Energy Conservation Program: Test Procedures for Residential Clothes Dryers, 50145-50148 [2011-20604]
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50145
Proposed Rules
Federal Register
Vol. 76, No. 156
Friday, August 12, 2011
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER
contains notices to the public of the proposed
issuance of rules and regulations. The
purpose of these notices is to give interested
persons an opportunity to participate in the
rule making prior to the adoption of the final
rules.
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
10 CFR Part 430
[Docket Number EERE–2011–BT–TP–0054]
RIN 1904–AC63
Energy Conservation Program: Test
Procedures for Residential Clothes
Dryers
Office of Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy, Department of
Energy.
ACTION: Request for information.
AGENCY:
The U.S. Department of
Energy (DOE) has initiated a test
procedure rulemaking for residential
clothes dryers to further investigate the
effects of automatic cycle termination
on the energy efficiency. DOE
specifically is seeking information, data,
and comments regarding methods for
more accurately measuring the effects of
automatic cycle termination in the
residential clothes dryer test procedure.
DOE will address the issues
surrounding testing of automatic cycle
termination sensors in this rulemaking
prior to the compliance date of amended
energy conservation standards recently
adopted for residential clothes dryers.
To the extent required by the statute,
DOE will also address any potential
impacts on the amended energy
conservation standards resulting from
these test procedure amendments
during the rulemaking process.
DATES: Written comments and
information are requested on or before
September 12, 2011.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are
encouraged to submit comments using
the Federal eRulemaking Portal at
https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
Alternatively, interested persons may
submit comments, identified by docket
number EERE–2011–BT–TP–0054 and/
or RIN 1904–AC63, by any of the
following methods:
• E-mail: RCDAT-2011-TP0054@ee.doe.gov. Include docket
number EERE–2011–BT–TP–0054 and/
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or RIN 1904–AC63 in the subject line of
the message. Submit electronic
comments in WordPerfect, Microsoft
Word, PDF, or ASCII file format and
avoid the use of special characters or
any form of encryption.
• Postal Mail: Ms. Brenda Edwards,
U.S. Department of Energy, Building
Technologies Program, Mailstop EE–2J,
1000 Independence Avenue, SW.,
Washington, DC 20585–0121.
Telephone: (202) 586–2945. Please
submit one signed original paper copy.
• Hand Delivery/Courier: Ms. Brenda
Edwards, U.S. Department of Energy,
Building Technologies Program, 950
L’Enfant Plaza, SW., 6th Floor,
Washington, DC 20024. Please submit
one signed original paper copy.
Docket: For access to the docket to
read background documents, or
comments received, go to the Federal
eRulemaking Portal at https://
www.regulations.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Requests for additional information may
be sent to Mr. Stephen 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:
Stephen.Witkowski@ee.doe.gov.
In the Office of the General Counsel,
contact Ms. Elizabeth Kohl, U.S.
Department of Energy, 1000
Independence Ave., SW, Room 6A–179,
Washington, DC 20585. Telephone:
202–586–7796; E-mail:
Elizabeth.Kohl@hq.doe.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On
January 6, 2011, DOE published in the
Federal Register a final rule for the
residential clothes dryer and room air
conditioner test procedure rulemaking
(76 FR 972) (January TP final rule), in
which it (1) adopted the provisions for
the measurement of standby mode and
off mode power use for those products;
and (2) adopted several amendments to
the clothes dryer and room air
conditioner test procedures concerning
the active mode for these products. 76
FR 972 (Jan. 6, 2011). In the January TP
final rule, DOE declined to adopt the
amendments to more accurately
measure automatic cycle termination
that were originally proposed in the test
procedure supplemental notice of
proposed rulemaking (June TP SNOPR)
(75 FR 37594, 37612–37620 (June 29,
PO 00000
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Sfmt 4702
2010)). As further discussed in the
January TP final rule, DOE conducted
testing of representative residential
clothes dryers using the automatic cycle
termination test procedure proposed in
the June TP SNOPR. The results of the
testing revealed that all of the clothes
dryers tested significantly over-dried the
DOE test load to near bone dry and, as
a result, the measured energy factor (EF)
values were significantly lower than EF
values obtained using the existing DOE
test procedure. The test data also
indicated that clothes dryers equipped
with automatic termination controls
would be considered less efficient than
timer dryers. 76 FR 977.
