Energy Conservation Program: Test Procedure for Ceiling Fans, 51440-51466 [2019-20827]
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51440
Proposed Rules
Federal Register
Vol. 84, No. 189
Monday, September 30, 2019
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER
contains notices to the public of the proposed
issuance of rules and regulations. The
purpose of these notices is to give interested
persons an opportunity to participate in the
rule making prior to the adoption of the final
rules.
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
10 CFR Parts 429 and 430
[EERE–2013–BT–TP–0050]
RIN 1904–AD88
Energy Conservation Program: Test
Procedure for Ceiling Fans
Office of Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy, Department of
Energy.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
and request for comment.
AGENCY:
The U.S. Department of
Energy (DOE) proposes to amend its test
procedures for ceiling fans established
under the Energy Policy and
Conservation Act. On July 25, 2016,
DOE published a final rule amending
the test procedure for ceiling fans to
support the ceiling fans energy
conservation standards rulemaking. In
this notice of proposed rulemaking
(NOPR), DOE proposes to: Interpret the
term ‘‘suspended from a ceiling’’ in the
EPCA definition of ceiling fan to mean
offered for mounting only on a ceiling;
specify that very small-diameter (VSD)
ceiling fans that do not also meet the
definition of low-speed small-diameter
(LSSD) ceiling fan are not required to be
tested pursuant to the DOE test method;
for LSSD and VSD ceiling fans, increase
the tolerance for the stability criteria for
the average air velocity measurements
in low speed to reduce test burden;
specify that large-diameter ceiling with
blade spans greater than 24 feet do not
need to be tested pursuant to the DOE
test method; codify current guidance on
calculating several values reported on
the U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s
(FTC) EnergyGuide label for LSSD and
VSD ceiling fans using results from the
ceiling fan test procedures; and amend
certification requirements and productspecific enforcement provisions to
reflect the current test procedures and
recently amended energy conservation
standards for ceiling fans.
DATES:
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SUMMARY:
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Comments: Written comments and
information are requested and will be
accepted on or before November 29,
2019. See section V, ‘‘Public
Participation,’’ for details.
Meeting: DOE will hold a public
meeting on Wednesday, October 16,
2019 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
ADDRESSES:
Meeting: The public meeting will be
held at the U.S. Department of Energy,
Forrestal Building, Room 8E–089, 1000
Independence Avenue SW, Washington,
DC 20585. 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.
Comments: Interested persons are
encouraged to submit comments using
the Federal eRulemaking Portal at
https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
Alternatively, interested persons may
submit comments, identified by docket
number EERE–2013–BT–TP–0050 or
regulatory information number (RIN)
1904–AD88, by any of the following
methods:
(1) Federal eRulemaking Portal:
https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
(2) Email: CF2013TP0050@ee.doe.gov.
Include the docket number EERE–2013–
BT–TP–0050 or regulatory information
number (RIN) 1904–AD88 in the subject
line of the message.
(3) Postal Mail: Appliance and
Equipment Standards Program, U.S.
Department of Energy, Building
Technologies Office, Mailstop EE–5B,
1000 Independence Avenue SW,
Washington, DC 20585–0121.
Telephone: (202) 287–1445. 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: Appliance
and Equipment Standards Program, U.S.
Department of Energy, Building
Technologies Office, 950 L’Enfant Plaza
SW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20024.
Telephone: (202) 287–1445. If possible,
please submit all items on a CD, in
which case it is not necessary to include
printed copies.
No telefacsimilies (faxes) will be
accepted. For detailed instructions on
submitting comments and additional
information on the rulemaking process,
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see section V of this document (Public
Participation).
Docket: The docket, which includes
Federal Register notices, comments,
and other supporting documents/
materials, is available for review at
https://www.regulations.gov. All
documents in the docket are listed in
the https://www.regulations.gov index.
However, some documents listed in the
index, such as those containing
information that is exempt from public
disclosure, may not be publicly
available.
The docket web page can be found at
https://www.regulations.gov/#!docket
Detail;D=EERE-2013-BT-TP-0050. The
docket web page contains simple
instructions on how to access all
documents, including public comments,
in the docket. See section V for
information on how to submit
comments through https://
www.regulations.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ms. Lucy deButts, U.S. Department of
Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy, Building
Technologies Office, EE–5B, 1000
Independence Avenue SW, Washington,
DC 20585–0121. Telephone: (202) 287–
1604. Email:
ApplianceStandardsQuestions@
ee.doe.gov.
Ms. Elizabeth Kohl, U.S. Department
of Energy, Office of the General Counsel,
GC–33, 1000 Independence Avenue SW,
Washington, DC 20585–0121.
Telephone: (202) 586–7796. Email:
elizabeth.kohl@hq.doe.gov.
For further information on how to
submit a comment or review other
public comments and the docket,
contact the Appliance and Equipment
Standards Program staff at (202) 287–
1445 or by email:
ApplianceStandardsQuestions@
ee.doe.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DOE
proposes to incorporate by reference the
following industry standard into 10 CFR
part 430:
ANSI/AMCA Standard 230–15
(‘‘AMCA 230–15’’), ‘‘Laboratory
Methods of Testing Air Circulating Fans
for Rating and Certification,’’ ANSI
approved October 16, 2015.
A copy of this standard is available
from Air Movement and Control
Association International, Inc. (AMCA),
30 West University Drive, Arlington
Heights, IL 60004, (847) 394–0150, or by
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Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 189 / Monday, September 30, 2019 / Proposed Rules
Table of Contents
I. Authority and Background
A. Authority
B. Background
II. Synopsis of the Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking
III. Discussion
A. Scope of Applicability
B. Proposal for VSD Ceiling Fans
C. Proposed Alternate Stability Criteria for
Average Air Velocity Measurements
D. Calculation Methodology for Values
Reported on the EnergyGuide Label
1. FTC Airflow
2. FTC Energy Use
3. FTC Estimated Yearly Energy Cost
E. Proposal for Large-Diameter Ceiling Fans
With Blade Spans Greater Than 24 Feet
F. Certification Requirements
G. Product-Specific Enforcement
Provisions
H. Compliance Dates and Waivers
I. Test Procedure Costs and Impact
1. Cost Impacts for Scope
2. Cost Impacts for Stability Criteria
3. Potential Cost Impacts if the Low Speed
Criteria Definition Is Modified
4. Cost Impacts for Other Test Procedure
Amendments
J. Other Test Procedure Topics
IV. Procedural Issues and Regulatory Review
A. Review Under Executive Order 12866
B. Review Under Executive Orders 13771
and 13777
C. Review Under the Regulatory Flexibility
Act
D. Review Under the Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995
E. Review Under the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969
F. Review Under Executive Order 13132
G. Review Under Executive Order 12988
H. Review Under the Unfunded Mandates
Reform Act of 1995
I. Review Under the Treasury and General
Government Appropriations Act, 1999
J. Review Under Executive Order 12630
K. Review Under Treasury and General
Government Appropriations Act, 2001
L. Review Under Executive Order 13211
M. Review Under Section 32 of the Federal
Energy Administration Act of 1974
N. Description of Materials Incorporated by
Reference
V. Public Participation
A. Submission of Comments
B. Issues on Which DOE Seeks Comment
VI. Approval of the Office of the Secretary
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I. Authority and Background
DOE is authorized to establish and
amend energy conservation standards
and test procedures for ceiling fans. (42
U.S.C. 6293(b)(16)(A)(i) and (B), and
6295(ff)) DOE’s energy conservation
standards and test procedures for ceiling
fans are currently prescribed at 10 CFR
430.32(s)(1) and (2), and 10 CFR
430.23(w), respectively. The following
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The Energy Policy and Conservation
Act of 1975, as amended (‘‘EPCA’’),1
among other things, authorizes DOE to
regulate the energy efficiency of a
number of consumer products and
certain industrial equipment. (42 U.S.C.
6291–6317) Title III, Part B 2 of EPCA
established the Energy Conservation
Program for Consumer Products Other
Than Automobiles, which sets forth a
variety of provisions designed to
improve energy efficiency. These
consumer products include ceiling fans,
the subject of this document. (42 U.S.C.
6291(49), 6293(b)(16)(A)(i) and (B), and
6295(ff))
Under EPCA, DOE’s energy
conservation program consists
essentially of four parts: (1) Testing, (2)
labeling, (3) Federal energy conservation
standards, and (4) certification and
enforcement procedures. Relevant
provisions of EPCA include definitions
(42 U.S.C. 6291), energy conservation
standards (42 U.S.C. 6295), test
procedures (42 U.S.C. 6293), labeling
provisions (42 U.S.C. 6294), and the
authority to require information and
reports from manufacturers (42 U.S.C.
6296).
The Federal testing requirements
consist of test procedures that
manufacturers of covered products must
use as the basis for (1) certifying to DOE
that their products comply with the
applicable energy conservation
standards adopted under EPCA, and (2)
making representations about the
efficiency of those products. (42 U.S.C.
6295(s) and 6293(c)) Similarly, DOE
must use these test procedures to
determine whether the products comply
with any relevant standards
promulgated under EPCA. (42 U.S.C.
6295(s))
Federal energy efficiency
requirements for covered products
established under EPCA generally
supersede State laws and regulations
concerning energy conservation testing,
labeling, and standards. (See 42 U.S.C.
6297) DOE may, however, grant waivers
of Federal preemption for particular
State laws or regulations, in accordance
with the procedures and other
provisions of EPCA. (42 U.S.C.
6316(b)(2)(D))
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 requires 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, EPCA requires that DOE
amend its test procedures for all covered
products to integrate measures of
standby mode and off mode energy
consumption. (42 U.S.C. 6295(gg)(2)(A))
Standby mode and off mode energy
consumption must be incorporated into
the overall energy efficiency, energy
consumption, or other energy descriptor
for each covered product unless the
current test procedures already account
for and incorporate standby and off
mode energy consumption or such
integration is technically infeasible. If
an integrated test procedure is
technically infeasible, DOE must
prescribe a separate standby mode and
off mode energy use test procedure for
the covered product, if technically
feasible. (U.S.C. 6295(gg)(2)(A)(ii)) Any
such amendment must consider the
most current versions of the
International Electrotechnical
Commission (IEC) Standard 62301 3 and
IEC Standard 62087 4 as applicable. (42
U.S.C. 6295(gg)(2)(A))
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)) EPCA also
requires that, at least once every 7 years,
DOE review test procedures for each
type of covered product, including
ceiling fans, to determine whether
amended test procedures would more
accurately or fully comply with the
requirements for the test procedures to
not be unduly burdensome to conduct
and be reasonably designed to produce
test results that reflect energy efficiency,
energy use, and estimated operating
costs during a representative average
use cycle or period of use. (42 U.S.C.
6293(b)(1)(A)) If the Secretary
determines, on his own behalf or in
1 All references to EPCA in this document refer
to the statute as amended through America’s Water
Infrastructure Act of 2018, Public Law 115–270
(October 23, 2018).
2 For editorial reasons, upon codification in the
U.S. Code, Part B was redesignated Part A.
3 IEC 62301, Household electrical appliances—
Measurement of standby power (Edition 2.0, 2011–
01).
4 IEC 62087, Methods of measurement for the
power consumption of audio, video, and related
equipment (Edition 3.0, 2011–04).
sections discuss DOE’s authority to
establish test procedures for ceiling fans
and relevant background information
regarding DOE’s consideration of test
procedures for this product.
going to https://www.amca.org/store/
item.aspx?ItemId=81.
For a further discussion of this
standard, see section IV.N.
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A. Authority
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Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 189 / Monday, September 30, 2019 / Proposed Rules
response to a petition by any interested
person, that a test procedure should be
prescribed or amended, the Secretary
shall promptly publish in the Federal
Register proposed test procedures and
afford interested persons an opportunity
to present oral and written data, views,
and arguments with respect to such
procedures. The comment period on a
proposed rule to amend a test procedure
shall be at least 60 days and may not
exceed 270 days. In prescribing or
amending a test procedure, the
Secretary shall take into account such
information as the Secretary determines
relevant to such procedure, including
technological developments relating to
energy use or energy efficiency of the
type (or class) of covered products
involved. (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(2)) If DOE
determines that test procedure revisions
are not appropriate, DOE must publish
notice in Federal Register of its
determination not to amend the test
procedure. (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(1)(A))
B. Background
DOE’s existing test procedures for
ceiling fans appear at 10 CFR part 430,
subpart B, appendix U, Uniform Test
Method for Measuring the Energy
Consumption of Ceiling Fans (hereafter
‘‘Appendix U’’).
DOE published a final rule in the
Federal Register on July 25, 2016
(hereafter the ‘‘July 2016 CF TP final
rule’’), which amended test procedures
for ceiling fans in Appendix U. 81 FR
48620. In this document, DOE proposes
amendments to the test procedure based
generally on questions received from
interested parties.
DOE has initially determined that
amendments to the ceiling fan test
procedure are warranted and is issuing
this notice of proposed rulemaking
(NOPR) pursuant to 42 U.S.C.
6293(b)(2). DOE is also proposing these
amendments in satisfaction of the 7-year
review required under 42 U.S.C.
6203(b)(1)(A).
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II. Synopsis of the Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking
In this NOPR, DOE proposes: (1) To
interpret the EPCA definition of ceiling
fan to mean those fans offered for
mounting only on a ceiling. Any fan,
including a ceiling-mount air circulating
fan head, offered with other mounting
options would not be a ceiling fan under
this proposal. DOE also seeks comment
on a proposed alternative interpretation.
DOE is retaining the exemption for
ceiling; fans for which the plane of
rotation of the blades is greater than 45
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degrees from horizontal, and for which
the plane of rotation cannot be adjusted
based on the manufacturer’s
specifications to be less than or equal to
45 degrees from horizontal. These fans
are not subject to the test procedure and
energy conservation standards
established by DOE, but would remain
subject to the design requirements of
EPCA (2) to specify that VSD ceiling
fans that do not also meet the definition
of LSSD fan are not required to be tested
pursuant to the DOE test method for
purposes of demonstrating compliance
with DOE’s energy conservation
standards for ceiling fans or
representations of efficiency; (3) for
LSSD and VSD ceiling fans, to increase
the tolerance for the stability criteria for
the average air velocity measurements at
low-speed; (4) to codify in regulation
existing guidance on the method for
calculating several values reported on
the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
EnergyGuide label for LSSD and VSD
ceiling fans using results from the
ceiling fan test procedures in Appendix
U to subpart B of 10 CFR part 430 and
represented values in 10 CFR part 429;
(5) to specify that large-diameter ceiling
with blade spans greater than 24 feet do
not need to be tested pursuant to the
DOE test procedure for purposes of
demonstrating compliance with DOE
energy conservation standards or
representations of energy efficiency are;
and (6) to amend certification
requirements and product-specific
enforcement provisions for ceiling fans
to reflect the most recent amendments
to the test procedures and energy
conservation standards for ceiling fans.
Any amended test procedure adopted in
this rulemaking will be effective
beginning 30 days after publication of a
final rule in the Federal Register.
Representations of energy use or energy
efficiency must be based on testing in
accordance with this rulemaking, if
adopted, beginning 180 days after the
publication of a test procedure final
rule.
The amendments proposed in this
document would provide manufacturers
additional certainty in the test
procedures and labeling requirements
for ceiling fans, and would reduce the
testing burden related to the stability
criteria. The proposed amendments
with regard to air circulating fan heads
would clarify the scope of DOE’s
authority to regulate ceiling fans as
defined by EPCA, which does not
include air circulating fan heads that do
not meet the EPCA definition of a
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ceiling fan. The proposed amendments
would specify that VSD ceiling fans that
do not also meet the definition of LSSD
fan are not required to be tested
pursuant to the DOE test method for
purposes of demonstrating compliance
with DOE’s energy conservation
standards for ceiling fans or
representations of efficiency, so these
costs would not accrue to manufacturers
of these VSD fans. As discussed in more
detail in section III.C of this NOPR, the
proposed increase in the tolerance for
the stability criteria for the average air
velocity measurements for LSSD and
VSD ceiling fans at low speed is
expected to reduce the test burden
without changing test procedure results.
The proposed codification of existing
guidance is expected to provide
manufacturers greater certainty in
determining how to calculate certain
values required to be reported on the
FTC EnergyGuide label for LSSD and
VSD ceiling fans. The estimated cost to
test commercially-available largediameter fans is approximately $4,000
per ceiling fan, but these costs would
not accrue for manufacturers of any fans
greater than 24 feet in diameter. The
proposed amendments to the
certification requirements would reflect
the current test procedure and recently
amended energy conservation standards
for ceiling fans. Finally, the proposed
amendments to the product-specific
enforcement provisions would specify
the use of the methods currently in
Appendix U for verifying certain ceiling
fan characteristics (i.e., blade span,
distance between the ceiling and the
lowest point of fan blades, blade
revolutions per minute, and blade edge
thickness).
Additionally, as discussed in more
detail in section III of this NOPR, DOE
has initially concluded that the
amendments being proposed will not
impact representations of ceiling fan
efficiency made in accordance with the
July 2016 CF TP final rule. Thus,
retesting should not be required solely
as a result of DOE’s adoption of the
proposed amendments to the test
procedures. DOE emphasizes, however,
that manufacturers are responsible for
the validity of their representations and
seeks comment on the initial conclusion
that the proposal will not impact
representations made according to the
July 2016 CF TP final rule and that
manufacturers therefore should not be
required to retest their products if DOE
adopts the proposed rule.
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51443
TABLE II.1—SUMMARY OF CHANGES IN PROPOSED TEST PROCEDURE RELATIVE TO CURRENT TEST PROCEDURE
Current DOE test procedure
Proposed test procedure
Provides exceptions to the test procedure and energy
conservation standards for ceiling fans where the
plane of rotation of a ceiling fan’s blades is not less
than or equal to 45 degrees from horizontal, or cannot
be adjusted based on the manufacturer’s specifications to be less than or equal to 45 degrees from horizontal.
Interprets the EPCA definition of ceiling fan to mean
those fans offered for mounting only on a ceiling and
seeks comment on a proposed alternative interpretation. Retains the exceptions to the test procedure
and energy conservation standards for ceiling fans
that can be suspended from the ceiling, for which the
plane of rotation of the ceiling fan’s blades is greater
than 45 degrees from horizontal, and for which the
plane of rotation cannot be adjusted based on the
manufacturer’s specifications to be less than or equal
to 45 degrees from horizontal.
Specifies that VSD ceiling fans that are not also LSSD
ceiling fans are not required to be tested pursuant to
the DOE test method.
Increases the tolerance for the stability criteria for the
average air velocity measurements for LSSD and
VSD ceiling fans at low speed to less than ten (10)
percent.
Codifies the calculation instructions in the CFR .............
Response to questions
from industry, clarification.
Add provisions for verification of represented values to
be used in the context of enforcement of the relevant
efficiency standards.
Improve reproducibility and
repeatability.
Provides a method of testing only those VSD ceiling
fans that meet the LSSD ceiling fan definition.
The tolerance for the stability criteria for the average air
velocity measurements for LSSD and VSD ceiling fans
at low speed is less than five (5) percent.
Instruction on calculating EnergyGuide Label values
based on measurements taken in accordance with Appendix U is provided in a guidance document separate from the CFR.
Includes certification requirements and product-specific
enforcement provisions.
DOE seeks comment on the changes
proposed in this document and on
whether other amendments to the test
procedure should be considered.
III. Discussion
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A. Scope of Applicability
EPCA defines a ‘‘ceiling fan’’ as ‘‘a
nonportable device that is suspended
from a ceiling for circulating air via the
rotation of fan blades.’’ (42 U.S.C.
6291(49)) In the July 2016 CF TP final
rule, DOE stated that the test procedure
applies to any product meeting this
definition, including hugger fans, fans
designed for applications where large
airflow volume may be needed, and
highly decorative fans. DOE stated,
however, that manufacturers were not
required to test the following fans
according to the test procedure: Beltdriven ceiling fans, centrifugal ceiling
fans, oscillating ceiling fans, and ceiling
fans whose blades’ plane of rotation
cannot be within 45 degrees of
horizontal. In this rulemaking, DOE is
confirming the scope of its authority
pursuant to EPCA to regulate ceiling
fans and confirming that its authority in
this context is limited to fans that meet
the EPCA definition of a ceiling fan.
Specifically, DOE interprets the EPCA
definition of ceiling fan to mean those
fans offered for mounting only on a
ceiling. Any ceiling-mount air
circulating fan head or other fan that
was offered with other mounting
options would not be a ceiling fan for
purposes of EPCA. DOE also seeks
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comment on alternative means to
differentiate ceiling fans from air
circulating fan heads that do not meet
the EPCA definition of ceiling fan, as
described in this section.
DOE received inquiries since the
publication of the July 2016 CF TP final
rule whether certain air circulating fan
heads 5 would be subject to the DOE test
procedures and energy conservation
standards. These inquiries indicate that
the procedure specified in the July 2016
CF TP final rule, in which testing was
not required for ceiling fans whose
blades’ plane of rotation cannot be
within 45 degrees of horizontal,’’ 6 could
potentially result in some air circulating
fan heads that do not meet the EPCA
definition of a ceiling fan being
classified as ceiling fans subject to
testing and compliance with DOE
energy conservation standards. This
includes air circulating fan heads that
may, in addition to any other number of
5 Section 5.1.1 of ANSI/AMCA Standard 230–15
(‘‘AMCA 230–15’’), ‘‘Laboratory Methods of Testing
Air Circulating Fans for Rating and Certification,’’
defines air circulating fan head as an assembly
consisting of a motor, impeller and guard for
mounting on a pedestal having a base and column,
wall mount bracket, ceiling mount bracket, I-beam
bracket or other commonly accepted mounting
means.
6 If the plane of rotation of a ceiling fan’s blades
is not less than or equal to 45 degrees from
horizontal, or cannot be adjusted based on the
manufacturer’s specifications to be less than or
equal to 45 degrees from horizontal, the ceiling fan
is not subject to the DOE test procedure and is not
subject to the energy conservation standards.
Section 2(1) of Appendix U; 10 CFR
430.36(s)(2)(ii)(A).
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Attribution
Clarification.
Response to waiver.
Ease of use.
configurations, also be mounted on a
downrod.
On May 31 and July 9, 2019, the Air
Movement and Control Association
(AMCA) submitted letters regarding air
circulating fan heads.7 AMCA stated
that air circulating fan heads have
distinct characteristics and functions
compared to traditional ceiling fans.
Specifically, AMCA stated that air
circulating fan heads are typically
caged/housed and incorporated in
products that are primarily offered for
sale as floor mounted (portable pedestal)
or mounted to vertical structures (wall
mount), and are designed to provide
concentrated directional airflow.
AMCA also noted that air circulating
fan heads do not circulate air like a
ceiling fan. Specifically, a ceiling fan
will discharge air in the downward
direction and the discharge air typically
returns to the intake side of the fan with
significant momentum, thus creating air
circulation. Each pass through the fan
increases the average air speed in the
space until a steady state circulation of
air is achieved. This air circulation
pattern is why ceiling fan test
procedures require a significant amount
of time between activation of the ceiling
fan and the measurement of
performance data. In contract, air
circulating fan heads provide
directional, concentrated high speed
7 AMCA’s May 31 and July 9, 2019 letters to DOE
can be accessed in the Docket here: https://
www.regulations.gov/document?D=EERE-2013-BTTP-0050-0023.
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airflow targeted at a specific location.
The airflow from the air circulating fan
head is unlikely to return to the intake
side of the fan head with any significant
moment and in many cases the
discharge air may not return at all;
therefore, a circulating pattern is not
achieved.
In addition, AMCA stated that air
circulating fan heads typically operate
at faster speeds (tip speeds) than ceiling
fans to produce air that will travel faster
and farther for a given fan diameter.
Accordingly, AMCA proposed in their
letter that DOE clarify the interpretation
that air circulating fan heads are not
ceiling fans because they have other
primary mounting options and
operating modes where the fan is not
required to be fixed to the ceiling, and
additionally provide that the fan head’s
blade tip speed is greater than 5,500 feet
per minute (fpm).8 AMCA also stated
that air circulating fan heads have
higher average outlet air speeds
(calculated as the volumetric airflow
rate (cfm) of the fan at high speed
divided by the swept area of the blades
(discharge area)) than ceiling fans and
recommended a break point of 900 feet
per minute as another distinguishing
characteristic for large diameter ceiling
fans and high speed small diameter
ceiling fans.
As stated, EPCA defines ‘‘ceiling fan’’
as ‘‘a nonportable device that is
suspended from a ceiling for circulating
air via the rotation of fan blades.’’ (42
U.S.C. 6291(49)) In DOE’s view, because
the EPCA definition of ceiling fan
includes the terms ‘‘nonportable’’ and
‘‘suspended from a ceiling,’’ it does not
include within its scope any device
offered for mounting on any surface
other than a ceiling, even if it is also
offered for mounting on a ceiling.
Therefore, as a clarifying interpretation
of EPCA’s definition of ‘‘ceiling fan,’’
DOE proposes to adopt a definition of
ceiling fan in 10 CFR 430.2 whose scope
would be limited to devices that are
offered for mounting only on a ceiling.
Any fan, including a ceiling-mount air
circulating fan head, offered with other
mounting options would not be a ceiling
fan for purposes of EPCA.
This interpretation is based a
reasoned understanding of the plain
meaning of the text of the definition,
taking into account the context of the
statute as a whole. Specifically, the
phrase ‘‘suspended from the ceiling for
circulating air,’’ is a clear description of
8 Tip speed is calculated as blade diameter ×
3.14159 × rotational speed in revolutions per
minute (RPM). The tip speed value was based on
Table 90.1 from Underwriters Laboratory (UL)
ceiling fan safety standard (UL Standard 507–2017,
‘‘Standard for Electric Fans’’).
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the use of a ‘‘ceiling fan,’’ i.e., where it
is installed and for what purpose. It
follows, then, that a device that is not
offered for mounting on a ceiling is not
within the scope of this definition.
Moreover, to be within the scope of
the ‘‘ceiling fan’’ definition, the device
must be ‘‘nonportable.’’ An overly strict
construction of this term would apply
only to devices that, literally, cannot be
moved. Within the context of DOE’s
understanding of the range of products
offered for the purpose of circulating air
(i.e., ‘‘fans’’) that can be suspended from
a ceiling, a reasonable construction of
the term ‘‘nonportable’’ would be
devices that are not offered for
mounting on a surface other than a
ceiling, i.e., devices offered for
mounting only on a ceiling. This would
exclude as ‘‘portable’’ products offered
with the option to be used in multiple
locations over time, such as on a wall
or floor, even if one of those options
includes mounting the product to a
ceiling.
DOE therefore concludes that EPCA’s
definition of ‘‘ceiling fan,’’ by its plain
meaning, does not include within its
scope any device that is offered for
mounting on a surface other than a
ceiling, even if it is also offered for
mounting on a ceiling. In addition, any
ceiling-mount air circulating fan head
that did not meet this criterion (i.e.,
offered with other mounting options)
would not be a ceiling fan for purposes
of EPCA. DOE would make clear this
interpretation of the statutory definition
of ‘‘ceiling fan’’ by adopting the
following definition in DOE regulations
at 10 CFR 430.2: ‘‘Ceiling fan means a
nonportable device that is suspended
from a ceiling for circulating air via the
rotation of fan blades. For purposes of
this definition, the term ‘‘suspended
from a ceiling’’ means offered for
mounting on a ceiling, and the term
‘‘nonportable’’ means not offered for
mounting on a surface other than a
ceiling.’’
DOE also seeks comment on an
alternative proposal to differentiate air
circulating fan heads or other fans that
do not meet the EPCA definition of a
ceiling fan. Any air circulating fan head
or other fan that does not meet any one
of the criteria specified in the EPCA
definition (‘‘nonportable’’, ‘‘suspended
from a ceiling’’, and ‘‘for circulating air
via the rotation of fan blades’’) is not a
ceiling fan for purposes of EPCA. DOE
proposes to interpret the elements of the
statutory definition of ceiling fan in the
following way:
(1) Portable—Meaning, the fan is
offered for mounting on surfaces other
than or in addition to the ceiling,
including the ceiling mount version of
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such fans. In contrast, a ceiling fan is
only mounted to the ceiling and would
typically not perform properly if
mounted in any other configuration.
DOE also notes that once a ceiling fan
is mounted to the ceiling, it is often
hard-wired in place, which DOE
understands is not always the case for
air circulating fan heads; 9
(2) Not suspended from the ceiling—
This criterion is determined with
reference to the point of manufacture,
because DOE regulates manufacturers
under EPCA. Air circulating fan heads
or other fans that are not manufactured
with a means to be suspended from the
ceiling would not meet the statutory
definition. With reference to air
circulating fan heads, in many cases, the
manufacturer produces the air
circulating fan head, and the customer
supplies the pipe or other means of
suspension. Brackets may be supplied
for mounting, but the customer decides
where and how to mount the air
circulating fan head (i.e., to the wall,
ceiling, or some other appropriate
location). In contrast a ceiling fan is
meant only to be suspended from the
ceiling and is not designed to be
mounted in any other way.
(3) Not for the purpose of circulating
air—As noted previously, AMCA stated
in its July 9 letter, which was specific
to air circulating fan heads, that air
circulating fan heads do not circulate air
like a ceiling fan. Specifically, a ceiling
fan will discharge air in the downward
direction and the discharge air typically
returns to the intake side of the fan with
significant momentum, thus creating air
circulation. Each pass through the fan
increases the average air speed in the
space until a steady state circulation of
air is achieved. This is not the case with
air circulating fan heads, which provide
directional, concentrated high speed
airflow targeted at a specific location.
The airflow from the air circulating fan
head is unlikely to return to the intake
side of the fan head with any significant
momentum and in many cases the
discharge air may not return at all;
therefore, a circulating pattern is not
achieved.
Given the above, DOE alternatively
proposes to specify the following in
DOE regulations at 10 CFR 430.2:
‘‘Ceiling fan means a nonportable device
that is suspended from a ceiling for
9 One manufacturer provided information on
some air circulating fan heads that are not typically
hardwired: Three phase units since there is no truly
standardized cord, and hazardous location
(‘explosion proof’) units where by code they need
to have specific wiring that does not allow for a
standard cord. While some of these may be
supplied with a cord by the customer, in some cases
the customer may decide to hard wire them.
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circulating air via the rotation of fan
blades. DOE interprets this term to mean
that any fan, including those meeting
the definition of an ‘‘air circulating fan
head’’ in AMCA 230–2015, that does not
have a ceiling mount option, or that has
more than one mounting option (even if
one of the mounting options is a ceiling
mount), is not a ceiling fan. Such fans
do not meet the statutory criteria of
being ‘‘nonportable’’, ‘‘suspended from
the ceiling’’, and ‘‘for the purpose of
circulating air.’’ ’’ Pursuant to the
definition of ‘‘air circulating fan head’’
in AMCA 230–15, an air circulating fan
head is intended for mounting by a
number of means, which can include
ceiling mount along with other types of
mounts, such a pedestal, wall or I-beam
bracket.
In making these proposals, DOE notes
that the design standards of EPCA
applicable to ceiling fans do not appear
to be generally applicable to air
circulating fan heads that do not meet
the criteria of the statutory definition.
Specifically, EPCA requires all ceiling
fans manufactured after January 1, 2007,
to have: (i) Fan speed controls separate
from any lighting controls; (ii)
Adjustable speed controls (either more
than 1 speed or variable speed); and (iii)
The capability of reversible fan action.
