Energy Conservation Program: Test Procedure for Commercial Warm Air Furnaces, 26626-26633 [2020-08853]
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26626
Proposed Rules
Federal Register
Vol. 85, No. 87
Tuesday, May 5, 2020
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER
contains notices to the public of the proposed
issuance of rules and regulations. The
purpose of these notices is to give interested
persons an opportunity to participate in the
rule making prior to the adoption of the final
rules.
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
10 CFR Part 431
[EERE–2019–BT–TP–0041]
RIN 1904–AE57
Energy Conservation Program: Test
Procedure for Commercial Warm Air
Furnaces
Office of Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy, Department of
Energy.
ACTION: Request for information.
AGENCY:
The U.S. Department of
Energy (DOE) is initiating a data
collection process through this request
for information (RFI) to consider
whether to amend DOE’s test procedure
for commercial warm air furnaces, in
large part by updating references to the
most recent versions of the relevant
industry test standards. DOE also seeks
information on any additional topics
that may assist with DOE’s decision
whether to conduct a future test
procedure rulemaking, including
whether amended test procedures
would more accurately or fully comply
with the requirement that they be
reasonably designed to produce test
results that measure energy efficiency of
commercial warm air furnaces during a
representative average use cycle, and
not be unduly burdensome to conduct.
DOE welcomes written comments from
the public on any subject within the
scope of this document (including
topics not raised in this RFI), as well as
the submission of data and other
relevant information.
DATES: Written comments and
information are requested and will be
accepted on or before June 4, 2020.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are
encouraged to submit comments using
the Federal eRulemaking Portal at
https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
Alternatively, interested persons may
submit comments, identified by docket
number EERE–2019–BT–TP–0041 and/
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SUMMARY:
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or RIN 1904–AE57, by any of the
following methods:
1. Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
2. Email: To Furnaces2019TP0041@
ee.doe.gov. Include docket number
EERE–2019–BT–TP–0041 and/or RIN
1904–AE57 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 this process, see section
III of this document.
Docket: The docket for this activity,
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://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/
appliance_standards/standards.aspx?
productid=49&action=viewlive. The
docket web page contains instructions
on how to access all documents,
including public comments, in the
docket. See section III of this RFI for
information on how to submit
comments through https://
www.regulations.gov.
Dr.
Stephanie Johnson, U.S. Department of
Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy, Building
Technologies Office, EE–5B, 1000
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
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Independence Avenue SW, Washington,
DC 20585–0121. Telephone: (202) 287–
1943. Email:
ApplianceStandardsQuestions@
ee.doe.gov.
Mr. Eric Stas, U.S. Department of
Energy, Office of the General Counsel,
GC–33, 1000 Independence Avenue SW,
Washington, DC 20585–0121.
Telephone: (202) 586–5827. Email:
Eric.Stas@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:
Table of Contents
I. Introduction
A. Authority and Background
B. Rulemaking History
II. Request for Information
A. Scope and Definitions
B. Test Procedure
1. Updates to Industry Standards
a. UL 727
b. ANSI Z21.47
c. ANSI/ASHRAE 103
d. HI BTS–2000
2. Thermal Efficiency
3. Input Rate Tolerance
4. Flue Temperature Measurement in
Models With Multiple Vent Hoods
5. Flue Temperature Measurement in
Models With Vent Space Limitations
6. Electrical Consumption
C. Other Test Procedure Topics
III. Submission of Comments
I. Introduction
Commercial warm air furnaces are
included in the list of ‘‘covered
equipment’’ for which DOE is
authorized to establish and amend
energy conservation standards and test
procedures. (42 U.S.C. 6311(1)(J)) DOE’s
test procedures for commercial warm air
furnaces are prescribed at Title 10 of the
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)
section 431.76 (10 CFR 431.76). The
following sections discuss DOE’s
authority to establish and amend test
procedures for commercial warm air
furnaces, as well as relevant background
information regarding DOE’s
consideration of test procedures for this
equipment.
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A. Authority and Background
The Energy Policy and Conservation
Act, 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 C 2 of EPCA, Public
Law 94–163 (42 U.S.C. 6311–6317, as
codified), added by Public Law 95–619,
Title IV, section 441(a), established the
Energy Conservation Program for
Certain Industrial Equipment, which
sets forth a variety of provisions
designed to improve energy efficiency.
This equipment includes commercial
warm air furnaces, which are the subject
of this RFI. (42 U.S.C. 6311(1)(J))
The energy conservation program
under EPCA consists essentially of four
parts: (1) Testing, (2) labeling, (3)
Federal energy conservation standards,
and (4) certification and enforcement
procedures. Relevant provisions of
EPCA specifically include definitions
(42 U.S.C. 6311), energy conservation
standards (42 U.S.C. 6313), test
procedures (42 U.S.C. 6314), labeling
provisions (42 U.S.C. 6315), and the
authority to require information and
reports from manufacturers (42 U.S.C.
6316).
Federal energy efficiency
requirements for covered equipment
established under EPCA generally
supersede State laws and regulations
concerning energy conservation testing,
labeling, and standards. (42 U.S.C.
6316(a) and (b); 42 U.S.C. 6297) DOE
may, however, grant waivers of Federal
preemption in limited circumstances for
particular State laws or regulations, in
accordance with the procedures and
other provisions of EPCA. (42 U.S.C.
6316(b)(2)(D); 42 U.S.C. 6297)
The Federal testing requirements
consist of test procedures that
manufacturers of covered equipment
must use as the basis for: (1) Certifying
to DOE that their equipment complies
with the applicable energy conservation
standards adopted pursuant to EPCA (42
U.S.C. 6316(b); 42 U.S.C. 6296), and (2)
making representations about the
efficiency of that equipment (42 U.S.C.
6314(d)). Similarly, DOE uses these test
procedures to determine whether the
equipment complies with relevant
standards promulgated under EPCA.
Under 42 U.S.C. 6314, the statute sets
forth the criteria and procedures DOE
must follow when prescribing or
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
(Oct. 23, 2018).
2 For editorial reasons, upon codification in the
U.S. Code, Part C was redesignated Part A–1.
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amending test procedures for covered
equipment. EPCA requires that any test
procedures prescribed or amended
under this section must be reasonably
designed to produce test results which
reflect energy efficiency, energy use, or
estimated annual operating cost of a
given type of covered equipment during
a representative average use cycle and
requires that test procedures not be
unduly burdensome to conduct. (42
U.S.C. 6314(a)(2))
If DOE determines that a test
procedure amendment is warranted, it
must publish proposed test procedures
in the Federal Register and offer the
public an opportunity to present oral
and written comments on them. (42
U.S.C. 6314(b))
EPCA requires that the test
procedures for commercial warm air
furnaces be those generally accepted
industry testing procedures or rating
procedures developed or recognized by
the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and
Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) or by the
American Society of Heating,
Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning
Engineers (ASHRAE), as referenced in
ASHRAE Standard 90.1, ‘‘Energy
Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise
Residential Buildings’’ (ASHRAE
Standard 90.1). (42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(4)(A))
If such an industry test procedure or
rating procedure is amended, DOE must
amend its test procedure to be
consistent with the amended industry
test procedure or rating procedure,
unless DOE determines, by rule
published in the Federal Register and
supported by clear and convincing
evidence, that the amended test
procedure would not meet the
requirements in 42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(2)
and (3) related to representative use and
test burden, in which case DOE may
establish an amended test procedure
that does satisfy those statutory
provisions. (42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(4)(B) and
(C))
In addition, the Energy Independence
and Security Act of 2007 (EISA 2007),
Public Law 110–140, amended EPCA to
require that, at least once every 7 years,
DOE evaluate test procedures for each
type of covered equipment, including
commercial warm air furnaces that are
the subject of this RFI, 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. (42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(1)) In
addition, if the Secretary determines
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that a test procedure amendment is
warranted, the Secretary must publish
proposed test procedures in the Federal
Register and afford interested persons
an opportunity (of not less than 45 days’
duration) to present oral and written
data, views, and arguments on the
proposed test procedures. (42 U.S.C.
6314(b)) If DOE determines that test
procedure revisions are not appropriate,
DOE must publish its determination not
to amend the test procedures. (42 U.S.C.
6314(a)(1)(A)(ii))
DOE is publishing this RFI to collect
data and information to inform its
decision in satisfaction of its statutory
requirements.
B. Rulemaking History
DOE’s current test procedure for
commercial warm air furnaces is
codified at 10 CFR 431.76. It
incorporates by reference at 10 CFR
431.75 certain sections of two industry
standards for testing gas-fired
commercial warm air furnaces:
American National Standards Institute
(ANSI) Z21.47–2012, ‘‘Standard for Gasfired Central Furnaces’’ (ANSI Z21.47–
2012), which is used for all types of gasfired commercial warm air furnaces; and
ANSI/American Society of Heating,
Refrigeration, and Air-conditioning
Engineers (ASHRAE) Standard 103–
2007, ‘‘Method of Testing for Annual
Fuel Utilization Efficiency of
Residential Central Furnaces and
Boilers,’’ which is specifically for
testing condensing gas-fired commercial
warm air furnaces. For oil-fired
commercial warm air furnaces, the test
procedure also incorporates by reference
certain sections of two industry
standards: Underwriters Laboratories
(UL) standard UL 727–2006 ‘‘Standard
for Safety Oil-Fired Central Furnaces’’
(UL 727–2006),3 and Hydronics Institute
Division of AHRI (HI) BTS–2000
‘‘Method to Determine Efficiency of
Commercial Space Heating Boilers’’ (HI
BTS–2000).
DOE first codified a test procedure for
commercial warm air furnaces in a final
rule published on October 21, 2004. 69
FR 61916 (October 2004 final rule). For
gas-fired commercial warm air furnaces,
the October 2004 final rule incorporated
by reference the most up-to-date
industry test procedure referenced in
ASHRAE 90.1 at the time, which was
3 UL 727–1994 is also incorporated by reference
in 10 CFR 431.75; however, the test method
specified in 10 CFR 431.76 only references UL–
2006. Both UL 727–1994 and UL 727–2006 were
incorporated by reference in 10 CFR 431.75 as part
of the May 2012 final rule because prior to the
compliance date of May 13, 2013, either version of
the UL 727 could be used. 77 FR 28928, 28987 (May
16, 2012).
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ANSI Z21.47–1998, ‘‘Gas-Fired Central
Furnaces.’’ 69 FR 61916, 61917, 61940
(Oct. 21, 2004). DOE also incorporated
by reference certain provisions from
ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 103–1993,
‘‘Method of Testing for Annual Fuel
Utilization Efficiency of Residential
Central Furnaces and Boilers,’’ for
calculating the effect of condensing
operation on efficiency. Id. For oil-fired
commercial warm air furnaces, the
October 2004 final rule incorporated by
reference UL Standard 727–1994
‘‘Standard for Safety Oil-Fired Central
Furnaces’’ (UL 727–1994), which was
the most up to date version of the UL
727 test procedure at the time. Id. DOE
determined that UL 727–1994 did not
provide a procedure for calculating the
percent flue loss of the furnace, which
is necessary in calculating the thermal
efficiency. 69 FR 61916, 61920 (Oct. 21,
2004). Therefore, DOE also incorporated
by reference provisions from HI BTS–
2000, ‘‘Method to Determine Efficiency
of Commercial Space Heating Boilers,’’
to calculate the flue loss for oil-fired
commercial warm air furnaces. 69 FR
61916, 61917, 61940 (Oct. 21, 2004).
