Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products: Test Procedure for Residential Clothes Washers, 57556-57595 [2010-22225-2]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
• Part II

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 182 (Tuesday, September 21, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 57556-57595]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-22225]



[[Page 57555]]

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Part II





Department of Energy





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10 CFR Part 430



Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products: Test Procedure for 
Residential Clothes Washers; Proposed Rule

Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 182 / Tuesday, September 21, 2010 / 
Proposed Rules

[[Page 57556]]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

10 CFR Part 430

[Docket No. EERE-2010-BT-TP-0021]
RIN 1904-AC08


Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products: Test Procedure 
for Residential Clothes Washers

AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of 
Energy.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) and public meeting.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) proposes amending its test 
procedure for residential clothes washers under the Energy Policy and 
Conservation Act to provide for measuring standby mode and off mode 
energy consumption, and to update the active mode test procedure. DOE 
is also proposing to eliminate an obsolete clothes washer test 
procedure currently codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, and is 
announcing a public meeting to discuss and receive comments on the 
issues presented in this NOPR.

DATES: DOE will hold a public meeting on Thursday, October 28, 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., Thursday, October 14, 2010. 
DOE must receive a signed original and an electronic copy of statements 
to be given at the public meeting before 4 p.m., Thursday, October 21, 
2010.
    DOE will accept comments, data, and information regarding the NOPR 
before and after the public meeting, but no later than December 6, 
2010. For details, see section V, ``Public Participation,'' of this 
NOPR.

ADDRESSES: The public meeting will be held at the U.S. Department of 
Energy, Forrestal Building, Room 1E-245, 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 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 Residential Clothes Washers, and provide the docket number EERE-
2010-BT-TP-0021 and/or regulatory information number (RIN) 1904-AC08. 
Comments may be submitted using any of the following methods:
    1. Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. Follow 
the instructions for submitting comments.
    2. E-mail: RES-CW-2010-TP-0021@ee.doe.gov. Include docket number 
EERE-2010-BT-TP-0021 and/or RIN 1904-AC08 in the subject line of the 
message.
    3. 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 original paper 
copy.
    4. Hand Delivery/Courier: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department of 
Energy, Building Technologies Program, 6th Floor, 950 L'Enfant Plaza, 
SW., Washington, DC 20024. Telephone: (202) 586-2945. Please submit one 
signed original paper copy.
    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, 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. Please call Ms. Brenda 
Edwards at the above telephone number for additional information about 
visiting the Resource Room.


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Stephen L. Witkowski, 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) 586-7463. E-mail: mailto:Stephen.Witkowski @ee.doe.gov.
Ms. Jennifer Tiedeman, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the General 
Counsel, GC-71, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585-
0121. Telephone: (202) 287-6111. E-mail: mailto:Jennifer.Tiedeman 
@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: 

Table of Contents

I. Background and Legal Authority
II. Summary of the Proposal
III. Discussion
    A. Products Covered by This Test Procedure Change
    B. Compliance Date of Proposed Test Procedure
    C. Standby Mode, Off Mode, and Additional Active Mode Test 
Procedures
    1. Incorporating by Reference IEC Standard 62301 for Measuring 
Standby Mode and Off Mode Power Consumption
    2. Determination of Modes To Be Incorporated
    3. Adding Specifications for the Test Methods and Measurements 
for Standby Mode, Off Mode, and Additional Active Mode Testing
    4. Calculation of Energy Use Associated With Each Operating Mode
    5. Measures of Energy Consumption
    D. Clothes Washer Active Mode Test Procedure
    1. Technologies Not Covered by the Current Clothes Washer Test 
Procedure
    a. Steam Wash Cycles
    b. Self-Clean Cycles
    c. Adaptive Control Technologies
    d. Demand Response Technology
    2. Changes to Reflect Current Usage Patterns and Capabilities
    a. Representative Annual Cycles
    b. Test Load Size Specifications
    c. Use Factors
    3. Test Cloth
    4. Other Revisions and Clarifications
    a. Clothes Washer Capacity Measurement Method
    b. New Measure of Water Consumption
    c. Energy Test Cycle
    d. Detergent Specifications for Test Cloth Preconditioning
    e. Clothes Washer for Test Cloth Preconditioning
    f. Water Supply Pressure
    g. Additional Revisions and Clarifications
    5. Test Procedure Performance Specifications
    E. Compliance With Other EPCA Requirements
    1. Test Burden
    2. Integration of Standby Mode and Off Mode Energy Consumption 
Into the Efficiency Metrics
    3. Commercial Clothes Washers
    F. Impact of the Proposed Amendments on EnergyGuide and ENERGY 
STAR
    G. Elimination of the Obsolete Clothes Washer Test Procedure
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

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    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 
(FEA) Act of 1974
V. Public Participation
    A. Attendance at 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
    1. Incorporation of IEC Standard 62301
    2. Clothes Washer Modes
    3. Default Settings
    4. Delay Start Mode
    5. Test Room Ambient Temperature
    6. Energy Use Calculation
    7. New Integrated Measures of Energy Consumption and Energy 
Efficiency
    8. Annual Energy Cost Calculation
    9. Steam Wash Cycles
    10. Self-Clean Cycles
    11. Adaptive Control and Demand Response Technologies
    12. Representative Number of Annual Cycles
    13. Test Load Size Specifications
    14. Use Factors
    15. Test Cloth
    16. Capacity Measurement Method
    17. New Integrated Measure of Water Consumption
    18. Energy Test Cycle Definition
    19. Detergent Specifications
    20. Clothes Washer for Preconditioning
    21. Water Supply Pressure
    22. Impact on Commercial Clothes Washers
VI. Approval of the Office of the Secretary

