Energy Conservation Program: Notification of Petition for Waiver of GE Appliances, a Haier Company From the Department of Energy Miscellaneous Refrigeration Products Test Procedure and Notification of Denial of Interim Waiver, 35766-35773 [2021-14349]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 127 (Wednesday, July 7, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35766-35773]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-14349]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

[Case Number 2021-004; EERE-2021-BT-WAV-0009]


Energy Conservation Program: Notification of Petition for Waiver 
of GE Appliances, a Haier Company From the Department of Energy 
Miscellaneous Refrigeration Products Test Procedure and Notification of 
Denial of Interim Waiver

AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of 
Energy.

ACTION: Notification of petition for waiver and denial of an interim 
waiver; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This notification announces receipt of and publishes a 
petition for waiver and interim waiver from GE Appliances, a Haier 
Company, which seeks a waiver for a specified miscellaneous 
refrigeration product basic model from the U.S. Department of Energy 
(``DOE'') test procedure used for determining the energy consumption of 
these products. This notice also announces that DOE is declining to 
grant the request for an interim waiver from the test procedure for the 
reasons described in this notification. DOE solicits comments, data, 
and information concerning the petition and its suggested alternate 
test procedure so as to inform DOE's final decision on the waiver 
request.

DATES: Written comments and information are requested and will be 
accepted on or before August 6, 2021.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are encouraged to submit comments using 
the Federal eRulemaking Portal at www.regulations.gov. Alternatively, 
interested persons may submit comments, identified by docket number 
EERE-2021-BT-WAV-0009, by any of the following methods:
    1. Federal eRulemaking Portal: www.regulations.gov. Follow the 
instructions for submitting comments.
    2. Email: To [email protected]. Include docket number 
EERE-2021-BT-WAV-0009 in the subject line of the message.
    No telefacsimiles (``faxes'') will be accepted. For detailed 
instructions on submitting comments and additional information on this 
process, see the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this document.
    Although DOE has routinely accepted public comment submissions 
through a variety of mechanisms, including postal mail and hand 
delivery/courier, the Department has found it necessary to make 
temporary modifications to the comment submission process in light of 
the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. DOE is currently suspending receipt of 
public comments via postal mail and hand delivery/courier. If a 
commenter finds that this change poses an undue hardship, please 
contact Appliance Standards Program staff at (202) 586-1445 to discuss 
the need for alternative arrangements. Once the COVID-19 pandemic 
health emergency is resolved, DOE anticipates resuming all of its 
regular options for public comment submission, including postal mail 
and hand delivery/courier.
    Docket: The docket, which includes Federal Register notices, 
comments, and other supporting documents/materials, is available for 
review at www.regulations.gov. All documents in the docket are listed 
in the 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 www.regulations.gov/docket/EERE-2021-BT-WAV-0009. The docket web page contains instruction on how 
to access all documents, including public comments, in the docket. See 
the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for information on how to submit 
comments through www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 
    Ms. Lucy deButts, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy 
Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building Technologies Office, Mailstop 
EE-5B, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585-0121. Email: 
[email protected].
    Mr. Michael Kido, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the General 
Counsel, Mail Stop GC-33, Forrestal Building, 1000 Independence Avenue 
SW, Washington, DC 20585-0103. Telephone: (202) 586-8145. Email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DOE is publishing GEA's petition for waiver 
in its entirety, pursuant to 10 CFR 430.27(b)(1)(iv).\1\ DOE invites 
all interested parties to submit in writing by August 6, 2021, comments 
and information on all aspects of the petition, including the alternate 
test procedure. Pursuant to 10 CFR 430.27(d), any person submitting 
written comments to DOE must also send a copy of such comments to the 
petitioner. The contact information for the petitioner is:
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    \1\ The petition did not identify any of the information 
contained therein as confidential business information.
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    Bill A. Brown, GE Appliances, A Haier Company, Appliance Park--AP5-
1S-86, Louisville, KY 40225. Email: [email protected].
    Submitting comments via www.regulations.gov. The 
www.regulations.gov web page will require 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. If this instruction is followed, persons

[[Page 35767]]

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 www.regulations.gov information for which 
disclosure is restricted by statute, such as trade secrets and 
commercial or financial information (hereinafter referred to as 
Confidential Business Information (``CBI'')). Comments submitted 
through 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 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 www.regulations.gov 
provides after you have successfully uploaded your comment.
    Submitting comments via email. Comments and documents submitted via 
email also will be posted to www.regulations.gov. If you do not want 
your personal contact information to be publicly viewable, do not 
include it in your comment or any accompanying documents. Instead, 
provide your contact information on a cover letter. Include your first 
and last names, email address, telephone number, and optional mailing 
address. The cover letter will not be publicly viewable as long as it 
does not include any comments.
    Include contact information each time you submit comments, data, 
documents, and other information to DOE. Faxes will not be accepted.
    Comments, data, and other information submitted to DOE 
electronically should be provided in PDF (preferred), Microsoft Word or 
Excel, WordPerfect, or text (ASCII) file format. Provide documents that 
are not secured, written in English and free of any defects or viruses. 
Documents should not contain special characters or any form of 
encryption and, if possible, they should carry the electronic signature 
of the author.
    Campaign form letters. Please submit campaign form letters by the 
originating organization in batches of between 50 to 500 form letters 
per PDF or as one form letter with a list of supporters' names compiled 
into one or more PDFs. This reduces comment processing and posting 
time.
    Confidential Business Information. According to 10 CFR 1004.11, any 
person submitting information that he or she believes to be 
confidential and exempt by law from public disclosure should submit via 
email 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. 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).

