Decision and Order Granting a Waiver to GE Appliances From the Department of Energy Residential Refrigerator and Refrigerator-Freezer Test Procedures, 38696-38699 [2013-15421]
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 124 / Thursday, June 27, 2013 / Notices
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[FR Doc. 2013–15316 Filed 6–26–13; 8:45 am]
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BILLING CODE 5001–06–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Department of Energy, Office of
Science.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
Notice of Open Meeting.
This notice announces a
meeting of the Basic Energy Sciences
Advisory Committee (BESAC). The
Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub.
L. 92–463, 86 Stat. 770) requires that
public notice of these meetings be
announced in the Federal Register.
DATES: Thursday, July 25, 2013, 8:30
a.m.–5:00 p.m.; and Friday, July 26,
2013, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.
ADDRESSES: Bethesda North Hotel and
Conference Center; 5701 Marinelli Road,
Bethesda, Maryland 20852.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Katie Perine; Office of Basic Energy
Sciences; U.S. Department of Energy;
Germantown Building, 1000
Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC 20585; Telephone:
(301) 903–6529.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Purpose of the Meeting: The purpose
of this meeting is to provide advice and
guidance with respect to the basic
energy sciences research program.
Tentative Agenda: Agenda will
include discussions of the following:
D News from Office of Science/DOE
D News from the Office of Basic Energy
Sciences
D Report out from the Committee of
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D Report out from the Committee of
Visitors for the EFRC/JCAP Review.
Public Participation: The meeting is
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Minutes: The minutes of this meeting
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copying within sixty days at the
following Web site: https://
science.energy.gov/bes/besac/.
SUMMARY:
Issued in Washington, DC, on June 21,
2013.
LaTanya R. Butler,
Deputy Committee Management Officer.
Basic Energy Sciences Advisory
Committee
AGENCY:
ACTION:
[FR Doc. 2013–15400 Filed 6–26–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Office of Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy
[Case No. RF–028]
Decision and Order Granting a Waiver
to GE Appliances From the Department
of Energy Residential Refrigerator and
Refrigerator-Freezer Test Procedures
Office of Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy, Department of
Energy.
ACTION: Decision and order.
AGENCY:
The U.S. Department of
Energy (DOE) gives notice of the
decision and order (Case No. RF–028)
that grants to GE Appliances (GE) a
waiver from the DOE electric
refrigerator and refrigerator-freezer test
procedures for determining the energy
consumption of residential refrigeratorfreezers for the basic models set forth in
its petition for waiver. Under today’s
decision and order, GE shall be required
to test and rate its refrigerator-freezers
with separate fresh-food and freezer
evaporators and a compressor that
cycles in a non-uniform pattern using an
alternate test procedure that takes this
technology into account when
measuring energy consumption.
DATES: This Decision and Order is
effective June 27, 2013.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.
Bryan Berringer, U.S. Department of
Energy, Building Technologies Program,
Mail Stop EE–2J, Forrestal Building,
1000 Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC 20585–0121.
Telephone: (202) 586–0371. Email:
Bryan.Berringer@ee.doe.gov.
Mr. Michael Kido, U.S. Department of
Energy, Office of the General Counsel,
Mail Stop GC–71, Forrestal Building,
1000 Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC 20585–0103.
Telephone: (202) 586–8145. Email:
Michael.Kido@hq.doe.gov.
SUMMARY:
DOE gives
notice of the issuance of its decision and
order as set forth below. The decision
and order grants GE a waiver from the
applicable residential refrigerator and
refrigerator-freezer test procedures
found in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B,
appendix A1 for certain basic models of
refrigerator-freezers with separate freshfood and freezer evaporators and a
compressor that cycles in a non-uniform
pattern, provided that GE tests and rates
such products using the alternate test
procedure described in this notice.
Today’s decision prohibits GE from
making representations concerning the
energy efficiency of these products
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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38697
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 124 / Thursday, June 27, 2013 / Notices
unless the product has been tested in a
manner consistent with the provisions
and restrictions in the alternate test
procedure set forth in the decision and
order below, and the representations
fairly disclose the test results.
