Publication of the Petition for Waiver and Notice of Granting the Application for Interim Waiver of Sub-Zero From the Department of Energy Residential Refrigerator and Refrigerator-Freezer Test Procedure, 71335-71339 [2011-29715]
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Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 222 / Thursday, November 17, 2011 / Notices
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Office of Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy
[Case No. RF–020]
Publication of the Petition for Waiver
and Notice of Granting the Application
for Interim Waiver of Sub-Zero From
the Department of Energy Residential
Refrigerator and Refrigerator-Freezer
Test Procedure
Office of Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy, Department of
Energy.
ACTION: Notice of petition for waiver,
notice of granting application for
interim waiver, and request for public
comments.
AGENCY:
This notice announces receipt
of and publishes the Sub-Zero, Inc.
(Sub-Zero) petition for waiver (hereafter,
‘‘petition’’) from specified portions of
the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
test procedure for determining the
energy consumption of electric
refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers.
The waiver request pertains to the basic
models set forth in Sub-Zero’s petition
that incorporate dual compressors. In its
petition, Sub-Zero provides an alternate
test procedure that resolves difficulties
in testing dual compressor systems
according to the DOE test procedure.
DOE solicits comments, data, and
information concerning Sub-Zero’s
petition and the suggested alternate test
procedure. DOE also publishes notice of
the grant of an interim waiver to SubZero.
DATES: DOE will accept comments, data,
and information with respect to the SubZero Petition until, but no later than
December 19, 2011.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments,
identified by case number ‘‘RF–020,’’ by
any of the following methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
• Email:
AS_Waiver_Requests@ee.doe.gov.
Include the case number [Case No. RF–
020] in the subject line of the message.
• Mail: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S.
Department of Energy, Building
Technologies Program, Mailstop EE–2J/
1000 Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC 20585–0121.
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., Suite 600,
Washington, DC 20024. Please submit
one signed original paper copy.
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SUMMARY:
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Docket: For access to the docket to
review the background documents
relevant to this matter, you may visit the
U.S. Department of Energy, 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. Available documents include
the following items: (1) This notice; (2)
public comments received; (3) the
petition for waiver and application for
interim waiver; and (4) prior DOE
rulemakings regarding similar
refrigerator-freezers. Please call Ms.
Brenda Edwards at the above telephone
number for additional information.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr.
Michael G. Raymond, U.S. Department
of Energy, Building Technologies
Program, Mail Stop EE–2J, Forrestal
Building, 1000 Independence Avenue
SW., Washington, DC 20585–0121.
Telephone: (202) 586–9611. Email:
Michael.Raymond@ee.doe.gov.
Ms. Elizabeth Kohl, U.S. Department
of Energy, Office of the General Counsel,
Mail Stop GC–71, Forrestal Building,
1000 Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC 20585–0103.
Telephone: (202) 586–7796. Email:
Elizabeth.Kohl@hq.doe.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background and Authority
Title III, part B of the Energy Policy
and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA),
Public Law 94–163 (42 U.S.C. 6291–
6309, as codified, established the Energy
Conservation Program for Consumer
Products Other Than Automobiles, a
program covering most major household
appliances, which includes the electric
refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers
that are the focus of this notice.1 Part B
includes definitions, test procedures,
labeling provisions, energy conservation
standards, and the authority to require
information and reports from
manufacturers. Further, part B
authorizes the Secretary of Energy to
prescribe test procedures that are
reasonably designed to produce results
which measure the energy efficiency,
energy use, or estimated annual
operating costs of a covered product,
and that are not unduly burdensome to
conduct. (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(3)) The test
procedure for electric refrigerators and
electric refrigerator-freezers is contained
in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix
A1.
DOE’s regulations for covered
products contain provisions allowing a
person to seek a waiver for a particular
basic model from the test procedure
requirements for covered consumer
1 For editorial reasons, upon codification in the
U.S. Code, part B was redesignated part A.
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71335
products when (1) The petitioner’s basic
model for which the petition for waiver
was submitted contains one or more
design characteristics that prevent
testing according to the prescribed test
procedure, or (2) when prescribed test
procedures may evaluate the basic
model in a manner so unrepresentative
of its true energy consumption
characteristics as to provide materially
inaccurate comparative data. 10 CFR
430.27(a)(1). Petitioners must include in
their petition any alternate test
procedures known to the petitioner to
evaluate the basic model in a manner
representative of its energy
consumption characteristics. 10 CFR
430.27(b)(1)(iii).
The Assistant Secretary for Energy
Efficiency and Renewable Energy (the
Assistant Secretary) may grant a waiver
subject to conditions, including
adherence to alternate test procedures.
10 CFR 430.27(l). Waivers remain in
effect pursuant to the provisions of 10
CFR 430.27(m).
Any interested person who has
submitted a petition for waiver may also
file an application for interim waiver of
the applicable test procedure
requirements. 10 CFR 430.27(a)(2). The
Assistant Secretary will grant an interim
waiver request if it is determined that
the applicant will experience economic
hardship if the interim waiver is denied,
if it appears likely that the petition for
waiver will be granted, and/or the
Assistant Secretary determines that it
would be desirable for public policy
reasons to grant immediate relief
pending a determination on the petition
for waiver. 10 CFR 430.27(g).
II. Petition for Waiver of Test Procedure
On September 6, 2011, Sub-Zero filed
a petition for waiver from the test
procedure applicable to residential
electric refrigerators and refrigeratorfreezers set forth in 10 CFR part 430,
Subpart B, Appendix A1. Sub-Zero is
designing new refrigerator-freezers that
incorporate dual compressors. In its
petition, Sub-Zero seeks a waiver from
the existing DOE test procedure
applicable to refrigerators and
refrigerator-freezers under 10 CFR part
430 for Sub-Zero’s dual compressor
products. Sub-Zero states that the test
procedure was designed to test
independent, sealed systems while SubZero’s dual compressor products have
shared systems. Sub-Zero further states
that it may not be possible to use the
DOE test procedure for these products,
or that use of the DOE test procedure
would provide inaccurate results. In its
petition, Sub-Zero set forth an alternate
test procedure developed in conjunction
with an independent test laboratory.
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III. Application for Interim Waiver
Sub-Zero also requested an interim
waiver from the existing DOE test
procedure. Under 10 CFR 430.27(b)(2),
each application for interim waiver
must demonstrate likely success of the
Petition for Waiver and address the
economic hardship and/or competitive
disadvantage that is likely to result
absent a favorable determination on the
application for interim waiver.’’ An
interim waiver may be granted if it is
determined that the applicant will
experience economic hardship if the
application for interim waiver is denied;
if it appears likely that the petition for
waiver will be granted; and/or the
Assistant Secretary determines that it
would be desirable for public policy
reasons to grant immediate relief
pending a determination of the petition
for waiver. 10 CFR 430.27(g).