I. Background and Authority

    The Energy Policy and Conservation Act, as amended (``EPCA''),\2\ 
authorizes the U.S. Department of Energy (``DOE'') to regulate the 
energy efficiency of a number of consumer products and certain 
industrial equipment. (42 U.S.C. 6291-6317) Title III, Part B \3\ of 
EPCA, Public Law 94-163 (42 U.S.C. 6291-6309, as codified), established 
the Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products Other Than 
Automobiles, which, in addition to identifying particular types of 
consumer products and commercial equipment as covered under the 
statute, permits the Secretary of Energy to classify additional types 
of consumer products as covered products. (42 U.S.C. 6292(a)(20)) DOE 
added miscellaneous refrigeration products (``MREFs'') as covered 
products through a final determination of coverage published in the 
Federal Register on July 18, 2016 (the ``July 2016 Final Rule''). 81 FR 
46768 (July 18, 2016). Id.
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    \2\ All references to EPCA in this document refer to the statute 
as amended through the Energy Act of 2020, Public Law 116-260 (Dec. 
27, 2020).
    \3\ For editorial reasons, upon codification in the U.S. Code, 
Part B was redesignated as Part A.
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    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 include definitions (42 U.S.C. 6291), test 
procedures (42 U.S.C. 6293), labeling provisions (42 U.S.C. 6294), 
energy conservation standards (42 U.S.C. 6295), and the authority to 
require information and reports from manufacturers (42 U.S.C. 6296).
    The Federal testing requirements consist of test procedures that 
manufacturers of covered products must use as the basis for: (1) 
Certifying to DOE that their products comply with the applicable energy 
conservation standards adopted pursuant to EPCA (42 U.S.C. 6295(s)), 
and (2) making representations about the efficiency of that product (42 
U.S.C. 6293(c)). Similarly, DOE must use these test procedures to 
determine whether the covered product complies with relevant standards 
promulgated under EPCA. (42 U.S.C. 6295(s))
    Under 42 U.S.C. 6293, EPCA sets forth the criteria and procedures 
DOE is required to follow when prescribing or amending test procedures 
for covered products. EPCA requires that any test procedures prescribed 
or amended under this section must be reasonably designed to produce 
test results which reflect the energy efficiency, energy use or 
estimated annual operating cost of a covered product during a 
representative average use cycle or period of use and requires that 
test procedures not be unduly burdensome to conduct. (42 U.S.C. 
6293(b)(3))
    MREFs are consumer refrigeration products other than refrigerators, 
refrigerator-freezers, or freezers. These products include coolers and 
combination cooler refrigeration products. 10 CFR 430.2. A ``cooler'' 
is a cabinet, used with one or more doors, that has a source of 
refrigeration capable of operating on single-phase, alternating current 
and is capable of maintaining compartment temperatures either: (1) No 
lower than 39 [deg]F (3.9 [deg]C); or (2) in a range that extends no 
lower than 37 [deg]F (2.8 [deg]C) but at least as high as 60 [deg]F 
(15.6 [deg]C) as determined according to the applicable DOE test 
procedure. The test procedure for MREFs is contained in the Code of 
Federal Regulations (``CFR'') at 10 CFR part 430, appendix A to subpart 
B of part 430--Uniform Test Method for Measuring the Energy Consumption 
of Refrigerators, Refrigerator-Freezers, and Miscellaneous 
Refrigeration Products (``Appendix A'').
    Under 10 CFR 430.27, any interested person may submit a petition 
for waiver from DOE's test procedure requirements. DOE will grant a 
waiver from the test procedure requirements if DOE determines either 
that the basic model for which the waiver was requested contains a 
design characteristic that prevents testing of the basic model 
according to the prescribed test procedures, or that the prescribed 
test procedures evaluate the basic model

[[Page 35768]]

in a manner so unrepresentative of its true energy consumption 
characteristics as to provide materially inaccurate comparative data. 
10 CFR 430.27(f)(2). A petitioner must include in its petition any 
alternate test procedures known to the petitioner to evaluate the 
performance of the product type in a manner representative of the 
energy consumption characteristics of the basic model. 10 CFR 
430.27(b)(1)(iii). DOE may grant the waiver subject to conditions, 
including adherence to alternate test procedures. 10 CFR 430.27(f)(2).
    As soon as practicable after the granting of any waiver, DOE will 
publish in the Federal Register a notice of proposed rulemaking to 
amend its regulations so as to eliminate any need for the continuation 
of such waiver. 10 CFR 430.27(l) As soon thereafter as practicable, DOE 
will publish in the Federal Register a final rule to that effect. Id.
    The waiver process also provides that DOE may grant an interim 
waiver if it appears likely that the underlying petition for waiver 
will be granted and/or if DOE determines that it would be desirable for 
public policy reasons to grant immediate relief pending a determination 
on the underlying petition for waiver. 10 CFR 430.27(e)(2). Within one 
year of issuance of an interim waiver, DOE will either: (i) Publish in 
the Federal Register a determination on the petition for waiver; or 
(ii) publish in the Federal Register a new or amended test procedure 
that addresses the issues presented in the waiver. 10 CFR 430.27(h)(2).
    If DOE ultimately denies the petition for waiver DOE will provide a 
period of 180 days before the manufacturer is required to use the DOE 
test procedure to make representations of energy efficiency. 10 CFR 
430.27(i). When DOE amends the test procedure to address the issues 
presented in a waiver, the waiver will automatically terminate on the 
date on which use of that test procedure is required to demonstrate 
compliance. 10 CFR 430.27(h)(3).

