost
heaters for different automatic defrost
systems are specified in section 5 of
both Appendices A1 and B1. (10 CFR
part 430, subpart B, appendix A1,
section 5 and 10 CFR part 430, subpart
B, appendix B1, section 5).
Section III.D.10 of this NOPR
discusses DOE’s proposed modification
of the long time defrost test procedure
to address the energy usage of modern
defrost control approaches, which are
not comprehensively captured by the
current procedure. Section III.D.13.B
discusses a proposed correction to the
procedure for measuring defrost energy
use of dual compressor systems with
dual defrost. All energy use associated
with defrost, including both the energy
input for the heater(s) and all of the
energy use of the refrigeration system(s)
required to remove the defrost heat or to
provide precooling to minimize the
impact of cabinet warmup during
defrost should be captured by the
energy test.
Heaters for Temperature Control
Heaters that adjust the temperatures
of refrigerated compartments are
addressed indirectly through control
setting requirements. The current test
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procedures require compartment
temperature settings consistent with the
standardized temperatures for these
compartments. While compartment
temperature control is primarily
achieved by compressor cycling and the
adjustment of dampers controlling the
air flow to different compartments,
some products may use electric heaters
to enhance temperature control
precision. The control setting
requirements, among other things,
specify the procedures for setting the
temperature control of main
compartments. (See 10 CFR part 430,
subpart B, appendix A1, section 3 and
10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix
B1, section 3). They also include
specific procedures for special
compartments as defined in HRF–1–
1979, section 7.4.2. Section III.D.5
discusses proposed modifications to
procedures for special compartments to
make the procedures for these
compartments consistent with
procedures for convertible
compartments.
However, in instances where a
refrigerator-freezer has more than two
compartments, or where manufacturers
have incorporated sub-compartments
with separate temperature controls, or
both, the instructions in the current test
procedure for adjusting temperature
control settings and for weighted
averaging of energy measurements based
on measured compartment temperatures
are less clear. Section III.D.6 discusses
issues associated with these situations
and the agency’s proposed approaches
for addressing both of these
circumstances.
Because the purpose of these test
procedures is to provide a measurement
of energy use (including those of
temperature control heaters) that is
representative of typical consumer use,
DOE recognizes the need to explicitly
address the setting of compartment
temperatures for more advanced
products equipped with more
complicated configurations. Refinement
of the procedures for setting the
temperatures of compartments during
testing in the manner proposed in
today’s notice will improve the
consistency of test measurements with
representative use cycles of products in
the field.
Icemaker Heaters
Manufacturers also use electric
heaters in automatic icemakers. For
example, many icemakers use mold
heaters (or ‘‘harvest heaters’’) to free the
ice from the icemaker mold. Some
refrigerator-freezers also have heaters
integrated with the icemaker fill tubes to
ensure that water does not freeze in the
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tube transferring water to the icemaker.
This topic has been recently addressed
in a document issued on the refrigerator
rulemaking Web site (‘‘Additional
Guidance Regarding Application of
Current Procedures for Testing Energy
Consumption of Refrigerator-Freezers
with Automatic Ice Makers’’, December
2009, https://www1.eere.energy.gov/
buildings/appliance_standards/
residential/pdfs/
rf_test_procedure_addl_guidance.pdf).
These views would continue to apply
to the newly proposed Appendices A
and B.
However, energy used by these
heaters during ice production may not
be sufficiently captured using the
current energy test. Consideration of test
procedures for measurement of
icemaking energy use is discussed in
section III.E.5 of this notice.
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Exterior Heaters for Evaporation of
Defrost Water
Heaters may be used on the exterior
of refrigeration products to evaporate
defrost melt water collected in the
defrost water pan. The current test
procedures provide no specific
requirements for these heaters.
These heaters may not operate in the
high-ambient closed-door operational
conditions found during typical energy
testing, since, for example, under such
test conditions, no significant amount of
defrost water would collect in a defrost
water pan. The key sources of such
water in normal operating conditions
are (1) water vapor that enters with the
air during door-openings, and (2)
moisture from food products. Since
energy testing is conducted with the
doors closed and with no food products
in the refrigerator, these key sources of
moisture are absent and the pans
generally remain dry. Hence, the energy
test cannot provide measurements
consistent with the representative use
cycles for products with these
components. DOE requests comments
on the prevalence of the use of such
heaters and their likely energy use. DOE
may consider a test procedure
amendment requesting manufacturers to
petition for a waiver for products having
these heaters to modify the test
procedure to incorporate a measurement
addressing their energy use.
Other Heaters
There may be additional uses for
electric resistance heaters in
refrigeration products that are not
mentioned in this section. DOE requests
comment regarding what such uses
might be, how they contribute to energy
use in normal operating conditions and
during testing in accordance with the
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current DOE energy test, and whether
the current procedure with or without
the proposed amendments discussed in
this notice requires additional
modifications to more accurately reflect
their energy usage.
2. Rounding Off Energy Test Results
The current energy test procedure for
refrigeration products references HRF–
1–1979, which specifies the level of
precision to apply when measuring
electric energy consumption (0.01 kWh)
and the accuracy of that measurement
(within ± 0.5%). (HRF–1–1979 section
7.3.2). HRF–1–2008 specifies an
increased level of precision (0.001 kWh)
for digital watt-hour meters, but retains
the same requirement of ± 0.5%
accuracy for energy measurements
(HRF–1–2008, section 5.4.2).
The energy use of refrigeration
products covers a broad range. However,
a minimally compliant 20-cubic foot
refrigerator-freezer with automatic
defrost and a top-mounted freezer
would have an energy use of roughly
500 kWh. Applying the above
requirements, the required accuracy of
this measurement is, at best, ± 2.5 kWh
(500 kWh × 0.5%).
The DOE regulations currently do not
specify the level of precision that
refrigeration product manufacturers
must follow when reporting the energy
use of their products—see, for example,
10 CFR 430.23(a)(5). The above example
suggests that a precision level exceeding
1 kilowatt-hour may not be warranted
but DOE is interested in receiving
comment on this issue. Based on
comments received, DOE may consider
adopting a more precise level of
reported energy usage (e.g., to the tenths
or hundredths level) or a level that
would require reporting to the nearest
kilowatt-hour. Such a requirement
would be implemented in 10 CFR
430.23(a)(5), for refrigerators and
refrigerator-freezers, and in 10 CFR
430.23(b)(5), for freezers.
DOE recognizes that, if energy use is
reported to the nearest kilowatt-hour,
the specification of maximum allowable
energy use must also be rounded to the
nearest kilowatt-hour, to prevent a
reporting error. For example, if the
energy standard was 500.7 kWh for a
product whose energy use measurement
was 500.6 kWh, rounding the
measurement to 501 kWh might appear
to show energy use higher than the
maximum allowable under the standard.
DOE will consider proposing that the
maximum allowable energy use under
the energy conservation standard be
rounded to the nearest kilowatt-hour or
some other fraction as part of the energy
conservation standard rulemaking.
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29849
DOE requests comment on the
achievable accuracy in measurement of
refrigeration product energy use, the
appropriate level of precision for
reporting of energy use and on the need
to provide a similar rounding for
maximum allowable energy use under
the energy conservation standard.
G. Compliance With Other EPCA
Requirements
In addition, DOE examined its other
obligations under EPCA in developing
this particular rulemaking notice. These
requirements are addressed in greater
detail below.
1. Test Burden
Section 323(b)(3) of EPCA requires
that ‘‘any test procedures prescribed or
amended under this section shall be
reasonably designed to produce test
results which measure energy
efficiency, energy use * * * or
estimated annual operating cost of a
covered product during a representative
average use cycle or period of use * * *
and shall not be unduly burdensome to
conduct.’’ (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(3)) For the
reasons that follow, DOE has tentatively
concluded that the proposed
amendments to DOE test procedures
would satisfy this requirement.
The proposed amendments generally
incorporate minor adjustments to test
sample set-up procedures, the treatment
of certain product features such as
convertible compartments, compartment
temperatures, and volume calculation
methods. Most of these proposed
amendments would require no changes
in the current requirements for
equipment and instrumentation for
testing or the time required for testing.
With respect to the proposed test
method for variable anti-sweat heaters,
this proposal would specify testing in a
humidity-controlled test chamber and
require conducting three tests to
measure energy use for steady-state
cycling operation of a refrigeratorfreezer. As a result, this change would
require manufacturers of products
equipped with variable anti-sweat
heater controls to conduct additional
testing. DOE estimates that the
additional testing is expected to
represent roughly a doubling of test time
for these products, from roughly 5 days
to roughly 10 days, which is consistent
with the additional test burden
associated with an anti-sweat heater
switch, the approach used by some
manufacturers to reduce the energy
impact of anti-sweat heaters prior to
granting of the variable anti-sweat
heater control waivers.
Among the options that DOE
considered in preparation of today’s
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notice include: (1) Allowing the test
procedure to be conducted exactly as
described in the waivers or interim
waivers granted to GE, Whirlpool,
Electrolux, and Samsung, and (2)
harmonizing ambient temperature of the
test with the 90 °F generally used for
energy testing. After reviewing these
options, DOE believes that the
additional testing required for variable
anti-sweat heaters is the least
burdensome approach to determine the
energy use of variable anti-sweat heaters
while helping to ensure that these
components are sufficiently addressed
in the agency’s test procedure.
At least two reasons support this
view. First, manufacturers of
refrigerator-freezers generally have test
chambers with humidity control that
would be appropriate for testing
products with variable anti-sweat
heaters since manufacturers would need
such test chambers in the first instance
to verify the effectiveness of anti-sweat
and defrost devices in their products.
While the additional testing that would
be required may double the test time for
products with variable anti-sweat heater
control, it is unclear that any lessburdensome approaches could reliably
verify that the control systems work as
described.
Second, relatively few products
would require the variable anti-sweat
test, which would mean that the overall
cost on the industry would be low. (An
example of such a product would be a
refrigerator-freezer equipped with
French doors, for which anti-sweat
heating for the seal between the French
doors cannot be provided with
customary hot-liquid refrigerant
heating.) Accordingly, DOE does not
anticipate that manufacturers would
need to outlay significant capital
expenditures for new testing facilities or
equipment to comply with the proposed
variable anti-sweat test method and has
tentatively concluded that the proposed
test procedure amendments would not
be unduly burdensome to conduct.
As an option to reduce the test burden
associated with the variable anti-sweat
control test procedure, DOE may
consider allowing certification of
products having such a feature based on
the anti-sweat heater energy use
contribution measured for a product
with the same variable anti-sweat
heating system design. Such an
approach would require energy test
measurements made in support of
certification to be made as currently
required for all products. However, the
value of the ‘‘Correction Factor’’
representing the energy use contribution
of the anti-sweat heaters could be based
on measurements conducted for a
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product with the same variable antisweat heating system design. The same
system design would include use of the
same heater wattages in the same
locations of the product, and control
using the same algorithms. DOE seeks
comment on whether such an approach
would be acceptable, and whether the
characterization of ‘‘same variable antisweat heater system design’’ is
appropriate. Further, DOE seeks
information justifying this suggested
approach for reducing the test burden
associated with the proposed variable
anti-sweat heater control test procedure,
including data demonstrating that it
would provide an accurate and
repeatable representation of energy use.
DOE also seeks information regarding
any alternative approach that could be
considered to address this test burden
issue, with supporting information and
data to support such an alternative.
2. Potential Amendments To Include
Standby and Off Mode Energy
Consumption
EPCA directs DOE to amend test
procedures ‘‘to include standby mode
and off mode energy consumption
* * * with such energy consumption
integrated into the overall energy
efficiency, energy consumption, or other
energy descriptor for each covered
product, unless the Secretary
determines that—(i) the current test
procedures for a covered product
already fully account for and
incorporate the standby and off mode
energy consumption of the covered
product * * * ’’ 42 U.S.C.
6295(gg)(2)(A)(i). The DOE test
procedures for refrigeration products
involve measuring the energy use of
these products during extended time
periods that include periods when the
compressor and other key components
are cycled off. All of the energy these
products use during the ‘‘off cycles’’ is
included in the measurements. The
refrigeration product could include any
auxiliary features which draw power in
a standby or off mode. HRF–1–1979 and
HRF–1–2008 provide instructions that
certain auxiliary features should be set
to the lowest power position during
testing. In this lowest power position,
any standby or off mode energy use of
such auxiliary features would be
included in the energy measurement.
Hence, no separate changes are needed
to account for standby and off mode
energy consumption, since the current
procedures (and as proposed) address
these modes.
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IV. Procedural Requirements
A. Review Under Executive Order 12866
The Office of Management and Budget
has determined that test procedure
rulemakings do not constitute
‘‘significant regulatory actions’’ under
section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866,
Regulatory Planning and Review, 58 FR
51735 (Oct. 4, 1993). Accordingly, this
proposed action was not subject to
review under the Executive Order by the
Office of Information and Regulatory
Affairs (OIRA) in the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB).
B. Review Under the Regulatory
Flexibility Act
The Regulatory Flexibility Act (5
U.S.C. 601 et seq.) requires preparation
of an initial regulatory flexibility
analysis for any rule that by law must
be proposed for public comment, unless
the agency certifies that the proposed
rule, if promulgated, will not have a
significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities. As
required by Executive Order 13272,
‘‘Proper Consideration of Small Entities
in Agency Rulemaking,’’ 67 FR 53461
(August 16, 2002), DOE published
procedures and policies on February 19,
2003, to ensure that the potential
impacts of its rules on small entities are
properly considered during the
rulemaking process. 68 FR 7990. DOE
has made its procedures and policies
available on the Office of the General
Counsel’s Web site (https://
www.gc.doe.gov).
DOE reviewed the test procedures
considered in today’s notice of proposed
rulemaking under the provisions of the
Regulatory Flexibility Act and the
procedures and policies published on
February 19, 2003. This proposed rule
prescribes test procedures that would be
used to test compliance with energy
conservation standards for the products
that are the subject of this rulemaking.
The Small Business Administration
(SBA) considers an entity to be a small
business if, together with its affiliates, it
employs less than a threshold number of
workers specified in 13 CFR part 121,
which relies on size standards and
codes established by the North
American Industry Classification
System (NAICS). The threshold number
for NAICS code 335222, which applies
to Household Refrigerator and Home
Freezer Manufacturing, is 1,000
employees.
DOE searched the SBA Web site
(https://dsbs.sba.gov/dsbs/search/
dsp_dsbs.cfm) to identify manufacturers
within this NAICS code that produce
refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and/
or freezers. Most of the manufacturers
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supplying these products are large
multinational corporations with more
than 1,000 employees. There are several
small businesses involved in the sale of
refrigeration products that are listed on
the SBA Web site under the NAICS code
for this industry. However, DOE
believes that only U-Line Corporation of
Milwaukee, Wisconsin is a small
business that manufactures these
products. U-Line primarily
manufactures compact refrigerators and
related compact products such as wine
coolers and icemakers (these icemakers
are distinguished from the automatic
icemakers installed in many residential
refrigeration products in that they are
complete icemaking appliances using
either typical residential icemaking
technology or the clear icemaking
technology used extensively in
commercial icemakers—they are
distinguished from refrigerators in that
their sole purpose is production and
storage of ice).
DOE has tentatively concluded that
the proposed rule would not have a
significant impact on small
manufacturers under the provisions of
the Regulatory Flexibility Act. The
proposed rule would amend DOE’s
energy test procedures for refrigeration
products. The amendments do not
require use of test facilities or test
equipment that differ significantly from
the test facilities or test equipment that
manufacturers currently use to evaluate
the energy efficiency of these products.
Further, the amended test procedures
would not be significantly more difficult
or time-consuming to conduct than
current DOE energy test procedures
except for the amendments addressing
testing of products with variable antisweat heating controls. The products
that currently have such control,
refrigerator-freezers with bottommounted freezers and French doors
serving the fresh food compartment, are
all manufactured by large
manufacturers. U-Line, the only small
business manufacturer that has been
identified, does not manufacture these
products.
For these reasons, DOE tentatively
concludes and certifies that the
proposed rule would not have a
significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities.
Accordingly, DOE has not prepared a
regulatory flexibility analysis for this
rulemaking. DOE will transmit the
certification and supporting statement
of factual basis to the Chief Counsel for
Advocacy of the SBA for review under
5 U.S.C. 605(b).
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C. Review Under the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995
This proposed rulemaking will
impose no new information collection
or record-keeping requirements.
Accordingly, OMB clearance is not
required under the Paperwork
Reduction Act. (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.)
D. Review Under the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969
In this notice, DOE proposes to amend
its test procedure for refrigerators,
refrigerator-freezers, and freezers. These
amendments would improve the ability
of DOE’s procedures to more accurately
account for the energy consumption of
products that incorporate a variety of
new technologies that were not
contemplated when the current
procedure was promulgated. The
proposed amendments would also be
used to develop and implement future
energy conservation standards for
refrigeration products. DOE has
determined that this rule falls into a
class of actions that are categorically
excluded from review under the
National Environmental Policy Act of
1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and DOE’s
implementing regulations at 10 CFR part
1021. Specifically, this rule amends an
existing rule without changing its
environmental effect, and, therefore, is
covered by the Categorical Exclusion in
10 CFR part 1021, subpart D, paragraph
A5. The exclusion applies because this
rule would establish revisions to
existing test procedures that would not
affect the amount, quality, or
distribution of energy usage, and,
therefore, would not result in any
environmental impacts. Accordingly,
neither an environmental assessment
nor an environmental impact statement
is required.
E. Review Under Executive Order 13132
Executive Order 13132, ‘‘Federalism,’’
imposes certain requirements on
agencies formulating and implementing
policies or regulations that preempt
State law or that have Federalism
implications. 64 FR 43255 (August 10,
1999). The Executive Order requires
agencies to examine the constitutional
and statutory authority supporting any
action that would limit the
policymaking discretion of the States
and to carefully assess the necessity for
such actions. The Executive Order also
requires agencies to have an accountable
process to ensure meaningful and timely
input by State and local officials in the
development of regulatory policies that
have Federalism implications. On
March 14, 2000, DOE published a
statement of policy describing the
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29851
intergovernmental consultation process
that it will follow in developing such
regulations. 65 FR 13735. DOE
examined this proposed rule and
determined that it would not have a
substantial direct effect on the States, on
the relationship between the national
government and the States, or on the
distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various
levels of government. EPCA governs and
prescribes Federal preemption of State
regulations as to energy conservation for
the products that are the subject of
today’s proposed rule. States can
petition DOE for exemption from such
preemption to the extent, and based on
criteria, set forth in EPCA. (42 U.S.C.
6297) No further action is required by
Executive Order 13132.
F. Review Under Executive Order 12988
Regarding the review of existing
regulations and the promulgation of
new regulations, section 3(a) of
Executive Order 12988, ‘‘Civil Justice
Reform,’’ 61 FR 4729 (Feb. 7, 1996),
imposes on Federal agencies the general
duty to adhere to the following
requirements: (1) Eliminate drafting
errors and ambiguity; (2) write
regulations to minimize litigation; (3)
provide a clear legal standard for
affected conduct rather than a general
standard; and (4) promote simplification
and burden reduction. Section 3(b) of
Executive Order 12988 specifically
requires that Executive agencies make
every reasonable effort to ensure that the
regulation specifies the following: (1)
The preemptive effect, if any; (2) any
effect on existing Federal law or
regulation; (3) a clear legal standard for
affected conduct while promoting
simplification and burden reduction; (4)
the retroactive effect, if any; (5)
definitions of key terms; and (6) other
important issues affecting clarity and
general draftsmanship under any
guidelines issued by the Attorney
General. Section 3(c) of Executive Order
12988 requires Executive agencies to
review regulations in light of applicable
standards in sections 3(a) and 3(b) to
determine whether they are met or
whether it is unreasonable to meet one
or more of them. DOE has completed the
required review and determined that, to
the extent permitted by law, this
proposed rule meets the relevant
standards of Executive Order 12988.
G. Review Under the Unfunded
Mandates Reform Act of 1995
Title II of the Unfunded Mandates
Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA) (Pub. L.
104–4; 2 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.) requires
each Federal agency to assess the effects
of Federal regulatory actions on State,
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local, and Tribal governments and the
private sector. For a proposed regulatory
action likely to result in a rule that may
cause the expenditure by State, local,
and Tribal governments, in the
aggregate, or by the private sector of
$100 million or more in any one year
(adjusted annually for inflation), section
202 of UMRA requires a Federal agency
to publish estimates of the resulting
costs, benefits, and other effects on the
national economy. (2 U.S.C. 1532(a)–(b))
UMRA also requires a Federal agency to
develop an effective process to permit
timely input by elected officers of State,
local, and Tribal governments on a
proposed ‘‘significant intergovernmental
mandate,’’ and requires an agency plan
for giving notice and opportunity for
timely input to potentially affected
small governments before establishing
any requirements that might
significantly or uniquely affect such
governments. On March 18, 1997, DOE
published a statement of policy on its
process for intergovernmental
consultation under UMRA. 62 FR
12820. (The policy is also available at
https://www.gc.doe.gov). Today’s
proposed rule contains neither an
intergovernmental mandate nor a
mandate that may result in an
expenditure of $100 million or more in
any year, so these requirements do not
apply.
sroberts on DSKD5P82C1PROD with PROPOSALS
H. Review Under the Treasury and
General Government Appropriations
Act, 1999
Section 654 of the Treasury and
General Government Appropriations
Act, 1999 (Pub. L. 105–277) requires
Federal agencies to issue a Family
Policymaking Assessment for any rule
that may affect family well-being.
Today’s proposed rule would not have
any impact on the autonomy or integrity
of the family as an institution.
Accordingly, DOE has concluded that it
is not necessary to prepare a Family
Policymaking Assessment.
I. Review Under Executive Order 12630
DOE has determined, under Executive
Order 12630, ‘‘Governmental Actions
and Interference with Constitutionally
Protected Property Rights,’’ 53 FR 8859
(March 18, 1988), that this proposed
regulation would not result in any
takings that might require compensation
under the Fifth Amendment to the U.S.
Constitution.
J. Review Under the Treasury and
General Government Appropriations
Act, 2001
Section 515 of the Treasury and
General Government Appropriations
Act, 2001 (44 U.S.C. 3516 note) provides
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for agencies to review most
disseminations of information to the
public under guidelines established by
each agency pursuant to general
guidelines issued by OMB. OMB’s
guidelines were published at 67 FR
8452 (Feb. 22, 2002), and DOE’s
guidelines were published at 67 FR
62446 (Oct. 7, 2002). DOE has reviewed
today’s proposed rule under OMB and
DOE guidelines and has concluded that
it is consistent with applicable policies
in those guidelines.
K. Review Under Executive Order 13211
Executive Order 13211, ‘‘Actions
Concerning Regulations That
Significantly Affect Energy Supply,
Distribution, or Use,’’ 66 FR 28355 (May
22, 2001), requires Federal agencies to
prepare and submit to OIRA a Statement
of Energy Effects for any proposed
significant energy action. A ‘‘significant
energy action’’ is defined as any action
by an agency that promulgates or is
expected to lead to promulgation of a
final rule and that (1) is a significant
regulatory action under Executive Order
12866, or any successor order; and (2)
is likely to have a significant adverse
effect on the supply, distribution, or use
of energy; or (3) is designated by the
Administrator of OIRA as a significant
energy action. For any proposed
significant energy action, the agency
must give a detailed statement of any
adverse effects on energy supply,
distribution, or use if the proposal is
implemented, and of reasonable
alternatives to the action and their
expected benefits on energy supply,
distribution, and use. Today’s proposed
regulatory action is not a significant
regulatory action under Executive Order
12866. It has likewise not been
designated as a significant energy action
by the Administrator of OIRA.
Moreover, it would not have a
significant adverse effect on the supply,
distribution, or use of energy. Therefore,
it is not a significant energy action, and,
accordingly, DOE has not prepared a
Statement of Energy Effects.
L. Review Under Section 32 of the
Federal Energy Administration Act of
1974
Under section 301 of the DOE
Organization Act (Pub. L. 95–91; 42
U.S.C. 7101 et seq.), DOE must comply
with section 32 of the Federal Energy
Administration Act of 1974, as amended
by the Federal Energy Administration
Authorization Act of 1977 (FEAA). (15
U.S.C. 788) Section 32 essentially
provides in part that, where a proposed
rule authorizes or requires use of
commercial standards, the rulemaking
must inform the public of the use and
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background of such standards. In
addition, section 32(c) requires DOE to
consult with the Attorney General and
the Chairman of the Federal Trade
Commission (FTC) concerning the
impact of the commercial or industry
standards on competition.
The proposed modifications to the
test procedures addressed by this
proposed action incorporate testing
methods contained in certain sections of
the commercial standards, AHAM
Standards HRF–1–1979 and HRF–1–
2008. DOE has evaluated these two
versions of this standard and is unable
to conclude whether it fully complies
with the requirements of section 32(b) of
the FEAA (i.e., whether it was
developed in a manner that fully
provides for public participation,
comment, and review.) DOE will
consult with the Attorney General and
the Chairman of the FTC about the
impact on competition of using the
methods contained in this standard,
before prescribing a final rule.
V. Public Participation
A. Attendance at the Public Meeting
The time, date, and location of the
public meeting are listed in the DATES
and ADDRESSES sections at the beginning
of this NOPR. To attend the public
meeting, please notify Ms. Brenda
Edwards at (202) 586–2945. As
explained in the ADDRESSES section,
foreign nationals visiting DOE
Headquarters are subject to advance
security screening procedures.
B. Procedure for Submitting Requests To
Speak
Any person who has an interest in
today’s notice, or who is a
representative of a group or class of
persons that has an interest in these
issues, may request an opportunity to
make an oral presentation at the public
meeting. Such persons may handdeliver requests to speak to the address
shown in the ADDRESSES section at the
beginning of this notice between 9 a.m.
and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays. Requests may
also be sent by mail or e-mail to Ms.
Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department of
Energy, Building Technologies Program,
Mailstop EE–2J, 1000 Independence
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585–
0121, or Brenda.Edwards@ee.doe.gov.
Persons who wish to speak should
include in their request a computer
diskette or CD in WordPerfect, Microsoft
Word, PDF, or text (ASCII) file format
that briefly describes the nature of their
interest in this rulemaking and the
topics they wish to discuss. Such
persons should also provide a daytime
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telephone number where they can be
reached.
DOE requests persons scheduled to
make an oral presentation to submit an
advance copy of their statements at least
one week before the public meeting.
DOE may permit persons who cannot
supply an advance copy of their
statement to participate, if those persons
have made advance alternative
arrangements with the Building
Technologies Program. Requests to give
an oral presentation should ask for such
alternative arrangements.