DOE further amended the test
procedure for commercial warm air
furnaces in a final rule published on
May 16, 2012 (May 2012 final rule),
which updated the test procedure to
incorporate by reference the latest
versions of the industry standards at the
time, as referenced in ASHRAE
Standard 90.1–2010 (i.e., ANSI Z21.47–
2006 and UL 727–2006 for gas-fired and
oil-fired commercial warm air furnaces,
respectively).4 77 FR 28928, 28987. In
the May 2012 final rule, DOE
determined that the changes in the
updated test procedures for gas-fired
and oil-fired commercial warm air
furnaces did not substantially impact
the measurement of energy efficiency
and should be adopted to comply with
the provisions set forth in EPCA. 77 FR
28928, 28944 (May 16, 2012).
DOE most recently amended the test
procedure for commercial warm air
furnaces in a final rule published on
July 17, 2015, which updated the test
procedure for gas-fired commercial
warm air furnaces to incorporate by
reference the latest version of the
industry standard available at the time,
ANSI Z21.47–2012. 80 FR 42614 (July
2015 final rule). More specifically, DOE
determined in the July 2015 final rule
that the specific changes between ANSI
Z21.47–2006 and ANSI Z21.47–2012
4 Compliance with the updated industry test
procedures that were incorporated by reference was
required beginning on May 13, 2013, before which
time, the previous or updated versions of the
industry test procedures incorporated by reference
could be used. 77 FR 28928, 28935 (May 16, 2012).
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did not include any updates in the
sections referenced by the DOE test
procedure that would impact the test
method, and, therefore, adopted the
updated industry standard as required
by EPCA. 80 FR 42614, 42620, 42663
(July 17, 2015). At the time of the July
2015 final rule, UL 727–2006 was still
the most recent version of that standard
and referenced in ASHRAE 90.1–2013,
so DOE did not amend its test procedure
for oil-fired commercial warm air
furnaces. The July 2015 final rule also
updated to the most recent version of
ANSI/ASHRAE 103 at the time (i.e.,
ANSI/ASHRAE 103–2007). Id.
II. Request for Information
In the following sections, DOE has
identified a variety of issues on which
it seeks input to aid in the development
of the technical and economic analyses
regarding whether amended test
procedures for commercial warm air
furnaces would be warranted. More
specifically, DOE seeks to determine
whether to update the references in the
commercial warm air furnace test
procedure to the most recent versions of
the incorporated industry standards, or
whether such an update would not meet
the requirements in EPCA that test
procedures: (1) Be reasonably designed
to produce test results which reflect
energy efficiency, energy use, and
estimated operating costs of a type of
industrial equipment (or class thereof)
during a representative average use
cycle; and (2) not be unduly
burdensome to conduct. (42 U.S.C.
6314(a)(2) and (4)(B)) DOE is also
requesting comment on any
opportunities to streamline and simplify
testing requirements for commercial
warm air furnaces.
Further, the Department recently
published an RFI regarding test
procedures across the full range of
consumer products and industrial
equipment that fall under its regulatory
authority pursuant to EPCA. 84 FR 9721
(March 18, 2019). In that RFI, DOE
noted that, over time, many of DOE’s
test procedures have been amended to
account for products’ and equipment’s
increased functionality and modes of
operation. DOE’s intent in issuing that
RFI was to gather information to ensure
that the inclusion of measurement
provisions in its test procedures
associated with such increased
functionality has not inadvertently
compromised the measurement of
representative average use cycles or
periods of use, and made some test
procedures unnecessarily burdensome.
Although the comment period on the
March 2019 RFI has since closed, DOE
seeks comment on this issue as it
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specifically pertains to the test
procedure for commercial warm air
furnaces, which are the subject of this
current RFI.
DOE seeks comment on whether there
have been changes in product testing
methodology or new products on the
market since the last test procedure
update that may create the need to make
amendments to the test procedure for
commercial warm air furnaces.
Specifically, DOE seeks data and
information that could enable the
agency to propose that the current test
procedure produces results that are
representative of an average use cycle
for the product and is not unduly
burdensome to conduct, and, therefore,
does not need amendment. DOE also
seeks information on whether an
existing private sector-developed test
procedure would produce such results
and should be adopted by DOE rather
than DOE establishing its own test
procedure, either entirely or by adopting
only certain provisions of one or more
private sector-developed tests.
Additionally, DOE welcomes
comments on other issues relevant to
the conduct of this process that may not
be specifically identified elsewhere in
this document. In particular, DOE notes
that under section 1 of Executive Order
13771, ‘‘Reducing Regulation and
Controlling Regulatory Costs,’’
Executive Branch agencies such as DOE
are directed to 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
test procedure regulations applicable to
commercial warm air furnaces
consistent with the requirements of
EPCA.
A. Scope and Definitions
This RFI covers commercial warm air
furnaces. EPCA defines ‘‘warm air
furnace’’ as a self-contained oil- or gasfired furnace designed to supply heated
air through ducts to spaces that require
it and includes combination warm air
furnace/electric air conditioning units
but does not include unit heaters and
duct furnaces. (42 U.S.C. 6311(11)(A))
EPCA established energy conservation
standards for commercial warm air
furnaces with a capacity at or above
225,000 Btu/h. (42 U.S.C. 6313(a)(4)(A)–
(B)) DOE codified the statutory
definition of ‘‘warm air furnace’’ at 10
CFR 431.72. Additionally, based on the
EPCA-established energy conservation
standards, DOE established a definition
of ‘‘commercial warm air furnace’’ as a
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warm air furnace that is industrial
equipment, and that has a capacity
(rated maximum input) of 225,000 Btu/
h or more. Id. Additionally, the scope of
the test procedure for commercial warm
air furnaces is ‘‘commercial warm air
furnaces with a rated maximum input of
225,000 Btu per hour or more.’’ 10 CFR
431.76(a).
B. Test Procedure
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DOE uses thermal efficiency as the
metric for measuring the energy
efficiency of commercial warm air
furnaces. 10 CFR 431.76 (in which
‘‘thermal efficiency’’ is abbreviated as
‘‘TE’’). Thermal efficiency is defined
and calculated as 100 percent minus the
percent flue loss, as determined using
the test procedures described in 10 CFR
431.76 and 10 CFR 431.72. The test
procedure for commercial warm air
furnaces includes provisions for testing
steady-state efficiency.5 The test
procedure also specifies the test set-ups
for gas-fired and oil-fired commercial
warm air furnaces, through reference to
certain sections of ANSI Z21.47 6 and
UL 727–2006 for gas and oil furnaces,
respectively. 10 CFR 431.76(c)(1) and
(2), respectively. The test set-up for oilfired commercial warm air furnaces also
includes a reference to HI BTS–2000 for
conducting a fuel oil analysis during
test setup. 10 CFR 431.76(c)(2). In
addition, the test procedure includes
requirements for measuring the carbon
dioxide (CO2) in the flue of oil-fired
furnaces during testing,7 and for
measuring the condensate of condensing
gas-fired commercial warm air
furnaces.8 10 CFR 431.76(d)(1) and (2),
respectively. The procedure for
measuring condensate of condensing
gas-fired furnaces references certain
5 Test measurements are taken once steady-state
(or equilibrium) operation has been achieved, as
indicated by temperature changes in the flue gas of
not more than ± 5 °F (± 3 °C) between readings 15
minutes apart. See paragraph (c)(1) of 10 CFR
431.76, which references the requirements of
section 2.39 of ANSI Z21.47–2012, for gas-fired
commercial furnaces, and paragraph (c)(2) of 10
CFR 431.76, which specifies steady-state conditions
for oil-fired furnaces.
6 As noted, the current commercial warm air
furnace test procedure references the 2012 version
of ANSI Z21.47. 10 CFR 431.75(b)(1).
7 The CO concentration is one of the
2
measurements used to calculate the loss in dry flue
gases, which is summed with the loss due to
moisture to calculate the flue loss. Flue loss is
subtracted from 100 to calculate thermal efficiency.
8 The condensate measurement is used to
calculate the latent heat gain from the condensation
of the water vapor in the flue gas, and the heat loss
due to the hot condensate flowing down the drain,
as specified in sections 11.3.7.1 and 11.3.7.2 of
ASHRAE 103–2007. These values are used to adjust
the thermal efficiency to account for condensing
operation.
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provisions of ANSI/ASHRAE 103.9 10
CFR 431.76(d)(2). Finally, the test
procedure includes provisions for
calculating thermal efficiency, which
reference certain provisions of ANSI
Z21.47 (for gas-fired warm air furnaces),
certain provisions of HI BTS–2000 (for
oil-fired commercial warm air furnaces),
and certain provisions of ASHRAE 103
(for condensing gas-fired commercial
warm air furnaces). 10 CFR 431.76(e)–
(f).
1. Updates to Industry Standards
Since publication of the July 2015
final rule, updated versions of the
industry test procedures that are
incorporated by reference have been
published. An updated version of UL
727 was published on January 31, 2018
(UL 727–2018). An updated version of
ANSI Z21.47 was published by the CSA
Group 10 in November 2016 (ANSI
Z21.47–2016). An updated version of
ANSI/ASHRAE 103 was published in
2017 (ANSI/ASHRAE 103–2017). HI
BTS–2000 was initially developed by
the Hydronics Institute of the Gas
Appliance Manufacturers Association
(GAMA). In 2008, GAMA merged with
the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration
Institute (ARI) to form the AirConditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration
Institute (AHRI). After merging, AHRI
was responsible for the HI BTS–2000
standard. In 2015, AHRI renamed the
standard as AHRI 1500 (AHRI 1500–
2015) and a made number of changes
that are discussed in section II.B.1.d of
this document.
As discussed, EPCA requires that
when the relevant industry standards
are amended, DOE must update its test
procedure to be consistent with the
amended industry test procedure,
unless DOE determines, by rule
published in the Federal Register and
supported by clear and convincing
evidence, that the amended test
procedure would not meet the
requirements in 42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(2)
and (3) related to representative use and
test burden. (42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(4)(B) and
(C)) Having been triggered under this
provision of EPCA, DOE is evaluating
the updated industry standards and
whether an amended Federal test
procedure that references the updated
industry standards would be reasonably
designed to produce test results which
reflect the energy efficiency of
commercial warm air furnaces during a
representative average use cycle, and
not be unduly burdensome to conduct.
9 As noted, the current commercial warm air
furnace test procedure references the 2007 version
of ASHRAE 103. 10 CFR 431.75(c)(1).
10 ANSI Z21.47 is published by the CSA Group,
and is synonymous with CSA 2.3–2016.
