Energy Conservation Program: Test Procedures for Residential Clothes Dryers, 151-185 [2012-30677]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
Vol. 78
Wednesday,
No. 1
January 2, 2013
Part II
Department of Energy
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with
10 CFR Parts 429 and 430
Energy Conservation Program: Test Procedures for Residential Clothes
Dryers; Proposed Rule
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:40 Dec 31, 2012
Jkt 229001
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 4717
Sfmt 4717
E:\FR\FM\02JAP2.SGM
02JAP2
152
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 1 / Wednesday, January 2, 2013 / Proposed Rules
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
10 CFR Parts 429 and 430
[Docket No. 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: Notice of proposed rulemaking.
AGENCY:
The U.S. Department of
Energy (DOE) proposes to revise its test
procedures for residential clothes dryers
established under the Energy Policy and
Conservation Act. The proposed
amendments to appendix D1 would
include testing methods for more
accurately measuring the effects of
automatic cycle termination. In
addition, the proposed amendments
would update the reference to the latest
edition of the International
Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)
Standard 62301, ‘‘Household electrical
appliances—Measurement of standby
power,’’ Edition 2.0 2011–01. For the
test procedures at both appendix D and
appendix D1, DOE proposes to clarify
the cycle settings used for the test cycle
and the requirements for the gas supply
for gas clothes dryers.
DATES: DOE will hold a public meeting
on Wednesday, February 6, 2013 from 9
a.m. to 4 p.m., in Washington, DC. The
meeting will also be broadcast as a
webinar. See section V, ‘‘Public
Participation,’’ for webinar registration
information, participant instructions,
and information about the capabilities
available to webinar participants.
DOE will accept comments, data, and
information regarding this notice of
proposed rulemaking (NOPR) before and
after the public meeting, but no later
than March 18, 2013. See section V,
‘‘Public Participation,’’ for details.
ADDRESSES: The public meeting will be
held at the U.S. Department of Energy,
Forrestal Building, Room 1E–245 1000
Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC 20585. To attend,
please notify Ms. Brenda Edwards at
(202) 586–2945. For more information,
refer to the Public Participation, section
V, near the end of this notice.
Any comments submitted must
identify the NOPR on Test Procedures
for Residential Clothes Dryers, and
provide docket number EERE–2011–
BT–TP–0054 and/or regulatory
information number (RIN) 1904–AC63.
Comments may be submitted using any
of the following methods:
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with
SUMMARY:
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:40 Dec 31, 2012
Jkt 229001
1. Federal eRulemaking Portal:
www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
2. Email: RCDAT-2011-TP0054@ee.doe.gov. Include docket
number EERE–2011–BT–TP–0054 and/
or RIN 1904–AC63 in the subject line of
the message.
3. Mail: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S.
Department of Energy, Building
Technologies Program, Mailstop EE–2J,
1000 Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC 20585–0121. If
possible, please submit all items on a
compact disc (CD), in which case it is
not necessary to include printed copies.
4. Hand Delivery/Courier: Ms. Brenda
Edwards, U.S. Department of Energy,
Building Technologies Program, 6th
Floor, 950 L’Enfant Plaza SW.,
Washington, DC 20024. Telephone:
(202) 586–2945. If possible, please
submit all items on a CD, in which case
it is not necessary to include printed
copies.
For detailed instructions on
submitting comments and additional
information on the rulemaking process,
see section V of this document (Public
Participation).
Docket: The docket is available for
review at www.regulations.gov,
including Federal Register notices,
framework documents, public meeting
attendee lists and transcripts,
comments, and other supporting
documents/materials. All documents in
the docket are listed in the
www.regulations.gov index. However,
not all documents listed in the index
may be publicly available, such as
information that is exempt from public
disclosure.
A link to the docket web page can be
found at: https://www.regulations.gov/
#!docketDetail;dct=
FR%252BPR%252BN%252
BO%252BSR;rpp=10;po=0;D=EERE2011-BT-TP-0054. This web page will
contain a link to the docket for this
notice on the www.regulations.gov site.
The www.regulations.gov web page
contains instructions on how to access
all documents, including public
comments, in the docket. See section V
for information on how to submit
comments through
www.regulations.gov.
For further information on how to
submit a comment or review other
public comments and the docket, or
participate in the public meeting,
contact Ms. Brenda Edwards at (202)
586–2945 or email:
Brenda.Edwards@ee.doe.gov.
Mr.
Stephen Witkowski, U.S. Department of
Energy, Energy Efficiency and
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4702
Renewable Energy, Building
Technologies Program, EE–2J, 1000
Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC 20585–0121. Tel.: (202)
586–7463. Email:
Stephen.Witkowski@ee.doe.gov.
Ms. Elizabeth Kohl, U.S. Department
of Energy, Office of the General Counsel,
1000 Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC, 20585–0121. Tel.:
(202) 586–7796, Email:
Elizabeth.Kohl@hq.doe.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Table of Contents
I. Authority and Background
A. General Test Procedure Rulemaking
Process
B. DOE Clothes Dryer Test Procedure
1. January 2011 TP Final Rule
2. August 2011 RFI
II. Summary of the Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking
III. Discussion
A. Products Covered by This Test
Procedure Rulemaking
B. Automatic Cycle Termination
1. August 2011 RFI
2. Product Testing
3. Energy Consumption versus RMC
4. Water Supply Testing
5. Proposed Amendments
C. Incorporating by Reference IEC Standard
62301 Second Edition for Measuring
Standby Mode and Off Mode Power
1. Stable Power Consumption
2. Unstable, Non-Cyclic Power
Consumption
3. Cyclic Power Consumption
4. Conclusions on Test Methodology
D. Technical Correction to the Calculation
of the Per-Cycle Combined Total Energy
Consumption
E. Clarifications to Test Conditions
F. Effects of Proposed Test Procedure
Revisions on Compliance With
Standards
1. Active Mode
2. Standby Mode and Off Mode
G. Compliance With Other EPCA
Requirements
1. Test Burden
2. Certification Requirements
IV. Procedural Issues and Regulatory Review
A. Review Under Executive Order 12866
B. Review Under the Regulatory Flexibility
Act
C. Review Under the Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995
D. Review Under the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969
E. Review Under Executive Order 13132
F. Review Under Executive Order 12988
G. Review Under the Unfunded Mandates
Reform Act of 1995
H. Review Under the Treasury and General
Government Appropriations Act, 1999
I. Review Under Executive Order 12630
J. Review Under the Treasury and General
Government Appropriations Act, 2001
K. Review Under Executive Order 13211
L. Review Under Section 32 of the Federal
Energy Administration Act of 1974
V. Public Participation
E:\FR\FM\02JAP2.SGM
02JAP2
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 1 / Wednesday, January 2, 2013 / Proposed Rules
A. Attendance at Public Meeting
B. Procedure for Submitting Prepared
General Statements for Distribution
C. Conduct of Public Meeting
D. Submission of Comments
E. Issues on Which DOE Seeks Comment
1. Test Load
2. Automatic Cycle Termination Test Cycle
3. Timed Dry Test Cycle
4. Characteristics of Water for Wetting Test
Load
5. Incorporation by Reference of IEC
Standard 62301 (Second Edition)
6. Technical Correction to the Calculation
of the Per-cycle Combined Total Energy
Consumption
7. Clarifications to Test Conditions
8. Effects of Proposed Amendments for
Automatic Cycle Termination on Energy
Conservation Standards
9. Test Burden
VI. Approval of the Office of the Secretary
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with
I. Authority and Background
Title III of the Energy Policy and
Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6291, et
seq.; ‘‘EPCA’’ or ‘‘the Act’’) sets forth a
variety of provisions designed to
improve energy efficiency. (All
references to EPCA refer to the statute
as amended through the Energy
Independence and Security Act of 2007
(EISA 2007), Public Law 110–140 (Dec.
19, 2007)). Part B of title III, which for
editorial reasons was re-designated as
Part A upon codification in the U.S.
Code (42 U.S.C. 6291–6309), establishes
the ‘‘Energy Conservation Program for
Consumer Products Other Than
Automobiles.’’ Covered consumer
products include clothes dryers, the
subject of today’s notice. (42 U.S.C.
6292(a)(8))
Under EPCA, this program consists
essentially of four parts: (1) Testing, (2)
labeling, (3) Federal energy conservation
standards, and (4) certification and
enforcement procedures. The testing
requirements consist of test procedures
that manufacturers of covered products
must use (1) as the basis for certifying
to DOE that their products comply with
the applicable energy conservation
standards adopted under EPCA, and (2)
for making representations about the
efficiency of those products. Similarly,
DOE must use these test requirements to
determine whether the products comply
with any relevant standards
promulgated under EPCA.
measure energy efficiency, energy use or
estimated annual operating cost of a
covered product during a representative
average use cycle or period of use and
not be unduly burdensome to conduct.
(42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(3))
In addition, if DOE determines that a
test procedure amendment is warranted,
it must publish proposed test
procedures and offer the public an
opportunity to present oral and written
comments on them. (42 U.S.C.
6293(b)(2)) In any rulemaking to amend
a test procedure, DOE must also
determine to what extent, if any, the
proposed test procedure would alter the
measured energy efficiency of any
covered product as determined under
the existing test procedure. (42 U.S.C.
6293(e))
EPCA also requires DOE to amend the
test procedures for all residential
covered products to include measures of
standby mode and off mode energy
consumption. Specifically, EPCA
provides definitions of ‘‘standby mode’’
and ‘‘off mode’’ (42 U.S.C.
6295(gg)(1)(A)) and permits DOE to
amend these definitions in the context
of a given product (42 U.S.C.
6295(gg)(1)(B)). The statute requires
integration of such energy consumption
into the overall energy efficiency,
energy consumption, or other energy
descriptor for each covered product,
unless DOE determines that—
(i) The current test procedures for a
covered product already fully account
for and incorporate the standby mode
and off mode energy consumption of the
covered product; or
(ii) Such an integrated test procedure
is technically infeasible for a particular
covered product, in which case the
Secretary shall prescribe a separate
standby mode and off mode energy use
test procedure for the covered product,
if technically feasible. (42 U.S.C.
6295(gg)(2)(A))
In any test procedure amendment,
DOE must consider the most current
versions of IEC Standard 62301,
‘‘Household electrical appliances—
Measurement of standby power,’’ and
IEC Standard 62087, ‘‘Methods of
measurement for the power
consumption of audio, video, and
related equipment.’’ Id.
A. General Test Procedure Rulemaking
Process
Under 42 U.S.C. 6293, EPCA sets forth
the criteria and procedures DOE must
follow when prescribing or amending
test procedures for covered products.
EPCA provides in relevant part that any
test procedures prescribed or amended
under this section must be reasonably
designed to produce test results that
B. DOE Clothes Dryer Test Procedure
DOE’s test procedures for clothes
dryers are codified in appendix D and
appendix D1 to subpart B of Title 10 of
the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).
DOE established its test procedure for
clothes dryers at appendix D in a final
rule published in the Federal Register
on September 14, 1977 (the September
1977 TP Final Rule). 42 FR 46145. On
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:40 Dec 31, 2012
Jkt 229001
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4702
153
May 19, 1981, DOE published a final
rule (the May 1981 TP Final Rule) to
amend the test procedure by
establishing a field-use factor for clothes
dryers with automatic termination
controls, clarifying the test cloth
specifications and clothes dryer
preconditioning, and making editorial
and minor technical changes. 46 FR
27324. The test procedure includes
provisions for determining the energy
factor (EF) for clothes dryers, which is
a measure of the total energy required to
dry a standard test load of laundry to a
‘‘bone dry’’ 1 state.
1. January 2011 TP Final Rule
On January 6, 2011, the U.S.
Department of Energy (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 2011
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). DOE created a new appendix D1
in 10 CFR part 430 subpart B that
contained the amended test procedure
for clothes dryers. Manufacturers must
use the test procedures in appendix D1
to demonstrate compliance with the
amended energy conservation standards
for clothes dryers as of January 1, 2015
(76 FR 52852 (Aug. 24, 2011), 76 FR
52854 (Aug. 24, 2011))
For clothes dryer standby mode and
off mode, the January 2011 TP Final
Rule amended the DOE clothes dryer
test procedure to incorporate by
reference specific clauses from the
International Electrotechnical
Commission (IEC) Standard 62301,
‘‘Household electrical appliances–
Measurement of standby power,’’ (first
edition June 2005) regarding test
conditions and test procedures for
measuring standby mode and off mode
power consumption, as well as language
to clarify application of these provisions
for measuring standby mode and off
mode power consumption in clothes
dryers. In addition, DOE adopted
definitions of modes based on the
relevant provisions from IEC Standard
62301 Second Edition Committee Draft
1 ‘‘Bone dry’’ is defined in the DOE clothes dryer
test procedure as a condition of a load of test
clothes which has been dried in a dryer at
maximum temperature for a minimum of 10
minutes, removed and weighed before cool down,
and then dried again for 10-minute periods until the
final weight change of the load is 1 percent or less.
(10 CFR subpart B, appendix D, section 1.2)
E:\FR\FM\02JAP2.SGM
02JAP2
154
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 1 / Wednesday, January 2, 2013 / Proposed Rules
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with
for Vote (IEC Standard 62301 CDV).
DOE established the Combined Energy
Factor (CEF) for clothes dryers to
integrate energy use in the standby
mode and off mode with the energy use
of the main functions of the product.2
76 FR 972, 975–6 (Jan. 6, 2011).
For clothes dryer active mode, DOE
adopted amendments in the January
2011 TP Final Rule to include
provisions for the testing of ventless
clothes dryers. 76 FR 972, 976–7 (Jan. 6,
2011). The amendments also included
the following changes to reflect the
current usage and capabilities of
products: (1) Changing the annual
clothes dryer use cycles from 416 to 283
cycles per year, (2) changing the initial
remaining moisture content (RMC) 3 of
clothes dryer loads from 70 percent ±
3.5 percent to 57.5 percent ± 3.5
percent, and (3) changing the clothes
dryer test load size from 7.00 pounds
(lbs) ± .07 lbs to 8.45 ± .085 lbs for
standard-size clothes dryers. 76 FR 972,
977 (Jan. 6, 2011). The January 2011 TP
Final Rule also amended the DOE
clothes dryer test procedure by updating
test cloth preconditioning provisions;
revising the water temperature for test
load preparation from 100 degrees
Fahrenheit (°F) ± 5 °F to 60 °F ± 5 °F;
updating the reference to the relevant
industry test standard (Association of
Home Appliance Manufacturers
(AHAM) Standard HLD–1–2009);
eliminating reference to an obsolete
industry test standard (AHAM Standard
HLD–2EC); clarifying the required gas
supply conditions for testing gas clothes
dryers; clarifying the provisions for
measuring the drum capacity; clarifying
the definition of ‘‘automatic termination
control’’ for clothes dryers; and adding
the calculations of EF and CEF to 10
CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix D1.
76 FR 972, 978 (Jan. 6, 2011).
In the January 2011 TP Final Rule,
DOE did not adopt the amendments to
more accurately measure automatic
cycle termination that were originally
proposed in the test procedure
supplemental notice of proposed
rulemaking (SNOPR) (June 2010 TP
SNOPR) (75 FR 37594, 37612–20 (June
29, 2010)).4 As further discussed in the
2 The CEF is defined as the clothes dryer test load
weight in pounds divided by the sum of the percycle standby and off mode energy consumption
and either the total per-cycle electric dryer energy
consumption or the total per-cycle gas dryer energy
consumption expressed in kilowatt hours (kWh).
3 RMC is the ratio of the weight of water
contained by the test load to the bone-dry weight
of the test load, expressed as a percent.
4 The test method proposed in the June 2010 TP
SNOPR involved testing clothes dryers with
automatic termination controls using the ‘‘normal’’
setting (and where the temperature setting can be
chosen independently of the program, it shall be set
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:40 Dec 31, 2012
Jkt 229001
January 2011 TP Final Rule, DOE
conducted testing of representative
residential clothes dryers using the
automatic cycle termination test
procedure proposed in the June 2010 TP
SNOPR. The results of the testing
revealed that all of the clothes dryers
tested significantly over-dried the DOE
test load 5 to near bone dry and, as a
result, the measured 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 972, 977 (Jan. 6, 2011).
In the January 2011 TP Final Rule,
DOE concluded that the test procedure
amendments for automatic cycle
termination proposed in the June 2010
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 stated 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 a load of varying weights,
composition, and size has a higher RMC
than the RMC obtained using the
proposed automatic cycle termination
test procedure in conjunction with the
existing DOE test load. In considering
whether other test loads would be
appropriate to incorporate into the DOE
test procedure to produce both
representative and repeatable test
results, however, DOE noted that
manufacturers 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 (Jan. 6, 2011).
2. August 2011 RFI
On August 12, 2011, DOE published
a Request for Information (RFI) to
further investigate the effects of
automatic cycle termination on the
energy efficiency (August 2011 RFI). 76
FR 50145. DOE sought information,
data, and comments regarding methods
for more accurately measuring the
effects of automatic cycle termination in
to the highest level) and a test load with a starting
moisture content of 57.5 ± 0.33 percent, allowing
the dryer to run until the heater switches off for the
final time at the end of the drying cycle to achieve
a final remaining moisture content of no more than
5 percent.
5 The DOE test load is composed of 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.
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4702
the clothes dryer test procedure. In
particular, DOE sought comment on the
following: (1) The characteristics of
loads of varying weights, composition,
and size, (2) the accuracy of different
automatic cycle termination sensors and
controls, (3) the target final RMC used
by manufacturers to maintain consumer
satisfaction, (4) the effects of the
characteristics of water (i.e., hardness
and conductivity) used for wetting the
test load prior to testing, and (5) the
cycle settings selected by consumers for
automatic termination cycles. In
response to the August 2011 RFI,
interested parties commented that DOE
should amend the clothes dryer test
procedure to include provisions to
account for the effectiveness of
automatic cycle termination and amend
the relevant energy conservation
standards based on the effects of the test
procedure changes according to EPCA.
II. Summary of the Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking
Automatic Termination Control
Procedures
In this notice of proposed rulemaking
(NOPR), DOE proposes to modify the
test procedures for clothes dryers in 10
CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix D1
to include methods for more accurately
measuring the effects of automatic cycle
termination. The proposed method
would require that clothes dryers with
automatic cycle termination controls be
tested using the ‘‘Normal’’ automatic
termination cycle setting. Where the
drying temperature setting can be
chosen independently, it shall be set to
the maximum. Where the dryness level
setting can be chosen independently, it
shall be set to the ‘‘normal’’ or
‘‘medium’’ dryness level setting.6 The
proposed amendments would then
specify that the clothes dryer be allowed
to run until the completion of the drying
cycle, including the cool down period,
to achieve a final RMC of no more than
2 percent. If the final measured RMC is
above 2 percent, the test would be
considered invalid and the proposed
amendments would require that a new
test cycle be run using the highest
dryness level setting. DOE notes that a
final RMC of 2 percent using the DOE
test load would be more representative
of clothes dryers currently on the
market and representative of the
maximum consumer-accepted final
6 Most clothes dryers available on the market
provide separate settings for the ‘‘temperature
level’’ and ‘‘dryness level.’’ The temperature level
refers to the temperature of the hot air used to dry
the load in the drum. The dryness level refers to
the desired remaining moisture content of the load
at the completion of the drying cycle.
E:\FR\FM\02JAP2.SGM
02JAP2
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 1 / Wednesday, January 2, 2013 / Proposed Rules
RMC. Finally, DOE is proposing to
apply a field use factor of 0.80 for
clothes dryers with automatic cycle
termination to account for the measured
energy consumption at the end of the
automatic termination cycle drying the
DOE test load below 2-percent RMC.
For clothes dryers with only timed
dry control settings, the proposed
amendments would require that the
existing timed dry test cycle in
appendix D1 be used, but change the
final RMC from 2.5–5 percent to 1–2.5
percent. DOE also proposes to change
the normalization in the calculation of
the per-cycle energy consumption to
represent the energy consumption
required to dry the test load to 2-percent
RMC. Both of these changes are
proposed to be consistent with the test
method for automatic cycle termination
and to be representative of the final
RMC of clothes dryers currently on the
market using the DOE test load.
Incorporation of IEC Standard 62301
(Second Edition)
The IEC published IEC Standard
62301, ‘‘Household electrical
appliances—Measurement of standby
power,’’ Edition 2.0 2011–01 (IEC
Standard 62301 (Second Edition) or
‘‘Second Edition’’) on January 27, 2011.
Consistent with EPCA requirements for
amending test procedures to include
standby and off mode procedures (42
U.S.C. 6295(gg)(2)(A)), DOE analyzed
IEC Standard 62301 (Second Edition) for
today’s NOPR. DOE has reviewed this
latest draft of the IEC standard and
believes that it provides for
improvement for some measurements of
standby mode and off mode energy use.
Accordingly, DOE proposes in today’s
NOPR to incorporate certain provisions
of the IEC Standard 62301 (Second
Edition), along with clarifying language,
into the DOE clothes dryer test
procedure.
Clarifications to Test Conditions
DOE received a number of inquiries
from independent test laboratories
requesting clarification on testing
according to the DOE clothes dryer test
procedure. Based on these inquiries,
DOE is proposing in today’s NOPR to
amend both 10 CFR part 430, subpart B,
appendix D and appendix D1 to clarify
the cycle settings used for the test cycle
and the requirements for the gas supply
for gas clothes dryers.
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with
III. Discussion
A. Products Covered by This Test
Procedure Rulemaking
Today’s proposed amendments to
DOE’s clothes dryer test procedure
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:40 Dec 31, 2012
Jkt 229001
cover both electric and gas clothes
dryers. DOE defines a clothes dryer to
mean a cabinet-like appliance designed
to dry fabrics in a tumble-type drum
with forced air circulation, with
blower(s) driven by an electric motor(s)
and either gas or electricity as the heat
source. 10 CFR 430.2. DOE is not
proposing in today’s NOPR to change
the definition for clothes dryers in
DOE’s regulations.
B. Automatic Cycle Termination
In today’s NOPR, DOE is proposing
amendments to the clothes dryer test
procedure in 10 CFR part 430, subpart
B, appendix D1 to more accurately
measure the effects of automatic cycle
termination. The current DOE test
procedures for clothes dryers in 10 CFR
part 430, subpart B, appendices D and
D1 currently require manufacturers to
apply a field use factor to the per-cycle
drying energy consumption to
determine the performance of clothes
dryers equipped with both automatic
cycle termination and timers. For dryers
with automatic termination control, the
test procedures do not distinguish
between the type of sensing control
system (e.g., temperature-sensing or
moisture-sensing controls) and the
sophistication and accuracy of the
control system. Gas or electric clothes
dryers with time termination control
(i.e., those dryers equipped with a timer
to determine the end of a drying cycle)
are assigned a field use factor of 1.18,
while dryers with automatic termination
are assigned a field use factor of 1.04.
The field use factors are assigned to
account for drying beyond the 2.5–5
percent RMC specified in the test
procedure. The field use factor for timer
dryers was derived from a field study
conducted by the Oklahoma Gas and
Electric Company in 1971, consisting of
64 households and 33,000 loads of
clothing, as well as data reported by
AHAM representing the energy
consumption in 1972 of 2,983,200
production units of clothes dryers. 42
FR 46145, 46146 (Sept. 14, 1977). For
automatic termination control dryers,
the field use factor was derived from a
field study conducted by AHAM in
1977 involving 72 households. 45 FR
46762–3 (July 10, 1980); 46 FR 27324
(May 19, 1981).
In the January 2011 TP Final Rule,
DOE did not adopt the amendments to
more accurately measure automatic
cycle termination that were originally
proposed in June 2010 TP SNOPR. 76
FR 972, 977–78 (Jan. 6, 2011). In that
June 2010 TP SNOPR, DOE proposed to
revise its clothes dryer test procedure to
include definitions of and provisions for
testing both timer dryers and automatic
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4702
155
termination control dryers based on the
methodology provided in Australia/New
Zealand (AS/NZS) Standard 2442.1:
1996, ‘‘Performance of household
electrical appliances—Rotary clothes
dryers, Part 1: Energy consumption and
performance’’ (AS/NZS Standard
2442.1) and AS/NZS Standard 2442.2:
2000, ‘‘Performance of household
electrical appliances—Rotary clothes
dryers, Part 2: Energy labeling
requirements’’ (AS/NZS Standard
2442.2). 75 FR 37594, 37598 (June 29,
2010). DOE proposed to incorporate the
testing methods from these international
test standards, along with a number of
clarifications, to measure the energy
consumption for both timer dryers and
automatic termination control dryers.
The measurement would account for the
energy consumed by the clothes dryer
after the load reaches an RMC of 5
percent. 75 FR 37594, 37599 (June 29,
2010). The proposed test method in the
June 2010 TP SNOPR specified that a
clothes dryer with automatic cycle
termination controls be tested using the
‘‘normal’’ cycle setting, and where the
temperature setting can be chosen
independently of the program, it would
be set to the highest level. The clothes
dryer would then be allowed to run
until the heater switched off for the final
time at the end of the drying cycle. If the
final RMC was higher than 5 percent,
the test would be re-run using the
highest dryness level setting. Id.
In addition to the provisions for
automatic cycle termination clothes
dryers, DOE also proposed testing
methods in the June 2010 TP SNOPR for
timer dryers based on AS/NZS Standard
2442.1. The proposed test method
specified that the clothes dryer be
operated at the maximum temperature
setting until the final RMC of the load
was between 5 and 6 percent. The
procedure would then be repeated to
dry the load until the final RMC was
between 4 and 5 percent, with the
results from these two tests used to
interpolate the value of the per-cycle
energy consumption required to dry the
test load to exactly 5-percent RMC. 75
FR 37594, 37617 (June 29, 2010).
As discussed in the January 2011 TP
Final Rule, DOE conducted testing of
representative residential clothes dryers
using the automatic cycle termination
test procedure proposed in the June
2010 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 EF values were
significantly lower than EF values
obtained using the existing DOE test
procedure in appendix D. 76 FR 972,
977 (Jan. 6, 2011). In the January 2011
E:\FR\FM\02JAP2.SGM
02JAP2
156
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 1 / Wednesday, January 2, 2013 / Proposed Rules
TP Final Rule, DOE concluded that the
test procedure amendments for
automatic cycle termination proposed in
the June 2010 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 stated 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
a load of varying weights, composition,
and size has a higher RMC than the
RMC obtained using the proposed
automatic cycle termination test
procedure in conjunction with the
existing DOE test load. In considering
whether other test loads would be
appropriate to incorporate into the DOE
test procedure to produce both
representative and repeatable test
results, however, DOE noted that
manufacturers 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
972, 977 (Jan. 6, 2011).
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with
1. August 2011 RFI
As discussed in section I of this
notice, DOE published the August 2011
RFI to further investigate the effects of
automatic cycle termination on the
energy efficiency. 76 FR 50145 (Aug. 12,
2011). DOE sought information, data,
and comments regarding methods for
more accurately measuring the effects of
automatic cycle termination in the
residential clothes dryer test procedure.
In particular, DOE sought comment on
the following: (1) The characteristics of
loads of varying weights, composition,
and size, (2) the accuracy of different
automatic cycle termination sensors and
controls, (3) the target final RMC used
by manufacturers to maintain consumer
satisfaction, (4) the effects of the
characteristics of water (i.e., hardness
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:40 Dec 31, 2012
Jkt 229001
and conductivity) used for wetting the
test load prior to testing, and (5) the
cycle settings selected by consumers for
automatic termination cycles.
In response to the August 2011 RFI,
DOE received the ‘‘Joint Petition to
Amend the Test Procedure for
Residential Clothes Dryers to Include
Provisions Related to Automatic
Termination Controls’’ (the ‘‘Joint
Petition’’), a comment submitted by
groups representing manufacturers
(AHAM, Whirlpool Corporation
(Whirlpool), General Electric Company
(GE), Electrolux, LG Electronics, Inc.
(LG), BSH Home Appliances (BSH),
Alliance Laundry Systems (ALS), Viking
Range, Sub-Zero Wolf, Friedrich A/C,
U-Line, Samsung, Sharp Electronics,
Miele, Heat Controller, AGA Marvel,
Brown Stove, Haier, Fagor America,
Airwell Group, Arcelik, Fisher & Paykel,
Scotsman Ice, Indesit, Kuppersbusch,
Kelon, and DeLonghi); energy and
environmental advocates (American
Council for an Energy Efficient
Economy (ACEEE), Appliance
Standards Awareness Project (ASAP),
Natural Resources Defense Council
(NRDC), Alliance to Save Energy (ASE),
Alliance for Water Efficiency (AWE),
Northwest Power and Conservation
Council (NPCC), and Northeast Energy
Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP)); and
consumer groups (Consumer Federation
of America (CFA) and the National
Consumer Law Center (NCLC))
(collectively, the ‘‘Joint Petitioners’’).
The Joint Petitioners commented that
DOE should amend the clothes dryer
test procedure to include provisions to
account for the effectiveness of
automatic cycle termination. (Joint
Petition, No. 2 at pp. 1, 4–5) 7
7 A notation in the form ‘‘Joint Petition, No. 2 at
pp. 1, 4–5’’ identifies a written comment: (1) Made
by the Joint Petition; (2) recorded in document
number 2 that is filed in the docket of the
residential dishwasher, dehumidifier, and
conventional cooking products test procedures
rulemaking (Docket No. EERE–2011–BT–TP–0054)
and available for review at www.regulations.gov;
and (3) that appears on pages 1 and 4–5 of
document number 2.
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4702
DOE notes that AHAM withdrew its
support for the petition in a letter dated
May 29, 2012, stating that the petition
was predicated on DOE adoption of test
procedure provisions to account for
automatic termination controls by
December 31, 2011. DOE acknowledges
AHAM’s withdrawal but considers the
substantive provisions to account for
such controls in the discussion that
follows. (AHAM, No. 5 at pp. 1–2)
The Joint Petitioners recognized
DOE’s concerns that the amendments
for automatic cycle termination
proposed in the June 2010 TP SNOPR
may not properly measure the
effectiveness of automatic termination
controls, particularly in light of data
that suggested that automatic
termination control dryers may in fact
be drying clothes to approximately 5percent RMC rather than the less than
2-percent RMC resulting from testing
using the DOE test cloth. The Joint
Petitioners noted that the DOE test cloth
is uniform, for purposes of repeatability
and reproducibility, but likely dries
faster and more uniformly than a load
of varying weights, composition, and
size. (Joint Petition, No. 2 at p. 5)
As part of the Joint Petition, AHAM
members provided test data on clothes
dryers with automatic termination
controls representing 60 percent of
shipments, measuring the final RMC at
the completion of a ‘‘normal’’ automatic
cycle, including cool down, using the
DOE test load. The data, presented
below in Figure III.1, show that all
tested models had a final RMC below 2
percent. The Joint Petitioners stated that
the testing assumed that the current
market ending RMC is appropriate. The
Joint Petitioners commented that the
test results demonstrated that an ending
RMC of 2 percent using the DOE test
cloth best approximates the maximum
consumer-accepted final RMC. (Joint
Petition, No. 2 at pp. 5–6)
8 Joint
E:\FR\FM\02JAP2.SGM
Petition, No. 2 at p. 6
02JAP2
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 1 / Wednesday, January 2, 2013 / Proposed Rules
Based on this data, the Joint
Petitioners stated that DOE should
amend the clothes dryer test procedure
to include the full automatic
termination cycle, including cool down.
The Joint Petitioners stated that testing
the entire cycle is more representative of
actual consumer use and is less of a test
burden for manufacturers than DOE’s
proposal in the June 2010 TP SNOPR to
stop the dryer when the heater switches
off for the final time at the end of the
drying cycle. In addition, the Joint
Petitioners commented that the test
procedure should be amended to state
that the final RMC when testing units
with automatic termination controls
shall be no more than 2 percent when
testing with the DOE test load to be
representative of clothes dryers
currently on the market. Any test in
which the final RMC is 2 percent or less
should be considered valid. If the final
RMC is greater than 2 percent, the test
would be invalid and a new test run
would be conducted using the highest
dryness level setting. (Joint Petition, No.
2 at p. 6)
ALS commented that it supports the
continued use of the DOE test cloth and
that attempting to use the IEC/AHAM
test load that is composed of more allcotton material of varying shapes and
sizes will add more variability and
uncertainty to the test results. ALS
stated that the DOE test procedure needs
to be repeatable, and that changing to a
different test cloth is not appropriate.
(ALS, No. 3 at p. 1)
157
2. Product Testing
To evaluate potential amendments for
automatic cycle termination, DOE
selected a representative sample of 20
clothes dryers encompassing all clothes
dryer product classes. DOE considered
features such as rated energy factor,
rated capacity, control type (i.e.,
electromechanical versus electronic),
and automatic cycle termination sensor
technology (if advertised) when
selecting units to be most representative
of products currently available on the
U.S. market. The test units and key
features are presented below in Table
III.1. Unless otherwise noted, the test
unit numbers presented in Table III.1
are used in other tables of results in
today’s notice.
TABLE III.1—CLOTHES DRYER TEST UNITS AND FEATURES
Vented Electric Standard ...........
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with
Controls
Sensor type
Jkt 229001
Back
Back
Back
Back
Back
Back
Back
Back
Back
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
Front
Front
Front
Back
Front
Back
Back
Front
Front
............................
............................
............................
............................
............................
............................
............................
............................
............................
Electronic ..................................
ElectroMechanical ....................
Electronic ..................................
Electronic ..................................
Electronic ..................................
ElectroMechanical ....................
ElectroMechanical ....................
Electronic ..................................
Electronic ..................................
Moisture
Temp
Moisture
Moisture
Moisture
Moisture
Moisture
Moisture
Moisture
2.98
3.15
2.77
2.68
2.71
2.85
2.76
2.8
Not Listed
Back
Back
Back
Back
Back
Back
Back
Back
Back
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
Back
Back
Front
Front
Front
Back
Front
Front
Front
............................
............................
............................
............................
............................
............................
............................
............................
............................
ElectroMechanical ....................
ElectroMechanical ....................
ElectroMechanical ....................
Electronic ..................................
Electronic ..................................
Electromechanical ....................
Electronic ..................................
Electronic ..................................
Electronic ..................................
Temp
Moisture
Temp
Moisture
Moisture
Moisture
Moisture
Moisture
Moisture
19
Ventless Electric Compact
(240V).
Ventless Electric Combination
Washer/Dryer.
3.1
3.19
3.03
3.04
3.4
3.1
3.1
3.08
2.95
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
Vented Electric Compact (120V)
Vented Gas ................................
17:40 Dec 31, 2012
Drum airflow direction
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Vented Electric Compact (240
Volt (V)).
VerDate Mar<15>2010
Rated EF 1
(lbs/kWh)
Test unit
Not Listed
Front to Back ............................
Electronic ..................................
None—
Timed
Dry Only
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4702
E:\FR\FM\02JAP2.SGM
02JAP2
EP02JA13.013</GPH>
Product class
158
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 1 / Wednesday, January 2, 2013 / Proposed Rules
TABLE III.1—CLOTHES DRYER TEST UNITS AND FEATURES—Continued
Product class
Rated EF 1
(lbs/kWh)
Test unit
20
1 The
Not Listed
Drum airflow direction
Controls
Front to Back ............................
Electronic ..................................
Sensor type
Temp
Rated EF is based on the DOE clothes dryer test procedure in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix D.
DOE initially conducted testing for all
test units according to the DOE clothes
dryer test procedure in 10 CFR part 430,
subpart B, appendix D1. Appendix D1
requires that the DOE test load, initially
soaked with an RMC of 57.5 ± 3.5
percent, be dried using the timed dry
and maximum temperature settings
until the test load has reached a final
RMC of 2.5 to 5 percent without
allowing the dryer to advance into a
cool-down phase. A field use factor is
then applied to the measured per-cycle
energy consumption to account for the
over-drying energy consumption
associated with the use of either timer
clothes dryers or automatic cycle
termination clothes dryers. DOE then
conducted testing of these units using
automatic cycle termination test
methodologies with different test loads
to evaluate the effects of these potential
test procedure amendments on the
measured efficiency as compared to the
existing DOE test procedure in 10 CFR
part 430, subpart B, appendix D1. DOE
also conducted additional testing to
evaluate repeatability and
reproducibility of the test results.
In conducting the testing, DOE used
the DOE test load and the test load
specified in both the AHAM clothes
dryer test standard HLD–1–2009,
‘‘Household Tumble Type Clothes
Dryers,’’ and the IEC test standard
61121, ‘‘Tumble dryers for household
use—Methods for measuring the
performance,’’ Edition 3 (2005), which
consists of cotton bed sheets, towels,
and pillowcases. DOE concluded in the
August 2011 RFI that clothes dryers
with automatic termination sensing
control systems may be designed to stop
the cycle when a load of varying
weights, composition, and size has a
higher RMC than the RMC obtained
using the automatic termination drying
cycle in conjunction with the existing
percent ± 0.33 percent. The controls
were set as follows:
• Instead of using the timed dry cycle
setting, the ‘‘normal’’ automatic
termination cycle setting was selected. If
a ‘‘normal’’ cycle setting was not
provided, then the test cycle
recommended by manufacturers for
drying cotton or linen clothes was used.
• Where the temperature setting
could be chosen independently of the
program, the highest level was selected.
• Where the dryness level setting
could be chosen independently of the
program, it was set to the ‘‘normal’’ or
‘‘medium’’ level. If such designation
was not provided, then the dryness level
was set at the mid-point between the
minimum and maximum settings.
TABLE III.2—LAUNDRY LOAD FABRIC
The clothes dryer was then allowed to
COMPOSITION FOR THE AVERAGE run until the completion of the cycle,
HOUSEHOLD SURVEYED IN THE including the cool-down period. At the
completion of the cycle, the clothes
NEEA FIELD USE STUDY
were weighed to determine the final
RMC. If the final RMC was below 2
Percentage of
laundry cycles
percent for the DOE test load, the test
Laundry load description
for average
was considered valid. If the RMC was
household surhigher than 2 percent (i.e., the test load
veyed (%)
contained more moisture than would be
Light ....................................
6.8 acceptable to consumers), the test was
Mixed Light/Medium ...........
19.9 considered invalid and was re-run using
Medium ...............................
23.5 the highest dryness level setting. DOE
Mixed Light/Medium/Heavy
13.1 selected the 2-percent RMC threshold
Mixed Medium/Heavy .........
23.3 based on data presented in the Joint
Heavy ..................................
13.5
Petitioners’ comment regarding RMC
Light = permanent press, light socks, light/ levels acceptable to consumers,
casual shirts, pillow cases, underwear, light discussed above. For the IEC/AHAM
weight/smaller sheets.
test load, similar test conditions were
Medium = heavy shirts, medium weight/larger sheets, casual pants, light weight applied except that the threshold value
sweatpants and shirts, heavy socks, pullovers. for the final RMC was changed from 2
Heavy = towels, heavy work clothing, flannel percent to 5 percent because of the more
sheets, heavy sweatpants and shirts, jeans.
varied composition of the IEC/AHAM
DOE conducted the testing for the
test load.
proposed automatic cycle termination
Table III.3 presents the key features of
test methodology according to the DOE
the automatic cycle termination testing
test procedure, with the following
methodology as compared to the DOE
modifications. The test load was
clothes dryer test procedure in 10 CFR
prepared with a starting RMC of 57.5
part 430, subpart B, appendix D1.
DOE test load. 76 FR 50145, 50146 (Aug.
12, 2011). In addition, the Northwest
Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA)
supplied DOE with data from a
residential laundry field use study that
NEEA conducted. The field study,
which included 50 households in the
northwest United States metered from
January 2012 to March 2012, gathered
data on the energy use and usage habits
for residential clothes dryers, including
information on the type of fabrics
composing household laundry loads for
each laundry cycle. The data, presented
below in Table III.2, show the frequency
of various load compositions, ranging
from ‘‘light’’ to ‘‘heavy,’’ for the average
household surveyed.
TABLE III.3—TESTS METHODS FOR DOE TESTING
Test condition
DOE test
procedure
(Appendix D1)
Automatic cycle termination testing
methodology
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with
Test Load
DOE
Permitted Number of Test Runs per Test
Cloth.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:40 Dec 31, 2012
Jkt 229001
DOE
IEC/AHAM
Less than 25 test runs for
individual test cloth.
Less than 25 test runs for
individual test cloth.
Less than 80 test runs for individual test
cloth. Weighted average age of test load
between 30 and 50 test runs.
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4702
E:\FR\FM\02JAP2.SGM
02JAP2
159
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 1 / Wednesday, January 2, 2013 / Proposed Rules
TABLE III.3—TESTS METHODS FOR DOE TESTING—Continued
Test condition
DOE test
procedure
(Appendix D1)
Automatic cycle termination testing
methodology
Test Load
DOE
DOE
10 CFR part 430, subpart
B, appendix D1, section 2.6.3.
N/A ..................................
10 CFR part 430, subpart
B, appendix D1, section 2.6.3.
N/A ..................................
Cycle and Settings Used for Test ...............
Timed Dry Cycle, Maximum Temperature (if
separately selectable).
‘‘Normal’’ Automatic Dry Cycle; Maximum Temperature (if separately
selectable); ‘‘Normal’’ or ‘‘Medium’’ Dryness (or, if no such designations, at mid-point between min. and max. settings)
Starting RMC of Test Load .........................
57.5 ± 3.5 percent ...........
57.5 ± 0.33 percent
RMC of Test Load at Which Test is
Stopped.
Stopped manually at 2.5–
5 percent RMC.
Cool Down ...................................................
Clothes dryer not permitted to advance into
cool down.
Cool down period included in automatic cycle test
Field Use Factor (multiplied by per-cycle
energy consumption to account for over
drying).
= 1.04 for automatic
cycle termination dryers = 1.18 for timer
dryers.
No field use factor for automatic cycle termination dryers. = 1.18 for
timer dryers
Test Load Preconditioning ..........................
Test Load Normalization .............................