II. GEA's Petition for Waiver and Interim Waiver

    On April 9, 2021, DOE received \4\ from GE Appliances, a Haier 
Company (``GEA'') a petition for waiver and interim waiver from the 
test procedure for MREFs set forth at appendix A to subpart B of 10 CFR 
part 430. (GEA, No. 1 at p. 1) \5\ Pursuant to 10 CFR 430.27(e)(i), DOE 
posted the petition on the DOE website at: www.regulations.gov/document/EERE-2021-BT-WAV-0009-0001.\6\
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    \4\ A petition submitted under 10 CFR 430.27 is considered 
``received'' on the date it is received by DOE through DOE's 
established email box for receipt of waiver petitions or, if 
delivered by mail, on the date the waiver petition is stamped as 
received by the DOE. 10 CFR 430.27(e)(1)(iii).
    \5\ A notation in this form provides a reference for information 
that is in the docket for this test procedure waiver (Docket No. 
EERE-2021-BT-WAV-0009) (available at www.regulations.gov/docket/EERE-2021-BT-WAV-0009). This notation indicates that the statement 
preceding the reference is document number 1 in the docket and 
appears at page 1 of that document.
    \6\ The petition did not identify any of the information 
contained therein as confidential business information.
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    The specific basic model for which the petition applies is ``S-IHG-
R'', which was provided by GEA in its April 9, 2021 petition and is 
described by GEA as an ``In-Home Grower''--a product with lighting, 
temperature, humidity, and nutrient water control which allows the user 
to grow plants within their home year-round. GEA stated that the 
average compartment temperatures of the In-Home Grower exceed the 55 
[deg]F standardized temperature required for testing under the existing 
DOE test procedure (see section 3 of Appendix A) and, therefore, the 
product cannot be tested using the existing test procedure. GEA also 
noted characteristics of this basic model that GEA stated would prevent 
the use of certain test setup, stabilization, temperature control, and 
energy use determination requirements in Appendix A. (GEA, No. 1 at pp. 
3-4)
    In its April 9, 2021 petition, GEA submitted to DOE an alternate 
test procedure to determine the energy consumption of its In-Home 
Grower. (GEA, No. 1 at p. 6) GEA stated that its alternate test 
procedure would allow for the measurement of the energy use of this 
product where the requirements of the current DOE test procedure cannot 
be met. DOE received a follow-up correspondence from GEA on April 26, 
2021, which provided a revised alternate test procedure.\7\ DOE 
reviewed the alternate test procedure included in the April 26, 2021 
correspondence as the requested alternate test approach when making the 
initial determinations discussed in this document. GEA also provided 
additional correspondence on June 2, 2021, in which it clarified 
certain aspects of the proposed alternate test procedure included in 
the April 26, 2021 submission.\8\
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    \7\ This document can be found in the docket for this test 
procedure waiver under Document No. 002.
    \8\ This document can be found in the docket for this test 
procedure waiver under Document No. 003.
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    GEA also requests an interim waiver from the existing DOE test 
procedure. DOE must review the petition for interim waiver within 45 
business days of receipt of the petition. 10 CFR 430.27(e)(1)(ii). If 
DOE does not notify the applicant of the disposition of the petition 
for interim waiver, in writing, within 45 business days of receipt of 
the petition, the interim waiver is granted utilizing the alternate 
test procedure requested in the petition.\9\ Id. DOE will grant an 
interim waiver if it appears likely that the petition for waiver will 
be granted, and/or if DOE determines that it would be desirable for 
public policy reasons to grant immediate relief pending a determination 
of the petition for waiver. 10 CFR 430.27(e)(2).
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    \9\ The June 2, 2021 submission specified the energy use 
intended to be measured under the alternate test procedure suggested 
by GEA, thereby providing the information necessary for DOE to 
evaluate the representativeness of the suggested procedure. DOE 
considers June 2, 2021 to be the date on which GEA completed its 
submission to DOE, and DOE calculated the 45-day period as beginning 
on June 2, 2021.
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    Based on GEA's description of the In-Home Grower, DOE has 
determined that the basic model meets the definition of a cooler in 10 
CFR 430.2 for the following reasons:
    1. The product consists of a cabinet used with one or more glass 
doors, as specified by GEA;
    2. The product maintains compartment temperatures no lower than 39 
[deg]F, as determined when tested in a 90 [deg]F ambient temperature, 
as GEA specified that the compartment temperatures measured 79.90 
[deg]F and 79.97 [deg]F under these conditions at the minimum 
temperature setting.
    The definition for cooler at 10 CFR 430.2 does not reference a 
specific design intent (such as storage of food or beverages) and does 
not require that the product be capable of maintaining a compartment 
temperature of 55 [deg]F when tested in a 90 [deg]F ambient 
temperature.
    DOE understands, based upon GEA's petition, that absent an interim 
waiver, GEA's In-Home Grower cannot be tested and rated for energy 
consumption according to the MREF test procedure on a basis 
representative of its true energy consumption characteristics. However, 
as discussed in section III, DOE has tentatively determined that GEA's 
proposed alternative test procedure (as revised on April 26, 2021) 
would not result in a measurement of the energy use of this basic model 
that is representative of an average use cycle or period of use. 
Therefore, DOE has determined that GEA's waiver petition is unlikely to 
be granted as submitted and that it is not desirable for public policy 
reasons to grant GEA with the immediate relief it seeks. As a result,

[[Page 35769]]

DOE is declining to grant an GEA an interim waiver for the subject 
basic model and is seeking additional information on the underlying 
basis for GEA's suggested alternative test procedure for the purpose of 
making a final determination on the underlying petition for waiver.
    The following two sections discuss specific aspects of GEA's 
petition for waiver and interim waiver.