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(Because DOE is also obligated under
EPCA to conduct a comprehensive
review of its test procedures for covered
industrial equipment at least once every
seven years (42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(1)), the
Department is also entertaining
comments and recommendations for
changes to any other aspect of the
commercial warm air furnaces test
procedure. See section II.C of this
document for further details.)
a. UL 727
The commercial warm air furnaces
test method at 10 CFR 431.76 requires
use of those procedures contained in UL
727–2006 that are relevant to the steadystate efficiency measurement (i.e.,
sections 1 through 3; 37 through 42
(except for sections 40.4 and 40.6.2
through 40.6.7); 43.2; and 44 through
46). DOE has performed an initial
review of the differences between UL
727–2006 and UL 727–2018 and notes
that much of the test standard did not
change when it was updated from UL
727–2006 to UL 727–2018. DOE
identified only two updates that may
affect the test procedure—one related to
thermocouple tolerance and the other
related to building code references in
the scope section. These updates are
discussed in detail in the proceeding
paragraphs. In addition to the updates
DOE has identified, DOE is seeking
comment on whether any other changes
or updates made in UL 727–2018 would
impact the sections referenced by DOE,
and whether DOE should adopt those
updates.
Issue 1: DOE seeks comment
regarding the differences between the
sections of UL 727–2006 and UL 727–
2018 that are relevant to the DOE test
procedure. Specifically, DOE seeks
comment on whether any other
differences would impact the
representativeness or test burden of the
DOE commercial warm air furnaces test
procedure, if adopted.
Thermocouple Tolerance
Section 40.6.1 of UL 727–2018, which
pertains to temperature measurements
using potentiometers and
thermocouples, has different language
from UL 727–2006 and incorporates
different ANSI references. Specifically,
UL 727–2006 requires that the
thermocouple wire conform to the
requirements specified in the Initial
Calibration Tolerances for
Thermocouples table (i.e., Table 8) in
International Society of Automation
(ISA) standard MC96.1, ‘‘TemperatureMeasurement Thermocouples’’ (ANSI/
ISA MC96.1). In contrast, UL 727–2018
states that the thermocouple wire must
conform to the requirements specified
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in the Tolerance on Initial Values of
Electromagnetic Force (EMF) Versus
Temperature tables (i.e., Tables 1–3) in
ANSI/American Society for Testing and
Materials (ASTM) standard E230/
E230M, ‘‘Standard Specification and
Temperature-Electromotive Force (emf)
Tables for Standardized
Thermocouples,’’ (ANSI/ASTM E230/
E230M). The thermocouple
requirements in each standard are only
applicable to the range of temperatures
associated with the specified types of
thermocouple. Based on an initial
review of ANSI/ASTM E230/E230M, the
temperature ranges to which the
requirements apply differ from the
temperature ranges specified in MC96.1
for certain thermocouple wires. ANSI/
ASTM E230/E230M also specifies
temperature ranges and requirements for
thermocouple types C, N, and mineralinsulated metal-sheathed E type, which
are not include in ANSI/ISA MC96.1.
Furthermore, tolerances on initial
values of EMF versus temperature for
extension wires and compensating
extension wires in ANSI/ASTM E230/
E230M (i.e., Tables 2 and 3) have been
added to the requirements specified by
section 40.6.1 of UL 727–2018.
Issue 2: DOE seeks comment on
whether the additions and changes to
thermocouple and thermocouple
extension wire requirements would
impact the representativeness of the
measured test results or test burden of
the DOE commercial warm air furnaces
test procedure, if adopted.
Issue 3: DOE seeks comment on why
section 40.6.1 in UL Standard 727 was
changed from referencing ANSI/ISA
MC96.1 in UL 727–2006, to ANSI/
ASTM E230/E230M in UL 727–2018.
DOE requests input on the perceived
benefits and/or drawbacks of such
change.
Building Code References in Scope
Section
DOE notes that the language for the
scope of the UL 727–2018 test standard
has been changed in section 1.3, as
compared to UL 727–2006. Section 1.3
in UL 727–2006 references the National
Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
Standard for Installation of Oil-Burning
Equipment, NFPA 31, and codes such as
the Building Officials Code
Administrators International (BOCA)
National Mechanical Code, the State
Building Code Council (SBCC) Standard
Mechanical Code, and the International
Association of Plumbing and
Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) Uniform
Mechanical Code for requirements for
the installation and use of oil-burning
equipment which are to be utilized in
conjunction with the standard. In
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contrast, section 1.3 of UL 727–2018
references the National Fire Protection
Association Standard for Installation of
Oil-Burning Equipment, NFPA 31, the
International Mechanical Code, and the
Uniform Mechanical Code for the
requirements for installation and use.
DOE defines the scope for the testing
of commercial warm air furnaces in 10
CFR 431.76(a), which is independent
from the scope defined by UL–727–2006
(i.e., the scope of the DOE test procedure
is dictated by the scope provision at 10
CFR 431.76(a)). Although DOE
references the scope (Section 1) of UL
727–2006 in its test provisions at 10
CFR 431.76(c)(2), only the procedures
within UL 727–2006 that are pertinent
to the measurement of the steady-state
efficiency are to be included in the DOE
test procedure. 10 CFR 431.76 (b).
Therefore, any provisions within the
scope of UL 727–2006 that do not relate
to the measurement of the steady-state
efficiency do not apply to the DOE test
procedure.
Issue 4: DOE seeks comment on
whether there is a need to identify more
specifically the provisions of UL 727–
2006 that apply to the DOE test
procedure.
b. ANSI Z21.47
The test method in 10 CFR 431.76 for
gas-fired commercial warm air furnaces
requires use of procedures contained in
ANSI Z21.47–2012 that are relevant to
the steady-state efficiency measurement
(i.e., sections 1.1, 2.1 through 2.6, 2.39,
and 4.2.1 of ANSI Z21.47–2012). 10 CFR
431.76(c)(1). DOE notes that the
majority of the test standard did not
change when it was updated from ANSI
Z21.47–2012 to ANSI Z21.47–2016. The
revisions that were made were mostly
editorial in nature, including moving
section 2 in ANSI Z21.47–2012 to
section 5 in ANSI Z21.47–2016, among
other structural changes. In reviewing
the two versions of the standard, DOE
identified one apparent typographical
error, which is discussed subsequently.
Issue 5: DOE seeks comment
regarding any differences between
Z21.47–2012 and Z21.47–2016 that are
relevant to the DOE test procedure. For
any relevant differences other than
those already identified by DOE, DOE
seeks comment on how such changes or
updates would impact the
representativeness of measurements and
the test burden of the DOE commercial
warm air furnaces test procedure, if
adopted.
Typographical Error
Section 2.3.2(c) of ANSI Z21.47–2012
and the corresponding section 5.3.2(c)
of ANSI Z21.47–2016 provide
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installation requirements for horizontal
furnaces. Section 5.3.2(c)(iii) of ANSI
Z21.47–2016 appears to contain a
typographical error by referencing
‘‘Figure 4, Enclosure types for alcove
and closet installation tests for
horizontal furnaces.’’ Rather, the title of
Figure 4 in ANSI Z21.47–2016 is
‘‘Enclosure types for alcove and closet
installation tests for up-flow and downflow furnaces,’’ and as titled, Figure 4
applies only to up-flow and down-flow
furnaces. The applicable reference in
section 5.3.2(c)(iii) of ANSI Z21.47–
2016 should be to Figure 5, ‘‘Enclosed
types for alcove and closet installation
tests for horizontal furnaces.’’
Issue 6: DOE seeks comment on
whether section 5.3.2(c)(iii) of ANSI
Z21.47–2016 should refer to Figure 5 in
the test procedure, rather than Figure 4.
c. ANSI/ASHRAE 103
DOE’s test procedure for gas-fired
condensing commercial warm air
furnaces references sections 7.2.2.4, 7.8,
9.2, 11.3.7.1 and 11.3.7.2 of ANSI/
ASHRAE Standard 103–2007. 10 CFR
431.76. DOE did not identify any
substantive changes in the sections
currently referenced by the DOE test
procedure in the update from ANSI/
ASHRAE 103–2007 to ANSI/ASHRAE
103–2017, but DOE seeks further
comment on this issue.
Issue 7: DOE seeks comment as to
whether any of the differences between
sections 7.2.2.4, 7.8, 9.2, 11.3.7.1 and
11.3.7.2 of ANSI/ASHRAE 103–2007
and ANSI/ASHRAE 103–2017 are
relevant to the DOE test procedure, and
if so, how such differences would
impact the representativeness of
measurements and the associated
impact on test burden of the DOE
commercial warm air furnaces test
procedure, if adopted.
d. HI BTS–2000
DOE’s test procedure for oil-fired
commercial warm air furnaces
references sections of HI BTS–2000 that
are relevant to the fuel oil analysis and
calculating percent flue loss (i.e.,
sections 8.2.2, 11.1.4, 11.1.5, and
11.1.6.2). 10 CFR 431.76(c)(2) and (e)(2),
DOE identified two substantive changes
in the sections referenced by the DOE
test procedure in the update from HI
BTS–2000 to AHRI 1500–2015 regarding
fuel oil analysis and calculation of flue
loss. These updates are discussed in
detail in the following paragraphs. In
addition to the updates DOE has
identified, DOE seeks comment on
whether any other differences between
BTS–2000 and AHRI 1500–2015 would
impact the sections referenced by DOE,
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and if DOE should adopt those updates
and why.
Issue 8: DOE seeks comment
regarding whether any of the differences
between sections 8.2.2, 11.1.4, 11.1.5,
and 11.1.6.2 of HI BTS–2000 and AHRI
1500–2015 are relevant to the DOE test
procedure, and if so, how such
differences would impact the
representativeness of measurements and
the associated test burden of the DOE
commercial warm air furnaces test
procedure, if adopted.
Fuel Oil Analysis Requirements
DOE’s test procedure for oil-fired
commercial warm air furnaces includes
fuel oil analysis requirements (10 CFR
431.76(c)(2)) which reference section
8.2.2 of BTS–2000. Section C3.2.1.1 of
ANSI/AHRI 1500–2015 (previously
section 8.2.2 of BTS–2000) specifies
different fuel oil analysis requirements
(i.e., heating value analyzed per ASTM
D240–09 11 or ASTM D4809–09a,12
hydrogen and carbon content analyzed
per ASTM D5291–10,13 and density and
American Petroleum Institute (API)
gravity analyzed per ASTM D396–
14a 14) than are required in section 8.2.2
of BTS–2000 (i.e., heat value, hydrogen
and carbon content, density and API
gravity analyzed per ASTM D396–90 15).
Issue 9: DOE seeks comment on the
fuel oil analysis requirements in AHRI
1500–2015 and BTS–2000. Specifically,
DOE seeks comment regarding whether
the differences between the two would
yield different results during testing and
the merits of potentially adopting the
fuel oil analysis requirement of AHRI
1500–2015.
Issue 10: DOE seeks comment on
whether adopting AHRI 1500–2015
would add or reduce burden to the
current testing requirements of the DOE
commercial warm air furnaces test
procedure.
Calculation of CO2 in Flue Gas Losses
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Section 11.1.4 of BTS–2000 requires
that the CO2 value used in the
calculation of the dry flue gas loss for
oil must be the measured CO2. In
addition, the DOE test procedure in 10
11 ASTM D240–09, ‘‘Standard Test Method for
Heat of Combustion of Liquid Hydrocarbon Fuels
by Bomb Calorimeter’’ (ASTM D240–09).
12 ASTM D4809–09a, ‘‘Standard Test Method For
Heat Of Combustion Of Liquid Hydrocarbon Fuels
By Bomb Calorimeter (Precision Method)’’ (ASTM
D4809–09a).