For each specific testing methodology
described above, DOE conducted a
series of three identical tests for each
model to evaluate the repeatability of
test results. The results, presented in
Table III.4, show both the average
measured CEF for each test unit and the
percentage change in the measured CEF
for the automatic cycle termination tests
as compared to appendix D1. For the
automatic cycle termination tests using
IEC/AHAM
Allowed to run until completion of automatic
cycle. Must be below
2-percent RMC or additional test with highest
dryness level setting
must be run.
the DOE test load, all of the tests
resulted in a lower measured CEF (i.e.,
higher per-cycle energy use) compared
to the DOE test procedure, ranging from
a 3.5 percent to 41.9 percent decrease in
CEF. Similarly, for the automatic cycle
termination tests using the IEC/AHAM
test load, all of the tests resulted in a
lower measured CEF compared to the
DOE test procedure, ranging from a 6.1
percent to 40.3 percent decrease. In
AHAM Standard
3.2.3.
HLD–1–2009
Section
After each 9 test cycles, normalize using
AHAM Standard HLD–1–2009 Section
3.2.3.
Allowed to run until completion of automatic cycle. Must be below 5-percent
RMC or additional test with highest dryness level setting must be run.
addition, the majority of tested units
had a lower CEF for the automatic cycle
termination test with the IEC/AHAM
test load than with the DOE test load.
DOE notes that for this series of tests, it
did not make any modifications to the
water used to wet the test loads. As
discussed in section III.B.4 of this
notice, DOE subsequently conducted
testing with modifications to the water
used to wet the test loads.
TABLE III.4—DOE TEST PROCEDURE AND AUTOMATIC CYCLE TERMINATION TEST RESULTS
Product class
Test unit
DOE test procedure (Appendix D1)
Automatic cycle termination—
DOE test load
CEF (lbs/kWh)
Vented Electric Standard .........................
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with
Vented Electric Compact (120V) .............
Vented Gas ..............................................
17:40 Dec 31, 2012
Jkt 229001
3.58
3.93
3.83
3.71
3.90
3.80
3.84
3.71
3.79
3.53
3.56
3.54
3.75
3.43
3.31
3.49
3.16
2.73
3.49
3.48
3.51
2.71
3.06
3.11
3.16
3.32
2.27
2.79
2.18
2.70
2.87
3.07
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Avg
9
10
Avg
11
12
13
14
Vented Electric Compact (240V) .............
VerDate Mar<15>2010
CEF (lbs/kWh)
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4702
% Change
E:\FR\FM\02JAP2.SGM
¥11.6
¥30.6
¥9.1
¥6.1
¥10.0
¥28.7
¥20.2
¥16.1
¥16.6
¥6.1
¥36.1
¥21.1
¥41.9
¥21.3
¥13.3
¥12.0
02JAP2
Automatic cycle termination—
IEC/AHAM test load
CEF (lbs/kWh)
3.13
2.76
3.08
3.44
3.40
2.42
3.02
2.97
3.03
3.24
2.12
2.68
2.42
2.66
2.64
2.93
% Change
¥12.6
¥29.8
¥19.6
¥7.3
¥12.9
¥36.3
¥21.3
¥19.9
¥20.0
¥8.4
¥40.3
¥24.4
¥35.6
¥22.4
¥20.2
¥16.2
160
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 1 / Wednesday, January 2, 2013 / Proposed Rules
TABLE III.4—DOE TEST PROCEDURE AND AUTOMATIC CYCLE TERMINATION TEST RESULTS—Continued
Product class
Test unit
DOE test procedure (Appendix D1)
Automatic cycle termination—
DOE test load
CEF (lbs/kWh)
3.39
3.37
3.37
3.39
2.98
2.69
3.25
2.94
2.92
2.73
¥20.5
¥3.5
¥12.7
¥13.9
¥8.4
2.64
2.99
2.89
2.79
2.63
¥22.0
¥11.0
¥14.3
¥17.7
¥11.9
19
20
Avg
Table III.5 presents the average final
RMC from the automatic cycle
termination tests with both the DOE and
IEC/AHAM test loads, as well as the
cycle settings used for each test unit.
DOE notes that for nearly all of the test
units, the average final RMC is higher
for the tests using the IEC/AHAM test
CEF (lbs/kWh)
15
16
17
Avg
18
Ventless Electric Compact (240V) ...........
Ventless Electric Combination Washer/
Dryer .....................................................
2.81
2.28
2.54
2.70
2.191
2.45
¥3.9
¥3.9
¥3.9
2.44
2.14
2.29
¥13.3
¥6.1
¥9.7
load. The higher measured per-cycle
energy use and final RMC for the IEC/
AHAM test load compared to the DOE
test load is likely due to the ability of
the IEC/AHAM test load to retain more
water during the drying process than the
DOE test load, which gives off moisture
more readily and terminates the drying
% Change
Automatic cycle termination—
IEC/AHAM test load
CEF (lbs/kWh)
% Change
cycle sooner. In addition, as discussed
above, clothes dryers with automatic
termination sensing control systems
may be designed to stop the cycle when
a load of varying weights, composition,
and size has a higher RMC than the
RMC obtained using the DOE test load.
TABLE III.5—AUTOMATIC CYCLE TERMINATION TEST RESULTS—FINAL RMC
Product class
Automatic cycle termination—
final RMC (%)
Automatic cycle
setting
Test unit
DOE load
Vented Electric Standard ................................
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
Vented Electric Compact (240V) ....................
Vented Electric Compact (120V) ....................
Vented Gas .....................................................
Ventless Electric Compact (240V) ..................
Ventless Electric Combination Washer/Dryer
Normal Cycle, High Temp, Normal Dry .........
Cottons Cycle, High Heat, Optimum Dry .......
Cotton/Normal Cycle, Medium Heat, Normal
Dry.
Sensor Normal Cycle, Medium Temp ............
Normal Cycle ..................................................
Energy Preferred Plus Cycle, High Temp .....
Energy Preferred Plus Cycle, High Heat .......
Normal Cycle, Medium Heat, Normal Dry .....
Cottons Cycle, High Temp, Sensor Dry ........
Perm Press/Normal ........................................
Perm Press ....................................................
Cottons Regular Cycle, Optimum Dry ...........
Normal Cycle, High Temp, Normal Dry .........
Normal Cycle, Medium Heat, Normal Dry .....
Energy Preferred Plus Cycle, High Temp .....
Normal Cycle, Medium Temp, Normal Dry ....
Normal Cycle, Medium Temp, Normal Dry ....
Cottons Cycle, High Temp, More Dry1 ..........
Timed Dry Only ..............................................
Normal Dry .....................................................
IEC/AHAM
load
1.3
0.7
0.6
2.2
1.5
1.3
0.7
0.9
1.9
1.3
0.4
1.3
2.0
2.0
1.8
0.9
0.7
1.3
0.8
0.9
2.0
........................
1.7
3.1
3.9
2.4
1.5
1.6
4.3
3.2
2.5
1.6
1.9
1.6
2.2
2.6
2.3
4.7
........................
3.4
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with
1 Original test using Cottons Cycle, High Temp, Normal Dry gave an average RMC of 3.1 percent for DOE test load, with all tests above 2-percent RMC. As a result, test was re-run using highest dryness setting.
As noted in section III.B.1 of this
notice, 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 DOE test load.
Therefore, for each test unit, DOE
examined the test-to-test variation in
CEF among the three tests conducted
using the DOE test procedure and
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:40 Dec 31, 2012
Jkt 229001
among the three tests using the
automatic cycle termination test
methodology. Table III.6 presents the
test-to-test variation expressed as the
percent standard error. The analysis
shows that the test-to-test variation for
the automatic cycle termination tests
with the DOE test load is slightly lower
than the test-to-test variation with the
IEC/AHAM test load, and that both are
higher than the test-to-test variation for
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4702
the DOE test procedure. DOE notes that
the more consistent results for the
current DOE test procedure are likely
due to the use of the timed dry cycle
rather than the automatic termination
cycles, which may have additional
variation in results due to the
performance of temperature and
moisture sensors and the automatic
termination control strategies.
E:\FR\FM\02JAP2.SGM
02JAP2
161
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 1 / Wednesday, January 2, 2013 / Proposed Rules
TABLE III.6—CEF TEST-TO-TEST VARIATION
CEF test-to-test variation standard error (%)
Product class
Test unit
Vented Electric Standard .................................................................................
Automatic
cycle termination—IEC/
AHAM test
load
1.35
0.57
0.89
0.37
1.02
0.46
0.70
1.12
0.81
1.60
0.18
0.89
0.51
1.31
0.82
2.08
1.23
0.61
0.52
1.10
0.32
0.75
0.90
0.82
0.50
2.95
1.46
1.14
2.10
0.72
2.20
0.16
1.40
4.25
5.70
4.98
2.12
0.48
0.81
1.58
2.08
0.68
2.73
1.39
2.00
0.55
3.22
1.88
2.26
0.50
0.62
6.44
0.77
3.68
1.59
1.73
2.20
2.42
4.39
3.40
2.25
3.07
1.95
0.92
1.73
1.91
1.94
1.92
1.50
0.16
1.58
0.87
........................
0.87
1.87
2.07
Vented Electric Compact (120V) .....................................................................
Vented Gas ......................................................................................................
Ventless Electric Compact (240V) ...................................................................
Ventless Electric Combination Washer/Dryer ..................................................
To evaluate the effect of test load
composition on repeatability, DOE then
ran appendix D1 again for a subset of 10
of the clothes dryers in its test sample,
using the IEC/AHAM test cloth instead
of the DOE test cloth. For each of these
units, DOE conducted three repeat tests.
DOE believes that using the timed dry
Automatic
cycle termination—DOE
test load
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Avg
9
10
Avg
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
Avg
18
19
20
Avg
Vented Electric Compact (240V) .....................................................................
Total Average ...........................................................................................
DOE test
procedure
(Appendix D1)
cycle and requiring that the dryer be
stopped manually allow for better
evaluation of the actual test load by
limiting other factors, such as automatic
termination sensor performance, that
may contribute to variability of results
from test to test. The results from this
testing, presented in Table III.7, show an
average test-to-test variation in CEF
(expressed in terms of standard error) of
1.02 percent for the IEC/AHAM test load
as compared to the 0.87 percent test-totest variation for the DOE timed dry test
procedure with the DOE test load,
presented above in Table III.6.
TABLE III.7—CEF TEST-TO-TEST VARIATION FOR APPENDIX D1 WITH IEC/AHAM TEST LOADS
Product class
Test unit
Vented Electric Standard ...................................................................................................................................
1
3
6
8
9
10
11
13
14
17
........................
Vented Electric Compact (240V) .......................................................................................................................
Vented Electric Compact (120V) .......................................................................................................................
Vented Gas ........................................................................................................................................................
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with
Average ..............................................................................................................................................................
DOE notes that in addition to the use
of the IEC/AHAM test load producing
less repeatable results from test to test,
the reproducibility of test results from
lab to lab must also be considered
because different test laboratories may
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:40 Dec 31, 2012
Jkt 229001
be using different lots of test cloth. To
evaluate the reproducibility of test
results from lab to lab, DOE conducted
testing of 9 units at an independent test
laboratory with different lots of the DOE
and IEC/AHAM test loads using the
PO 00000
Frm 00011
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4702
Timed dry—IEC/
AHAM test load—
CEF test-to-test
standard error (%)
1.42
1.21
1.28
0.96
0.90
1.28
0.31
1.17
1.10
0.55
1.02
automatic cycle termination test
method. The results, presented below in
Table III.8, show that the use of the IEC/
AHAM test load also results in lower
reproducibility of test results than the
use of the existing DOE test load.
E:\FR\FM\02JAP2.SGM
02JAP2
162
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 1 / Wednesday, January 2, 2013 / Proposed Rules
TABLE III.8—LAB-TO-LAB REPRODUCIBILITY OF AUTOMATIC CYCLE TERMINATION TEST RESULTS
Automatic cycle termination, DOE test
load—average CEF
Product class
Automatic cycle termination, IEC/AHAM
Test load—average CEF
Test unit
DOE lab
Vented Electric Standard .........................
%
Difference
DOE lab
Independent
lab
%
Difference
1
2
10
13
15
16
17
18
3.10
2.73
2.26
2.86
2.72
3.29
3.03
2.90
3.16
3.02
2.27
2.87
2.69
3.25
2.94
2.73
2.2
10.8
0.3
0.4
1.0
1.2
2.8
6.0
2.85
2.76
2.12
2.87
2.73
3.23
3.03
2.74
3.13
2.79
2.12
2.64
2.64
2.99
2.89
2.63
9.8
1.0
0.0
7.8
3.2
7.2
4.5
4.2
20
....................
2.19
....................
2.23
....................
2.0
3.0
Not Tested
....................
Not Tested
....................
....................
4.7
Vented Electric Compact (240V) .............
Vented Gas ..............................................
Ventless Electric Compact (240V) ...........
Ventless Electric Combination Washer/
Dryer .....................................................
Average ....................................................
Independent
lab
3. Energy Consumption Versus RMC
As noted in section III.B.2 of this
notice, the automatic cycle termination
test method using the DOE test load
resulted in a lower measured CEF value
compared to the CEF measured using
appendix D1. As part of the automatic
cycle termination testing discussed in
section III.B.2, DOE tested a number of
units in the test sample at an
independent test laboratory that
measured and recorded the energy
consumption and an estimated
instantaneous RMC of the test load
throughout the test cycle. The estimated
RMC was determined based on the
weight of the test load, measured in
place during the test cycle, and the
rotation of the drum. Based on this
testing, DOE decided to develop a field
use factor to account for the over-drying
energy consumption using the
automatic cycle termination test method
with the DOE test load at the end of the
cycle when the load is dried below 2percent RMC.
Using the independent test
laboratory’s data, DOE evaluated the
measured energy consumption at
different times during the cycle—when
the test load initially reached 5-percent
RMC, when it reached 2-percent RMC,
and at the end of the cycle (including
cool down). The test data, presented
below in Table III.9, show that the
energy consumption measured over a
full automatic termination dry cycle is
11–72 percent greater than the energy
consumption during the test cycle when
the test load initially reaches 5-percent
RMC, and 4–62 percent greater than the
energy consumption when the test load
initially reaches 2-percent RMC (before
any moisture regain during cool down/
tumbling). DOE also noted that while
the final RMC of the DOE test load using
the automatic cycle termination test
method was between 0.4 percent and
2.0 percent at the completion of the test
cycle for all of the clothes dryers in
DOE’s test sample, this RMC was
achieved either after the end of a cooldown period, during which the dryer
tumbles with no added heat after the
conclusion of the heated drying, or after
an extended period of operation at
nearly 0-percent RMC when the heater
is cycled off and on. The independent
test laboratory’s data showed that
during cool-down or non-heated
tumbling, the test load regains moisture
from the room air. As a result, the final
RMC of the test load at the completion
of the cycle after the cool-down/
tumbling period is higher than the RMC
of the load when the heater turns off for
the final time.
TABLE III.9—MEASURED AUTOMATIC CYCLE TERMINATION ENERGY CONSUMPTION AT SPECIFIC RMC LEVELS
Energy consumption (kWh)
Product class
Test unit
Vented Electric Standard ....................
1
2
4
6
10
13
15
17
Vented Electric Compact (240V) ........
Vented Gas .........................................
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with
1 As
Automatic cycle termination sensor
technology
5% RMC
Moisture ..............................................
Temperature .......................................
Moisture ..............................................
Moisture ..............................................
Temperature .......................................
Moisture ..............................................
Moisture ..............................................
Moisture ..............................................
2% RMC
1.945
2.068
2.160
2.091
0.823
2.375
2.347
2.300
2.070
2.233
2.318
2.280
0.875
2.569
2.532
2.482
End of cycle
(measured
RMC (%) 1
2.624
3.119
2.405
3.141
1.418
2.905
3.161
2.843
(1.2)
(0.9)
(0.7)
(1.9)
(2.0)
(0.8)
(1.2)
(1.2)
noted above, the test load regained moisture during the cool-down/tumbling period.
Figure III.2 presents the measured
energy consumption during the test
cycle for the units tested at the
independent testing laboratory. The
regions of the graphs that have a nearly
horizontal slope correspond to periods
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:40 Dec 31, 2012
Jkt 229001
when the clothes dryer is tumbling with
no heat. DOE notes that most clothes
dryers have a temperature set point,
likely based on measurements from a
temperature sensor in the exhaust duct,
at which point the heater will cycle on
PO 00000
Frm 00012
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4702
and off. At the end of the cycle, the
nearly horizontal slope corresponds to
the cool-down period.
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
E:\FR\FM\02JAP2.SGM
02JAP2
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 1 / Wednesday, January 2, 2013 / Proposed Rules
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:40 Dec 31, 2012
Jkt 229001
percent RMC. The curves also identify
where the test load initially reaches 2percent RMC. DOE noted that for all of
the dryers tested at the independent test
laboratory, the DOE test load reached 2-
PO 00000
Frm 00013
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4702
percent RMC before the clothes dryer
initially began cycling the heater on and
off.
E:\FR\FM\02JAP2.SGM
02JAP2
EP02JA13.001</GPH>
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with
Figure III.3 through Figure III.5
present, for each product class, the latter
part of the test cycle when the test load
is nearly dry. Each curve starts where
the test load has initially reached 5-
163
VerDate Mar<15>2010
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 1 / Wednesday, January 2, 2013 / Proposed Rules
17:40 Dec 31, 2012
Jkt 229001
PO 00000
Frm 00014
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4725
E:\FR\FM\02JAP2.SGM
02JAP2
EP02JA13.002</GPH>
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with
164
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 1 / Wednesday, January 2, 2013 / Proposed Rules
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:40 Dec 31, 2012
Jkt 229001
period can contribute a significant
amount of energy consumption
associated with over-drying and
moisture regain when using the DOE
test load. DOE observed that these two
test units, both of which used the same
moisture sensor technology and dried
the test load to final RMCs of close to
1 percent at the end of the cycle, had
significantly different total measured
energy consumption. One of these test
PO 00000
Frm 00015
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4702
units achieved this final RMC with only
a brief cool-down period, while the
other test unit repeatedly heated,
tumbled, and regained moisture before
the final cool down. DOE believes that
the difference in energy consumption
between these two units is most likely
a function of the control strategy rather
than the accuracy of the sensors.
E:\FR\FM\02JAP2.SGM
02JAP2
EP02JA13.003</GPH>
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with
Figure III.6 shows the measured
energy consumption as a function of
RMC for the portion of the test cycle
below 5-percent RMC for two vented
electric standard clothes dryers. The
cycles proceed in time from the right
side of the curves, with the RMC
generally decreasing as energy
consumption increases until the start of
any cool down or tumbling. The data
show that the cool-down/tumbling
165
166
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 1 / Wednesday, January 2, 2013 / Proposed Rules
BILLING CODE 6450–01–C
DOE conducted further analysis to
develop an appropriate field use factor
to account for the measured energy
consumption at the end of the automatic
termination cycle below 2-percent RMC
using the DOE test load (including any
cool-down/tumbling period). Using the
data presented in Table III.9, DOE
calculated a field use factor of 0.80 for
automatic termination control dryers by
taking the average of the difference
between the measured energy
consumption to initially reach 2-percent
RMC and the measured energy
consumption at the end of the test cycle.
The results of this analysis showing the
application of the 0.8 field use factor are
presented in Table III.10.
TABLE III.10—AUTOMATIC CYCLE TERMINATION TEST RESULTS WITH ADJUSTED FIELD USE FACTOR
Per-cycle energy consumption (kWh)
Test unit
2% RMC
Vented Electric Standard .................................................................................
Vented Electric Compact (240V) .....................................................................
Vented Gas ......................................................................................................
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with
4. Water Supply Testing
In the August 2011 RFI, DOE noted
that the IEC is currently revising its test
standard for clothes dryers, IEC
Standard 61121. 76 FR 50145, 50147
(Aug. 12, 2011). As part of the IEC
Standard 61121 Fourth Edition
Committee Draft for Vote (IEC Standard
61121 CDV), the most recent version
9 The apparent excursions below 0-percent RMC
result from the method used to calculate
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:40 Dec 31, 2012
Jkt 229001
1
2
4
6
10
13
15
17
available at the time of the August 2011
RFI analysis, the IEC noted that the
characteristics of the water used for
wetting the test load prior to the test,
particularly the conductivity, can
influence the test results when testing
automatic cycle termination clothes
dryers with moisture sensors. Clothes
dryers with moisture sensors use
2.070
2.233
2.318
2.280
0.875
2.569
2.532
2.482
Frm 00016
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4702
2.624
3.119
2.405
3.141
1.418
2.905
3.161
2.843
End of test—
field adjusted
2.099
2.495
1.924
2.513
1.134
2.324
2.528
2.274
conductivity sensor bars to determine
the amount of moisture in the load
when the load comes in contact with the
sensors. DOE more recently learned that
IEC Standard 61121 Fourth Edition
published in February 2012 using the
same methodology provided in IEC
Standard 61121 CDV. Table III.11
provides the characteristics of either soft
instantaneous RMC, which may be less accurate at
very low RMCs.
PO 00000
End of test—
measured
E:\FR\FM\02JAP2.SGM
02JAP2
EP02JA13.004</GPH>
Product class
167
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 1 / Wednesday, January 2, 2013 / Proposed Rules
or hard water to be used for appliance
testing under IEC Standard 61121.
TABLE III.11—IEC STANDARD 61121 REQUIREMENTS FOR COMPOSITION OF SOFT AND HARD WATER FOR CLOTHES
DRYER TESTING
Water type
Property
Unit
Standard soft water
Total hardness ..............................................
Conductivity (at 20 °C) .................................
In the August 2011 RFI, DOE
requested information and data on these
effects of the characteristics of the water
used to wet the test load on the
measured efficiency, as well as any
potential testing burden associated with
the requirements for modifying the
water supply used for wetting the test
load. DOE did not receive any
comments or information on this issue.
DOE conducted testing to evaluate the
effects of using supply water modified
to meet the specifications in the IEC
0.50 ± 0.20
150 ± 50
Millimols per liter (mmol/l) (Ca2+/Mg2+) ........
Microsiemens per centimeter (μS/cm) .........
Standard 61121 on the measured
efficiency compared to using supply
water according to the requirements of
appendix D1. For this series of tests,
DOE conducted tests on 16 units using
the same automatic cycle termination
methodology presented in Table III.3,
except that the water used to wet the
test load prior to the test met the
conditions presented in Table III.8 for
standard soft water. DOE selected the
soft water requirements from IEC
Standard 61121 rather than the hard
Standard hard water
2.50 ± 0.20
750 ± 150
water requirements to more closely
match the existing DOE clothes dryer
test procedure, which also requires the
use of soft water.10 For each test
method, DOE again conducted three
identical tests for each test units. The
test results, presented in Table III.12
and Table III.13, did not show a
correlation between the average
measured CEF and water supply
specifications for the automatic cycle
termination tests with either the DOE or
IEC/AHAM test loads.
TABLE III.12—AUTOMATIC CYCLE TERMINATION TESTS—WATER SUPPLY INVESTIGATION—DOE TEST CLOTH
Appendix D1
Test unit
Automatic cycle termination,
IEC soft water—DOE test cloth
CEF (lbs/kWh)
Product class
Automatic cycle termination, Appendix D1 water—DOE test
cloth
CEF (lbs/kWh)
CEF (lbs/kWh)
% Change
% Change
1
3
4
6
7
8
Avg
9
10
Avg
11
13
14
15
16
17
Avg
18
Vented Electric Compact (240V) .............
Vented Electric Compact (120V) .............
Vented Gas ..............................................
Ventless Electric Compact (240V) ...........
Ventless Electric Combination Washer/
Dryer .....................................................
3.58
3.83
3.71
3.80
3.84
3.71
3.75
3.53
3.56
3.54
3.75
3.31
3.49
3.39
3.37
3.37
3.39
2.98
3.16
3.49
3.48
2.71
3.06
3.11
3.17
3.32
2.27
2.79
2.18
2.87
3.07
2.69
3.25
2.94
2.97
2.73
¥11.6
¥9.1
¥6.1
¥28.7
¥20.2
¥16.1
¥15.3
¥6.1
¥36.1
¥21.1
¥41.9
¥13.3
¥12.0
¥20.5
¥3.5
¥12.7
¥12.4
¥8.4
3.15
3.44
3.45
2.68
3.05
3.24
3.17
3.32
2.37
2.84
2.27
2.91
3.24
2.77
Not Tested
2.92
2.96
2.85
¥11.9
¥10.3
¥6.9
¥29.5
¥20.7
¥12.9
¥15.3
¥6.2
¥33.4
¥19.8
¥39.6
¥12.2
¥7.3
¥18.2
Not Tested
¥13.2
¥12.7
¥4.3
20
Vented Electric Standard .........................
2.28
2.19
¥3.9
2.19
¥3.9
TABLE III.13—AUTOMATIC CYCLE TERMINATION TESTS—WATER SUPPLY INVESTIGATION—IEC/AHAM TEST CLOTH
Appendix D1
Product class
Test unit
Automatic cycle termination,
Appendix D1 water—IEC/AHAM
test cloth
Automatic cycle termination,
IEC soft water—IEC/AHAM
test cloth
CEF (lbs/kWh)
CEF (lbs/kWh)
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with
Vented Electric Standard .........................
1
3
4
6
7
3.58
3.83
3.71
3.80
3.84
% Change
3.13
3.08
3.44
2.42
3.02
¥12.6
¥19.6
¥7.3
¥36.3
¥21.3
10 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix D1,
section 2.6.3 requires the use of soft water with 17
parts per million hardness or less.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:40 Dec 31, 2012
Jkt 229001
PO 00000
Frm 00017
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4702
E:\FR\FM\02JAP2.SGM
02JAP2
CEF (lbs/kWh)
3.16
3.13
3.49
2.58
2.96
% Change
¥11.8
¥18.3
¥5.8
¥32.2
¥23.0
168
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 1 / Wednesday, January 2, 2013 / Proposed Rules
TABLE III.13—AUTOMATIC CYCLE TERMINATION TESTS—WATER SUPPLY INVESTIGATION—IEC/AHAM TEST CLOTH—
Continued
Appendix D1
Product class
Automatic cycle termination,
Appendix D1 water—IEC/AHAM
test cloth
Test unit
Automatic cycle termination,
IEC soft water—IEC/AHAM
test cloth
CEF (lbs/kWh)
CEF (lbs/kWh)
% Change
CEF (lbs/kWh)
% Change
8
Avg
9
10
Avg
11
13
14
15
16
17
Avg
18
Vented Electric Compact (120V) .............
Vented Gas ..............................................
Ventless Electric Compact (240V) ...........
Ventless Electric Combination Washer/
Dryer .....................................................
Table III.14 presents the average final
RMC for water supply investigative
tests. Similar to the measured CEF
2.97
3.01
3.24
2.12
2.68
2.42
2.64
2.93
2.64
2.99
2.89
2.82
2.63
¥19.9
¥19.5
¥8.4
¥40.3
¥24.4
¥35.6
¥20.2
¥16.2
¥22.0
¥11.0
¥14.3
¥16.7
¥11.9
3.02
3.06
3.22
2.05
2.64
2.48
2.73
2.82
2.74
3.08
2.85
2.85
2.81
¥18.5
¥18.3
¥8.8
¥42.3
¥25.5
¥33.8
¥17.5
¥19.2
¥19.3
¥8.3
¥15.3
¥15.9
¥5.6
20
Vented Electric Compact (240V) .............
3.71
3.75
3.53
3.56
3.54
3.75
3.31
3.49
3.39
3.37
3.37
3.39
2.98
2.28
2.14
¥6.1
2.15
¥5.8
discussed above, there was no definitive
correlation between the average
measured final RMC and the water
supply specifications.
TABLE III.14—AUTOMATIC CYCLE TERMINATION TESTS—WATER SUPPLY INVESTIGATION—FINAL RMC
Final RMC (%)
Product class
DOE test cloth
Test unit
Appendix
D1 water
IEC/AHAM test cloth
IEC soft
water
% Change
Appendix
D1 water
IEC soft
water
% Change
1
3
4
6
7
8
9
10
11
13
14
15
16
17
18
Vented Electric Compact (240V) .............
Vented Electric Compact (120V) .............
Vented Gas ..............................................
Ventless Electric Compact (240V) ...........
Ventless Electric Combination Washer/
Dryer .....................................................
Table III.15 presents the test-to-test
variation for each water supply
investigative test. DOE noted that there
1.3
0.6
0.7
1.9
1.3
0.4
1.3
2.0
2.0
0.9
0.7
1.3
0.8
0.9
2.0
1.2
0.6
0.8
1.9
1.1
0.5
1.3
2.0
1.5
0.9
0.8
1.5
Not Tested
0.9
2.4
¥7.7
0.0
14.3
0.0
¥15.4
25.0
0.0
0.0
¥25.0
0.0
14.3
15.4
....................
0.0
20.0
2.2
1.3
3.1
2.4
1.5
1.6
4.3
3.2
2.5
1.9
1.6
2.2
2.6
2.3
4.7
2.2
1.2
3.5
2.7
1.2
1.3
4.4
3.3
2.1
1.9
1.6
2.2
2.7
1.9
7.1
0.0
¥7.7
12.9
12.5
¥20.0
¥18.8
2.3
3.1
¥16.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
3.8
¥17.4
51.1
20
Vented Electric Standard .........................
1.7
1.5
¥11.8
3.4
3.4
0.0
was again no definitive correlation
between the test-to-test variation and
whether the water supply was
unmodified or modified.
TABLE III.15—AUTOMATIC CYCLE TERMINATION TESTS—WATER SUPPLY INVESTIGATION—CEF TEST-TO-TEST VARIATION
CEF Test-to-test variation standard error (%)
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with
Product class
Appendix
D1 water
Vented Electric Standard .........................
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:40 Dec 31, 2012
Jkt 229001
1
3
4
PO 00000
IEC/AHAM Test cloth
DOE Test cloth
Test unit
Frm 00018
0.50
1.46
1.14
Fmt 4701
IEC Soft
water
%
Change
1.15
2.03
0.04
Sfmt 4702
130.0
39.0
¥96.5
E:\FR\FM\02JAP2.SGM
Appendix
D1
water
2.26
0.62
6.44
02JAP2
IEC Soft
water
2.65
3.94
1.13
%
Change
17.3
535.5
¥82.5
169
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 1 / Wednesday, January 2, 2013 / Proposed Rules
TABLE III.15—AUTOMATIC CYCLE TERMINATION TESTS—WATER SUPPLY INVESTIGATION—CEF TEST-TO-TEST
VARIATION—Continued
CEF Test-to-test variation standard error (%)
Product class
Appendix
D1 water
%
Change
445.8
....................
3.68
1.59
1456.3
87.4
¥99.1
¥81.6
¥89.2
¥24.5
445.7
¥65.8
28.8
....................
¥75.5
32.5
28.0
0.72
2.20
8
Avg
9
10
Avg
11
13
14
15
16
17
Avg
18
0.16
1.03
4.25
5.70
4.98
2.12
0.81
1.58
2.08
0.68
2.73
1.57
2.00
3.93
No Repeat
Tests
2.49
1.93
0.04
1.05
0.54
1.60
4.42
0.54
2.68
Not Tested
0.67
2.08
2.56
20
3.22
3.27
....................
1.96
1.89
Vented Electric Compact (240V) .............
Vented Electric Compact (120V) .............
Vented Gas ..............................................
Ventless Electric Compact (240V) ...........
Ventless Electric Combination Washer/
Dryer .....................................................
DOE determined that the
modifications to the water supply
specified in IEC Standard 61121 did not
have a definitive effect on the measured
CEF as compared to the water
requirements specified in the existing
DOE test procedure. In addition, the
repeatability testing showed that the IEC
water hardness specifications did not
improve overall the test-to-test
repeatability.
DOE conducted additional testing on
two clothes dryers to evaluate the lab-
Appendix
D1
water
IEC Soft
water
6
7
Total Average ...................................
IEC/AHAM Test cloth
DOE Test cloth
Test unit
IEC Soft
water
%
Change
30.7
....................
1.73
2.72
2.42
4.39
3.40
2.25
1.95
0.92
1.73
1.91
1.94
1.69
1.50
4.81
No Repeat
Tests
0.20
2.55
2.23
4.62
3.43
0.79
3.91
4.83
1.26
1.12
0.60
2.34
1.71
1.6
1.58
0.81
¥48.7
¥3.6
2.31
2.31
0.0
to-lab reproducibility using both supply
water specifications in automatic cycle
termination tests with the IEC/AHAM
test load. The results, presented in Table
III.16, showed that the IEC supply water
may produce more reproducible results
from lab to lab with the IEC/AHAM test
load. DOE notes, however, that the
percentage difference in test results
from lab to lab is within the test-to-test
variation for a given lab using the IEC/
AHAM test load (presented in Table
III.15). For these reasons, DOE is not
¥88.4
¥6.3
¥7.9
5.2
0.9
¥64.9
100.5
425.0
¥27.2
¥41.4
¥69.1
38.5
14.0
proposing amendments in today’s NOPR
to include in the amendments to
appendix D1 the supply water
specifications from IEC Standard 61121.
If additional test results are made
available showing that IEC supply water
characteristics produce more repeatable
and reproducible test results than the
requirements in appendix D1, DOE may
consider such amendments in a future
test procedure rulemaking.
TABLE III.16—LAB-TO-LAB REPRODUCIBILITY OF AUTOMATIC CYCLE TERMINATION TESTS WITH IEC/AHAM TEST LOAD—
WATER SUPPLY INVESTIGATION
Product class
Test unit
Automatic cycle termination, Appendix D1
water—IEC/AHAM test cloth—average
CEF
DOE
lab
Vented Gas ..............................................
Ventless Electric Compact (240V) ...........
17
18
3.03
2.74
Independent
lab
%
Difference
2.89
2.63
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with
5. Proposed Amendments
Definitions
Based on the testing and analysis
discussed above, DOE is proposing
amendments to the clothes dryer test
procedure in 10 CFR part 430, subpart
B, appendix D1 in today’s NOPR to
more accurately measure the energy
consumption of automatic termination
control clothes dryers. The proposed
amendments are discussed in detail in
the following sections.
DOE is proposing in today’s NOPR to
amend the clothes dryer test procedure
to add definitions for both automatic
termination control dryers and timer
dryers. DOE is proposing to define
‘‘automatic termination control dryer’’
as a clothes dryer that can be preset to
carry out at least one sequence of
operations to be terminated by means of
a system assessing, directly or
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:40 Dec 31, 2012
Jkt 229001
PO 00000
Frm 00019
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4702
4.5
4.2
Automatic cycle termination, IEC soft
water—IEC/AHAM test cloth—average
CEF
DOE
lab
2.96
2.76
Independent
lab
2.85
2.81
%
Difference
3.6
1.9
indirectly, the moisture content of the
load. An automatic termination control
dryer with a supplementary timer or
that may also be manually controlled
shall be tested as an automatic
termination control dryer. DOE is
proposing to define ‘‘timer dryer’’ as a
clothes dryer that can be preset to carry
out at least one operation to be
terminated by a timer, but may also be
manually controlled, and does not
E:\FR\FM\02JAP2.SGM
02JAP2
170
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 1 / Wednesday, January 2, 2013 / Proposed Rules
include any automatic termination
function.
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with
Test Load
The current DOE test procedure in 10
CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix D1,
section 2.7 requires that test loads be
prepared with a starting RMC of 57.5
percent ± 3.5 percent. DOE is proposing
amendments in today’s NOPR to change
the starting RMC from 57.5 percent ± 3.5
percent to 57.5 percent ± 0.33 percent.
DOE believes that the starting RMC of
57.5 percent ± 0.33 percent, which was
used for the testing presented above and
originally proposed in the June TP 2010
SNOPR, would produce the most
repeatable results, particularly for
automatic cycle termination dryers.
DOE notes that allowing a wide range in
the starting RMC, such as the ± 3.5
percent specified in the current DOE
test procedure, would result in
significantly different results using the
proposed automatic cycle termination
test procedure because a test load with
a starting RMC of 61 percent would
contain approximately 0.6 lbs. of water
more than a test load with a starting
RMC of 54 percent for standard size
loads.
As a result, DOE is specifically
proposing to amend 10 CFR part 430,
subpart B, appendix D1, section 2.7.1,
‘‘Compact size dryer load,’’ and section
2.7.2, ‘‘Standard size dryer load,’’ to
require that water be extracted from the
wet test loads by spinning the load until
the moisture content of the load is 52.5–
57.5 percent of the bone-dry weight of
the test load. Final mass adjustments
would be made, such that the moisture
content is 57.5 percent ± 0.33 percent by
adding water uniformly to the load in a
very fine spray. DOE notes that
requiring water to be extracted to
achieve an RMC between 52.5 percent
and 57.5 percent would serve as an
initial preparation step prior to the final
mass adjustments to obtain a test load
with an RMC of 57.5 ± 0.33 percent
proposed above.
Test Cycle
DOE is proposing in today’s NOPR to
change the clothes dryer test cycle
specified in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B,
appendix D1, section 3.3 to require
separate test methods for automatic
cycle termination dryers and timer
dryers.
For automatic cycle termination
dryers, DOE is proposing to amend the
clothes dryer test procedure to require
the use of the control settings, presented
in section III.B.2 of this notice, that were
used for DOE testing. Specifically, DOE
is proposing to require that the
‘‘normal’’ automatic termination cycle
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:40 Dec 31, 2012
Jkt 229001
program be selected for the test cycle,
and that for dryers that do not have a
‘‘normal’’ program, the cycle
recommended by the manufacturer for
drying cotton or linen clothes would be
selected. Where the drying temperature
can be chosen independently of the
program, it would be set to the
maximum temperature setting. In
addition, the proposed amendments
would require that where the dryness
level setting can be chosen
independently of the program, the
dryness level would be set to the
‘‘normal’’ or ‘‘medium’’ setting. If such
designation is not provided, then the
dryness level would be set at the midpoint between the minimum and
maximum settings. The proposed
amendments would also require that the
cycle settings used for the test cycle be
recorded.
For the reasons explained below, the
clothes dryer would then be allowed to
run until the completion of the cycle,
including any cool-down period. After
the cycle is complete, the test load
would be weighed to determine the final
RMC. If the final RMC is below 2
percent, the test would be considered
valid. If the RMC is higher than 2
percent, the test would be considered
invalid and would be re-run using the
highest dryness level setting. DOE is
also proposing in today’s NOPR that the
measured test cycle energy consumption
be multiplied by a field use factor of
0.80 to calculate the per-cycle energy
consumption for automatic cycle
termination clothes dryers.
DOE is proposing in today’s NOPR to
measure the full automatic termination
cycle, including any cool-down period,
to be more representative of actual
consumer use. DOE has determined that
the proposed provision to include a
cool-down period would result in less
testing burden than the January 2011 TP
Final Rule proposal to stop the test
cycle when the heater switches off for
the final time immediately before the
cool-down period begins (76 FR 972,
998 (Jan. 6, 2011)), which would require
the tester to monitor the dryer and
possibly run multiple test cycles to
determine when the heater has switched
off for the final time.
As discussed above, DOE also
proposes to base the calculations for
automatic termination control dryers on
a nominal final RMC of 2 percent. This
is a change from the existing test
procedure, which requires that the
clothes dryer test cycle be stopped when
the final RMC is between 2.5 percent
and 5 percent. Based on the data
submitted in the Joint Petition and
DOE’s analysis, DOE tentatively
concludes that a final RMC of 2 percent
PO 00000
Frm 00020
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4702
using the DOE test load would be more
representative of clothes dryers
currently on the market and
representative of the maximum
consumer-accepted final RMC.
DOE is proposing in today’s NOPR to
revise the field use factor in the percycle energy consumption calculation
for dryers with automatic termination
controls to 0.80 based on the data
presented above in section III.B.3. DOE
notes that this field use factor would
account for the measured energy
consumption at the end of the automatic
termination cycle drying the DOE test
load below 2-percent RMC, which DOE
determines to be representative of
consumer-acceptable drying levels with
loads of varying weights, composition,
and size.
As discussed in section III.B.2 of this
notice, NEEA supplied DOE with data
from its residential laundry field use
study, which included 50 households in
the northwest United States metered
from January 2012 to March 2012.
Although the NEEA field study did not
provide data to closely determine the
final RMC of laundry loads, the study
did provide data on the weights of the
laundry loads both before and after the
drying cycle. As a result, DOE was able
to determine the amount of moisture
removed from the laundry load during
each dry cycle, to compare with the
proposed DOE test procedure. The
NEEA field study showed that the
average initial weight of the laundry
load prior to the drying cycle for the
average household surveyed was
approximately 12.1 lbs, and that, on
average, 4.8 lbs of water was removed
during the drying cycle. Comparing this
to the proposed DOE test procedure for
a standard-size test load with a bone-dry
weight of 8.45 lbs, the starting RMC of
57.5 percent would result in an initial
weight of the test load of approximately
13.3 lbs. The proposed test procedure,
which requires that the laundry load be
dried to below 2-percent RMC, would
require approximately 4.7 lbs of water to
be removed from the load during the
drying cycle. Based on the information
from the NEEA field use study, DOE
concludes that the weight of the test
load and amount of moisture removed
during the drying cycle in the proposed
test procedure are fairly representative
of consumer use.
Data from the NEEA study also
showed that the average household
surveyed used the ‘‘normal’’ or an
equivalent program cycle setting for
nearly 60 percent of all drying cycles.
The remaining drying cycles used other
automatic termination cycle settings, or
timed dry or manual cycles. Based on
these usage patterns, DOE tentatively
E:\FR\FM\02JAP2.SGM
02JAP2
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 1 / Wednesday, January 2, 2013 / Proposed Rules
concludes that using the ‘‘normal’’
automatic termination program cycle
setting for automatic termination control
clothes dryers would be most
representative of consumer use. DOE is
not proposing to require additional
program cycle settings, which would
also require specifying different load
types for each setting, in today’s NOPR
to minimize testing burden.
For timer dryers, DOE is proposing to
use the test method currently specified
in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix
D1, section 3.3 with a revised final RMC
requirement. The proposed test method
would require that the clothes dryer be
operated using the highest temperature
setting and maximum time setting. The
clothes dryer would then be allowed to
run until the final RMC of the load is
between 1.0 percent and 2.5 percent, at
which point the test cycle is stopped
without permitting the clothes dryer to
advance into the cool-down period.