I. Background and Legal 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. Part A of Title III (42 U.S.C. 6291-6309) 
establishes the ``Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products 
Other Than Automobiles,'' which covers consumer products and certain 
commercial products (all of which are referred to below as ``covered 
products''). These include residential clothes washers, the subject of 
today's notice. (42 U.S.C. 6292(a)(7))
    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 as the 
basis for certifying to DOE that their products comply with the 
applicable energy conservation standards adopted under EPCA and for 
representations about the efficiency of those products. DOE also must 
use these test requirements to determine whether the products comply 
with EPCA standards. Section 323 of EPCA (42 U.S.C. 6293) sets forth 
criteria and procedures for DOE's adoption and amendment of such test 
procedures. EPCA provides 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 on 
them. (42 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 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. In determining the amended 
energy conservation standard, the Secretary shall measure, pursuant to 
the amended test procedure, the energy efficiency, energy use, or water 
use of a representative sample of covered products that minimally 
comply with the existing standard. The average of such energy 
efficiency, energy use, or water use levels determined under the 
amended test procedure shall constitute the amended energy conservation 
standard for the applicable covered products. (42 U.S.C. 6293(e)(2)) 
EPCA also states that ``models of covered products in use before the 
date on which the amended energy conservation standard becomes 
effective (or revisions of such models that come into use after such 
date and have the same energy efficiency, energy use, or water use 
characteristics) that comply with the energy conservation standard 
applicable to such covered products on the day before such date shall 
be deemed to comply with the amended energy conservation standard.'' 
(42 U.S.C. 6293(e)(2))
    The DOE test procedure for clothes washers currently being 
manufactured is found at 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix J1. DOE 
adopted appendix J1 in 1997 to correct for changes in consumer habits 
that resulted in an overstatement of average annual energy consumption 
when using the methods specified in appendix J. 62 FR 45508 (Aug. 27, 
1997). DOE added appendix J1, rather than amending appendix J, to 
accommodate continued use of appendix J until DOE amended the 
residential clothes washer conservation standards to reference the new 
appendix J1. On January 12, 2001, DOE published a final rule 
(hereinafter referred to as the January 2001 final rule), to amend the 
energy conservation standards for residential clothes washers to 
reference the efficiency metrics as defined in appendix J1. 66 FR 3314. 
Use of the amended J1 test procedure was required to demonstrate 
compliance with these amended energy conservation standards as of 
January 1, 2004. Since 1997, DOE has amended the test procedure in 
appendix J1 three times, twice substantively to address test cloth 
correlation procedures, and once to correct the introductory note. 63 
FR 16669 (Apr. 6, 1998); 66 FR 3330 (Jan. 12, 2001); 68 FR 62204 (Oct. 
31, 2003). One of these amendments also included an amendment to 
Appendix J. 66 FR 3330 (Jan. 12, 2001). Because appendix J applies only 
to clothes washers manufactured before January 1, 2004, however, 
appendix J is now obsolete. 10 CFR 430 appendix J1.
    The current applicable test procedure includes provisions for 
determining the modified energy factor (MEF) for clothes washers, which 
is a function of the total energy used for each cubic foot (ft\3\) of 
clothes washer capacity. The test procedure measures the total energy 
consumption of the clothes washer. It also accounts for the amount of 
energy required to heat the water and subsequently dry the load based 
on the remaining moisture content (RMC) of the clothes at the 
completion of the machine's full cycle. The test procedure does not 
currently address energy use in the standby or off modes.
    Clothes washer energy conservation standards were originally 
established by the National Appliance Energy Conservation Act of 1987, 
which amended EPCA to prescribe that clothes washers manufactured on or 
after January 1, 1988, have an unheated rinse option. (42 U.S.C. 6295 
(g)) The amendments to EPCA also required DOE to conduct a rulemaking 
by January 1, 1990, to determine if the above mentioned standards 
should be amended. A final rule was issued on May 14, 1991, 
(hereinafter referred to as the May 1991 final rule) establishing the 
first set of performance standards for residential clothes washers. 
Compliance with these standards was required for products manufactured 
on or after May 14, 1994. 56 FR 22279. EPCA also

[[Page 57558]]

required DOE to conduct a subsequent rulemaking no later than 5 years 
after the date of publication of the previous final rule to determine 
whether to amend those standards. A final rule establishing revised 
standards for residential clothes washers was published in the January 
2001 final rule. 66 FR 3313. The January 2001 final rule required all 
new residential clothes washers manufactured after January 1, 2007 to 
be 35 percent more efficient than clothes washers minimally compliant 
with the efficiency standards established in the May 1991 final rule.
    The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA 2007), 
Public Law 110-140, amended EPCA and, in relevant part, revised the 
energy conservation standards for residential clothes washers. The 
revised standards established a maximum water consumption factor (WF) 
of 9.5, effective January 1, 2011. EISA 2007 further required that DOE 
publish a final rule no later than December 31, 2011 determining 
whether to amend the standards in effect for clothes washers 
manufactured on or after January 1, 2015. (42 U.S.C. 6295(g)(9)) 
Consequently, DOE is conducting a separate standards rulemaking for 
these products.
    The EISA 2007 amendments to EPCA also direct DOE to amend its test 
procedures to integrate measures of standby mode and off mode energy 
consumption into the overall energy efficiency, energy consumption, or 
other energy descriptor for each covered product unless the current 
test procedure already fully accounts for and incorporates standby and 
off mode energy consumption or such integration is technically 
infeasible. If an integrated test procedure is technically infeasible, 
DOE must prescribe a separate standby mode and off mode energy use test 
procedure for the covered product, if technically feasible. (42 U.S.C. 
6295(gg)(2)(A))
    Any such amendment must consider the most current versions of the 
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Standard 62301, 
``Household electrical appliances--measurement of standby power,'' 
First Edition 2005-06, and IEC Standard 62087, ``Methods of measurement 
for the power consumption of audio, video, and related equipment,'' 
Second Edition, 2008-09.1 2 In developing these test 
procedure amendments for clothes washers, DOE initially determined that 
it would consider a revised IEC Standard 62301 expected to be released 
in July 2009. DOE subsequently found that this revision is expected to 
be delayed until late-2010, so DOE determined it appropriate to proceed 
with an amended test procedure based on the current version of IEC 
Standard 62301, First Edition 2005-06. DOE is also considering a draft 
version of IEC Standard 62301, Final Draft International Standard (IEC 
Standard 62301 FDIS), for updated mode definitions, which are expected 
to be included in the final revised IEC Standard 62301, Second Edition.
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    \1\ IEC standards are available online at https://www.iec.ch.
    \2\ Multiple editions of this standard are referenced in this 
notice. Unless otherwise indicated, the terms ``IEC Standard 62301'' 
or ``IEC Standard 62301 First Edition'' refer to ``Household 
electrical appliances-measurement of standby power,'' First Edition 
2005-06.
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    On August 28, 2009, DOE published a notice in the Federal Register 
announcing the availability of a framework document to initiate a 
rulemaking to consider amended energy conservation standards for 
residential clothes washers (hereafter the August 2009 framework 
document). 74 FR 44306. In the August 2009 framework document, DOE 
requested comments on the merits of revising the clothes washer test 
procedure, and sought input regarding how the test procedure could be 
improved. DOE held a public meeting on September 21, 2009 (September 
2009 public meeting). In addition, DOE requested written comments, 
data, and information on the August 2009 framework document, which it 
accepted through September 28, 2009.
    DOE received comments in response to the August 2009 framework 
document stating that it should consider changes to the active mode 
test procedure. As a result, in addition to amending its test procedure 
for clothes washers to include measures for standby and off mode power 
consumption, DOE proposes to address issues regarding the active mode 
provisions of the test procedure.