(42 U.S.C. 6295(ff)(1)(A). DOE is not
aware of any air circulating fan head
designs where the fan speed and
lighting controls are not separate. Most
air circulating fan heads are not
designed with more than 1 speed
because it would be prohibitively
expensive, especially for explosion
proof air circulating fan heads, for
example. And, because air circulating
fan heads are meant to provide directed
air flow, the necessity for reverse action
is not applicable or relevant, because
the fan can simply be moved or
redirected. As a result, it makes sense
that air circulating fan heads to which
these criteria do not apply would not be
considered ceiling fans for purposes of
EPCA.10 Applying the design standards
10 DOE received information from a manufacturer
supporting this assertion. Specifically, the
manufacturer did not know of no air circulating fan
heads that are provided with lighting as an integral
part of the fan head. The only application of which
the manufacturer was aware where an air
circulating fan head and a light are provided is a
dock fan: In terms of numbers, the manufacturer
indicated these are fairly rare (probably only 1 to
2% of air circulating fan heads at most), and the
light and air circulating fan head are really both
added to a separate articulating device. The
manufacturer did not know if the light is wired
separately of the air circulating fan head, but
expected is that it is. In general, the manufacturer
offered that there is no utility to be gained by
incorporating a light into an air circulating fan head
because unlike a ceiling fan, which uses the same
(and often only) ceiling electrical source, the air
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of EPCA to those fans, including air
circulating fan heads that do not meet
the DOE definition for ceiling fan is not
appropriate. Air circulating fan heads
could, however, be considered a type of
commercial or industrial fan pursuant to
42 U.S.C. 6311. EPCA authorizes DOE to
consider establishing ‘‘fans’’ and
‘‘blowers’’ as types of covered
commercial or industrial equipment. 42
U.S.C. 6311(2)(B)(ii) and (iii).
DOE notes that under this proposal,
the design standards of EPCA applicable
to ceiling fans would not apply to fans
that do not meet the criteria of the
statutory definition, including air
circulating fan heads as defined in
AMCA 230–15 offered for mounting on
surfaces other than or in addition to the
ceiling (including the ceiling mount
versions of such fans). The energy
conservation standards established by
DOE would also not be applicable to
such products.
AMCA’s letter also suggests that a
minimum tip speed/outlet air speed is
a differentiator for distinguishing
between air circulating fan heads and
ceiling fans. This differentiator may be
appropriate to determine whether the
air circulating fan head is for the
purpose of circulating air. DOE requests
comment and supporting data on what
tip speed/outlet air speed is appropriate
to differentiate ceiling fans from air
circulating fan heads. DOE also seeks
comment on whether, and if so, how to
update the regulatory criterion at
proposed Appendix U, Section 2. Scope,
to clarify that air circulating fan heads
above a certain tip speed/outlet air
speed are not for the purpose of
circulating air, as specified in the EPCA
criteria for ceiling fans.
DOE is not proposing to change the
existing requirement that ceiling fans for
which the plane of rotation of the blades
is greater than 45 degrees from
horizontal, and for which the plane of
rotation cannot be adjusted based on the
manufacturer’s specifications to be less
than or equal to 45 degrees from
horizontal are not subject to the test
procedure or energy conservation
standards established by DOE. DOE
seeks comment on whether this
provision is necessary to retain in light
of the proposal described in the
preceding paragraphs for air circulating
fan heads.
B. Proposal for VSD Ceiling Fans
In the July 2016 CF TP final rule, DOE
amended test procedures, located in
Appendix U to subpart B of 10 CFR part
430, for measuring ceiling fan
circulating fan head is not designed for this type of
hard wire connection.
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efficiency. The adopted test procedures
were largely based on the ENERGY
STAR test procedure, ‘‘Energy Star
Testing Facility Guidance Manual:
Building a Testing Facility and
Performing the Solid State Test Method
for ENERGY STAR Qualified Ceiling
Fans, Version 1.1,’’ and AMCA 230–15,
with some modifications. See 81 FR
48620. The ENERGY STAR test
procedure measures the air velocity
using air velocity sensors to calculate
airflow, while AMCA 230–15 uses a
load cell to measure thrust, which is
then used to calculate airflow.
The DOE test procedure established
by the July 2016 CF TP final rule
requires LSSD and high-speed smalldiameter (HSSD) ceiling fans to be
tested using methods based on air
velocity measurements. The DOE test
method is slightly different depending
on whether a small-diameter ceiling fan
meets the definition of either LSSD
ceiling fan or HSSD ceiling fan, which
is based on maximum fan tip speed and
thickness at the edge of the fan blades.
DOE required testing LSSD ceiling fans
at their lowest and highest speed
settings, but required testing HSSD
ceiling fans only at high speed. 81 FR
48620, 48626. For LSSD ceiling fans,
while most have one or more speeds
between high and low, DOE required
testing at only high and low speed to
limit test burden and avoid confusion
regarding the definition of medium
speed for ceiling fans with more than
three speeds. For HSSD ceiling fans,
DOE determined that they typically do
not have discrete speeds, and therefore
speeds other than high may not be well
defined; thus, testing is only required at
high speed. Id.
In the July 2016 CF TP final rule, DOE
prescribed a test method for LSSD and
HSSD ceiling fans. However, the HSSD
ceiling fan definition excluded VSD
ceiling fans. Therefore, the current test
method provides a method of testing
only those VSD ceiling fans that meet
the LSSD ceiling fan definition. In this
NOPR, DOE is proposing to specify
explicitly that VSD ceiling fans that do
not also meet the definition of LSSD fan
are not required to be tested pursuant to
the DOE test method for purposes of
demonstrating compliance with DOE’s
energy conservation standards for
ceiling fans or representations of
efficiency.
DOE requests comment on the
proposal. See section V.B for a list of
issues on which DOE seeks comment.
C. Proposed Alternate Stability Criteria
for Average Air Velocity Measurements
In the July 2016 CF TP final rule, DOE
established stability criteria for the air
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velocity measurements for LSSD and
HSSD ceiling fans. Specifically, section
3.3.2(1) of Appendix U to subpart B of
10 CFR part 430 requires that the
average air velocity for each sensor must
vary by less than 5 percent compared to
the average air velocity measured for
that same sensor in a successive set of
air velocity measurements. Stable
measurements are required to be
achieved at high speed only for HSSD
ceiling fans, and at both low and high
speed for LSSD ceiling fans. However,
ceiling fans with low speeds that
produce air velocities lower than 40 feet
per minute (fpm) may have trouble
meeting this stability criteria. Since the
July 2016 CF TP final rule, DOE has
received several inquiries from
manufacturers citing difficulties with
meeting the stability criteria at low
speed for certain basic models of ceiling
fans. DOE evaluated available test data
to investigate these difficulties and to
determine whether increased tolerances
for air velocity stability criteria for low
speed tests could be used to reduce test
burden without materially affecting the
results of the test procedure.
Specifically, DOE used the test data
from ceiling fans tested at a third-party
testing facility to compare the airflow
and efficiency results of the test
procedure with the 5 percent and 10
percent air velocity stability criteria
applied to low speed. DOE found that
increasing the stability criteria to 10
percent for low speed would allow more
fans to meet the stability criteria and
reduce the number of successive
measurements needed to do so without
materially changing the efficiency
results of the test procedure. By
reducing the number of successive
measurements needed this proposed
amendment would reduce the test
burden for manufacturers, including the
total test time per unit for low speed
tests for ceiling fans. DOE estimates that
manufacturers of LSSD and VSD ceiling
fans may save approximately 20
minutes in testing time due to the
relaxation of the air velocity stability
requirements. The potential cost
impacts of this proposal are discussed
in section III.I of this NOPR.
An alternative approach that DOE also
considered was applying stability
criteria to airflow instead of air velocity
(as is required under the current DOE
test procedure). However, DOE’s review
concluded that applying stability
criteria to airflow instead of air velocity
could result in less repeatability by
allowing a greater variation in airflow
and efficiency results between multiple
tests of the same fan. Per the current
DOE test procedure, air velocity is
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measured at each sensor along the
sensor arm, and airflow is calculated
based on these measurements. The air
velocity measurements provide more
information than the calculated airflow
because they indicate the amount and
location of air provided by the fan
within the effective area (i.e., the air
profile). DOE found that large variations
in air profile often indicate test room
instability (e.g., localized temperature
gradients that effect airflow). Applying
stability criteria to the air velocity
measurements ensures that successive
sets of measurements result in similar
air profiles, which is indicative of test
room stability. On the other hand, DOE
observed that stability criteria applied
only to airflow could be met with large
variations in air profile (i.e., at unstable
test room conditions). This allows for
airflow, and in turn fan efficiency, to
vary significantly between multiple tests
of the same fan because stable airflow
can be achieved at varied test room
conditions. DOE expects that the
purchase and set up of additional
thermocouples in the test room would
be required to monitor and ensure test
room stability to avoid these
repeatability issues. In DOE’s own
testing evaluation, DOE installed
thermocouple grids within the test room
when evaluating the impact of applying
the stability criteria to airflow in order
to get repeatable results. Therefore, DOE
concluded that stability criteria based
on air velocity measurements leads to
more repeatable test results and avoids
the potential need for additional set up
and test room modifications and costs to
monitor test room stability throughout
the tests.
Therefore, in this NOPR, DOE is
proposing to increase the air velocity
stability criteria for testing at low speed
from 5 percent to 10 percent. DOE does
not expect this proposed amendment to
require manufacturers to re-test LSSD
and VSD ceiling fans that have been
tested and rated per the current test
procedure. The proposed amendment
increases the tolerance of the stability
criteria for low speed tests established
in the July 2016 CF TP final rule for fans
that require testing at low speed. Any
test conducted in accordance with the
current test procedure (under which the
stability criteria provides tolerance that
is more narrow than that being
proposed) would meet the stability
criteria specified in this proposal. By
letter dated June 14, 2017, BAS
submitted a petition for waiver and
application for interim waiver for
specified basic models of low-speed
small-diameter ceiling fans. The
proposal in this NOPR is consistent
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with the methodology of the alternative
test method requested by BAS for these
basic models and in the interim waiver
DOE granted to BAS. In addition, this
NOPR fulfills the statutory requirement
for DOE to publish in the Federal
Register a notice of proposed
rulemaking and subsequent final rule to
amend its regulations so as to eliminate
any need for the continuation of such
waiver as soon as practicable. 10 CFR
430.27(l).
In the July 2016 CF TP final rule, DOE
also established measurement tolerances
for air velocity sensors. Section 3.2 of
Appendix U states that air velocity
sensors must have accuracies within ±5
percent of reading or 2 feet per minute
(fpm), whichever is greater. For this
NOPR, DOE proposes to add the 2 fpm
provision to the stability criteria to
provide consistency between the
stability criteria for air velocity
measurements and the accuracy of air
velocity sensors. Specifically, DOE
proposes the following stability criteria
for low speed tests; the average air
velocity for each sensor must vary by
less than 10 percent or 2 fpm,
whichever is greater, compared to the
average air velocity measured for that
same sensor in a successive set of air
velocity measurements. DOE proposes
to add a 2 fpm limitation to the existing
stability criteria for high speed tests
such that the average air velocity for
each sensor must vary by less than 5
percent or 2 fpm, whichever is greater,
compared to the average air velocity
measured for that same sensor in a
successive set of air velocity
measurements. In this NOPR, DOE is
not proposing to change the stability
criteria for average power measurement
for either high or low speed tests, which
would remain at 1 percent.
DOE requests comment on the
proposed stability criteria. See section
V.B of this NOPR for a list of issues on
which DOE seeks comment.
Section 3.3.2 of Appendix U to
subpart B of 10 CFR part 430 requires
that LSSD fans be tested at low speed.
Appendix U defines low speed to mean
‘‘the lowest available ceiling fan speed,
i.e., the fan speed corresponding to the
minimum, non-zero, blade RPM’’.
Through testing and industry inquiry,
DOE is aware that, in the lowest
available fan speed, some ceiling fans
have an extremely low rotation rate,
leading to atypically low airflow. The
airflow is so low that: (1) The airflow
sensors used by third-party labs, which
are appropriate for most ceiling fans,
cannot meet the accuracy requirements
of the test procedure; and (2) labs are
having trouble meeting the stability
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criteria despite routinely achieving
stability for other fans.
To avoid testing low fan speeds that
consumers are unlikely to use to
circulate air or that will be impossible
or overly burdensome to test, DOE is
considering modifying the definition of
low speed. Specifically, DOE is
considering defining the low speed as
the lowest available ceiling fan speed
for which fewer than half or three,
whichever is fewer, sensors on any
individual axis are measuring less than
30 feet per minute. Thirty feet per
minute is the threshold below which
practicable air velocity sensors can no
longer meet the test procedure accuracy
and stability requirements. In
conjunction, DOE is considering explicit
instructions to start at the lowest speed
and move to the next highest speed
until the modified low speed criteria are
met.
DOE seeks comment on whether
testing the fan at the lowest available
ceiling fan speed as currently required
measures the energy use during a
representative average use cycle or
period of use, as required by EPCA (42
U.S.C. 6293). DOE seeks comment on
whether, in the alternate, testing at low
speed defined as the lowest available
ceiling fan speed for which fewer than
half or three, whichever is fewer,
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sensors on any individual axis are
measuring less than 30 feet per minute,
would meet these EPCA requirements.
Such a test procedure would also
require testing to start at the lowest
speed and move to the next highest
speed until the modified low speed
criteria are met. DOE seeks comment on
whether this alternate test method
would affect the measured energy use of
the ceiling fan as compared to the
current test procedure.
DOE also seeks comment on whether
this alternate test method would reduce
the test burden for manufacturers,
including the total test time per unit for
low speed tests for ceiling fans. The test
procedure does not currently specify
when to conclude a test if stability
criteria cannot be met. In this case,
third-party labs have local operating
procedures (LOP) that dictate, based on
each individual labs’ business model,
how long to run a test before deeming
it invalid. The low speeds in question
could require labs to run tests for the
full duration of their LOP limit if
stability is not met. The alternate test
method could mitigate the occurrence of
these long, invalid test runs. DOE
estimates that manufacturers of LSSD
and VSD ceiling fans may save
approximately 60 minutes in per unit
testing time due to the new low speed
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51447
criteria. The potential cost impacts are
discussed in III.I.3 of this NOPR.
D. Calculation Methodology for Values
Reported on the EnergyGuide Label
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission
(FTC) adopted a revised EnergyGuide
label in a September 15, 2016 Energy
Labeling final rule. 81 FR 63634. The
rule is applicable to LSSD and VSD
ceiling fans, and requires specification
of values for certain metrics related to
the ceiling fan’s performance, including
ceiling fan efficiency.11 See 16 CFR
305.13. DOE subsequently issued a
guidance document explaining how to
calculate these values, based on
measurements taken in accordance with
Appendix U.12 DOE proposes to codify
these calculation methods at 10 CFR
429.32(a)(3).
An example of the U.S. FTC’s
EnergyGuide label for LSSD and VSD
ceiling fans is shown in Figure III.1.
11 In the September 2016 Energy Labeling final
rule, the FTC indicated it will seek comment on the
need for, and content of, fan labels for high-speed
small-diameter and large-diameter ceiling fans. 81
FR 63634, 63637.
12 https://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/
appliance_standards/pdfs/ftc_label_calc_method_
2016-10-21.pdf.
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cubic feet per minute per watt, which is
defined and measured according to the
July 2016 CF TP final rule. Calculation
methods for the other three values are
provided in subsections III.D.1 through
III.D.3 of this NOPR.
Where:
AirflowFTC = represented value for FTC
airflow, rounded to the nearest CFM,
CFMLow = represented value of measured
airflow, in cubic feet per minute, at low
fan speed, and
CFMHigh = represented value of measured
airflow, in cubic feet per minute, at high
fan speed.
airflow at the high and low speed
settings. The measurements of airflow
for each setting specified by the
equation above must be based on the
represented value of measured airflow
from a sample of at least two ceiling
fans, in accordance with the
requirements of 10 CFR 429.32(a)(2)(i).
The represented value for FTC airflow is
then calculated using the represented
Section 3.3 of Appendix U specifies
the procedures for measuring the
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1. FTC Airflow
For LSSD and VSD ceiling fans, FTC
airflow represents the weighted-average
airflow of a ceiling fan, where the
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weighted average is based on an average
of airflow at low and high fan speeds.
The weight given to each speed is the
average operating hours at that speed
normalized by the total average
operating hours in active mode. The
average operating hours come from
Table 3 in Appendix. DOE proposes to
include in 10 CFR part 429 the
following equation, as specified in the
current guidance, to calculate this value:
value of measured airflow for each
setting specified by the equation.
2. FTC Energy Use
For LSSD and VSD ceiling fans, FTC
energy use represents the weightedaverage power consumption of the
ceiling fan, where the weighted average
is based on an average of the power
consumption at low and high fan speeds
and in standby mode. The weight given
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The EnergyGuide label reports values
for four metrics: (1) Efficiency (labeled
as ‘‘Airflow Efficiency’’), (2) FTC airflow
(labeled as ‘‘Airflow’’), (3) FTC energy
use (labeled as ‘‘Energy Use’’), and (4)
FTC estimated yearly energy cost
(labeled as ‘‘Estimated Year Energy
Cost’’). The EnergyGuide label’s
‘‘Airflow Efficiency’’ value corresponds
to the ceiling fan’s represented value of
efficiency (see 10 CFR 429.32(a)), in
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to each speed and to standby mode is
the average operating hours at that
setting normalized by the total average
operating hours in active mode. As with
FTC airflow, the average operating
hours come from Table 3 in Appendix
U. DOE proposes to include in 10 CFR
part 429 the following equation, as
specified in the current guidance, to
calculate this value:
Where:
Energy UseFTC = represented value for FTC
Energy Use, rounded to the nearest watt,
WLow = represented value of measured power
consumption, in watts, at low fan speed,
pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)(ii) of this
section,
WHigh = represented value of measured power
consumption, in watts, at high fan speed,
pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)(ii) of this
section, and
WSb = represented value of measured power
consumption, in watts, in standby mode,
pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)(ii) of this
section.
consumption at the high and low speed
settings, as well as in standby mode (if
applicable). The measurements of power
consumption for each setting specified
by the equation above must be based on
the represented value of power
consumption measured from a sample
of at least two ceiling fans, in
accordance with the requirements of 10
CFR 429.32(a)(2)(ii). The represented
value for FTC energy use is then
calculated using the represented value
of measured power consumption for
each setting specified by the equation.
3. FTC Estimated Yearly Energy Cost
E. Proposal for Large-Diameter Ceiling
Fans With Blade Spans Greater Than 24
Feet
to be consistent with AMCA 230–15.
(BAS, Docket ID: EERE–2013–BT–TP–
0050, No. 13, p. 7) In the rulemaking to
amend the energy conservation
standards for ceiling fans, however,
DOE did not contemplate standards for
large-diameter fans with blade spans of
greater than 24 feet because none were
available on the market at that time. 82
FR 6826, 6843.
Users of ceiling fans with a blade span
larger than 24 feet may operate them
differently than users of fans with a
blade span less than 24 feet. Because
DOE did not consider the applicability
of the current energy conservation
standards to large-diameter fans with
blade spans greater than 24 feet, and
because the current DOE test procedure
specifies a blade span limit of 24 feet,
DOE proposes in this rulemaking that
large-diameter fans with blade spans of
greater than 24 feet do not need to be
tested pursuant to the DOE test
procedure for purposes of determining
compliance with DOE energy
conservation standards or making other
representations of efficiency. DOE
requests comment on its proposal. DOE
also requests comment on the
availability of sufficient testing facilities
for large-diameter fans, including those
larger than 24 feet in diameter. See
section V.B of this NOPR for a list of
issues on which DOE seeks comment.
In calculating this value, the average
electricity cost and daily operating
hours in active mode are assumed to be
12 cents per kilowatt-hour 13 and 6.4
hours per day, respectively (as
displayed on the sample EnergyGuide
label in Figure III.1). Section 3.3 of
Appendix U to subpart B of 10 CFR part
430 outlines the procedures for
measuring the power consumption at
the high and low speed settings, as well
as in standby mode (if applicable). The
measurements of power consumption
for each setting specified by the
equation above must be based on the
represented value of power
consumption measured from a sample
of at least two ceiling fans, in
accordance with the requirements of 10
CFR 429.32(a)(2)(ii). The represented
value for FTC estimated yearly energy
cost is then calculated using the
represented value of measured power
consumption for each setting specified
by the equation.
13 12 cents per kilowatt-hour is the cost of energy
specified for the Federal Trade Commission’s
EnergyGuide label. 81 FR 63633 (September 15,
2016)
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Appendix U requires that largediameter ceiling fans (i.e., fans with
blade spans greater than seven feet) be
tested at up to five speeds, and at the
five highest speeds for fans with six or
more discrete speeds. Section 3.4.1 of
Appendix U states that this test method
for large-diameter ceiling fans is
applicable to ceiling fans up to 24 feet
in diameter. In the July 2016 CF TP final
rule, DOE included this diameter limit
because DOE was unaware of any
commercially-available large-diameter
ceiling fans with blade spans greater
than 24 feet. 81 FR 48620, 48632 (July
25, 2016). Since that time, DOE has
received an inquiry about how such a
fan would be tested.
The DOE test method for largediameter ceiling fans incorporates by
reference AMCA 230–15, which does
not specify a maximum blade span
limit. In addition, AMCA 230–15
provides minimum clearances for
testing based on blade span so that the
required test room dimensions are
dynamic and allow for testing of fans
larger than 24 feet. In the previous
rulemaking, Big Ass Solutions (BAS)
recommended that the DOE test
procedure not include a blade span
limit for the large-diameter test method
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Where:
EYECFTC = represented value for FTC
estimated yearly energy cost, rounded to the
nearest dollar, and all other variable
designations are the same as for the equation
for FTC energy use.
For LSSD and VSD ceiling fans, FTC
estimated yearly energy cost represents
the estimated cost to a consumer of the
energy consumed in operating a ceiling
fan for a year. Time spent at low speed,
high speed, and in standby mode is
based on the average operating hours
listed in Table 3 in Appendix U. DOE
proposes to include in 10 CFR part 429
the following equation, as specified in
the current guidance, to calculate this
value:
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Section 3.3 of Appendix U outlines
the procedures for measuring the power
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F. Certification Requirements
The procedures required for
determination, certification, and
enforcement of compliance of covered
products with the applicable
conservation standards are set forth in
10 CFR part 429. Ceiling fan
manufacturers 14 must submit
certification reports for ceiling fan basic
models before they are distributed in
commerce. 10 CFR 429.12. The current
requirements for certification reports for
ceiling fans correspond to the design
requirements specified in EPCA. (42
U.S.C. 6295(ff)(1)) These requirements
are set forth at 10 CFR 429.32(b), which
requires reporting of the number of
speeds within the ceiling fan controls,
and a declaration that the manufacturer
has incorporated the applicable design
requirements. These certification
requirements do not reflect the amended
energy conservation standards adopted
in the recent ceiling fan energy
conservation standards final rule
(hereafter the ‘‘January 2017 CF ECS
final rule’’).15 82 FR 6826 (January 19,
2017).
In this NOPR, DOE proposes to amend
the certification requirements for ceiling
fans to include product-specific
information that would be required to
certify compliance with the amended
energy conservation standards
established in January 2017 CF ECS
final rule. The product-specific
information is necessary to determine
the minimum allowable ceiling fan
efficiency and the proper category of
certain ceiling fans, like multi-mount
and/or multi-head ceiling fans. DOE
proposes to require that certification
reports include the following public
product-specific information for each
ceiling fan basic model: (1) Represented
blade span in inches; (2) represented
ceiling fan efficiency in CFM/W; (3) for
small-diameter ceiling fans, a
declaration whether the fan is a multihead ceiling fan; and (4) for low-speed
small-diameter ceiling fans, a
declaration whether the ceiling fan is a
multi-mount ceiling fan. For each
14 Under EPCA, ‘‘manufacture’’ means ‘‘to
manufacture, produce, assemble, or import.’’ 42
U.S.C. 6291(10).
15 On January 31, 2017, DOE temporarily
postponed the effective date of the January 2017 CF
ECS final rule. See 82 FR 8806. DOE further
temporarily postponed the effective date of that
energy conservation standards regulation until
September 30, 2017, to allow the Secretary, who
was confirmed and began work in his position
March 3, 2017, the opportunity to review and
consider the new regulation. See 82 FR 14427, Mar.
21, 2017. On May 24, 2017, DOE published the
completion of the review of the final rule amending
energy conservation standards for ceiling fans, and
confirmed that compliance will remain as required
with the January 19 final rule, without change. 82
FR 23723.
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ceiling fan basic model, DOE also
proposes to require additional productspecific information that would not be
included in the public CCMS database.
These include: (1) For small-diameter
ceiling fans, blade edge thickness (in),
airflow (CFM) at high speed, and blade
revolutions per minute (RPM) at high
speed; and (2) for LSSD ceiling fans, the
represented distance (in) between the
ceiling and the lowest point on the fan
blades. Manufacturers are already
required to determine these values if
making representations under the
current test procedure for ceiling fans
and will be required to use these values
to ensure the products they distribute in
commerce comply with the amended
energy conservation standards.
In this NOPR, DOE also proposes
amendments to 10 CFR 429.32 to
specify that represented values are to be
determined consistent with the test
procedures in Appendix U and to
specify rounding requirements for
represented values. DOE proposes that
manufacturers round any represented
value of ceiling fan efficiency, expressed
in cubic feet per minute per watt (CFM/
W), to the nearest whole number. DOE
also proposes the following: Any
represented value of blade span shall be
the mean of the blade spans measured
for the sample selected as described in
10 CFR 429.32(a)(1), rounded to the
nearest inch; any represented value of
blade RPM shall be the mean of the
blade RPMs measured for the sample
selected as described in 10 CFR
429.32(a)(1), rounded to the nearest
RPM; any represented value of blade
edge thickness shall be the mean of the
blade edge thicknesses measured for the
sample selected as described in 10 CFR
429.32(a)(1), rounded to the nearest
tenth of an inch; and any represented
value of the distance between the
ceiling and the lowest point on the fan
blades shall be the mean of the
distances measured for the sample
selected as described in 10 CFR
429.32(a)(1), rounded to the nearest
quarter of an inch.
DOE is also proposing updates to the
product class definitions included in
Appendix U to reference the proposed
represented value provisions to specify
that the product class for each basic
model is determined using the
represented values of blade span, blade
RPM, blade edge thickness, and the
distance between the ceiling and the
lowest point on the fan blades.
Blade edge thickness and the distance
between the ceiling and the lowest point
on the fan blades are used to determine
the product class to which a basic
model belongs. The July 2016 CF TP
final rule did not provide instructions
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on how to measure these parameters. In
this NOPR, DOE is proposing to include
these instructions in Appendix U to
subpart B of 10 CFR part 430 to ensure
these parameters are measured
consistently for representations and
verification. Specifically, DOE proposes
that blade edge thickness for small
diameter fans be measured at the fan
blade leading edge (in the forward
direction) with an instrument having a
measurement resolution of at least a
tenth of an inch. DOE has observed that
blade edge thickness is typically
measured with calipers or a tape
measure, either of which could meet the
proposed measurement resolution
requirement. Ceiling fan blades do not
have uniform shapes, including blade
edge thickness variations and tapered
tips or leading edges. DOE proposes the
following instructions for measuring
blade edge thickness to ensure test
procedure reproducibility, given these
variations in blade characteristics: (1)
Measure at the point at which the blade
is thinnest along the radial length of the
fan blade and is greater than or equal to
one inch from the tip of the fan blade,
and (2) Measure one inch from the
leading edge of the fan blade. These
provisions are proposed to account for
ceiling fan blades that have tapered tips
or tapered leading edges. DOE also
proposes to use an instrument having a
measurement resolution of at least 0.25
inches to measure the distance between
the ceiling and the lowest point on the
ceiling fan blades for LSSD ceiling fans.
DOE has observed that this
measurement is typically taken using a
tape measure, which should easily meet
the proposed measurement resolution
requirement.
Blade span is also used to determine
the product class to which a basic
model belongs. The July 2016 CF TP
final rule required blade span to be
determined by measuring the lateral
distance from the center of the axis of
rotation of the fan blades to the furthest
fan blade edge from the center of the
axis of rotation, and then multiplying
this distance by two. In this NOPR, DOE
is proposing to add to these instructions
to ensure that blade span is measured
consistently for representations and
verification. Specifically, DOE is
proposing to measure the lateral
distance at the resolution of the
measurement instrument, using an
instrument with a measurement
resolution of least 0.25 inches, and then
multiply this distance by two to
determine blade span. As in the July
2016 CF TP final rule, after multiplying
the lateral distance by two, blade span
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must be rounded to the nearest whole
inch.
G. Product-Specific Enforcement
Provisions
In the January 2017 CF ECS final rule,
DOE’s amended energy conservation
standards are expressed as the
minimum allowable ceiling fan
efficiency (in terms of CFM/W) as a
function of ceiling fan blade span, in
inches, for each ceiling fan product
class. DOE has also defined ceiling fan
product classes based on certain
characteristics, including the blade
span, distance between the lowest point
of the fan blades and the ceiling, RPM
at high speed, and blade edge thickness.
Represented values, including certified
values, of each of these characteristics
would be determined in accordance
with the proposed provisions of 10 CFR
429.32.
DOE proposes to add provisions to 10
CFR 429.134 for verification of these
represented values in 10 CFR 429.134,
to be used in the context of enforcement
of the relevant efficiency standards.
Each of the following paragraphs
describes the proposed DOE verification
provisions for each parameter. In each
case, DOE would measure the relevant
characteristic for each individual unit in
accordance with the test requirements of
Appendix U.
DOE proposes to consider the
represented blade span valid if the
rounded measurement(s) (either the
measured value for a single unit, or the
mean of the measured values for a
multiple unit sample, rounded to the
nearest inch) are the same as the
represented blade span. Blade span may
vary slightly between ceiling fan units
due to manufacturing tolerances and
blade warpage. However, the proposed
rounding provisions for blade span (10
CFR part 429) would require that the
blade span be rounded to the nearest
inch. This effectively would provide a
range of approximately 1 inch that
would require the same minimum
ceiling fan efficiency. For example, a
blade span of 52.4 inches would be
rounded down to 52 inches, and a blade
span of 51.5 inches would also be
rounded to 52 inches. This range is
larger than the expected variation in
blade span due to manufacturing
variation or blade warpage. Therefore,
DOE is not proposing an additional
tolerance for blade span verification.
DOE proposes that if the represented
blade span is found to be valid, that
blade span would be used as the basis
for calculating minimum allowable
ceiling fan efficiency. If the represented
blade span is found to be invalid, the
rounded measured blade span would
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serve as the basis for calculating the
minimum allowable ceiling fan
efficiency.
DOE proposes that the distance
between the lowest point of the fan
blades and the ceiling for each LSSD
unit be rounded to the nearest quarter
of an inch. This effectively would
provide a tolerance range of
approximately 0.25 inches. DOE
proposes to consider the represented
distance between the lowest point of the
fan blades and the ceiling valid if the
measurement(s) (either the measured
value for a single unit, or the mean of
the measured values for a multiple unit
sample, rounded to the nearest quarter
inch) are the same as the represented
distance. Furthermore, DOE proposes
that, if the represented distance is found
to be valid, that distance would be used
as the basis for determining the product
class. If the represented distance is
found to be invalid, the rounded
measured distance would serve as the
basis for determining the product class.
DOE proposes to consider the
represented blade RPM at high speed
valid if the measurement(s) (either the
measured value for a single unit, or the
mean of the measured values for a
multiple unit sample, rounded to the
nearest RPM) are within the greater of
1% or 1 RPM of the represented blade
RPM at high speed. DOE is proposing
these tolerances because they are
consistent with the tolerances
established in the July 2016 CF TP final
rule to determine RPM measurements
for large-diameter ceiling fans that can
operate over an infinite number of
speeds (see section 3.5(2) of Appendix
U to subpart B of part 430). DOE
proposes that, if the represented RPM is
found to be valid, that RPM would be
used as the basis for determining the
product class. If the certified RPM is
found to be invalid, the measured RPM
would serve as the basis for determining
the product class.