C. Conduct of Public Meeting
DOE will designate an agency official
to preside at the public meeting and
may also use a professional facilitator to
aid discussion. The meeting will not be
a judicial or evidentiary-type public
hearing, but DOE will conduct it in
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553 and
section 336 of EPCA (42 U.S.C. 6306). A
court reporter will be present to record
the proceedings and prepare a
transcript. DOE reserves the right to
schedule the order of presentations and
to establish the procedures governing
the conduct of the public meeting. After
the public meeting, interested parties
may submit further comments on the
proceedings as well as on any aspect of
the rulemaking until the end of the
comment period.
The public meeting will be conducted
in an informal, conference style. DOE
will present summaries of comments
received before the public meeting,
allow time for presentations by
participants, and encourage all
interested parties to share their views on
issues affecting this rulemaking. Each
participant will be allowed to make a
prepared general statement (within time
limits determined by DOE), before the
discussion of specific topics. DOE will
permit other participants to comment
briefly on any general statements. At the
end of all prepared statements on each
specific topic, DOE will permit
participants to clarify their statements
briefly and to comment on statements
made by others.
Participants should be prepared to
answer DOE’s and other participants’
questions. DOE representatives may also
ask participants about other matters
relevant to this rulemaking. The official
conducting the public meeting will
accept additional comments or
questions from those attending, as time
permits. The presiding official will
announce any further procedural rules
or modification of the above procedures
that may be needed for the proper
conduct of the public meeting.
DOE will make the entire record of
this proposed rulemaking, including the
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transcript from the public meeting,
available for inspection at the U.S.
Department of Energy, 6th Floor, 950
L’Enfant Plaza, SW., Washington, DC
20024, (202) 586–2945, between 9 a.m.
and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays. Copies of the
transcript are available for purchase
from the transcribing reporter.
D. Submission of Comments
DOE will accept comments, data, and
information regarding the proposed rule
before or after the public meeting, but
no later than the date provided at the
beginning of this notice. Comments,
data, and information submitted to
DOE’s e-mail address for this
rulemaking should be provided in
WordPerfect, Microsoft Word, PDF, or
text (ASCII) file format. Stakeholders
should avoid the use of special
characters or any form of encryption,
and wherever possible, comments
should include the electronic signature
of the author. Comments, data, and
information submitted to DOE via mail
or hand delivery/courier should include
one signed original paper copy. No
telefacsimiles (faxes) will be accepted.
Pursuant to 10 CFR 1004.11, any
person submitting information that he
or she believes to be confidential and
exempt by law from public disclosure
should submit two copies: one copy of
the document that includes all of the
information believed to be confidential,
and one copy of the document with that
information deleted. DOE will
determine the confidential status of the
information and treat it accordingly.
Factors of interest to DOE when
evaluating requests to treat submitted
information as confidential include the
following: (1) A description of the items;
(2) whether and why such items are
customarily treated as confidential
within the industry; (3) whether the
information is generally known by or
available from other sources; (4)
whether the information was previously
made available to others without
obligation concerning its
confidentiality; (5) an explanation of the
competitive injury to the submitting
person that would result from public
disclosure; (6) when such information
might lose its confidential character due
to the passage of time; and (7) why
disclosure of the information would be
contrary to the public interest.
E. Issues on Which DOE Seeks Comment
DOE is particularly interested in
receiving comments and views of
interested parties on the following
issues:
1. Electric Refrigerator Definition:
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29853
DOE requests comment on whether
any clarifications are needed regarding
the definition for electric refrigerators.
2. Measured Energy Impacts of
Amendments Proposed To Take Effect
Prior to the Effective Date of the New
Energy Conservation Standards:
DOE invites comment on whether any
of the amendments proposed to take
effect prior to the effective date of the
new energy conservations standards
(scheduled per EPCA to be January 1,
2014), have a significant impact on
measured energy use. DOE requests
information quantifying these impacts,
if any.
3. Incorporating by Reference AHAM
Standard HRF–1–2008:
DOE invites comment on the
approach proposed for incorporating
provisions of AHAM Standard HRF–1–
2008, including (a) maintaining the
reference to AHAM Standard HRF–1–
1979 in Appendices A1 and B1, which
will continue to be in effect until the
new energy conservation standards
become mandatory; (b) incorporating
directly into Appendices A1 and B1
language from AHAM Standard HRF–1–
2008 to clarify test procedures; and (c)
changing all references to HRF–1–2008
for Appendices A and B, which will
take effect simultaneously with the new
energy conservation standards.
4. Test Sample Preparation:
DOE invites comments on the
proposed clarifications of test
procedures for preparing test samples.
DOE has proposed allowed and required
deviations from set-up according to
installation instructions and invites
comments on whether additional such
deviations should be incorporated into
the test procedure.
5. Test Procedure Waivers for
Products for Which Test Measurements
Are not Representative:
DOE seeks comment on the proposed
language requiring petition for waivers
to address products equipped with
controls or other features that modify
the operation of energy using
components during the energy test. DOE
seeks comment on whether more
specific definition could or should be
provided to define either the product
characteristics that would make the test
procedure unsuitable for use or to
define representative average use.
6. Temperature Sensor Locations:
DOE seeks comment regarding
frequency of testing using temperature
sensor locations not specifically shown
in Figures 7.1 and 7.2 of HRF–1–1979.
DOE also seeks comment on whether
the proposed exception to proposed
requirements for waivers associated
with non-standard sensor location
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arrangements are reasonable for limiting
the frequency of such waivers.
7. Convertible Temperature
Compartments and Special
Compartments:
DOE invites comment on the
proposed clarifications of test
procedures for treatment of convertibletemperature and the proposed
amendments to the test procedures for
special compartments. DOE also
requests comment on whether a size
limit should be established for
classification of a special compartment,
and what a reasonable size limit might
be.
8. Auxiliary Compartments:
DOE invites comment on the
proposed approach to modification of
the test procedures to address auxiliary
compartments with external doors.
9. Anti-Sweat Heater Definition:
DOE invites comment on the proposal
to allow the anti-sweat heater definition
to include condensation of moisture on
all rather than just exterior cabinet
surfaces. DOE also seeks comment
regarding whether additional clarity
beyond the proposed amendments is
required.
10. Elimination of the Optional Third
Part of the Test for Refrigerator-Freezers
With Variable Defrost:
DOE invites comment on the
proposed elimination of the optional
third part of the test for testing
refrigerator-freezers with variable
defrost. In particular, DOE requests
information indicating that the third
part of the procedure has been used in
recent years for rating a product, and
whether it provides a more accurate
indication of the frequency of defrosts
for such products than the default
equation for this parameter.
11. Test Method for Variable AntiSweat Heating Energy Contribution:
DOE invites comment on the proposal
to incorporate into the test procedures a
determination of the energy use
associated with variable anti-sweat
heater controls involving test
measurements. DOE also invites
comment on whether the variable antisweat heater test procedure should also
be incorporated into Appendices B and
B1 for freezers. Finally, DOE invites
comment on the suggested approach for
reduction of test burden associated with
the proposed test; DOE requests
information and data providing
justification for adopting this approach.
12. New Compartment Temperatures:
DOE invites comment on the
establishment of new compartment
temperatures for testing of refrigerators
and refrigerator-freezers and the new
volume adjustment factors for testing
refrigeration products.
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13. New Volume Calculation Method:
DOE invites comment on the
establishment of a new volume
calculation method. DOE also invites
comment on the proposed clarification
of the HRF–1–2008 volume calculation
method addressing treatment of
automatic icemakers and ice storage
bins in the volume calculation method.
Finally, DOE requests comment on
whether this clarification should be
applied also to freezers.
14. Defrost Precooling Energy:
DOE invites comment on the
proposals to include precooling energy
in the procedures for testing products
with long-time or variable defrost
controls. DOE also invites comment
regarding whether additional test
procedure amendments are appropriate
in order to address possible use of
partial recovery to reduce energy use of
this part of the test.
15. Multiple Defrost Cycle Types:
DOE requests comments on the
proposed amendments addressing test
procedures for products with long-time
or variable defrost that incorporate
multiple types of defrost cycles.
16. Wall Clearance:
DOE invites comment on the
proposed procedures regarding
clearance between the rear of a tested
cabinet and the test chamber or
simulated wall.
17. Combination Wine StorageFreezer Products:
DOE invites comment on its proposal
to modify the definition of refrigeratorfreezer to exclude products which
combine a freezer and a wine storage
compartment.
18. Icemaking:
DOE requests comments on the
proposed approach for integrating
icemaking energy use into the energy
use metrics for refrigeration products.
DOE requests recommendations for
development of a test method for
determination of icemaking energy use,
including data to show the viability of
recommended approaches. DOE
requests comments on whether
refrigerators with freezer compartments
could include icemakers. Finally, DOE
requests any updated data supporting
determination of a representative daily
ice production factor.
19. Presence of Ice in the Ice Bin
During Testing:
DOE seeks comment on whether a
requirement should be adopted in the
test procedure specifying whether ice
may be in the ice bin during energy
testing.
20. Temperature Settings:
DOE requests comment on proposed
modifications to the test procedures to
clarify requirements for temperature
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settings, including whether DOE’s
understanding regarding the approach
used by manufacturers is correct, and
comment on whether these
requirements should be incorporated
into Appendices A1 and B1 as well as
Appendices A and B. DOE also request
comment on whether rating of products
should be disallowed in case of tests in
which compartment temperatures are
higher than their standardized
temperatures with temperature controls
in their coldest position, and whether
such an amendment should be
introduced immediately in Appendices
A1 and B1, or whether they should be
considered only for Appendices A and
B.
21. Electric Heaters:
DOE requests comment regarding
electric heaters: what types exist that are
not already discussed in section III.F.1;
how do they contribute to energy use in
typical consumer use and during the
energy test; and whether modifications
are needed (and if so what types) to
more accurately reflect their energy use
impact?
22. Energy Use Measurement RoundOff:
DOE requests comment on the
achievable accuracy in measurement of
refrigeration product energy use and the
guidance under consideration to specify
reporting of energy use to the nearest
kilowatt-hour and on the need to
provide a similar rounding for
maximum allowable energy use under
the energy conservation standard.
23. Certification Report Amendments:
DOE requests comments on the
proposed additions to certification
reports that will clarify the approach
used to test the product.
VI. Approval of the Office of the
Secretary
The Secretary of Energy has approved
publication of this notice of proposed
rulemaking.
List of Subjects in 10 CFR part 430
Administrative practice and
procedure, Confidential business
information, Energy conservation,
Household appliances, Imports,
Intergovernmental relations, Small
businesses.
Issued in Washington, DC, on April 1,
2010.
Cathy Zoi,
Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy.
For the reasons stated in the
preamble, DOE proposes to amend part
430 of chapter II of title 10, of the Code
of Federal Regulations, as set forth
below:
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PART 430—ENERGY CONSERVATION
PROGRAM FOR CONSUMER
PRODUCTS
1. The authority citation for part 430
continues to read as follows:
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6291–6309; 28 U.S.C.
2461 note.
2. Section 430.2 is amended by
revising the definition for ‘‘electric
refrigerator-freezer’’ to read as follows:
§ 430.2
Definitions.
*
*
*
*
*
Electric refrigerator-freezer means a
cabinet which consists of two or more
compartments with at least one of the
compartments designed for the
refrigerated storage of food at
temperatures above 32 °F and below
39 °F and with at least one of the
compartments designed for the freezing
and storage of food at temperatures
below 8 °F which may be adjusted by
the user to a temperature of 0 °F or
below. Additional compartments shall
be designed for temperature in any
range up to 39 °F. The source of
refrigeration requires single phase,
alternating current electric energy input
only.
*
*
*
*
*
3. Section 430.3 is amended by
redesignating paragraph (g)(1) as (g)(2)
and adding new paragraphs (g)(1) and
(g)(3), to read as follows:
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§ 430.3 Materials incorporated by
reference.
(g) * * *
(1) ANSI/AHAM HRF–1–1979,
(‘‘HRF–1–1979’’), American National
Standard, Household Refrigerators,
Combination Refrigerator-Freezers and
Household Freezers, approved May 17,
1979, IBR approved for Appendices A1
and B1 to Subpart B.
*
*
*
*
*
(3) AHAM Standard HRF–1–2008,
(‘‘HRF–1–2008’’), Association of Home
Appliance Manufacturers, Energy,
Performance and Capacity of Household
Refrigerators, Refrigerator-Freezers and
Freezers, approved September 13, 2008,
as modified by Errata published
November 17, 2009, IBR approved for
Appendices A and B to Subpart B.
*
*
*
*
*
3. Section 430.23 is amended by
revising paragraphs (a) and (b) to read
as follows:
§ 430.23 Test procedures for the
measurement of energy and water
consumption.
(a) Refrigerators and refrigeratorfreezers. (1) The estimated annual
operating cost for electric refrigerators
and electric refrigerator-freezers with
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variable anti-sweat heater control or
without an anti-sweat heater switch
shall be the product of the following
three factors:
(i) The representative average-use
cycle of 365 cycles per year;
(ii) The average per-cycle energy
consumption for the standard cycle in
kilowatt-hours per cycle, determined
according to 6.2 (6.3.6 for externally
vented units) of Appendix A1 of this
subpart before Appendix A becomes
mandatory and 6.2 (6.3.6 for externally
vented units) of Appendix A of this
subpart after Appendix A becomes
mandatory (see the note at the beginning
of Appendix A); and
(iii) The representative average unit
cost of electricity in dollars per
kilowatt-hour as provided by the
Secretary, the resulting product then
being rounded off to the nearest dollar
per year.
(2) The estimated annual operating
cost for electric refrigerators and electric
refrigerator-freezers with an anti-sweat
heater switch and without variable antisweat heater control shall be the
product of the following three factors:
(i) The representative average-use
cycle of 365 cycles per year;
(ii) Half the sum of the average percycle energy consumption for the
standard cycle and the average per-cycle
energy consumption for a test cycle type
with the anti-sweat heater switch in the
position set at the factory just before
shipping, each in kilowatt-hours per
cycle, determined according to 6.2 (6.3.6
for externally vented units) of Appendix
A1 of this subpart before Appendix A
becomes mandatory and 6.2 (6.3.6 for
externally vented units) of Appendix A
of this subpart after Appendix A
becomes mandatory (see the note at the
beginning of Appendix A); and
(iii) The representative average unit
cost of electricity in dollars per
kilowatt-hour as provided by the
Secretary, the resulting product then
being rounded off to the nearest dollar
per year.
(3) The estimated annual operating
cost for any other specified cycle type
for electric refrigerators and electric
refrigerator-freezers shall be the product
of the following three factors: (i) The
representative average-use cycle of 365
cycles per year;
(ii) The average per-cycle energy
consumption for the specified cycle
type, determined according to 6.2 (6.3.6
for externally vented units) of Appendix
A1 to this subpart before Appendix A
becomes mandatory and 6.2 (6.3.6 for
externally vented units) of Appendix A
of this subpart after Appendix A
becomes mandatory (see the note at the
beginning of Appendix A); and
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(iii) The representative average unit
cost of electricity in dollars per
kilowatt-hour as provided by the
Secretary, the resulting product then
being rounded off to the nearest dollar
per year.
(4) The energy factor for electric
refrigerators and electric refrigeratorfreezers, expressed in cubic feet per
kilowatt-hour per cycle, shall be:
(i) For electric refrigerators and
electric refrigerator-freezers with
variable anti-sweat heater control or
without an anti-sweat heater switch, the
quotient of:
(A) The adjusted total volume in
cubic feet, determined according to 6.1
of Appendix A1 of this subpart before
Appendix A becomes mandatory and
6.1 of Appendix A of this subpart after
Appendix A becomes mandatory (see
the note at the beginning of Appendix
A), divided by—
(B) The average per-cycle energy
consumption for the standard cycle in
kilowatt-hours per cycle, determined
according to 6.2 (6.3.6 for externally
vented units) of Appendix A1 of this
subpart before Appendix A becomes
mandatory and 6.2 (6.3.6 for externally
vented units) of Appendix A of this
subpart after Appendix A becomes
mandatory (see the note at the beginning
of Appendix A), the resulting quotient
then being rounded off to the second
decimal place; and
(ii) For electric refrigerators and
electric refrigerator-freezers having an
anti-sweat heater switch and without
variable anti-sweat heater control, the
quotient of—
(A) The adjusted total volume in
cubic feet, determined according to 6.1
of Appendix A1 of this subpart before
Appendix A becomes mandatory and
6.1 of Appendix A of this subpart after
Appendix A becomes mandatory (see
the note at the beginning of Appendix
A), divided by—
(B) Half the sum of the average percycle energy consumption for the
standard cycle and the average per-cycle
energy consumption for a test cycle type
with the anti-sweat heater switch in the
position set at the factory just before
shipping, each in kilowatt-hours per
cycle, determined according to 6.2 (6.3.6
for externally vented units) of Appendix
A1 of this subpart before Appendix A
becomes mandatory and 6.2 (6.3.6 for
externally vented units) of Appendix A
of this subpart after Appendix A
becomes mandatory (see the note at the
beginning of Appendix A), the resulting
quotient then being rounded off to the
second decimal place.
(5) The annual energy use of electric
refrigerators and electric refrigerator-
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freezers, expressed in kilowatt-hours per
year, shall be:
(i) For electric refrigerators and
electric refrigerator-freezers with
variable anti-sweat heater control or
without an anti-sweat heater switch, the
representative average use cycle of 365
cycles per year multiplied by the
average per-cycle energy consumption
for the standard cycle in kilowatt-hours
per cycle, determined according to 6.2
(6.3.6 for externally vented units) of
Appendix A1 of this subpart before
Appendix A becomes mandatory and
6.2 (6.3.6 for externally vented units) of
Appendix A of this subpart after
Appendix A becomes mandatory (see
the note at the beginning of Appendix
A), and
(ii) For electric refrigerators and
electric refrigerator-freezers having an
anti-sweat heater switch and without
variable anti-sweat heater control, the
representative average use cycle of 365
cycles per year times half the sum of the
average per-cycle energy consumption
for the standard cycle and the average
per-cycle energy consumption for a test
cycle type with the anti-sweat heater
switch in the position set at the factory
just before shipping, each in kilowatthours per cycle, determined according
to 6.2 (6.3.6 for externally vented units)
of Appendix A1 of this subpart before
Appendix A becomes mandatory and
6.2 (6.3.6 for externally vented units) of
Appendix A of this subpart after
Appendix A becomes mandatory (see
the note at the beginning of Appendix
A).
(6) Other useful measures of energy
consumption for electric refrigerators
and electric refrigerator-freezers shall be
those measures of energy consumption
for electric refrigerators and electric
refrigerator-freezers that the Secretary
determines are likely to assist
consumers in making purchasing
decisions which are derived from the
application of Appendix A1 of this
subpart before Appendix A becomes
mandatory Appendix A of this subpart
after Appendix A becomes mandatory
(see the note at the beginning of
Appendix A).
(7) The estimated regional annual
operating cost for externally vented
electric refrigerators and externally
vented electric refrigerator-freezers with
variable anti-sweat heater control or
without an anti-sweat heater switch
shall be the product of the following
three factors: (i) The representative
average-use cycle of 365 cycles per year,
(ii) The regional average per-cycle
energy consumption for the standard
cycle in kilowatt-hours per cycle,
determined according to 6.3.7 of
Appendix A1 of this subpart before
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Appendix A becomes mandatory and
6.3.7 of Appendix A of this subpart after
Appendix A becomes mandatory (see
the note at the beginning of Appendix
A); and
(iii) The representative average unit
cost of electricity in dollars per
kilowatt-hour as provided by the
Secretary, the resulting product then
being rounded off to the nearest dollar
per year.
(8) The estimated regional annual
operating cost for externally vented
electric refrigerators and externally
vented electric refrigerator-freezers with
an anti-sweat heater switch and without
variable anti-sweat heater control shall
be the product of the following three
factors:
(i) The representative average-use
cycle of 365 cycles per year;
(ii) Half the sum of the average percycle energy consumption for the
standard cycle and the regional average
per-cycle energy consumption for a test
cycle with the anti-sweat heater switch
in the position set at the factory just
before shipping, each in kilowatt-hours
per cycle, determined according to 6.3.7
of Appendix A1 of this subpart before
Appendix A becomes mandatory and
6.3.7 of Appendix A of this subpart after
Appendix A becomes mandatory (see
the note at the beginning of Appendix
A); and
(iii) The representative average unit
cost of electricity in dollars per
kilowatt-hour as provided by the
Secretary, the resulting product then
being rounded off to the nearest dollar
per year.
(9) The estimated regional annual
operating cost for any other specified
cycle for externally vented electric
refrigerators and externally vented
electric refrigerator-freezers shall be the
product of the following three factors:
(i) The representative average-use
cycle of 365 cycles per year;
(ii) The regional average per-cycle
energy consumption for the specified
cycle, in kilowatt-hours per cycle,
determined according to 6.3.7 of
Appendix A1 of this subpart before
Appendix A becomes mandatory and
6.3.7 of Appendix A of this subpart after
Appendix A becomes mandatory (see
the note at the beginning of Appendix
A); and
(iii) The representative average unit
cost of electricity in dollars per
kilowatt-hour as provided by the
Secretary, the resulting product then
being rounded off to the nearest dollar
per year.
(10) The energy test procedure is
designed to provide a measurement
consistent with representative average
consumer use of the product, even if the
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test conditions and/or procedures may
not themselves all be representative of
average consumer use (e.g, 90 °F
ambient conditions, no door openings,
use of temperature settings unsafe for
food preservation, etc.). If a product
contains energy consuming components
that operate differently during the
prescribed testing than they would
during representative average consumer
use and applying the prescribed test to
that product would evaluate it in a
manner that is unrepresentative of its
true energy consumption (thereby
providing materially inaccurate
comparative data), the prescribed
procedure may not be used. Examples of
products that cannot be tested using the
prescribed test procedure include those
products that can exhibit operating
parameters (e.g, duty cycle or input
wattage) for any energy using
component that are not smoothly
varying functions of operating
conditions or control inputs—such as
when a component is automatically shut
off when test conditions or test settings
are reached. A manufacturer wishing to
test such a product must obtain a waiver
in accordance with the relevant
provisions of 10 CFR 430.
(b) Freezers. (1) The estimated annual
operating cost for freezers without an
anti-sweat heater switch shall be the
product of the following three factors:
(i) The representative average-use
cycle of 365 cycles per year;
(ii) The average per-cycle energy
consumption for the standard cycle in
kilowatt-hours per cycle, determined
according to 6.2 of Appendix B1 of this
subpart before Appendix B becomes
mandatory and 6.2 of Appendix B of
this subpart after Appendix B becomes
mandatory (see the note at the beginning
of Appendix B); and
(iii) The representative average unit
cost of electricity in dollars per
kilowatt-hour as provided by the
Secretary, the resulting product then
being rounded off to the nearest dollar
per year.
(2) The estimated annual operating
cost for freezers with an anti-sweat
heater switch shall be the product of the
following three factors:
(i) The representative average-use
cycle of 365 cycles per year;
(ii) Half the sum of the average percycle energy consumption for the
standard cycle and the average per-cycle
energy consumption for a test cycle type
with the anti-sweat heater switch in the
position set at the factory just before
shipping, each in kilowatt-hours per
cycle, determined according to 6.2 of
Appendix B1 of this subpart before
Appendix B becomes mandatory and 6.2
of Appendix B of this subpart after
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Appendix B becomes mandatory (see
the note at the beginning of Appendix
B); and
(iii) The representative average unit
cost of electricity in dollars per
kilowatt-hour as provided by the
Secretary, the resulting product then
being rounded off to the nearest dollar
per year.
(3) The estimated annual operating
cost for any other specified cycle type
for freezers shall be the product of the
following three factors:
(i) The representative average-use
cycle of 365 cycles per year;
(ii) The average per-cycle energy
consumption for the specified cycle
type, determined according to 6.2 of
Appendix B1 of this subpart before
Appendix B becomes mandatory and 6.2
of Appendix B of this subpart after
Appendix B becomes mandatory (see
the note at the beginning of Appendix
B); and
(iii) The representative average unit
cost of electricity in dollars per
kilowatt-hour as provided by the
Secretary, the resulting product then
being rounded off to the nearest dollar
per year.
(4) The energy factor for freezers,
expressed in cubic feet per kilowatthour per cycle, shall be:
(i) For freezers not having an antisweat heater switch, the quotient of—
(A) The adjusted net refrigerated
volume in cubic feet, determined
according to 6.1 of Appendix B1 of this
subpart before Appendix B becomes
mandatory and 6.1 of Appendix B of
this subpart after Appendix B becomes
mandatory (see the note at the beginning
of Appendix B), divided by—
(B) The average per-cycle energy
consumption for the standard cycle in
kilowatt-hours per cycle, determined
according to or 6.2 of Appendix B1 of
this subpart before Appendix B becomes
mandatory and 6.2 of Appendix B of
this subpart after Appendix B becomes
mandatory (see the note at the beginning
of Appendix B), the resulting quotient
then being rounded off to the second
decimal place; and
(ii) For freezers having an anti-sweat
heater switch, the quotient of—
(A) The adjusted net refrigerated
volume in cubic feet, determined
according to 6.1 of Appendix B1 of this
subpart before Appendix B becomes
mandatory and 6.1 of Appendix B of
this subpart after Appendix B becomes
mandatory (see the note at the beginning
of Appendix B), divided by—
(B) Half the sum of the average percycle energy consumption for the
standard cycle and the average per-cycle
energy consumption for a test cycle type
with the anti-sweat heater switch in the
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position set at the factory just before
shipping, each in kilowatt-hours per
cycle, determined according to 6.2 of
Appendix B1 of this subpart before
Appendix B becomes mandatory and 6.2
of Appendix B of this subpart after
Appendix B becomes mandatory (see
the note at the beginning of Appendix
B), the resulting quotient then being
rounded off to the second decimal
place.
(5) The annual energy use of all
freezers, expressed in kilowatt-hours per
year, shall be:
(i) For freezers not having an antisweat heater switch, the representative
average use cycle of 365 cycles per year
multiplied by the average per-cycle
energy consumption for the standard
cycle in kilowatt-hours per cycle,
determined according to 6.2 of
Appendix B1 of this subpart before
Appendix B becomes mandatory and 6.2
of Appendix B of this subpart after
Appendix B becomes mandatory (see
the note at the beginning of Appendix
B), and
(ii) For freezers having an anti-sweat
heater switch, the representative average
use cycle of 365 cycles per year times
half the sum of the average per-cycle
energy consumption for the standard
cycle and the average per-cycle energy
consumption for a test cycle type with
the anti-sweat heater switch in the
position set at the factory just before
shipping, each in kilowatt-hours per
cycle, determined according to 6.2 of
Appendix B1 of this subpart before
Appendix B becomes mandatory and 6.2
of Appendix B of this subpart after
Appendix B becomes mandatory (see
the note at the beginning of Appendix
B).