As noted in the January TP final rule,
DOE believes the test procedure
amendments for automatic cycle
termination proposed in the June TP
SNOPR do not adequately measure the
energy consumption of clothes dryers
equipped with such systems using the
test load specified in the DOE test
procedure. DOE believes that clothes
dryers with automatic termination
sensing control systems, which infer the
remaining moisture content (RMC) of
the load from the properties of the
exhaust air such as temperature and
humidity, may be designed differently
than the procedures in the June TP
SNOPR considered. Specifically, DOE
believes these types of dryers are
designed to stop the cycle when the
consumer load has a higher RMC than
the RMC obtained using the proposed
automatic cycle termination test
procedure in conjunction with the
existing test load. However, in
considering whether other test loads
would be appropriate to incorporate
into the DOE test procedure to produce
both representative and repeatable test
results, DOE notes that manufacturers
have also indicated that test load types
and test cloth materials different than
those specified in the DOE test
procedure do not produce results as
repeatable as those obtained using the
test load as currently specified. 76 FR
977.
In support of its test procedure
rulemaking, DOE conducts in-depth
technical analyses of publicly available
test standards and other relevant
information. DOE continually seeks data
and public input to improve its testing
methodologies to more accurately reflect
consumer use. In general, DOE is
requesting comment and supporting
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data regarding methods for more
accurately measuring the effects of
automatic cycle termination.
Additionally, DOE seeks comment and
information on the specific topics
below:
Test Load Characteristics
DOE notes that the current test
procedure specifies that tests be
conducted using a cotton momie test
cloths that are each 24 inches by 36
inches in dimensions and are a blend of
50-percent cotton and 50-percent
polyester. DOE recognizes that this test
load may not be representative of realworld laundry loads dried by consumers
and that manufacturers may be
designing their automatic cycle
termination control systems to achieve
higher final moisture contents closer to
5-percent RMC when drying real-world
laundry loads even though the same
drying process conducted with the DOE
test cloth would result in a much lower
RMC. However, DOE also notes that
manufacturers have indicated that test
load types and test cloth materials
different than those specified in the
DOE test procedure do not produce
results as repeatable as those obtained
using the test load as currently
specified. DOE has requested
information on the characteristics of
real-world laundry loads dried by
consumers from a laundry detergent
manufacturer that develops a significant
amount of consumer usage data, but has
not yet received any such data.
DOE notes that the Association of
Home Appliance Manufacturers
(AHAM) clothes dryer test standard
HLD–1–2009, ‘‘Household Tumble Type
Clothes Dryers,’’ and the International
Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) test
standard 61121, ‘‘Tumble dryers for
household use—Methods for measuring
the performance,’’ Edition 3 (2005) both
specify a test load consisting of cotton
bed sheets, towels, and pillowcases. As
noted in the January TP final rule, DOE
believes that clothes dryers with
automatic termination sensing control
systems, which infer the RMC of the
load from the properties of the exhaust
air such as temperature and humidity,
may be designed to stop the cycle when
the consumer load has a higher RMC
than the RMC obtained using the
automatic cycle termination test
procedure proposed in the June TP
SNOPR in conjunction with the existing
test load. To investigate this, DOE
conducted limited additional testing
using a test load similar to that specified
in AHAM Standard HLD–1–2009. For
tests on two clothes dryers using the
same automatic cycle termination
settings (i.e., normal cycle setting and
highest temperature setting), the
alternate test load was dried to 1.7 to 2.2
percent final RMC, with an average
RMC of 2.0 percent. In comparison, the
same clothes dryer under the same cycle
settings dried the DOE test load to 0.3
to 1.2 percent RMC, with an average
RMC of 0.7 percent.
• DOE requests consumer usage data
on the characteristics of laundry loads
dried by consumers, including material
(i.e., cotton, polyester, etc.), type (i.e.,
t-shirts, towels, bed sheets, jeans, etc.),
and quantity.
• DOE seeks comment on its limited
testing comparing the current DOE test
load to one similar to the AHAM and
IEC test standard loads, described
above. DOE also requests information
and test data comparing the measured
energy use of different test loads,
including the AHAM and IEC test
standard loads, to the DOE test load
using the same automatic cycle
termination settings. Please indicate the
cycle settings used when providing data
(when possible use the ‘‘normal’’ cycle
or the cycle recommended by
manufacturers for drying cotton or linen
clothes). Please also indicate the type of
sensor technology used for the clothes
dryers under test (e.g., temperature
sensors or moisture sensors) and the
starting and final moisture content of
the test load (when possible use the
starting moisture content of 57.5 percent
with an 8.45 pound (lb) test load for
standard size dryers and 3.00 lb test
load for compact dryers).
• DOE requests test data on the
repeatability of alternate test loads using
automatic cycle termination, including
those specified in the AHAM test
standard HLD–1–2009 and other realworld loads.
Accuracy of Different Automatic Cycle
Termination Sensors and Controls
DOE recognizes that different
automatic cycle termination sensor
technologies and control strategies may
measure the remaining moisture content
in a laundry load during the drying
cycle to varying accuracy. However,
through DOE’s testing conducted for the
January TP final rule using the DOE test
cloth, shown in the table below, DOE
was unable to determine whether
certain sensor technologies more
accurately measure the moisture content
of the laundry load during the drying
cycle (i.e., DOE was unable to
distinguish between sensor
technologies).