13 ASTM D5291–10, ‘‘Standard Test Methods for
Instrumental Determination of Carbon, Hydrogen,
and Nitrogen in Petroleum Products and
Lubricants’’ (ASTM D5291–10).
14 ASTM D396–14a, ‘‘Standard Specification for
Fuel Oils’’ (ASTM D396–14a).
15 ASTM D396–90, ‘‘Standard Specification for
Fuel Oils’’ (ASTM D396–90).
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CFR 431.76(d) requires that CO2 must be
measured. Section C7.2.4 of AHRI 1500
(previously Section 11.1.4 in BTS–2000)
includes the option to calculate CO2
using the measured O2 value instead of
directly measuring the CO2 value.
Issue 11: DOE seeks comment on
whether the option to calculate CO2 in
AHRI 1500–2015 yields different testing
results compared to using the measured
value, as required by the current DOE
test method for commercial warm air
furnaces.
Issue 12: DOE also seeks comment on
whether it should adopt provisions
within AHRI 1500–2015 that allow for
measuring O2 and calculating CO2
therefrom (instead of measuring CO2)
with respect to the flue loss calculation,
as well as the rationale.
2. Thermal Efficiency
As previously stated, the energy
efficiency metric for commercial warm
air furnaces is thermal efficiency.
Thermal efficiency for a commercial
warm air furnace is defined and
calculated as 100 percent minus the
percent flue loss determined using the
test procedures described in 10 CFR
431.76. 10 CFR 431.72. A test method
and calculations for determining the
jacket loss percentage (i.e., the hourly
heat loss through the jacket divided by
the hourly input and multiplied by 100)
are included in section 2.39 of ANSI
Z21.47–2012 (and the corresponding
section 5.40 of ANSI Z21.47–2016), but
the jacket loss percentage is not
included in the equation used to
calculate thermal efficiency.16
Issue 13: DOE seeks comment on
whether jacket loss should be accounted
for in the calculation of thermal
efficiency. Specifically, DOE seeks
information and data on whether and to
what extent inclusion of jacket loss
would provide results that would more
appropriately reflect energy efficiency
during a representative average use
cycle. DOE also requests information
and data as to the test burden that
would be associated with potential
inclusion of jacket loss as part of the
DOE commercial warm air furnaces test
procedure.
3. Input Rate Tolerance
DOE’s test procedure for gas-fired
commercial warm air furnaces
references the test method in ANSI
16 Although the jacket loss is not used in the
calculation of thermal efficiency, section 2.39 of
ANSI Z21.47–2012 and section 5.40 of ANSI
Z21.47–2016 require a maximum jacket loss of 1.5
percent for any furnace not covered by ‘‘Federal
Energy Acts’’ (i.e., not regulated by DOE).
Therefore, the 1.5 percent jacket loss requirement
is not included as part of the DOE test procedure.
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26631
Z21.47, which requires that the test be
conducted at normal inlet pressure and
at 100 percent of normal input rate (i.e.,
the maximum hourly Btu input rating
specified by the manufacturer). 10 CFR
431.76(c)(1). DOE notes that no
tolerance is provided on the input rate,
so when taken literally, this provision
could be interpreted to require that the
firing rate be exactly 100 percent of the
nominal input rate. DOE further notes
that other types of fossil-fuel-fired
equipment such as commercial
packaged boilers, commercial water
heaters, residential water heaters,
residential furnaces, and residential
boilers require the input rate during
testing to be within ±2 percent of the
nameplate input rate. DOE seeks
comment on whether a tolerance on
input rate is necessary for gas-fired
commercial warm air furnaces, and if
so, what tolerance would be
appropriate.
Issue 14: DOE seeks comment on
whether industry uses a tolerance when
testing to ANSI Z21.47, and if so, what
tolerance is used. DOE requests
comment on whether a tolerance should
be specified for the input rate during
testing of gas-fired commercial warm air
furnaces, and if so, what tolerance
would be appropriate.
4. Flue Temperature Measurement in
Models With Multiple Vent Hoods
Section 2.16 of ANSI Z21.47–2012
and section 5.16 of ANSI Z21.47–2016
both state that the flue gas temperatures
shall be measured in the vent pipe using
nine individual thermocouples placed
in specific locations. DOE notes that
neither DOE’s test procedure nor the
ANSI Z21.47 test procedure specifies
how to perform the flue temperature
measurement if a unit has multiple vent
hoods. DOE is aware of models on the
market with two vent hoods through
which combustion exhaust gases exit.
Issue 15: DOE seeks comment on how
testing of commercial warm air furnaces
with more than one vent hood are
currently tested and whether it should
consider adding provisions in the DOE
test procedures to address measuring
the flue gas temperature of a unit with
multiple vent hoods. If so, DOE seeks
comment on how best to measure flue
gas temperature in such units.
5. Flue Temperature Measurement in
Models With Vent Space Limitations
Section 2.16 of ANSI Z21.47–2012
and section 5.16 of ANSI Z21.47–2016
both state that the flue gas temperatures
shall be measured in the vent pipe using
nine individual thermocouples placed
in specific locations; however, these
sections do not provide guidance on
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how to measure the flue gas temperature
if the vent size constrains the space
where the thermocouples are to be
placed. Specifically, a vent may be so
small (if, for example, a unit has
multiple vents) that it is not practical to
place all nine thermocouples as
instructed in sections 2.16 and 5.16 of
ANSI Z21.47–2012 and ANSI Z21.47–
2016 respectively. During testing of one
unit, DOE found that placing more than
four thermocouples in a particularly
small vent hood was not practical due
to space limitations.
Issue 16: DOE seeks comment on how
testing of commercial warm air furnaces
with vent size constraints are currently
tested and whether it should consider
adding provisions in the DOE test
procedures to address measuring the
flue gas temperature when space
limitations preclude the use of nine
thermocouples. If so, DOE seeks
comment on how best to measure flue
gas temperature in such units.
6. Electrical Consumption
Currently, the DOE test procedure for
commercial warm air furnaces does not
include any measurement of electrical
consumption in its determination of the
efficiency of commercial warm air
furnaces, including electrical
consumption of blowers/fans, controls,
or other auxiliary electrical
consumption. To the extent that
commercial warm air furnaces are
typically part of a single package that
also includes air conditioning
equipment, and the test method and
metric for commercial air-conditioning
equipment (i.e., integrated energy
efficiency ratio (IEER)) accounts for the
electrical consumption of the blower,
the blower consumption has not been
included in the commercial furnaces
test method. However, any auxiliary
electrical consumption associated only
with the furnace operation when
heating is not accounted for in any
metric. DOE seeks comment on whether
including the electrical consumption of
a commercial warm air furnace (i.e., the
blower and/or auxiliary electrical
energy use due to, for example, controls
or an inducer fan) as part of DOE’s
efficiency metric would be appropriate.
Issue 17: DOE seeks comment on
whether DOE should consider including
the electrical consumption of
commercial warm air furnaces in the
commercial warm air furnace efficiency
metric or test procedure, including the
merits and burdens of such approach. If
so, DOE seeks comment on which
components’ electrical consumption
would be appropriate to include, noting
that the electrical consumption of the
commercial warm air furnace blower is
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typically factored into other commercial
equipment efficiency metrics and test
procedures.
C. 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 procedures for commercial
warm air furnaces. As noted, DOE
recently issued an RFI to seek more
information on whether its test
procedures are reasonably designed, as
required by EPCA, to produce results
that measure the energy use or
efficiency of a product during a
representative average use cycle or
period of use. 84 FR 9721 (March 18,
2019). DOE seeks comment on this issue
as it specifically pertains to the test
procedure for the commercial warm air
furnaces that are the subject of this
current RFI.
As noted above, DOE also requests
comments on whether potential
amendments based on the issues
discussed would result in a test
procedure that is unduly burdensome to
conduct, particularly in light of any new
products on the market since the last
test procedure update. If commenters
believe that any such potential
amendments, if adopted, would result
in a procedure that is, in fact, unduly
burdensome to conduct, DOE seeks
information on whether an existing
private sector-developed test procedure
would be more appropriate or other
avenues for reducing the identified
burdens while advancing improvements
to the commercial warm air furnaces
test procedure. DOE also requests
comment on the benefits and burdens of
adopting, without modification, any
industry/voluntary consensus-based or
other appropriate test procedure.
Additionally, DOE requests comment
on whether the existing test procedures
limit a manufacturer’s ability to provide
additional features to purchasers of
commercial warm air furnaces. DOE
particularly seeks information on how
the test procedures could be amended to
reduce the cost of new or additional
features and make it more likely that
such features are included on
commercial warm air furnaces, while
still meeting the requirements of EPCA.
DOE also requests comments on the
impact of any potential amendments to
the existing test procedures on
manufacturers, including small
businesses.
Finally, DOE recently published an
RFI on the emerging smart technology
appliance and equipment market. 83 FR
46886 (Sept. 17, 2018). In that RFI, DOE
sought information to better understand
market trends and issues in the
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emerging market for appliances and
commercial equipment that incorporate
smart technology. DOE’s intent in
issuing the RFI was to ensure that DOE
did not inadvertently impede such
innovation in fulfilling its statutory
obligations in setting efficiency
standards for covered products and
equipment. DOE seeks comments, data,
and information on the issues presented
in the RFI as they may be applicable to
the commercial warm air furnaces that
are the subject of this RFI.
III. Submission of Comments
DOE invites all interested parties to
submit in writing by June 4, 2020,
comments and information on matters
addressed in this document and on
other matters relevant to DOE’s
consideration of amended test
procedures for commercial warm air
furnaces. These comments and
information will aid in the development
of a test procedure NOPR for
commercial warm air furnaces, if DOE
determines that amended test
procedures may be appropriate for this
equipment. After the close of the
comment period, DOE will review the
public comments received and may
begin collecting data and conducting the
analyses discussed in this RFI.
Submitting comments via https://
www.regulations.gov. The https://
www.regulations.gov web page requires
you to provide your name and contact
information. 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
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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/courier, or postal mail.
Comments and documents submitted
via email, hand delivery/courier, or
postal 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 in a cover letter.
Include your first and last names, email
address, telephone number, and
optional mailing address. The cover
letter will not be publicly viewable as
long as it does not include any
comments.
Include contact information each time
you submit comments, data, documents,
and other information to DOE. If you
submit via postal mail or hand delivery/
courier, please provide all items on a
CD, if feasible, in which case it is not
necessary to submit printed copies. No
telefacsimiles (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.
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Confidential Business Information.
Pursuant 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/courier 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.
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 this
process. Interactions with and between
members of the public provide a
balanced discussion of the issues and
assist DOE in the process. Anyone who
wishes to be added to the DOE mailing
list to receive future notices and
information about this process should
contact Appliance and Equipment
Standards Program staff at (202) 287–
1445 or via email at
ApplianceStandardsQuestions@
ee.doe.gov.
Signing Authority
This document of the Department of
Energy was signed on February 21,
2020, by Alexander N. Fitzsimmons,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy
Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy, pursuant to
delegated authority from the Secretary
of Energy. That document with the
original signature and date is
maintained by DOE. For administrative
purposes only, and in compliance with
requirements of the Office of the Federal
Register, the undersigned DOE Federal
Register Liaison Officer has been
authorized to sign and submit the
document in electronic format for
publication, as an official document of
the Department of Energy. This
administrative process in no way alters
the legal effect of this document upon
publication in the Federal Register.