(6) Other useful measures of energy
consumption for freezers shall be those
measures the Secretary determines are
likely to assist consumers in making
purchasing decisions and are derived
from the application of Appendix B1 of
this subpart before Appendix B becomes
mandatory Appendix B of this subpart
after Appendix B becomes mandatory
(see the note at the beginning of
Appendix B).
(7) The energy test procedure is
designed to provide a measurement
consistent with representative average
consumer use of the product, even if the
test conditions and/or procedures may
not themselves all be representative of
average consumer use (e.g, 90 °F
ambient conditions, no door openings,
etc.). If a product contains energy
consuming components that operate
differently during the prescribed testing
than they would during representative
average consumer use and applying the
prescribed test to that product would
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29857
evaluate it in a manner that is
unrepresentative of its true energy
consumption (thereby providing
materially inaccurate comparative data),
the prescribed procedure may not be
used. Examples of products that cannot
be tested using the prescribed test
procedure include those products that
can exhibit operating parameters (e.g,
duty cycle or input wattage) for any
energy using component that are not
smoothly varying functions of operating
conditions or control inputs—such as
when a component is automatically shut
off when test conditions or test settings
are reached. A manufacturer wishing to
test such a product must obtain a waiver
in accordance with the relevant
provisions of 10 CFR 430.
*
*
*
*
*
4. Add a new Appendix A to subpart
B of part 430 to read as follows:
Appendix A to Subpart B of Part 430—
Uniform Test Method for Measuring the
Energy Consumption of Electric
Refrigerators and Electric RefrigeratorFreezers
The provisions of Appendix A shall apply
to all products manufactured on or after the
effective date of any amended standards
promulgated by DOE pursuant to Section
325(b)(4) of the Energy Policy and
Conservation Act of 1975, as amended by the
Energy Independence and Security Act of
2007 (to be codified at 42 U.S.C. 6295(b)(4)).
1. Definitions
Section 3, Definitions, of HRF–1–2008
(incorporated by reference; see § 430.3) is
applicable to this test procedure.
1.1 ‘‘Adjusted total volume’’ means the
sum of:
(i) The fresh food compartment volume as
defined in HRF–1–2008 (incorporated by
reference; see § 430.3) in cubic feet, and
(ii) The product of an adjustment factor
and the net freezer compartment volume as
defined in HRF–1–2008 in cubic feet.
1.2 ‘‘All-refrigerator’’ means an electric
refrigerator that does not include a
compartment for the freezing and long time
storage of food at temperatures below 32 °F
(0.0 °C). It may include a compartment of
0.50 cubic feet capacity (14.2 liters) or less
for the freezing and storage of ice.
1.3 ‘‘Anti-sweat heater’’ means a device
incorporated into the design of a refrigerator
or refrigerator-freezer to prevent the
accumulation of moisture on the exterior or
interior surfaces of the cabinet.
1.4 ‘‘Anti-sweat heater switch’’ means a
user-controllable switch or user interface
which modifies the activation or control of
anti-sweat heaters.
1.5 ‘‘Automatic defrost’’ means a system
in which the defrost cycle is automatically
initiated and terminated, with resumption of
normal refrigeration at the conclusion of the
defrost operation. The system automatically
prevents the permanent formation of frost on
all refrigerated surfaces. Nominal refrigerated
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food temperatures are maintained during the
operation of the automatic defrost system.
1.6 ‘‘Automatic icemaker’’ means a
device, that can be supplied with water
without user intervention, either from a
pressurized water supply system or by
transfer from a water reservoir located inside
the cabinet, that automatically produces,
harvests, and stores ice in a storage bin, with
means to automatically interrupt the
harvesting operation when the ice storage bin
is filled to a pre-determined level.
1.7 ‘‘Cycle’’ means the period of 24 hours
for which the energy use of an electric
refrigerator or electric refrigerator-freezer is
calculated as though the consumer activated
compartment temperature controls were set
so that the standardized temperatures (see
section 3.2) were maintained.
1.8 ‘‘Cycle type’’ means the set of test
conditions having the calculated effect of
operating an electric refrigerator or electric
refrigerator-freezer for a period of 24 hours,
with the consumer activated controls other
than those that control compartment
temperatures set to establish various
operating characteristics.
1.9 ‘‘Defrost cycle type’’ means a distinct
sequence of control whose function is to
remove frost and/or ice from a refrigerated
surface. There may be variations in the
sequence of control for defrost such as the
number of defrost heaters energized. Each
such variation establishes a separate distinct
defrost cycle type.
1.10 ‘‘Externally vented refrigerator or
refrigerator-freezer’’ means an electric
refrigerator or electric refrigerator-freezer that
has an enclosed condenser or an enclosed
condenser/compressor compartment and a
set of air ducts for transferring the exterior air
from outside the building envelope into,
through, and out of the refrigerator or
refrigerator-freezer cabinet; is capable of
mixing exterior air with the room air before
discharging into, through, and out of the
condenser or condenser/compressor
compartment; includes thermostatically
controlled dampers or controls that enable
the mixing of the exterior and room air at low
outdoor temperatures, and the exclusion of
exterior air when the outdoor air temperature
is above 80 °F or the room air temperature;
and may have a thermostatically actuated
exterior air fan.
1.11 ‘‘HRF–1–2008’’ means the
Association of Home Appliance
Manufacturers standard Energy, Performance
and Capacity of Household Refrigerators,
Refrigerator-Freezers and Freezers that was
approved September 13, 2008. Only sections
of HRF–1–2008 (incorporated by reference;
see § 430.3) specifically referenced in this
test procedure are part of this test procedure.
In cases where there is a conflict, the
language of the test procedure in this
appendix takes precedence over HRF–1–
2008.
1.12 ‘‘Long-time automatic defrost’’ means
an automatic defrost system whose
successive defrost cycles are separated by 14
hours or more of compressor operating time.
1.13 ‘‘Separate auxiliary compartment’’
means a freezer compartment or a fresh food
compartment of a refrigerator or refrigeratorfreezer having more than two compartments
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that is not the first freezer compartment or
the first fresh food compartment. Access to
a separate auxiliary compartment is through
a separate exterior door or doors rather than
through the door or doors of another
compartment. Separate auxiliary
compartments may be convertible (e.g., from
fresh food to freezer).
1.14 ‘‘Stabilization period’’ means the
total period of time during which steady-state
conditions are being attained or evaluated.
1.15 ‘‘Standard cycle’’ means the cycle
type in which the anti-sweat heater control,
when provided, is set in the highest energyconsuming position.
1.16 ‘‘Variable anti-sweat heater control’’
means an anti-sweat heater control that
varies the average power input of the antisweat heater(s) based on operating condition
variable(s) and/or ambient condition
variable(s).
1.17 ‘‘Variable defrost control’’ means a
long-time automatic defrost system (except
the 14-hour defrost qualification does not
apply) in which successive defrost cycles are
determined by an operating condition
variable or variables other than compressor
operating time. This includes any electrical
or mechanical device performing this
function. Demand defrost is a type of variable
defrost control.
2. Test Conditions
2.1 Ambient Temperature and Humidity.
The ambient temperature shall be 90.0 ± 1 °F
(32.2 ± 0.6 °C) during the stabilization period
and the test period. If the product being
tested has variable anti-sweat heater control,
the ambient relative humidity shall be no
more than 35%. For the variable anti-sweat
heater test described in section 4.1.3, the
ambient temperature shall be 72 ± 1 °F (22.2
± 0.6 °C) dry bulb. The relative humidities for
the three portions of the test shall be 25
± 10%, 65 ± 2%, and 95 ± 2%.
2.2 Operational Conditions. The electric
refrigerator or electric refrigerator-freezer
shall be installed and its operating conditions
maintained in accordance with HRF–1–2008,
(incorporated by reference; see § 430.3),
section 5.3 through section 5.5.5.5 (excluding
section 5.5.5.4), except that the vertical
ambient temperature gradient at locations 10
inches (25.4 cm) out from the centers of the
two sides of the unit being tested is to be
maintained during the test. Unless the area
is obstructed by shields or baffles, the
gradient is to be maintained from 2 inches
(5.1 cm) above the floor or supporting
platform to a height of 1 foot (30.5 cm) above
the unit under test. Defrost controls are to be
operative. Other exceptions and clarifications
to the cited sections of HRF–1–2008 are
noted in sections 2.3 through 2.7, and 5.1 of
this test procedure.
2.3 Anti-Sweat Heaters.
(a) User-Controllable Anti-Sweat Heaters.
The anti-sweat heater switch is to be on
during one test and off during a second test.
(b) Variable Anti-Sweat Heaters. In the case
of an electric refrigerator-freezer equipped
with variable anti-sweat heater control, the
test shall be conducted with the anti-sweat
heater controls activated to allow the antisweat heater to be energized but operating in
their minimum energy state corresponding to
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operation in low humidity conditions, as a
result of testing conducted using an ambient
relative humidity level as specified in section
2.1. If the product has an anti-sweat heater
switch, it shall be switched on. The variable
anti-sweat heater test (described in section
4.1.3) shall be conducted to determine the
energy consumption of the anti-sweat heater
in higher humidity conditions. The standard
cycle energy consumption shall be
determined using the equation described in
section 6.2.3.
2.4 Conditions for Automatic Defrost
Refrigerator-Freezers. For automatic defrost
refrigerator-freezers, the freezer
compartments shall not be loaded with any
frozen food packages during testing.
Cylindrical metallic masses of dimensions
1.12 ± 0.25 inches (2.9 ± 0.6 cm) in diameter
and height shall be attached in good thermal
contact with each temperature sensor within
the refrigerated compartments. All
temperature measuring sensor masses shall
be supported by low-thermal-conductivity
supports in such a manner to ensure that
there will be at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) of air
space separating the thermal mass from
contact with any interior surface or hardware
inside the cabinet. In case of interference
with hardware at the sensor locations
specified in section 5.1, the sensors shall be
placed at the nearest adjacent location such
that there will be a 1-inch air space
separating the sensor mass from the
hardware.
2.5 Conditions for All-Refrigerators.
There shall be no load in the freezer
compartment during the test.
2.6 The cabinet and its refrigerating
mechanism shall be assembled and set up in
accordance with the printed consumer
instructions supplied with the cabinet. Setup of the refrigerator or refrigerator-freezer
shall not deviate from these instructions,
unless explicitly required or allowed by this
test procedure. Specific required or allowed
deviations from such set-up include the
following:
(a) Connection of water lines and
installation of water filters are not required;
(b) Clearance requirements from surfaces of
the product shall be as described in section
2.8 below;
(c) The electric power supply shall be as
described in HRF–1–2008 (incorporated by
reference; see § 430.3), section 5.5.1;
(d) Temperature control settings for testing
shall be as described in section 3 below.
Settings for convertible compartments and
other temperature-controllable or special
compartments shall be as described in
section 2.7 below; and
(e) The product does not need to be
anchored or otherwise secured to prevent
tipping during energy testing.
For cases in which set-up is not clearly
defined by this test procedure, manufacturers
must submit a petition for a waiver (see
section 7).
2.7 Compartments that are convertible
(e.g,, from fresh food to freezer) shall be
operated in the highest energy use position.
For the special case of convertible separate
auxiliary compartments, this means that the
compartment shall be treated as a freezer
compartment or a fresh food compartment,
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depending on which of these represents
higher energy use. Other compartments with
separate temperature control (such as
crispers convertible to meat keepers), with
the exception of butter conditioners, shall
also be tested with controls set in the highest
energy use position.
2.8 The space between the back of the
cabinet and the test room wall or simulated
wall shall be the minimum distance in
accordance with the manufacturer’s
instructions. If the instructions do not specify
a minimum distance, the cabinet shall be
located such that the rear of the cabinet
touches the test room wall or simulated wall.
The test room wall facing the rear of the
cabinet or the simulated wall shall be flat
within 1⁄4 inch, and vertical to within 1
degree. The cabinet shall be leveled to within
1 degree of true level, and positioned with its
rear wall parallel to the test chamber wall or
simulated wall immediately behind the
cabinet. Any simulated wall shall be solid
and shall extend vertically from the floor to
above the height of the cabinet and
horizontally beyond both sides of the cabinet.
2.9 Steady-State Condition. Steady-state
conditions exist if the temperature
measurements in all measured compartments
taken at 4-minute intervals or less during a
stabilization period are not changing at a rate
greater than 0.042 °F (0.023 °C) per hour as
determined by the applicable condition of A
or B, described below.
A. The average of the measurements during
a 2-hour period if no cycling occurs or during
a number of complete repetitive compressor
cycles occurring through a period of no less
than 2 hours is compared to the average over
an equivalent time period with 3 hours
elapsing between the two measurement
periods.
B. If A above cannot be used, the average
of the measurements during a number of
complete repetitive compressor cycles
occurring through a period of no less than 2
hours and including the last complete cycle
before a defrost period (or if no cycling
occurs, the average of the measurements
during the last 2 hours before a defrost
period) are compared to the same averaging
period before the following defrost period.
2.10 Exterior Air for Externally Vented
Refrigerator or Refrigerator-Freezer. An
exterior air source shall be provided with
adjustable temperature and pressure
capabilities. The exterior air temperature
shall be adjustable from 30 ± 1 °F (1.7 ± 0.6 °C)
to 90 ± 1 °F (32.2 ± 0.6 °C).
2.10.1 Air Duct. The exterior air shall
pass from the exterior air source to the test
unit through an insulated air duct.
2.10.2 Air Temperature Measurement.
The air temperature entering the condenser
or condenser/compressor compartment shall
be maintained to ± 3 °F (1.7 °C) during the
stabilization and test periods and shall be
measured at the inlet point of the condenser
or condenser/compressor compartment
(‘‘condenser inlet’’). Temperature
measurements shall be taken from at least
three temperature sensors or one sensor per
4 square inches of the air duct cross-sectional
area, whichever is greater, and shall be
averaged. For a unit that has a condenser air
fan, a minimum of three temperature sensors
at the condenser fan discharge shall be
required. Temperature sensors shall be
arranged to be at the centers of equally
divided cross-sectional areas. The exterior air
temperature, at its source, shall be measured
and maintained to ± 1 °F (0.6 °C) during the
test period. The temperature measuring
devices shall have an error no greater than
± 0.5 °F (± 0.3 °C). Measurements of the air
temperature during the test period shall be
taken at regular intervals not to exceed 4
minutes.
2.10.3 Exterior Air Static Pressure. The
exterior air static pressure at the inlet point
of the unit shall be adjusted to maintain a
negative pressure of 0.20″ ± 0.05″ water
column (62 Pascals ± 12.5 Pascals) for all air
flow rates supplied to the unit. The pressure
sensor shall be located on a straight duct
with a distance of at least 7.5 times the
diameter of the duct upstream and a distance
of at least 3 times the diameter of the duct
downstream. There shall be four static
pressure taps at 90° angles apart. The four
pressures shall be averaged by
interconnecting the four pressure taps. The
air pressure measuring instrument shall have
an error no greater than 0.01″ water column
(2.5 Pascals).
3. Test Control Settings
3.1 Model with no User Operable
Temperature Control. A test shall be
performed to measure the compartment
temperatures and energy use. A second test
shall be performed with the temperature
control electrically short circuited to cause
the compressor to run continuously.
3.2 Models with User Operable
Temperature Control. Testing shall be
performed in accordance with one of the
following sections using the following
standardized temperatures:
All-Refrigerator: 39 °F (3.9 °C) fresh food
compartment temperature;
Refrigerator: 15 °F (¥9.4 °C) freezer
compartment temperature, 39 °F (3.9 °C)
fresh food compartment temperature;
Refrigerator-Freezer: 0 °F (¥17.8 °C) freezer
compartment temperature, 39 °F (3.9 °C)
fresh food compartment temperature; and
Variable Anti-Sweat Heater Model
(Temperatures for variable anti-sweat
29859
heater test of section 4.1.3): 0 °F (¥17.8 °C)
freezer compartment temperature and 39
± 2 °F (3.9 ± 1.1 °C) fresh food compartment
temperature during steady-state conditions
with no door-openings. If both settings
cannot be obtained, then test with the fresh
food compartment temperature at 39 ± 2 °F
(3.9 ± 1.1 °C) and the freezer compartment
as close to 0 °F (¥17.8 °C) as possible.
For the purposes of comparing compartment
temperatures with standardized
temperatures, as described in sections 3.2.1
through 3.2.3, the freezer compartment
temperature shall be equal to a volumeweighted average of the temperatures of all
applicable freezer compartments, and the
fresh food compartment temperature shall be
equal to a volume-weighted average of the
temperatures of all applicable fresh food
compartments. Applicable compartments for
these calculations may include a first freezer
compartment, a first fresh food compartment,
and any number of separate auxiliary
compartments.
3.2.1 A first test shall be performed with
all compartment temperature controls set at
their median position midway between their
warmest and coldest settings. For mechanical
control systems, knob detents shall be
mechanically defeated if necessary to attain
a median setting. For electronic control
systems, the test shall be performed with all
compartment temperature controls set at the
average of the coldest and warmest settings—
if there is no setting equal to this average, the
setting closest to the average shall be used.
If there are two such settings equally close to
the average, the higher of these temperature
control settings shall be used. A second test
shall be performed with all controls set at
their warmest setting or all controls set at
their coldest setting (not electrically or
mechanically bypassed). For all-refrigerators,
this setting shall be the appropriate setting
that attempts to achieve compartment
temperatures measured during the two tests
which bound (i.e., one is above and one is
below) the standardized temperature for allrefrigerators. For refrigerators and
refrigerator-freezers, the second test shall be
conducted with all controls at their coldest
setting, unless all compartment temperatures
measured during the first part of the test are
lower than the standardized temperatures, in
which case the second test shall be
conducted with all controls at their warmest
setting. Refer to Table 1 for all-refrigerators
or Table 2 for refrigerators with freezer
compartments and refrigerator-freezers to
determine if a third test is required, and
which test results to use in the energy
consumption calculation.
sroberts on DSKD5P82C1PROD with PROPOSALS
TABLE 1—TEMPERATURE SETTINGS FOR ALL—REFRIGERATORS
First test
Second test
Third test settings
Energy calculation based
on:
Low ..........................
High .........................
None ........................
None ........................
Second Test Only.
First and Second Tests.
Low ..........................
None ........................
First and Second Tests.
Settings
Results
Settings
Results
Mid ...........................
Low ..........................
Warm .......................
High .........................
Cold .........................
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Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 102 / Thursday, May 27, 2010 / Proposed Rules
TABLE 1—TEMPERATURE SETTINGS FOR ALL—REFRIGERATORS—Continued
First test
Second test
Third test settings
Settings
Results
Settings
Energy calculation based
on:
Warm .......................
Second and Third Tests.
Results
High .........................
TABLE 2—TEMPERATURE SETTINGS FOR REFRIGERATORS WITH FREEZER COMPARTMENTS AND REFRIGERATOR-FREEZERS
First test
Second test
Third test settings
Settings
Results
Settings
Results
Fzr Mid .....................
FF Mid ......................
Fzr Low ....................
FF Low ....................
Fzr Warm .................
FF Warm ..................
Fzr Low ....................
FF Low
Fzr Low ....................
FF High
Fzr High ...................
FF Low
Fzr High ...................
FF High
Fzr Low ....................
FF High ....................
Fzr High ...................
FF Low .....................
Fzr High ...................
FF High ....................
Fzr Cold ...................
FF Cold ....................
Fzr Cold ...................
FF Cold ....................
Fzr Cold ...................
FF Cold ....................
Energy calculation based
on:
None ........................
Second Test Only.
None ........................
First and Second Tests.
None ........................
First and Second Tests.
None ........................
First and Second Tests.
Fzr Low ....................
FF High ....................
Fzr Low ....................
FF Low
Fzr Warm .................
FF Warm
None ........................
Second and Third Tests.
Fzr High ...................
FF Low .....................
Fzr Low ....................
FF Low
Fzr Warm .................
FF Warm
None ........................
First and Second Tests.
Fzr Low ....................
FF Low
Fzr Low ....................
FF High
Fzr High ...................
FF Low .....................
Fzr High ...................
FF High ....................
None ........................
First and Second Tests.
None ........................
First and Second Tests.
Fzr Warm .................
FF Warm
Fzr Warm .................
FF Warm
Second and Third Tests.
First and Second Tests.
Second and Third Tests.
Second and Third Tests.
sroberts on DSKD5P82C1PROD with PROPOSALS
Notes: Fzr = Freezer Compartment, FF = Fresh Food Compartment.
3.2.2 Alternatively, a first test may be
performed with all temperature controls set
at their warmest setting. If all compartment
temperatures are below the appropriate
standardized temperatures, then the result of
this test alone will be used to determine
energy consumption. If the above conditions
are not met, then the unit shall be tested in
accordance with 3.2.1.
3.2.3 Alternatively, a first test may be
performed with all temperature controls set
at their coldest setting. If (1) for allrefrigerators the compartment temperature is
above the appropriate standardized
temperature, or (2) for refrigerators and
refrigerator-freezers the freezer compartment
temperature is above the appropriate
standardized temperature, a second test shall
be performed with all controls set at their
warmest control setting and the results of
these two tests shall be used to determine
energy consumption. If the above condition
is not met, then the unit shall be tested in
accordance with 3.2.1.
4. Test Period
4.1 Test Period. Tests shall be performed
by establishing the conditions set forth in
section 2, and using control settings set forth
in section 3.
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4.1.1 Nonautomatic Defrost. If the model
being tested has no automatic defrost system,
the test time period shall start after steadystate conditions have been achieved and be
no less than 3 hours in duration. During the
test period, the compressor motor shall
complete two or more whole compressor
cycles. (A compressor cycle is a complete
‘‘on’’ and a complete ‘‘off’’ period of the
motor). If no ‘‘off’’ cycling will occur, as
determined during the stabilization period,
the test period shall be 3 hours. If incomplete
cycling occurs (i.e. less than two compressor
cycles during a 24-hour period), the results
of the 24-hour period shall be used.
4.1.2 Automatic Defrost. If the model
being tested has an automatic defrost system,
the test time period shall start after steadystate conditions have been achieved and be
from one point during a defrost period to the
same point during the next defrost period. If
the model being tested has a long-time
automatic defrost system, the alternative
provisions of 4.1.2.1 may be used. If the
model being tested has a variable defrost
control, the provisions of section 4.1.2.2 shall
apply. If the model has a dual compressor
system with automatic defrost for both
systems, the provisions of 4.1.2.3 shall apply.
If the model being tested has long-time
automatic or variable defrost control
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involving multiple defrost cycle types, such
as for a system with a single compressor with
two or more evaporators in which the
evaporators are defrosted at different
frequencies, the provisions of section 4.1.2.4
shall apply. If the model being tested has
multiple defrost cycle types for which
compressor run time between defrosts is a
fixed time less than 14 hours for all such
cycle types, and for which the compressor
run time between defrosts for different
defrost cycle types are equal to or multiples
of each other, the test time period shall be
from one point of the defrost cycle type with
the longest compressor run time between
defrosts to the same point during the next
occurrence of this defrost cycle type. For
such products, energy consumption shall be
calculated as described in section 5.2.1.1.
4.1.2.1 Long-time Automatic Defrost. If
the model being tested has a long-time
automatic defrost system, the two-part test
described in this section may be used. The
first part is the same as the test for a unit
having no defrost provisions (section 4.1.1).
The second part starts when the compressor
turns off at the end of a period of steady-state
cycling operation just before initiation of the
defrost control sequence. If the compressor
does not cycle during steady-state operation
between defrosts, the second part starts at a
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during steady state operation no greater than
1 °F. This control sequence may include
additional compressor operation prior to
energizing the defrost heater. The second part
terminates when the compressor turns on the
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second time after the defrost control
sequence or 4 hours after the defrost heater
is energized, whichever occurs first. See
Figure 1.
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
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sroberts on DSKD5P82C1PROD with PROPOSALS
time when the compartment temperatures are
within their ranges measured during steady
state operation, or within 0.5 °F of the
average during steady state operation for a
compartment with a temperature range
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BILLING CODE 6450–01–C
4.1.2.2 Variable Defrost Control. If the
model being tested has a variable defrost
control system, the test shall consist of the
same two parts as the test for long-time
automatic defrost (section 4.1.2.1).
4.1.2.3 Dual Compressor Systems with
Automatic Defrost. If the model being tested
has separate compressor systems for the
refrigerator and freezer sections, each with its
own automatic defrost system, then the twopart method in 4.1.2.1 shall be used. The
second part of the method will be conducted
separately for each automatic defrost system.
The components (compressor, fan motors,
defrost heaters, anti-sweat heaters, etc.)
associated with each system will be
identified and their energy consumption will
be separately measured during each test.
4.1.2.4 Systems with Multiple Defrost
Frequencies. This section is applicable to
models with long-time automatic or variable
defrost control with multiple defrost cycle
types, such as models with single
compressors and multiple evaporators in
which the evaporators have different defrost
frequencies. The two-part method in 4.1.2.1
shall be used. The second part of the method
will be conducted separately for each distinct
defrost cycle type.
4.1.3 Variable Anti-Sweat Heater Test.
The test shall be conducted three times with
the test conditions at three different relative
humidities as set forth in section 2 and the
test control settings as set forth in section 3.
For a product with an anti-sweat heater
switch, the tests shall be conducted with the
switch in the on position. Each of the three
portions of the test shall be conducted in the
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same manner as for a unit having no
automatic defrost (section 4.1.1). If during the
time between one of the portions of the test
and the next portion the ambient temperature
conditions are maintained, the procedure for
evaluating steady state (section 2.9) is not
required for the second of these two portions
of the test. However, in such a case, a control
stabilization period of two hours is required
after the ambient humidity conditions have
reached the required range before start of the
test.
5. Test Measurements
5.1 Temperature Measurements.
Temperature measurements shall be made at
the locations prescribed in Figures 5.1 and
5.2 of HRF–1–2008 (incorporated by
reference; see § 430.3) and shall be accurate
to within ± 0.5 °F (0.3 °C). No freezer
temperature measurements need be taken in
an all-refrigerator model.