Distributors, retailers, and private
labelers are held to the same standard
when making representations regarding
the energy efficiency of these products.
Issued in Washington, DC, on June 21,
2013.
Kathleen B. Hogan,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy
Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and Renewable
Energy.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Decision and Order
In the Matter of: GE Appliances (Case
No. RF–028)
I. Background and Authority
Title III, Part B of the Energy Policy
and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA),
Public Law 94–163 (42 U.S.C. 6291–
6309, as codified) established the
Energy Conservation Program for
Consumer Products Other Than
Automobiles, a program covering most
major household appliances, which
includes the residential electric
refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers
that are the focus of this notice.1 Part B
includes definitions, test procedures,
labeling provisions, energy conservation
standards, and the authority to require
information and reports from
manufacturers. Further, Part B
authorizes the Secretary of Energy to
prescribe test procedures that are
reasonably designed to produce results
which measure energy efficiency,
energy use, or estimated operating costs,
and that are not unduly burdensome to
conduct. (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(3)) The test
procedure for residential electric
refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers is
set forth in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B,
appendix A1.
DOE’s regulations for covered
products contain provisions allowing a
person to seek a waiver from the test
procedure requirements for a particular
basic model for covered consumer
products when (1) the petitioner’s basic
model for which the petition for waiver
was submitted contains one or more
design characteristics that prevent
testing according to the prescribed test
procedure, or (2) when prescribed test
procedures may evaluate the basic
model in a manner so unrepresentative
of its true energy consumption
characteristics as to provide materially
inaccurate comparative data. 10 CFR
430.27(a)(1). Petitioners must include in
1 For editorial reasons, upon codification in the
U.S. Code, Part B was re-designated Part A.
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18:12 Jun 26, 2013
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their petition any alternate test
procedures known to the petitioner to
evaluate the basic model in a manner
representative of its energy
consumption characteristics.
The Assistant Secretary for Energy
Efficiency and Renewable Energy (the
Assistant Secretary) may grant a waiver
subject to conditions, including
adherence to alternate test procedures.
10 CFR 430.27(l). Waivers remain in
effect pursuant to the provisions of 10
CFR 430.27(m).
Any interested person who has
submitted a petition for waiver may also
file an application for interim waiver of
the applicable test procedure
requirements. 10 CFR 430.27(a)(2). The
Assistant Secretary will grant an interim
waiver request if it is determined that
the applicant will experience economic
hardship if the interim waiver is denied,
if it appears likely that the petition for
waiver will be granted, and/or the
Assistant Secretary determines that it
would be desirable for public policy
reasons to grant immediate relief
pending a determination on the petition
for waiver. 10 CFR 430.27(g).
II. GE’s Petition for Waiver: Assertions
and Determinations
On February 15, 2013, GE submitted
via electronic mail an undated petition
for waiver from the test procedure
applicable to residential electric
refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers set
forth in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B,
appendix A1. GE is designing new
refrigerator-freezers with separate freshfood and freezer evaporators and a
compressor that cycles in a non-uniform
pattern. In its petition, GE seeks a
waiver from the test procedure for
refrigerator-freezers provided in
appendix A1 because that test
procedure does not provide a means to
measure the energy use of products with
multiple defrost cycles. The petition
further states that, because of these
models’ non-uniform compressor cycles,
they cannot attain the 0.5 °F
temperature differential between
compressor cycles that is required in
order to identify regular compressor
operation using the method specified for
the second part of the Appendix A test
that will be required starting in 2014.
Therefore, GE has asked to use an
alternate test procedure. DOE did not
receive any comments on the GE
petition.
III. Consultations With Other Agencies
DOE consulted with the Federal Trade
Commission (FTC) staff concerning the
GE petition for waiver. The FTC staff
did not have any objections to granting
a waiver to GE.