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
26633
Signed in Washington, DC, on April 22,
2020.
Treena V. Garrett,
Federal Register Liaison Officer, U.S.
Department of Energy.
[FR Doc. 2020–08853 Filed 5–4–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Office of the Secretary
14 CFR Part 399
[Docket No. DOT–OST–2019–0182]
RIN 2105–AE72
Defining Unfair or Deceptive Practices
Office of the Secretary (OST),
U.S. Department of Transportation
(DOT).
ACTION: Grant of request for extension of
comment period.
AGENCY:
On February 28, 2020, the
U.S. Department of Transportation
(Department or DOT) published in the
Federal Register a Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking (NPRM) on Defining Unfair
or Deceptive Practices. The NPRM
provided a 60-day comment period that
was set to close on April 28, 2020. Nine
consumer organizations asked the
Department to extend the comment
period on the NPRM. To allow
interested persons more time to submit
their comments, the Department has
determined that an extension of the
comment period for an additional 30
days is appropriate.
DATES: The comment period for the
NPRM, published February 28, 2020 (85
FR 11881), on Defining Unfair or
Deceptive Practices is extended to May
28, 2020.
ADDRESSES: You may review the request
to extend the public comment period
and other comments received under
Docket Number OST 2019–0182 through
the Federal eRulemaking Portal at
https://www.regulations.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Robert Gorman, Senior Attorney, Office
of Aviation Enforcement and
Proceedings, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Ave.
SE, Washington, DC 20590, 202–366–
9342, 202–366–7152 (fax),
robert.gorman@dot.gov (email). You
may also contact Blane Workie,
Assistant General Counsel, Office of
Aviation Enforcement and Proceedings,
Department of Transportation, 1200
New Jersey Ave. SE, Washington, DC
20590, 202–366–9342, 202–366–7152
(fax), blane.workie@dot.gov.
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\05MYP1.SGM
05MYP1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 87 (Tuesday, May 5, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 26626-26633]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-08853]
========================================================================
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. 85, No. 87 / Tuesday, May 5, 2020 / Proposed
Rules
[[Page 26626]]
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
10 CFR Part 431
[EERE-2019-BT-TP-0041]
RIN 1904-AE57
Energy Conservation Program: Test Procedure for Commercial Warm
Air Furnaces
AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of
Energy.
ACTION: Request for information.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is initiating a data
collection process through this request for information (RFI) to
consider whether to amend DOE's test procedure for commercial warm air
furnaces, in large part by updating references to the most recent
versions of the relevant industry test standards. DOE also seeks
information on any additional topics that may assist with DOE's
decision whether to conduct a future test procedure rulemaking,
including whether amended test procedures would more accurately or
fully comply with the requirement that they be reasonably designed to
produce test results that measure energy efficiency of commercial warm
air furnaces during a representative average use cycle, and not be
unduly burdensome to conduct. DOE welcomes written comments from the
public on any subject within the scope of this document (including
topics not raised in this RFI), as well as the submission of data and
other relevant information.
DATES: Written comments and information are requested and will be
accepted on or before June 4, 2020.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are encouraged to submit comments using
the Federal eRulemaking Portal at https://www.regulations.gov. Follow
the instructions for submitting comments. Alternatively, interested
persons may submit comments, identified by docket number EERE-2019-BT-
TP-0041 and/or RIN 1904-AE57, by any of the following methods:
1. Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. Follow
the instructions for submitting comments.
2. Email: To [email protected]. Include docket number
EERE-2019-BT-TP-0041 and/or RIN 1904-AE57 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 this
process, see section III of this document.
Docket: The docket for this activity, 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://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/standards.aspx?productid=49&action=viewlive. The docket web page
contains instructions on how to access all documents, including public
comments, in the docket. See section III of this RFI for information on
how to submit comments through https://www.regulations.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Stephanie Johnson, 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) 287-1943. Email:
[email protected].
Mr. Eric Stas, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the General
Counsel, GC-33, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585-0121.
Telephone: (202) 586-5827. 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:
Table of Contents
I. Introduction
A. Authority and Background
B. Rulemaking History
II. Request for Information
A. Scope and Definitions
B. Test Procedure
1. Updates to Industry Standards
a. UL 727
b. ANSI Z21.47
c. ANSI/ASHRAE 103
d. HI BTS-2000
2. Thermal Efficiency
3. Input Rate Tolerance
4. Flue Temperature Measurement in Models With Multiple Vent
Hoods
5. Flue Temperature Measurement in Models With Vent Space
Limitations
6. Electrical Consumption
C. Other Test Procedure Topics
III. Submission of Comments
I. Introduction
Commercial warm air furnaces are included in the list of ``covered
equipment'' for which DOE is authorized to establish and amend energy
conservation standards and test procedures. (42 U.S.C. 6311(1)(J))
DOE's test procedures for commercial warm air furnaces are prescribed
at Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) section 431.76 (10
CFR 431.76). The following sections discuss DOE's authority to
establish and amend test procedures for commercial warm air furnaces,
as well as relevant background information regarding DOE's
consideration of test procedures for this equipment.
[[Page 26627]]
A. Authority and Background
The Energy Policy and Conservation Act, 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 C \2\ of EPCA, Public Law 94-163 (42
U.S.C. 6311-6317, as codified), added by Public Law 95-619, Title IV,
section 441(a), established the Energy Conservation Program for Certain
Industrial Equipment, which sets forth a variety of provisions designed
to improve energy efficiency. This equipment includes commercial warm
air furnaces, which are the subject of this RFI. (42 U.S.C. 6311(1)(J))
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\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 (Oct. 23, 2018).
\2\ For editorial reasons, upon codification in the U.S. Code,
Part C was redesignated Part A-1.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The energy conservation program under EPCA consists essentially of
four parts: (1) Testing, (2) labeling, (3) Federal energy conservation
standards, and (4) certification and enforcement procedures. Relevant
provisions of EPCA specifically include definitions (42 U.S.C. 6311),
energy conservation standards (42 U.S.C. 6313), test procedures (42
U.S.C. 6314), labeling provisions (42 U.S.C. 6315), and the authority
to require information and reports from manufacturers (42 U.S.C. 6316).
Federal energy efficiency requirements for covered equipment
established under EPCA generally supersede State laws and regulations
concerning energy conservation testing, labeling, and standards. (42
U.S.C. 6316(a) and (b); 42 U.S.C. 6297) DOE may, however, grant waivers
of Federal preemption in limited circumstances for particular State
laws or regulations, in accordance with the procedures and other
provisions of EPCA. (42 U.S.C. 6316(b)(2)(D); 42 U.S.C. 6297)
The Federal testing requirements consist of test procedures that
manufacturers of covered equipment must use as the basis for: (1)
Certifying to DOE that their equipment complies with the applicable
energy conservation standards adopted pursuant to EPCA (42 U.S.C.
6316(b); 42 U.S.C. 6296), and (2) making representations about the
efficiency of that equipment (42 U.S.C. 6314(d)). Similarly, DOE uses
these test procedures to determine whether the equipment complies with
relevant standards promulgated under EPCA.
Under 42 U.S.C. 6314, the statute sets forth the criteria and
procedures DOE must follow when prescribing or amending test procedures
for covered equipment. EPCA requires that any test procedures
prescribed or amended under this section must be reasonably designed to
produce test results which reflect energy efficiency, energy use, or
estimated annual operating cost of a given type of covered equipment
during a representative average use cycle and requires that test
procedures not be unduly burdensome to conduct. (42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(2))
If DOE determines that a test procedure amendment is warranted, it
must publish proposed test procedures in the Federal Register and offer
the public an opportunity to present oral and written comments on them.
(42 U.S.C. 6314(b))
EPCA requires that the test procedures for commercial warm air
furnaces be those generally accepted industry testing procedures or
rating procedures developed or recognized by the Air-Conditioning,
Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) or by the American Society
of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), as
referenced in ASHRAE Standard 90.1, ``Energy Standard for Buildings
Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings'' (ASHRAE Standard 90.1). (42
U.S.C. 6314(a)(4)(A)) If such an industry test procedure or rating
procedure is amended, DOE must amend its test procedure to be
consistent with the amended industry test procedure or rating
procedure, unless DOE determines, by rule published in the Federal
Register and supported by clear and convincing evidence, that the
amended test procedure would not meet the requirements in 42 U.S.C.
6314(a)(2) and (3) related to representative use and test burden, in
which case DOE may establish an amended test procedure that does
satisfy those statutory provisions. (42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(4)(B) and (C))
In addition, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA
2007), Public Law 110-140, amended EPCA to require that, at least once
every 7 years, DOE evaluate test procedures for each type of covered
equipment, including commercial warm air furnaces that are the subject
of this RFI, 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. (42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(1)) In addition, if the Secretary determines
that a test procedure amendment is warranted, the Secretary must
publish proposed test procedures in the Federal Register and afford
interested persons an opportunity (of not less than 45 days' duration)
to present oral and written data, views, and arguments on the proposed
test procedures. (42 U.S.C. 6314(b)) If DOE determines that test
procedure revisions are not appropriate, DOE must publish its
determination not to amend the test procedures. (42 U.S.C.
6314(a)(1)(A)(ii))
DOE is publishing this RFI to collect data and information to
inform its decision in satisfaction of its statutory requirements.
B. Rulemaking History
DOE's current test procedure for commercial warm air furnaces is
codified at 10 CFR 431.76. It incorporates by reference at 10 CFR
431.75 certain sections of two industry standards for testing gas-fired
commercial warm air furnaces: American National Standards Institute
(ANSI) Z21.47-2012, ``Standard for Gas-fired Central Furnaces'' (ANSI
Z21.47-2012), which is used for all types of gas-fired commercial warm
air furnaces; and ANSI/American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and
Air-conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Standard 103-2007, ``Method of
Testing for Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency of Residential Central
Furnaces and Boilers,'' which is specifically for testing condensing
gas-fired commercial warm air furnaces. For oil-fired commercial warm
air furnaces, the test procedure also incorporates by reference certain
sections of two industry standards: Underwriters Laboratories (UL)
standard UL 727-2006 ``Standard for Safety Oil-Fired Central Furnaces''
(UL 727-2006),\3\ and Hydronics Institute Division of AHRI (HI) BTS-
2000 ``Method to Determine Efficiency of Commercial Space Heating
Boilers'' (HI BTS-2000).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ UL 727-1994 is also incorporated by reference in 10 CFR
431.75; however, the test method specified in 10 CFR 431.76 only
references UL-2006. Both UL 727-1994 and UL 727-2006 were
incorporated by reference in 10 CFR 431.75 as part of the May 2012
final rule because prior to the compliance date of May 13, 2013,
either version of the UL 727 could be used. 77 FR 28928, 28987 (May
16, 2012).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
DOE first codified a test procedure for commercial warm air
furnaces in a final rule published on October 21, 2004. 69 FR 61916
(October 2004 final rule). For gas-fired commercial warm air furnaces,
the October 2004 final rule incorporated by reference the most up-to-
date industry test procedure referenced in ASHRAE 90.1 at the time,
which was
[[Page 26628]]
ANSI Z21.47-1998, ``Gas-Fired Central Furnaces.'' 69 FR 61916, 61917,
61940 (Oct. 21, 2004). DOE also incorporated by reference certain
provisions from ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 103-1993, ``Method of Testing for
Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency of Residential Central Furnaces and
Boilers,'' for calculating the effect of condensing operation on
efficiency. Id. For oil-fired commercial warm air furnaces, the October
2004 final rule incorporated by reference UL Standard 727-1994
``Standard for Safety Oil-Fired Central Furnaces'' (UL 727-1994), which
was the most up to date version of the UL 727 test procedure at the
time. Id. DOE determined that UL 727-1994 did not provide a procedure
for calculating the percent flue loss of the furnace, which is
necessary in calculating the thermal efficiency. 69 FR 61916, 61920
(Oct. 21, 2004). Therefore, DOE also incorporated by reference
provisions from HI BTS-2000, ``Method to Determine Efficiency of
Commercial Space Heating Boilers,'' to calculate the flue loss for oil-
fired commercial warm air furnaces. 69 FR 61916, 61917, 61940 (Oct. 21,
2004).