TABLE 1—DOE CLOTHES DRYER AUTOMATIC CYCLE TERMINATION TESTS (TABLE III.8 IN FINAL RULE NOTICE WITH
SENSOR TECHNOLOGY IDENTIFIED)
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Test unit
Sensor technology
Vented Electric Standard:
Unit 3 .....................................
Unit 4 .....................................
Vented Gas:
Unit 8 .....................................
Unit 9 .....................................
Unit 11 ...................................
Vented Electric Compact 240V:
Unit 12 ...................................
Unit 13 ...................................
Vented Electric Compact 120V:
Unit 14 ...................................
Ventless Electric Compact 240V:
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Current
DOE test
procedure
EF lb/kWh *
Current
DOE test
procedure
w/modified
field use
factor **
EF lb/kWh
June TP SNOPR automatic cycle
termination procedure
EF lb/kWh
Percent
change
Final RMC
(percent)
Moisture + Temp ..........................
Temperature .................................
3.20
3.28
2.82
2.89
2.59
2.59
¥19.1
¥21.2
1.0
0.6
Temperature .................................
Temperature .................................
Moisture + Temp ..........................
2.83
2.85
2.98
2.50
2.51
2.63
2.42
2.38
2.40
¥14.5
¥16.3
¥19.5
0.4
0.9
0.9
Moisture + Temp ..........................
Temperature .................................
3.19
2.93
2.81
2.59
2.64
2.27
¥17.3
¥22.7
0.5
1.4
Moisture + Temp ..........................
3.23
2.85
1.98
¥38.8
0.7
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TABLE 1—DOE CLOTHES DRYER AUTOMATIC CYCLE TERMINATION TESTS (TABLE III.8 IN FINAL RULE NOTICE WITH
SENSOR TECHNOLOGY IDENTIFIED)—Continued
Test unit
Current
DOE test
procedure
EF lb/kWh *
Sensor technology
Unit 15 ...................................
Moisture + Temp ..........................
Current
DOE test
procedure
w/modified
field use
factor **
EF lb/kWh
2.37
June TP SNOPR automatic cycle
termination procedure
Percent
change
EF lb/kWh
2.09
Final RMC
(percent)
¥12.4
2.07
1.1
* Tests use the appropriate field use factor of 1.04 for clothes dryers with automatic termination.
** Field use factor changed from the nominal 1.04 for clothes dryers with automatic termination to 1.18, which is normally for timer dryers.
• DOE requests information and data
on the accuracy of different sensor
technologies and control strategies (e.g.,
temperature sensors, moisture sensors,
or a combination of both) in their ability
to measure the remaining moisture
content of the laundry load. Please
indicate the cycle settings used when
providing data (when possible use the
‘‘normal’’ cycle or the cycle
recommended by manufacturers for
drying cotton or linen clothes). Please
also indicate the type of sensor
technology used for the clothes dryers
under test (e.g., temperature sensors or
moisture sensors) and the starting and
final moisture content of the test load
(when possible use the starting moisture
content of 57.5 percent with an 8.45
pound (lb) test load for standard size
dryers and 3.00 lb test load for compact
dryers).
• DOE requests data on the target
RMC used by manufacturers when
designing and programming automatic
cycle termination controls that
maintains consumer satisfaction. DOE
also requests information on how the
target RMC varies by clothes dryer
capacity. As noted in the table above,
the final measured RMC from testing of
DOE’s sample ranged from 0.4 percent
to 1.4 percent, with an average of 0.8
percent.
Water Conditions
dryers, that is, IEC Standard 61121. As
part of its revised draft, the IEC notes
that the characteristics of the water used
for wetting the test load prior to the test,
particularly the conductivity, can have
a large influence on test results when
testing automatic cycle termination
clothes dryers with moisture sensors.
Clothes dryers with moisture sensors
use conductivity sensor bars to
determine the amount of moisture in the
load when the load comes in contact
with the sensors. The following table
provides the characteristics of either soft
or hard water to be used for appliance
testing under IEC Standard 61121.
DOE notes that the IEC is currently
revising its test standard for clothes
TABLE 2—COMPOSITION OF SOFT AND HARD WATER FOR APPLIANCE TESTING
Water type
Unit
Total hardness ..............................................................
Conductivity (at 20 °C) .................................................
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Property
mmol/l (Ca2+/Mg2+) .......................................................
μS/cm ...........................................................................
DOE is not aware of any data
regarding the effects of conductivity of
the water used to wet the test load on
the measured efficiency.