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IV. Conclusion
After careful consideration of all the
material that was submitted by GE and
consultation with the FTC staff, it is
ordered that:
(1) The petition for waiver submitted
by GE Appliances (Case No. RF–028) is
hereby granted as set forth in the
paragraphs below.
(2) GE shall be required to test and
rate the following GE models according
to the alternate test procedure set forth
in paragraph (3) below.
CYE23T*D****
PYE23P*D****
PYE23K*D****
PWE23K*D****
(3) GE shall be required to test the
products listed in paragraph (2) above
according to the test procedures for
electric refrigerator-freezers prescribed
by DOE at 10 CFR part 430, appendix
A1, except that it would use a modified
version of the test period specified in
section 4 and the energy use calculation
for products with long-time or variable
defrost control and multiple defrost
cycle types in section 5.2.1.5 of
Appendix A. As described by GE, Part
2 of the test (T2i in the formula) would
be defined as the series of cycles prior
to and following the defrost period,
identified as the A1-j and B1-k cycles,
respectively. These cycles would be
used to determine when the 0.5 °F
temperature differential has been
achieved.
As an example, if the average
temperatures for Part 1 of the test are
37.8 °F and 0.2 °F in the fresh food and
freezer compartments, respectively, and
the temperatures for the Cycle B series
of Part 2 of the test (i.e., Cycles BI-k), are
as follows:
Fresh
food
B1 .............
B1–2 .........
B1–3 .........
42.1 °F
40.2 °F
38.0 °F
Freezer
4.3 °F
2.1 °F
0.0 °F
then the average temperatures for the
Cycle B series are 38.0 °F and 0.0 °F,
which are within the 0.5 °F (0.3 °C)
requirement. In this example, Part 2
ends after cycle B3.
During the period of the interim
waiver granted in this notice, GE shall
test the products listed above according
to the test procedures for residential
electric refrigerator-freezers prescribed
by DOE at 10 CFR part 430, subpart B,
appendix A1, except that, for the GE
products listed above only, include:
1. In section 4, test period, the
following:
4. Test Period
*
*
*
*
*
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 124 / Thursday, June 27, 2013 / Notices
a compressor ‘‘on’’ cycle after steadystate conditions have been achieved and
be no less than 3 hours in duration.
During the test period, the compressor
motor shall complete two or more whole
compressor cycles. At the end of the test
period both compartment temperatures
(fresh food and freezer) shall be within
0.5 °F (0.3 °C) of their measurements at
the start of the test period. For this
comparison, these compartment
temperatures shall be measured at the
start and end of the test period rather
than averaged for the entire test period,
but otherwise shall be defined as
described in sections 5.1.3 and 5.1.4. If
24 hours pass before the compartment
temperatures meet this requirement, the
test period shall comprise a whole
number of compressor cycles lasting at
least 24 hours.
4.2.1.3 The second part of the test
starts at the termination of the first part
of the test. The average compartment
temperatures as defined in sections
5.1.3 and 5.1.4 for a whole number of
compressor cycles occurring after the
start of the test period and before the
time that the defrost heater is energized
must both be within 0.5 14;°F (0.3 °C)
of their average temperatures measured
for the first part of the test. The test
period for the second part of the test
ends at the start of a compressor ‘‘on’’
cycle after both compartment
temperatures have fully recovered to
their stable conditions after the defrost.
The average compartment temperatures
as defined in sections 5.1.3 and 5.1.4 for
a whole number of compressor cycles
occurring after temperature recovery
and before the end of the test period
must both be within 0.5 14;°F (0.3 °C)
of their average temperatures measured
for the first part of the test. See Figure
1.
Figure 1 Note: The average temperatures of
the compartments for compressor cycles A1
through Aj shall be within 0.5 °F (0.3 °C) of
their temperature averages for the first part of
the test. Likewise, the average temperatures
of the compartments for compressor cycles B1
through Bk shall be within 0.5 °F (0.3 °C) of
their temperature averages for the first part of
the test.