After stopping the test run, test
technicians would remove and weigh
the test load. DOE is also proposing to
add a clarification that the clothes dryer
should not be stopped intermittently in
the middle of the test cycle for any
reason. This clarification would ensure
that test technicians are not stopping the
dryer intermittently to weigh the test
load to check whether it is within the
target range for the final RMC. Such a
practice would alter the measured
results because of the heat loss from the
dryer when the cycle is stopped.
DOE is proposing in today’s NOPR to
include separate calculations for the
per-cycle energy consumption for timer
dryers. The calculations would be
similar to the calculations provided in
the current DOE test procedure in 10
CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix D1,
sections 4.1–4.3, except that the
normalization of the per-cycle energy
consumption to represent the energy
consumption required to dry the test
load to 4-percent RMC would be
changed to represent the new target
RMC of 2 percent. The per-cycle energy
consumption calculation in the current
test procedure applies a scaling factor of
53.5 to be representative of the
percentage change from the nominal
initial RMC of 57.5 percent to the
nominal ending RMC of 4 percent. The
proposed amendments would change
this scaling factor to 55.5 to reflect the
new ending RMC of 2 percent. DOE
proposes a range of 1.0 percent to 2.5
percent for the allowable ending RMC
during the test cycle to reduce testing
burden. DOE tentatively concludes that
requiring the tester to dry the test load
to an exact RMC during the test cycle
would be unduly burdensome because it
could require the test to be repeated a
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:40 Dec 31, 2012
Jkt 229001
significant number of times until the
exact RMC is achieved. For the test
procedure to produce repeatable results,
the measured test cycle energy
consumption is normalized to calculate
the energy consumption required to dry
the test load from exactly 57.5-percent
RMC to 2-percent RMC, which is
representative of clothes dryers
currently on the market and of the
maximum consumer-accepted final
RMC.
DOE proposes in today’s NOPR that
manufacturers continue to apply the
field use factor needed to account for
the energy consumption of drying
beyond the 2-percent RMC specified in
the test procedure. DOE is not proposing
any changes to the 1.18 field use factor
for timer dryers because DOE is not
aware of any data or studies more recent
than the studies on which it was
originally based that would indicate that
this value is not currently representative
of consumer use. DOE seeks comment
on the field use factors for both
automatic termination control dryers
and timer dryers in section V.E of this
notice.
DOE is not proposing to include the
cool-down period as part of the timed
dry test cycle because the proposed test
method requires drying the load to a
specified RMC, at which point the test
cycle is stopped by the test technician.
DOE has determined that specifying a
timed dry cycle that includes the cooldown period to achieve a target final
RMC would add significant testing
burden on test technicians to determine
and preset the appropriate time setting.
It would also be difficult to ensure that
testing results are repeatable and
reproducible because different
combinations of timed dry cycle length
and cool-down period may be selected
to dry a test load to the same final RMC.
For these reasons, DOE is not amending
the timed dry test cycle to include the
cool-down period in today’s NOPR.
C. Incorporating by Reference IEC
Standard 62301 Second Edition for
Measuring Standby Mode and Off Mode
Power
The January 2011 TP Final Rule
incorporated in the test procedures for
clothes dryers relevant provisions from
IEC Standard 62301 (First Edition) for
measuring standby mode and off mode
power. 76 FR 972, 979–80 (Jan. 6, 2011).
DOE reviewed the IEC Standard 62301
(First Edition) and concluded that it
would be generally applicable to clothes
dryers, although some clarification
would be needed. Specifically, DOE
adopted amendments for standby mode
and off mode power measurements to
provide a stabilization period of 30 to 40
PO 00000
Frm 00021
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4702
171
minutes followed by an energy use
measurement period of 10 minutes. 76
FR 986 (Jan.6, 2011). With these
clarifications in place, the January 2011
TP Final Rule referenced IEC Standard
62301 (First Edition) for the standby
mode and off mode wattage
measurements. DOE also incorporated
into the clothes dryer test procedure
definitions of ‘‘active mode,’’ ‘‘standby
mode,’’ and ‘‘off mode’’ based on the
definitions provided in IEC Standard
62301 CDV. 76 FR 76 FR 981–85 (Jan.
6, 2011).
IEC Standard 62301 (Second Edition)
published on January 27, 2011.
Consistent with EPCA requirements for
amending test procedures to include
standby and off mode procedures, DOE
considered IEC Standard 62301 (Second
Edition) in today’s NOPR for
amendments to the standby mode and
off mode test procedures for clothes
dryers. (42 U.S.C. 6295(gg)(2)(A)) IEC
Standard 62301 (Second Edition) is an
internationally-accepted test procedure
for measuring standby power in
residential appliances, and it provides
clarification to certain sections as
compared to the First Edition, as
discussed in the following paragraphs.
Section 4, paragraph 4.4 of the Second
Edition revises the power measurement
accuracy provisions of the First Edition.
A more comprehensive specification of
required accuracy is provided in the
Second Edition, which depends upon
the characteristics of the power being
measured. Testers using the Second
Edition are required to measure the crest
factor and power factor of the input
power, and to calculate a maximum
current ratio (MCR) (paragraph 4.4.1 of
the Second Edition). The Second
Edition then specifies calculations to
determine permitted uncertainty in
MCR. DOE notes, however, that the
allowable uncertainty is the same or less
stringent than the allowable uncertainty
specified in the First Edition, depending
on the value of MCR and the power
level being measured (see Table III.17
for examples). This change in the
allowable uncertainty, however,
maintains sufficient accuracy of
measurements under a full range of
possible measured power levels without
placing undue demands on the
instrumentation. These power
measurement accuracy requirements
were based upon detailed technical
submissions to the IEC in the
development of IEC Standard 62301
Final Draft International Standard
(FDIS), which showed that commonlyused power measurement instruments
were unable to meet the original
requirements for certain types of loads.
The incremental testing burden
E:\FR\FM\02JAP2.SGM
02JAP2
172
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 1 / Wednesday, January 2, 2013 / Proposed Rules
associated with the additional
measurements and calculations is offset
by the more reasonable requirements for
testing equipment, while maintaining
measurement accuracy deemed
acceptable and practical by voting
members for IEC Standard 62301
(Second Edition). For these reasons,
DOE proposes in today’s notice to
incorporate by reference in 10 CFR part
430, subpart B, appendix D1, section
2.4.7 the power equipment
specifications in section 4, paragraph
4.4 of IEC Standard 62301 (Second
Edition).
TABLE III.17—COMPARISON OF ALLOWABLE UNCERTAINTY IN MEASURED POWER
Allowable Uncertainty (W)
Measured Power (W)
MCR = 5
MCR = 15
0.1
0.04
0.02
0.01
0.01
0.1
0.04
0.02
0.02
0.02
0.14
0.056
0.028
0.02
0.02
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with
5.0
2.0
1.0
0.5
0.2
Section 5, paragraph 5.2 of IEC
Standard 62301 (Second Edition)
maintains the installation and setup
procedures incorporated by reference in
the clothes dryer test procedure in the
January 2011 TP Final Rule from the
First Edition. These provisions require
that the appliance be prepared and set
up in accordance with manufacturer’s
instructions, and that if no instructions
are given, then the factory or ‘‘default’’
settings shall be used, or where there are
no indications for such settings, the
appliance is tested as supplied.
Additionally, IEC Standard 62301
(Second Edition) adds certain
clarifications to the installation and
setup procedures in section 5, paragraph
5.2 of the First Edition regarding
products equipped with a battery
recharging circuit for an internal battery,
as well as instructions for testing each
relevant configuration option identified
in the product’s instructions for use.
DOE is not aware of any clothes dryer
with an internal battery, or with a
recharging circuit for such a battery.
DOE also believes that a requirement to
separately test each configuration option
could substantially increase test burden
and potentially conflicts with the
requirement within the same section to
set up the product in accordance with
the instructions for use or, if no such
instructions are available, to use the
factory or ‘‘default’’ settings. Therefore,
DOE tentatively concludes that the
portions of the installation instructions
in section 5, paragraph 5.2 of IEC
Standard 62301 (Second Edition)
pertaining to batteries and the
requirement for the determination,
classification, and testing of all modes
associated with every combination of
available product configuration options
(which may be more numerous than the
modes associated with operation at the
default settings) are not appropriate for
the clothes dryer test procedures.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:40 Dec 31, 2012
IEC 62301 (Second Edition)
IEC 62301
(First Edition)
Jkt 229001
Accordingly, DOE is proposing
qualifying language in the test
procedure amendments in 10 CFR part
430, subpart B, appendix D1, section 2.1
to disregard those portions of the
installation instructions.
The Second Edition also contains
provisions for the power supply (section
4.3) and power-measuring instruments
(section 4.4). Paragraph 4.3.2 requires
that the value of the harmonic content
of the voltage supply be recorded during
the test and reported. As described
previously, paragraph 4.4.1 requires the
instrument to measure the crest factor
and maximum current ratio. Paragraph
4.4.3 requires the instrument to be
capable of measuring the average power
or integrated total energy consumption
over any operator-selected time interval.
DOE is aware of commercially available
power measurement instruments that
can perform each of these required
measurements individually. However,
DOE is also aware that certain industrystandard instruments, such as the
Yokogawa WT210/WT230 digital power
meter and possibly others, are unable to
measure harmonic content or crest
factor while measuring average power or
total integrated energy consumption.
DOE is concerned that laboratories
currently using power-measuring
instruments without this capability
would be required to purchase, at
potentially significant expense,
additional power-measuring
instruments that are able to perform all
these measurements simultaneously.
Therefore, DOE proposes in 10 CFR part
430, subpart B, appendix D1, sections
2.3.1.1 and 2.4.7 that if the powermeasuring instrument is unable to
perform these measurements during the
actual test measurement, it would be
acceptable to measure the total
harmonic content, crest factor, and
maximum current ratio immediately
before and immediately after the actual
PO 00000
Frm 00022
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4702
test measurement to determine whether
the requirements for the power supply
and power measurement have been met.
The other major changes in the
Second Edition related to the
measurement of standby mode and off
mode power consumption in covered
products involve measurement
techniques and specification of the
stability criteria required to measure
that power. The Second Edition
contains more detailed techniques to
evaluate the stability of the power
consumption and to measure the power
consumption for loads with different
stability characteristics. According to
the Second Edition, the user is given a
choice of measurement procedures,
including sampling methods, average
reading methods, and a direct meter
reading method. DOE evaluated these
new methods in terms of test burden
and improvement in results as
compared to the methods adopted in the
January 2011 TP Final Rule, which were
based on IEC Standard 62301 (First
Edition).
In the January 2011 TP Final Rule,
DOE adopted provisions requiring that
clothes dryer standby mode and off
mode power be measured using section
5, paragraph 5.3 of IEC Standard 62301
(First Edition), clarified by requiring the
product to stabilize for 30 to 40 minutes
and using an energy use measurement
period of 10 minutes. Further, for any
clothes dryer in which the power varies
over a cycle, as described in section 5,
paragraph 5.3.2 of the First Edition, the
January 2011 TP Final Rule adopted
amendments to require the use of the
average power approach in section 5,
paragraph 5.3.2(a), with a 30- to 40minute stabilization period and a 10minute minimum measurement period,
as long as the measurement period
comprises one or more complete cycles.
76 FR 972, 979–980, 985–986 (Jan. 6,
2011).
E:\FR\FM\02JAP2.SGM
02JAP2
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 1 / Wednesday, January 2, 2013 / Proposed Rules
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with
For today’s notice, to determine the
potential impacts of referencing
methodology from IEC Standard 62301
(Second Edition) rather than from the
First Edition, DOE compared the
provisions allowed by each under
different scenarios of power
consumption stability, as discussed in
the following sections.
1. Stable Power Consumption
According to section 5, paragraph
5.3.1 of IEC Standard 62301 (First
Edition), after an initial stabilization
period of 5 minutes, power
consumption is defined as stable if it
varies by less than 5 percent over a
subsequent measurement period of 5
minutes. In such a case, a direct reading
may be made at the end of the
measurement period. With the
clarifications adopted in the January
2011 TP Final Rule, the total test time
would be 40 to 50 minutes (comprised
of a 30- to 40-minute stabilization
period, followed by a 10-minute period
during which the stability criterion
could be evaluated and a direct power
reading taken.) Alternatively, the tester
may select an average power or
accumulated energy approach, again
with a 30- to 40-minute stabilization
period and a 10-minute measurement
period. The average power approach
would simply require a different reading
to be taken from the instrument (true
average power instead of a direct
reading of instantaneous power), while
the accumulated energy approach
would require the calculation of power
by dividing an accumulated energy by
the duration of the measurement period.
In comparison, section 5, paragraph
5.3.4 of IEC Standard 62301 (Second
Edition) specifies a direct meter reading
method that can be used for stable
power consumption, in which a
minimum 30-minute stabilization
period must be observed, followed by a
first power measurement. After an
additional period of 10 minutes, a
second power measurement is taken. If
the average of the two measurements
divided by the time interval between
them meets certain threshold criteria,
then the power consumption is
considered to be the average of the two
power measurements. Thus, the total
test period would still be at minimum
40 minutes. DOE believes that this
method likely improves the validity of
the test results, as it is a more stringent
measure of the stability of the power
consumption over a longer period of
time than the First Edition requires.
However, if the threshold criteria are
not met at the end of the test, a different
measurement method must be used,
increasing test time and complexity.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:40 Dec 31, 2012
Jkt 229001
Further, the Second Edition specifies
that the direct reading method shall not
be used for verification purposes. Both
of these qualifications potentially
increase test burden as compared to the
First Edition, possibly requiring the
tester to conduct the more complex
methodology of the methods available
under the Second Edition.
Section 5, paragraph 5.3.2 of IEC
Standard 62301 (Second Edition)
identifies a sampling method as the
preferred means for all power
consumption measurements and the
fastest test method when the power is
stable. For any non-cyclic power
consumption, power readings are
initially recorded over a period of at
least 15 minutes after energizing the
product. Data from the first third of the
measurement period are discarded, and
stability is evaluated by a linear
regression through all power readings in
the second two-thirds of the data. If the
slope of the linear regression is less than
10 milliwatts per hour (mW/h) for input
power less than or equal to 1.0 W, or
less than 1 percent of the input power
per hour for input power greater than
1.0 W, the power consumption is
calculated as the average of the power
readings during the second two-thirds of
the measurement period. If the slope of
the linear regression does not meet these
stability criteria, the total period is
continuously extended until the
stability criteria are met for the second
two-thirds of the data. In some cases,
this is a more stringent requirement
than the stability criteria of IEC
Standard 62301 (First Edition). The lack
of a definitive test period means that the
test duration could extend past 15
minutes for certain products—up to 3
hours is allowed in the Second
Edition—and could introduce added
test burden as compared to the First
Edition.
2. Unstable, Non-Cyclic Power
Consumption
Section 5, paragraph 5.3 from IEC
Standard 62301 (First Edition), which
DOE incorporated by reference in the
clothes dryer test procedure in the
January 2011 TP Final Rule with
clarification, specifies that either an
average power method or accumulated
energy approach could be used for
measuring non-cyclic unstable power
consumption. As described previously,
this methodology, as adopted in the
January 2011 TP Final Rule, would limit
total test duration to 40–50 minutes.
In contrast, the Second Edition
requires the use of either a sampling
method or average reading method for
measuring power consumption in
standby mode or off mode. The
PO 00000
Frm 00023
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4702
173
sampling method is the same as
described previously, but the
measurement period must be at least 60
minutes, and the cumulative average of
all data points recorded during the
second two-thirds of the total period
must fall within a band of ±0.2 percent.
The average reading method in
section 5, paragraph 5.3.3 IEC Standard
62301 (Second Edition) comprises both
an average power method and
accumulated energy method, either of
which may be selected for unstable,
non-cyclic power. For both methods, a
30-minute stabilization period is
specified, followed by two comparison
measurement periods of not less than 10
minutes each. The average power
values, either measured directly or
calculated from accumulated energy
during each period, are compared to
determine whether they agree to within
certain threshold criteria. If the
threshold is not achieved, the
comparison periods are each extended
in approximately equal increments until
the threshold is met. If agreement is not
achieved after reaching 30 minutes for
each comparison period, the sampling
method must then be used. Therefore,
the minimum test period is 50 minutes,
but may extend up to 90 minutes, at
which time an additional test may be
required.
DOE believes that the stability criteria
in either method improves the accuracy
and representativeness of the
measurement as compared to the First
Edition, but would cause the required
test time to increase, with a
corresponding increase in manufacturer
burden due to the additional time and
complexity of the test.
3. Cyclic Power Consumption
As noted previously, DOE adopted
amendments in the January 2011 TP
Final Rule to require that for any clothes
dryer in which the power varies over a
cycle, the average power approach of
section 5, paragraph 5.3.2(a) in IEC
Standard 62301 (First Edition) shall be
used, with a 30- to 40-minute
stabilization period and minimum 10minute measurement period. The First
Edition also requires that at least one or
more complete cycles be measured.
In the Second Edition, cyclic power
must be measured according to the
sampling method in section 5,
paragraph 5.3.2, but this method
requires a measurement period of at
least four complete cycles (for a total of
at least 40 minutes) divided into two
comparison periods, with stability
criteria evaluated by calculating the
difference in average power measured in
each comparison period divided by the
time difference of the mid-point of each
E:\FR\FM\02JAP2.SGM
02JAP2
174
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 1 / Wednesday, January 2, 2013 / Proposed Rules
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with
comparison period. Similar to the
sampling method for stable power
consumption measurements described
previously, this ‘‘slope’’ must be less
than 10 mW/h for input powers less
than or equal to 1 W, and less than 1
percent of the input power per hour for
input powers greater than 1 W. If the
appropriate stability criterion is not met,
additional cycles are added to each
comparison period until the criterion is
achieved. Once stability has been
reached, the power consumption is
calculated as the average of all readings
from both comparison periods. DOE
believes that this methodology produces
an improved measurement over the
methodology from the First Edition, but
the test duration could be extended,
again potentially introducing issues of
increased test burden.
4. Conclusions on Test Methodology
DOE, in evaluating IEC Standard
62301 (Second Edition) in comparison
to the First Edition, considers the
substantial body of comments on and
input to the provisions and
methodology that IEC developed as part
of its latest revision process. DOE
recognizes that, in some cases, test
burden and complexity would be
increased by requiring the use of the test
methods specified in the Second
Edition. AHAM and manufacturers
involved in the IEC review process have
commented that IEC Standard 62301
(Second Edition) test methods improve
the accuracy and representativeness of
the test measurements and would not be
unduly burdensome to conduct. 77 FR
28805, 28812 (May 16, 2012); 76 FR
58346, 58350 (Sept. 20, 2011); 77 FR
13888, 13893 (March 7, 2012). As a
result, and for the reasons discussed
above, DOE proposes incorporation by
reference of the relevant paragraphs of
section 5.3 of IEC Standard 62301
(Second Edition) in the clothes dryer
test procedure in 10 CFR part 430,
subpart B, appendix D1, section 3.6.
Further, DOE observes that although
the Second Edition allows the choice of
multiple test methods for both stable
and unstable non-cyclic power
consumption, the sampling method
provides for a test duration that is
approximately the same or similar to the
allowable alternative methods and does
not require classification of the nature of
the power consumption (e.g., stable or
unstable, non-cyclic) in advance of the
test. By monitoring the variation in
power consumption during the test, the
test operator could determine whether it
is stable or unstable, and thereby
establish the required duration of the
sampling periods. For cyclic power
consumption, the Second Edition also
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:40 Dec 31, 2012
Jkt 229001
requires the use of the sampling
method. Thus, DOE proposes to require
in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix
D1, section 3.6 the use of the sampling
method in section 5.3.2 of the Second
Edition for all standby mode and off
mode power measurements.
DOE is also proposing to amend the
reference in 10 CFR 430.3 to add IEC
Standard 62301 (Second Edition). DOE
is not proposing to replace the reference
to the First Edition in 10 CFR 430.3,
because several test procedures for other
covered products not addressed in
today’s notice incorporate provisions
from it. In addition, there are a number
of editorial changes necessary in
appendix D1 to allow for the correct
referencing to the Second Edition. For
example, the definition sections need to
define the IEC Standard 62301 as the
Second Edition instead of the First
Edition. Also, there are some section
numbering differences in the Second
Edition that impact the text of the
measurement provisions of the relevant
test procedures.
D. Technical Correction to the
Calculation of the Per-Cycle Combined
Total Energy Consumption
DOE notes that 10 CFR part 430,
subpart B, appendix D1, section 4.6,
regarding the calculation of the percycle combined total energy
consumption contains a reference to an
incorrect section number. The per-cycle
standby mode and off mode energy
consumption, ETSO, which is contained
in section 4.5, is incorrectly referenced
in the per-cycle combined total energy
consumption as section 4.7. DOE is
proposing in today’s NOPR to correct
this section number reference.
E. Clarifications to Test Conditions
DOE notes that it received a number
of inquiries from independent test
laboratories requesting clarification on
testing according to the DOE clothes
dryer test procedure in 10 CFR part 430,
subpart B, appendix D. DOE is
proposing amendments in today’s NOPR
to clarify the cycle settings used for the
test cycle and the requirements for the
gas supply for gas clothes dryers.
Section 3.3 in 10 CFR part 430,
subpart B, appendix D specifies that the
maximum temperature setting and, if a
tested unit is equipped with a timer, the
maximum time setting must be used for
the drying test cycle. DOE received an
inquiry from an independent test
laboratory regarding how to test a
clothes dryer that has timed dry cycle
length settings, but no temperature
settings on the control panel. DOE is
proposing to clarify in 10 CFR part 430,
subpart B, appendix D, section 3.3, that
PO 00000
Frm 00024
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4702
if the clothes dryer does not have a
separate temperature setting selection
on the control panel, the maximum time
setting should be used for the drying
test cycle. In today’s NOPR, DOE is
proposing to amend 10 CFR part 430,
subpart B, appendix D1, to require
separate test methods for timer dryers
and automatic termination control
dryers. Because the proposed timed dry
test method maintains the same cycle
settings as specified in 10 CFR part 430,
subpart B, appendix D, DOE is also
proposing to include the clarification
discussed above in section 3.3.1 in 10
CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix D1,
for the timer dryer test method. Because
the proposed test method for automatic
termination control dryers requires
using an automatic cycle termination
program where the drying temperature
and dryness level settings are modified
only if they can be chosen
independently of the cycle program,
DOE is not proposing to include the
clarification discussed above.
DOE also received an inquiry
regarding how to test a clothes dryer
that has an optional cycle setting, other
than the temperature and time settings,
that is activated by default in the
condition as shipped by the
manufacturer. DOE is proposing to
clarify in both 10 CFR part 430, subpart
B, appendix D, section 3.3, and
appendix D1, section 3.3.1, that the test
procedures specify requirements only
for the temperature setting and time
setting, and do not specify
modifications to any other optional
settings that do not affect the
temperature setting and time setting.
Similarly in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B,
appendix D1, section 3.3.2, DOE is
proposing to clarify for automatic
termination control dryers, the test
procedures specify requirements only
for the automatic termination cycle
program, temperature setting, and
dryness setting, and do not specify
modifications to any other optional
settings that do not affect the automatic
termination cycle program, temperature
setting, and dryness setting.
Section 2.3.2 in 10 CFR part 430,
subpart B, appendix D and appendix
D1, specifies that gas supply to the
clothes dryer should be maintained at a
normal inlet test pressure at 7 to 10
inches of water column, and that the
hourly British thermal unit (Btu) rating
of the burner shall be maintained within
±5 percent of the rating specified by the
manufacturer. DOE received an inquiry
from an independent testing laboratory
noting that during its testing, the gas
dryer under test did not meet the
requirement to maintain the Btu rating
within 5 percent of the rating specified
E:\FR\FM\02JAP2.SGM
02JAP2
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 1 / Wednesday, January 2, 2013 / Proposed Rules
by the manufacturer under the
allowable range in gas inlet test
pressure. DOE is proposing to add a
clarification in both 10 CFR part 430,
subpart B, appendix D and appendix D1
that if the requirement to maintain the
hourly Btu rating of the burner within
±5 percent of the rating specified by the
manufacturer cannot be achieved under
the allowable range in gas inlet test
pressure, the orifice of the gas burner
should be modified as necessary to
achieve the required Btu rating.
Section 2.3.2 in 10 CFR part 430,
subpart B, appendix D and appendix
D1, also specifies that if a clothes dryer
is equipped with a gas appliance
pressure regulator, the regulator outlet
pressure at the normal test pressure
shall be approximately that
recommended by the manufacturer.
DOE notes that the test procedures for
similar gas heating products, such as gas
water heaters, specifies that the
regulator outlet pressure must be within
±10 percent of the value specified by the
manufacturer. DOE is proposing to
clarify the term ‘‘approximately’’ by
specifying that the regulator outlet
pressure shall be within ±10 percent of
the value specified by the manufacturer.
F. Effects of Proposed Test Procedure
Revisions on Compliance With
Standards
In any rulemaking to amend a test
procedure, DOE must determine to what
extent, if any, the proposed test
procedure would alter the measured
energy efficiency of any covered
product as determined under the
existing test procedure. (42 U.S.C.
6293(e)(1)) If DOE determines that the
amended test procedure would alter the
measured efficiency of a covered
product, DOE must amend the
applicable energy conservation standard
accordingly. (42 U.S.C. 6293(e)(2)) In
determining the amended energy
conservation standard, the Secretary
shall measure, pursuant to the amended
test procedure, the energy efficiency,
energy use, or water use of a
representative sample of covered
products that minimally comply with
the existing standard. The average of
such energy efficiency, energy use, or
water use levels determined under the
amended test procedure shall constitute
the amended energy conservation
standard for the applicable covered
products. (42 U.S.C. 6293(e)(2)) Models
of covered products in use before the
date on which the amended energy
conservation standard becomes effective
(or revisions of such models that come
into use after such date and have the
same energy efficiency, energy use or
water use characteristics) that comply
with the energy conservation standard
applicable to such covered products on
the day before such date shall be
deemed to comply with the energy
conservation standard. (42 U.S.C.
6293(e)(3)) DOE’s authority to amend
energy conservation standards does not
affect DOE’s obligation to issue any final
standards as described in 42 U.S.C.
6295. (42 U.S.C. 6293(e)(4))
1. Active Mode
As discussed in section III.E, DOE is
only proposing to amend 10 CFR part
430 subpart B, appendix D in today’s
NOPR to clarify the cycle settings used
for testing and the requirements for the
gas supply. Because the proposed
amendments to appendix D would not
change the actual testing method, DOE
determined that these proposed
amendments would not affect the
measured efficiency according to
appendix D and would not affect a
manufacturer’s ability to demonstrate
compliance with the current energy
conservation standards at 10 CFR
430.32(h)(2).
Because the January 1, 2015 energy
conservation standards for clothes
dryers are based on CEF as measured
according to 10 CFR part 430 subpart B,
subpart D1, DOE investigated how the
proposed amendments for automatic
cycle termination would affect the
measured CEF.
In response to the August 2011 RFI,
the Joint Petitioners commented that if
DOE adopts the petition’s proposed test
procedure amendments, it must also
revise the relevant energy conservation
standards to reflect the new test
procedure, ensuring that for clothes
dryers with effective automatic
termination controls, there is no change
in stringency of the standards. The Joint
Petitioners stated that the procedures in
175
42 U.S.C. 6293(e)(2) should be used,
with the clarification that for the
purposes of establishing a representative
sample of products, DOE should select
a sample of minimally compliant
clothes dryers that automatically
terminate the drying cycle at 1.5- to 2percent RMC. The Joint Petitioners
stated that by selecting products that
terminate at 1.5- to 2-percent RMC, DOE
will assure that the revised standard is
based upon dryers that do not over-dry
and that the tested sample yields valid
results under both the current and
proposed revised test procedure. The
Joint Petitioners also stated that if DOE
does not consider dryers that terminate
the drying cycle at 1.5- to 2-percent
RMC to be a representative sample, the
proposed test procedure in the Joint
Petition should still be adopted. In that
case, the Joint Petitioners stated that
DOE could revise the energy
conservation standards without limiting
the representative sample of dryers
based on automatic termination
performance. However, the Joint
Petitioners noted that this approach
would reduce, but not eliminate, the
benefits from this test procedure change.
(Joint Petition, No. 2 at pp. 6–7)
DOE conducted testing on 20 clothes
dryers according to the current DOE
clothes dryer test procedure in appendix
D1 and then according to the proposed
automatic cycle termination test
procedure. The results of this testing,
presented in Table III.18, showed that
specific models resulted in either a
lower or higher measured CEF as
compared to the measured CEF using
the current test procedure, ranging from
a 27.4 percent decrease to a 20.4 percent
increase in CEF with an average of a 3.8
percent increase. DOE also evaluated
the effects of the proposed amendments
for the products in DOE’s test sample
that minimally comply with the existing
energy conservation standards (based on
rated EF). The results for the 10
minimally compliant units in DOE’s test
sample showed a 27.4 percent decrease
to a 16.9 percent increase in CEF as
compared to the CEF using the test
procedure in 10 CFR part 430 subpart B,
subpart D1, with an average of a 4.1
percent increase.
TABLE III.18—EFFECTS OF PROPOSED AUTOMATIC CYCLE TERMINATION TEST METHOD
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with
Product class
Test unit
CEF (lbs/kWh)
% Change
from appendix
D1 CEF
3.58
3.93
3.94
3.41
10.2
¥13.2
*1
Vented Electric Standard
2
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:40 Dec 31, 2012
Jkt 229001
PO 00000
Frm 00025
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4702
Proposed automatic cycle
termination test method
Current
Appendix D1
CEF (lbs/kWh)
E:\FR\FM\02JAP2.SGM
02JAP2
176
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 1 / Wednesday, January 2, 2013 / Proposed Rules
TABLE III.18—EFFECTS OF PROPOSED AUTOMATIC CYCLE TERMINATION TEST METHOD—Continued
Product class
Test unit
CEF (lbs/kWh)
% Change
from appendix
D1 CEF
3.83
3.71
3.90
3.80
3.84
3.71
3.53
3.56
3.75
3.43
3.31
3.49
3.39
3.37
3.37
2.98
2.81
2.28
4.35
4.34
4.37
3.39
3.83
3.87
4.12
2.84
2.72
3.37
3.58
3.84
3.37
4.05
3.66
3.40
2.70
2.74
13.6
16.9
12.0
¥10.9
¥0.2
4.4
16.7
¥20.2
¥27.4
¥1.7
8.1
9.8
¥0.7
20.4
8.6
14.0
¥3.9
20.2
3.8
*3
*4
5
*6
*7
*8
Vented Electric Compact (240V) .....................................................................
Vented Electric Compact (120V) .....................................................................
Vented Gas ......................................................................................................
Ventless Electric Compact (240V) ...................................................................
Ventless Electric Combo Washer/Dryer ..........................................................
Proposed automatic cycle
termination test method
Current
Appendix D1
CEF (lbs/kWh)
*9
10
*11
12
*13
*14
15
16
17
18
19
20
Total Average ...........................................................................................
* Minimally
compliant test units.
Based on these results and consistent
with 42 U.S.C. 6293(e)(1) and (2), DOE
tentatively concludes that the proposed
amendments to the active mode test
procedure will on average not impact
the measured efficiency as compared to
the current test procedure for models
currently available on the market. As a
result, DOE is not considering
amendments to the energy conservation
standards that will be required on
January 1, 2015.
2. Standby Mode and Off Mode
DOE also investigated how the
proposed amendments for standby
mode and off mode would affect the
measured efficiency. Because the
proposed amendments to the DOE
clothes dryer test procedure in 10 CFR
part 430 subpart B, appendix D1 for
measuring standby mode and off mode
energy consumption would not alter the
existing measure of energy consumption
for clothes dryers (EF), the proposed
amendments would not affect a
manufacturer’s ability to comply with
the current energy conservation
standards.
DOE’s amendments in the January
2011 TP Final Rule specified that
manufacturers will not be required to
use the test procedure provisions for
standby mode and off mode until the
mandatory January 1, 2015 compliance
date of the amended clothes dryer
energy conservation standards. (10 CFR
430.32(h)(3)) The January 1, 2015
amended energy conservation standards
are based on CEF, which accounts for
standby mode and off mode energy
consumption. Because today’s proposed
amendments would revise the
provisions used to measure standby
mode and off mode energy
consumption, and thus CEF, DOE
investigated how the proposed test
procedure amendments would affect the
amended energy conservation standards
at 10 CFR 430.32(h)(3). DOE believes the
proposed changes to the testing methods
for measuring standby mode and off
mode energy consumption do not vary
significantly from the methods in the
amended DOE clothes dryer test
procedure in appendix D1 for measuring
standby power and would not alter the
measured efficiency. To confirm this
assertion, DOE conducted testing on
four clothes dryers (three of which
minimally comply with the existing
energy conservation standards)
according to both the existing appendix
D1 and the proposed amendments to
appendix D1 for standby mode and off
mode that are based IEC Standard 62301
(Second Edition). The results, presented
below in Table III.19, show that the
measured average standby power is the
same using both methods.
TABLE III.19—DOE TEST RESULTS TO EVALUATE EFFECTS OF PROPOSED CHANGES TO STANDBY AND OFF MODE
TESTING PROCEDURES
Average standby power (W)
Test unit
Existing
appendix D1
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with
1 * .............................................................................................................................................................................
3 * .............................................................................................................................................................................
14 * ...........................................................................................................................................................................
16 .............................................................................................................................................................................
* Minimally compliant test units.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:40 Dec 31, 2012
Jkt 229001
PO 00000
Frm 00026
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4702
E:\FR\FM\02JAP2.SGM
02JAP2
0.97
0.16
0.38
0.70
Proposed
appendix D1
0.97
0.16
0.38
0.70
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 1 / Wednesday, January 2, 2013 / Proposed Rules
Based on these test results, DOE
believes that the proposed amendments
to the clothes dryer test procedure for
standby mode and off mode would not
alter the measured CEF. DOE is,
therefore, not considering amendments
to the energy conservation standards at
10 CFR 430.32(h)(3) that must be met on
January 1, 2015.
DOE’s proposed amendments would
continue to clarify that manufacturers
would not be required to use the
provisions relating to standby mode and
off mode energy use to determine
compliance with the energy
conservation standard until the
compliance date of the amended energy
conservation standards for clothes
dryers addressing standby mode and off
mode energy use on January 1, 2015. As
a result, the proposed test procedure
amendments for standby mode and off
mode would not affect a manufacturer’s
ability to demonstrate compliance with
the current energy conservation
standards.
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with
G. Compliance With Other EPCA
Requirements
1. Test Burden
EPCA requires that test procedures
shall be reasonably designed to produce
test results which measure energy
efficiency, energy use, or estimated
annual operating cost of a covered
product during a representative average
use cycle or period of use. Test
procedures must also not be unduly
burdensome to conduct. (42 U.S.C.
6293(b)(3))
DOE notes that the proposed
amendments for automatic cycle
termination, discussed in section III.B.5,
would change the test cycle for
automatic cycle termination dryers to
require that a programmed automatic
termination cycle be used for the test
instead of using the maximum timed
dry setting. The proposed provision to
include the cool down period and
allowing the clothes dryer to run until
the completion of the programmed dry
cycle would likely be less burdensome
than the existing test procedure in
which the tester is required to monitor
or make estimates about the RMC of the
test load and potentially run multiple
test cycles to determine when to stop
the test to achieve the desired final
RMC. For timer dryers, the proposed
amendments would use the same basic
test method that is currently specified in
the DOE test procedure in 10 CFR part
430, subpart B, appendix D1, except that
the test cycle would be stopped when
the final RMC is between 1.0 percent
and 2.5 percent instead of between 2.5
percent and 5.0 percent. DOE notes that
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:40 Dec 31, 2012
Jkt 229001
this would result in a slightly longer
cycle time, but the additional time
would be minimal compared to the
overall time to set up and conduct the
test. For these reasons, DOE believes
that the amendments to more accurately
account for automatic cycle termination
proposed in today’s NOPR would not be
unduly burdensome to conduct. DOE
also notes that the revised test cycle for
automatic cycle termination dryers
would produce a measured energy use
that is more representative of consumer
use because it directly measures the
energy consumption of the programmed
automatic termination cycle.
With regards to the amendments for
standby and off mode power
consumption, DOE concluded in the
January 2011 TP Final Rule that the
amended test procedure would produce
test results that measure the standby
mode and off mode power consumption
of covered products during a
representative average use cycle as well
as annual energy consumption, and that
the test procedure would not be unduly
burdensome to conduct. 76 FR 972.
1020 (Jan. 6, 2011). Today’s proposed
amendments to the DOE clothes dryer
test procedure for standby mode and off
mode are based on an updated version
of IEC Standard 62301, IEC Standard
62301 (Second Edition), which has been
the subject of significant review and
input from interested parties and, thus,
continues to be an internationally
accepted test standard for measuring
standby mode and off mode power
consumption. As discussed in section
III.0 of this notice, DOE believes that the
provisions of IEC Standard 62301
(Second Edition) that it proposes to
incorporate by reference through today’s
NOPR provide a means to measure
power consumption with greater
accuracy and repeatability than the
provisions from IEC Standard 62301
(First Edition) that were adopted in the
January 2011 TP Final Rule. DOE
tentatively concludes that today’s
proposed amendments would also
provide measurements representative of
average consumer use of the product
under test. DOE also notes that
interested parties have commented that
the testing methods in IEC Standard
62301 (Second Edition) would not be
unduly burdensome to conduct. 77 FR
28805, 28812 (May 16, 2012); 76 FR
58346, 58350 (Sept. 20, 2011); 77 FR
13888, 13893 (March 7, 2012). The
potential for increased test burden for
certain power consumption
measurements is also offset by more
reasonable requirements for testing
equipment, while maintaining
measurement accuracy deemed
PO 00000
Frm 00027
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4702
177
acceptable and practical by voting
members for IEC Standard 62301
(Second Edition). For these reasons,
DOE tentatively concludes that the
amended test procedures proposed in
today’s NOPR would produce test
results that measure the standby mode
and off mode power consumption
during representative use, and that the
test procedures would not be unduly
burdensome to conduct.
2. Certification Requirements
42 U.S.C. 6299 et seq. authorizes DOE
to enforce compliance with the energy
and water conservation standards
established for certain consumer
products. On March 7, 2011, the
Department revised, consolidated, and
streamlined its existing certification,
compliance, and enforcement
regulations for certain consumer
products and commercial and industrial
equipment covered under EPCA,
including clothes dryers. 76 FR 12422.
These regulations are codified in 10 CFR
429.21 (residential clothes dryers).
The certification requirements for
residential clothes dryers consist of a
sampling plan for selection of units for
testing and requirements for
certification reports. Because DOE
introduced a new metric (CEF) in the
January 2011 TP Final Rule, DOE
proposes to amend the provisions in 10
CFR 429.21(a)(2) to include CEF, along
with the existing measure of EF, in the
list of metrics for which consumers
would favor higher values. DOE is
proposing to amend the reporting
requirements in 10 CFR 429.21(b)(2) to
require manufacturers, when using
either appendix D or D1, to provide an
indication if the clothes dryer has
automatic termination controls and also
to report the hourly Btu rating of the
burner for gas clothes dryers. DOE is
also proposing to amend 10 CFR
429.21(b)(2) to require manufacturers,
when using appendix D1, to include the
CEF and to list the cycle setting
selections for the energy test cycle as
recorded in the proposed section 3.4.7
of appendix D1 for each basic model.
3. Compliance Date of Any Final
Amended Test Procedures
As stated in section I, DOE test
procedures for clothes dryers are set
forth in appendices D and D1 in 10 CFR
part 430 subpart B. This proposal
describes amendments to both
appendices. Pursuant to 42 U.S.C.
6293(c)(2), effective 180 days after DOE
prescribes or establishes a new or
amended test procedure, manufacturers
must make representations of energy
efficiency using that new or amended
test procedure. Therefore, effective 180
E:\FR\FM\02JAP2.SGM
02JAP2
178
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 1 / Wednesday, January 2, 2013 / Proposed Rules
days after the promulgation of any final
amendments to the test procedure based
on this proposal, manufacturers must
make representations of energy
efficiency, including certifications of
compliance, using either appendix D or
appendix D1. Manufacturers must use a
single appendix for all representations,
including certifications of compliance,
and may not use appendix D for certain
representations and appendix D1 for
other representations. See DOE’s
existing guidance on this topic for
additional information, available at:
https://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/
appliance_standards/pdfs/tp_faq_201206-29.pdf. Compliance with DOE’s
amended standards for clothes dryers,
and corresponding use of the test
procedures at Appendix D1 for all
representations, including certifications
of compliance, is required as of January
1, 2015. (76 FR 52852 (Aug. 24, 2011),
76 FR 52854 (Aug. 24, 2011))
IV. Procedural Issues and Regulatory
Review
A. Review Under Executive Order 12866
The Office of Management and Budget
has determined that test procedure
rulemakings do not constitute
‘‘significant regulatory actions’’ under
section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866,
Regulatory Planning and Review, 58 FR
51735 (Oct. 4, 1993). Accordingly, this
action was not subject to review under
the Executive Order by the Office of
Information and Regulatory Affairs
(OIRA) in the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB).
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with
B. Review Under the Regulatory
Flexibility Act
The Regulatory Flexibility Act (5
U.S.C. 601 et seq.) requires preparation
of a regulatory flexibility analysis (RFA)
for any rule that by law must be
proposed for public comment, unless
the agency certifies that the rule, if
promulgated, will not have a significant
economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities. As required by
Executive Order 13272, ‘‘Proper
Consideration of Small Entities in
Agency Rulemaking,’’ 67 FR 53461
(August 16, 2002), DOE published
procedures and policies on February 19,
2003, to ensure that the potential
impacts of its rules on small entities are
properly considered during the
rulemaking process. 68 FR 7990. DOE’s
procedures and policies may be viewed
on the Office of the General Counsel’s
Web site (https://energy.gov/gc/officegeneral-counsel). DOE reviewed today’s
NOPR under the provisions of the
Regulatory Flexibility Act and the
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:40 Dec 31, 2012
Jkt 229001
procedures and policies published on
February 19, 2003.