If the interior arrangements of the cabinet
do not conform with those shown in Figure
7.1 and 7.2 of HRF–1–1979, the product may
be tested by relocating the temperature
sensors from the locations specified in the
Figures by no more than 2 inches to avoid
interference with hardware or components
within the cabinet, in which case the specific
locations used for the temperature sensors
shall be noted in the test data records
maintained by the manufacturer in
accordance with 10 CFR 430.62(d). For those
products equipped with a cabinet that does
not conform with Figures 7.1 or 7.2 and
cannot be tested in the manner described
above, the manufacturer must obtain a waiver
under 10 CFR 430.27 to establish an
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acceptable test procedure for each such
product.
5.1.1 Measured Temperature. The
measured temperature of a compartment is to
be the average of all sensor temperature
readings taken in that compartment at a
particular point in time. Measurements shall
be taken at regular intervals not to exceed 4
minutes.
5.1.2 Compartment Temperature. The
compartment temperature for each test
period shall be an average of the measured
temperatures taken in a compartment during
one or more complete compressor cycles.
One compressor cycle is one complete motor
‘‘on’’ and one complete motor ‘‘off’’ period.
For long-time automatic defrost models,
compartment temperatures shall be those
measured in the first part of the test period
specified in section 4.1.2.1. For models
equipped with variable defrost controls,
compartment temperatures shall be those
measured in the first part of the test period
specified in section 4.1.2.2.
5.1.2.1 The number of complete
compressor cycles over which the measured
temperatures in a compartment are to be
averaged to determine compartment
temperature shall be equal to the number of
minutes between measured temperature
readings, rounded up to the next whole
minute or a number of complete compressor
cycles over a time period exceeding 1 hour,
whichever is greater. One of the compressor
cycles shall be the last complete compressor
cycle during the test period.
5.1.2.2 If no compressor cycling occurs,
the compartment temperature shall be the
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Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 102 / Thursday, May 27, 2010 / Proposed Rules
Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 102 / Thursday, May 27, 2010 / Proposed Rules
ET = EP × 1440/T
Where:
ET = test cycle energy expended in kilowatthours per day;
EP = energy expended in kilowatt-hours
during the test period;
T = length of time of the test period in
minutes; and
1440 = conversion factor to adjust to a 24hour period in minutes per day.
5.2.1.2 Long-time Automatic Defrost. If
the two-part test method is used, the energy
consumption in kilowatt-hours per day shall
be calculated equivalent to:
ET = (1440 × EP1/T1) + (EP2 ¥ (EP1 ×
T2/T1)) × (12/CT)
Where:
ET and 1440 are defined in 5.2.1.1;
EP1 = energy expended in kilowatt-hours
during the first part of the test;
EP2 = energy expended in kilowatt-hours
during the second part of the test;
T1 and T2 = length of time in minutes of the
first and second test parts respectively;
CT = defrost timer run time in hours required
to cause it to go through a complete
cycle, to the nearest tenth hour per cycle;
and
12 = factor to adjust for a 50 percent run time
of the compressor in hours per day.
5.2.1.3 Variable Defrost Control. The
energy consumption in kilowatt-hours per
day shall be calculated equivalent to:
ET = (1440 × EP1/T1) + (EP2 ¥ (EP1 ×
T2/T1)) × (12/CT),
Where:
1440 is defined in 5.2.1.1 and EP1, EP2, T1,
T2, and 12 are defined in 5.2.1.2;
CT = (CTL × CTM)/(F × (CTM ¥ CTL) + CTL);
CTL = least or shortest time between defrosts
in hours rounded to the nearest tenth of
an hour (greater than or equal to 6 but
less than or equal to 12 hours);
CTM = maximum time between defrost cycles
in hours rounded to the nearest tenth of
an hour (greater than CTL but not more
than 96 hours);
F = ratio of per day energy consumption in
excess of the least energy and the
maximum difference in per-day energy
consumption and is equal to 0.20; and
For variable defrost models with no values
for CT L and CTM in the algorithm, the
default values of 12 and 84 shall be used,
respectively.
5.2.1.4 Dual Compressor Systems with
Dual Automatic Defrost. The two-part test
method in section 4.1.2.4 must be used, and
the energy consumption in kilowatt-hours
per day shall be calculated equivalent to:
ET = (1440 × EP1/T1) + (EP2F ¥ (EPF
× T2/T1)) × (12/CTF) + (EP2R ¥
(EPR × T3/T1)) × (12/CTR)
Where:
sroberts on DSKD5P82C1PROD with PROPOSALS
ET = (1440 × EP1/T 1) +
Where:
1440 is defined in 5.2.1.1 and EP1, T1, and
12 are defined in 5.2.1.2;
i is a variable that can equal 1, 2, or more
that identifies the distinct defrost cycle
types applicable for the refrigerator or
refrigerator-freezer;
EP2i = energy expended in kilowatt-hours
during the second part of the test for
defrost cycle type i;
T2i = length of time in minutes of the second
part of the test for defrost cycle type i;
CTi is the compressor run time between
instances of defrost cycle type i, for long
time automatic defrost control equal to a
fixed time, and for variable defrost
control equal to (CTLi × CTMi)/(F × (CTMi
¥ CTLi) + CTLi);
CTLi = least or shortest time between
instances of defrost cycle type i in hours
rounded to the nearest tenth of an hour
(greater than or equal to 6 but less than
or equal to 12 hours);
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Where:
1440 is defined in 5.2.1.1;
subscript XX = 25, 65, and 95, representing
the three relative humidities for which
the test is conducted;
ETXX = test cycle energy expended in
kilowatt-hours per day;
EPXX = energy expended during the test
period in kilowatt-hours; and
TXX = length of time of the test period in
minutes.
5.2.1.6 Long-time or Variable Defrost
Control for Systems with Multiple Defrost
cycle Types. The energy consumption in
kilowatt-hours per day shall be calculated
equivalent to:
D
i =1
VT = VF + VFF
Where:
VT = total refrigerated volume in cubic feet,
Frm 00041
ETXX = EPXX × 1440/TXX
∑ ⎡( EP2i − ( EP1 × T 2i /T1) ) × (12 /CTi )⎤
⎣
⎦
CTMi = maximum time between instances of
defrost cycle type i in hours rounded to
the nearest tenth of an hour (greater than
CTLi but not more than 96 hours);
F = default defrost energy consumption
factor, equal to 0.20.
For variable defrost models with no values
for CT Li and CTMi in the algorithm, the
default values of 12 and 84 shall be used,
respectively.
D is the total number of distinct defrost cycle
types.
5.3 Volume Measurements. The electric
refrigerator or electric refrigerator-freezer
total refrigerated volume, VT, shall be
measured in accordance with HRF–1–2008,
(incorporated by reference; see § 430.3),
section 3.30 and sections 4.2 through 4.3, and
be calculated equivalent to:
PO 00000
1440, EP1, T1, EP2, 12, and CT are defined
in 5.2.1.2;
EPF = freezer system energy in kilowatt-hours
expended during the first part of the test;
EP2F = freezer system energy in kilowatthours expended during the second part
of the test for the freezer system;
EPR= refrigerator system energy in kilowatthours expended during the first part of
the test;
EP2R = refrigerator system energy in kilowatthours expended during the second part
of the test for the refrigerator system;
T2 and T3 = length of time in minutes of the
second test part for the freezer and
refrigerator systems respectively;
CTF = compressor ‘‘on’’ time between freezer
defrosts (in hours to the nearest tenth of
an hour); and
CTR = compressor ‘‘on’’ time between
refrigerator defrosts (in hours to the
nearest tenth of an hour).
5.2.1.5 Variable Anti-Sweat Heater Test.
The energy consumption in kilowatt-hours
per day for each of the portions of the test
shall be calculated equivalent to:
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VF = freezer compartment volume in cubic
feet, and
VFF = fresh food compartment volume in
cubic feet.
In the case of refrigerators or refrigeratorfreezers with automatic icemakers, the
volume occupied by the automatic icemaker,
including its ice storage bin, is to be included
in the volume measurement.
5.4 Externally Vented Refrigerator or
Refrigerator-Freezer Units. All test
measurements for the externally vented
refrigerator or refrigerator-freezer shall be
made in accordance with the requirements of
other sections of this Appendix, except as
modified in this section or other sections
expressly applicable to externally vented
refrigerators or refrigerator-freezers.
5.4.1 Operability of ‘‘Thermostatic’’ and
‘‘Mixing of Air’’ Controls. Before conducting
energy consumption tests, the operability of
thermostatic controls that permit the mixing
of exterior and ambient air when exterior air
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average of the measured temperatures taken
during the last 32 minutes of the test period.
5.1.2.3 If incomplete compressor cycling
occurs, the compartment temperatures shall
be the average of the measured temperatures
taken during the last three hours of the last
complete compressor ‘‘on’’ period.
5.2 Energy Measurements.
5.2.1 Per-Day Energy Consumption. The
energy consumption in kilowatt-hours per
day, ET, for each test period shall be the
energy expended during the test period as
specified in section 4.1 adjusted to a 24-hour
period. The adjustment shall be determined
as follows.
5.2.1.1 Nonautomatic and Automatic
Defrost Models. The energy consumption in
kilowatt-hours per day shall be calculated
equivalent to:
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temperatures are less than 60 °F (15.6 °C)
must be verified. The operability of such
controls shall be verified by operating the
unit under ambient air temperature of 90 °F
(32.2 °C) and exterior air temperature of 45
°F (7.2 °C). If the inlet air entering the
condenser or condenser/compressor
compartment is maintained at 60 ± 3 °F (15.6
± 1.7 °C), energy consumption of the unit
shall be measured under 5.4.2.2 and 5.4.2.3.
If the inlet air entering the condenser or
condenser/compressor compartment is not
maintained at 60 ± 3 °F (15.6 ± 1.7 °C), energy
consumption of the unit shall also be
measured under 5.4.2.4.
5.4.2 Energy Consumption Tests.
5.4.2.1 Correction Factor Test. To enable
calculation of a correction factor, K, two full
cycle tests shall be conducted to measure
energy consumption of the unit with air
mixing controls disabled and the condenser
inlet air temperatures set at 90 °F (32.2 °C)
and 80 °F (26.7 °C). Both tests shall be
conducted with all compartment temperature
controls set at the position midway between
their warmest and coldest settings and the
anti-sweat heater switch off. Record the
energy consumptions ec90 and ec80, in kWh/
day.
5.4.2.2 Energy Consumption at 90 °F. The
unit shall be tested at 90 °F (32.2 °C) exterior
air temperature to record the energy
consumptions (e90)i in kWh/day. For a given
setting of the anti-sweat heater, the value i
corresponds to each of the two states of the
compartment temperature control positions.
5.4.2.3 Energy Consumption at 60 °F. The
unit shall be tested at 60 °F (26.7 °C) exterior
air temperature to record the energy
consumptions (e60)i in kWh/day. For a given
setting of the anti-sweat heater, the value i
corresponds to each of the two states of the
compartment temperature control positions.
5.4.2.4 Energy Consumption if Mixing
Controls do not Operate Properly. If the
operability of temperature and mixing
controls has not been verified as required
under 5.4.1, the unit shall be tested at 50 °F
(10.0 °C) and 30 °F (¥1.1 °C) exterior air
temperatures to record the energy
consumptions (e50)i and (e30)i. For a given
setting of the anti-sweat heater, the value i
corresponds to each of the two states of the
compartment temperature control positions.
6. Calculation of Derived Results From Test
Measurements
6.1 Adjusted Total Volume.
6.1.1 Electric Refrigerators. The adjusted
total volume, VA, for electric refrigerators
under test shall be defined as:
sroberts on DSKD5P82C1PROD with PROPOSALS
VA = (VF × CR) + VFF
Where:
VA = adjusted total volume in cubic feet;
VF and VFF are defined in 5.3; and
CR = dimensionless adjustment factor of 1.47
for refrigerators other than allrefrigerators, or 1.0 for all-refrigerators.
6.1.2 Electric Refrigerator-Freezers. The
adjusted total volume, VA, for electric
refrigerator-freezers under test shall be
calculated as follows:
VA = (VF × CRF) + VFF
Where:
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VF and VFF are defined in 5.3 and VA is
defined in 6.1.1, and
CRF = dimensionless adjustment factor of
1.76.
6.2 Average Per-Cycle Energy
Consumption. For the purposes of calculating
per-cycle energy consumption, as described
in this section, freezer compartment
temperature shall be equal to a volumeweighted average of the temperatures of all
applicable freezer compartments, and fresh
food compartment temperature shall be equal
to a volume-weighted average of the
temperatures of all applicable fresh food
compartments. Applicable compartments for
these calculations may include a first freezer
compartment, a first fresh food compartment,
and any number of separate auxiliary
compartments.
6.2.1 All-Refrigerator Models. The
average per-cycle energy consumption for a
cycle type, E, is expressed in kilowatt-hours
per cycle to the nearest one hundredth (0.01)
kilowatt-hour and shall depend upon the
temperature attainable in the fresh food
compartment as shown below.
6.2.1.1 If the fresh food compartment
temperature is always below 39.0 °F (3.9 °C),
the average per-cycle energy consumption
shall be equivalent to:
E = ET1
Where:
ET is defined in 5.2.1; and
number 1 indicates the test period during
which the highest fresh food
compartment temperature is measured.
6.2.1.2 If one of the fresh food
compartment temperatures measured for a
test period is greater than 39.0 °F (3.9 °C), the
average per-cycle energy consumption shall
be equivalent to:
E = ET1 + ((ET2 ¥ ET1) × (39.0 ¥ TR1)/
(TR2 ¥ TR1))
Where:
ET is defined in 5.2.1;
TR = fresh food compartment temperature
determined according to 5.1.2 in degrees
F; numbers 1 and 2 indicate
measurements taken during the first and
second test period as appropriate; and
39.0 = standardized fresh food compartment
temperature in degrees F.
6.2.2 Refrigerators and RefrigeratorFreezers. The average per-cycle energy
consumption for a cycle type, E, is expressed
in kilowatt-hours per-cycle to the nearest one
hundredth (0.01) kilowatt-hour and shall be
defined in one of the following ways as
applicable.
6.2.2.1 If the fresh food compartment
temperature is at or below 39 °F (3.9 °C) in
both tests and the freezer compartment
temperature is at or below 15 °F (¥9.4 °C)
in both tests of a refrigerator or at or below
0 °F (¥17.8 °C) in both tests of a refrigeratorfreezer, the per-cycle energy consumption
shall be:
E = ET1 + IET
Where:
ET is defined in 5.2.1;
IET, expressed in kilowatt-hours per cycle,
equals 0.23 for a product with an
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automatic icemaker and otherwise equals
0 (zero); and
number 1 indicates the test period during
which the highest freezer compartment
temperature was measured.
6.2.2.2 If the conditions of 6.2.2.1 do not
exist, the per-cycle energy consumption shall
be defined by the higher of the two values
calculated by the following two formulas:
E = ET1 + ((ET2 ¥ ET1) × (39.0 ¥ TR1)/
(TR2 ¥ TR1)) + IET and
E = ET1 + ((ET2 ¥ ET1) × (k ¥ TF1)/
(TF2 ¥ TF1)) + IET
Where:
E is defined in 6.2.1.1;
ET is defined in 5.2.1;
IET is defined in 6.2.2.1;
TR and the numbers 1 and 2 are defined in
6.2.1.2;
TF = freezer compartment temperature
determined according to 5.1.2 in degrees
F;
39.0 is a specified fresh food compartment
temperature in degrees F; and
k is a constant 15.0 for refrigerators or 0.0 for
refrigerator-freezers, each being
standardized freezer compartment
temperatures in degrees F.
6.2.3 Variable Anti-Sweat Heater Models.
The energy consumption of an electric
refrigerator-freezer having a variable antisweat heater control, EVASH, expressed in
kilowatt-hours per day, shall be calculated
equivalent to:
EVASH = E + (Correction Factor), where
E is determined by 6.2.1.1, 6.2.1.2,
6.2.2.1, or 6.2.2.2, whichever is
appropriate, with the anti-sweat
heater in its minimum energy state
corresponding to low ambient
humidity during the test.
Where:
Correction Factor
= 0.034 * (Energy Difference at 5% Relative
Humidity (RH)),
+ 0.211 * (Energy Difference at 15% RH)
+ 0.204 * (Energy Difference at 25% RH)
+ 0.166 * (Energy Difference at 35% RH)
+ 0.126 * (Energy Difference at 45% RH)
+ 0.119 * (Energy Difference at 55% RH)
+ 0.069 * (Energy Difference at 65% RH)
+ 0.047 * (Energy Difference at 75% RH)
+ 0.008 * (Energy Difference at 85% RH)
+ 0.015 * (Energy Difference at 95% RH)
Where:
Energy Difference at 65% RH = ED65 ¥
ET65¥ET25;
Energy Difference at 95% RH = ED95 ¥
ET95¥ET25;
ET25, ET65, and ET95 are determined in
accordance with section 5.2.1.6; and
Energy Difference EDRH at each other relative
humidity RH is the greater of zero or the
following:
EDRH = ED65 + (ED95¥ED65) × (DPRH¥DP65)/
(DP95¥DP65),
Where the dew points DPRH at each of the
relative humidities RH in the equation
are as follows:
DP5 = 5.06;
DP15 = 27.53;
DP25 = 38.75;
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E90 = K × e90,
E60 = K × e60,
E50 = K × e50, and
E30 = K × e30
DP35 = 46.43;
DP45 = 52.32;
DP55 = 57.13;
DP65 = 61.20;
DP75 = 64.74;
DP85 = 67.87;
DP95 = 70.69.
6.3 Externally vented refrigerator or
refrigerator-freezers. Per-cycle energy
consumption measurements for an externally
vented refrigerator or refrigerator-freezer
shall be calculated in accordance with the
requirements of this Appendix, as modified
in sections 6.3.1–6.3.7.
6.3.1 Correction Factor. The correction
factor, K, shall be calculated as:
K = ec90/ec80
Where:
ec90 and ec80 are measured in section 5.4.2.1.
6.3.2 Combining Test Results of Different
Settings of Compartment Temperature
Controls. For a given setting of the anti-sweat
heater, follow the calculation procedures of
6.2 to combine the test results for energy
consumption of the unit at different
temperature control settings for each
condenser inlet air temperature tested under
5.4.2.2, 5.4.2.3, and 5.4.2.4, where applicable,
(e90)i, (e60)i, (e50)i, and (e30)i. The combined
values, e90, e60, e50, and e30, where applicable,
are expressed in kWh/day.
6.3.3 Energy Consumption Corrections.
For a given setting of the anti-sweat heater,
adjust the energy consumptions e90, e60, e50,
and e30 calculated in 6.3.2 by multiplying the
correction factor K to obtain the corrected
energy consumptions per day in kWh/day:
29865
EN = 0.523 × E60 + 0.165 × E65 + 0.181
× E75 + 0.131 × E80, for units not
tested under section 5.4.2.4; and
EN = 0.257 × E30 + 0.266 × E50 + 0.165
× E65 + 0.181 × E75 + 0.131 × E80,
for units tested under section
5.4.2.4
Where:
K is determined under section 6.3.1; and e90,
e60, e50, and e30 are determined under
section 6.3.2.
6.3.4 Energy Profile Equation. For a given
setting of the anti-sweat heater, calculate the
energy consumption EX, in kWh/day, at a
specific exterior air temperature between 80
°F (26.7 °C) and 60 °F (15.6 °C) using the
following equation:
Where:
E30, E50, and E60 are defined in 6.3.3;
E65, E75, and E80 are defined in 6.3.5; and
the coefficients 0.523, 0.165, 0.181, 0.131,
0.257 and 0.266 are weather-associated
weighting factors.
6.3.7 Regional Average Per-Cycle Energy
Consumption. If regional average per-cycle
energy consumption is required to be
calculated for a given setting of the antisweat heater, calculate the regional average
per-cycle energy consumption, ER, in kWh/
day, for the regions in Figure 2. Use one of
the following equations and the coefficients
in Table A:
EX = E60 + (E90 ¥ E60) × (TX ¥ 60)/30
Where:
TX is the exterior air temperature in °F;
60 is the exterior air temperature for the test
of section 6.4.2.3;
30 is the difference between 90 and 60;
E60 and E90 are determined in section 6.3.3.
6.3.5 Energy Consumption at 80 °F (26.7
°C), 75 °F (23.9 °C) and 65 °F (18.3 °C). For
a given setting of the anti-sweat heater,
calculate the energy consumptions at 80 °F
(26.7 °C), 75 °F (23.9 °C) and 65 °F (18.3 °C)
exterior air temperatures, E80, E75 and E65,
respectively, in kWh/day, using the equation
in 6.3.4.
6.3.6 National Average Per-Cycle Energy
Consumption. For a given setting of the antisweat heater, calculate the national average
energy consumption, EN, in kWh/day, using
one of the following equations:
ER = a1 × E60 + c × E65 + d × E75 + e
× E80, for a unit that is not required
to be tested under section 5.4.2.4; or
ER = a × E30 + b × E50 + c × E65 + d ×
E75 + e × E80, for a unit tested under
section 5.4.2.4
Where:
E30, E50, and E60 are defined in section 6.3.3;
E65, E75, and E80 are defined in section 6.3.5;
and
a1, a, b, c, d, and e are weather-associated
weighting factors for the regions, as
specified in Table A.
TABLE A—COEFFICIENTS FOR CALCULATING REGIONAL AVERAGE PER-CYCLE ENERGY CONSUMPTION
[Weighting factors]
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7. Test Procedure Waivers
To the extent that the procedures
contained in this appendix do not provide a
means for determining the energy
consumption of a refrigerator or refrigeratorfreezer, a manufacturer must obtain a waiver
under 10 CFR 430.27 to establish an
acceptable test procedure for each such
product. Such instances could, for example,
include situations where the test set-up for a
particular refrigerator or refrigerator-freezer
basic model is not clearly defined by the
provisions of section 2. For details regarding
the criteria and procedures for obtaining a
waiver, please refer to 10 CFR 430.27.
6. Appendix A1 to subpart B of part
430 is amended by:
a. Adding an introductory note after
the appendix heading;
b. Revising section 1. Definitions;
c. In section 2. Test Conditions, by:
1. Redesignating sections 2.3, 2.4, 2.5,
2.6, 2.6.1, 2.6.2 and 2.6.3 as 2.4, 2.5, 2.9,
2.10, 2.10.1, 2.10.2 and 2.10.3;
2. Revising sections 2.1, 2.2 and
redesignated section 2.4;
3. Adding new sections 2.3, and 2.6
through 2.8;
d. In section 3. Test Control Settings,
by:
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1. Revising sections 3.2 and 3.2.1;
2. Removing section 3.3;
e. In section 4. Test Period, by:
1. Revising sections 4.1.1, 4.1.2,
4.1.2.1, and 4.1.2.2;
2. Removing section 4.1.2.3;
3. Redesignating section 4.1.2.4 as
4.1.2.3 and revising redesignated
4.1.2.3;
2. Revising Figure 1 to section 4;
3. Adding new sections 4.1.2.4 and
4.1.3;
f. In section 5. Test Measurements, by:
1. Revising existing sections 5.1, 5.1.2,
5.1.2.1, 5.1.2.2, 5.1.2.3, and 5.2.1.3;
2. Removing section 5.2.1.4;
3. Redesignating section 5.2.1.5 as
5.2.1.4 and revising redesignated
5.2.1.4;
2. Adding new sections 5.2.1.5 and
5.2.1.6;
g. In section 6. Calculation of Derived
Results from Test Measurements, by:
1. Revising Section 6.2;
2. Adding new section 6.2.3;
3. Redesignating Figure 1 in section 6
as Figure 2.
h. Adding a new section 7, Test
Procedure Waivers.
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The additions and revisions read as
follows:
Appendix A1 to Subpart B of Part 430—
Uniform Test Method for Measuring the
Energy Consumption of Electric
Refrigerators and Electric RefrigeratorFreezers
The provisions of Appendix A1 shall apply
to all products manufactured prior to the
effective date of any amended standards
promulgated by DOE pursuant to Section
325(b)(4) of the Energy Policy and
Conservation Act of 1975, as amended by the
Energy Independence and Security Act of
2007 (to be codified at 42 U.S.C. 6295(b)(4)).
1. Definitions
Section 3, Definitions, of HRF–1–1979
(incorporated by reference; see § 430.3) is
applicable to this test procedure.
1.1 ‘‘Adjusted total volume’’ means the
sum of (i) the fresh food compartment
volume as defined in HRF–1–1979 in cubic
feet, and (ii) the product of an adjustment
factor and the net freezer compartment
volume as defined in HRF–1–1979, in cubic
feet.
1.2 ‘‘All-refrigerator’’ means an electric
refrigerator which does not include a
compartment for the freezing and long time
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storage of food at temperatures below 32 °F.
(0.0 °C.). It may include a compartment of
0.50 cubic feet capacity (14.2 liters) or less
for the freezing and storage of ice.
1.3 ‘‘Anti-sweat heater’’ means a device
incorporated into the design of a refrigerator
or refrigerator-freezer to prevent the
accumulation of moisture on exterior or
interior surfaces of the cabinet.
1.4 ‘‘Anti-sweat heater switch’’ means a
user-controllable switch or user interface
which modifies the activation or control of
anti-sweat heaters.
1.5 ‘‘Automatic defrost’’ means a system
in which the defrost cycle is automatically
initiated and terminated, with resumption of
normal refrigeration at the conclusion of the
defrost operation. The system automatically
prevents the permanent formation of frost on
all refrigerated surfaces. Nominal refrigerated
food temperatures are maintained during the
operation of the automatic defrost system.
1.6 ‘‘Automatic icemaker’’ means a device
that can be supplied with water without user
intervention, either from a pressurized water
supply system or by transfer from a water
reservoir located inside the cabinet, that
automatically produces, harvests, and stores
ice in a storage bin, with means to
automatically interrupt the harvesting
operation when the ice storage bin is filled
to a pre-determined level.
1.7 ‘‘Cycle’’ means the period of 24 hours
for which the energy use of an electric
refrigerator or electric refrigerator-freezer is
calculated as though the consumer activated
compartment temperature controls were set
so that the standardized temperatures (see
section 3.2) were maintained.
1.8 ‘‘Cycle type’’ means the set of test
conditions having the calculated effect of
operating an electric refrigerator or electric
refrigerator-freezer for a period of 24 hours,
with the consumer activated controls other
than those that control compartment
temperatures set to establish various
operating characteristics.
1.9 ‘‘Defrost cycle type’’ means a distinct
sequence of control whose function is to
remove frost and/or ice from a refrigerated
surface. There may be variations in the
sequence of control for defrost such as the
number of defrost heaters energized. Each
such variation establishes a separate distinct
defrost cycle type.