DOE has determined that Sub-Zero’s
application for interim waiver does not
provide sufficient market, equipment
price, shipments and other
manufacturer impact information to
permit DOE to evaluate the economic
hardship Sub-Zero might experience
absent a favorable determination on its
application for interim waiver. DOE
recognizes, however, that the DOE test
procedure for dual compressor systems
assumes independent, sealed system
and that Sub-Zero dual compressor
refrigerators have shared systems. As a
result, it is not possible to test these
products using the DOE test procedure,
and use of the test procedure would
provide test results so unrepresentative
as to provide materially inaccurate
comparative data. Sub-Zero worked
with an independent testing laboratory
to develop a test procedure that would
accurately measure the energy
consumption of its dual compressor
products while alleviating the testing
difficulties, and submitted the results as
an alternate test procedure. DOE
reviewed the alternate procedure and
determined that it will alleviate the
testing problems associated with SubZero’s implementation of a dual
compressor system. Therefore, it
appears likely that Sub-Zero’s petition
for waiver will be granted.
For the reasons stated above, DOE
grants Sub-Zero’s application for
interim waiver from testing of its
refrigerator-freezer product line
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containing dual compressors. Therefore,
it is ordered that:
The application for interim waiver
filed by Sub-Zero is hereby granted for
Sub-Zero’s refrigerator-freezer product
lines that incorporate dual compressors
subject to the following specifications
and conditions:
(1) Sub-Zero shall be required to test
and rate its refrigerator-freezer product
line containing dual compressors
according to the alternate test procedure
as set forth in section IV, ‘‘Alternate test
procedure.’’
(2) The interim waiver applies to the
following basic model groups:
700TCI
700TR
736TCI
736TCIE
736TR
736TRE
30U/O
BI–30U/S/PH
BI–30U/S/TH
BI–30UA/O
BI–30UA/S/PH
BI–30UA/S/TH
BI–30UG/O
BI–30UG/S/PH
BI–30UG/S/TH
BI–36S/O
BI–36S/S/PH
BI–36S/S/TH
BI–36U/O
BI–36U/S/PH
BI–36U/S/TH
BI–36UA/O
BI–36UA/S/PH
BI–36UA/S/TH
BI–36UFD/O
BI–36UFD/S/PH
BI–36UFD/S/TH
BI–36UG/O
BI–36UG/S/PH
BI–36UG/S/TH
BI–42S/O
BI–42S/S/PH
BI–42S/S/TH
BI–42SD/O
BI–42SD/S/PH
BI–42SD/S/TH
BI–42SID/O
BI–42SID/S/PH
BI–42SID/S/TH
BI–48S/O
BI–48S/S/PH
BI–48S/S/TH
BI–48SD/O
BI–48SD/S/PH
BI–48SD/S/TH
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BI–48SID/O
BI–48SID/S/PH
BI–48SID/S/TH
ID–36CI
IT–27CI
IT–30CI
IT–30CIID
IT–36CI
IT–36CIID
PRO48
PRO48G
PRO48HAG
DOE makes decisions on waivers and
interim waivers for only those models
specifically set out in the petition, not
future models that may be manufactured
by the petitioner. Sub-Zero may submit
a new or amended petition for waiver
and request for grant of interim waiver,
as appropriate, for additional models of
refrigerator-freezers for which it seeks a
waiver from the DOE test procedure. In
addition, DOE notes that grant of an
interim waiver or waiver does not
release a petitioner from the
certification requirements set forth at 10
CFR part 429.
Further, this interim waiver is
conditioned upon the presumed validity
of statements, representations, and
documents provided by the petitioner.
DOE may revoke or modify this interim
waiver at any time upon a
determination that the factual basis
underlying the petition for waiver is
incorrect, or upon a determination that
the results from the alternate test
procedure are unrepresentative of the
basic models’ true energy consumption
characteristics.
IV. Alternate Test Procedure
For the duration of the interim
waiver, Sub-Zero shall be required to
test the products listed above according
to the test procedures for residential
electric refrigerator-freezers prescribed
by DOE at 10 CFR part 430, subpart B,
Appendix A1, except that, for the SubZero products listed above only, replace
the multiple defrost system section
5.2.1.4 of Appendix A1 with the
following:
5.2.1.4 Dual Compressor Systems
with Dual Automatic Defrost. The twopart test method in section 4.2.1 must be
used, and the energy consumption in
kilowatt-hours per day shall be
calculated equivalent to:
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Where:
• 1440 = number of minutes in a day
• ET is the test cycle energy (kWh/day);
• i is the variable that can equal to 1,2 or
more that identifies the compartment
with distinct defrost system;
• D is the total number of compartments
with distinct defrost systems;
• EP1 is the dual compressor energy
expended during the first part of the test
(it is calculated for a whole number of
freezer compressor cycles at least 24
hours in duration and may be the
summation of several running periods
that do not include any precool, defrost,
or recovery periods);
• T1 is the length of time for EP1 (minutes);
• EP2i is the total energy consumed during
the second (defrost) part of the test being
conducted for compartment i. (kWh);
• T2i is the length of time (minutes) for the
second (defrost) part of the test being
conducted for compartment i.
• CTi is the compressor on time between
defrosts for only compartment i. CTi for
compartment i with long time automatic
defrost system is calculated as per 10
CFR part 430 subpart B appendix A1
clause 5.2.1.2. CTi for compartment i
with variable defrost system is calculated
as per 10 CFR part 430 subpart B
appendix A1 clause 5.2.1.3. (hours
rounded to the nearest tenth of an hour).
Stabilization:
The test shall start after a minimum
24 hours stabilization run for each
temperature control setting.
Steady State for EP1:
The temperature average for the first
and last compressor cycle of the test
period must be within 1.0°F (0.6°C) of
the test period temperature average for
each compartment. Make this
determination for the fresh food
compartment for the fresh food
compressor cycles closest to the start
and end of the test period. If multiple
segments are used for test period 1, each
segment must comply with above
requirement.
Steady State for EP2i:
The second (defrost) part of the test
must be preceded and followed by
regular compressor cycles. The
temperature average for the first and last
compressor cycle of the test period must
be within 1.0°F (0.6°C) of the EP1 test
period temperature average for each
compartment.