• DOE requests information and data
on the effects of conductivity of the
water supply used to wet the test load
prior to drying cycle tests on the
measured efficiency using automatic
cycle termination. In particular, DOE
requests data on the effects of using
unaltered water supplies versus water
supplies adjusted to meet the
specifications in the draft version of IEC
61121. Please indicate the cycle settings
used when providing data (when
possible use the ‘‘normal’’ cycle or the
cycle recommended by manufacturers
for drying cotton or linen clothes).
Please also indicate the type of sensor
technology used for the clothes dryers
under test (e.g., temperature sensors or
moisture sensors) and the starting and
final moisture content of the test load
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(when possible use the starting moisture
content of 57.5 percent with an 8.45
pound (lb) test load for standard size
dryers and 3.00 lb test load for compact
dryers).
• DOE requests data on any potential
burden associated with requirements for
and adjustments to the water supply
used for wetting the test load.
Cycle Settings—ECOS Test Results
DOE notes that ECOS Consulting
(ECOS) conducted a testing program for
the Natural Resources Defense Council
(NRDC) to evaluate clothes dryer
automatic cycle termination.1 (The
ECOS report stated that the difference
between a standard clothes dryer and
one that is effective at turning itself off
when clothes are actually dry is about
1 NRDC, No. 30 at pp. 1–40. Public comment
submitted in docket number EERE–2007–BT–STD–
0010.
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Standard
soft water
0.50 ± 0.20
150 ± 50
Standard
hard water
2.50 ± 0.20
750 ± 150
0.76 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per load
(5,000 kWh over typical lifetime). The
ECOS report also stated that automatic
termination cycles using lower heat
settings or lower dryness level reduce
energy consumption and increase
efficiency because less energy is spent
heating air, cloth, and metal. The ECOS
report summarized testing results for
one clothes dryer that showed that the
difference in energy consumption
between the highest and lowest heat
settings was 13 percent and that the
drying time increased (from 35 to 49
minutes), but very similar final RMCs
were achieved.
• DOE requests information and data
on consumer usage habits regarding
cycles selected for drying. In your
responses, please be specific by
indicating general cycle settings,
temperature settings, and dryness level
settings used by consumers.
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• DOE requests additional
information and data on the effects of
using different automatic cycle
termination settings. When providing
test results, please also indicate the type
of sensor technology used for the
clothes dryers under test (e.g.,
temperature sensors or moisture
sensors) and the starting and final
moisture content of the test load (when
possible use the starting moisture
content of 57.5 percent with an 8.45
pound (lb) test load for standard size
dryers and 3.00 lb test load for compact
dryers).
• DOE requests comments on
methodology for accounting for various
cycle setting options in the DOE test
procedure. In particular, if interested
parties believe that DOE should test
multiple cycles, please provide
consumer usage data on the percentage
of drying cycles that consumers use for
each automatic cycle termination
setting.
• DOE also requests comment on the
additional testing burden associated
with a requirement to measure multiple
cycle settings.
Issued in Washington, DC, on August 9,
2011.
Roland J. Risser,
Program Manager, Building Technologies
Program, Energy Efficiency and Renewable
Energy.
[FR Doc. 2011–20604 Filed 8–11–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
10 CFR Part 431
[Docket Number EERE–2010–BT–STD–
0051]
RIN 1904–AC62
Notice of Intent to Negotiate Proposed
Rule on Energy Efficiency Standards
for Distribution Transformers
Office of Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy, Department of
Energy.
ACTION: Notice of intent to establish a
subcommittee and negotiate a proposed
rule.
AGENCY:
The U.S. Department of
Energy (DOE or the Department) is
giving notice that it intends to establish
a negotiated rulemaking subcommittee
under ERAC in accordance with the
Federal Advisory Committee Act
(FACA) and the Negotiated Rulemaking
Act (NRA) to negotiate proposed Federal
standards for the energy efficiency of
low-voltage dry-type distribution
transformers. The purpose of the
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SUMMARY:
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subcommittee will be to discuss and, if
possible, reach consensus on a proposed
rule for the energy efficiency of
distribution transformers, as authorized
by the Energy Policy Conservation Act
(EPCA) of 1975, as amended. The
subcommittee will consist of
representatives of parties having a
defined stake in the outcome of the
proposed standards, and will consult as
appropriate with a range of experts on
technical issues.
DATES: Written comments and requests
to be appointed as members of the
subcommittee are welcome and should
be submitted by August 29, 2011.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons may
submit comments, identified by docket
number EERE–2011–BT–STD–0051, by
any of the following methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://
www.regulations.gov Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
• E-mail: LVDT-2011-STD0051@ee.doe.gov. Include EERE–2011–
BT–STD–0051 and/or RIN 1904–AC62
in the subject line of the message.
