Energy Conservation Program: Test Procedures for Residential and Commercial Clothes Washers, 49140-49227 [2021-17018]

Download as PDF 49140 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY 10 CFR Parts 429, 430 and 431 [EERE–2016–BT–TP–0011] RIN 1904–AD95 Energy Conservation Program: Test Procedures for Residential and Commercial Clothes Washers Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of Energy. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking, request for comment, and announcement of webinar. AGENCY: The U.S. Department of Energy (‘‘DOE’’) proposes to amend the test procedures for residential and commercial clothes washers to specify test conditions, instrument specifications, and test settings; address large clothes container capacities; add product-specific enforcement provisions; delete obsolete provisions; and consolidate all test cloth-related provisions and codify additional test cloth material verification procedures used by industry. DOE also proposes to create a new test procedure for residential and commercial clothes washers with additional modifications for certain test conditions, measurement of average cycle time, required test cycles, tested load sizes, semi-automatic clothes washer provisions, new performance metrics, and updated usage factors. The proposed new test procedure would be used for the evaluation and issuance of updated efficiency standards, as well as to determine compliance with the updated standards. As part of this proposal, DOE is announcing a webinar to collect comments and data on this proposal. DOE is seeking comment from interested parties on the proposal. DATES: DOE will accept comments, data, and information regarding this proposal no later than November 1, 2021. See section V, ‘‘Public Participation,’’ for details. DOE will hold a webinar on Tuesday, September 14, 2021, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. See section V, ‘‘Public Participation,’’ for webinar registration information, participant instructions, and information about the capabilities available to webinar participants. ADDRESSES: Interested persons are encouraged to submit comments using the Federal eRulemaking Portal at www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. Alternatively, interested persons may submit comments, by email to the following address: khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 ResClothesWasher2016TP0011@ ee.doe.gov. Include ‘‘Energy Conservation Program: Test Procedures for Residential and Commercial Clothes Washers’’ and docket number EERE– 2016–BT–TP–0011 and/or RIN number 1904–AD95 in the subject line of the message. Submit electronic comments in WordPerfect, Microsoft Word, PDF, or ASCII file format, and avoid the use of special characters or any form of encryption. 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 corona virus 2019 (‘‘COVID–19’’) pandemic. DOE is currently accepting only electronic submissions at this time. 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. No telefacsimilies (‘‘faxes’’) will be accepted. For detailed instructions on submitting comments and additional information on the rulemaking process, see section V of this document. Docket: The docket, which includes Federal Register notices, public meeting attendee lists and transcripts (if a public meeting is held), 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/EERE2016-BT-TP-0011. The docket web page contains instructions on how to access all documents, including public comments, in the docket. See section V for information on how to submit comments through www.regulations.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Bryan Berringer, 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) 586– 0371. Email: PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 ApplianceStandardsQuestions@ ee.doe.gov. Ms. Kathryn McIntosh, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the General Counsel, GC–33, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585–0121. Telephone: (202) 586– 2002. Email: Kathryn.McIntosh@ hq.doe.gov. For further information on how to submit a comment, review other public comments and the docket, or participate in the webinar, contact the Appliance and Equipment Standards Program staff at (202) 287–1445 or by email: ApplianceStandardsQuestions@ ee.doe.gov. DOE proposes to incorporate by reference the following standards into part 430. American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (‘‘AATCC’’) Test Method 79–2010, ‘‘Absorbency of Textiles,’’ Revised 2010. AATCC Test Method 118–2007, ‘‘Oil Repellency: Hydrocarbon Resistance Test,’’ Revised 2007. AATCC Test Method 135–2010, ‘‘Dimensional Changes of Fabrics after Home Laundering,’’ Revised 2010. Copies of AATCC test methods can be obtained from AATC, P.O. Box 12215, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, (919) 549–3526, or by going to www.aatcc.org. International Electrotechnical Commission (‘‘IEC’’) 62301, ‘‘Household electrical appliances—Measurement of standby power,’’ (Edition 2.0, 2011–01). Copies of IEC 62301 are available from the American National Standards Institute, 25 W 43rd Street, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, (212) 642–4900, or by going to webstore.ansi.org. For a further discussion of these standards, see section IV.M of this document. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Table of Contents I. Authority and Background A. Authority B. Background II. Synopsis of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking III. Discussion A. General Comments B. Scope of Coverage C. Testing Conditions and Instrumentation 1. Water Meter Resolution 2. Installation of Single-Inlet Machines 3. Water Supply Temperatures 4. Wash Water Temperature Measurement 5. Pre-Conditioning Requirements D. Cycle Selection and Test Conduct 1. Tested Load Sizes 2. Water Fill Setting Selections for the Proposed Load Sizes 3. Determination of Warm Wash Tested Settings 4. Remaining Moisture Content 5. Cycle Time Measurement E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules 6. Capacity Measurement 7. Anomalous Cycles 8. Semi-Automatic Clothes Washers 9. Optional Cycle Modifiers 10. Clothes Washers With Connected Functionality E. Metrics 1. Replacing Capacity With WeightedAverage Load Size 2. Inverting the Water Metric 3. Annual Energy Use 4. Representation Requirements F. Cleaning Performance G. Consumer Usage Assumptions 1. Annual Number of Wash Cycles 2. Drying Energy Assumptions 3. Low-Power Mode Assumptions 4. Temperature Usage Factors 5. Load Usage Factors 6. Water Heater Assumptions 7. Commercial Clothes Washer Usage H. Clarifications 1. Water Inlet Hose Length 2. Water Fill Selection Availability 3. Water Fill Control Systems 4. Energy Test Cycle Flowcharts 5. Wash Time Setting 6. Annual Operating Cost Calculation 7. Structure of the Proposed New Appendix J 8. Proposed Deletions and Simplifications 9. Typographical Errors I. Test Cloth Provisions 1. Test Cloth Specification 2. Consolidation to Appendix J3 J. Product-Specific RMC Enforcement Provisions K. Test Procedure Costs, Harmonization, and Other Topics 1. Test Procedure Costs and Impact 2. Harmonization With Industry Standards 3. Other Test Procedure Topics L. Compliance Date and Waivers IV. Procedural Issues and Regulatory Review A. Review Under Executive Order 12866 B. Review Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act 1. Description of Reasons Why Action Is Being Considered 2. Objective of, and Legal Basis for, Rule 3. Description and Estimate of Small Entities Regulated 4. Description and Estimate of Compliance Requirements 5. Duplication, Overlap, and Conflict With Other Rules and Regulations 6. Significant Alternatives to the Rule C. Review Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 D. Review Under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 E. Review Under Executive Order 13132 F. Review Under Executive Order 12988 G. Review Under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 H. Review Under the Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 1999 I. Review Under Executive Order 12630 J. Review Under Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 2001 K. Review Under Executive Order 13211 L. Review Under Section 32 of the Federal Energy Administration Act of 1974 M. Description of Materials Incorporated by Reference V. Public Participation VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 A. Participation in the Webinar B. Procedure for Submitting Prepared General Statements for Distribution C. Conduct of the Webinar D. Submission of Comments E. Issues on Which DOE Seeks Comment VI. Approval of the Office of the Secretary I. Authority and Background Consumer (residential) clothes washers (‘‘RCWs’’) are included in the list of ‘‘covered products’’ for which DOE is authorized to establish and amend energy conservation standards and test procedures. (42 U.S.C. 6292(a)(7)) DOE’s energy conservation standards and test procedures for RCWs are currently prescribed at title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (‘‘CFR’’), part 430 section 23(j), and subpart B appendices J1 (‘‘Appendix J1’’) and J2 (‘‘Appendix J2’’). DOE also prescribes a test method for measuring the moisture absorption and retention characteristics of new lots of energy test cloth, which is used in testing clothes washers, at appendix J3 to subpart B (‘‘Appendix J3’’). Commercial clothes washers (‘‘CCWs’’) 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)(H)) The test procedures for CCWs must be the same as those established for RCWs. (42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(8)) The following sections discuss DOE’s authority to establish test procedures for RCWs and CCWs and relevant background information regarding DOE’s consideration of test procedures for these products and equipment. A. Authority The Energy Policy and Conservation Act, as amended (‘‘EPCA’’),1 authorizes DOE to regulate the energy efficiency of a number of consumer products and certain industrial equipment. (42 U.S.C. 6291–6317) Title III, Part B 2 of EPCA established the Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products Other Than Automobiles, which sets forth a variety of provisions designed to improve energy efficiency. These products include RCWs. (42 U.S.C. 6292(a)(7)) Title III, Part C 3 of EPCA, added by Public Law 95–619, Title IV, section 441(a), established the Energy Conservation Program for Certain Industrial Equipment. This equipment includes CCWs. (42 U.S.C. 6311(1)(H)) 1 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). 2 For editorial reasons, upon codification in the U.S. Code, Part B was redesignated Part A. 3 For editorial reasons, upon codification in the U.S. Code, Part C was redesignated Part A–1. PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 49141 Both RCWs and CCWs are the subject of this document. 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. 6291; 42 U.S.C. 6311), test procedures (42 U.S.C. 6293; 42 U.S.C. 6314), labeling provisions (42 U.S.C. 6294; 42 U.S.C. 6315), energy conservation standards (42 U.S.C. 6295; 42 U.S.C. 6313), and the authority to require information and reports from manufacturers (42 U.S.C. 6296; 42 U.S.C. 6316). 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); 42 U.S.C. 6316(a)), and (2) making representations about the efficiency of those consumer products (42 U.S.C. 6293(c); 42 U.S.C. 6314(d)). Similarly, DOE must use these test procedures to determine whether the products and equipment comply with relevant standards promulgated under EPCA. (42 U.S.C. 6295(s); 42 U.S.C. 6316(a)) Federal energy efficiency requirements for covered products and equipment established under EPCA generally supersede State laws and regulations concerning energy conservation testing, labeling, and standards. (42 U.S.C. 6297; 42 U.S.C. 6316(a) and (b)) DOE may, however, grant waivers of Federal preemption for particular State laws or regulations, in accordance with the procedures and other provisions of EPCA. (42 U.S.C. 6297(d); 42 U.S.C. 6316(b)(2)(D)) Under 42 U.S.C. 6293 and 42 U.S.C. 6314, EPCA sets forth the criteria and procedures DOE must follow when prescribing or amending test procedures for covered products and equipment, respectively. EPCA requires that any test procedures prescribed or amended under this section be reasonably designed to produce test results which measure energy efficiency, energy use or estimated annual operating cost of a covered product or equipment during a representative average use cycle or period of use and not be unduly burdensome to conduct. (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(3); 42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(2)) In addition, EPCA requires that DOE amend its test procedures for all covered products to integrate measures of standby mode and off mode energy consumption. (42 U.S.C. 6295(gg)(2)(A)) E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 49142 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 Standby mode and off mode energy consumption must be incorporated into the overall energy efficiency, energy consumption, or other energy descriptor for each covered product unless the current test procedures already account for and incorporate standby and off mode energy consumption or such integration is technically infeasible. If an integrated test procedure is technically infeasible, DOE must prescribe a separate standby mode and off mode energy use test procedure for the covered product, if technically feasible. (42 U.S.C. 6295(gg)(2)(A)(ii)) 4 Any such amendment must consider the most current versions of the IEC Standard 62301 5 and IEC Standard 62087 6 as applicable. (42 U.S.C. 6295(gg)(2)(A)) EPCA also requires that, at least once every 7 years, DOE evaluate test procedures for each type of covered product, including RCWs, to determine whether amended test procedures would more accurately or fully comply with the requirements for the test procedures to not be unduly burdensome to conduct and be reasonably designed to produce test results that reflect energy efficiency, energy use, and estimated operating costs during a representative average use cycle or period of use. (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(1)(A)) If the Secretary determines, on his own behalf or in response to a petition by any interested person, that a test procedure should be prescribed or amended, the Secretary shall promptly publish in the Federal Register proposed test procedures and afford interested persons an opportunity to present oral and written data, views, and arguments with respect to such procedures. (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(2)) The comment period on a proposed rule to amend a test procedure shall be at least 60 days and may not exceed 270 days.7 Id. In prescribing or amending a 4 EPCA does not contain an analogous provision for commercial equipment. 5 IEC 62301, Household electrical appliances— Measurement of standby power (Edition 2.0, 2011– 01). 6 IEC 62087, Methods of measurement for the power consumption of audio, video, and related equipment (Edition 3.0, 2011–04). 7 DOE has historically provided a 75-day comment period for test procedure NOPRs, consistent with the comment period requirement for technical regulations in the North American Free Trade Agreement, U.S.-Canada-Mexico (‘‘NAFTA’’), Dec. 17, 1992, 32 I.L.M. 289 (1993); the North American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act, Public Law 103–182, 107 Stat. 2057 (1993) (codified as amended at 10 U.S.C.A. § 2576) (1993) (‘‘NAFTA Implementation Act’’); and Executive Order 12889, ‘‘Implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement,’’ 58 FR 69681 (Dec. 30, 1993). However, Congress repealed VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 test procedure, the Secretary shall take into account such information as the Secretary determines relevant to such procedure, including technological developments relating to energy use or energy efficiency of the type (or class) of covered products involved. Id. If DOE determines that test procedure revisions are not appropriate, DOE must publish its determination not to amend the test procedures. EPCA requires the test procedures for CCWs to be the same as the test procedures established for RCWs. (42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(8)) As with the test procedures for RCWs, EPCA requires that DOE evaluate, at least once every 7 years, the test procedures for CCWs 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)) DOE is publishing this notice of proposed rulemaking (‘‘NOPR’’) in satisfaction of the 7-year review requirement specified in EPCA. (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(1)(A); 42 U.S.C.6314(a)(1)) B. Background As discussed, DOE’s existing test procedures for clothes washers appear in Appendix J1, Appendix J2, and Appendix J3. DOE originally established its clothes washer test procedure, codified at 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix J (‘‘Appendix J’’),8 in a final rule published Sept. 28, 1977. 42 FR 49802 (‘‘September 1977 Final Rule’’). Since that time, the test procedure has undergone several amendments that are relevant to this rulemaking, summarized as follows and described in additional detail in a request for information the NAFTA Implementation Act and has replaced NAFTA with the Agreement between the United States of America, the United Mexican States, and the United Canadian States (‘‘USMCA’’), Nov. 30, 2018, 134 Stat. 11, thereby rendering E.O. 12889 inoperable. Consequently, since the USMCA is consistent with EPCA’s public comment period requirements and normally requires only a minimum comment period of 60 days for technical regulations, DOE now provides a 60-day public comment period for test procedure NOPRs. 8 In this NOPR, to distinguish different versions of each test method, DOE uses the following nomenclature: Appendix [letter]-[year of amendment]. For example, the original version of Appendix J is referred to as Appendix J–1977. The version as amended by the August 1997 Final Rule is referred to as Appendix J–1997, and so forth. PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 (‘‘RFI’’) that DOE published on May 22, 2020. 85 FR 31065 (‘‘May 2020 RFI’’). DOE amended Appendix J in August 1997 (62 FR 45484 (Aug. 27, 1997); ‘‘August 1997 Final Rule’’) and January 2001 (66 FR 3313 (Jan. 12, 2001); ‘‘January 2001 Final Rule’’). The August 1997 Final Rule also established an Appendix J1. 62 FR 45484. DOE amended Appendix J1 in the January 2001 Final Rule (66 FR 3313) and in March 2012. 77 FR 13887 (Mar. 7, 2012) (‘‘March 2012 Final Rule’’). The March 2012 Final Rule also established a new test procedure at Appendix J2 and removed the obsolete Appendix J–2001. Id.9 DOE most recently amended both Appendix J1 and Appendix J2 in a final rule published on August 5, 2015. 80 FR 46729 (‘‘August 2015 Final Rule’’). The August 2015 Final Rule also moved the test cloth qualification procedures from Appendix J1 and Appendix J2 to the newly created Appendix J3. 80 FR 46729, 46735. The current version of the test procedure at Appendix J2 includes provisions for determining modified energy factor (‘‘MEF’’) and integrated modified energy factor (‘‘IMEF’’) in cubic feet per kilowatt-hour per cycle (‘‘ft3/kWh/cycle’’); and water factor (‘‘WF’’) and integrated water factor (‘‘IWF’’) in gallons per cycle per cubic feet (‘‘gal/cycle/ft3’’). RCWs manufactured on or after January 1, 2018, must meet current energy conservation standards, which are based on IMEF and IWF, determined using Appendix J2. 10 CFR 430.32(g)(4); 10 CFR 430.23(j)(2)(ii) and (4)(ii). CCWs manufactured after January 1, 2018 must meet current energy conservation standards, which are based on MEF and IWF, determined using Appendix J2. 10 CFR 431.154 and 10 CFR 431.156(b). DOE published the May 2020 RFI to initiate an effort to determine whether to amend the current test procedures for clothes washers. 85 FR 31065. DOE requested comment on specific aspects of the current test procedure, including product definitions and configurations, testing conditions and instrumentation, 9 In that rulemaking, DOE also adopted procedures to measure standby mode and off mode energy consumption into the energy efficiency metrics in the then-newly created Appendix J2. Manufacturers were not required to incorporate those changes until the compliance date of an amended standard. 77 FR 13887, 13932. Amended standards were then adopted through a direct final rule that required the use of Appendix J2 for RCWs manufactured on or after the 2015 compliance date. 77 FR 32308, 32313 (May 31, 2012). The newly proposed Appendix J in this NOPR follows a similar approach because manufacturers would not be required to incorporate the amendments proposed in Appendix J until the compliance date of an amended standard. E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules measurement methods, representative usage and efficiency factors, and metric definitions. 85 FR 31065, 31067–31082 (May 22, 2020). In response to stakeholder requests, DOE re-opened the comment period for the May 2020 RFI. 85 FR 38106 (June 25, 2020). On December 16, 2020, DOE established separate product classes for top-loading RCWs with a cycle time of less than 30 minutes and for frontloading RCWs with a cycle time of less than 45 minutes. 85 FR 81359 (‘‘December 2020 Final Rule’’). DOE is re-evaluating the new short-cycle product classes in response to Executive Order 13900, ‘‘Protecting Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science to Tackle the Climate Crisis.’’ 86 FR 7037 (Jan. 25, 2021). In addition, 49143 stakeholders and interested parties filed multiple lawsuits challenging the December 2020 Final Rule, and DOE has received several petitions for reconsideration of the December 2020 Final Rule. DOE received comments in response to the May 2020 RFI from the interested parties listed in Table I.1. TABLE I.1—WRITTEN COMMENTS RECEIVED IN RESPONSE TO MAY 2020 RFI Commenter(s) Reference in this NOPR Appliance Standards Awareness Project, American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, Consumer Federation of America, National Consumer Law Center, Natural Resources Defense Council. Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers ...................................... Electrolux Home Products ....................................................................... GE Appliances ......................................................................................... Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance ..................................................... Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Southern California Edison, San Diego Gas & Electric Company. Samsung Electronics America ................................................................ Underwriters Laboratories ....................................................................... Whirlpool Corporation .............................................................................. Joint Commenters ......................... Efficiency Organizations. AHAM ............................................ Electrolux ....................................... GEA ............................................... NEEA ............................................. California Investor-Owned Utilities (‘‘CA IOUs’’). Samsung ........................................ UL .................................................. Whirlpool ........................................ Trade Association. Manufacturer. Manufacturer. Efficiency Organization. Utilities. A parenthetical reference at the end of a comment quotation or paraphrase provides the location of the item in the public record.10 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 II. Synopsis of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking In this NOPR, DOE proposes to update Appendix J2 as follows: (1) Further specify supply water temperature test conditions and water meter resolution requirements; (2) Add specifications for measuring wash water temperature using submersible data loggers; (3) Expand the load size table to accommodate clothes container capacities up to 8.0 cubic feet (‘‘ft3’’); (4) Define ‘‘user-adjustable automatic water fill control;’’ (5) Specify the applicability of the wash time setting for clothes washers with a range of wash time settings; (6) Specify how the energy test cycle flow charts apply to clothes washers that internally generate hot water; (7) Specify that the energy test cycle flow charts are to be evaluated using the Maximum load size; (8) Specify that testing is to be conducted with any network settings disabled if instructions are available to the user to disable these functions; 10 The parenthetical reference provides a reference for information located in the docket of DOE’s rulemaking to develop test procedures for clothes washers. (Docket No. EERE–2016–BT–TP– 0011, which is maintained at www.regulations.gov/ docket/EERE-2016-BT-TP-0011). The references are arranged as follows: (Commenter name, comment docket ID number, page of that document). VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 (9) Further specify the conditions under which data from a test cycle would be discarded; (10) Add product-specific enforcement provisions to accommodate the potential for test cloth lot-to-lot variation in remaining moisture content (‘‘RMC’’); (11) Delete obsolete definitions, metrics, and the clothes washer-specific waiver section; and (12) Move additional test cloth related specifications to Appendix J3. In this NOPR, DOE is also proposing to update 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix J3, ‘‘Uniform Test Method for Measuring the Moisture Absorption and Retention Characteristics,’’ as follows: (1) Consolidate all test cloth-related provisions, including those proposed to be moved from Appendix J2; (2) Reorganize sections for improved readability; and (3) Codify the test cloth material verification procedure as used by industry. In this NOPR, DOE is also proposing to create a new appendix J to 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, ‘‘Uniform Test Method for Measuring the Energy Consumption of Automatic and SemiAutomatic Clothes Washers,’’ which would be used for the evaluation and issuance of any updated efficiency standards, as well as to determine compliance with the updated standards, should DOE determine that amended standards are warranted based on the PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 Commenter type Manufacturer. Third-Party Test Laboratory. Manufacturer. criteria established by EPCA.11 The proposed new Appendix J would include the following additional provisions beyond those proposed as amendments to Appendix J2: (1) Modify the hot water supply target temperature and clothes washer preconditioning requirements; (2) Modify the Extra-Hot Wash threshold temperature; (3) Add measurement and calculation of average cycle time; (4) Reduce the number of required test cycles by requiring the use of no more than two Warm Wash/Cold Rinse cycles, and no more than two Warm Wash/Warm Rinse cycles; (5) Reduce the number of required test cycles by removing the need for one or more cycles used for measuring RMC; (6) Reduce the number of load sizes from three to two for units with automatic water fill controls; (7) Modify the load size definitions consistent with two, rather than three, load sizes; (8) Update the water fill levels to be used for testing to reflect the modified load size definitions; (9) Specify the installation of singleinlet clothes washers, and simplify the test procedure for semi-automatic clothes washers; (10) Define new performance metrics that are functions of the weightedaverage load size rather than clothes 11 Information regarding the ongoing RCW and CCW energy conservation standards rulemakings can be found at docket numbers EERE–2017–BT– STD–0014 and EERE–2019–BT–STD–0044, respectively. E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 49144 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules container capacity: ‘‘energy efficiency ratio,’’ ‘‘active-mode energy efficiency ratio,’’ and ‘‘water efficiency ratio;’’ (11) Update the number of annual clothes washer cycles from 295 to 234; and (12) Update the number of hours assigned to low-power mode to be based on the clothes washer’s measured cycle time rather than an assumed fixed value. Finally, in this NOPR, DOE is proposing to remove Appendix J1 and to update the relevant sections of 10 CFR parts 429, 430 and 431 in accordance with the edits discussed previously, and to modify the product-specific enforcement provisions regarding the determination of RMC. DOE’s proposed actions are summarized in Table II.1 compared to the current test procedures as well as the reason for the proposed change. TABLE II.1—SUMMARY OF CHANGES IN PROPOSED TEST PROCEDURES RELATIVE TO CURRENT TEST PROCEDURES Current DOE test procedure Specifies a water meter resolution of no larger than 0.1 gallons. Does not specify how to install clothes washers with a single inlet. Specifies a hot water supply temperature of 130– 135 °F. Defines the Extra-Hot Wash threshold as 135 °F ....... Specifies a target water supply temperature at the high end of the water supply temperature range. Specifically allows the use of temperature indicating labels for measuring wash water temperature. Specifies different pre-conditioning requirements for water-heating and non-water-heating clothes washers. Specifies the test load sizes for clothes container capacities up to 6.0 ft3. Requires 3 tested load sizes on clothes washers with automatic water fill control systems. Defines load sizes for each 0.1 ft3 increment in clothes container capacity. Defines water fill levels to use with each tested load sizes on clothes washers with manual water fill control systems. Requires testing up to 3 Warm Wash temperature selections. Specifies that the RMC is to be measured on separate cycle(s) from the energy test cycle. Provides product-specific enforcement provisions to address anomalous RMC results that are not representative of a basic model’s performance. Specifies that the starting weight of the test cloth may be up to 104 percent of bone-dry. Does not specify a measure of cycle time ................. khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 Specifies discarding data from a wash cycle that provides a visual or audio indicator to alert the user that an out-of-balance condition has been detected, or that terminates prematurely if an out-ofbalance condition is detected. Does not explicitly state how to test semi-automatic clothes washers. Does not explicitly address the required configuration for network-connected functionality. Defines metrics that are dependent on capacity (IMEF, MEF, IWF). Estimates the number of annual use cycles for clothes washers as 295, based on the 2005 Residential Energy Consumption Survey (‘‘RECS’’) data. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 PO 00000 Proposed test procedure Attribution Requires a water meter with a resolution no larger than 0.01 gallons if the hot water use is less than 0.1 gallons, in Appendices J and J2. Specifies installing clothes washers with a single inlet to the cold water inlet, in Appendix J. Specifies a hot water supply temperature of 120– 125 °F, in Appendix J. Specifies an Extra-Hot Wash threshold of 140 °F, in Appendix J. Removes the target water temperature specification, in Appendices J and J2. Adds specification for using a submersible temperature logger to measure wash water temperature, in Appendices J and J2. Requires the same pre-conditioning requirements for all clothes washers, in Appendix J. Improve representativeness of test results. Specifies the test load sizes for clothes container capacities up to 8.0 ft3, in Appendices J and J2. Reduces the number of load sizes to test to 2, and specifies new load sizes, in Appendix J. Redefines load sizes for each increment in clothes container capacity, consistent with reduction from 3 to 2 load sizes, in Appendix J. Changes the water fill levels consistent with the updated load sizes, in Appendix J. Requires testing a maximum of 2 Warm Wash temperature selections, in Appendix J. Specifies that the RMC is to be measured on all energy test cycles, in Appendix J. Provides additional product-specific enforcement provisions to accommodate differences in RMC values that may result from DOE using a different test cloth lot than was used by the manufacturer for testing and certifying the basic model, for Appendices J and J2. Requires that the test cloth be bone-dry at the start of every test cycle, in Appendix J. Specifies provisions for measuring cycle time, in Appendix J. Specifies discarding the test data if during a wash cycle the clothes washer signals the user by means of a visual or audio alert that an out-ofbalance condition has been detected or terminates prematurely, in Appendices J and J2. Provides explicit test provisions for testing semiautomatic clothes washers, in Appendix J. Specifies that clothes washers with connected functionality shall be tested with the network-connected functions disabled if such settings can be disabled by the end-user, and the product’s user manual provides instructions on how to do so, in Appendices J and J2. Specifies new metrics that are dependent on the weighted-average load size, in Appendix J. Updates the estimate to 234 cycles per year, based on the latest available 2015 RECS data, in Appendix J. Frm 00006 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM Provide further direction for unaddressed feature. Improve representativeness of test results. Improve representativeness of test results. Reduce test burden. Reduce test burden. Improve reproducibility of test results. Response to waiver. Reduce test burden. Maintain representativeness. Maintain representativeness. Reduce test burden. Reduce test burden, improve representativeness of test results. Accommodate potential source of variation in enforcement testing. Improve reproducibility of test results. Improve representativeness of test results. Response to test laboratory question. Provide further direction for unaddressed feature. Improve reproducibility of test results. Improve representativeness of test results. Update with more recent consumer usage data. 01SEP3 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules 49145 TABLE II.1—SUMMARY OF CHANGES IN PROPOSED TEST PROCEDURES RELATIVE TO CURRENT TEST PROCEDURES— Continued Current DOE test procedure Proposed test procedure Attribution Estimates the number of hours spent in low-power mode as 8,465, based on 295 cycles per year and an assumed 1-hour cycle time. Calculates the number of hours spent in low-power mode for each clothes washer based on 234 cycles per year and measured cycle time, in Appendix J. Specifies using a water inlet hose length of no more than 72 inches, in Appendix J. Provides a definition for ‘‘user-adjustable automatic water fill controls,’’ in Appendix J and for ‘‘wash time,’’ in Appendices J and J2. Changes the wording to specify selecting the setting based on the most, or least, amount of water used, in Appendices J and J2. Improve representativeness of test results. Specifies evaluating the flow charts using the maximum load size for Appendix J2 and the large load size for Appendix J. Explicitly addresses clothes washers that internally generate hot water, in Appendices J and J2. Response to test laboratory question, improve reproducibility of test results. Response to test laboratory question. Clarifies how to test cycles with a range of wash time settings, in Appendices J and J2. Improve readability. Moves all test cloth related provisions to Appendix J3. Codifies additional test cloth verification procedures performed by industry, in Appendix J3. Updates or deletes obsolete provisions, including Appendix J1 in its entirety. Improve readability. Does not specify how to test a clothes washer that does not provide water inlet hoses. Does not provide an explicit definition for ‘‘user-adjustable automatic water fill controls’’ or ‘‘wash time’’. Specifies that user-adjustable automatic clothes washers must be tested with the water fill setting in the most or least energy-intensive setting without defining energy-intensive. Does not specify on which load size to evaluate the energy test cycle flow charts. Does not explicitly address how to evaluate the Cold/ Cold energy test cycle flow chart for clothes washers that internally generate hot water. Does not provide direction for all control panel styles on clothes washers that offer a range of wash time settings. Includes test cloth verification specifications in Appendix J2. Does not include all aspects of test cloth verification procedures performed by industry. Contains obsolete provisions ...................................... khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 DOE has tentatively determined that the proposed amendments to Appendix J2 and Appendix J3 described in section III of this document would not alter the measured efficiency of clothes washers, and that the proposed test procedures would not be unduly burdensome to conduct. DOE has tentatively determined that the proposed amendments in the new Appendix J would alter the measured efficiency of clothes washers, in part because the amended test procedures would adopt a different energy efficiency metric and water efficiency metric than in the current test procedure. Because the proposed new Appendix J would be used for the evaluation and issuance of updated efficiency standards, DOE is proposing that use of new Appendix J, if finalized, would not be required until the compliance date of any updated standards. Discussion of DOE’s proposed actions are addressed in detail in section III of this document. III. Discussion In the following sections, DOE describes the proposed amendments to the test procedures for residential and commercial clothes washers. This NOPR includes issues identified in previous rulemakings and discusses additional issues that DOE has become aware of since the completion of the August 2015 VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 Final Rule. DOE seeks input from the public to assist with its consideration of the proposed amendments presented in this document. In addition, DOE welcomes comments on other relevant issues that may not specifically be identified in this document. A. General Comments DOE received a number of general comments from stakeholders, as summarized below. AHAM commented generally that no test can be considered ‘‘reasonably designed’’ under EPCA if the test is not accurate, repeatable, and reproducible. AHAM stated that test procedures with significant variation do not allow consumers to make informed purchase decisions based on energy use/ efficiency and do not adequately serve the purpose of demonstrating compliance with energy conservation standards. (AHAM, No. 5 at p. 2) AHAM also claimed that as energy conservation standards become more stringent, minimizing variation in test procedure results becomes more important because of the need for manufacturers to conservatively rate their products. AHAM asserted that lack of uniform test results requires manufacturers to rate more conservatively, which effectively makes the standard more stringent in practice. Id. PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 Response to test laboratory question. Improve readability. Response to test laboratory question. Codify industry practice. Improve readability. AHAM commented that the clothes washer test procedure is one of the most burdensome DOE test procedures for consumer appliances. AHAM provided an example that a full-featured clothes washer (one that includes manual and user-adjustable automatic water fill control systems (‘‘WFCS’’), a heater, four warm wash temperatures, warm rinse, and selectable spin speeds) could require more than 70 test cycles per unit under Appendix J2. (AHAM, No. 5 at pp. 4–5) GEA similarly commented that DOE should work to reduce test burden for full-featured clothes washers, stating that requiring 70 individual cycles for a single test of certain clothes washers demonstrates that the clothes washer test procedure has become overly complicated and fails to fulfill the representativeness requirement under the EPCA. (GEA, No. 13 at p. 2) AHAM requested that if DOE implements any changes that will significantly impact measured energy, DOE should require compliance with the revised test procedure on the same date as the next amended energy conservation standards for clothes washers. (AHAM, No. 5 at p. 16) Electrolux, GEA, and Whirlpool support AHAM’s comments to the RFI. (Electrolux, No. 11 at p. 1; GEA, No. 13 at p. 1; Whirlpool, No. 7 at p. 1) GEA incorporates them into its own comments by reference. (GEA, No. 13 at E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 49146 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 p. 1) Whirlpool further supports a reasonable balancing of the DOE test procedure, considering repeatability, reproducibility, representativeness, and testing burden. (Whirlpool, No. 7 at p. 1) As stated, EPCA requires that any test procedures be reasonably designed to produce test results which measure energy efficiency, energy use or estimated annual operating cost of a covered product or equipment during a representative average use cycle or period of use and not be unduly burdensome to conduct. (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(3); 42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(2)) As described in this NOPR, DOE is proposing a number of changes to be implemented in a proposed new Appendix J that DOE has tentatively concluded would significantly reduce test burden while maintaining or improving the representativeness of test results. In addition, both the amendments to Appendix J2 and the proposed new Appendix J are intended to further improve the repeatability and reproducibility of test results, as described in the relevant sections of this document. DOE is proposing to establish a new test procedure at a new Appendix J at 10 CFR part 430 subpart B. Any changes to the test procedure that would impact measured efficiency would be provided in this proposed new Appendix J, which DOE would use for the evaluation and issuance of updated efficiency standards. Therefore, DOE is proposing that use of new Appendix J would not be required until the compliance date of any updated standards that are based on new Appendix J. (42 U.S.C. 6295(gg)(2)(C)). DOE also proposes to state in the introductory text to both Appendix J2 and the proposed new Appendix J that Appendix J2 is required to determine compliance with energy conservation standards until any such amended standards are adopted. B. Scope of Coverage This NOPR covers those consumer products that meet the definition of ‘‘clothes washer,’’ as codified at 10 CFR 430.2. EPCA does not define the term ‘‘clothes washer.’’ DOE has defined a ‘‘clothes washer’’ as a consumer product designed to clean clothes, utilizing a water solution of soap and/or detergent and mechanical agitation or other movement, that must be one of the following classes: Automatic clothes washers, semi-automatic clothes washers, and other clothes washers. 10 CFR 430.2. An ‘‘automatic clothes washer’’ is a class of clothes washer that has a VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 control system that is capable of scheduling a preselected combination of operations, such as regulation of water temperature, regulation of the water fill level, and performance of wash, rinse, drain, and spin functions without the need for user intervention subsequent to the initiation of machine operation. Some models may require user intervention to initiate these different segments of the cycle after the machine has begun operation, but they do not require the user to intervene to regulate the water temperature by adjusting the external water faucet valves. Id. A ‘‘semi-automatic clothes washer’’ is a class of clothes washer that is the same as an automatic clothes washer except that user intervention is required to regulate the water temperature by adjusting the external water faucet valves. Id. ‘‘Other clothes washer’’ means a class of clothes washer that is not an automatic or semi-automatic clothes washer. Id. This NOPR also covers commercial equipment that meets the definition of ‘‘commercial clothes washer.’’ ‘‘Commercial clothes washer’’ is defined as a soft-mount front-loading or softmount top-loading clothes washer that— (A) Has a clothes container compartment that— (i) For horizontal-axis clothes washers, is not more than 3.5 cubic feet; and (ii) For vertical-axis clothes washers, is not more than 4.0 cubic feet; and (B) Is designed for use in— (i) Applications in which the occupants of more than one household will be using the clothes washer, such as multi-family housing common areas and coin laundries; or (ii) Other commercial applications. (42 U.S.C. 6311(21); 10 CFR 431.452) DOE is not proposing any changes to the scope of products and equipment covered by its clothes washer test procedures, or to the relevant definitions. C. Testing Conditions and Instrumentation 1. Water Meter Resolution Section 2.5.5 of Appendix J2 requires the use of water meters (in the hot and cold water lines) with a resolution no larger than 0.1 gallons and a maximum error no greater than 2 percent of the measured flow rate. DOE has observed that some clothes washers use very small amounts of hot water on some temperature selections, on the order of 0.1 gallons or less. 85 FR 31065, 31069. For example, some clothes washers have both Cold and Tap Cold temperature selections, and the Cold selection may PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 use a fraction of a gallon of hot water. 85 FR 31065, 31070. DOE believes that Appendix J2 may not provide the necessary resolution to accurately and precisely measure the hot water usage of such temperature selections. Id. In the May 2020 RFI, DOE requested input on whether to amend section 2.5.5 of Appendix J2 to require that water meters must have a resolution more precise than 0.1 gallons. Id. The Joint Commenters encouraged DOE to require a water meter with greater precision than that of the current specification to ensure that the test procedures are accurately representing energy use. (Joint Commenters, No. 10 at p. 3) AHAM commented that requiring more precise water meters could provide a benefit by increasing the accuracy of the measurements but could also increase the burden due to the cost of obtaining these meters that could become overly burdensome. (AHAM, No. 5 at p. 7) GEA supported moving to a 0.01gallon resolution for water meters. GEA stated that it uses water meters with this resolution and has encountered reproducibility issues when using a water meter with only 0.1-gallon resolution. (GEA, No. 13 at p. 2) Whirlpool commented that requiring a more precise water meter is not justified. Whirlpool estimates that a manufacturer without these meters installed could face a cost of over $100,000 to purchase and install them, and cautioned that the need for a more precise water meter needs to be balanced with the cost burden. (Whirlpool, No. 7 at p. 1) DOE has identified clothes washers on the market that use less than 0.1 gallons of hot water on certain temperature selections or load sizes required for testing. In DOE’s experience with such clothes washers, the maximum load size typically uses more than 0.1 gallons of hot water on each of the available temperature selections (providing indication of which temperature selections use hot water), whereas the average and minimum load sizes may use a quantity less than 0.1 gallons. For these clothes washers, the existing water meter resolution of 0.1 gallons is insufficient to provide an accurate measurement of hot water consumption, i.e., the volume of hot water measured is less than the resolution of the water meter. To improve the representativeness of the water measurement, DOE is proposing a requirement to use a water meter with greater precision for clothes washers that use less than 0.1 gallons of hot water. DOE’s testing suggests that E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 clothes washers that use such low volumes of heated water represent a minority of units on the market. Requiring greater water meter precision for all clothes washers would represent an undue burden for those clothes washer models for which water meters with the currently required level of precision provide representative results. DOE is therefore proposing that the hot water meter must have a resolution no larger than 0.01 gallons only for clothes washers with hot water usage less than 0.1 gallons in any of the individual cycles within the energy test cycle. All other clothes washers may continue to be tested using a water meter with a resolution no larger than 0.1 gallons. As noted by GEA’s comment, some manufacturers may already be using water meters with this greater resolution, and DOE’s experience working with third-party laboratories indicates that at least some third-party laboratories already use water meters with this greater resolution. DOE is proposing to include in section 2.5.5 of both the proposed new Appendix J and Appendix J2 the following specification: ‘‘If the volume of hot water for any individual cycle within the energy test cycle is less than 0.1 gallons (0.4 liters), the hot water meter must have a resolution no larger than 0.01 gallons (0.04 liters).’’ DOE requests comment on its proposal to require a hot water meter resolution no larger than 0.01 gallons for clothes washers that use less than 0.1 gallons in any of the individual cycles within the energy test cycle. DOE requests comment on the extent to which manufacturers and test laboratories already use water meters with this greater resolution. DOE also requests comment on whether proposing this requirement for Appendix J2 would require manufacturers to retest any basic models that have already been certified under the existing water meter resolution requirements. 2. Installation of Single-Inlet Machines Section 2.10 of Appendix J2 provides specifications for installing a clothes washer, referencing both the hot water and cold water inlets. Additionally, section 2.5.5 of Appendix J2 specifies that a water meter must be installed in both the hot and cold water lines. DOE is aware of RCWs on the market that have a single water inlet rather than separate hot and cold water inlets. 85 FR 31065, 31070. DOE has observed two types of single-inlet RCWs: (1) Semiautomatic clothes washers, which are generally intended to be connected to a kitchen or bathroom faucet and which VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 require user intervention to regulate the water temperature by adjusting the external water faucet valves; and (2) automatic clothes washers intended to be connected only to a cold water inlet, and which regulate the water temperature through the use of an internal heating element to generate any hot water used during the cycle. Id. DOE stated in the May 2020 RFI that it understood that a ‘‘Y’’-shaped hose or other similar device may be provided by the manufacturer on some automatic models to allow separate cold and hot water supply lines to be connected to the single inlet on the unit; however, other models may not include such a connector. Id. In the May 2020 RFI, DOE inadvertently attributed the use of a Yshaped hose to automatic single-inlet clothes washers (emphasis added)— rather, DOE intended to describe that semi-automatic single-inlet clothes washers may provide or accommodate the use of a Y-shaped hose, based on its experience with testing semi-automatic clothes washers. For single-inlet semi-automatic clothes washers (i.e., the first example described previously), DOE has observed that these clothes washers are most often designed to be connected to a kitchen or bathroom faucet, with a single hose connecting the faucet to the single inlet on the clothes washer (i.e., both cold and hot water are supplied to the clothes washer through a single hose).12 The user regulates the water temperature externally by adjusting the faucet(s) to provide cold, warm, or hot water temperatures for the wash and rinse portions of the cycle. Section 3.2.3.2 of Appendix J2 provides setup instructions for semiautomatic clothes washers regarding the configuration of both cold and hot water faucets during testing. Specifically, the test procedure specifies that to obtain a hot inlet water temperature, open the hot water faucet completely and close the cold water faucet; for a warm inlet water temperature, open both hot and cold water faucets completely; and for a cold inlet water temperature, close the hot water faucet and open the cold water faucet completely. In the laboratory setup defined by section 2.2 of Appendix J2, the cold and hot water supplies are provided as separate hookups, in contrast to most faucets in residential settings, in which the cold and hot water supply lines combine internally within the faucet into a single output. Thus, the instructions in section 3.2.3.2 of Appendix J2 can be conducted 12 As noted, some models may provide or accommodate a Y-shaped hose to connect the separate cold and hot water faucets or supply lines. PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 49147 only for either a semi-automatic clothes washer with both hot and cold water inlets (of which no such models are currently on the market, according to DOE research), or a single-inlet semiautomatic clothes washer installed with a Y-shaped hose or other similar device that combines the cold and hot water supply lines to connect to the single inlet on the unit (simulating most residential faucets, which combine the cold and hot water supply lines internally, as described). Appendix J2 does not, however, explicitly prescribe the use of a Y-shaped hose. As described in the May 2020 RFI, without the use of a Y-shaped hose, connecting a single-inlet semi-automatic clothes washer to only a single water supply would limit the available water temperature to either 60 degrees Fahrenheit (‘‘°F’’) (provided by the cold water supply) or 135 °F (provided by the hot water supply), based on the supply water specifications currently provided in section 2.2 of Appendix J2. 85 FR 31065, 31070. In effect, only Cold Wash/ Cold Rinse or Hot Wash/Hot Rinse could be tested with a single-hose installation. Id. As noted, Appendix J2 does not provide explicit direction on how to connect a single-inlet semiautomatic clothes washer to enable testing at other wash/rinse temperatures. Id. Therefore, DOE requested information on whether and how consumers using this type of clothes washer adjust their water temperature for the wash and rinse portions of the cycle and requested comments, data, and information on the typical connection and representative average use of single-inlet semiautomatic clothes washers. Additionally, DOE requested information on how manufacturers are currently testing single-inlet semiautomatic clothes washers under Appendix J2. Id. No comments were received regarding installation or testing of single-inlet semi-automatic clothes washers. Based on the previous discussion, DOE maintains that additional direction in the test procedure is warranted for single-inlet semi-automatic clothes washers to produce test results that reflect representative consumer usage of cold, warm, and hot wash/rinse temperatures. DOE considered three potential changes to address the installation of single-inlet semiautomatic clothes washers: (1) Require the use of a Y-shaped hose, which would be used to connect the single inlet of the clothes washer to both the cold and hot water supply connections; (2) connect the single inlet of the clothes washer to a single water supply E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 49148 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules connection with a non-fixed temperature output that can be nominally set to 60 °F (for cold), 97.5 °F (for warm), or 135 °F (for hot), for example; or (3) require connection to only the cold water supply, enabling testing of only the Cold/Cold wash/rinse temperature, and calculate the energy and water performance at other wash/ rinse temperatures formulaically from the Cold/Cold cycle data. As discussed in detail in the following paragraphs, DOE is proposing to adopt option 3 in this NOPR. Regarding option 1, requiring the use of a Y-shaped hose would provide a simple and low-cost approach for testing of cold, warm, and hot wash/ rinse temperatures on single-inlet semiautomatic clothes washers. The Yshaped hose would mimic the functionality provided by most residential faucets, and thus would provide a representative installation setup. However, by connecting the cold and hot lines to each other, differences in water pressure 13 between the two sides can result in unequal and unrepeatable water flow rates through the cold and hot sides. Regarding option 2, (requiring a nonfixed temperature supply line that can be set to the specified cold, warm, or hot temperature), DOE tentatively concludes that such a requirement could present undue test burden on laboratories that do not currently implement variabletemperature supply water controls and instrumentation, given the relatively low number of single-inlet semiautomatic models on the market that would be tested each year. In addition, because temperature sensors are typically calibrated around the target temperature being measured, varying the temperature of the supply line between 60 °F and 120 °F could result in less accurate inlet water temperature measurements. Regarding option 3, (connecting to the cold water inlet only, testing only on the Cold/Cold cycle, and determining performance at other temperatures numerically), as discussed further in section III.D.8.b of this document, energy and water performance at temperatures other than Cold Wash/ Cold Rinse can be calculated numerically using test data from the Cold/Cold cycle because the measured characteristics 14 of a semi-automatic 13 Section 2.3 of Appendix J2 specifies maintaining water pressure of 35 pounds per square inch gauge (‘‘psig’’) ± 2.5 psig on both the cold and hot water supply lines. These tolerances could result in a pressure difference of up to 5 psig between the two lines. 14 Measured characteristics of a semi-automatic clothes washer cycle include total water VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 clothes washer cycle do not depend on the inlet water temperature. Therefore, DOE tentatively concludes that representative test results can be obtained with a minimal number of test cycles using this approach, which DOE proposes to incorporate into the proposed new Appendix J. DOE is proposing in this NOPR to make this change only in the proposed new Appendix J because connecting to only the cold water inlet may differ from how such units are currently being tested by manufacturers and laboratories under Appendix J2. DOE seeks information about implementing this change to Appendix J2 as well, specifically regarding how single-inlet semi-automatic clothes washers are being tested and any potential impact on the measured energy use of these clothes washers on the market. See section III.D.8 of this document for a full discussion of other proposed edits to testing provisions for semiautomatic clothes washers and a list of related issues on which DOE seeks comment. For a single-inlet automatic clothes washer, DOE discussed in the May 2020 RFI the use of a Y-shaped hose to allow both cold and hot water supply lines to be connected to the single inlet on the unit. 85 FR 31065, 31070 (emphasis added). DOE requested comments or information on how single-inlet automatic clothes washers are typically installed by consumers. Id. AHAM commented that it is not aware of a Y-shaped hose connecter being used for typical installation of single-inlet automatic clothes washers. (AHAM, No. 5 at p. 7) As described previously, DOE inadvertently attributed the use of a Yshaped hose to automatic, rather than semi-automatic, single-inlet clothes washers. DOE is not aware of any singleinlet automatic clothes washers that require the use of a Y-shaped hose connector because such clothes washers internally generate any hot water needed for the cycle. Based on a review of models currently certified in DOE’s compliance certification database, DOE is aware of three models of single-inlet automatic clothes washers currently available on the market.15 DOE’s examination of user manuals for each of consumption, electrical energy consumption, cycle time, and bone-dry and cycle complete load weights. See section III.D.8.b of this document for more details. 15 DOE’s certification compliance database is available at www.regulations.doe.gov/certificationdata/CCMS-4-Clothes_Washers.html. DOE identified the following single-inlet automatic models: WFW3090J**, WFW5090J**, WFC8090G**. Analysis conducted in March 2021. PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 these single-inlet automatic clothes washers indicates that the instructions accompanying these products direct that they be connected to the cold water supply. Therefore, DOE is proposing in this NOPR to specify that all single-inlet automatic clothes washers be installed to the cold water supply only. As discussed above, DOE is proposing to include this provision in the proposed new Appendix J only. The proposed edit would specify in section 2.10.1 of the proposed new Appendix J that if the clothes washer has only one water inlet, connect the inlet to the cold water supply in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. DOE requests comment on its proposal to require all single-inlet clothes washers to be installed to the cold water supply only. DOE also requests comment on whether this requirement should be included in only the proposed new Appendix J, or whether, if adopted, it should be included as an amendment to Appendix J2. 3. Water Supply Temperatures a. Hot Water Supply Temperature Section 2.2 of Appendix J2 requires maintaining the hot water supply temperature between 130 °F (54.4 degrees Celsius (‘‘°C’’)) and 135 °F (57.2 °C), using 135 °F as the target temperature. DOE has revised the hot water supply temperature requirements several times throughout the history of the clothes washer test procedures to remain representative of household water temperatures at the time of each analysis. When establishing the original clothes washer test procedure at Appendix J in 1977, DOE specified a hot water supply temperature of 140 °F ± 5 °F for clothes washers equipped with thermostatically controlled inlet water valves. 42 FR 49802, 49808. In the August 1997 Final Rule, DOE specified in Appendix J1 that for clothes washers in which electrical energy consumption or water energy consumption is affected by the inlet water temperatures,16 the hot water supply temperature cannot exceed 135 °F (57.2 °C); and for other clothes washers, the hot water supply temperature is to be maintained at 135 °F ±5 °F (57.2 °C ± 2.8 °C). 62 FR 45484, 45497. DOE maintained these same requirements in the original version of Appendix J2. In the August 2015 Final Rule, DOE adjusted the allowable tolerance of the hot water 16 For example, water-heating clothes washers or clothes washers with thermostatically controlled water valves. E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules supply temperature in section 2.2 of Appendix J2 to between 130 °F (54.4 °C) and 135 °F (57.2 °C) for all clothes washers, but maintained 135 °F as the target temperature. 80 FR 46729, 46734– 46735. DOE analyzed household water temperatures as part of the test procedure final rule for residential and commercial water heaters published July 11, 2014. 79 FR 40541 (‘‘July 2014 Water Heater Final Rule’’). In the July 2014 Water Heater Final Rule, DOE revised the hot water delivery temperature from 135 °F to 125 °F based on an analysis of data showing that the average set point temperature for consumer water heaters in the field is 124.2 °F (51.2 °C), which was rounded to the nearest 5 °F, resulting in a test set point temperature of 125 °F. 79 FR 40541, 40554. Additionally, a 2011 compilation of field data across the United States and southern Ontario by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (‘‘LBNL’’) 17 found a median daily outlet water temperature of 122.7 °F (50.4 °C). Id. Further, DOE noted in the July 2014 Water Heater Final Rule that water heaters are commonly set with temperatures in the range of 120 °F to 125 °F. Id. Additionally, DOE’s consumer dishwasher test procedure, codified at 49149 10 CFR part 430 subpart B, appendix C1 (‘‘Appendix C1’’), specifies a hot water supply temperature of 120 °F ± 2 °F for water-heating dishwashers designed for heating water with a nominal inlet temperature of 120 °F, which includes nearly all consumer dishwashers currently on the U.S. market. Section 2.3.2 of Appendix C1. This water supply temperature is intended to be representative of household hot water temperatures. Table III.1 summarizes the various hot water temperature data considered for the present rulemaking. khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 TABLE III.1—SUMMARY OF FIELD SURVEYS OF WATER HEATER TEMPERATURE Temperature (°F) Source Description May 2011 LBNL Report ............................ July 2014 Water Heater Final Rule .......... July 2014 Water Heater Final Rule .......... Appendix C1 ............................................. Median daily outlet water temperature ........................................................................ Average set point temperature for consumer water heaters in the field ..................... Common water heater setpoints .................................................................................. Dishwasher test procedure supply temperature .......................................................... 122.7 124.2 120–125 120 In the May 2020 RFI, DOE requested comments on whether DOE should consider updating the hot water supply temperature specification for the clothes washer test procedures to be within the range of 120 °F to 125 °F, providing better consistency with DOE’s test procedures for dishwashers and consumer water heaters. 85 FR 31065, 31069. AHAM suggested that product design changes may be required if DOE amends the clothes washer test procedures to harmonize the hot water supply temperature with the dishwasher test procedure. AHAM stated that changing the hot water supply temperature specification would impact measured efficiency, and DOE would thus need to address that change in the accompanying standards rulemaking. (AHAM, No. 5 at p. 6) GEA stated that there is little benefit to consumers by moving the target temperature to 120 °F. If DOE does change the target temperature, GEA is concerned about the change in measured hot water energy usage. (GEA, No. 13 at p. 2) The CA IOUs recommended keeping the target temperature at 135 °F to prevent the growth of Legionella bacteria. The CA IOUs referenced the American Society of Sanitary Engineering (‘‘ASSE’’) Scald Awareness Task Group and Unified Plumbing Code (‘‘UPC’’) recommendations that hot water temperature should be 130–140 °F to eliminate the risk of Legionella growth. (CA IOUs, No. 8 at pp. 14–15) The Joint Commenters stated that DOE should consider changing the target temperature to 120 °F, because 120 °F is the hot water supply temperature for the consumer dishwasher test procedure and is a common water heater set point. (Joint Commenters, No. 10 at p. 3) However, the Joint Commenters also stated that the 135 °F target temperature may be appropriate to maintain as average set points increase in the field due to Legionella concerns. The Joint Commenters encouraged DOE to investigate which hot water supply temperature would be most representative. Id. UL supports specifying the hot water supply temperature to be consistent with hot water heater outlet temperatures, as supported by field data. (UL, No. 9 at p. 1) Samsung recommended that DOE specify a hot water supply temperature of 120 ± 2 °F, consistent with the temperature specified in the consumer dishwasher test procedure. Samsung also commented that the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends this temperature to consumers as the safest set point for water heaters to avoid scalds. (Samsung, No. 6 at p. 3) NEEA encouraged DOE to investigate the hot water supply temperature that would be most representative of field use. NEEA added that water heater set points may increase closer to the Appendix J2-specified 135 °F in the future, due to concerns about Legionella bacteria growth. (NEEA, No. 12 at p. 26) NEEA also recommended that DOE consider heat losses in the pipes and static water in the supply line in the field, which are likely to lower clothes washer inlet hot temperatures relative to water heater set points. Id. Based on the analysis of recent water temperature data summarized in Table III.1, DOE is proposing to update the hot water supply temperature in the proposed new Appendix J from 130– 135 °F to 120–125 °F. DOE preliminarily concludes that an inlet temperature of 120–125 °F is more representative of consumer hot water temperatures than the range of 130–135 °F currently specified in Appendix J2. In addition, section 4.1.2 of Appendix J2 calculates the hot water energy consumption for each tested load size, by multiplying the hot water consumption for each tested load size, by ‘‘T,’’ the temperature rise, and by ‘‘K,’’ the specific heat of water. In Appendix J2, T is defined as 75 °F, which represents the nominal difference between the hot and cold water inlet temperatures. In this NOPR, DOE is proposing to use a value for T of 65 °F in the proposed new Appendix J, consistent with the differential between the nominal values for the proposed hot 17 Lutz, JD, Renaldi, Lekov A, Qin Y, and Melody M, ‘‘Hot Water Draw Patterns in Single Family Houses: Findings from Field Studies,’’ LBNL Report number LBNL–4830E (May 2011). Available at www.escholarship.org/uc/item/2k24v1kj. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 49150 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 water supply temperature (120–125 °F) and the cold water supply temperature (55–60 °F). DOE agrees with AHAM and GEA that changing the hot water supply temperature would likely impact measured efficiency because hot water energy consumption is a significant component in the calculation of the IMEF metric. As a result, DOE is proposing to update the hot water supply temperature only in the proposed new Appendix J and not in existing Appendix J2. Therefore, DOE’s proposal would not affect the measured efficiency of clothes washers currently tested using Appendix J2. The ongoing RCW and CCW energy conservation standards rulemakings would consider the impact of this proposed modification to the hot water supply temperature on measured efficiency. DOE requests comment on its proposal to update the hot water supply temperature for the proposed new Appendix J from 130–135 °F to 120– 125 °F. DOE seeks more recent data on hot water supply temperatures in consumer clothes washer installations. DOE also requests comment on any potential impact to testing costs that may occur by harmonizing temperatures between the clothes washer and dishwasher test procedures, and the impacts on manufacturer burden associated with any changes to the hot water supply temperature. In the NOPR preceding the July 2014 Water Heater Final Rule, DOE cited a comment from Applied Energy Technology,18 which stated that water temperatures in the range of 120 °F are adequate to prevent Legionella growth as long as the water is maintained at a temperature ‘‘high enough, long enough, and often enough.’’ 78 FR 66202, 66219 (Nov. 4, 2013). In that NOPR, DOE also cited the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (‘‘ASHRAE’’) guideline 19 which states that hot water should be stored above 140 °F only for high-risk applications (such as health-care facilities and nursing homes). 78 FR 66202, 66218 (Nov. 4, 2013). Moreover, 18 See comment number 22 in Docket number EERE–2011–BT–TP–0042. Available at www.regulations.gov/docket/EERE–2011–BT–TP– 0042. 19 ASHRAE Guideline 12, ‘‘Minimizing the Risk of Legionellosis Associated with Building Water Systems,’’ states that the temperature range most favorable for amplification of legionellae bacteria is 77¥108 °F (25¥42 °C) and recommends that when practical, hot water should be stored at temperatures of 120 °F (49 °C) or above. The guideline states that hot water should be stored above 140 °F (60 °C) for high-risk settings such as in health care facilities and nursing homes. For more information visit: www.ashrae.org. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 DOE testing of a broad range of clothes washers 21 indicates that over 70 percent of Extra-Hot cycles have a wash water temperature that exceeds 140 °F, despite the threshold temperature for Extra-Hot Wash changing to 135 °F in the August 1997 Final Rule. Furthermore, DOE research indicates that 140 °F is widely cited as a threshold for achieving sanitization by organizations including the World Health Organization and the United Kingdom’s National Health Service.22 23 Based on DOE’s data indicating that a majority of existing Extra-Hot cycles b. Extra-Hot Wash Determination have wash water temperatures that Clothes washers are tested using an exceed 140 °F, and based on the cited energy test cycle that is comprised of reports finding that washing textiles at certain cycles taking into consideration 140 °F is an accepted sanitation all cycle settings available to the end threshold, DOE proposes specifying the user. Section 2.12 of Appendix J2. Extra-Hot Wash threshold as 140 °F. Figure 2.12.5 of Appendix J2 specifies Based on the research described above, that for the energy test cycle to include DOE preliminarily concludes that a an Extra-Hot Wash/Cold Rinse, the temperature threshold of 140 °F would clothes washer must have an internal align with 140 °F as an accepted heater and the Normal cycle 20 must, in temperature threshold for sanitization, part, contain a wash/rinse temperature and therefore may be more selection that has a wash temperature representative of consumer expectations greater than 135 °F. The 135 °F threshold and usage of the Extra-Hot Wash cycle, matches the current hot water inlet than the current 135 °F threshold. target temperature, as specified in In addition to improving section 2.2 of Appendix J2. representativeness, changing the ExtraDOE has revised the Extra-Hot wash Hot Wash temperature threshold to temperature parameters previously. In 140 °F could potentially reduce test the August 1997 Final Rule, DOE changed the minimum hot water supply burden. As discussed more fully in temperature from 140 °F in Appendix J– section III.C.4 of this document, a threshold of 140 °F would enable easier 1977 to 135 °F in Appendix J1–1997, confirmation that an Extra-Hot and also revised the threshold temperature has been achieved when temperature for Extra-Hot Wash from measuring wash temperature with non140 °F to 135 °F accordingly. 62 FR reversible temperature indicator labels, 45484, 45497. As noted, Appendix J2 as permitted by section 3.3 of Appendix retains this threshold temperature of J2. Temperature indicator labels are 135 °F for Extra-Hot Wash. widely available with a 140 °F indicator, As described previously, DOE is whereas DOE is not aware of any proposing to update the hot water inlet commercially available temperature temperature from 135 °F to 125 °F (see indicator labels that provide a 135 °F section III.C.3.a of this document). This indicator. proposed change to the hot water inlet temperature prompted DOE to reassess In summary, DOE is proposing to the threshold temperature for the Extra- specify in the proposed new Appendix Hot wash temperature. Because the J that the minimum temperature inclusion of an Extra-Hot Wash/Cold threshold for the Extra-Hot Wash/Cold Rinse in the energy test cycle requires Rinse is 140 °F. This change would be the clothes washer to have an internal reflected in the proposed Extra Hot heater, the threshold temperature is not Wash/Cold Rinse flowchart in section limited to the input temperature. 2.12 of the proposed new Appendix J as well as any references to this 20 Section 1.25 of Appendix J2 defines the Normal temperature threshold elsewhere the specification of hot water supply temperature in the clothes washer test procedure is intended to be representative of consumer clothes washer installations, as supported by the data described previously. The target temperature defined in the clothes washer test procedure does not and would not introduce any regulatory requirement on water heater manufacturers, installers, or consumers regarding the set point temperature that can be chosen for any individual water heater installation. cycle as the cycle recommended by the manufacturer (considering manufacturer instructions, control panel labeling, and other markings on the clothes washer) for normal, regular, or typical use for washing up to a full load of normally-soiled cotton clothing. For machines where multiple cycle settings are recommended by the manufacturer for normal, regular, or typical use for washing up to a full load of normally-soiled cotton clothing, then the Normal cycle is the cycle selection that results in the lowest IMEF or MEF value. PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 21 DOE analyzed test data from 2 top-loading and 15 front-loading models representing 7 different manufacturers and 9 different brands. 22 World Health Organization. ‘‘Boil Water.’’ Available at: www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/ dwq/Boiling_water_01_15.pdf. 23 National Health Service. ‘‘Can clothes and towels spread germs?’’ Available at: www.nhs.uk/ common-health-questions/infections/can-clothesand-towels-spread-germs/. E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 throughout the proposed new Appendix J. DOE recognizes that for the 30 percent of units with Extra-Hot Wash temperatures that do not exceed 140 °F, DOE’s proposal to change the Extra-Hot Wash definition may impact measured efficiency. Therefore, in this NOPR, DOE is proposing to include the amended Extra-Hot Wash temperature parameter only in the proposed new Appendix J and not in existing Appendix J2. The ongoing RCW and CCW energy conservation standards rulemakings would consider the impact of any modifications to the Extra-Hot Wash definition on measured efficiency. DOE requests comment on its proposal to specify in the proposed new Appendix J that the Extra-Hot Wash/ Cold Rinse designation would apply to a wash temperature greater than or equal to 140 °F. DOE requests any additional data on the wash temperature of cycles that meet the Appendix J2 definition of Extra-Hot Wash/Cold Rinse. DOE is also interested in data and information on any potential impact to testing costs that may occur by changing the Extra-Hot Wash temperature threshold, and the impacts on manufacturer burden associated with any changes to the Extra-Hot Wash/Cold Rinse definition. c. Target Water Supply Temperature Section 2.2 of Appendix J2 specifies that the hot water supply temperature must be maintained between 130 °F (54.4 °C) and 135 °F (57.2 °C), using 135 °F as the target temperature. Based on experience working with third-party test laboratories, as well as its own testing experience, DOE recognizes that maintaining 135 °F as the target temperature for the hot water supply may be difficult given that the target temperature of 135 °F lies at the edge, rather than the midpoint, of the allowable temperature range of 130 °F to 135 °F. 85 FR 31065, 31069. On electronic temperature-mixing valves commonly used by test laboratories, the output water temperature is maintained within an approximately two-degree tolerance above or below a target temperature programmed by the user (e.g., if the target temperature is set at 135 °F, the controller may provide water temperatures ranging from 133 °F to 137 °F). Id. To ensure that the hot water inlet temperature remains within the allowable range of 130 °F to 135 °F, such a temperature controller would need to be set to around the midpoint of the range, which conflicts with the test procedure requirement to use 135 °F as the target temperature. Id. An analogous difficulty exists for the cold water VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 supply temperature. Section 2.2 of Appendix J2 specifies maintaining a cold water temperature between 55 °F and 60 °F, using 60 °F as the target. In the May 2020 NOPR, DOE requested comments on whether it should consider changes to the target temperature or allowable range of temperature specified for the hot and cold water inlets, and if so, what alternate specifications should be considered. Id. UL commented that it supports the change to an equal sided tolerance for the hot and cold water inlet temperature requirements. (UL, No. 9 at p. 1) AHAM also supported DOE updating the target water temperature to have a tolerance and nominal value (rather than any temperature within the range) specified as the target, i.e., X ± Y, with nominal (X) as the target. (AHAM, No. 5 at p. 6) The CA IOUs supported a change in the water supply temperature tolerance to ± 2.5 °F around the target temperature, claiming that it may create a more repeatable test procedure and decrease the number of failed test runs. (CA IOUs, No. 8 at p. 15) GEA supported a hot water target temperature adjustment to 132.5 ± 2.5 °F, stating that doing so would align the test procedure with engineering best practices. (GEA, No. 13 at p. 2) DOE recognizes the widespread support for defining a temperature range centered around a target midpoint of the range. Although this would appear to reflect current test laboratory practice, DOE is concerned that specifying a cold water target temperature of 57.5 °F in Appendix J2 and the proposed new Appendix J, or specifying a hot water target temperature of 132.5 °F for Appendix J2 or 122.5 °F for the proposed new Appendix J, could imply that the test procedure requires a precision of 0.5 °F in temperature control, which could create undue test burden. Furthermore, DOE is concerned that defining a ‘‘target’’ temperature, whether as currently defined or defined as the midpoint of the range, could unintentionally imply that a test would be invalid if the water temperature remains within the allowable range, but not centered exactly around the target. For these reasons, DOE is proposing to remove the ‘‘target’’ temperature associated with each water supply temperature range, and to instead define only the allowable temperature range. Specifically, the cold water supply temperature range would be defined as 55 °F to 60 °F in both Appendix J2 and the proposed new Appendix J; the hot water supply temperature range in Appendix J2 would be defined as 130 °F PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 49151 to 135 °F; and the hot water supply temperature range in the proposed new Appendix J would be defined as 120 °F to 125 °F. Defining allowable water supply temperature ranges instead of specific target temperatures at the upper end of the allowable ranges would reduce the difficulty of maintaining water supply temperatures within the desired ranges. DOE requests comment on its proposal to remove the target temperatures and instead specify water supply temperature ranges as 55 °F to 60 °F for cold water in both Appendix J2 and the proposed new Appendix J, 130 °F to 135 °F for hot water in Appendix J2, and 120 °F to 125 °F for hot water in the proposed new Appendix J. 4. Wash Water Temperature Measurement In the August 2015 Final Rule, DOE amended section 3.3 of Appendix J2, ‘‘Extra-Hot Wash/Cold Rinse,’’ to allow the use of non-reversible temperature indicator labels to confirm that a wash temperature greater than 135 °F had been achieved. 80 FR 46729, 46753. Since the publication of the August 2015 Final Rule, DOE has become aware that some third-party laboratories measure wash temperature using selfcontained temperature sensors in a waterproof capsule placed inside the clothes washer drum during testing. 85 FR 31065, 31069. In the May 2020 RFI, DOE requested comments on manufacturers’ or test laboratories’ experience with these or any other methods for determining the temperature during a wash cycle that may reduce manufacturer burden, including the reliability and accuracy of those methods. Id. UL commented that it has not found any temperature labels that read exactly 135 °F, but rather only labels that provide 10 °F increments between 130 °F and 140 °F. (UL, No 9 at p. 2) UL added that if a label does not change at 140 °F but does change at 130 °F, there is no way of knowing if the water temperature reached 135 °F without running an additional test run with a data logger. Id. UL also commented that if DOE requires temperature loggers for measuring the internal water temperature, DOE should prescribe a specific method, for increased lab-to-lab reproducibility. Id. AHAM similarly commented that the non-reversible temperature indicator labels currently specified in the test procedure do not work well because the labels available on the market do not easily identify when 135 °F is reached, as they typically provide 10 °F E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 49152 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules increments, and none are available in increments of 125 °F to 135 °F. (AHAM, No. 5 at pp. 6–7) According to AHAM, testers must estimate when 135 °F is reached on labels that are currently available. Thus, AHAM suggests that DOE consider permitting the use of submersible temperature loggers. Id. As discussed by UL and AHAM, DOE is aware that none of the temperature indicator labels available on the market provide an indicator at 135 °F, the current Extra-Hot Wash water temperature threshold. Because of this, temperature indicator labels can be used to confirm that the water temperature reached 135 °F only if the water temperature exceeds 140 °F. The temperature indicator labels are unable to identify an Extra-Hot Wash/Cold Rinse cycle if the temperature of the cycle is greater than 135 °F but less than 140 °F. DOE recognizes the potential benefit of other methods of measurement to supplement or replace the temperature indicator labels. DOE investigated submersible temperature loggers as suggested by AHAM. DOE found submersible temperature loggers available for less than $175 and available with a resolution of 0.5 °C (0.9 °F) or better and an accuracy of ±0.5 °C (0.9 °F) for water temperatures between –10 °C (14 °F) and +65 °C (149 °F).24 In testing with such temperature loggers, DOE found them small enough in size to be able to embed within the test load during testing. However, DOE testing indicated a 5 to 10-minute time lag in measuring dynamically changing temperatures, which is likely due to the thermal mass of the waterproof capsule. As a result of this time lag, if a clothes washer’s wash water temperature were to reach 135 °F only briefly, then a submersible temperature logger may not record that 135 °F had been reached. DOE concludes that, similar to temperature indicator labels, a submersible temperature logger indicating a temperature higher than 135 °F can provide confirmation that the water temperature reached 135 °F, but failure to record a temperature of 135 °F does not necessarily determine that the temperature threshold for the Extra-Hot Wash cycle has not been achieved. For clothes washers with sustained water temperatures greater than 135 °F but less than 140 °F, submersible temperature loggers may provide potentially reduced 24 See e.g., www.maximintegrated.com/en/ products/ibutton-one-wire/data-loggers/ DS1923.html/product-details/tabs-3, www.maximintegrated.com/en/products/ibuttonone-wire/ibutton/DS9107.html, and www.maximintegrated.com/en/products/interface/ universal-serial-bus/DS9490.html. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 test burden, compared to using temperature indicator labels. For Appendix J2, DOE is proposing to allow the use of a submersible temperature logger as an additional temperature measurement option to confirm that an Extra-Hot Wash temperature greater than 135 °F has been achieved during the wash cycle. DOE is proposing that the submersible temperature logger must have a time resolution of at least 1 data point every 5 seconds and a temperature measurement accuracy of ±1 °F. As described currently for temperature indicator labels, DOE would include a note that failure to measure a temperature of 135 °F would not necessarily indicate of the lack of an Extra-Hot Wash temperature. However, such a result would not be conclusive due to the lack of verification of that the required water temperature was achieved, in which case an alternative method must be used to confirm that an extra-hot wash temperature greater than 135 °F has been achieved during the wash cycle. Because DOE is proposing to change the Extra-Hot Wash water temperature threshold to 140 °F for the proposed new Appendix J, commercially available temperature indicator labels with indications at 140 °F would be able to be used more readily to determine whether the water temperature reached the Extra-Hot Wash temperature threshold. DOE is also proposing to allow the usage of a submersible temperature logger in the proposed new Appendix J as an option to confirm that an ExtraHot Wash temperature greater than 140 °F has been achieved during the wash cycle. Like the temperature threshold of 135 °F in Appendix J2, failure to measure a temperature of 140 °F would not necessarily indicate the lack of an Extra-Hot Wash temperature. However, such a result would not be conclusive due to the lack of verification of that the required water temperature was achieved, in which case an alternative method must be used to confirm that an extra-hot wash temperature greater than 140 °F has been achieved during the wash cycle. Lastly, DOE is proposing to move the description of allowable temperature measuring devices from section 3.3 of Appendix J2 to section 2.5.4 of both Appendix J2 and the proposed new Appendix J (‘‘Water and air temperature measuring devices’’), specifying the use of non-reversible temperature indicator labels in new section 2.5.4.1, and adding specifications for the use of submersible temperature loggers to new section 2.5.4.2 of both Appendix J2 and the proposed new Appendix J. PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 DOE requests comment on its proposal to allow the use of a submersible temperature logger in Appendix J2 and the proposed new Appendix J as an option to confirm that an Extra-Hot Wash temperature greater than the Extra-Hot Wash threshold has been achieved during the wash cycle. DOE requests data and information confirming (or disputing) DOE’s discussion of the benefits and limitations of using a submersible temperature logger, including DOE’s determination that a submersible logger’s failure to measure a temperature greater than the Extra-Hot Wash threshold does not necessarily indicate that the cycle under test does not meet the definition of an Extra-Hot Wash/ Cold Rinse cycle. 5. Pre-Conditioning Requirements Section 2.11 of Appendix J2 specifies the procedure for clothes washer preconditioning. The current preconditioning procedure requires that any clothes washer that has not been filled with water in the preceding 96 hours, or any water-heating clothes washer that has not been in the test room at the specified ambient conditions for 8 hours, must be preconditioned by running it through a Cold Rinse cycle and then draining it to ensure that the hose, pump, and sump are filled with water. The purpose of pre-conditioning is to promote repeatability and reproducibility of test results by ensuring a consistent starting state for each test, as well as to promote the representativeness of test results by ensuring that the clothes washer is operated consistent with the defined ambient conditions. In particular, the additional specification for waterheating clothes washers was first suggested in a supplemental NOPR published on April 22, 1996, (‘‘April 1996 SNOPR’’), in which DOE expressed concern about the testing of water-heating clothes washers that may have been stored at a temperature outside of the specified ambient temperature range (75 °F ± 5 °F) prior to testing. 61 FR 17589, 17594–17595. DOE stated that the energy consumed in a water-heating clothes washer may be affected by the ambient temperature. Id. Thus, if the ambient temperature prior to and during testing is relatively hot, then less energy will be consumed than under typical operating conditions, i.e., the test will understate the clothes washer’s energy consumption. Id. Conversely, if the ambient temperature prior to and during the test is relatively cold, then the energy consumption will be overstated. Id. In the subsequent August 1997 Final Rule, DOE added the E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules pre-conditioning requirement for waterheating clothes washers, which requires water-heating units to be preconditioned if they had not been in the test room at ambient conditions for 8 hours. 62 FR 45484, 45002, 45009, 45010. DOE is concerned that the energy use of non-water-heating clothes washers could also be affected by the starting temperature of the clothes washer, particularly those that implement temperature control by measuring internal water temperatures during the wash cycle. For example, if the ambient temperature prior to testing is relatively hot, causing the internal components of the clothes washer to be at a higher temperature than the specified ambient temperature range, less hot water may be consumed during the test than otherwise would be if the starting temperature of the clothes washer is within the specified ambient temperature range. Noting that thirdparty test laboratories cannot necessarily identify whether a unit is a water-heating clothes washer or not, DOE is proposing to require the same pre-conditioning procedure for both water-heating and non-water-heating clothes washers, which would minimize the influence of ambient temperature on energy use and alleviate the need for third-party test laboratories to determine whether a clothes washer is waterheating or not. If adopted, this proposed change may impact the measured energy use of non-water-heating clothes washers that implement temperature control by measuring internal water temperatures during the wash cycle. Due to the potential impact on the measured energy use, DOE is proposing this change only for the proposed new Appendix J, which would be used for the evaluation and issuance of updated efficiency standards, and to determine compliance with those standards. DOE is therefore proposing that use of the proposed new Appendix J, if finalized, would not be required until the compliance date of any updated standards. In addition, the proposed amendments to the pre-conditioning requirements would eliminate the differentiation between ‘‘water-heating clothes washer’’ and ‘‘non-water heating clothes washer,’’ which are defined terms in the test procedure. Therefore, DOE is also proposing to remove the definitions of ‘‘water-heating clothes washer’’ and ‘‘non-water-heating clothes washer’’ from section 1 of the proposed new Appendix J. DOE requests comment on its proposal to specify the same preconditioning requirements for all VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 clothes washers and to remove the ‘‘water-heating clothes washer’’ and ‘‘non-water-heating clothes washer’’ definitions in the proposed new Appendix J. DOE also requests information regarding whether test laboratories typically pre-condition water-heating and non-water-heating clothes washers using the same procedure. D. Cycle Selection and Test Conduct 1. Tested Load Sizes Table 5.1 of Appendix J2 provides the minimum, average, and maximum load sizes to be used for testing based on the measured capacity of the clothes washer. The table defines capacity ‘‘bins’’ in 0.1 ft3 increments. The load sizes for each capacity bin are determined as follows: b Minimum load is 3 pounds (‘‘lb’’) for all capacity bins; b Maximum load (in lb) is equal to 4.1 times the mean clothes washer capacity of each capacity bin (in ft3); and b Average load is the arithmetic mean of the minimum load and maximum load. These three load sizes are used for testing clothes washers with automatic WFCS. Clothes washers with manual WFCS are tested with only the minimum and maximum load sizes. a. Expanding the Load Size Table DOE originally introduced the load size table in Appendix J1–1997, which accommodated clothes container capacities up to 3.8 ft3. 62 FR 45484, 45513. In the March 2012 Final Rule, DOE expanded Table 5.1 in both Appendix J1 and Appendix J2 to accommodate clothes container capacities up to 6.0 ft3. 77 FR 13887, 13910. DOE extrapolated the load sizes to 6.0 ft3 using the same equations to define the maximum and average load sizes as described above. On May 2, 2016 and April 10, 2017, DOE granted waivers to Whirlpool and Samsung, respectively, for testing RCWs 25 with capacities between 6.0 and 8.0 ft3, by further extrapolating Table 5.1 using the same equations to define the maximum and average load sizes as described. 81 FR 26215; 82 FR 17229. DOE’s regulations in 10 CFR 430.27 contain provisions allowing any interested person to seek a waiver from the test procedure requirements if certain conditions are met. A waiver allows manufacturers to use an alternate 25 As noted, CCWs are limited under the statutory definition to a maximum capacity of 3.5 cubic feet for horizontal-axis CCWs and 4.0 cubic feet for vertical-axis CCWs. (42 U.S.C. 6311(21)) PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 49153 test procedure in situations where the DOE test procedure cannot be used to test the product or equipment, or where use of the DOE test procedure would generate unrepresentative results. 10 CFR 430.27(a)(1) DOE’s regulations at 10 CFR 430.27(l) require that as soon as practicable after the granting of any waiver, DOE will publish in the Federal Register a NOPR to amend its regulations so as to eliminate any need for the continuation of such waiver. As soon thereafter as practicable, DOE will publish in the Federal Register a final rule. 10 CFR 430.27(l). In the May 2020 RFI, DOE requested comment on whether to extrapolate Table 5.1 of Appendix J2 to accommodate RCW capacities up to 8.0 ft3, and if so, appropriate methods for extrapolation. 85 FR 31065, 31077. DOE received comments from multiple interested parties regarding the definition of load sizes more generally, which DOE addresses in section III.D.1.b of this document. DOE received no comments regarding the expansion of the load size table itself. In this NOPR, DOE is proposing to expand Table 5.1 in both Appendix J2 and the proposed new Appendix J to accommodate clothes washers with capacities up to 8.0 ft3. In Appendix J2, DOE proposes to expand Table 5.1 using the same equations as the current table, as described above, and consistent with the load size tables provided in the two granted waivers. For the proposed new Appendix J, DOE proposes a revised methodology for defining the load sizes in each capacity bin in Table 5.1, as further discussed in section III.D.1.b of this document. DOE requests comment on its proposal to expand the load size table in both Appendix J2 and the proposed new Appendix J to accommodate RCWs with capacities up to 8.0 ft3. b. Defining New Load Sizes As discussed in the previous section, Appendix J2 currently defines three load sizes for automatic clothes washers (minimum, average, and maximum) for each capacity bin in Table 5.1 of the appendix. In this NOPR, DOE is proposing for the proposed new Appendix J to define two load sizes for automatic clothes washers (small and large) for each capacity bin, which are intended to represent the same load size distribution underlying the existing three load sizes. DOE has tentatively concluded that this would substantially reduce test burden while maintaining or improving representativeness. The following paragraphs describe the development of the current load size definitions to provide context and E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 49154 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules in the August 1997 Final Rule. As part of that rulemaking, AHAM presented to DOE data from the Procter & Gamble Company (‘‘P&G’’) showing the distribution of consumer load sizes for 2.4 ft3 and 2.8 ft3 clothes washers, which represented typical clothes washer capacities at the time (1995).26 justification for DOE’s proposed changes. The current load size definitions (i.e., the defining of three load sizes, and the equations used to determine each of the three load sizes) are based on consumer usage data analyzed during the test procedure rulemaking that culminated The 1995 P&G data indicated that the distribution of consumer load sizes followed an approximate normal distribution slightly skewed towards the lower end of the size range. Figure III.1 shows the summarized data presented by AHAM. BILLING CODE 6450–01–P IARQIWASID I 20-~===================-EMoclNonn1IDiaer-6--PAODa11 % JI 16 14 12 10 1. 18.,.-------:::..::---------, Avtnp •S.7t.t,s 16 14 12 % 10 I 6 4 2 6 4 2 o .....,......,~1--t....,.-+-+-+--t--+-..,...,.._......,... 0 .,_..,....""'_,........-"1!""-"t--~-+--t--+---+.--, 0 l 2 3 4 S 6 7 I \.OADSIZE 9 0 1 2 ·l 10 11 12 4 5 6 1 I 9 10 11 12 13 14 LOADSIZE . Cumulative Percent ·· (Both sizes Combined) STANDARD WASHERS C 0 M M u L .A T I: V £ "' 100 90 IO '10 60 50 40 Comfimcll Data for Repke 30' an4 IM)e W11hen 20 Average Load 5%0"' 6.2 Lbs 10 0 0 2 1 3 4 6 5 7 I 9 JO IJ 12• 13 U>~Sl'l.E In the August 1997 Final Rule, DOE defined three load sizes—minimum, average, and maximum—to represent this normal distribution. 62 FR 45484, 45490. The minimum load size represented approximately the 14th percentile of the distribution (i.e., the lower 14 percent of the cumulative distribution); the average load size represented approximately the 14th through 88th percentile (i.e., the middle 74 percent of the cumulative distribution); and the maximum load size represented approximately the 88th through 100th percentile (i.e., the upper 12 percent of the cumulative distribution).27 Figure III.2 illustrates the boundaries representing the three defined load sizes overlaid with the P&G load distribution data. 26 The full data set presented by AHAM is available at www.regulations.gov/document/EERE2006-TP-0065-0027. 27 See the table titled ‘‘Relationship of Water Fill Factors to Cumulative Load Size Distribution’’ on page 22 of the data presented by AHAM as part of the rulemaking that culminated in the August 1997 Final Rule, available at www.regulations.gov/ document/EERE-2006-TP-0065-0027. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 EP01SE21.001</GPH> khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 Figure 111.11995 Procter & Gamble Consumer Load Size Distributions as Provided by AHAM Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules 'ti. ~ cu C ::s tr ! LI. 49155 20.--..............- ........- ............................. JI If 14 12· JO I ' 4 2 0 100 90 'ti. ~ -i ::s E a I I I I ,-----r----,----,"'"7,""-,;_;::::::----, I I ,_ --------~-------T------ " 70 60 so I I I I ______ _______......,... I ◄o . I I I I I I I 30' 20 10 load Size (lbs) Figure 111.2 Illustrative Depiction of the Three Load Sizes Representing the Normal Distribution of Consumer Loads from the 1995 Procter & Gamble Data In the August 1997 Final Rule, these load size relationships were scaled across the range of 0.8 ft3 to 3.8 ft3 capacities 28 using the equations described above: Minimum load size fixed at 3 lb for all capacity bins; maximum load size calculated as 4.1 times the mean clothes washer capacity of each capacity bin; and average load size calculated as the mean of the minimum and maximum load sizes. 62 FR 45484, 45504, 45513. Within each capacity bin, the three defined load sizes were intended to approximate a normal distribution of consumer load sizes. As noted, the load size table in Appendix J1–1997 was extrapolated to 6.0 ft3 in the March 2012 Final Rule, 28 For capacities in the range of 0.0 to 0.8 ft3, a fixed load size of 3 lb was defined for all three test load sizes. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 applicable to both Appendix J1 and Appendix J2. In the May 2020 RFI, DOE requested data and information on whether the minimum, average, and maximum load size definitions in Table 5.1 are representative of the range of load sizes used by consumers for each capacity bin in the table, particularly for largercapacity RCWs. 85 FR 31065, 31078. UL commented that in order to make load sizes more equitable for the widening range of clothes washer capacities, all three load sizes should be proportional to capacity, similar to the current definition of maximum load. UL suggested that minimum and average load sizes could be proportional to the maximum load size (e.g., minimum and average load sizes could be 25 percent and 50 percent of maximum load size, respectively). (UL, No. 9 at p. 4) PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 Fixing the minimum load size at 3 lb represents the need for consumers to wash a small load of laundry (for example, a single outfit of clothing) regardless of the capacity of the clothes washer. The ‘‘average’’ load size as constructed in Appendix J2 represents the middle of the range of load sizes 29 washed by consumers (i.e., the approximate peak of the roughly normal distribution of load sizes). As described below, DOE is proposing in the proposed new Appendix J to define two, rather than three, load sizes, and each of the two load sizes would be defined as a function of capacity. The CA IOUs recommended that DOE amend the average and maximum load sizes in Table 5.1 of Appendix J2 to use 29 In effect, the ‘‘average’’ load size is intended to represent the median load size washed by consumers. E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 EP01SE21.002</GPH> khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 BILLING CODE 6450–01–C khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 49156 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules a logarithmic relationship between capacity and load size. (CA IOUs, No. 8 at pp. 1–4) The CA IOUs presented data from a 2016 Pacific Gas and Electric Company (‘‘PG&E’’) field survey (‘‘2016 PG&E survey’’) that recorded load size and capacity data, and showed a logarithmic relationship between load size and capacity for clothes washers with capacities from 2–5 ft3. In the range of 2 ft3 to approximately 5 ft3 capacity, the 2016 PG&E survey showed slightly higher average consumer load sizes than would be defined by Table 5.1 in Appendix J2 for a clothes washer of the same capacity. The CA IOUs commented that extrapolating this relationship to smaller and largercapacity clothes washers, however, would result in a smaller consumer load sizes than would be defined by Table 5.1 of the current Appendix J2. Id. The CA IOUs also commented that a similar logarithmic trend was found in an Australian clothes dryer study.30 Although the Australian study relates to residential clothes dryers, the CA IOUs asserted that the operation of clothes washers and clothes dryers are closely linked. Id. The CA IOUs commented that the 2016 PG&E survey excludes households outside of the ‘‘hot-dry’’ Southwestern region of the United States, as well as households that rely on CCWs to wash their clothes, and requested that DOE conduct a larger national survey or study existing surveys to explore the relationship between capacity and average load size before making any changes to Table 5.1 of Appendix J2 to ensure that the test procedure produces results that most represent an average use cycle. Id. DOE appreciates the CA IOUs providing consumer usage data from the 2016 PG&E field survey. While the conclusions from this data may be instructive as a point of comparison, these data are limited in that they represent usage in a single season (summer), in a single state (California), and only around three wash cycles per participating household.31 Notwithstanding these limitations, the results indicate that within the range of 2 to approximately 5 ft3, which encompasses the large majority of units on the market, the load sizes defined by Appendix J2 are reasonably close to the load sizes observed in the 2016 PG&E field study. Regarding the Australian clothes dryer study, while these data 30 Lloyd Harrington of Energy Efficient Strategies, Australia. Supporting data and corresponding presentations: eedal2017.uci.edu/wp-content/ uploads/Thursday-17-Harrington.pdf. 31 According to CA IOUs, the data represent 310 wash cycles across 105 California households. (CA IOUs, No. 8 at p. 7) VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 provide a point of comparison, usage patterns of Australian consumers do not necessarily represent the usage patterns of U.S. consumers. DOE is not aware of, and the CA IOUs have not provided, any data or information that would suggest that Australian usage patterns are the same as U.S. usage patterns. Further, clothes dryer load sizes may differ from clothes washer loads for reasons which may depend on region or localized customs (for example, line drying clothing may be more common in hot, dry climates). DOE is not aware of, nor have the CA IOUs provided, any data to suggest how Australian dryer load sizes relate to Australian clothes washer load sizes. DOE also observes that a logarithmic trend may not represent the best characterization of the Australian data. NEEA recommended that, if DOE were to adopt an efficiency metric that is a function of capacity, DOE should eliminate the current average load calculation method and replace it with a fixed 7.6 lb load, which it believes would be more representative. NEEA cited its 2014 laundry field study that found an average clothes washer load size of 7.6 lb, which NEEA characterized as being close to the average load size of 8.5 lb that corresponds with the 2010 marketweighted average capacity of 3.5 ft3. NEEA stated, however, that the marketweighted average capacity as of 2019 has increased to 4.4 ft3, for which Appendix J2 defines an average load size of 10.4 lb.32 (NEEA, No. 12 at pp. 22–24) NEEA compared this 10.4 lb average load size to three Australian field studies that found an average load size of approximately 6.6 lb. NEEA further referenced another Australian research study conducted by Choice 33 in which consumers were instructed to fully fill the clothes container. The resulting average load size measured during the study was 8 lb, which NEEA described as significantly less than an amount that the clothes container could hold. Id. NEEA asserted that using a fixed average load size of 7.6 lb would increase representativeness, stating that 32 NEEA’s estimate of 4.4 ft3 average capacity in 2019 is based on NEEA’s 2019 ENERGY STAR Retail Products Platform data. 33 ‘‘Washing machine user habits: A report on wash temperature and load size habits among CHOICE Members.’’ 2011. Prepared for the Australian Department of Climate Change and Energy. Not publicly published, but can be made available upon request to Simon Newman, Residential Energy Efficiency Branch, Energy Security and Efficiency Division, Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources, PO Box 2013, Canberra, ACT 2601. 39 Personal Communication. Lloyd Harington, Energy Efficient Strategies. 17 June 2020. PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 the growing inconsistency between field-measured average load size and Appendix J2-calculated average load size indicates that average load size is independent of clothes washer capacity and is relatively small. Id. NEEA also stated that using a fixed average load size would reduce test burden, since less work would be required by the laboratory to build an inventory of custom Appendix J2-defined average loads for each clothes washer capacity. NEEA recommended that if DOE were to determine a field average load size for the United States, DOE could conduct a study similar to the referenced Choice study but with a representative group of consumers in the United States. Id. DOE appreciates NEEA providing the consumer usage data from the 2014 laundry study. DOE does not agree with NEEA’s conclusion that the 2014 laundry study confirms that the field average load size is independent of clothes container size and is relatively small. In support of its assertion, NEEA presented data indicating that current (2019) average capacity has increased to 4.4 ft3, for which Appendix J2 defines an average load size of 10.4 lb. However, NEEA did not present any field data demonstrating average consumer load sizes for a sample of clothes washers with an average capacity of 4.4 ft3. Therefore, no conclusions can be drawn from the 2014 laundry study regarding how consumer load sizes may have changed as average clothes washer capacity has increased from around 3.5 ft3 in 2010 to 4.4 ft3 in 2019. Regarding NEEA’s summary of the three Australian field studies, DOE reiterates that the usage patterns of Australian consumers do not necessarily represent the usage patterns of U.S. consumers. DOE notes that the summaries of the Electrolux and Fisher & Paykel surveys provided by NEEA do not identify the average capacity of the clothes washers in the survey samples. Therefore, no conclusions can be drawn regarding how the average consumer load size of 6.6 lb from the surveys compares to the load size that Appendix J2 would prescribe for a U.S. clothes washer of the same size. While DOE agrees that using a fixed average load size could decrease test burden by avoiding the need to inventory different average load sizes for each possible capacity, for the reasons described above, DOE preliminarily concludes that the data provided by NEEA do not justify using a fixed average load size across all clothes container capacities. The Joint Commenters also encouraged DOE to consider specifying an average load size that is a constant value independent of capacity. (Joint E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules Commenters, No. 10 at pp. 4–5) According to the Joint Commenters, the introduction of large-capacity clothes washers to the market, combined with the structure of Table 5.1 in Appendix J2, has led to the weighted-average load size for the largest clothes washers being significantly greater than that for small clothes washers. For example, the Joint Commenters stated that the weightedaverage load size for a 6.0 ft3 clothes washer (13.68 lb) is around 60 percent larger than the weighted-average load size for a 3.5 ft3 clothes washer (8.68 lb). Id. The Joint Commenters also referenced NEEA’s laundry field study, which the Joint Commenters characterized as finding no clear correlation between clothes washer capacity and load size. The Joint Commenters expressed concern that the current test procedure may not be representative of an average cycle use for large-capacity clothes washers. Id. khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 As noted previously, DOE preliminary concludes that the data provided by NEEA, as referenced by the Joint Commenters, do not demonstrate that using a fixed average load size would be representative of U.S. consumer usage. DOE also notes that the assertion made by NEEA and the Joint Commenters— that consumer average load sizes are smaller than DOE’s Appendix J2 load sizes—conflicts with the data summarized above from the CA IOUs, which suggest consumer average load sizes for clothes washers in the range of 2 to 5 ft3 capacity that are larger than the Appendix J2 load sizes. These conflicting conclusions, combined with the noted limitations of each data set, do not provide justification for DOE to change the average load sizes in Table 5.1 of Appendix J2. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 As noted, DOE is proposing to replace the minimum, maximum, and average load sizes with two new load sizes in the proposed new Appendix J, designated as ‘‘small’’ and ‘‘large.’’ In the paragraphs that follow, DOE explains its rationale for (1) reducing the number of load sizes from three to two, and (2) defining the two load sizes for each capacity bin. As discussed in section III.A of this document, AHAM and GEA commented on the current test burden associated with conducting the Appendix J2 test procedure. While DOE acknowledges the theoretical possibility of Appendix J2 requiring up to 70 test cycles, DOE is not aware of any products currently or historically on the market that would require this maximum number of test cycles. In DOE’s experience, in practice the number of test cycles is around 6 cycles for clothes washers with very few and basic features; around 15–20 cycles for the most typical configurations on the market; and around 35 cycles for the most feature-rich models that would trigger the greatest number of required test cycles in Appendix J2. Nevertheless, DOE seeks to find opportunities for reducing the test burden associated with its test procedures, while maintaining representative, repeatable, and reproducible test results. One of the key contributors to the total number of required cycles is the requirement to test three load sizes for each wash/rinse temperature selection required for testing on clothes washers with automatic WFCS (which represent the majority of the market). As described previously, the three load sizes were devised to approximate a normal distribution of consumer load sizes. At the time of the August 1997 PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 49157 Final Rule, clothes washer control panels were not as feature-rich as current models available on the market, and DOE had not contemplated that future clothes washer models could require testing up to 35 cycles. Given the increasing prevalence of more feature-rich clothes washer models that require a higher number of test cycles under Appendix J2, DOE is proposing to reduce test burden by reducing the number of defined load sizes for the proposed new Appendix J from three to two for clothes washers with automatic WFCS. The following paragraphs discuss how DOE proposes to define the two load sizes for each capacity bin. The new proposed small and large load sizes would continue to represent the same roughly normal distribution presented in the 1995 P&G data described above. The weighted-average load size using the proposed small and large load sizes would match the weighted-average load size using the current minimum, average, and maximum load sizes. As proposed, the small and large load sizes would have equal load usage factors (‘‘LUFs’’) 34 of 0.5. The small and large load sizes would represent approximately the 25th and 75th percentiles of the normal distribution, respectively. Each of these points is discussed in greater detail in the paragraphs that follow. BILLING CODE 6450–01–P Figure III.3 illustrates how the proposed new small and large load sizes would overlay with the P&G load distribution data. 34 LUFs are weighting factors that represent the percentage of wash cycles that consumers run with a given load size. E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 49158 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules 20 18 ';J!. > u C cu ::, 16 14 t:J" 8 "" u.. 6 4 2 0 cu Small 12 10 Large I I I I I I 1()0 90 ';J!. 80 cu 70 ·-... > 60 m ::, so ::, 30 -E u ---------- .... - 40 20 lO 0 Load Size (lbs) khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 BILLING CODE 6450–01–C As noted, DOE defined the proposed new load sizes and LUFs such that the weighted-average load size equals the weighted-average load size of the current minimum, average, and maximum load definitions for clothes washers with automatic WFCS, and thus will produce test results with equivalent representativeness. As noted in DOE’s responses to comments above, DOE is not aware of any more recent, nationally representative field data indicating that the consumer load size distribution in relation to clothes washer capacity has changed since the introduction of the three load sizes in the August 1997 Final Rule. Further, defining the small and large loads to represent approximately the 25th and 75th percentiles of the normal distribution balances the need to capture as large of a load size range as possible while remaining representative VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 of the ‘‘peak’’ of the load distribution curve, which represents the most frequently used load sizes. Specifically, DOE is proposing that the small and large load sizes be calculated using Equation III.1 and Equation III.2, respectively. Small load size [lb] = 0.90 × Capacity [ft3] + 2.34 Equation III.1 Proposed Determination of the Small Test Load Size Large load size [lb] = 3.12 × Capacity [ft3] + 0.72 Equation III.2 Proposed Determination of the Large Test Load Size As noted, clothes washers with manual WFCS are tested only with the minimum and maximum load sizes, in contrast to clothes washers with automatic WFCS, which are tested with all three load sizes. Given DOE’s proposal to define only two load sizes in the proposed new Appendix J, the same two load sizes could be used for PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 all clothes washers, regardless of whether a clothes washer’s WFCS is automatic or manual. DOE’s proposal would reduce test burden under the proposed new Appendix J by requiring only two load sizes to be tested instead of three for clothes washers with automatic WFCS. Specifically, the number of cycles tested would be reduced by 33 percent for clothes washers with automatic WFCS, which represent a large majority of clothes washers on the market. DOE’s proposed water fill selections corresponding to the new small and large load sizes are further discussed in section III.D.2 of this document. DOE requests comment on its proposal to replace the minimum, maximum, and average load sizes with the small and large load sizes in the proposed new Appendix J. DOE seeks comment on how reducing the number of load sizes tested would impact the E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 EP01SE21.003</GPH> Figure 111.3 Illustrative Depiction of the Two Load Sizes Representing the Normal Distribution of Consumer Loads from the 1995 Procter & Gamble Data Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 representativeness of test results. DOE also requests data and information to quantify the reduction in test burden that would result from reducing the number of load sizes from three to two for clothes washers with automatic WFCS. 2. Water Fill Setting Selections for the Proposed Load Sizes Section 3.2.6 of Appendix J2 prescribes the water fill setting selections to use with each load size based on the type of WFCS on the clothes washer. As discussed in section III.D.1.b of this document, DOE is proposing that the proposed new Appendix J test newly-defined small and large load sizes, rather than the minimum, maximum, and average load sizes used in Appendix J2. To test clothes washers using these new small and large load sizes, the appropriate water fill setting selections would also need to be provided in the proposed new Appendix J for each load size for each type of WFCS. Appendix J2 defines two main types of WFCS: manual WFCS, which ‘‘requires the user to determine or select the water fill level,’’ and automatic WFCS, which ‘‘does not allow or require the user to determine or select the water fill level, and includes adaptive WFCS and fixed WFCS.’’ Sections 1.22 and 1.5 of Appendix J2, respectively. Section 3.2.6.2 of Appendix J2 further distinguishes between user-adjustable and not-user-adjustable automatic WFCS. Additionally, section 3.2.6.3 of Appendix J2 accommodates clothes washers that have both an automatic WFCS and an alternate manual WFCS. Proposed amendments to the definitions of fixed WFCS and user-adjustable automatic WFCS are further discussed in section III.H.3.a of this document. Section 3.2.6.1 of the current Appendix J2 specifies that clothes washers with a manual WFCS are set to the maximum water level available for the wash cycle under test for the maximum test load size and the minimum water level available for the wash cycle under test for the minimum test load size. Section 3.2.6.2.1 of Appendix J2 specifies that clothes washers with nonuser-adjustable automatic WFCS are tested using the specified maximum, minimum, and average test load sizes, and that the maximum, minimum, and average water levels are selected by the control system when the respective test loads are used (i.e., no selection of water fill level is required by the user). Section 3.2.6.2.2 of Appendix J2 specifies that clothes washers with useradjustable automatic WFCS undergo VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 four tests. The first test is conducted using the maximum test load and with the automatic WFCS set in the setting that will give the most energy intensive result. The second test is conducted with the minimum test load and with the automatic WFCS set in the setting that will give the least energy intensive result. The third test is conducted with the average test load and with the automatic WFCS set in the setting that will give the most energy intensive result for the given test load. The fourth test is conducted with the average test load and with the automatic WFCS set in the setting that will give the least energy intensive result for the given test load. The energy and water consumption for the average test load and water level are calculated as the average of the third and fourth tests. As discussed in section III.D.1.b of this document, DOE is proposing that the proposed new Appendix J test newly-defined small and large load sizes, rather than the minimum, maximum, and average load sizes used in Appendix J2. To test clothes washers using these new small and large load sizes, the appropriate water fill setting selections would also need to be provided in the proposed new Appendix J for each load size for each type of WFCS. For manual WFCS clothes washers, DOE first considered maintaining the current water fill level settings as specified in Appendix J2 (i.e., testing the proposed small load with the minimum water level setting available and testing the proposed large load with the maximum water level setting available). However, the proposed small load is larger than the current minimum load, and using the minimum water fill setting for the larger-sized ‘‘small’’ load may not be representative of consumer use. In other words, while the minimum water fill level setting may provide an appropriate amount of water for washing the ‘‘minimum’’ load size, it may not provide sufficient water for washing the ‘‘small’’ load size as proposed. Further, the 1995 P&G data showed that when using a clothes washer with manual WFCS, consumers tend to select more water than is minimally necessary for the size of the load being washed.35 Based on these considerations, DOE is instead proposing to specify the use of the second-lowest water fill level setting for the proposed small load size. Although DOE is not aware of any 35 See p. 20 of the AHAM document at www.regulations.gov/document/EERE–2006–TP– 0065–0027; specifically, the conclusions that ‘‘consumers are not good judges of clothes load size’’ and ‘‘consumers overuse maximum fill level.’’ PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 49159 clothes washers with manual WFCS currently on the market with only two water fill level settings available, DOE proposes to accommodate such a design by specifying that if the water fill level selector has two settings available for the wash cycle under test, the minimum water fill level setting would be selected for the small load size, consistent with the current specification in Appendix J2. In all cases, the water fill level selector would be set for the large load size to the maximum water fill level setting available for the wash cycle under test, consistent with the current specification in Appendix J2 for testing the maximum load size. For clothes washers with non-useradjustable automatic WFCS, no changes would be required because the water fill levels are determined automatically by the WFCS. As discussed, section 3.2.6.2.2 of Appendix J2 specifies that clothes washers with user-adjustable automatic WFCS require four test cycles: one test at the most energy-intensive setting 36 using the maximum load size, one test at the least energy-intensive setting using the minimum load size, one test at the least energy-intensive setting using the average load size, and one test at the most energy-intensive setting using the average load size. As described in section III.D.1.b of this document, DOE’s proposal would reduce the number of test load sizes from three to two, which would necessitate a change to these instructions for clothes washers with user-adjustable WFCS. To accommodate the proposed ‘‘small’’ and ‘‘large’’ load sizes in the proposed new Appendix J, DOE is proposing to require testing clothes washers with user-adjustable WFCS using the large test load size at the setting that provides the most energy-intensive result, and the small test load size at the setting that provides the least energy-intensive result. This proposal would capture the same range of water fill performance as the current test procedure (i.e., capturing the range of least-intensive to most-intensive results). Additional tests could be considered, for example: Testing the small test load size at the setting that provides the most energy-intensive result and the large test load size at the setting that provides the least energyintensive result. However, DOE has tentatively concluded that requiring 36 As described in section III.H.3.b of this document, DOE is proposing to update the phrase ‘‘the setting that will give the most energy-intensive result’’ to ‘‘the setting that uses the most water’’ (and likewise for the setting that will give the least energy-intensive result) to reflect the original intent of this provision. E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 49160 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules these two additional cycles beyond the two proposed cycles would create additional test burden with little, if any, improvement to representativeness compared to the proposal. In summary, DOE tentatively concludes that the proposed changes to the water fill level settings, in conjunction with the proposed changes to the load sizes and the applicable LUFs, would continue to produce representative test results for each type of WFCS. Collectively, this combination of amendments would continue to approximate the same consumer usage patterns that provide the foundation for the current Appendix J2 test procedure. DOE recognizes that for some models, these proposed amendments could change the measured efficiency. As noted, DOE is proposing to include the changes to the water fill level specifications only in the proposed new Appendix J, which DOE would use for the evaluation and issuance of updated efficiency standards. Thus, DOE is proposing that use of the proposed new Appendix J, if finalized, would not be required until such time as the energy conservation standards are amended using the measured efficiency as determined under Appendix J. DOE requests comment on its proposal to change the water fill level selections in the proposed new Appendix J for clothes washers with manual and user-adjustable automatic WFCS to reflect the proposed small and large test load sizes. DOE seeks data and information on how the proposed changes to the water fill level selection for clothes washers with manual and user-adjustable automatic WFCS would impact test procedure representativeness. khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 3. Determination of Warm Wash Tested Settings Section 3.5 of Appendix J2 states that if a clothes washer has four or more Warm Wash/Cold Rinse temperature selections, either all discrete selections shall be tested, or the clothes washer shall be tested at the 25-percent, 50percent, and 75-percent positions of the temperature selection device between the hottest hot (≤135 °F (57.2 °C)) wash and the coldest cold wash. If a selection is not available at the 25, 50 or 75percent position, in place of each such unavailable selection, the next warmer temperature selection shall be used. DOE refers to the latter provision as the ‘‘25/50/75 test.’’ Section 3.6 of Appendix J2 states that the 25/50/75 test provision also applies to the Warm Wash/Warm Rinse temperature selection. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 DOE first established the 25/50/75 test in Appendix J1–1997 to address the test burden for clothes washers that offer a large number of warm wash temperature selections, if the test procedure were to require testing all warm temperature selections. 62 FR 45484, 45497. DOE had originally proposed a similar method 37 in the April 1996 SNOPR for clothes washers having infinite warm wash selections that are nonuniformly distributed. 61 FR 17589, 17599. In the August 1997 Final Rule, DOE considered clothes washers with more than three warm wash temperatures to be clothes washers with infinite warm wash temperature selections, therefore allowing them to also use the 25/50/75 test. 62 FR 45484, 45498. DOE concluded at that time that testing at the various test points of the temperature range, with a requirement to test to the next higher selection if a temperature selection is not available at a specified test point, would provide data representative of the warm wash temperature selection offerings. Id. DOE notes that the 25/50/75 test was adopted before the widespread use of electronic controls, which now allow for the assignment of wash water temperatures that may not reflect the physical spacing between temperature selections on the control panel. For example, with electronic controls, the 25-percent, 50-percent, and 75-percent positions on the dial may not necessarily correspond to 25-percent, 50-percent, and 75-percent temperature differences between the hottest and coldest selections. DOE is aware of clothes washers on the market with four or more warm wash temperature selections, in which the temperature selections located at the 25, 50, and 75percent positions are low-temperature cycles that have wash temperatures only a few degrees higher than the coldest wash temperature; whereas the temperature selection labeled ‘‘Warm’’ is located beyond the 75-percent position on the temperature selection dial and is therefore not included for testing under the 25/50/75 test. 85 FR 31065, 31073. In the May 2020 RFI, DOE requested feedback on the representativeness of using the 25/50/75 test on clothes washers with electronic controls, particularly for clothes washers in which the 25-percent, 50-percent, and 75-percent positions on the dial do not correspond to 25-percent, 50-percent, and 75-percent temperature increments between the hottest and coldest 37 The originally proposed test would have required testing at the 20/40/60/80 percent positions. PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 selections. Id. DOE also requested comment on whether there is a less burdensome means for the test procedure to be reasonably designed to measure energy use or efficiency of the clothes washer during a representative average use cycle. AHAM opposed any changes to the 25/50/75 test for clothes washers with four or more warm/cold temperature selections, stating that changes are not necessary. AHAM asserted that introducing any change could lead to increased test burden with no evident benefit to consumers or energy savings. (AHAM, No. 5 at p. 13) The CA IOUs supported DOE amending the 25/50/75 test to define positions along the temperature range instead of positions along the temperature selection device. The CA IOUs expressed concern that the current 25/50/75 test significantly underestimates energy usage of clothes washers in situations where positions along the temperature selection device do not match positions along the temperature range. (CA IOUs, No. 8 at p. 16) The Joint Commenters expressed concern that the 25/50/75 test for clothes washers with four or more Warm Wash/Cold Rinse temperature selections is not representative because, for some clothes washers, the 25percent, 50-percent, and 75-percent positions on the temperature dial may not accurately represent the 25-percent, 50-percent, and 75-percent temperature differences between the coldest and hottest selections. The Joint Commenters encouraged DOE to amend the 25/50/75 test so that it adequately represents the energy use of all clothes washers’ Warm Wash/Cold Rinse temperature selections. (Joint Commenters, No. 10 at p. 3) NEEA recommended that DOE characterize the Warm Wash/Cold Rinse temperature selections using a single test run on the wash temperature setting labeled ‘‘Warm’’ in order to increase representativeness of real-world use. NEEA expressed concern that the current test procedure likely underestimates hot water use and adds unnecessary test burden. (NEEA, No. 12 at pp. 18–20) NEEA added that its recommended change would eliminate up to six test runs from the test procedure (three load sizes at two wash/ rinse temperatures). NEEA expects that this benefit would affect a sizeable percentage of the market, given NEEA’s estimate that more than 75 percent of clothes washers sold in the Northwest have three or more discrete Warm Wash/Cold Rinse temperature selections. Id. E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules DOE is proposing to require testing of both the hottest Warm Wash/Cold Rinse setting and the coldest Warm Wash/ Cold Rinse setting for all clothes washers in the proposed new Appendix J instead of the 25/50/75 test. Water consumption, electrical energy consumption, and all other measured values 38 would be averaged between the two tested cycles to represent the Warm Wash/Cold Rinse cycle. DOE is proposing to make the same changes to the Warm Wash/Warm Rinse cycle in the proposed new Appendix J. DOE’s proposal would decrease the test burden under the proposed new Appendix J for clothes washers that offer more than two Warm Wash/Cold Rinse or Warm Wash/Warm Rinse temperature settings, which DOE estimates represent around half of the market, by reducing the number of Warm Wash/Cold Rinse and Warm Wash/Warm Rinse tested cycles from three to two. Because this proposed approach may, however, change the measured energy use of clothes washers that offer more than two Warm Wash/ Cold Rinse or Warm Wash/Warm Rinse settings, the proposed edits would not apply to Appendix J2 and therefore would not affect the measured efficiency of existing clothes washers. The ongoing RCW and CCW energy conservation standards rulemakings would consider the impact of any modifications to the measured efficiency using the proposed new Appendix J. DOE tentatively concludes that the proposed approach in the proposed new Appendix J would maintain representativeness by continuing to capture the complete range of Warm Wash temperatures available for selection (i.e., by relying on an average of the hottest Warm Wash/Cold Rinse setting and the coldest Warm Wash/ Cold Rinse setting). For models that are currently tested using the 25/50/75 test and for which certain ‘‘Warm’’ settings are located beyond the 75-percent position on the temperature selection dial and therefore not included for testing, DOE’s proposal would capture entire range of available Warm Wash temperatures available to the consumer, and therefore would improve representativeness. DOE acknowledges that NEEA’s suggestion to characterize the Warm Wash/Cold Rinse temperature selections using a single test run on the wash temperature setting labeled ‘‘Warm’’ 38 As discussed in sections III.D.4.a and III.D.5 of this document, DOE is proposing to require measurements of RMC and cycle time for each tested cycle. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 would reduce test burden even further by requiring just a single test cycle. However, DOE tentatively concludes that testing a single Warm Wash temperature on a clothes washer that offers multiple Warm Wash selections to the user may not provide as accurate a representation of consumer usage as DOE’s proposal, which captures the full range of available Warm Wash temperatures. In addition, DOE is concerned that defining the tested temperature as the setting labeled ‘‘Warm’’ would create ambiguity for clothes washers that offer multiple Warm Wash temperatures but for which no setting is expressly labeled ‘‘Warm.’’ For example, DOE is aware of clothes washers that use descriptors such as ‘‘Colors,’’ ‘‘Brights,’’ and ‘‘Whites’’ to describe the different wash temperature selections available to the user. DOE requests comment on the proposal to require in the proposed new Appendix J testing only the hottest and the coldest Warm Wash/Cold Rinse settings. DOE seeks data and information on how this proposed change to the Warm Wash temperature settings required for testing would impact representativeness, testing costs, and manufacturer burden. As noted, based on its market research, DOE estimates that roughly half of all clothes washer models on the U.S. market offer more than two Warm Wash/Cold Rinse temperature settings. For these units, DOE’s proposal to simplify the Warm Wash/Cold Rinse settings required for testing may impact measured efficiency. Therefore, in this NOPR, DOE is proposing to change the Warm Wash tested settings only in the proposed new Appendix J and not in the existing Appendix J2. The ongoing RCW and CCW energy conservation standards rulemakings would consider the impact of these modifications to the Warm Wash/Cold Rinse tested cycles on measured efficiency. 4. Remaining Moisture Content Section 3.8.4 of Appendix J2 requires that for clothes washers that have multiple spin settings 39 available within the energy test cycle that result in different RMC values, the maximum and minimum extremes of the available spin settings must be tested with the maximum load size on the Cold/Cold temperature selection.40 The final RMC 39 The term ‘‘spin settings’’ refers to spin times or spin speeds. The maximum spin setting results in a lower (better) RMC. 40 On clothes washers that provide a Warm Rinse option, RMC must be measured on both Cold Rinse and Warm Rinse, with the final RMC calculated as a weighted average using TUFs of 73 percent for Cold Rinse and 27 percent for Warm Rinse. DOE PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 49161 is the weighted average of the maximum and minimum spin settings, with the maximum spin setting weighted at 75 percent and the minimum spin setting weighted at 25 percent. The RMC measurement is used to calculate the drying energy component of IMEF. On most clothes washers, the drying energy component represents the largest portion of energy captured in the MEF and IMEF metric. DOE is aware of clothes washers on the market that offer multiple spin settings, but which offer only the maximum spin setting on the Cold/Cold temperature selection. 85 FR 31065, 31073. This results in the lower spin setting not being factored into the RMC calculation, despite being available at other temperature selections in the energy test cycle. As defined in the Temperature Use Factor (‘‘TUF’’) 41 Table 4.1.1 in Appendix J2, the Cold/ Cold temperature selection represents 37 percent of consumer temperature selections, whereas the other available temperature selections, for which the lower spin settings would be available on such a unit, represent a combined 63 percent of consumer temperature selections. Id. DOE has tentatively concluded that the existing RMC measurement procedure may not provide representative test results on certain clothes washer models. a. Revised Calculation In the May 2020 RFI, DOE requested comment on testing clothes washers that offer only the maximum spin setting on the Cold/Cold temperature selection but provide lower spin settings on other temperature selections. Id. DOE suggested that, RMC could be measured at the default spin setting for each temperature selection and averaged using the TUFs. Id. AHAM stated that it is not necessary to address clothes washers with spin settings that are only available on certain temperature selections because the current method of RMC calculation is representative of an average use cycle. (AHAM, No. 5 at p. 13) Samsung commented that clothes washers with spin settings that are available only on certain temperature selections make the current test procedure unrepresentative of real world use, since customers can select an has observed very few clothes washer models on the market that offer Warm Rinse. For simplicity throughout this discussion, DOE references the testing requirements for clothes washers that offer Cold Rinse only. 41 As described in more detail in section III.G.4 of this document, TUFs are weighting factors that represent the percentage of time that consumers choose a particular wash/rinse temperature selection for the wash cycle. E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 49162 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules un-tested, and potentially more energyintensive mode, in order to access the spin speed they intend to use. Samsung suggested that for such units, DOE consider requiring an additional test at another temperature setting where the spin speed is selectable. (Samsung, No. 6 at pp. 2–3) NEEA commented that it was not aware of any units with spin speeds that are available only on certain temperature selections, but asserted that Appendix J2’s current RMC test does not represent the range of RMCs expected in the field, even when maximum and minimum speeds are tested as specified in Appendix J2. NEEA presented RMC data from its testing of three top-selling clothes washer models, which demonstrated a difference in RMC of 0.3–1.1 percentage points between maximum and minimum speed.42 (NEEA, No. 12 at p. 5) NEEA described laboratory testing it conducted to isolate and measure variables that affect RMC: testing was performed on 12 top-selling RCW models (including six front-loading and five top-loading), representing over five manufacturers, and spanning the range of efficiencies available on the market; two CCWs were tested as well. (NEEA at No. 12, pp. 2–13) NEEA stated its testing was performed according to the DOE Appendix J2 procedure, except that the RMC was calculated for all test runs performed; an encoder noninvasively measured revolutions per minute during test runs; and some tests were performed at different load sizes or using different cycle selections. Based on its data, NEEA stated that the current Appendix J2 RMC test does not represent the RMC of an average clothes washer cycle. NEEA asserted that the RMC test procedure prescribed in Appendix J2 represents a ‘‘best-case’’ scenario for RMC conditions—every other test that NEEA performed at alternate temperatures, load sizes, and cycle types increased the RMC value relative to the Appendix J2-tested value. Id. NEEA commented that, according to its testing, the primary difference in RMC for a given clothes washer was due to programmed spin differences such as spin time, and not differences in load size. Id. NEEA’s stated that its test data show that among all the clothes washers tested, spin time was, on average, 7 minutes longer using the Cold Wash/ Cold Rinse temperature selection with the maximum spin selection than when 42 DOE notes that in NEEA’s comment, this range was cited as 0.3–0.9, but the data in the table presented by NEEA displayed a range of 0.3–1.1 percentage points between the RMCs at maximum and minimum speed. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 using the Warm Wash/Cold Rinse temperature selection with the default spin selection. These differences resulted in an RMC difference of an average of 10 percentage points. Id. NEEA recommended that DOE measure RMC at the default spin setting for each temperature selection and load size, and average those RMC values using TUFs and LUFs. NEEA stated that this approach will reduce test burden by removing the need for a separate test run exclusively for measuring RMC, increase representativeness by capturing RMC for all load sizes and water temperatures, and potentially result in significant energy savings for clothes dryers in the future. Id. The Joint Commenters and CA IOUs supported NEEA’s comments and urged DOE to amend the test procedure to measure RMC for all load sizes and temperature selections, and to weight the measurements using LUFs and TUFs because doing so would improve the representativeness of the test procedure. (Joint Commenters, No. 10 at pp. 1–2; CA IOUs, No. 8 at pp. 6–7) The Joint Commenters stated that the current test procedure is likely significantly underestimating drying energy use and is leading to inaccurate efficiency ratings. (Joint Commenters, No. 10 at p. 1) DOE is proposing an amended method for measuring RMC in the proposed new Appendix J that would require measuring RMC on each of the energy test cycles using the default spin settings, and determining the final RMC by weighting the individual RMC measurements using the same TUFs and LUFs that apply to the water and energy measurements. DOE notes that this proposal is largely consistent with the approach recommended by NEEA and supported by the Joint Commenters and CA IOUs. DOE tentatively concludes (based on its test observations as described above and the test results presented by NEEA) that the current method of measuring RMC may no longer produce test results that measure energy and water use during a representative average use cycle or period of use, particularly as the prevalence of clothes washers with complex electronic controls continues to increase in the market. On a clothes washer with basic controls (e.g., in which the available spin settings are the same regardless of what wash/rinse temperature is selected), measuring RMC using only the Cold/Cold cycle would be expected to provide RMC results that are equally representative of the other available wash/rinse temperatures, which as noted comprise the majority of consumer cycle PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 selections. However, on a clothes washers in which the selection of wash/ rinse temperature affects which spin settings are available to be selected, measuring RMC using only the Cold/ Cold cycle may not necessarily provide results that measure energy and water use during a representative average use cycle or period of use (i.e., across the range of wash/rinse temperature options selected by consumers, as represented by the temperature use factors). The data presented by NEEA illustrates how, on average, the spin portion of the cycle on the setting used to measure RMC (i.e., the maximum spin setting on the Cold Wash/Cold Rinse temperature setting) may not be representative of the spin characteristics and resulting RMC measurement of other temperature selections comprising the energy test cycle. Specifically, the data presented by NEEA suggest that the specific cycle configuration from which RMC is measured is programed with a longer spin time than other temperature settings available to the consumer, resulting in a significantly better RMC measurement than would be experienced by the consumer on the majority of wash cycles performed. The proposed update to the RMC measurement would provide a more representative measure of RMC than the current test procedures because RMC would be measured on all of the energy test cycles rather than only the Cold Wash/Cold Rinse cycles, which represent only 37 percent of consumer cycles and may not share the same RMC performance as the other 63 percent of consumer cycles.43 Regarding Samsung’s suggestion to require an additional RMC test at a different temperature setting that would provide the spin speed that is unavailable on the Cold setting, DOE tentatively concludes that its proposed approach would provide a more representative measure of RMC by capturing RMC across all the temperature settings within the energy test cycle. Because RMC directly affects drying energy, which is a large component in the calculation of IMEF, it is important that the RMC value be representative of all test cycles. DOE’s proposal would make the RMC calculation consistent with how hot water energy, electrical energy, and water usage are calculated, i.e., by testing multiple load sizes and temperatures and averaging these values using LUFs and TUFs. 43 37% is the TUF for the Cold Wash/Cold Rinse temperature selection as specified in Table 4.1.1 of Appendix J2. E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules DOE tentatively concludes that this proposal would reduce overall test burden. The proposal would require weighing the cloth before and after each test cycle, but would avoid the need to perform extra cycles for capturing both the maximum and minimum spin settings available on the clothes washer if such spin settings are not activated by default as part of the energy test cycle. In DOE’s experience, a majority of clothes washers offer multiple spin settings, thus requiring between one and eight RMC cycles, depending on the specific options available on the clothes washer. Appendix J2 currently requires measuring the test load weight before each cycle in order to verify that the load is bone-dry.44 To DOE’s knowledge, many laboratories already measure and record the test load weight after each test cycle as a means for identifying potential cycle anomalies or to provide additional data that can be used to verify quality control retrospectively. In cases where a laboratory currently does not measure the weight after completion of the cycle, DOE’s proposal would incur a de minimis amount of additional time to weigh the load after the cycle, which can be performed using the same scale used to weigh the load at the beginning of the cycle. For these reasons DOE does not expect the additional collection of data to result in additional test burden. This proposal would likely impact the measured RMC value and thus would impact a clothes washer’s IMEF value. Therefore, in this NOPR, DOE is proposing the revised RMC procedure only in the proposed new Appendix J and not in existing Appendix J2. The ongoing RCW and CCW energy conservation standards rulemakings would consider the impact of any modifications to the RMC calculation on measured efficiency. DOE requests comment on its proposal to revise the RMC procedure so that RMC would be measured at the default spin setting for each temperature selection and load size, and the individual RMC values would be averaged using TUFs and LUFs to calculate the final RMC. DOE seeks data and information regarding how this change to the RMC calculation would impact testing costs and manufacturer test burden. DOE further requests comment on whether DOE should implement any changes to the RMC calculation in Appendix J2 to address clothes washers with spin settings that are available only on certain temperature selections. 44 See section III.D.4.b of this document for the definition of the term ‘‘bone-dry.’’ VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 b. Definition of Bone-Dry In section 1.6 of Appendix J2, the term ‘‘bone-dry’’ is defined as a condition of a load of test cloth that has been dried in a dryer at maximum temperature for a minimum of 10 minutes, removed and weighed before cool down, and then dried again for 10minute periods until the final weight change of the load is 1 percent or less. The bone-dry definition was first established in the September 1977 Final Rule. 42 FR 49801, 49807–49808. In the March 2012 Final Rule, DOE added a specification to section 2.6 of Appendix J2 requiring that the dryer used for drying the cloth to bone-dry must heat the test cloth (and stuffer cloths) above 210 °F (99 °C). 77 FR 13888, 13924. In response to the May 2020 RFI, NEEA recommended that DOE update its procedure for achieving bone-dry test cloth to harmonize with Annex G of IEC Standard 60456, ‘‘Clothes washing machines for household use—Methods for measuring the performance’’ Edition 5.0 (‘‘IEC 60456’’). (NEEA, No. 12 at p. 26) In particular, NEEA recommended that DOE consider the tumble dryer specifications in Section G.2 of IEC 60456, the dryer inlet temperature measurement method, and the requirement that the weight of the bonedry load change be no more than 1 percent or 0.044 lb (whichever is smaller) between 10-minute drying periods (Section G.3 of IEC 60456). Id. DOE is not aware of any problems with the current bone-dry definition that would justify changing the bonedry definition as NEEA has suggested. DOE has tentatively concluded that specifying a weight change of no more than 1 percent or 0.044 lb (whichever is smaller) would increase the test burden because for a majority of tested loads, the 0.044 lb requirement would apply, which would be more stringent than the existing 1 percent requirement. DOE has not identified, and commenters have not suggested, any problems with the current approach. In the absence of data indicating any problems with the current procedure, DOE is not proposing any changes to the bone-dry definition or associated dryer temperature measurement method in this NOPR. DOE requests comment on its tentative conclusion not to propose changes to the bone-dry definition and associated dryer temperature measurement method. c. Starting Moisture Content Section 2.9.1 of Appendix J2 requires the test load for energy and water consumption measurements to be bonedry prior to the first cycle of the test, PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 49163 and allows the test load to be dried to a maximum of 104 percent of the bonedry weight for subsequent testing. This allowance effectively allows for an increase to the starting moisture content of the load from 1 percent moisture (as implied in the definition of ‘‘bone-dry’’ in section 1 of Appendix J2) to 4 percent moisture, which creates two concerns. First, for the largest clothes washers on the market, which use the largest test load sizes, a 4 percent tolerance can represent up to 1 lb of additional water weight in a starting test load. DOE is concerned that the range of starting water weights that this provision allows could reduce the repeatability and reproducibility of test results, particularly for larger clothes washers. Second, as described in section III.D.4.a of this document, DOE is proposing to require the measurement of RMC for all tested cycles in the proposed new Appendix J. The RMC of each tested cycle would be calculated based on the bone-dry weight at the start of the cycle. Allowing the bone-dry weight to vary within a range of 1 percent to 4 percent moisture at the beginning of each tested cycle would introduce variability into the RMC calculation. Therefore, to improve repeatability and reproducibility of test results, DOE is proposing in new Appendix J to remove the provision that allows for a starting test load weight of 104 percent of the bone-dry weight, and instead require that each test cycle use a bonedry test load. DOE is not proposing to make any changes to section 2.9.1 of Appendix J2, recognizing that such a change could impact measured energy efficiency. In DOE’s experience, most test laboratories use the bone-dry weight as the starting weight of each test load rather than a starting weight up to 104 percent of bone-dry, as allowed by section 2.9.1 of Appendix J2. If a test laboratory does make use of this provision in section 2.9.1 of Appendix J2, the requirement to use the bone-dry weight would add no more than 10 minutes of drying time per cycle to ensure that the test load has reached the bone-dry requirement. In DOE’s experience, most test laboratories dry the load from the previous test cycle while the next cycle is being tested on the clothes washer, such that a minor increase in drying time would not affect the overall time required to conduct the test procedure. DOE requests comment on its proposal to require that each test cycle use a bone-dry test load in the proposed new Appendix J. DOE requests comment on whether test laboratories E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 49164 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 start test cycles with the test load at bone-dry or at up to 104 percent of the bone-dry weight. DOE further requests feedback on its assessment that this change would not affect test burden. front-loading clothes washers, this procedure requires positioning the clothes washer on its back surface such that the door opening of the clothes container faces upwards and is leveled horizontally. 