Test Period for EP2i, T2i:
EP2i includes precool, defrost, and
recovery time for compartment i, as well
as sufficient dual compressor steady
state run cycles to allow T2i to be at
least 24 hours. The test period shall start
at the end of a regular freezer
compressor on-cycle after the previous
defrost occurrence (refrigerator or
freezer). The test period also includes
the target defrost and following regular
freezer compressor cycles, ending at the
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end of a regular freezer compressor oncycle before the next defrost occurrence
(refrigerator or freezer). If the previous
condition does not meet 24 hours time,
additional EP1 steady state segment data
could be included. Steady state run
cycle data can be utilized in EP1 and
EP2i.
Test Measurement Frequency:
Measurements shall be taken at
regular interval not exceeding 1 minute.
V. Summary and Request for Comments
Through today’s notice, DOE grants
Sub-Zero an interim waiver from the
specified portions of the test procedure
applicable to Sub-Zero’s line of
refrigerator-freezers with dual
compressors and announces receipt of
Sub-Zero’s petition for waiver from
those same portions of the test
procedure. DOE publishes Sub-Zero’s
petition for waiver pursuant to 10 CFR
430.27(b)(1)(iv). The petition includes a
suggested alternate test procedure to
determine the energy consumption of
Sub-Zero’s specified refrigerator-freezers
with dual compressors. Sub-Zero is
required to follow this alternate
procedure as a condition of its interim
waiver, and DOE is considering
including this alternate procedure in its
subsequent Decision and Order.
DOE solicits comments from
interested parties on all aspects of the
petition, including the suggested
alternate test procedure and calculation
methodology. Pursuant to 10 CFR
430.27(b)(1)(iv), any person submitting
written comments to DOE must also
send a copy of such comments to the
petitioner. The contact information for
the petitioner is: Paul V. Sikir, Vice
President of Design Engineering, SubZero, Inc., 4717 Hammersley Road,
Madison, Wisconsin 53711. All
submissions received must include the
agency name and case number for this
proceeding. Submit electronic
comments in WordPerfect, Microsoft
Word, Portable Document Format (PDF),
or text (American Standard Code for
Information Interchange (ASCII)) file
format and avoid the use of special
characters or any form of encryption.
Wherever possible, include the
electronic signature of the author. DOE
does not accept telefacsimiles (faxes).
According to 10 CFR 1004.11, any
person submitting information that he
or she believes to be confidential and
exempt by law from public disclosure
should submit two copies to DOE: one
copy of the document including all the
information believed to be confidential,
and one copy of the document with the
information believed to be confidential
deleted. DOE will make its own
determination about the confidential
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71337
status of the information and treat it
according to its determination.
Issued in Washington, DC, on November 8,
2011.
Kathleen B. Hogan,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy
Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and Renewable
Energy.
September 6, 2011
Henry Kelly
Energy Efficiency and Renewable
Energy
Department of Energy
1000 Independence Avenue SW
Washington, DC 20585
Dear Assistant Secretary Kelly:
Pursuant to 10 CFR 430.27, Sub-Zero
respectfully requests expedited
attention to this revised request for both
an interim and final waiver to modify
the DOE test procedure (Test Procedures
for Refrigerators, Refrigerator-Freezers,
and Freezers (Final Rule and Interim
Final Rule), 75 Fed. Reg. 78,810 (Dec.
16, 2010)) for Sub-Zero refrigerators
using two compressors. Without this
waiver, we are unable to certify new
dual compressor models as compliant
with Energy Star and/or DOE minimum
efficiency standards.
Sub-Zero is a family-owned company
that has been headquartered in
Madison, Wisconsin for over 60 years.
Sub-Zero developed the niche market
for customized built-in residential
refrigeration using dual compressors
and manufactures all our products in
the United States, with factories in
Wisconsin and Arizona. While
technically not a ‘‘small business’’ using
DOE’s definition, Sub-Zero is a small
producer of refrigerators striving to
compete in an age of large, multinational manufacturers and is one of the
few remaining U.S. companies that
produce all of its refrigerator products
here in the U.S.
In previous comments to the
Department, The Association of Home
Appliance Manufacturers and
individual manufacturers including
Sub-Zero urged DOE to consider the
technical difficulties imposed by the
DOE dual compressor test method.
DOE’s approach in the final test
procedure is difficult, if not impossible,
to apply. In fact, it will require waivers,
such as this one, because many products
simply do not work the way DOE’s
equation assumes. DOE’s approach
assumes independent, sealed systems.
Sub-Zero dual compressor refrigerators
do not have independent, sealed
systems—they have shared systems.
Thus, DOE’s approach for these
products, at best, requires several added
measurements to comply (adding
burden), and may even provide
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Stabilization:
The test shall start after a minimum
24 hours stabilization run for each
temperature control setting.
Steady State for EP1:
The temperature average for the first
and last compressor cycle of the test
period must be within 1.0 °F (0.6 °C) of
the test period temperature average for
each compartment. Make this
determination for the fresh food
compartment for the fresh food
compressor cycles closest to the start
and end of the test period. If multiple
segments used for test period 1, each
segment must comply with above
requirement.
Steady State for EP2i:
The second (defrost) part of the test
must be preceded and followed by
normal compressor cycle. The
temperature average for the first and last
compressor cycle of the test period must
be within 1.0 °F (0.6 °C) of the EP1 test
period temperature average for each
compartment.
Test Period for EP2i, T2i:
EP2i includes precool, defrost, and
recovery time for compartment i, as well
as sufficient dual compressor steady
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obtaining separate energy use
measurements required in the test
procedure for dual compressor
products. However, as discussed above,
neither does the AHAM-proposed
approach.’’ Thus, DOE acknowledged
problems with the current test
procedure but did not believe the
AHAM proposal provided an adequate
solution. We believe the proposed
approach in this waiver petition,
developed by CSA International, GE and
Sub-Zero, addresses DOE’s concerns.
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Issues with the DOE Test Procedure
AHAM provided an alternative test
procedure in its August 10, 2010
comments on the proposed test
procedure rule. DOE responded in 75
Fed. Reg. 78,810 (Dec. 16, 2010): ‘‘After
analyzing this alternative proposal for
multiple compressors, DOE does not
believe that it simplifies testing of
systems with two or more compressors.
In particular, it does not alleviate the
test procedure burden associated with
having to separately measure the energy
use for the different systems, which is
part of the procedure of the current
dual-compressor product test procedure.