Represented values, including
certified values, of blade edge thickness
would be in accordance with the
proposed represented value provisions
in 10 CFR 429.32. The proposed
rounding provisions for blade edge
thickness (10 CFR part 429) would
require that the thickness be rounded to
the nearest tenth of an inch. This
effectively would provide a tolerance
range of approximately 0.1 inches. DOE
proposes to consider the represented
blade edge thickness valid if the
measurement(s) (either the measured
value for a single unit, or the mean of
the measured values for a multiple unit
sample, rounded to the nearest tenth of
an inch) are the same as the represented
blade edge thickness. DOE proposes
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that, if the represented blade edge
thickness is found to be valid, that blade
edge thickness would be used as the
basis for determining the product class.
If the represented blade edge thickness
is found to be invalid, the rounded
measured blade edge thickness would
serve as the basis for determining the
product class.
DOE seeks comment on the proposed
method for verifying the blade span, the
distance between the ceiling and lowest
point of the fan blades, RPM at high
speed, and the blade edge thickness.
H. Compliance Dates and Waivers
EPCA prescribes that all
representations of energy efficiency and
energy use, including those made on
marketing materials and product labels,
must be made in accordance with an
amended test procedure, beginning 180
days after publication of such a test
procedure final rule in the Federal
Register. (42 U.S.C. 6293(c)(2)) If DOE
were to publish an amended test
procedure EPCA provides an allowance
for individual manufacturers to petition
DOE for an extension of the 180-day
period if the manufacturer may
experience undue hardship in meeting
the deadline. (42 U.S.C. 6293(c)(3)) To
receive such an extension, petitions
must be filed with DOE no later than 60
days before the end of the 180-day
period and must detail how the
manufacturer will experience undue
hardship. (Id.)
Upon the compliance date, i.e., 180
days after publication of any final rule
amending the test procedure, should
DOE issue such an amendment, any
waivers that had been previously issued
and are in effect that pertain to issues
addressed by the amended test
procedure are terminated. 10 CFR
430.27(h)(2). Recipients of any such
waivers would be required to test the
products subject to the waiver according
to the amended test procedure as of the
effective date of the amended test
procedure. As discussed in section III.C
of this NOPR the amendments proposed
in this document would address the
issues that are the subject of the interim
waiver DOE granted to BAS.
As discussed in section III.C of this
NOPR, DOE does not expect any of
these amendments to impact the
measures of energy consumption or
efficiency for the basic models that were
tested in accordance with the July 2016
CF TP final rule. As discussed, DOE is
proposing to specify that VSD ceiling
fans that do not also meet the definition
of LSSD fan are not required to be tested
pursuant to the DOE test method for
purposes of demonstrating compliance
with DOE’s energy conservation
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standards for ceiling fans or
representations of efficiency; increase
the tolerances for the stability criteria at
low speed; codify existing guidance
regarding the calculation of certain
values required for FTC labels; specify
that fans with a blade span larger than
24 feet are not required to be tested
pursuant to the DOE test procedure for
purposes of determining compliance
with the energy conservation standards
established by DOE; revise the
certification requirements to reflect the
reporting necessary under the recently
amended ceiling fan energy
conservation standards; and specify
measurement procedures for verifying
certain represented ceiling fan
characteristics.
I. Test Procedure Costs and Impact
EPCA requires that test procedures
proposed by DOE not be unduly
burdensome to conduct. In this NOPR,
DOE proposes: (1) To interpret the term
‘‘ceiling fan’’ as defined by EPCA to
mean those fans offered for mounting
only on a ceiling. Any fan, including a
ceiling-mount air circulating fan head,
offered with other mounting options
would not be a ceiling fan; (2) to specify
that VSD ceiling fans that do not also
meet the definition of LSSD fan are not
required to be tested pursuant to the
DOE test method for purposes of
demonstrating compliance with DOE’s
energy conservation standards for
ceiling fans or representations of
efficiency; (3) to increase the tolerance
for the stability criteria for the average
air velocity measurements for LSSD and
VSD ceiling fans; (4) to codify in
regulation existing guidance on the
method for calculating several values
reported on the Federal Trade
Commission (FTC) EnergyGuide label
for LSSD and VSD ceiling fans using
results from the ceiling fan test
procedures in Appendix U to subpart B
of 10 CFR part 430 and represented
values in 10 CFR part 429; (5) to specify
that large-diameter ceiling with blade
spans greater than 24 feet do not need
to be tested pursuant to the DOE test
procedure for purposes of
demonstrating compliance with DOE
energy conservation standards or
representations of energy efficiency are;
and (6) to amend certification
requirements and product-specific
enforcement provisions for ceiling fans
to reflect the most recent amendments
to the test procedures and energy
conservation standards for ceiling fans.
DOE has tentatively determined that
these proposed amendments to the
ceiling fan test procedure would not be
unduly burdensome for manufacturers
to conduct and would reduce test
burden for manufacturers.
DOE’s analyses of this proposal
indicate that, if finalized, it would result
in a net cost savings to manufacturers.
TABLE III.1—SUMMARY OF COST IMPACTS FOR CEILING FANS
Present value
(million 2016$)
Category
Discount rate
(percent)
Cost Savings
Reduction in Scope (testing costs) ......................................................................................................
0.30
0.13
0.75
0.64
0.14
0.05
0.81
0.70
3
7
3
7
3
7
3
7
(2.01)
(1.52)
3
7
Reduction in Scope (conversion costs) ...............................................................................................
Reduction in Future Testing Costs ......................................................................................................
Reduction in Upfront Testing Costs (i.e., Purchase of Testing Equipment) .......................................
Total Net Cost Impacts
Total Net Cost Impacts ........................................................................................................................
TABLE III.2—SUMMARY OF ANNUALIZED COST IMPACTS FOR CEILING FANS
Annualized value
(thousands 2016$)
Category
Discount rate
(percent)
Annualized Cost Savings
Reduction in Scope (testing costs) ......................................................................................................
Reduction in Scope (conversion costs) ...............................................................................................
Reduction in Future Testing Costs ......................................................................................................
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Reduction in Upfront Testing Cost (i.e., Purchase of Testing Equipment) .........................................
9
9
22
45
4
4
24
49
3
7
3
7
3
7
3
7
(60)
(107)
3
7
Total Net Annualized Cost Impacts
Total Net Cost Impacts ........................................................................................................................
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Further discussion of the cost impacts of
the proposed test procedure
amendments are presented in the
following paragraphs.
1. Cost Impacts for Scope
As discussed in section III.A of this
NOPR, in advance of the compliance
date of the energy conservation
standards DOE is proposing to amend
the regulatory text to interpret the term
‘‘ceiling fan’’ as defined by EPCA to
mean those fans offered for mounting
only on a ceiling. Any fan, including a
ceiling-mount air circulating fan head,
offered with other mounting options
would not be a ceiling fan. Based on a
review of the ceiling fan market, DOE
has observed that fans with more than
one mounting option tend to be fans
with thin blades, high tip speeds, and a
guard. Accordingly, DOE identified that
the majority of the fans that would be
properly classified as outside the
definition of a ceiling fan based on the
clarification of the statutory scope
would be from the HSSD product class.
Based on a review of the ceiling fan
market, DOE estimates there are
approximately 219 models that ceiling
fan manufacturers could potentially
consider HSSD ceiling fans based on the
ceiling fan definition in Appendix U.
DOE estimated that approximately 10
percent of these models meet the
proposed definition of an air circulating
fan head that has more than one
mounting option beyond a ceiling
mount, and therefore would not be
subject to DOE’s test procedure and
energy conservation standards for
ceiling fans. Therefore, DOE estimates
that approximately 22 models would
not need to be tested nor potentially
redesigned to meet the upcoming energy
conservation standards.
DOE estimates that ceiling fan
manufacturers incur approximately
$1,525 to test HSSD ceiling fans.16
Therefore, DOE estimates that ceiling
fan manufacturers would have incurred
cost of approximately $33,550 in 2020,
the year energy conservation standards
become effective and ceiling fan
manufacturers are required to test and
certify all covered ceiling fans.
Additionally, DOE anticipates that
ceiling fan manufacturers will introduce
a new or modified model once every 3.5
years, therefore, on average ceiling fan
manufacturers would introduce
approximately 6 new or modified HSSD
ceiling fan models each year. Based on
these estimates, ceiling fan
manufacturers would have incurred
16 This is based on the testing cost described in
the July 2016 CF TP final rule (81 FR 48620, 48636).
This cost is in 2015$.
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approximately $9,150 in testing costs
each year after 2020. Due to the
proposed scope clarification ceiling fan
manufacturers would no longer incur
these testing costs.
In addition to the cost savings from
avoiding testing costs, ceiling fan
manufacturers would not incur
conversion costs associated with
redesigning models that ceiling fan
manufacturers could have potentially
considered HSSD ceiling fans based on
the existing ceiling fan definition, but
are not considered ceiling fans based on
the proposed clarification. As part of the
January 2017 CF ECS final rule, DOE
estimated the conversion costs of the
adopted energy conservation standards
for HSSD ceiling fans. 82 FR 6826
(January 19, 2017). DOE estimated that
ceiling fan manufacturers would incur
approximately $8.3 million in
conversion costs to convert all noncompliant HSSD ceiling fans into
compliant models by the 2020
compliance date.17 As previously stated,
DOE estimates that approximately 10
percent of basic models that
manufacturers have certified as HSSD
ceiling fans, but that meet the proposed
definition of air circulating fan head,
would not be subject to DOE’s energy
conservation standards for ceiling fans.
Therefore, DOE estimates that ceiling
fan manufacturers would have incurred
approximately $831,000 in conversion
costs to convert these products leading
up to the 2020 energy conservation
standards compliance date. Due to the
proposed scope clarification ceiling fan,
manufacturers would be certain that
they no longer need to incur these
conversion costs.
DOE requests comment on its
assumptions and understanding of the
estimated impact and associated cost
savings to ceiling fan manufacturers
regarding DOE’s proposal to clarify the
scope. Additionally, DOE requests
comment on any potential cost not
accounted for in the analysis that ceiling
fan manufacturers may incur due to this
proposed clarification.
2. Cost Impacts for Stability Criteria
As discussed in section III.C of this
NOPR, DOE is proposing to increase the
tolerance for the stability criteria for the
average air velocity measurements of
LSSD and VSD ceiling fans that meet
the definition of LSSD fans at low
speed, and to codify in regulation
17 The conversion cost estimates presented in the
January 2017 CF ECS final rule are broken out by
product class in the published GRIM. The January
2017 CF ECS adopted EL 4 for HSSD ceiling fans.
Capital conversion costs for HSSD ceiling fans at EL
4 were $5.5 million (2015$) and product conversion
costs at EL 4 were $2.8 million (2015$).
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current guidance on calculating
reported values on the FTC
EnergyGuide label. Based on review of
the DOE’s Compliance Certification
Database (CCD), DOE identified 22
unique manufacturers that make 3,339
unique basic models of LSSD fans and
seven unique basic models of VSD
fans.18 basic models.
DOE expects its proposal to increase
the tolerance for the average air velocity
stability criteria for low speed tests
would reduce the number of successive
measurements needed for LSSD and
VSD ceiling fans without materially
changing the efficiency results (see
section III.C of this NOPR for further
details). The reduction in the number of
successive measurements required to
achieve stability would reduce the time
to conduct the test, also reducing the
per unit cost to test for LSSD and VSD
fans. DOE estimates that the proposed
amendments to the stability criteria may
save approximately 20 minutes in
testing time for each LSSD or VSD fan
tested. DOE estimates the average wage
rate plus employer provided benefits for
an employee to conduct these tests is
$36.40 per hour.19 There are 688 LSSD
fan models and seven VSD fan models
affected by this stability criteria
proposal.20 DOE anticipates that
manufacturers would introduce new or
modified models once every 3.5 years,
therefore, on average manufacturers
would introduce approximately 199
new or modified LSSD and VSD fan
models each year and would be required
to test each fan model at least twice in
accordance with this test procedure.
18 DOE identified 7,231 ceiling fan entries in
DOE’s CCD on February 26, 2019. Of those models,
3,473 are unique basic models. There are 35 fans
that have a diameter less than or equal to 18 inches.
Seven of which are VSD fans that meet the
definition of LSSD fans and 28 which do not, and
therefore are not subject to the DOE test procedure.
Additionally, there are 3,434 fans that either have
a diameter more than 18 inches and less than or
equal to 84 inches, or do not have a diameter listed
in CCD. DOE assumed all these fans were either
LSSD or HSSD fans. Of these fans, 95 are HSSD fans
and 3,339 are LSSD fans. Lastly, there are four fans
that are large diameter fans with diameters greater
than 84 inches.
19 The Bureau of Labor Statistics mean hourly
wage rate for a ‘‘Mechanical Engineering
Technician’’ is $28.00. (May 2018; https://
www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes173027.htm).)
Additionally, according to the Annual Survey of
Manufacturers for NAICS code 335210, small
electrical appliance manufacturing, wages represent
approximately 77 percent of total cost of
employment.
(AMS 2016, NAICS code 335210; https://
www.census.gov/programs-surveys/asm.html).)
20 Of the 3,339 LSSD fans DOE identified, there
were 688 unique basic models with more than 3
speed control settings. DOE used this criteria to
estimate the number of LSSD models that would be
affect by this proposed stability criteria.
Additionally, DOE assumed all seven VSD models
would be affected as well.
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Using these estimates, DOE anticipates
cost savings of approximately $4,829
each year for all LSSD and VSD ceiling
fans affected by the proposed stability
criteria.21
In addition to the testing cost savings,
manufacturers would likely experience
cost savings from avoiding the need to
purchase additional and more-costly air
velocity sensors. Manufacturers are
having trouble achieving stability in low
speed using their current sensors. DOE
is aware that upgrading air velocity
sensors may be one way that
manufacturers can meet the stability
criteria required by the current test
procedure. Upgraded sensors can cost
between two and ten times as much as
the standard sensors that manufacturers
typically use for ceiling fan testing. To
test ceiling fans up to 84 inches in
diameter with an air velocity sensor
every 4 inches and in all four axes could
require a manufacturer to purchase,
calibrate, and install as many as 45
upgraded sensors. DOE estimates that
this investment would be approximately
$50,000 per manufacturer for these
upgraded sensors.
Of the 22 companies DOE identified
that make LSSD or VSD ceiling fans for
which these stability criteria apply and
upgraded sensors may be needed, DOE
assumed that only companies making
multiple models for which these
stability criteria apply to would
purchase these upgraded sensors. The
other manufacturers that only have a
single ceiling fan model needing these
upgraded sensors were assumed to
contract third-party labs for testing. In
these cases, the third-party labs will
bear the cost of any necessary sensor
upgrades. DOE estimates that 19
manufacturers would have invested in
upgraded sensors to meet the stability
criteria to comply with the current test
procedure. Therefore, DOE estimates
that the industry-wide one-time avoided
cost due to this proposal would be
approximately $950,000.
DOE requests comment on its
assumptions and understanding of the
estimated impact and associated cost
savings to ceiling fan manufacturers
regarding DOE’s proposal to increase the
tolerance for the stability criteria for the
average air velocity measurements of
LSSD and VSD ceiling fans that meet
the definition of LSSD fans at low
speed. Additionally, DOE requests
comment on any potential cost
manufacturers may incur, if any, due to
this proposed amendment.
21 This calculation includes a reduction of 20
minutes in testing time, applied to 199 models each
year, 2 tests per model, and an hourly employment
cost of $36.40 [(20/60) * 199 * 2 * $36.40 = $4,829].
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3. Potential Cost Impacts if the Low
Speed Criteria Definition Is Modified
In addition to proposing to increase
the tolerance for the stability criteria for
the average air velocity measurements of
LSSD and VSD ceiling fans, DOE might
consider modifying the low speed
criteria definition, which is required to
test LSSD and VSD ceiling fans, as
discussed in section III.C of this NOPR.
Based on review of the DOE’s CCD, DOE
identified 22 unique manufacturers that
make 3,339 unique basic models of
LSSD fans and seven unique basic
models of VSD fans.22
DOE anticipates that this potential
modification in definition could reduce
the total test time for a portion of LSSD
and VSD ceiling fans when conducting
the low speed tests. DOE anticipates
that manufacturers of LSSD and VSD
ceiling fans could save approximately
60 minutes in testing time for certain
LSSD and VSD models if the low speed
criteria definition is adopted. As stated
in the previous section, DOE estimated
there are 688 LSSD fan models and
seven VSD fan models affected by the
stability criteria proposal. DOE
estimates that approximately 10 percent
of these LSSD and VSD ceiling fans
affected by the stability criterial
proposal could also be affected by the
potential low speed criteria definition
modification. As previously stated, DOE
anticipates that manufacturers would
introduce new or modified models once
every 3.5 years. Therefore, on average
manufacturers would introduce
approximately 20 new or modified
LSSD and VSD fan models that could be
affected each year by the potential low
speed criteria definition modification
and would be required to test each fan
model at least twice in accordance with
this test procedure.23 Using these
estimates, DOE anticipates potential
22 DOE identified 7,231 ceiling fan entries in
DOE’s CCD on February 26, 2019. Of those models,
3,473 are unique basic models. There are 35 fans
that have a diameter less than or equal to 18 inches.
Seven of which are VSD fans that meet the
definition of LSSD fans and 28 which do not, and
therefore are not subject to the DOE test procedure.
Additionally, there are 3,434 fans that either have
a diameter more than 18 inches and less than or
equal to 84 inches, or do not have a diameter listed
in CCD. DOE assumed all these fans were either
LSSD or HSSD fans. Of these fans, 95 are HSSD fans
and 3,339 are LSSD fans. Lastly, there are four fans
that are large diameter fans with diameters greater
than 84 inches.
23 There are 688 LSSD ceiling fans and 7 VSD
ceiling fans. Approximately 10 percent of those fans
could be impacted by the potential low speed
definition modification, so there are approximately
70 ceiling fans potentially impacted [(688 + 7) *
0.10 = 69.5]. The design cycle for ceiling fans is
approximately 3.5 years for a model, so on average
20 new ceiling fan models would be introduced that
could be affected by the potential low speed
definition modification [69.5/3.5 = 19.9].
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cost savings of approximately $1,456
each year for all LSSD and VSD ceiling
fans affected by the potential low speed
criteria definition modification.24
DOE requests comment on its
assumptions and understanding of the
anticipated impact and potential cost
savings to ceiling fan manufacturers if
DOE modifies the low speed criteria
definition. Additionally, DOE requests
comment on any potential cost
manufacturers may incur, if any, due to
this definition is modified.
4. Cost Impacts for Other Test Procedure
Amendments
This notice proposes to specify that
fans with blade spans larger than 24 feet
are not required to be tested pursuant to
the DOE test procedure for purposes of
determining compliance with the energy
conservation standards established by
DOE or making other representations of
efficiency. As stated in section III.E of
this NOPR, DOE has not identified any
ceiling fans on the market with a blade
span greater than 24 feet. As such DOE
does not expect there to be a cost impact
resulting from this proposed
amendment.
Additionally, DOE believes that the
other proposed amendments will
provide manufacturers with greater
certainty in the conduct of the test
procedures. Regarding the proposed
amendments to the certification
provisions, manufacturers are already
required to determine the values added
under the proposal if making
representations under the current test
procedure for ceiling fans and will be
required to use these values to ensure
the products they distribute in
commerce comply with the amended
energy conservation standards. In
addition, the proposed certification
requirements will be necessary once
compliance with the amended standards
is required and should not increase
burden. DOE does not estimate
manufacturers would incur any
additional costs or cost savings from
these additional proposed test
procedure amendments.
DOE requests comment on any
potential cost or cost savings, that DOE
did not account for, that ceiling fan
manufacturers may incur due to these
additional test procedure amendments.
J. Other Test Procedure Topics
In addition to the issues identified
earlier in this document, DOE welcomes
comment on any other aspect of the
existing test procedure for ceiling fans
24 This calculation includes a reduction of 60
minutes in testing time, applied to 20 models each
year, 2 tests per model, and an hourly employment
cost of $36.40 [(60/60) * 20 * 2 * $36.40 = $1,456].
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not already addressed by the specific
areas identified in this document. DOE
particularly seeks information that
would improve the representativeness
of the test procedure, as well as
information that would help DOE create
a procedure that would limit
manufacturer test burden. Comments
regarding repeatability and
reproducibility are also welcome. In
particular, DOE notes that under
Executive Order 13771, ‘‘Reducing
Regulation and Controlling Regulatory
Costs,’’ Executive Branch agencies such
as DOE must manage the costs
associated with the imposition of
expenditures required to comply with
Federal regulations. See 82 FR 9339
(Feb. 3, 2017). Consistent with that
Executive Order, DOE encourages the
public to provide input on measures
DOE could take to lower the cost of its
regulations applicable to ceiling fans
consistent with the requirements of
EPCA.
IV. Procedural Issues and Regulatory
Review
A. Review Under Executive Order 12866
The Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) 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.
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B. Review Under Executive Orders
13771 and 13777
On January 30, 2017, the President
issued Executive Order (E.O.) 13771,
‘‘Reducing Regulation and Controlling
Regulatory Costs.’’ E.O. 13771 stated the
policy of the executive branch is to be
prudent and financially responsible in
the expenditure of funds, from both
public and private sources. E.O. 13771
stated it is essential to manage the costs
associated with the governmental
imposition of private expenditures
required to comply with Federal
regulations.
Additionally, on February 24, 2017,
the President issued E.O. 13777,
‘‘Enforcing the Regulatory Reform
Agenda.’’ E.O. 13777 required the head
of each agency designate an agency
official as its Regulatory Reform Officer
(RRO). Each RRO oversees the
implementation of regulatory reform
initiatives and policies to ensure that
agencies effectively carry out regulatory
reforms, consistent with applicable law.
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Further, E.O. 13777 requires the
establishment of a regulatory task force
at each agency. The regulatory task force
is required to make recommendations to
the agency head regarding the repeal,
replacement, or modification of existing
regulations, consistent with applicable
law. At a minimum, each regulatory
reform task force must attempt to
identify regulations that:
(i) Eliminate jobs, or inhibit job
creation;
(ii) Are outdated, unnecessary, or
ineffective;
(iii) Impose costs that exceed benefits;
(iv) Create a serious inconsistency or
otherwise interfere with regulatory
reform initiatives and policies;
(v) Are inconsistent with the
requirements of Information Quality
Act, or the guidance issued pursuant to
that Act, in particular those regulations
that rely in whole or in part on data,
information, or methods that are not
publicly available or that are
insufficiently transparent to meet the
standard for reproducibility; or
(vi) Derive from or implement
Executive Orders or other Presidential
directives that have been subsequently
rescinded or substantially modified.
DOE initially concludes that this
rulemaking is consistent with the
directives set forth in these executive
orders. This proposed rule is estimated
to result in cost savings. Assuming a 7
percent discount rate, the proposed rule
would yield annualized cost savings of
approximately $107,000 (2016$).
Therefore, if finalized as proposed, this
rule is expected to be an E.O. 13771
deregulatory action.
C. Review Under the Regulatory
Flexibility Act
The Regulatory Flexibility Act (5
U.S.C. 601 et seq.) requires preparation
of an initial regulatory flexibility
analysis (IFRA) 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 DOE
rulemaking process. 68 FR 7990. DOE
has made its procedures and policies
available on the Office of the General
Counsel’s website: https://energy.gov/gc/
office-general-counsel.
The July 2016 CF TP final rule
assessed potential impacts on small
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51455
businesses associated with ceiling fan
test requirements. Specifically, DOE
assessed the projected costs of testing,
and provided description of steps taken
to minimize impacts to small
businesses. 81 FR 48620 (July 25, 2016)
The January 2017 CF ECS final rule
assessed potential impacts on small
businesses associated with the ceiling
fan energy conservation standards
requirements. 82 FR 6826 (January 19,
2017) Specifically, DOE estimated total
conversion costs for small ceiling fan
manufacturers, and provided discussion
on steps taken to minimize the impacts.
DOE had identified six companies in the
July 2016 CF TP final rule that are small
businesses that maintain domestic
production facilities, four of which
manufacture HSSD ceiling fans, and
three manufacture large-diameter ceiling
fans.25 DOE did not, however, identify
any LSSD or VSD ceiling fan small
businesses that maintain domestic
production facilities.
This notice proposes amendments to
the test procedures and certification
requirements for ceiling fans. This
rulemaking provides further
specifications to existing requirements
for testing and compliance with
standards and does not materially
change the burden associated with
ceiling fan regulations on small entities
regulated by the rulemaking.
Specifically, DOE proposes to specify
that VSD ceiling fans that do not also
meet the definition of LSSD fan are not
required to be tested pursuant to the
DOE test method for purposes of
demonstrating compliance with DOE’s
energy conservation standards for
ceiling fans or representations of
efficiency. This proposal, which would
not require testing of any additional
fans, would not result in a significant
impact to a substantial number of small
entities. In addition, as stated above,
DOE did not identify any small LSSD or
VSD ceiling fan manufacturers that
maintain domestic production facilities.
DOE also proposes to increase the
tolerance for stability criteria for the
average air velocity measurements for
LSSD and VSD ceiling fans at low speed
to reduce test burden without
significantly changing test procedure
results. As discussed in section III.I, this
proposal is expected to reduce the test
procedure burdens associated with
testing time and investments in testing
equipment. In addition, DOE proposes
to codify current guidance on
calculating several values reported on
the FTC EnergyGuide label for LSSD
and VSD ceiling fans, which is expected
25 One small business manufactures both HSSD
ceiling fans and large-diameter ceiling fans.
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to provide manufacturers additional
certainty in reporting test measurements
to DOE and to harmonize DOE and FTC
reporting requirements. While as noted
above, DOE did not identify any small
LSSD or VSD ceiling fan manufacturers
with domestic production facilities at
this time, this proposal would lower the
burden on any small business that
determined to manufacture such fans
domestically. In addition, DOE proposes
to interpret the term ‘‘ceiling fan’’ as
defined by EPCA to mean those fans
offered for mounting only on a ceiling.
Any fan, including a ceiling-mount air
circulating fan head, offered with other
mounting options would not be a ceiling
fan.
DOE also proposes to specify that fans
with a blade span larger than 24 feet are
not required to be tested according to
the DOE test procedure for largediameter fans for purposes of
determining compliance with DOE
energy conservation standards or to
make other representations of efficiency;
this proposal is not expected to increase
the testing costs for large diameter fans.
As stated in section III.E of this NOPR,
DOE has not identified any ceiling fans
on the market with a blade span greater
than 24 feet. As such DOE does not
expect there to be a cost impact
resulting from this proposed
amendment. This cost would remain at
approximately $4,000 per ceiling fan,
and these costs would not accrue to any
additional fans with diameters greater
than 24 feet. In this proposal, DOE
would also amend certification
requirements and product-specific
enforcement provisions for consistency
with the current test procedure and
recently amended energy conservation
standards for ceiling fans; specifically,
this proposal would specify the use of
the methods currently in Appendix U
for verifying certain ceiling fan
characteristics. DOE does not expect
this proposal to significantly impact
manufacturers because they are already
required to determine these values if
making representations under the
current test procedure for ceiling fans,
and because the proposal clarifies how
these values would be made when
compliance with standards is required.
For these reasons, DOE certifies that
this rulemaking will not have a
significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities.
Accordingly, DOE did not prepare an
IRFA for this rulemaking. DOE’s
certification and supporting statement
of factual basis will be provided to the
Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small
Business Administration for review
under 5 U.S.C. 605(b).
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D. Review Under the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995
Manufacturers of ceiling fans must
certify to DOE that their products
comply with any applicable energy
conservation standards. To certify
compliance, manufacturers must first
obtain test data for their products
according to the DOE test procedures,
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 ceiling fans. (See generally 10
CFR part 429.) The collection-ofinformation 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 35 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.
E. Review Under the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969
DOE is analyzing this proposed
regulation in accordance with the
National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA) and DOE’s NEPA implementing
regulations (10 CFR part 1021). DOE’s
regulations include a categorical
exclusion for rulemakings interpreting
or amending an existing rule or
regulation that does not change the
environmental effect of the rule or
regulation being amended. 10 CFR part
1021, subpart D, appendix A5. DOE
anticipates that this rulemaking
qualifies for categorical exclusion A5
because it is an interpretive rulemaking
that does not change the environmental
effect of the rule and otherwise meets
the requirements for application of a
categorical exclusion. See 10 CFR
1021.410. DOE will complete its NEPA
review before issuing the final rule.
F. Review Under Executive Order 13132
Executive Order 13132, ‘‘Federalism,’’
64 FR 43255 (August 4, 1999) imposes
certain requirements on agencies
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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 this
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.
G. 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
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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.
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H. 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. Public Law 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
UMRA. 62 FR 12820; also, available at
https://energy.gov/gc/office-generalcounsel. DOE examined this 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.
I. 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
proposed rule would not have any
impact on the autonomy or integrity of
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the family as an institution.
Accordingly, DOE has concluded that it
is not necessary to prepare a Family
Policymaking Assessment.
J. 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.
K. Review Under 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
this proposed rule under the OMB and
DOE guidelines and has concluded that
it is consistent with applicable policies
in those guidelines.
L. 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.
The proposed regulatory action to
amend the test procedure for measuring
the energy efficiency of ceiling fans is
not a significant regulatory action under
Executive Order 12866. Moreover, it
would not have a significant adverse
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51457
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.
M. Review Under Section 32 of the
Federal Energy Administration Act of
1974
Under section 301 of the Department
of Energy Organization Act (Pub. L. 95–
91; 42 U.S.C. 7101), DOE must comply
with section 32 of the Federal Energy
Administration Act of 1974, as amended
by the Federal Energy Administration
Authorization Act of 1977. (15 U.S.C.
788; FEAA) Section 32 essentially
provides in relevant part that, where a
proposed rule authorizes or requires use
of commercial standards, the notice of
proposed 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 modifications to the
test procedure for ceiling fans adopted
in this final rule do not incorporate any
new standards that would require
consultation under section 32(b) of the
FEAA.
N. Description of Materials Incorporated
by Reference
In this NOPR, DOE proposes to
incorporate by reference the test
standard published by ANSI/AMCA
Standard 230–15 (‘‘AMCA 230–15’’),
titled ‘‘Laboratory Methods of Testing
Air Circulating Fans for Rating and
Certification.’’ Specifically, the test
procedure proposed by this NOPR
references a definition provided in
AMCA 230–15. AMCA 230–15 is an
industry-standard test procedure for
measuring the airflow efficiency of
commercial and industrial ceiling fans.
AMCA 230–15 is available from Air
Movement and Control Association
International, Inc. (AMCA), 30 West
University Drive, Arlington Heights, IL
60004, (847) 394–0150, or by going to
https://www.amca.org/store/
item.aspx?ItemId=81.
V. Public Participation
A. Submission of Comments
DOE invites all interested partied to
submit in writing by November 29, 2019
comments and information regarding
this proposed rule.
Submitting comments via https://
www.regulations.gov. The https://
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www.regulations.gov web page will
require you to provide your name and
contact information prior to submitting
comments. Your contact information
will be viewable to DOE Building
Technologies staff only. 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.
Persons viewing comments will see only
first and last names, organization
names, correspondence containing
comments, and any documents
submitted with the comments.
Do not submit to https://
www.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 https://
www.regulations.gov cannot be claimed
as CBI. Comments received through the
website will waive any CBI claims for
the information submitted. For
information on submitting CBI, see the
Confidential Business Information
section.
DOE processes submissions made
through https://www.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 https://
www.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
https://www.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
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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 in your
cover letter 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 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
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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).