In conducting this review, DOE first
determined the potential number of
affected small entities. The Small
Business Administration (SBA)
considers an entity to be a small
business if, together with its affiliates, it
employs fewer than the threshold
number of workers specified in 13 CFR
part 121 according to the North
American Industry Classification
System (NAICS) codes. The SBA’s Table
of Size Standards is available at:
https://www.sba.gov/idc/groups/public/
documents/sba_homepage/
serv_sstd_tablepdf.pdf. The threshold
number for NAICS classification
335224, Household Laundry Equipment
Manufacturing, which includes clothes
dryer manufacturers, is 1,000
employees.
As discussed in the January 2011 TP
Final Rule, DOE noted that most of the
manufacturers supplying clothes dryers
are large multinational corporations. As
part of the most recent energy
conservation standards rulemaking for
residential clothes dryers, DOE
requested comment on whether there
are any manufacturer subgroups,
including potential small businesses,
that it should consider for its analyses.
DOE did not receive any comments
regarding whether there are any
residential clothes dryer manufacturers
that would be considered small
businesses. DOE then conducted a more
focused inquiry of the companies that
could be small business manufacturers
of products covered by this rulemaking.
During its market survey, DOE used all
available public information to identify
potential small manufacturers. DOE’s
research included the AHAM
membership directory, product
databases (the AHRI, AHAM, CEC, and
ENERGY STAR databases), individual
company Web sites, and the SBA
dynamic small business search 11 to find
potential small business manufacturers.
DOE also asked interested parties and
industry representatives if they were
aware of any other small business
manufacturers during manufacturer
interviews conducted and at DOE public
meetings for the energy conservation
standards rulemakings. DOE also
contacted various companies, as
necessary, to determine whether they
met the SBA’s definition of a small
business manufacturer of covered
residential clothes dryers. DOE screened
out companies that did not offer
products covered by this rulemaking,
11 A searchable database of certified small
businesses is available online at: https://
dsbs.sba.gov/dsbs/search/dsp_dsbs.cfm.
PO 00000
Frm 00028
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4702
did not meet the definition of a ‘‘small
business,’’ or are foreign owned and
operated.
DOE initially identified at least 14
manufacturers of residential clothes
dryers that sold products in the United
States. DOE determined that 13 of these
companies exceeded the SBA’s
maximum number of employees or were
foreign-owned and operated. Thus, DOE
identified only one potential small
business manufacturer of residential
clothes dryers. DOE could not locate
this manufacturer on the dynamic small
business search on the SBA Web site,
but DOE nonetheless considered the
economic impacts of the proposed test
procedure amendments on this potential
small business manufacturer.
As discussed in section III.G.0, DOE
does not believe the proposed active
mode test procedure amendments in
today’s NOPR to more accurately
measure the effects of automatic cycle
termination would result in any added
test burden on manufacturers as
compared to the current DOE clothes
dryer test procedure in 10 CFR part 430,
subpart B, appendix D1. DOE is not
proposing to require any additional test
instruments or significantly different
active mode testing methods and
conditions that would require
additional time for testing. For standby
mode and off mode, DOE believes that
the proposed test procedure
amendments presented in section 0
would not represent a significant
economic impact. DOE notes that
industry-standard instruments, such as
the Yokogawa WT210/WT230 digital
power meter, that meet the standby
mode and off mode requirements of the
current DOE clothes dryer test
procedure in 10 CFR part 430, subpart
B, appendix D1, also meet the
requirements of the proposed
amendments for standby mode and off
mode in today’s NOPR. DOE also notes
that the duration of a standby mode or
off mode test period using the current
test procedure in appendix D1 is 40 to
50 minutes. As discussed in section 0,
DOE recognizes that the test duration
using the proposed standby and off
mode test procedure may range from 15
minutes to 3 hours depending on the
stability of the measured power
consumption. However, based on DOE’s
testing of four clothes dryers from
different manufacturers, DOE expects
the test duration using the proposed
standby and off mode test procedure to
be approximately 30 to 45 minutes for
most clothes dryers. In addition, DOE
notes that most third party testing
laboratories already use these or similar
industry-standard power meters for
clothes dryer testing. As a result, if the
E:\FR\FM\02JAP2.SGM
02JAP2
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 1 / Wednesday, January 2, 2013 / Proposed Rules
small manufacturer decides to use a
third party testing laboratory, DOE
believes there would be a minimal, if
any, increase in cost for standby mode
and off mode testing.
For these reasons, DOE certifies that
the proposed rule, if adopted, would not
have a significant economic impact on
a substantial number of small entities.
Accordingly, DOE has not prepared a
regulatory flexibility analysis for this
rulemaking. DOE seeks comment on the
certification set forth above, and will
transmit the certification and supporting
statement of factual basis to the Chief
Counsel for Advocacy of the SBA for
review under 5 U.S.C. 605(b).
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with
C. Review Under the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995
Manufacturers of clothes dryers must
certify to DOE that their products
comply with any applicable energy
conservation standards. In certifying
compliance, manufacturers must test
their products according to the DOE test
procedures for clothes dryers, including
any amendments adopted for those test
procedures. DOE has established
regulations for the certification and
recordkeeping requirements for all
covered consumer products and
commercial equipment, including
clothes dryers. (76 FR 12422 (March 7,
2011). The collection-of-information
requirement for the certification and
recordkeeping is subject to review and
approval by OMB under the Paperwork
Reduction Act (PRA). This requirement
has been approved by OMB under OMB
control number 1910–1400. Public
reporting burden for the certification is
estimated to average 20 hours per
response, including the time for
reviewing instructions, searching
existing data sources, gathering and
maintaining the data needed, and
completing and reviewing the collection
of information.
Notwithstanding any other provision
of the law, no person is required to
respond to, nor shall any person be
subject to a penalty for failure to comply
with, a collection of information subject
to the requirements of the PRA, unless
that collection of information displays a
currently valid OMB Control Number.
D. Review Under the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969
In this proposed rule, DOE is adopting
test procedure amendments that it
expects will be used to develop and
implement future energy conservation
standards for clothes dryers. DOE has
determined that this rule falls into a
class of actions that are categorically
excluded from review under the
National Environmental Policy Act of
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:40 Dec 31, 2012
Jkt 229001
1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and DOE’s
implementing regulations at 10 CFR part
1021. Specifically, this proposed rule
would amend the existing test
procedures without affecting the
amount, quality or distribution of
energy usage, and, therefore, would not
result in any environmental impacts.
Thus, this rulemaking is covered by
Categorical Exclusion A5 under 10 CFR
part 1021, subpart D, which applies to
any rulemaking that interprets or
amends an existing rule without
changing the environmental effect of
that rule. Accordingly, neither an
environmental assessment nor an
environmental impact statement is
required.
E. Review Under Executive Order 13132
Executive Order 13132, ‘‘Federalism,’’
64 FR 43255 (August 4, 1999) imposes
certain requirements on agencies
formulating and implementing policies
or regulations that preempt State law or
that have Federalism implications. The
Executive Order requires agencies to
examine the constitutional and statutory
authority supporting any action that
would limit the policymaking discretion
of the States and to carefully assess the
necessity for such actions. The
Executive Order also requires agencies
to have an accountable process to
ensure meaningful and timely input by
State and local officials in the
development of regulatory policies that
have Federalism implications. On
March 14, 2000, DOE published a
statement of policy describing the
intergovernmental consultation process
it will follow in the development of
such regulations. 65 FR 13735.DOE has
examined this proposed rule and has
determined that it would not have a
substantial direct effect on the States, on
the relationship between the national
government and the States, or on the
distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various
levels of government. EPCA governs and
prescribes Federal preemption of State
regulations as to energy conservation for
the products that are the subject of
today’s proposed rule. States can
petition DOE for exemption from such
preemption to the extent, and based on
criteria, set forth in EPCA. (42 U.S.C.
6297(d)) No further action is required by
Executive Order 13132.
F. Review Under Executive Order 12988
Regarding the review of existing
regulations and the promulgation of
new regulations, section 3(a) of
Executive Order 12988, ‘‘Civil Justice
Reform,’’ 61 FR 4729 (Feb. 7, 1996),
imposes on Federal agencies the general
duty to adhere to the following
PO 00000
Frm 00029
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4702
179
requirements: (1) Eliminate drafting
errors and ambiguity; (2) write
regulations to minimize litigation; (3)
provide a clear legal standard for
affected conduct rather than a general
standard; and (4) promote simplification
and burden reduction. Section 3(b) of
Executive Order 12988 specifically
requires that Executive agencies make
every reasonable effort to ensure that the
regulation: (1) Clearly specifies the
preemptive effect, if any; (2) clearly
specifies any effect on existing Federal
law or regulation; (3) provides a clear
legal standard for affected conduct
while promoting simplification and
burden reduction; (4) specifies the
retroactive effect, if any; (5) adequately
defines key terms; and (6) addresses
other important issues affecting clarity
and general draftsmanship under any
guidelines issued by the Attorney
General. Section 3(c) of Executive Order
12988 requires Executive agencies to
review regulations in light of applicable
standards in sections 3(a) and 3(b) to
determine whether they are met or it is
unreasonable to meet one or more of
them. DOE has completed the required
review and determined that, to the
extent permitted by law, the proposed
rule meets the relevant standards of
Executive Order 12988.
G. Review Under the Unfunded
Mandates Reform Act of 1995
Title II of the Unfunded Mandates
Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA) requires
each Federal agency to assess the effects
of Federal regulatory actions on State,
local, and Tribal governments and the
private sector. Pub. L. 104–4, sec. 201
(codified at 2 U.S.C. 1531). For a
proposed regulatory action likely to
result in a rule that may cause the
expenditure by State, local, and Tribal
governments, in the aggregate, or by the
private sector of $100 million or more
in any one year (adjusted annually for
inflation), section 202 of UMRA requires
a Federal agency to publish a written
statement that estimates the resulting
costs, benefits, and other effects on the
national economy. (2 U.S.C. 1532(a), (b))
The UMRA also requires a Federal
agency to develop an effective process
to permit timely input by elected
officers of State, local, and Tribal
governments on a proposed ‘‘significant
intergovernmental mandate,’’ and
requires an agency plan for giving notice
and opportunity for timely input to
potentially affected small governments
before establishing any requirements
that might significantly or uniquely
affect small governments. On March 18,
1997, DOE published a statement of
policy on its process for
intergovernmental consultation under
E:\FR\FM\02JAP2.SGM
02JAP2
180
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 1 / Wednesday, January 2, 2013 / Proposed Rules
UMRA. 62 FR 12820; also available at
https://energy.gov/gc/office-generalcounsel. DOE examined today’s
proposed rule according to UMRA and
its statement of policy and determined
that the rule contains neither an
intergovernmental mandate, nor a
mandate that may result in the
expenditure of $100 million or more in
any year, so these requirements do not
apply.
H. Review Under the Treasury and
General Government Appropriations
Act, 1999
Section 654 of the Treasury and
General Government Appropriations
Act, 1999 (Pub. L. 105–277) requires
Federal agencies to issue a Family
Policymaking Assessment for any rule
that may affect family well-being. This
rule would not have any impact on the
autonomy or integrity of the family as
an institution. Accordingly, DOE has
concluded that it is not necessary to
prepare a Family Policymaking
Assessment.
I. Review Under Executive Order 12630
DOE has determined, under Executive
Order 12630, ‘‘Governmental Actions
and Interference with Constitutionally
Protected Property Rights’’ 53 FR 8859
(March 18, 1988), that this regulation
would not result in any takings that
might require compensation under the
Fifth Amendment to the U.S.
Constitution.
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with
J. Review Under the Treasury and
General Government Appropriations
Act, 2001
Section 515 of the Treasury and
General Government Appropriations
Act, 2001 (44 U.S.C. 3516 note) provides
for agencies to review most
disseminations of information to the
public under guidelines established by
each agency pursuant to general
guidelines issued by OMB. OMB’s
guidelines were published at 67 FR
8452 (Feb. 22, 2002), and DOE’s
guidelines were published at 67 FR
62446 (Oct. 7, 2002). DOE has reviewed
today’s proposed rule under the OMB
and DOE guidelines and has concluded
that it is consistent with applicable
policies in those guidelines.
K. Review Under Executive Order 13211
Executive Order 13211, ‘‘Actions
Concerning Regulations That
Significantly Affect Energy Supply,
Distribution, or Use,’’ 66 FR 28355 (May
22, 2001), requires Federal agencies to
prepare and submit to OMB, a
Statement of Energy Effects for any
proposed significant energy action. A
‘‘significant energy action’’ is defined as
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:40 Dec 31, 2012
Jkt 229001
any action by an agency that
promulgated or is expected to lead to
promulgation of a final rule, and that:
(1) Is a significant regulatory action
under Executive Order 12866, or any
successor order; and (2) is likely to have
a significant adverse effect on the
supply, distribution, or use of energy; or
(3) is designated by the Administrator of
OIRA as a significant energy action. For
any proposed significant energy action,
the agency must give a detailed
statement of any adverse effects on
energy supply, distribution, or use
should the proposal be implemented,
and of reasonable alternatives to the
action and their expected benefits on
energy supply, distribution, and use.
Today’s action to amend the test
procedure for measuring the energy
efficiency of clothes dryers is not a
significant regulatory action under
Executive Order 12866. Moreover, it
would not have a significant adverse
effect on the supply, distribution, or use
of energy, nor has it been designated as
a significant energy action by the
Administrator of OIRA. Therefore, it is
not a significant energy action, and,
accordingly, DOE has not prepared a
Statement of Energy Effects.
L. Review Under Section 32 of the
Federal Energy Administration Act of
1974
Under section 301 of the DOE
Organization Act (Pub. L. 95–91), DOE
must comply with section 32 of the
Federal Energy Administration Act of
1974 (Pub. L. 93–275), as amended by
the Federal Energy Administration
Authorization Act of 1977 (FEAA; Pub.
L. 95–70) (15 U.S.C. 788). Section 32
essentially provides that, where a rule
authorizes or requires use of commercial
standards, the rulemaking must inform
the public of the use and background of
such standards. In addition, section
32(c) requires DOE to consult with the
Attorney General and the Chairman of
the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
concerning the impact of the
commercial or industry standards on
competition.
The proposed rule incorporates
testing methods contained in the
commercial standard, IEC Standard
62301, ‘‘Household electrical
appliances—Measurement of standby
power,’’ Edition 2.0, 2011–01. DOE has
evaluated this standard and is unable to
conclude whether it fully complies with
the requirements of section 32(b) of the
FEAA, i.e., whether it was developed in
a manner that fully provides for public
participation, comment, and review.
DOE will consult with the Attorney
General and the Chairman of the FTC
about the impact on competition of
PO 00000
Frm 00030
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4702
using the methods contained in this
standard and will address any concerns
when it publishes a response to the
public comments on this NOPR.
V. Public Participation
A. Attendance at Public Meeting
The time, date and location of the
public meeting are listed in the DATES
and ADDRESSES sections at the beginning
of this document. If you plan to attend
the public meeting, please notify Ms.
Brenda Edwards at (202) 586–2945 or
Brenda.Edwards@ee.doe.gov. Please
note that foreign nationals visiting DOE
Headquarters are subject to advance
security screening procedures. Any
foreign national wishing to participate
in the meeting should advise DOE as
soon as possible by contacting Ms.
Edwards to initiate the necessary
procedures. Please also note that those
wishing to bring laptops into the
Forrestal Building will be required to
obtain a property pass. Visitors should
avoid bringing laptops, or allow an extra
45 minutes. Persons can attend the
public meeting via webinar.
In addition, you can attend the public
meeting via webinar. Webinar
registration information, participant
instructions, and information about the
capabilities available to webinar
participants will be published on DOE’s
Web site https://
www1.gotomeeting.com/register/
903943753. Participants are responsible
for ensuring their systems are
compatible with the webinar software.
B. Procedure for Submitting Prepared
General Statements for Distribution
Any person who has plans to present
a prepared general statement may
request that copies of his or her
statement be made available at the
public meeting. Such persons may
submit requests, along with an advance
electronic copy of their statement in
PDF (preferred), Microsoft Word or
Excel, WordPerfect, or text (ASCII) file
format, to the appropriate address
shown in the ADDRESSES section at the
beginning of this notice. The request
and advance copy of statements must be
received at least one week before the
public meeting and may be emailed,
hand-delivered, or sent by mail. DOE
prefers to receive requests and advance
copies via email. Please include a
telephone number to enable DOE staff to
make a follow-up contact, if needed.
C. Conduct of Public Meeting
DOE will designate a DOE official to
preside at the public meeting and may
also use a professional facilitator to aid
discussion. The meeting will not be a
E:\FR\FM\02JAP2.SGM
02JAP2
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 1 / Wednesday, January 2, 2013 / Proposed Rules
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with
judicial or evidentiary-type public
hearing, but DOE will conduct it in
accordance with section 336 of EPCA
(42 U.S.C. 6306). A court reporter will
be present to record the proceedings and
prepare a transcript. DOE reserves the
right to schedule the order of
presentations and to establish the
procedures governing the conduct of the
public meeting. After the public
meeting, interested parties may submit
further comments on the proceedings as
well as on any aspect of the rulemaking
until the end of the comment period.
The public meeting will be conducted
in an informal, conference style. DOE
will present summaries of comments
received before the public meeting,
allow time for prepared general
statements by participants, and
encourage all interested parties to share
their views on issues affecting this
rulemaking. Each participant will be
allowed to make a general statement
(within time limits determined by DOE),
before the discussion of specific topics.
DOE will permit, as time permits, other
participants to comment briefly on any
general statements.
At the end of all prepared statements
on a topic, DOE will permit participants
to clarify their statements briefly and
comment on statements made by others.
Participants should be prepared to
answer questions by DOE and by other
participants concerning these issues.
DOE representatives may also ask
questions of participants concerning
other matters relevant to this
rulemaking. The official conducting the
public meeting will accept additional
comments or questions from those
attending, as time permits. The
presiding official will announce any
further procedural rules or modification
of the above procedures that may be
needed for the proper conduct of the
public meeting.
A transcript of the public meeting will
be included in the docket, which can be
viewed as described in the Docket
section at the beginning of this notice.
In addition, any person may buy a copy
of the transcript from the transcribing
reporter.
D. Submission of Comments
DOE will accept comments, data, and
information regarding this proposed
rule before or after the public meeting,
but no later than the date provided in
the DATES section at the beginning of
this proposed rule. Interested parties
may submit comments using any of the
methods described in the ADDRESSES
section at the beginning of this notice.
Submitting comments via
regulations.gov. The regulations.gov
web page will require you to provide
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:40 Dec 31, 2012
Jkt 229001
your name and contact information.
Your contact information will not be
publicly viewable except for your first
and last names, organization name (if
any), and submitter representative name
(if any). If your comment is not
processed properly because of technical
difficulties, DOE will use this
information to contact you. If DOE
cannot read your comment due to
technical difficulties and cannot contact
you for clarification, DOE may not be
able to consider your comment.
However, your contact information
will be publicly viewable if you include
it in the comment or in any documents
attached to your comment. Any
information that you do not want to be
publicly viewable should not be
included in your comment, nor in any
document attached to your comment.
Do not submit to regulations.gov
information for which disclosure is
restricted by statute, such as trade
secrets and commercial or financial
information (hereinafter referred to as
Confidential Business Information
(CBI)). Comments submitted through
regulations.gov cannot be claimed as
CBI. Comments received through the
Web site will waive any CBI claims for
the information submitted. For
information on submitting CBI, see the
Confidential Business Information
section below.
DOE processes submissions made
through regulations.gov before posting.
Normally, comments will be posted
within a few days of being submitted.
However, if large volumes of comments
are being processed simultaneously,
your comment may not be viewable for
up to several weeks. Please keep the
comment tracking number that
regulations.gov provides after you have
successfully uploaded your comment.
Submitting comments via email, hand
delivery, or mail. Comments and
documents submitted via email, hand
delivery, or mail also will be posted to
regulations.gov. If you do not want your
personal contact information to be
publicly viewable, do not include it in
your comment or any accompanying
documents. Instead, provide your
contact information on a cover letter.
Include your first and last names, email
address, telephone number, and
optional mailing address. The cover
letter will not be publicly viewable as
long as it does not include any
comments.
Include contact information each time
you submit comments, data, documents,
and other information to DOE. If you
submit via mail or hand delivery, please
provide all items on a CD, if feasible. It
is not necessary to submit printed
PO 00000
Frm 00031
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4702
181
copies. No facsimiles (faxes) will be
accepted.
Comments, data, and other
information submitted to DOE
electronically should be provided in
PDF (preferred), Microsoft Word or
Excel, WordPerfect, or text (ASCII) file
format. Provide documents that are not
secured, written in English and are free
of any defects or viruses. Documents
should not contain special characters or
any form of encryption and, if possible,
they should carry the electronic
signature of the author.
Campaign form letters. Please submit
campaign form letters by the originating
organization in batches of between 50 to
500 form letters per PDF or as one form
letter with a list of supporters’ names
compiled into one or more PDFs. This
reduces comment processing and
posting time.
Confidential Business Information.
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 via email, postal mail, or
hand delivery two well-marked copies:
one copy of the document marked
confidential including all the
information believed to be confidential,
and one copy of the document marked
non-confidential with the information
believed to be confidential deleted.
Submit these documents via email or on
a CD, if feasible. DOE will make its own
determination about the confidential
status of the information and treat it
according to its determination.
Factors of interest to DOE when
evaluating requests to treat submitted
information as confidential include: (1)
A description of the items; (2) whether
and why such items are customarily
treated as confidential within the
industry; (3) whether the information is
generally known by or available from
other sources; (4) whether the
information has previously been made
available to others without obligation
concerning its confidentiality; (5) an
explanation of the competitive injury to
the submitting person which would
result from public disclosure; (6) when
such information might lose its
confidential character due to the
passage of time; and (7) why disclosure
of the information would be contrary to
the public interest.
It is DOE’s policy that all comments
may be included in the public docket,
without change and as received,
including any personal information
provided in the comments (except
information deemed to be exempt from
public disclosure).
E:\FR\FM\02JAP2.SGM
02JAP2
182
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 1 / Wednesday, January 2, 2013 / Proposed Rules
E. Issues on Which DOE Seeks Comment
Although DOE welcomes comments
on any aspect of this proposal, DOE is
particularly interested in receiving
comments and views of interested
parties on the following issues:
1. Test Load
DOE seeks comment on the proposal
to continue using the DOE test load to
maintain repeatability and
reproducibility. DOE welcomes
additional data on the test-to-test
repeatability and lab-to-lab
reproducibility of both the DOE and
IEC/AHAM test load. (See section
III.B.5)
2. Automatic Cycle Termination Test
Cycle
DOE seeks comment on the proposed
amendments to more accurately
measure the effects of automatic cycle
termination. DOE specifically requests
comment on the proposed maximum
allowable final RMC of 2 percent using
the DOE test load. DOE further seeks
comment on the proposed test cycle
program settings, temperature settings,
and dryness level settings. DOE also
requests comment and additional test
data on the proposed field use factor of
0.80 for automatic cycle termination
clothes dryers. (See section III.B.5)
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with
3. Timed Dry Test Cycle
DOE seeks comment on the proposed
test method for timer dryers. In
particular, DOE welcomes comment on
the proposed final RMC range of 1.0
percent to 2.5 percent with the
normalization of the per-cycle energy
consumption to represent the energy
consumption required to dry the test
load to 4-percent RMC changed to
represent the new target RMC of 2
percent. DOE also seeks comment on the
continued use of the 1.18 field use
factor in the per-cycle energy
consumption calculation for timer
dryers. DOE welcomes comment on the
determination to not measure the cooldown period for the timed dry test cycle
due to the associated test burden and
difficulties with determining the
appropriated timed dry cycle time. DOE
also welcomes comment on the
proposed amendment to clarify that the
clothes dryer should not be stopped
intermittently in the middle of the
timed dry test cycle for any reason. (See
section III.B.5)
4. Characteristics of Water for Wetting
Test Load
DOE welcomes comment on the
determination to not propose
amendments to include requirements
for the characteristics of the water
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:40 Dec 31, 2012
Jkt 229001
supply used for wetting the test load
prior to the test cycle. DOE welcomes
additional data evaluating the
repeatability and reproducibility of test
results using both appendix D1 water
and water modified according to the
requirements in IEC Standard 61121.
(See section III.B.4)
5. Incorporation by Reference of IEC
Standard 62301 (Second Edition)
DOE invites comment on the
adequacy of IEC Standard 62301
(Second Edition) to measure standby
mode and off mode power consumption
for clothes dryers, and the suitability of
incorporating into DOE regulations the
following specific provisions from IEC
Standard 62301 (Second Edition):
section 4 (‘‘General conditions for
measurements’’), paragraph 4.2, ‘‘Test
room,’’ paragraph 4.3.2, ‘‘Supply voltage
waveform,’’ and paragraph 4.4, ‘‘Power
measuring instruments,’’ and section 5
(‘‘Measurements’’), paragraph 5.1,
‘‘General,’’ paragraph 5.2 ‘‘Preparation
of product’’, and paragraph 5.3.2,
‘‘Sampling method.’’ DOE also invites
comment on the acceptability of
measuring the total harmonic content,
crest factor, and maximum current ratio
before and after the actual test
measurement if the power measuring
instrument is unable to perform these
measurements during the actual test
measurement. (See section 0)
6. Technical Correction to the
Calculation of the Per-cycle Combined
Total Energy Consumption
DOE seeks comment on the proposed
amendments to correct the section
number reference for the per-cycle
standby mode and off mode energy
consumption contained in the
calculation of the per-cycle combined
total energy consumption contains in 10
CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix D1,
section 4.6. (See section III.D)
7. Clarifications to Test Conditions
DOE seeks comment on the proposed
amendments to clarify the cycle settings
used for the test cycle. DOE also seeks
comment on the proposed amendments
to clarify for gas clothes dryer the
requirements for the hourly British
thermal unit (Btu) rating of the burner
and the regulator outlet pressure for
clothes dryers equipped with a gas
appliance pressure regulator. (See
section III.E)
8. Effects of Proposed Amendments for
Automatic Cycle Termination on Energy
Conservation Standards
DOE welcomes comments and
additional data on the effects of the
proposed test procedure amendments
PO 00000
Frm 00032
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4702
on the current energy conservation
standards in both 10 CFR 430.32(h)(2)
and (3). In particular, DOE seeks
comment on the proposed
determination to not amend the energy
conservation standards based on the
proposed test procedure amendments
for automatic cycle termination due to
the anti-backsliding provisions in 42
U.S.C. 6295(o)(1). DOE also welcomes
comment on the determination and
testing results showing that the
proposed standby mode and off mode
test procedure amendments would not
measurably affect the measured
efficiency as compared to the existing
DOE test procedure in 10 CFR 430,
subpart B, appendix D1. (See section
III.F)
9. Test Burden
DOE seeks comment on any added
test burden associated with the
proposed amendments. When providing
comments regarding testing burden,
DOE request that commenters provide
specific details and quantify any
burdens. (See section III.G.0)
VI. Approval of the Office of the
Secretary
The Secretary of Energy has approved
publication of this proposed rule.
List of Subjects
10 CFR Part 429
Energy conservation, Household
appliances, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements.
10 CFR Part 430
Administrative practice and
procedure, Confidential business
information, Energy conservation,
Household appliances, Imports,
Incorporation by reference,
Intergovernmental relations, Small
businesses.
Issued in Washington, DC, on December
14, 2012.
Kathleen B. Hogan,
Deputy Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency
and Renewable Energy.
For the reasons stated in the
preamble, DOE is proposing to amend
parts 429 and 430 of title 10 of the Code
of Federal Regulations, as set forth
below:
PART 429—CERTIFICATION,
COMPLIANCE, AND ENFORCEMENT
FOR CONSUMER PRODUCTS AND
COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL
EQUIPMENT
1. The authority citation for part 429
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6291–6317.
E:\FR\FM\02JAP2.SGM
02JAP2
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 1 / Wednesday, January 2, 2013 / Proposed Rules
Appendix D to Subpart B of Part 430—
Uniform Test Method for Measuring the
Energy Consumption of Clothes Dryers
2. Section 429.21 is amended by:
a. Revising paragraph (a)(2)(ii)
introductory text; and
■ b. Revising paragraph (b)(2).
The revision and addition read as
follows:
■
■
§ 429.21
Residential clothes dryers.
*
*
*
*
*
(a) * * *
(2) * * *
(ii) Any represented value of the
energy factor, combined energy factor,
or other measure of energy consumption
of a basic model for which consumers
would favor higher values shall be less
than or equal to the lower of:
*
*
*
*
*
(b) * * *
(2) Pursuant to § 429.12(b)(13), a
certification report shall include the
following public product-specific
information: When using appendix D,
the energy factor in pounds per kilowatt
hours (lb/kWh), the capacity in cubic
feet (cu ft), the voltage in volts (V) (for
electric dryers only), an indication if the
dryer has automatic termination
controls, and the hourly British thermal
unit (Btu) rating of the burner (for gas
dryers only); when using appendix D1,
the combined energy factor in pounds
per kilowatt hours (lb/kWh), the
capacity in cubic feet (cu ft), the voltage
in volts (V) (for electric dryers only), an
indication if the dryer has automatic
termination controls, the hourly Btu
rating of the burner (for gas dryers only),
and a list of the cycle setting selections
for the energy test cycle as recorded in
section 3.4.7 of appendix D1 for each
basic model.
PART 430—ENERGY CONSERVATION
PROGRAM FOR CONSUMER
PRODUCTS
3. The authority citation for part 430
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6291–6309; 28 U.S.C.
2461 note.
§ 430.3
[Amended].
4. Section 430.3 is amended by:
■ a. Removing ‘‘appendix D1,’’ from
paragraph (m)(1); and
■ b. Adding ‘‘appendix D1,’’ after
‘‘appendix C1,’’ in (m)(2).
■ 5. Appendix D to Subpart B of Part
430 is amended:
■ a. Revise the introductory text;
■ b. In section 2. Test Conditions, by
revising sections 2.3.2.1 and 2.3.2.2; and
■ c. In section 3. Test Methods and
Measurements, by revising section 3.3.
The revisions read as follows:
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with
■
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:40 Dec 31, 2012
Jkt 229001
Note: Effective 180 days after the
promulgation of any final amendments to the
test procedure, manufacturers must make
representations of energy efficiency,
including certifications of compliance, using
either appendix D or appendix D1.
Manufacturers must use a single appendix for
all representations, including certifications of
compliance, and may not use appendix D for
certain representations and appendix D1 for
other representations. Compliance with
DOE’s amended standards for clothes dryers,
and corresponding use of the test procedures
at Appendix D1 for all representations,
including certifications of compliance, is
required as of January 1, 2015.
*
*
*
*
*
2. Testing Conditions
*
*
*
*
*
2.3.2 Gas supply.
2.3.2.1 Natural gas. Maintain the gas
supply to the clothes dryer at a normal inlet
test pressure immediately ahead of all
controls at 7 to 10 inches of water column.
If the clothes dryer is equipped with a gas
appliance pressure regulator, the regulator
outlet pressure at the normal test pressure
shall be within ±10 percent of the value
specified by the manufacturer. The hourly
Btu rating of the burner shall be maintained
within ±5 percent of the rating specified by
the manufacturer. If the requirement to
maintain the hourly Btu rating of the burner
within ±5 percent of the rating specified by
the manufacturer cannot be achieved under
the allowable range in gas inlet test pressure,
the orifice of the gas burner should be
modified as necessary to achieve the required
Btu rating. The natural gas supplied should
have a heating value of approximately 1,025
Btus per standard cubic foot. The actual
heating value, Hn2, in Btus per standard
cubic foot, for the natural gas to be used in
the test shall be obtained either from
measurements made by the manufacturer
conducting the test using a standard
continuous flow calorimeter as described in
section 2.4.6 or by the purchase of bottled
natural gas whose Btu rating is certified to be
at least as accurate a rating as could be
obtained from measurements with a standard
continuous flow calorimeter as described in
section 2.4.6.
2.3.2.2 Propane gas. Maintain the gas
supply to the clothes dryer at a normal inlet
test pressure immediately ahead of all
controls at 11 to 13 inches of water column.
If the clothes dryer is equipped with a gas
appliance pressure regulator, the regulator
outlet pressure at the normal test pressure
shall be within ±10 percent of the value
specified by the manufacturer. The hourly
Btu rating of the burner shall be maintained
within ±5 percent of the rating specified by
the manufacturer. If the requirement to
maintain the hourly Btu rating of the burner
within ±5 percent of the rating specified by
the manufacturer cannot be achieved under
the allowable range in gas inlet test pressure,
the orifice of the gas burner should be
modified as necessary to achieve the required
PO 00000
Frm 00033
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4702
183
Btu rating. The propane gas supplied should
have a heating value of approximately 2,500
Btus per standard cubic foot. The actual
heating value, Hp, in Btus per standard cubic
foot, for the propane gas to be used in the test
shall be obtained either from measurements
made by the manufacturer conducting the
test using a standard continuous flow
calorimeter as described in section 2.4.6 or
by the purchase of bottled gas whose Btu
rating is certified to be at least as accurate a
rating as could be obtained from
measurement with a standard continuous
calorimeter as described in section 2.4.6.
*
*
*
*
*
3. Test Procedures and Measurements
*
*
*
*
*
3.3 Test cycle. Operate the clothes dryer
at the maximum temperature setting and, if
equipped with a timer, at the maximum time
setting. Any other optional cycle settings that
do not affect the temperature and time
settings shall be tested in the as-shipped
position. If the clothes dryer does not have
a separate temperature setting selection on
the control panel, the maximum time setting
should be used for the drying test cycle. Dry
the test load until the moisture content of the
test load is between 2.5 percent and 5.0
percent of the bone-dry weight of the test
load, but do not permit the dryer to advance
into cool down. If required, reset the timer
or automatic dry control.
*
*
*
*
*
6. Appendix D1 to Subpart B of Part
430 is amended:
■ a. By revising the introductory text;
■ b. In section 1. Definitions, by:
■ 1. Redesignating sections 1.5 through
1.18 and 1.19 as sections 1.6 through
1.19 and 1.21, respectively;
■ 2. Revising newly designated section
1.12;
■ 3. Adding sections 1.5 and 1.20;
c. In section 2. Test Conditions, by:
1. Revising sections 2.1, 2.3.1.1,
2.3.2.1, 2.3.2.2, 2.4.7, 2.6.3, 2.7.1, and
2.7.2; 2. Adding sections 2.1.1 through
2.1.3;
d. In section 3. Test Methods and
Measurements, by:
1. Revising sections 3.3, 3.6, 3.6.1,
and 3.6.2;
2. Adding sections 3.3.1, 3.3.2, and
3.4.7; and
e. In section 4. Calculation of Derived
Results From Test Measurements, by
revising sections 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, and 4.6.
The additions and revisions read as
follows:
■
Appendix D1 to Subpart B of Part 430—
Uniform Test Method for Measuring the
Energy Consumption of Clothes Dryers
Note: Effective 180 days after the
promulgation of any final amendments to the
test procedure, manufacturers must make
representations of energy efficiency,
including certifications of compliance, using
either appendix D or appendix D1.
Manufacturers must use a single appendix for
E:\FR\FM\02JAP2.SGM
02JAP2
184
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 1 / Wednesday, January 2, 2013 / Proposed Rules
all representations, including certifications of
compliance, and may not use appendix D for
certain representations and appendix D1 for
other representations. Compliance with
DOE’s amended standards for clothes dryers,
and corresponding use of the test procedures
at Appendix D1 for all representations,
including certifications of compliance, is
required as of January 1, 2015.
1. Definitions
*
*
*
*
*
1.5 ‘‘Automatic termination control
dryer’’ means a clothes dryer which can be
preset to carry out at least one sequence of
operations to be terminated by means of a
system assessing, directly or indirectly, the
moisture content of the load. An automatic
termination control dryer with
supplementary timer or that may also be
manually controlled shall be tested as an
automatic termination control dryer.
*
*
*
*
*
1.12 ‘‘IEC 62301’’ means the test standard
published by the International
Electrotechnical Commission (‘‘IEC’’) titled
‘‘Household electrical appliances—
Measurement of standby power,’’ Publication
62301 (Edition 2.0 2011–01) (incorporated by
reference; see § 430.3).
*
*
*
*
*
1.20 ‘‘Timer dryer’’ means a clothes dryer
that can be preset to carry out at least one
operation to be terminated by a timer, but
may also be manually controlled, and does
not include any automatic termination
function.
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with
*
*
*
*
*
2. Testing Conditions
2.1 Installation.
2.1.1 All clothes dryers. For both
conventional clothes dryers and ventless
clothes dryers, as defined in sections 1.8 and
1.21 of this appendix, install the clothes
dryer in accordance with manufacturer’s
instructions. If the manufacturer’s
instructions do not specify the installation
requirements for a certain component, it shall
be tested in the as-shipped condition. Where
the manufacturer gives the option to use the
dryer both with and without a duct, the dryer
shall be tested without the exhaust simulator
described in section 3.3.5.1 of AHAM HLD–
1 (incorporated by reference; see § 430.3). All
external joints should be taped to avoid air
leakage. For drying testing, disconnect all
console lights or other lighting systems on
the clothes dryer which do not consume
more than 10 watts during the clothes dryer
test cycle. For standby and off mode testing,
the clothes dryer shall also be installed in
accordance with section 5, paragraph 5.2 of
IEC 62301 (incorporated by reference; see
§ 430.3), disregarding the provisions
regarding batteries and the determination,
classification, and testing of relevant modes.
For standby and off mode testing, do not
disconnect console lights or other lighting
systems.
2.1.2 Conventional clothes dryers. For
conventional clothes dryers, as defined in
section 1.8 of this appendix, the dryer
exhaust shall be restricted by adding the
AHAM exhaust simulator described in
section 3.3.5.1 of AHAM HLD–1
(incorporated by reference; see § 430.3).
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:40 Dec 31, 2012
Jkt 229001
2.1.3 Ventless clothes dryers. For ventless
clothes dryers, as defined in section 1.21, the
dryer shall be tested without the AHAM
exhaust simulator. If the manufacturer gives
the option to use a ventless clothes dryer,
with or without a condensation box, the
dryer shall be tested with the condensation
box installed. For ventless clothes dryers, the
condenser unit of the dryer must remain in
place and not be taken out of the dryer for
any reason between tests.
*
*
*
*
*
2.3.1.1 Supply voltage waveform. For the
clothes dryer standby mode and off mode
testing, maintain the electrical supply voltage
waveform indicated in section 4, paragraph
4.3.2 of IEC 62301 (incorporated by reference;
see § 430.3). If the power measuring
instrument used for testing is unable to
measure and record the total harmonic
content during the test measurement period,
it is acceptable to measure and record the
total harmonic content immediately before
and after the test measurement period.
2.3.2 Gas supply.
2.3.2.1 Natural gas. Maintain the gas
supply to the clothes dryer immediately
ahead of all controls at a pressure of 7 to 10
inches of water column. If the clothes dryer
is equipped with a gas appliance pressure
regulator for which the manufacturer
specifies an outlet pressure, the regulator
outlet pressure shall be within ±10 percent of
the value specified by the manufacturer. The
hourly Btu rating of the burner shall be
maintained within ±5 percent of the rating
specified by the manufacturer. If the
requirement to maintain the hourly Btu
rating of the burner within ±5 percent of the
rating specified by the manufacturer cannot
be achieved under the allowable range in gas
inlet test pressure, the orifice of the gas
burner should be modified as necessary to
achieve the required Btu rating. The natural
gas supplied should have a heating value of
approximately 1,025 Btus per standard cubic
foot. The actual heating value, Hn2, in Btus
per standard cubic foot, for the natural gas to
be used in the test shall be obtained either
from measurements made by the
manufacturer conducting the test using a
standard continuous flow calorimeter as
described in section 2.4.6 or by the purchase
of bottled natural gas whose Btu rating is
certified to be at least as accurate a rating as
could be obtained from measurements with
a standard continuous flow calorimeter as
described in section 2.4.6.
2.3.2.2 Propane gas. Maintain the gas
supply to the clothes dryer immediately
ahead of all controls at a pressure of 11 to
13 inches of water column. If the clothes
dryer is equipped with a gas appliance
pressure regulator for which the
manufacturer specifies an outlet pressure, the
regulator outlet pressure shall be within ±10
percent of the value specified by the
manufacturer. The hourly Btu rating of the
burner shall be maintained within ±5 percent
of the rating specified by the manufacturer.
If the requirement to maintain the hourly Btu
rating of the burner within ±5 percent of the
rating specified by the manufacturer cannot
be achieved under the allowable range in gas
inlet test pressure, the orifice of the gas
burner should be modified as necessary to
PO 00000
Frm 00034
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4702
achieve the required Btu rating. The propane
gas supplied should have a heating value of
approximately 2,500 Btus per standard cubic
foot. The actual heating value, Hp, in Btus per
standard cubic foot, for the propane gas to be
used in the test shall be obtained either from
measurements made by the manufacturer
conducting the test using a standard
continuous flow calorimeter as described in
section 2.4.6 or by the purchase of bottled gas
whose Btu rating is certified to be at least as
accurate a rating as could be obtained from
measurement with a standard continuous
calorimeter as described in section 2.4.6.
*
*
*
*
*
2.4.7 Standby mode and off mode watt
meter. The watt meter used to measure
standby mode and off mode power
consumption shall meet the requirements
specified in section 4, paragraph 4.4 of IEC
62301(incorporated by reference; see § 430.3).
If the power measuring instrument used for
testing is unable to measure and record the
crest factor, power factor, or maximum
current ratio during the test measurement
period, it is acceptable to measure the crest
factor, power factor, and maximum current
ratio immediately before and after the test
measurement period.