DOE understands that this is a key
difficulty in testing such systems since
it introduces burden and that, in some
cases, it may be impossible to
accomplish, depending on the details of
the internal wiring of such products
* * * DOE acknowledges that this final
rule does not eliminate the difficulty of
Proposed Modified Dual Compressor
Test Procedure
The DOE test procedure dual
compressor calculation requires the
system to be divided into two separate
systems—refrigerator and freezer. This
is extremely difficult due to the fact that
all dual compressor systems use a single
power inlet and almost all, including
Sub-Zero units, use a single electronic
control to control both compressors.
Energy testing protocols and laboratory
equipment and measurement methods
are not capable of evaluating each
compressor system separately and
individually. Also, the current steady
state definition may not be achievable in
the dual compressor system due the
time required to calculate steady state.
We propose a modified procedure to
measure dual compressor energy. This
method will use a single electrical data
collection system which is same as used
in any variable defrost unit energy test
procedure. Sub-Zero proposes
simplifying EP1 to provide an accurate
method for measuring energy that is
simpler and less burdensome. It will
also decrease the testing burden on
manufacturers. To ensure accuracy, dual
compressor energy times must be of
sufficient length to reduce
synchronization errors. With dual
compressors, a short T1 or T2 may
result in a significant error for the
system that does not have full
compressor cycles represented.
Lengthening out these times reduces
this effect. To further reduce error, SubZero recommends that the frequency of
measurements taken during the testing
should be increased. This will reduce
synchronization error and is more
consistent with test methods being used
in manufacturer’s and in third party
verification company’s labs.
Thus, Sub-Zero requests that DOE
modify the multiple defrost system
equation in 5.2.1.4 of Appendix A1 as
follows:
• 1440 = number of minutes in a day
• ET is the test cycle energy (kWh/
day);
• i is the variable that can equal to 1,2
or more that identifies the compartment
with distinct defrost system;
• D is the total number of
compartments with distinct defrost
systems;
• EP1 is the dual compressor energy
expended during the first part of the test
(it is calculated for a whole number of
freezer compressor cycles at least 24
hours in duration and may be the
summation of several running periods
that do not include any precool, defrost,
or recovery periods);
• T1 is the length of time for EP1
(minutes);
• EP2i is the total energy consumed
during the second (defrost) part of the
test being conducted for compartment i.
(kWh);
• T2i is the length of time (minutes)
for the second (defrost) part of the test
being conducted for compartment i.
• CTi is the compressor on time
between defrosts for only compartment
i. CTi for compartment i with long time
automatic defrost system is calculated
as per 10 CFR part 430 subpart B
appendix A1 clause 5.2.1.2. CTi for
compartment i with variable defrost
system is calculated as per 10 CFR part
430 subpart B appendix A1 clause
5.2.1.3. (rounded to the nearest tenth of
an hour) (hours).
insurmountable obstacles, leading to
test results so misrepresentative as to
provide inaccurate energy consumption
data.
CSA International, which is
conducting testing for the AHAM
Refrigerator-Freezer Verification
Program, has informed us that they also
believe that the DOE test procedure is
unworkable for our dual compressor
refrigerators. The modified test
procedure that we propose for DOE’s
consideration in this waiver request is
the product of analysis by CSA
International, Sub-Zero and General
Electric Appliances resulting in a
practical, accurate and repeatable
method. CSA International also intends
to submit this modified procedure for
adoption by Natural Resources Canada.
Since the vast majority of Sub-Zero’s
models utilize dual compressors, the
company’s future viability is clearly
threatened by this situation and we
sincerely ask DOE to grant immediate
relief.
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state run cycles to allow T2i to be at
least 24 hours. The test period shall start
at the beginning of normal compressor
cycle after the previous defrost
occurrence (refrigerator or freezer). The
test period includes the target defrost
and following normal compressor cycles
until the next defrost occurrence
(refrigerator or freezer). If the previous
condition does not meet 24 hours time,
additional EP1 steady state segment data
could be included. Steady state run
cycle data can be utilized in EP1 and
EP2i.
Test Measurement Frequency:
Measurements shall be taken at
regular interval not exceeding 1 minute.
Affected Models:
The basic models of Sub-Zero dual
compressor refrigerators affected are:
700TCI
700TR
736TCI
736TCIE
736TR
736TRE
BI–30U/O
BI–30U/S/PH
BI–30U/S/TH
BI–30UA/O
BI–30UA/S/PH
BI–30UA/S/TH
BI–30UG/O
BI–30UG/S/PH
BI–30UG/S/TH
BI–36S/O
BI–36S/S/PH
BI–36S/S/TH
BI–36U/O
BI–36U/S/PH
BI–36U/S/TH
BI–36UA/O
BI–36UA/S/PH
BI–36UA/S/TH
BI–36UFD/O
BI–36UFD/S/PH
BI–36UFD/S/TH
BI–36UG/O
BI–36UG/S/PH
BI–36UG/S/TH
BI–42S/O
BI–42S/S/PH
BI–42S/S/TH
BI–42SD/O
BI–42SD/S/PH
BI–42SD/S/TH
BI–42SID/O
BI–42SID/S/PH
BI–42SID/S/TH
BI–48S/O
BI–48S/S/PH
BI–48S/S/TH
BI–48SD/O
BI–48SD/S/PH
BI–48SD/S/TH
BI–48SID/O
BI–48SID/S/PH
BI–48SID/S/TH
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:25 Nov 16, 2011
Jkt 226001
ID–36CI
IT–27CI
IT–30CI
IT–30CIID
IT–36CI
IT–36CIID
PRO48
PRO48G
PRO48HAG
In summary, this is a critical issue for
our company and we request that DOE
expedite the handling of this petition for
an interim and final waiver. Sub-Zero
would be pleased to discuss this waiver
petition with DOE and provide any
additional information that the
Department might require. We will also
notify all manufacturers of domestically
marketed refrigerators known to us of
this waiver petition by letter.
Sincerely,
Paul V. Sikir
Vice President of Design Engineering
Cc: Kathleen Hogan, Deputy Assistant
Secretary for Energy Efficiency in the
Office of Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy (EERE)
[FR Doc. 2011–29715 Filed 11–16–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
[EPA–HQ–OA–2007–0706; FRL–9493–7]
Agency Information Collection
Activities; Proposed Collection;
Comment Request; State Small
Business Stationary Source Technical
and Environmental Compliance
Assistance Programs (SBTCP) Annual
Reporting Form (Renewal)
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
In compliance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this document
announces that EPA is planning to
submit a request to renew an existing
approved Information Collection
Request (ICR) to the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB). This
ICR is scheduled to expire on April 30,
2012. Before submitting the ICR to OMB
for review and approval, EPA is
soliciting comments on specific aspects
of the proposed information collection
as described below.