DOE considers public participation to
be a very important part of the process
for developing test procedures and
energy conservation standards. DOE
actively encourages the participation
and interaction of the public during the
comment period in each stage of the
rulemaking process. Interactions with
and between members of the public
provide a balanced discussion of the
issues and assist DOE in the rulemaking
process. Anyone who wishes to be
added to the DOE mailing list to receive
future notices and information about
this rulemaking should contact
Appliance and Equipment Standards
Program staff at (202) 287–1445 or via
email at
ApplianceStandardsQuestions@
ee.doe.gov.
B. Issues on Which DOE Seeks Comment
Although comments are welcome on
all aspects of this proposed rulemaking,
DOE is particularly interested in
comments on the proposal to interpret
the term ‘‘ceiling fan’’ as defined by
EPCA to mean those fans offered for
mounting only on a ceiling. Any fan,
including a ceiling-mount air circulating
fan head, offered with other mounting
options would not be a ceiling fan. DOE
also seeks comment on the alternative
interpretation of the term ‘‘ceiling fan’’
to mean that any fan, including those
meeting the definition of an ‘‘air
circulating fan head’’ in AMCA 230–
2015, that does not have a ceiling mount
option, or that has more than one
mounting option (even if one of the
mounting options is a ceiling mount), is
not a ceiling fan. Such fans do not meet
the statutory criteria of being
‘‘nonportable’’, ‘‘suspended from the
ceiling’’, and ‘‘for the purpose of
circulating air.’’ DOE also requests
comment and supporting data on what
tip speed/outlet air speed is appropriate
as another means to differentiate ceiling
fans from air circulating fan heads that
are not ceiling fans. DOE also seeks
comment on the extent to which the
design criteria in EPCA do or do not
apply to air circulating fan heads, as a
factual matter. DOE also seeks comment
on whether it is necessary to retain the
exception for ceiling fans where the
plane of rotation of the ceiling fan’s
blades is greater than 45 degrees from
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horizontal, and for which the plane of
rotation cannot be adjusted based on the
manufacturer’s specifications to be less
than or equal to 45 degrees from
horizontal; proposed clarification to the
ceiling fan test procedure to not require
testing for VSD ceiling fans that do not
also meet the definition of LSSD fan; the
proposed alternate stability criteria for
average air velocity measurements; the
potential modification of the low speed
definition; the proposed calculation
methods for values reported on the
EnergyGuide label; the proposal to not
require testing for large-diameter ceiling
fans with blade spans greater than 24
feet and the availability of sufficient
testing facilities for large-diameter fans,
including those larger than 24 feet in
diameter; the proposed certification
requirements and product-specific
enforcement provisions; and its
understanding of the impact and
associated cost savings (or potential
costs) of these proposed amendments.
VI. Approval of the Office of the
Secretary
The Secretary of Energy has approved
publication of this proposed rule.
And x¯ is the sample mean; s is the
sample standard deviation; n is the
number of samples; and t0.95 is the t
statistic for a 95% one-tailed confidence
interval with n-1 degrees of freedom
(from appendix A to this subpart); and
(3) For each basic model of ceiling
fan,
(i) Any represented value of blade
span, as defined in section 1.7 of
appendix U to subpart B of part 430, is
the mean of the blade spans measured
for the sample selected as described in
paragraph (a)(1) of this section, rounded
to the nearest inch; and
(ii) Any represented value of blade
revolutions per minute (RPM) is the
mean of the blade RPM measurements
measured for the sample selected as
described in paragraph (a)(1) of this
section, rounded to the nearest RPM;
and
(iii) Any represented value of blade
edge thickness is the mean of the blade
edge thicknesses measured for the
sample selected as described in
paragraph (a)(1) of this section, rounded
to the nearest tenth of an inch; and
(iv) Any represented value of the
distance between the ceiling and the
lowest point on the fan blades is the
mean of the distances measured for the
sample selected as described in
paragraph (a)(1) of this section, rounded
to the nearest quarter of an inch; and
(v) Any represented value of tip speed
is pi multiplied by represented value of
blade span divided by twelve multiplied
by the represented value of RPM,
rounded to the nearest foot per minute;
and
(4) To determine values required by
the Federal Trade Commission (FTC),
use the following provisions. Note that,
for multi-mount ceiling fans these
values must be reported on the
EnergyGuide label for the ceiling fan
configuration with the lowest efficiency.
(i) FTC Airflow. Determine the
represented value for FTC airflow by
calculating the weighted-average airflow
of an LSSD or VSD ceiling fan basic
model at low and high fan speed as
follows:
fan speed, pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)(i)
of this section, and
CFMHigh = represented value of measured
airflow, in cubic feet per minute, at high
fan speed, pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)(i)
of this section.
(ii) FTC Energy Use. Determine
represented value for FTC energy use by
calculating the weighted-average power
consumption of an LSSD or VSD ceiling
fan basic model at low and high fan
speed as follows:
For the reasons stated in the
preamble, DOE proposes to amend parts
429 and 430 of Chapter II of Title 10,
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; 28 U.S.C.
2461 note.
2. Section 429.32 is amended by:
a. Revising the paragraph (a)(2)
introductory text and paragraph
(a)(2)(ii)(B);
■ b. Adding paragraphs (a)(3) and (4);
■ c. Revising paragraph (b);
■ d. Adding paragraph (c).
The revisions and additions read as
follows:
■
■
§ 429.32
List of Subjects
Ceiling fans.
(a) * * *
(2) For each basic model of ceiling
fan, a sample of sufficient size must be
randomly selected and tested to ensure
that—
*
*
*
*
*
(ii) * * *
(B) The upper 95 percent confidence
limit (UCL) of the true mean divided by
1.1, where:
10 CFR Part 429
Confidential business information,
Energy conservation, Household
appliances, Imports, 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.
EP30SE19.008</GPH>
Where:
AirflowFTC = represented value for FTC
airflow, rounded to the nearest CFM,
CFMLow = represented value of measured
airflow, in cubic feet per minute, at low
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Signed in Washington, DC, on September
9, 2019.
Alexander N. Fitzsimmons,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy
Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and Renewable
Energy.
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Where:
Energy UseFTC = represented value for FTC
Energy Use, rounded to the nearest watt,
WLow = represented value of measured power
consumption, in watts, at low fan speed,
pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)(ii) of this
section,
WHigh = represented value of measured power
consumption, in watts, at high fan speed,
pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)(ii) of this
section, and
WSb = represented value of measured power
consumption, in watts, in standby mode,
pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)(ii) of this
section.
(iii) FTC Estimated Yearly Energy
Cost. Determine the represented value
for FTC estimated yearly energy cost of
an LSSD or VSD ceiling fan basic model
at low and high fan speed as follows:
Where:
EYECFTC = represented value for FTC
estimated yearly energy cost, rounded to
the nearest dollar, and
WLow = represented value of measured power
consumption, in watts, at low fan speed,
pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)(ii) of this
section,
WHigh = represented value of measured power
consumption, in watts, at high fan speed,
pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)(ii) of this
section, and
WSb = represented value of measured power
consumption, in watts, in standby mode,
pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)(ii) of this
section.
§ 429.134 Product-specific enforcement
provisions.
speed. DOE will measure the blade RPM
at high speed pursuant to the test
requirements of 10 CFR part 430 of this
chapter for each unit tested. DOE will
consider the represented blade RPM
measured at high speed valid only if the
measurement(s) (either the measured
value for a single unit, or the mean of
the measured values for a multiple unit
sample, rounded to the nearest RPM) are
within the greater of 1% or 1 RPM of the
represented blade RPM at high speed.
(i) If DOE determines that the
represented RPM is valid, that RPM will
be used as the basis for determining the
product class.
(ii) If DOE determines that the
represented RPM is invalid, DOE will
use the rounded measured RPM(s) as
the basis for determining the product
class.
(4) Verification of blade edge
thickness. DOE will measure the blade
edge thickness and round the
measurement pursuant to the test
requirements of 10 CFR part 430 for
each unit tested. DOE will consider the
represented blade edge thickness valid
only if the measurement(s) (either the
measured value for a single unit, or the
mean of the measured values for a
multiple unit sample, rounded to the
nearest tenth of an inch) are the same as
the represented blade edge thickness.
(i) If DOE determines that the
represented blade edge thickness is
valid, that blade edge thickness will be
used for determining product class.
(ii) If DOE determines that the
represented blade edge thickness is
invalid, DOE will use the rounded
measured blade edge thickness(es) as
the basis for determining the product
class.
(b) Certification reports. (1) The
requirements of § 429.12 are applicable
to ceiling fans; and
(2) Pursuant to § 429.12(b)(13), a
certification report shall include the
following public product-specific
information:
(i) For all ceiling fans: Blade span (in),
ceiling fan efficiency (CFM/W) (in both
hugger and standard configurations for
multi-mount fans), the number of
speeds within the ceiling fan controls,
and a declaration that the manufacturer
has incorporated the applicable design
requirements.
(ii) For small-diameter ceiling fans: A
declaration whether the ceiling fan is a
multi-head ceiling fan.
(iii) For low-speed small-diameter
ceiling fans: A declaration whether the
ceiling fan is a multi-mount ceiling fan.
(3) Pursuant to § 429.12(b)(13), a
certification report shall include the
following additional product-specific
information for small-diameter ceiling
fans: Blade edge thickness (in), airflow
(CFM) at high speed, blade RPM at high
speed, and the distance (in) between the
ceiling and the lowest point on the fan
blades (in both hugger and standard
configurations for multi-mount fans).
(c) Rounding Requirements. Any
represented value of ceiling fan
efficiency, as described in paragraph
(a)(2)(i) of this section must be
expressed in cubic feet per minute per
watt (CFM/W) and rounded to the
nearest whole number.
■ 3. Section 429.134 is amended by
adding paragraph (s) to read as follows:
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*
*
*
*
*
(s) Ceiling Fans—(1) Verification of
blade span. DOE will measure the blade
span and round the measurement
pursuant to the test requirements of 10
CFR part 430 of this chapter for each
unit tested. DOE will consider the
represented blade span valid only if the
rounded measurement(s) (either the
rounded measured value for a single
unit, or the mean of the rounded
measured values for a multiple unit
sample, rounded to the nearest inch) is
the same as the represented blade span.
(i) If DOE determines that the
represented blade span is valid, that
blade span will be used as the basis for
determining the product class and
calculating the minimum allowable
ceiling fan efficiency.
(ii) If DOE determines that the
represented blade span is invalid, DOE
will use the rounded measured blade
span(s) as the basis for determining the
product class, and calculating the
minimum allowable ceiling fan
efficiency.
(2) Verification of the distance
between the ceiling and lowest point of
fan blades. DOE will measure the
distance between the ceiling and lowest
point of the fan blades and round the
measurement pursuant to the test
requirements of 10 CFR part 430 of this
chapter for each unit tested. DOE will
consider the represented distance valid
only if the rounded measurement(s)
(either the measured value for a single
unit, or the mean of the measured
values for a multiple unit sample,
rounded to the nearest quarter inch) are
the same as the represented distance.
(i) If DOE determines that the
represented distance is valid, that
distance will be used as the basis for
determining the product class.
(ii) If DOE determines that the
represented distance is invalid, DOE
will use the rounded measured
distance(s) as the basis for determining
the product class.
(3) Verification of blade revolutions
per minute (RPM) measured at high
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PART 430—ENERGY CONSERVATION
PROGRAM FOR CONSUMER
PRODUCTS
4. The authority citation for part 430
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 42 U.S.C.6291–6309; 28 U.S.C.
2461 note.
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5. Section 430.2 is amended by
revising the definition of ‘‘Ceiling fan’’
to read as follows:
■
§ 430.2
Definitions.
*
*
*
*
*
Ceiling fan means a nonportable
device that is suspended from a ceiling
for circulating air via the rotation of fan
blades. For purposes of this definition,
the term ‘‘suspended from a ceiling’’
means offered for mounting on a ceiling,
and the term ‘‘nonportable’’ means not
offered for mounting on a surface other
than a ceiling. For all other ceiling fanrelated definitions, see appendix U to
this subpart.
[Alternatively, Ceiling fan means a
nonportable device that is suspended
from a ceiling for circulating air via the
rotation of fan blades. DOE interprets
this term to mean that any fan,
including those meeting the definition
of an ‘‘air circulating fan head’’ in
AMCA 230–15 (incorporated by
reference; see § 430.3), that does not
have a ceiling mount option, or that has
more than one mounting option (even if
one of the mounting options is a ceiling
mount), is not a ceiling fan. Such fans
do not meet the statutory criteria of
being ‘‘nonportable’’, ‘‘suspended from
the ceiling’’, and ‘‘for the purpose of
circulating air.’’ For all other ceiling fan-
related definitions, see appendix U to
this subpart.]
*
*
*
*
*
■ 6. Section 430.3 is amended by adding
paragraph (b)(4) to read as follows:
§ 430.3 Materials incorporated by
reference.
*
*
*
*
*
(b) * * *
(4) ANSI/AMCA Standard 230–15
(‘‘AMCA 230–15’’), ‘‘Laboratory
Methods of Testing Air Circulating Fans
for Rating and Certification,’’ ANSI
approved October 16, 2015, IBR
approved for § 430.2 to this subpart.
*
*
*
*
*
■ 7. Section 430.23 is amended by
revising paragraph (w) to read as
follows:
§ 430.23 Test procedures for the
measurement of energy and water
consumption.
edge thickness; and blade revolutions
per minute (RPM).
*
*
*
*
*
■ 8. Appendix U to subpart B of part
430 is amended by:
■ a. Revising sections 1.7, 1.11, 1.12,
1.13, 1.14, 1.16, 1.20, 1.21, and 1.23;
■ b. Revising section 3, 3.2, 3.2.2(1),
3.2.2(4), 3.2.2(6), 3.2.3, 3.3, 3.3.1(4),
3.3.2(1), 3.3.2(1) Step 1, 3.3.2(1) Step 7,
3.4.1, 3.6(1)(i) and (ii) and 4.
The revisions and additions read as
follows:
Appendix U to Subpart B of Part 430—
Uniform Test Method for Measuring the
Energy Consumption of Ceiling Fans
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
(w) Ceiling fans. Measure the
following attributes of a single ceiling
fan in accordance with appendix U to
this subpart: Airflow; power
consumption; ceiling fan efficiency;
distance between the ceiling and lowest
point of fan blades; blade span; blade
*
*
*
*
1.7. Blade span means the diameter of the
largest circle swept by any part of the fan
blade assembly, including attachments. The
represented value of blade span (D) is as
determined in 10 CFR 429.32.
*
*
*
*
1.11. High-speed small-diameter (HSSD)
ceiling fan means a small-diameter ceiling
fan that is not a very-small-diameter ceiling
fan, highly-decorative ceiling fan or beltdriven ceiling fan and that has a represented
value of blade edge thickness, as determined
in 10 CFR 429.32(a)(2)(v), of less than 3.2 mm
or a maximum represented value of tip
speed, as determined in 10 CFR
429.32(a)(2)(vii), greater than the applicable
limit specified in the table in this definition.
HIGH-SPEED SMALL-DIAMETER CEILING FAN BLADE AND TIP SPEED CRITERIA
Thickness (t) of edges of blades
Tip speed threshold
Airflow direction
Mm
4.8 > t ≥ 3.2
t ≥ 4.8
4.8 > t ≥ 3.2
t ≥ 4.8
Downward-only ........................................................................
Downward-only ........................................................................
Reversible ................................................................................
Reversible ................................................................................
1.12. Highly-decorative ceiling fan means a
ceiling fan with a maximum represented
value of blade revolutions per minute (RPM),
as determined in 10 CFR 429.32(a)(2)(iv), of
90 RPM, and a represented value of airflow
at high speed, as determined in 10 CFR
429.32(a)(2)(i), of less than 1,840 CFM.
1.13. Hugger ceiling fan means a low-speed
small-diameter ceiling fan that is not a verysmall-diameter ceiling fan, highly-decorative
ceiling fan, or belt-driven ceiling fan, and for
which the represented value of the distance
Inch
m/s
feet per minute
> t ≥ 1⁄8
t ≥ 3⁄16
3⁄16 > t ≥ 1⁄8
t ≥ 3⁄16
16.3
20.3
12.2
16.3
3,200
4,000
2,400
3,200
⁄
3 16
between the ceiling and the lowest point on
the fan blades, as determined in 10 CFR
429.32(a)(2)(vi), is less than or equal to 10
inches.
1.14. Large-diameter ceiling fan means a
ceiling fan that is not a highly-decorative
ceiling fan or belt-driven ceiling fan and has
a represented value of blade span, as
determined in 10 CFR 429.32(a)(2)(iii),
greater than seven feet and not greater than
24 feet.
*
*
*
*
1.16. Low-speed small-diameter (LSSD)
ceiling fan means a small-diameter ceiling
fan that has a represented value of blade edge
thickness, as determined in 10 CFR
429.32(a)(2)(v), greater than or equal to 3.2
mm and a maximum represented value of tip
speed, as determined in 10 CFR
429.32(a)(2)(vii), less than or equal to the
applicable limit specified in the table in this
definition.
*
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS
LOW-SPEED SMALL-DIAMETER CEILING FAN BLADE AND TIP SPEED CRITERIA
Thickness (t) of edges of blades
Tip speed threshold
Airflow direction
Mm
Reversible ................................................................................
Reversible ................................................................................
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t ≥ 3⁄16
3 16
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m/s
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12.2
16.3
2,400
3,200
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*
*
*
*
1.20. Small-diameter ceiling fan means a
ceiling fan that has a represented value of
blade span, as determined in 10 CFR
429.32(a)(2)(iii), less than or equal to seven
feet.
1.21. Standard ceiling fan means a lowspeed small-diameter ceiling fan that is not
a very-small-diameter ceiling fan, highlydecorative ceiling fan or belt-driven ceiling
fan, and for which the represented value of
the distance between the ceiling and the
lowest point on the fan blades, as determined
in 10 CFR 429.32(a)(2)(vi), is greater than 10
inches.
*
*
*
*
*
1.23. Very-small-diameter (VSD) ceiling
fan means a small-diameter ceiling fan that
is not a highly-decorative ceiling fan or beltdriven ceiling fan; and has one or more fan
heads, each of which has a represented value
of blade span, as determined in 10 CFR
*
*
*
*
*
3.2 Test apparatus for low-speed smalldiameter, very-small-diameter, and highspeed small-diameter ceiling fans: All
instruments are to have accuracies within
±1% of reading, except for the air velocity
sensors, which must have accuracies within
±5% of reading or 2 feet per minute (fpm),
whichever is greater. Equipment is to be
calibrated at least once a year to compensate
for variation over time.
*
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS
3.2.2.
*
*
*
*
Equipment Set-Up
(1) Make sure the transformer power is off.
Hang the ceiling fan to be tested directly from
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429.32(a)(2)(iii), of 18 inches or less. Only
VSD fans that also meet the definition of an
LSSD fan are required to be tested for
purposes of determining compliance with
energy efficiency standards established by
DOE and for other representations of energy
efficiency.
*
*
*
*
*
3. General Instructions, Test Apparatus,
and Test Measurement:
The test apparatus and test measurement
used to determine energy performance
depend on the ceiling fan’s blade span, and
in some cases the ceiling fan’s blade edge
thickness. For each tested ceiling fan,
measure the lateral distance from the center
of the axis of rotation of the fan blades to the
furthest fan blade edge from the center of the
axis of rotation. Measure this lateral distance
at the resolution of the measurement
instrument, using an instrument with a
measurement resolution of least 0.25 inches.
Multiply the lateral distance by two and then
the ceiling, according to the manufacturer’s
installation instructions. Hang all non-multimount ceiling fans in the fan configuration
that minimizes the distance between the
ceiling and the lowest point of the fan blades.
Hang and test multi-mount fans in two
configurations: The configuration associated
the definition of a standard fan that
minimizes the distance between the ceiling
and the lowest point of the fan blades and the
configuration associated with the definition
of a hugger fan that minimizes the distance
between the ceiling and the lowest point of
the fan blades. For all tested configurations,
measure the distance between the ceiling and
the lowest point of the fan blade using an
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round to the nearest whole inch to determine
the blade span. For ceiling fans having a
blade span greater than 18 inches and less
than or equal to 84 inches, measure the
ceiling fan’s blade edge thickness. To
measure the fan blade edge thickness, use an
instrument with a measurement resolution of
at least one tenth of an inch and measure the
thickness of one fan blade’s leading edge (in
the forward direction) direction) according to
the following:
(1) At the point at which the blade is
thinnest along the radial length of the fan
blade and is greater than or equal to one inch
from the tip of the fan blade, and
(2) One inch from the leading edge of the
fan blade. See Figure 1 of this appendix for
an instructional schematic on making the fan
blade edge thickness measurement. Figure 1
depicts a ceiling fan from above. Round the
measured blade edge thickness to the nearest
tenth of an inch.
instrument with a measurement resolution of
at least 0.25 inches. Round the measured
distance from the ceiling to the lowest point
of the fan blade to the nearest quarter inch.
*
*
*
*
*
(4) Either a rotating sensor arm or four
fixed sensor arms can be used to take air
velocity measurements along four axes,
labeled A–D. Axes A, B, C, and D are at 0,
90, 180, and 270 degree positions. Axes A–
D must be perpendicular to the four walls of
the room. See Figure 2 of this appendix.
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*
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*
*
*
*
with the first sensor at the point where the
four axes intersect. Do not touch the actual
sensor prior to testing. Use enough sensors to
record air delivery within a circle 8 inches
larger in diameter than the blade span of the
ceiling fan being tested. The experimental
set-up is shown in Figure 3 of this appendix.
*
*
*
*
*
3.2.3. Multi-Head Ceiling Fan Test Set-Up
Hang a multi-headed ceiling fan from the
ceiling such that one of the ceiling fan heads
is centered directly over sensor 1 (i.e., at the
intersection of axes A, B, C, and D). The
distance between the lowest point any of the
fan blades of the centered fan head can reach
and the air velocity sensors is to be such that
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*
(6) Place the sensors at intervals of 4 ±
0.0625 inches along a sensor arm, starting
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it is the same as for all other small-diameter
ceiling fans (see Figure 3 of this appendix).
If the multi-head ceiling fan has an
oscillating function (i.e., the fan heads
change their axis of rotation relative to the
ceiling) that can be switched off, switch it off
prior to taking air velocity measurements. If
any multi-head fan does not come with the
blades preinstalled, install fan blades only on
the fan head that will be directly centered
over the intersection of the sensor axes. (Even
if the fan heads in a multi-head ceiling fan
would typically oscillate when the blades are
installed on all fan heads, the ceiling fan is
subject to this test procedure if the centered
fan head does not oscillate when it is the
only fan head with the blades installed.) If
the fan blades are preinstalled on all fan
heads, measure air velocity in accordance
with section 3.3 of this appendix except turn
on only the centered fan head. Take the
power consumption measurements
separately, with the fan blades installed on
all fan heads and with any oscillating
function, if present, switched on.
*
*
*
*
*
3.3 Active mode test measurement for
low-speed small-diameter, very-smalldiameter and high-speed small-diameter
ceiling fans.
3.3.1 Test conditions to be followed when
testing:
*
*
*
*
*
(4) If present, turn off any oscillating
function causing the axis of rotation of the
fan head(s) to change relative to the ceiling
during operation prior to taking air velocity
measurements. Turn on any oscillating
function prior to taking power
measurements.
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS
*
*
*
*
*
3.3.2 Air Velocity and Power
Consumption Testing Procedure:
Measure the air velocity (fpm) and power
consumption (W) for HSSD ceiling fans until
stable measurements are achieved, measuring
at high speed only. Measure the air velocity
and power consumption for LSSD and VSD
ceiling fans that also meet the definition of
an LSSD fan until stable measurements are
achieved, measuring first at low speed and
then at high speed. Air velocity and power
consumption measurements are considered
stable for high speed if:
(1) The average air velocity for each sensor
varies by less than 5% or 2 fpm, whichever
is greater, compared to the average air
velocity measured for that same sensor in a
successive set of air velocity measurements,
and
(2) Average power consumption varies by
less than 1% in a successive set of power
consumption measurements.
Air velocity and power consumption
measurements are considered stable for low
speed if:
(1) The average air velocity for each sensor
varies by less than 10% or 2 fpm, whichever
is greater, compared to the average air
velocity measured for that same sensor in a
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successive set of air velocity measurements,
and
(2) Average power consumption varies by
less than 1% in a successive set of power
consumption measurements.
These stability criteria are applied
differently to ceiling fans with airflow not
directly downward. See section 3.3.3 of this
appendix.
*
*
*
*
*
Step 2: Set software up to read and record
air velocity, expressed in feet per minute
(fpm) in 1 second intervals. (Temperature
does not need to be recorded in 1 second
intervals.) Record current barometric
pressure.
Step 3: Allow test fan to run 15 minutes
at rated voltage and at high speed if the
ceiling fan is an HSSD ceiling fan. If the
ceiling fan is an LSSD or VSD ceiling fan that
also meets the definition of an LSSD fan,
allow the test fan to run 15 minutes at the
rated voltage and at low speed. Turn off all
forced-air environmental conditioning
equipment entering the chamber (e.g., air
conditioning), close all doors and vents, and
wait an additional 3 minutes prior to starting
test session.
Step 4a: For a rotating sensor arm: Begin
recording readings. Starting with Axis A, take
100 air velocity readings (100 seconds runtime) and record these data. For all fans
except multi-head fans and fans capable of
oscillating, also measure power during the
interval that air velocity measurements are
taken. Rotate the arm and repeat for Axes B,
C, and D; save these data as well. Record the
average value of the power measurement in
watts (W) (400 readings). Record the average
value of the air velocity readings for each
sensor in feet per minute (fpm) (400
readings).
Step 4b: For four fixed sensor arms: Begin
recording readings. Take 100 air velocity
readings (100 seconds run-time) and record
these data. Take the readings for all sensor
arms (Axes A, B, C, and D) simultaneously.
For all fans except multi-head fans and fans
capable of oscillating, also measure power
during the interval that air velocity
measurements are taken. Record the average
value of the power measurement in watts (W)
(100 readings). Record the average value of
the air velocity readings for each sensor in
feet per minute (fpm) (100 readings).
Step 5: Repeat step 4a or 4b until stable
measurements are achieved.
Step 6: Repeat steps 1 through 5 above on
high speed for LSSD and VSD ceiling fans
that also meet the definition of an LSSD fan.
Note: Ensure that temperature and humidity
readings are maintained within the required
tolerances for the duration of the test (all
tested speeds). Forced-air environmental
conditioning equipment may be used and
doors and vents may be opened between test
sessions to maintain environmental
conditions.
Step 7: If testing a multi-mount ceiling fan,
repeat steps 1 through 6 with the ceiling fan
in the ceiling fan configuration (associated
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with either hugger or standard ceiling fans)
not already tested.
If a multi-head ceiling fan includes more
than one category of ceiling fan head, then
test at least one of each unique category. A
fan head with different construction that
could affect air movement or power
consumption, such as housing, blade pitch,
or motor, would constitute a different
category of fan head.
Step 8: For multi-head ceiling fans,
measure active (real) power consumption in
all phases simultaneously at each speed
continuously for 100 seconds with all fan
heads turned on, and record the average
value at each speed in watts (W).
For ceiling fans with an oscillating
function, measure active (real) power
consumption in all phases simultaneously at
each speed continuously for 100 seconds
with the oscillating function turned on.
Record the average value of the power
measurement in watts (W).
For both multi-head ceiling fans and fans
with an oscillating function, repeat power
consumption measurement until stable
power measurements are achieved.
*
*
*
*
*
3.3.3 Air Velocity Measurements for
Ceiling Fans with Airflow Not Directly
Downward:
Using the number of sensors that cover the
same diameter as if the airflow were directly
downward, record air velocity at each speed
from the same number of continuous sensors
with the largest air velocity measurements.
This continuous set of sensors must be along
the axis that the ceiling fan tilt is directed in
(and along the axis that is 180 degrees from
the first axis). For example, a 42-inch fan
tilted toward axis A may create the pattern
of air velocity shown in Figure 4 of this
appendix. As shown in Table 1 of this
appendix, a 42-inch fan would normally
require 7 active sensors per axis. However,
because the fan is not directed downward, all
sensors must record data. In this case,
because the set of sensors corresponding to
maximum air velocity are centered 3 sensor
positions away from the sensor 1 along the
A axis, substitute the air velocity at A axis
sensor 4 for the average air velocity at sensor
1. Take the average of the air velocity at A
axis sensors 3 and 5 as a substitute for the
average air velocity at sensor 2, take the
average of the air velocity at A axis sensors
2 and 6 as a substitute for the average air
velocity at sensor 3, etc. Lastly, take the
average of the air velocities at A axis sensor
10 and C axis sensor 4 as a substitute for the
average air velocity at sensor 7. Stability
criteria apply after these substitutions. For
example, air velocity stability at sensor 7 are
determined based on the average of average
air velocity at A axis sensor 10 and C axis
sensor 4 in successive measurements. Any air
velocity measurements made along the B–D
axis are not included in the calculation of
average air velocity.
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*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
4. Calculation of Ceiling Fan Efficiency
From the Test Results:
4.1 Calculation of effective area for smalldiameter ceiling fans:
Calculate the effective area corresponding
to each sensor used in the test method for
small-diameter ceiling fans (section 3.3 of
this appendix) with the following equations:
(1) For sensor 1, the sensor located directly
underneath the center of the ceiling fan, the
effective width of the circle is 2 inches, and
the effective area is:
sensor is a distance d, in inches, from sensor
1, then the effective area is:
(3) For the last sensor, the width of the
effective area depends on the horizontal
displacement between the last sensor and the
point on the ceiling fan blades furthest
radially from the center of the fan. The total
area included in an airflow calculation is the
area of a circle 8 inches larger in diameter
than the ceiling fan blade span (as specified
in section 3 of this appendix).
Therefore, for example, for a 42-inch
ceiling fan, the last sensor is 3 inches beyond
the end of the ceiling fan blades. Because
only the area within 4 inches of the end of
the ceiling fan blades is included in the
airflow calculation, the effective width of the
circle corresponding to the last sensor would
be 3 inches. The calculation for the effective
area corresponding to the last sensor would
then be:
Calculate fan airflow using the overall
average of both sets of air velocity
measurements at each sensor position from
the successive sets of measurements that
meet the stability criteria from section 3.3 of
this appendix. To calculate airflow for HSSD,
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(2) For the sensors between sensor 1 and
the last sensor used in the measurement, the
effective area has a width of 4 inches. If a
For a 46-inch ceiling fan, the effective area
of the last sensor would have a width of 5
inches, and the effective area would be:
4.2 Calculation of airflow and efficiency
for ceiling fans:
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3.6 Test measurement for standby power
consumption.
(1) * * *
(i) The ability to facilitate the activation or
deactivation of other functions (including
active mode) by remote switch (including
remote control), internal sensor, or timer.
(ii) Continuous functions, including
information or status displays (including
clocks), or sensor-based functions.
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*
3.4.1 The test procedure is applicable to
all large-diameter ceiling fans.
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LSSD, and VSD ceiling fans, multiply the
overall average air velocity at each sensor
position from section 3.3 (for high speed for
HSSD, LSSD, and VSD ceiling fans that also
meet the definition of an LSSD fan, and
repeated for low speed only for LSSD and
VSD ceiling fans that also meet the definition
of an LSSD fan) by that sensor’s effective area
(see section 4.1 of this appendix), and then
sum the products to obtain the overall
calculated airflow at the tested speed.
For each speed, using the overall
calculated airflow and the overall average
power consumption measurements from the
successive sets of measurements for smalldiameter ceiling fans, or the airflow and
power consumption measurements from
section 3.5 of this appendix for all tested
settings for large-diameter ceiling fans,
calculate ceiling fan efficiency as follows:
Where:
CFMi = airflow at speed i,
OHi = operating hours at speed i, as specified
in Table 3 of this appendix,
Wi = power consumption at speed i,
OHSb = operating hours in standby mode, as
specified in Table 3 of this appendix,
and
WSb = power consumption in standby mode.