DOE further amended the test procedure for commercial warm air
furnaces in a final rule published on May 16, 2012 (May 2012 final
rule), which updated the test procedure to incorporate by reference the
latest versions of the industry standards at the time, as referenced in
ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2010 (i.e., ANSI Z21.47-2006 and UL 727-2006 for
gas-fired and oil-fired commercial warm air furnaces, respectively).\4\
77 FR 28928, 28987. In the May 2012 final rule, DOE determined that the
changes in the updated test procedures for gas-fired and oil-fired
commercial warm air furnaces did not substantially impact the
measurement of energy efficiency and should be adopted to comply with
the provisions set forth in EPCA. 77 FR 28928, 28944 (May 16, 2012).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\ Compliance with the updated industry test procedures that
were incorporated by reference was required beginning on May 13,
2013, before which time, the previous or updated versions of the
industry test procedures incorporated by reference could be used. 77
FR 28928, 28935 (May 16, 2012).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
DOE most recently amended the test procedure for commercial warm
air furnaces in a final rule published on July 17, 2015, which updated
the test procedure for gas-fired commercial warm air furnaces to
incorporate by reference the latest version of the industry standard
available at the time, ANSI Z21.47-2012. 80 FR 42614 (July 2015 final
rule). More specifically, DOE determined in the July 2015 final rule
that the specific changes between ANSI Z21.47-2006 and ANSI Z21.47-2012
did not include any updates in the sections referenced by the DOE test
procedure that would impact the test method, and, therefore, adopted
the updated industry standard as required by EPCA. 80 FR 42614, 42620,
42663 (July 17, 2015). At the time of the July 2015 final rule, UL 727-
2006 was still the most recent version of that standard and referenced
in ASHRAE 90.1-2013, so DOE did not amend its test procedure for oil-
fired commercial warm air furnaces. The July 2015 final rule also
updated to the most recent version of ANSI/ASHRAE 103 at the time
(i.e., ANSI/ASHRAE 103-2007). Id.
II. Request for Information
In the following sections, DOE has identified a variety of issues
on which it seeks input to aid in the development of the technical and
economic analyses regarding whether amended test procedures for
commercial warm air furnaces would be warranted. More specifically, DOE
seeks to determine whether to update the references in the commercial
warm air furnace test procedure to the most recent versions of the
incorporated industry standards, or whether such an update would not
meet the requirements in EPCA that test procedures: (1) Be reasonably
designed to produce test results which reflect energy efficiency,
energy use, and estimated operating costs of a type of industrial
equipment (or class thereof) during a representative average use cycle;
and (2) not be unduly burdensome to conduct. (42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(2) and
(4)(B)) DOE is also requesting comment on any opportunities to
streamline and simplify testing requirements for commercial warm air
furnaces.
Further, the Department recently published an RFI regarding test
procedures across the full range of consumer products and industrial
equipment that fall under its regulatory authority pursuant to EPCA. 84
FR 9721 (March 18, 2019). In that RFI, DOE noted that, over time, many
of DOE's test procedures have been amended to account for products' and
equipment's increased functionality and modes of operation. DOE's
intent in issuing that RFI was to gather information to ensure that the
inclusion of measurement provisions in its test procedures associated
with such increased functionality has not inadvertently compromised the
measurement of representative average use cycles or periods of use, and
made some test procedures unnecessarily burdensome. Although the
comment period on the March 2019 RFI has since closed, DOE seeks
comment on this issue as it specifically pertains to the test procedure
for commercial warm air furnaces, which are the subject of this current
RFI.
DOE seeks comment on whether there have been changes in product
testing methodology or new products on the market since the last test
procedure update that may create the need to make amendments to the
test procedure for commercial warm air furnaces. Specifically, DOE
seeks data and information that could enable the agency to propose that
the current test procedure produces results that are representative of
an average use cycle for the product and is not unduly burdensome to
conduct, and, therefore, does not need amendment. DOE also seeks
information on whether an existing private sector-developed test
procedure would produce such results and should be adopted by DOE
rather than DOE establishing its own test procedure, either entirely or
by adopting only certain provisions of one or more private sector-
developed tests.
Additionally, DOE welcomes comments on other issues relevant to the
conduct of this process that may not be specifically identified
elsewhere in this document. In particular, DOE notes that under section
1 of Executive Order 13771, ``Reducing Regulation and Controlling
Regulatory Costs,'' Executive Branch agencies such as DOE are directed
to 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
test procedure regulations applicable to commercial warm air furnaces
consistent with the requirements of EPCA.
A. Scope and Definitions
This RFI covers commercial warm air furnaces. EPCA defines ``warm
air furnace'' as a self-contained oil- or gas-fired furnace designed to
supply heated air through ducts to spaces that require it and includes
combination warm air furnace/electric air conditioning units but does
not include unit heaters and duct furnaces. (42 U.S.C. 6311(11)(A))
EPCA established energy conservation standards for commercial warm air
furnaces with a capacity at or above 225,000 Btu/h. (42 U.S.C.
6313(a)(4)(A)-(B)) DOE codified the statutory definition of ``warm air
furnace'' at 10 CFR 431.72. Additionally, based on the EPCA-established
energy conservation standards, DOE established a definition of
``commercial warm air furnace'' as a
[[Page 26629]]
warm air furnace that is industrial equipment, and that has a capacity
(rated maximum input) of 225,000 Btu/h or more. Id. Additionally, the
scope of the test procedure for commercial warm air furnaces is
``commercial warm air furnaces with a rated maximum input of 225,000
Btu per hour or more.'' 10 CFR 431.76(a).
B. Test Procedure
DOE uses thermal efficiency as the metric for measuring the energy
efficiency of commercial warm air furnaces. 10 CFR 431.76 (in which
``thermal efficiency'' is abbreviated as ``TE''). Thermal efficiency is
defined and calculated as 100 percent minus the percent flue loss, as
determined using the test procedures described in 10 CFR 431.76 and 10
CFR 431.72. The test procedure for commercial warm air furnaces
includes provisions for testing steady-state efficiency.\5\ The test
procedure also specifies the test set-ups for gas-fired and oil-fired
commercial warm air furnaces, through reference to certain sections of
ANSI Z21.47 \6\ and UL 727-2006 for gas and oil furnaces, respectively.
10 CFR 431.76(c)(1) and (2), respectively. The test set-up for oil-
fired commercial warm air furnaces also includes a reference to HI BTS-
2000 for conducting a fuel oil analysis during test setup. 10 CFR
431.76(c)(2). In addition, the test procedure includes requirements for
measuring the carbon dioxide (CO2) in the flue of oil-fired
furnaces during testing,\7\ and for measuring the condensate of
condensing gas-fired commercial warm air furnaces.\8\ 10 CFR
431.76(d)(1) and (2), respectively. The procedure for measuring
condensate of condensing gas-fired furnaces references certain
provisions of ANSI/ASHRAE 103.\9\ 10 CFR 431.76(d)(2). Finally, the
test procedure includes provisions for calculating thermal efficiency,
which reference certain provisions of ANSI Z21.47 (for gas-fired warm
air furnaces), certain provisions of HI BTS-2000 (for oil-fired
commercial warm air furnaces), and certain provisions of ASHRAE 103
(for condensing gas-fired commercial warm air furnaces). 10 CFR
431.76(e)-(f).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\ Test measurements are taken once steady-state (or
equilibrium) operation has been achieved, as indicated by
temperature changes in the flue gas of not more than 5
[deg]F ( 3 [deg]C) between readings 15 minutes apart.
See paragraph (c)(1) of 10 CFR 431.76, which references the
requirements of section 2.39 of ANSI Z21.47-2012, for gas-fired
commercial furnaces, and paragraph (c)(2) of 10 CFR 431.76, which
specifies steady-state conditions for oil-fired furnaces.
\6\ As noted, the current commercial warm air furnace test
procedure references the 2012 version of ANSI Z21.47. 10 CFR
431.75(b)(1).
\7\ The CO2 concentration is one of the measurements
used to calculate the loss in dry flue gases, which is summed with
the loss due to moisture to calculate the flue loss. Flue loss is
subtracted from 100 to calculate thermal efficiency.
\8\ The condensate measurement is used to calculate the latent
heat gain from the condensation of the water vapor in the flue gas,
and the heat loss due to the hot condensate flowing down the drain,
as specified in sections 11.3.7.1 and 11.3.7.2 of ASHRAE 103-2007.
These values are used to adjust the thermal efficiency to account
for condensing operation.
\9\ As noted, the current commercial warm air furnace test
procedure references the 2007 version of ASHRAE 103. 10 CFR
431.75(c)(1).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Updates to Industry Standards
Since publication of the July 2015 final rule, updated versions of
the industry test procedures that are incorporated by reference have
been published. An updated version of UL 727 was published on January
31, 2018 (UL 727-2018). An updated version of ANSI Z21.47 was published
by the CSA Group \10\ in November 2016 (ANSI Z21.47-2016). An updated
version of ANSI/ASHRAE 103 was published in 2017 (ANSI/ASHRAE 103-
2017). HI BTS-2000 was initially developed by the Hydronics Institute
of the Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association (GAMA). In 2008, GAMA
merged with the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI) to
form the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI).
After merging, AHRI was responsible for the HI BTS-2000 standard. In
2015, AHRI renamed the standard as AHRI 1500 (AHRI 1500-2015) and a
made number of changes that are discussed in section II.B.1.d of this
document.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\10\ ANSI Z21.47 is published by the CSA Group, and is
synonymous with CSA 2.3-2016.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
As discussed, EPCA requires that when the relevant industry
standards are amended, DOE must update its test procedure to be
consistent with the amended industry test procedure, unless DOE
determines, by rule published in the Federal Register and supported by
clear and convincing evidence, that the amended test procedure would
not meet the requirements in 42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(2) and (3) related to
representative use and test burden. (42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(4)(B) and (C))
Having been triggered under this provision of EPCA, DOE is evaluating
the updated industry standards and whether an amended Federal test
procedure that references the updated industry standards would be
reasonably designed to produce test results which reflect the energy
efficiency of commercial warm air furnaces during a representative
average use cycle, and not be unduly burdensome to conduct. (Because
DOE is also obligated under EPCA to conduct a comprehensive review of
its test procedures for covered industrial equipment at least once
every seven years (42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(1)), the Department is also
entertaining comments and recommendations for changes to any other
aspect of the commercial warm air furnaces test procedure. See section
II.C of this document for further details.)
a. UL 727
The commercial warm air furnaces test method at 10 CFR 431.76
requires use of those procedures contained in UL 727-2006 that are
relevant to the steady-state efficiency measurement (i.e., sections 1
through 3; 37 through 42 (except for sections 40.4 and 40.6.2 through
40.6.7); 43.2; and 44 through 46). DOE has performed an initial review
of the differences between UL 727-2006 and UL 727-2018 and notes that
much of the test standard did not change when it was updated from UL
727-2006 to UL 727-2018. DOE identified only two updates that may
affect the test procedure--one related to thermocouple tolerance and
the other related to building code references in the scope section.