• Mail: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S.
Department of Energy, Building
Technologies Program, Mailstop EE–2J,
EERE–2011–BT–STD–0051 and/or RIN
1904–AC62, 1000 Independence
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585–
0121. Phone: (202) 586–2945. Please
submit one signed paper original.
• Hand Delivery/Courier: Ms. Brenda
Edwards, U.S. Department of Energy,
Building Technologies Program, 6th
Floor, 950 L’Enfant Plaza, SW.,
Washington, DC 20024. Phone: (202)
586–2945. Please submit one signed
paper original.
Instructions: All submissions received
must include the agency name and
docket number or RIN for this
rulemaking.
Docket: For access to the docket to
read background documents, a copy of
the transcript of the public meeting, or
comments received, go to 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. Please call Ms.
Brenda Edwards at (202) 586–2945 for
additional information regarding
visiting the Resource Room.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John
Cymbalsky, U.S. Department of Energy,
Office of Building Technologies (EE–2J),
1000 Independence Avenue, SW.,
Washington, DC 20585–0121.
Telephone: (202) 287–1692. E-mail:
John.Cymbalsky@ee.doe.gov. Ms.
Jennifer Tiedeman, U.S. Department of
Energy, Office of the General Counsel
(GC–71), 1000 Independence Ave., SW.,
PO 00000
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Washington, DC 20585–0121.
Telephone: (202) 287–6111. E-mail:
Jennifer.Tiedeman@hq.doe.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Preamble
I. Statutory Authority
II. Background
III. Proposed Negotiating Procedures
IV. Comments Requested
I. Statutory Authority
This notice announcing DOE’s intent
to negotiate a proposed regulation
setting energy efficiency standards for
distribution transformers was developed
under the authority of sections 563 and
564 of the NRA (5 U.S.C. 561–570, Pub.
L. 104–320). The regulation setting
energy efficiency standards for
distribution transformers that DOE is
proposing to develop under a negotiated
rulemaking will be developed under the
authority of EPCA, as amended, 42
U.S.C. 6313(a)(6)(C) and 6317(a).
II. Background
As required by the NRA, DOE is
giving notice that it is establishing a
subcommittee under ERAC to develop
proposed energy efficiency standards for
distribution transformers.
EPCA, as amended, directs DOE to
adopt energy conservation standards for
those distribution transformers for
which standards would be
technologically feasible and
economically justified, and would result
in significant energy savings. (42 U.S.C.
6317(a)(2)). DOE published a final rule
in October 2007 that established energy
conservation standards for liquidimmersed and medium-voltage dry-type
(MVDT) distribution transformers. 72
FR 58190 (October 12, 2007); see 10 CFR
431.196(b)–(c). During the course of that
rulemaking, the Energy Policy Act of
2005 (EPACT 2005), Public Law 109–58,
amended EPCA to set standards for lowvoltage dry-type (LVDT) distribution
transformers. (EPACT 2005, Section
135(c); codified at 42 U.S.C. 6295(y))
Consequently, DOE removed these
transformers from the scope of that
rulemaking. 72 FR at 58191 (October 12,
2007).
On July 29, 2011, DOE published a
notice of its intent to establish a
subcommittee under the ERAC to
negotiate a proposed rule for liquidimmersed and MVDT distribution
transformers (76 FR 45472). The
negotiated rulemaking contemplated in
today’s notice is complimentary of that
process.
A. Negotiated Rulemaking
DOE has decided to use the negotiated
rulemaking process to develop proposed
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 156 (Friday, August 12, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 50145-50148]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-20604]
========================================================================
Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
========================================================================
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 156 / Friday, August 12, 2011 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 50145]]
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
10 CFR Part 430
[Docket Number EERE-2011-BT-TP-0054]
RIN 1904-AC63
Energy Conservation Program: Test Procedures for Residential
Clothes Dryers
AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of
Energy.
ACTION: Request for information.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has initiated a test
procedure rulemaking for residential clothes dryers to further
investigate the effects of automatic cycle termination on the energy
efficiency. DOE specifically is seeking information, data, and comments
regarding methods for more accurately measuring the effects of
automatic cycle termination in the residential clothes dryer test
procedure. DOE will address the issues surrounding testing of automatic
cycle termination sensors in this rulemaking prior to the compliance
date of amended energy conservation standards recently adopted for
residential clothes dryers. To the extent required by the statute, DOE
will also address any potential impacts on the amended energy
conservation standards resulting from these test procedure amendments
during the rulemaking process.