A. Requirements Sought To Be Waived

    GEA requested to waive the current test procedure, calculations, 
and accompanying conditions for testing coolers as specified in section 
6.2.2 of Appendix A. The primary assertion of the petition is that the 
basic model for which the waiver was requested contains a design 
characteristic that prevents testing of the basic model according to 
the prescribed DOE MREF test procedure. GEA states that the In-Home 
Grower, when tested at its coldest setting in a 90 [deg]F ambient 
temperature, cannot achieve the 55 [deg]F standardized temperature 
required for the DOE MREF test procedure (see section 3 of Appendix A). 
GEA stated that its testing in a 90 [deg]F ambient condition resulted 
in compartment temperatures of 79.90 [deg]F and 79.97 [deg]F.
    The DOE test procedure at Appendix A simulates typical room 
conditions (72 [deg]F) with door openings, by testing at 90 [deg]F 
without door openings. 10 CFR 430.23(ff)(7). The test procedure 
directly measures the energy consumed during steady-state operation and 
defrosts, if applicable. Additionally, the DOE test procedure 
incorporates usage adjustment factors to account for differences in 
these user-related thermal loads for different types of consumer 
refrigeration products (i.e., MREFs are typically used less frequently 
than a primary refrigerator-freezer in a household and thus have an 
adjustment factor of 0.55). See Appendix A, section 5.2.1.1.
    GEA states that there is no need to elevate the ambient temperature 
for the test to account for door openings and loads because the In-Home 
Grower has a very low number of door openings and, after the initial 
loading with plants, will typically not have additional loads 
introduced.
    As stated, the existing test procedure for MREFs contains a method 
for addressing certain types of products for which less frequent door 
openings occur. Specifically, the test procedure applies an adjustment 
factor to account for the relatively fewer expected door openings. See 
Appendix A, section 5.2.1.1. The adjustment factor does not address the 
potential inability of an MREF to maintain a 55 [deg]F compartment 
temperature at a 90 [deg]F ambient condition.
    GEA seeks to waive the requirement for testing the In-Home Grower 
at a 90 [deg]F ambient condition. See Appendix A section 2.1.1. GEA 
instead requests to test the In-Home Grower in a 72 [deg]F ambient 
condition, which it asserts better represents typical use of the 
product. GEA further stated that testing at a 72 [deg]F ambient with 
the product temperature set to 60 [deg]F (the minimum temperature set 
point) yielded compartment temperatures between 59.15 and 61.41 [deg]F. 
As the In-home Grower is not capable of maintaining the 55 [deg]F 
standardized compartment temperature specified in Appendix A, GEA also 
seeks to waive the requirement in section 6.2.2 of Appendix A that 
performance be calculated at a standardized compartment temperature of 
55 [deg]F. Instead, GEA requests that the model be tested in the 72 
[deg]F ambient condition using default settings.
    Additionally, GEA seeks to waive the existing DOE test procedure 
requirement to measure the internal compartment temperatures of the 
unit under test. See Appendix A, section 5.1. GEA claims that the 
rotation of the compartments significantly increases the test burden of 
temperature measurements, as the thermocouple wires would require a 
customized testing setup to avoid tangling of the wires and movement of 
the temperature masses. Under GEA's requested approach, compartment 
temperature measurements would not be necessary because no 
interpolation would be made to reflect performance at the standardized 
55 [deg]F compartment temperature because the In-Home Grower cannot 
achieve a 55 [deg]F compartment temperature at its lowest temperature 
setting.
    GEA also seeks to waive the stabilization and test period 
requirements specified in sections 2.9 and 4 of Appendix A, 
respectively. Specifically, GEA requests an 8-hour stabilization period 
(the duration of each rotation) and 24-hour test period (the duration 
of one full rotation) based on the rotation of the internal 
compartments rather than based on compressor cycling as specified in 
Appendix A.

B. Requested Alternate Test Procedure

    GEA seeks to use an alternate test procedure to test and rate a 
specific MREF basic model. GEA's requested alternate test procedure 
addresses the test procedure requirements to be waived as discussed in 
the previous section of this document. GEA's requested approach also 
includes additional test instructions regarding isolating refrigeration 
system energy use and additional setup and settings instructions.
    GEA requests that two tests be conducted, one with the model 
operating as normal and another with the refrigeration system disabled 
to allow for identifying the cooling system's energy contribution. In 
its April 26, 2021 submission, GEA stated that the main purpose of the 
cooling system is to counteract the heat from the lighting and that the 
proposed revised test procedure would be used to determine the energy 
consumption of the cooling system only. In the June 2, 2021 
correspondence, GEA further asserted that the existing MREF test 
procedure does not anticipate or account for any product that has a 
purpose other than chilling the contents below ambient temperature, so 
there was no need for the existing test procedure to account for 
products that have significant other functions and that consume energy 
to provide those functions. GEA claimed that the In-Home Grower is 
distinctly different from all other MREFs in that its intended purpose 
(growing plants), its primary function (providing light and appropriate 
water and humidity), and the purpose for its sealed system (removing 
heat generated by those process, generally to ambient temperature) are 
all distinct from all other MREFs (chilling items placed in the cabinet 
to below ambient temperature). GEA stated that the revised proposed 
alternate test procedure accounts for these differences while honoring 
the intent of the existing test procedure (as it applies to all other 
MREFs) to measure the energy used by the refrigeration system.
    GEA further claimed that the exclusion of energy other than that 
used by the refrigeration system is consistent with section 2.2 of the 
Appendix A (which incorporates by reference portions of AHAM HRF-1-
2008). GEA stated that under this provision, product features not 
required for normal operation of the refrigeration system are to be set 
to their lowest energy setting during testing, and that this is what 
allows, for instance, refrigerators with large-format touchscreen 
computers integrated into the product to be tested with those computers 
(and their large screens) turned off. GEA asserted that similar logic 
applies to testing only the refrigeration portion of the In-Home 
Grower.
    Because the In-Home Grower supplies water and nutrients to plants 
during

[[Page 35770]]

normal operation, GEA's suggested alternate test procedure also 
provides instructions for filling nutrient tanks with water prior to 
the start of the test. As requested, water at the proposed ambient 
temperature would be supplied to the nutrient tanks.
    The proposed alternate test approach also provides instructions for 
product settings, as the suggested test procedure would not be based on 
the product maintaining compartment temperature to the 55 [deg]F 
standardized compartment temperature specified in Appendix A. 
Specifically, GEA requests that the In-Home Grower be controlled via 
use of an application on a connected device and that the product be 
operated using default settings.
    In summary, GEA's suggested alternate test procedure provides a 
method for measuring the test cycle energy of the vapor compression 
system only, as follows; \10\
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    \10\ The summary of the proposed alternate test procedure 
printed in this section is consistent with that included in GEA's 
April 26, 2021 message to DOE. The original proposed alternate test 
procedure is appended to this notice, along with GEA's original 
April 9, 2021 petition.
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    (1) two tests, one with the basic model operating as normal and one 
with the basic model operating with the refrigeration system disabled, 
and a calculation of daily energy consumption of the vapor compression 
refrigeration system based on the difference between these two tests;
    (2) directions for filling the nutrient water tanks with water at 
ambient temperature;
    (3) a specific stabilization period of 8 hours (in place of the 
requirements of section 2.9 of Appendix A);
    (4) a specific test period of 24 hours (in place of the test period 
described in section 4.1 of Appendix A);
    (5) an alternative ambient test condition of 72 [deg]F (in place of 
the requirement in section 2.1.1 of Appendix A);
    (6) that no compartment temperature measurements be taken during 
the test (in place of the requirements in section 5.1 of Appendix A); 
and
    (7) that the product be controlled using an application from a 
connected device and operated using default settings. (GEA, No. 2 at p. 
6)