II. Summary of the Proposal

    In today's NOPR, DOE proposes amending the test procedure for 
clothes washers to assist DOE in the concurrent development and 
implementation of standards that address use of standby mode and off 
mode power by these products. Specifically, DOE proposes to integrate 
measures of standby mode and off mode power consumption, as well as 
measures of power consumption in certain additional modes determined to 
be part of active mode, into the test procedure. DOE also proposes, for 
the measurement of energy use in active mode, to: (1) Adopt technical 
changes and procedures for accurately measuring the energy consumption 
of clothes washers with technologies not covered by the current 
procedure; (2) more accurately reflect current consumer behavior and 
clothes washer capabilities; (3) address issues related to the test 
cloth, detergent, and certain test equipment; (4) revise and clarify 
the existing methods and calculations; and (5) delete obsolete appendix 
J to subpart B of CFR part 430 and references thereto. The following 
paragraphs summarize these proposed changes.
    To integrate measures of standby mode and off mode power 
consumption into the test procedure, DOE proposes to incorporate by 
reference into the clothes washer test procedure specific provisions 
from IEC Standard 62301 regarding test conditions and test procedures 
for measuring standby mode and off mode power consumption. DOE also 
proposes to incorporate into the test procedure the definitions of 
``active mode,'' ``standby mode,'' and ``off mode'' that are based on 
the definitions provided in IEC Standard 62301 FDIS. Further, DOE 
proposes to include in the test procedure additional language that 
would clarify the application of clauses from IEC Standard 62301 for 
measuring standby mode and off mode power consumption.\3\ In addition, 
DOE proposes to incorporate energy consumption associated with delay 
start and cycle finished modes. Although these modes would be 
considered part of active mode, the measurements and calculations 
proposed for them are similar to those proposed for standby and off 
modes. DOE also proposes to: (1) Establish a new measure of energy use 
to calculate the per-cycle standby mode, off mode, delay start mode, 
and cycle finished mode energy consumption; and (2) adopt a new measure 
of energy efficiency (integrated modified energy factor (IMEF)) that 
includes the energy used in the active, standby, and off modes. As 
indicated above, DOE energy conservation standards currently do not 
address the energy use of clothes washers in the standby or off modes. 
Section 325(gg)(2)(C) of EPCA provides that amendments to the test 
procedures to include standby and off mode energy

[[Page 57559]]

consumption will not be used to determine compliance with previously 
established standards. (42 U.S.C. 6295(gg)(2(C)).
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    \3\ EISA 2007 directs DOE to also consider IEC Standard 62087 
when amending its test procedure to include standby mode and off 
mode energy consumption. See 42 U.S.C. 6295(gg)(2)(A). DOE 
considered IEC Standard 62087 and concluded that because IEC 
Standard 62087 addresses the methods of measuring the power 
consumption of audio, video, and related equipment, the narrow scope 
of this particular IEC Standard reduces its relevance to today's 
proposal. Further details are provided later in this notice.
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    For the measurement of active mode energy use other than in delay 
start and cycle finished modes, DOE proposes to:
    (1) Update the test procedure to address technologies not covered 
by the current procedure, based upon comments from interested parties 
in response to the August 2009 framework document and further review by 
DOE. These technologies include steam wash and self-cleaning cycles. 
Steam wash cycles inject steam into the wash basket, and claim to offer 
more effective cleaning. Self-clean cycles enable consumers to 
intermittently, typically once per month, run a self-clean cycle to 
prevent odor, bacteria, and mildew from building up in the clothes 
washer. DOE proposes to amend the test procedure to measure energy use 
in steam and self-clean cycles. DOE also received comments regarding 
demand response technologies, and investigated adaptive controls other 
than adaptive fill control. Demand response features enable an 
appliance to shift its activity based on interaction with the electric 
grid, utilities, or user programming. Adaptive controls enable a 
clothes washer to adjust parameters such as agitation speed, number of 
rinses, wash time, and wash and rinse temperatures based on the size, 
fabric mix, and soil level of a wash load. However, for reasons 
discussed in sections III.D.1.c and III.D.1.d, DOE is not proposing to 
update the test procedure to include provisions for measuring the 
energy consumption of clothes washers offering demand response 
technologies or adaptive controls other than adaptive fill control.
    (2) Amend the test procedure for clothes washers to reflect current 
usage patterns and capabilities. DOE received multiple comments on this 
issue in response to the August 2009 framework document, and reviewed 
current consumer data from surveys conducted in 2004 and 2005 to 
determine whether such updates are appropriate. The proposed amendments 
address the following specific issues: Representative average-use 
cycles per year for a clothes washer, test load size specifications, 
and consumer use factors. The proposed amendments are based on recent 
data that more accurately describe current consumer behavior and 
updated clothes washer capabilities.
    (3) Amend the test procedure to update the procedure and 
specifications for determining test cloth correlations, change the 
tolerances regarding the size and weight of the test cloth, and revise 
the detergent and preconditioning clothes washer specifications due to 
obsolescence or anticipated obsolescence of the existing test materials 
and equipment specified in the test procedure. These proposed 
amendments are based on multiple comments received in response to the 
August 2009 framework document and at the September 2009 public meeting 
regarding the test cloth used in the current test procedure.
    (4) Update the test procedure to clarify or revise the existing 
methods and calculations for measuring clothes container capacity, 
calculating water consumption factor, determining the energy test 
cycle, and setting the supply water test conditions. The current 
capacity measurement provisions can be interpreted in multiple ways. 
Different allowable interpretations of the maximum water fill level 
used for the measurement can produce inconsistent results that may not 
accurately reflect the actual usable volume of a clothes washer. The 
proposed revisions revise the capacity measurement specifications so 
that interpretations are more likely to be uniform, repeatable, and 
representative, thereby ensuring the data is reported consistently. DOE 
proposes to adopt a new measure of water consumption, integrated water 
consumption factor (IWF) that would include water used in self-clean 
cycles. The IWF would also include water consumption from all energy 
test cycles, rather than only from the cold wash/cold rinse cycle as 
the test procedure currently requires. DOE also proposes to clarify the 
energy test cycle definition and the supply water test conditions 
specification.
    DOE has also investigated how each of the proposed amendments to 
the active mode provisions for clothes washers, discussed above would 
affect the measured efficiency of products. See section III.D for 
further details. Because of the potential for significant impacts to 
the measured efficiency of products, DOE proposes to codify the amended 
clothes washer test procedure as appendix J2 in 10 CFR part 430 subpart 
B. Manufacturers would not be required to use appendix J2 to 
demonstrate compliance with clothes washer energy conservation 
standards until the compliance date of new standards, which would take 
into account any test procedure amendments. Until that time, 
manufacturers would be required to use existing appendix J1.
    Finally, DOE proposes to delete appendix J to subpart B of CFR part 
430, along with all references to appendix J in 10 CFR part 430.23. 
Appendix J only applies to clothes washers manufactured before January 
1, 2004, and is now obsolete. Appendix J1 would retain its current 
designation and not be re-designated as Appendix J.