Calculate two ceiling fan efficiencies for
multi-mount ceiling fans: One efficiency
corresponds to the ceiling fan mounted in the
configuration associated with the definition
of a hugger ceiling fan, and the other
efficiency corresponds to the ceiling fan
mounted in the configuration associated with
the definition of a standard ceiling fan.
TABLE 3 TO APPENDIX U TO SUBPART B OF PART 430: DAILY OPERATING HOURS FOR CALCULATING CEILING FAN
EFFICIENCY
No standby
With standby
Daily Operating Hours for LSSD and VSD ** Ceiling Fans
High Speed ..............................................................................................................................................................
Low Speed ...............................................................................................................................................................
Standby Mode ..........................................................................................................................................................
Off Mode ..................................................................................................................................................................
3.4
3.0
0.0
17.6
3.4
3.0
17.6
0.0
12.0
0.0
12.0
12.0
12.0
0.0
12.0
0.0
12.0
12.0
12.0
0.0
Daily Operating Hours for HSSD Ceiling Fans
High Speed ..............................................................................................................................................................
Standby Mode ..........................................................................................................................................................
Off Mode ..................................................................................................................................................................
Daily Operating Hours for Large-Diameter Ceiling Fans
Active Mode * ...........................................................................................................................................................
Standby Mode ..........................................................................................................................................................
Off Mode ..................................................................................................................................................................
the airflow for each fan head included in the
ceiling fan (a single airflow can be applied
to each of the identical fan heads, but at least
one of each unique fan head must be tested).
The power consumption is the measured
power consumption with all fan heads on.
Where:
CFMi = sum of airflows for each head at
speed i,
OHi = operating hours at speed i as specified
in Table 3 of this appendix,
Wi = power consumption at speed i,
OHSb = operating hours in standby mode as
specified in Table 3 of this appendix,
and
WSb = power consumption in standby mode.
■
9. Section 430.32 is amended by:
■ a. Revising the introductory text in
paragraph (s)(2)(ii); and
■
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b. Adding paragraph (s)(2)(ii)(F).
The revisions and additions read as
follows:
§ 430.32 Energy and water conservation
standards and their compliance dates.
*
*
*
*
*
Using the airflow as described in this section,
and power consumption measurements from
section 3.3 of this appendix, calculate ceiling
fan efficiency for a multi-head ceiling fan as
follows:
(ii) The standards described in
paragraph (s)(2)(i) of this section apply
to ceiling fans except:
*
*
*
*
*
(F) Ceiling fans with blade spans
greater than 24 feet.
*
*
*
*
*
(s) * * *
[FR Doc. 2019–20827 Filed 9–27–19; 8:45 am]
(2) * * *
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
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4.3 Calculation of airflow and efficiency
for multi-head ceiling fans:
Calculate airflow for each fan head using
the method described in section 4.2 of this
appendix. To calculate overall airflow at a
given speed for a multi-head ceiling fan, sum
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* The active mode hours must be apportioned equally across the number of active mode speeds tested (e.g., if four speeds are tested, 25% of
the active mode hours are apportioned to each speed).
** These values apply only to VSD fans that also meet the definition of an LSSD fan.
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 189 (Monday, September 30, 2019)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 51440-51466]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-20827]
========================================================================
Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
========================================================================
Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 189 / Monday, September 30, 2019 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 51440]]
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
10 CFR Parts 429 and 430
[EERE-2013-BT-TP-0050]
RIN 1904-AD88
Energy Conservation Program: Test Procedure for Ceiling Fans
AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of
Energy.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking and request for comment.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) proposes to amend its test
procedures for ceiling fans established under the Energy Policy and
Conservation Act. On July 25, 2016, DOE published a final rule amending
the test procedure for ceiling fans to support the ceiling fans energy
conservation standards rulemaking. In this notice of proposed
rulemaking (NOPR), DOE proposes to: Interpret the term ``suspended from
a ceiling'' in the EPCA definition of ceiling fan to mean offered for
mounting only on a ceiling; specify that very small-diameter (VSD)
ceiling fans that do not also meet the definition of low-speed small-
diameter (LSSD) ceiling fan are not required to be tested pursuant to
the DOE test method; for LSSD and VSD ceiling fans, increase the
tolerance for the stability criteria for the average air velocity
measurements in low speed to reduce test burden; specify that large-
diameter ceiling with blade spans greater than 24 feet do not need to
be tested pursuant to the DOE test method; codify current guidance on
calculating several values reported on the U.S. Federal Trade
Commission's (FTC) EnergyGuide label for LSSD and VSD ceiling fans
using results from the ceiling fan test procedures; and amend
certification requirements and product-specific enforcement provisions
to reflect the current test procedures and recently amended energy
conservation standards for ceiling fans.
DATES:
Comments: Written comments and information are requested and will
be accepted on or before November 29, 2019. See section V, ``Public
Participation,'' for details.
Meeting: DOE will hold a public meeting on Wednesday, October 16,
2019 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
ADDRESSES:
Meeting: The public meeting will be held at the U.S. Department of
Energy, Forrestal Building, Room 8E-089, 1000 Independence Avenue SW,
Washington, DC 20585. 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.
Comments: Interested persons are encouraged to submit comments
using the Federal eRulemaking Portal at https://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the instructions for submitting comments. Alternatively,
interested persons may submit comments, identified by docket number
EERE-2013-BT-TP-0050 or regulatory information number (RIN) 1904-AD88,
by any of the following methods:
(1) Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. Follow
the instructions for submitting comments.
(2) Email: [email protected]. Include the docket number EERE-
2013-BT-TP-0050 or regulatory information number (RIN) 1904-AD88 in the
subject line of the message.
(3) Postal Mail: Appliance and Equipment Standards Program, U.S.
Department of Energy, Building Technologies Office, Mailstop EE-5B,
1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone:
(202) 287-1445. 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: Appliance and Equipment Standards
Program, U.S. Department of Energy, Building Technologies Office, 950
L'Enfant Plaza SW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20024. Telephone: (202)
287-1445. If possible, please submit all items on a CD, in which case
it is not necessary to include printed copies.
No telefacsimilies (faxes) will be accepted. For detailed
instructions on submitting comments and additional information on the
rulemaking process, see section V of this document (Public
Participation).
Docket: The docket, which includes Federal Register notices,
comments, and other supporting documents/materials, is available for
review at https://www.regulations.gov. All documents in the docket are
listed in the https://www.regulations.gov index. However, some documents
listed in the index, such as those containing information that is
exempt from public disclosure, may not be publicly available.
The docket web page can be found at https://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=EERE-2013-BT-TP-0050. The docket web page contains
simple instructions on how to access all documents, including public
comments, in the docket. See section V for information on how to submit
comments through https://www.regulations.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ms. Lucy deButts, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy
Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building Technologies Office, EE-5B,
1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone:
(202) 287-1604. Email: [email protected].
Ms. Elizabeth Kohl, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the
General Counsel, GC-33, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC
20585-0121. Telephone: (202) 586-7796. Email:
[email protected].
For further information on how to submit a comment or review other
public comments and the docket, contact the Appliance and Equipment
Standards Program staff at (202) 287-1445 or by email:
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DOE proposes to incorporate by reference the
following industry standard into 10 CFR part 430:
ANSI/AMCA Standard 230-15 (``AMCA 230-15''), ``Laboratory Methods
of Testing Air Circulating Fans for Rating and Certification,'' ANSI
approved October 16, 2015.
A copy of this standard is available from Air Movement and Control
Association International, Inc. (AMCA), 30 West University Drive,
Arlington Heights, IL 60004, (847) 394-0150, or by
[[Page 51441]]
going to https://www.amca.org/store/item.aspx?ItemId=81.
For a further discussion of this standard, see section IV.N.
Table of Contents
I. Authority and Background
A. Authority
B. Background
II. Synopsis of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
III. Discussion
A. Scope of Applicability
B. Proposal for VSD Ceiling Fans
C. Proposed Alternate Stability Criteria for Average Air
Velocity Measurements
D. Calculation Methodology for Values Reported on the
EnergyGuide Label
1. FTC Airflow
2. FTC Energy Use
3. FTC Estimated Yearly Energy Cost
E. Proposal for Large-Diameter Ceiling Fans With Blade Spans
Greater Than 24 Feet
F. Certification Requirements
G. Product-Specific Enforcement Provisions
H. Compliance Dates and Waivers
I. Test Procedure Costs and Impact
1. Cost Impacts for Scope
2. Cost Impacts for Stability Criteria
3. Potential Cost Impacts if the Low Speed Criteria Definition
Is Modified
4. Cost Impacts for Other Test Procedure Amendments
J. Other Test Procedure Topics
IV. Procedural Issues and Regulatory Review
A. Review Under Executive Order 12866
B. Review Under Executive Orders 13771 and 13777
C. Review Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act
D. Review Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
E. Review Under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
F. Review Under Executive Order 13132
G. Review Under Executive Order 12988
H. Review Under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995
I. Review Under the Treasury and General Government
Appropriations Act, 1999
J. Review Under Executive Order 12630
K. Review Under Treasury and General Government Appropriations
Act, 2001
L. Review Under Executive Order 13211
M. Review Under Section 32 of the Federal Energy Administration
Act of 1974
N. Description of Materials Incorporated by Reference
V. Public Participation
A. Submission of Comments
B. Issues on Which DOE Seeks Comment
VI. Approval of the Office of the Secretary
I. Authority and Background
DOE is authorized to establish and amend energy conservation
standards and test procedures for ceiling fans. (42 U.S.C.
6293(b)(16)(A)(i) and (B), and 6295(ff)) DOE's energy conservation
standards and test procedures for ceiling fans are currently prescribed
at 10 CFR 430.32(s)(1) and (2), and 10 CFR 430.23(w), respectively. The
following sections discuss DOE's authority to establish test procedures
for ceiling fans and relevant background information regarding DOE's
consideration of test procedures for this product.
A. Authority
The Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975, as amended
(``EPCA''),\1\ among other things, authorizes DOE to regulate the
energy efficiency of a number of consumer products and certain
industrial equipment. (42 U.S.C. 6291-6317) Title III, Part B \2\ of
EPCA established the Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products
Other Than Automobiles, which sets forth a variety of provisions
designed to improve energy efficiency. These consumer products include
ceiling fans, the subject of this document. (42 U.S.C. 6291(49),
6293(b)(16)(A)(i) and (B), and 6295(ff))
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ All references to EPCA in this document refer to the statute
as amended through America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018,
Public Law 115-270 (October 23, 2018).
\2\ For editorial reasons, upon codification in the U.S. Code,
Part B was redesignated Part A.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Under EPCA, DOE's energy conservation program consists essentially
of four parts: (1) Testing, (2) labeling, (3) Federal energy
conservation standards, and (4) certification and enforcement
procedures. Relevant provisions of EPCA include definitions (42 U.S.C.
6291), energy conservation standards (42 U.S.C. 6295), test procedures
(42 U.S.C. 6293), labeling provisions (42 U.S.C. 6294), and the
authority to require information and reports from manufacturers (42
U.S.C. 6296).
The Federal testing requirements consist of test procedures that
manufacturers of covered products must use as the basis for (1)
certifying to DOE that their products comply with the applicable energy
conservation standards adopted under EPCA, and (2) making
representations about the efficiency of those products. (42 U.S.C.
6295(s) and 6293(c)) Similarly, DOE must use these test procedures to
determine whether the products comply with any relevant standards
promulgated under EPCA. (42 U.S.C. 6295(s))
Federal energy efficiency requirements for covered products
established under EPCA generally supersede State laws and regulations
concerning energy conservation testing, labeling, and standards. (See
42 U.S.C. 6297) DOE may, however, grant waivers of Federal preemption
for particular State laws or regulations, in accordance with the
procedures and other provisions of EPCA. (42 U.S.C. 6316(b)(2)(D))
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 requires 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, EPCA requires that DOE amend its test procedures for
all covered products to integrate measures of standby mode and off mode
energy consumption. (42 U.S.C. 6295(gg)(2)(A)) Standby mode and off
mode energy consumption must be incorporated into the overall energy
efficiency, energy consumption, or other energy descriptor for each
covered product unless the current test procedures already account for
and incorporate standby and off mode energy consumption or such
integration is technically infeasible. If an integrated test procedure
is technically infeasible, DOE must prescribe a separate standby mode
and off mode energy use test procedure for the covered product, if
technically feasible. (U.S.C. 6295(gg)(2)(A)(ii)) Any such amendment
must consider the most current versions of the International
Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Standard 62301 \3\ and IEC Standard
62087 \4\ as applicable. (42 U.S.C. 6295(gg)(2)(A))
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ IEC 62301, Household electrical appliances--Measurement of
standby power (Edition 2.0, 2011-01).
\4\ IEC 62087, Methods of measurement for the power consumption
of audio, video, and related equipment (Edition 3.0, 2011-04).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
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)) EPCA also requires that, at least once every 7 years, DOE
review test procedures for each type of covered product, including
ceiling fans, to determine whether amended test procedures would more
accurately or fully comply with the requirements for the test
procedures to not be unduly burdensome to conduct and be reasonably
designed to produce test results that reflect energy efficiency, energy
use, and estimated operating costs during a representative average use
cycle or period of use. (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(1)(A)) If the Secretary
determines, on his own behalf or in
[[Page 51442]]
response to a petition by any interested person, that a test procedure
should be prescribed or amended, the Secretary shall promptly publish
in the Federal Register proposed test procedures and afford interested
persons an opportunity to present oral and written data, views, and
arguments with respect to such procedures. The comment period on a
proposed rule to amend a test procedure shall be at least 60 days and
may not exceed 270 days. In prescribing or amending a test procedure,
the Secretary shall take into account such information as the Secretary
determines relevant to such procedure, including technological
developments relating to energy use or energy efficiency of the type
(or class) of covered products involved. (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(2)) If DOE
determines that test procedure revisions are not appropriate, DOE must
publish notice in Federal Register of its determination not to amend
the test procedure. (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(1)(A))
B. Background
DOE's existing test procedures for ceiling fans appear at 10 CFR
part 430, subpart B, appendix U, Uniform Test Method for Measuring the
Energy Consumption of Ceiling Fans (hereafter ``Appendix U'').
DOE published a final rule in the Federal Register on July 25, 2016
(hereafter the ``July 2016 CF TP final rule''), which amended test
procedures for ceiling fans in Appendix U. 81 FR 48620. In this
document, DOE proposes amendments to the test procedure based generally
on questions received from interested parties.
DOE has initially determined that amendments to the ceiling fan
test procedure are warranted and is issuing this notice of proposed
rulemaking (NOPR) pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(2). DOE is also
proposing these amendments in satisfaction of the 7-year review
required under 42 U.S.C. 6203(b)(1)(A).
II. Synopsis of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
In this NOPR, DOE proposes: (1) To interpret the EPCA definition of
ceiling fan to mean those fans offered for mounting only on a ceiling.
Any fan, including a ceiling-mount air circulating fan head, offered
with other mounting options would not be a ceiling fan under this
proposal. DOE also seeks comment on a proposed alternative
interpretation. DOE is retaining the exemption for ceiling; fans for
which the plane of rotation of the blades is greater than 45 degrees
from horizontal, and for which the plane of rotation cannot be adjusted
based on the manufacturer's specifications to be less than or equal to
45 degrees from horizontal. These fans are not subject to the test
procedure and energy conservation standards established by DOE, but
would remain subject to the design requirements of EPCA (2) to specify
that VSD ceiling fans that do not also meet the definition of LSSD fan
are not required to be tested pursuant to the DOE test method for
purposes of demonstrating compliance with DOE's energy conservation
standards for ceiling fans or representations of efficiency; (3) for
LSSD and VSD ceiling fans, to increase the tolerance for the stability
criteria for the average air velocity measurements at low-speed; (4) to
codify in regulation existing guidance on the method for calculating
several values reported on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
EnergyGuide label for LSSD and VSD ceiling fans using results from the
ceiling fan test procedures in Appendix U to subpart B of 10 CFR part
430 and represented values in 10 CFR part 429; (5) to specify that
large-diameter ceiling with blade spans greater than 24 feet do not
need to be tested pursuant to the DOE test procedure for purposes of
demonstrating compliance with DOE energy conservation standards or
representations of energy efficiency are; and (6) to amend
certification requirements and product-specific enforcement provisions
for ceiling fans to reflect the most recent amendments to the test
procedures and energy conservation standards for ceiling fans. Any
amended test procedure adopted in this rulemaking will be effective
beginning 30 days after publication of a final rule in the Federal
Register. Representations of energy use or energy efficiency must be
based on testing in accordance with this rulemaking, if adopted,
beginning 180 days after the publication of a test procedure final
rule.
The amendments proposed in this document would provide
manufacturers additional certainty in the test procedures and labeling
requirements for ceiling fans, and would reduce the testing burden
related to the stability criteria. The proposed amendments with regard
to air circulating fan heads would clarify the scope of DOE's authority
to regulate ceiling fans as defined by EPCA, which does not include air
circulating fan heads that do not meet the EPCA definition of a ceiling
fan. The proposed amendments would specify that VSD ceiling fans that
do not also meet the definition of LSSD fan are not required to be
tested pursuant to the DOE test method for purposes of demonstrating
compliance with DOE's energy conservation standards for ceiling fans or
representations of efficiency, so these costs would not accrue to
manufacturers of these VSD fans. As discussed in more detail in section
III.C of this NOPR, the proposed increase in the tolerance for the
stability criteria for the average air velocity measurements for LSSD
and VSD ceiling fans at low speed is expected to reduce the test burden
without changing test procedure results. The proposed codification of
existing guidance is expected to provide manufacturers greater
certainty in determining how to calculate certain values required to be
reported on the FTC EnergyGuide label for LSSD and VSD ceiling fans.
The estimated cost to test commercially-available large-diameter fans
is approximately $4,000 per ceiling fan, but these costs would not
accrue for manufacturers of any fans greater than 24 feet in diameter.
The proposed amendments to the certification requirements would reflect
the current test procedure and recently amended energy conservation
standards for ceiling fans. Finally, the proposed amendments to the
product-specific enforcement provisions would specify the use of the
methods currently in Appendix U for verifying certain ceiling fan
characteristics (i.e., blade span, distance between the ceiling and the
lowest point of fan blades, blade revolutions per minute, and blade
edge thickness).
Additionally, as discussed in more detail in section III of this
NOPR, DOE has initially concluded that the amendments being proposed
will not impact representations of ceiling fan efficiency made in
accordance with the July 2016 CF TP final rule. Thus, retesting should
not be required solely as a result of DOE's adoption of the proposed
amendments to the test procedures. DOE emphasizes, however, that
manufacturers are responsible for the validity of their representations
and seeks comment on the initial conclusion that the proposal will not
impact representations made according to the July 2016 CF TP final rule
and that manufacturers therefore should not be required to retest their
products if DOE adopts the proposed rule.
[[Page 51443]]
Table II.1--Summary of Changes in Proposed Test Procedure Relative to
Current Test Procedure
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Proposed test
Current DOE test procedure procedure Attribution
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Provides exceptions to the Interprets the EPCA Response to
test procedure and energy definition of ceiling questions from
conservation standards for fan to mean those industry,
ceiling fans where the plane fans offered for clarification.
of rotation of a ceiling mounting only on a
fan's blades is not less than ceiling and seeks
or equal to 45 degrees from comment on a proposed
horizontal, or cannot be alternative
adjusted based on the interpretation.
manufacturer's specifications Retains the
to be less than or equal to exceptions to the
45 degrees from horizontal. test procedure and
energy conservation
standards for ceiling
fans that can be
suspended from the
ceiling, for which
the plane of rotation
of the ceiling fan's
blades is greater
than 45 degrees from
horizontal, and for
which the plane of
rotation cannot be
adjusted based on the
manufacturer's
specifications to be
less than or equal to
45 degrees from
horizontal.
Provides a method of testing Specifies that VSD Clarification.
only those VSD ceiling fans ceiling fans that are
that meet the LSSD ceiling not also LSSD ceiling
fan definition. fans are not required
to be tested pursuant
to the DOE test
method.
The tolerance for the Increases the Response to
stability criteria for the tolerance for the waiver.
average air velocity stability criteria
measurements for LSSD and VSD for the average air
ceiling fans at low speed is velocity measurements
less than five (5) percent. for LSSD and VSD
ceiling fans at low
speed to less than
ten (10) percent.
Instruction on calculating Codifies the Ease of use.
EnergyGuide Label values calculation
based on measurements taken instructions in the
in accordance with Appendix U CFR.
is provided in a guidance
document separate from the
CFR.
Includes certification Add provisions for Improve
requirements and product- verification of reproducibility
specific enforcement represented values to and
provisions. be used in the repeatability.
context of
enforcement of the
relevant efficiency
standards.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
DOE seeks comment on the changes proposed in this document and on
whether other amendments to the test procedure should be considered.
III. Discussion
A. Scope of Applicability
EPCA defines a ``ceiling fan'' as ``a nonportable device that is
suspended from a ceiling for circulating air via the rotation of fan
blades.'' (42 U.S.C. 6291(49)) In the July 2016 CF TP final rule, DOE
stated that the test procedure applies to any product meeting this
definition, including hugger fans, fans designed for applications where
large airflow volume may be needed, and highly decorative fans. DOE
stated, however, that manufacturers were not required to test the
following fans according to the test procedure: Belt-driven ceiling
fans, centrifugal ceiling fans, oscillating ceiling fans, and ceiling
fans whose blades' plane of rotation cannot be within 45 degrees of
horizontal. In this rulemaking, DOE is confirming the scope of its
authority pursuant to EPCA to regulate ceiling fans and confirming that
its authority in this context is limited to fans that meet the EPCA
definition of a ceiling fan. Specifically, DOE interprets the EPCA
definition of ceiling fan to mean those fans offered for mounting only
on a ceiling. Any ceiling-mount air circulating fan head or other fan
that was offered with other mounting options would not be a ceiling fan
for purposes of EPCA. DOE also seeks comment on alternative means to
differentiate ceiling fans from air circulating fan heads that do not
meet the EPCA definition of ceiling fan, as described in this section.
DOE received inquiries since the publication of the July 2016 CF TP
final rule whether certain air circulating fan heads \5\ would be
subject to the DOE test procedures and energy conservation standards.
These inquiries indicate that the procedure specified in the July 2016
CF TP final rule, in which testing was not required for ceiling fans
whose blades' plane of rotation cannot be within 45 degrees of
horizontal,'' \6\ could potentially result in some air circulating fan
heads that do not meet the EPCA definition of a ceiling fan being
classified as ceiling fans subject to testing and compliance with DOE
energy conservation standards. This includes air circulating fan heads
that may, in addition to any other number of configurations, also be
mounted on a downrod.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\ Section 5.1.1 of ANSI/AMCA Standard 230-15 (``AMCA 230-
15''), ``Laboratory Methods of Testing Air Circulating Fans for
Rating and Certification,'' defines air circulating fan head as an
assembly consisting of a motor, impeller and guard for mounting on a
pedestal having a base and column, wall mount bracket, ceiling mount
bracket, I-beam bracket or other commonly accepted mounting means.
\6\ If the plane of rotation of a ceiling fan's blades is not
less than or equal to 45 degrees from horizontal, or cannot be
adjusted based on the manufacturer's specifications to be less than
or equal to 45 degrees from horizontal, the ceiling fan is not
subject to the DOE test procedure and is not subject to the energy
conservation standards. Section 2(1) of Appendix U; 10 CFR
430.36(s)(2)(ii)(A).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
On May 31 and July 9, 2019, the Air Movement and Control
Association (AMCA) submitted letters regarding air circulating fan
heads.\7\ AMCA stated that air circulating fan heads have distinct
characteristics and functions compared to traditional ceiling fans.
Specifically, AMCA stated that air circulating fan heads are typically
caged/housed and incorporated in products that are primarily offered
for sale as floor mounted (portable pedestal) or mounted to vertical
structures (wall mount), and are designed to provide concentrated
directional airflow.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\7\ AMCA's May 31 and July 9, 2019 letters to DOE can be
accessed in the Docket here: https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=EERE-2013-BT-TP-0050-0023.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
AMCA also noted that air circulating fan heads do not circulate air
like a ceiling fan. Specifically, a ceiling fan will discharge air in
the downward direction and the discharge air typically returns to the
intake side of the fan with significant momentum, thus creating air
circulation. Each pass through the fan increases the average air speed
in the space until a steady state circulation of air is achieved. This
air circulation pattern is why ceiling fan test procedures require a
significant amount of time between activation of the ceiling fan and
the measurement of performance data. In contract, air circulating fan
heads provide directional, concentrated high speed
[[Page 51444]]
airflow targeted at a specific location. The airflow from the air
circulating fan head is unlikely to return to the intake side of the
fan head with any significant moment and in many cases the discharge
air may not return at all; therefore, a circulating pattern is not
achieved.
In addition, AMCA stated that air circulating fan heads typically
operate at faster speeds (tip speeds) than ceiling fans to produce air
that will travel faster and farther for a given fan diameter.
Accordingly, AMCA proposed in their letter that DOE clarify the
interpretation that air circulating fan heads are not ceiling fans
because they have other primary mounting options and operating modes
where the fan is not required to be fixed to the ceiling, and
additionally provide that the fan head's blade tip speed is greater
than 5,500 feet per minute (fpm).\8\ AMCA also stated that air
circulating fan heads have higher average outlet air speeds (calculated
as the volumetric airflow rate (cfm) of the fan at high speed divided
by the swept area of the blades (discharge area)) than ceiling fans and
recommended a break point of 900 feet per minute as another
distinguishing characteristic for large diameter ceiling fans and high
speed small diameter ceiling fans.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\8\ Tip speed is calculated as blade diameter x 3.14159 x
rotational speed in revolutions per minute (RPM). The tip speed
value was based on Table 90.1 from Underwriters Laboratory (UL)
ceiling fan safety standard (UL Standard 507-2017, ``Standard for
Electric Fans'').
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
As stated, EPCA defines ``ceiling fan'' as ``a nonportable device
that is suspended from a ceiling for circulating air via the rotation
of fan blades.'' (42 U.S.C. 6291(49)) In DOE's view, because the EPCA
definition of ceiling fan includes the terms ``nonportable'' and
``suspended from a ceiling,'' it does not include within its scope any
device offered for mounting on any surface other than a ceiling, even
if it is also offered for mounting on a ceiling. Therefore, as a
clarifying interpretation of EPCA's definition of ``ceiling fan,'' DOE
proposes to adopt a definition of ceiling fan in 10 CFR 430.2 whose
scope would be limited to devices that are offered for mounting only on
a ceiling. Any fan, including a ceiling-mount air circulating fan head,
offered with other mounting options would not be a ceiling fan for
purposes of EPCA.
This interpretation is based a reasoned understanding of the plain
meaning of the text of the definition, taking into account the context
of the statute as a whole. Specifically, the phrase ``suspended from
the ceiling for circulating air,'' is a clear description of the use of
a ``ceiling fan,'' i.e., where it is installed and for what purpose. It
follows, then, that a device that is not offered for mounting on a
ceiling is not within the scope of this definition.
Moreover, to be within the scope of the ``ceiling fan'' definition,
the device must be ``nonportable.'' An overly strict construction of
this term would apply only to devices that, literally, cannot be moved.
Within the context of DOE's understanding of the range of products
offered for the purpose of circulating air (i.e., ``fans'') that can be
suspended from a ceiling, a reasonable construction of the term
``nonportable'' would be devices that are not offered for mounting on a
surface other than a ceiling, i.e., devices offered for mounting only
on a ceiling. This would exclude as ``portable'' products offered with
the option to be used in multiple locations over time, such as on a
wall or floor, even if one of those options includes mounting the
product to a ceiling.
DOE therefore concludes that EPCA's definition of ``ceiling fan,''
by its plain meaning, does not include within its scope any device that
is offered for mounting on a surface other than a ceiling, even if it
is also offered for mounting on a ceiling. In addition, any ceiling-
mount air circulating fan head that did not meet this criterion (i.e.,
offered with other mounting options) would not be a ceiling fan for
purposes of EPCA. DOE would make clear this interpretation of the
statutory definition of ``ceiling fan'' by adopting the following
definition in DOE regulations at 10 CFR 430.2: ``Ceiling fan means a
nonportable device that is suspended from a ceiling for circulating air
via the rotation of fan blades. For purposes of this definition, the
term ``suspended from a ceiling'' means offered for mounting on a
ceiling, and the term ``nonportable'' means not offered for mounting on
a surface other than a ceiling.''
DOE also seeks comment on an alternative proposal to differentiate
air circulating fan heads or other fans that do not meet the EPCA
definition of a ceiling fan. Any air circulating fan head or other fan
that does not meet any one of the criteria specified in the EPCA
definition (``nonportable'', ``suspended from a ceiling'', and ``for
circulating air via the rotation of fan blades'') is not a ceiling fan
for purposes of EPCA. DOE proposes to interpret the elements of the
statutory definition of ceiling fan in the following way:
(1) Portable--Meaning, the fan is offered for mounting on surfaces
other than or in addition to the ceiling, including the ceiling mount
version of such fans. In contrast, a ceiling fan is only mounted to the
ceiling and would typically not perform properly if mounted in any
other configuration. DOE also notes that once a ceiling fan is mounted
to the ceiling, it is often hard-wired in place, which DOE understands
is not always the case for air circulating fan heads; \9\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\9\ One manufacturer provided information on some air
circulating fan heads that are not typically hardwired: Three phase
units since there is no truly standardized cord, and hazardous
location (`explosion proof') units where by code they need to have
specific wiring that does not allow for a standard cord. While some
of these may be supplied with a cord by the customer, in some cases
the customer may decide to hard wire them.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Not suspended from the ceiling--This criterion is determined
with reference to the point of manufacture, because DOE regulates
manufacturers under EPCA. Air circulating fan heads or other fans that
are not manufactured with a means to be suspended from the ceiling
would not meet the statutory definition. With reference to air
circulating fan heads, in many cases, the manufacturer produces the air
circulating fan head, and the customer supplies the pipe or other means
of suspension. Brackets may be supplied for mounting, but the customer
decides where and how to mount the air circulating fan head (i.e., to
the wall, ceiling, or some other appropriate location). In contrast a
ceiling fan is meant only to be suspended from the ceiling and is not
designed to be mounted in any other way.
(3) Not for the purpose of circulating air--As noted previously,
AMCA stated in its July 9 letter, which was specific to air circulating
fan heads, that air circulating fan heads do not circulate air like a
ceiling fan. Specifically, a ceiling fan will discharge air in the
downward direction and the discharge air typically returns to the
intake side of the fan with significant momentum, thus creating air
circulation. Each pass through the fan increases the average air speed
in the space until a steady state circulation of air is achieved. This
is not the case with air circulating fan heads, which provide
directional, concentrated high speed airflow targeted at a specific
location. The airflow from the air circulating fan head is unlikely to
return to the intake side of the fan head with any significant momentum
and in many cases the discharge air may not return at all; therefore, a
circulating pattern is not achieved.
Given the above, DOE alternatively proposes to specify the
following in DOE regulations at 10 CFR 430.2: ``Ceiling fan means a
nonportable device that is suspended from a ceiling for
[[Page 51445]]
circulating air via the rotation of fan blades. DOE interprets this
term to mean that any fan, including those meeting the definition of an
``air circulating fan head'' in AMCA 230-2015, that does not have a
ceiling mount option, or that has more than one mounting option (even
if one of the mounting options is a ceiling mount), is not a ceiling
fan. Such fans do not meet the statutory criteria of being
``nonportable'', ``suspended from the ceiling'', and ``for the purpose
of circulating air.'' '' Pursuant to the definition of ``air
circulating fan head'' in AMCA 230-15, an air circulating fan head is
intended for mounting by a number of means, which can include ceiling
mount along with other types of mounts, such a pedestal, wall or I-beam
bracket.