1.10 ‘‘Externally vented refrigerator or
refrigerator-freezer’’ means an electric
refrigerator or electric refrigerator-freezer
that: has an enclosed condenser or an
enclosed condenser/compressor
compartment and a set of air ducts for
transferring the exterior air from outside the
building envelope into, through and out of
the refrigerator or refrigerator-freezer cabinet;
is capable of mixing exterior air with the
room air before discharging into, through,
and out of the condenser or condenser/
compressor compartment; includes
thermostatically controlled dampers or
controls that enable the mixing of the exterior
and room air at low outdoor temperatures,
and the exclusion of exterior air when the
outdoor air temperature is above 80 °F or the
room air temperature; and may have a
thermostatically actuated exterior air fan.
1.11 ‘‘HRF–1–1979’’ means the
Association of Home Appliance
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Manufacturers standard for household
refrigerators, combination refrigeratorfreezers, and household freezers, also
approved as an American National Standard
as a revision of ANSI B 38.1–1970. Only
sections of HRF–1–1979 (incorporated by
reference; see § 430.3) specifically referenced
in this test procedure are part of this test
procedure. In cases where there is a conflict,
the language of the test procedure in this
appendix takes precedence over HRF–1–
1979.
1.12 ‘‘Long-time Automatic Defrost’’
means an automatic defrost system where
successive defrost cycles are separated by 14
hours or more of compressor-operating time.
1.13 ‘‘Separate auxiliary compartment’’
means a freezer compartment or a fresh food
compartment of a refrigerator or refrigeratorfreezer having more than two compartments
that is not the first freezer compartment or
the first fresh food compartment. Access to
a separate auxiliary compartment is through
a separate exterior door or doors rather than
through the door or doors of another
compartment. Separate auxiliary
compartments may be convertible (e.g., from
fresh food to freezer).
1.14 ‘‘Stabilization Period’’ means the
total period of time during which steady-state
conditions are being attained or evaluated.
1.15 ‘‘Standard cycle’’ means the cycle
type in which the anti-sweat heater control,
when provided, is set in the highest energy
consuming position.
1.16 ‘‘Variable anti-sweat heater control’’
means an anti-sweat heater control that
varies the average power input of the antisweat heater(s) based on operating condition
variable(s) and/or ambient condition
variable(s).
1.17 ‘‘Variable defrost control’’ means a
long-time automatic defrost system (except
the 14-hour defrost qualification does not
apply) where successive defrost cycles are
determined by an operating condition
variable or variables other than solely
compressor operating time. This includes any
electrical or mechanical device. Demand
defrost is a type of variable defrost control.
2. Test Conditions
2.1 Ambient Temperature and Humidity.
The ambient temperature shall be 90.0 ± 1 °F
(32.2 ± 0.6 °C) during the stabilization period
and the test period. If the product being
tested has variable anti-sweat heater control,
the ambient relative humidity shall be no
more than 35%. For the variable anti-sweat
heater test described in section 4.1.3, the
ambient temperature shall be 72 ± 1 °F (22.2
± 0.6 °C) dry bulb and the relative humidities
for the three portions of the test shall be 25
± 10%, 65 ± 2%, and 95 ± 2%.
2.2 Operational Conditions. The electric
refrigerator or electric refrigerator-freezer
shall be installed and its operating conditions
maintained in accordance with HRF–1–1979,
(incorporated by reference; see § 430.3),
section 7.2 through section 7.4.3.3, except
that the vertical ambient temperature
gradient at locations 10 inches (25.4 cm) out
from the centers of the two sides of the unit
being tested is to be maintained during the
test. Unless the area is obstructed by shields
or baffles, the gradient is to be maintained
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from 2 inches (5.1 cm) above the floor or
supporting platform to a height 1 foot (30.5
cm) above the unit under test. Defrost
controls are to be operative. Other exceptions
and provisions to the cited sections of HRF–
1–1979 are noted in sections 2.3 through 2.8,
and 5.1 below.
2.3 Anti-Sweat Heaters.
(a) User-Controllable Anti-Sweat Heaters.
The anti-sweat heater switch is to be on
during one test and off during a second test.
(b) Variable Anti-Sweat Heaters. In the case
of an electric refrigerator-freezer equipped
with variable anti-sweat heater control, the
test shall be conducted with the anti-sweat
heater controls activated to allow the antisweat heater to be energized but operating in
their minimum energy state corresponding to
operation in low humidity conditions, as a
result of testing conducted using an ambient
relative humidity level as specified in section
2.1. If the product has an anti-sweat heater
switch, it shall be switched on. The variable
anti-sweat heater test (described in section
4.1.3) shall be conducted to determine the
energy consumption of the anti-sweat heater
in higher humidity conditions. The standard
cycle energy consumption shall be
determined using the equation described in
section 6.2.3.
2.4 Conditions for Automatic Defrost
Refrigerator-Freezers. For automatic defrost
refrigerator-freezers, the freezer
compartments shall not be loaded with any
frozen food packages during testing.
Cylindrical metallic masses of dimensions
1.12 ± 0.25 inches (2.9 ± 0.6 cm) in diameter
and height shall be attached in good thermal
contact with each temperature sensor within
the refrigerated compartments. All
temperature measuring sensor masses shall
be supported by low-thermal-conductivity
supports in such a manner to ensure that
there will be at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) of air
space separating the thermal mass from
contact with any interior surface or hardware
inside the cabinet. In case of interference
with hardware at the sensor locations
specified in section 5.1, the sensors shall be
placed at the nearest adjacent location such
that there will be a 1-inch air space
separating the sensor mass from the
hardware.
*
*
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*
2.6 The cabinet and its refrigerating
mechanism shall be assembled and set up in
accordance with the printed consumer
instructions supplied with the cabinet. Setup of the refrigerator or refrigerator-freezer
shall not deviate from these instructions,
unless explicitly required or allowed by this
test procedure. Specific required or allowed
deviations from such set-up include the
following:
(a) Connection of water lines and
installation of water filters are not required;
(b) Clearance requirements from surfaces of
the product shall be as described in section
2.8 below;
(c) The electric power supply shall be as
described in HRF–1–1979 (incorporated by
reference; see § 430.3) section 7.4.1;
(d) Temperature control settings for testing
shall be as described in section 3 below.
Settings for convertible compartments and
other temperature-controllable or special
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compartments shall be as described in
section 2.7 below; and
(e) The product does not need to be
anchored or otherwise secured to prevent
tipping during energy testing.
For cases in which set-up is not clearly
defined by this test procedure, manufacturers
must submit a petition for a waiver (see
section 7).
2.7 Compartments that are convertible
(e.g., from fresh food to freezer) shall be
operated in the highest energy use position.
For the special case of convertible separate
auxiliary compartments, this means that the
compartment shall be treated as a freezer
compartment or a fresh food compartment,
depending on which of these represents
higher energy use. Other compartments with
separate temperature control (such as
crispers convertible to meat keepers), with
the exception of butter conditioners, shall
also be tested with controls set in the highest
energy use position.
2.8 The space between the back of the
cabinet and the test room wall or simulated
wall shall be the minimum distance in
accordance with the manufacturer’s
instructions. If the instructions do not specify
a minimum distance, the cabinet shall be
located such that the rear of the cabinet
touches the test room wall or simulated wall.
The test room wall facing the rear of the
cabinet or the simulated wall shall be flat
within 1⁄4 inch, and vertical to within 1
degree. The cabinet shall be leveled to within
1 degree of true level, and positioned with its
rear wall parallel to the test chamber wall or
simulated wall immediately behind the
cabinet. Any simulated wall shall be solid
and shall extend vertically from the floor to
above the height of the cabinet and
horizontally beyond both sides of the cabinet.
*
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3. Test Control Settings
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*
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3.2 Model with User Operable
Temperature Control. Testing shall be
performed in accordance with one of the
following sections using the standardized
temperatures of:
All-Refrigerator: 38 °F (3.3 °C) fresh food
compartment temperature;
Refrigerator: 15 °F (¥9.4 °C) freezer
compartment temperature;
Refrigerator-Freezer: 5 °F (¥15 °C) freezer
compartment temperature; and
Variable Anti-Sweat Heater Model
(Temperatures for the variable anti-sweat
heater test of section 4.1.3): 5 °F (¥15 °C)
freezer compartment temperature and 38 ± 2
°F (3.3 ± 1.1 °F) fresh food compartment
temperature during steady-state conditions
with no door-openings. If both settings
cannot be obtained, then test with the fresh
food compartment temperature at 38 ± 2 °F
(3.3 ± 1.1 °C) and the freezer compartment as
close to 5 °F (-15 °C) as possible.
For the purposes of comparing
compartment temperatures with standardized
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temperatures, as described in sections 3.2.1
through 3.2.3, the freezer compartment
temperature shall be equal to a volumeweighted average of the temperatures of all
applicable freezer compartments, and the
fresh food compartment temperature shall be
equal to a volume-weighted average of the
temperatures of all applicable fresh food
compartments. Applicable compartments for
these calculations may include a first freezer
compartment, a first fresh food compartment,
and any number of separate auxiliary
compartments.
3.2.1 A first test shall be performed with
all compartment temperature controls set at
their median position midway between their
warmest and coldest settings. For mechanical
control systems, knob detents shall be
mechanically defeated if necessary to attain
a median setting. For electronic control
systems, the test shall be performed with all
compartment temperature controls set at the
average of the coldest and warmest settings—
if there is no setting equal to this average, the
setting closest to the average shall be used.
If there are two such settings equally close to
the average, the higher of these temperature
control settings shall be used. If the
compartment temperature measured during
the first test is higher than the standardized
temperature, the second test shall be
conducted with the controls set at the coldest
settings. If the compartment temperature
measured during the first test is lower than
the standardized temperature, the second test
shall be conducted with the controls set at
the warmest settings. If the compartment
temperatures measured during these two
tests bound the standardized temperature for
the product being tested, then these test
results shall be used to determine energy
consumption. If the compartment
temperature measured with all controls set at
their coldest setting is above the standardized
temperature, a third test shall be performed
with all controls set at their warmest setting
and the result of this test shall be used with
the result of the test performed with all
controls set at their coldest setting to
determine energy consumption. If the
compartment temperature measured with all
controls set at their warmest setting is below
the standardized temperature; and the fresh
food compartment temperature is below
45 °F (7.22 °C) in the case of a refrigerator
or a refrigerator-freezer, excluding an allrefrigerator, then the result of this test alone
will be used to determine energy
consumption.
*
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4. Test Period
*
*
*
4.1.1 Nonautomatic Defrost. If the model
being tested has no automatic defrost system,
the test time period shall start after steady
state conditions have been achieved, and be
of not less than three hours in duration.
During the test period the compressor motor
shall complete two or more whole
compressor cycles (a compressor cycle is a
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complete ‘‘on’’ and a complete ‘‘off’’ period of
the motor). If no ‘‘off’’ cycling will occur, as
determined during the stabilization period,
the test period shall be 3 hours. If incomplete
cycling occurs (less than two compressor
cycles during a 24-hour period), the results
of the 24-hour period shall be used.
4.1.2 Automatic Defrost. If the model
being tested has an automatic defrost system,
the test time period shall start after steadystate conditions have been achieved and be
from one point during a defrost period to the
same point during the next defrost period. If
the model being tested has a long-time
automatic defrost system, the alternative
provisions of 4.1.2.1 may be used. If the
model being tested has a variable defrost
control, the provisions of section 4.1.2.2 shall
apply. If the model has a dual compressor
system with automatic defrost for both
systems, the provisions of 4.1.2.3 shall apply.
If the model being tested has long-time
automatic or variable defrost control
involving multiple defrost cycle types, such
as for a system with a single compressor with
two or more evaporators in which the
evaporators are defrosted at different
frequencies, the provisions of section 4.1.2.4
shall apply. If the model being tested has
multiple defrost cycle types for which
compressor run time between defrosts is a
fixed time less than 14 hours for all such
cycle types, and for which the compressor
run time between defrosts for different
defrost cycle types are equal to or multiples
of each other, the test time period shall be
from one point of the defrost cycle type with
the longest compressor run time between
defrosts to the same point during the next
occurrence of this defrost cycle type. For
such products, energy consumption shall be
calculated as described in section 5.2.1.1.
4.1.2.1 Long-time Automatic Defrost. If
the model being tested has a long-time
automatic defrost system, the two-part test
described in this section may be used. The
first part is the same as the test for a unit
having no defrost provisions (section 4.1.1).
The second part starts when the compressor
turns off at the end of a period of steady-state
cycling operation just before initiation of the
defrost control sequence. If the compressor
does not cycle during steady-state operation
between defrosts, the second part starts at a
time when the compartment temperatures are
within their ranges measured during steady
state operation, or within 0.5 °F of the
average during steady state operation for a
compartment with a temperature range
during steady state operation no greater than
1 °F. This control sequence may include
additional compressor operation prior to
energizing the defrost heater. The second part
terminates when the compressor turns on the
second time after the defrost control
sequence or 4 hours after the defrost heater
is energized, whichever occurs first. See
Figure 1.
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
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4.1.2.2 Variable Defrost Control. If the
model being tested has a variable defrost
control system, the test shall consist of the
same two parts as the test for long-time
automatic defrost (section 4.1.2.1).
4.1.2.3 Dual Compressor Systems with
Automatic Defrost. If the model being tested
has separate compressor systems for the
refrigerator and freezer sections, each with its
own automatic defrost system, then the twopart method in 4.1.2.1 shall be used. The
second part of the method will be conducted
separately for each automatic defrost system.
The components (compressor, fan motors,
defrost heaters, anti-sweat heaters, etc.)
associated with each system will be
identified and their energy consumption will
be separately measured during each test.
4.1.2.4 Systems with Multiple Defrost
Frequencies. This section is applicable to
models with long-time automatic or variable
defrost control with multiple defrost cycle
types, such as models with single
compressors and multiple evaporators in
which the evaporators have different defrost
frequencies. The two-part method in 4.1.2.1
shall be used. The second part of the method
will be conducted separately for each distinct
defrost cycle type.
4.1.3 Variable Anti-Sweat Heater Test.
The test shall be conducted three times with
the test conditions at three different relative
humidities as set forth in section 2 and the
test control settings as set forth in section 3.
For a product with an anti-sweat heater
switch, the tests shall be conducted with the
switch in the on position. Each of the three
portions of the test shall be conducted in the
same manner as for a unit having no
automatic defrost (section 4.1.1). If during the
time between one of the portions of the test
and the next portion the ambient temperature
conditions are maintained, the procedure for
evaluating steady state (section 2.9) is not
required for the second of these two portions
of the test. However, in such a case, a control
stabilization period of two hours is required
after the ambient humidity conditions have
reached the required range before start of the
test.
5. Test Measurements
5.1 Temperature Measurements.
Temperature measurements shall be made at
the locations prescribed in Figures 7.1 and
7.2 of HRF–1–1979 (incorporated by
reference; see § 430.3) and shall be accurate
to within ±0.5 °F (0.3 °C). No freezer
temperature measurements need be taken in
an all-refrigerator model.
If the interior arrangements of the cabinet
do not conform with those shown in Figure
7.1 and 7.2 of HRF–1–1979, the product may
be tested by relocating the temperature
sensors from the locations specified in the
Figures by no more than 2 inches to avoid
interference with hardware or components
within the cabinet, in which case the specific
locations used for the temperature sensors
shall be noted in the test data records
maintained by the manufacturer in
accordance with 10 CFR 430.62(d). For those
products equipped with a cabinet that does
not conform with Figures 7.1 or 7.2 and
cannot be tested in the manner described
above, the manufacturer must obtain a waiver
under 10 CFR 430.27 to establish an
acceptable test procedure for each such
product.
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5.2.1.3 Variable Defrost Control. The
energy consumption in kilowatt-hours per
day shall be calculated equivalent to:
ET = (1440 × EP1/T1) + (EP2 ¥ (EP1 ×
T2/T1)) × (12/CT),
Where:
1440 is defined in 5.2.1.1 and EP1, EP2, T1,
T2, and 12 are defined in 5.2.1.2;
CT = (CTL × CTM)/(F × (CTM ¥ CTL) + CTL);
CTL = least or shortest time between defrosts
in hours rounded to the nearest tenth of
an hour (greater than or equal to 6 but
less than or equal to 12 hours);
CTM = maximum time between defrost cycles
in hours rounded to the nearest tenth of
an hour (greater than CTL but not more
than 96 hours);
F = ratio of per day energy consumption in
excess of the least energy and the
ET = (1440 × EP1/T 1) +
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5.1.2 Compartment Temperature. The
compartment temperature for each test
period shall be an average of the measured
temperatures taken in a compartment during
one or more complete compressor cycles.
One compressor cycle is one complete motor
‘‘on’’ and one complete motor ‘‘off’’ period.
For long-time automatic defrost models,
compartment temperatures shall be those
measured in the first part of the test period
specified in section 4.1.2.1. For models
equipped with variable defrost controls,
compartment temperatures shall be those
measured in the first part of the test period
specified in section 4.1.2.2.
5.1.2.1 The number of complete
compressor cycles over which the measured
temperatures in a compartment are to be
averaged to determine compartment
temperature shall be equal to the number of
minutes between measured temperature
readings, rounded up to the next whole
minute or a number of complete compressor
cycles over a time period exceeding 1 hour,
whichever is greater. One of the compressor
cycles shall be the last complete compressor
cycle during the test period.
5.1.2.2 If no compressor cycling occurs,
the compartment temperature shall be the
average of the measured temperatures taken
during the last 32 minutes of the test period.
5.1.2.3 If incomplete compressor cycling
occurs, the compartment temperatures shall
be the average of the measured temperatures
taken during the last three hours of the last
complete compressor ‘‘on’’ period.
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maximum difference in per-day energy
consumption and is equal to 0.20;
For variable defrost models with no values
for CT L and CTM in the algorithm, the
default values of 12 and 84 shall be used,
respectively.
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5.2.1.4 Dual Compressor Systems with
Dual Automatic Defrost. The two-part test
method in section 4.1.2.4 must be used, and
the energy consumption in kilowatt-hours
per day shall be calculated equivalent to:
ET = (1440 × EP1/T1) + (EP2F ¥ (EPF
× T2/T1)) × (12/CTF)
+ (EP2R ¥ (EPR × T3/T1)) × (12/CTR)
Where:
1440, EP1, T1, EP2, 12, and CT are defined
in 5.2.1.2;
EPF = freezer system energy in kilowatt-hours
expended during the first part of the test;
EP2F = freezer system energy in kilowatthours expended during the second part
of the test for the freezer system;
EPR= refrigerator system energy in kilowatthours expended during the first part of
the test;
EP2R = refrigerator system energy in kilowatthours expended during the second part
of the test for the refrigerator system;
T2 and T3 = length of time in minutes of the
second test part for the freezer and
refrigerator systems respectively;
CTF = compressor ‘‘on’’ time between freezer
defrosts (in hours to the nearest tenth of
an hour); and
CTR = compressor ‘‘on’’ time between
refrigerator defrosts (in hours to the
nearest tenth of an hour).
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5.2.1.5 Variable Anti-Sweat Heater Test.
The energy consumption in kilowatt-hours
per day for each portion of the test shall be
calculated equivalent to:
ETXX = EPXX × 1440/TXX
Where:
1440 is defined in 5.2.1.1;
subscript XX = 25, 65, and 95,
representing the three relative
humidities for which the test is
conducted;
ETXX = test cycle energy expended in
kilowatt-hours per day;
EPXX = energy expended during the test
period in kilowatt-hours;
TXX = length of time of the test period
in minutes.
5.2.1.6 Long-time or Variable Defrost
Control for Systems with Multiple
Defrost cycle Types. The energy
consumption in kilowatt-hours per day
shall be calculated equivalent to
D
∑ ⎡( EP2i − ( EP1 × T 2i /T1) ) × (12 /CTi )⎤
⎣
⎦
i =1
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Where:
1440 is defined in 5.2.1.1 and EP1 and T1 are
defined in 5.2.1.2;
i is a variable that can equal 1, 2, or more
that identifies the distinct defrost cycle
types applicable for the refrigerator or
refrigerator-freezer;
EP2i = energy expended in kilowatt-hours
during the second part of the test for
defrost cycle type i;
T2i = length of time in minutes of the second
part of the test for defrost cycle type i;
CTi is the compressor run time between
instances of defrost cycle type i, for long
time automatic defrost control equal to a
fixed time, and for variable defrost
control equal to (CTLi × CTMi)/(F × (CTMi
¥ CTLi) + CTLi);
CTLi = least or shortest time between
instances of defrost cycle type i in hours
rounded to the nearest tenth of an hour
(greater than or equal to 6 but less than
or equal to 12 hours);
CTMi = maximum time between instances of
defrost cycle type i in hours rounded to
the nearest tenth of an hour (greater than
CTLi but not more than 96 hours);
F = default defrost energy consumption
factor, equal to 0.20 in lieu of testing to
find CTi;
For variable defrost models with no values
for CT Li and CTMi in the algorithm, the
default values of 12 and 84 shall be used,
respectively.
D is the total number of distinct defrost cycle
types.
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6. Calculation of Derived Results From Test
Measurements
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6.2 Average Per-Cycle Energy
consumption.
For the purposes of calculating per-cycle
energy consumption, as described in this
section, the freezer compartment temperature
shall be equal to a volume-weighted average
of the temperatures of all applicable freezer
compartments, and the fresh food
compartment temperature shall be equal to a
volume-weighted average of the temperatures
of all applicable fresh food compartments.
Applicable compartments for these
calculations may include a first freezer
compartment, a first fresh food compartment,
and any number of separate auxiliary
compartments.
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6.2.3 Variable Anti-Sweat Heater Models.
The energy consumption of an electric
refrigerator-freezer having a variable antisweat heater control, EVASH, expressed in
kilowatt-hours per day, shall be calculated
equivalent to:
EVASH = E + (Correction Factor), where E is
determined by 6.2.1.1, 6.2.1.2, 6.2.2.1, or
6.2.2.2, whichever is appropriate, with
the anti-sweat heater in its minimum
energy state corresponding to low
ambient humidity during the test.
Where Correction Factor:
= 0.034 * (Energy Difference at 5% Relative
Humidity (RH)),
+ 0.211 * (Energy Difference at 15% RH)
+ 0.204 * (Energy Difference at 25% RH)
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+ 0.166 * (Energy Difference at 35% RH)
+ 0.126 * (Energy Difference at 45% RH)
+ 0.119 * (Energy Difference at 55% RH)
+ 0.069 * (Energy Difference at 65% RH)
+ 0.047 * (Energy Difference at 75% RH)
+ 0.008 * (Energy Difference at 85% RH)
+ 0.015 * (Energy Difference at 95% RH)
Where:
Energy Difference at 65% RH = ED65 = ET65
¥ ET25;
Energy Difference at 95% RH = ED95 = ET95
¥ ET25;
ET25, ET65, and ET95 are determined in
accordance with section 5.2.1.6; and
Energy Difference DERH at each other relative
humidity RH is the greater of zero or the
following:
EDRH = ED65 + (ED95 ¥ED 65) × (DPRH ¥
DP65)/(DP95 ¥ DP65),
Where the dew points DPRH at each of the
relative humidities RH in the equation
are as follows:
DP5 = 5.06
DP15 = 27.53;
DP25 = 38.75;
DP35 = 46.43;
DP45 = 52.32;
DP55 = 57.13;
DP65 = 61.20;
DP75 = 64.74;
DP85 = 67.87;
DP95 = 70.69.
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7. Test Procedure Waivers
To the extent that the procedures
contained in this appendix do not provide a
means for determining the energy
consumption of a refrigerator or refrigeratorfreezer, a manufacturer must obtain a waiver
under 10 CFR 430.27 to establish an
acceptable test procedure for each such
product. Such instances could, for example,
include situations where the test set-up for a
particular refrigerator or refrigerator-freezer
basic model is not clearly defined by the
provisions of section 2. For details regarding
the criteria and procedures for obtaining a
waiver, please refer to 10 CFR 430.27.
7. Add a new Appendix B to subpart
B of part 430 to read as follows:
Appendix B to Subpart B of Part 430—
Uniform Test Method for Measuring the
Energy Consumption of Freezers
The provisions of Appendix B shall apply
to all products manufactured on or after the
effective date of any amended standards
promulgated by DOE pursuant to Section
325(b)(4) of the Energy Policy and
Conservation Act of 1975, as amended by the
Energy Independence and Security Act of
2007 (to be codified at 42 U.S.C. 6295(b)(4)).
1. Definitions
Section 3, Definitions, of HRF–1–2008
(incorporated by reference; see § 430.3) is
applicable to this test procedure.
1.1 ‘‘Adjusted total volume’’ means the
product of the freezer volume as defined in
HRF–1–2008 (incorporated by reference; see
§ 430.3) in cubic feet times an adjustment
factor.
1.2 ‘‘Anti-sweat heater’’ means a device
incorporated into the design of a freezer to
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prevent the accumulation of moisture on
exterior or interior surfaces of the cabinet
under conditions of high ambient humidity.
1.3 ‘‘Anti-sweat heater switch’’ means a
user-controllable switch or user interface
which modifies the activation or control of
anti-sweat heaters.
1.4 ‘‘Automatic defrost’’ means a system
in which the defrost cycle is automatically
initiated and terminated, with resumption of
normal refrigeration at the conclusion of
defrost operation. The system automatically
prevents the permanent formation of frost on
all refrigerated surfaces. Nominal refrigerated
food temperatures are maintained during the
operation of the automatic defrost system.
1.5 ‘‘Automatic icemaker’’ means a
device, that can be supplied with water
without user intervention, either from a
pressurized water supply system or by
transfer from a water reservoir located inside
the cabinet, that automatically produces,
harvests, and stores ice in a storage bin, with
means to automatically interrupt the
harvesting operation when the ice storage bin
is filled to a pre-determined level.
1.6 ‘‘Cycle’’ means the period of 24 hours
for which the energy use of a freezer is
calculated as though the consumer-activated
compartment temperature controls were
preset so that the standardized temperatures
(see section 3.2) was maintained.
1.7 ‘‘Cycle type’’ means the set of test
conditions having the calculated effect of
operating a freezer for a period of 24 hours
with the consumer-activated controls other
than the compartment temperature control
set to establish various operating
characteristics.
1.8 ‘‘HRF–1–2008’’ means the Association
of Home Appliance Manufacturers standard
Energy, Performance and Capacity of
Household Refrigerators, RefrigeratorFreezers and Freezers that was approved
September 13, 2008. Only sections of HRF–
1–2008 (incorporated by reference; see
§ 430.3) specifically referenced in this test
procedure are part of this test procedure. In
cases where there is a conflict, the language
of the test procedure in this appendix takes
precedence over HRF–1–2008.