DATES: Written comments and information are requested on or before
September 12, 2011.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are encouraged to submit comments using
the Federal eRulemaking Portal at https://www.regulations.gov. Follow
the instructions for submitting comments. Alternatively, interested
persons may submit comments, identified by docket number EERE-2011-BT-
TP-0054 and/or RIN 1904-AC63, by any of the following methods:
E-mail: RCDAT-2011-TP-0054@ee.doe.gov. Include docket
number EERE-2011-BT-TP-0054 and/or RIN 1904-AC63 in the subject line of
the message. Submit electronic comments in WordPerfect, Microsoft Word,
PDF, or ASCII file format and avoid the use of special characters or
any form of encryption.
Postal Mail: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department of
Energy, Building Technologies Program, Mailstop EE-2J, 1000
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone: (202)
586-2945. Please submit one signed original paper copy.
Hand Delivery/Courier: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department
of Energy, Building Technologies Program, 950 L'Enfant Plaza, SW., 6th
Floor, Washington, DC 20024. Please submit one signed original paper
copy.
Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents, or
comments received, go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal at https://www.regulations.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information
may be sent to Mr. Stephen 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: Stephen.Witkowski@ee.doe.gov.
In the Office of the General Counsel, contact Ms. Elizabeth Kohl,
U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Ave., SW, Room 6A-179,
Washington, DC 20585. Telephone: 202-586-7796; E-mail:
Elizabeth.Kohl@hq.doe.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On January 6, 2011, DOE published in the
Federal Register a final rule for the residential clothes dryer and
room air conditioner test procedure rulemaking (76 FR 972) (January TP
final rule), in which it (1) adopted the provisions for the measurement
of standby mode and off mode power use for those products; and (2)
adopted several amendments to the clothes dryer and room air
conditioner test procedures concerning the active mode for these
products. 76 FR 972 (Jan. 6, 2011). In the January TP final rule, DOE
declined to adopt the amendments to more accurately measure automatic
cycle termination that were originally proposed in the test procedure
supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (June TP SNOPR) (75 FR
37594, 37612-37620 (June 29, 2010)). As further discussed in the
January TP final rule, DOE conducted testing of representative
residential clothes dryers using the automatic cycle termination test
procedure proposed in the June TP SNOPR. The results of the testing
revealed that all of the clothes dryers tested significantly over-dried
the DOE test load to near bone dry and, as a result, the measured
energy factor (EF) values were significantly lower than EF values
obtained using the existing DOE test procedure. The test data also
indicated that clothes dryers equipped with automatic termination
controls would be considered less efficient than timer dryers. 76 FR
977.
As noted in the January TP final rule, DOE believes the test
procedure amendments for automatic cycle termination proposed in the
June TP SNOPR do not adequately measure the energy consumption of
clothes dryers equipped with such systems using the test load specified
in the DOE test procedure. DOE believes that clothes dryers with
automatic termination sensing control systems, which infer the
remaining moisture content (RMC) of the load from the properties of the
exhaust air such as temperature and humidity, may be designed
differently than the procedures in the June TP SNOPR considered.
Specifically, DOE believes these types of dryers are designed to stop
the cycle when the consumer load has a higher RMC than the RMC obtained
using the proposed automatic cycle termination test procedure in
conjunction with the existing test load. However, in considering
whether other test loads would be appropriate to incorporate into the
DOE test procedure to produce both representative and repeatable test
results, DOE notes that manufacturers have also indicated that test
load types and test cloth materials different than those specified in
the DOE test procedure do not produce results as repeatable as those
obtained using the test load as currently specified. 76 FR 977.
In support of its test procedure rulemaking, DOE conducts in-depth
technical analyses of publicly available test standards and other
relevant information. DOE continually seeks data and public input to
improve its testing methodologies to more accurately reflect consumer
use. In general, DOE is requesting comment and supporting
[[Page 50146]]
data regarding methods for more accurately measuring the effects of
automatic cycle termination. Additionally, DOE seeks comment and
information on the specific topics below:
Test Load Characteristics
DOE notes that the current test procedure specifies that tests be
conducted using a cotton momie test cloths that are each 24 inches by
36 inches in dimensions and are a blend of 50-percent cotton and 50-
percent polyester. DOE recognizes that this test load may not be
representative of real-world laundry loads dried by consumers and that
manufacturers may be designing their automatic cycle termination
control systems to achieve higher final moisture contents closer to 5-
percent RMC when drying real-world laundry loads even though the same
drying process conducted with the DOE test cloth would result in a much
lower RMC. However, DOE also notes that manufacturers have indicated
that test load types and test cloth materials different than those
specified in the DOE test procedure do not produce results as
repeatable as those obtained using the test load as currently
specified. DOE has requested information on the characteristics of
real-world laundry loads dried by consumers from a laundry detergent
manufacturer that develops a significant amount of consumer usage data,
but has not yet received any such data.