*
*
*
*
*
2.6.3 Test Cloth Preconditioning.
A new test cloth load and energy stuffer
cloths shall be treated as follows:
(1) Bone dry the load to a weight change
of ±1 percent, or less, as prescribed in section
1.6 of this appendix.
(2) Place the test cloth load in a standard
clothes washer set at the maximum water fill
level. Wash the load for 10 minutes in soft
water (17 parts per million hardness or less),
using 60.8 grams of AHAM standard test
detergent Formula 3.Wash water temperature
should be maintained at 140° ± 5 °F (60° ±
2.7 °C). Rinse water temperature is to be
controlled at 100° ± 5 °F (37.7 ± 2.7 °C).
(3) Rinse the load again at the same water
temperature.
(4) Bone dry the load as prescribed in
section 1.6 of this appendix and weigh the
load.
(5) This procedure is repeated until there
is a weight change of 1 percent or less.
(6) A final cycle is to be a hot water wash
with no detergent, followed by two warm
water rinses.
*
*
*
*
*
2.7.1 Compact size dryer load. Prepare a
bone-dry test load of energy cloths that
weighs 3.00 pounds ± .03 pounds. The test
load can be adjusted to achieve proper
weight by adding energy stuffer cloths, but
no more than five stuffer cloths may be
added per load. Dampen the load by agitating
it in water whose temperature is 60 °F ± 5
°F and consists of 0 to 17 parts per million
hardness for approximately 2 minutes to
saturate the fabric. Then, extract water from
the wet test load by spinning the load until
the moisture content of the load is between
52.5 and 57.5 percent of the bone-dry weight
of the test load. Make a final mass
adjustment, such that the moisture content is
57.5 percent ± 0.33 percent by adding water
uniformly to the load in a very fine spray.
2.7.2 Standard size dryer load. Prepare a
bone-dry test load of energy cloths that
E:\FR\FM\02JAP2.SGM
02JAP2
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 1 / Wednesday, January 2, 2013 / Proposed Rules
weighs 8.45 pounds ± .085 pounds. The test
load can be adjusted to achieve proper
weight by adding stuffer cloths, but no more
than five stuffer cloths may be added per
load. Dampen the load by agitating it in water
whose temperature is 60 °F ± 5°F and
consists of 0 to 17 parts per million hardness
for approximately 2 minutes to saturate the
fabric. Then, extract water from the wet test
load by spinning the load until the moisture
content of the load is between 52.5 and 57.5
percent of the bone-dry weight of the test
load. Make a final mass adjustment, such that
the moisture content is 57.5 percent ± 0.33
percent by adding water uniformly to the
load in a very fine spray.
completion of the test cycle, remove and
weigh the test load. Record the data specified
in section 3.4 of this appendix. If the final
moisture content is greater than 2 percent,
the test shall be invalid and a new run shall
be conducted using the highest dryness level
setting. If the dryer automatically stops
during a cycle because the condensation box
is full of water, the test is stopped, and the
test run is invalid, in which case the
condensation box shall be emptied and the
test re-run from the beginning. For ventless
dryers, during the time between two cycles,
the door of the dryer shall be closed except
for loading (and unloading).
*
3.4.7 The cycle settings selected, in
accordance with section 3.3.2 of this
appendix, for the automatic termination
control dryer test.
*
*
*
*
3. Test Procedures and Measurements
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with
*
*
*
*
*
3.3 Test cycle.
3.3.1 Timer dryers. For timer dryers, as
defined in section 1.20 of this appendix,
operate the clothes dryer at the maximum
temperature setting and, if equipped with a
timer, at the maximum time setting. Any
other optional cycle settings that do not affect
the temperature and time settings shall be
tested in the as-shipped position. If the
clothes dryer does not have a separate
temperature setting selection on the control
panel, the maximum time setting should be
used for the drying test cycle. Dry the load
until the moisture content of the test load is
between 1 and 2.5 percent of the bone-dry
weight of the test load, at which point the
test cycle is stopped, but do not permit the
dryer to advance into cool down. If required,
reset the timer to increase the length of the
drying cycle. After stopping the test cycle,
remove and weigh the test load. The clothes
dryer shall not be stopped intermittently in
the middle of the test cycle for any reason.
Record the data specified by section 3.4 of
this appendix. If the dryer automatically
stops during a cycle because the
condensation box is full of water, the test is
stopped, and the test run is invalid, in which
case the condensation box shall be emptied
and the test re-run from the beginning. For
ventless dryers, as defined in section 1.21 of
this appendix, during the time between two
cycles, the door of the dryer shall be closed
except for loading (and unloading).
3.3.2 Automatic termination control
dryers. For automatic termination control
dryers, as defined in section 1.5 of this
appendix, a ‘‘normal’’ program shall be
selected for the test cycle. For dryers that do
not have a ‘‘normal’’ program, the cycle
recommended by the manufacturer for drying
cotton or linen clothes shall be selected.
Where the drying temperature setting can be
chosen independently of the program, it shall
be set to the maximum. Where the dryness
level setting can be chosen independently of
the program, it shall be set to the ‘‘normal’’
or ‘‘medium’’ dryness level setting. If such
designation is not provided, then the dryness
level shall be set at the mid-point between
the minimum and maximum settings. Any
other optional cycle settings that do not affect
the program, temperature and dryness
settings shall be tested in the as-shipped
position. Operate the clothes dryer until the
completion of the programmed cycle,
including the cool down period. After the
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:40 Dec 31, 2012
Jkt 229001
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
3.6 Standby mode and off mode power.
Establish the testing conditions set forth in
Section 2 ‘‘Testing Conditions’’ of this
appendix. For clothes dryers that take some
time to enter a stable state from a higher
power state as discussed in Section 5,
Paragraph 5.1, Note 1 of IEC 62301
(incorporated by reference; see § 430.3),
allow sufficient time for the clothes dryer to
reach the lower power state before
proceeding with the test measurement.
Follow the test procedure specified in section
5, paragraph 5.3.2 of IEC 62301 for testing in
each possible mode as described in sections
3.6.1 and 3.6.2 of this appendix.
3.6.1 If a clothes dryer has an inactive
mode, as defined in section 1.13 of this
appendix, measure and record the average
inactive mode power of the clothes dryer,
PIA, in watts.
3.6.2 If a clothes dryer has an off mode,
as defined in section 1.16 of this appendix,
measure and record the average off mode
power of the clothes dryer, POFF, in watts.
4. Calculation of Derived Results From Test
Measurements
4.1 Total per-cycle electric dryer energy
consumption. Calculate the total electric
dryer energy consumption per cycle, Ece,
expressed in kilowatt-hours per cycle and
defined as:
Ece = Et × field use,
For automatic termination control dryers,
and,
Ece = [55.5/(Ww ¥ Wd)] × Et × field use,
For timer dryers
Where
55.5 = an experimentally established value
for the percent reduction in the moisture
content of the test load during a
laboratory test cycle expressed as a
percent.
Et = the energy recorded in section 3.4.5 of
this appendix.
field use = field use factor
= 1.18, the field use factor for clothes
dryers with time termination control
systems only without any automatic
termination control functions.
= 0.80, the field use factor for clothes
dryers with automatic control systems
that meet the requirements of the
definition for automatic control systems
PO 00000
Frm 00035
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 9990
185
in sections 1.5, 1.15 and 1.19 of this
appendix, including those that also have
a supplementary timer control, or that
may also be manually controlled.
Ww = the moisture content of the wet test
load as recorded in section 3.4.2 of this
appendix.
Wd = the moisture content of the dry test load
as recorded in section 3.4.3 of this
appendix.
4.2 Per-cycle gas dryer electrical energy
consumption. Calculate the gas dryer
electrical energy consumption per cycle, Ege,
expressed in kilowatt-hours per cycle and
defined as:
Ege = Ete × field use,
For automatic termination control dryers,
and,
Ege = [55.5/(Ww ¥Wd)] × Ete × field use,
for timer dryers
Where
Ete = the energy recorded in section 3.4.6.1
of this appendix.
field use, 55.5, Ww, Wd as defined in section
4.1 of this appendix
4.3 Per-cycle gas dryer gas energy
consumption. Calculate the gas dryer gas
energy consumption per cycle, Ege. expressed
in Btus per cycle and defined as:
Egg = Etg × field use × GEF
for automatic termination control dryers,
and,
Egg=[55.5/(Ww ¥ Wd)] × Etg × field use × GEF
for time dryers
Where
Etg = the energy recorded in section 3.4.6.2
of this appendix.
GEF = corrected gas heat value (Btu per cubic
feet) as defined in section 3.4.6.3 of this
appendix,
field use, 55.5, Ww, Wd as defined in section
4.1 of this appendix.
*
*
*
*
*
4.6 Per-cycle combined total energy
consumption expressed in kilowatt-hours.
Calculate the per-cycle combined total energy
consumption, ECC, expressed in kilowatthours per cycle and defined for an electric
clothes dryer as:
ECC = Ece + ETSO
Where:
Ece = the energy recorded in section 4.1 of
this appendix, and
ETSO = the energy recorded in section 4.5 of
this appendix,
and defined for a gas clothes dryer as:
ECC = Ecg + ETSO
Where:
Ecg = the energy recorded in section 4.4 of
this appendix, and
ETSO = the energy recorded in section 4.5 of
this appendix.
*
*
*
*
*
[FR Doc. 2012–30677 Filed 12–31–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
E:\FR\FM\02JAP2.SGM
02JAP2
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 1 (Wednesday, January 2, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 151-185]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-30677]
[[Page 151]]
Vol. 78
Wednesday,
No. 1
January 2, 2013
Part II
Department of Energy
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
10 CFR Parts 429 and 430
Energy Conservation Program: Test Procedures for Residential Clothes
Dryers; Proposed Rule
Federal Register / Vol. 78 , No. 1 / Wednesday, January 2, 2013 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 152]]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
10 CFR Parts 429 and 430
[Docket No. 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: Notice of proposed rulemaking.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) proposes to revise its
test procedures for residential clothes dryers established under the
Energy Policy and Conservation Act. The proposed amendments to appendix
D1 would include testing methods for more accurately measuring the
effects of automatic cycle termination. In addition, the proposed
amendments would update the reference to the latest edition of the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Standard 62301,
``Household electrical appliances--Measurement of standby power,''
Edition 2.0 2011-01. For the test procedures at both appendix D and
appendix D1, DOE proposes to clarify the cycle settings used for the
test cycle and the requirements for the gas supply for gas clothes
dryers.
DATES: DOE will hold a public meeting on Wednesday, February 6, 2013
from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., in Washington, DC. The meeting will also be
broadcast as a webinar. See section V, ``Public Participation,'' for
webinar registration information, participant instructions, and
information about the capabilities available to webinar participants.
DOE will accept comments, data, and information regarding this
notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) before and after the public
meeting, but no later than March 18, 2013. See section V, ``Public
Participation,'' for details.
ADDRESSES: The public meeting will be held at the U.S. Department of
Energy, Forrestal Building, Room 1E-245 1000 Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC 20585. To attend, please notify Ms. Brenda Edwards at
(202) 586-2945. For more information, refer to the Public
Participation, section V, near the end of this notice.
Any comments submitted must identify the NOPR on Test Procedures
for Residential Clothes Dryers, and provide docket number EERE-2011-BT-
TP-0054 and/or regulatory information number (RIN) 1904-AC63. Comments
may be submitted using any of the following methods:
1. Federal eRulemaking Portal: www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
2. Email: 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.
3. Mail: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department of Energy, Building
Technologies Program, Mailstop EE-2J, 1000 Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC 20585-0121. If possible, please submit all items on a
compact disc (CD), in which case it is not necessary to include printed
copies.
4. Hand Delivery/Courier: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department of
Energy, Building Technologies Program, 6th Floor, 950 L'Enfant Plaza
SW., Washington, DC 20024. Telephone: (202) 586-2945. If possible,
please submit all items on a CD, in which case it is not necessary to
include printed copies.
For detailed instructions on submitting comments and additional
information on the rulemaking process, see section V of this document
(Public Participation).
Docket: The docket is available for review at www.regulations.gov,
including Federal Register notices, framework documents, public meeting
attendee lists and transcripts, comments, and other supporting
documents/materials. All documents in the docket are listed in the
www.regulations.gov index. However, not all documents listed in the
index may be publicly available, such as information that is exempt
from public disclosure.
A link to the docket web page can be found at: https://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;dct=FR%252BPR%252BN%252BO%252BSR;rpp=10;po=0;D=EERE-
2011-BT-TP-0054. This web page will contain a link to the docket for
this notice on the www.regulations.gov site. The www.regulations.gov
web page contains instructions on how to access all documents,
including public comments, in the docket. See section V for information
on how to submit comments through www.regulations.gov.
For further information on how to submit a comment or review other
public comments and the docket, or participate in the public meeting,
contact Ms. Brenda Edwards at (202) 586-2945 or email:
Brenda.Edwards@ee.doe.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Stephen Witkowski, U.S. Department
of Energy, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building
Technologies Program, EE-2J, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington,
DC 20585-0121. Tel.: (202) 586-7463. Email:
Stephen.Witkowski@ee.doe.gov.
Ms. Elizabeth Kohl, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the
General Counsel, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC, 20585-
0121. Tel.: (202) 586-7796, Email: Elizabeth.Kohl@hq.doe.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Table of Contents
I. Authority and Background
A. General Test Procedure Rulemaking Process
B. DOE Clothes Dryer Test Procedure
1. January 2011 TP Final Rule
2. August 2011 RFI
II. Summary of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
III. Discussion
A. Products Covered by This Test Procedure Rulemaking
B. Automatic Cycle Termination
1. August 2011 RFI
2. Product Testing
3. Energy Consumption versus RMC
4. Water Supply Testing
5. Proposed Amendments
C. Incorporating by Reference IEC Standard 62301 Second Edition
for Measuring Standby Mode and Off Mode Power
1. Stable Power Consumption
2. Unstable, Non-Cyclic Power Consumption
3. Cyclic Power Consumption
4. Conclusions on Test Methodology
D. Technical Correction to the Calculation of the Per-Cycle
Combined Total Energy Consumption
E. Clarifications to Test Conditions
F. Effects of Proposed Test Procedure Revisions on Compliance
With Standards
1. Active Mode
2. Standby Mode and Off Mode
G. Compliance With Other EPCA Requirements
1. Test Burden
2. Certification Requirements
IV. Procedural Issues and Regulatory Review
A. Review Under Executive Order 12866
B. Review Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act
C. Review Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
D. Review Under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
E. Review Under Executive Order 13132
F. Review Under Executive Order 12988
G. Review Under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995
H. Review Under the Treasury and General Government
Appropriations Act, 1999
I. Review Under Executive Order 12630
J. Review Under the Treasury and General Government
Appropriations Act, 2001
K. Review Under Executive Order 13211
L. Review Under Section 32 of the Federal Energy Administration
Act of 1974
V. Public Participation
[[Page 153]]
A. Attendance at Public Meeting
B. Procedure for Submitting Prepared General Statements for
Distribution
C. Conduct of Public Meeting
D. Submission of Comments
E. Issues on Which DOE Seeks Comment
1. Test Load
2. Automatic Cycle Termination Test Cycle
3. Timed Dry Test Cycle
4. Characteristics of Water for Wetting Test Load
5. Incorporation by Reference of IEC Standard 62301 (Second
Edition)
6. Technical Correction to the Calculation of the Per-cycle
Combined Total Energy Consumption
7. Clarifications to Test Conditions
8. Effects of Proposed Amendments for Automatic Cycle
Termination on Energy Conservation Standards
9. Test Burden
VI. Approval of the Office of the Secretary
I. Authority and Background
Title III of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C.
6291, et seq.; ``EPCA'' or ``the Act'') sets forth a variety of
provisions designed to improve energy efficiency. (All references to
EPCA refer to the statute as amended through the Energy Independence
and Security Act of 2007 (EISA 2007), Public Law 110-140 (Dec. 19,
2007)). Part B of title III, which for editorial reasons was re-
designated as Part A upon codification in the U.S. Code (42 U.S.C.
6291-6309), establishes the ``Energy Conservation Program for Consumer
Products Other Than Automobiles.'' Covered consumer products include
clothes dryers, the subject of today's notice. (42 U.S.C. 6292(a)(8))
Under EPCA, this program consists essentially of four parts: (1)
Testing, (2) labeling, (3) Federal energy conservation standards, and
(4) certification and enforcement procedures. The testing requirements
consist of test procedures that manufacturers of covered products must
use (1) as the basis for certifying to DOE that their products comply
with the applicable energy conservation standards adopted under EPCA,
and (2) for making representations about the efficiency of those
products. Similarly, DOE must use these test requirements to determine
whether the products comply with any relevant standards promulgated
under EPCA.
A. General Test Procedure Rulemaking Process
Under 42 U.S.C. 6293, EPCA sets forth the criteria and procedures
DOE must follow when prescribing or amending test procedures for
covered products. EPCA provides in relevant part that any test
procedures prescribed or amended under this section must be reasonably
designed to produce test results that measure energy efficiency, energy
use or estimated annual operating cost of a covered product during a
representative average use cycle or period of use and not be unduly
burdensome to conduct. (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(3))
In addition, if DOE determines that a test procedure amendment is
warranted, it must publish proposed test procedures and offer the
public an opportunity to present oral and written comments on them. (42
U.S.C. 6293(b)(2)) In any rulemaking to amend a test procedure, DOE
must also determine to what extent, if any, the proposed test procedure
would alter the measured energy efficiency of any covered product as
determined under the existing test procedure. (42 U.S.C. 6293(e))
EPCA also requires DOE to amend the test procedures for all
residential covered products to include measures of standby mode and
off mode energy consumption. Specifically, EPCA provides definitions of
``standby mode'' and ``off mode'' (42 U.S.C. 6295(gg)(1)(A)) and
permits DOE to amend these definitions in the context of a given
product (42 U.S.C. 6295(gg)(1)(B)). The statute requires integration of
such energy consumption into the overall energy efficiency, energy
consumption, or other energy descriptor for each covered product,
unless DOE determines that--
(i) The current test procedures for a covered product already fully
account for and incorporate the standby mode and off mode energy
consumption of the covered product; or
(ii) Such an integrated test procedure is technically infeasible
for a particular covered product, in which case the Secretary shall
prescribe a separate standby mode and off mode energy use test
procedure for the covered product, if technically feasible. (42 U.S.C.
6295(gg)(2)(A))
In any test procedure amendment, DOE must consider the most current
versions of IEC Standard 62301, ``Household electrical appliances--
Measurement of standby power,'' and IEC Standard 62087, ``Methods of
measurement for the power consumption of audio, video, and related
equipment.'' Id.
B. DOE Clothes Dryer Test Procedure
DOE's test procedures for clothes dryers are codified in appendix D
and appendix D1 to subpart B of Title 10 of the Code of Federal
Regulations (CFR). DOE established its test procedure for clothes
dryers at appendix D in a final rule published in the Federal Register
on September 14, 1977 (the September 1977 TP Final Rule). 42 FR 46145.
On May 19, 1981, DOE published a final rule (the May 1981 TP Final
Rule) to amend the test procedure by establishing a field-use factor
for clothes dryers with automatic termination controls, clarifying the
test cloth specifications and clothes dryer preconditioning, and making
editorial and minor technical changes. 46 FR 27324. The test procedure
includes provisions for determining the energy factor (EF) for clothes
dryers, which is a measure of the total energy required to dry a
standard test load of laundry to a ``bone dry'' \1\ state.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ ``Bone dry'' is defined in the DOE clothes dryer test
procedure as a condition of a load of test clothes which has been
dried in a dryer at maximum temperature for a minimum of 10 minutes,
removed and weighed before cool down, and then dried again for 10-
minute periods until the final weight change of the load is 1
percent or less. (10 CFR subpart B, appendix D, section 1.2)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. January 2011 TP Final Rule
On January 6, 2011, the U.S. Department of Energy (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
2011 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). DOE created a new appendix D1 in 10
CFR part 430 subpart B that contained the amended test procedure for
clothes dryers. Manufacturers must use the test procedures in appendix
D1 to demonstrate compliance with the amended energy conservation
standards for clothes dryers as of January 1, 2015 (76 FR 52852 (Aug.
24, 2011), 76 FR 52854 (Aug. 24, 2011))
For clothes dryer standby mode and off mode, the January 2011 TP
Final Rule amended the DOE clothes dryer test procedure to incorporate
by reference specific clauses from the International Electrotechnical
Commission (IEC) Standard 62301, ``Household electrical appliances-
Measurement of standby power,'' (first edition June 2005) regarding
test conditions and test procedures for measuring standby mode and off
mode power consumption, as well as language to clarify application of
these provisions for measuring standby mode and off mode power
consumption in clothes dryers. In addition, DOE adopted definitions of
modes based on the relevant provisions from IEC Standard 62301 Second
Edition Committee Draft
[[Page 154]]
for Vote (IEC Standard 62301 CDV). DOE established the Combined Energy
Factor (CEF) for clothes dryers to integrate energy use in the standby
mode and off mode with the energy use of the main functions of the
product.\2\ 76 FR 972, 975-6 (Jan. 6, 2011).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ The CEF is defined as the clothes dryer test load weight in
pounds divided by the sum of the per-cycle standby and off mode
energy consumption and either the total per-cycle electric dryer
energy consumption or the total per-cycle gas dryer energy
consumption expressed in kilowatt hours (kWh).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
For clothes dryer active mode, DOE adopted amendments in the
January 2011 TP Final Rule to include provisions for the testing of
ventless clothes dryers. 76 FR 972, 976-7 (Jan. 6, 2011). The
amendments also included the following changes to reflect the current
usage and capabilities of products: (1) Changing the annual clothes
dryer use cycles from 416 to 283 cycles per year, (2) changing the
initial remaining moisture content (RMC) \3\ of clothes dryer loads
from 70 percent 3.5 percent to 57.5 percent
3.5 percent, and (3) changing the clothes dryer test load size from
7.00 pounds (lbs) .07 lbs to 8.45 .085 lbs
for standard-size clothes dryers. 76 FR 972, 977 (Jan. 6, 2011). The
January 2011 TP Final Rule also amended the DOE clothes dryer test
procedure by updating test cloth preconditioning provisions; revising
the water temperature for test load preparation from 100 degrees
Fahrenheit ([deg]F) 5 [deg]F to 60 [deg]F 5
[deg]F; updating the reference to the relevant industry test standard
(Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) Standard HLD-1-
2009); eliminating reference to an obsolete industry test standard
(AHAM Standard HLD-2EC); clarifying the required gas supply conditions
for testing gas clothes dryers; clarifying the provisions for measuring
the drum capacity; clarifying the definition of ``automatic termination
control'' for clothes dryers; and adding the calculations of EF and CEF
to 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix D1. 76 FR 972, 978 (Jan. 6,
2011).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ RMC is the ratio of the weight of water contained by the
test load to the bone-dry weight of the test load, expressed as a
percent.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the January 2011 TP Final Rule, DOE did not adopt the amendments
to more accurately measure automatic cycle termination that were
originally proposed in the test procedure supplemental notice of
proposed rulemaking (SNOPR) (June 2010 TP SNOPR) (75 FR 37594, 37612-20
(June 29, 2010)).\4\ As further discussed in the January 2011 TP Final
Rule, DOE conducted testing of representative residential clothes
dryers using the automatic cycle termination test procedure proposed in
the June 2010 TP SNOPR. The results of the testing revealed that all of
the clothes dryers tested significantly over-dried the DOE test load
\5\ to near bone dry and, as a result, the measured 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 972, 977 (Jan. 6, 2011).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\ The test method proposed in the June 2010 TP SNOPR involved
testing clothes dryers with automatic termination controls using the
``normal'' setting (and where the temperature setting can be chosen
independently of the program, it shall be set to the highest level)
and a test load with a starting moisture content of 57.5 0.33 percent, allowing the dryer to run until the heater
switches off for the final time at the end of the drying cycle to
achieve a final remaining moisture content of no more than 5
percent.
\5\ The DOE test load is composed of 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the January 2011 TP Final Rule, DOE concluded that the test
procedure amendments for automatic cycle termination proposed in the
June 2010 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 stated 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 a load of varying
weights, composition, and size has a higher RMC than the RMC obtained
using the proposed automatic cycle termination test procedure in
conjunction with the existing DOE test load. In considering whether
other test loads would be appropriate to incorporate into the DOE test
procedure to produce both representative and repeatable test results,
however, DOE noted that manufacturers 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 (Jan. 6, 2011).
2. August 2011 RFI
On August 12, 2011, DOE published a Request for Information (RFI)
to further investigate the effects of automatic cycle termination on
the energy efficiency (August 2011 RFI). 76 FR 50145. DOE sought
information, data, and comments regarding methods for more accurately
measuring the effects of automatic cycle termination in the clothes
dryer test procedure. In particular, DOE sought comment on the
following: (1) The characteristics of loads of varying weights,
composition, and size, (2) the accuracy of different automatic cycle
termination sensors and controls, (3) the target final RMC used by
manufacturers to maintain consumer satisfaction, (4) the effects of the
characteristics of water (i.e., hardness and conductivity) used for
wetting the test load prior to testing, and (5) the cycle settings
selected by consumers for automatic termination cycles. In response to
the August 2011 RFI, interested parties commented that DOE should amend
the clothes dryer test procedure to include provisions to account for
the effectiveness of automatic cycle termination and amend the relevant
energy conservation standards based on the effects of the test
procedure changes according to EPCA.
II. Summary of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
Automatic Termination Control Procedures
In this notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR), DOE proposes to
modify the test procedures for clothes dryers in 10 CFR part 430,
subpart B, appendix D1 to include methods for more accurately measuring
the effects of automatic cycle termination. The proposed method would
require that clothes dryers with automatic cycle termination controls
be tested using the ``Normal'' automatic termination cycle setting.
Where the drying temperature setting can be chosen independently, it
shall be set to the maximum. Where the dryness level setting can be
chosen independently, it shall be set to the ``normal'' or ``medium''
dryness level setting.\6\ The proposed amendments would then specify
that the clothes dryer be allowed to run until the completion of the
drying cycle, including the cool down period, to achieve a final RMC of
no more than 2 percent. If the final measured RMC is above 2 percent,
the test would be considered invalid and the proposed amendments would
require that a new test cycle be run using the highest dryness level
setting. DOE notes that a final RMC of 2 percent using the DOE test
load would be more representative of clothes dryers currently on the
market and representative of the maximum consumer-accepted final
[[Page 155]]
RMC. Finally, DOE is proposing to apply a field use factor of 0.80 for
clothes dryers with automatic cycle termination to account for the
measured energy consumption at the end of the automatic termination
cycle drying the DOE test load below 2-percent RMC.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\6\ Most clothes dryers available on the market provide separate
settings for the ``temperature level'' and ``dryness level.'' The
temperature level refers to the temperature of the hot air used to
dry the load in the drum. The dryness level refers to the desired
remaining moisture content of the load at the completion of the
drying cycle.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
For clothes dryers with only timed dry control settings, the
proposed amendments would require that the existing timed dry test
cycle in appendix D1 be used, but change the final RMC from 2.5-5
percent to 1-2.5 percent. DOE also proposes to change the normalization
in the calculation of the per-cycle energy consumption to represent the
energy consumption required to dry the test load to 2-percent RMC. Both
of these changes are proposed to be consistent with the test method for
automatic cycle termination and to be representative of the final RMC
of clothes dryers currently on the market using the DOE test load.
Incorporation of IEC Standard 62301 (Second Edition)
The IEC published IEC Standard 62301, ``Household electrical
appliances--Measurement of standby power,'' Edition 2.0 2011-01 (IEC
Standard 62301 (Second Edition) or ``Second Edition'') on January 27,
2011. Consistent with EPCA requirements for amending test procedures to
include standby and off mode procedures (42 U.S.C. 6295(gg)(2)(A)), DOE
analyzed IEC Standard 62301 (Second Edition) for today's NOPR. DOE has
reviewed this latest draft of the IEC standard and believes that it
provides for improvement for some measurements of standby mode and off
mode energy use. Accordingly, DOE proposes in today's NOPR to
incorporate certain provisions of the IEC Standard 62301 (Second
Edition), along with clarifying language, into the DOE clothes dryer
test procedure.
Clarifications to Test Conditions
DOE received a number of inquiries from independent test
laboratories requesting clarification on testing according to the DOE
clothes dryer test procedure. Based on these inquiries, DOE is
proposing in today's NOPR to amend both 10 CFR part 430, subpart B,
appendix D and appendix D1 to clarify the cycle settings used for the
test cycle and the requirements for the gas supply for gas clothes
dryers.
III. Discussion
A. Products Covered by This Test Procedure Rulemaking
Today's proposed amendments to DOE's clothes dryer test procedure
cover both electric and gas clothes dryers. DOE defines a clothes dryer
to mean a cabinet-like appliance designed to dry fabrics in a tumble-
type drum with forced air circulation, with blower(s) driven by an
electric motor(s) and either gas or electricity as the heat source. 10
CFR 430.2. DOE is not proposing in today's NOPR to change the
definition for clothes dryers in DOE's regulations.
B. Automatic Cycle Termination
In today's NOPR, DOE is proposing amendments to the clothes dryer
test procedure in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix D1 to more
accurately measure the effects of automatic cycle termination. The
current DOE test procedures for clothes dryers in 10 CFR part 430,
subpart B, appendices D and D1 currently require manufacturers to apply
a field use factor to the per-cycle drying energy consumption to
determine the performance of clothes dryers equipped with both
automatic cycle termination and timers. For dryers with automatic
termination control, the test procedures do not distinguish between the
type of sensing control system (e.g., temperature-sensing or moisture-
sensing controls) and the sophistication and accuracy of the control
system. Gas or electric clothes dryers with time termination control
(i.e., those dryers equipped with a timer to determine the end of a
drying cycle) are assigned a field use factor of 1.18, while dryers
with automatic termination are assigned a field use factor of 1.04. The
field use factors are assigned to account for drying beyond the 2.5-5
percent RMC specified in the test procedure. The field use factor for
timer dryers was derived from a field study conducted by the Oklahoma
Gas and Electric Company in 1971, consisting of 64 households and
33,000 loads of clothing, as well as data reported by AHAM representing
the energy consumption in 1972 of 2,983,200 production units of clothes
dryers. 42 FR 46145, 46146 (Sept. 14, 1977). For automatic termination
control dryers, the field use factor was derived from a field study
conducted by AHAM in 1977 involving 72 households. 45 FR 46762-3 (July
10, 1980); 46 FR 27324 (May 19, 1981).
In the January 2011 TP Final Rule, DOE did not adopt the amendments
to more accurately measure automatic cycle termination that were
originally proposed in June 2010 TP SNOPR. 76 FR 972, 977-78 (Jan. 6,
2011). In that June 2010 TP SNOPR, DOE proposed to revise its clothes
dryer test procedure to include definitions of and provisions for
testing both timer dryers and automatic termination control dryers
based on the methodology provided in Australia/New Zealand (AS/NZS)
Standard 2442.1: 1996, ``Performance of household electrical
appliances--Rotary clothes dryers, Part 1: Energy consumption and
performance'' (AS/NZS Standard 2442.1) and AS/NZS Standard 2442.2:
2000, ``Performance of household electrical appliances--Rotary clothes
dryers, Part 2: Energy labeling requirements'' (AS/NZS Standard
2442.2). 75 FR 37594, 37598 (June 29, 2010). DOE proposed to
incorporate the testing methods from these international test
standards, along with a number of clarifications, to measure the energy
consumption for both timer dryers and automatic termination control
dryers. The measurement would account for the energy consumed by the
clothes dryer after the load reaches an RMC of 5 percent. 75 FR 37594,
37599 (June 29, 2010). The proposed test method in the June 2010 TP
SNOPR specified that a clothes dryer with automatic cycle termination
controls be tested using the ``normal'' cycle setting, and where the
temperature setting can be chosen independently of the program, it
would be set to the highest level. The clothes dryer would then be
allowed to run until the heater switched off for the final time at the
end of the drying cycle. If the final RMC was higher than 5 percent,
the test would be re-run using the highest dryness level setting. Id.
In addition to the provisions for automatic cycle termination
clothes dryers, DOE also proposed testing methods in the June 2010 TP
SNOPR for timer dryers based on AS/NZS Standard 2442.1. The proposed
test method specified that the clothes dryer be operated at the maximum
temperature setting until the final RMC of the load was between 5 and 6
percent. The procedure would then be repeated to dry the load until the
final RMC was between 4 and 5 percent, with the results from these two
tests used to interpolate the value of the per-cycle energy consumption
required to dry the test load to exactly 5-percent RMC. 75 FR 37594,
37617 (June 29, 2010).
As discussed in the January 2011 TP Final Rule, DOE conducted
testing of representative residential clothes dryers using the
automatic cycle termination test procedure proposed in the June 2010 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 EF values were significantly lower
than EF values obtained using the existing DOE test procedure in
appendix D. 76 FR 972, 977 (Jan. 6, 2011). In the January 2011
[[Page 156]]
TP Final Rule, DOE concluded that the test procedure amendments for
automatic cycle termination proposed in the June 2010 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 stated 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 a load of varying weights, composition,
and size has a higher RMC than the RMC obtained using the proposed
automatic cycle termination test procedure in conjunction with the
existing DOE test load. In considering whether other test loads would
be appropriate to incorporate into the DOE test procedure to produce
both representative and repeatable test results, however, DOE noted
that manufacturers 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 972, 977 (Jan. 6, 2011).
1. August 2011 RFI
As discussed in section I of this notice, DOE published the August
2011 RFI to further investigate the effects of automatic cycle
termination on the energy efficiency. 76 FR 50145 (Aug. 12, 2011). DOE
sought information, data, and comments regarding methods for more
accurately measuring the effects of automatic cycle termination in the
residential clothes dryer test procedure. In particular, DOE sought
comment on the following: (1) The characteristics of loads of varying
weights, composition, and size, (2) the accuracy of different automatic
cycle termination sensors and controls, (3) the target final RMC used
by manufacturers to maintain consumer satisfaction, (4) the effects of
the characteristics of water (i.e., hardness and conductivity) used for
wetting the test load prior to testing, and (5) the cycle settings
selected by consumers for automatic termination cycles.
In response to the August 2011 RFI, DOE received the ``Joint
Petition to Amend the Test Procedure for Residential Clothes Dryers to
Include Provisions Related to Automatic Termination Controls'' (the
``Joint Petition''), a comment submitted by groups representing
manufacturers (AHAM, Whirlpool Corporation (Whirlpool), General
Electric Company (GE), Electrolux, LG Electronics, Inc. (LG), BSH Home
Appliances (BSH), Alliance Laundry Systems (ALS), Viking Range, Sub-
Zero Wolf, Friedrich A/C, U-Line, Samsung, Sharp Electronics, Miele,
Heat Controller, AGA Marvel, Brown Stove, Haier, Fagor America, Airwell
Group, Arcelik, Fisher & Paykel, Scotsman Ice, Indesit, Kuppersbusch,
Kelon, and DeLonghi); energy and environmental advocates (American
Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE), Appliance Standards
Awareness Project (ASAP), Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC),
Alliance to Save Energy (ASE), Alliance for Water Efficiency (AWE),
Northwest Power and Conservation Council (NPCC), and Northeast Energy
Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP)); and consumer groups (Consumer
Federation of America (CFA) and the National Consumer Law Center
(NCLC)) (collectively, the ``Joint Petitioners''). The Joint
Petitioners commented that DOE should amend the clothes dryer test
procedure to include provisions to account for the effectiveness of
automatic cycle termination. (Joint Petition, No. 2 at pp. 1, 4-5) \7\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\7\ A notation in the form ``Joint Petition, No. 2 at pp. 1, 4-
5'' identifies a written comment: (1) Made by the Joint Petition;
(2) recorded in document number 2 that is filed in the docket of the
residential dishwasher, dehumidifier, and conventional cooking
products test procedures rulemaking (Docket No. EERE-2011-BT-TP-
0054) and available for review at www.regulations.gov; and (3) that
appears on pages 1 and 4-5 of document number 2.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
DOE notes that AHAM withdrew its support for the petition in a
letter dated May 29, 2012, stating that the petition was predicated on
DOE adoption of test procedure provisions to account for automatic
termination controls by December 31, 2011. DOE acknowledges AHAM's
withdrawal but considers the substantive provisions to account for such
controls in the discussion that follows. (AHAM, No. 5 at pp. 1-2)
The Joint Petitioners recognized DOE's concerns that the amendments
for automatic cycle termination proposed in the June 2010 TP SNOPR may
not properly measure the effectiveness of automatic termination
controls, particularly in light of data that suggested that automatic
termination control dryers may in fact be drying clothes to
approximately 5-percent RMC rather than the less than 2-percent RMC
resulting from testing using the DOE test cloth. The Joint Petitioners
noted that the DOE test cloth is uniform, for purposes of repeatability
and reproducibility, but likely dries faster and more uniformly than a
load of varying weights, composition, and size. (Joint Petition, No. 2
at p. 5)
As part of the Joint Petition, AHAM members provided test data on
clothes dryers with automatic termination controls representing 60
percent of shipments, measuring the final RMC at the completion of a
``normal'' automatic cycle, including cool down, using the DOE test
load. The data, presented below in Figure III.1, show that all tested
models had a final RMC below 2 percent. The Joint Petitioners stated
that the testing assumed that the current market ending RMC is
appropriate. The Joint Petitioners commented that the test results
demonstrated that an ending RMC of 2 percent using the DOE test cloth
best approximates the maximum consumer-accepted final RMC. (Joint
Petition, No. 2 at pp. 5-6)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\8\ Joint Petition, No. 2 at p. 6
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 157]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP02JA13.013
Based on this data, the Joint Petitioners stated that DOE should
amend the clothes dryer test procedure to include the full automatic
termination cycle, including cool down. The Joint Petitioners stated
that testing the entire cycle is more representative of actual consumer
use and is less of a test burden for manufacturers than DOE's proposal
in the June 2010 TP SNOPR to stop the dryer when the heater switches
off for the final time at the end of the drying cycle. In addition, the
Joint Petitioners commented that the test procedure should be amended
to state that the final RMC when testing units with automatic
termination controls shall be no more than 2 percent when testing with
the DOE test load to be representative of clothes dryers currently on
the market. Any test in which the final RMC is 2 percent or less should
be considered valid. If the final RMC is greater than 2 percent, the
test would be invalid and a new test run would be conducted using the
highest dryness level setting. (Joint Petition, No. 2 at p. 6)
ALS commented that it supports the continued use of the DOE test
cloth and that attempting to use the IEC/AHAM test load that is
composed of more all-cotton material of varying shapes and sizes will
add more variability and uncertainty to the test results. ALS stated
that the DOE test procedure needs to be repeatable, and that changing
to a different test cloth is not appropriate. (ALS, No. 3 at p. 1)
2. Product Testing
To evaluate potential amendments for automatic cycle termination,
DOE selected a representative sample of 20 clothes dryers encompassing
all clothes dryer product classes. DOE considered features such as
rated energy factor, rated capacity, control type (i.e.,
electromechanical versus electronic), and automatic cycle termination
sensor technology (if advertised) when selecting units to be most
representative of products currently available on the U.S. market. The
test units and key features are presented below in Table III.1. Unless
otherwise noted, the test unit numbers presented in Table III.1 are
used in other tables of results in today's notice.
Table III.1--Clothes Dryer Test Units and Features
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rated EF
Product class Test unit \1\ (lbs/ Drum airflow Controls Sensor type
kWh) direction
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vented Electric Standard...... 1 3.1 Back to Front.... Electronic....... Moisture
2 3.19 Back to Front.... ElectroMechanical Temp
3 3.03 Back to Front.... Electronic....... Moisture
4 3.04 Back to Back..... Electronic....... Moisture
5 3.4 Back to Front.... Electronic....... Moisture
6 3.1 Back to Back..... ElectroMechanical Moisture
7 3.1 Back to Back..... ElectroMechanical Moisture
8 3.08 Back to Front.... Electronic....... Moisture
Vented Electric Compact (240 9 2.95 Back to Front.... Electronic....... Moisture
Volt (V)).
10 2.98 Back to Back..... ElectroMechanical Temp
Vented Electric Compact (120V) 11 3.15 Back to Back..... ElectroMechanical Moisture
Vented Gas.................... 12 2.77 Back to Front.... ElectroMechanical Temp
13 2.68 Back to Front.... Electronic....... Moisture
14 2.71 Back to Front.... Electronic....... Moisture
15 2.85 Back to Back..... Electromechanical Moisture
16 2.76 Back to Front.... Electronic....... Moisture
17 2.8 Back to Front.... Electronic....... Moisture
Ventless Electric Compact 18 Not Listed Back to Front.... Electronic....... Moisture
(240V).
Ventless Electric Combination 19 Not Listed Front to Back.... Electronic....... None--Timed Dry
Washer/Dryer. Only
[[Page 158]]
20 Not Listed Front to Back.... Electronic....... Temp
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Rated EF is based on the DOE clothes dryer test procedure in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix D.
DOE initially conducted testing for all test units according to the
DOE clothes dryer test procedure in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B,
appendix D1. Appendix D1 requires that the DOE test load, initially
soaked with an RMC of 57.5 3.5 percent, be dried using the
timed dry and maximum temperature settings until the test load has
reached a final RMC of 2.5 to 5 percent without allowing the dryer to
advance into a cool-down phase. A field use factor is then applied to
the measured per-cycle energy consumption to account for the over-
drying energy consumption associated with the use of either timer
clothes dryers or automatic cycle termination clothes dryers. DOE then
conducted testing of these units using automatic cycle termination test
methodologies with different test loads to evaluate the effects of
these potential test procedure amendments on the measured efficiency as
compared to the existing DOE test procedure in 10 CFR part 430, subpart
B, appendix D1. DOE also conducted additional testing to evaluate
repeatability and reproducibility of the test results.