5. Cycle Time Measurement The current test procedure does not specify a measurement for average cycle time. In this NOPR, DOE is proposing to base the allocation of annual combined low-power mode hours on the measured average cycle time rather than a fixed value of 8,465 hours, for the proposed new Appendix J (see section III.G.3 of this document). DOE is therefore proposing to require the measurement of average cycle time for the proposed new Appendix J. Calculating the annual standby mode and off mode hours using the measured average cycle time would provide a more representative basis for determining the energy consumption in the combined low-power modes for the specific clothes washer under test. DOE is proposing to define the overall average cycle time of a clothes washer model as the weighted average of the individual cycle times for each wash cycle configuration conducted as part of the test procedure, using the TUFs and LUFs for the weighting. Using the weighted-average approach would align the average cycle time calculation with the calculations for determining weighted-average energy and water use. These proposed changes would apply only to the proposed new Appendix J. DOE does not expect the measurement of cycle time to increase test burden. To DOE’s knowledge, test laboratories are either already measuring cycle time for all tested cycles or using data acquisition systems to record electronic logs of each cycle, from which determining the cycle time would require minimal additional work. DOE requests comment on its proposal to add cycle time measurements and to calculate average cycle time using the weighted-average method in the proposed new Appendix J. DOE also requests comment on its assertion that adding cycle time measurements and a calculation of a weighted-average cycle time would not increase testing costs or overall test burden. a. Computer-Aided Design DOE is aware that for some frontloading clothes washers, positioning the clothes washer on its back surface may be impractical or unsafe, particularly for very large or heavy clothes washers or those with internal components that could be damaged by the procedures specified in section 3.1 of Appendix J2. 85 FR 31065, 31072. On other clothes washers, filling the clothes container volume as described could be difficult or impractical, particularly for clothes washers with concave or otherwise complex door geometries. Id. Recognizing these challenges, in the May 2020 RFI, DOE considered whether to allow manufacturers to determine the clothes container capacity by performing a calculation of the volume based upon computer-aided design (‘‘CAD’’) models of the basic model in lieu of physical measurements of a production unit of the basic model. 85 FR 31065, 31072. DOE allows a CADbased approach for consumer refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and freezers, as specified at 10 CFR 429.72(c).45 In the May 2020 RFI, DOE requested comments on whether to allow CAD-based determination of clothes container capacity for clothes washers in lieu of physical measurements of a production unit of the basic model. Id. DOE also requested comments on the impacts on manufacturer burden associated with any such change to the capacity measurement procedure. Id. AHAM stated that the current volume measurement procedure works well as written, and AHAM does not believe it is necessary to allow for CAD-based determination of volume, stating that it would add unnecessary complexity to the test procedure. (AHAM, No. 5 at p. 10) UL commented that while manufacturers could easily use CAD models of their clothes washer containers in order to measure capacity, 6. Capacity Measurement Section 3.1 of Appendix J2 provides the procedure for measuring the clothes container capacity, which represents the maximum usable volume for washing clothes. The clothes container capacity is measured by filling the clothes container with water and using the weight of the water to determine the volume of the clothes container. For 45 Under this approach, any value of total refrigerated volume of a basic model reported to DOE in a certification of compliance in accordance with § 429.14(b)(2) must be calculated using the CAD-derived volume(s) and the applicable provisions in the test procedures in 10 CFR part 430 for measuring volume, and must be within 2 percent, or 0.5 ft3 (0.2 ft3 for compact products), whichever is greater, of the volume of a production unit of the basic model measured in accordance with the applicable test procedure in 10 CFR part 430. (See 10 CFR 429.72(c).) VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 third-party laboratories would still need to use the water-filling method. UL suggested that in order to eliminate the necessity of the water-filling method, manufacturers could submit CAD drawings to DOE as part of the certification process. (UL, No. 9 at p. 3) NEEA commented that DOE should not allow manufacturers to declare capacities that cannot be verified by a third party (such as manufacturerreported CAD-based determinations). (NEEA, No. 12 at pp. 26–27) No information is available at this time to determine how a capacity rating based on a CAD model would compare to the measured capacity using the procedure defined in Appendix J2. DOE is not proposing to allow CAD-based capacity measurement at this time. b. Alternative Measurements In test procedures established in certain other jurisdictions (e.g., Europe, the United Arab Emirates, Australia, and New Zealand), clothes washer capacity is represented in terms of the weight of clothing (e.g., kilograms or pounds) that may be washed, rather than the physical volume of the clothes container. Furthermore, some of these test procedures allow for the clothes washer capacity to be declared by the manufacturer, representing the maximum weight of clothing that the clothes washer is designed to successfully clean. 85 FR 31065, 31072. Some of the alternate representations of clothes washer capacity that DOE could consider include: • A weight-based capacity, such as pounds of clothing, which could be derived from the measured volume of the clothes container in a similar manner to the way that the maximum test load is currently specified in Table 5.1 of Appendix J2 based on the measured clothes container volume. • A clothes container capacity that is declared by the manufacturer using an industry-standard methodology. For example, IEC 60456 provides two optional methodologies for determining clothes container capacity, using either table tennis balls or water.46 In the May 2020 RFI, DOE requested comment on whether to consider any changes to the representation of clothes washer capacity, including, but not limited to, a weight-based capacity or manufacturer-declared capacity based on industry-standard methodology. 85 FR 31065, 31072. Specifically, DOE 46 For the table tennis ball approach, the clothes container is filled with specified table tennis balls, and an empirically determined equation is provided to convert the number of balls into a capacity value. The water approach is similar to the approach provided in section 3.1 of Appendix J2. E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules requested comment on whether the two methodologies provided in IEC 60456 provide capacity measurements that result in a test method that measures the energy use of the clothes washer during a representative average use cycle or period of use. Id. AHAM supported the continued use of the current DOE clothes washer volume measurement, stating that it is accurate, repeatable, and reproducible. AHAM opposed any changes of the representation of clothes washer volume to a weight-based measurement or other manufacturer-declared capacity because, to AHAM’s knowledge, there is not a repeatable, reproducible way to do so. (AHAM, No. 5 at pp. 10–12) AHAM described work it has performed over the past decade to develop a test procedure to evaluate capacity in terms of the weight of clothes that can be effectively washed and rinsed, similar to various international approaches. Id. As part of its investigation, AHAM tested cleaning, rinsing, and gentleness on nine randomly selected units to develop a baseline performance. AHAM stated that the results of this testing showed that the variation of the performance scores was too high to yield repeatable or reproducible results. Id. AHAM stated that any DOE effort to formulate a similar procedure would likely meet similar challenges. Id. Electrolux supported AHAM’s position that alternative capacity measurement methods should not be considered. Electrolux stated that the water volume-based method in use today is easy for third-party laboratories to use, and provides the best and most accurate data for the DOE test method. Electrolux stated that the water method is neither too restrictive nor too burdensome. (Electrolux, No. 11 at p. 1) NEEA commented that DOE should maintain a single method of measurement of volumetric capacity, as it does currently in Appendix J2. (NEEA, No. 12 at pp. 26–27) NEEA stated that DOE should not allow multiple methods of capacity measurement under the test method, stating that this can lead to inconsistency and inequitable application of the test procedure that includes a maximum load size based on basket capacity. Id. NEEA also commented that DOE should not allow manufacturer declarations of capacity that cannot be verified by a third party (such as manufacturer reported CADbased determinations). Id. NEEA cited the potentially high burden that would be associated with including washing performance testing that would be required for a manufacturer-reported weight capacity. Id. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 DOE appreciates details and insights from stakeholders and industry regarding efforts to investigate this issue. DOE is not proposing to specify any alternatives to the current capacity measurement procedure at this time. c. Modifications to the Existing Capacity Method Section 3.1 of Appendix J2 provides the methodology for determining clothes container capacity. In the March 2012 Final Rule, DOE revised the clothes container capacity measurement to better reflect the actual usable capacity compared to the previous measurement procedures. 77 FR 13887, 13917. In the August 2015 Final Rule, DOE further added to the capacity measurement procedure a revised description of the maximum fill volume for front-loading clothes washers, as well as illustrations of the boundaries defining the uppermost edge of the clothes container for top-loading vertical-axis clothes washers and the maximum fill volume for horizontalaxis clothes washers. 80 FR 46729, 46733. For top-loading vertical-axis clothes washers, DOE defined the uppermost edge of the clothes container as the uppermost edge of the rotating portion of the wash basket. 77 FR 13887, 13917– 13918. DOE also concluded that the uppermost edge is the highest horizontal plane that a dry clothes load could occupy in a top-loading verticalaxis clothes washer that would allow clothing to interact with the water and detergent properly. Id. Samsung recommended that DOE reconsider the capacity measurement guideline for top-loading clothes washers. Samsung stated that volume should be measured up to the manufacturer-recommended fill line, instead of measuring up to the top of the rotating portion of the clothes container. Samsung added that the discrepancy between measured volume and manufacturer-recommended fill line may overstate the energy and water efficiency in the test method compared to real-world use. (Samsung, No. 6 at p. 2) DOE discussed its justification for the current fill level definition for toploading clothes washers as part of the March 2012 Final Rule. 77 FR 13888, 13917–13920. The fill level recommended by Samsung corresponds to ‘‘Fill Level 1’’ as described in the March 2012 Final Rule, while the current definition as the uppermost edge of the rotating portion of the wash basket corresponds to ‘‘Fill Level 2’’ as described in the March 2012 Final Rule. As DOE explained in the March 2012 PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 49165 Final Rule, by respecting manufacturer recommendations, Fill Level 1 would best ensure wash performance is maintained, and thus is the most consumer-relevant fill level. However, should clothing occupy the space between Fill Level 1 and Fill Level 2 during a wash cycle, the clothing could be cleaned sufficiently because water can still be contained within that volume. Clothing above Fill Level 2, however, is not likely to be cleaned sufficiently because it would be outside the wash basket during the wash cycle and risks being damaged if it becomes entangled on stationary fixtures such as the tub cover or other mechanical components of the clothes washer during the wash cycle. Id. For these reasons, DOE adopted Fill Level 2 for determining the capacity of top-loading clothes washers. DOE is not aware of any changes to product designs since the March 2012 Final Rule that would cause DOE to reevaluate its conclusions about the most appropriate capacity fill level. In DOE’s experience since the March 2012 Final Rule, the existing capacity fill definition is implemented consistently by test laboratories and results in repeatable and reproducible measurements of capacity. DOE is therefore not proposing any changes to the existing capacity measurement method. DOE requests comment on its tentative determination to maintain the current capacity measurement method. 7. Anomalous Cycles Section 3.2.9 of Appendix J2 specifies discarding the data from a wash cycle that ‘‘provides a visual or audio indicator to alert the user that an out-ofbalance condition has been detected, or that terminates prematurely if an out-ofbalance condition is detected, and thus does not include the agitation/tumble operation, spin speed(s), wash times, and rinse times applicable to the wash cycle under test.’’ In the May 2020 RFI, DOE sought input on whether the test procedure should, in addition to out-ofbalance conditions, also require discarding data for wash cycles in which any other anomalous behavior may be observed. 85 FR 31065, 31070. DOE also requested information on whether the test procedure should explicitly require that any wash cycle for which data was discarded due to anomalous behavior must also be repeated to obtain data without the anomalous behavior to be included in the energy test cycle. Id. NEEA requested more specific guidance on when test cycle data should be considered anomalous to ensure test E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 49166 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules procedure consistency, specifically whether a ‘‘visual or audio’’ indicator includes tub cabinet hits, a paused spin cycle, anomalous revolutions per minute (‘‘rpm’’), an ‘‘unbalanced’’ indication on the control panel, or any other type of signal. NEEA stated that inconsistencies among test laboratory interpretations of this provision could lead to repeatability and reproducibility issues. (NEEA, No. 12 at p. 17) UL commented that DOE should consider amending section 3.2.9 of Appendix J2 to specify whether the term ‘‘audio indicator’’ includes only electronic tones from the clothes washer (e.g., beeps), or if it also includes mechanical noises from the machinery itself (e.g., the cabinet hitting due to an unbalanced load). UL added that unbalanced visual indicators (such as a machine control panel displaying ‘‘ul’’ for unbalanced load) may last for only a few seconds and could be easily missed. (UL, No. 9 at p. 2) UL also suggested that wash water use data be discarded if consumption and/or cycle time differ vastly from other cycles run on the machine, since cycle time may be altered if a clothes washer adds an extra rinse to redistribute an unbalanced load. Id. AHAM commented that sometimes a cycle may not terminate due to an outof-balance or other anomalous behavior, and that some models do not provide audio or visual indicators to notify the consumer that an anomalous condition was detected and fixed by the machine. (AHAM, No. 5 at pp. 7–8) According to AHAM, these actions benefit the consumer—instead of requiring consumer interaction during the cycle, the clothes washer addresses the anomalous behavior and finishes the cycle. AHAM added that this also often saves energy and water by finishing the cycle with some incrementally increased water or energy usage instead of requiring a cycle to be canceled and completely re-run. Id. AHAM stated that it is unlikely that these anomalous conditions happen frequently when consumers use the clothes washer and that test runs exhibiting these conditions should be considered invalid. Id. In response to DOE’s question about how anomalous behavior can be detected without an indicator and during the test of only one unit, AHAM commented that a spot check verification test would be the only means for doing so. AHAM added that should anomalous behavior occur during a single test, more units will almost always be tested as part of DOE’s enforcement procedures or ENERGY STAR verification procedures, and that at that time, anomalous behavior would VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 become evident and would be a signal to the laboratory that the outlier test run should be discarded. Id. According to AHAM, a trained technician—whether at a manufacturer laboratory or a thirdparty laboratory—should similarly be able to tell that there was a power interruption at some point in the duration of the cycle due to software detecting an issue, stopping the cycle, and taking action to fix it (e.g., redistributing the load). Id. AHAM recommended that DOE add language to the test procedure specifying that if there is a visual or audio indicator that would alert the user about anomalous behavior, or if there are other indicators that suggest anomalous behavior, the test be stopped and the results discarded. Id. According to AHAM, without this change, manufacturers may need to redesign products to terminate at any indication of anomalous behavior rather than automatically resolve the issue for the consumer. AHAM added that the ability of a clothes washer to correct itself without terminating the cycle is an important consumer utility. Id. To address possible circumvention concerns (e.g., that a product would be designed to perform this way), AHAM proposed that DOE consider a similar approach to IEC 60456 (Section 8.2.5 and the accompanying note which references Section 9.1), which limits the number of additional test runs and requires reporting the reason for the rejection of a test run. Id. Electrolux supported the suggestion that energy data obtained from a cycle that may be acting erratically or abnormally in any way should be discarded. Electrolux recommended that DOE consider a possible manufacturersupplied cycle status code that would be available to any test agency following completion of a cycle, which would monitor the cycle for anomalous behavior and provide an error code indicating not to use that cycle data. Electrolux additionally supported AHAM’s comments on this issue. (Electrolux, No. 11 at p. 3) DOE acknowledges that as clothes washer technology has improved, certain clothes washers are designed to self-correct out-of-balance loads or make other adjustments to the operation of the unit to complete the cycle without alerting the consumer or requiring user intervention. DOE also recognizes the benefit of objective and observable criteria to determine when an anomalous cycle has occurred, based on a single test, such that the data from that anomalous cycle should be discarded. To provide more objective and observable criteria, DOE proposes that PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 data from a wash cycle would be discarded if either: The washing machine signals to the user by means of an audio or visual alert that an offbalance condition has occurred; or the wash cycle terminates prematurely and thus does not include the agitation/ tumble operation, spin speed(s), wash times, and rinse times applicable to the wash cycle under test. The proposed reference to an audio or visual alert refers to a warning sound initiated by the clothes washer, or visual cue such as a flashing light or persistent error code, that is provided to the user to actively inform the user that a problem has occurred; as opposed to a more passive indication such as the cabinet hitting the side or a change in the projected cycle duration, which could go unnoticed by the user or which itself may not be an indication of an out-ofbalance load that warrants discarding the data for a test cycle. To emphasize this intent, DOE is proposing to change the current phrase ‘‘provides a visual or audio indicator to alert the user’’ to ‘‘signals to the user by means of a visual or audio alert’’ in both section 3.2.9 of Appendix J2 and section 3.2.6 of the proposed new Appendix J. DOE is also proposing to change the current phrase ‘‘terminates prematurely if an out-of-balance condition is detected’’ to simply ‘‘terminates prematurely,’’ in recognition that other factors beyond an out-of-balance condition could also cause a wash cycle to terminate prematurely (e.g., a clogged filter, mechanical malfunction, etc.), and that for any such reason, the data from that wash cycle would be discarded. DOE is further proposing nonsubstantive wording changes to section 3.2.9 of Appendix J2 and section 3.2.6 of the proposed new Appendix J to make explicit that if data are discarded for the reasons described in these sections, the wash cycle is repeated. DOE requests comment on the proposed criteria for determining whether test data are to be discarded. Specifically, DOE requests comment on the proposal that test data are discarded if a washing machine either signals to the user by means of a visual or audio alert that an out-of-balance condition has occurred or terminates prematurely. DOE requests comment on whether additional or alternate criteria would provide objective and observable indication during a single test that test data are to be discarded. 8. Semi-Automatic Clothes Washers Section III.C.2 of this document discussed the installation of semiautomatic clothes washers for testing. E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules This section discusses the wash/rinse temperature selections and TUFs applicable to semi-automatic clothes washers. As noted, semi-automatic clothes washers are defined at 10 CFR 430.2 as a class of clothes washer that is the same as an automatic clothes washer except that user intervention is required to regulate the water temperature by adjusting the external water faucet valves. DOE’s test procedure requirements at 10 CFR 430.23(j)(2)(ii) state that the use of Appendix J2 is required to determine IMEF for both automatic and semiautomatic clothes washers. Semi-automatic clothes washers inherently do not provide wash/rinse temperature selections on the control panel, as any combination of cold, warm, and hot wash temperatures and rinse temperatures are provided by the user’s adjustment of the external water faucet valves. The following discussion provides relevant historical context on this issue. Section 6.1 of Appendix J–1977 and Appendix J–1997 provided separate TUFs explicitly for semi-automatic clothes washers for the following wash/ rinse temperature combinations: Hot/ Hot, Hot/Warm, Hot/Cold, Warm/Warm, Warm/Cold, and Cold/Cold. The specification of these TUFs indicated that these six wash/rinse temperature combinations were required for testing. Section 3.2.2.6 of Appendix J–1977 and Appendix J–1997 and section 3.2.3.1.6 of Appendix J1–1997 and Appendix J1– 2001 provided a table indicating the following external water faucet valve positions required to achieve each wash and rinse temperature selection: • Hot: Hot valve completely open, cold valve closed; • Warm: Hot valve completely open, cold valve completely open; and • Cold: Hot valve closed, cold valve completely open. Inherently, testing the Hot/Hot, Warm/Warm, and Cold/Cold temperature combinations require no changes to the water faucet valve positions between the wash and rinse portions of the cycle. However, testing the Hot/Warm, Hot/Cold, and Warm/ Cold temperature combinations requires the test administrator to manually regulate the water temperature between the wash and rinse portions of the cycle by adjusting the external water faucet valves. As reflected in DOE’s definition of semi-automatic clothes washer, user intervention is required to regulate the water temperature of all semi-automatic clothes washers (i.e., user regulation of water temperature is the distinguishing characteristic of a semi-automatic clothes washer). See 10 CFR 430.2. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 When it established Appendix J1– 1997, DOE combined all of the TUF tables—for both automatic and semiautomatic clothes washers—that were provided in section 5 and section 6 of Appendix J–1997 into a single condensed table in Table 4.1.1 of Appendix J1–1997. 62 FR 45484, 45512. In contrast to Appendix J–1997, which provided separate TUF tables for every possible set of available wash/rinse temperature selections, the simplified table in Appendix J1–1997 was organized into columns based on the number of wash temperature selections available on a clothes washer. Warm rinse was considered separately within each column of the table. Id. In the current version of Appendix J2, Table 4.1.1 remains a single simplified table, although in the August 2015 Final Rule, DOE clarified the column headings by listing the wash/rinse temperature selections applicable to each column. 80 FR 46729, 46782. The simplified Table 4.1.1 in Appendix J2 does not state which column(s) of the table are applicable to semi-automatic clothes washers. In the May 2012 Direct Final Rule, DOE stated that it was not aware of any semiautomatic clothes washers on the market. 77 FR 32307, 32317. However, DOE is currently aware of several semiautomatic clothes washer models available in the U.S. market. In the May 2020 RFI, DOE requested input on whether to amend the test procedure with regard to the specificity of wash/rinse test combinations for semiautomatic clothes washers in Appendix J2, and whether those updates would provide test results that measure energy efficiency and water use during a representative average use cycle or period of use, and whether they would be unduly burdensome to conduct. 85 FR 31065, 31077. No comments were received regarding these aspects of the test procedure for semi-automatic clothes washers. The following sections describe DOE’s proposals for specifying how to test semi-automatic clothes washers. a. Temperature Selections and Usage Factors DOE is proposing to specify how to test semi-automatic clothes washers in the proposed new Appendix J. In this section, DOE describes its proposals to specify which temperatures to test and which TUFs to apply to the measured results. As described above, Appendix J–1977 required testing six wash/rinse temperature combinations: Hot/Hot, Hot/Warm, Hot/Cold, Warm/Warm, Warm/Cold and Cold/Cold. The TUFs in PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 49167 Table 6.1 of Appendix J–1977 used the same general usage factors for semiautomatic clothes washers as for automatic clothes washers. 42 FR 49802, 49810. For example, the Cold/Cold TUF of 0.15 was the same for both types, and the sum of Hot/Hot, Hot/Warm and Hot/ Cold (with a total TUF of 0.30) for semiautomatic clothes washers was the same as the TUF for Hot/Cold on an automatic clothes washer with only three temperature selections. DOE updated the TUFs in the August 1997 Final Rule, based on P&G data provided by AHAM. 62 FR 45484, 45491. Currently, Table 4.1.1 of Appendix J2 does not include TUFs for all six of the temperatures required for testing in Appendix J–1977. DOE considered requiring that semiautomatic clothes washers be tested with the same six temperature settings as in Appendix J–1977. Table III.2 lists potential TUF values that could be used if DOE were to require testing all six possible temperature combinations. These values follow the same pattern that was used in Table 6.1 of Appendix J–1977, such that the sum of all temperature selections with a Hot Wash add up to 0.14 and the sum of all temperature selections with a Warm Wash add up to 0.49,47 consistent with the current TUFs for Hot/Cold and Warm/Cold as defined in Table 4.1.1 of Appendix J2. TABLE III.2—POTENTIAL TEMPERATURE USAGE FACTORS FOR SEMI-AUTOMATIC CLOTHES WASHERS REFLECTING SIX REQUIRED TEMPERATURE COMBINATIONS Wash/rinse temperature selection Hot/Hot .................................. Hot/Warm .............................. Hot/Cold ................................ Warm/Warm .......................... Warm/Cold ............................ Cold/Cold .............................. Potential TUF values 0.07 0.05 0.02 0.38 0.11 0.37 By including all six possible temperature combinations, Table 6.1 of Appendix J–1977 included wash/rinse temperature settings that require the water temperature to be changed between the wash portion and the rinse portion of the cycle (i.e., Hot/Warm, Hot/Cold, and Warm/Cold), and wash/ rinse temperature settings that do not require any water temperature change 47 DOE notes that the apportionment between Warm/Warm and Warm/Cold was different for automatic clothes washers and semi-automatic clothes washers in Appendix J–1977. DOE is proposing a TUF apportionment between Warm/ Warm and Warm/Cold that is proportional to the apportionment in Table 6.1 of Appendix J–1977. E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 49168 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules (i.e., Hot/Hot, Warm/Warm, and Cold/ Cold). In Table 6.1 of Appendix J–1977, temperature settings that do not require a water temperature change had higher usage factors than temperatures settings that do require a water temperature change, reflecting that consumers are more likely to use a single temperature for the entire duration of the cycle than to change the temperature between the wash and rinse portions of the cycle. In implementing specific provisions for testing semi-automatic clothes washers in the proposed new Appendix J, DOE is proposing to require testing only those temperature settings that do not require a water temperature change (i.e., Hot/Hot, Warm/Warm, and Cold/ Cold). As indicated, by the TUFs from Appendix J–1977 and Appendix J–1997, consumers are more likely to use a single temperature for the entire duration of the cycle than to change the temperature between the wash and rinse portions of the cycle. Changing the temperature between the wash and rinse portions of the cycle would require the consumer to monitor the operation of the clothes washer and adjust the temperature at the appropriate time. It is expected that consumers are more likely not to interact with the operation of the clothes washer during operation of the unit, once it has been started. Not requiring testing of temperature combinations that would require the user to change the temperature between wash and rinse would reduce test burden significantly, while producing results that are representative of consumer usage. DOE tentatively concludes that requiring testing all six possible temperature combinations would present undue burden compared to testing only those temperature combinations that do not require a water temperature change. DOE requests comment on its proposal for testing semi-automatic clothes washers in the proposed new Appendix J that would require testing only the wash/rinse temperature combinations that do not require a wash temperature change between the wash and rinse portions of the cycle (i.e., Hot/ Hot, Warm/Warm, and Cold/Cold). To define the TUFs for these three temperature combinations, DOE proposes to use the TUFs from the existing column of Table 4.1.1 of Appendix J2 specified for testing clothes washers with Hot/Cold, Warm/Cold, and Cold/Cold temperature selections, and presented in Table III.3. To further simplify the test procedure, since DOE is proposing to require testing only those temperature selections that do not require a change in the water temperature, DOE is proposing to label VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 these selections ‘‘Hot,’’ ‘‘Warm,’’ and ‘‘Cold,’’ respectively (as opposed to ‘‘Hot/Hot’’, ‘‘Warm/Warm’’, and ‘‘Cold/ Cold’’). TABLE III.3—POTENTIAL TEMPERATURE USAGE FACTORS FOR SEMI-AUTOMATIC CLOTHES WASHERS REFLECTING THREE REQUIRED TEMPERATURE COMBINATIONS Temperature selection Potential TUF values Hot ........................................ Warm .................................... Cold ...................................... 0.14 0.49 0.37 DOE requests feedback on its proposal to test semi-automatic clothes washers using TUF values of 0.14 for Hot, 0.49 for Warm, and 0.37 for Cold. DOE further requests comment on whether the temperature selections and TUFs that DOE has proposed for semiautomatic clothes washers would be representative of consumer use; and if not, which temperature selections and TUF values would better reflect consumer use. DOE recognizes that these proposed specifications for testing semi-automatic clothes washers may differ from how manufacturers are currently testing semi-automatic clothes washers under Appendix J2 (which, as described, does not provide explicit instructions for semi-automatic clothes washers). Therefore, DOE is proposing to include these provisions only in the proposed new Appendix J, which would be used for the evaluation and issuance of updated efficiency standards, and would not be required until the compliance date of any updated standards. However, DOE could consider replicating these changes in Appendix J2 as well, to provide greater clarity on how to test semi-automatic clothes washers using Appendix J2. DOE requests comment on whether to include explicit instructions for how to test semi-automatic clothes washers in Appendix J2, and if so, whether DOE should implement the same procedures being proposed for the proposed new Appendix J. DOE requests feedback on how manufacturers of semi-automatic clothes washers are currently testing their products using Appendix J2. b. Cycles Required for Test Inherent to semi-automatic clothes washer operation is that the clothes washer provides the same cycle operation for a given load size and cycle setting, regardless of the water temperature that the user provides. As PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 a result, when testing a semi-automatic clothes washer, machine energy consumption, total water consumption, bone-dry weight, cycle-completion weight, and cycle time for a given load size are unaffected by wash/rinse temperature. When testing a given load size, only the relative amount of cold and hot water consumption is based on the water temperature provided by the user. For the Cold cycle as proposed, all of the water used is cold; for the Hot cycle as proposed, all of the water used is hot; and for the Warm cycle as proposed, half of the water used is cold and half is hot.48 Based on these relationships, for a given load size, once one of the test cycles has been performed and the total water consumption determined, the relative amounts of cold and hot water for the other required cycles can be determined formulaically rather than needing to be determined through testing. Therefore, DOE has tentatively determined that testing all three of the proposed temperature selections would be unnecessary, and that only a single test cycle is required for a given load size. DOE is proposing in the proposed new Appendix J to require testing only the Cold cycle, and to determine the representative values for the Hot and Warm cycles formulaically based on the values measured for the Cold cycle. This approach would reduce the test burden for semi-automatic clothes washers by requiring only two test cycles be conducted (using the small and large test loads with the Cold cycle) as opposed to six cycles (using the small and large test loads with the Cold, Warm, and Hot cycles) and obtaining the other required values through calculation. DOE requests comment on its proposal to require semi-automatic clothes washers to test only the Cold cycle, and to determine the representative values for the Warm and Hot cycles formulaically, for the proposed new Appendix J. DOE notes that if it were to require measuring all six temperature options listed in Table III.2 of this document (Hot/Hot, Hot/Warm, Hot/Cold, Warm/ Warm, Warm/Cold, and Cold/Cold), the determination of hot and cold water use would be more complicated for temperature selections that require a 48 These water use determinations are based on the water faucet positions specified in section 3.2.3.2 of Appendix J2, which as described previously, specifies that to obtain a hot inlet water temperature, open the hot water faucet completely and close the cold water faucet; for a warm inlet water temperature, open both hot and cold water faucets completely; and for a cold inlet water temperature, close the hot water faucet and open the cold water faucet completely. E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules water temperature change. The tester would first need to determine the proportion of wash water to rinse water, in order to be able to apportion the total volume of cold and hot water used between wash and rinse for each of the temperature selections determined formulaically. DOE requests comment on the test burden associated with determining the apportionment between wash water use and rinse water use on semi-automatic clothes washers. khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 c. Implementation To implement the changes described above for semi-automatic clothes washers, DOE is proposing to create a section 3.4 in the proposed new Appendix J (see discussion in section III.H.7 of this document for an explanation of how section 3 of the proposed new Appendix J would be structured) specifying the cycles required for testing semi-automatic clothes washers. Section 3.4.1 would specify the required test measurements for the Cold cycle and would define variables for each measured value. Section 3.4.2 would specify the formulas used to calculate the representative values for the Warm and Hot cycles, based on the measured values from the Cold cycle. DOE is also proposing to create a section 2.12.2 in the proposed new Appendix J to state that the energy test cycle for semi-automatic clothes washers includes only the Cold Wash/ Cold Rinse (‘‘Cold’’) test cycle. DOE would also create a section 2.12.1, which would parallel the current section 2.12 in Appendix J2 and would be identified as applying to automatic clothes washers. DOE is further proposing to specify that section 3.2.1 of the proposed new Appendix J (which would mirror section 3.2.4 of Appendix J2) would apply only to automatic clothes washers. 