III. Discussion

A. Products Covered by This Test Procedure Change

    Today's proposed amendments to the DOE test procedure cover 
residential clothes washers, which DOE's regulations define as follows:
    Clothes washer means a consumer product designed to clean clothes, 
utilizing a water solution of soap and/or detergent and mechanical 
agitation or other movement, and must be one of the following classes: 
automatic clothes washers, semi-automatic clothes washers, and other 
clothes washers.
    Automatic clothes washer means a class of clothes washer which has 
a control system which is capable of scheduling a preselected 
combination of operations, such as regulation of water temperature, 
regulation of the water fill level, and performance of wash, rinse, 
drain, and spin functions without the need for user intervention 
subsequent to the initiation of machine operation. Some models may 
require user intervention to initiate these different segments of the 
cycle after the machine has begun operation, but they do not require 
the user to intervene to regulate the water temperature by adjusting 
the external water faucet valves.
    Semi-automatic clothes washer means a class of clothes washer that 
is the same as an automatic clothes washer except that user 
intervention is required to regulate the water temperature by adjusting 
the external water faucet valves.
    Other clothes washer means a class of clothes washer which is not 
an automatic or semi-automatic clothes washer. 10 CFR 430.2.
    DOE is not proposing any amendments to these definitions in today's 
NOPR. The clothes washers covered by these definitions, and by today's 
proposed amendments, include top-loading compact (less than 1.6 ft\3\ 
capacity); top-loading standard size (1.6 ft\3\ or greater capacity); 
top-loading, semi-automatic; front-loading; and suds-saving clothes 
washers.

B. Compliance Date of Proposed Test Procedure

    As stated previously, DOE originally considered reviewing a revised 
IEC Standard 62301, expected to be released in July 2009, in the 
development of these test procedure amendments. DOE received comments 
in response to the August 2009 framework document

[[Page 57560]]

jointly from the Appliance Standards Awareness Project (ASAP), the 
Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and the National Consumer Law 
Center (NCLC) (Joint Comment); and the Alliance to Save Energy (ASE), 
stating that the IEC 62301 revision process may take longer than 
previously thought and that DOE should proceed with updating the 
clothes washer test procedure. (Joint Comment, No. 14 at p. 1 \4\; ASE, 
No. 22 at p. 1) Additionally, Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships 
(NEEP) commented that waiting for the IEC process to finalize could be 
detrimental to the standards rulemaking, and that DOE should consider 
quickly revising the test procedure independently after the IEC 
procedure is finalized. (NEEP, No. 20 at p. 1)
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    \4\ A notation in the form ``Joint Comment, No. 14 at p. 1'' 
identifies a written comment (1) made by ASAP, NRDC, and NCLC 
jointly; (2) recorded in document number 14 that is filed in the 
docket of the clothes washer energy conservation standards 
rulemaking (Docket No. EERE-2008-BT-STD-0019) and maintained in the 
Resource Room of the Building Technologies Program; and (3) which 
appears on page 1 of document number 14.
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    DOE agrees that the revision to IEC Standard 62301 is expected to 
be delayed; the revision is currently expected in late 2010. Therefore, 
DOE proposes basing the amendments to the clothes washer test on the 
first edition of IEC Standard 62301, as well as draft versions of the 
second edition, in the issuance of this NOPR. Such action is necessary 
to permit manufacturers to certify that their products comply with any 
newly established energy conservation standards that take into account 
standby and off mode energy use.
    The amended test procedure would become effective 30 days after the 
date of publication in the Federal Register of the final rule in this 
test procedure rulemaking. However, DOE would clarify in the published 
amended test procedure in 10 CFR part 430 subpart B appendix J2 that it 
need not be used to determine compliance with current energy 
conservation standards. Instead, manufacturers would be required to 
begin using the test procedures in appendix J2 on the compliance date 
of any final rule establishing amended energy conservation standards 
that would, in part, address standby and off mode power consumption for 
these products. 42 U.S.C. 6295(gg)(2)(C).