III. Denial of Interim Waiver and Request for Comments

    DOE has reviewed GEA's petition for an interim waiver and the 
alternate test procedure requested by GEA. Based on this review, DOE is 
denying GEA's April 26, 2021 petition for an interim waiver, which 
incorporates elements from GEA's April 9, 2021 submission. In its April 
9, 2021 submission, GEA stated that its petition for waiver is likely 
to be granted, as the suggested alternate test procedure accurately 
measures the energy consumed by the subject basic model based on its 
design and intended use, which GEA stated is consistent with the goals 
of the DOE appliance standards program and the test procedure 
requirements this application seeks to waive.
    DOE has tentatively determined that the requested alternate test 
procedure would not result in measured energy use of the basic model 
that is representative of actual energy used during representative 
average use. Specifically, DOE has determined that the requested test 
approach to isolate the refrigeration system energy consumption does 
not provide a representative measurement of energy use for this basic 
model during an average use cycle or period of use. Therefore, DOE is 
denying GEA's petition for an interim waiver.
    As discussed, GEA stated that the In-Home Grower's primary function 
is to provide light and appropriate water and humidity for plant 
growing, and that the purpose of its sealed system is to remove heat 
generated by those process. (GEA, No. 3 at p. 1) However, the requested 
alternate test procedure would determine the energy consumption of only 
the cooling function of the product without accounting for the energy 
consumption of the primary function of the product. During average use, 
the energy consumed by the subject basic model would include the 
refrigeration system energy use plus the energy consumed by any other 
components active during normal operation (e.g., lighting, fans, 
controls, etc.).
    In contrast to GEA's assertion, DOE's test procedure is not 
intended to measure only the cooling function of consumer refrigeration 
products. The test procedure measures the electrical energy consumption 
of the overall product, including any components not included in the 
refrigeration system. For example, DOE stated in an April 21, 2014 
final rule that the DOE test procedures for refrigeration products 
measure the energy use of these products during extended time periods 
that include periods when the compressor and other key components are 
cycled off and that the energy use of these products during the 
compressor off cycle is included in the measurements. 79 FR 22320, 
22345 (April 21, 2014).
    As stated by GEA, Appendix A, by referencing AHAM HRF-1-2008 
section 5.5.2(g), provides instructions for test settings. GEA stated 
that its proposed test approach to exclude energy other than that used 
by the refrigeration system is consistent with the AHAM HRF-1-2008 
requirements. However, section 5.5.2(g) of AHAM HRF-1-2008 specifies 
that customer accessible features not required for normal operation, 
which are electrically-powered, manually-initiated, and manually-
terminated, shall be set at their lowest energy usage positions when 
adjustment is provided. This provision does not isolate refrigeration 
system energy use, but rather limits (or excludes) energy consumption 
of customer accessible features not required for normal operation of 
the refrigeration product. What is considered ``normal operation'' is 
not defined in HRF-1-2008 or in Appendix A. In the case of the GEA In-
Home Grower, GEA stated that the model's intended purpose is growing 
plants, its primary function is providing light and appropriate water 
and humidity, and the purpose for its sealed system is to remove heat 
generated by those process, generally to ambient temperature. (GEA, No. 
3 at p. 1) Therefore, DOE has tentatively determined that ``normal 
operation'' for this basic model includes functions beyond operation of 
the refrigeration system, and that testing should account for the 
energy consumed by such functions.
    Because GEA's proposed alternate test procedure would not account 
for lighting energy use (a primary function of the basic model), or the 
energy use of other components required for normal operation (e.g., the 
motor rotating the internal tower and product controls), DOE has 
tentatively determined that the requested alternate test procedure 
would not provide a representative measure of energy use of the In-Home 
Grower during an average use cycle or period of use. Therefore, DOE is 
denying GEA's petition for an interim waiver.
    While DOE declines to approve the use of GEA's suggested alternate 
test procedure in an interim waiver at this time, DOE may consider 
including this alternate procedure, or a modified version of this 
alternate procedure, in a subsequent Decision and Order. DOE solicits 
comments from interested parties on all aspects of the petition, 
including the suggested alternate test procedure and calculation 
methodology.

Signing Authority

    This document of the Department of Energy was signed on June 29, 
2021, by Kelly Speakes-Backman, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary 
and Acting Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency

[[Page 35771]]

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 June 30, 2021.
Treena V. Garrett,
Federal Register Liaison Officer, U.S. Department of Energy.

Appendix 1--Petition for Waiver & Application for Interim Waiver 
Regarding Test Procedure for Measuring the Energy Consumption of 
Refrigerators, Refrigerator-Freezers, and Miscellaneous Refrigeration 
Products

    GE Appliances, a Haier company (GEA) respectfully submits this 
Petition for Waiver and Application for Interim Waiver from the 
Department of Energy (DOE) test procedure for Miscellaneous 
Refrigeration Products in 10 CFR 430 Subpart B, Appendix A. GEA's 
request is for a new product that allows users to grow plants within 
their home the entire year. The product is designed to be used in am 
[sic] indoor, temperature-controlled environment with room 
temperatures from 60 [deg]F to 80 [deg]F. The appliance provides the 
lighting, temperature and humidity control, and nutrient water to 
grow an array of plants. The average compartment temperatures of the 
appliance exceed the 55 [deg]F standardized temperature for the 
existing DOE miscellaneous refrigeration products test procedures. 
The product, therefore, cannot be tested using the existing test 
procedure.