9. Optional Cycle Modifiers Section 3.2.7 of Appendix J2 states that for clothes washers with electronic control systems, the manufacturer default settings must be used for any cycle selections, except for (1) the temperature selection, (2) the wash water fill levels, or (3) if necessary, the spin speeds on wash cycles used to determine RMC. Specifically, the manufacturer default settings must be used for wash conditions such as agitation/tumble operation, soil level, spin speed on wash cycles used to determine energy and water consumption, wash times, rinse times, optional rinse settings, water heating time for water-heating clothes washers, VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 and all other wash parameters or optional features applicable to that wash cycle. Any optional wash cycle feature or setting (other than wash/rinse temperature, water fill level selection, or spin speed on wash cycles used to determine RMC) that is activated by default on the wash cycle under test must be included for testing unless the manufacturer instructions recommend not selecting this option, or recommend selecting a different option, for washing normally soiled cotton clothing. DOE has observed a trend towards increased availability of optional cycle modifiers such as ‘‘deep fill,’’ and ‘‘extra rinse,’’ among others. 85 FR 31065, 31076. These optional settings may significantly impact the water and/or energy consumption of the clothes washer when activated. Id. DOE has observed that the default setting of these optional settings on the Normal cycle is most often in the off position; i.e., the least energy- and water-intensive setting. Id. The growing presence of such features may, however, be indicative of an increase in consumer demand and/or usage of these features. Id. In the May 2020 RFI, DOE sought comment on whether testing cycle settings other than the manufacturer default settings would measure the energy efficiency and water use of the clothes washer during a representative average use cycle or period of use. Id. DOE also sought comment on whether the non-default selections required by the current DOE test procedure meet this requirement. Id. DOE additionally requested information regarding how frequently consumers use ‘‘deep fill,’’ ‘‘extra rinse,’’ or other cycle modifiers, as well as whether (and if so, by how much) such modifiers may increase the energy or water consumption of a wash cycle compared to the default settings on the Normal cycle. Id. DOE requested comment on whether testing these features in the default settings would produce test results that measure energy efficiency and water use of clothes washers during a representative average use cycle or period of use, and the burden of such testing on manufacturers. Id. AHAM opposed testing of cycle settings other than the manufacturer default and recommended that DOE should not test every possible clothes washer cycle or combination of options. AHAM stated that it does not believe optional cycle modifiers are used in most cycles—they exist to provide additional choices to the consumer and increase customer satisfaction. (AHAM, No. 5 at pp. 14–15) AHAM, stated that testing these optional cycle modifiers PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 49169 could increase test burden without a corresponding benefit in improving consumer representativeness, and that DOE should only measure cycles that are representative of an average use cycle or period of use, as required by EPCA. Id. AHAM commented that any potential future test procedure change or calculation approach must take into account the frequency with which consumers use optional features and the impact such usage has on energy. (AHAM, No. 5 at p. 4) Electrolux also opposed additional testing for cycle modifiers. Electrolux commented that cycle modifiers are included on clothes washers for special purposes and are not intended for fulltime use. According to Electrolux, these modifiers may be unavailable for specific test cycles and are never a default option due to their specific use. Electrolux stated that adding these to an energy calculation would require extensive survey of their use by consumers. Electrolux further commented that the variety and number of cycle modifiers on machines on the market make it difficult to track and understand usage of the modifiers. (Electrolux, No. 11 at p. 3) The CA IOUs supported the investigation of the usage frequency of cycle modifiers, stating that the increased presence of such modifiers implies that there is a market desire for such features and that clothes washers are being used with these cycle settings at a non-trivial frequency. (CA IOUs, No. 8 at p. 16) NEEA commented that, since options such as ‘‘extra water’’ and/or ‘‘deep fill’’ improve clothes washer performance,49 it is likely that many consumers use these options even if they are not enabled by default. NEEA stated that these alternative settings should therefore be included in the test procedure. (NEEA, No. 12 at p. 21) The Joint Commenters encouraged DOE to capture the impact of cycle modifiers such as ‘‘deep fill’’ and ‘‘extra rinse’’ on energy and water use. The Joint Commenters expressed concern that since the default position for these modifiers is most often ‘‘off,’’ the test procedure is effectively assigning a value of zero to the energy and water use of these features, which is likely not representative. According to the Joint Commenters, the test procedure may therefore be significantly underestimating energy and/or water use of clothes washers with these 49 DOE assumes that by clothes washer performance, NEEA means cleaning and rinsing performance. E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 49170 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 optional cycle modifiers. (Joint Commenters, No. 10 at p. 4) Samsung suggested that DOE amend section 2.8 of Appendix J2 to note that at test load sizes ‘‘Max’’ and ‘‘Min’’ for manual and automatic water control systems, the corresponding water fill setting should require the use of any user-selectable options to change water level in order to reflect real-world minimum and maximum fill levels. (Samsung, No. 6 at p. 3) DOE is not aware of any consumer usage data concerning the use of optional cycle modifiers, nor did interested parties provide any such data. Although DOE maintains that the growing presence of such features may be indicative of an increase in consumer usage of these features, DOE lacks consumer usage data that would be required to incorporate the testing of such features in the test procedure. Therefore, DOE is not proposing to change the current requirement to use the manufacturer default settings for optional cycle modifiers. In response to Samsung’s comment, DOE notes that in section 3.2.7 of Appendix J2, wash water fill levels are excluded from the list of cycle options for which the manufacturer default settings must be used. Selecting the most (or least) energy intensive water fill setting as required in section 3.2.6.2.2 for clothes washers with useradjustable automatic WFCS would therefore require changing an optional cycle modifier from its default position if doing so would provide the most (or least) energy intensive result. Finally, as discussed in section III.D.4 of this document, DOE is proposing in the proposed new Appendix J to require measuring RMC on each tested cycle using the default spin settings for each cycle. Consistent with this proposal, DOE is proposing to remove ‘‘spin speeds on wash cycles used to determine RMC’’ from the list of cycle settings that are excluded from the requirement to use the manufacturer default settings in section 3.2.4 (Manufacturer default settings) of the proposed new Appendix J. DOE requests comment on maintaining the current requirement to use the manufacturer default settings for optional cycle modifiers. 10. Clothes Washers With Connected Functionality DOE is aware of several ‘‘connected’’ RCW models currently on the market, from at least four major manufacturers. 85 FR 31065, 31068. These products offer optional wireless network connectivity to enable features such as remote monitoring and control via VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 smartphone, as well as certain demand response features 50 available through partnerships with a small number of local electric utilities. Id. In addition, connected features are available via certain external communication modules for CCWs. Id. However, DOE is not aware of any CCW models currently on the market that incorporate connected features directly into the unit. Id. As noted previously, section 3.2.7 of Appendix J2 specifies using the manufacturer default settings for any cycle selections except temperature selection, wash water fill level, or spin speed. Furthermore, section 3.9.1 of Appendix J2 specifies performing the combined low-power mode testing without changing any control panel settings used for the active mode wash cycle. With regard to the measurement of network mode energy use specifically, DOE stated in the March 2012 Final Rule that ‘‘DOE cannot thoroughly evaluate these [IEC Standard 62301 (Second Edition)] network mode provisions, as would be required to justify their incorporation into DOE’s test procedures at this time.’’ 77 FR 13887, 13899. DOE notes that although an individual appliance may consume a relatively small amount of power in network mode, the potential exists for energy-related benefits that more than offset this additional power consumption if the appliance can be controlled by the ‘‘smart grid’’ to consume power during non-peak periods. 85 FR 31065, 31068. If connected features on a clothes washer affect its inactive mode power consumption in the as-shipped configuration (e.g., by energizing a wireless communication chip on the circuit board by default), such impact would be measured by the current test procedure provisions in section 3.9 of Appendix J2 for measuring combined low-power mode power. Whereas, if the inactive mode power consumption is not affected unless the consumer actively enables the connected functionality on the unit, any incremental inactive mode power consumption resulting from the connected features would not be measured by the current test procedure, because the test procedure does not include instructions for activating any such features before performing the lowpower mode measurement. Similarly, any incremental energy consumption in 50 ‘‘Demand response features’’ refers to product functionality that can be controlled by the ‘‘smart grid’’ to improve the overall operation of the electrical grid, for example by reducing energy consumption during peak periods and/or shifting power consumption to off-peak periods. PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 active mode, or any other modes of operation impacted by the product’s connected features, would not be measured as part of the current DOE test procedure, because the test cycle requirements in section 3.2.7 of Appendix J2 do not include instructions for activating any such features before performing the active mode test cycles. In the May 2020 RFI, DOE requested feedback on its characterization of connected RCWs, and any CCWs, currently on the market. Id. Specifically, DOE requested input on the types of features or functionality enabled by connected clothes washers that exist on the market or that are under development. Id. DOE also sought comment on adding a clarifying provision that would require testing to be conducted with any network functionality turned off, or without measuring or reporting the energy use of the clothes washer in network mode. Id. DOE also requested data on the percentage of users purchasing connected RCWs who activate the connected capabilities, and, for those users, the percentage of the time when the connected functionality of the RCW is activated and using additional energy. Id. The CA IOUs recommended that network-capable RCWs be tested with connected functions activated to capture the energy use associated with these functions, especially as connected clothes washers become more prevalent. The CA IOUs commented that while network capabilities may use a small amount of power compared to the active washing cycle, these features often operate year-round and could potentially consume a significant amount of energy annually. (CA IOUs, No. 8 at pp. 12–13) The CA IOUs added that capturing the energy consumption associated with connected features should not hinder their continued development. Id. The Joint Commenters recommended that DOE incorporate a measurement of ‘‘network mode’’ power consumption to provide consumers with information about any additional energy consumption associated with connected features. The Joint Commenters stated that, although it asserts that DOE is concerned about impeding innovation, the power consumption associated with ‘‘network mode’’ may be accounted for in energy conservation standards so as not to hinder the availability of models with connected features. (Joint Commenters, No. 10 at p. 2) NEEA recommended that DOE develop a method for measuring standby mode energy use of clothes washers with connected functionality, E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules since connected clothes washers are becoming more prevalent and sales of connected RCWs have been increasing. NEEA also commented that Wi-Fienabled appliances tend to experience a wide variation of energy use, depending on the circuit design and silicon used, so it will be important to measure individual clothes washer energy use in this context. (NEEA, No. 12 at pp. 20– 21) AHAM commented that there is not yet adequate consumer use data on connected features to justify amending the test procedure. (AHAM, No. 5 at p. 5) AHAM stated that consumer use and understanding of new technologies continues to evolve and inform manufacturers’ designs. According to AHAM, some consumers do not even connect their network-enabled appliances to use the available features. Id. AHAM stated that DOE should ensure that the clothes washer test procedure does not prematurely address new designs which may not yet have an average use or be in common use, and that doing so could stifle innovation. Id. DOE recognizes the potential benefits that could be provided by connected capability, such as providing energy saving benefits to consumers, enabling peak load shifting on the electrical grid, and other consumer-related benefits. While a number of connected clothes washers are currently on the market with varying implementations of connected features, DOE is not aware of any data available, nor did interested parties provide any such data, regarding the consumer use of connected features. Therefore, DOE is unable to establish a representative test configuration for assessing the energy consumption of connected functionality for clothes washers. As noted previously, while DOE’s current test procedure does not specifically consider energy use of network features, the test procedure may result in the measurement of the energy use of connected features in inactive mode. Specifically, as discussed, any energy use of connected features would be measured in section 3.9 of Appendix J2 for measuring combined low-power mode power if the connected features are enabled in the ‘‘as-shipped’’ configuration. If the consumer is required to actively enable the connected functionality, however, such energy consumption would not be measured. Similarly, any incremental energy consumption in active mode, or any other modes of operation impacted by the product’s connected features, would not be measured because the test cycle requirements in section 3.2.7 of Appendix J2 do not include instructions VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 for activating any such features before performing the active mode test cycles. Given the lack of data to establish a test configuration that would be representative of consumer use of connected features on clothes washers, DOE is proposing to amend section 3.2.7 of Appendix J2 and section 3.2.4 of the proposed new Appendix J to specify that network settings (on clothes washers with network capabilities) must be disabled during testing if such settings can be disabled by the end-user, and the product’s user manual provides instructions on how to do so. If, however, connected functionality cannot be disabled by the end-user or the product’s user manual does not provide instruction for disabling connected functionality that is enabled by default, then the unit must be tested with the network capability in the factory default setting as specified in the current test procedure. DOE has preliminarily determined that if connected functionality cannot be disabled, or the product’s user manual does not provide instruction for disabling the function, it is more representative to include the energy consumption of the clothes washer in the default condition, including the enabled connected function, than to exclude the energy consumption associated with the connected feature. As such, the energy consumption of a connected function that cannot be disabled would continue to be measured, as in the current test procedure. DOE notes that this approach is consistent with the approach proposed in the test procedure supplemental NOPR for microwave ovens published on August 3, 2021. 86 FR 41759. DOE requests comment on its proposed amendment to Appendix J2 and the proposed new Appendix J to specify that network settings (on clothes washers with network capabilities) must be disabled during testing if such settings can be disabled by the end-user, and the product’s user manual provides instructions on how to do so. DOE seeks the following information regarding connected clothes washers, which could inform future test procedure considerations: DOE requests feedback on its characterization of connected clothes washers currently on the market. Specifically, DOE requests input on the types of features or functionality enabled by connected clothes washers that exist on the market or that are under development. DOE requests data on the percentage of users purchasing connected clothes washers, and, for those users, the PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 49171 percentage of the time when the connected functionality of the clothes washer is used. DOE requests data on the amount of additional or reduced energy use of connected clothes washers. DOE requests data on the pattern of additional or reduced energy use of connected clothes washers; for example, whether it is constant, periodic, or triggered by the user. DOE requests information on any existing testing protocols that account for connected features of clothes washers, as well as any testing protocols that may be under development within the industry. E. Metrics 1. Replacing Capacity With WeightedAverage Load Size As discussed, the current energy efficiency standards for RCWs are based on the IMEF metric, measured in ft3/ kWh/cycle, as calculated in section 4.6 of Appendix J2. IMEF is calculated as the capacity of the clothes container (in ft3) divided by the total clothes washer energy consumption (in kWh) per cycle. The total clothes washer energy consumption per cycle is the sum of: (a) The machine electrical energy consumption; (b) the hot water energy consumption; (c) the energy required for removal of the remaining moisture in the wash load; and (d) the combined low-power mode energy consumption. The current energy efficiency standards for CCWs are based on the MEFJ2 metric, measured in ft3/kWh/ cycle, as determined in section 4.5 of Appendix J2. The MEFJ2 metric differs from the IMEF metric by not including the combined low-power mode energy consumption in the total clothes washer energy consumption per cycle. The current water efficiency standards for both RCWs and CCWs are based on the IWF metric, measured in gal/cycle/ft3, as calculated in section 4.2.13 of Appendix J2. IWF is calculated as the total weighted per-cycle water consumption (in gallons) for all wash cycles divided by the capacity of the clothes container (in ft3). In the May 2020 RFI, DOE requested feedback on whether to consider changing the energy or water efficiency metrics for RCWs or CCWs to maintain consistency with any changes to the capacity metric or for other reasons. 85 FR 31065, 31080. DOE included several examples such as incorporating the weighted-average weight of test cloth test load, which would result in energy efficiency metric expressed in terms of pounds of clothing per kWh per cycle. Id. E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 49172 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules AHAM stated that DOE does not need to change the energy efficiency or water efficiency metrics. (AHAM, No. 5 at p. 16) The CA IOUs recommended changing IWF and IMEF to eliminate their relationship to capacity. The CA IOUs stated that by normalizing with the capacity of a clothes washer, the current metrics create a built-in bias towards larger-capacity machines, as the minimum- and average-sized test loads are not purely scaled with the clothes washer’s capacity. The CA IOUS stated that this leads to larger-capacity clothes washers washing a smaller fraction of clothing compared to their capacity. The CA IOUs commented that in order to remove this bias, IMEF and IWF should be normalized with the weightedaverage load size of clothing washed (e.g., IMEF would be measured in lb/ kWh/cycle instead of ft3/kWh/cycle). (CA IOUs, No. 8 at p. 5) The CA IOUs stated that this amendment would create a more representative performance metric of an average clothes washer use cycle and would also improve alignment with the clothes dryer performance metric. Id. The Joint Commenters encouraged DOE to consider basing efficiency metrics on pounds of clothes washed instead of capacity of the clothes washer. According to the Joint Commenters, basing efficiency metrics on clothes washer capacity creates a bias towards large-capacity clothes washers, since weighted-average load size is much greater for large-capacity clothes washers than it is for smallcapacity clothes washers. The Joint Commenters encouraged DOE to instead consider alternative efficiency metrics based on the LUF-weighted-average load size for a given clothes washer capacity. (Joint Commenters, No. 10 at p. 5) NEEA commented that the current DOE test procedure allows largercapacity clothes washers to use more energy and water per pound of textiles washed than smaller-capacity clothes washers with the same IMEF ratings. NEEA has also observed that IMEF generally increases with capacity in the most recent models to come into the market. NEEA stated that due to the increase in average clothes washer capacity from 3.5 ft3 to 4.4 ft3, this issue is becoming more prevalent. (NEEA, No. 12 at pp. 13–17) NEEA conducted testing under conditions that it characterized as more realistic than DOE test conditions and summarized the results as demonstrating that on a lb/ kWh basis, larger-capacity clothes washers perform less efficiently than VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 smaller-capacity clothes washers.51 Based on these results, NEEA concluded that large-capacity clothes washers may use more energy than small-capacity clothes washers when operating with typical load sizes and wash temperatures. Id. NEEA recommended that, to better address the efficiency of the largest-capacity clothes washers in the market, DOE should consider adopting an alternative energy efficiency metric such as pounds of textile per kWh, which would be based on the LUF-weighted load size, and the LUF-weighted and TUF-weighted energy use per cycle. NEEA also recommended that DOE consider developing an energy conservation standard that is a function of capacity, so that larger-capacity clothes washers would need to meet higher IMEF and lower IWF levels than smaller clothes washers. Id. NEEA noted that this would be similar to the way standards for refrigerators, room air conditioners, and water heaters are a function of adjusted volume, cooling capacity, and storage volume, respectively. NEEA calculated that making these changes could result in 1–2 quads of energy savings over a 30-year period associated with increased efficiency of largecapacity clothes washers. Id. As noted throughout the discussion previously, under Appendix J2, energy use (the denominator of the IMEF and MEF equations) scales with weightedaverage load size, whereas capacity (the numerator of the IMEF and MEF equations) scales with maximum load size. This provides an inherent numerical advantage to large-capacity clothes washers that is disproportionate to the efficiency advantage that can be achieved through ‘‘economies of scale’’ associated with washing larger loads. This advantage means that a largercapacity clothes washer consumes more energy to wash a pound of clothes than a smaller-capacity clothes washer with the same IMEF rating. This relationship applies similarly to water efficiency through the IWF equation. As noted in the comments summarized previously, this disproportionate benefit increases as average clothes washer capacity increases over time. To avoid providing bias for large-capacity clothes washers, DOE is proposing to change the energy and water efficiency metrics in the proposed new Appendix J by replacing the capacity term with the weightedaverage load size, in pounds. Under this proposed change, energy and water use would scale proportionally with 51 NEEA stated that that it considers these data to be preliminary and that additional testing would provide more clarity. PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 weighted-average load size in the IMEF, MEF, and IWF formulas and thus eliminate the efficiency bias currently provided to large-capacity clothes washers. EPCA defines energy efficiency as ‘‘the ratio of the useful output of services from a consumer product to the energy use of such product.’’ (42 U.S.C. 6291(5); 42 U.S.C. 6311(3)) In the current efficiency metrics, clothes washer capacity is used to represent the measure of useful output. DOE has tentatively determined that clothing load size (i.e., the weight of clothes cleaned), expressed as the weightedaverage load size, may better represent the ‘‘useful output’’ of a clothes washer. Were DOE to finalize the proposed metric change, changes to the energy conservation standards would be addressed in an energy conservation standards rulemaking. DOE requests comment on its proposal to replace the capacity term with weighted-average load size in the energy efficiency metrics and the water efficiency metric in the proposed new Appendix J. In addition, DOE is proposing to rename the efficiency metrics to avoid any confusion between the proposed new metrics and the existing metrics. DOE is proposing to designate energy efficiency ratio (‘‘EER’’) as the energy efficiency metric for RCWs (replacing IMEF); active-mode energy efficiency ratio (‘‘AEER’’) as the energy efficiency metric for CCWs (replacing MEFJ2); and water efficiency ratio (‘‘WER’’) as the water efficiency metric for both RCWs and CCWs (replacing IWF). As proposed, EER would be calculated as the quotient of the weighted-average load size (in lb) divided by the total clothes washer energy consumption (in kWh) per cycle; and AEER would be calculated as the quotient of the weighted-average load size (in lb) divided by the total clothes washer energy consumption (in kWh) per cycle not including the combined low-power mode energy consumption. Section III.E.2 of this document describes how WER would be calculated. DOE is also proposing to establish provisions in 10 CFR 430.23(j) to specify the procedure for determining EER and WER for RCWs, and in 10 CFR 431.154 to specify the procedure for determining AEER and WER for CCWs. DOE requests comment on its proposed names for the proposed new efficiency metrics: Energy efficiency ratio (EER), active-mode energy efficiency ratio (AEER), and water efficiency ratio (WER). E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 2. Inverting the Water Metric As described previously, IWF is calculated in section 4.2.13 of Appendix J2 as the total weighted per-cycle water consumption (in gallons) for all wash cycles divided by the capacity of the clothes container (in ft3). Unlike the IMEF metric, in which a higher number indicates more efficient performance, a lower IWF value indicates more efficient performance. In the May 2020 RFI, DOE requested feedback on whether to consider any changes to the water efficiency metric defined in the test procedure to maintain consistency with any changes to the capacity metric or for any other purpose, including those described for the energy efficiency metric, and whether it would be appropriate to invert the existing calculation such that a higher value of IWF would represent more efficient performance. 85 FR 31065, 31080. The CA IOUs supported inverting the IWF and WF metrics to better align with the IMEF and MEF metrics. (CA IOUs, No. 8 at p. 6) Additionally, the CA IOUs recommended that DOE should consider changing the name of the updated metrics in order to alert customers and relevant stakeholders of the implications of the change. Id. DOE is proposing to invert the water metric, in conjunction with replacing the capacity term with weighted-average load size, as described in the previous section. By inverting the metric, a higher value would represent more efficient performance, consistent with the energy efficiency metrics. In addition, by inverting the metric, the proposed WER metric would represent the ratio of the useful output of services to the water use of the product, consistent with EPCA’s definition of energy efficiency as described. DOE is proposing to define WER in the proposed new Appendix J as the quotient of the weighted-average load size (in lb) divided by the total weighted per-cycle water consumption for all wash cycles (in gallons). DOE requests comment on its proposal to invert the water efficiency metric and calculate the newly defined WER metric as the quotient of the weighted-average load size divided by the total weighted per-cycle water consumption for all wash cycles. 3. Annual Energy Use The annual energy consumption of an RCW tested according to Appendix J2 is calculated as part of the estimated annual operating cost calculations at 10 VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 CFR 430.23(j)(1)(ii)(A) and (B).52 In each equation, annual energy consumption is calculated by multiplying the per-cycle energy consumption 53 by the representative average RCW use of 295 cycles per year.54 The annual operating cost is provided to the consumer on the Federal Trade Commission (‘‘FTC’’) EnergyGuide label for RCWs. DOE considered whether to make changes to the method for calculating annual energy use so that the calculation more directly reflects annual energy use during a representative average use cycle. DOE also considered whether changes to the overall calculation methodology would improve the usefulness of the information presented to the consumer on the product label. According to the current calculation methodology, all clothes washers are assumed to be used for 295 cycles per year, while the per-cycle energy reflects a weighted-average load size based on the clothes washer capacity. Therefore, the annual energy calculation reflects an annual volume of laundered clothing that scales with clothes washer capacity. For example, the current annual energy calculation methodology is based on an annual laundry volume of 2,258 pounds for a 3.0-ft3 RCW and 4,036 pounds for a 6.0-ft3 RCW. 85 FR 31065, 31081. Under the current annual energy calculation methodology, the information presented on the product label would indicate that a largercapacity RCW would use significantly more annual energy than a smallercapacity model with the same IMEF rating. This is because the largercapacity RCW’s label would be based on a significantly larger amount of annual laundry than the smaller-capacity model, as illustrated above. Whereas, if compared on the basis of an equivalent volume of laundered clothing, both RCWs could be expected to use the same amount of annual energy since they have the same IMEF efficiency rating. This potential disparity may limit the ability of an individual consumer to use the information presented on the product label to compare the differences in expected energy use among RCW models with the 52 Part (A) provides the calculation when electrically heated water is used. Part (B) provides the calculation when gas-heated or oil-heated water is used. 53 These equations include the machine electrical energy consumption, hot water energy consumption, and combined low-power mode energy consumption; they exclude the energy consumption for removal of moisture from the test load (i.e., the ‘‘drying energy’’). 54 See section III.G.1 of this document for DOE’s proposal to modify the representative average clothes washer use per year. PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 49173 same rated energy efficiency but different capacities. When DOE originally developed the annual energy calculation methodology at 10 CFR 430.23(j)(1)(i), the test procedure accommodated clothes washers with capacities up to 3.8 ft3.55 An increasingly wide range of RCW capacities are available on the market, ranging from less than 1.0 ft3 to greater than 6.0 ft3. As the range of capacities increases, the effect of capacity on the represented annual energy cost becomes more pronounced. Given the increasingly wide range of RCW capacities available on the market, and the significant changes over time in estimated annual RCW cycles, DOE considered whether any changes are warranted for the annual energy and annual water calculations to ensure that the results continue to reflect representative average use for all clothes washer sizes, to harmonize with any changes to other metrics within the DOE test procedures, and to continue to provide useful comparative information to consumers. 85 FR 31065, 31081. DOE described two examples in the May 2020 RFI: • Revising the annual energy and annual water calculation methodology from being based on a fixed number of annual cycles to a fixed number of annual pounds of clothing. • Varying the annual number of wash cycles based on clothes washer capacity, rather than a fixed number of annual cycles for all clothes washers. Id. In the May 2020 RFI, DOE requested data and information regarding whether and how the annual number of wash cycles varies as a function of clothes washer capacity. Id. DOE also requested feedback on whether DOE should consider any changes to the annual energy or annual water calculation methodology and the burden associated with these potential changes. Id. NEEA recommended that DOE change the annual energy metric to use an average number of pounds of textiles washed annually instead of using an average number of cycles per year. NEEA stated that its research found that neither number of cycles nor load size scales with capacity, suggesting that this change would provide a more effective comparison of clothes washers with different capacities. (NEEA, No. 12 at p. 25) The CA IOUs supported DOE’s current method of basing annual energy calculations on a fixed number of wash cycles per year, rather than using a fixed amount of clothing washed per year. 55 The maximum capacity in the original load size table in Appendix J1–1997 was 3.8 ft3. E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 49174 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules The CA IOUs commented that annual energy calculations based on a fixed amount of clothing washed would contradict the test procedure that acknowledges that clothes washers of different sizes wash different amounts of clothing, as identified in LUFs and test load sizes. (CA IOUs, No. 8 at pp. 11–12) The CA IOUs further recommended that DOE investigate whether the fixed number of cycles per year should be changed to be more representative of average use in larger households, since larger households tend to have larger-capacity clothes washers, and larger-capacity clothes washers run more cycles per year, as detailed in Table HC3.4 and Figure 3.9 of the 2015 Residential Energy Consumption Survey (‘‘RECS’’) data. Id. The CA IOUs also recommended that if DOE changes the annual energy calculation from a fixed number of annual wash cycles to a fixed amount of clothing washed, this change should also be reflected in the rest of the test procedure to capture any operational difference by capacity. (CA IOUs, No. 8 at p. 12) Notwithstanding the potential limitations of DOE’s current approach of calculating annual energy consumption, as described previously, in the absence of any new nationally representative data showing either a constant annual weight of washed laundry, or a correlation between clothes washer capacity and annual weight of washed laundry, DOE is not proposing to change the methodology for calculating annual energy use. DOE could, however, consider such a change should additional data or information become available, as previously described. DOE requests data on the annual amount of laundry washed by consumers, and whether the annual amount of laundry washed by consumers is correlated with clothes washer capacity. khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 4. Representation Requirements Representation requirements for RCWs and CCWs are codified at 10 CFR 429.20(a) and 10 CFR 429.46(a), respectively. DOE is proposing to specify that the sampling requirements for RCWs specified at 10 CFR 429.20(a)(2)(ii) would also apply to the new proposed EER and WER metrics. DOE is proposing to clarify that the capacity specified in 10 CFR 429.20(a)(3) is the clothes container capacity (emphasis added). DOE is proposing to specify that the sampling requirements specified for CCWs at 10 CFR 429.46(a)(2)(ii) would VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 also apply to the new proposed AEER and WER metrics. DOE requests comment on its proposed updated representation and sampling requirements for RCWs and CCWs. F. Cleaning Performance EPCA requires DOE to consider any lessening of the utility or the performance of the covered products (and certain commercial equipment, including CCWs) likely to result from the imposition of potential new or amended standards. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(B)(i)(IV); 42 U.S.C. 6316(a)) EPCA prohibits DOE from prescribing an amended or new standard if the Secretary finds that interested persons have established by a preponderance of the evidence that the standard is likely to result in the unavailability in the United States in any covered product type (or class) of performance characteristics (including reliability), features, sizes, capacities, and volumes that are substantially the same as those generally available in the United States at the time of the Secretary’s finding. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(4)) 56 EPCA authorizes DOE to design test procedures that measure energy efficiency, energy use, water use (in the case of showerheads, faucets, water closets and urinals), or estimated annual operating cost of a covered product during a representative average use cycle or period of use. (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(3)) DOE regulates only the energy and water efficiency of clothes washers. Manufacturers may design their products to prioritize any of the other consumer-relevant performance characteristics, including cleaning performance. As such, DOE’s clothes washer test procedures do not prescribe a method for testing clothes washer cleaning performance. Samsung commented that a product should perform at least its basic cleaning function during the energy test cycle so that consumers can purchase products that perform their basic function effectively, while saving energy and water. (Samsung, No. 6 at p. 2) Samsung added that unless clothes washers perform at a minimum level of acceptable functionality on the Normal cycle, consumers may use other energyor water-intensive modes and unknowingly sacrifice energy efficiency. Id. To ensure products perform their basic functionality, Samsung recommended that DOE incorporate by reference the ENERGY STAR ‘‘Test Method for Determining Residential 56 The unavailability provision is applicable to CCWs under 42 U.S.C. 6316(a). PO 00000 Frm 00036 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 Clothes Washer Cleaning Performance’’ 57 as a new appendix to the test procedure. Id. Electrolux encouraged DOE to introduce an independent cleaning and rinsing performance test into the energy test procedure, because Electrolux is concerned that as more cycles become available to consumers, they are less likely to select the more efficient energy test cycle due to performance concerns. (Electrolux, No. 11 at p. 2) Electrolux added that tying performance testing to the energy test cycle could give consumers visibility into the tradeoff between efficiency and cleaning/rinsing performance, and place the energy test cycle as a more prominent cycle that is efficient and has high cleaning performance. Id. Electrolux stated that if DOE were to add a new cleaning and rinsing test, it should be developed based on proven industry standards in use, such as IEC 60456, AHAM HLW– 1–2013, ‘‘Performance Evaluation Procedures for Household Clothes Washers’’ (‘‘AHAM HLW–1–2013’’), or AS/NZS 2040.1:2005, ‘‘Performance of household electrical appliances— Clothes washing machines Methods for measuring performance, energy and water consumption’’ (‘‘AS/NZS 2040.1:2005’’). Id. Electrolux stated that these industry cleaning standards do not have the repeatability and reproducibility required for establishing limits or boundaries, but Electrolux supported their use for reporting and comparison purposes. Id. According to Electrolux, adding new cleaning and rinsing metrics would not significantly increase testing burden because manufacturers already extensively perform cleaning and rinsing testing on the energy test cycle. Id. Electrolux suggested the following specific testing criteria: (1) Incorporate by reference cleaning and rinsing performance test procedures; (2) test the same machines used for energy testing; (3) test the energy test cycle and settings used for the energy testing; (4) test with a load size based on DOE average capacity and using load types defined in the cleaning standard; (5) limit load sizes to one or two; (6) limit wash and rinse temperature combinations to those that differentiate performance the most, such as one cold, one hot, and one warmest warm; (7) weight multiple tests using TUFs from Appendix J2; and (8) average 57 The ENERGY STAR ‘‘Test Method for Determining Residential Clothes Washer Cleaning Performance’’ is available at www.energystar.gov/ sites/default/files/asset/document/ Test%20Method%20for%20Determining% 20Residential%20Clothes%20Washer% 20Cleaning%20Performance%20%20July%202018_0.pdf. E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 machine cleaning and rinsing performance scores. Id. As noted, EPCA authorizes DOE to design test procedures that measure energy efficiency, energy use, water use (in the case of showerheads, faucets, water closets and urinals), or estimated annual operating cost of a covered product during a representative average use cycle or period of use. (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(3)) Also as noted, in determining whether a new or amended energy conservation standard is economically justified, EPCA requires DOE to consider any lessening of the utility or the performance likely to result from the imposition of a new standard. 42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(B)(i)(IV); 42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(4); 42 U.S.C. 6316(a)). As indicated by comments summarized above, multiple test procedures from industry and international organizations are available for measuring clothes washer cleaning performance (among other attributes). DOE may conduct research and testing that uses these or other established test methods as part of an energy conservation standards rulemaking to evaluate any lessening of the utility or the performance of the covered products likely to result from the imposition of potential new or amended standards, as required by EPCA. For example, in the most recent energy conservation standards final rule for CCWs, published on December 15, 2014 (‘‘December 2014 Final Rule’’), DOE conducted performance testing using AHAM’s HLW–1–2010 test procedure to quantitatively evaluate potential impacts on cleaning performance, rinsing performance, and solid particle removal as a result of higher standard levels. 79 FR 74492, 74506. DOE is not, however, proposing to add a cleaning performance test procedure to the proposed new Appendix J or to Appendix J2 in this NOPR. G. Consumer Usage Assumptions In the May 2020 RFI, DOE requested information on whether, in accordance with 42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(3), the consumer usage factors incorporated into the test procedure produce test results that measure energy efficiency and water use of clothes washers during a representative average use cycle or period of use. 85 FR 31065, 31077. DOE also sought comment on whether testing cycle configurations with usage factors below a certain percentage would be unduly burdensome to conduct and would not be considered to be reasonably designed to measure energy and water use during a representative average use cycle or period of use VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 because they are rarely used by consumers. Id. AHAM commented generally that it supports updating the test procedure to reflect average use cycles, but commented that any updates must reflect changes observed in national, statistically significant field use studies and must not impact repeatability or reproducibility, or be unduly burdensome to conduct. (AHAM, No. 5 at p. 12) AHAM stated that should it find data that would assist DOE in its rulemaking, it will provide it as soon as possible. (AHAM, No. 5 at p. 15) Discussion and consideration of consumer usage assumptions are provided in the following paragraphs. 1. Annual Number of Wash Cycles Section 4.4 of Appendix J2 provides the representative average number of annual clothes washer cycles to translate the annualized inactive and off mode energy consumption measurements into a per-cycle value applied to each active mode wash cycle. Separately, the number of annual wash cycles is also referenced in DOE’s test procedure provisions at 10 CFR 430.23(j)(1)(i)(A) and (B), (j)(1)(ii)(A) and (B), and (j)(3)(i) and (ii) to calculate annual operating cost and annual water consumption of a clothes washer. In the August 1997 Final Rule, DOE estimated the representative number of annual wash cycles per RCW to be 392, which represented the average number of cycles per year from 1986 through 1994, based on P&G survey data provided to DOE as described in a NOPR published on March 23, 1995. 60 FR 15330, 1533; 62 FR 45484, 45501. In the March 2012 Final Rule, DOE updated the representative number of wash cycles per year to 295 based on an analysis of the 2005 RECS data. 77 FR 13887, 13909. More recently, in the May 2020 RFI, DOE presented an analysis of the 2009 RECS data, which suggests 284 cycles per year, and of the 2015 RECS data (the most recent available) which suggests 234 cycles per year. 85 FR 31065, 31079. In the May 2020 RFI, DOE requested data and information on whether any further adjustments to the number of annual wash cycles are warranted to reflect current RCW consumer usage patterns, as suggested by RECS data. Id. AHAM supported using 2015 RECS data as a basis for determining annual use cycles. (AHAM, No. 5 at p. 15) AHAM stated that its survey of members found that the average number of annual cycles is 233, which supports DOE’s analysis of the 2015 RECS data indicating 234 cycles per year. Id. PO 00000 Frm 00037 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 49175 NEEA supported keeping the current number of wash cycles per year or increasing it slightly. (NEEA, No. 12 at p. 24) NEEA stated that findings from its 2014 laundry study indicate 313 annual use cycles for RCWs. Id. NEEA stated that its study was developed to represent the distribution of average household size, which NEEA claims principally determines the number of annual laundry cycles. Id. NEEA recommended that DOE not use the RECS methodology, which NEEA stated relies on consumer recollection of typical number of clothes washer loads, and which NEEA asserts is likely to be less accurate. Id. DOE appreciates the submission of data by NEEA but notes that the survey results represent regional usage (the Pacific Northwest) during a 4 to 6-week period in 2012, as described in the referenced report. As such, these findings do not provide a basis for estimated national average usage. In lieu of such data, DOE finds that the 2015 RECS survey is the most reliable source available for nationally representative annual usage data. Based on the data from the 2015 RECS survey, DOE is proposing to update the number of annual wash cycles to 234 in the proposed new Appendix J. This update would impact the per-cycle lowpower mode energy consumption value included in the calculation of IMEF and EER. The per-cycle low-power mode energy consumption would be divided by a smaller number (i.e., 234 instead of 295), and would therefore increase by around 25%. See further discussion of the proposed changes to the calculation of low-power mode energy in section III.G.3 of this document. DOE is not proposing to change the number of annual wash cycles in Appendix J2 because such a change would impact measured energy efficiency. DOE proposes to make such changes only in the proposed new Appendix J, which would be used for the evaluation and issuance of updated efficiency standards, and for determining compliance with those standards. In addition to other changes discussed in section III.H.6 of this document, DOE is proposing to update 10 CFR 430.23(j)(1)(i) and (j)(3)(i) such that the annual operating cost and annual water consumption calculation would reflect the new proposed number of annual wash cycles when a clothes washer is tested using the proposed new Appendix J, if finalized. DOE requests comment on its proposal to update the number of annual wash cycles to 234 in the E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 49176 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules proposed new Appendix J and 10 CFR 430.23(j)(1)(i) and (j)(3)(i). khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 2. Drying Energy Assumptions Section 4.3 of Appendix J2 provides an equation for calculating total percycle energy consumption for removal of moisture from the clothes washer test load in a clothes dryer, i.e., the ‘‘drying energy.’’ DOE first introduced the drying energy equation in Appendix J1 as part of the August 1997 Final Rule. The drying energy calculation is based on the following three assumed values: (1) A clothes dryer final moisture content of 4 percent; (2) the nominal energy required for a clothes dryer to remove moisture from a pound of clothes (‘‘DEF’’) of 0.5 kWh/lb; and (3) a clothes dryer usage factor (‘‘DUF’’) of 0.91, representing the percentage of clothes washer loads dried in a clothes dryer. a. Dryer Final Moisture Content DOE’s test procedure for clothes dryers, codified at 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix D1 (‘‘Appendix D1’’), prescribes a final moisture content between 2.5 and 5.0 percent, which is consistent with the 4-percent final moisture content value in the clothes washer test procedure for determining the drying energy. However, DOE’s alternate clothes dryer test procedure, codified at 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix D2 (‘‘Appendix D2’’), prescribes a final moisture content between 1 and 2.5 percent for timer dryers, which are clothes dryers that can be preset to carry out at least one operation that is terminated by a timer, but may also be manually controlled without including any automatic termination function. For automatic termination control dryers, which can be preset to carry out at least one sequence of operations to be terminated by means of a system assessing, directly or indirectly, the moisture content of the load, the test cycle is deemed invalid if the clothes dryer terminates the cycle at a final moisture content greater than 2 percent. Section 3.3.2 of Appendix D2. In the final rule establishing Appendix D2, DOE determined a clothes dryer final moisture content of 2 percent using the DOE test load to be more representative in that, generally, consumers would find a final moisture content higher than this level unacceptable. 78 FR 49607, 49625 (Aug. 14, 2013). Timer dryers are allowed a range of final moisture contents during the test because DOE concluded that it would be unduly burdensome to require the tester to dry the test load to an exact final moisture content; however, the measured test cycle energy consumption VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 for timer dryers is normalized to calculate the energy consumption required to dry the test load to 2-percent final moisture content. Id. Manufacturers may elect to use Appendix D2 to demonstrate compliance with the January 1, 2015, energy conservation standards; however, the procedures in Appendix D2 need not be performed to determine compliance with energy conservation standards for clothes dryers at this time. See introductory paragraph to Appendix D1. Use of Appendix D2 is, however, required for ENERGY STAR certification.58 In the May 2020 RFI, DOE requested information to determine whether to revise the clothes dryer final moisture content in the clothes washer test procedure. 85 FR 31065, 31079. AHAM opposed changing the final moisture content to align with DOE’s clothes dryer test procedure in Appendix D2 because the current value of 4 percent is consistent with Appendix D1, which is still the mandatory test procedure and the one most often used. (AHAM, No. 5 at p. 15) Samsung supported changing the final moisture content value in the drying energy calculation in Appendix J2 from 4 percent to 2 percent to align with the DOE clothes dryer test procedure in Appendix D2, because automatic termination dryers represent a majority of the clothes dryer market, and Appendix D2 has been recognized by stakeholders as representative of how automatic termination dryers are used by consumers. (Samsung, No. 6 at p. 4) Samsung added that the Appendix D1 test procedure was intended as a stopgap measure to test ‘‘sensor dryers’’ using ‘‘non-sensing’’ settings, and that the Appendix D1 procedure does not represent how the ‘‘sensor dry’’ products are used by consumers as accurately as the Appendix D2 test procedure. Id. The Joint Commenters and CA IOUs supported changing the final moisture content value in the drying energy calculation from 4 percent to 2 percent in order to align with the clothes dryer test procedure in Appendix D2. (Joint Commenters, No. 10 at p. 4; CA IOUs, No. 8 at p. 9) Although clothes dryer manufacturers may optionally use Appendix D2 to demonstrate compliance with the current energy conservation standards, Appendix D1 provides the basis for the current clothes dryer energy 58 The ENERGY STAR Specification of Clothes Dryer Requirements Version 1.1 requires the use of Appendix D2 for clothes dryers to obtain ENERGY STAR certification. PO 00000 Frm 00038 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 conservation standard levels and, as noted by AHAM, is the test procedure used as the basis for certification for the majority of models on the market. In this NOPR, DOE is not proposing to change the assumed final moisture content of 4 percent in the drying energy calculation, which aligns with Appendix D1. However, DOE could reevaluate updating the assumed final moisture content in the clothes washer test procedure based on future updates to clothes dryer test procedures or standards, among other factors. DOE requests comment on maintaining the assumed final moisture content of 4 percent in the drying energy equation, or whether it should update the assumed final moisture content to 2 percent to align with DOE’s Appendix D2 clothes dryer test procedure. b. Nominal Dryer Energy The DEF represents the nominal energy required for a clothes dryer to remove moisture from clothes. The value of 0.5 kWh/lb was first proposed in the March 23, 1995 NOPR. 60 FR 15330, 15336. DOE received no comments on this proposal and introduced this DEF value into Appendix J1 in the August 1997 Final Rule. 62 FR 45484, 45489. In the May 2020 RFI, DOE requested information to determine whether to revise the DEF value as a result of the 2015 updates to the DOE clothes dryer test procedure and any market changes due to the most recent energy conservation standards for clothes dryers. 85 FR 31065, 31079. AHAM proposed that DOE should lower DEF because of the existence of more efficient clothes dryers. (AHAM, No. 5 at pp. 15–16). AHAM did not propose an amended DEF value but commented that one would need to be determined based on the efficiency of products in the market. Id. The CA IOUs commented that the current DEF represents a reasonable and conservative estimate for residential clothes dryers based on their analysis of current consumer clothes dryer standards and market share data from the most recent energy conservation standards rulemaking for clothes dryers. (CA IOUs, No. 8 at pp. 9–11) NEEA recommended that DOE retain the current DEF, or increase it slightly to what NEEA stated would be a more representative value, such as 0.66 kWh/ lb, as used by the Northwest Regional Technical Forum. (NEEA, No. 12 at pp. 25–26) NEEA stated that its research showed that residential clothes dryers use more energy in the field than what is predicted by the dryer test procedure. E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 Id. NEEA recommended that if DOE retains the current DEF, DOE should revisit this issue once the clothes dryer test procedure has been adjusted to better reflect real-world energy use. Id. As noted by the CA IOUs, the current estimate of 0.5 kWh/lb is consistent with the estimates that DOE developed to reflect the current installed base of clothes dryers as part of the most recent energy conservation standards final rule for clothes dryers.59 In lieu of any additional data representing national average clothes dryer usage, DOE has tentatively concluded that a DEF of 0.5 kWh/lb remains representative of the nominal energy required for a clothes dryer to remove moisture from clothes. DOE is, therefore, not proposing to change the value of DEF at this time. DOE requests comment on maintaining the current DEF value of 0.5 kWh/lb. c. Dryer Usage Factor The DUF represents the percentage of clothes washer loads dried in a clothes dryer and is used in section 4.3 of Appendix J2 in the equation for calculating the per-cycle drying energy. In the August 1997 Final Rule, DOE originally established a DUF value of 0.84, which was based in part on data provided by P&G, as described in the April 1996 SNOPR. 61 FR 17589, 17592; 62 FR 45484, 45489. In the March 2012 Final Rule, DOE revised the DUF in Appendix J2 to 0.91 based on updated consumer usage data from 2005 RECS. 77 FR 13887, 13913–13914. In the May 2020 RFI, DOE requested information to determine whether to revise the DUF value. 85 FR 31065, 31078. NEEA supported keeping the DUF at 0.91 or raising it to a slightly higher value. (NEEA, No. 12 at p. 25) NEEA calculated a DUF of 0.935, using data from its own study. Id. DOE appreciates the submission of data by NEEA but notes that its survey results represent regional usage (the Pacific Northwest) during a 4 to 6-week period in 2012, as described in its report. As such, NEEA’s suggested DUF value of 0.935 does not represent national average usage. DOE is not aware of data or information that would indicate that a value other than 0.91 should be considered and so is not proposing to change the DUF in this NOPR. DOE requests comment on maintaining the current DUF value of 0.91. 59 April 2011 Clothes Dryers Energy Conservation Standards Final Rule Technical Support Document, Chapter 9. Available at www.regulations.gov/ document/EERE-2007-BT-STD-0010-0053. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 3. Low-Power Mode Assumptions Section 4.4 of Appendix J2 allocates 8,465 combined annual hours for inactive and off modes. If a clothes washer offers a switch, dial, or button that can be optionally selected by the user to achieve a lower-power inactive/ off mode than the default inactive/off mode, section 4.4 of Appendix J2 assigns half of those hours (i.e., 4,232.5 hours) to the default inactive/off mode and the other half to the optional lowest-power inactive/off mode. This allocation is based on an assumption that if a clothes washer offers such a feature, consumers will select the optional lower-power mode half of the time. 77 FR 13887, 13904. The allocation of 8,465 hours to combined inactive and off modes is based on assumptions of 1 hour per cycle and 295 cycles per year, resulting in 295 active mode hours (for a total of 8,760 hours per year for all operating modes). As described in the September 2010 NOPR and confirmed in the March 2012 Final Rule, the estimate of 1 hour per cycle was based on a 2005 report from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (‘‘EPA’’) 60 that summarized test data from three issues of the Consumer Reports magazine, which showed toploading clothes washers with ‘‘normal’’ cycle times of 37–55 minutes and frontloading clothes washers with ‘‘normal’’ cycle times of 51–105 minutes.61 In the May 2020 RFI, DOE requested input on whether the annual hours allocated to combined inactive and off modes, as well as the assumed 50percent split between default inactive/ off mode and any optional lower-power inactive/off mode, result in a test method that measures the energy efficiency of the clothes washer during a representative average use cycle or period of use and would not be unduly burdensome to conduct. 85 FR 31065, 31079. No comments were received regarding the assumed 50-percent split between default inactive/off mode and any optional lower-power inactive/off mode. Other issues regarding low-power mode, specifically regarding CCWs, are further discussed in section III.G.7 of this document. For the proposed new Appendix J, DOE is proposing to update the number 60 C. Wilkes et al. 2005. ‘‘Quantification of Exposure-Related Water Uses for Various U.S. Subpopulations.’’ U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development. Report No. EPA/600/R–06/003. Washington, DC. December 2005. Available at www.wilkestech.com/ 205edrb06_Final_Water_Use_Report.pdf. 61 These studies appeared in the July 1998, July 1999, and August 2000 issues of Consumer Reports, as cited by EPA. PO 00000 Frm 00039 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 49177 of hours spent in low-power mode from a fixed 8,465 total hours to a formula based on the clothes washer’s measured cycle time, as discussed in section III.D.5 of this document, and the updated number of annual cycles, as discussed in section III.G.1 of this document. This proposal would allow for a more representative allocation of hours between active mode and lowpower mode. DOE is not proposing to make these changes to Appendix J2 because doing so would likely change the measured efficiency, and DOE proposes to make such changes only in the proposed new Appendix J, which would be used for the evaluation and issuance of updated efficiency standards, and for determining compliance with those standards. DOE requests comment on its proposal to update the number of hours spent in low-power mode from a fixed 8,465 total hours to a formula based on measured cycle time and an assumed number of annual cycles. 4. Temperature Usage Factors TUFs are weighting factors that represent the percentage of wash cycles for which consumers choose a particular wash/rinse temperature selection. The TUFs in Table 4.1.1 of Appendix J2 are based on the TUFs established in Appendix J1–1997. As described in the April 1996 SNOPR, DOE established the TUFs in Appendix J1–1997 based on an analysis of consumer usage data provided by P&G, AHAM, General Electric Company, and Whirlpool, as well as linear regression analyses performed by P&G and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (‘‘NIST’’). 61 FR 17589, 17593. In the May 2020 RFI, DOE requested comment on current consumer usage frequency of the wash/rinse temperature selections required for testing in Appendix J2. 85 FR 31065, 31077. DOE also requested input on whether requiring the testing of temperature selections with low TUFs (for example, the current Table 4.1.1 lists TUFs including 5, 9, and 14 percent) is consistent with the EPCA requirement that the test procedure be reasonably designed to measure the energy use or efficiency of the clothes washer during a representative average use cycle or period of use, and not be unduly burdensome to conduct. Id. NEEA and the CA IOUs commented that they support the existing TUF values. (NEEA, No. 12 at p. 22; CA IOUs, No. 8 at p. 7) The CA IOUs provided temperature selection data from the 2016 PG&E survey, which found that wash temperature and rinse temperature usage data aligned E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 49178 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules reasonably well with TUFs from Table 4.1.1 of Appendix J2. (CA IOUs, No. 8 at p. 7–8) As summarized by CA IOUs, the 2016 PG&E survey indicated the following selection frequencies of each wash temperature setting: Cold (45 percent), Warm (46 percent), Hot (7 percent), and Sanitize (1 percent). Id. For the rinse temperature setting, 21 percent of cycles used warm rinse, 51 percent used cold rinse, and 28 percent reported no separate rinse temperature. Id. The CA IOUs supported measuring energy and water use of all relevant cycle selections in Table 4.1.1 of Appendix J2, including those with lower TUFs, in order to fully capture energy use in a representative average use cycle or period of use, as required by EPCA. (CA IOUs, No. 8 at p. 7) As previously mentioned in section III.A of this document, AHAM commented that, in the worst-case scenario of a product with every feature (one that includes manual and useradjustable automatic WFCS, a heater, four warm wash temperatures, warm rinse, and selectable spin speeds), over half of the test cycles have 1 percent or less overall contribution to the total energy efficiency. (AHAM, No. 5 at p. 4) AHAM emphasized that temperature use factors play a role in the overall burden of the test procedure. Id. DOE appreciates the CA IOUs’ data regarding consumer usage of different wash temperatures. As noted previously, the results from the 2016 PG&E survey are instructive as a point of comparison, but limited in geographic and seasonal representation, and represent only a small number of wash cycles per participating household. DOE is not aware of any nationally representative consumer usage data that demonstrate a change in temperature setting usage; therefore, DOE is not proposing any changes to the TUF values at this time. In response to AHAM’s comment regarding the test burden caused by TUFs that represent a relatively smaller percentage of consumer usage, DOE is proposing to implement several other changes to the proposed new Appendix J that would reduce test burden while maintaining representativeness. In particular, DOE is proposing to reduce the number of Warm Wash tested settings, as discussed in section III.D.3 of this document; to reduce the number of tested load sizes, as further discussed in section III.D.1.b of this document; and to measure RMC on the energy test cycle rather than requiring separate additional cycles for measuring RMC, as further discussed in section III.D.4 of this document. Nonetheless, testing the VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 full range of wash temperatures available to consumers on the Normal cycle is necessary to fully capture the energy and water use of a representative use cycle/period of use of a clothes washer. DOE requests comment on maintaining the current TUF values. 5. Load Usage Factors As described previously, LUFs are weighting factors that represent the percentage of wash cycles that consumers run with a given load size. Table 4.1.3 of Appendix J2 provides two sets of LUFs based on whether the clothes washer has a manual WFCS or automatic WFCS. For a clothes washer with a manual WFCS, the two LUFs represent the percentage of wash cycles for which consumers choose the maximum water fill level and minimum water fill level in conjunction with the maximum and minimum load sizes, respectively. For a clothes washer with an automatic WFCS, the three LUFs represent the percentage of cycles for which the consumer washes a minimum-size, average-size, and maximum-size load (for which the clothes washer determines the water fill level). As discussed in section III.D.1.b of this document, the values of these LUFs are intended to approximate a normal distribution that is slightly skewed towards the minimum load size. In the May 2020 RFI, DOE requested data on current consumer usage as related to the LUFs and whether any updates to the LUFs in Table 4.1.3 of Appendix J2 are warranted to reflect current consumer usage patterns. 85 FR 31065, 31077. DOE specifically requested comment on whether the use of certain LUFs in the test procedure is consistent with the EPCA requirement that the test procedure be reasonably designed to measure energy and water use during a representative average use cycle or period of use without being unduly burdensome to conduct, because certain load sizes may be rarely used by consumers. Id. The CA IOUs provided load size data from the 2016 PG&E survey that showed the following load size usage: Very small (3 percent), small (11 percent), medium (28 percent), large (45 percent), and very large (14 percent).62 (CA IOUs, No. 8 at pp. 8–9) The CA IOUs stated that international research supports the conclusion that large loads represent a more significant portion of consumer operation than currently represented by 62 The CA IOUs did not define the terms ‘‘very small,’’ ‘‘small,’’ ‘‘medium,’’ ‘‘large,’’ or ‘‘very large.’’ PO 00000 Frm 00040 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 Table 4.1.3 of Appendix J2. Id. The CA IOUs recommended that DOE consider the results from the 2016 PG&E survey in updating the LUFs. Id. NEEA presented its test data showing that 36 percent of consumer loads are small (less than 6 lb), 52 percent are medium (6 lb to 12 lb), and 11 percent are large (12 lb or more). (NEEA, No. 12 at p. 22) NEEA recommended, based on its testing data, that DOE update the LUFs to place higher weightings on small- and average-sized loads, and less weighting on maximum-sized loads. Id. DOE notes that, as discussed previously in this document, the data presented from both NEEA and the CA IOUs are regional in scope and do not necessarily represent national U.S.average usage. In addition, DOE notes that the two data sets offer opposing conclusions with regard to load size usage factors. As previously discussed in section III.D.1.b of this document, DOE is proposing to replace the minimum, maximum, and average load sizes with the small and large load sizes in the proposed new Appendix J. DOE has defined the small and large load sizes such that the small and large load sizes each have an equal (50–50) weighting. As such, DOE is proposing to update the LUFs in the proposed new Appendix J to 0.5 for both the small and the large load size. Because this proposal simplifies the LUF definitions by using the same LUFs regardless of clothes washer WFCS, a separate LUF table is no longer needed. DOE is therefore proposing to remove the LUF Table 4.1.3 and define the LUFs as 0.5 in the equations where the LUFs are first used in section 4.1.3 of the proposed new Appendix J. DOE requests comment on its proposal to update the LUFs for the small and large load sizes to be equal to 0.5, consistent with the proposed load size definitions in the proposed new Appendix J. 6. Water Heater Assumptions Section 4.1.2 of Appendix J2 provides equations for calculating total per-cycle hot water energy consumption for all water fill levels tested. The hot water energy consumption is calculated by multiplying the measured volume of hot water by a constant fixed temperature rise of 75 °F and by the specific heat of water, defined as 0.00240 kilowatthours per gallon per degree Fahrenheit (‘‘kWh/gal-°F’’). No efficiency or loss factor is included in this calculation, which implies an electric water heater efficiency of 100 percent. Similarly, section 4.1.4 of Appendix J2 provides an equation for calculating total per-cycle E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules hot water energy consumption using gas-heated or oil-heated water, for product labeling requirements.63 This equation includes a multiplication factor ‘‘e,’’ representing the nominal gas or oil water heater efficiency, defined as 0.75. These water-heating energy equations estimate the energy required by the household water heater to heat the hot water used by the clothes washer. Per-cycle hot water energy consumption is one of the four energy components in the IMEF metric. In the May 2020 RFI, DOE requested input on whether any updates were warranted to the water heater efficiency values implied in section 4.1.2 and provided in section 4.1.4 of Appendix J2. 85 FR 31065, 31079. The CA IOUs recommended that DOE update the gas and oil efficiency factor in section 4.1.4 of Appendix J2, and include a new efficiency factor for electric water heaters in the rest of section 4.1 of Appendix J2, to account for heat losses in the hot water distribution system. (CA IOUs, No. 8 at p. 15) The CA IOUs did not provide specific recommendations or data that could be used to justify updating the gas and oil efficiency factor, or for a new efficiency factor to account for any heat losses in the hot water distribution system. DOE is unaware of any nationally representative data regarding heat losses in residential water distribution systems. In the absence of such data, DOE is not proposing any changes to the assumed water heater efficiency factors in the clothes washer test procedure. DOE requests comment on maintaining the current water heater efficiency assumptions. khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 7. Commercial Clothes Washer Usage As mentioned in section I of this document, CCWs 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)(H)) EPCA requires the test procedures for CCWs to be the same as those established for RCWs. (42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(8)) The CA IOUs recommended that DOE include CCW use patterns when determining the number of average use cycles, annual loads of laundry, and LUF values. (CA IOUs, No. 8 at pp. 8– 9, 12–14) The CA IOUs stated that according to Table HC3.4 of the 2015 RECS data, 17.6 percent of respondents 63 The Federal Trade Commission’s EnergyGuide label for RCWs includes the estimated annual operating cost using natural gas water heating. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 rely on CCWs to wash their clothing. The CA IOUs commented that, due to the exclusion of CCW usage data, DOE’s analysis undercounts the average annual use cycles. Id. The CA IOUs cited an ENERGY STAR case study at an apartment building in Maryland that reported 1,138 cycles per CCW per year, with each CCW servicing more than 19 apartments.64 According to the CA IOUs, this implies that the RECS annual cycle use analysis provided by DOE in the September 2010 NOPR represents an undercounting of the average annual use cycles due to a lack of representation of CCWs. Id. The CA IOUs also suggested that DOE develop a DEF for CCWs that is different than the DEF for RCWs. (CA IOUs, No. 8 at p. 11) The CA IOUs recommended that DOE calculate this DEF by investigating any changes to market share distribution of consumer clothes dryers since the 2011 clothes dryer standards rulemaking, and by incorporating energy use and market share implications for CCWs. Id. NEEA, the CA IOUs, and the Joint Commenters recommended that DOE require standby/low power mode testing for CCWs, and that low-power mode energy consumption should be incorporated into the energy efficiency metric for CCWs. (NEEA, No. 12 at p. 18; Joint Commenters, No. 10 at p. 2; CA IOUs, No. 8 at p. 13) NEEA reported data from its test program that showed CCWs have an average standby power of 6.4 watts compared to 0.5 watts for RCWs. NEEA stated that although CCWs have more active wash cycles than RCWs, CCWs still spend a significant amount of time in low power mode. According to NEEA, low-power mode energy use in CCWs can be reduced cost-effectively in a variety of ways. (NEEA, No. 12 at p. 18) The CA IOUs further commented that transitioning CCWs’ efficiency metric to IMEF could align with the California Energy Commission’s Low Power Modes Roadmap.65 (CA IOUs, No. 8 at p. 13) NEEA’s standby power data for CCWs falls within with the range of test results described by DOE in the December 2014 Final Rule. As part of its market assessment and engineering analysis for the December 2014 Final Rule, DOE performed an in-depth evaluation of the standby and off mode power characteristics of a representative 64 The apartment building included 14 clothes washers for 272 apartments. www.energystar.gov/ia/ products/appliances/clotheswash/508_ ColesvilleTowers.pdf. 65 Additional information can be found at the California Energy Commission’s Low-Power Mode docket: efiling.energy.ca.gov/Lists/ DocketLog.aspx?docketnumber=17-AAER-12. PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 49179 sample of CCWs spanning a wide range of display types, payment systems, and communication features. 