C. Standby Mode, Off Mode, and Additional Active Mode Test Procedures

1. Incorporating by Reference IEC Standard 62301 for Measuring Standby 
Mode and Off Mode Power Consumption
    As required by EPCA, as amended by EISA 2007, DOE considered the 
most current versions of IEC Standard 62301 and IEC Standard 62087 for 
measuring power consumption in standby mode and off mode when 
developing today's proposed amendments to the clothes washer test 
procedure. (42 U.S.C. 6295(gg)(2)(A)) DOE noted that IEC Standard 62301 
provides for measuring standby power in electrical appliances, 
including clothes washers, and thus is relevant here. DOE also reviewed 
IEC Standard 62087, which specifies methods of measuring the power 
consumption of TV receivers, video cassette recorders (VCRs), set top 
boxes, audio equipment, and multi-function equipment for consumer use. 
IEC Standard 62087 does not, however, include methods for measuring the 
power consumption of electrical appliances such as clothes washers. 
Therefore, DOE has determined that IEC Standard 62087 is inapplicable 
to this rulemaking, and has not included any of its provisions in 
today's proposed test procedure.
    DOE proposes to incorporate by reference into this test procedure 
all applicable provisions from Sections 4 and 5 of IEC Standard 62301. 
Specifically, DOE proposes to incorporate, from section 4, (``General 
conditions for measurements''), paragraph 4.2, ``Test room;'' paragraph 
4.4, ``Supply voltage waveform;'' paragraph 4.5, ``Power measurement 
accuracy;'' and from section 5, (``Measurements''), paragraph 5.1, 
``General,'' Note 1; and paragraph 5.3, ``Procedure.'' These clauses 
provide test conditions and test procedures for measuring average 
standby mode and average off mode power consumption. With respect to 
test conditions, section 4 of IEC Standard 62301 provides 
specifications for the test room conditions, supply voltage waveform, 
and power measurement meter tolerances to ensure repeatable and precise 
measurements of standby mode and off mode power consumption. With 
respect to test procedures, section 5 of IEC Standard 62301 provides 
methods for measuring power consumption when the power measurement is 
stable and when it is unstable.
    DOE invites comment on whether IEC Standard 62301 measures standby 
and off mode power consumption for clothes washers adequately, and 
whether incorporating these specific provisions into the DOE test 
procedure is appropriate.
2. Determination of Modes To Be Incorporated
    EPCA provides the following mode definitions:
    ``Active mode'' is defined as the condition in which an energy-
using product is connected to a main power source, has been activated, 
and provides one or more main functions. (42 U.S.C. 6295(gg)(1)(A)(i))
    ``Standby mode'' is defined as the condition in which an energy-
using product is connected to a main power source and offers one or 
more of the following user-oriented or protective functions: to 
facilitate the activation or deactivation of other functions (including 
active mode) by remote switch (including remote control), internal 
sensor, or timer; or continuous functions, including information or 
status displays (including clocks) or sensor-based functions. (42 
U.S.C. 6295(gg)(1)(A)(iii))
    ``Off mode'' is defined as the condition in which an energy-using 
product is connected to a main power source and is not providing any 
standby mode or active mode function. (42 U.S.C. 6295(gg)(1)(A)(ii))
    During the September 2009 Public Meeting, ASAP commented that the 
definitions provided in IEC Standard 62301 do not conform to the 
statutory definitions provided by EPCA, so ASAP believed it was not 
entirely clear that DOE should adopt the IEC definitions word-for-word. 
(ASAP, Public Meeting Transcript, No. 7 at p. 19) \5\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ A notation in the form ``ASAP, Public Meeting Transcript, 
No. 7 at p. 19'' identifies an oral comment that DOE received during 
the September 21, 2009, Framework public meeting, was recorded in 
the public meeting transcript in the docket for the clothes washer 
energy conservation standards rulemaking (Docket No. EERE-2008-BT-
STD-0019), and is maintained in the Resource Room of the Building 
Technologies Program. This particular notation refers to a comment 
(1) made by ASAP during the public meeting; (2) recorded in document 
number 7, which is the public meeting transcript that is filed in 
the docket of the clothes washer energy conservation standards 
rulemaking; and (3) which appears on page 19 of document number 7.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DOE notes that the EPCA definition of standby mode differs from the 
one provided in IEC Standard 62301, which defines standby mode as the 
``lowest power consumption mode which cannot be switched off 
(influenced) by the user and that may persist for an indefinite time 
when an appliance is connected to the main electricity supply and used 
in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.'' However, DOE 
expects significant changes to the mode

[[Page 57561]]