In making these proposals, DOE notes that the design standards of
EPCA applicable to ceiling fans do not appear to be generally
applicable to air circulating fan heads that do not meet the criteria
of the statutory definition. Specifically, EPCA requires all ceiling
fans manufactured after January 1, 2007, to have: (i) Fan speed
controls separate from any lighting controls; (ii) Adjustable speed
controls (either more than 1 speed or variable speed); and (iii) The
capability of reversible fan action. (42 U.S.C. 6295(ff)(1)(A). DOE is
not aware of any air circulating fan head designs where the fan speed
and lighting controls are not separate. Most air circulating fan heads
are not designed with more than 1 speed because it would be
prohibitively expensive, especially for explosion proof air circulating
fan heads, for example. And, because air circulating fan heads are
meant to provide directed air flow, the necessity for reverse action is
not applicable or relevant, because the fan can simply be moved or
redirected. As a result, it makes sense that air circulating fan heads
to which these criteria do not apply would not be considered ceiling
fans for purposes of EPCA.\10\ Applying the design standards of EPCA to
those fans, including air circulating fan heads that do not meet the
DOE definition for ceiling fan is not appropriate. Air circulating fan
heads could, however, be considered a type of commercial or industrial
fan pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 6311. EPCA authorizes DOE to consider
establishing ``fans'' and ``blowers'' as types of covered commercial or
industrial equipment. 42 U.S.C. 6311(2)(B)(ii) and (iii).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\10\ DOE received information from a manufacturer supporting
this assertion. Specifically, the manufacturer did not know of no
air circulating fan heads that are provided with lighting as an
integral part of the fan head. The only application of which the
manufacturer was aware where an air circulating fan head and a light
are provided is a dock fan: In terms of numbers, the manufacturer
indicated these are fairly rare (probably only 1 to 2% of air
circulating fan heads at most), and the light and air circulating
fan head are really both added to a separate articulating device.
The manufacturer did not know if the light is wired separately of
the air circulating fan head, but expected is that it is. In
general, the manufacturer offered that there is no utility to be
gained by incorporating a light into an air circulating fan head
because unlike a ceiling fan, which uses the same (and often only)
ceiling electrical source, the air circulating fan head is not
designed for this type of hard wire connection.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
DOE notes that under this proposal, the design standards of EPCA
applicable to ceiling fans would not apply to fans that do not meet the
criteria of the statutory definition, including air circulating fan
heads as defined in AMCA 230-15 offered for mounting on surfaces other
than or in addition to the ceiling (including the ceiling mount
versions of such fans). The energy conservation standards established
by DOE would also not be applicable to such products.
AMCA's letter also suggests that a minimum tip speed/outlet air
speed is a differentiator for distinguishing between air circulating
fan heads and ceiling fans. This differentiator may be appropriate to
determine whether the air circulating fan head is for the purpose of
circulating air. DOE requests comment and supporting data on what tip
speed/outlet air speed is appropriate to differentiate ceiling fans
from air circulating fan heads. DOE also seeks comment on whether, and
if so, how to update the regulatory criterion at proposed Appendix U,
Section 2. Scope, to clarify that air circulating fan heads above a
certain tip speed/outlet air speed are not for the purpose of
circulating air, as specified in the EPCA criteria for ceiling fans.
DOE is not proposing to change the existing requirement that
ceiling fans for which the plane of rotation of the blades is greater
than 45 degrees from horizontal, and for which the plane of rotation
cannot be adjusted based on the manufacturer's specifications to be
less than or equal to 45 degrees from horizontal are not subject to the
test procedure or energy conservation standards established by DOE. DOE
seeks comment on whether this provision is necessary to retain in light
of the proposal described in the preceding paragraphs for air
circulating fan heads.
B. Proposal for VSD Ceiling Fans
In the July 2016 CF TP final rule, DOE amended test procedures,
located in Appendix U to subpart B of 10 CFR part 430, for measuring
ceiling fan efficiency. The adopted test procedures were largely based
on the ENERGY STAR test procedure, ``Energy Star Testing Facility
Guidance Manual: Building a Testing Facility and Performing the Solid
State Test Method for ENERGY STAR Qualified Ceiling Fans, Version
1.1,'' and AMCA 230-15, with some modifications. See 81 FR 48620. The
ENERGY STAR test procedure measures the air velocity using air velocity
sensors to calculate airflow, while AMCA 230-15 uses a load cell to
measure thrust, which is then used to calculate airflow.
The DOE test procedure established by the July 2016 CF TP final
rule requires LSSD and high-speed small-diameter (HSSD) ceiling fans to
be tested using methods based on air velocity measurements. The DOE
test method is slightly different depending on whether a small-diameter
ceiling fan meets the definition of either LSSD ceiling fan or HSSD
ceiling fan, which is based on maximum fan tip speed and thickness at
the edge of the fan blades. DOE required testing LSSD ceiling fans at
their lowest and highest speed settings, but required testing HSSD
ceiling fans only at high speed. 81 FR 48620, 48626. For LSSD ceiling
fans, while most have one or more speeds between high and low, DOE
required testing at only high and low speed to limit test burden and
avoid confusion regarding the definition of medium speed for ceiling
fans with more than three speeds. For HSSD ceiling fans, DOE determined
that they typically do not have discrete speeds, and therefore speeds
other than high may not be well defined; thus, testing is only required
at high speed. Id.
In the July 2016 CF TP final rule, DOE prescribed a test method for
LSSD and HSSD ceiling fans. However, the HSSD ceiling fan definition
excluded VSD ceiling fans. Therefore, the current test method provides
a method of testing only those VSD ceiling fans that meet the LSSD
ceiling fan definition. In this NOPR, DOE is proposing to specify
explicitly that VSD ceiling fans that do not also meet the definition
of LSSD fan are not required to be tested pursuant to the DOE test
method for purposes of demonstrating compliance with DOE's energy
conservation standards for ceiling fans or representations of
efficiency.
DOE requests comment on the proposal. See section V.B for a list of
issues on which DOE seeks comment.
C. Proposed Alternate Stability Criteria for Average Air Velocity
Measurements
In the July 2016 CF TP final rule, DOE established stability
criteria for the air
[[Page 51446]]
velocity measurements for LSSD and HSSD ceiling fans. Specifically,
section 3.3.2(1) of Appendix U to subpart B of 10 CFR part 430 requires
that the average air velocity for each sensor must vary by less than 5
percent compared to the average air velocity measured for that same
sensor in a successive set of air velocity measurements. Stable
measurements are required to be achieved at high speed only for HSSD
ceiling fans, and at both low and high speed for LSSD ceiling fans.
However, ceiling fans with low speeds that produce air velocities lower
than 40 feet per minute (fpm) may have trouble meeting this stability
criteria. Since the July 2016 CF TP final rule, DOE has received
several inquiries from manufacturers citing difficulties with meeting
the stability criteria at low speed for certain basic models of ceiling
fans. DOE evaluated available test data to investigate these
difficulties and to determine whether increased tolerances for air
velocity stability criteria for low speed tests could be used to reduce
test burden without materially affecting the results of the test
procedure. Specifically, DOE used the test data from ceiling fans
tested at a third-party testing facility to compare the airflow and
efficiency results of the test procedure with the 5 percent and 10
percent air velocity stability criteria applied to low speed. DOE found
that increasing the stability criteria to 10 percent for low speed
would allow more fans to meet the stability criteria and reduce the
number of successive measurements needed to do so without materially
changing the efficiency results of the test procedure. By reducing the
number of successive measurements needed this proposed amendment would
reduce the test burden for manufacturers, including the total test time
per unit for low speed tests for ceiling fans. DOE estimates that
manufacturers of LSSD and VSD ceiling fans may save approximately 20
minutes in testing time due to the relaxation of the air velocity
stability requirements. The potential cost impacts of this proposal are
discussed in section III.I of this NOPR.
An alternative approach that DOE also considered was applying
stability criteria to airflow instead of air velocity (as is required
under the current DOE test procedure). However, DOE's review concluded
that applying stability criteria to airflow instead of air velocity
could result in less repeatability by allowing a greater variation in
airflow and efficiency results between multiple tests of the same fan.
Per the current DOE test procedure, air velocity is measured at each
sensor along the sensor arm, and airflow is calculated based on these
measurements. The air velocity measurements provide more information
than the calculated airflow because they indicate the amount and
location of air provided by the fan within the effective area (i.e.,
the air profile). DOE found that large variations in air profile often
indicate test room instability (e.g., localized temperature gradients
that effect airflow). Applying stability criteria to the air velocity
measurements ensures that successive sets of measurements result in
similar air profiles, which is indicative of test room stability. On
the other hand, DOE observed that stability criteria applied only to
airflow could be met with large variations in air profile (i.e., at
unstable test room conditions). This allows for airflow, and in turn
fan efficiency, to vary significantly between multiple tests of the
same fan because stable airflow can be achieved at varied test room
conditions. DOE expects that the purchase and set up of additional
thermocouples in the test room would be required to monitor and ensure
test room stability to avoid these repeatability issues. In DOE's own
testing evaluation, DOE installed thermocouple grids within the test
room when evaluating the impact of applying the stability criteria to
airflow in order to get repeatable results. Therefore, DOE concluded
that stability criteria based on air velocity measurements leads to
more repeatable test results and avoids the potential need for
additional set up and test room modifications and costs to monitor test
room stability throughout the tests.
Therefore, in this NOPR, DOE is proposing to increase the air
velocity stability criteria for testing at low speed from 5 percent to
10 percent. DOE does not expect this proposed amendment to require
manufacturers to re-test LSSD and VSD ceiling fans that have been
tested and rated per the current test procedure. The proposed amendment
increases the tolerance of the stability criteria for low speed tests
established in the July 2016 CF TP final rule for fans that require
testing at low speed. Any test conducted in accordance with the current
test procedure (under which the stability criteria provides tolerance
that is more narrow than that being proposed) would meet the stability
criteria specified in this proposal. By letter dated June 14, 2017, BAS
submitted a petition for waiver and application for interim waiver for
specified basic models of low-speed small-diameter ceiling fans. The
proposal in this NOPR is consistent with the methodology of the
alternative test method requested by BAS for these basic models and in
the interim waiver DOE granted to BAS. In addition, this NOPR fulfills
the statutory requirement for DOE to publish in the Federal Register a
notice of proposed rulemaking and subsequent final rule to amend its
regulations so as to eliminate any need for the continuation of such
waiver as soon as practicable. 10 CFR 430.27(l).
In the July 2016 CF TP final rule, DOE also established measurement
tolerances for air velocity sensors. Section 3.2 of Appendix U states
that air velocity sensors must have accuracies within 5
percent of reading or 2 feet per minute (fpm), whichever is greater.
For this NOPR, DOE proposes to add the 2 fpm provision to the stability
criteria to provide consistency between the stability criteria for air
velocity measurements and the accuracy of air velocity sensors.
Specifically, DOE proposes the following stability criteria for low
speed tests; the average air velocity for each sensor must vary by less
than 10 percent or 2 fpm, whichever is greater, compared to the average
air velocity measured for that same sensor in a successive set of air
velocity measurements. DOE proposes to add a 2 fpm limitation to the
existing stability criteria for high speed tests such that the average
air velocity for each sensor must vary by less than 5 percent or 2 fpm,
whichever is greater, compared to the average air velocity measured for
that same sensor in a successive set of air velocity measurements. In
this NOPR, DOE is not proposing to change the stability criteria for
average power measurement for either high or low speed tests, which
would remain at 1 percent.
DOE requests comment on the proposed stability criteria. See
section V.B of this NOPR for a list of issues on which DOE seeks
comment.
Section 3.3.2 of Appendix U to subpart B of 10 CFR part 430
requires that LSSD fans be tested at low speed. Appendix U defines low
speed to mean ``the lowest available ceiling fan speed, i.e., the fan
speed corresponding to the minimum, non-zero, blade RPM''. Through
testing and industry inquiry, DOE is aware that, in the lowest
available fan speed, some ceiling fans have an extremely low rotation
rate, leading to atypically low airflow. The airflow is so low that:
(1) The airflow sensors used by third-party labs, which are appropriate
for most ceiling fans, cannot meet the accuracy requirements of the
test procedure; and (2) labs are having trouble meeting the stability
[[Page 51447]]
criteria despite routinely achieving stability for other fans.
To avoid testing low fan speeds that consumers are unlikely to use
to circulate air or that will be impossible or overly burdensome to
test, DOE is considering modifying the definition of low speed.
Specifically, DOE is considering defining the low speed as the lowest
available ceiling fan speed for which fewer than half or three,
whichever is fewer, sensors on any individual axis are measuring less
than 30 feet per minute. Thirty feet per minute is the threshold below
which practicable air velocity sensors can no longer meet the test
procedure accuracy and stability requirements. In conjunction, DOE is
considering explicit instructions to start at the lowest speed and move
to the next highest speed until the modified low speed criteria are
met.
DOE seeks comment on whether testing the fan at the lowest
available ceiling fan speed as currently required measures the energy
use during a representative average use cycle or period of use, as
required by EPCA (42 U.S.C. 6293). DOE seeks comment on whether, in the
alternate, testing at low speed defined as the lowest available ceiling
fan speed for which fewer than half or three, whichever is fewer,
sensors on any individual axis are measuring less than 30 feet per
minute, would meet these EPCA requirements. Such a test procedure would
also require testing to start at the lowest speed and move to the next
highest speed until the modified low speed criteria are met. DOE seeks
comment on whether this alternate test method would affect the measured
energy use of the ceiling fan as compared to the current test
procedure.
DOE also seeks comment on whether this alternate test method would
reduce the test burden for manufacturers, including the total test time
per unit for low speed tests for ceiling fans. The test procedure does
not currently specify when to conclude a test if stability criteria
cannot be met. In this case, third-party labs have local operating
procedures (LOP) that dictate, based on each individual labs' business
model, how long to run a test before deeming it invalid. The low speeds
in question could require labs to run tests for the full duration of
their LOP limit if stability is not met. The alternate test method
could mitigate the occurrence of these long, invalid test runs. DOE
estimates that manufacturers of LSSD and VSD ceiling fans may save
approximately 60 minutes in per unit testing time due to the new low
speed criteria. The potential cost impacts are discussed in III.I.3 of
this NOPR.
D. Calculation Methodology for Values Reported on the EnergyGuide Label
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) adopted a revised
EnergyGuide label in a September 15, 2016 Energy Labeling final rule.
81 FR 63634. The rule is applicable to LSSD and VSD ceiling fans, and
requires specification of values for certain metrics related to the
ceiling fan's performance, including ceiling fan efficiency.\11\ See 16
CFR 305.13. DOE subsequently issued a guidance document explaining how
to calculate these values, based on measurements taken in accordance
with Appendix U.\12\ DOE proposes to codify these calculation methods
at 10 CFR 429.32(a)(3).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\11\ In the September 2016 Energy Labeling final rule, the FTC
indicated it will seek comment on the need for, and content of, fan
labels for high-speed small-diameter and large-diameter ceiling
fans. 81 FR 63634, 63637.
\12\ https://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/pdfs/ftc_label_calc_method_2016-10-21.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
An example of the U.S. FTC's EnergyGuide label for LSSD and VSD
ceiling fans is shown in Figure III.1.
[[Page 51448]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP30SE19.003
The EnergyGuide label reports values for four metrics: (1)
Efficiency (labeled as ``Airflow Efficiency''), (2) FTC airflow
(labeled as ``Airflow''), (3) FTC energy use (labeled as ``Energy
Use''), and (4) FTC estimated yearly energy cost (labeled as
``Estimated Year Energy Cost''). The EnergyGuide label's ``Airflow
Efficiency'' value corresponds to the ceiling fan's represented value
of efficiency (see 10 CFR 429.32(a)), in cubic feet per minute per
watt, which is defined and measured according to the July 2016 CF TP
final rule. Calculation methods for the other three values are provided
in subsections III.D.1 through III.D.3 of this NOPR.
1. FTC Airflow
For LSSD and VSD ceiling fans, FTC airflow represents the weighted-
average airflow of a ceiling fan, where the weighted average is based
on an average of airflow at low and high fan speeds. The weight given
to each speed is the average operating hours at that speed normalized
by the total average operating hours in active mode. The average
operating hours come from Table 3 in Appendix. DOE proposes to include
in 10 CFR part 429 the following equation, as specified in the current
guidance, to calculate this value:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP30SE19.004
Where:
AirflowFTC = represented value for FTC airflow, rounded to the
nearest CFM,
CFMLow = represented value of measured airflow, in cubic feet per
minute, at low fan speed, and
CFMHigh = represented value of measured airflow, in cubic feet per
minute, at high fan speed.
Section 3.3 of Appendix U specifies the procedures for measuring
the airflow at the high and low speed settings. The measurements of
airflow for each setting specified by the equation above must be based
on the represented value of measured airflow from a sample of at least
two ceiling fans, in accordance with the requirements of 10 CFR
429.32(a)(2)(i). The represented value for FTC airflow is then
calculated using the represented value of measured airflow for each
setting specified by the equation.
2. FTC Energy Use
For LSSD and VSD ceiling fans, FTC energy use represents the
weighted-average power consumption of the ceiling fan, where the
weighted average is based on an average of the power consumption at low
and high fan speeds and in standby mode. The weight given
[[Page 51449]]
to each speed and to standby mode is the average operating hours at
that setting normalized by the total average operating hours in active
mode. As with FTC airflow, the average operating hours come from Table
3 in Appendix U. DOE proposes to include in 10 CFR part 429 the
following equation, as specified in the current guidance, to calculate
this value:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP30SE19.005
Where:
Energy UseFTC = represented value for FTC Energy Use, rounded to the
nearest watt,
WLow = represented value of measured power consumption, in watts, at
low fan speed, pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)(ii) of this section,
WHigh = represented value of measured power consumption, in watts,
at high fan speed, pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)(ii) of this section,
and
WSb = represented value of measured power consumption, in watts, in
standby mode, pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)(ii) of this section.
Section 3.3 of Appendix U outlines the procedures for measuring the
power consumption at the high and low speed settings, as well as in
standby mode (if applicable). The measurements of power consumption for
each setting specified by the equation above must be based on the
represented value of power consumption measured from a sample of at
least two ceiling fans, in accordance with the requirements of 10 CFR
429.32(a)(2)(ii). The represented value for FTC energy use is then
calculated using the represented value of measured power consumption
for each setting specified by the equation.
3. FTC Estimated Yearly Energy Cost
For LSSD and VSD ceiling fans, FTC estimated yearly energy cost
represents the estimated cost to a consumer of the energy consumed in
operating a ceiling fan for a year. Time spent at low speed, high
speed, and in standby mode is based on the average operating hours
listed in Table 3 in Appendix U. DOE proposes to include in 10 CFR part
429 the following equation, as specified in the current guidance, to
calculate this value:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP30SE19.006
Where:
EYECFTC = represented value for FTC estimated yearly energy
cost, rounded to the nearest dollar, and all other variable
designations are the same as for the equation for FTC energy use.
In calculating this value, the average electricity cost and daily
operating hours in active mode are assumed to be 12 cents per kilowatt-
hour \13\ and 6.4 hours per day, respectively (as displayed on the
sample EnergyGuide label in Figure III.1). Section 3.3 of Appendix U to
subpart B of 10 CFR part 430 outlines the procedures for measuring the
power consumption at the high and low speed settings, as well as in
standby mode (if applicable). The measurements of power consumption for
each setting specified by the equation above must be based on the
represented value of power consumption measured from a sample of at
least two ceiling fans, in accordance with the requirements of 10 CFR
429.32(a)(2)(ii). The represented value for FTC estimated yearly energy
cost is then calculated using the represented value of measured power
consumption for each setting specified by the equation.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\13\ 12 cents per kilowatt-hour is the cost of energy specified
for the Federal Trade Commission's EnergyGuide label. 81 FR 63633
(September 15, 2016)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
E. Proposal for Large-Diameter Ceiling Fans With Blade Spans Greater
Than 24 Feet
Appendix U requires that large-diameter ceiling fans (i.e., fans
with blade spans greater than seven feet) be tested at up to five
speeds, and at the five highest speeds for fans with six or more
discrete speeds. Section 3.4.1 of Appendix U states that this test
method for large-diameter ceiling fans is applicable to ceiling fans up
to 24 feet in diameter. In the July 2016 CF TP final rule, DOE included
this diameter limit because DOE was unaware of any commercially-
available large-diameter ceiling fans with blade spans greater than 24
feet. 81 FR 48620, 48632 (July 25, 2016). Since that time, DOE has
received an inquiry about how such a fan would be tested.
The DOE test method for large-diameter ceiling fans incorporates by
reference AMCA 230-15, which does not specify a maximum blade span
limit. In addition, AMCA 230-15 provides minimum clearances for testing
based on blade span so that the required test room dimensions are
dynamic and allow for testing of fans larger than 24 feet. In the
previous rulemaking, Big Ass Solutions (BAS) recommended that the DOE
test procedure not include a blade span limit for the large-diameter
test method to be consistent with AMCA 230-15. (BAS, Docket ID: EERE-
2013-BT-TP-0050, No. 13, p. 7) In the rulemaking to amend the energy
conservation standards for ceiling fans, however, DOE did not
contemplate standards for large-diameter fans with blade spans of
greater than 24 feet because none were available on the market at that
time. 82 FR 6826, 6843.
Users of ceiling fans with a blade span larger than 24 feet may
operate them differently than users of fans with a blade span less than
24 feet. Because DOE did not consider the applicability of the current
energy conservation standards to large-diameter fans with blade spans
greater than 24 feet, and because the current DOE test procedure
specifies a blade span limit of 24 feet, DOE proposes in this
rulemaking that large-diameter fans with blade spans of greater than 24
feet do not need to be tested pursuant to the DOE test procedure for
purposes of determining compliance with DOE energy conservation
standards or making other representations of efficiency. DOE requests
comment on its proposal. DOE also requests comment on the availability
of sufficient testing facilities for large-diameter fans, including
those larger than 24 feet in diameter. See section V.B of this NOPR for
a list of issues on which DOE seeks comment.
[[Page 51450]]
F. Certification Requirements
The procedures required for determination, certification, and
enforcement of compliance of covered products with the applicable
conservation standards are set forth in 10 CFR part 429. Ceiling fan
manufacturers \14\ must submit certification reports for ceiling fan
basic models before they are distributed in commerce. 10 CFR 429.12.
The current requirements for certification reports for ceiling fans
correspond to the design requirements specified in EPCA. (42 U.S.C.
6295(ff)(1)) These requirements are set forth at 10 CFR 429.32(b),
which requires reporting of the number of speeds within the ceiling fan
controls, and a declaration that the manufacturer has incorporated the
applicable design requirements. These certification requirements do not
reflect the amended energy conservation standards adopted in the recent
ceiling fan energy conservation standards final rule (hereafter the
``January 2017 CF ECS final rule'').\15\ 82 FR 6826 (January 19, 2017).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\14\ Under EPCA, ``manufacture'' means ``to manufacture,
produce, assemble, or import.'' 42 U.S.C. 6291(10).
\15\ On January 31, 2017, DOE temporarily postponed the
effective date of the January 2017 CF ECS final rule. See 82 FR
8806. DOE further temporarily postponed the effective date of that
energy conservation standards regulation until September 30, 2017,
to allow the Secretary, who was confirmed and began work in his
position March 3, 2017, the opportunity to review and consider the
new regulation. See 82 FR 14427, Mar. 21, 2017. On May 24, 2017, DOE
published the completion of the review of the final rule amending
energy conservation standards for ceiling fans, and confirmed that
compliance will remain as required with the January 19 final rule,
without change. 82 FR 23723.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
In this NOPR, DOE proposes to amend the certification requirements
for ceiling fans to include product-specific information that would be
required to certify compliance with the amended energy conservation
standards established in January 2017 CF ECS final rule. The product-
specific information is necessary to determine the minimum allowable
ceiling fan efficiency and the proper category of certain ceiling fans,
like multi-mount and/or multi-head ceiling fans. DOE proposes to
require that certification reports include the following public
product-specific information for each ceiling fan basic model: (1)
Represented blade span in inches; (2) represented ceiling fan
efficiency in CFM/W; (3) for small-diameter ceiling fans, a declaration
whether the fan is a multi-head ceiling fan; and (4) for low-speed
small-diameter ceiling fans, a declaration whether the ceiling fan is a
multi-mount ceiling fan. For each ceiling fan basic model, DOE also
proposes to require additional product-specific information that would
not be included in the public CCMS database. These include: (1) For
small-diameter ceiling fans, blade edge thickness (in), airflow (CFM)
at high speed, and blade revolutions per minute (RPM) at high speed;
and (2) for LSSD ceiling fans, the represented distance (in) between
the ceiling and the lowest point on the fan blades. Manufacturers are
already required to determine these values if making representations
under the current test procedure for ceiling fans and will be required
to use these values to ensure the products they distribute in commerce
comply with the amended energy conservation standards.
In this NOPR, DOE also proposes amendments to 10 CFR 429.32 to
specify that represented values are to be determined consistent with
the test procedures in Appendix U and to specify rounding requirements
for represented values. DOE proposes that manufacturers round any
represented value of ceiling fan efficiency, expressed in cubic feet
per minute per watt (CFM/W), to the nearest whole number. DOE also
proposes the following: Any represented value of blade span shall be
the mean of the blade spans measured for the sample selected as
described in 10 CFR 429.32(a)(1), rounded to the nearest inch; any
represented value of blade RPM shall be the mean of the blade RPMs
measured for the sample selected as described in 10 CFR 429.32(a)(1),
rounded to the nearest RPM; any represented value of blade edge
thickness shall be the mean of the blade edge thicknesses measured for
the sample selected as described in 10 CFR 429.32(a)(1), rounded to the
nearest tenth of an inch; and any represented value of the distance
between the ceiling and the lowest point on the fan blades shall be the
mean of the distances measured for the sample selected as described in
10 CFR 429.32(a)(1), rounded to the nearest quarter of an inch.
DOE is also proposing updates to the product class definitions
included in Appendix U to reference the proposed represented value
provisions to specify that the product class for each basic model is
determined using the represented values of blade span, blade RPM, blade
edge thickness, and the distance between the ceiling and the lowest
point on the fan blades.
Blade edge thickness and the distance between the ceiling and the
lowest point on the fan blades are used to determine the product class
to which a basic model belongs. The July 2016 CF TP final rule did not
provide instructions on how to measure these parameters. In this NOPR,
DOE is proposing to include these instructions in Appendix U to subpart
B of 10 CFR part 430 to ensure these parameters are measured
consistently for representations and verification. Specifically, DOE
proposes that blade edge thickness for small diameter fans be measured
at the fan blade leading edge (in the forward direction) with an
instrument having a measurement resolution of at least a tenth of an
inch. DOE has observed that blade edge thickness is typically measured
with calipers or a tape measure, either of which could meet the
proposed measurement resolution requirement. Ceiling fan blades do not
have uniform shapes, including blade edge thickness variations and
tapered tips or leading edges. DOE proposes the following instructions
for measuring blade edge thickness to ensure test procedure
reproducibility, given these variations in blade characteristics: (1)
Measure at the point at which the blade is thinnest along the radial
length of the fan blade and is greater than or equal to one inch from
the tip of the fan blade, and (2) Measure one inch from the leading
edge of the fan blade. These provisions are proposed to account for
ceiling fan blades that have tapered tips or tapered leading edges. DOE
also proposes to use an instrument having a measurement resolution of
at least 0.25 inches to measure the distance between the ceiling and
the lowest point on the ceiling fan blades for LSSD ceiling fans. DOE
has observed that this measurement is typically taken using a tape
measure, which should easily meet the proposed measurement resolution
requirement.
Blade span is also used to determine the product class to which a
basic model belongs. The July 2016 CF TP final rule required blade span
to be determined by measuring the lateral distance from the center of
the axis of rotation of the fan blades to the furthest fan blade edge
from the center of the axis of rotation, and then multiplying this
distance by two. In this NOPR, DOE is proposing to add to these
instructions to ensure that blade span is measured consistently for
representations and verification. Specifically, DOE is proposing to
measure the lateral distance at the resolution of the measurement
instrument, using an instrument with a measurement resolution of least
0.25 inches, and then multiply this distance by two to determine blade
span. As in the July 2016 CF TP final rule, after multiplying the
lateral distance by two, blade span
[[Page 51451]]
must be rounded to the nearest whole inch.
G. Product-Specific Enforcement Provisions
In the January 2017 CF ECS final rule, DOE's amended energy
conservation standards are expressed as the minimum allowable ceiling
fan efficiency (in terms of CFM/W) as a function of ceiling fan blade
span, in inches, for each ceiling fan product class. DOE has also
defined ceiling fan product classes based on certain characteristics,
including the blade span, distance between the lowest point of the fan
blades and the ceiling, RPM at high speed, and blade edge thickness.
Represented values, including certified values, of each of these
characteristics would be determined in accordance with the proposed
provisions of 10 CFR 429.32.
DOE proposes to add provisions to 10 CFR 429.134 for verification
of these represented values in 10 CFR 429.134, to be used in the
context of enforcement of the relevant efficiency standards. Each of
the following paragraphs describes the proposed DOE verification
provisions for each parameter. In each case, DOE would measure the
relevant characteristic for each individual unit in accordance with the
test requirements of Appendix U.
DOE proposes to consider the represented blade span valid if the
rounded measurement(s) (either the measured value for a single unit, or
the mean of the measured values for a multiple unit sample, rounded to
the nearest inch) are the same as the represented blade span. Blade
span may vary slightly between ceiling fan units due to manufacturing
tolerances and blade warpage. However, the proposed rounding provisions
for blade span (10 CFR part 429) would require that the blade span be
rounded to the nearest inch. This effectively would provide a range of
approximately 1 inch that would require the same minimum ceiling fan
efficiency. For example, a blade span of 52.4 inches would be rounded
down to 52 inches, and a blade span of 51.5 inches would also be
rounded to 52 inches. This range is larger than the expected variation
in blade span due to manufacturing variation or blade warpage.
Therefore, DOE is not proposing an additional tolerance for blade span
verification. DOE proposes that if the represented blade span is found
to be valid, that blade span would be used as the basis for calculating
minimum allowable ceiling fan efficiency. If the represented blade span
is found to be invalid, the rounded measured blade span would serve as
the basis for calculating the minimum allowable ceiling fan efficiency.
DOE proposes that the distance between the lowest point of the fan
blades and the ceiling for each LSSD unit be rounded to the nearest
quarter of an inch. This effectively would provide a tolerance range of
approximately 0.25 inches. DOE proposes to consider the represented
distance between the lowest point of the fan blades and the ceiling
valid if the measurement(s) (either the measured value for a single
unit, or the mean of the measured values for a multiple unit sample,
rounded to the nearest quarter inch) are the same as the represented
distance. Furthermore, DOE proposes that, if the represented distance
is found to be valid, that distance would be used as the basis for
determining the product class. If the represented distance is found to
be invalid, the rounded measured distance would serve as the basis for
determining the product class.
DOE proposes to consider the represented blade RPM at high speed
valid if the measurement(s) (either the measured value for a single
unit, or the mean of the measured values for a multiple unit sample,
rounded to the nearest RPM) are within the greater of 1% or 1 RPM of
the represented blade RPM at high speed. DOE is proposing these
tolerances because they are consistent with the tolerances established
in the July 2016 CF TP final rule to determine RPM measurements for
large-diameter ceiling fans that can operate over an infinite number of
speeds (see section 3.5(2) of Appendix U to subpart B of part 430). DOE
proposes that, if the represented RPM is found to be valid, that RPM
would be used as the basis for determining the product class. If the
certified RPM is found to be invalid, the measured RPM would serve as
the basis for determining the product class.