DOE notes that the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers
(AHAM) clothes dryer test standard HLD-1-2009, ``Household Tumble Type
Clothes Dryers,'' and the International Electrotechnical Commission
(IEC) test standard 61121, ``Tumble dryers for household use--Methods
for measuring the performance,'' Edition 3 (2005) both specify a test
load consisting of cotton bed sheets, towels, and pillowcases. As noted
in the January TP final rule, DOE believes that clothes dryers with
automatic termination sensing control systems, which infer the RMC of
the load from the properties of the exhaust air such as temperature and
humidity, may be designed to stop the cycle when the consumer load has
a higher RMC than the RMC obtained using the automatic cycle
termination test procedure proposed in the June TP SNOPR in conjunction
with the existing test load. To investigate this, DOE conducted limited
additional testing using a test load similar to that specified in AHAM
Standard HLD-1-2009. For tests on two clothes dryers using the same
automatic cycle termination settings (i.e., normal cycle setting and
highest temperature setting), the alternate test load was dried to 1.7
to 2.2 percent final RMC, with an average RMC of 2.0 percent. In
comparison, the same clothes dryer under the same cycle settings dried
the DOE test load to 0.3 to 1.2 percent RMC, with an average RMC of 0.7
percent.
DOE requests consumer usage data on the characteristics of
laundry loads dried by consumers, including material (i.e., cotton,
polyester, etc.), type (i.e., t-shirts, towels, bed sheets, jeans,
etc.), and quantity.
DOE seeks comment on its limited testing comparing the
current DOE test load to one similar to the AHAM and IEC test standard
loads, described above. DOE also requests information and test data
comparing the measured energy use of different test loads, including
the AHAM and IEC test standard loads, to the DOE test load using the
same automatic cycle termination settings. Please indicate the cycle
settings used when providing data (when possible use the ``normal''
cycle or the cycle recommended by manufacturers for drying cotton or
linen clothes). Please also indicate the type of sensor technology used
for the clothes dryers under test (e.g., temperature sensors or
moisture sensors) and the starting and final moisture content of the
test load (when possible use the starting moisture content of 57.5
percent with an 8.45 pound (lb) test load for standard size dryers and
3.00 lb test load for compact dryers).
DOE requests test data on the repeatability of alternate
test loads using automatic cycle termination, including those specified
in the AHAM test standard HLD-1-2009 and other real-world loads.
Accuracy of Different Automatic Cycle Termination Sensors and Controls
DOE recognizes that different automatic cycle termination sensor
technologies and control strategies may measure the remaining moisture
content in a laundry load during the drying cycle to varying accuracy.
However, through DOE's testing conducted for the January TP final rule
using the DOE test cloth, shown in the table below, DOE was unable to
determine whether certain sensor technologies more accurately measure
the moisture content of the laundry load during the drying cycle (i.e.,
DOE was unable to distinguish between sensor technologies).
Table 1--DOE Clothes Dryer Automatic Cycle Termination Tests (Table III.8 in Final Rule Notice With Sensor
Technology Identified)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current DOE June TP SNOPR automatic cycle
test termination procedure
Current DOE procedure w/--------------------------------------
Test unit Sensor test modified
technology procedure field use Percent Final RMC
EF lb/kWh * factor ** EF lb/kWh change (percent)
EF lb/kWh
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vented Electric Standard:
Unit 3................... Moisture + Temp. 3.20 2.82 2.59 -19.1 1.0
Unit 4................... Temperature..... 3.28 2.89 2.59 -21.2 0.6
Vented Gas:
Unit 8................... Temperature..... 2.83 2.50 2.42 -14.5 0.4
Unit 9................... Temperature..... 2.85 2.51 2.38 -16.3 0.9
Unit 11.................. Moisture + Temp. 2.98 2.63 2.40 -19.5 0.9
Vented Electric Compact 240V:
Unit 12.................. Moisture + Temp. 3.19 2.81 2.64 -17.3 0.5
Unit 13.................. Temperature..... 2.93 2.59 2.27 -22.7 1.4
Vented Electric Compact 120V:
Unit 14.................. Moisture + Temp. 3.23 2.85 1.98 -38.8 0.7
Ventless Electric Compact
240V:
[[Page 50147]]
Unit 15.................. Moisture + Temp. 2.37 2.09 2.07 -12.4 1.1
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Tests use the appropriate field use factor of 1.04 for clothes dryers with automatic termination.
** Field use factor changed from the nominal 1.04 for clothes dryers with automatic termination to 1.18, which
is normally for timer dryers.