definitions included in IEC Standard 62301, based on review of IEC 
Standard 62301 FDIS. The definitions provided in IEC Standard 62301 
FDIS are likely to be included in the final revised IEC Standard 62301, 
Second Edition. DOE considered the definitions provided by IEC Standard 
62301 FDIS as the most current when determining the mode definitions 
proposed to be included in the test procedure.
    EPCA authorizes DOE to amend mode definitions, as appropriate, 
considering the most current versions of IEC Standards 62301 and 62087. 
(42 U.S.C. 6295(gg)(1)(B)) DOE recognizes that the EPCA definitions for 
active mode, standby mode, and off mode were developed to be broadly 
applicable for many energy-using products. However, for specific 
products with multiple functions, these broad definitions could be 
interpreted in different ways. For these reasons, DOE proposes amending 
the test procedure to include definitions for these modes based on the 
definitions provided in IEC Standard 62301 FDIS, with added 
clarifications specific to clothes washers.
Active Mode
    DOE proposes to define active mode as a mode in which the clothes 
washer is connected to a mains power source; has been activated; and is 
performing one or more of the main functions of washing, soaking, 
tumbling, agitating, rinsing, and/or removing water from the clothing, 
or is involved in functions necessary for these main functions, such as 
admitting water into the washer or pumping water out of the washer. DOE 
is proposing to refer to the typical clothes washing operation (i.e., a 
complete wash cycle intended for washing a clothing load, including 
washing, rinsing, and spinning) as the active washing mode. DOE is 
aware of three additional relevant modes that it proposes to define as 
a part of active mode: delay start mode, cycle finished mode, and self-
clean mode. DOE is proposing to include these modes in the measures of 
clothes washer energy consumption, as discussed in section III.C.4.
i. Delay Start Mode
    DOE proposes to define delay start mode as a mode in which 
activation of the active washing mode is facilitated by a timer. 
Because delay start mode is not a mode that may persist for an 
indefinite time, DOE believes it would not be considered as part of a 
standby mode based on the proposed definition discussed below. DOE also 
notes that IEC Standard 62301 Committee Draft 2 (IEC Standard 62301 
CD2) provides the additional clarification that ``delay start mode is a 
one off user initiated short duration function that is associated with 
an active mode.'' The subsequent IEC Standard 62301 Committee Draft for 
Vote (IEC Standard 62301 CDV) removes this clarification; however, in 
response to comments on IEC Standard 62301 CD2 that led to IEC Standard 
62301 CDV, IEC states that delay start mode is a one off function of 
limited duration. DOE infers that delay start mode should therefore be 
considered part of active mode. DOE notes that IEC 62301 FDIS 
classifies delay start as a secondary function and therefore not part 
of active mode. DOE continues to believe, however, that because delay 
start is of limited duration and is uniquely associated with the 
initiation of a main function (i.e., washing cycle), it should be 
considered part of active mode. The proposed methods for measuring 
energy consumption in delay start mode are discussed in III.C.3.
ii. Cycle Finished Mode
    DOE proposes to define cycle finished mode as a mode that provides 
continuous status display following operation in the active washing 
mode. However, as with delay start mode, cycle finished mode is not a 
mode that may persist for an indefinite time, and would therefore not 
be considered as a part of standby mode. Additionally, operation in 
cycle finished mode occurs only after operation in the active washing 
mode. DOE believes cycle finished mode, similar to delay start mode, 
would be considered a one off short duration function that is 
associated with an active mode. DOE is therefore proposing to define 
cycle finished mode as a part of active mode. The proposed methods for 
measuring energy consumption in cycle finished mode are discussed in 
III.C.3.
    DOE is aware that some clothes washers currently available offer 
energy-consuming features in cycle finished mode other than a 
continuous status display. For example, certain models may employ a 
low-power fan to circulate air around the damp clothes to prevent 
odors. These models may also periodically tumble the clothes to prevent 
wrinkles for up to 10 hours after the completion of the wash cycle. 
These functions, while enabled, would use more energy than the 
continuous display normally associated with cycle finished mode. 
However, DOE does not propose amending the test procedure to address 
these specific cycle finished mode functions, because DOE believes 
measuring the energy use from these functions would significantly 
increase the test cycle duration to capture a negligible contributor to 
annual energy consumption. In addition, DOE research indicates that 
only eight out of the 94 residential clothes washer models currently 
produced by manufacturers representing more than 92 percent of the 
residential clothes washer market incorporate such a circulation or 
tumbling function. Because these models are also higher priced and 
recently introduced, DOE believes that the shipment-weighted percentage 
of residential clothes washers with a circulation or tumbling function 
in cycle finished mode is less than 5 percent. Therefore, DOE believes 
the energy consumed by these features in cycle finished mode represents 
a negligible portion of the overall energy consumption of clothes 
washers.
iii. Self-Clean Mode
    DOE proposes to define self-clean mode as a clothes washer 
operating mode that:
     Is dedicated to cleaning, deodorizing, or sanitizing the 
clothes washer by eliminating sources of odor, bacteria, mold, and 
mildew;
     Is recommended to be run intermittently by the 
manufacturer; and
     Is separate from clothes washing cycles.
    Self-clean mode is considered a part of the active mode because it 
is a function necessary for the main functions associated with washing 
clothes. A clothes washer with excessive bacteria, mildew, or odor 
cannot effectively wash clothes. A further discussion of self-clean 
mode, including its incorporation in the clothes washer test procedure, 
is included in section III.D.1.b.
Standby Mode
    DOE proposes to define standby mode as any mode in which the 
clothes washer is connected to a mains power source and offers one or 
more of the following user-oriented or protective functions which may 
persist for an indefinite time: \6\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ The actual language for the standby mode definition in IEC 
Standard 62301 FDIS describes ``* * *user oriented or protective 
functions which usually persist'' rather than ``* * * user oriented 
or protective functions which may persist for an indefinite time.'' 
DOE notes, however, that section 5.1 of IEC Standard 62301 FDIS 
states that ``a mode is considered to be persistent where the power 
level is constant or where there are several power levels that occur 
in a regular sequence for an indefinite period of time.'' DOE 
believes that the proposed language, which was originally included 
in IEC Standard 62301 CD2, encompasses the possible scenarios 
foreseen by section 5.1 of IEC Standard 62301 FDIS without 
unnecessary specificity.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Facilitation of the activation of other modes (including 
activation or deactivation of active mode) by remote

[[Page 57562]]