Represented values, including certified values, of blade edge
thickness would be in accordance with the proposed represented value
provisions in 10 CFR 429.32. The proposed rounding provisions for blade
edge thickness (10 CFR part 429) would require that the thickness be
rounded to the nearest tenth of an inch. This effectively would provide
a tolerance range of approximately 0.1 inches. DOE proposes to consider
the represented blade edge thickness valid if the measurement(s)
(either the measured value for a single unit, or the mean of the
measured values for a multiple unit sample, rounded to the nearest
tenth of an inch) are the same as the represented blade edge thickness.
DOE proposes that, if the represented blade edge thickness is found to
be valid, that blade edge thickness would be used as the basis for
determining the product class. If the represented blade edge thickness
is found to be invalid, the rounded measured blade edge thickness would
serve as the basis for determining the product class.
DOE seeks comment on the proposed method for verifying the blade
span, the distance between the ceiling and lowest point of the fan
blades, RPM at high speed, and the blade edge thickness.
H. Compliance Dates and Waivers
EPCA prescribes that all representations of energy efficiency and
energy use, including those made on marketing materials and product
labels, must be made in accordance with an amended test procedure,
beginning 180 days after publication of such a test procedure final
rule in the Federal Register. (42 U.S.C. 6293(c)(2)) If DOE were to
publish an amended test procedure EPCA provides an allowance for
individual manufacturers to petition DOE for an extension of the 180-
day period if the manufacturer may experience undue hardship in meeting
the deadline. (42 U.S.C. 6293(c)(3)) To receive such an extension,
petitions must be filed with DOE no later than 60 days before the end
of the 180-day period and must detail how the manufacturer will
experience undue hardship. (Id.)
Upon the compliance date, i.e., 180 days after publication of any
final rule amending the test procedure, should DOE issue such an
amendment, any waivers that had been previously issued and are in
effect that pertain to issues addressed by the amended test procedure
are terminated. 10 CFR 430.27(h)(2). Recipients of any such waivers
would be required to test the products subject to the waiver according
to the amended test procedure as of the effective date of the amended
test procedure. As discussed in section III.C of this NOPR the
amendments proposed in this document would address the issues that are
the subject of the interim waiver DOE granted to BAS.
As discussed in section III.C of this NOPR, DOE does not expect any
of these amendments to impact the measures of energy consumption or
efficiency for the basic models that were tested in accordance with the
July 2016 CF TP final rule. As discussed, DOE is proposing to specify
that VSD ceiling fans that do not also meet the definition of LSSD fan
are not required to be tested pursuant to the DOE test method for
purposes of demonstrating compliance with DOE's energy conservation
[[Page 51452]]
standards for ceiling fans or representations of efficiency; increase
the tolerances for the stability criteria at low speed; codify existing
guidance regarding the calculation of certain values required for FTC
labels; specify that fans with a blade span larger than 24 feet are not
required to be tested pursuant to the DOE test procedure for purposes
of determining compliance with the energy conservation standards
established by DOE; revise the certification requirements to reflect
the reporting necessary under the recently amended ceiling fan energy
conservation standards; and specify measurement procedures for
verifying certain represented ceiling fan characteristics.
I. Test Procedure Costs and Impact
EPCA requires that test procedures proposed by DOE not be unduly
burdensome to conduct. In this NOPR, DOE proposes: (1) To interpret the
term ``ceiling fan'' as defined by EPCA to mean those fans offered for
mounting only on a ceiling. Any fan, including a ceiling-mount air
circulating fan head, offered with other mounting options would not be
a ceiling fan; (2) to specify that VSD ceiling fans that do not also
meet the definition of LSSD fan are not required to be tested pursuant
to the DOE test method for purposes of demonstrating compliance with
DOE's energy conservation standards for ceiling fans or representations
of efficiency; (3) to increase the tolerance for the stability criteria
for the average air velocity measurements for LSSD and VSD ceiling
fans; (4) to codify in regulation existing guidance on the method for
calculating several values reported on the Federal Trade Commission
(FTC) EnergyGuide label for LSSD and VSD ceiling fans using results
from the ceiling fan test procedures in Appendix U to subpart B of 10
CFR part 430 and represented values in 10 CFR part 429; (5) to specify
that large-diameter ceiling with blade spans greater than 24 feet do
not need to be tested pursuant to the DOE test procedure for purposes
of demonstrating compliance with DOE energy conservation standards or
representations of energy efficiency are; and (6) to amend
certification requirements and product-specific enforcement provisions
for ceiling fans to reflect the most recent amendments to the test
procedures and energy conservation standards for ceiling fans. DOE has
tentatively determined that these proposed amendments to the ceiling
fan test procedure would not be unduly burdensome for manufacturers to
conduct and would reduce test burden for manufacturers.
DOE's analyses of this proposal indicate that, if finalized, it
would result in a net cost savings to manufacturers.
Table III.1--Summary of Cost Impacts for Ceiling Fans
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Present value Discount rate
Category (million 2016$) (percent)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost Savings
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reduction in Scope (testing 0.30 3
costs)....................... 0.13 7
Reduction in Scope (conversion 0.75 3
costs)....................... 0.64 7
Reduction in Future Testing 0.14 3
Costs........................ 0.05 7
Reduction in Upfront Testing 0.81 3
Costs (i.e., Purchase of 0.70 7
Testing Equipment)...........
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Net Cost Impacts
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Net Cost Impacts........ (2.01) 3
(1.52) 7
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table III.2--Summary of Annualized Cost Impacts for Ceiling Fans
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annualized value Discount rate
Category (thousands 2016$) (percent)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annualized Cost Savings
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reduction in Scope (testing 9 3
costs)....................... 9 7
Reduction in Scope (conversion 22 3
costs)....................... 45 7
Reduction in Future Testing 4 3
Costs........................ 4 7
Reduction in Upfront Testing 24 3
Cost (i.e., Purchase of 49 7
Testing Equipment)...........
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Net Annualized Cost Impacts
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Net Cost Impacts........ (60) 3
(107) 7
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 51453]]
Further discussion of the cost impacts of the proposed test procedure
amendments are presented in the following paragraphs.
1. Cost Impacts for Scope
As discussed in section III.A of this NOPR, in advance of the
compliance date of the energy conservation standards DOE is proposing
to amend the regulatory text to interpret the term ``ceiling fan'' as
defined by EPCA to mean those fans offered for mounting only on a
ceiling. Any fan, including a ceiling-mount air circulating fan head,
offered with other mounting options would not be a ceiling fan. Based
on a review of the ceiling fan market, DOE has observed that fans with
more than one mounting option tend to be fans with thin blades, high
tip speeds, and a guard. Accordingly, DOE identified that the majority
of the fans that would be properly classified as outside the definition
of a ceiling fan based on the clarification of the statutory scope
would be from the HSSD product class.
Based on a review of the ceiling fan market, DOE estimates there
are approximately 219 models that ceiling fan manufacturers could
potentially consider HSSD ceiling fans based on the ceiling fan
definition in Appendix U. DOE estimated that approximately 10 percent
of these models meet the proposed definition of an air circulating fan
head that has more than one mounting option beyond a ceiling mount, and
therefore would not be subject to DOE's test procedure and energy
conservation standards for ceiling fans. Therefore, DOE estimates that
approximately 22 models would not need to be tested nor potentially
redesigned to meet the upcoming energy conservation standards.
DOE estimates that ceiling fan manufacturers incur approximately
$1,525 to test HSSD ceiling fans.\16\ Therefore, DOE estimates that
ceiling fan manufacturers would have incurred cost of approximately
$33,550 in 2020, the year energy conservation standards become
effective and ceiling fan manufacturers are required to test and
certify all covered ceiling fans. Additionally, DOE anticipates that
ceiling fan manufacturers will introduce a new or modified model once
every 3.5 years, therefore, on average ceiling fan manufacturers would
introduce approximately 6 new or modified HSSD ceiling fan models each
year. Based on these estimates, ceiling fan manufacturers would have
incurred approximately $9,150 in testing costs each year after 2020.
Due to the proposed scope clarification ceiling fan manufacturers would
no longer incur these testing costs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\16\ This is based on the testing cost described in the July
2016 CF TP final rule (81 FR 48620, 48636). This cost is in 2015$.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
In addition to the cost savings from avoiding testing costs,
ceiling fan manufacturers would not incur conversion costs associated
with redesigning models that ceiling fan manufacturers could have
potentially considered HSSD ceiling fans based on the existing ceiling
fan definition, but are not considered ceiling fans based on the
proposed clarification. As part of the January 2017 CF ECS final rule,
DOE estimated the conversion costs of the adopted energy conservation
standards for HSSD ceiling fans. 82 FR 6826 (January 19, 2017). DOE
estimated that ceiling fan manufacturers would incur approximately $8.3
million in conversion costs to convert all non-compliant HSSD ceiling
fans into compliant models by the 2020 compliance date.\17\ As
previously stated, DOE estimates that approximately 10 percent of basic
models that manufacturers have certified as HSSD ceiling fans, but that
meet the proposed definition of air circulating fan head, would not be
subject to DOE's energy conservation standards for ceiling fans.
Therefore, DOE estimates that ceiling fan manufacturers would have
incurred approximately $831,000 in conversion costs to convert these
products leading up to the 2020 energy conservation standards
compliance date. Due to the proposed scope clarification ceiling fan,
manufacturers would be certain that they no longer need to incur these
conversion costs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\17\ The conversion cost estimates presented in the January 2017
CF ECS final rule are broken out by product class in the published
GRIM. The January 2017 CF ECS adopted EL 4 for HSSD ceiling fans.
Capital conversion costs for HSSD ceiling fans at EL 4 were $5.5
million (2015$) and product conversion costs at EL 4 were $2.8
million (2015$).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
DOE requests comment on its assumptions and understanding of the
estimated impact and associated cost savings to ceiling fan
manufacturers regarding DOE's proposal to clarify the scope.
Additionally, DOE requests comment on any potential cost not accounted
for in the analysis that ceiling fan manufacturers may incur due to
this proposed clarification.
2. Cost Impacts for Stability Criteria
As discussed in section III.C of this NOPR, DOE is proposing to
increase the tolerance for the stability criteria for the average air
velocity measurements of LSSD and VSD ceiling fans that meet the
definition of LSSD fans at low speed, and to codify in regulation
current guidance on calculating reported values on the FTC EnergyGuide
label. Based on review of the DOE's Compliance Certification Database
(CCD), DOE identified 22 unique manufacturers that make 3,339 unique
basic models of LSSD fans and seven unique basic models of VSD
fans.\18\ basic models.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\18\ DOE identified 7,231 ceiling fan entries in DOE's CCD on
February 26, 2019. Of those models, 3,473 are unique basic models.
There are 35 fans that have a diameter less than or equal to 18
inches. Seven of which are VSD fans that meet the definition of LSSD
fans and 28 which do not, and therefore are not subject to the DOE
test procedure. Additionally, there are 3,434 fans that either have
a diameter more than 18 inches and less than or equal to 84 inches,
or do not have a diameter listed in CCD. DOE assumed all these fans
were either LSSD or HSSD fans. Of these fans, 95 are HSSD fans and
3,339 are LSSD fans. Lastly, there are four fans that are large
diameter fans with diameters greater than 84 inches.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
DOE expects its proposal to increase the tolerance for the average
air velocity stability criteria for low speed tests would reduce the
number of successive measurements needed for LSSD and VSD ceiling fans
without materially changing the efficiency results (see section III.C
of this NOPR for further details). The reduction in the number of
successive measurements required to achieve stability would reduce the
time to conduct the test, also reducing the per unit cost to test for
LSSD and VSD fans. DOE estimates that the proposed amendments to the
stability criteria may save approximately 20 minutes in testing time
for each LSSD or VSD fan tested. DOE estimates the average wage rate
plus employer provided benefits for an employee to conduct these tests
is $36.40 per hour.\19\ There are 688 LSSD fan models and seven VSD fan
models affected by this stability criteria proposal.\20\ DOE
anticipates that manufacturers would introduce new or modified models
once every 3.5 years, therefore, on average manufacturers would
introduce approximately 199 new or modified LSSD and VSD fan models
each year and would be required to test each fan model at least twice
in accordance with this test procedure.
[[Page 51454]]
Using these estimates, DOE anticipates cost savings of approximately
$4,829 each year for all LSSD and VSD ceiling fans affected by the
proposed stability criteria.\21\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\19\ The Bureau of Labor Statistics mean hourly wage rate for a
``Mechanical Engineering Technician'' is $28.00. (May 2018; https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes173027.htm).)
Additionally, according to the Annual Survey of Manufacturers
for NAICS code 335210, small electrical appliance manufacturing,
wages represent approximately 77 percent of total cost of
employment.
(AMS 2016, NAICS code 335210; https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/asm.html).)
\20\ Of the 3,339 LSSD fans DOE identified, there were 688
unique basic models with more than 3 speed control settings. DOE
used this criteria to estimate the number of LSSD models that would
be affect by this proposed stability criteria. Additionally, DOE
assumed all seven VSD models would be affected as well.
\21\ This calculation includes a reduction of 20 minutes in
testing time, applied to 199 models each year, 2 tests per model,
and an hourly employment cost of $36.40 [(20/60) * 199 * 2 * $36.40
= $4,829].
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
In addition to the testing cost savings, manufacturers would likely
experience cost savings from avoiding the need to purchase additional
and more-costly air velocity sensors. Manufacturers are having trouble
achieving stability in low speed using their current sensors. DOE is
aware that upgrading air velocity sensors may be one way that
manufacturers can meet the stability criteria required by the current
test procedure. Upgraded sensors can cost between two and ten times as
much as the standard sensors that manufacturers typically use for
ceiling fan testing. To test ceiling fans up to 84 inches in diameter
with an air velocity sensor every 4 inches and in all four axes could
require a manufacturer to purchase, calibrate, and install as many as
45 upgraded sensors. DOE estimates that this investment would be
approximately $50,000 per manufacturer for these upgraded sensors.
Of the 22 companies DOE identified that make LSSD or VSD ceiling
fans for which these stability criteria apply and upgraded sensors may
be needed, DOE assumed that only companies making multiple models for
which these stability criteria apply to would purchase these upgraded
sensors. The other manufacturers that only have a single ceiling fan
model needing these upgraded sensors were assumed to contract third-
party labs for testing. In these cases, the third-party labs will bear
the cost of any necessary sensor upgrades. DOE estimates that 19
manufacturers would have invested in upgraded sensors to meet the
stability criteria to comply with the current test procedure.
Therefore, DOE estimates that the industry-wide one-time avoided cost
due to this proposal would be approximately $950,000.
DOE requests comment on its assumptions and understanding of the
estimated impact and associated cost savings to ceiling fan
manufacturers regarding DOE's proposal to increase the tolerance for
the stability criteria for the average air velocity measurements of
LSSD and VSD ceiling fans that meet the definition of LSSD fans at low
speed. Additionally, DOE requests comment on any potential cost
manufacturers may incur, if any, due to this proposed amendment.
3. Potential Cost Impacts if the Low Speed Criteria Definition Is
Modified
In addition to proposing to increase the tolerance for the
stability criteria for the average air velocity measurements of LSSD
and VSD ceiling fans, DOE might consider modifying the low speed
criteria definition, which is required to test LSSD and VSD ceiling
fans, as discussed in section III.C of this NOPR. Based on review of
the DOE's CCD, DOE identified 22 unique manufacturers that make 3,339
unique basic models of LSSD fans and seven unique basic models of VSD
fans.\22\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\22\ DOE identified 7,231 ceiling fan entries in DOE's CCD on
February 26, 2019. Of those models, 3,473 are unique basic models.
There are 35 fans that have a diameter less than or equal to 18
inches. Seven of which are VSD fans that meet the definition of LSSD
fans and 28 which do not, and therefore are not subject to the DOE
test procedure. Additionally, there are 3,434 fans that either have
a diameter more than 18 inches and less than or equal to 84 inches,
or do not have a diameter listed in CCD. DOE assumed all these fans
were either LSSD or HSSD fans. Of these fans, 95 are HSSD fans and
3,339 are LSSD fans. Lastly, there are four fans that are large
diameter fans with diameters greater than 84 inches.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
DOE anticipates that this potential modification in definition
could reduce the total test time for a portion of LSSD and VSD ceiling
fans when conducting the low speed tests. DOE anticipates that
manufacturers of LSSD and VSD ceiling fans could save approximately 60
minutes in testing time for certain LSSD and VSD models if the low
speed criteria definition is adopted. As stated in the previous
section, DOE estimated there are 688 LSSD fan models and seven VSD fan
models affected by the stability criteria proposal. DOE estimates that
approximately 10 percent of these LSSD and VSD ceiling fans affected by
the stability criterial proposal could also be affected by the
potential low speed criteria definition modification. As previously
stated, DOE anticipates that manufacturers would introduce new or
modified models once every 3.5 years. Therefore, on average
manufacturers would introduce approximately 20 new or modified LSSD and
VSD fan models that could be affected each year by the potential low
speed criteria definition modification and would be required to test
each fan model at least twice in accordance with this test
procedure.\23\ Using these estimates, DOE anticipates potential cost
savings of approximately $1,456 each year for all LSSD and VSD ceiling
fans affected by the potential low speed criteria definition
modification.\24\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\23\ There are 688 LSSD ceiling fans and 7 VSD ceiling fans.
Approximately 10 percent of those fans could be impacted by the
potential low speed definition modification, so there are
approximately 70 ceiling fans potentially impacted [(688 + 7) * 0.10
= 69.5]. The design cycle for ceiling fans is approximately 3.5
years for a model, so on average 20 new ceiling fan models would be
introduced that could be affected by the potential low speed
definition modification [69.5/3.5 = 19.9].
\24\ This calculation includes a reduction of 60 minutes in
testing time, applied to 20 models each year, 2 tests per model, and
an hourly employment cost of $36.40 [(60/60) * 20 * 2 * $36.40 =
$1,456].
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
DOE requests comment on its assumptions and understanding of the
anticipated impact and potential cost savings to ceiling fan
manufacturers if DOE modifies the low speed criteria definition.
Additionally, DOE requests comment on any potential cost manufacturers
may incur, if any, due to this definition is modified.
4. Cost Impacts for Other Test Procedure Amendments
This notice proposes to specify that fans with blade spans larger
than 24 feet are not required to be tested pursuant to the DOE test
procedure for purposes of determining compliance with the energy
conservation standards established by DOE or making other
representations of efficiency. As stated in section III.E of this NOPR,
DOE has not identified any ceiling fans on the market with a blade span
greater than 24 feet. As such DOE does not expect there to be a cost
impact resulting from this proposed amendment.
Additionally, DOE believes that the other proposed amendments will
provide manufacturers with greater certainty in the conduct of the test
procedures. Regarding the proposed amendments to the certification
provisions, manufacturers are already required to determine the values
added under the proposal if making representations under the current
test procedure for ceiling fans and will be required to use these
values to ensure the products they distribute in commerce comply with
the amended energy conservation standards. In addition, the proposed
certification requirements will be necessary once compliance with the
amended standards is required and should not increase burden. DOE does
not estimate manufacturers would incur any additional costs or cost
savings from these additional proposed test procedure amendments.
DOE requests comment on any potential cost or cost savings, that
DOE did not account for, that ceiling fan manufacturers may incur due
to these additional test procedure amendments.
J. Other Test Procedure Topics
In addition to the issues identified earlier in this document, DOE
welcomes comment on any other aspect of the existing test procedure for
ceiling fans
[[Page 51455]]
not already addressed by the specific areas identified in this
document. DOE particularly seeks information that would improve the
representativeness of the test procedure, as well as information that
would help DOE create a procedure that would limit manufacturer test
burden. Comments regarding repeatability and reproducibility are also
welcome. In particular, DOE notes that under Executive Order 13771,
``Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs,'' Executive
Branch agencies such as DOE must manage the costs associated with the
imposition of expenditures required to comply with Federal regulations.
See 82 FR 9339 (Feb. 3, 2017). Consistent with that Executive Order,
DOE encourages the public to provide input on measures DOE could take
to lower the cost of its regulations applicable to ceiling fans
consistent with the requirements of EPCA.
IV. Procedural Issues and Regulatory Review
A. Review Under Executive Order 12866
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 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.
B. Review Under Executive Orders 13771 and 13777
On January 30, 2017, the President issued Executive Order (E.O.)
13771, ``Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs.'' E.O.
13771 stated the policy of the executive branch is to be prudent and
financially responsible in the expenditure of funds, from both public
and private sources. E.O. 13771 stated it is essential to manage the
costs associated with the governmental imposition of private
expenditures required to comply with Federal regulations.
Additionally, on February 24, 2017, the President issued E.O.
13777, ``Enforcing the Regulatory Reform Agenda.'' E.O. 13777 required
the head of each agency designate an agency official as its Regulatory
Reform Officer (RRO). Each RRO oversees the implementation of
regulatory reform initiatives and policies to ensure that agencies
effectively carry out regulatory reforms, consistent with applicable
law. Further, E.O. 13777 requires the establishment of a regulatory
task force at each agency. The regulatory task force is required to
make recommendations to the agency head regarding the repeal,
replacement, or modification of existing regulations, consistent with
applicable law. At a minimum, each regulatory reform task force must
attempt to identify regulations that:
(i) Eliminate jobs, or inhibit job creation;
(ii) Are outdated, unnecessary, or ineffective;
(iii) Impose costs that exceed benefits;
(iv) Create a serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere with
regulatory reform initiatives and policies;
(v) Are inconsistent with the requirements of Information Quality
Act, or the guidance issued pursuant to that Act, in particular those
regulations that rely in whole or in part on data, information, or
methods that are not publicly available or that are insufficiently
transparent to meet the standard for reproducibility; or
(vi) Derive from or implement Executive Orders or other
Presidential directives that have been subsequently rescinded or
substantially modified.
DOE initially concludes that this rulemaking is consistent with the
directives set forth in these executive orders. This proposed rule is
estimated to result in cost savings. Assuming a 7 percent discount
rate, the proposed rule would yield annualized cost savings of
approximately $107,000 (2016$). Therefore, if finalized as proposed,
this rule is expected to be an E.O. 13771 deregulatory action.
C. Review Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act
The Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) requires
preparation of an initial regulatory flexibility analysis (IFRA) 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 DOE rulemaking process. 68 FR 7990. DOE has made
its procedures and policies available on the Office of the General
Counsel's website: https://energy.gov/gc/office-general-counsel.
The July 2016 CF TP final rule assessed potential impacts on small
businesses associated with ceiling fan test requirements. Specifically,
DOE assessed the projected costs of testing, and provided description
of steps taken to minimize impacts to small businesses. 81 FR 48620
(July 25, 2016) The January 2017 CF ECS final rule assessed potential
impacts on small businesses associated with the ceiling fan energy
conservation standards requirements. 82 FR 6826 (January 19, 2017)
Specifically, DOE estimated total conversion costs for small ceiling
fan manufacturers, and provided discussion on steps taken to minimize
the impacts. DOE had identified six companies in the July 2016 CF TP
final rule that are small businesses that maintain domestic production
facilities, four of which manufacture HSSD ceiling fans, and three
manufacture large-diameter ceiling fans.\25\ DOE did not, however,
identify any LSSD or VSD ceiling fan small businesses that maintain
domestic production facilities.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\25\ One small business manufactures both HSSD ceiling fans and
large-diameter ceiling fans.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
This notice proposes amendments to the test procedures and
certification requirements for ceiling fans. This rulemaking provides
further specifications to existing requirements for testing and
compliance with standards and does not materially change the burden
associated with ceiling fan regulations on small entities regulated by
the rulemaking. Specifically, DOE proposes to specify that VSD ceiling
fans that do not also meet the definition of LSSD fan are not required
to be tested pursuant to the DOE test method for purposes of
demonstrating compliance with DOE's energy conservation standards for
ceiling fans or representations of efficiency. This proposal, which
would not require testing of any additional fans, would not result in a
significant impact to a substantial number of small entities. In
addition, as stated above, DOE did not identify any small LSSD or VSD
ceiling fan manufacturers that maintain domestic production facilities.
DOE also proposes to increase the tolerance for stability criteria
for the average air velocity measurements for LSSD and VSD ceiling fans
at low speed to reduce test burden without significantly changing test
procedure results. As discussed in section III.I, this proposal is
expected to reduce the test procedure burdens associated with testing
time and investments in testing equipment. In addition, DOE proposes to
codify current guidance on calculating several values reported on the
FTC EnergyGuide label for LSSD and VSD ceiling fans, which is expected
[[Page 51456]]
to provide manufacturers additional certainty in reporting test
measurements to DOE and to harmonize DOE and FTC reporting
requirements. While as noted above, DOE did not identify any small LSSD
or VSD ceiling fan manufacturers with domestic production facilities at
this time, this proposal would lower the burden on any small business
that determined to manufacture such fans domestically. In addition, DOE
proposes to interpret the term ``ceiling fan'' as defined by EPCA to
mean those fans offered for mounting only on a ceiling. Any fan,
including a ceiling-mount air circulating fan head, offered with other
mounting options would not be a ceiling fan.
DOE also proposes to specify that fans with a blade span larger
than 24 feet are not required to be tested according to the DOE test
procedure for large-diameter fans for purposes of determining
compliance with DOE energy conservation standards or to make other
representations of efficiency; this proposal is not expected to
increase the testing costs for large diameter fans. As stated in
section III.E of this NOPR, DOE has not identified any ceiling fans on
the market with a blade span greater than 24 feet. As such DOE does not
expect there to be a cost impact resulting from this proposed
amendment. This cost would remain at approximately $4,000 per ceiling
fan, and these costs would not accrue to any additional fans with
diameters greater than 24 feet. In this proposal, DOE would also amend
certification requirements and product-specific enforcement provisions
for consistency with the current test procedure and recently amended
energy conservation standards for ceiling fans; specifically, this
proposal would specify the use of the methods currently in Appendix U
for verifying certain ceiling fan characteristics. DOE does not expect
this proposal to significantly impact manufacturers because they are
already required to determine these values if making representations
under the current test procedure for ceiling fans, and because the
proposal clarifies how these values would be made when compliance with
standards is required.
For these reasons, DOE certifies that this rulemaking will not have
a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small
entities. Accordingly, DOE did not prepare an IRFA for this rulemaking.
DOE's certification and supporting statement of factual basis will be
provided to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business
Administration for review under 5 U.S.C. 605(b).
D. Review Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
Manufacturers of ceiling fans must certify to DOE that their
products comply with any applicable energy conservation standards. To
certify compliance, manufacturers must first obtain test data for their
products according to the DOE test procedures, 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 ceiling fans.
(See generally 10 CFR part 429.) 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 35 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.
E. Review Under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
DOE is analyzing this proposed regulation in accordance with the
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and DOE's NEPA implementing
regulations (10 CFR part 1021). DOE's regulations include a categorical
exclusion for rulemakings interpreting or amending an existing rule or
regulation that does not change the environmental effect of the rule or
regulation being amended. 10 CFR part 1021, subpart D, appendix A5. DOE
anticipates that this rulemaking qualifies for categorical exclusion A5
because it is an interpretive rulemaking that does not change the
environmental effect of the rule and otherwise meets the requirements
for application of a categorical exclusion. See 10 CFR 1021.410. DOE
will complete its NEPA review before issuing the final rule.
F. 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 this 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.
G. 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
[[Page 51457]]
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.
H. 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. Public Law 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 UMRA. 62 FR 12820; also, available
at https://energy.gov/gc/office-general-counsel. DOE examined this
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.
I. 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 proposed 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.
J. 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.
K. Review Under 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 this proposed rule under the OMB and DOE guidelines and has
concluded that it is consistent with applicable policies in those
guidelines.
L. 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.
The proposed regulatory action to amend the test procedure for
measuring the energy efficiency of ceiling fans 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.
M. Review Under Section 32 of the Federal Energy Administration Act of
1974
Under section 301 of the Department of Energy Organization Act
(Pub. L. 95-91; 42 U.S.C. 7101), DOE must comply with section 32 of the
Federal Energy Administration Act of 1974, as amended by the Federal
Energy Administration Authorization Act of 1977. (15 U.S.C. 788; FEAA)
Section 32 essentially provides in relevant part that, where a proposed
rule authorizes or requires use of commercial standards, the notice of
proposed 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 modifications to the test procedure for ceiling fans
adopted in this final rule do not incorporate any new standards that
would require consultation under section 32(b) of the FEAA.
N. Description of Materials Incorporated by Reference
In this NOPR, DOE proposes to incorporate by reference the test
standard published by ANSI/AMCA Standard 230-15 (``AMCA 230-15''),
titled ``Laboratory Methods of Testing Air Circulating Fans for Rating
and Certification.'' Specifically, the test procedure proposed by this
NOPR references a definition provided in AMCA 230-15. AMCA 230-15 is an
industry-standard test procedure for measuring the airflow efficiency
of commercial and industrial ceiling fans. AMCA 230-15 is available
from Air Movement and Control Association International, Inc. (AMCA),
30 West University Drive, Arlington Heights, IL 60004, (847) 394-0150,
or by going to https://www.amca.org/store/item.aspx?ItemId=81.
V. Public Participation
A. Submission of Comments
DOE invites all interested partied to submit in writing by November
29, 2019 comments and information regarding this proposed rule.
Submitting comments via https://www.regulations.gov. The https://
[[Page 51458]]
www.regulations.gov web page will require you to provide your name and
contact information prior to submitting comments. Your contact
information will be viewable to DOE Building Technologies staff only.
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. Persons viewing comments will see only first and last names,
organization names, correspondence containing comments, and any
documents submitted with the comments.
Do not submit to https://www.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
https://www.regulations.gov cannot be claimed as CBI. Comments received
through the website will waive any CBI claims for the information
submitted. For information on submitting CBI, see the Confidential
Business Information section.
DOE processes submissions made through https://www.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 https://www.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 https://www.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 in your cover letter 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 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).
DOE considers public participation to be a very important part of
the process for developing test procedures and energy conservation
standards. DOE actively encourages the participation and interaction of
the public during the comment period in each stage of the rulemaking
process. Interactions with and between members of the public provide a
balanced discussion of the issues and assist DOE in the rulemaking
process. Anyone who wishes to be added to the DOE mailing list to
receive future notices and information about this rulemaking should
contact Appliance and Equipment Standards Program staff at (202) 287-
1445 or via email at [email protected].
B. Issues on Which DOE Seeks Comment
Although comments are welcome on all aspects of this proposed
rulemaking, DOE is particularly interested in comments on the proposal
to interpret the term ``ceiling fan'' as defined by EPCA to mean those
fans offered for mounting only on a ceiling. Any fan, including a
ceiling-mount air circulating fan head, offered with other mounting
options would not be a ceiling fan. DOE also seeks comment on the
alternative interpretation of the term ``ceiling fan'' to mean that any
fan, including those meeting the definition of an ``air circulating fan
head'' in AMCA 230-2015, that does not have a ceiling mount option, or
that has more than one mounting option (even if one of the mounting
options is a ceiling mount), is not a ceiling fan. Such fans do not
meet the statutory criteria of being ``nonportable'', ``suspended from
the ceiling'', and ``for the purpose of circulating air.'' DOE also
requests comment and supporting data on what tip speed/outlet air speed
is appropriate as another means to differentiate ceiling fans from air
circulating fan heads that are not ceiling fans. DOE also seeks comment
on the extent to which the design criteria in EPCA do or do not apply
to air circulating fan heads, as a factual matter. DOE also seeks
comment on whether it is necessary to retain the exception for ceiling
fans where the plane of rotation of the ceiling fan's blades is greater
than 45 degrees from
[[Page 51459]]
horizontal, and for which the plane of rotation cannot be adjusted
based on the manufacturer's specifications to be less than or equal to
45 degrees from horizontal; proposed clarification to the ceiling fan
test procedure to not require testing for VSD ceiling fans that do not
also meet the definition of LSSD fan; the proposed alternate stability
criteria for average air velocity measurements; the potential
modification of the low speed definition; the proposed calculation
methods for values reported on the EnergyGuide label; the proposal to
not require testing for large-diameter ceiling fans with blade spans
greater than 24 feet and the availability of sufficient testing
facilities for large-diameter fans, including those larger than 24 feet
in diameter; the proposed certification requirements and product-
specific enforcement provisions; and its understanding of the impact
and associated cost savings (or potential costs) of these proposed
amendments.