DOE requests information and data on the accuracy of
different sensor technologies and control strategies (e.g., temperature
sensors, moisture sensors, or a combination of both) in their ability
to measure the remaining moisture content of the laundry load. Please
indicate the cycle settings used when providing data (when possible use
the ``normal'' cycle or the cycle recommended by manufacturers for
drying cotton or linen clothes). Please also indicate the type of
sensor technology used for the clothes dryers under test (e.g.,
temperature sensors or moisture sensors) and the starting and final
moisture content of the test load (when possible use the starting
moisture content of 57.5 percent with an 8.45 pound (lb) test load for
standard size dryers and 3.00 lb test load for compact dryers).
DOE requests data on the target RMC used by manufacturers
when designing and programming automatic cycle termination controls
that maintains consumer satisfaction. DOE also requests information on
how the target RMC varies by clothes dryer capacity. As noted in the
table above, the final measured RMC from testing of DOE's sample ranged
from 0.4 percent to 1.4 percent, with an average of 0.8 percent.
Water Conditions
DOE notes that the IEC is currently revising its test standard for
clothes dryers, that is, IEC Standard 61121. As part of its revised
draft, the IEC notes that the characteristics of the water used for
wetting the test load prior to the test, particularly the conductivity,
can have a large influence on test results when testing automatic cycle
termination clothes dryers with moisture sensors. Clothes dryers with
moisture sensors use conductivity sensor bars to determine the amount
of moisture in the load when the load comes in contact with the
sensors. The following table provides the characteristics of either
soft or hard water to be used for appliance testing under IEC Standard
61121.
Table 2--Composition of Soft and Hard Water for Appliance Testing
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Water type
-------------------------------
Property Unit Standard soft Standard hard
water water
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total hardness................................ mmol/l (Ca\2+\/Mg\2+\).......... 0.50 0.20 minus> 0.20
Conductivity (at 20 [deg]C)................... [micro]S/cm..................... 150 50 minus> 150
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DOE is not aware of any data regarding the effects of conductivity
of the water used to wet the test load on the measured efficiency.
DOE requests information and data on the effects of
conductivity of the water supply used to wet the test load prior to
drying cycle tests on the measured efficiency using automatic cycle
termination. In particular, DOE requests data on the effects of using
unaltered water supplies versus water supplies adjusted to meet the
specifications in the draft version of IEC 61121. Please indicate the
cycle settings used when providing data (when possible use the
``normal'' cycle or the cycle recommended by manufacturers for drying
cotton or linen clothes). Please also indicate the type of sensor
technology used for the clothes dryers under test (e.g., temperature
sensors or moisture sensors) and the starting and final moisture
content of the test load (when possible use the starting moisture
content of 57.5 percent with an 8.45 pound (lb) test load for standard
size dryers and 3.00 lb test load for compact dryers).
DOE requests data on any potential burden associated with
requirements for and adjustments to the water supply used for wetting
the test load.
Cycle Settings--ECOS Test Results
DOE notes that ECOS Consulting (ECOS) conducted a testing program
for the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) to evaluate clothes
dryer automatic cycle termination.\1\ (The ECOS report stated that the
difference between a standard clothes dryer and one that is effective
at turning itself off when clothes are actually dry is about 0.76
kilowatt-hours (kWh) per load (5,000 kWh over typical lifetime). The
ECOS report also stated that automatic termination cycles using lower
heat settings or lower dryness level reduce energy consumption and
increase efficiency because less energy is spent heating air, cloth,
and metal. The ECOS report summarized testing results for one clothes
dryer that showed that the difference in energy consumption between the
highest and lowest heat settings was 13 percent and that the drying
time increased (from 35 to 49 minutes), but very similar final RMCs
were achieved.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ NRDC, No. 30 at pp. 1-40. Public comment submitted in docket
number EERE-2007-BT-STD-0010.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
DOE requests information and data on consumer usage habits
regarding cycles selected for drying. In your responses, please be
specific by indicating general cycle settings, temperature settings,
and dryness level settings used by consumers.
[[Page 50148]]
DOE requests additional information and data on the
effects of using different automatic cycle termination settings. When
providing test results, please also indicate the type of sensor
technology used for the clothes dryers under test (e.g., temperature
sensors or moisture sensors) and the starting and final moisture
content of the test load (when possible use the starting moisture
content of 57.5 percent with an 8.45 pound (lb) test load for standard
size dryers and 3.00 lb test load for compact dryers).
DOE requests comments on methodology for accounting for
various cycle setting options in the DOE test procedure. In particular,
if interested parties believe that DOE should test multiple cycles,
please provide consumer usage data on the percentage of drying cycles
that consumers use for each automatic cycle termination setting.
DOE also requests comment on the additional testing burden
associated with a requirement to measure multiple cycle settings.
Issued in Washington, DC, on August 9, 2011.
Roland J. Risser,
Program Manager, Building Technologies Program, Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy.
[FR Doc. 2011-20604 Filed 8-11-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