In conducting the testing, DOE used the DOE test load and the test
load specified in both the AHAM clothes dryer test standard HLD-1-2009,
``Household Tumble Type Clothes Dryers,'' and the IEC test standard
61121, ``Tumble dryers for household use--Methods for measuring the
performance,'' Edition 3 (2005), which consists of cotton bed sheets,
towels, and pillowcases. DOE concluded in the August 2011 RFI that
clothes dryers with automatic termination sensing control systems may
be designed to stop the cycle when a load of varying weights,
composition, and size has a higher RMC than the RMC obtained using the
automatic termination drying cycle in conjunction with the existing DOE
test load. 76 FR 50145, 50146 (Aug. 12, 2011). In addition, the
Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) supplied DOE with data from
a residential laundry field use study that NEEA conducted. The field
study, which included 50 households in the northwest United States
metered from January 2012 to March 2012, gathered data on the energy
use and usage habits for residential clothes dryers, including
information on the type of fabrics composing household laundry loads
for each laundry cycle. The data, presented below in Table III.2, show
the frequency of various load compositions, ranging from ``light'' to
``heavy,'' for the average household surveyed.
Table III.2--Laundry Load Fabric Composition for the Average Household
Surveyed in the NEEA Field Use Study
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Percentage of
laundry cycles
Laundry load description for average
household
surveyed (%)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Light.................................................. 6.8
Mixed Light/Medium..................................... 19.9
Medium................................................. 23.5
Mixed Light/Medium/Heavy............................... 13.1
Mixed Medium/Heavy..................................... 23.3
Heavy.................................................. 13.5
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Light = permanent press, light socks, light/casual shirts, pillow cases,
underwear, light weight/smaller sheets.
Medium = heavy shirts, medium weight/larger sheets, casual pants, light
weight sweatpants and shirts, heavy socks, pullovers.
Heavy = towels, heavy work clothing, flannel sheets, heavy sweatpants
and shirts, jeans.
DOE conducted the testing for the proposed automatic cycle
termination test methodology according to the DOE test procedure, with
the following modifications. The test load was prepared with a starting
RMC of 57.5 percent 0.33 percent. The controls were set as
follows:
Instead of using the timed dry cycle setting, the
``normal'' automatic termination cycle setting was selected. If a
``normal'' cycle setting was not provided, then the test cycle
recommended by manufacturers for drying cotton or linen clothes was
used.
Where the temperature setting could be chosen
independently of the program, the highest level was selected.
Where the dryness level setting could be chosen
independently of the program, it was set to the ``normal'' or
``medium'' level. If such designation was not provided, then the
dryness level was set at the mid-point between the minimum and maximum
settings.
The clothes dryer was then allowed to run until the completion of
the cycle, including the cool-down period. At the completion of the
cycle, the clothes were weighed to determine the final RMC. If the
final RMC was below 2 percent for the DOE test load, the test was
considered valid. If the RMC was higher than 2 percent (i.e., the test
load contained more moisture than would be acceptable to consumers),
the test was considered invalid and was re-run using the highest
dryness level setting. DOE selected the 2-percent RMC threshold based
on data presented in the Joint Petitioners' comment regarding RMC
levels acceptable to consumers, discussed above. For the IEC/AHAM test
load, similar test conditions were applied except that the threshold
value for the final RMC was changed from 2 percent to 5 percent because
of the more varied composition of the IEC/AHAM test load.
Table III.3 presents the key features of the automatic cycle
termination testing methodology as compared to the DOE clothes dryer
test procedure in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix D1.
Table III.3--Tests Methods for DOE Testing
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Test condition DOE test procedure Automatic cycle termination testing methodology
-------------------------------------- (Appendix D1) -------------------------------------------------
-------------------------
Test Load DOE DOE IEC/AHAM
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Permitted Number of Test Runs per Less than 25 test runs Less than 25 test runs Less than 80 test runs
Test Cloth. for individual test for individual test for individual test
cloth. cloth. cloth. Weighted
average age of test
load between 30 and 50
test runs.
[[Page 159]]
Test Load Preconditioning............ 10 CFR part 430, 10 CFR part 430, AHAM Standard HLD-1-
subpart B, appendix subpart B, appendix 2009 Section 3.2.3.
D1, section 2.6.3. D1, section 2.6.3.
Test Load Normalization.............. N/A.................... N/A.................... After each 9 test
cycles, normalize
using AHAM Standard
HLD-1-2009 Section
3.2.3.
-------------------------------------------------
Cycle and Settings Used for Test..... Timed Dry Cycle, ``Normal'' Automatic Dry Cycle; Maximum
Maximum Temperature Temperature (if separately selectable);
(if separately ``Normal'' or ``Medium'' Dryness (or, if no
selectable). such designations, at mid-point between min.
and max. settings)
-------------------------------------------------
Starting RMC of Test Load............ 57.5 3.5 57.5 0.33 percent
percent.
-------------------------------------------------
RMC of Test Load at Which Test is Stopped manually at 2.5- Allowed to run until Allowed to run until
Stopped. 5 percent RMC. completion of completion of
automatic cycle. Must automatic cycle. Must
be below 2-percent RMC be below 5-percent RMC
or additional test or additional test
with highest dryness with highest dryness
level setting must be level setting must be
run. run.
-------------------------------------------------
Cool Down............................ Clothes dryer not Cool down period included in automatic cycle
permitted to advance test
into cool down.
-------------------------------------------------
Field Use Factor (multiplied by per- = 1.04 for automatic No field use factor for automatic cycle
cycle energy consumption to account cycle termination termination dryers. = 1.18 for timer dryers
for over drying). dryers = 1.18 for
timer dryers.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For each specific testing methodology described above, DOE
conducted a series of three identical tests for each model to evaluate
the repeatability of test results. The results, presented in Table
III.4, show both the average measured CEF for each test unit and the
percentage change in the measured CEF for the automatic cycle
termination tests as compared to appendix D1. For the automatic cycle
termination tests using the DOE test load, all of the tests resulted in
a lower measured CEF (i.e., higher per-cycle energy use) compared to
the DOE test procedure, ranging from a 3.5 percent to 41.9 percent
decrease in CEF. Similarly, for the automatic cycle termination tests
using the IEC/AHAM test load, all of the tests resulted in a lower
measured CEF compared to the DOE test procedure, ranging from a 6.1
percent to 40.3 percent decrease. In addition, the majority of tested
units had a lower CEF for the automatic cycle termination test with the
IEC/AHAM test load than with the DOE test load. DOE notes that for this
series of tests, it did not make any modifications to the water used to
wet the test loads. As discussed in section III.B.4 of this notice, DOE
subsequently conducted testing with modifications to the water used to
wet the test loads.
Table III.4--DOE Test Procedure and Automatic Cycle Termination Test Results
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DOE test Automatic cycle termination-- Automatic cycle termination--
procedure DOE test load IEC/AHAM test load
Product class Test unit (Appendix D1) --------------------------------
---------------- -------------------------------
CEF (lbs/kWh) CEF (lbs/kWh) % Change CEF (lbs/kWh) % Change
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vented Electric Standard................................ 1 3.58 3.16 -11.6 3.13 -12.6
2 3.93 2.73 -30.6 2.76 -29.8
3 3.83 3.49 -9.1 3.08 -19.6
4 3.71 3.48 -6.1 3.44 -7.3
5 3.90 3.51 -10.0 3.40 -12.9
6 3.80 2.71 -28.7 2.42 -36.3
7 3.84 3.06 -20.2 3.02 -21.3
8 3.71 3.11 -16.1 2.97 -19.9
Avg 3.79 3.16 -16.6 3.03 -20.0
Vented Electric Compact (240V).......................... 9 3.53 3.32 -6.1 3.24 -8.4
10 3.56 2.27 -36.1 2.12 -40.3
Avg 3.54 2.79 -21.1 2.68 -24.4
Vented Electric Compact (120V).......................... 11 3.75 2.18 -41.9 2.42 -35.6
Vented Gas.............................................. 12 3.43 2.70 -21.3 2.66 -22.4
13 3.31 2.87 -13.3 2.64 -20.2
14 3.49 3.07 -12.0 2.93 -16.2
[[Page 160]]
15 3.39 2.69 -20.5 2.64 -22.0
16 3.37 3.25 -3.5 2.99 -11.0
17 3.37 2.94 -12.7 2.89 -14.3
Avg 3.39 2.92 -13.9 2.79 -17.7
Ventless Electric Compact (240V)........................ 18 2.98 2.73 -8.4 2.63 -11.9
Ventless Electric Combination Washer/Dryer.............. 19 2.81 2.70 -3.9 2.44 -13.3
20 2.28 2.19\1\ -3.9 2.14 -6.1
Avg 2.54 2.45 -3.9 2.29 -9.7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table III.5 presents the average final RMC from the automatic cycle
termination tests with both the DOE and IEC/AHAM test loads, as well as
the cycle settings used for each test unit. DOE notes that for nearly
all of the test units, the average final RMC is higher for the tests
using the IEC/AHAM test load. The higher measured per-cycle energy use
and final RMC for the IEC/AHAM test load compared to the DOE test load
is likely due to the ability of the IEC/AHAM test load to retain more
water during the drying process than the DOE test load, which gives off
moisture more readily and terminates the drying cycle sooner. In
addition, as discussed above, clothes dryers with automatic termination
sensing control systems may be designed to stop the cycle when a load
of varying weights, composition, and size has a higher RMC than the RMC
obtained using the DOE test load.
Table III.5--Automatic Cycle Termination Test Results--Final RMC
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Automatic cycle termination--
final RMC (%)
Product class Test unit Automatic cycle setting -------------------------------
DOE load IEC/AHAM load
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vented Electric Standard.............. 1 Normal Cycle, High Temp, 1.3 2.2
Normal Dry.
2 Cottons Cycle, High 0.7 1.5
Heat, Optimum Dry.
3 Cotton/Normal Cycle, 0.6 1.3
Medium Heat, Normal Dry.
4 Sensor Normal Cycle, 0.7 3.1
Medium Temp.
5 Normal Cycle............ 0.9 3.9
6 Energy Preferred Plus 1.9 2.4
Cycle, High Temp.
7 Energy Preferred Plus 1.3 1.5
Cycle, High Heat.
8 Normal Cycle, Medium 0.4 1.6
Heat, Normal Dry.
Vented Electric Compact (240V)........ 9 Cottons Cycle, High 1.3 4.3
Temp, Sensor Dry.
10 Perm Press/Normal....... 2.0 3.2
Vented Electric Compact (120V)........ 11 Perm Press.............. 2.0 2.5
Vented Gas............................ 12 Cottons Regular Cycle, 1.8 1.6
Optimum Dry.
13 Normal Cycle, High Temp, 0.9 1.9
Normal Dry.
14 Normal Cycle, Medium 0.7 1.6
Heat, Normal Dry.
15 Energy Preferred Plus 1.3 2.2
Cycle, High Temp.
16 Normal Cycle, Medium 0.8 2.6
Temp, Normal Dry.
17 Normal Cycle, Medium 0.9 2.3
Temp, Normal Dry.
Ventless Electric Compact (240V)...... 18 Cottons Cycle, High 2.0 4.7
Temp, More Dry\1\.
Ventless Electric Combination Washer/ 19 Timed Dry Only.......... .............. ..............
Dryer.
20 Normal Dry.............. 1.7 3.4
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Original test using Cottons Cycle, High Temp, Normal Dry gave an average RMC of 3.1 percent for DOE test
load, with all tests above 2-percent RMC. As a result, test was re-run using highest dryness setting.
As noted in section III.B.1 of this notice, 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 DOE test load. Therefore, for
each test unit, DOE examined the test-to-test variation in CEF among
the three tests conducted using the DOE test procedure and among the
three tests using the automatic cycle termination test methodology.
Table III.6 presents the test-to-test variation expressed as the
percent standard error. The analysis shows that the test-to-test
variation for the automatic cycle termination tests with the DOE test
load is slightly lower than the test-to-test variation with the IEC/
AHAM test load, and that both are higher than the test-to-test
variation for the DOE test procedure. DOE notes that the more
consistent results for the current DOE test procedure are likely due to
the use of the timed dry cycle rather than the automatic termination
cycles, which may have additional variation in results due to the
performance of temperature and moisture sensors and the automatic
termination control strategies.
[[Page 161]]
Table III.6--CEF Test-to-Test Variation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CEF test-to-test variation standard error (%)
----------------------------------------------------
Product class Test unit DOE test Automatic cycle Automatic cycle
procedure termination--DOE termination--IEC/
(Appendix D1) test load AHAM test load
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vented Electric Standard................... 1 1.35 0.50 2.26
2 0.57 2.95 0.50
3 0.89 1.46 0.62
4 0.37 1.14 6.44
5 1.02 2.10 0.77
6 0.46 0.72 3.68
7 0.70 2.20 1.59
8 1.12 0.16 1.73
Avg 0.81 1.40 2.20
Vented Electric Compact (240V)............. 9 1.60 4.25 2.42
10 0.18 5.70 4.39
Avg 0.89 4.98 3.40
Vented Electric Compact (120V)............. 11 0.51 2.12 2.25
Vented Gas................................. 12 1.31 0.48 3.07
13 0.82 0.81 1.95
14 2.08 1.58 0.92
15 1.23 2.08 1.73
16 0.61 0.68 1.91
17 0.52 2.73 1.94
Avg 1.10 1.39 1.92
Ventless Electric Compact (240V)........... 18 0.32 2.00 1.50
Ventless Electric Combination Washer/Dryer. 19 0.75 0.55 0.16
20 0.90 3.22 1.58
Avg 0.82 1.88 0.87
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Average.......................... .............. 0.87 1.87 2.07
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To evaluate the effect of test load composition on repeatability,
DOE then ran appendix D1 again for a subset of 10 of the clothes dryers
in its test sample, using the IEC/AHAM test cloth instead of the DOE
test cloth. For each of these units, DOE conducted three repeat tests.
DOE believes that using the timed dry cycle and requiring that the
dryer be stopped manually allow for better evaluation of the actual
test load by limiting other factors, such as automatic termination
sensor performance, that may contribute to variability of results from
test to test. The results from this testing, presented in Table III.7,
show an average test-to-test variation in CEF (expressed in terms of
standard error) of 1.02 percent for the IEC/AHAM test load as compared
to the 0.87 percent test-to-test variation for the DOE timed dry test
procedure with the DOE test load, presented above in Table III.6.
Table III.7--CEF Test-to-Test Variation for Appendix D1 with IEC/AHAM
Test Loads
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Timed dry--IEC/
AHAM test load--
Product class Test unit CEF test-to-test
standard error
(%)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vented Electric Standard............. 1 1.42
3 1.21
6 1.28
8 0.96
Vented Electric Compact (240V)....... 9 0.90
10 1.28
Vented Electric Compact (120V)....... 11 0.31
Vented Gas.......................... 13 1.17
14 1.10
17 0.55
Average.............................. .............. 1.02
------------------------------------------------------------------------
DOE notes that in addition to the use of the IEC/AHAM test load
producing less repeatable results from test to test, the
reproducibility of test results from lab to lab must also be considered
because different test laboratories may be using different lots of test
cloth. To evaluate the reproducibility of test results from lab to lab,
DOE conducted testing of 9 units at an independent test laboratory with
different lots of the DOE and IEC/AHAM test loads using the automatic
cycle termination test method. The results, presented below in Table
III.8, show that the use of the IEC/AHAM test load also results in
lower reproducibility of test results than the use of the existing DOE
test load.
[[Page 162]]
Table III.8--Lab-to-Lab Reproducibility of Automatic Cycle Termination Test Results
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Automatic cycle termination, DOE test Automatic cycle termination, IEC/AHAM
load--average CEF Test load--average CEF
Product class Test unit -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Independent % Independent %
DOE lab lab Difference DOE lab lab Difference
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vented Electric Standard..................................... 1 3.10 3.16 2.2 2.85 3.13 9.8
2 2.73 3.02 10.8 2.76 2.79 1.0
Vented Electric Compact (240V)............................... 10 2.26 2.27 0.3 2.12 2.12 0.0
Vented Gas................................................... 13 2.86 2.87 0.4 2.87 2.64 7.8
15 2.72 2.69 1.0 2.73 2.64 3.2
16 3.29 3.25 1.2 3.23 2.99 7.2
17 3.03 2.94 2.8 3.03 2.89 4.5
Ventless Electric Compact (240V)............................. 18 2.90 2.73 6.0 2.74 2.63 4.2
Ventless Electric Combination Washer/Dryer................... 20 2.19 2.23 2.0 Not Tested Not Tested ...........
Average...................................................... ........... ........... ........... 3.0 ........... ........... 4.7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Energy Consumption Versus RMC
As noted in section III.B.2 of this notice, the automatic cycle
termination test method using the DOE test load resulted in a lower
measured CEF value compared to the CEF measured using appendix D1. As
part of the automatic cycle termination testing discussed in section
III.B.2, DOE tested a number of units in the test sample at an
independent test laboratory that measured and recorded the energy
consumption and an estimated instantaneous RMC of the test load
throughout the test cycle. The estimated RMC was determined based on
the weight of the test load, measured in place during the test cycle,
and the rotation of the drum. Based on this testing, DOE decided to
develop a field use factor to account for the over-drying energy
consumption using the automatic cycle termination test method with the
DOE test load at the end of the cycle when the load is dried below 2-
percent RMC.
Using the independent test laboratory's data, DOE evaluated the
measured energy consumption at different times during the cycle--when
the test load initially reached 5-percent RMC, when it reached 2-
percent RMC, and at the end of the cycle (including cool down). The
test data, presented below in Table III.9, show that the energy
consumption measured over a full automatic termination dry cycle is 11-
72 percent greater than the energy consumption during the test cycle
when the test load initially reaches 5-percent RMC, and 4-62 percent
greater than the energy consumption when the test load initially
reaches 2-percent RMC (before any moisture regain during cool down/
tumbling). DOE also noted that while the final RMC of the DOE test load
using the automatic cycle termination test method was between 0.4
percent and 2.0 percent at the completion of the test cycle for all of
the clothes dryers in DOE's test sample, this RMC was achieved either
after the end of a cool-down period, during which the dryer tumbles
with no added heat after the conclusion of the heated drying, or after
an extended period of operation at nearly 0-percent RMC when the heater
is cycled off and on. The independent test laboratory's data showed
that during cool-down or non-heated tumbling, the test load regains
moisture from the room air. As a result, the final RMC of the test load
at the completion of the cycle after the cool-down/tumbling period is
higher than the RMC of the load when the heater turns off for the final
time.
Table III.9--Measured Automatic Cycle Termination Energy Consumption at Specific RMC Levels
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Energy consumption (kWh)
Automatic cycle -----------------------------------------------
Product class Test unit termination sensor End of cycle
technology 5% RMC 2% RMC (measured RMC
(%) \1\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vented Electric Standard....... 1 Moisture.......... 1.945 2.070 2.624 (1.2)
2 Temperature....... 2.068 2.233 3.119 (0.9)
4 Moisture.......... 2.160 2.318 2.405 (0.7)
6 Moisture.......... 2.091 2.280 3.141 (1.9)
Vented Electric Compact (240V). 10 Temperature....... 0.823 0.875 1.418 (2.0)
Vented Gas..................... 13 Moisture.......... 2.375 2.569 2.905 (0.8)
15 Moisture.......... 2.347 2.532 3.161 (1.2)
17 Moisture.......... 2.300 2.482 2.843 (1.2)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ As noted above, the test load regained moisture during the cool-down/tumbling period.
Figure III.2 presents the measured energy consumption during the
test cycle for the units tested at the independent testing laboratory.
The regions of the graphs that have a nearly horizontal slope
correspond to periods when the clothes dryer is tumbling with no heat.
DOE notes that most clothes dryers have a temperature set point, likely
based on measurements from a temperature sensor in the exhaust duct, at
which point the heater will cycle on and off. At the end of the cycle,
the nearly horizontal slope corresponds to the cool-down period.
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
[[Page 163]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP02JA13.001
Figure III.3 through Figure III.5 present, for each product class,
the latter part of the test cycle when the test load is nearly dry.
Each curve starts where the test load has initially reached 5-percent
RMC. The curves also identify where the test load initially reaches 2-
percent RMC. DOE noted that for all of the dryers tested at the
independent test laboratory, the DOE test load reached 2-percent RMC
before the clothes dryer initially began cycling the heater on and off.
[[Page 164]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP02JA13.002
[[Page 165]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP02JA13.003
Figure III.6 shows the measured energy consumption as a function of
RMC for the portion of the test cycle below 5-percent RMC for two
vented electric standard clothes dryers. The cycles proceed in time
from the right side of the curves, with the RMC generally decreasing as
energy consumption increases until the start of any cool down or
tumbling. The data show that the cool-down/tumbling period can
contribute a significant amount of energy consumption associated with
over-drying and moisture regain when using the DOE test load. DOE
observed that these two test units, both of which used the same
moisture sensor technology and dried the test load to final RMCs of
close to 1 percent at the end of the cycle, had significantly different
total measured energy consumption. One of these test units achieved
this final RMC with only a brief cool-down period, while the other test
unit repeatedly heated, tumbled, and regained moisture before the final
cool down. DOE believes that the difference in energy consumption
between these two units is most likely a function of the control
strategy rather than the accuracy of the sensors.
[[Page 166]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP02JA13.004
BILLING CODE 6450-01-C
DOE conducted further analysis to develop an appropriate field use
factor to account for the measured energy consumption at the end of the
automatic termination cycle below 2-percent RMC using the DOE test load
(including any cool-down/tumbling period). Using the data presented in
Table III.9, DOE calculated a field use factor of 0.80 for automatic
termination control dryers by taking the average of the difference
between the measured energy consumption to initially reach 2-percent
RMC and the measured energy consumption at the end of the test cycle.
The results of this analysis showing the application of the 0.8 field
use factor are presented in Table III.10.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\9\ The apparent excursions below 0-percent RMC result from the
method used to calculate instantaneous RMC, which may be less
accurate at very low RMCs.
Table III.10--Automatic Cycle Termination Test Results With Adjusted Field Use Factor
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per-cycle energy consumption (kWh)
-----------------------------------------------
Product class Test unit End of test--
2% RMC End of test-- field adjusted
measured
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vented Electric Standard........................ 1 2.070 2.624 2.099
2 2.233 3.119 2.495
4 2.318 2.405 1.924
6 2.280 3.141 2.513
Vented Electric Compact (240V).................. 10 0.875 1.418 1.134
Vented Gas...................................... 13 2.569 2.905 2.324
15 2.532 3.161 2.528
17 2.482 2.843 2.274
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Water Supply Testing
In the August 2011 RFI, DOE noted that the IEC is currently
revising its test standard for clothes dryers, IEC Standard 61121. 76
FR 50145, 50147 (Aug. 12, 2011). As part of the IEC Standard 61121
Fourth Edition Committee Draft for Vote (IEC Standard 61121 CDV), the
most recent version available at the time of the August 2011 RFI
analysis, the IEC noted that the characteristics of the water used for
wetting the test load prior to the test, particularly the conductivity,
can influence the 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.
DOE more recently learned that IEC Standard 61121 Fourth Edition
published in February 2012 using the same methodology provided in IEC
Standard 61121 CDV. Table III.11 provides the characteristics of either
soft
[[Page 167]]
or hard water to be used for appliance testing under IEC Standard
61121.
Table III.11--IEC Standard 61121 Requirements for Composition of Soft and Hard Water for Clothes Dryer Testing
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Water type
Property Unit -------------------------------------------------
Standard soft water Standard hard water
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total hardness....................... Millimols per liter 0.50 0.20 2.50 0.20
(mmol/l) (Ca\2+\/
Mg\2+\).
Conductivity (at 20 [deg]C).......... Microsiemens per 150 50 750 150
centimeter ([micro]S/
cm).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the August 2011 RFI, DOE requested information and data on these
effects of the characteristics of the water used to wet the test load
on the measured efficiency, as well as any potential testing burden
associated with the requirements for modifying the water supply used
for wetting the test load. DOE did not receive any comments or
information on this issue. DOE conducted testing to evaluate the
effects of using supply water modified to meet the specifications in
the IEC Standard 61121 on the measured efficiency compared to using
supply water according to the requirements of appendix D1. For this
series of tests, DOE conducted tests on 16 units using the same
automatic cycle termination methodology presented in Table III.3,
except that the water used to wet the test load prior to the test met
the conditions presented in Table III.8 for standard soft water. DOE
selected the soft water requirements from IEC Standard 61121 rather
than the hard water requirements to more closely match the existing DOE
clothes dryer test procedure, which also requires the use of soft
water.\10\ For each test method, DOE again conducted three identical
tests for each test units. The test results, presented in Table III.12
and Table III.13, did not show a correlation between the average
measured CEF and water supply specifications for the automatic cycle
termination tests with either the DOE or IEC/AHAM test loads.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\10\ 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix D1, section 2.6.3
requires the use of soft water with 17 parts per million hardness or
less.
Table III.12--Automatic Cycle Termination Tests--Water Supply Investigation--DOE Test Cloth
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appendix D1 Automatic cycle termination, Automatic cycle termination,
---------------- Appendix D1 water--DOE test IEC soft water--DOE test cloth
Product class Test unit cloth -------------------------------
CEF (lbs/kWh) --------------------------------
CEF (lbs/kWh) % Change CEF (lbs/kWh) % Change
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vented Electric Standard................................ 1 3.58 3.16 -11.6 3.15 -11.9
3 3.83 3.49 -9.1 3.44 -10.3
4 3.71 3.48 -6.1 3.45 -6.9
6 3.80 2.71 -28.7 2.68 -29.5
7 3.84 3.06 -20.2 3.05 -20.7
8 3.71 3.11 -16.1 3.24 -12.9
Avg 3.75 3.17 -15.3 3.17 -15.3
Vented Electric Compact (240V).......................... 9 3.53 3.32 -6.1 3.32 -6.2
10 3.56 2.27 -36.1 2.37 -33.4
Avg 3.54 2.79 -21.1 2.84 -19.8
Vented Electric Compact (120V).......................... 11 3.75 2.18 -41.9 2.27 -39.6
Vented Gas.............................................. 13 3.31 2.87 -13.3 2.91 -12.2
14 3.49 3.07 -12.0 3.24 -7.3
15 3.39 2.69 -20.5 2.77 -18.2
16 3.37 3.25 -3.5 Not Tested Not Tested
17 3.37 2.94 -12.7 2.92 -13.2
Avg 3.39 2.97 -12.4 2.96 -12.7
Ventless Electric Compact (240V)........................ 18 2.98 2.73 -8.4 2.85 -4.3
Ventless Electric Combination Washer/Dryer.............. 20 2.28 2.19 -3.9 2.19 -3.9
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table III.13--Automatic Cycle Termination Tests--Water Supply Investigation--IEC/AHAM Test Cloth
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appendix D1 Automatic cycle termination, Automatic cycle termination,
---------------- Appendix D1 water--IEC/AHAM IEC soft water--IEC/AHAM test
Product class Test unit test cloth cloth
CEF (lbs/kWh) ---------------------------------------------------------------
CEF (lbs/kWh) % Change CEF (lbs/kWh) % Change
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vented Electric Standard............................... 1 3.58 3.13 -12.6 3.16 -11.8
3 3.83 3.08 -19.6 3.13 -18.3
4 3.71 3.44 -7.3 3.49 -5.8
6 3.80 2.42 -36.3 2.58 -32.2
7 3.84 3.02 -21.3 2.96 -23.0
[[Page 168]]
8 3.71 2.97 -19.9 3.02 -18.5
Avg 3.75 3.01 -19.5 3.06 -18.3
Vented Electric Compact (240V).......................... 9 3.53 3.24 -8.4 3.22 -8.8
10 3.56 2.12 -40.3 2.05 -42.3
Avg 3.54 2.68 -24.4 2.64 -25.5
Vented Electric Compact (120V).......................... 11 3.75 2.42 -35.6 2.48 -33.8
Vented Gas.............................................. 13 3.31 2.64 -20.2 2.73 -17.5
14 3.49 2.93 -16.2 2.82 -19.2
15 3.39 2.64 -22.0 2.74 -19.3
16 3.37 2.99 -11.0 3.08 -8.3
17 3.37 2.89 -14.3 2.85 -15.3
Avg 3.39 2.82 -16.7 2.85 -15.9
Ventless Electric Compact (240V)........................ 18 2.98 2.63 -11.9 2.81 -5.6
Ventless Electric Combination Washer/Dryer.............. 20 2.28 2.14 -6.1 2.15 -5.8
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table III.14 presents the average final RMC for water supply
investigative tests. Similar to the measured CEF discussed above, there
was no definitive correlation between the average measured final RMC
and the water supply specifications.
Table III.14--Automatic Cycle Termination Tests--Water Supply Investigation--Final RMC
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Final RMC (%)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
DOE test cloth IEC/AHAM test cloth
Product class Test unit -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appendix D1 IEC soft Appendix D1 IEC soft
water water % Change water water % Change
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vented Electric Standard.................................... 1 1.3 1.2 -7.7 2.2 2.2 0.0
3 0.6 0.6 0.0 1.3 1.2 -7.7
4 0.7 0.8 14.3 3.1 3.5 12.9
6 1.9 1.9 0.0 2.4 2.7 12.5
7 1.3 1.1 -15.4 1.5 1.2 -20.0
8 0.4 0.5 25.0 1.6 1.3 -18.8
Vented Electric Compact (240V)............................... 9 1.3 1.3 0.0 4.3 4.4 2.3
10 2.0 2.0 0.0 3.2 3.3 3.1
Vented Electric Compact (120V)............................... 11 2.0 1.5 -25.0 2.5 2.1 -16.0
Vented Gas................................................... 13 0.9 0.9 0.0 1.9 1.9 0.0
14 0.7 0.8 14.3 1.6 1.6 0.0
15 1.3 1.5 15.4 2.2 2.2 0.0
16 0.8 Not Tested ........... 2.6 2.7 3.8
17 0.9 0.9 0.0 2.3 1.9 -17.4
Ventless Electric Compact (240V)............................. 18 2.0 2.4 20.0 4.7 7.1 51.1
Ventless Electric Combination Washer/Dryer................... 20 1.7 1.5 -11.8 3.4 3.4 0.0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table III.15 presents the test-to-test variation for each water
supply investigative test. DOE noted that there was again no definitive
correlation between the test-to-test variation and whether the water
supply was unmodified or modified.
Table III.15--Automatic Cycle Termination Tests--Water Supply Investigation--CEF Test-to-Test Variation
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CEF Test-to-test variation standard error (%)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
DOE Test cloth IEC/AHAM Test cloth
Product class Test unit -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appendix D1 IEC Soft Appendix D1 IEC Soft
water water % Change water water % Change
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vented Electric Standard.................................... 1 0.50 1.15 130.0 2.26 2.65 17.3
3 1.46 2.03 39.0 0.62 3.94 535.5
4 1.14 0.04 -96.5 6.44 1.13 -82.5
[[Page 169]]
6 0.72 3.93 445.8 3.68 4.81 30.7
7 2.20 No Repeat ........... 1.59 No Repeat ...........
Tests Tests
8 0.16 2.49 1456.3 1.73 0.20 -88.4
Avg 1.03 1.93 87.4 2.72 2.55 -6.3
Vented Electric Compact (240V)............................... 9 4.25 0.04 -99.1 2.42 2.23 -7.9
10 5.70 1.05 -81.6 4.39 4.62 5.2
Avg 4.98 0.54 -89.2 3.40 3.43 0.9
Vented Electric Compact (120V)............................... 11 2.12 1.60 -24.5 2.25 0.79 -64.9
Vented Gas................................................... 13 0.81 4.42 445.7 1.95 3.91 100.5
14 1.58 0.54 -65.8 0.92 4.83 425.0
15 2.08 2.68 28.8 1.73 1.26 -27.2
16 0.68 Not Tested ........... 1.91 1.12 -41.4
17 2.73 0.67 -75.5 1.94 0.60 -69.1
Avg 1.57 2.08 32.5 1.69 2.34 38.5
Ventless Electric Compact (240V)............................. 18 2.00 2.56 28.0 1.50 1.71 14.0
Ventless Electric Combination Washer/Dryer................... 20 3.22 3.27 1.6 1.58 0.81 -48.7
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Average............................................ ........... 1.96 1.89 -3.6 2.31 2.31 0.0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DOE determined that the modifications to the water supply specified
in IEC Standard 61121 did not have a definitive effect on the measured
CEF as compared to the water requirements specified in the existing DOE
test procedure. In addition, the repeatability testing showed that the
IEC water hardness specifications did not improve overall the test-to-
test repeatability.
DOE conducted additional testing on two clothes dryers to evaluate
the lab-to-lab reproducibility using both supply water specifications
in automatic cycle termination tests with the IEC/AHAM test load. The
results, presented in Table III.16, showed that the IEC supply water
may produce more reproducible results from lab to lab with the IEC/AHAM
test load. DOE notes, however, that the percentage difference in test
results from lab to lab is within the test-to-test variation for a
given lab using the IEC/AHAM test load (presented in Table III.15). For
these reasons, DOE is not proposing amendments in today's NOPR to
include in the amendments to appendix D1 the supply water
specifications from IEC Standard 61121. If additional test results are
made available showing that IEC supply water characteristics produce
more repeatable and reproducible test results than the requirements in
appendix D1, DOE may consider such amendments in a future test
procedure rulemaking.
Table III.16--Lab-to-Lab Reproducibility of Automatic Cycle Termination Tests With IEC/AHAM Test Load--Water Supply Investigation
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Automatic cycle termination, Appendix Automatic cycle termination, IEC soft
D1 water--IEC/AHAM test cloth-- water--IEC/AHAM test cloth--average
average CEF CEF
Product class Test unit -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Independent % Independent %
DOE lab lab Difference DOE lab lab Difference
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vented Gas................................................... 17 3.03 2.89 4.5 2.96 2.85 3.6
Ventless Electric Compact (240V)............................. 18 2.74 2.63 4.2 2.76 2.81 1.9
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. Proposed Amendments
Based on the testing and analysis discussed above, DOE is proposing
amendments to the clothes dryer test procedure in 10 CFR part 430,
subpart B, appendix D1 in today's NOPR to more accurately measure the
energy consumption of automatic termination control clothes dryers. The
proposed amendments are discussed in detail in the following sections.
Definitions
DOE is proposing in today's NOPR to amend the clothes dryer test
procedure to add definitions for both automatic termination control
dryers and timer dryers. DOE is proposing to define ``automatic
termination control dryer'' as a clothes dryer that can be preset to
carry out at least one sequence of operations to be terminated by means
of a system assessing, directly or indirectly, the moisture content of
the load. An automatic termination control dryer with a supplementary
timer or that may also be manually controlled shall be tested as an
automatic termination control dryer. DOE is proposing to define ``timer
dryer'' as a clothes dryer that can be preset to carry out at least one
operation to be terminated by a timer, but may also be manually
controlled, and does not
[[Page 170]]
include any automatic termination function.
Test Load
The current DOE test procedure in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B,
appendix D1, section 2.7 requires that test loads be prepared with a
starting RMC of 57.5 percent 3.5 percent. DOE is proposing
amendments in today's NOPR to change the starting RMC from 57.5 percent
3.5 percent to 57.5 percent 0.33 percent. DOE
believes that the starting RMC of 57.5 percent 0.33
percent, which was used for the testing presented above and originally
proposed in the June TP 2010 SNOPR, would produce the most repeatable
results, particularly for automatic cycle termination dryers. DOE notes
that allowing a wide range in the starting RMC, such as the 3.5 percent specified in the current DOE test procedure, would
result in significantly different results using the proposed automatic
cycle termination test procedure because a test load with a starting
RMC of 61 percent would contain approximately 0.6 lbs. of water more
than a test load with a starting RMC of 54 percent for standard size
loads.
As a result, DOE is specifically proposing to amend 10 CFR part
430, subpart B, appendix D1, section 2.7.1, ``Compact size dryer
load,'' and section 2.7.2, ``Standard size dryer load,'' to require
that water be extracted from the wet test loads by spinning the load
until the moisture content of the load is 52.5-57.5 percent of the
bone-dry weight of the test load. Final mass adjustments would be made,
such that the moisture content is 57.5 percent 0.33
percent by adding water uniformly to the load in a very fine spray. DOE
notes that requiring water to be extracted to achieve an RMC between
52.5 percent and 57.5 percent would serve as an initial preparation
step prior to the final mass adjustments to obtain a test load with an
RMC of 57.5 0.33 percent proposed above.
Test Cycle
DOE is proposing in today's NOPR to change the clothes dryer test
cycle specified in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix D1, section 3.3
to require separate test methods for automatic cycle termination dryers
and timer dryers.
For automatic cycle termination dryers, DOE is proposing to amend
the clothes dryer test procedure to require the use of the control
settings, presented in section III.B.2 of this notice, that were used
for DOE testing. Specifically, DOE is proposing to require that the
``normal'' automatic termination cycle program be selected for the test
cycle, and that for dryers that do not have a ``normal'' program, the
cycle recommended by the manufacturer for drying cotton or linen
clothes would be selected. Where the drying temperature can be chosen
independently of the program, it would be set to the maximum
temperature setting. In addition, the proposed amendments would require
that where the dryness level setting can be chosen independently of the
program, the dryness level would be set to the ``normal'' or ``medium''
setting. If such designation is not provided, then the dryness level
would be set at the mid-point between the minimum and maximum settings.
The proposed amendments would also require that the cycle settings used
for the test cycle be recorded.
For the reasons explained below, the clothes dryer would then be
allowed to run until the completion of the cycle, including any cool-
down period. After the cycle is complete, the test load would be
weighed to determine the final RMC. If the final RMC is below 2
percent, the test would be considered valid. If the RMC is higher than
2 percent, the test would be considered invalid and would be re-run
using the highest dryness level setting. DOE is also proposing in
today's NOPR that the measured test cycle energy consumption be
multiplied by a field use factor of 0.80 to calculate the per-cycle
energy consumption for automatic cycle termination clothes dryers.
DOE is proposing in today's NOPR to measure the full automatic
termination cycle, including any cool-down period, to be more
representative of actual consumer use. DOE has determined that the
proposed provision to include a cool-down period would result in less
testing burden than the January 2011 TP Final Rule proposal to stop the
test cycle when the heater switches off for the final time immediately
before the cool-down period begins (76 FR 972, 998 (Jan. 6, 2011)),
which would require the tester to monitor the dryer and possibly run
multiple test cycles to determine when the heater has switched off for
the final time.
As discussed above, DOE also proposes to base the calculations for
automatic termination control dryers on a nominal final RMC of 2
percent. This is a change from the existing test procedure, which
requires that the clothes dryer test cycle be stopped when the final
RMC is between 2.5 percent and 5 percent. Based on the data submitted
in the Joint Petition and DOE's analysis, DOE tentatively concludes
that a final RMC of 2 percent using the DOE test load would be more
representative of clothes dryers currently on the market and
representative of the maximum consumer-accepted final RMC.
DOE is proposing in today's NOPR to revise the field use factor in
the per-cycle energy consumption calculation for dryers with automatic
termination controls to 0.80 based on the data presented above in
section III.B.3. DOE notes that this field use factor would account for
the measured energy consumption at the end of the automatic termination
cycle drying the DOE test load below 2-percent RMC, which DOE
determines to be representative of consumer-acceptable drying levels
with loads of varying weights, composition, and size.
As discussed in section III.B.2 of this notice, NEEA supplied DOE
with data from its residential laundry field use study, which included
50 households in the northwest United States metered from January 2012
to March 2012. Although the NEEA field study did not provide data to
closely determine the final RMC of laundry loads, the study did provide
data on the weights of the laundry loads both before and after the
drying cycle. As a result, DOE was able to determine the amount of
moisture removed from the laundry load during each dry cycle, to
compare with the proposed DOE test procedure. The NEEA field study
showed that the average initial weight of the laundry load prior to the
drying cycle for the average household surveyed was approximately 12.1
lbs, and that, on average, 4.8 lbs of water was removed during the
drying cycle. Comparing this to the proposed DOE test procedure for a
standard-size test load with a bone-dry weight of 8.45 lbs, the
starting RMC of 57.5 percent would result in an initial weight of the
test load of approximately 13.3 lbs. The proposed test procedure, which
requires that the laundry load be dried to below 2-percent RMC, would
require approximately 4.7 lbs of water to be removed from the load
during the drying cycle. Based on the information from the NEEA field
use study, DOE concludes that the weight of the test load and amount of
moisture removed during the drying cycle in the proposed test procedure
are fairly representative of consumer use.
Data from the NEEA study also showed that the average household
surveyed used the ``normal'' or an equivalent program cycle setting for
nearly 60 percent of all drying cycles. The remaining drying cycles
used other automatic termination cycle settings, or timed dry or manual
cycles. Based on these usage patterns, DOE tentatively
[[Page 171]]
concludes that using the ``normal'' automatic termination program cycle
setting for automatic termination control clothes dryers would be most
representative of consumer use. DOE is not proposing to require
additional program cycle settings, which would also require specifying
different load types for each setting, in today's NOPR to minimize
testing burden.
For timer dryers, DOE is proposing to use the test method currently
specified in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix D1, section 3.3 with
a revised final RMC requirement. The proposed test method would require
that the clothes dryer be operated using the highest temperature
setting and maximum time setting. The clothes dryer would then be
allowed to run until the final RMC of the load is between 1.0 percent
and 2.5 percent, at which point the test cycle is stopped without
permitting the clothes dryer to advance into the cool-down period.
After stopping the test run, test technicians would remove and weigh
the test load. DOE is also proposing to add a clarification that the
clothes dryer should not be stopped intermittently in the middle of the
test cycle for any reason. This clarification would ensure that test
technicians are not stopping the dryer intermittently to weigh the test
load to check whether it is within the target range for the final RMC.
Such a practice would alter the measured results because of the heat
loss from the dryer when the cycle is stopped.
DOE is proposing in today's NOPR to include separate calculations
for the per-cycle energy consumption for timer dryers. The calculations
would be similar to the calculations provided in the current DOE test
procedure in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix D1, sections 4.1-4.3,
except that the normalization of the per-cycle energy consumption to
represent the energy consumption required to dry the test load to 4-
percent RMC would be changed to represent the new target RMC of 2
percent. The per-cycle energy consumption calculation in the current
test procedure applies a scaling factor of 53.5 to be representative of
the percentage change from the nominal initial RMC of 57.5 percent to
the nominal ending RMC of 4 percent. The proposed amendments would
change this scaling factor to 55.5 to reflect the new ending RMC of 2
percent. DOE proposes a range of 1.0 percent to 2.5 percent for the
allowable ending RMC during the test cycle to reduce testing burden.