switch (including remote control), internal sensor, or timer;
     Continuous function: Information or status displays 
including clocks; and
     Continuous function: Sensor-based functions.
    DOE proposes adding a clarification of what would be considered a 
timer under this definition of standby mode. DOE would clarify that a 
timer is a continuous clock function (which may or may not be 
associated with a display) that provides regular scheduled tasks (e.g., 
switching) and that operates on a continuous basis. As noted earlier in 
this section, this proposed definition was developed based on the 
definition provided in IEC Standard 62301 FDIS. It expands on the EPCA 
mode definition to provide additional clarifications as to which 
functions are associated with standby mode.
    The proposed definition of standby mode based on IEC Standard 62301 
FDIS allows for multiple modes to be considered a standby mode. DOE has 
identified only one mode that would be considered a standby mode under 
the proposed definition. DOE proposes to define this ``inactive mode'' 
as a standby mode that facilitates the activation of active mode by 
remote switch (including remote control), internal sensor, or timer, or 
that provides continuous status display. DOE proposes amending the test 
procedure for clothes washers to include provisions for measuring 
energy use in inactive mode as the measurement of standby energy use. 
Although it identified only this one particular standby mode, DOE 
remains open to consideration of additional standby modes.
Off Mode
    As discussed in section III.C.1, DOE proposes in today's NOPR to 
amend the DOE test procedure for clothes washers to define ``off mode'' 
as any mode in which the clothes washer is connected to a mains power 
source and is not providing any standby mode or active mode function 
and the mode may persist for an indefinite time. An indicator that only 
shows the user that the product is in the off position is included 
within the off mode classification. As noted in section III.C.1, this 
definition was developed based on the definitions provided in IEC 
Standard 62301 FDIS. It expands on the EPCA mode definitions to provide 
additional clarifications as to which functions are associated with off 
mode.
    Under the proposed definitions, a clothes washer equipped with a 
mechanical on/off switch that can disconnect power to the display and/
or control components would be considered as operating in the off mode 
when the switch is in the ``off'' position, provided that no other 
standby or active mode functions are energized. An energized light-
emitting diode (LED) or other indicator that only shows the user that 
the product is in the off position would be considered part of off mode 
under the proposed definition, again provided that no other standby or 
active mode functions are energized. As stated above, however, if any 
energy is consumed by the appliance in the presence of a one-way remote 
control, the unit would be operating in standby mode under the proposed 
definition. That definition would include remote controls that 
facilitate the activation or deactivation of other functions (including 
active mode) as a feature of standby mode.
    IEC Standard 62301 FDIS also provides definitions for additional 
modes that DOE determined are not applicable to the clothes washer test 
procedure. Section 3.7 of IEC Standard 62301 FDIS defines network mode 
as a mode category that includes ``any product modes where the energy 
using product is connected to a mains power source and at least one 
network function is activated (such as reactivation via network command 
or network integrity communication) but where the primary function is 
not active.'' IEC Standard 62301 FDIS also provides a note, stating 
that ``[w]here a network function is provided but is not active and/or 
not connected to a network, then this mode is not applicable. A network 
function could become active intermittently according to a fixed 
schedule or in response to a network requirement. A `network' in this 
context includes communication between two or more separate 
independently powered devices or products. A network does not include 
one or more controls which are dedicated to a single product. Network 
mode may include one or more standby functions.'' As discussed further 
in section III.D.1.c, DOE is not proposing any amendments to include 
provisions for testing network mode energy consumption in clothes 
washers.
    DOE also notes that section 3.9 of IEC Standard 62301 FDIS provides 
a definition of ``disconnected mode'', which is ``the state where all 
connections to mains power sources of the energy using product are 
removed or interrupted.'' IEC Standard 62301 FDIS also adds a note that 
common terms such as ``unplugged'' or ``cut off from mains'' also 
describe this mode and that this mode is not part of the lower power 
mode category. DOE believes that there would be no energy use in a 
disconnected mode, and therefore, is not proposing a definition or 
testing methods for such a mode in the DOE test procedure for clothes 
washers.
    DOE welcomes comment on the proposed establishment of the modes as 
discussed above, including inactive mode as the only standby mode for 
clothes washers. DOE also invites comment on the determination that 
delay start mode and cycle finished mode would be considered part of 
active mode. DOE further invites comment on the proposed mode 
definitions, including the definition of self-clean mode, and whether 
there are any modes that have not been identified in this NOPR that 
represent significant energy use and are consistent with the proposed 
active mode, standby mode, or off mode definitions.
3. Adding Specifications for the Test Methods and Measurements for 
Standby Mode, Off Mode, and Additional Active Mode Testing
    This section discusses the provisions DOE proposes to include in 
the test procedure to clarify the IEC Standard 62301 methods when used 
to measure standby mode and off mode energy use in clothes washers. 
These proposed procedures also include provisions for measuring energy 
use in delay start mode and cycle finished mode. Although these modes 
are considered a part of active mode under the proposed definitions, 
the methods for measuring their associated energy consumptions are 
similar to those used for standby mode and off mode.
    Paragraph 5.3.1 of section 5.3 of IEC Standard 62301 contains 
provisions for measuring power. It specifies, for products in which the 
power is stable (i.e., power varies by not more than 5 percent from a 
maximum level during a period of 5 minutes), waiting at least 5 minutes 
for the product to stabilize and then measuring the power at the end of 
an additional time period of not less than 5 minutes. Paragraph 5.3.2 
contains provisions for measuring average power in cases where the 
power is not stable (i.e., power varies by more than 5 percent from a 
maximum level during a period of 5 minutes). In such cases, IEC 
Standard 62301 requires a measurement period of no less than 5 minutes, 
or one or more complete operating cycles of several minutes or hours. 
DOE notes these provisions do not preclude manufacturers from testing 
products with a longer stabilization period, or a longer measurement 
period (if the power varies by not more than 5 percent or if that 
period represents one or more complete cycles).

[[Page 57563]]

    Displays on residential clothes washers may reduce power 
consumption by dimming or turning off after a certain period of user 
inactivity (``automatic power-down''). For clothes washers whose power 
input in standby, off, and cycle finished modes varies in this manner 
during testing, DOE proposes that the test be conducted after the power 
level has dropped to its lowest level, as discussed in IEC Standard 
62301, section 5, (``Measurements''), paragraph 5.1, ``General,'' Note 
1. DOE is aware that IEC Standard 62301 does not provide guidance on 
how long to wait for the appliance to drop to the lower-power state. 
DOE observed during tests of 17 residential clothes washers that in 
units with an automatic power-down feature the higher-power state 
persists for less than 10 minutes of inactivity after the display has 
been energized. Thus, the energy consumption at the low-power level is 
most representative of standby mode, off mode, and cycle finished mode 
power. However, DOE notes the test sample of 17 clothes washers was 
relatively small. It is possible that some clothes washers may remain 
in the higher-power state for the duration of a 5-minute stabilization 
period and 5-minute measurement period, and then drop to the lower-
power state that is more representative of standby mode, off mode, or 
cycle finished mode. In contrast, IEC Standard 62301 CDV specifies for 
each testing method that the product be allowed to stabilize for at 
least 30 minutes prior to a measurement period of not less than 10 
minutes. DOE believes this method would allow sufficient time for 
displays that automatically dim or power down after a period of user 
inactivity to reach the lower-power state prior to measurement. Based 
on the automatic power-down time periods observed in its own testing, 
DOE believes that the IEC Standard 62301 CDV 30-minute stabilization 
and 10-minute measurement periods provide a clearer and more consistent 
testing procedure than the corresponding time periods specified in IEC 
Standard 62301. Those periods allow for representative measurements to 
be made among products that may have varying time periods before the 
power drops to a lower level more representative of standby, off, or 
cycle finished mode. DOE notes that IEC Standard 62301 FDIS establishes 
an overall test period of not less than 15 minutes for products in 
which power consumption in the mode being tested is not cyclic. Data 
collected during the first third of the total period is discarded (and 
thus this time could be inferred to be a stabilization period), and 
data from the remaining two-thirds of the total period are used to 
determine whether the power is stable. If stability is not achieved, 
the total period is extended continuously until the stability criteria 
are achieved, to a maximum of 3 hours. Modes that are known to be non-
cyclic and of varying power consumption shall follow this same 
procedure, but with a total test period not less than 60 minutes. If 
power consumption in a mode is cyclic, measurements must be conducted 
with an initial operation period (analogous to a stabilization period) 
of at least 10 minutes, and the average power measured over at least 
four complete cycles. The measurement period must be at least 20 
minutes. DOE believes that the specifications provided in IEC Standard 
62301 FDIS would not produce power consumption measurements as 
accurate, repeatable, and enforceable as the specifications provided in 
IEC Standard 62301 CDV. Therefore, DOE proposes to require that: (1) 
the product be allowed to stabilize for at least 30 minutes, then (2) 
the power measurement be made for a period not less than 10 minutes for 
inactive, off, and cycle finished modes.
    DOE's test procedures are developed to measure representative 
energy use for the typical consumer, and cannot capture all possible 
consumer actions and appliance usage patterns that might increase 
energy use. For example, certain residential clothes washer models 
featuring a display power-down may allow consumers to alter the display 
settings to increase the amount of time in the high-power state, or to 
make the high-power state permanent. Because DOE does not have 
information regarding the likelihood consumer will alter the default 
display settings, DOE has not proposed additional provisions in today's 
NOPR to address the possibility of increased energy use as a result of 
consumers adjusting the display power-down settings or other features. 
DOE welcomes comment on the suitability of using the default settings 
in testing standby energy consumption. It also welcomes comment on any 
methodologies that can account for consumer actions that might increase 
energy use, and requests data on the repeatability of such testing 
procedures.
    DOE understands that clothes washers with a delay start capability 
may use varying amounts of power during delay start mode, depending on 
the delay time entered, the amount of remaining delay time displayed, 
and/or display indication of mode status. To ensure comparable and 
valid results, DOE proposes to include in its clothes washer test 
procedure a specification for the delay start time to be set at 5 
hours, and for power to be monitored for 60 minutes after waiting at 
least 5 minutes for power input to stabilize. In determining the 
specification for delay start parameters, DOE considered the 
possibility that display power input would depend on the time 
displayed, which is typically the time in hours remaining before the 
start. Displays may be one or two digits. Some two-digit displays may 
show whole numbers for remaining delay hours of 10 or more and both the 
ones and tenths digits for the remaining delay hours of 9.9 or less. 
DOE analyzed the number of LEDs activated in LED displays of the 
remaining hours over a range of delay times. It concluded that the 
average number of LEDs lit for the range of all possible delay times 
would be best approximated by determining the average number of LEDs 
lit for either single-digit or two-digit displays in a 60-minute test 
if the delay time is set at 5 hours. DOE welcomes comment on this 
approach to measuring delay start mode.
    DOE is also proposing that test room ambient temperatures for 
standby mode and off mode testing, as well as delay start mode and 
cycle finished mode testing, be specified for all clothes washers 
according to section 4, paragraph 4.2 of IEC Standard 62301. The 
current DOE test procedure includes a test room ambient air temperature 
specification only for water-heating clothes washers, for which the 
requirement is 75  5 degrees Fahrenheit ([deg]F). This 
falls within the range specified by IEC Standard 62301 of 73.4  9 [deg]F. Today's proposed test procedure would allow 
manufacturers of water-heating clothes washers to use the more 
stringent ambient temperature range in the current DOE test procedure 
if tests of active washing mode performance and standby, off, delay 
start, and cycle finished mode power are conducted simultaneously in 
the same room on multiple clothes washers. Alternatively, the proposed 
temperature specifications taken from IEC Standard 62301 would allow a 
manufacturer that opts to conduct standby, off, delay start, and cycle 
finished mode testing separately from active washing mode testing more 
latitude in maintaining ambient conditions. DOE requests comment on the 
appropriateness of this proposed modified test room ambient temperature 
range.
4. Calculation of Energy Use Associated With Each Operating Mode
    To combine active washing mode energy consumption with energy