These updates are discussed in detail in the proceeding paragraphs. In
addition to the updates DOE has identified, DOE is seeking comment on
whether any other changes or updates made in UL 727-2018 would impact
the sections referenced by DOE, and whether DOE should adopt those
updates.
Issue 1: DOE seeks comment regarding the differences between the
sections of UL 727-2006 and UL 727-2018 that are relevant to the DOE
test procedure. Specifically, DOE seeks comment on whether any other
differences would impact the representativeness or test burden of the
DOE commercial warm air furnaces test procedure, if adopted.
Thermocouple Tolerance
Section 40.6.1 of UL 727-2018, which pertains to temperature
measurements using potentiometers and thermocouples, has different
language from UL 727-2006 and incorporates different ANSI references.
Specifically, UL 727-2006 requires that the thermocouple wire conform
to the requirements specified in the Initial Calibration Tolerances for
Thermocouples table (i.e., Table 8) in International Society of
Automation (ISA) standard MC96.1, ``Temperature-Measurement
Thermocouples'' (ANSI/ISA MC96.1). In contrast, UL 727-2018 states that
the thermocouple wire must conform to the requirements specified
[[Page 26630]]
in the Tolerance on Initial Values of Electromagnetic Force (EMF)
Versus Temperature tables (i.e., Tables 1-3) in ANSI/American Society
for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard E230/E230M, ``Standard
Specification and Temperature-Electromotive Force (emf) Tables for
Standardized Thermocouples,'' (ANSI/ASTM E230/E230M). The thermocouple
requirements in each standard are only applicable to the range of
temperatures associated with the specified types of thermocouple. Based
on an initial review of ANSI/ASTM E230/E230M, the temperature ranges to
which the requirements apply differ from the temperature ranges
specified in MC96.1 for certain thermocouple wires. ANSI/ASTM E230/
E230M also specifies temperature ranges and requirements for
thermocouple types C, N, and mineral-insulated metal-sheathed E type,
which are not include in ANSI/ISA MC96.1. Furthermore, tolerances on
initial values of EMF versus temperature for extension wires and
compensating extension wires in ANSI/ASTM E230/E230M (i.e., Tables 2
and 3) have been added to the requirements specified by section 40.6.1
of UL 727-2018.
Issue 2: DOE seeks comment on whether the additions and changes to
thermocouple and thermocouple extension wire requirements would impact
the representativeness of the measured test results or test burden of
the DOE commercial warm air furnaces test procedure, if adopted.
Issue 3: DOE seeks comment on why section 40.6.1 in UL Standard 727
was changed from referencing ANSI/ISA MC96.1 in UL 727-2006, to ANSI/
ASTM E230/E230M in UL 727-2018. DOE requests input on the perceived
benefits and/or drawbacks of such change.
Building Code References in Scope Section
DOE notes that the language for the scope of the UL 727-2018 test
standard has been changed in section 1.3, as compared to UL 727-2006.
Section 1.3 in UL 727-2006 references the National Fire Protection
Association (NFPA) Standard for Installation of Oil-Burning Equipment,
NFPA 31, and codes such as the Building Officials Code Administrators
International (BOCA) National Mechanical Code, the State Building Code
Council (SBCC) Standard Mechanical Code, and the International
Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) Uniform
Mechanical Code for requirements for the installation and use of oil-
burning equipment which are to be utilized in conjunction with the
standard. In contrast, section 1.3 of UL 727-2018 references the
National Fire Protection Association Standard for Installation of Oil-
Burning Equipment, NFPA 31, the International Mechanical Code, and the
Uniform Mechanical Code for the requirements for installation and use.
DOE defines the scope for the testing of commercial warm air
furnaces in 10 CFR 431.76(a), which is independent from the scope
defined by UL-727-2006 (i.e., the scope of the DOE test procedure is
dictated by the scope provision at 10 CFR 431.76(a)). Although DOE
references the scope (Section 1) of UL 727-2006 in its test provisions
at 10 CFR 431.76(c)(2), only the procedures within UL 727-2006 that are
pertinent to the measurement of the steady-state efficiency are to be
included in the DOE test procedure. 10 CFR 431.76 (b). Therefore, any
provisions within the scope of UL 727-2006 that do not relate to the
measurement of the steady-state efficiency do not apply to the DOE test
procedure.
Issue 4: DOE seeks comment on whether there is a need to identify
more specifically the provisions of UL 727-2006 that apply to the DOE
test procedure.
b. ANSI Z21.47
The test method in 10 CFR 431.76 for gas-fired commercial warm air
furnaces requires use of procedures contained in ANSI Z21.47-2012 that
are relevant to the steady-state efficiency measurement (i.e., sections
1.1, 2.1 through 2.6, 2.39, and 4.2.1 of ANSI Z21.47-2012). 10 CFR
431.76(c)(1). DOE notes that the majority of the test standard did not
change when it was updated from ANSI Z21.47-2012 to ANSI Z21.47-2016.
The revisions that were made were mostly editorial in nature, including
moving section 2 in ANSI Z21.47-2012 to section 5 in ANSI Z21.47-2016,
among other structural changes. In reviewing the two versions of the
standard, DOE identified one apparent typographical error, which is
discussed subsequently.
Issue 5: DOE seeks comment regarding any differences between
Z21.47-2012 and Z21.47-2016 that are relevant to the DOE test
procedure. For any relevant differences other than those already
identified by DOE, DOE seeks comment on how such changes or updates
would impact the representativeness of measurements and the test burden
of the DOE commercial warm air furnaces test procedure, if adopted.
Typographical Error
Section 2.3.2(c) of ANSI Z21.47-2012 and the corresponding section
5.3.2(c) of ANSI Z21.47-2016 provide installation requirements for
horizontal furnaces. Section 5.3.2(c)(iii) of ANSI Z21.47-2016 appears
to contain a typographical error by referencing ``Figure 4, Enclosure
types for alcove and closet installation tests for horizontal
furnaces.'' Rather, the title of Figure 4 in ANSI Z21.47-2016 is
``Enclosure types for alcove and closet installation tests for up-flow
and down-flow furnaces,'' and as titled, Figure 4 applies only to up-
flow and down-flow furnaces. The applicable reference in section
5.3.2(c)(iii) of ANSI Z21.47-2016 should be to Figure 5, ``Enclosed
types for alcove and closet installation tests for horizontal
furnaces.''
Issue 6: DOE seeks comment on whether section 5.3.2(c)(iii) of ANSI
Z21.47-2016 should refer to Figure 5 in the test procedure, rather than
Figure 4.
c. ANSI/ASHRAE 103
DOE's test procedure for gas-fired condensing commercial warm air
furnaces references sections 7.2.2.4, 7.8, 9.2, 11.3.7.1 and 11.3.7.2
of ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 103-2007. 10 CFR 431.76. DOE did not identify
any substantive changes in the sections currently referenced by the DOE
test procedure in the update from ANSI/ASHRAE 103-2007 to ANSI/ASHRAE
103-2017, but DOE seeks further comment on this issue.
Issue 7: DOE seeks comment as to whether any of the differences
between sections 7.2.2.4, 7.8, 9.2, 11.3.7.1 and 11.3.7.2 of ANSI/
ASHRAE 103-2007 and ANSI/ASHRAE 103-2017 are relevant to the DOE test
procedure, and if so, how such differences would impact the
representativeness of measurements and the associated impact on test
burden of the DOE commercial warm air furnaces test procedure, if
adopted.
d. HI BTS-2000
DOE's test procedure for oil-fired commercial warm air furnaces
references sections of HI BTS-2000 that are relevant to the fuel oil
analysis and calculating percent flue loss (i.e., sections 8.2.2,
11.1.4, 11.1.5, and 11.1.6.2). 10 CFR 431.76(c)(2) and (e)(2), DOE
identified two substantive changes in the sections referenced by the
DOE test procedure in the update from HI BTS-2000 to AHRI 1500-2015
regarding fuel oil analysis and calculation of flue loss. These updates
are discussed in detail in the following paragraphs. In addition to the
updates DOE has identified, DOE seeks comment on whether any other
differences between BTS-2000 and AHRI 1500-2015 would impact the
sections referenced by DOE,
[[Page 26631]]
and if DOE should adopt those updates and why.
Issue 8: DOE seeks comment regarding whether any of the differences
between sections 8.2.2, 11.1.4, 11.1.5, and 11.1.6.2 of HI BTS-2000 and
AHRI 1500-2015 are relevant to the DOE test procedure, and if so, how
such differences would impact the representativeness of measurements
and the associated test burden of the DOE commercial warm air furnaces
test procedure, if adopted.
Fuel Oil Analysis Requirements
DOE's test procedure for oil-fired commercial warm air furnaces
includes fuel oil analysis requirements (10 CFR 431.76(c)(2)) which
reference section 8.2.2 of BTS-2000. Section C3.2.1.1 of ANSI/AHRI
1500-2015 (previously section 8.2.2 of BTS-2000) specifies different
fuel oil analysis requirements (i.e., heating value analyzed per ASTM
D240-09 \11\ or ASTM D4809-09a,\12\ hydrogen and carbon content
analyzed per ASTM D5291-10,\13\ and density and American Petroleum
Institute (API) gravity[thinsp]analyzed per ASTM D396-14a \14\) than
are required in section 8.2.2 of BTS-2000 (i.e., heat value, hydrogen
and carbon content, density and API gravity analyzed per ASTM D396-90
\15\).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\11\ ASTM D240-09, ``Standard Test Method for Heat of Combustion
of Liquid Hydrocarbon Fuels by Bomb Calorimeter'' (ASTM D240-09).
\12\ ASTM D4809-09a, ``Standard Test Method For Heat Of
Combustion Of Liquid Hydrocarbon Fuels By Bomb Calorimeter
(Precision Method)'' (ASTM D4809-09a).
\13\ ASTM D5291-10, ``Standard Test Methods for Instrumental
Determination of Carbon, Hydrogen, and Nitrogen in Petroleum
Products and Lubricants'' (ASTM D5291-10).
\14\ ASTM D396-14a, ``Standard Specification for Fuel Oils''
(ASTM D396-14a).
\15\ ASTM D396-90, ``Standard Specification for Fuel Oils''
(ASTM D396-90).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Issue 9: DOE seeks comment on the fuel oil analysis requirements in
AHRI 1500-2015 and BTS-2000. Specifically, DOE seeks comment regarding
whether the differences between the two would yield different results
during testing and the merits of potentially adopting the fuel oil
analysis requirement of AHRI 1500-2015.