1. About GE Appliances

    GEA is a leading US manufacturer of home appliances. GEA offers 
a full suite of major appliances across seven brands as well as 
portable appliances. GEA has been a participant in and contributor 
to the DOE's home appliance energy conservation program since its 
founding more than 40 years ago. Indeed, GEA supports the goal of 
the appliance efficiency program: Maximizing energy savings 
improvements that offer consumers real economic benefits and that do 
not diminish product performance. GEA devotes substantial resources 
to the development of new technologies to increase energy efficiency 
where they are feasible and engineering products to meet the 
demanding DOE energy efficiency requirements. GEA manufactures a 
substantial portion of its refrigerator products at its 
manufacturing facilities in Louisville, KY, Decatur, AL, and Selmer, 
TN. The products covered by this waiver request will be manufactured 
in the United States.

2. Basic Models for Which a Waiver Is Requested

    This Petition for Waiver and Application for Interim Waiver 
covers the ``In-Home Grower''. There is no existing Product Class 
for this type of appliance. The Basic Model is S-IHG-R. The basic 
model will be distributed in commerce under the brand name 
``Profile''.
    The In-Home Grower allows the user to grow plants within their 
home year-round. The appliance provides the lighting, temperature 
and humidity control and nutrient water needed to grow an array of 
plants. The product is designed to be in a controlled environment 
with room temperature from 60 to 80 [deg]F.
    The appliance has a circular grow tower that is in the center of 
the product. The tower is divided into three equal-sized vertical 
sections, each comprising \1/3\rd of a circular cross section (see 
Figure 1 below).\11\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ Product images provided with petition may be found at 
Docket No. EERE-2021-BT-WAV-0009 at www.regulations.gov/docket/EERE-2021-BT-WAV-0009.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On each of the three sides of the tower are gardens. In addition 
to the three sections of the tower, there are three chambers within 
the product cabinet. The dividers of the three chambers meet up with 
the walls of the three cabinet sections to create three distinct and 
individually controlled compartments within the product. There are 
seals on the center tower walls to ensure that the environment in 
each chamber remains separate. This tower rotates every eight hours. 
Each time the tower rotates, a section of the tower enters a new 
chamber.
    The front chamber is called the display chamber. This is the 
side of the garden the customer will see through the front glass 
doors. In the display chamber, there is no grow lighting, 
temperature controls, or humidity controls.
    The back right and back left chambers are individually 
controlled for grow lighting, temperature, and humidity.

3. Design Characteristic Constituting Grounds for the Petition

    a. The appliance, at its coldest setting in a 90 [deg]F ambient, 
cannot achieve the 55 [deg]F reference temperature necessary for the 
DOE MREF test procedure. The procedure therefore cannot be used for 
this appliance.
    b. There is no need to test at an elevated ambient to account 
for door openings and loading as is the case with the current DOE 
miscellaneous refrigeration products test procedures. This is true 
for the following reasons.
    i. The basic model listed operates at an ambient between 60 
[deg]F and 80 [deg]F.
    ii. Once loaded with plants, there are a minimal amount of door 
openings as the product is intended to grow the plants until they 
are grown and ready for use.
    iii. Since the internal temperatures are closer to the ambient 
temperature, any door openings that did occur would only result in 
minimal heat addition to the interior.
    iv. The chambers that have the temperature and humidity control 
are not accessible by the door and are sealed to prevent any air 
exchange with the front display chamber.
    v. The appliance has rotating compartments which make taking 
internal temperature measurements burdensome if not impossible. 
Thermocouple wires for refrigeration tests run from inside the unit 
under test to a panel box affixed to a wall. The internal 
compartments of the In-Home Grower rotate during operation. Unique 
fixtures and test setup would be required in order to avoid tangling 
of the wires, movement of the thermocouple, or pulling the wires out 
of the panel box.
    c. At the product's coldest setting in a 90 [deg]F ambient, the 
internal compartment temperature does not reach the reference 
temperature of 55 [deg]F for a miscellaneous refrigeration product. 
Per Table 1 in 10 CFR 430 Subpart B, Appendix A, 3.2.1.3, ``No 
Energy Use Rating can be established under the existing test 
procedure''. Therefore, interpolation to 55 [deg]F is not possible, 
and the existing DOE interpolation method cannot be used to 
establish a test result.

4. Requirements Sought To Be Waived

    GEA seeks to replace the current test procedure in Appendix A 
for Coolers, 6.2.2, with the accompanying test conditions specified 
in Exhibit A, below, for the In-Home Grower appliance.
    Instead of a 90 [deg]F ambient, GEA has specified a 70 [deg]F 
ambient for the testing. This is representative of customer usage as 
the product is designed to be placed in an indoor, conditioned space 
with an ambient between 60 and 80 [deg]F. Also, as stated above, 
there is no need to elevate the ambient for the test to account for 
door openings and loads as the appliance has a very low number of 
door openings and, after the initial loading with plants, will 
typically not have additional loads introduced.
    The proposed test procedure does not have temperature 
measurements. Based on internal testing in a 90 F environment, the 
internal temperatures of the two controlled compartment [sic], at 
its coldest setting were 79.90 [deg]F and 79.97 [deg]F, well above 
the 55 [deg]F reference temperature of the DOE MREF test procedure. 
Also, the rotation of the compartments significantly increases the 
test burden of temperature measurements as the thermocouple wires 
would have to have a setup to avoid tangling of the wires and 
movement of the temperature masses.
    This appliance has no defrosting capabilities and can be tested 
similarly to a non-automatic defrost. In order to capture a complete 
cycling of the growing chambers, GEA is proposing a test that has an 
8-hour stabilization period followed by a 24-hour test period. The 
growing chambers rotate 120[deg] every 8 hours. This comprises one 
rotation for stability and three rotations for the test period.

5. Manufacturers of All Other Basic Models With Similar Design 
Characteristics

    To GEA's knowledge, there are no products of this type in the 
marketplace.

[[Page 35772]]

6. The Application for Interim Waiver Should Be Granted

a. The Petition for Waiver Will Likely be Successful

    This Petition for Waiver is likely to be granted as the proposed 
alternative test procedure accurately measures the energy consumed 
by this novel product based on its design and intended use, all of 
which is consistent with the goals of the DOE appliance standards 
program and the test procedure requirements this application seeks 
to waive.

b. Failure To Provide an Interim Waiver Will Cause Economic 
Hardship and Competitive Disadvantage

    If DOE does not promptly grant an interim waiver, GEA will 
likely be unable to test and certify this model within a 
commercially reasonable time. Such delay will prevent GEA from 
offering the product in a manner most likely to lead to its 
commercial success and will prevent or delay GEA from expanding its 
US manufacturing workforce.