1.9 ‘‘Long-time automatic defrost’’ means
an automatic defrost system where
successive defrost cycles are separated by 14
hours or more of compressor operating time.
1.10 ‘‘Quick freeze’’ means an optional
feature on freezers that is initiated manually
and shut off manually. It bypasses the
thermostat control and places the compressor
in a steady-state operating condition until it
is shut off.
1.11 ‘‘Separate auxiliary compartment’’
means a freezer compartment of a freezer
having more than one compartment that is
not the first freezer compartment. Access to
a separate auxiliary compartment is through
a separate exterior door or doors rather than
through the door or doors of another
compartment.
1.12 ‘‘Stabilization period’’ means the
total period of time during which steady-state
conditions are being attained or evaluated.
1.13 ‘‘Standard cycle’’ means the cycle
type in which the anti-sweat heater switch,
when provided, is set in the highest energyconsuming position.
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1.14 ‘‘Variable defrost control’’ means a
long-time automatic defrost system (except
the 14-hour defrost qualification does not
apply) where successive defrost cycles are
determined by an operating condition
variable or variables other than compressor
operating time. This includes any electrical
or mechanical device performing this
function. Demand defrost is a type of variable
defrost control.
2. Test Conditions
2.1 Ambient Temperature. The ambient
temperature shall be 90.0 ± 1.0 °F (32.2 ± 0.6
°C) during the stabilization period and the
test period. The ambient temperature shall be
80 ± 2 °F (26.7 ± 1.1 °C) dry bulb and 67 °F
(19.4 °C) wet bulb during the stabilization
period and during the test period when the
unit is tested in accordance with section 3.3.
2.2 Operational Conditions. The freezer
shall be installed and its operating conditions
maintained in accordance with HRF–1–2008,
(incorporated by reference; see § 430.3),
sections 5.3 through section 5.5.5.5 (but
excluding sections 5.5.5.2 and 5.5.5.4),
except that the vertical ambient gradient at
locations 10 inches (25.4 cm) out from the
centers of the two sides of the unit being
tested is to be maintained during the test.
Unless the area is obstructed by shields or
baffles, the gradient is to be maintained from
2 inches (5.1 cm) above the floor or
supporting platform to a height 1 foot (30.5
cm) above the unit under test. Defrost
controls are to be operative and the antisweat heater switch is to be ‘‘on’’ during one
test and ‘‘off’’ during a second test. The quick
freeze option shall be switched off except as
specified in section 3.1. Additional
clarifications are noted in sections 2.3
through 2.6.
2.3 Conditions for Automatic Defrost
Freezers. For automatic defrost freezers, the
freezer compartments shall not be loaded
with any frozen food packages during testing.
Cylindrical metallic masses of dimensions
1.12 ± 0.25 inches (2.9 ± 0.6 cm) in diameter
and height shall be attached in good thermal
contact with each temperature sensor within
the refrigerated compartments. All
temperature measuring sensor masses shall
be supported by low-thermal-conductivity
supports in such a manner to ensure that
there will be at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) of air
space separating the thermal mass from
contact with any interior surface or hardware
inside the cabinet. In case of interference
with hardware at the sensor locations
specified in section 5.1, the sensors shall be
placed at the nearest adjacent location such
that there will be a 1-inch air space
separating the sensor mass from the
hardware.
2.4 The cabinet and its refrigerating
mechanism shall be assembled and set up in
accordance with the printed consumer
instructions supplied with the cabinet. Set-
up of the freezer shall not deviate from these
instructions, unless explicitly required or
allowed by this test procedure. Specific
required or allowed deviations from such setup include the following:
(a) Clearance requirements from surfaces of
the product shall be as described in section
2.5 below;
(b) The electric power supply shall be as
described in HRF–1–2008 (incorporated by
reference; see § 430.3) section 5.5.1;
(c) Temperature control settings for testing
shall be as described in section 3 below; and
(d) The product does not need to be
anchored or otherwise secured to prevent
tipping during energy testing.
For cases in which set-up is not clearly
defined by this test procedure, manufacturers
must submit a petition for a waiver (see
section 7).
2.5 The space between the back of the
cabinet and the test room wall or simulated
wall shall be the minimum distance in
accordance with the manufacturer’s
instructions. If the instructions do not specify
a minimum distance, the cabinet shall be
located such that the rear of the cabinet
touches the test room wall or simulated wall.
The test room wall facing the rear of the
cabinet or the simulated wall shall be flat
within 1⁄4 inch, and vertical to within 1
degree. The cabinet shall be leveled to within
1 degree of true level, and positioned with its
rear wall parallel to the test chamber wall or
simulated wall immediately behind the
cabinet. Any simulated wall shall be solid
and shall extend vertically from the floor to
above the height of the cabinet and
horizontally beyond both sides of the cabinet.
2.6 Steady State Condition. Steady-state
conditions exist if the temperature
measurements taken at four minute intervals
or less during a stabilization period are not
changing at a rate greater than 0.042 °F (0.023
°C) per hour as determined by the applicable
condition of A or B described below.
A—The average of the measurements
during a 2-hour period if no cycling occurs
or during a number of complete repetitive
compressor cycles occurring through a period
of no less than 2 hours is compared to the
average over an equivalent time period with
3 hours elapsing between the two
measurement periods.
B—If A above cannot be used, the average
of the measurements during a number of
complete repetitive compressor cycles
occurring through a period of no less than 2
hours and including the last complete cycle
before a defrost period (or if no cycling
occurs, the average of the measurements
during the last 2 hours before a defrost
period) are compared to the same averaging
period before the following defrost period.
3. Test Control Settings
3.1 Model with No User Operable
Temperature Control. A test shall be
performed during which the compartment
temperature and energy use shall be
measured. A second test shall be performed
with the temperature control electrically
short circuited to cause the compressor to
run continuously. If the model has the quick
freeze option, this option must be used to
bypass the temperature control.
3.2 Model with User Operable
Temperature Control. Testing shall be
performed in accordance with one of the
following sections using the standardized
temperature of 0.0 °F (¥17.8 °C).
For the purposes of comparing
compartment temperatures with standardized
temperatures, as described in sections 3.2.1
through 3.2.3, the freezer compartment
temperature shall be equal to a volumeweighted average of the temperatures of all
applicable freezer compartments. Applicable
compartments for these calculations may
include a first freezer compartment and any
number of separate auxiliary freezer
compartments.
3.2.1 A first test shall be performed with
all temperature controls set at their median
position midway between their warmest and
coldest settings. For mechanical control
systems, knob detents shall be mechanically
defeated if necessary to attain a median
setting. For electronic control systems, the
test shall be performed with all compartment
temperature controls set at the average of the
coldest and warmest settings—if there is no
setting equal to this average, the setting
closest to the average shall be used. If there
are two such settings equally close to the
average, the higher of these temperature
control settings shall be used. A second test
shall be performed with all controls set at
either their warmest or their coldest setting
(not electrically or mechanically bypassed),
whichever is appropriate, to attempt to
achieve compartment temperatures measured
during the two tests which bound (i.e., one
is above and one is below) the standardized
temperature. If the compartment
temperatures measured during these two
tests bound the standardized temperature,
then these test results shall be used to
determine energy consumption. If the
compartment temperature measured with all
controls set at their coldest setting is above
the standardized temperature, a third test
shall be performed with all controls set at
their warmest setting and the result of this
test shall be used with the result of the test
performed with all controls set at their
coldest setting to determine energy
consumption. If the compartment
temperature measured with all controls set at
their warmest setting is below the
standardized temperature, then the result of
this test alone will be used to determine
energy consumption. Also see Table 1 below,
which summarizes these requirements.
TABLE 1—TEMPERATURE SETTINGS FOR FREEZERS
First test
Second test
Third test settings
Settings
Results
Settings
Results
Mid ...........................
Low ..........................
Warm .......................
Low ..........................
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on:
Second Test Only.
Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 102 / Thursday, May 27, 2010 / Proposed Rules
29873
TABLE 1—TEMPERATURE SETTINGS FOR FREEZERS—Continued
First test
Second test
Third test settings
Settings
Results
Settings
Results
Energy calculation based
on:
High .........................
High .........................
Cold .........................
None ........................
First and Second Tests.
Low ..........................
High .........................
None ........................
Warm .......................
First and Second Tests.
Second and Third Tests.
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3.2.2 Alternatively, a first test may be
performed with all temperature controls set
at their warmest setting. If the compartment
temperature is below the standardized
temperature, then the result of this test alone
will be used to determine energy
consumption. If the above condition is not
met, then the unit shall be tested in
accordance with section 3.2.1.
3.2.3 Alternatively, a first test may be
performed with all temperature controls set
at their coldest setting. If the compartment
temperature is above the standardized
temperature, a second test shall be performed
with all controls set at their warmest setting
and the results of these two tests shall be
used to determine energy consumption. If the
above condition is not met, then the unit
shall be tested in accordance with section
3.2.1.
time when the compartment temperatures are
within their ranges measured during steady
state operation, or within 0.5 °F of the
average during steady state operation for a
compartment with a temperature range
during steady state operation no greater than
1 °F. This control sequence may include
additional compressor operation prior to
energizing the defrost heater. The second part
terminates when the compressor turns on the
second time after the defrost control
sequence or 4 hours after the defrost heater
is energized, whichever occurs first.
4.1.2.2 Variable Defrost Control. If the
model being tested has a variable defrost
control system, the test shall consist of the
same two parts as the test for long-time
automatic defrost (section 4.1.2.1).
4. Test Period
4.1 Test Period. Tests shall be performed
by establishing the conditions set forth in
section 2 and using control settings as set
forth in section 3 above.
4.1.1 Nonautomatic Defrost. If the model
being tested has no automatic defrost system,
the test time period shall start after steadystate conditions have been achieved and be
no less than 3 hours in duration. During the
test period, the compressor motor shall
complete two or more whole compressor
cycles. (A compressor cycle is a complete
‘‘on’’ and a complete ‘‘off’’ period of the
motor.) If no ‘‘off’’ cycling will occur, as
determined during the stabilization period,
the test period shall be 3 hours. If incomplete
cycling occurs (less than two compressor
cycles during a 24-hour period), the results
of the 24-hour period shall be used.
4.1.2 Automatic Defrost. If the model
being tested has an automatic defrost system,
the test time period shall start after steadystate conditions have been achieved and be
from one point during a defrost period to the
same point during the next defrost period. If
the model being tested has a long-time
automatic defrost system, the alternate
provisions of 4.1.2.1 may be used. If the
model being tested has a variable defrost
control, the provisions of 4.1.2.2 shall apply.
4.1.2.1 Long-time Automatic Defrost. If
the model being tested has a long-time
automatic defrost system, the two-part test
described in this section may be used. The
first part is the same as the test for a unit
having no defrost provisions (section 4.1.1).
The second part starts when the compressor
turns off at the end of a period of steady-state
cycling operation just before initiation of the
defrost control sequence. If the compressor
does not cycle during steady-state operation
between defrosts, the second part starts at a
5.1 Temperature Measurements.
Temperature measurements shall be made at
the locations prescribed in Figure 5–2 of
HRF–1–2008 (incorporated by reference; see
§ 430.3) and shall be accurate to within ± 0.5
°F (0.3°C).
If the interior arrangements of the cabinet
do not conform with those shown in Figure
7.2 of HRF–1–1979, the product may be
tested by relocating the temperature sensors
from the locations specified in the Figures by
no more than 2 inches to avoid interference
with hardware or components within the
cabinet, in which case the specific locations
used for the temperature sensors shall be
noted in the test data records maintained by
the manufacturer in accordance with 10 CFR
430.62(d). For those products equipped with
a cabinet that does not conform with Figure
7.2 and cannot be tested in the manner
described above, the manufacturer must
obtain a waiver under 10 CFR 430.27 to
establish an acceptable test procedure for
each such product.
5.1.1 Measured Temperature. The
measured temperature is to be the average of
all sensor temperature readings taken at a
particular point in time. Measurements shall
be taken at regular intervals not to exceed 4
minutes.
5.1.2 Compartment Temperature. The
compartment temperature for each test
period shall be an average of the measured
temperatures taken during one or more
complete compressor cycles. One compressor
cycle is one complete motor ‘‘on’’ and one
complete motor ‘‘off’’ period. For long-time
automatic defrost models, compartment
temperature shall be that measured in the
first part of the test period specified in
section 4.1.2.1. For models equipped with
variable defrost controls, compartment
temperatures shall be those measured in the
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5. Test Measurements.
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first part of the test period specified in
section 4.1.2.2.
5.1.2.1 The number of complete
compressor cycles over which the measured
temperatures in a compartment are to be
averaged to determine compartment
temperature shall be equal to the number of
minutes between measured temperature
readings rounded up to the next whole
minute or a number of complete compressor
cycles over a time period exceeding 1 hour.
One of the compressor cycles shall be the last
complete compressor cycle during the test
period.
5.1.2.2 If no compressor cycling occurs,
the compartment temperature shall be the
average of the measured temperatures taken
during the last 32 minutes of the test period.
5.1.2.3 If incomplete compressor cycling
occurs (less than one compressor cycle), the
compartment temperature shall be the
average of all readings taken during the last
3 hours of the last complete compressor ‘‘on’’
period.
5.2 Energy Measurements:
5.2.1 Per-Day Energy Consumption. The
energy consumption in kilowatt-hours per
day for each test period shall be the energy
expended during the test period as specified
in section 4.1 adjusted to a 24-hour period.
The adjustment shall be determined as
follows:
5.2.1.1 Nonautomatic and Automatic
Defrost Models. The energy consumption in
kilowatt-hours per day shall be calculated
equivalent to:
ET = (EP × 1440 × K)/T
Where:
ET = test cycle energy expended in kilowatthours per day;
EP = energy expended in kilowatt-hours
during the test period;
T = length of time of the test period in
minutes;
1440 = conversion factor to adjust to a 24hour period in minutes per day; and
K = dimensionless correction factor of 0.7 for
chest freezers and 0.85 for upright
freezers to adjust for average household
usage.
5.2.1.2 Long-time Automatic Defrost. If
the two part test method is used, the energy
consumption in kilowatt-hours per day shall
be calculated equivalent to:
ET = (1440 × K × EP1/T1) + ((EP2¥(EP1
× T2/T1)) × K ×12/CT)
Where:
ET, 1440, and K are defined in section
5.2.1.1;
EP1 = energy expended in kilowatt-hours
during the first part of the test;
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EP2 = energy expended in kilowatt-hours
during the second part of the test;
CT = defrost timer run time in hours required
to cause it to go through a complete
cycle, to the nearest tenth hour per cycle;
12 = conversion factor to adjust for a 50
percent run time of the compressor in
hours per day; and
T1 and T2 = length of time in minutes of the
first and second test parts respectively.
5.2.1.3 Variable Defrost Control. The
energy consumption in kilowatt-hours per
day shall be calculated equivalent to:
ET = (1440 × EP1/T1) + (EP2¥(EP1 ×
T2/T1)) × (12/CT),
Where:
ET and 1440 are defined in section 5.2.1.1;
EP1, EP2, T1, T2, and 12 are defined in
section 5.2.1.2;
CT = (CTL × CTM)/(F × (CTM¥CTL) +
CTL)
Where:
CTL = least or shortest time between defrosts
in hours rounded to the nearest tenth of
an hour (greater than or equal to 6 hours
but less than or equal to 12 hours);
CTM = maximum time between defrosts in
hours rounded to the nearest tenth of an
hour (greater than CTL but not more than
96 hours);
F = ratio of per day energy consumption in
excess of the least energy and the
maximum difference in per-day energy
consumption and is equal to 0.20.
For variable defrost models with no values
for CTL and CTM in the algorithm, the
default values of 12 and 84 shall be used,
respectively.
5.3 Volume Measurements. The total
refrigerated volume, VT, shall be measured in
accordance with HRF–1–2008, (incorporated
by reference; see § 430.3), section 3.30 and
sections 4.2 through 4.3.
In the case of freezers with automatic
icemakers, the volume occupied by the
automatic icemaker, including its ice storage
bin, is to be included in the volume
measurement.
6. Calculation of Derived Results From Test
Measurements
6.1 Adjusted Total Volume. The adjusted
total volume, VA, for freezers under test shall
be defined as:
sroberts on DSKD5P82C1PROD with PROPOSALS
VA = VT × CF
Where:
VA = adjusted total volume in cubic feet;
VT = total refrigerated volume in cubic feet;
and
CF = dimensionless correction factor of 1.76.
6.2 Average Per-Cycle Energy
Consumption. For the purposes of calculating
per-cycle energy consumption, as described
in this section, the freezer compartment
temperature shall be equal to a volumeweighted average of the temperatures of all
applicable freezer compartments. Applicable
compartments for these calculations may
include a first freezer compartment and any
number of separate auxiliary freezer
compartments.
6.2.1 The average per-cycle energy
consumption for a cycle type is expressed in
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kilowatt-hours per cycle to the nearest one
hundredth (0.01) kilowatt-hour and shall
depend on the compartment temperature
attainable as shown below.
6.2.1.1 If the compartment temperature is
always below 0.0 °F (¥17.8 °C), the average
per-cycle energy consumption shall be
equivalent to:
E = ET1 + IET
Where:
E = total per-cycle energy consumption in
kilowatt-hours per day;
ET is defined in 5.2.1;
Number 1 indicates the test period during
which the highest compartment
temperature is measured; and
IET, expressed in kilowatt-hours per cycle,
equals 0.23 for a product with an
automatic icemaker and otherwise equals
0 (zero).
6.2.1.2 If one of the compartment
temperatures measured for a test period is
greater than 0.0 °F (17.8 °C), the average percycle energy consumption shall be equivalent
to:
E = ET1 + ((ET2 ¥ ET1) × (0.0 ¥ TF1)/
(TF2 ¥ TF1)) + IET
Where:
E and IET are defined in 6.2.1.1 and ET is
defined in 5.2.1;
TF = compartment temperature determined
according to 5.1.2 in degrees F;
Numbers 1 and 2 indicate measurements
taken during the first and second test
period as appropriate; and
0.0 = standardized compartment temperature
in degrees F.
7. Test Procedure Waivers
To the extent that the procedures
contained in this appendix do not provide a
means for determining the energy
consumption of a freezer, a manufacturer
must obtain a waiver under 10 CFR 430.27
to establish an acceptable test procedure for
each such product. Such instances could, for
example, include situations where the test
set-up for a particular freezer basic model is
not clearly defined by the provisions of
section 2. For details regarding the criteria
and procedures for obtaining a waiver, please
refer to 10 CFR 430.27.
8. Appendix B1 to subpart B of part
430 is amended by:
a. Adding an introductory note after
the appendix heading;
b. In section 1. Definitions, by:
1. Adding an introductory note after
the heading;
2. Redesignating section 1.1 as 1.7 and
revising redesignated 1.7;
3. Revising section 1.2;
4. Redesignating 1.3 as 1.5 and
revising redesignated 1.5;
5. Redesignating section 1.4 as 1.6;
6. Redesignating section 1.5 as 1.12;
7. Redesignating section 1.6 as 1.1;
8. Redesignating section 1.7 as 1.4;
9. Redesignating section 1.9 as 1.11;
10. Redesignating section 1.10 as 1.13;
11. Redesignating section 1.11 as 1.9;
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12. Adding new sections 1.3, 1.9, and
1.10;
c. In section 2. Test Conditions, by:
1. Revising section 2.2;
2. Redesignating section 2.3 as 2.6;
3. Adding new sections 2.3 through
2.5;
d. In section 3. Test Control Settings,
by:
1. Revising sections 3.1, 3.2, and
3.2.1;
2. Removing section 3.3;
e. In section 4, Test Period by:
1. Revising sections 4.1.2.1 and
4.1.2.2;
2. Removing section 4.1.2.3;
f. In section 5, Test Measurements, by:
1. Revising sections 5.1, 5.1.2, 5.1.2.1,
5.1.2.2, 5.1.2.3, and 5.2.1.3;
2. Removing section 5.2.1.4;
g. In section 6. Calculation of Derived
Results From Test Measurements, by
revising section 6.2;
h. Adding new section 7, Waivers.
The additions and revisions read as
follows:
Appendix B1 to Subpart B of Part 430—
Uniform Test Method for Measuring the
Energy Consumption of Freezers
The provisions of Appendix B1 shall apply
to all products manufactured prior to the
effective date of any amended standards
promulgated by DOE pursuant to Section
325(b)(4) of the Energy Policy and
Conservation Act of 1975, as amended by the
Energy Independence and Security Act of
2007 (to be codified at 42 U.S.C. 6295(b)(4)).
1. Definitions
Section 3, Definitions, of HRF–1–1979
(incorporated by reference; see § 430.3) is
applicable to this test procedure.
*
*
*
*
*
1.2 ‘‘Anti-sweat heater’’ means a device
incorporated into the design of a freezer to
prevent the accumulation of moisture on
exterior or interior surfaces of the cabinet
under conditions of high ambient humidity.
1.3 ‘‘Anti-sweat heater switch’’ means a
user-controllable switch or user interface
which modifies the activation or control of
anti-sweat heaters.
*
*
*
*
*
1.5 ‘‘Cycle’’ means the period of 24 hours
for which the energy use of a freezer is
calculated as though the consumer-activated
compartment temperature controls were
preset so that the standardized temperature
(see section 3.2) was maintained.
*
*
*
*
*
1.7 ‘‘HRF–1–1979’’ means the Association
of Home Appliance Manufacturers standard
for household refrigerators, combination
refrigerator-freezers, and household freezers,
also approved as an American National
Standard as a revision of ANSI B 38.1–1970.
Only sections of HRF–1–1979 (incorporated
by reference; see § 430.3) specifically
referenced in this test procedure are part of
this test procedure. In cases where there is
a conflict, the language of the test procedure
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in this appendix takes precedence over HRF–
1–1979.
*
*
*
*
*
1.10 ‘‘Separate auxiliary compartment’’
means a freezer compartment of a freezer
having more than one compartment that is
not the first freezer compartment. Access to
a separate auxiliary compartment is through
a separate exterior door or doors rather than
through the door or doors of another
compartment.
sroberts on DSKD5P82C1PROD with PROPOSALS
*
*
*
*
*
2.2 Operational Conditions. The freezer
shall be installed and its operating conditions
maintained in accordance with HRF–1–1979,
(incorporated by reference; see § 430.3),
section 7.2 through section 7.4.3.3 (but
excluding section 7.4.3.2), except that the
vertical ambient gradient at locations 10
inches (25.4 cm) out from the centers of the
two sides of the unit being tested is to be
maintained during the test. Unless the area
is obstructed by shields or baffles, the
gradient is to be maintained from 2 inches
(5.1 cm) above the floor or supporting
platform to a height 1 foot (30.5 cm) above
the unit under test. Defrost controls are to be
operative and the anti-sweat heater switch is
to be ‘‘on’’ during one test and ‘‘off’’ during
a second test. The quick freeze option shall
be switched off except as specified in section
3.1. Additional clarifications are noted in
sections 2.3 through 2.5.
2.3 Conditions for Automatic Defrost
Freezers. For automatic defrost freezers, the
freezer compartments shall not be loaded
with any frozen food packages during testing.
Cylindrical metallic masses of dimensions
1.12 ± 0.25 inches (2.9 ± 0.6 cm) in diameter
and height shall be attached in good thermal
contact with each temperature sensor within
the refrigerated compartments. All
temperature measuring sensor masses shall
be supported by low-thermal-conductivity
supports in such a manner to ensure that
there will be at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) of air
space separating the thermal mass from
contact with any interior surface or hardware
inside the cabinet. In case of interference
with hardware at the sensor locations
specified in section 5.1, the sensors shall be
placed at the nearest adjacent location such
that there will be a 1-inch air space
separating the sensor mass from the
hardware.
2.4 The cabinet and its refrigerating
mechanism shall be assembled and set up in
accordance with the printed consumer
instructions supplied with the cabinet. Setup of the freezer shall not deviate from these
instructions, unless explicitly required or
allowed by this test procedure. Specific
required or allowed deviations from such setup include the following:
(a) Clearance requirements from surfaces of
the product shall be as specified in section
2.5 below;
(b) The electric power supply shall be as
described in HRF–1–1979 (incorporated by
reference; see § 430.3) section 7.4.1;
(c) Temperature control settings for testing
shall be as described in section 3 below; and
(d) The product does not need to be
anchored or otherwise secured to prevent
tipping during energy testing.
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For cases in which set-up is not clearly
defined by this test procedure, manufacturers
must submit a petition for a waiver (see
section 7).
2.5 The space between the back of the
cabinet and the test room wall or simulated
wall shall be the minimum distance in
accordance with the manufacturer’s
instructions. If the instructions do not specify
a minimum distance, the cabinet shall be
located such that the rear of the cabinet
touches the test room wall or simulated wall.
The test room wall facing the rear of the
cabinet or the simulated wall shall be flat
within 1⁄4-inch, and vertical to within 1
degree. The cabinet shall be leveled to within
1 degree of true level, and positioned with its
rear wall parallel to the test chamber wall or
simulated wall immediately behind the
cabinet. Any simulated wall shall be solid
and shall extend vertically from the floor to
above the height of the cabinet and
horizontally beyond both sides of the cabinet.
*
*
*
*
*
3. Test Control Settings
3.1 Model with No User Operable
Temperature Control. A test shall be
performed during which the compartment
temperature and energy use shall be
measured. A second test shall be performed
with the temperature control electrically
short circuited to cause the compressor to
run continuously. If the model has the quick
freeze option, this option must be used to
bypass the temperature control.
3.2 Model with User Operable
Temperature Control. Testing shall be
performed in accordance with one of the
following sections using the standardized
temperature of 0.0 °F (¥17.8 °C).
For the purposes of comparing
compartment temperatures with standardized
temperatures, as described in sections 3.2.1
through 3.2.3, the freezer compartment
temperature shall be equal to a volumeweighted average of the temperatures of all
applicable freezer compartments. Applicable
compartments for these calculations may
include a first freezer compartment and any
number of separate auxiliary freezer
compartments.