5.2.1.5 Long-time or Variable Defrost
Control for Systems with Multiple
Defrost cycle Types. The energy
consumption in kilowatt-hours per day
shall be calculated equivalent to:
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2. In section 5, Test Measurements,
the following:
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4.2.1 Long-time Automatic Defrost
with Nonuniform Compressor Cycling
and Multiple Defrost Cycle Types. The
two-part test described in this section
shall be used. The first part is a stable
period of compressor operation that
includes no portions of the defrost
cycle, such as precooling or recovery.
The second part is designed to capture
the energy consumed during all of the
events occurring with the defrost
control sequence that are outside of
stable operation. The second part of the
method will be conducted separately for
each distinct defrost cycle type.
4.2.1.1 Measurement Frequency.
Measurements shall be taken at intervals
not exceeding one minute. Steady state
conditions as described in section 2.9
shall be verified using measurements
taken at intervals not exceeding one
minute.
4.2.1.2 The test period for the first
part of the test shall start at the start of
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 124 / Thursday, June 27, 2013 / Notices
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1440 is defined in 5.2.1.1 and EP1, T1, and
12 are defined in 5.2.1.2;
i is a variable that can equal 1, 2, or more
that identifies the distinct defrost cycle
types applicable for the refrigerator or
refrigerator-freezer;
EP2i = energy expended in kilowatt-hours
during the second part of the test for
defrost cycle type i;
T2i = length of time in minutes of the second
part of the test for defrost cycle type i;
CTi is the compressor run time between
instances of defrost cycle type i, for longtime automatic defrost control equal to a
fixed time in hours rounded to the
nearest tenth of an hour, and for variable
defrost control equal to
(CTLi × CTMi)/(F × (CTMi ~ CTLi) + CTLi);
CTLi = least or shortest compressor run time
between instances of defrost cycle type
i in hours rounded to the nearest tenth
of an hour (CTL for the defrost cycle type
with the longest compressor run time
between defrosts must be greater than or
equal to 6 but less than or equal to 12
hours);
CTMi = maximum compressor run time
between instances of defrost cycle type
i in hours rounded to the nearest tenth
of an hour (greater than CTLi but not
more than 96 hours);
For cases in which there are more than one
fixed CT value (for long-time defrost
models) or more than one CTM and/or
CTL value (for variable defrost models)
for a given defrost cycle type, an average
fixed CT value or average CTM and CTL
values shall be selected for this cycle
type so that 12 divided by this value or
values is the frequency of occurrence of
the defrost cycle type in a 24 hour
period, assuming 50% compressor run
time.
F = default defrost energy consumption
factor, equal to 0.20.
For variable defrost models with no values
for CTLi and CTMi in the algorithm, the
default values of 6 and 96 shall be used,
respectively.
D is the total number of distinct defrost cycle
types.
(4) Representations. GE may make
representations about the energy use of
its above specified refrigerator-freezer
products for compliance, marketing, or
other purposes only to the extent that
such products have been tested in
accordance with the provisions outlined
above and such representations fairly
disclose the results of such testing.
(5) This waiver shall remain in effect
consistent with the provisions of 10 CFR
430.27(m).
(6) This waiver is issued on the
condition that the statements,
representations, and documentary
materials provided by the petitioner are
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18:12 Jun 26, 2013
Jkt 229001
valid. DOE may revoke or modify this
waiver at any time if it determines the
factual basis underlying the petition for
waiver is incorrect, or the results from
the alternate test procedure are
unrepresentative of the basic models’
true energy consumption characteristics.
(7) This waiver applies only to those
basic models set out in GE’s February
15, 2013 petition for waiver. Grant of
this waiver does not release a petitioner
from the certification requirements set
forth at 10 CFR part 429.
Issued in Washington, DC, on June 21,
2013.
Kathleen B. Hogan,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy
Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and Renewable
Energy.
[FR Doc. 2013–15421 Filed 6–26–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Office of Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy
[Case No. RF–029]
Decision and Order Granting a Waiver
to GE Appliances From the Department
of Energy Residential Refrigerator and
Refrigerator-Freezer Test Procedures
Office of Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy, Department of
Energy.
ACTION: Decision and Order.