Issue 10: DOE seeks comment on whether adopting AHRI 1500-2015
would add or reduce burden to the current testing requirements of the
DOE commercial warm air furnaces test procedure.
Calculation of CO2 in Flue Gas Losses
Section 11.1.4 of BTS-2000 requires that the CO2 value
used in the calculation of the dry flue gas loss for oil must be the
measured CO2. In addition, the DOE test procedure in 10 CFR
431.76(d) requires that CO2 must be measured. Section C7.2.4
of AHRI 1500 (previously Section 11.1.4 in BTS-2000) includes the
option to calculate CO2 using the measured O2
value instead of directly measuring the CO2 value.
Issue 11: DOE seeks comment on whether the option to calculate
CO2 in AHRI 1500-2015 yields different testing results
compared to using the measured value, as required by the current DOE
test method for commercial warm air furnaces.
Issue 12: DOE also seeks comment on whether it should adopt
provisions within AHRI 1500-2015 that allow for measuring O2
and calculating CO2 therefrom (instead of measuring
CO2) with respect to the flue loss calculation, as well as
the rationale.
2. Thermal Efficiency
As previously stated, the energy efficiency metric for commercial
warm air furnaces is thermal efficiency. Thermal efficiency for a
commercial warm air furnace is defined and calculated as 100 percent
minus the percent flue loss determined using the test procedures
described in 10 CFR 431.76. 10 CFR 431.72. A test method and
calculations for determining the jacket loss percentage (i.e., the
hourly heat loss through the jacket divided by the hourly input and
multiplied by 100) are included in section 2.39 of ANSI Z21.47-2012
(and the corresponding section 5.40 of ANSI Z21.47-2016), but the
jacket loss percentage is not included in the equation used to
calculate thermal efficiency.\16\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\16\ Although the jacket loss is not used in the calculation of
thermal efficiency, section 2.39 of ANSI Z21.47-2012 and section
5.40 of ANSI Z21.47-2016 require a maximum jacket loss of 1.5
percent for any furnace not covered by ``Federal Energy Acts''
(i.e., not regulated by DOE). Therefore, the 1.5 percent jacket loss
requirement is not included as part of the DOE test procedure.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Issue 13: DOE seeks comment on whether jacket loss should be
accounted for in the calculation of thermal efficiency. Specifically,
DOE seeks information and data on whether and to what extent inclusion
of jacket loss would provide results that would more appropriately
reflect energy efficiency during a representative average use cycle.
DOE also requests information and data as to the test burden that would
be associated with potential inclusion of jacket loss as part of the
DOE commercial warm air furnaces test procedure.
3. Input Rate Tolerance
DOE's test procedure for gas-fired commercial warm air furnaces
references the test method in ANSI Z21.47, which requires that the test
be conducted at normal inlet pressure and at 100 percent of normal
input rate (i.e., the maximum hourly Btu input rating specified by the
manufacturer). 10 CFR 431.76(c)(1). DOE notes that no tolerance is
provided on the input rate, so when taken literally, this provision
could be interpreted to require that the firing rate be exactly 100
percent of the nominal input rate. DOE further notes that other types
of fossil-fuel-fired equipment such as commercial packaged boilers,
commercial water heaters, residential water heaters, residential
furnaces, and residential boilers require the input rate during testing
to be within 2 percent of the nameplate input rate. DOE
seeks comment on whether a tolerance on input rate is necessary for
gas-fired commercial warm air furnaces, and if so, what tolerance would
be appropriate.
Issue 14: DOE seeks comment on whether industry uses a tolerance
when testing to ANSI Z21.47, and if so, what tolerance is used. DOE
requests comment on whether a tolerance should be specified for the
input rate during testing of gas-fired commercial warm air furnaces,
and if so, what tolerance would be appropriate.
4. Flue Temperature Measurement in Models With Multiple Vent Hoods
Section 2.16 of ANSI Z21.47-2012 and section 5.16 of ANSI Z21.47-
2016 both state that the flue gas temperatures shall be measured in the
vent pipe using nine individual thermocouples placed in specific
locations. DOE notes that neither DOE's test procedure nor the ANSI
Z21.47 test procedure specifies how to perform the flue temperature
measurement if a unit has multiple vent hoods. DOE is aware of models
on the market with two vent hoods through which combustion exhaust
gases exit.
Issue 15: DOE seeks comment on how testing of commercial warm air
furnaces with more than one vent hood are currently tested and whether
it should consider adding provisions in the DOE test procedures to
address measuring the flue gas temperature of a unit with multiple vent
hoods. If so, DOE seeks comment on how best to measure flue gas
temperature in such units.
5. Flue Temperature Measurement in Models With Vent Space Limitations
Section 2.16 of ANSI Z21.47-2012 and section 5.16 of ANSI Z21.47-
2016 both state that the flue gas temperatures shall be measured in the
vent pipe using nine individual thermocouples placed in specific
locations; however, these sections do not provide guidance on
[[Page 26632]]
how to measure the flue gas temperature if the vent size constrains the
space where the thermocouples are to be placed. Specifically, a vent
may be so small (if, for example, a unit has multiple vents) that it is
not practical to place all nine thermocouples as instructed in sections
2.16 and 5.16 of ANSI Z21.47-2012 and ANSI Z21.47-2016 respectively.
During testing of one unit, DOE found that placing more than four
thermocouples in a particularly small vent hood was not practical due
to space limitations.
Issue 16: DOE seeks comment on how testing of commercial warm air
furnaces with vent size constraints are currently tested and whether it
should consider adding provisions in the DOE test procedures to address
measuring the flue gas temperature when space limitations preclude the
use of nine thermocouples. If so, DOE seeks comment on how best to
measure flue gas temperature in such units.
6. Electrical Consumption
Currently, the DOE test procedure for commercial warm air furnaces
does not include any measurement of electrical consumption in its
determination of the efficiency of commercial warm air furnaces,
including electrical consumption of blowers/fans, controls, or other
auxiliary electrical consumption. To the extent that commercial warm
air furnaces are typically part of a single package that also includes
air conditioning equipment, and the test method and metric for
commercial air-conditioning equipment (i.e., integrated energy
efficiency ratio (IEER)) accounts for the electrical consumption of the
blower, the blower consumption has not been included in the commercial
furnaces test method. However, any auxiliary electrical consumption
associated only with the furnace operation when heating is not
accounted for in any metric. DOE seeks comment on whether including the
electrical consumption of a commercial warm air furnace (i.e., the
blower and/or auxiliary electrical energy use due to, for example,
controls or an inducer fan) as part of DOE's efficiency metric would be
appropriate.
Issue 17: DOE seeks comment on whether DOE should consider
including the electrical consumption of commercial warm air furnaces in
the commercial warm air furnace efficiency metric or test procedure,
including the merits and burdens of such approach. If so, DOE seeks
comment on which components' electrical consumption would be
appropriate to include, noting that the electrical consumption of the
commercial warm air furnace blower is typically factored into other
commercial equipment efficiency metrics and test procedures.
C. 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 procedures
for commercial warm air furnaces. As noted, DOE recently issued an RFI
to seek more information on whether its test procedures are reasonably
designed, as required by EPCA, to produce results that measure the
energy use or efficiency of a product during a representative average
use cycle or period of use. 84 FR 9721 (March 18, 2019). DOE seeks
comment on this issue as it specifically pertains to the test procedure
for the commercial warm air furnaces that are the subject of this
current RFI.
As noted above, DOE also requests comments on whether potential
amendments based on the issues discussed would result in a test
procedure that is unduly burdensome to conduct, particularly in light
of any new products on the market since the last test procedure update.
If commenters believe that any such potential amendments, if adopted,
would result in a procedure that is, in fact, unduly burdensome to
conduct, DOE seeks information on whether an existing private sector-
developed test procedure would be more appropriate or other avenues for
reducing the identified burdens while advancing improvements to the
commercial warm air furnaces test procedure. DOE also requests comment
on the benefits and burdens of adopting, without modification, any
industry/voluntary consensus-based or other appropriate test procedure.
Additionally, DOE requests comment on whether the existing test
procedures limit a manufacturer's ability to provide additional
features to purchasers of commercial warm air furnaces. DOE
particularly seeks information on how the test procedures could be
amended to reduce the cost of new or additional features and make it
more likely that such features are included on commercial warm air
furnaces, while still meeting the requirements of EPCA.
DOE also requests comments on the impact of any potential
amendments to the existing test procedures on manufacturers, including
small businesses.
Finally, DOE recently published an RFI on the emerging smart
technology appliance and equipment market. 83 FR 46886 (Sept. 17,
2018). In that RFI, DOE sought information to better understand market
trends and issues in the emerging market for appliances and commercial
equipment that incorporate smart technology. DOE's intent in issuing
the RFI was to ensure that DOE did not inadvertently impede such
innovation in fulfilling its statutory obligations in setting
efficiency standards for covered products and equipment. DOE seeks
comments, data, and information on the issues presented in the RFI as
they may be applicable to the commercial warm air furnaces that are the
subject of this RFI.
III. Submission of Comments
DOE invites all interested parties to submit in writing by June 4,
2020, comments and information on matters addressed in this document
and on other matters relevant to DOE's consideration of amended test
procedures for commercial warm air furnaces. These comments and
information will aid in the development of a test procedure NOPR for
commercial warm air furnaces, if DOE determines that amended test
procedures may be appropriate for this equipment. After the close of
the comment period, DOE will review the public comments received and
may begin collecting data and conducting the analyses discussed in this
RFI.
Submitting comments via https://www.regulations.gov. The https://www.regulations.gov web page requires you to provide your name and
contact information. 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
[[Page 26633]]
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/courier, or postal
mail. Comments and documents submitted via email, hand delivery/
courier, or postal 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 in a cover letter. Include your first and last names, email
address, telephone number, and optional mailing address. The cover
letter will not be publicly viewable as long as it does not include any
comments.
Include contact information each time you submit comments, data,
documents, and other information to DOE. If you submit via postal mail
or hand delivery/courier, please provide all items on a CD, if
feasible, in which case it is not necessary to submit printed copies.
No telefacsimiles (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. Pursuant 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/courier 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.
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 this process.
Interactions with and between members of the public provide a balanced
discussion of the issues and assist DOE in the process. Anyone who
wishes to be added to the DOE mailing list to receive future notices
and information about this process should contact Appliance and
Equipment Standards Program staff at (202) 287-1445 or via email at
[email protected].
Signing Authority
This document of the Department of Energy was signed on February
21, 2020, by Alexander N. Fitzsimmons, Deputy Assistant Secretary for
Energy Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, pursuant to
delegated authority from the Secretary of Energy. That document with
the original signature and date is maintained by DOE. For
administrative purposes only, and in compliance with requirements of
the Office of the Federal Register, the undersigned DOE Federal
Register Liaison Officer has been authorized to sign and submit the
document in electronic format for publication, as an official document
of the Department of Energy. This administrative process in no way
alters the legal effect of this document upon publication in the
Federal Register.
Signed in Washington, DC, on April 22, 2020.
Treena V. Garrett,
Federal Register Liaison Officer, U.S. Department of Energy.
[FR Doc. 2020-08853 Filed 5-4-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P