7. Notice to Other Manufacturers

    Pursuant to 10 CFR 430.27(c), upon publication of a grant of 
interim waiver, GEA will notify in writing all known manufacturers 
of domestically marketed basic models of the same product class (as 
specified in 10 CFR 430.32) and of other product classes known to 
the petitioner to use the technology or have the characteristic at 
issue in the waiver. The notice will include a statement that DOE 
has published the interim waiver and petition for waiver in the 
Federal Register and the date the petition for waiver was published. 
The notice will also include a statement that DOE will receive and 
consider timely written comments on the petition for waiver. Within 
five working days of publication of the grant of interim waiver, GEA 
will file with DOE a statement certifying the names and addresses of 
each person to whom a notice of the petition for waiver was sent.

8. Conclusion

    GEA respectfully requests that DOE grant this Petition for 
Waiver and Application for Interim Waiver from the current test 
procedure for the specified basic models.

Very truly yours,

Signed by: /s/Bill A. Brown, P.E.

[Date: April 8, 2021]

Attachments:
Exhibit A--Alternate Test Procedure

Exhibit A: Alternate Test Procedure for In-Home Grower Miscellaneous 
Refrigeration Product

    Energy Consumption is Determined by the Formula: E = EP * 1440/T 
where:

 E is the test cycle energy (kWh/day)
 1440 = number of minutes in a day
 EP is the energy expended during three full rotations of 
the growing chambers (kWh)
 T is the length of time for EP (minutes)

    Water in Tanks: Fill nutrient tanks with water (70.0  5.0 [deg]F) prior to start of the stabilization period.
    Stabilization: The test shall start after a minimum 8 hours 
stabilization run for each temperature control setting. This 
constitutes one rotation of the growing chambers.
    Ambient Temperature: Measure and record the ambient temperature 
at points located 3 feet (91.5 cm) above the floor and 10 inches 
(25.4 cm) from the center of the two sides of the unit under test. 
The ambient temperature shall be 70.0  1 [deg]F (21.1 
 0.6 [deg]C) during the stabilization period and the 
test period.
    Temperature Measurements: No compartment temperature 
measurements are taken during the test.
    Test Procedure: Run the test using the SmartHQ App

1. Download the SmartHQ app on a connected device
2. Select ``Connect Appliance'' and then ``In Home Grower''
3. Follow the procedures per the SmartHQ app to set up the 
appliance.
4. Fill the nutrient tanks with 70.0  5.0 [deg]F water.
5. Select ``Let's Start Planting'' from the main screen.
6. Select Garden 1 from the ``Select Garden'' screen
a. Select the ``Default'' growing region.
b. Select ``Next'' at the bottom of the screen
7. At the screen titled ``What do you want to plant in Garden x?'', 
select ``Choose Later''
8. Repeat this process for Garden 2 and Garden 3.
9. Select ``Start the Growing Cycle''
10. The first rotation (8 hours) is the stabilization period.
11. The next three rotations (24 hours) is the period where EP and T 
data are taken.

Appendix 2--April 26, 2021: Response to DOE Questions for GEA Petition 
for Waiver

    GE Appliances, a Haier company (GEA) respectfully submits the 
below answers to the DOE's questions contined [sic] in your email of 
April 16, 2021. Additionally, GEA has modified the proposed test 
procedure to address the comments and questions raised by DOE and to 
account for only the sealed system energy use, which is consistent 
with the provisions of 10 CFR 430.23 (ff) and 10 CFR 430 Subpart B, 
Appendix A. The revised procedure is found in Exhibit A of this 
document, which is submitted as a substitution for Exhibit A in the 
initial submission.

1. Model Description

    a. What is the cooling system employed (i.e., vapor compression, 
thermoelectric, evaporative, or something else)?
    GEA Response: Vapor compression.
    b. Is there a way the rotation function can be disabled via 
user-accessible settings/controls?
    GEA Response: No.
    c. Does the unit connect using peer-to-peer wireless technology 
(e.g., WiFi Direct or Bluetooth) or does it require a LAN?
    GEA Response: WiFi. The product connects to a router in the 
user's home.

2. Test Method

    a. Is the 70 [deg]F ambient condition most representative of 
actual use? DOE's cooler test procedure is intended to simulate 
typical room conditions (72 [deg]F (22.2 [deg]C)) with door 
openings, by testing at 90 [deg]F (32.2 [deg]C) without door 
openings. 430.23(ff)(7). Recommend a 72 [deg]F test condition for 
consistency with the intent of DOE's test procedure.
    GEA Response: Testing at a 72 [deg]F ambient is acceptable. A 
revised test procedure making this change is included in Exhibit A.
    b. Can the model maintain 55 [deg]F compartment temperature when 
operated in a 72 [deg]F ambient condition?
    GEA Response: No. There are temperature sensors in the two 
compartments that maintain the user-selected set points. The product 
allows the user to select between 60 [deg]F and 80 [deg]F for the 
compartment temperatures. Temperatures below 60 [deg]F are not 
conducive for growing plants. GEA's testing at a 72 [deg]F ambient 
with the product temperature set to 60 [deg]F yielded compartment 
temperatures between 59.15 and 61.41 [deg]F.
    c. If the rotation is disabled, can thermocouples be placed 
inside the refrigerated space while it operates, and would the 
refrigerated compartments achieve temperatures lower than during 
operation with the rotation active?
    GEA Response: Disabling rotation is not an intended operation of 
the unit and is not an available option to the user. Disabling 
rotation of the unit is not capable of being implemented by a test 
lab without physical modification of the unit. Temperatures in the 
compartments will stabilize at the user-selected set point 
regardless whether the chambers are rotating, but the unit will use 
less energy than it would if the units are rotating as the front 
chamber is not conditioned.
    Can thermocouples be placed in the corners of the refrigerated 
compartments and avoid any rotating components?
    GEA Response: Thermocouples cannot be placed in the corners of 
the temperature-controlled compartments and avoid rotating 
components. The back corners are not in the controlled space. They 
are used for wire and tubing routing and circuit board placements. 
See the top view picture below. The grow tower comes very close to 
the circular liners, similar to the operation of a revolving door. 
There is not enough of a gap to allow TCs to be placed and not cause 
an interference.