3.2.1 A first test shall be performed with
all temperature controls set at their median
position midway between their warmest and
coldest settings. For mechanical control
systems, knob detents shall be mechanically
defeated if necessary to attain a median
setting. For electronic control systems, the
test shall be performed with all compartment
temperature controls set at the average of the
coldest and warmest settings—if there is no
setting equal to this average, the setting
closest to the average shall be used. If there
are two such settings equally close to the
average, the higher of these temperature
control settings shall be used. If the
compartment temperature measured during
the first test is higher than the standardized
temperature, the second test shall be
conducted with the controls set at the coldest
settings. If the compartment temperature
measured during the first test is lower than
the standardized temperature, the second test
shall be conducted with the controls set at
the warmest settings. If the compartment
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temperatures measured during these two
tests bound the standardized temperature,
then these test results shall be used to
determine energy consumption. If the
compartment temperature measured with all
controls set at their coldest settings is above
the standardized temperature, a third test
shall be performed with all controls set at
their warmest settings and the result of this
test shall be used with the result of the test
performed with all controls set at their
coldest settings to determine energy
consumption. If the compartment
temperature measured with all controls set at
their warmest settings is below the
standardized temperature, then the result of
this test alone will be used to determine
energy consumption.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
4. Test Period
*
*
*
4.1.2.1 Long-time Automatic Defrost. If
the model being tested has a long-time
automatic defrost system, the two-part test
described in this section may be used. The
first part is the same as the test for a unit
having no defrost provisions (section 4.1.1).
The second part starts when the compressor
turns off at the end of a period of steady-state
cycling operation just before initiation of the
defrost control sequence. If the compressor
does not cycle during steady-state operation
between defrosts, the second part starts at a
time when the compartment temperatures are
within their ranges measured during steady
state operation, or within 0.5 °F of the
average during steady state operation for a
compartment with a temperature range
during steady state operation no greater than
1 °F. This control sequence may include
additional compressor operation prior to
energizing the defrost heater. The second part
terminates when the compressor turns on the
second time after the defrost control
sequence or 4 hours after the defrost heater
is energized, whichever occurs first.
4.1.2.2 Variable Defrost Control. If the
model being tested has a variable defrost
control system, the test shall consist of the
same two parts as the test for long-time
automatic defrost (section 4.1.2.1).
*
*
*
*
*
5. Test Measurements
5.1 Temperature Measurements.
Temperature measurements shall be made at
the locations prescribed in Figure 7.2 of
HRF–1–1979 (incorporated by reference; see
§ 430.3) and shall be accurate to within ±0.5
°F (0.3 °C).
If the interior arrangements of the cabinet
do not conform with those shown in Figure
7.2 of HRF–1–1979, the product may be
tested by relocating the temperature sensors
from the locations specified in the Figures by
no more than 2 inches to avoid interference
with hardware or components within the
cabinet, in which case the specific locations
used for the temperature sensors shall be
noted in the test data records maintained by
the manufacturer in accordance with 10 CFR
430.62(d). For those products equipped with
a cabinet that does not conform with Figure
7.2 and cannot be tested in the manner
described above, the manufacturer must
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obtain a waiver under 10 CFR 430.27 to
establish an acceptable test procedure for
each such product.
5.2.1.3 Variable Defrost Control. The
energy consumption in kilowatt-hours per
day shall be calculated equivalent to:
*
ET = (1440 × EP1/T1) + (EP2¥(EP1 ×
T2/T1)) × (12/CT),
*
*
*
*
5.1.2 Compartment Temperature. The
compartment temperature for each test
period shall be an average of the measured
temperatures taken during one or more
complete compressor cycles. One compressor
cycle is one complete motor ‘‘on’’ and one
complete motor ‘‘off’’ period. For long-time
automatic defrost models, compartment
temperature shall be that measured in the
first part of the test period specified in
section 4.1.2.1. For models equipped with
variable defrost controls, compartment
temperatures shall be those measured in the
first part of the test period specified in
section 4.1.2.2.
5.1.2.1 The number of complete
compressor cycles over which the measured
temperatures in a compartment are to be
averaged to determine compartment
temperature shall be equal to the number of
minutes between measured temperature
readings rounded up to the next whole
minute or a number of complete compressor
cycles over a time period exceeding 1 hour.
One of the compressor cycles shall be the last
complete compressor cycle during the test
period before start of the defrost control
sequence for products with automatic
defrost.
5.1.2.2 If no compressor cycling occurs,
the compartment temperature shall be the
average of the measured temperatures taken
during the last 32 minutes of the test period.
5.1.2.3 If incomplete compressor cycling
occurs (less than one compressor cycle), the
compartment temperature shall be the
average of all readings taken during the last
3 hours of the last complete compressor ‘‘on’’
period.
sroberts on DSKD5P82C1PROD with PROPOSALS
*
*
*
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*
CT = (CTL × CTM)/(F× (CTM¥CTL) + CTL)
Where:
CTL = least or shortest time between defrosts
in hours rounded to the nearest tenth of
an hour (greater than or equal to 6 hours
but less than or equal to 12 hours);
CTM = maximum time between defrosts in
hours rounded to the nearest tenth of an
hour (greater than CTL but not more than
96 hours);
F = ratio of per day energy consumption in
excess of the least energy and the
maximum difference in per-day energy
consumption and is equal to 0.20.
For variable defrost models with no values
for CTL and CTM in the algorithm, the
default values of 12 and 84 shall be used,
respectively.
*
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*
*
*
*
6. Calculation of Derived Results From Test
Measurements
*
*
*
*
*
6.2 Average Per Cycle Energy
Consumption. For the purposes of calculating
per-cycle energy consumption, as described
in this section, the freezer compartment
temperature shall be equal to a volumeweighted average of the temperatures of all
applicable freezer compartments. Applicable
compartments for these calculations may
include a first freezer compartment and any
number of separate auxiliary freezer
compartments.
*
*
16:49 May 26, 2010
Where:
ET and 1440 are defined in section 5.2.1.1
and EP1, EP2, T1, T2, and 12 are defined
in section 5.2.1.2;
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*
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*
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7. Test Procedure Waivers
To the extent that the procedures
contained in this appendix do not provide a
means for determining the energy
consumption of a freezer, a manufacturer
must obtain a waiver under 10 CFR 430.27
to establish an acceptable test procedure for
each such product. Such instances could, for
example, include situations where the test
set-up for a particular freezer basic model is
not clearly defined by the provisions of
section 2. For details regarding the criteria
and procedures for obtaining a waiver, please
refer to 10 CFR 430.27.
9. In § 430.62, revise paragraph
(a)(4)(xii) to read as follows:
§ 430.62
Submission of data.
(a) * * *
(4) * * *
(xii) Refrigerators, refrigeratorfreezers, and freezers, the annual energy
use in kWh/yr, total adjusted volume in
ft3, whether the product has variable
defrost control (in which case,
manufacturers must also report the
values, if any, of CTL and CTM (see for
example Appendix A section 5.2.1.3)
used in the calculation of energy
consumption), whether the product has
variable anti-sweat heater control, and
whether testing has been conducted
with modifications to the standard
temperature sensor locations specified
by the figures referenced in section 5.1
of Appendices A1, B1, A, and B.
*
*
*
*
*
[FR Doc. 2010–11957 Filed 5–25–10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
E:\FR\FM\27MYP2.SGM
27MYP2
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 102 (Thursday, May 27, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 29824-29876]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-11957]
[[Page 29823]]
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Part II
Department of Energy
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
10 CFR Part 430
Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products: Test Procedures for
Refrigerators, Refrigerator-Freezers, and Freezers; Proposed Rule
Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 102 / Thursday, May 27, 2010 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 29824]]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
10 CFR Part 430
[Docket No. EERE-2009-BT-TP-0003]
RIN 1904-AB92
Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products: Test
Procedures for Refrigerators, Refrigerator-Freezers, and Freezers
AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of
Energy.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking and public meeting.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today is issuing a notice
of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) to amend the test procedures for
refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and freezers. The NOPR consists
of two parts. First, it proposes amending the current procedure by
adding test procedures to account for refrigerator-freezers equipped
with variable anti-sweat heater controls, amending the long-time
automatic defrost test procedure to capture all energy use associated
with the defrost cycle expended during testing, establishing test
procedures for refrigerator-freezers equipped with more than two
compartments, making minor adjustments to the language to eliminate any
potential ambiguity regarding how to conduct tests, and requiring
certain information in certification reports to clarify how some
products are tested to determine their energy ratings. Second, the
notice proposes amended test procedures for refrigerators,
refrigerator-freezers, and freezers that would be required for
measuring energy consumption once DOE promulgates new energy
conservation standards for these products. These new standards are
currently under development in a separate rulemaking activity. Pursuant
to the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975, as amended, these
new standards would apply to newly manufactured products starting on
January 1, 2014. While the amended test procedures would be based
largely on the test methodology used in the existing test procedures,
they also include significant revisions with respect to the measurement
of compartment temperatures and compartment volumes that would provide
a more comprehensive accounting of energy usage by these products.
Finally, the new test procedure for 2014 would incorporate into the
energy use metric the energy use associated with icemaking for products
with automatic icemakers. This NOPR also discusses the proposed
treatment of combination wine storage-freezer products that were the
subject of a recent test procedure waiver, the testing of refrigeration
products with the anti-sweat heater switch turned off, the treatment of
auxiliary features used in refrigeration products, the treatment of
electric heaters in the current and proposed test procedures, and the
incorporation of icemaking energy use in the test procedure.
DATES: DOE will hold a public meeting on Tuesday, June 22, 2010, from 9
a.m. to 4 p.m., in Washington, DC. DOE must receive requests to speak
at the public meeting before 4 p.m., Tuesday, June 8, 2010. DOE must
receive a signed original and an electronic copy of statements to be
given at the public meeting before 4 p.m., Tuesday, June 15, 2010.
DOE will accept comments, data, and information regarding this NOPR
before and after the public meeting, but no later than August 10, 2010.
See section V, ``Public Participation,'' of this NOPR for details.
ADDRESSES: The public meeting will be held at the U.S. Department of
Energy, Forrestal Building, Room 8E-089, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW.,
Washington, DC 20585-0121. To attend the public meeting, please notify
Ms. Brenda Edwards at (202) 586-2945. (Please note that foreign
nationals visiting DOE Headquarters are subject to advance security
screening procedures. Any foreign national wishing to participate in
the public meeting should advise DOE as soon as possible by contacting
Ms. Edwards to initiate the necessary procedures.)
Any comments submitted must identify the NOPR on Test Procedures
for Refrigerators, Refrigerator-Freezers, and Freezers, and provide the
docket number EERE-2009-BT-TP-0003 and/or Regulatory Information Number
(RIN) 1904-AB92. Comments may be submitted using any of the following
methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
E-mail: Refrig-2009-TP-0003@ee.doe.gov. Include docket
number EERE-2009-BT-TP-0003 and/or RIN 1904-AB92 in the subject line of
the message.
Mail: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department of Energy,
Building Technologies Program, Mailstop EE-2J, 1000 Independence
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121. Please submit one signed paper
original.
Hand Delivery/Courier: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department
of Energy, Building Technologies Program, 950 L'Enfant Plaza, SW.,
Suite 600, Washington, DC 20024. Telephone: (202) 586-2945. Please
submit one signed paper original.
For detailed instructions on submitting comments and additional
information on the rulemaking process, see section V, ``Public
Participation,'' of this document.
Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or
comments received, visit the U.S. Department of Energy, Resource Room
of the Building Technologies Program, 950 L'Enfant Plaza, SW., Suite
600, Washington, DC 20024, (202) 586-2945, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Please call Ms. Brenda
Edwards at the above telephone number for additional information about
visiting the Resource Room.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Lucas Adin, U.S. Department of
Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building
Technologies Program, EE-2J, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington,
DC 20585-0121. Telephone: (202) 287-1317. E-mail:
Lucas.Adin@ee.doe.gov.
Mr. Michael Kido, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the General
Counsel, GC-72, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585-
0121. Telephone: (202) 586-8145. E-mail: Michael.Kido@hq.doe.gov.
For information on how to submit or review public comments and on
how to participate in the public meeting, contact Ms. Brenda Edwards,
U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable
Energy, Building Technologies Program, EE-2J, 1000 Independence Avenue,
SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone: (202) 586-2945. E-mail:
Brenda.Edwards@ee.doe.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background and Authority
II. Summary of the Proposal
III. Discussion
A. Products Covered by the Proposed Revisions
B. Combination Wine Storage-Freezer Units
C. Establishing New Appendices A and B, and Compliance Date for
the Amended Test Procedures
D. Amendments to Take Effect Prior to a New Energy Conservation
Standard
1. Procedures for Test Sample Preparation
2. Product Clearances to Walls During Testing
3. Alternative Compartment Temperature Sensor Locations
4. Median Temperature Settings for Electronic Control Products
[[Page 29825]]
5. Test Procedures for Convertible Compartments and Special
Compartments
6. Establishing a Temperature-Averaging Procedure for Auxiliary
Compartments
7. Modified Definition for Anti-Sweat Heater
8. Testing With the Anti-Sweat Heater Switch Turned Off
9. Incorporation of Test Procedures for Products With Variable
Anti-Sweat Heating Control Waivers
10. Modification of Long-Time and Variable Defrost Test Method
To Capture Precooling Energy
11. Establishing Test Procedures for Multiple Defrost Cycle
Types
12. Elimination of Part 3 of the Variable Defrost Test
13. Corrections and Other Test Procedure Language Changes
14. Including in Certification Reports Basic Information
Clarifying Energy Measurements
E. Amendments To Take Effect Simultaneously With a New Energy
Conservation Standard
1. Incorporating by Reference AHAM Standard HRF-1-2008 for
Measuring Energy and Internal Volume of Refrigerating Appliances
2. Establishing New Compartment Temperatures
3. Establishing New Volume Calculation Method
4. Control Settings for Refrigerators and Refrigerator-Freezers
During Testing
5. Icemakers and Icemaking
F. Other Issues Under Consideration
1. Electric Heaters
2. Rounding Off Energy Test Results
G. Compliance With Other EPCA Requirements
1. Test Burden
2. Potential Amendments To Include Standby and Off Mode Energy
Consumption
IV. Procedural Requirements
A. Review Under Executive Order 12866
B. Review Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act
C. Review Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
D. Review Under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
E. Review Under Executive Order 13132
F. Review Under Executive Order 12988
G. Review Under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995
H. Review Under the Treasury and General Government
Appropriations Act, 1999
I. Review Under Executive Order 12630
J. Review Under the Treasury and General Government
Appropriations Act, 2001
K. Review Under Executive Order 13211
L. Review Under Section 32 of the Federal Energy Administration
Act of 1974
V. Public Participation
A. Attendance at the Public Meeting
B. Procedure for Submitting Requests To Speak
C. Conduct of Public Meeting
D. Submission of Comments
E. Issues on Which DOE Seeks Comment
VI. Approval of the Office of the Secretary
I. Background and Authority
Title III of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C.
6291, et seq.; ``EPCA'' or, ``the Act'') sets forth a variety of
provisions designed to improve energy efficiency. (All references to
EPCA refer to the statute as amended through the Energy Independence
and Security Act of 2007 (EISA 2007), Public Law 110-140 (Dec. 19,
2007)). Part A of title III (42 U.S.C. 6291-6309) establishes the
``Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products Other Than
Automobiles,'' which includes refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and
freezers, all of which are referred to below as ``covered products''.
(42 U.S.C. 6291(1)-(2) and 6292(a)(1)) ``Refrigerators, refrigerator-
freezers, and freezers'' are referred to below, collectively, as
``refrigeration products''. Under the Act, this program consists
essentially of three parts: (1) Testing, (2) labeling, and (3) Federal
energy conservation standards. The testing requirements consist of test
procedures that, pursuant to EPCA, manufacturers of covered products
must use (1) as the basis for certifying to the DOE that their products
comply with applicable energy conservation standards adopted under
EPCA, and (2) for making representations about the efficiency of those
products. Similarly, DOE must use these test requirements to determine
whether the products comply with any relevant standards promulgated
under EPCA.
By way of background, the National Appliance Energy Conservation
Act of 1987 (NAECA), Public Law 100-12, amended EPCA by including,
among other things, performance standards for residential refrigeration
products. (42 U.S.C. 6295(b)). On November 17, 1989, DOE amended these
performance standards for products manufactured on or after January 1,
1993. 54 FR 47916. DOE subsequently published a correction to revise
these new standards for three product classes. 55 FR 42845 (October 24,
1990). DOE again updated the performance standards for refrigeration
products on April 28, 1997, for products manufactured on or after July
1, 2001. 62 FR 23102.
EISA 2007 amended EPCA to require DOE to determine by December 31,
2010, whether amending the energy conservation standards in effect for
refrigeration products would be justified. (42 U.S.C. 6295(b)(4)) As a
result, DOE has initiated a standards rulemaking for these products. On
September 18, 2008, DOE announced the availability of a framework
document to initiate that rulemaking. (73 FR 54089) On September 29,
2008, DOE held a public workshop to discuss the framework document and
issues related to the rulemaking. The framework document identified
several test procedure issues, including: (1) Compartment temperature
changes; (2) modified volume calculation methods; (3) products that
deactivate energy-using features during energy testing; (4) variable
anti-sweat heaters; (5) references to the updated Association of Home
Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) HRF-1 test standard, ``Energy and
Internal Volume of Refrigerating Appliances'', published in 2008 (HRF-
1-2008); (6) convertible compartments; and (7) harmonization with
international test procedures. (``Energy Conservation Standards
Rulemaking Framework Document for Residential Refrigerators,
Refrigerator-Freezers, and Freezers'', RIN 1904-AB79, Docket No. EERE-
2008-BT-STD-0012) Separately, DOE raised the issue of how to address
various aspects related to the icemaker, including the manner in which
to measure icemaking energy usage as well as set-up issues during
testing. (``Additional Guidance Regarding Application of Current
Procedures for Testing Energy Consumption of Refrigerator-Freezers with
Automatic Ice Makers'', (December 18, 2009) published at 75 FR 2122
(January 14, 2010)) The test procedure rulemaking announced by today's
notice seeks to address these issues and to establish a procedure that
will be used for determining compliance with the new energy
conservation standards under development.
General Test Procedure Rulemaking Process
Under 42 U.S.C. 6293, EPCA sets forth the criteria and procedures
for DOE's adoption and amendment of such test procedures. EPCA provides
in relevant part that ``[a]ny test procedures prescribed or amended
under this section shall be reasonably designed to produce test results
which measure energy efficiency, energy use * * * or estimated annual
operating cost of a covered product during a representative average use
cycle or period of use, as determined by the Secretary [of Energy], and
shall not be unduly burdensome to conduct.'' (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(3))
In addition, if DOE determines that a test procedure amendment is
warranted, it must publish proposed test procedures and offer the
public an opportunity to present oral and written comments. (U.S.C.
6293(b)(2)) Finally, in any rulemaking to amend a test procedure, DOE
must determine ``to what extent, if any, the proposed test procedure
would alter the measured energy efficiency * * * of any covered
[[Page 29826]]
product as determined under the existing test procedure.'' (42 U.S.C.
6293(e)(1)) If DOE determines that the amended test procedure would
alter the measured efficiency of a covered product, DOE must amend the
applicable energy conservation standard accordingly. (42 U.S.C.
6293(e)(2))
With respect to today's rulemaking, DOE has tentatively determined
that at least some of the amendments it is proposing may result in a
change in measured efficiency when compared to the current test
procedure, although DOE has not quantified the full impact of these
anticipated changes. In such situations, EPCA requires a standards
rulemaking to address such changes in measured energy efficiency. (42
U.S.C. 6293(e)(2)) However, DOE is presently under an obligation under
42 U.S.C. 6295(b)(4) to conduct an amended standards rulemaking for
refrigeration products by December 31, 2010. Consequently, DOE will
consider the impacts of the test procedure changes that are affected by
this rulemaking in the context of that standards rulemaking. DOE
requests comments regarding what impacts, if any, would be associated
with the test procedure amendments proposed to be adopted prior to the
effective date of the new energy conservation standards. These comments
should specifically address the amendments proposed in section III.D.
DOE also considers the activity initiated by today's notice
sufficient to satisfy the 7-year review requirement established by
Section 302 of EISA 2007 to review its test procedures for all covered
products at least once every seven years, including refrigeration
products, and either amend the applicable test procedures or publish a
determination in the Federal Register not to amend it. (42 U.S.C.
6293(b)(1)(A))
Because DOE's existing test procedures for these products were
already in place on December 19, 2007, when the 7-year test procedure
review provisions of EPCA were enacted (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(1)(A)), DOE
would have had to review these test procedures by December 2014.
However, since DOE is already considering changes to the test procedure
in anticipation of the 2014 rulemaking required by Congress, DOE is
satisfying this requirement in advance of that date. This rulemaking
satisfies those review requirements in that it constitutes a review of
the current procedures and proposes amendments to those procedures for
refrigeration products.
Refrigerators and Refrigerator-Freezers
DOE's test procedures for refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers
are found at 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, Appendix A1. DOE initially
established its test procedures for refrigerators and refrigerator-
freezers in a final rule published in the Federal Register on September
14, 1977. 42 FR 46140. Industry representatives viewed these test
procedures as too complex and eventually developed alternative test
procedures in conjunction with AHAM that were incorporated into the
1979 version of HRF-1, ``Household Refrigerators, Combination
Refrigerator-Freezers, and Household Freezers'' (HRF-1-1979). Using
this industry-created test procedure, DOE revised its test procedures
on August 10, 1982. 47 FR 34517. On August 31, 1989, DOE published a
final rule establishing test procedures for variable defrost control (a
system that varies the time intervals between defrosts based on the
defrost need). 54 FR 36238. DOE most recently amended these test
procedures in a final rule published March 7, 2003, which modified the
test period used for products equipped with long-time automatic
defrost. 68 FR 10957. The term ``long-time automatic defrost''
identifies the use of an automatic defrost control in which successive
defrosts are separated by more than 14 hours of compressor run time.
The test procedures include provisions for determining the annual
energy use in kilowatt-hours (kWh) and the annual operating cost for
electricity for refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers.
Also, consistent with the regulations set out in 10 CFR part 430,
the 1989 and 2003 final rules terminated all the previous refrigerator
and refrigerator-freezer test procedure waivers that DOE had previously
granted to manufacturers before the issuance of the 2003 rule. Since
the issuance of that rule, DOE has granted four waivers and three
interim waivers. First, on April 24, 2007, DOE permitted Liebherr
Hausger[auml]te to test a combination wine storage-freezer line of
appliances using a standardized temperature of 55 [deg]F for the wine
storage compartment, as opposed to the 45 [deg]F prescribed for fresh
food compartments of refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers. 72 FR
20333, 20334.
Second, DOE has granted waivers and interim waivers allowing
manufacturers to use a modified procedure to test refrigeration
products that use ambient condition sensors that adjust anti-sweat
heater power consumption. These heaters prevent condensation on the
external surfaces of refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers. The new
control addressed by the waivers uses sensors that detect ambient
conditions to energize the heaters only when needed. The procedure
described by these waivers provides a method for manufacturers to
determine the energy consumed by a refrigerator using this type of
variable control system. The first of these waivers was granted to the
General Electric Company (GE) on February 27, 2008. 73 FR 10425. DOE
granted a similar waiver to Whirlpool Corporation on May 5, 2009. 74 FR
20695. DOE published a petition for a third waiver from Electrolux Home
Products, Inc. (Electrolux) and granted its application for an interim
waiver on June 4, 2009. 74 FR 26853. On December 15, 2009, DOE granted
a waiver to Electrolux (74 FR 66338) and published a petition for a
second waiver to Electrolux seeking to extend the coverage of this
waiver to additional basic models. 74 FR 66344. On December 15, 2009,
DOE also published a petition from Samsung Electronics America
(Samsung) seeking a waiver for variable control of anti-sweat heaters
and granted the company an interim waiver. 74 FR 66340.
After granting a waiver, DOE regulations generally direct the
agency to initiate a rulemaking that would amend the regulations to
eliminate the continued need for the waiver. 10 CFR 430.27(m). Today's
notice addresses this requirement. Once this rule becomes effective,
any waivers it addresses will terminate.
Freezers
DOE's test procedures for freezers are found at 10 CFR part 430,
subpart B, Appendix B1. DOE established its test procedures for
freezers in a final rule published in the Federal Register on September
14, 1977. 42 FR 46140. As with DOE's test procedures for refrigerators
and refrigerator-freezers, industry representatives viewed the freezer
test procedures as too complex and worked with AHAM to develop
alternative test procedures, which were incorporated into the 1979
version of HRF-1. DOE revised its test procedures for freezers based on
this AHAM standard on August 10, 1982. 47 FR 34517. The test procedures
were amended on September 20, 1989, to correct the effective date
published in the August 31, 1989 rule. See 54 FR 38788. The test
procedures include provisions for determining the annual energy use in
kWh and annual electrical operating costs for freezers.
DOE has not issued any waivers from the freezer test procedures
since the promulgation of the 1989 final rule.
[[Page 29827]]
II. Summary of the Proposal
The proposed rule contains two basic parts. First, it would amend
the current DOE test procedures for refrigerators, refrigerator-
freezers, and freezers, to clarify the manner in which to test for
compliance with existing energy conservation standards. As indicated in
greater detail below, these proposed amendments, if adopted, would
apply strictly to the current procedures in Appendices A1 and B1. These
minor amendments would eliminate any potential ambiguity contained in
these appendices and clarify regulatory text to ensure that regulated
entities fully understand the long-standing views and interpretations
that the Department holds with respect to the application and
implementation of the test procedures that are in place. The current
procedures would also be amended to account for, among other things,
the various waivers granted by DOE.
Second, the proposal would establish comprehensive changes to the
manner in which the procedures are conducted by creating new Appendices
A and B. Elements from the proposed amendments to Appendices A1 and B1
would also be carried over into the new Appendices A and B. The
procedures contained in these new appendices would apply only to those
products that would be covered by any new standard that DOE promulgates
and would be organized separately from the current test procedures
found in Appendices A1 and B1. EPCA requires these new standards to
take effect by January 1, 2014. While DOE is proposing to retain
current Appendices A1 and B1 for this rulemaking to cover products
manufactured before the effective date of the new standards, once the
new standards become effective, these appendices would be replaced by
Appendices A and B, respectively. Consequently, DOE would apply the
procedures detailed in the proposed Appendices A and B to potential
revisions to the energy conservation standards for refrigerators,
refrigerator-freezers, and freezers.
The proposed amendments discussed in this notice would, if adopted,
take effect 30 days after issuance of the final rule. However,
manufacturers would not need to use Appendices A and B until the
compliance date for the 2014 standards, which has been set by Congress
through EISA 2007 (i.e. January 1, 2014). See EISA 2007, sec. 311(a)(3)
(42 U.S.C. 6295(b)(4))
The proposed revisions of Appendices A1 and B1 would achieve four
primary goals: (1) Address issues raised in the framework document, by
stakeholders during the framework workshop, and in written comments;
(2) incorporate test procedures for refrigerator-freezers with variable
anti-sweat heater controls that were the subject of test procedure
waivers granted to General Electric, Whirlpool, and Electrolux and an
interim waiver granted to Samsung, (3) modify the long-time automatic
defrost test procedure to ensure that the test procedure measures all
energy use associated with the defrost function, and (4) clarify the
test procedures for addressing special compartments and those
refrigerator-freezers that are equipped with more than two
compartments. The revisions also address areas of potential
inconsistency in the current procedure, and eliminate an optional test
that DOE understands is not used by the industry.