AGENCY:
The U.S. Department of
Energy (DOE) gives notice of the
decision and order (Case No. RF–029)
that grants to GE Appliances (GE) a
waiver from the DOE electric
refrigerator and refrigerator-freezer test
procedures for determining the energy
consumption of residential refrigeratorfreezers for the basic models set forth in
its petition for waiver. Under today’s
decision and order, GE shall be required
to test and rate its refrigerator-freezers
with dual compressors using an
alternate test procedure that takes this
technology into account when
measuring energy consumption.
DATES: This Decision and Order is
effective June 27, 2013.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.
Bryan Berringer, U.S. Department of
Energy, Building Technologies Program,
Mail Stop EE–2J, Forrestal Building,
1000 Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC 20585–0121.
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Telephone: (202) 586–0371. Email:
Bryan.Berringer@ee.doe.gov.
Mr. Michael Kido, U.S. Department of
Energy, Office of the General Counsel,
Mail Stop GC–71, Forrestal Building,
1000 Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC 20585–0103.
Telephone: (202) 586–8145. Email:
Michael.Kido@hq.doe.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DOE gives
notice of the issuance of its decision and
order as set forth below. The decision
and order grants GE a waiver from the
applicable residential refrigerator and
refrigerator-freezer test procedures
found in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B,
appendix A1 for certain basic models of
refrigerator-freezers with dual
compressors, provided that GE tests and
rates such products using the alternate
test procedure described in this notice.
Today’s decision prohibits GE from
making representations concerning the
energy efficiency of these products
unless the product has been tested in a
manner consistent with the provisions
and restrictions in the alternate test
procedure set forth in the decision and
order below, and the representations
fairly disclose the test results.
Distributors, retailers, and private
labelers are held to the same standard
when making representations regarding
the energy efficiency of these products.
Issued in Washington, DC, on June 21,
2013.
Kathleen B. Hogan,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy
Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and Renewable
Energy.
Decision and Order
In the Matter of: GE Appliances (Case
No. RF–029).
I. Background and Authority
Title III, Part B of the Energy Policy
and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA),
Public Law 94–163 (42 U.S.C. 6291–
6309, as codified) established the
Energy Conservation Program for
Consumer Products Other Than
Automobiles, a program covering most
major household appliances, which
includes the residential electric
refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers
that are the focus of this notice.1 Part B
includes definitions, test procedures,
labeling provisions, energy conservation
standards, and the authority to require
1 For editorial reasons, upon codification in the
U.S. Code, Part B was re-designated Part A.
E:\FR\FM\27JNN1.SGM
27JNN1
EN27JN13.004</GPH>
Where:
38699
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 124 (Thursday, June 27, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38696-38699]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-15421]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
[Case No. RF-028]
Decision and Order Granting a Waiver to GE Appliances From the
Department of Energy Residential Refrigerator and Refrigerator-Freezer
Test Procedures
AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of
Energy.
ACTION: Decision and order.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) gives notice of the
decision and order (Case No. RF-028) that grants to GE Appliances (GE)
a waiver from the DOE electric refrigerator and refrigerator-freezer
test procedures for determining the energy consumption of residential
refrigerator-freezers for the basic models set forth in its petition
for waiver. Under today's decision and order, GE shall be required to
test and rate its refrigerator-freezers with separate fresh-food and
freezer evaporators and a compressor that cycles in a non-uniform
pattern using an alternate test procedure that takes this technology
into account when measuring energy consumption.
DATES: This Decision and Order is effective June 27, 2013.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Bryan Berringer, U.S. Department
of Energy, Building Technologies Program, Mail Stop EE-2J, Forrestal
Building, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121.
Telephone: (202) 586-0371. Email: Bryan.Berringer@ee.doe.gov.