[Product Image Included]

    d. Is the SmartHQ app the only method of controlling the unit? 
Are there any digital controls on the unit itself?
    GEA Response: There are limited controls on the unit (see 
attached picture). The In-Home Grower will not function without 
being connected to Wifi.

[Control Panel Image Included]

     The ``Rotate'' buttons on the User Interface (UI) allow 
the user to rotate the tower 120 degrees either clockwise or 
counterclockwise.
     ``Control Lock'' prevents the buttons on the UI from 
being used.
     ``WiFi Connect'' is used for connecting the unit to the 
user's wireless network.
    Are control settings available (either on the unit or through 
the SmartHQ app) to adjust operating temperature, lighting, and 
humidity?
    GEA Response: There are two modes the user can operate the unit:

[[Page 35773]]

    Mode 1: The user can select a growing region (based on the types 
of seeds they want to plant). In this mode, lighting, temperature, 
and humidity settings are controlled by the product. The user cannot 
modify any settings. They can only change the growing region.
    Mode 2: The user can select ``Advanced Mode''. In this mode, the 
user has full control over the all settings within limited ranges 
set by the product (e.g., temperature can only be selected within 
the 60 [deg]F to 80 [deg]F range). The user can choose to turn 
lighting completely off. In both modes, the settings can be 
specified for each of the three gardens (each garden can have its 
own settings).
    e. Does the lighting contribute to a significant thermal load 
for the cooling system to counteract?
    GEA Response: Yes. The main purpose of the cooling system is to 
counteract the heat from the lighting.
    Do any additional control settings needed to be specified for 
testing (e.g., lighting, humidity controls)?
    GEA Response. The proposed, revised test procedure is used to 
determine the energy consumption of the cooling portion of the 
product. There are two portions to the test: One with lighting and 
cooling active, and the second with the lighting active and cooling 
disabled. This allows for a direct measurement of the cooling 
system's energy contribution.
    f. Is the intent for the test be conducted using a single test 
at the lowest control temperature setting? Exhibit A refers to 
``each temperature control setting'' in the stabilization section.
    GEA Response: The proposed test procedure has been modified to 
state that the test is only at one control setting, the default 
setting of the product. The original language was extraneous as the 
test is run using only one control setting.
    If conducting multiple temperature setting tests, how would the 
interpolation to 55F occur with no compartment temperature 
measurements?
    GEA Response. The energy result from the test will be derived 
from two tests at the default setting, as described previously. 
Interpolation to 55 [deg]F is not possible with this product as it 
does not achieve temperatures below 55 [deg]F at its coldest 
setting.

Very truly yours,

Signed by: /s/Bill A. Brown, P.E.

[Date: April 26, 2021]

Technical Director
GE Appliances, a Haier company

Attachments: Exhibit A--Revised Alternate Test Procedure

Exhibit A (Revised 4/26/2021)

Alternate Test Procedure for In-Home Grower Miscellaneous Refrigeration 
Product

    Energy Consumption is Determined by the Formula: E = E1--E2.

 E is the test cycle energy of the vapor compression system 
(kWh/day)
 E1 is the test cycle energy of the appliance with the 
lights and vapor compression system active (kWh/day)
    [cir] E1 = (1440 * EP1)/T1
    [cir] 1440 = number of minutes in a day
    [cir] EP1 is the energy expended during three full rotations of 
the growing chambers (kWh) with the lights and vapor compression 
system active.
    [cir] T1 is the length of time for the EP1 measurement (minutes)
     E2 is the test cycle energy of the appliance with the 
lights active and vapor compression system inactive (kWh/day)
    [cir] E2 = (1440 * EP2)/T2
    [cir] 1440 = number of minutes in a day
    [cir] EP2 is the energy expended during three full rotations of 
the growing chambers (kWh) with the lights active and the vapor 
compression system inactive.
    [cir] T2 is the length of time for the EP2 measurement (minutes)

    Water in Tanks: Fill nutrient tanks with water (72.0  5.0 [deg]F) prior to start of the stabilization period.
    Stabilization: The test shall start after a minimum 8 hours 
stabilization run for the default setting of the appliance. This 
constitutes one rotation of the growing chambers.
    Ambient Temperature: Measure and record the ambient temperature 
at points located 3 feet (91.5 cm) above the floor and 10 inches 
(25.4 cm) from the center of the two sides of the unit under test. 
The ambient temperature shall be 72.0  1 [deg]F (22.2 
 0.6 [deg]C) during the stabilization period and the 
test period.
    Temperature Measurements: No compartment temperature 
measurements are taken during the test.
    Test Procedure: Run the test using the SmartHQ App
1. Download the SmartHQ app on a connected device
2. Select ``Connect Appliance'' and then ``In Home Grower''
3. Follow the procedures per the SmartHQ app to set up the 
appliance.
4. Fill the nutrient tanks with 72.0  5.0 [deg]F (22.2. 
 2.8 [deg]C) water.
5. Select ``Let's Start Planting'' from the main screen.
6. Select Garden 1 from the ``Select Garden'' screen
    a. Select the ``Default'' growing region.
    b. Select ``Next'' at the bottom of the screen
7. At the screen titled ``What do you want to plant in Garden x?'', 
select ``Choose Later''
8. Repeat this process for Garden 2 and Garden 3.
9. Select ``Start the Growing Cycle''
10. The first rotation (8 hours) is the stabilization period.
11. The next three rotations (24 hours) is the period where EP1 and 
T1 data are taken.
12. Disconnect the compressor harness. Instructions to be provided 
when product is tested by a third-party.
13. The first rotation (8 hours) is the stabilization period
14. The next three rotations (24 hours) is the period where EP2 and 
T2 data are taken.

[FR Doc. 2021-14349 Filed 7-6-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P