DATES: Comments must be submitted on
or before January 17, 2012.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
identified by Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–
OA–2007–0706 by one of the following
methods:
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00033
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
71339
• https://www.regulations.gov: Follow
the on-line instructions for submitting
comments.
• Email: oei.docket@epa.gov.
• Fax: (202) 566–9744.
• Mail: Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) Docket Center, Office of
Environmental Information Docket,
Mailcode: (28221T), 1200 Pennsylvania
Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460].
• Hand Delivery: EPA Docket Center,
Office of Environmental Information
Docket, EPA West Building, Room 3334,
1301 Constitution Avenue NW,
Washington, DC 20004.
Such deliveries are only accepted
during the Docket’s normal hours of
operation, and special arrangements
should be made for deliveries of boxed
information.
Instructions: Direct your comments to
Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OA–2007–
0706. EPA’s policy is that all comments
received will be included in the public
docket without change and may be
made available online at https://
www.regulations.gov, including any
personal information provided, unless
the comment includes information
claimed to be Confidential Business
Information (CBI) or other information
whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
Do not submit information that you
consider to be CBI or otherwise
protected through https://
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an ‘‘anonymous access’’ system, which
means EPA will not know your identity
or contact information unless you
provide it in the body of your comment.
If you send an email comment directly
to EPA without going through https://
www.regulations.gov your email address
will be automatically captured and
included as part of the comment that is
placed in the public docket and made
available on the Internet. If you submit
an electronic comment, EPA
recommends that you include your
name and other contact information in
the body of your comment and with any
disk or CD–ROM you submit. If EPA
cannot read your comment due to
technical difficulties and cannot contact
you for clarification, EPA may not be
able to consider your comment.
Electronic files should avoid the use of
special characters, any form of
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about EPA’s public docket visit https://
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Angela Suber, Office of Small Business
Programs, Mail Code: 1230T,
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200
Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington,
E:\FR\FM\17NON1.SGM
17NON1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 222 (Thursday, November 17, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71335-71339]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-29715]
[[Page 71335]]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
[Case No. RF-020]
Publication of the Petition for Waiver and Notice of Granting the
Application for Interim Waiver of Sub-Zero From the Department of
Energy Residential Refrigerator and Refrigerator-Freezer Test Procedure
AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of
Energy.
ACTION: Notice of petition for waiver, notice of granting application
for interim waiver, and request for public comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This notice announces receipt of and publishes the Sub-Zero,
Inc. (Sub-Zero) petition for waiver (hereafter, ``petition'') from
specified portions of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) test
procedure for determining the energy consumption of electric
refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers. The waiver request pertains to
the basic models set forth in Sub-Zero's petition that incorporate dual
compressors. In its petition, Sub-Zero provides an alternate test
procedure that resolves difficulties in testing dual compressor systems
according to the DOE test procedure. DOE solicits comments, data, and
information concerning Sub-Zero's petition and the suggested alternate
test procedure. DOE also publishes notice of the grant of an interim
waiver to Sub-Zero.
DATES: DOE will accept comments, data, and information with respect to
the Sub-Zero Petition until, but no later than December 19, 2011.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by case number ``RF-
020,'' by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Email: AS_Waiver_Requests@ee.doe.gov. Include the case
number [Case No. RF-020] in the subject line of the message.
Mail: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department of Energy,
Building Technologies Program, Mailstop EE-2J/1000 Independence Avenue
SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121. 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., Suite
600, Washington, DC 20024. Please submit one signed original paper
copy.
Docket: For access to the docket to review the background documents
relevant to this matter, you may visit the U.S. Department of Energy,
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.
Available documents include the following items: (1) This notice; (2)
public comments received; (3) the petition for waiver and application
for interim waiver; and (4) prior DOE rulemakings regarding similar
refrigerator-freezers. Please call Ms. Brenda Edwards at the above
telephone number for additional information.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Michael G. Raymond, U.S.
Department of Energy, Building Technologies Program, Mail Stop EE-2J,
Forrestal Building, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585-
0121. Telephone: (202) 586-9611. Email: Michael.Raymond@ee.doe.gov.
Ms. Elizabeth Kohl, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the
General Counsel, Mail Stop GC-71, Forrestal Building, 1000 Independence
Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585-0103. Telephone: (202) 586-7796.
Email: Elizabeth.Kohl@hq.doe.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background and Authority
Title III, part B of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975
(EPCA), Public Law 94-163 (42 U.S.C. 6291-6309, as codified,
established the Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products Other
Than Automobiles, a program covering most major household appliances,
which includes the electric refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers
that are the focus of this notice.\1\ Part B includes definitions, test
procedures, labeling provisions, energy conservation standards, and the
authority to require information and reports from manufacturers.
Further, part B authorizes the Secretary of Energy to prescribe test
procedures that are reasonably designed to produce results which
measure the energy efficiency, energy use, or estimated annual
operating costs of a covered product, and that are not unduly
burdensome to conduct. (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(3)) The test procedure for
electric refrigerators and electric refrigerator-freezers is contained
in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix A1.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ For editorial reasons, upon codification in the U.S. Code,
part B was redesignated part A.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
DOE's regulations for covered products contain provisions allowing
a person to seek a waiver for a particular basic model from the test
procedure requirements for covered consumer products when (1) The
petitioner's basic model for which the petition for waiver was
submitted contains one or more design characteristics that prevent
testing according to the prescribed test procedure, or (2) when
prescribed test procedures may evaluate the basic model in a manner so
unrepresentative of its true energy consumption characteristics as to
provide materially inaccurate comparative data. 10 CFR 430.27(a)(1).
Petitioners must include in their petition any alternate test
procedures known to the petitioner to evaluate the basic model in a
manner representative of its energy consumption characteristics. 10 CFR
430.27(b)(1)(iii).
The Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
(the Assistant Secretary) may grant a waiver subject to conditions,
including adherence to alternate test procedures. 10 CFR 430.27(l).
Waivers remain in effect pursuant to the provisions of 10 CFR
430.27(m).
Any interested person who has submitted a petition for waiver may
also file an application for interim waiver of the applicable test
procedure requirements. 10 CFR 430.27(a)(2). The Assistant Secretary
will grant an interim waiver request if it is determined that the
applicant will experience economic hardship if the interim waiver is
denied, if it appears likely that the petition for waiver will be
granted, and/or the Assistant Secretary determines that it would be
desirable for public policy reasons to grant immediate relief pending a
determination on the petition for waiver. 10 CFR 430.27(g).