Mr. Michael Kido, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the General
Counsel, Mail Stop GC-71, Forrestal Building, 1000 Independence Avenue
SW., Washington, DC 20585-0103. Telephone: (202) 586-8145. Email:
Michael.Kido@hq.doe.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DOE gives notice of the issuance of its
decision and order as set forth below. The decision and order grants GE
a waiver from the applicable residential refrigerator and refrigerator-
freezer test procedures found in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix
A1 for certain basic models of refrigerator-freezers with separate
fresh-food and freezer evaporators and a compressor that cycles in a
non-uniform pattern, provided that GE tests and rates such products
using the alternate test procedure described in this notice. Today's
decision prohibits GE from making representations concerning the energy
efficiency of these products
[[Page 38697]]
unless the product has been tested in a manner consistent with the
provisions and restrictions in the alternate test procedure set forth
in the decision and order below, and the representations fairly
disclose the test results.
Distributors, retailers, and private labelers are held to the same
standard when making representations regarding the energy efficiency of
these products.
Issued in Washington, DC, on June 21, 2013.
Kathleen B. Hogan,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy.
Decision and Order
In the Matter of: GE Appliances (Case No. RF-028)
I. Background and Authority
Title III, Part B of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975
(EPCA), Public Law 94-163 (42 U.S.C. 6291-6309, as codified)
established the Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products Other
Than Automobiles, a program covering most major household appliances,
which includes the residential electric refrigerators and refrigerator-
freezers that are the focus of this notice.\1\ Part B includes
definitions, test procedures, labeling provisions, energy conservation
standards, and the authority to require information and reports from
manufacturers. Further, Part B authorizes the Secretary of Energy to
prescribe test procedures that are reasonably designed to produce
results which measure energy efficiency, energy use, or estimated
operating costs, and that are not unduly burdensome to conduct. (42
U.S.C. 6293(b)(3)) The test procedure for residential electric
refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers is set forth in 10 CFR part
430, subpart B, appendix A1.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ For editorial reasons, upon codification in the U.S. Code,
Part B was re-designated Part A.
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DOE's regulations for covered products contain provisions allowing
a person to seek a waiver from the test procedure requirements for a
particular basic model for covered consumer products when (1) the
petitioner's basic model for which the petition for waiver was
submitted contains one or more design characteristics that prevent
testing according to the prescribed test procedure, or (2) when
prescribed test procedures may evaluate the basic model in a manner so
unrepresentative of its true energy consumption characteristics as to
provide materially inaccurate comparative data. 10 CFR 430.27(a)(1).
Petitioners must include in their petition any alternate test
procedures known to the petitioner to evaluate the basic model in a
manner representative of its energy consumption characteristics.
The Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
(the Assistant Secretary) may grant a waiver subject to conditions,
including adherence to alternate test procedures. 10 CFR 430.27(l).
Waivers remain in effect pursuant to the provisions of 10 CFR
430.27(m).
Any interested person who has submitted a petition for waiver may
also file an application for interim waiver of the applicable test
procedure requirements. 10 CFR 430.27(a)(2). The Assistant Secretary
will grant an interim waiver request if it is determined that the
applicant will experience economic hardship if the interim waiver is
denied, if it appears likely that the petition for waiver will be
granted, and/or the Assistant Secretary determines that it would be
desirable for public policy reasons to grant immediate relief pending a
determination on the petition for waiver. 10 CFR 430.27(g).
II. GE's Petition for Waiver: Assertions and Determinations
On February 15, 2013, GE submitted via electronic mail an undated
petition for waiver from the test procedure applicable to residential
electric refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers set forth in 10 CFR
part 430, subpart B, appendix A1. GE is designing new refrigerator-
freezers with separate fresh-food and freezer evaporators and a
compressor that cycles in a non-uniform pattern. In its petition, GE
seeks a waiver from the test procedure for refrigerator-freezers
provided in appendix A1 because that test procedure does not provide a
means to measure the energy use of products with multiple defrost
cycles. The petition further states that, because of these models' non-
uniform compressor cycles, they cannot attain the 0.5 [deg]F
temperature differential between compressor cycles that is required in
order to identify regular compressor operation using the method
specified for the second part of the Appendix A test that will be
required starting in 2014. Therefore, GE has asked to use an alternate
test procedure. DOE did not receive any comments on the GE petition.