The test procedure revisions in the new Appendices A and B would
include (1) new compartment temperatures for refrigerators and
refrigerator-freezers, and (2) new methods for measuring compartment
volumes for all refrigeration products. These two amendments would
improve harmonization with relevant international standards and test
repeatability. The compartment temperature changes would significantly
impact the energy use measured by the test for refrigerators and
refrigerator-freezers. The new volume calculation method being proposed
would change the adjusted volume for all refrigeration products. The
proposed temperature changes would also affect the calculated adjusted
volume, which is equal to the fresh food compartment volume plus a
temperature-dependent adjustment factor multiplied by the freezer
compartment volume. Since the standards for refrigeration products are
expressed as equations that specify maximum energy use as a function of
adjusted volume, the proposed modifications would impact the allowable
energy use for all of these products. The proposed changes would also
change the energy factor, which is equal to adjusted volume divided by
daily energy consumption.
This notice also discusses the combination wine storage-freezer
products that were the subject of the Liebherr Hausger[auml]te test
procedure waiver. While DOE expects to propose modified product
definitions to include coverage of wine storage products in a separate
future rulemaking addressing just these products, DOE proposes in this
current rulemaking to establish consistency in its treatment of wine
coolers and wine storage-freezers.
Lastly, this notice also discusses (1) the measurement of energy
use of electric heaters in refrigeration products, (2) the energy use
of auxiliary features, and (3) the incorporation of the measurement of
icemaking energy use into the test procedure. Incorporating the
measurement of icemaking energy use would add the energy used to
produce ice in refrigeration products that are equipped with automatic
icemakers. This addition would improve the consistency of the
measurement with the representative use cycle for such products.
III. Discussion
Table 1 below summarizes the subsections of this section and
indicates where the proposed amendments would appear in each appendix.
Three of the subsections address proposed changes in sections of 10 CFR
430 other than appendices A1, B1, A, or B, and four of the subsections
would not have any proposed test procedure changes associated with
them.
Table 1--Section III Subsections
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Affected appendices
Section Title ---------------------------------------------------------------
A1 B1 A B
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A.............................................. Products Covered by the Proposed No proposed change is associated with this section of the
Revisions. NOPR.
---------------------------------------------------------------
B.............................................. Combination Wine Storage-Freezer Units. *
---------------------------------------------------------------
C.............................................. Establishing New Appendices A and B, [check] [check] [check] [check]
and Compliance Date for the Amended
Test Procedures.
[[Page 29828]]
D.1............................................ Procedures for Test Sample Preparation. [check] [check] [check] [check]
D.2............................................ Product Clearances to Walls During [check] [check] [check] [check]
Testing.
D.3............................................ Alternative Compartment Temperature [check] [check] [check] [check]
Sensor Locations.
D.4............................................ Median Temperature Settings for [check] [check] [check] [check]
Electronic Control Products.
D.5............................................ Test Procedures for Convertible [check] .............. [check] ..............
Compartments and Special Compartments.
D.6............................................ Establishing a Temperature-Averaging [check] [check] [check] [check]
Procedure for Auxiliary Compartments.
D.7............................................ Modified Definition for Anti-Sweat [check] [check] [check] [check]
Heater.
---------------------------------------------------------------
D.8............................................ Testing with the Anti-Sweat Heater **
Switch Turned Off.
---------------------------------------------------------------
D.9............................................ Incorporation of Test Procedures for [check] .............. [check] ..............
Products with Variable Anti-Sweat
Heating Control Waivers.
D.10........................................... Modification of Long-Time and Variable [check] [check] [check] [check]
Defrost Test Method to Capture
Precooling Energy.
D.11........................................... Establishing Test Procedures for [check] .............. [check] ..............
Multiple Defrost Cycle Types.
D.12........................................... Elimination of Part 3 of the Variable [check] [check] [check] [check]
Defrost Test.
D.13.A......................................... A: Simplification of Energy Use [check] [check] [check] [check]
Equation for Products with Variable
Defrost Control.
D.13.B......................................... B: Energy Testing and Energy Use [check] .............. [check] ..............
Equation for Products with Dual
Automatic Defrost.
---------------------------------------------------------------
D.14........................................... Including in Certification Reports ***
Basic Information Clarifying Energy
Measurements.
---------------------------------------------------------------
E.1............................................ Incorporating by Reference AHAM .............. .............. [check] [check]
Standard HRF-1-2008 for Measuring
Energy and Internal Volume of
Refrigerating Appliances.
E.2............................................ Establishing New Compartment .............. .............. [check] [check]
Temperatures.
E.3............................................ Establishing New Volume Calculation .............. .............. [check] [check]
Method.
E.4............................................ Control Settings for Refrigerators and .............. .............. [check] [check]
Refrigerator-Freezers During Testing.
E.5............................................ Icemakers and Icemaking................ .............. .............. [check] [check]
---------------------------------------------------------------
F.1............................................ Electric Heaters....................... No proposed changes to the regulatory language are associated
with these sections of the NOPR.
F.2............................................ Rounding Off Energy Test Results.......
G.1............................................ Test Burden............................
G.2............................................ Potential Amendments to Include Standby
and Off Mode Energy Consumption.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\*\ This amendment would appear in 10 CFR 430.2.
\**\ This amendment would appear in 10 CFR 430.23.
\***\ This amendment would appear in 10 CFR 430.62.
A. Products Covered by the Proposed Revisions
The current regulations define the terms ``refrigerators,''
``refrigerator-freezers,'' and related terms as follows:
``Refrigerator'' means an electric refrigerator.
``Refrigerator-freezer'' means an electric refrigerator-freezer.
``Electric refrigerator'' means a cabinet designed for the
refrigerated storage of food at temperatures above 32 [deg]F and below
39 [deg]F, configured for general refrigerated food storage, and having
a source of refrigeration requiring single phase, alternating current
electric energy input only. An electric refrigerator may include a
compartment for the freezing and storage of food at temperatures below
32 [deg]F, but does not provide a separate low temperature compartment
designed for the freezing and storage of food at temperatures below 8
[deg]F.
``Electric refrigerator-freezer'' means a cabinet which consists of
two or more compartments with at least one of the compartments designed
for the refrigerated storage of food at temperatures above 32 [deg]F
and with at least one of the compartments designed for the freezing and
storage of food at temperatures below 8 [deg]F which may be adjusted by
the user to a temperature of 0 [deg]F or below. The source of
refrigeration requires single phase, alternating current electric
energy input only.
10 CFR 430.2.
This rulemaking proposes to change the definition for electric
refrigerator-freezer to limit the fresh food compartment temperature
range to a maximum temperature of 39 [deg]F, consistent with the
definition for electric refrigerator. This specific
[[Page 29829]]
proposal is discussed further in section III.B. No change is being
proposed to the definition for electric refrigerator but DOE is open to
comments on possible improvements to enhance the clarity of this term
and may incorporate such changes in the final rule.
DOE notes that its regulations currently define a freezer as ``a
cabinet designed as a unit for the freezing and storage of food at
temperatures of 0 [deg]F or below, and having a source of refrigeration
requiring single phase, alternating current electric energy input
only.'' 10 CFR 430.2. No change in this definition is being proposed at
this time but, as with the definition for electric refrigerator-
freezers, DOE is interested in receiving comments on this issue to help
improve the definition's clarity and may decide to modify the
definition based on these comments.
B. Combination Wine Storage-Freezer Units
DOE amended its definition of electric refrigerators to exclude
wine storage products on November 19, 2001. 66 FR 57845. Specifically,
the definition was changed to exclude products that do not maintain
internal temperatures below 39 [deg]F. The final rule explained that
these products ``are configured with special storage racks for wine
bottles and in general do not attain as low a storage temperature as a
standard refrigerator. These characteristics make them unsuitable for
general long-term storage of perishable foods.'' 66 FR 57846. The final
rule also stated that ``sales of these products are small and excluding
them from coverage would not have any significant impacts.'' Id.
DOE, however, did not change the definition of electric
refrigerator-freezers to exclude products such as the Liebherr line of
wine storage-freezer appliances, which contain both freezer and wine
storage compartments. DOE believes that the arguments made in favor of
excluding wine storage products from the definition of electric
refrigerators also apply to combination appliances such as these wine
storage-freezer combination appliances--i.e., the wine storage
compartment does not attain temperatures which are suitable for long-
term storage of perishable foods, and the sales levels of such products
are small.
The current test procedure does not address the treatment of wine
storage-freezer products. Because of this gap, Liebherr Hausger[auml]te
(Liebherr) petitioned the agency for a test procedure waiver to address
this product. (72 FR 20333) DOE granted a test procedure waiver to
Liebherr on April 24, 2007 (Liebherr waiver) that permitted the company
to test and certify its combination wine storage-freezer line of
appliances. (72 FR 20333) The waiver specified that testing shall be
conducted following the test procedures for refrigerator-freezers,
except that the standard temperature for the wine-storage compartment
shall be 55 [deg]F, as opposed to 45 [deg]F as specified in the test
procedures for refrigerator-freezers. (72 FR 20334)
Under DOE's regulations, DOE must publish a NOPR to amend the DOE
test procedures to eliminate the continued need for the waiver. A final
rule must issue ``as soon thereafter as practicable.'' The waiver would
then terminate on the effective date of the final rule. 10 CFR
430.27(m). Accordingly, to address this requirement and the treatment
of these products, DOE proposes to modify the definition of electric
refrigerator-freezers in order to exclude products with wine storage or
other compartments that do not attain suitable temperatures for food
storage. The proposed modified definition is as follows:
``Electric refrigerator-freezer'' means a cabinet which consists
of two or more compartments with at least one of the compartments
designed for the refrigerated storage of food at temperatures above
32 [deg]F and below 39 [deg]F and with at least one of the
compartments designed for the freezing and storage of food at
temperatures below 8 [deg]F which may be adjusted by the user to a
temperature of 0 [deg]F or below. Additional compartments shall be
designed for temperatures in any range up to 39 [deg]F. The source
of refrigeration requires single phase, alternating current electric
energy input only.
This definition of refrigerator-freezer, if adopted, would exclude
the Liebherr product line and other similar products from coverage
under the test procedures and energy conservation standards for
refrigerator-freezers. DOE is proposing this approach to maintain
consistency with treatment of single-compartment wine storage products,
which were eliminated from coverage by the definition change for
refrigerators discussed above in this section, and to clarify that
energy conservation standards have not been established for these
products. DOE expects to propose modifications to cover wine storage
products in a separate future rulemaking.
DOE notes that beer refrigerators, in contrast to wine coolers,
generally are designed to operate with compartment temperature below
39[deg]F. Hence, these products are, and would continue to be treated
as, refrigerators and would continue to remain subject to the current
test procedures and energy conservation standards of 10 CFR 430.
C. Establishing New Appendices A and B, and Compliance Date for the
Amended Test Procedures
As briefly discussed above, the effective date for all of today's
proposed amendments would be 30 days after publication of a final rule.
However, only the amendments to Appendices A1 and B1 would have an
immediate impact on manufacturers.
For purposes of representations, under 42 U.S.C. 6293(c)(2),
effective 180 days after amending a test procedure, manufacturers
cannot make representations regarding energy use and efficiency unless
the product was tested in accordance with the amended test procedure. A
manufacturer, distributor, retailer or private labeler may petition DOE
to obtain an extension of time for making these representations. (42
U.S.C. 6293(c)(3))
However, manufacturers would need to use proposed Appendices A and
B once amended energy conservation standards become effective on
January 1, 2014. Likewise, the proposed Appendices A and B would be
mandatory for representations regarding energy use or operating cost of
these products once the new energy conservation standards take effect.
Under EPCA, DOE must determine by no later than December 31, 2010,
whether to amend energy conservation standards that would apply to
refrigeration products manufactured on or after January 1, 2014. As
discussed earlier, because the proposed modified test procedures of
Appendices A and B would change the measured energy use of these
products, DOE is planning to amend its energy conservation standards
for these products. (42 U.S.C. 6293(e)(2)) These amended test
procedures would be used in analyzing and developing any amended
standards.
D. Amendments To Take Effect Prior to a New Energy Conservation
Standard
1. Procedures for Test Sample Preparation
Current DOE test procedures generally address product features and
functions available at the time that the test procedures were written.
Advances in technology and product design, however, can lead to
operating conditions and/or product features and functions that are not
addressed in current applicable test procedures. In particular, these
existing test procedures may not specifically address these new
features or functions that are in addition to (and not involved in) the
primary functions of maintaining temperatures suitable for food storage
(i.e. temperatures up to 39 [deg]F). To the extent
[[Page 29830]]
that these new features or functions may be directly involved with the
primary functions, in DOE's view, the energy use impact of these
secondary functions should be included when measuring the overall
energy consumption of a covered product under the DOE test procedure.
Because DOE's test procedures provide a measurement of a
representative average use cycle, the procedures need to reflect the
changes in technology and product design that are present in current
products. If installation of a refrigeration product according to its
accompanying instructions does not clearly explain how to set up
products with new technology or design features, concerns may arise as
to whether a given test can be conducted in a fashion that would
measure the representative energy use of the product.
HRF-1-1979, parts of which are included in the current DOE test
procedure by reference, requires that, ``the cabinet with its
refrigerating mechanism is to be assembled and set up as nearly as
practicable in accordance with the printed instructions supplied with
the cabinet.'' HRF-1-1979, section 7.4.2. Similarly, HRF-1-2008, parts
of which are proposed to be included in the new Appendices A and B, has
an essentially identical requirement: ``The cabinet with its
refrigerating mechanism shall be assembled and set up as nearly as
practical in accordance with the printed instructions supplied with the
cabinet.'' HRF-1-2008, section 5.5.2. DOE proposes to emphasize this
set-up requirement by eliminating the words, ``as nearly as
practical'', and providing specific (permitted and required) deviations
from this set-up requirement as warranted. DOE is proposing the use of
these specific deviations in order to ensure that the procedure is
clear and yields consistent test results. This provision would be
inserted directly into section 2 of Appendices A1, B1, A, and B.
Permitted deviations from this requirement would include set-up
details that are required for consumer installation but do not affect
measured energy use. Examples include:
Connection of water lines and installation of water
filters (not required).
Anchoring or otherwise securing a product to prevent
tipping during energy testing (also not required, but encouraged if
necessary to ensure safety during testing).
Required deviations needed to achieve the necessary testing
conditions and obtain consistent results would include, but are not
limited to, the following:
Clearance requirements: Establishing a consistent approach
for wall-to-cabinet clearances that would limit the clearance ranges
when compared to actual field installations.
The electric power supply: Establishing a tighter
tolerance on the voltage of the power supply than would be found during
field use.
Temperature control settings: Establishing standardized
compartment temperatures to ensure meaningful comparisons of test
results.
All of the permitted and required deviations from the printed
instructions included with the manufacturer's product would be listed
in section 2 of Appendices A1, B1, A, and B. DOE conducted a review of
product installation instructions to determine which instructions would
require specific language describing allowed or required deviations
during testing. However, there may be other specific installation
instructions that would affect energy use or would otherwise not be
necessary to conduct the test. DOE seeks comment on whether these
proposed deviations are sufficient to ensure that the procedure is
clear and produces consistent results.
DOE recognizes that in some cases there may still be questions
about how to set up a product for testing. In cases where the proposed
modified language does not address the specific type of situation
presented by a particular basic model, a test procedure waiver would be
the appropriate course of action to allow test procedures to be
developed for the specific characteristics of the product. DOE proposes
to incorporate language into the test procedure instructing
manufacturers to apply for a test procedure waiver in such cases. DOE
proposes adding language to the set-up instructions of section 2 to
alert manufacturers to this issue.
In addition, DOE proposes to add a new section 7 to the test
procedure that explains when a test procedure waiver would be needed:
To the extent that the procedures contained in this appendix do
not provide a means for determining the energy consumption of a
refrigerator or refrigerator-freezer, a manufacturer must obtain a
waiver under 10 CFR 430.27 to establish an acceptable test procedure
for each such product. Such instances could, for example, include
situations where the test set-up for a particular refrigerator or
refrigerator-freezer basic model is not clearly defined by the
provisions of section 2. For details regarding the criteria and
procedures for obtaining a waiver, please refer to 10 CFR 430.27.
DOE proposes to add this language to Appendices A1, B1, A, and B.
In addition to questions about product set-up during testing, the
introduction of new technology in refrigeration products may cause the
product to operate in a manner inconsistent with a representative
average use cycle. An example of such technology in modern
refrigerators is the variable anti-sweat heater control described in
section III.D.9. This type of control, which responds to ambient
humidity, generally will not allow the anti-sweat heaters to operate in
a fashion consistent with a representative use cycle when tested in
accordance with the required 90 [deg]F ambient temperature. This occurs
because the control operates on the basis of relative humidity, which
is not required to be controlled and is typically lower in a test
chamber at 90 [deg]F than in the temperatures typically found in homes
(approximately 70 [deg]F). (See, e.g,, Appendix A1, section 2.1).
Measuring the energy use of such a product using the current test
procedure would not be repeatable because the measurement can be
affected by this uncontrolled parameter. Hence, the modifications
provided by the current waivers associated with this control (and by
the proposed amended test procedure) provide a reasonably designed
procedure to obtain energy costs during a representative average use
cycle.
In order to address these types of situations, AHAM introduced the
following additional language in AHAM standard HRF-1-2007:
The following principles of interpretation should be applied to
AHAM HRF-1, and should apply to and guide any revisions to the test
procedure. The intent of the energy test procedure is to simulate
typical room conditions (approximately 70 [deg]F) with door
openings, by testing at 90 [deg]F without door openings.
Except for operating characteristics that are affected by
ambient temperature (for example, compressor percent run time), the
unit, when tested under this standard, shall operate equivalent to
the unit in typical room conditions. The energy used by the unit
shall be calculated when a calculation is provided by the standard.
Energy consuming components that operate in typical room
conditions (including as a result of door openings, or a function of
humidity), and that are not exempted by this standard, shall operate
in an equivalent manner during energy testing under this standard,
or be accounted for by all calculations as provided for in the
standard.
Examples:
1. Energy saving features that are designed to operate when
there are no door openings for long periods of time shall not be
functional during the energy test.
2. The defrost heater should not either function or turn off
differently during the
[[Page 29831]]
energy test than it would when in typical room conditions.
3. Electric heaters that would normally operate at typical room
conditions with door openings should also operate during the energy
test.
4. Energy used during adaptive defrost shall continue to be
tested and adjusted per the calculation provided for in this
standard.
(HRF-1-2007, section 1.2)
HRF-1-2008 incorporates this language and ENERGY STAR adopted it as
part of its Program Requirements that took effect in April 2008. (see
``ENERGY STAR Program Eligibility Criteria for Residential
Refrigerators and/or Freezers'', section 4 (August 3, 2007)).
DOE proposes to use similar language in 10 CFR 430.23(a) to address
the testing of refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers, and 10 CFR
430.23(b) to address the testing of freezers. The new text would read
as follows:
The energy test procedure is designed to provide a measurement
consistent with representative average consumer use of the product,
even if the test conditions and/or procedures may not themselves all
be representative of average consumer use (e.g, 90 [ordm]F ambient
conditions, no door openings, use of temperature settings unsafe for
food preservation, etc.). If (1) a product contains energy consuming
components that operate differently during the prescribed testing
than they would during representative average consumer use and (2)
applying the prescribed test to that product would evaluate it in a
manner that is unrepresentative of its true energy consumption
(thereby providing materially inaccurate comparative data), the
prescribed procedure may not be used. Examples of products that
cannot be tested using the prescribed test procedure include those
products that can exhibit operating parameters (e.g, duty cycle or
input wattage) for any energy using component that are not smoothly
varying functions of operating conditions or control inputs--such as
when a component is automatically shut off when test conditions or
test settings are reached. A manufacturer wishing to test such a
product must obtain a waiver in accordance with the relevant
provisions of 10 CFR 430.
DOE's proposal reflects the statutory requirement, and the
Department's longstanding view, that the overall objective of the test
procedure is to measure the product's energy consumption during a
representative average use cycle or period of use. 42 U.S.C.
6293(b)(3). Further, the test procedure requires specific conditions
during testing that are designed to ensure repeatability while avoiding
excessive testing burdens. Although certain test conditions specified
in the test procedure may deviate from representative use, such
deviations are carefully designed and circumscribed in order to attain
an overall calculated measurement of the energy consumption during
representative use. Thus, it is--and has always been--DOE's view that
products should not be designed such that the energy consumption drops
during test condition settings in ways that would bias the overall
measurement to make it unrepresentative of average consumer use. While
DOE may consider imposing design requirements to prohibit certain
control schemes, the agency believes that addressing this issue through
the applicable test procedure and related requirements is appropriate
at this time. Accordingly, DOE's proposed language both (1) makes
explicit in the regulatory text the Department's long held
interpretation that the purpose of the test procedure is to measure
representative use and (2) proposes a specific mechanism--the waiver
process--as a mandatory requirement for all products for which the test
procedure would not properly capture the energy consumption during
representative use.
DOE seeks comment on this proposed language to address products
equipped with controls or other features that modify the operation of
energy using components during testing. The language does not identify
specific product characteristics that could make the test procedure
unsuitable for testing certain products (e.g, modification of operation
based on ambient temperature) but rather describes such characteristics
generally, in order to assure that the language can apply to any
potential features that would yield measurements unrepresentative of
the product's energy consumption during a representative use cycle.
While the proposed language does not delineate what constitutes
representative average consumer use, in DOE's view, this use would
include a variety of factors, including ranges of ambient temperature
and humidity, multiple door openings of a variety of durations, food
product loading, and ice production, among others. DOE seeks comment on
this issue and invites commenters to submit any data that would help
define the representative average use setting for each of these
parameters and seeks comment and data on this issue. DOE also seeks
comment on whether more specificity is needed to define (1) the types
of product characteristics that would make the test procedure
unsuitable to use and (2) the concept of representative average use.
2. Product Clearances to Walls During Testing
Wall clearance is a necessary element to refrigerator and
refrigerator-freezer energy efficiency testing because the restriction
of airflow due to close proximity to the wall can affect the cooling
performance of the condenser. The condenser removes heat from the
refrigeration system to the ambient air. In this regard, the current
procedure references the steps outlined in HRF-1-1979, which provides
that ``[t]he space between the back [of the cabinet] and the wall shall
be in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions or as determined
by mechanical stops on the back of the cabinet.'' (HRF-1-1979, section
7.4.2).
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) examined
the repeatability of energy testing based on the current DOE procedure
and observed that the procedure does not provide clear guidance
regarding the required clearance between the rear of a test sample
cabinet and the wall of the test chamber or another simulated wall
during testing. (Yashar, D.A. Repeatability of Energy Consumption Test
Results for Compact Refrigerators, September 2000. U.S. Department of
Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg,
MD. NISTIR.6560, available at https://www.fire.nist.gov/bfrlpubs/build00/PDF/b00055.pdf). The alternative instruction provided by the
current procedure--i.e. ``as determined by mechanical stops on the back
of the cabinet''--implies that a minimum distance from the wall
applies. HRF-1-2008 provides greater specificity by providing that
``the space between the back and the test room wall or simulated wall
shall be the minimum distance in accordance with the manufacturer's
instructions or as determined by mechanical stops on the back of the
cabinet.'' (HRF-1-2008, section 5.5.2).
Refining this requirement is particularly important for products
equipped with static condensers, which rely on free convection (i.e.
heat transfer by air movement induced by the buoyancy effects of
temperature differences rather than by fans) to cool the condenser.
Static condensers are generally mounted on the back of the refrigerator
or refrigerator-freezer. Manufacturers of most full-size refrigerators
and refrigerator-freezers have replaced static condensers with forced-
convection condensers (fan-cooled condensers), which are generally
mounted at the base of the refrigerator near the compressor.
However, many manufacturers of compact refrigerators and freezers
still use static condensers. Compact refrigerators are defined as
refrigerators and freezers ``with total volume less than 7.75 cubic
feet * * * and 36 inches * * * or less in height.'' 10 CFR
[[Page 29832]]
part 430.2. While the performance of refrigeration products with static
condensers tends to be sensitive to rear clearance, the performance of
products with forced-convection condensers tends to be less sensitive
to this factor. DOE believes that most refrigerators are installed with
the back of the refrigerator positioned with at the minimum distance
from the wall as specified in the manufacturer's instructions. The
limited potential for increasing exterior dimensions is often cited by
the industry as a reason why increasing insulation thickness is not a
viable design option to improve efficiency for these products. DOE
noted this limitation in its technical support document that
accompanied the 1997 final rule. See 62 FR 23102 (April 28, 1997)
(noting that ``[s]ince kitchen dimensions and designed spaces for
refrigerator-freezers are limited, there are restrictions on increasing
the exterior size of the product''). (U.S. Department of Energy-Office
of Codes and Standards, Technical Support Document: Energy Efficiency
Standards for Consumer Products: Refrigerators, Refrigerator-Freezers,
and Freezers, DOE/EE-0064, at 3-6 (July 1995)). If there were any
significant space between the rear wall of the cabinet and the kitchen
wall, this limitation would not be present. Accordingly, positioning a
refrigerator or refrigerator-freezer more than the minimum distance
from the wall may not produce repeatable or representative performance
results during the representative average use cycle or period.
DOE proposes to include in the test procedures of Appendices A1,
B1, A, and B, the following language, which more thoroughly addresses
clearance to the cabinet walls:
2.9 The space between the back of the cabinet and the test room
wall or simulated wall shall be the minimum distance in accordance
with the manufacturer's instructions. If the instructions do not
specify a minimum distance, the cabinet shall be located such that
the rear of the cabinet touches the test room wall or simulated
wall. The test room wall facing the rear of the cabinet or the
simulated wall shall be flat within [frac14] inch, and vertical to
within 1 degree. The cabinet shall be leveled to within 1 degree of
true level, and positioned with its rear wall parallel to the test
chamber wall or simulated wall immediately behind the cabinet. Any
simulated wall shall be solid and shall extend vertically from the
floor to above the height of the cabinet and horizontally beyond
both sides of the cabinet.
The additional specifications in this proposed language, including
touching the rear wall, flatness and vertical orientation of the wall
behind the product, use of a solid wall (i.e. rather than a perforated
wall or screen), size of the simulated wall, and product orientation to
be level and parallel with the wall would collectively help ensure the
consistent application of simulated walls in energy testing. DOE
believes that these additional