[[Page 57564]]

consumption from inactive, off, and additional active modes (delay 
start, cycle finished, and self-clean modes), DOE estimated the 
representative energy use for each of these modes. The total energy 
consumption in each of these modes depends on both the power level of 
that mode and the time spent in that mode. This section discusses the 
approach DOE proposes for calculating energy use associated with each 
operating mode for clothes washers and the numbers of hours proposed to 
be associated with each mode.
    Energy use for clothes washers is expressed in terms of ft \3\ of 
wash load capacity per total energy use per wash cycle.\7\ As discussed 
further in section III.E.2, DOE has tentatively determined that it is 
technically feasible to integrate measures of standby mode and off mode 
energy use into the overall energy use metric, as required by the EISA 
2007 amendments to EPCA. (42 U.S.C. 6295(gg)(2)(A)) Therefore, DOE has 
examined standby mode and off mode power consumption in terms of annual 
energy use apportioned on a per-cycle basis. DOE has also examined 
energy consumption from delay start, cycle finished, and self-clean 
modes on a per-cycle basis. Energy used during an active washing mode 
test cycle is directly measured in the current DOE test procedure, and 
a weighted average is calculated under different load sizes, fill 
levels, and wash temperature conditions according to the specific 
machine's capacity and features. (See section 4.1 of appendix J1 of 
subpart B of 10 CFR 430 for details.) The calculation of MEF also 
includes nominal energy used by a water heater to heat the water 
supplied to the clothes washer, and by a dryer to remove the remaining 
moisture after the clothes washer completes its full cycle (weighted by 
a dryer usage factor (DUF) to account for loads not dried in a clothes 
dryer).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ See section III.C.5 for a detailed description of how the 
efficiency metric is calculated.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Average cycle times can vary significantly based on the axis of 
basket rotation and type of load. One 1997 study compared a 37-minute 
normal cycle for a vertical-axis, top-loading clothes washer with 40 to 
110-minute cycles for eight different front-loading, horizontal-axis 
machines.\8\ The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported in 
2005 on three studies in the magazine ``Consumer Reports'' \9\ that 
determined top-loading clothes washers have ``normal'' cycle times of 
37-55 minutes, and front-loading washers have ``normal'' cycle times of 
51-105 minutes.\10\ Therefore, DOE proposes to adopt the estimate of 1 
hour per cycle associated with a residential clothes washer's typical 
active washing mode (i.e., a complete wash cycle including washing, 
rinsing, and spinning). DOE is proposing a single cycle duration for 
both top-loading and front-loading clothes washers rather than more 
accurate cycle times specific to each product class to simplify the 
test procedure and calculations. Additionally, proposing cycle times 
for each product class would have an insignificant effect on the 
calculations proposed in the test procedure because it is used only to 
allocate the number of annual hours associated with inactive/off mode. 
For example, using cycle times of 45 minutes for top-loaders and 75 
minutes for front-loaders would change the number of hours allocated to 
inactive/off mode (the only modes affected by the number of active mode 
hours) by less than 1 percent.
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    \8\ J. Dieckmann, D. Westphalen. 1997. ``Laboratory Testing of 
Clothes Washers.'' The High-Efficiency Laundry Metering and Market 
Analysis (THELMA). Volume 2. Final Report to the Electric Power 
Research Institute (EPRI). R