III. Consultations With Other Agencies
DOE consulted with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) staff
concerning the GE petition for waiver. The FTC staff did not have any
objections to granting a waiver to GE.
IV. Conclusion
After careful consideration of all the material that was submitted
by GE and consultation with the FTC staff, it is ordered that:
(1) The petition for waiver submitted by GE Appliances (Case No.
RF-028) is hereby granted as set forth in the paragraphs below.
(2) GE shall be required to test and rate the following GE models
according to the alternate test procedure set forth in paragraph (3)
below.
CYE23T*D****
PYE23P*D****
PYE23K*D****
PWE23K*D****
(3) GE shall be required to test the products listed in paragraph
(2) above according to the test procedures for electric refrigerator-
freezers prescribed by DOE at 10 CFR part 430, appendix A1, except that
it would use a modified version of the test period specified in section
4 and the energy use calculation for products with long-time or
variable defrost control and multiple defrost cycle types in section
5.2.1.5 of Appendix A. As described by GE, Part 2 of the test
(T2i in the formula) would be defined as the series of
cycles prior to and following the defrost period, identified as the
A1-j and B1-k cycles, respectively. These cycles
would be used to determine when the 0.5 [deg]F temperature differential
has been achieved.
As an example, if the average temperatures for Part 1 of the test
are 37.8 [deg]F and 0.2 [deg]F in the fresh food and freezer
compartments, respectively, and the temperatures for the Cycle B series
of Part 2 of the test (i.e., Cycles BI-k), are as follows:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fresh food Freezer
------------------------------------------------------------------------
B1...................................... 42.1 [deg]F 4.3 [deg]F
B1-2.................................... 40.2 [deg]F 2.1 [deg]F
B1-3.................................... 38.0 [deg]F 0.0 [deg]F
------------------------------------------------------------------------
then the average temperatures for the Cycle B series are 38.0 [deg]F
and 0.0 [deg]F, which are within the 0.5 [deg]F (0.3 [deg]C)
requirement. In this example, Part 2 ends after cycle B3.
During the period of the interim waiver granted in this notice, GE
shall test the products listed above according to the test procedures
for residential electric refrigerator-freezers prescribed by DOE at 10
CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix A1, except that, for the GE products
listed above only, include:
1. In section 4, test period, the following:
4. Test Period
* * * * *
[[Page 38698]]
4.2.1 Long-time Automatic Defrost with Nonuniform Compressor
Cycling and Multiple Defrost Cycle Types. The two-part test described
in this section shall be used. The first part is a stable period of
compressor operation that includes no portions of the defrost cycle,
such as precooling or recovery. The second part is designed to capture
the energy consumed during all of the events occurring with the defrost
control sequence that are outside of stable operation. The second part
of the method will be conducted separately for each distinct defrost
cycle type.
4.2.1.1 Measurement Frequency. Measurements shall be taken at
intervals not exceeding one minute. Steady state conditions as
described in section 2.9 shall be verified using measurements taken at
intervals not exceeding one minute.
4.2.1.2 The test period for the first part of the test shall start
at the start of a compressor ``on'' cycle after steady-state conditions
have been achieved and be no less than 3 hours in duration. During the
test period, the compressor motor shall complete two or more whole
compressor cycles. At the end of the test period both compartment
temperatures (fresh food and freezer) shall be within 0.5 [deg]F (0.3
[deg]C) of their measurements at the start of the test period. For this
comparison, these compartment temperatures shall be measured at the
start and end of the test period rather than averaged for the entire
test period, but otherwise shall be defined as described in sections
5.1.3 and 5.1.4. If 24 hours pass before the compartment temperatures
meet this requirement, the test period shall comprise a whole number of
compressor cycles lasting at least 24 hours.