DOE tentatively concludes that requiring the tester to dry the test
load to an exact RMC during the test cycle would be unduly burdensome
because it could require the test to be repeated a significant number
of times until the exact RMC is achieved. For the test procedure to
produce repeatable results, the measured test cycle energy consumption
is normalized to calculate the energy consumption required to dry the
test load from exactly 57.5-percent RMC to 2-percent RMC, which is
representative of clothes dryers currently on the market and of the
maximum consumer-accepted final RMC.
DOE proposes in today's NOPR that manufacturers continue to apply
the field use factor needed to account for the energy consumption of
drying beyond the 2-percent RMC specified in the test procedure. DOE is
not proposing any changes to the 1.18 field use factor for timer dryers
because DOE is not aware of any data or studies more recent than the
studies on which it was originally based that would indicate that this
value is not currently representative of consumer use. DOE seeks
comment on the field use factors for both automatic termination control
dryers and timer dryers in section V.E of this notice.
DOE is not proposing to include the cool-down period as part of the
timed dry test cycle because the proposed test method requires drying
the load to a specified RMC, at which point the test cycle is stopped
by the test technician. DOE has determined that specifying a timed dry
cycle that includes the cool-down period to achieve a target final RMC
would add significant testing burden on test technicians to determine
and preset the appropriate time setting. It would also be difficult to
ensure that testing results are repeatable and reproducible because
different combinations of timed dry cycle length and cool-down period
may be selected to dry a test load to the same final RMC. For these
reasons, DOE is not amending the timed dry test cycle to include the
cool-down period in today's NOPR.
C. Incorporating by Reference IEC Standard 62301 Second Edition for
Measuring Standby Mode and Off Mode Power
The January 2011 TP Final Rule incorporated in the test procedures
for clothes dryers relevant provisions from IEC Standard 62301 (First
Edition) for measuring standby mode and off mode power. 76 FR 972, 979-
80 (Jan. 6, 2011). DOE reviewed the IEC Standard 62301 (First Edition)
and concluded that it would be generally applicable to clothes dryers,
although some clarification would be needed. Specifically, DOE adopted
amendments for standby mode and off mode power measurements to provide
a stabilization period of 30 to 40 minutes followed by an energy use
measurement period of 10 minutes. 76 FR 986 (Jan.6, 2011). With these
clarifications in place, the January 2011 TP Final Rule referenced IEC
Standard 62301 (First Edition) for the standby mode and off mode
wattage measurements. DOE also incorporated into the clothes dryer test
procedure definitions of ``active mode,'' ``standby mode,'' and ``off
mode'' based on the definitions provided in IEC Standard 62301 CDV. 76
FR 76 FR 981-85 (Jan. 6, 2011).
IEC Standard 62301 (Second Edition) published on January 27, 2011.
Consistent with EPCA requirements for amending test procedures to
include standby and off mode procedures, DOE considered IEC Standard
62301 (Second Edition) in today's NOPR for amendments to the standby
mode and off mode test procedures for clothes dryers. (42 U.S.C.
6295(gg)(2)(A)) IEC Standard 62301 (Second Edition) is an
internationally-accepted test procedure for measuring standby power in
residential appliances, and it provides clarification to certain
sections as compared to the First Edition, as discussed in the
following paragraphs.
Section 4, paragraph 4.4 of the Second Edition revises the power
measurement accuracy provisions of the First Edition. A more
comprehensive specification of required accuracy is provided in the
Second Edition, which depends upon the characteristics of the power
being measured. Testers using the Second Edition are required to
measure the crest factor and power factor of the input power, and to
calculate a maximum current ratio (MCR) (paragraph 4.4.1 of the Second
Edition). The Second Edition then specifies calculations to determine
permitted uncertainty in MCR. DOE notes, however, that the allowable
uncertainty is the same or less stringent than the allowable
uncertainty specified in the First Edition, depending on the value of
MCR and the power level being measured (see Table III.17 for examples).
This change in the allowable uncertainty, however, maintains sufficient
accuracy of measurements under a full range of possible measured power
levels without placing undue demands on the instrumentation. These
power measurement accuracy requirements were based upon detailed
technical submissions to the IEC in the development of IEC Standard
62301 Final Draft International Standard (FDIS), which showed that
commonly-used power measurement instruments were unable to meet the
original requirements for certain types of loads. The incremental
testing burden
[[Page 172]]
associated with the additional measurements and calculations is offset
by the more reasonable requirements for testing equipment, while
maintaining measurement accuracy deemed acceptable and practical by
voting members for IEC Standard 62301 (Second Edition). For these
reasons, DOE proposes in today's notice to incorporate by reference in
10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix D1, section 2.4.7 the power
equipment specifications in section 4, paragraph 4.4 of IEC Standard
62301 (Second Edition).
Table III.17--Comparison of Allowable Uncertainty in Measured Power
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allowable Uncertainty (W)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Measured Power (W) IEC 62301 (Second Edition)
IEC 62301 (First Edition) -------------------------------------------------------
MCR = 5 MCR = 15
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5.0 0.1 0.1 0.14
2.0 0.04 0.04 0.056
1.0 0.02 0.02 0.028
0.5 0.01 0.02 0.02
0.2 0.01 0.02 0.02
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 5, paragraph 5.2 of IEC Standard 62301 (Second Edition)
maintains the installation and setup procedures incorporated by
reference in the clothes dryer test procedure in the January 2011 TP
Final Rule from the First Edition. These provisions require that the
appliance be prepared and set up in accordance with manufacturer's
instructions, and that if no instructions are given, then the factory
or ``default'' settings shall be used, or where there are no
indications for such settings, the appliance is tested as supplied.
Additionally, IEC Standard 62301 (Second Edition) adds certain
clarifications to the installation and setup procedures in section 5,
paragraph 5.2 of the First Edition regarding products equipped with a
battery recharging circuit for an internal battery, as well as
instructions for testing each relevant configuration option identified
in the product's instructions for use. DOE is not aware of any clothes
dryer with an internal battery, or with a recharging circuit for such a
battery. DOE also believes that a requirement to separately test each
configuration option could substantially increase test burden and
potentially conflicts with the requirement within the same section to
set up the product in accordance with the instructions for use or, if
no such instructions are available, to use the factory or ``default''
settings. Therefore, DOE tentatively concludes that the portions of the
installation instructions in section 5, paragraph 5.2 of IEC Standard
62301 (Second Edition) pertaining to batteries and the requirement for
the determination, classification, and testing of all modes associated
with every combination of available product configuration options
(which may be more numerous than the modes associated with operation at
the default settings) are not appropriate for the clothes dryer test
procedures. Accordingly, DOE is proposing qualifying language in the
test procedure amendments in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix D1,
section 2.1 to disregard those portions of the installation
instructions.
The Second Edition also contains provisions for the power supply
(section 4.3) and power-measuring instruments (section 4.4). Paragraph
4.3.2 requires that the value of the harmonic content of the voltage
supply be recorded during the test and reported. As described
previously, paragraph 4.4.1 requires the instrument to measure the
crest factor and maximum current ratio. Paragraph 4.4.3 requires the
instrument to be capable of measuring the average power or integrated
total energy consumption over any operator-selected time interval. DOE
is aware of commercially available power measurement instruments that
can perform each of these required measurements individually. However,
DOE is also aware that certain industry-standard instruments, such as
the Yokogawa WT210/WT230 digital power meter and possibly others, are
unable to measure harmonic content or crest factor while measuring
average power or total integrated energy consumption. DOE is concerned
that laboratories currently using power-measuring instruments without
this capability would be required to purchase, at potentially
significant expense, additional power-measuring instruments that are
able to perform all these measurements simultaneously. Therefore, DOE
proposes in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix D1, sections 2.3.1.1
and 2.4.7 that if the power-measuring instrument is unable to perform
these measurements during the actual test measurement, it would be
acceptable to measure the total harmonic content, crest factor, and
maximum current ratio immediately before and immediately after the
actual test measurement to determine whether the requirements for the
power supply and power measurement have been met.
The other major changes in the Second Edition related to the
measurement of standby mode and off mode power consumption in covered
products involve measurement techniques and specification of the
stability criteria required to measure that power. The Second Edition
contains more detailed techniques to evaluate the stability of the
power consumption and to measure the power consumption for loads with
different stability characteristics. According to the Second Edition,
the user is given a choice of measurement procedures, including
sampling methods, average reading methods, and a direct meter reading
method. DOE evaluated these new methods in terms of test burden and
improvement in results as compared to the methods adopted in the
January 2011 TP Final Rule, which were based on IEC Standard 62301
(First Edition).
In the January 2011 TP Final Rule, DOE adopted provisions requiring
that clothes dryer standby mode and off mode power be measured using
section 5, paragraph 5.3 of IEC Standard 62301 (First Edition),
clarified by requiring the product to stabilize for 30 to 40 minutes
and using an energy use measurement period of 10 minutes. Further, for
any clothes dryer in which the power varies over a cycle, as described
in section 5, paragraph 5.3.2 of the First Edition, the January 2011 TP
Final Rule adopted amendments to require the use of the average power
approach in section 5, paragraph 5.3.2(a), with a 30- to 40-minute
stabilization period and a 10-minute minimum measurement period, as
long as the measurement period comprises one or more complete cycles.
76 FR 972, 979-980, 985-986 (Jan. 6, 2011).
[[Page 173]]
For today's notice, to determine the potential impacts of
referencing methodology from IEC Standard 62301 (Second Edition) rather
than from the First Edition, DOE compared the provisions allowed by
each under different scenarios of power consumption stability, as
discussed in the following sections.
1. Stable Power Consumption
According to section 5, paragraph 5.3.1 of IEC Standard 62301
(First Edition), after an initial stabilization period of 5 minutes,
power consumption is defined as stable if it varies by less than 5
percent over a subsequent measurement period of 5 minutes. In such a
case, a direct reading may be made at the end of the measurement
period. With the clarifications adopted in the January 2011 TP Final
Rule, the total test time would be 40 to 50 minutes (comprised of a 30-
to 40-minute stabilization period, followed by a 10-minute period
during which the stability criterion could be evaluated and a direct
power reading taken.) Alternatively, the tester may select an average
power or accumulated energy approach, again with a 30- to 40-minute
stabilization period and a 10-minute measurement period. The average
power approach would simply require a different reading to be taken
from the instrument (true average power instead of a direct reading of
instantaneous power), while the accumulated energy approach would
require the calculation of power by dividing an accumulated energy by
the duration of the measurement period.
In comparison, section 5, paragraph 5.3.4 of IEC Standard 62301
(Second Edition) specifies a direct meter reading method that can be
used for stable power consumption, in which a minimum 30-minute
stabilization period must be observed, followed by a first power
measurement. After an additional period of 10 minutes, a second power
measurement is taken. If the average of the two measurements divided by
the time interval between them meets certain threshold criteria, then
the power consumption is considered to be the average of the two power
measurements. Thus, the total test period would still be at minimum 40
minutes. DOE believes that this method likely improves the validity of
the test results, as it is a more stringent measure of the stability of
the power consumption over a longer period of time than the First
Edition requires. However, if the threshold criteria are not met at the
end of the test, a different measurement method must be used,
increasing test time and complexity. Further, the Second Edition
specifies that the direct reading method shall not be used for
verification purposes. Both of these qualifications potentially
increase test burden as compared to the First Edition, possibly
requiring the tester to conduct the more complex methodology of the
methods available under the Second Edition.
Section 5, paragraph 5.3.2 of IEC Standard 62301 (Second Edition)
identifies a sampling method as the preferred means for all power
consumption measurements and the fastest test method when the power is
stable. For any non-cyclic power consumption, power readings are
initially recorded over a period of at least 15 minutes after
energizing the product. Data from the first third of the measurement
period are discarded, and stability is evaluated by a linear regression
through all power readings in the second two-thirds of the data. If the
slope of the linear regression is less than 10 milliwatts per hour (mW/
h) for input power less than or equal to 1.0 W, or less than 1 percent
of the input power per hour for input power greater than 1.0 W, the
power consumption is calculated as the average of the power readings
during the second two-thirds of the measurement period. If the slope of
the linear regression does not meet these stability criteria, the total
period is continuously extended until the stability criteria are met
for the second two-thirds of the data. In some cases, this is a more
stringent requirement than the stability criteria of IEC Standard 62301
(First Edition). The lack of a definitive test period means that the
test duration could extend past 15 minutes for certain products--up to
3 hours is allowed in the Second Edition--and could introduce added
test burden as compared to the First Edition.
2. Unstable, Non-Cyclic Power Consumption
Section 5, paragraph 5.3 from IEC Standard 62301 (First Edition),
which DOE incorporated by reference in the clothes dryer test procedure
in the January 2011 TP Final Rule with clarification, specifies that
either an average power method or accumulated energy approach could be
used for measuring non-cyclic unstable power consumption. As described
previously, this methodology, as adopted in the January 2011 TP Final
Rule, would limit total test duration to 40-50 minutes.
In contrast, the Second Edition requires the use of either a
sampling method or average reading method for measuring power
consumption in standby mode or off mode. The sampling method is the
same as described previously, but the measurement period must be at
least 60 minutes, and the cumulative average of all data points
recorded during the second two-thirds of the total period must fall
within a band of 0.2 percent.
The average reading method in section 5, paragraph 5.3.3 IEC
Standard 62301 (Second Edition) comprises both an average power method
and accumulated energy method, either of which may be selected for
unstable, non-cyclic power. For both methods, a 30-minute stabilization
period is specified, followed by two comparison measurement periods of
not less than 10 minutes each. The average power values, either
measured directly or calculated from accumulated energy during each
period, are compared to determine whether they agree to within certain
threshold criteria. If the threshold is not achieved, the comparison
periods are each extended in approximately equal increments until the
threshold is met. If agreement is not achieved after reaching 30
minutes for each comparison period, the sampling method must then be
used. Therefore, the minimum test period is 50 minutes, but may extend
up to 90 minutes, at which time an additional test may be required.
DOE believes that the stability criteria in either method improves
the accuracy and representativeness of the measurement as compared to
the First Edition, but would cause the required test time to increase,
with a corresponding increase in manufacturer burden due to the
additional time and complexity of the test.
3. Cyclic Power Consumption
As noted previously, DOE adopted amendments in the January 2011 TP
Final Rule to require that for any clothes dryer in which the power
varies over a cycle, the average power approach of section 5, paragraph
5.3.2(a) in IEC Standard 62301 (First Edition) shall be used, with a
30- to 40-minute stabilization period and minimum 10-minute measurement
period. The First Edition also requires that at least one or more
complete cycles be measured.
In the Second Edition, cyclic power must be measured according to
the sampling method in section 5, paragraph 5.3.2, but this method
requires a measurement period of at least four complete cycles (for a
total of at least 40 minutes) divided into two comparison periods, with
stability criteria evaluated by calculating the difference in average
power measured in each comparison period divided by the time difference
of the mid-point of each
[[Page 174]]
comparison period. Similar to the sampling method for stable power
consumption measurements described previously, this ``slope'' must be
less than 10 mW/h for input powers less than or equal to 1 W, and less
than 1 percent of the input power per hour for input powers greater
than 1 W. If the appropriate stability criterion is not met, additional
cycles are added to each comparison period until the criterion is
achieved. Once stability has been reached, the power consumption is
calculated as the average of all readings from both comparison periods.
DOE believes that this methodology produces an improved measurement
over the methodology from the First Edition, but the test duration
could be extended, again potentially introducing issues of increased
test burden.
4. Conclusions on Test Methodology
DOE, in evaluating IEC Standard 62301 (Second Edition) in
comparison to the First Edition, considers the substantial body of
comments on and input to the provisions and methodology that IEC
developed as part of its latest revision process. DOE recognizes that,
in some cases, test burden and complexity would be increased by
requiring the use of the test methods specified in the Second Edition.
AHAM and manufacturers involved in the IEC review process have
commented that IEC Standard 62301 (Second Edition) test methods improve
the accuracy and representativeness of the test measurements and would
not be unduly burdensome to conduct. 77 FR 28805, 28812 (May 16, 2012);
76 FR 58346, 58350 (Sept. 20, 2011); 77 FR 13888, 13893 (March 7,
2012). As a result, and for the reasons discussed above, DOE proposes
incorporation by reference of the relevant paragraphs of section 5.3 of
IEC Standard 62301 (Second Edition) in the clothes dryer test procedure
in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix D1, section 3.6.
Further, DOE observes that although the Second Edition allows the
choice of multiple test methods for both stable and unstable non-cyclic
power consumption, the sampling method provides for a test duration
that is approximately the same or similar to the allowable alternative
methods and does not require classification of the nature of the power
consumption (e.g., stable or unstable, non-cyclic) in advance of the
test. By monitoring the variation in power consumption during the test,
the test operator could determine whether it is stable or unstable, and
thereby establish the required duration of the sampling periods. For
cyclic power consumption, the Second Edition also requires the use of
the sampling method. Thus, DOE proposes to require in 10 CFR part 430,
subpart B, appendix D1, section 3.6 the use of the sampling method in
section 5.3.2 of the Second Edition for all standby mode and off mode
power measurements.
DOE is also proposing to amend the reference in 10 CFR 430.3 to add
IEC Standard 62301 (Second Edition). DOE is not proposing to replace
the reference to the First Edition in 10 CFR 430.3, because several
test procedures for other covered products not addressed in today's
notice incorporate provisions from it. In addition, there are a number
of editorial changes necessary in appendix D1 to allow for the correct
referencing to the Second Edition. For example, the definition sections
need to define the IEC Standard 62301 as the Second Edition instead of
the First Edition. Also, there are some section numbering differences
in the Second Edition that impact the text of the measurement
provisions of the relevant test procedures.
D. Technical Correction to the Calculation of the Per-Cycle Combined
Total Energy Consumption
DOE notes that 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix D1, section
4.6, regarding the calculation of the per-cycle combined total energy
consumption contains a reference to an incorrect section number. The
per-cycle standby mode and off mode energy consumption,
ETSO, which is contained in section 4.5, is incorrectly
referenced in the per-cycle combined total energy consumption as
section 4.7. DOE is proposing in today's NOPR to correct this section
number reference.
E. Clarifications to Test Conditions
DOE notes that it received a number of inquiries from independent
test laboratories requesting clarification on testing according to the
DOE clothes dryer test procedure in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B,
appendix D. DOE is proposing amendments in today's NOPR to clarify the
cycle settings used for the test cycle and the requirements for the gas
supply for gas clothes dryers.
Section 3.3 in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix D specifies
that the maximum temperature setting and, if a tested unit is equipped
with a timer, the maximum time setting must be used for the drying test
cycle. DOE received an inquiry from an independent test laboratory
regarding how to test a clothes dryer that has timed dry cycle length
settings, but no temperature settings on the control panel. DOE is
proposing to clarify in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix D, section
3.3, that if the clothes dryer does not have a separate temperature
setting selection on the control panel, the maximum time setting should
be used for the drying test cycle. In today's NOPR, DOE is proposing to
amend 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix D1, to require separate test
methods for timer dryers and automatic termination control dryers.
Because the proposed timed dry test method maintains the same cycle
settings as specified in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix D, DOE is
also proposing to include the clarification discussed above in section
3.3.1 in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix D1, for the timer dryer
test method. Because the proposed test method for automatic termination
control dryers requires using an automatic cycle termination program
where the drying temperature and dryness level settings are modified
only if they can be chosen independently of the cycle program, DOE is
not proposing to include the clarification discussed above.
DOE also received an inquiry regarding how to test a clothes dryer
that has an optional cycle setting, other than the temperature and time
settings, that is activated by default in the condition as shipped by
the manufacturer. DOE is proposing to clarify in both 10 CFR part 430,
subpart B, appendix D, section 3.3, and appendix D1, section 3.3.1,
that the test procedures specify requirements only for the temperature
setting and time setting, and do not specify modifications to any other
optional settings that do not affect the temperature setting and time
setting. Similarly in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix D1, section
3.3.2, DOE is proposing to clarify for automatic termination control
dryers, the test procedures specify requirements only for the automatic
termination cycle program, temperature setting, and dryness setting,
and do not specify modifications to any other optional settings that do
not affect the automatic termination cycle program, temperature
setting, and dryness setting.
Section 2.3.2 in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix D and
appendix D1, specifies that gas supply to the clothes dryer should be
maintained at a normal inlet test pressure at 7 to 10 inches of water
column, and that the hourly British thermal unit (Btu) rating of the
burner shall be maintained within 5 percent of the rating
specified by the manufacturer. DOE received an inquiry from an
independent testing laboratory noting that during its testing, the gas
dryer under test did not meet the requirement to maintain the Btu
rating within 5 percent of the rating specified
[[Page 175]]
by the manufacturer under the allowable range in gas inlet test
pressure. DOE is proposing to add a clarification in both 10 CFR part
430, subpart B, appendix D and appendix D1 that if the requirement to
maintain the hourly Btu rating of the burner within 5
percent of the rating specified by the manufacturer cannot be achieved
under the allowable range in gas inlet test pressure, the orifice of
the gas burner should be modified as necessary to achieve the required
Btu rating.
Section 2.3.2 in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix D and
appendix D1, also specifies that if a clothes dryer is equipped with a
gas appliance pressure regulator, the regulator outlet pressure at the
normal test pressure shall be approximately that recommended by the
manufacturer. DOE notes that the test procedures for similar gas
heating products, such as gas water heaters, specifies that the
regulator outlet pressure must be within 10 percent of the
value specified by the manufacturer. DOE is proposing to clarify the
term ``approximately'' by specifying that the regulator outlet pressure
shall be within 10 percent of the value specified by the
manufacturer.
F. Effects of Proposed Test Procedure Revisions on Compliance With
Standards
In any rulemaking to amend a test procedure, DOE must determine to
what extent, if any, the proposed test procedure would alter the
measured energy efficiency of any covered product as determined under
the existing test procedure. (42 U.S.C. 6293(e)(1)) If DOE determines
that the amended test procedure would alter the measured efficiency of
a covered product, DOE must amend the applicable energy conservation
standard accordingly. (42 U.S.C. 6293(e)(2)) In determining the amended
energy conservation standard, the Secretary shall measure, pursuant to
the amended test procedure, the energy efficiency, energy use, or water
use of a representative sample of covered products that minimally
comply with the existing standard. The average of such energy
efficiency, energy use, or water use levels determined under the
amended test procedure shall constitute the amended energy conservation
standard for the applicable covered products. (42 U.S.C. 6293(e)(2))
Models of covered products in use before the date on which the amended
energy conservation standard becomes effective (or revisions of such
models that come into use after such date and have the same energy
efficiency, energy use or water use characteristics) that comply with
the energy conservation standard applicable to such covered products on
the day before such date shall be deemed to comply with the energy
conservation standard. (42 U.S.C. 6293(e)(3)) DOE's authority to amend
energy conservation standards does not affect DOE's obligation to issue
any final standards as described in 42 U.S.C. 6295. (42 U.S.C.
6293(e)(4))
1. Active Mode
As discussed in section III.E, DOE is only proposing to amend 10
CFR part 430 subpart B, appendix D in today's NOPR to clarify the cycle
settings used for testing and the requirements for the gas supply.
Because the proposed amendments to appendix D would not change the
actual testing method, DOE determined that these proposed amendments
would not affect the measured efficiency according to appendix D and
would not affect a manufacturer's ability to demonstrate compliance
with the current energy conservation standards at 10 CFR 430.32(h)(2).
Because the January 1, 2015 energy conservation standards for
clothes dryers are based on CEF as measured according to 10 CFR part
430 subpart B, subpart D1, DOE investigated how the proposed amendments
for automatic cycle termination would affect the measured CEF.
In response to the August 2011 RFI, the Joint Petitioners commented
that if DOE adopts the petition's proposed test procedure amendments,
it must also revise the relevant energy conservation standards to
reflect the new test procedure, ensuring that for clothes dryers with
effective automatic termination controls, there is no change in
stringency of the standards. The Joint Petitioners stated that the
procedures in 42 U.S.C. 6293(e)(2) should be used, with the
clarification that for the purposes of establishing a representative
sample of products, DOE should select a sample of minimally compliant
clothes dryers that automatically terminate the drying cycle at 1.5- to
2-percent RMC. The Joint Petitioners stated that by selecting products
that terminate at 1.5- to 2-percent RMC, DOE will assure that the
revised standard is based upon dryers that do not over-dry and that the
tested sample yields valid results under both the current and proposed
revised test procedure. The Joint Petitioners also stated that if DOE
does not consider dryers that terminate the drying cycle at 1.5- to 2-
percent RMC to be a representative sample, the proposed test procedure
in the Joint Petition should still be adopted. In that case, the Joint
Petitioners stated that DOE could revise the energy conservation
standards without limiting the representative sample of dryers based on
automatic termination performance. However, the Joint Petitioners noted
that this approach would reduce, but not eliminate, the benefits from
this test procedure change. (Joint Petition, No. 2 at pp. 6-7)
DOE conducted testing on 20 clothes dryers according to the current
DOE clothes dryer test procedure in appendix D1 and then according to
the proposed automatic cycle termination test procedure. The results of
this testing, presented in Table III.18, showed that specific models
resulted in either a lower or higher measured CEF as compared to the
measured CEF using the current test procedure, ranging from a 27.4
percent decrease to a 20.4 percent increase in CEF with an average of a
3.8 percent increase. DOE also evaluated the effects of the proposed
amendments for the products in DOE's test sample that minimally comply
with the existing energy conservation standards (based on rated EF).
The results for the 10 minimally compliant units in DOE's test sample
showed a 27.4 percent decrease to a 16.9 percent increase in CEF as
compared to the CEF using the test procedure in 10 CFR part 430 subpart
B, subpart D1, with an average of a 4.1 percent increase.
Table III.18--Effects of Proposed Automatic Cycle Termination Test Method
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Proposed automatic cycle
termination test method
Current -------------------------------
Product class Test unit Appendix D1 % Change from
CEF (lbs/kWh) CEF (lbs/kWh) appendix D1
CEF
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vented Electric Standard \*\1 3.58 3.94 10.2
2 3.93 3.41 -13.2
[[Page 176]]
\*\3 3.83 4.35 13.6
\*\4 3.71 4.34 16.9
5 3.90 4.37 12.0
\*\6 3.80 3.39 -10.9
\*\7 3.84 3.83 -0.2
\*\8 3.71 3.87 4.4
Vented Electric Compact (240V).................. \*\9 3.53 4.12 16.7
10 3.56 2.84 -20.2
Vented Electric Compact (120V).................. \*\11 3.75 2.72 -27.4
Vented Gas...................................... 12 3.43 3.37 -1.7
\*\13 3.31 3.58 8.1
\*\14 3.49 3.84 9.8
15 3.39 3.37 -0.7
16 3.37 4.05 20.4
17 3.37 3.66 8.6
Ventless Electric Compact (240V)................ 18 2.98 3.40 14.0
Ventless Electric Combo Washer/Dryer............ 19 2.81 2.70 -3.9
20 2.28 2.74 20.2
Total Average............................... .............. .............. .............. 3.8
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\*\ Minimally compliant test units.
Based on these results and consistent with 42 U.S.C. 6293(e)(1) and
(2), DOE tentatively concludes that the proposed amendments to the
active mode test procedure will on average not impact the measured
efficiency as compared to the current test procedure for models
currently available on the market. As a result, DOE is not considering
amendments to the energy conservation standards that will be required
on January 1, 2015.
2. Standby Mode and Off Mode
DOE also investigated how the proposed amendments for standby mode
and off mode would affect the measured efficiency. Because the proposed
amendments to the DOE clothes dryer test procedure in 10 CFR part 430
subpart B, appendix D1 for measuring standby mode and off mode energy
consumption would not alter the existing measure of energy consumption
for clothes dryers (EF), the proposed amendments would not affect a
manufacturer's ability to comply with the current energy conservation
standards.
DOE's amendments in the January 2011 TP Final Rule specified that
manufacturers will not be required to use the test procedure provisions
for standby mode and off mode until the mandatory January 1, 2015
compliance date of the amended clothes dryer energy conservation
standards. (10 CFR 430.32(h)(3)) The January 1, 2015 amended energy
conservation standards are based on CEF, which accounts for standby
mode and off mode energy consumption. Because today's proposed
amendments would revise the provisions used to measure standby mode and
off mode energy consumption, and thus CEF, DOE investigated how the
proposed test procedure amendments would affect the amended energy
conservation standards at 10 CFR 430.32(h)(3). DOE believes the
proposed changes to the testing methods for measuring standby mode and
off mode energy consumption do not vary significantly from the methods
in the amended DOE clothes dryer test procedure in appendix D1 for
measuring standby power and would not alter the measured efficiency. To
confirm this assertion, DOE conducted testing on four clothes dryers
(three of which minimally comply with the existing energy conservation
standards) according to both the existing appendix D1 and the proposed
amendments to appendix D1 for standby mode and off mode that are based
IEC Standard 62301 (Second Edition). The results, presented below in
Table III.19, show that the measured average standby power is the same
using both methods.
Table III.19--DOE Test Results To Evaluate Effects of Proposed Changes
To Standby and Off Mode Testing Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average standby power (W)
-------------------------------
Test unit Existing Proposed
appendix D1 appendix D1
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 *..................................... 0.97 0.97
3 *..................................... 0.16 0.16
14 *.................................... 0.38 0.38
16...................................... 0.70 0.70
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Minimally compliant test units.
[[Page 177]]
Based on these test results, DOE believes that the proposed
amendments to the clothes dryer test procedure for standby mode and off
mode would not alter the measured CEF. DOE is, therefore, not
considering amendments to the energy conservation standards at 10 CFR
430.32(h)(3) that must be met on January 1, 2015.
DOE's proposed amendments would continue to clarify that
manufacturers would not be required to use the provisions relating to
standby mode and off mode energy use to determine compliance with the
energy conservation standard until the compliance date of the amended
energy conservation standards for clothes dryers addressing standby
mode and off mode energy use on January 1, 2015. As a result, the
proposed test procedure amendments for standby mode and off mode would
not affect a manufacturer's ability to demonstrate compliance with the
current energy conservation standards.
G. Compliance With Other EPCA Requirements
1. Test Burden
EPCA requires that test procedures shall be reasonably designed to
produce test results which measure energy efficiency, energy use, or
estimated annual operating cost of a covered product during a
representative average use cycle or period of use. Test procedures must
also not be unduly burdensome to conduct. (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(3))
DOE notes that the proposed amendments for automatic cycle
termination, discussed in section III.B.5, would change the test cycle
for automatic cycle termination dryers to require that a programmed
automatic termination cycle be used for the test instead of using the
maximum timed dry setting. The proposed provision to include the cool
down period and allowing the clothes dryer to run until the completion
of the programmed dry cycle would likely be less burdensome than the
existing test procedure in which the tester is required to monitor or
make estimates about the RMC of the test load and potentially run
multiple test cycles to determine when to stop the test to achieve the
desired final RMC. For timer dryers, the proposed amendments would use
the same basic test method that is currently specified in the DOE test
procedure in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix D1, except that the
test cycle would be stopped when the final RMC is between 1.0 percent
and 2.5 percent instead of between 2.5 percent and 5.0 percent. DOE
notes that this would result in a slightly longer cycle time, but the
additional time would be minimal compared to the overall time to set up
and conduct the test. For these reasons, DOE believes that the
amendments to more accurately account for automatic cycle termination
proposed in today's NOPR would not be unduly burdensome to conduct. DOE
also notes that the revised test cycle for automatic cycle termination
dryers would produce a measured energy use that is more representative
of consumer use because it directly measures the energy consumption of
the programmed automatic termination cycle.
With regards to the amendments for standby and off mode power
consumption, DOE concluded in the January 2011 TP Final Rule that the
amended test procedure would produce test results that measure the
standby mode and off mode power consumption of covered products during
a representative average use cycle as well as annual energy
consumption, and that the test procedure would not be unduly burdensome
to conduct. 76 FR 972. 1020 (Jan. 6, 2011). Today's proposed amendments
to the DOE clothes dryer test procedure for standby mode and off mode
are based on an updated version of IEC Standard 62301, IEC Standard
62301 (Second Edition), which has been the subject of significant
review and input from interested parties and, thus, continues to be an
internationally accepted test standard for measuring standby mode and
off mode power consumption. As discussed in section III.0 of this
notice, DOE believes that the provisions of IEC Standard 62301 (Second
Edition) that it proposes to incorporate by reference through today's
NOPR provide a means to measure power consumption with greater accuracy
and repeatability than the provisions from IEC Standard 62301 (First
Edition) that were adopted in the January 2011 TP Final Rule. DOE
tentatively concludes that today's proposed amendments would also
provide measurements representative of average consumer use of the
product under test. DOE also notes that interested parties have
commented that the testing methods in IEC Standard 62301 (Second
Edition) would not be unduly burdensome to conduct. 77 FR 28805, 28812
(May 16, 2012); 76 FR 58346, 58350 (Sept. 20, 2011); 77 FR 13888, 13893
(March 7, 2012). The potential for increased test burden for certain
power consumption measurements is also offset by more reasonable
requirements for testing equipment, while maintaining measurement
accuracy deemed acceptable and practical by voting members for IEC
Standard 62301 (Second Edition). For these reasons, DOE tentatively
concludes that the amended test procedures proposed in today's NOPR
would produce test results that measure the standby mode and off mode
power consumption during representative use, and that the test
procedures would not be unduly burdensome to conduct.
2. Certification Requirements
42 U.S.C. 6299 et seq. authorizes DOE to enforce compliance with
the energy and water conservation standards established for certain
consumer products. On March 7, 2011, the Department revised,
consolidated, and streamlined its existing certification, compliance,
and enforcement regulations for certain consumer products and
commercial and industrial equipment covered under EPCA, including
clothes dryers. 76 FR 12422. These regulations are codified in 10 CFR
429.21 (residential clothes dryers).
The certification requirements for residential clothes dryers
consist of a sampling plan for selection of units for testing and
requirements for certification reports. Because DOE introduced a new
metric (CEF) in the January 2011 TP Final Rule, DOE proposes to amend
the provisions in 10 CFR 429.21(a)(2) to include CEF, along with the
existing measure of EF, in the list of metrics for which consumers
would favor higher values. DOE is proposing to amend the reporting
requirements in 10 CFR 429.21(b)(2) to require manufacturers, when
using either appendix D or D1, to provide an indication if the clothes
dryer has automatic termination controls and also to report the hourly
Btu rating of the burner for gas clothes dryers. DOE is also proposing
to amend 10 CFR 429.21(b)(2) to require manufacturers, when using
appendix D1, to include the CEF and to list the cycle setting
selections for the energy test cycle as recorded in the proposed
section 3.4.7 of appendix D1 for each basic model.
3. Compliance Date of Any Final Amended Test Procedures
As stated in section I, DOE test procedures for clothes dryers are
set forth in appendices D and D1 in 10 CFR part 430 subpart B. This
proposal describes amendments to both appendices. Pursuant to 42 U.S.C.
6293(c)(2), effective 180 days after DOE prescribes or establishes a
new or amended test procedure, manufacturers must make representations
of energy efficiency using that new or amended test procedure.
Therefore, effective 180
[[Page 178]]
days after the promulgation of any final amendments to the test
procedure based on this proposal, manufacturers must make
representations of energy efficiency, including certifications of
compliance, using either appendix D or appendix D1. Manufacturers must
use a single appendix for all representations, including certifications
of compliance, and may not use appendix D for certain representations
and appendix D1 for other representations. See DOE's existing guidance
on this topic for additional information, available at: https://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/pdfs/tp_faq_2012-06-29.pdf. Compliance with DOE's amended standards for clothes dryers,
and corresponding use of the test procedures at Appendix D1 for all
representations, including certifications of compliance, is required as
of January 1, 2015. (76 FR 52852 (Aug. 24, 2011), 76 FR 52854 (Aug. 24,
2011))
IV. Procedural Issues and Regulatory Review
A. Review Under Executive Order 12866
The Office of Management and Budget has determined that test
procedure rulemakings do not constitute ``significant regulatory
actions'' under section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866, Regulatory
Planning and Review, 58 FR 51735 (Oct. 4, 1993). Accordingly, this
action was not subject to review under the Executive Order by the
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) in the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB).
B. Review Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act
The Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) requires
preparation of a regulatory flexibility analysis (RFA) for any rule
that by law must be proposed for public comment, unless the agency
certifies that the rule, if promulgated, will not have a significant
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. As required
by Executive Order 13272, ``Proper Consideration of Small Entities in
Agency Rulemaking,'' 67 FR 53461 (August 16, 2002), DOE published
procedures and policies on February 19, 2003, to ensure that the
potential impacts of its rules on small entities are properly
considered during the rulemaking process. 68 FR 7990. DOE's procedures
and policies may be viewed on the Office of the General Counsel's Web
site (https://energy.gov/gc/office-general-counsel). DOE reviewed
today's NOPR under the provisions of the Regulatory Flexibility Act and
the procedures and policies published on February 19, 2003.
In conducting this review, DOE first determined the potential
number of affected small entities. The Small Business Administration
(SBA) considers an entity to be a small business if, together with its
affiliates, it employs fewer than the threshold number of workers
specified in 13 CFR part 121 according to the North American Industry
Classification System (NAICS) codes. The SBA's Table of Size Standards
is available at: https://www.sba.gov/idc/groups/public/documents/sba_homepage/serv_sstd_tablepdf.pdf. The threshold number for NAICS
classification 335224, Household Laundry Equipment Manufacturing, which
includes clothes dryer manufacturers, is 1,000 employees.
As discussed in the January 2011 TP Final Rule, DOE noted that most
of the manufacturers supplying clothes dryers are large multinational
corporations. As part of the most recent energy conservation standards
rulemaking for residential clothes dryers, DOE requested comment on
whether there are any manufacturer subgroups, including potential small
businesses, that it should consider for its analyses. DOE did not
receive any comments regarding whether there are any residential
clothes dryer manufacturers that would be considered small businesses.
DOE then conducted a more focused inquiry of the companies that could
be small business manufacturers of products covered by this rulemaking.
During its market survey, DOE used all available public information to
identify potential small manufacturers. DOE's research included the
AHAM membership directory, product databases (the AHRI, AHAM, CEC, and
ENERGY STAR databases), individual company Web sites, and the SBA
dynamic small business search \11\ to find potential small business
manufacturers. DOE also asked interested parties and industry
representatives if they were aware of any other small business
manufacturers during manufacturer interviews conducted and at DOE
public meetings for the energy conservation standards rulemakings. DOE
also contacted various companies, as necessary, to determine whether
they met the SBA's definition of a small business manufacturer of
covered residential clothes dryers. DOE screened out companies that did
not offer products covered by this rulemaking, did not meet the
definition of a ``small business,'' or are foreign owned and operated.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\11\ A searchable database of certified small businesses is
available online at: https://dsbs.sba.gov/dsbs/search/dsp_dsbs.cfm.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
DOE initially identified at least 14 manufacturers of residential
clothes dryers that sold products in the United States. DOE determined
that 13 of these companies exceeded the SBA's maximum number of
employees or were foreign-owned and operated. Thus, DOE identified only
one potential small business manufacturer of residential clothes
dryers. DOE could not locate this manufacturer on the dynamic small
business search on the SBA Web site, but DOE nonetheless considered the
economic impacts of the proposed test procedure amendments on this
potential small business manufacturer.
As discussed in section III.G.0, DOE does not believe the proposed
active mode test procedure amendments in today's NOPR to more
accurately measure the effects of automatic cycle termination would
result in any added test burden on manufacturers as compared to the
current DOE clothes dryer test procedure in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B,
appendix D1. DOE is not proposing to require any additional test
instruments or significantly different active mode testing methods and
conditions that would require additional time for testing. For standby
mode and off mode, DOE believes that the proposed test procedure
amendments presented in section 0 would not represent a significant
economic impact. DOE notes that industry-standard instruments, such as
the Yokogawa WT210/WT230 digital power meter, that meet the standby
mode and off mode requirements of the current DOE clothes dryer test
procedure in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix D1, also meet the
requirements of the proposed amendments for standby mode and off mode
in today's NOPR. DOE also notes that the duration of a standby mode or
off mode test period using the current test procedure in appendix D1 is
40 to 50 minutes. As discussed in section 0, DOE recognizes that the
test duration using the proposed standby and off mode test procedure
may range from 15 minutes to 3 hours depending on the stability of the
measured power consumption. However, based on DOE's testing of four
clothes dryers from different manufacturers, DOE expects the test
duration using the proposed standby and off mode test procedure to be
approximately 30 to 45 minutes for most clothes dryers. In addition,
DOE notes that most third party testing laboratories already use these
or similar industry-standard power meters for clothes dryer testing. As
a result, if the
[[Page 179]]
small manufacturer decides to use a third party testing laboratory, DOE
believes there would be a minimal, if any, increase in cost for standby
mode and off mode testing.
For these reasons, DOE certifies that the proposed rule, if
adopted, would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities. Accordingly, DOE has not prepared a
regulatory flexibility analysis for this rulemaking. DOE seeks comment
on the certification set forth above, and will transmit the
certification and supporting statement of factual basis to the Chief
Counsel for Advocacy of the SBA for review under 5 U.S.C. 605(b).
C. Review Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
Manufacturers of clothes dryers must certify to DOE that their
products comply with any applicable energy conservation standards. In
certifying compliance, manufacturers must test their products according
to the DOE test procedures for clothes dryers, including any amendments
adopted for those test procedures. DOE has established regulations for
the certification and recordkeeping requirements for all covered
consumer products and commercial equipment, including clothes dryers.