II. Petition for Waiver of Test Procedure
On September 6, 2011, Sub-Zero filed a petition for waiver from the
test procedure applicable to residential electric refrigerators and
refrigerator-freezers set forth in 10 CFR part 430, Subpart B, Appendix
A1. Sub-Zero is designing new refrigerator-freezers that incorporate
dual compressors. In its petition, Sub-Zero seeks a waiver from the
existing DOE test procedure applicable to refrigerators and
refrigerator-freezers under 10 CFR part 430 for Sub-Zero's dual
compressor products. Sub-Zero states that the test procedure was
designed to test independent, sealed systems while Sub-Zero's dual
compressor products have shared systems. Sub-Zero further states that
it may not be possible to use the DOE test procedure for these
products, or that use of the DOE test procedure would provide
inaccurate results. In its petition, Sub-Zero set forth an alternate
test procedure developed in conjunction with an independent test
laboratory.
[[Page 71336]]
III. Application for Interim Waiver
Sub-Zero also requested an interim waiver from the existing DOE
test procedure. Under 10 CFR 430.27(b)(2), each application for interim
waiver must demonstrate likely success of the Petition for Waiver and
address the economic hardship and/or competitive disadvantage that is
likely to result absent a favorable determination on the application
for interim waiver.'' An interim waiver may be granted if it is
determined that the applicant will experience economic hardship if the
application for interim waiver is denied; if it appears likely that the
petition for waiver will be granted; and/or the Assistant Secretary
determines that it would be desirable for public policy reasons to
grant immediate relief pending a determination of the petition for
waiver. 10 CFR 430.27(g).
DOE has determined that Sub-Zero's application for interim waiver
does not provide sufficient market, equipment price, shipments and
other manufacturer impact information to permit DOE to evaluate the
economic hardship Sub-Zero might experience absent a favorable
determination on its application for interim waiver. DOE recognizes,
however, that the DOE test procedure for dual compressor systems
assumes independent, sealed system and that Sub-Zero dual compressor
refrigerators have shared systems. As a result, it is not possible to
test these products using the DOE test procedure, and use of the test
procedure would provide test results so unrepresentative as to provide
materially inaccurate comparative data. Sub-Zero worked with an
independent testing laboratory to develop a test procedure that would
accurately measure the energy consumption of its dual compressor
products while alleviating the testing difficulties, and submitted the
results as an alternate test procedure. DOE reviewed the alternate
procedure and determined that it will alleviate the testing problems
associated with Sub-Zero's implementation of a dual compressor system.
Therefore, it appears likely that Sub-Zero's petition for waiver will
be granted.
For the reasons stated above, DOE grants Sub-Zero's application for
interim waiver from testing of its refrigerator-freezer product line
containing dual compressors. Therefore, it is ordered that:
The application for interim waiver filed by Sub-Zero is hereby
granted for Sub-Zero's refrigerator-freezer product lines that
incorporate dual compressors subject to the following specifications
and conditions:
(1) Sub-Zero shall be required to test and rate its refrigerator-
freezer product line containing dual compressors according to the
alternate test procedure as set forth in section IV, ``Alternate test
procedure.''
(2) The interim waiver applies to the following basic model groups:
700TCI
700TR
736TCI
736TCIE
736TR
736TRE
30U/O
BI-30U/S/PH
BI-30U/S/TH
BI-30UA/O
BI-30UA/S/PH
BI-30UA/S/TH
BI-30UG/O
BI-30UG/S/PH
BI-30UG/S/TH
BI-36S/O
BI-36S/S/PH
BI-36S/S/TH
BI-36U/O
BI-36U/S/PH
BI-36U/S/TH
BI-36UA/O
BI-36UA/S/PH
BI-36UA/S/TH
BI-36UFD/O
BI-36UFD/S/PH
BI-36UFD/S/TH
BI-36UG/O
BI-36UG/S/PH
BI-36UG/S/TH
BI-42S/O
BI-42S/S/PH
BI-42S/S/TH
BI-42SD/O
BI-42SD/S/PH
BI-42SD/S/TH
BI-42SID/O
BI-42SID/S/PH
BI-42SID/S/TH
BI-48S/O
BI-48S/S/PH
BI-48S/S/TH
BI-48SD/O
BI-48SD/S/PH
BI-48SD/S/TH
BI-48SID/O
BI-48SID/S/PH
BI-48SID/S/TH
ID-36CI
IT-27CI
IT-30CI
IT-30CIID
IT-36CI
IT-36CIID
PRO48
PRO48G
PRO48HAG
DOE makes decisions on waivers and interim waivers for only those
models specifically set out in the petition, not future models that may
be manufactured by the petitioner. Sub-Zero may submit a new or amended
petition for waiver and request for grant of interim waiver, as
appropriate, for additional models of refrigerator-freezers for which
it seeks a waiver from the DOE test procedure. In addition, DOE notes
that grant of an interim waiver or waiver does not release a petitioner
from the certification requirements set forth at 10 CFR part 429.
Further, this interim waiver is conditioned upon the presumed
validity of statements, representations, and documents provided by the
petitioner. DOE may revoke or modify this interim waiver at any time
upon a determination that the factual basis underlying the petition for
waiver is incorrect, or upon a determination that the results from the
alternate test procedure are unrepresentative of the basic models' true
energy consumption characteristics.
IV. Alternate Test Procedure
For the duration of the interim waiver, Sub-Zero shall be required
to test the products listed above according to the test procedures for
residential electric refrigerator-freezers prescribed by DOE at 10 CFR
part 430, subpart B, Appendix A1, except that, for the Sub-Zero
products listed above only, replace the multiple defrost system section
5.2.1.4 of Appendix A1 with the following:
5.2.1.4 Dual Compressor Systems with Dual Automatic Defrost. The
two-part test method in section 4.2.1 must be used, and the energy
consumption in kilowatt-hours per day shall be calculated equivalent
to:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN17NO11.000
[[Page 71337]]
Where:
1440 = number of minutes in a day
ET is the test cycle energy (kWh/day);
i is the variable that can equal to 1,2 or more that
identifies the compartment with distinct defrost system;
D is the total number of compartments with distinct defrost
systems;
EP1 is the dual compressor energy expended during the first
part of the test (it is calculated for a whole number of freezer
compressor cycles at least 24 hours in duration and may be the
summation of several running periods that do not include any
precool, defrost, or recovery periods);
T1 is the length of time for EP1 (minutes);
EP2i is the total energy consumed during the second
(defrost) part of the test being conducted for compartment i. (kWh);
T2i is the length of time (minutes) for the second
(defrost) part of the test being conducted for compartment i.