4.2.1.3 The second part of the test starts at the termination of
the first part of the test. The average compartment temperatures as
defined in sections 5.1.3 and 5.1.4 for a whole number of compressor
cycles occurring after the start of the test period and before the time
that the defrost heater is energized must both be within 0.5 14;[deg]F
(0.3 [deg]C) of their average temperatures measured for the first part
of the test. The test period for the second part of the test ends at
the start of a compressor ``on'' cycle after both compartment
temperatures have fully recovered to their stable conditions after the
defrost. The average compartment temperatures as defined in sections
5.1.3 and 5.1.4 for a whole number of compressor cycles occurring after
temperature recovery and before the end of the test period must both be
within 0.5 14;[deg]F (0.3 [deg]C) of their average temperatures
measured for the first part of the test. See Figure 1.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN27JN13.003
Figure 1 Note: The average temperatures of the compartments for
compressor cycles A1 through Aj shall be
within 0.5 [deg]F (0.3 [deg]C) of their temperature averages for the
first part of the test. Likewise, the average temperatures of the
compartments for compressor cycles B1 through
Bk shall be within 0.5 [deg]F (0.3 [deg]C) of their
temperature averages for the first part of the test.
2. In section 5, Test Measurements, the following:
5.2.1.5 Long-time or Variable Defrost Control for Systems with
Multiple Defrost cycle Types. The energy consumption in kilowatt-hours
per day shall be calculated equivalent to:
[[Page 38699]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN27JN13.004
Where:
1440 is defined in 5.2.1.1 and EP1, T1, and 12 are defined in
5.2.1.2;
i is a variable that can equal 1, 2, or more that identifies the
distinct defrost cycle types applicable for the refrigerator or
refrigerator-freezer;
EP2i = energy expended in kilowatt-hours during the
second part of the test for defrost cycle type i;
T2i = length of time in minutes of the second part of the
test for defrost cycle type i;
CTi is the compressor run time between instances of
defrost cycle type i, for long-time automatic defrost control equal
to a fixed time in hours rounded to the nearest tenth of an hour,
and for variable defrost control equal to
(CTLi x CTMi)/(F x (CTMi ~
CTLi) + CTLi);
CTLi = least or shortest compressor run time between
instances of defrost cycle type i in hours rounded to the nearest
tenth of an hour (CTL for the defrost cycle type with the
longest compressor run time between defrosts must be greater than or
equal to 6 but less than or equal to 12 hours);
CTMi = maximum compressor run time between instances of
defrost cycle type i in hours rounded to the nearest tenth of an
hour (greater than CTLi but not more than 96 hours);
For cases in which there are more than one fixed CT value (for long-
time defrost models) or more than one CTM and/or
CTL value (for variable defrost models) for a given
defrost cycle type, an average fixed CT value or average
CTM and CTL values shall be selected for this
cycle type so that 12 divided by this value or values is the
frequency of occurrence of the defrost cycle type in a 24 hour
period, assuming 50% compressor run time.
F = default defrost energy consumption factor, equal to 0.20.
For variable defrost models with no values for CTLi and
CTMi in the algorithm, the default values of 6 and 96
shall be used, respectively.
D is the total number of distinct defrost cycle types.
(4) Representations. GE may make representations about the energy
use of its above specified refrigerator-freezer products for
compliance, marketing, or other purposes only to the extent that such
products have been tested in accordance with the provisions outlined
above and such representations fairly disclose the results of such
testing.
(5) This waiver shall remain in effect consistent with the
provisions of 10 CFR 430.27(m).
(6) This waiver is issued on the condition that the statements,
representations, and documentary materials provided by the petitioner
are valid. DOE may revoke or modify this waiver at any time if it
determines the factual basis underlying the petition for waiver is
incorrect, or the results from the alternate test procedure are
unrepresentative of the basic models' true energy consumption
characteristics.
(7) This waiver applies only to those basic models set out in GE's
February 15, 2013 petition for waiver. Grant of this waiver does not
release a petitioner from the certification requirements set forth at
10 CFR part 429.
Issued in Washington, DC, on June 21, 2013.
Kathleen B. Hogan,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy.
[FR Doc. 2013-15421 Filed 6-26-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