(76 FR 12422 (March 7, 2011). The collection-of-information requirement
for the certification and recordkeeping is subject to review and
approval by OMB under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). This
requirement has been approved by OMB under OMB control number 1910-
1400. Public reporting burden for the certification is estimated to
average 20 hours per response, including the time for reviewing
instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and
maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the
collection of information.
Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, no person is
required to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty
for failure to comply with, a collection of information subject to the
requirements of the PRA, unless that collection of information displays
a currently valid OMB Control Number.
D. Review Under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
In this proposed rule, DOE is adopting test procedure amendments
that it expects will be used to develop and implement future energy
conservation standards for clothes dryers. DOE has determined that this
rule falls into a class of actions that are categorically excluded from
review under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C.
4321 et seq.) and DOE's implementing regulations at 10 CFR part 1021.
Specifically, this proposed rule would amend the existing test
procedures without affecting the amount, quality or distribution of
energy usage, and, therefore, would not result in any environmental
impacts. Thus, this rulemaking is covered by Categorical Exclusion A5
under 10 CFR part 1021, subpart D, which applies to any rulemaking that
interprets or amends an existing rule without changing the
environmental effect of that rule. Accordingly, neither an
environmental assessment nor an environmental impact statement is
required.
E. Review Under Executive Order 13132
Executive Order 13132, ``Federalism,'' 64 FR 43255 (August 4, 1999)
imposes certain requirements on agencies formulating and implementing
policies or regulations that preempt State law or that have Federalism
implications. The Executive Order requires agencies to examine the
constitutional and statutory authority supporting any action that would
limit the policymaking discretion of the States and to carefully assess
the necessity for such actions. The Executive Order also requires
agencies to have an accountable process to ensure meaningful and timely
input by State and local officials in the development of regulatory
policies that have Federalism implications. On March 14, 2000, DOE
published a statement of policy describing the intergovernmental
consultation process it will follow in the development of such
regulations. 65 FR 13735.DOE has examined this proposed rule and has
determined that it would not have a substantial direct effect on the
States, on the relationship between the national government and the
States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the
various levels of government. EPCA governs and prescribes Federal
preemption of State regulations as to energy conservation for the
products that are the subject of today's proposed rule. States can
petition DOE for exemption from such preemption to the extent, and
based on criteria, set forth in EPCA. (42 U.S.C. 6297(d)) No further
action is required by Executive Order 13132.
F. Review Under Executive Order 12988
Regarding the review of existing regulations and the promulgation
of new regulations, section 3(a) of Executive Order 12988, ``Civil
Justice Reform,'' 61 FR 4729 (Feb. 7, 1996), imposes on Federal
agencies the general duty to adhere to the following requirements: (1)
Eliminate drafting errors and ambiguity; (2) write regulations to
minimize litigation; (3) provide a clear legal standard for affected
conduct rather than a general standard; and (4) promote simplification
and burden reduction. Section 3(b) of Executive Order 12988
specifically requires that Executive agencies make every reasonable
effort to ensure that the regulation: (1) Clearly specifies the
preemptive effect, if any; (2) clearly specifies any effect on existing
Federal law or regulation; (3) provides a clear legal standard for
affected conduct while promoting simplification and burden reduction;
(4) specifies the retroactive effect, if any; (5) adequately defines
key terms; and (6) addresses other important issues affecting clarity
and general draftsmanship under any guidelines issued by the Attorney
General. Section 3(c) of Executive Order 12988 requires Executive
agencies to review regulations in light of applicable standards in
sections 3(a) and 3(b) to determine whether they are met or it is
unreasonable to meet one or more of them. DOE has completed the
required review and determined that, to the extent permitted by law,
the proposed rule meets the relevant standards of Executive Order
12988.
G. Review Under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995
Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA)
requires each Federal agency to assess the effects of Federal
regulatory actions on State, local, and Tribal governments and the
private sector. Pub. L. 104-4, sec. 201 (codified at 2 U.S.C. 1531).
For a proposed regulatory action likely to result in a rule that may
cause the expenditure by State, local, and Tribal governments, in the
aggregate, or by the private sector of $100 million or more in any one
year (adjusted annually for inflation), section 202 of UMRA requires a
Federal agency to publish a written statement that estimates the
resulting costs, benefits, and other effects on the national economy.
(2 U.S.C. 1532(a), (b)) The UMRA also requires a Federal agency to
develop an effective process to permit timely input by elected officers
of State, local, and Tribal governments on a proposed ``significant
intergovernmental mandate,'' and requires an agency plan for giving
notice and opportunity for timely input to potentially affected small
governments before establishing any requirements that might
significantly or uniquely affect small governments. On March 18, 1997,
DOE published a statement of policy on its process for
intergovernmental consultation under
[[Page 180]]
UMRA. 62 FR 12820; also available at https://energy.gov/gc/office-general-counsel. DOE examined today's proposed rule according to UMRA
and its statement of policy and determined that the rule contains
neither an intergovernmental mandate, nor a mandate that may result in
the expenditure of $100 million or more in any year, so these
requirements do not apply.
H. Review Under the Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act,
1999
Section 654 of the Treasury and General Government Appropriations
Act, 1999 (Pub. L. 105-277) requires Federal agencies to issue a Family
Policymaking Assessment for any rule that may affect family well-being.
This rule would not have any impact on the autonomy or integrity of the
family as an institution. Accordingly, DOE has concluded that it is not
necessary to prepare a Family Policymaking Assessment.
I. Review Under Executive Order 12630
DOE has determined, under Executive Order 12630, ``Governmental
Actions and Interference with Constitutionally Protected Property
Rights'' 53 FR 8859 (March 18, 1988), that this regulation would not
result in any takings that might require compensation under the Fifth
Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
J. Review Under the Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act,
2001
Section 515 of the Treasury and General Government Appropriations
Act, 2001 (44 U.S.C. 3516 note) provides for agencies to review most
disseminations of information to the public under guidelines
established by each agency pursuant to general guidelines issued by
OMB. OMB's guidelines were published at 67 FR 8452 (Feb. 22, 2002), and
DOE's guidelines were published at 67 FR 62446 (Oct. 7, 2002). DOE has
reviewed today's proposed rule under the OMB and DOE guidelines and has
concluded that it is consistent with applicable policies in those
guidelines.
K. Review Under Executive Order 13211
Executive Order 13211, ``Actions Concerning Regulations That
Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use,'' 66 FR 28355
(May 22, 2001), requires Federal agencies to prepare and submit to OMB,
a Statement of Energy Effects for any proposed significant energy
action. A ``significant energy action'' is defined as any action by an
agency that promulgated or is expected to lead to promulgation of a
final rule, and that: (1) Is a significant regulatory action under
Executive Order 12866, or any successor order; and (2) is likely to
have a significant adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use
of energy; or (3) is designated by the Administrator of OIRA as a
significant energy action. For any proposed significant energy action,
the agency must give a detailed statement of any adverse effects on
energy supply, distribution, or use should the proposal be implemented,
and of reasonable alternatives to the action and their expected
benefits on energy supply, distribution, and use.
Today's action to amend the test procedure for measuring the energy
efficiency of clothes dryers is not a significant regulatory action
under Executive Order 12866. Moreover, it would not have a significant
adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use of energy, nor has
it been designated as a significant energy action by the Administrator
of OIRA. Therefore, it is not a significant energy action, and,
accordingly, DOE has not prepared a Statement of Energy Effects.
L. Review Under Section 32 of the Federal Energy Administration Act of
1974
Under section 301 of the DOE Organization Act (Pub. L. 95-91), DOE
must comply with section 32 of the Federal Energy Administration Act of
1974 (Pub. L. 93-275), as amended by the Federal Energy Administration
Authorization Act of 1977 (FEAA; Pub. L. 95-70) (15 U.S.C. 788).
Section 32 essentially provides that, where a rule authorizes or
requires use of commercial standards, the rulemaking must inform the
public of the use and background of such standards. In addition,
section 32(c) requires DOE to consult with the Attorney General and the
Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) concerning the impact of
the commercial or industry standards on competition.
The proposed rule incorporates testing methods contained in the
commercial standard, IEC Standard 62301, ``Household electrical
appliances--Measurement of standby power,'' Edition 2.0, 2011-01. DOE
has evaluated this standard and is unable to conclude whether it fully
complies with the requirements of section 32(b) of the FEAA, i.e.,
whether it was developed in a manner that fully provides for public
participation, comment, and review. DOE will consult with the Attorney
General and the Chairman of the FTC about the impact on competition of
using the methods contained in this standard and will address any
concerns when it publishes a response to the public comments on this
NOPR.
V. Public Participation
A. Attendance at Public Meeting
The time, date and location of the public meeting are listed in the
DATES and ADDRESSES sections at the beginning of this document. If you
plan to attend the public meeting, please notify Ms. Brenda Edwards at
(202) 586-2945 or Brenda.Edwards@ee.doe.gov. Please note that foreign
nationals visiting DOE Headquarters are subject to advance security
screening procedures. Any foreign national wishing to participate in
the meeting should advise DOE as soon as possible by contacting Ms.
Edwards to initiate the necessary procedures. Please also note that
those wishing to bring laptops into the Forrestal Building will be
required to obtain a property pass. Visitors should avoid bringing
laptops, or allow an extra 45 minutes. Persons can attend the public
meeting via webinar.
In addition, you can attend the public meeting via webinar. Webinar
registration information, participant instructions, and information
about the capabilities available to webinar participants will be
published on DOE's Web site https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/903943753. Participants are responsible for ensuring their systems are
compatible with the webinar software.
B. Procedure for Submitting Prepared General Statements for
Distribution
Any person who has plans to present a prepared general statement
may request that copies of his or her statement be made available at
the public meeting. Such persons may submit requests, along with an
advance electronic copy of their statement in PDF (preferred),
Microsoft Word or Excel, WordPerfect, or text (ASCII) file format, to
the appropriate address shown in the ADDRESSES section at the beginning
of this notice. The request and advance copy of statements must be
received at least one week before the public meeting and may be
emailed, hand-delivered, or sent by mail. DOE prefers to receive
requests and advance copies via email. Please include a telephone
number to enable DOE staff to make a follow-up contact, if needed.
C. Conduct of Public Meeting
DOE will designate a DOE official to preside at the public meeting
and may also use a professional facilitator to aid discussion. The
meeting will not be a
[[Page 181]]
judicial or evidentiary-type public hearing, but DOE will conduct it in
accordance with section 336 of EPCA (42 U.S.C. 6306). A court reporter
will be present to record the proceedings and prepare a transcript. DOE
reserves the right to schedule the order of presentations and to
establish the procedures governing the conduct of the public meeting.
After the public meeting, interested parties may submit further
comments on the proceedings as well as on any aspect of the rulemaking
until the end of the comment period.
The public meeting will be conducted in an informal, conference
style. DOE will present summaries of comments received before the
public meeting, allow time for prepared general statements by
participants, and encourage all interested parties to share their views
on issues affecting this rulemaking. Each participant will be allowed
to make a general statement (within time limits determined by DOE),
before the discussion of specific topics. DOE will permit, as time
permits, other participants to comment briefly on any general
statements.
At the end of all prepared statements on a topic, DOE will permit
participants to clarify their statements briefly and comment on
statements made by others. Participants should be prepared to answer
questions by DOE and by other participants concerning these issues. DOE
representatives may also ask questions of participants concerning other
matters relevant to this rulemaking. The official conducting the public
meeting will accept additional comments or questions from those
attending, as time permits. The presiding official will announce any
further procedural rules or modification of the above procedures that
may be needed for the proper conduct of the public meeting.
A transcript of the public meeting will be included in the docket,
which can be viewed as described in the Docket section at the beginning
of this notice. In addition, any person may buy a copy of the
transcript from the transcribing reporter.
D. Submission of Comments
DOE will accept comments, data, and information regarding this
proposed rule before or after the public meeting, but no later than the
date provided in the DATES section at the beginning of this proposed
rule. Interested parties may submit comments using any of the methods
described in the ADDRESSES section at the beginning of this notice.
Submitting comments via regulations.gov. The regulations.gov web
page will require you to provide your name and contact information.
Your contact information will not be publicly viewable except for your
first and last names, organization name (if any), and submitter
representative name (if any). If your comment is not processed properly
because of technical difficulties, DOE will use this information to
contact you. If DOE cannot read your comment due to technical
difficulties and cannot contact you for clarification, DOE may not be
able to consider your comment.
However, your contact information will be publicly viewable if you
include it in the comment or in any documents attached to your comment.
Any information that you do not want to be publicly viewable should not
be included in your comment, nor in any document attached to your
comment.
Do not submit to regulations.gov information for which disclosure
is restricted by statute, such as trade secrets and commercial or
financial information (hereinafter referred to as Confidential Business
Information (CBI)). Comments submitted through regulations.gov cannot
be claimed as CBI. Comments received through the Web site will waive
any CBI claims for the information submitted. For information on
submitting CBI, see the Confidential Business Information section
below.
DOE processes submissions made through regulations.gov before
posting. Normally, comments will be posted within a few days of being
submitted. However, if large volumes of comments are being processed
simultaneously, your comment may not be viewable for up to several
weeks. Please keep the comment tracking number that regulations.gov
provides after you have successfully uploaded your comment.
Submitting comments via email, hand delivery, or mail. Comments and
documents submitted via email, hand delivery, or mail also will be
posted to regulations.gov. If you do not want your personal contact
information to be publicly viewable, do not include it in your comment
or any accompanying documents. Instead, provide your contact
information on a cover letter. Include your first and last names, email
address, telephone number, and optional mailing address. The cover
letter will not be publicly viewable as long as it does not include any
comments.
Include contact information each time you submit comments, data,
documents, and other information to DOE. If you submit via mail or hand
delivery, please provide all items on a CD, if feasible. It is not
necessary to submit printed copies. No facsimiles (faxes) will be
accepted.
Comments, data, and other information submitted to DOE
electronically should be provided in PDF (preferred), Microsoft Word or
Excel, WordPerfect, or text (ASCII) file format. Provide documents that
are not secured, written in English and are free of any defects or
viruses. Documents should not contain special characters or any form of
encryption and, if possible, they should carry the electronic signature
of the author.
Campaign form letters. Please submit campaign form letters by the
originating organization in batches of between 50 to 500 form letters
per PDF or as one form letter with a list of supporters' names compiled
into one or more PDFs. This reduces comment processing and posting
time.
Confidential Business Information. 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 via
email, postal mail, or hand delivery two well-marked copies: one copy
of the document marked confidential including all the information
believed to be confidential, and one copy of the document marked non-
confidential with the information believed to be confidential deleted.
Submit these documents via email or on a CD, if feasible. DOE will make
its own determination about the confidential status of the information
and treat it according to its determination.
Factors of interest to DOE when evaluating requests to treat
submitted information as confidential include: (1) A description of the
items; (2) whether and why such items are customarily treated as
confidential within the industry; (3) whether the information is
generally known by or available from other sources; (4) whether the
information has previously been made available to others without
obligation concerning its confidentiality; (5) an explanation of the
competitive injury to the submitting person which would result from
public disclosure; (6) when such information might lose its
confidential character due to the passage of time; and (7) why
disclosure of the information would be contrary to the public interest.
It is DOE's policy that all comments may be included in the public
docket, without change and as received, including any personal
information provided in the comments (except information deemed to be
exempt from public disclosure).
[[Page 182]]
E. Issues on Which DOE Seeks Comment
Although DOE welcomes comments on any aspect of this proposal, DOE
is particularly interested in receiving comments and views of
interested parties on the following issues:
1. Test Load
DOE seeks comment on the proposal to continue using the DOE test
load to maintain repeatability and reproducibility. DOE welcomes
additional data on the test-to-test repeatability and lab-to-lab
reproducibility of both the DOE and IEC/AHAM test load. (See section
III.B.5)
2. Automatic Cycle Termination Test Cycle
DOE seeks comment on the proposed amendments to more accurately
measure the effects of automatic cycle termination. DOE specifically
requests comment on the proposed maximum allowable final RMC of 2
percent using the DOE test load. DOE further seeks comment on the
proposed test cycle program settings, temperature settings, and dryness
level settings. DOE also requests comment and additional test data on
the proposed field use factor of 0.80 for automatic cycle termination
clothes dryers. (See section III.B.5)
3. Timed Dry Test Cycle
DOE seeks comment on the proposed test method for timer dryers. In
particular, DOE welcomes comment on the proposed final RMC range of 1.0
percent to 2.5 percent with the normalization of the per-cycle energy
consumption to represent the energy consumption required to dry the
test load to 4-percent RMC changed to represent the new target RMC of 2
percent. DOE also seeks comment on the continued use of the 1.18 field
use factor in the per-cycle energy consumption calculation for timer
dryers. DOE welcomes comment on the determination to not measure the
cool-down period for the timed dry test cycle due to the associated
test burden and difficulties with determining the appropriated timed
dry cycle time. DOE also welcomes comment on the proposed amendment to
clarify that the clothes dryer should not be stopped intermittently in
the middle of the timed dry test cycle for any reason. (See section
III.B.5)
4. Characteristics of Water for Wetting Test Load
DOE welcomes comment on the determination to not propose amendments
to include requirements for the characteristics of the water supply
used for wetting the test load prior to the test cycle. DOE welcomes
additional data evaluating the repeatability and reproducibility of
test results using both appendix D1 water and water modified according
to the requirements in IEC Standard 61121. (See section III.B.4)
5. Incorporation by Reference of IEC Standard 62301 (Second Edition)
DOE invites comment on the adequacy of IEC Standard 62301 (Second
Edition) to measure standby mode and off mode power consumption for
clothes dryers, and the suitability of incorporating into DOE
regulations the following specific provisions from IEC Standard 62301
(Second Edition): section 4 (``General conditions for measurements''),
paragraph 4.2, ``Test room,'' paragraph 4.3.2, ``Supply voltage
waveform,'' and paragraph 4.4, ``Power measuring instruments,'' and
section 5 (``Measurements''), paragraph 5.1, ``General,'' paragraph 5.2
``Preparation of product'', and paragraph 5.3.2, ``Sampling method.''
DOE also invites comment on the acceptability of measuring the total
harmonic content, crest factor, and maximum current ratio before and
after the actual test measurement if the power measuring instrument is
unable to perform these measurements during the actual test
measurement. (See section 0)
6. Technical Correction to the Calculation of the Per-cycle Combined
Total Energy Consumption
DOE seeks comment on the proposed amendments to correct the section
number reference for the per-cycle standby mode and off mode energy
consumption contained in the calculation of the per-cycle combined
total energy consumption contains in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B,
appendix D1, section 4.6. (See section III.D)
7. Clarifications to Test Conditions
DOE seeks comment on the proposed amendments to clarify the cycle
settings used for the test cycle. DOE also seeks comment on the
proposed amendments to clarify for gas clothes dryer the requirements
for the hourly British thermal unit (Btu) rating of the burner and the
regulator outlet pressure for clothes dryers equipped with a gas
appliance pressure regulator. (See section III.E)
8. Effects of Proposed Amendments for Automatic Cycle Termination on
Energy Conservation Standards
DOE welcomes comments and additional data on the effects of the
proposed test procedure amendments on the current energy conservation
standards in both 10 CFR 430.32(h)(2) and (3). In particular, DOE seeks
comment on the proposed determination to not amend the energy
conservation standards based on the proposed test procedure amendments
for automatic cycle termination due to the anti-backsliding provisions
in 42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(1). DOE also welcomes comment on the determination
and testing results showing that the proposed standby mode and off mode
test procedure amendments would not measurably affect the measured
efficiency as compared to the existing DOE test procedure in 10 CFR
430, subpart B, appendix D1. (See section III.F)
9. Test Burden
DOE seeks comment on any added test burden associated with the
proposed amendments. When providing comments regarding testing burden,
DOE request that commenters provide specific details and quantify any
burdens. (See section III.G.0)
VI. Approval of the Office of the Secretary
The Secretary of Energy has approved publication of this proposed
rule.
List of Subjects
10 CFR Part 429
Energy conservation, Household appliances, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements.
10 CFR Part 430
Administrative practice and procedure, Confidential business
information, Energy conservation, Household appliances, Imports,
Incorporation by reference, Intergovernmental relations, Small
businesses.
Issued in Washington, DC, on December 14, 2012.
Kathleen B. Hogan,
Deputy Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
For the reasons stated in the preamble, DOE is proposing to amend
parts 429 and 430 of title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations, as
set forth below:
PART 429--CERTIFICATION, COMPLIANCE, AND ENFORCEMENT FOR CONSUMER
PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT
0
1. The authority citation for part 429 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6291-6317.
[[Page 183]]
0
2. Section 429.21 is amended by:
0
a. Revising paragraph (a)(2)(ii) introductory text; and
0
b. Revising paragraph (b)(2).
The revision and addition read as follows:
Sec. 429.21 Residential clothes dryers.
* * * * *
(a) * * *
(2) * * *
(ii) Any represented value of the energy factor, combined energy
factor, or other measure of energy consumption of a basic model for
which consumers would favor higher values shall be less than or equal
to the lower of:
* * * * *
(b) * * *
(2) Pursuant to Sec. 429.12(b)(13), a certification report shall
include the following public product-specific information: When using
appendix D, the energy factor in pounds per kilowatt hours (lb/kWh),
the capacity in cubic feet (cu ft), the voltage in volts (V) (for
electric dryers only), an indication if the dryer has automatic
termination controls, and the hourly British thermal unit (Btu) rating
of the burner (for gas dryers only); when using appendix D1, the
combined energy factor in pounds per kilowatt hours (lb/kWh), the
capacity in cubic feet (cu ft), the voltage in volts (V) (for electric
dryers only), an indication if the dryer has automatic termination
controls, the hourly Btu rating of the burner (for gas dryers only),
and a list of the cycle setting selections for the energy test cycle as
recorded in section 3.4.7 of appendix D1 for each basic model.
PART 430--ENERGY CONSERVATION PROGRAM FOR CONSUMER PRODUCTS
0
3. The authority citation for part 430 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6291-6309; 28 U.S.C. 2461 note.
Sec. 430.3 [Amended].
0
4. Section 430.3 is amended by:
0
a. Removing ``appendix D1,'' from paragraph (m)(1); and
0
b. Adding ``appendix D1,'' after ``appendix C1,'' in (m)(2).
0
5. Appendix D to Subpart B of Part 430 is amended:
0
a. Revise the introductory text;
0
b. In section 2. Test Conditions, by revising sections 2.3.2.1 and
2.3.2.2; and
0
c. In section 3. Test Methods and Measurements, by revising section
3.3.
The revisions read as follows:
Appendix D to Subpart B of Part 430--Uniform Test Method for Measuring
the Energy Consumption of Clothes Dryers
Note: Effective 180 days after the promulgation of any final
amendments to the test procedure, manufacturers must make
representations of energy efficiency, including certifications of
compliance, using either appendix D or appendix D1. Manufacturers
must use a single appendix for all representations, including
certifications of compliance, and may not use appendix D for certain
representations and appendix D1 for other representations.
Compliance with DOE's amended standards for clothes dryers, and
corresponding use of the test procedures at Appendix D1 for all
representations, including certifications of compliance, is required
as of January 1, 2015.
* * * * *
2. Testing Conditions
* * * * *
2.3.2 Gas supply.
2.3.2.1 Natural gas. Maintain the gas supply to the clothes
dryer at a normal inlet test pressure immediately ahead of all
controls at 7 to 10 inches of water column. If the clothes dryer is
equipped with a gas appliance pressure regulator, the regulator
outlet pressure at the normal test pressure shall be within 10 percent of the value specified by the manufacturer. The
hourly Btu rating of the burner shall be maintained within 5 percent of the rating specified by the manufacturer. If the
requirement to maintain the hourly Btu rating of the burner within
5 percent of the rating specified by the manufacturer
cannot be achieved under the allowable range in gas inlet test
pressure, the orifice of the gas burner should be modified as
necessary to achieve the required Btu rating. The natural gas
supplied should have a heating value of approximately 1,025 Btus per
standard cubic foot. The actual heating value, Hn2, in
Btus per standard cubic foot, for the natural gas to be used in the
test shall be obtained either from measurements made by the
manufacturer conducting the test using a standard continuous flow
calorimeter as described in section 2.4.6 or by the purchase of
bottled natural gas whose Btu rating is certified to be at least as
accurate a rating as could be obtained from measurements with a
standard continuous flow calorimeter as described in section 2.4.6.
2.3.2.2 Propane gas. Maintain the gas supply to the clothes
dryer at a normal inlet test pressure immediately ahead of all
controls at 11 to 13 inches of water column. If the clothes dryer is
equipped with a gas appliance pressure regulator, the regulator
outlet pressure at the normal test pressure shall be within 10 percent of the value specified by the manufacturer. The
hourly Btu rating of the burner shall be maintained within 5 percent of the rating specified by the manufacturer. If the
requirement to maintain the hourly Btu rating of the burner within
5 percent of the rating specified by the manufacturer
cannot be achieved under the allowable range in gas inlet test
pressure, the orifice of the gas burner should be modified as
necessary to achieve the required Btu rating. The propane gas
supplied should have a heating value of approximately 2,500 Btus per
standard cubic foot. The actual heating value, Hp, in
Btus per standard cubic foot, for the propane gas to be used in the
test shall be obtained either from measurements made by the
manufacturer conducting the test using a standard continuous flow
calorimeter as described in section 2.4.6 or by the purchase of
bottled gas whose Btu rating is certified to be at least as accurate
a rating as could be obtained from measurement with a standard
continuous calorimeter as described in section 2.4.6.
* * * * *
3. Test Procedures and Measurements
* * * * *
3.3 Test cycle. Operate the clothes dryer at the maximum
temperature setting and, if equipped with a timer, at the maximum
time setting. Any other optional cycle settings that do not affect
the temperature and time settings shall be tested in the as-shipped
position. If the clothes dryer does not have a separate temperature
setting selection on the control panel, the maximum time setting
should be used for the drying test cycle. Dry the test load until
the moisture content of the test load is between 2.5 percent and 5.0
percent of the bone-dry weight of the test load, but do not permit
the dryer to advance into cool down. If required, reset the timer or
automatic dry control.
* * * * *
0
6. Appendix D1 to Subpart B of Part 430 is amended:
0
a. By revising the introductory text;
0
b. In section 1. Definitions, by:
0
1. Redesignating sections 1.5 through 1.18 and 1.19 as sections 1.6
through 1.19 and 1.21, respectively;
0
2. Revising newly designated section 1.12;
0
3. Adding sections 1.5 and 1.20;
c. In section 2. Test Conditions, by:
1. Revising sections 2.1, 2.3.1.1, 2.3.2.1, 2.3.2.2, 2.4.7, 2.6.3,
2.7.1, and 2.7.2; 2. Adding sections 2.1.1 through 2.1.3;
d. In section 3. Test Methods and Measurements, by:
1. Revising sections 3.3, 3.6, 3.6.1, and 3.6.2;
2. Adding sections 3.3.1, 3.3.2, and 3.4.7; and
e. In section 4. Calculation of Derived Results From Test
Measurements, by revising sections 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, and 4.6.
The additions and revisions read as follows:
Appendix D1 to Subpart B of Part 430--Uniform Test Method for Measuring
the Energy Consumption of Clothes Dryers
Note: Effective 180 days after the promulgation of any final
amendments to the test procedure, manufacturers must make
representations of energy efficiency, including certifications of
compliance, using either appendix D or appendix D1. Manufacturers
must use a single appendix for
[[Page 184]]
all representations, including certifications of compliance, and may
not use appendix D for certain representations and appendix D1 for
other representations. Compliance with DOE's amended standards for
clothes dryers, and corresponding use of the test procedures at
Appendix D1 for all representations, including certifications of
compliance, is required as of January 1, 2015.
1. Definitions
* * * * *
1.5 ``Automatic termination control dryer'' means a clothes
dryer which can be preset to carry out at least one sequence of
operations to be terminated by means of a system assessing, directly
or indirectly, the moisture content of the load. An automatic
termination control dryer with supplementary timer or that may also
be manually controlled shall be tested as an automatic termination
control dryer.
* * * * *
1.12 ``IEC 62301'' means the test standard published by the
International Electrotechnical Commission (``IEC'') titled
``Household electrical appliances--Measurement of standby power,''
Publication 62301 (Edition 2.0 2011-01) (incorporated by reference;
see Sec. 430.3).
* * * * *
1.20 ``Timer dryer'' means a clothes dryer that can be preset to
carry out at least one operation to be terminated by a timer, but
may also be manually controlled, and does not include any automatic
termination function.
* * * * *
2. Testing Conditions
2.1 Installation.
2.1.1 All clothes dryers. For both conventional clothes dryers
and ventless clothes dryers, as defined in sections 1.8 and 1.21 of
this appendix, install the clothes dryer in accordance with
manufacturer's instructions. If the manufacturer's instructions do
not specify the installation requirements for a certain component,
it shall be tested in the as-shipped condition. Where the
manufacturer gives the option to use the dryer both with and without
a duct, the dryer shall be tested without the exhaust simulator
described in section 3.3.5.1 of AHAM HLD-1 (incorporated by
reference; see Sec. 430.3). All external joints should be taped to
avoid air leakage. For drying testing, disconnect all console lights
or other lighting systems on the clothes dryer which do not consume
more than 10 watts during the clothes dryer test cycle. For standby
and off mode testing, the clothes dryer shall also be installed in
accordance with section 5, paragraph 5.2 of IEC 62301 (incorporated
by reference; see Sec. 430.3), disregarding the provisions
regarding batteries and the determination, classification, and
testing of relevant modes. For standby and off mode testing, do not
disconnect console lights or other lighting systems.
2.1.2 Conventional clothes dryers. For conventional clothes
dryers, as defined in section 1.8 of this appendix, the dryer
exhaust shall be restricted by adding the AHAM exhaust simulator
described in section 3.3.5.1 of AHAM HLD-1 (incorporated by
reference; see Sec. 430.3).
2.1.3 Ventless clothes dryers. For ventless clothes dryers, as
defined in section 1.21, the dryer shall be tested without the AHAM
exhaust simulator. If the manufacturer gives the option to use a
ventless clothes dryer, with or without a condensation box, the
dryer shall be tested with the condensation box installed. For
ventless clothes dryers, the condenser unit of the dryer must remain
in place and not be taken out of the dryer for any reason between
tests.
* * * * *
2.3.1.1 Supply voltage waveform. For the clothes dryer standby
mode and off mode testing, maintain the electrical supply voltage
waveform indicated in section 4, paragraph 4.3.2 of IEC 62301
(incorporated by reference; see Sec. 430.3). If the power measuring
instrument used for testing is unable to measure and record the
total harmonic content during the test measurement period, it is
acceptable to measure and record the total harmonic content
immediately before and after the test measurement period.
2.3.2 Gas supply.
2.3.2.1 Natural gas. Maintain the gas supply to the clothes
dryer immediately ahead of all controls at a pressure of 7 to 10
inches of water column. If the clothes dryer is equipped with a gas
appliance pressure regulator for which the manufacturer specifies an
outlet pressure, the regulator outlet pressure shall be within
10 percent of the value specified by the manufacturer.
The hourly Btu rating of the burner shall be maintained within
5 percent of the rating specified by the manufacturer.
If the requirement to maintain the hourly Btu rating of the burner
within 5 percent of the rating specified by the
manufacturer cannot be achieved under the allowable range in gas
inlet test pressure, the orifice of the gas burner should be
modified as necessary to achieve the required Btu rating. The
natural gas supplied should have a heating value of approximately
1,025 Btus per standard cubic foot. The actual heating value,
Hn2, in Btus per standard cubic foot, for the natural gas
to be used in the test shall be obtained either from measurements
made by the manufacturer conducting the test using a standard
continuous flow calorimeter as described in section 2.4.6 or by the
purchase of bottled natural gas whose Btu rating is certified to be
at least as accurate a rating as could be obtained from measurements
with a standard continuous flow calorimeter as described in section
2.4.6.
2.3.2.2 Propane gas. Maintain the gas supply to the clothes
dryer immediately ahead of all controls at a pressure of 11 to 13
inches of water column. If the clothes dryer is equipped with a gas
appliance pressure regulator for which the manufacturer specifies an
outlet pressure, the regulator outlet pressure shall be within
10 percent of the value specified by the manufacturer.
The hourly Btu rating of the burner shall be maintained within
5 percent of the rating specified by the manufacturer.
If the requirement to maintain the hourly Btu rating of the burner
within 5 percent of the rating specified by the
manufacturer cannot be achieved under the allowable range in gas
inlet test pressure, the orifice of the gas burner should be
modified as necessary to achieve the required Btu rating. The
propane gas supplied should have a heating value of approximately
2,500 Btus per standard cubic foot. The actual heating value,
Hp, in Btus per standard cubic foot, for the propane gas
to be used in the test shall be obtained either from measurements
made by the manufacturer conducting the test using a standard
continuous flow calorimeter as described in section 2.4.6 or by the
purchase of bottled gas whose Btu rating is certified to be at least
as accurate a rating as could be obtained from measurement with a
standard continuous calorimeter as described in section 2.4.6.
* * * * *
2.4.7 Standby mode and off mode watt meter. The watt meter used
to measure standby mode and off mode power consumption shall meet
the requirements specified in section 4, paragraph 4.4 of IEC
62301(incorporated by reference; see Sec. 430.3). If the power
measuring instrument used for testing is unable to measure and
record the crest factor, power factor, or maximum current ratio
during the test measurement period, it is acceptable to measure the
crest factor, power factor, and maximum current ratio immediately
before and after the test measurement period.
* * * * *
2.6.3 Test Cloth Preconditioning.
A new test cloth load and energy stuffer cloths shall be treated
as follows:
(1) Bone dry the load to a weight change of 1
percent, or less, as prescribed in section 1.6 of this appendix.
(2) Place the test cloth load in a standard clothes washer set
at the maximum water fill level. Wash the load for 10 minutes in
soft water (17 parts per million hardness or less), using 60.8 grams
of AHAM standard test detergent Formula 3.Wash water temperature
should be maintained at 140[deg] 5 [deg]F (60[deg]
2.7 [deg]C). Rinse water temperature is to be
controlled at 100[deg] 5 [deg]F (37.7 2.7
[deg]C).
(3) Rinse the load again at the same water temperature.
(4) Bone dry the load as prescribed in section 1.6 of this
appendix and weigh the load.
(5) This procedure is repeated until there is a weight change of
1 percent or less.
(6) A final cycle is to be a hot water wash with no detergent,
followed by two warm water rinses.
* * * * *
2.7.1 Compact size dryer load. Prepare a bone-dry test load of
energy cloths that weighs 3.00 pounds .03 pounds. The
test load can be adjusted to achieve proper weight by adding energy
stuffer cloths, but no more than five stuffer cloths may be added
per load. Dampen the load by agitating it in water whose temperature
is 60 [deg]F 5 [deg]F and consists of 0 to 17 parts per
million hardness for approximately 2 minutes to saturate the fabric.
Then, extract water from the wet test load by spinning the load
until the moisture content of the load is between 52.5 and 57.5
percent of the bone-dry weight of the test load. Make a final mass
adjustment, such that the moisture content is 57.5 percent 0.33 percent by adding water uniformly to the load in a very
fine spray.
2.7.2 Standard size dryer load. Prepare a bone-dry test load of
energy cloths that
[[Page 185]]
weighs 8.45 pounds .085 pounds. The test load can be
adjusted to achieve proper weight by adding stuffer cloths, but no
more than five stuffer cloths may be added per load. Dampen the load
by agitating it in water whose temperature is 60 [deg]F
5[deg]F and consists of 0 to 17 parts per million hardness for
approximately 2 minutes to saturate the fabric. Then, extract water
from the wet test load by spinning the load until the moisture
content of the load is between 52.5 and 57.5 percent of the bone-dry
weight of the test load. Make a final mass adjustment, such that the
moisture content is 57.5 percent 0.33 percent by adding
water uniformly to the load in a very fine spray.
* * * * *
3. Test Procedures and Measurements
* * * * *
3.3 Test cycle.
3.3.1 Timer dryers. For timer dryers, as defined in section 1.20
of this appendix, operate the clothes dryer at the maximum
temperature setting and, if equipped with a timer, at the maximum
time setting. Any other optional cycle settings that do not affect
the temperature and time settings shall be tested in the as-shipped
position. If the clothes dryer does not have a separate temperature
setting selection on the control panel, the maximum time setting
should be used for the drying test cycle. Dry the load until the
moisture content of the test load is between 1 and 2.5 percent of
the bone-dry weight of the test load, at which point the test cycle
is stopped, but do not permit the dryer to advance into cool down.
If required, reset the timer to increase the length of the drying
cycle. After stopping the test cycle, remove and weigh the test
load. The clothes dryer shall not be stopped intermittently in the
middle of the test cycle for any reason. Record the data specified
by section 3.4 of this appendix. If the dryer automatically stops
during a cycle because the condensation box is full of water, the
test is stopped, and the test run is invalid, in which case the
condensation box shall be emptied and the test re-run from the
beginning. For ventless dryers, as defined in section 1.21 of this
appendix, during the time between two cycles, the door of the dryer
shall be closed except for loading (and unloading).
3.3.2 Automatic termination control dryers. For automatic
termination control dryers, as defined in section 1.5 of this
appendix, a ``normal'' program shall be selected for the test cycle.
For dryers that do not have a ``normal'' program, the cycle
recommended by the manufacturer for drying cotton or linen clothes
shall be selected. Where the drying temperature setting can be
chosen independently of the program, it shall be set to the maximum.
Where the dryness level setting can be chosen independently of the
program, it shall be set to the ``normal'' or ``medium'' dryness
level setting. If such designation is not provided, then the dryness
level shall be set at the mid-point between the minimum and maximum
settings. Any other optional cycle settings that do not affect the
program, temperature and dryness settings shall be tested in the as-
shipped position. Operate the clothes dryer until the completion of
the programmed cycle, including the cool down period. After the
completion of the test cycle, remove and weigh the test load. Record
the data specified in section 3.4 of this appendix. If the final
moisture content is greater than 2 percent, the test shall be
invalid and a new run shall be conducted using the highest dryness
level setting. If the dryer automatically stops during a cycle
because the condensation box is full of water, the test is stopped,
and the test run is invalid, in which case the condensation box
shall be emptied and the test re-run from the beginning. For
ventless dryers, during the time between two cycles, the door of the
dryer shall be closed except for loading (and unloading).
* * * * *
3.4.7 The cycle settings selected, in accordance with section
3.3.2 of this appendix, for the automatic termination control dryer
test.
* * * * *
3.6 Standby mode and off mode power. Establish the testing
conditions set forth in Section 2 ``Testing Conditions'' of this
appendix. For clothes dryers that take some time to enter a stable
state from a higher power state as discussed in Section 5, Paragraph
5.1, Note 1 of IEC 62301 (incorporated by reference; see Sec.
430.3), allow sufficient time for the clothes dryer to reach the
lower power state before proceeding with the test measurement.
Follow the test procedure specified in section 5, paragraph 5.3.2 of
IEC 62301 for testing in each possible mode as described in sections
3.6.1 and 3.6.2 of this appendix.
3.6.1 If a clothes dryer has an inactive mode, as defined in
section 1.13 of this appendix, measure and record the average
inactive mode power of the clothes dryer, PIA, in watts.
3.6.2 If a clothes dryer has an off mode, as defined in section
1.16 of this appendix, measure and record the average off mode power
of the clothes dryer, POFF, in watts.
4. Calculation of Derived Results From Test Measurements
4.1 Total per-cycle electric dryer energy consumption. Calculate
the total electric dryer energy consumption per cycle,
Ece, expressed in kilowatt-hours per cycle and defined
as:
Ece = Et x field use,
For automatic termination control dryers, and,
Ece = [55.5/(Ww - Wd)] x
Et x field use,
For timer dryers
Where
55.5 = an experimentally established value for the percent reduction
in the moisture content of the test load during a laboratory test
cycle expressed as a percent.
Et = the energy recorded in section 3.4.5 of this
appendix.
field use = field use factor
= 1.18, the field use factor for clothes dryers with time
termination control systems only without any automatic termination
control functions.
= 0.80, the field use factor for clothes dryers with automatic
control systems that meet the requirements of the definition for
automatic control systems in sections 1.5, 1.15 and 1.19 of this
appendix, including those that also have a supplementary timer
control, or that may also be manually controlled.
Ww = the moisture content of the wet test load as
recorded in section 3.4.2 of this appendix.
Wd = the moisture content of the dry test load as
recorded in section 3.4.3 of this appendix.
4.2 Per-cycle gas dryer electrical energy consumption. Calculate
the gas dryer electrical energy consumption per cycle,
Ege, expressed in kilowatt-hours per cycle and defined
as:
Ege = Ete x field use,
For automatic termination control dryers, and,
Ege = [55.5/(Ww -Wd)] x
Ete x field use,
for timer dryers
Where
Ete = the energy recorded in section 3.4.6.1 of this
appendix.
field use, 55.5, Ww, Wd as defined in section
4.1 of this appendix
4.3 Per-cycle gas dryer gas energy consumption. Calculate the
gas dryer gas energy consumption per cycle, Ege.
expressed in Btus per cycle and defined as:
Egg = Etg x field use x GEF
for automatic termination control dryers, and,
Egg=[55.5/(Ww - Wd)] x
Etg x field use x GEF
for time dryers
Where
Etg = the energy recorded in section 3.4.6.2 of this
appendix.
GEF = corrected gas heat value (Btu per cubic feet) as defined in
section 3.4.6.3 of this appendix,
field use, 55.5, Ww, Wd as defined in section
4.1 of this appendix.
* * * * *
4.6 Per-cycle combined total energy consumption expressed in
kilowatt-hours. Calculate the per-cycle combined total energy
consumption, ECC, expressed in kilowatt-hours per cycle
and defined for an electric clothes dryer as:
ECC = Ece + ETSO
Where:
Ece = the energy recorded in section 4.1 of this
appendix, and
ETSO = the energy recorded in section 4.5 of this
appendix,
and defined for a gas clothes dryer as:
ECC = Ecg + ETSO
Where:
Ecg = the energy recorded in section 4.4 of this
appendix, and
ETSO = the energy recorded in section 4.5 of this
appendix.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2012-30677 Filed 12-31-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