CTi is the compressor on time between defrosts for only
compartment i. CTi for compartment i with long time automatic
defrost system is calculated as per 10 CFR part 430 subpart B
appendix A1 clause 5.2.1.2. CTi for compartment i with variable
defrost system is calculated as per 10 CFR part 430 subpart B
appendix A1 clause 5.2.1.3. (hours rounded to the nearest tenth of
an hour).
Stabilization:
The test shall start after a minimum 24 hours stabilization run for
each temperature control setting.
Steady State for EP1:
The temperature average for the first and last compressor cycle of
the test period must be within 1.0[deg]F (0.6[deg]C) of the test period
temperature average for each compartment. Make this determination for
the fresh food compartment for the fresh food compressor cycles closest
to the start and end of the test period. If multiple segments are used
for test period 1, each segment must comply with above requirement.
Steady State for EP2i:
The second (defrost) part of the test must be preceded and followed
by regular compressor cycles. The temperature average for the first and
last compressor cycle of the test period must be within 1.0[deg]F
(0.6[deg]C) of the EP1 test period temperature average for each
compartment.
Test Period for EP2i, T2i:
EP2i includes precool, defrost, and recovery time for compartment
i, as well as sufficient dual compressor steady state run cycles to
allow T2i to be at least 24 hours. The test period shall start at the
end of a regular freezer compressor on-cycle after the previous defrost
occurrence (refrigerator or freezer). The test period also includes the
target defrost and following regular freezer compressor cycles, ending
at the end of a regular freezer compressor on-cycle before the next
defrost occurrence (refrigerator or freezer). If the previous condition
does not meet 24 hours time, additional EP1 steady state segment data
could be included. Steady state run cycle data can be utilized in EP1
and EP2i.
Test Measurement Frequency:
Measurements shall be taken at regular interval not exceeding 1
minute.
V. Summary and Request for Comments
Through today's notice, DOE grants Sub-Zero an interim waiver from
the specified portions of the test procedure applicable to Sub-Zero's
line of refrigerator-freezers with dual compressors and announces
receipt of Sub-Zero's petition for waiver from those same portions of
the test procedure. DOE publishes Sub-Zero's petition for waiver
pursuant to 10 CFR 430.27(b)(1)(iv). The petition includes a suggested
alternate test procedure to determine the energy consumption of Sub-
Zero's specified refrigerator-freezers with dual compressors. Sub-Zero
is required to follow this alternate procedure as a condition of its
interim waiver, and DOE is considering including this alternate
procedure in its subsequent Decision and Order.
DOE solicits comments from interested parties on all aspects of the
petition, including the suggested alternate test procedure and
calculation methodology. Pursuant to 10 CFR 430.27(b)(1)(iv), any
person submitting written comments to DOE must also send a copy of such
comments to the petitioner. The contact information for the petitioner
is: Paul V. Sikir, Vice President of Design Engineering, Sub-Zero,
Inc., 4717 Hammersley Road, Madison, Wisconsin 53711. All submissions
received must include the agency name and case number for this
proceeding. Submit electronic comments in WordPerfect, Microsoft Word,
Portable Document Format (PDF), or text (American Standard Code for
Information Interchange (ASCII)) file format and avoid the use of
special characters or any form of encryption. Wherever possible,
include the electronic signature of the author. DOE does not accept
telefacsimiles (faxes).
According to 10 CFR 1004.11, any person submitting information that
he or she believes to be confidential and exempt by law from public
disclosure should submit two copies to DOE: one copy of the document
including all the information believed to be confidential, and one copy
of the document with the information believed to be confidential
deleted. DOE will make its own determination about the confidential
status of the information and treat it according to its determination.
Issued in Washington, DC, on November 8, 2011.
Kathleen B. Hogan,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy.
September 6, 2011
Henry Kelly
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Department of Energy
1000 Independence Avenue SW
Washington, DC 20585
Dear Assistant Secretary Kelly:
Pursuant to 10 CFR 430.27, Sub-Zero respectfully requests expedited
attention to this revised request for both an interim and final waiver
to modify the DOE test procedure (Test Procedures for Refrigerators,
Refrigerator-Freezers, and Freezers (Final Rule and Interim Final
Rule), 75 Fed. Reg. 78,810 (Dec. 16, 2010)) for Sub-Zero refrigerators
using two compressors. Without this waiver, we are unable to certify
new dual compressor models as compliant with Energy Star and/or DOE
minimum efficiency standards.
Sub-Zero is a family-owned company that has been headquartered in
Madison, Wisconsin for over 60 years. Sub-Zero developed the niche
market for customized built-in residential refrigeration using dual
compressors and manufactures all our products in the United States,
with factories in Wisconsin and Arizona. While technically not a
``small business'' using DOE's definition, Sub-Zero is a small producer
of refrigerators striving to compete in an age of large, multi-national
manufacturers and is one of the few remaining U.S. companies that
produce all of its refrigerator products here in the U.S.
In previous comments to the Department, The Association of Home
Appliance Manufacturers and individual manufacturers including Sub-Zero
urged DOE to consider the technical difficulties imposed by the DOE
dual compressor test method. DOE's approach in the final test procedure
is difficult, if not impossible, to apply. In fact, it will require
waivers, such as this one, because many products simply do not work the
way DOE's equation assumes. DOE's approach assumes independent, sealed
systems. Sub-Zero dual compressor refrigerators do not have
independent, sealed systems--they have shared systems. Thus, DOE's
approach for these products, at best, requires several added
measurements to comply (adding burden), and may even provide
[[Page 71338]]
insurmountable obstacles, leading to test results so misrepresentative
as to provide inaccurate energy consumption data.
CSA International, which is conducting testing for the AHAM
Refrigerator-Freezer Verification Program, has informed us that they
also believe that the DOE test procedure is unworkable for our dual
compressor refrigerators. The modified test procedure that we propose
for DOE's consideration in this waiver request is the product of
analysis by CSA International, Sub-Zero and General Electric Appliances
resulting in a practical, accurate and repeatable method. CSA
International also intends to submit this modified procedure for
adoption by Natural Resources Canada.
Since the vast majority of Sub-Zero's models utilize dual
compressors, the company's future viability is clearly threatened by
this situation and we sincerely ask DOE to grant immediate relief.
Issues with the DOE Test Procedure
AHAM provided an alternative test procedure in its August 10, 2010
comments on the proposed test procedure rule. DOE responded in 75 Fed.