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
Confidential business information, Energy conservation, Household
appliances, Imports, 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.
Signed in Washington, DC, on September 9, 2019.
Alexander N. Fitzsimmons,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency, Energy
Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
For the reasons stated in the preamble, DOE proposes to amend parts
429 and 430 of Chapter II of Title 10, 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; 28 U.S.C. 2461 note.
0
2. Section 429.32 is amended by:
0
a. Revising the paragraph (a)(2) introductory text and paragraph
(a)(2)(ii)(B);
0
b. Adding paragraphs (a)(3) and (4);
0
c. Revising paragraph (b);
0
d. Adding paragraph (c).
The revisions and additions read as follows:
Sec. 429.32 Ceiling fans.
(a) * * *
(2) For each basic model of ceiling fan, a sample of sufficient
size must be randomly selected and tested to ensure that--
* * * * *
(ii) * * *
(B) The upper 95 percent confidence limit (UCL) of the true mean
divided by 1.1, where:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP30SE19.007
And x is the sample mean; s is the sample standard deviation; n is
the number of samples; and t0.95 is the t statistic for a
95% one-tailed confidence interval with n-1 degrees of freedom (from
appendix A to this subpart); and
(3) For each basic model of ceiling fan,
(i) Any represented value of blade span, as defined in section 1.7
of appendix U to subpart B of part 430, is the mean of the blade spans
measured for the sample selected as described in paragraph (a)(1) of
this section, rounded to the nearest inch; and
(ii) Any represented value of blade revolutions per minute (RPM) is
the mean of the blade RPM measurements measured for the sample selected
as described in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, rounded to the
nearest RPM; and
(iii) Any represented value of blade edge thickness is the mean of
the blade edge thicknesses measured for the sample selected as
described in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, rounded to the nearest
tenth of an inch; and
(iv) Any represented value of the distance between the ceiling and
the lowest point on the fan blades is the mean of the distances
measured for the sample selected as described in paragraph (a)(1) of
this section, rounded to the nearest quarter of an inch; and
(v) Any represented value of tip speed is pi multiplied by
represented value of blade span divided by twelve multiplied by the
represented value of RPM, rounded to the nearest foot per minute; and
(4) To determine values required by the Federal Trade Commission
(FTC), use the following provisions. Note that, for multi-mount ceiling
fans these values must be reported on the EnergyGuide label for the
ceiling fan configuration with the lowest efficiency.
(i) FTC Airflow. Determine the represented value for FTC airflow by
calculating the weighted-average airflow of an LSSD or VSD ceiling fan
basic model at low and high fan speed as follows:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP30SE19.008
Where:
AirflowFTC = represented value for FTC airflow, rounded to the
nearest CFM,
CFMLow = represented value of measured airflow, in cubic feet per
minute, at low fan speed, pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this
section, and
CFMHigh = represented value of measured airflow, in cubic feet per
minute, at high fan speed, pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this
section.
(ii) FTC Energy Use. Determine represented value for FTC energy use
by calculating the weighted-average power consumption of an LSSD or VSD
ceiling fan basic model at low and high fan speed as follows:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP30SE19.009
[[Page 51460]]
Where:
Energy UseFTC = represented value for FTC Energy Use, rounded to the
nearest watt,
WLow = represented value of measured power consumption, in watts, at
low fan speed, pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)(ii) of this section,
WHigh = represented value of measured power consumption, in watts,
at high fan speed, pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)(ii) of this section,
and
WSb = represented value of measured power consumption, in watts, in
standby mode, pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)(ii) of this section.
(iii) FTC Estimated Yearly Energy Cost. Determine the represented
value for FTC estimated yearly energy cost of an LSSD or VSD ceiling
fan basic model at low and high fan speed as follows:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP30SE19.010
Where:
EYECFTC = represented value for FTC estimated yearly energy cost,
rounded to the nearest dollar, and
WLow = represented value of measured power consumption, in watts, at
low fan speed, pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)(ii) of this section,
WHigh = represented value of measured power consumption, in watts,
at high fan speed, pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)(ii) of this section,
and
WSb = represented value of measured power consumption, in watts, in
standby mode, pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)(ii) of this section.
(b) Certification reports. (1) The requirements of Sec. 429.12 are
applicable to ceiling fans; and
(2) Pursuant to Sec. 429.12(b)(13), a certification report shall
include the following public product-specific information:
(i) For all ceiling fans: Blade span (in), ceiling fan efficiency
(CFM/W) (in both hugger and standard configurations for multi-mount
fans), the number of speeds within the ceiling fan controls, and a
declaration that the manufacturer has incorporated the applicable
design requirements.
(ii) For small-diameter ceiling fans: A declaration whether the
ceiling fan is a multi-head ceiling fan.
(iii) For low-speed small-diameter ceiling fans: A declaration
whether the ceiling fan is a multi-mount ceiling fan.
(3) Pursuant to Sec. 429.12(b)(13), a certification report shall
include the following additional product-specific information for
small-diameter ceiling fans: Blade edge thickness (in), airflow (CFM)
at high speed, blade RPM at high speed, and the distance (in) between
the ceiling and the lowest point on the fan blades (in both hugger and
standard configurations for multi-mount fans).
(c) Rounding Requirements. Any represented value of ceiling fan
efficiency, as described in paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this section must be
expressed in cubic feet per minute per watt (CFM/W) and rounded to the
nearest whole number.
0
3. Section 429.134 is amended by adding paragraph (s) to read as
follows:
Sec. 429.134 Product-specific enforcement provisions.
* * * * *
(s) Ceiling Fans--(1) Verification of blade span. DOE will measure
the blade span and round the measurement pursuant to the test
requirements of 10 CFR part 430 of this chapter for each unit tested.
DOE will consider the represented blade span valid only if the rounded
measurement(s) (either the rounded measured value for a single unit, or
the mean of the rounded measured values for a multiple unit sample,
rounded to the nearest inch) is the same as the represented blade span.
(i) If DOE determines that the represented blade span is valid,
that blade span will be used as the basis for determining the product
class and calculating the minimum allowable ceiling fan efficiency.
(ii) If DOE determines that the represented blade span is invalid,
DOE will use the rounded measured blade span(s) as the basis for
determining the product class, and calculating the minimum allowable
ceiling fan efficiency.
(2) Verification of the distance between the ceiling and lowest
point of fan blades. DOE will measure the distance between the ceiling
and lowest point of the fan blades and round the measurement pursuant
to the test requirements of 10 CFR part 430 of this chapter for each
unit tested. DOE will consider the represented distance valid only if
the rounded measurement(s) (either the measured value for a single
unit, or the mean of the measured values for a multiple unit sample,
rounded to the nearest quarter inch) are the same as the represented
distance.
(i) If DOE determines that the represented distance is valid, that
distance will be used as the basis for determining the product class.
(ii) If DOE determines that the represented distance is invalid,
DOE will use the rounded measured distance(s) as the basis for
determining the product class.
(3) Verification of blade revolutions per minute (RPM) measured at
high speed. DOE will measure the blade RPM at high speed pursuant to
the test requirements of 10 CFR part 430 of this chapter for each unit
tested. DOE will consider the represented blade RPM measured at high
speed valid only if the measurement(s) (either the measured value for a
single unit, or the mean of the measured values for a multiple unit
sample, rounded to the nearest RPM) are within the greater of 1% or 1
RPM of the represented blade RPM at high speed.
(i) If DOE determines that the represented RPM is valid, that RPM
will be used as the basis for determining the product class.
(ii) If DOE determines that the represented RPM is invalid, DOE
will use the rounded measured RPM(s) as the basis for determining the
product class.
(4) Verification of blade edge thickness. DOE will measure the
blade edge thickness and round the measurement pursuant to the test
requirements of 10 CFR part 430 for each unit tested. DOE will consider
the represented blade edge thickness valid only if the measurement(s)
(either the measured value for a single unit, or the mean of the
measured values for a multiple unit sample, rounded to the nearest
tenth of an inch) are the same as the represented blade edge thickness.
(i) If DOE determines that the represented blade edge thickness is
valid, that blade edge thickness will be used for determining product
class.
(ii) If DOE determines that the represented blade edge thickness is
invalid, DOE will use the rounded measured blade edge thickness(es) as
the basis for determining the product class.
PART 430--ENERGY CONSERVATION PROGRAM FOR CONSUMER PRODUCTS
0
4. The authority citation for part 430 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 42 U.S.C.6291-6309; 28 U.S.C. 2461 note.
[[Page 51461]]
0
5. Section 430.2 is amended by revising the definition of ``Ceiling
fan'' to read as follows:
Sec. 430.2 Definitions.
* * * * *
Ceiling fan means a nonportable device that is suspended from a
ceiling for circulating air via the rotation of fan blades. For
purposes of this definition, the term ``suspended from a ceiling''
means offered for mounting on a ceiling, and the term ``nonportable''
means not offered for mounting on a surface other than a ceiling. For
all other ceiling fan-related definitions, see appendix U to this
subpart.
[Alternatively, Ceiling fan means a nonportable device that is
suspended from a ceiling for circulating air via the rotation of fan
blades. DOE interprets this term to mean that any fan, including those
meeting the definition of an ``air circulating fan head'' in AMCA 230-
15 (incorporated by reference; see Sec. 430.3), that does not have a
ceiling mount option, or that has more than one mounting option (even
if one of the mounting options is a ceiling mount), is not a ceiling
fan. Such fans do not meet the statutory criteria of being
``nonportable'', ``suspended from the ceiling'', and ``for the purpose
of circulating air.'' For all other ceiling fan-related definitions,
see appendix U to this subpart.]
* * * * *
0
6. Section 430.3 is amended by adding paragraph (b)(4) to read as
follows:
Sec. 430.3 Materials incorporated by reference.
* * * * *
(b) * * *
(4) ANSI/AMCA Standard 230-15 (``AMCA 230-15''), ``Laboratory
Methods of Testing Air Circulating Fans for Rating and Certification,''
ANSI approved October 16, 2015, IBR approved for Sec. 430.2 to this
subpart.
* * * * *
0
7. Section 430.23 is amended by revising paragraph (w) to read as
follows:
Sec. 430.23 Test procedures for the measurement of energy and water
consumption.
* * * * *
(w) Ceiling fans. Measure the following attributes of a single
ceiling fan in accordance with appendix U to this subpart: Airflow;
power consumption; ceiling fan efficiency; distance between the ceiling
and lowest point of fan blades; blade span; blade edge thickness; and
blade revolutions per minute (RPM).
* * * * *
0
8. Appendix U to subpart B of part 430 is amended by:
0
a. Revising sections 1.7, 1.11, 1.12, 1.13, 1.14, 1.16, 1.20, 1.21, and
1.23;
0
b. Revising section 3, 3.2, 3.2.2(1), 3.2.2(4), 3.2.2(6), 3.2.3, 3.3,
3.3.1(4), 3.3.2(1), 3.3.2(1) Step 1, 3.3.2(1) Step 7, 3.4.1, 3.6(1)(i)
and (ii) and 4.
The revisions and additions read as follows:
Appendix U to Subpart B of Part 430--Uniform Test Method for Measuring
the Energy Consumption of Ceiling Fans
* * * * *
1.7. Blade span means the diameter of the largest circle swept
by any part of the fan blade assembly, including attachments. The
represented value of blade span (D) is as determined in 10 CFR
429.32.
* * * * *
1.11. High-speed small-diameter (HSSD) ceiling fan means a
small-diameter ceiling fan that is not a very-small-diameter ceiling
fan, highly-decorative ceiling fan or belt-driven ceiling fan and
that has a represented value of blade edge thickness, as determined
in 10 CFR 429.32(a)(2)(v), of less than 3.2 mm or a maximum
represented value of tip speed, as determined in 10 CFR
429.32(a)(2)(vii), greater than the applicable limit specified in
the table in this definition.
High-Speed Small-Diameter Ceiling Fan Blade and Tip Speed Criteria
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thickness (t) of edges of blades Tip speed threshold
Airflow direction -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mm Inch m/s feet per minute
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Downward-only................... 4.8 > t >= 3.2 \3/16\ > t >= \1/ 16.3 3,200
8\
Downward-only................... t >= 4.8 t >= \3/16\ 20.3 4,000
Reversible...................... 4.8 > t >= 3.2 \3/16\ > t >= \1/ 12.2 2,400
8\
Reversible...................... t >= 4.8 t >= \3/16\ 16.3 3,200
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.12. Highly-decorative ceiling fan means a ceiling fan with a
maximum represented value of blade revolutions per minute (RPM), as
determined in 10 CFR 429.32(a)(2)(iv), of 90 RPM, and a represented
value of airflow at high speed, as determined in 10 CFR
429.32(a)(2)(i), of less than 1,840 CFM.
1.13. Hugger ceiling fan means a low-speed small-diameter
ceiling fan that is not a very-small-diameter ceiling fan, highly-
decorative ceiling fan, or belt-driven ceiling fan, and for which
the represented value of the distance between the ceiling and the
lowest point on the fan blades, as determined in 10 CFR
429.32(a)(2)(vi), is less than or equal to 10 inches.
1.14. Large-diameter ceiling fan means a ceiling fan that is not
a highly-decorative ceiling fan or belt-driven ceiling fan and has a
represented value of blade span, as determined in 10 CFR
429.32(a)(2)(iii), greater than seven feet and not greater than 24
feet.
* * * * *
1.16. Low-speed small-diameter (LSSD) ceiling fan means a small-
diameter ceiling fan that has a represented value of blade edge
thickness, as determined in 10 CFR 429.32(a)(2)(v), greater than or
equal to 3.2 mm and a maximum represented value of tip speed, as
determined in 10 CFR 429.32(a)(2)(vii), less than or equal to the
applicable limit specified in the table in this definition.
Low-Speed Small-Diameter Ceiling Fan Blade and Tip Speed Criteria
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thickness (t) of edges of blades Tip speed threshold
Airflow direction -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mm Inch m/s feet per minute
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reversible...................... 4.8 > t >= 3.2 \3/16\ > t >= \1/ 12.2 2,400
8\
Reversible...................... t >= 4.8 t >= \3/16\ 16.3 3,200
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 51462]]
* * * * *
1.20. Small-diameter ceiling fan means a ceiling fan that has a
represented value of blade span, as determined in 10 CFR
429.32(a)(2)(iii), less than or equal to seven feet.
1.21. Standard ceiling fan means a low-speed small-diameter
ceiling fan that is not a very-small-diameter ceiling fan, highly-
decorative ceiling fan or belt-driven ceiling fan, and for which the
represented value of the distance between the ceiling and the lowest
point on the fan blades, as determined in 10 CFR 429.32(a)(2)(vi),
is greater than 10 inches.
* * * * *
1.23. Very-small-diameter (VSD) ceiling fan means a small-
diameter ceiling fan that is not a highly-decorative ceiling fan or
belt-driven ceiling fan; and has one or more fan heads, each of
which has a represented value of blade span, as determined in 10 CFR
429.32(a)(2)(iii), of 18 inches or less. Only VSD fans that also
meet the definition of an LSSD fan are required to be tested for
purposes of determining compliance with energy efficiency standards
established by DOE and for other representations of energy
efficiency.
* * * * *
3. General Instructions, Test Apparatus, and Test Measurement:
The test apparatus and test measurement used to determine energy
performance depend on the ceiling fan's blade span, and in some
cases the ceiling fan's blade edge thickness. For each tested
ceiling fan, measure the lateral distance from the center of the
axis of rotation of the fan blades to the furthest fan blade edge
from the center of the axis of rotation. Measure this lateral
distance at the resolution of the measurement instrument, using an
instrument with a measurement resolution of least 0.25 inches.
Multiply the lateral distance by two and then round to the nearest
whole inch to determine the blade span. For ceiling fans having a
blade span greater than 18 inches and less than or equal to 84
inches, measure the ceiling fan's blade edge thickness. To measure
the fan blade edge thickness, use an instrument with a measurement
resolution of at least one tenth of an inch and measure the
thickness of one fan blade's leading edge (in the forward direction)
direction) according to the following:
(1) At the point at which the blade is thinnest along the radial
length of the fan blade and is greater than or equal to one inch
from the tip of the fan blade, and
(2) One inch from the leading edge of the fan blade. See Figure
1 of this appendix for an instructional schematic on making the fan
blade edge thickness measurement. Figure 1 depicts a ceiling fan
from above. Round the measured blade edge thickness to the nearest
tenth of an inch.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP30SE19.011
* * * * *
3.2 Test apparatus for low-speed small-diameter, very-small-
diameter, and high-speed small-diameter ceiling fans: All
instruments are to have accuracies within 1% of reading,
except for the air velocity sensors, which must have accuracies
within 5% of reading or 2 feet per minute (fpm),
whichever is greater. Equipment is to be calibrated at least once a
year to compensate for variation over time.
* * * * *
3.2.2. Equipment Set-Up
(1) Make sure the transformer power is off. Hang the ceiling fan
to be tested directly from the ceiling, according to the
manufacturer's installation instructions. Hang all non-multi-mount
ceiling fans in the fan configuration that minimizes the distance
between the ceiling and the lowest point of the fan blades. Hang and
test multi-mount fans in two configurations: The configuration
associated the definition of a standard fan that minimizes the
distance between the ceiling and the lowest point of the fan blades
and the configuration associated with the definition of a hugger fan
that minimizes the distance between the ceiling and the lowest point
of the fan blades. For all tested configurations, measure the
distance between the ceiling and the lowest point of the fan blade
using an instrument with a measurement resolution of at least 0.25
inches. Round the measured distance from the ceiling to the lowest
point of the fan blade to the nearest quarter inch.
* * * * *
(4) Either a rotating sensor arm or four fixed sensor arms can
be used to take air velocity measurements along four axes, labeled
A-D. Axes A, B, C, and D are at 0, 90, 180, and 270 degree
positions. Axes A-D must be perpendicular to the four walls of the
room. See Figure 2 of this appendix.
[[Page 51463]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP30SE19.012
* * * * *
(6) Place the sensors at intervals of 4 0.0625
inches along a sensor arm, starting with the first sensor at the
point where the four axes intersect. Do not touch the actual sensor
prior to testing. Use enough sensors to record air delivery within a
circle 8 inches larger in diameter than the blade span of the
ceiling fan being tested. The experimental set-up is shown in Figure
3 of this appendix.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP30SE19.013
* * * * *
3.2.3. Multi-Head Ceiling Fan Test Set-Up
Hang a multi-headed ceiling fan from the ceiling such that one
of the ceiling fan heads is centered directly over sensor 1 (i.e.,
at the intersection of axes A, B, C, and D). The distance between
the lowest point any of the fan blades of the centered fan head can
reach and the air velocity sensors is to be such that
[[Page 51464]]
it is the same as for all other small-diameter ceiling fans (see
Figure 3 of this appendix). If the multi-head ceiling fan has an
oscillating function (i.e., the fan heads change their axis of
rotation relative to the ceiling) that can be switched off, switch
it off prior to taking air velocity measurements. If any multi-head
fan does not come with the blades preinstalled, install fan blades
only on the fan head that will be directly centered over the
intersection of the sensor axes. (Even if the fan heads in a multi-
head ceiling fan would typically oscillate when the blades are
installed on all fan heads, the ceiling fan is subject to this test
procedure if the centered fan head does not oscillate when it is the
only fan head with the blades installed.) If the fan blades are
preinstalled on all fan heads, measure air velocity in accordance
with section 3.3 of this appendix except turn on only the centered
fan head. Take the power consumption measurements separately, with
the fan blades installed on all fan heads and with any oscillating
function, if present, switched on.
* * * * *
3.3 Active mode test measurement for low-speed small-diameter,
very-small-diameter and high-speed small-diameter ceiling fans.
3.3.1 Test conditions to be followed when testing:
* * * * *
(4) If present, turn off any oscillating function causing the
axis of rotation of the fan head(s) to change relative to the
ceiling during operation prior to taking air velocity measurements.
Turn on any oscillating function prior to taking power measurements.
* * * * *
3.3.2 Air Velocity and Power Consumption Testing Procedure:
Measure the air velocity (fpm) and power consumption (W) for
HSSD ceiling fans until stable measurements are achieved, measuring
at high speed only. Measure the air velocity and power consumption
for LSSD and VSD ceiling fans that also meet the definition of an
LSSD fan until stable measurements are achieved, measuring first at
low speed and then at high speed. Air velocity and power consumption
measurements are considered stable for high speed if:
(1) The average air velocity for each sensor varies by less than
5% or 2 fpm, whichever is greater, compared to the average air
velocity measured for that same sensor in a successive set of air
velocity measurements, and
(2) Average power consumption varies by less than 1% in a
successive set of power consumption measurements.
Air velocity and power consumption measurements are considered
stable for low speed if:
(1) The average air velocity for each sensor varies by less than
10% or 2 fpm, whichever is greater, compared to the average air
velocity measured for that same sensor in a successive set of air
velocity measurements, and
(2) Average power consumption varies by less than 1% in a
successive set of power consumption measurements.
These stability criteria are applied differently to ceiling fans
with airflow not directly downward. See section 3.3.3 of this
appendix.
* * * * *
Step 2: Set software up to read and record air velocity,
expressed in feet per minute (fpm) in 1 second intervals.
(Temperature does not need to be recorded in 1 second intervals.)
Record current barometric pressure.
Step 3: Allow test fan to run 15 minutes at rated voltage and at
high speed if the ceiling fan is an HSSD ceiling fan. If the ceiling
fan is an LSSD or VSD ceiling fan that also meets the definition of
an LSSD fan, allow the test fan to run 15 minutes at the rated
voltage and at low speed. Turn off all forced-air environmental
conditioning equipment entering the chamber (e.g., air
conditioning), close all doors and vents, and wait an additional 3
minutes prior to starting test session.
Step 4a: For a rotating sensor arm: Begin recording readings.
Starting with Axis A, take 100 air velocity readings (100 seconds
run-time) and record these data. For all fans except multi-head fans
and fans capable of oscillating, also measure power during the
interval that air velocity measurements are taken. Rotate the arm
and repeat for Axes B, C, and D; save these data as well. Record the
average value of the power measurement in watts (W) (400 readings).
Record the average value of the air velocity readings for each
sensor in feet per minute (fpm) (400 readings).
Step 4b: For four fixed sensor arms: Begin recording readings.
Take 100 air velocity readings (100 seconds run-time) and record
these data. Take the readings for all sensor arms (Axes A, B, C, and
D) simultaneously. For all fans except multi-head fans and fans
capable of oscillating, also measure power during the interval that
air velocity measurements are taken. Record the average value of the
power measurement in watts (W) (100 readings). Record the average
value of the air velocity readings for each sensor in feet per
minute (fpm) (100 readings).
Step 5: Repeat step 4a or 4b until stable measurements are
achieved.
Step 6: Repeat steps 1 through 5 above on high speed for LSSD
and VSD ceiling fans that also meet the definition of an LSSD fan.
Note: Ensure that temperature and humidity readings are maintained
within the required tolerances for the duration of the test (all
tested speeds). Forced-air environmental conditioning equipment may
be used and doors and vents may be opened between test sessions to
maintain environmental conditions.
Step 7: If testing a multi-mount ceiling fan, repeat steps 1
through 6 with the ceiling fan in the ceiling fan configuration
(associated with either hugger or standard ceiling fans) not already
tested.
If a multi-head ceiling fan includes more than one category of
ceiling fan head, then test at least one of each unique category. A
fan head with different construction that could affect air movement
or power consumption, such as housing, blade pitch, or motor, would
constitute a different category of fan head.
Step 8: For multi-head ceiling fans, measure active (real) power
consumption in all phases simultaneously at each speed continuously
for 100 seconds with all fan heads turned on, and record the average
value at each speed in watts (W).
For ceiling fans with an oscillating function, measure active
(real) power consumption in all phases simultaneously at each speed
continuously for 100 seconds with the oscillating function turned
on. Record the average value of the power measurement in watts (W).
For both multi-head ceiling fans and fans with an oscillating
function, repeat power consumption measurement until stable power
measurements are achieved.
* * * * *
3.3.3 Air Velocity Measurements for Ceiling Fans with Airflow
Not Directly Downward:
Using the number of sensors that cover the same diameter as if
the airflow were directly downward, record air velocity at each
speed from the same number of continuous sensors with the largest
air velocity measurements. This continuous set of sensors must be
along the axis that the ceiling fan tilt is directed in (and along
the axis that is 180 degrees from the first axis). For example, a
42-inch fan tilted toward axis A may create the pattern of air
velocity shown in Figure 4 of this appendix. As shown in Table 1 of
this appendix, a 42-inch fan would normally require 7 active sensors
per axis. However, because the fan is not directed downward, all
sensors must record data. In this case, because the set of sensors
corresponding to maximum air velocity are centered 3 sensor
positions away from the sensor 1 along the A axis, substitute the
air velocity at A axis sensor 4 for the average air velocity at
sensor 1. Take the average of the air velocity at A axis sensors 3
and 5 as a substitute for the average air velocity at sensor 2, take
the average of the air velocity at A axis sensors 2 and 6 as a
substitute for the average air velocity at sensor 3, etc. Lastly,
take the average of the air velocities at A axis sensor 10 and C
axis sensor 4 as a substitute for the average air velocity at sensor
7. Stability criteria apply after these substitutions. For example,
air velocity stability at sensor 7 are determined based on the
average of average air velocity at A axis sensor 10 and C axis
sensor 4 in successive measurements. Any air velocity measurements
made along the B-D axis are not included in the calculation of
average air velocity.
[[Page 51465]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP30SE19.014
* * * * *
3.4.1 The test procedure is applicable to all large-diameter
ceiling fans.
* * * * *
3.6 Test measurement for standby power consumption.
(1) * * *
(i) The ability to facilitate the activation or deactivation of
other functions (including active mode) by remote switch (including
remote control), internal sensor, or timer.
(ii) Continuous functions, including information or status
displays (including clocks), or sensor-based functions.
* * * * *
4. Calculation of Ceiling Fan Efficiency From the Test Results:
4.1 Calculation of effective area for small-diameter ceiling
fans:
Calculate the effective area corresponding to each sensor used
in the test method for small-diameter ceiling fans (section 3.3 of
this appendix) with the following equations:
(1) For sensor 1, the sensor located directly underneath the
center of the ceiling fan, the effective width of the circle is 2
inches, and the effective area is:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP30SE19.015
(2) For the sensors between sensor 1 and the last sensor used in
the measurement, the effective area has a width of 4 inches. If a
sensor is a distance d, in inches, from sensor 1, then the effective
area is:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP30SE19.016
(3) For the last sensor, the width of the effective area depends
on the horizontal displacement between the last sensor and the point
on the ceiling fan blades furthest radially from the center of the
fan. The total area included in an airflow calculation is the area
of a circle 8 inches larger in diameter than the ceiling fan blade
span (as specified in section 3 of this appendix).
Therefore, for example, for a 42-inch ceiling fan, the last
sensor is 3 inches beyond the end of the ceiling fan blades. Because
only the area within 4 inches of the end of the ceiling fan blades
is included in the airflow calculation, the effective width of the
circle corresponding to the last sensor would be 3 inches. The
calculation for the effective area corresponding to the last sensor
would then be:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP30SE19.017
For a 46-inch ceiling fan, the effective area of the last sensor
would have a width of 5 inches, and the effective area would be:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP30SE19.018
4.2 Calculation of airflow and efficiency for ceiling fans:
Calculate fan airflow using the overall average of both sets of
air velocity measurements at each sensor position from the
successive sets of measurements that meet the stability criteria
from section 3.3 of this appendix. To calculate airflow for HSSD,
[[Page 51466]]
LSSD, and VSD ceiling fans, multiply the overall average air
velocity at each sensor position from section 3.3 (for high speed
for HSSD, LSSD, and VSD ceiling fans that also meet the definition
of an LSSD fan, and repeated for low speed only for LSSD and VSD
ceiling fans that also meet the definition of an LSSD fan) by that
sensor's effective area (see section 4.1 of this appendix), and then
sum the products to obtain the overall calculated airflow at the
tested speed.
For each speed, using the overall calculated airflow and the
overall average power consumption measurements from the successive
sets of measurements for small-diameter ceiling fans, or the airflow
and power consumption measurements from section 3.5 of this appendix
for all tested settings for large-diameter ceiling fans, calculate
ceiling fan efficiency as follows:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP30SE19.019
Where:
CFMi = airflow at speed i,
OHi = operating hours at speed i, as specified in Table 3
of this appendix,
Wi = power consumption at speed i,
OHSb = operating hours in standby mode, as specified in
Table 3 of this appendix, and
WSb = power consumption in standby mode.
Calculate two ceiling fan efficiencies for multi-mount ceiling
fans: One efficiency corresponds to the ceiling fan mounted in the
configuration associated with the definition of a hugger ceiling
fan, and the other efficiency corresponds to the ceiling fan mounted
in the configuration associated with the definition of a standard
ceiling fan.
Table 3 to Appendix U to Subpart B of Part 430: Daily Operating Hours
for Calculating Ceiling Fan Efficiency
------------------------------------------------------------------------
No standby With standby
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Daily Operating Hours for LSSD and VSD ** Ceiling Fans
------------------------------------------------------------------------
High Speed.............................. 3.4 3.4
Low Speed............................... 3.0 3.0
Standby Mode............................ 0.0 17.6
Off Mode................................ 17.6 0.0
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Daily Operating Hours for HSSD Ceiling Fans
------------------------------------------------------------------------
High Speed.............................. 12.0 12.0
Standby Mode............................ 0.0 12.0
Off Mode................................ 12.0 0.0
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Daily Operating Hours for Large-Diameter Ceiling Fans
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Active Mode *........................... 12.0 12.0
Standby Mode............................ 0.0 12.0
Off Mode................................ 12.0 0.0
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* The active mode hours must be apportioned equally across the number of
active mode speeds tested (e.g., if four speeds are tested, 25% of the
active mode hours are apportioned to each speed).
** These values apply only to VSD fans that also meet the definition of
an LSSD fan.
4.3 Calculation of airflow and efficiency for multi-head ceiling
fans:
Calculate airflow for each fan head using the method described
in section 4.2 of this appendix. To calculate overall airflow at a
given speed for a multi-head ceiling fan, sum the airflow for each
fan head included in the ceiling fan (a single airflow can be
applied to each of the identical fan heads, but at least one of each
unique fan head must be tested). The power consumption is the
measured power consumption with all fan heads on. Using the airflow
as described in this section, and power consumption measurements
from section 3.3 of this appendix, calculate ceiling fan efficiency
for a multi-head ceiling fan as follows:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP30SE19.020
Where:
CFMi = sum of airflows for each head at speed i,
OHi = operating hours at speed i as specified in Table 3
of this appendix,
Wi = power consumption at speed i,
OHSb = operating hours in standby mode as specified in
Table 3 of this appendix, and
WSb = power consumption in standby mode.
0
9. Section 430.32 is amended by:
0
a. Revising the introductory text in paragraph (s)(2)(ii); and
0
b. Adding paragraph (s)(2)(ii)(F).
The revisions and additions read as follows:
Sec. 430.32 Energy and water conservation standards and their
compliance dates.
* * * * *
(s) * * *
(2) * * *
(ii) The standards described in paragraph (s)(2)(i) of this section
apply to ceiling fans except:
* * * * *
(F) Ceiling fans with blade spans greater than 24 feet.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2019-20827 Filed 9-27-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