Reg. 78,810 (Dec. 16, 2010): ``After analyzing this alternative
proposal for multiple compressors, DOE does not believe that it
simplifies testing of systems with two or more compressors. In
particular, it does not alleviate the test procedure burden associated
with having to separately measure the energy use for the different
systems, which is part of the procedure of the current dual-compressor
product test procedure. DOE understands that this is a key difficulty
in testing such systems since it introduces burden and that, in some
cases, it may be impossible to accomplish, depending on the details of
the internal wiring of such products * * * DOE acknowledges that this
final rule does not eliminate the difficulty of obtaining separate
energy use measurements required in the test procedure for dual
compressor products. However, as discussed above, neither does the
AHAM-proposed approach.'' Thus, DOE acknowledged problems with the
current test procedure but did not believe the AHAM proposal provided
an adequate solution. We believe the proposed approach in this waiver
petition, developed by CSA International, GE and Sub-Zero, addresses
DOE's concerns.
Proposed Modified Dual Compressor Test Procedure
The DOE test procedure dual compressor calculation requires the
system to be divided into two separate systems--refrigerator and
freezer. This is extremely difficult due to the fact that all dual
compressor systems use a single power inlet and almost all, including
Sub-Zero units, use a single electronic control to control both
compressors. Energy testing protocols and laboratory equipment and
measurement methods are not capable of evaluating each compressor
system separately and individually. Also, the current steady state
definition may not be achievable in the dual compressor system due the
time required to calculate steady state.
We propose a modified procedure to measure dual compressor energy.
This method will use a single electrical data collection system which
is same as used in any variable defrost unit energy test procedure.
Sub-Zero proposes simplifying EP1 to provide an accurate method for
measuring energy that is simpler and less burdensome. It will also
decrease the testing burden on manufacturers. To ensure accuracy, dual
compressor energy times must be of sufficient length to reduce
synchronization errors. With dual compressors, a short T1 or T2 may
result in a significant error for the system that does not have full
compressor cycles represented. Lengthening out these times reduces this
effect. To further reduce error, Sub-Zero recommends that the frequency
of measurements taken during the testing should be increased. This will
reduce synchronization error and is more consistent with test methods
being used in manufacturer's and in third party verification company's
labs.
Thus, Sub-Zero requests that DOE modify the multiple defrost system
equation in 5.2.1.4 of Appendix A1 as follows:
1440 = number of minutes in a day
ET is the test cycle energy (kWh/day);
i is the variable that can equal to 1,2 or more that
identifies the compartment with distinct defrost system;
D is the total number of compartments with distinct
defrost systems;
EP1 is the dual compressor energy expended during the
first part of the test (it is calculated for a whole number of freezer
compressor cycles at least 24 hours in duration and may be the
summation of several running periods that do not include any precool,
defrost, or recovery periods);
T1 is the length of time for EP1 (minutes);
EP2i is the total energy consumed during the second
(defrost) part of the test being conducted for compartment i. (kWh);
T2i is the length of time (minutes) for the second
(defrost) part of the test being conducted for compartment i.
CTi is the compressor on time between defrosts for only
compartment i. CTi for compartment i with long time automatic defrost
system is calculated as per 10 CFR part 430 subpart B appendix A1
clause 5.2.1.2. CTi for compartment i with variable defrost system is
calculated as per 10 CFR part 430 subpart B appendix A1 clause 5.2.1.3.
(rounded to the nearest tenth of an hour) (hours).
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN17NO11.001
Stabilization:
The test shall start after a minimum 24 hours stabilization run for
each temperature control setting.
Steady State for EP1:
The temperature average for the first and last compressor cycle of
the test period must be within 1.0 [deg]F (0.6 [deg]C) of the test
period temperature average for each compartment. Make this
determination for the fresh food compartment for the fresh food
compressor cycles closest to the start and end of the test period. If
multiple segments used for test period 1, each segment must comply with
above requirement.
Steady State for EP2i:
The second (defrost) part of the test must be preceded and followed
by normal compressor cycle. The temperature average for the first and
last compressor cycle of the test period must be within 1.0 [deg]F (0.6
[deg]C) of the EP1 test period temperature average for each
compartment.
Test Period for EP2i, T2i:
EP2i includes precool, defrost, and recovery time for compartment
i, as well as sufficient dual compressor steady
[[Page 71339]]
state run cycles to allow T2i to be at least 24 hours. The test period
shall start at the beginning of normal compressor cycle after the
previous defrost occurrence (refrigerator or freezer). The test period
includes the target defrost and following normal compressor cycles
until the next defrost occurrence (refrigerator or freezer). If the
previous condition does not meet 24 hours time, additional EP1 steady
state segment data could be included. Steady state run cycle data can
be utilized in EP1 and EP2i.
Test Measurement Frequency:
Measurements shall be taken at regular interval not exceeding 1
minute.
Affected Models:
The basic models of Sub-Zero dual compressor refrigerators affected
are:
700TCI
700TR
736TCI
736TCIE
736TR
736TRE
BI-30U/O
BI-30U/S/PH
BI-30U/S/TH
BI-30UA/O
BI-30UA/S/PH
BI-30UA/S/TH
BI-30UG/O
BI-30UG/S/PH
BI-30UG/S/TH
BI-36S/O
BI-36S/S/PH
BI-36S/S/TH
BI-36U/O
BI-36U/S/PH
BI-36U/S/TH
BI-36UA/O
BI-36UA/S/PH
BI-36UA/S/TH
BI-36UFD/O
BI-36UFD/S/PH
BI-36UFD/S/TH
BI-36UG/O
BI-36UG/S/PH
BI-36UG/S/TH
BI-42S/O
BI-42S/S/PH
BI-42S/S/TH
BI-42SD/O
BI-42SD/S/PH
BI-42SD/S/TH
BI-42SID/O
BI-42SID/S/PH
BI-42SID/S/TH
BI-48S/O
BI-48S/S/PH
BI-48S/S/TH
BI-48SD/O
BI-48SD/S/PH
BI-48SD/S/TH
BI-48SID/O
BI-48SID/S/PH
BI-48SID/S/TH
ID-36CI
IT-27CI
IT-30CI
IT-30CIID
IT-36CI
IT-36CIID
PRO48
PRO48G
PRO48HAG
In summary, this is a critical issue for our company and we request
that DOE expedite the handling of this petition for an interim and
final waiver. Sub-Zero would be pleased to discuss this waiver petition
with DOE and provide any additional information that the Department
might require. We will also notify all manufacturers of domestically
marketed refrigerators known to us of this waiver petition by letter.
Sincerely,
Paul V. Sikir
Vice President of Design Engineering
Cc: Kathleen Hogan, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy
Efficiency in the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
(EERE)
[FR Doc. 2011-29715 Filed 11-16-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