79 FR 74492, 74501. DOE observed that manufacturers offer a variety of display and payment functionalities that can be selected independently from the basic model. The standby power associated with these different display and payment functionalities varies from 0.88 to 11.77 watts. Id. The lowest standby power levels are associated with models having no vend price display and no coin or card payment options (often referred to as ‘‘push-to-start’’ models). These models are typically used in small multi-family housing facilities offering free laundry, or in other commercial applications not requiring fare payment. Such models are not suitable for coin-operated laundry or most other multi-family housing facilities. Id. The highest standby power levels are associated with models having a digital vend price display, coin or debit card payment system, and advanced features such as dynamic or cycle-based pricing controls, built-in logging capabilities, and remote auditing features. These models are typically used in coin-operated laundries located in competitive markets. Id. In the December 2014 Final Rule, DOE determined not to include lowpower mode energy in the CCW energy efficiency metric. Id. DOE determined that promulgating an amended standard that included low-power mode energy could enable backsliding and that the IMEF metric would not provide a useful means for differentiating the active mode characteristics of different CCW models. Id. Because of the wide variations in standby power, CCWs with significantly different active mode ratings could have similar IMEF ratings depending on their control panel functionalities, and vice versa. This would diminish the usefulness of the IMEF metric as a means for differentiating the active mode characteristics of different CCW models. Id. Moreover, as noted, EPCA requires the test procedures for CCWs to be the same as those established for RCWs. (42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(8)) Creating load, temperature, or dryer usage factors specific to CCWs within the RCW test procedure would effectively create a separate test procedure for CCWs because the LUF, TUF, DUF, and DEF values are integral to the calculations of per-cycle energy and water use, on which the regulated metrics for RCWs and CCWs are based. Regarding annual use cycles, DOE notes that in calculating national energy E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 49180 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules savings as part of the analysis conducted during CCW energy conservation standards rulemakings, DOE uses CCW-specific usage data for factors such as annual use cycles, the proportion of gas versus electric water heating, and others. This ensures that the analysis of energy savings and national impacts as part of a CCW standards rulemaking accurately reflects CCW usage. Any determination regarding whether to include low-power mode energy use in the energy efficiency metric for CCWs would be made as part of the ongoing energy conservation standards rulemaking for CCWs. DOE is not proposing any changes to CCW usage factors or to the CCW energy efficiency metric in this NOPR. khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 H. Clarifications In this section of the NOPR, DOE is proposing amendments to its test procedures for clothes washers at Appendix J2 that DOE has tentatively determined would not alter the measured efficiency of clothes washers. The proposed amendments either codify guidance on the existing regulations, provide more specificity in the test procedure provisions, provide improved organization of each section, or correct formatting errors in DOE’s clothes washer test procedures. 1. Water Inlet Hose Length DOE has observed an increasing trend of water inlet hoses not being included with the purchase of a new clothes washer. DOE has received questions from test laboratories asking how to install a clothes washer that does not include water inlet hoses among the installation hardware. Multiple styles of water inlet hoses (different materials, lengths, durability, etc.) are commercially available from appliance and hardware retailers. While most such products intended for consumer use would be appropriate for installing a clothes washer, DOE seeks to provide additional direction to avoid the use of a hose designed for niche purposes (i.e., to ensure representativeness) as well as to ensure reproducible results among different laboratories. Specifically, DOE observes a wide range of hose lengths available on the market, and recognizes that using an excessively long hose could result in the water temperature or pressure at the clothes washer inlet deviating significantly from the temperature and pressure at the test fixture. Based on a review of water inlet hoses available at major retailers, the most common lengths for clothes washer hoses range from 3–6 feet (‘‘ft’’). DOE is therefore VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 proposing to specify the use of hoses that do not exceed 72 inches in length (6 ft) in section 2.10.1 of the proposed new Appendix J. DOE requests comment on its proposal to specify the use of hoses not to exceed 72 inches in length in the proposed new Appendix J. DOE also requests comment on the length of inlet hose typically used for testing. DOE could also consider this change for Appendix J2, but is not proposing it in this NOPR because of the potential for this change to impact measured energy efficiency. DOE proposes to make such changes only in the proposed new Appendix J, which would be used for the evaluation and issuance of updated efficiency standards, and for determining compliance with those standards. 2. Water Fill Selection Availability Table 2.8 within section 2.8 of Appendix J2 requires that, for clothes washers with manual WFCS, each temperature selection that is part of the energy test cycle be tested using both the minimum and maximum water fill levels, using the minimum and maximum load sizes, respectively. Section 3.2.6 of Appendix J2 describes these water fill levels as the minimum and maximum water levels available for the wash cycle under test. DOE has observed one RCW model with electronic controls in which the maximum water fill level on the unit cannot be selected with all of the temperature selections required for testing; i.e., on at least one temperature setting, the maximum water fill that can be selected is one of the intermediate fill levels on the unit. In such cases generally, the ‘‘reduced maximum’’ water fill level for a particular temperature setting may not be appropriate for use with the maximum load size required for that particular cycle under test. Using a maximum load size with a reduced maximum water fill level may not provide results that measure energy efficiency and water use during a representative average use cycle or period of use, since the unavailability of the ‘‘full maximum’’ water fill level for that particular cycle under test would suggest that the particular temperature selection is not intended to be used with a maximum load size. The RCW model with this characteristic is no longer available on the market, and DOE is not aware of any other clothes washer models currently on the market with this characteristic. As described further in this discussion, DOE is not proposing any amendments in this NOPR to address the potential for PO 00000 Frm 00042 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 the maximum load size required by the test procedure to conflict with the maximum load size intended or able to be washed on such a cycle. Nevertheless, DOE considered comments received from interested parties on this issue and seeks additional comment on several approaches that DOE has considered that could address this issue in the test procedure. In the May 2020 RFI, DOE requested comment from interested parties on how the test procedure should accommodate clothes washers in which the maximum available water fill level may differ depending on the temperature selection. 85 FR 31065, 31073. Samsung stated that it believes that because some clothes washers do not offer all water level selections for all temperature options, the current test procedure is unrepresentative of realworld use. According to Samsung, if the energy test cycle cannot be run at all temperature and water fill options, consumers may switch to a non-tested, and potentially more energy-intensive, mode in order to access the water level and temperature they intend to use. Samsung suggested that DOE consider amending the test procedure to require testing of other cycles, in addition to the Normal cycle, for which all water level selections are available. (Samsung, No. 6 at pp. 2–3) AHAM commented that it is not necessary to amend the test procedure to include directions for testing clothes washers with water fill levels that are only available at certain temperature settings. (AHAM, No. 5 at p. 12) AHAM commented that while consumers have options available for other needs, the Normal cycle remains the most representative of customer use, and there have not been any data to prove otherwise. AHAM emphasized that the purpose of testing is to test the most used, or ‘‘representative,’’ cycle and that the Normal cycle has been and remains that cycle. Id. Furthermore, AHAM commented that DOE has achieved its objectives by limiting water and energy use and restrictions on options in the most commonly used cycle while also allowing for consumer choice. AHAM stated that it may have more data on this issue at a future time. Id. The suggestion by Samsung to require testing of other cycles for which all water level selections are available would mirror the approached used in the flowcharts in section 2.12 of Appendix J2 for determining the wash/ rinse temperatures that comprise energy test cycle. For each wash/rinse temperature selection other than Cold/ Cold, the flowcharts require deviating E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules from the Normal cycle (as that term is defined in section 1.25 of Appendix J2) if the particular wash/rinse temperature combination is not offered on the Normal cycle but is offered on one of the other cycle selections on the clothes washer. DOE could consider amending the flowcharts to incorporate the availability of load sizes in conjunction with the availability of wash/rinse temperature selections, for example. DOE could also consider other approaches that would maintain the use of the Normal cycle in such cases; for example, specifying the use of a modified load size if the maximum load size defined by the test procedure conflicts with the maximum load size intended or able to be washed on such a cycle. DOE notes an important distinction between the requirements of EPCA and AHAM’s comment regarding the purpose of the test procedure. As discussed, EPCA requires that test procedures produce test results that measure energy efficiency or energy use during a representative average use cycle or period of use (among other considerations). (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(3); 42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(2)) AHAM’s comment suggests that testing other cycles for models with certain characteristics is not necessary because, according to AHAM, the Normal cycle remains the most representative of customer use. However, EPCA does not require that the results of the test procedure be representative of the average use of consumers across all models of clothes washers; rather, EPCA requires that the results of the test procedure be representative of the energy (and water) use of the particular model being tested. Although the Normal cycle may be the most commonly used cycle across all clothes washers on the market, the ‘‘representative average use cycle or period of use’’ might differ for a model in which the maximum water fill level on the unit cannot be selected with all of the temperature selections required for testing. As stated, DOE is not proposing any changes at this time to address the potential for the maximum load size required by the test procedure to conflict with the maximum load size intended or able to be washed using the cycle required for testing. To the extent that models with this characteristic were to be reintroduced the market, more research would be needed to address any potential concerns regarding representative use. Finally, DOE notes that the amended load sizes proposed for new Appendix J (in which the ‘‘large’’ load size is smaller than the ‘‘maximum’’ load size VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 currently defined by Appendix J2) would obviate the need for any changes to the test procedure for the one RCW model of concern. DOE requests comment on whether it should amend the test procedure to accommodate potential future clothes washer models for which the maximum load size required by the test procedure conflicts with the maximum load size intended or able to be washed with the cycle required for testing. If so, DOE seeks additional comment on the approaches it has considered, or on any other approaches that could be considered, that would address this issue in the test procedure. 3. Water Fill Control Systems a. Definitions Section 1.5 of Appendix J2 defines ‘‘automatic water fill control system’’ as a clothes washer WFCS that does not allow or require the user to determine or select the water fill level, and includes adaptive WFCS and fixed WFCS. Section 1.4 of Appendix J2 defines ‘‘adaptive water fill control system’’ as a clothes washer automatic WFCS that is capable of automatically adjusting the water fill level based on the size or weight of the clothes load placed in the clothes container. Section 1.14 of Appendix J2 defines ‘‘fixed water fill control system’’ as a clothes washer automatic WFCS that automatically terminates the fill when the water reaches an appropriate level in the clothes container. Section 3.2.6.2.2 of Appendix J2 provides testing instructions for a ‘‘useradjustable’’ automatic WFCS, which is described in that section as an automatic water fill control that affects the relative wash water levels. In response to the May 2020 RFI, NEEA and the Joint Commenters recommended that DOE develop new definitions for WFCS to address the current variety and sophistication of clothes washer fill options and the range of possible consumer use. NEEA stated that the market has shifted away from the two main types of WFCS currently defined in Appendix J2, and that NEEA has encountered many types of combined WFCS. (NEEA, No. 12 at p. 21; Joint Commenters, No. 10 at pp. 3– 4) To provide additional specificity to both Appendix J2 and the proposed new Appendix J, DOE is proposing revisions to some of the WFCS definitions, as follows. DOE proposes to amend the definition of ‘‘fixed water fill control system’’ to mean ‘‘a clothes washer automatic water fill control system that automatically PO 00000 Frm 00043 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 49181 terminates the fill when the water reaches a pre-defined level that is not based on the size or weight of the clothes load placed in the clothes container, without allowing or requiring the user to determine or select the water fill level.’’ This proposed amendment to the definition would specify that the water fill level for this type of WFCS is pre-defined (i.e., fixed) and does not vary based on the size or weight of the load. The proposal would incorporate the same terminology used in the other WFCS definitions so as to more clearly articulate how a fixed WFCS relates to the other defined WFCS. This amended definition would be included in the proposed new Appendix J as well. To provide greater specificity regarding user-adjustable automatic WFCS, DOE is proposing to add a definition of a ‘‘user-adjustable automatic water fill control system’’ to section 1 of both Appendix J2 and the proposed new Appendix J. DOE is proposing to define a user-adjustable automatic WFCS as ‘‘an automatic clothes washer fill control system that allows the user to adjust the amount of water that the machine provides, which is based on the size or weight of the clothes load placed in the clothes container.’’ Given DOE’s proposal to create a definition of user-adjustable automatic WFCS, DOE proposes to simplify the wording of section 3.2.6.2.2 of Appendix J2 from ‘‘[c]onduct four tests on clothes washers with user adjustable automatic water fill controls that affect the relative wash water levels’’ to ‘‘[c]onduct four tests on clothes washers with user-adjustable automatic water fill controls.’’ For the proposed new Appendix J, section 3.2.3.2.2 would state ‘‘For the large test load size, set the water fill selector to the setting that uses the most water. For the small test load size, set the water fill selector to the setting that uses the least water.’’ DOE requests comment on its proposed changes to the definition of ‘‘fixed water fill control system’’ and on its proposal to add a definition for ‘‘user-adjustable automatic water fill control system.’’ b. ‘‘Most Energy Intensive’’ Wording for User-Adjustable Automatic Water Fill Control Systems As discussed, section 3.2.6.2.2 of Appendix J2 specifies how to test clothes washers with user-adjustable automatic WFCS. Four tests are required: b A test using the maximum test load size and with the WFCS set in the setting that will give the most energy intensive result; E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 49182 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules b a test using the minimum test load size and with the WFCS set in the setting that will give the least energy intensive result; b a test using the average test load size and with the WFCS set in the setting that will give the most energy intensive result; and b a test using the average test load size and with the WFCS set in the setting that will give the least energy intensive result. DOE has received questions from a test laboratory regarding how to determine which setting is the most ‘‘energy intensive’’ for the purposes of this provision. Depending on the quantity and temperature of water under consideration—as well as whether the term ‘‘energy intensive’’ is intended to include machine electrical energy, hot water heating energy, and/or drying energy—the setting that uses the most (or least) amount of water may not correspond to the most (or least) amount of energy. While the amount of water used in a wash cycle can be readily determined, measuring and calculating the amount of energy consumption requires more time and effort, particularly if energy consumption includes a combination of machine electrical energy, hot water heating energy, and/or drying energy. The provisions requiring testing the most and least energy intensive settings were initially proposed in response to an interim waiver granted to GEA for a clothes washer with user-adjustable adaptive WFCS. 61 FR 57794, 57795 (Nov. 8, 1996; ‘‘November 1996 NOPR’’), referencing interim waiver case no. CW–004, 61 FR 18125 (Apr. 24, 1996; ‘‘April 1996 Interim Waiver’’). These testing provisions were adopted in the August 1997 Final Rule 62 FR 45484, 45487. At the time of the November 1996 NOPR, the applicable energy efficiency metric (i.e., energy factor) did not include the drying energy component, and the energy conservation standards at the time did not regulate the water efficiency of clothes washers. As evident throughout the discussions in the April 1996 Interim Waiver, November 1996 NOPR, and August 1997 Final Rule, absent the consideration of drying energy and water efficiency, DOE used the terms ‘‘most energy intensive’’ and ‘‘least energy intensive’’ synonymously with discussing the water fill amounts.66 The terms ‘‘most 66 For example, in the April 1996 Interim Waiver, DOE stated the following: However, the ‘‘sensitivity’’ or relative fill amounts of the automatic water fill mode can be reprogrammed in the secondary programming mode, thus resulting in VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 energy intensive’’ and ‘‘least energy intensive’’ were originally employed to provide direction of the water fill amounts required for testing of the adaptive WFCS. In no part of any of these three documents did DOE discuss the possibility that the highest (or lowest) water fill amount would not also correspond to the most (or least) energy intensive setting. In the context of the user-adjustable automatic WFCS provisions, the test conditions are to provide instruction as to the required water fill level, and not require a determination of energy intensity. As the test procedures and energy conservation standards have been amended, the measured energy use accounts for more than just that which correlates to the water fill level. However, use of the energy intensity terminology remained in the useradjustable automatic WFCS provisions. Given the evolution of clothes washer control systems and operation since the August 1997 Final Rule, more precise language is needed to avoid an unnecessary determination of whether the highest (or lowest) water fill amount on a user-adjustable automatic WFCS corresponds to the most (or least) energy intensive setting. Therefore, DOE is proposing to change the wording of both section 3.2.6.2.2 of Appendix J2 and section 3.2.3.2.2 of the proposed new Appendix J, to update the phrase ‘‘the setting that will give the most energy intensive result’’ to ‘‘the setting that uses the most water’’ to reflect the original intent of this provision. Similarly, DOE is proposing to update the phrase ‘‘the setting that will give the least energy intensive result’’ to ‘‘the setting that uses the least water.’’ DOE requests comment on its proposal to update the wording of section 3.2.6.2.2 of Appendix J2 and section 3.2.3.2.2 of the proposed new Appendix J from ‘‘the setting that will give the most energy intensive result’’ to ‘‘the setting that uses the most water;’’ and from ‘‘the setting that will give the least energy intensive result’’ to ‘‘the setting that uses the least water.’’ 4. Energy Test Cycle Flowcharts In the August 2015 Final Rule, DOE implemented a series of flowcharts to determine the wash/rinse temperature selections required for testing in section 2.12 of Appendix J2. 80 FR 46730, 46744. an increase in energy consumption above the manual mode result. 61 FR 18125, 18127. PO 00000 Frm 00044 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 a. Clarification of Load Size To Be Used for Temperature Comparisons Figure 2.12.5 of Appendix J2, which is the flow chart used for the determination of the Extra-Hot Wash/ Cold Rinse temperature selection, asks if the wash/rinse temperature selection has a wash temperature greater than 135 °F. DOE is aware that for some clothes washer on the market, the answer to that question could differ depending on what load size is used, i.e., the wash temperature may exceed 135 °F only on certain load sizes, meaning that the determination of whether the temperature selection is classified as Hot Wash/Cold Rinse or Extra-Hot Wash/Cold Rinse would depend on the load size used for making the determination. More generally, all of the flowcharts in section 2.12 require comparing wash and rinse water temperatures across different temperature selections, without specifying a load size to be used for making these comparisons. DOE is proposing to specify using the maximum load size to evaluate the flow chart for clothes washers tested to Appendix J2, and the large load size for the proposed new Appendix J.67 The maximum/large load size is the load size expected to use the most water (compared to the other load sizes) under each appendix, and in DOE’s experience, larger quantities of water (particularly hot water) provide a more reliable determination of the relative differences in water temperature among the various temperature settings. Therefore, the maximum/large load size is likely to provide the most repeatable and reproducible end result for each flowchart. DOE notes that Figure 2.12.1 of Appendix J2, which is the flow chart used for the determination of the Cold Wash/Cold Rinse temperature selection, provides direction for cases where multiple wash temperature selections in the Normal cycle do not use any hot water for any of the water fill levels or test load sizes required for testing. For Appendix J2, DOE is proposing that the new clarifying language would not apply to the Cold Wash/Cold Rinse temperature settings in order to avoid the potential need for retesting under Appendix J2 if a clothes washer was tested in a manner inconsistent with this proposed change. For the proposed new Appendix J, DOE is proposing to delete from the Cold Wash/Cold Rinse flowchart (Figure 2.12.1) the clause applying it to all tested load sizes, and 67 See section III.D.1.b of this document for a discussion of the definition of the new ‘‘large’’ test load size. E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 to instead require the use of the large size, consistent with all the other wash/ rinse temperature selection flowcharts. DOE requests comment on its proposal to require that the energy test cycle flow charts be evaluated using the large load size for all wash/rinse temperature settings in the proposed new Appendix J. DOE also requests comment on its proposal to require that the energy test cycle flow charts be evaluated using the maximum load size, except for the Cold/Cold flow chart, in Appendix J2. b. Clothes Washers That Generate All Hot Water Internally As described in section III.C.2 of this document, DOE is aware of single-inlet clothes washers on the market that intake only cold water and internally generate all hot water required for a cycle by means of an internal heating element. As observed on the market, these clothes washers offer Cold, Warm, Hot, and/or Extra Hot temperature selections. As part of determining the Cold Wash/Cold Rinse temperature selection, the instruction box in the flowchart in Figure 2.12.1 of Appendix J2 refers to ‘‘. . . multiple wash temperature selections in the Normal cycle [that] do not use any hot water for any of the water fill levels or test load sizes required for testing . . .’’ In the May 2020 RFI, DOE considered rephrasing the text in Figure 2.12.1 of Appendix J2 to say ‘‘. . . use or internally generate any heated water . . .’’ (emphasis added) so that the wording of the Cold Wash/Cold Rinse flowchart in Figure 2.12.1 of Appendix J2 explicitly addresses clothes washers that internally generate hot water. 85 FR 31065, 31074. This change would be consistent with DOE’s interpretation of the current Cold Wash/Cold Rinse flowchart and subsequent flowcharts for the Warm Wash and Hot Wash temperature selections for this type of clothes washer. Id. DOE requested input on this rephrasing. Id. UL supported changing the wording of Figure 2.12.1 of Appendix J2 to specifically address clothes washers that internally generate heated water. (UL, No. 9 at p. 3) AHAM stated that it does not oppose rephrasing Figure 2.12.1 of Appendix J2 to specifically address clothes washers that internally generate all hot water used for a cycle by means of internal heating elements, and believes it would be a useful clarification. (AHAM, No. 5 at p. 13) As suggested in the May 2020 RFI, DOE proposes rephrasing the text in Figure 2.12.1 of both Appendix J2 and the proposed new Appendix J to say VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 ‘‘. . . use or internally generate any heated water . . .’’ (emphasis added) so that the wording of the Cold Wash/Cold Rinse flowchart in both appendices explicitly addresses clothes washers that internally generate hot water. 85 FR 31065, 31074. In this NOPR, DOE is further proposing to rephrase the description of Warm Wash/Warm Rinse in Figure 2.12.4 of both Appendix J2 and the proposed new Appendix J to state ‘‘. . . rinse temperature selections that add or internally generate hot water . . .’’ (emphasis added), for the same reasons. DOE requests comments on its proposal to update the flowcharts for Cold Wash/Cold Rinse and Warm Wash/ Warm Rinse in both Appendix J2 and the proposed new Appendix J to explicitly address clothes washers that internally generate hot water. 5. Wash Time Setting Section 3.2.5 of Appendix J2 defines how to select the wash time setting on a clothes washer. If no one wash time is prescribed for the wash cycle under test, the wash time setting is the higher of either the minimum or 70 percent of the maximum wash time available, regardless of the labeling of suggested dial locations. Hereafter in this document, DOE refers to this provision as the ‘‘70-percent test.’’ In the March 2012 Final Rule, DOE added instructions to the wash time section of Appendix J1 and Appendix J2 that specified the direction of rotation of electromechanical dials, and that the 70percent test applies regardless of the labeling of suggested dial locations. 77 FR 13887, 13927. In the August 2015 Final Rule, DOE specified that, if 70percent of the maximum wash time is not available on a dial with a discrete number of wash time settings, the nexthighest setting greater than 70-percent must be chosen. 80 FR 46729, 46745. a. Electronic vs. Electromechanical Dials DOE has observed on the market clothes washers that have an electronic cycle selection dial designed to visually simulate a conventional electromechanical dial.68 85 FR 31065, 31075. In particular, DOE has observed clothes washers with an electronic dial that offers multiple Normal cycle selections; for example, ‘‘Normal-Light,’’ 68 On most electromechanical dials, the rotational position of the dial corresponds to the desired wash time. The user rotates the dial from the initial ‘‘off’’ position to the desired wash time position, and after starting the wash cycle, the dial rotates throughout the progression of the wash cycle until it reaches the ‘‘off’’ position at the end of the cycle. In contrast, an electronic dial contains a fixed number of selectable positions, and the dial remains in the selected position for the duration of the wash cycle. PO 00000 Frm 00045 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 49183 ‘‘Normal-Medium,’’ and ‘‘NormalHeavy,’’ with the descriptor referring to the soil level of the clothing. On such clothes washers, the only difference between the three Normal cycles apparent to consumers when performing each cycle may be the wash time, although other less observable parameters may also differ. Although the electronic dial simulates the visual appearance of an electromechanical dial, the electronic dial is programmed with a preestablished set of wash cycle parameters, including wash time, for each of the discrete cycle selections presented on the machine. Id. For this type of cycle selection dial, each of the discrete cycle selection options represents a selectable ‘‘wash cycle’’ as referred to in section 3.2.5 of Appendix J2, and a wash time is prescribed for each available wash cycle. Therefore, for clothes washers with this type of electronic dial, the wash cycle selected for testing must correspond to the wash cycle that meets the definition of Normal cycle in section 1.25 of Appendix J2. The wash time setting thus would be the prescribed wash time for the selected wash cycle; i.e., the 70percent test would not apply to this type of dial. Id. In the May 2020 RFI, DOE requested feedback on whether to further clarify section 3.2.5 of Appendix J2 regarding electronic cycle selection dials that visually simulate conventional electromechanical dials. Id. AHAM suggested that section 3.2.5 of Appendix J2 could be clarified by specifying that the instructions pertaining to electromechanical dials (regarding resetting the dial and turning it to reach the appropriate setting) also pertain to timers that control wash time. (AHAM, No. 5 at p. 14) DOE agrees with AHAM’s suggestion and is proposing to amend section 3.2.5.3 of both Appendix J2 and the proposed new Appendix J by adding the words ‘‘or timer’’ after the words ‘‘electromechanical dial’’ in order to clarify the application of the instructions to electronic cycle selection dials. DOE is further proposing to revise the wording of section 3.2.5 of Appendix J2 and section 3.2.2 of the proposed new Appendix J 69 by changing the first sentence of the section to read, ‘‘If the cycle under test offers a range of wash time settings, the wash time setting shall be the higher of either the minimum 70 percent of the maximum wash time available for the wash cycle under test, 69 See section III.H.7 of this document for a discussion of the structure of section 3 of the proposed new Appendix J. E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 49184 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 regardless of the labeling of suggested dial locations’’ (emphasis added). DOE is also proposing to separate section 3.2.5 of Appendix J2 and section 3.2.2 of the proposed new Appendix J into two subsections: Section 3.2.5.1 (in Appendix J2) and section 3.2.2.1 (in the proposed new Appendix J), which specifies the wash time setting for a clothes washer cycle with a range of wash time settings; and section 3.2.5.2 (in Appendix J2) and 3.2.2.2 (in the proposed new Appendix J), which specifies the dial rotation procedure for a clothes washer equipped with an electromechanical dial or timer that rotates in both directions. DOE requests comment on its proposal to clarify the wording of the wash time setting specifications in section 3.2.5 of Appendix J2 and section 3.2.2 of the proposed new Appendix J. b. Direction of Dial Rotation Section 3.2.5 of Appendix J2 states that, for clothes washers with electromechanical dials controlling wash time, the dial must be turned in the direction of increasing wash time to reach the appropriate wash time setting. DOE is aware that not all electromechanical dials currently on the market can be turned in the direction of increasing wash time. 85 FR 31065, 31075. On such models, the dial can only be turned in the direction of decreasing wash time. DOE believes that the direction of rotation need only be prescribed on a clothes washer with an electromechanical dial that can rotate in both directions. Id. In the May 2020 RFI, DOE requested comment on its understanding of the functioning of dials currently on the market, specifically with regard to the direction(s) of rotation and whether the wording of section 3.2.5 of Appendix J2 warrants revision to specify that the requirement to rotate the dial in the direction of increasing wash time applies only to dials that can rotate in both directions. Id. UL commented that it supports specifying that the requirement to rotate the dial in the direction of increasing wash time applies only to dials that can rotate in both directions, because some dials only rotate in one direction. (UL, No. 9 at p. 3) AHAM supported amending section 3.2.5 of Appendix J2 to specify that the requirement to rotate the dial in the direction of increasing wash time applies only to dials that can rotate in both directions. (AHAM, No. 5 at p. 14) DOE notes general support for its suggestion to specify that the requirement to rotate the dial in the direction of increasing wash time VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 applies only to dials that can rotate in both directions. In this NOPR, DOE is proposing to add a clause in section 3.2.5.2 of Appendix J2 and section 3.2.2.2 of the proposed new Appendix J that would specify that the requirement to rotate the dial in the direction of increasing wash time would only apply to dials that can rotate in both directions. DOE requests comment on its proposal to add a clause in section 3.2.5.2 of Appendix J2 and section 3.2.2.2 of the proposed new Appendix J stating that the requirement to rotate the dial in the direction of increasing wash time would only apply to dials that can rotate in both directions. c. ‘‘Wash Time’’ Definition The 70-percent test described above does not explicitly define how to calculate ‘‘wash time.’’ In the May 2020 RFI, DOE was considering whether to state that the phrase ‘‘wash time’’ in section 3.2.5 of Appendix J2 refers to the period of agitation or tumble. 85 FR 31065, 31975. This clarification would be consistent with the historical context of this section of the test procedure. In Appendix J–1997, section 2.10 Clothes washer setting refers to ‘‘actual wash time’’ as the ‘‘period of agitation.’’ In Appendix J–2001, DOE renamed section 2.10 Wash time (period of agitation or tumble) setting.70 66 FR 3313, 3330. When establishing Appendix J1 in the August 1997 Final Rule, DOE did not include reference to ‘‘period of agitation or tumble’’ in section 2.10 of Appendix J1. 62 FR 45484, 45510. DOE did not address this difference from Appendix J–1977 in the preamble of the August 1997 Final Rule or the NOPRs that preceded that final rule, but given the continued reference to ‘‘wash time’’ in Appendix J1, did not intend to change the general understanding that wash time refers to the wash portion of the cycle, which includes agitation or tumble time. DOE has since further amended section 2.10 of both Appendix J1 and Appendix J2 as part of the March 2012 Final Rule and August 2015 Final Rule (in which section 2.10 was renumbered as section 3.2.5), with no discussion in these final rules of the statement that remained in Appendix J– 2001, where wash time was referred to in the title of section 2.10 as the period of agitation or tumble time. DOE further notes that in current RCW models on the market, agitation or tumble may be 70 In this context, ‘‘agitation’’ refers to the wash action of a top-loading clothes washer, whereas ‘‘tumble’’ refers to the wash action of a frontloading clothes washer. PO 00000 Frm 00046 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 periodic or continuous during the wash portion of the cycle. In the May 2020 RFI, DOE requested feedback on whether DOE should consider reincorporating language into section 3.2.5 of Appendix J2 to state that the term ‘‘wash time’’ refers to the wash portion of the cycle, including agitation or tumble time. 85 FR 31065, 31076. UL suggested that the phrase ‘‘wash time’’ include agitation or tumble time, which can be periodic throughout the wash cycle. (UL, No. 9 at p. 3) UL specified in particular that wash time could be defined as starting when the clothes washer starts filling with water, agitating or tumbling, or a combination of both; and as ending when the clothes washer drains the water from the wash portion of the cycle. Id. AHAM agreed with DOE’s proposal to state that ‘‘wash time’’ refers to the period of agitation or tumble. (AHAM, No. 5 at p. 14) In order to provide further clarity in evaluating the wash time setting requirements of section 3.2.5 of Appendix J2 and section 3.2.2 of the proposed new Appendix J, DOE is proposing to define the term ‘‘wash time’’ in section 1 of both Appendix J2 and the proposed new Appendix J as ‘‘the wash portion of the cycle, which begins when the cycle is initiated and includes the agitation or tumble time, which may be periodic or continuous during the wash portion of the cycle.’’ DOE requests comment on its proposal to add a definition of ‘‘wash time’’ to section 1 of both Appendix J2 and the proposed new Appendix J. 6. Annual Operating Cost Calculation DOE provides in 10 CFR 430.23(j)(1)(ii) the method for calculating the estimated annual operating cost for automatic and semiautomatic clothes washers, when using Appendix J2. In the March 2012 Final Rule, DOE assigned the symbol ‘‘ETLP’’ to represent combined low-power mode energy consumption. However, in that rule, DOE used a different symbol (‘‘ETSO’’) in updating section 10 CFR 430.23(j)(1)(ii) to represent the same value. 77 FR 12888, 13937–13948. DOE is proposing to update the symbol nomenclature in 10 CFR 430.23(j)(1)(ii) to match the symbol nomenclature in Appendix J2. In addition, to differentiate between values determined using Appendix J2 from values determined using the proposed new Appendix J throughout 10 CFR 430.23(j), DOE is proposing to add a number ‘‘2’’ to each of the symbols representing values derived from Appendix J2 (e.g., ETLP2) that are not already designated accordingly. E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 DOE further notes that the formula for calculating the estimated annual operating cost for automatic and semiautomatic clothes washers when gasheated or oil-heated water is used, provided in 10 CFR 430.23(j)(1)(ii)(B), is missing a pair of parentheses. The ‘‘N2’’ multiplier is intended to apply to all of the other factors in the equation, but the lack of parentheses around the ‘‘MET2’’ through ‘‘CBTU’’ terms erroneously applies it to only the first term of the sum. DOE is proposing to correct this error. Since DOE is proposing to remove Appendix J1, DOE is also proposing to update 10 CFR 430.23(j)(1)(i), which currently specifies the formulas for calculating the estimated annual operating cost for automatic and semiautomatic clothes washers when using Appendix J1, with the formulas for calculating the estimated annual operating cost for automatic and semiautomatic clothes washers when using the proposed new Appendix J. These proposed formulas are analogous to the formulas in 10 CFR 430.23(j)(1)(ii). As discussed further in section III.H.7 of this document, the proposed new Appendix J does not include a separate calculation for ‘‘ETE’’ (the sum of machine electrical energy (‘‘MET’’) and hot water heating energy (‘‘HET’’), as currently defined in section 4.1.7 of Appendix J2). Therefore, DOE’s proposed revisions to 10 CFR 430.23(j)(1)(i) replace ETE with the individual components MET + HET. DOE requests comment on its proposed updates to the annual operating cost calculations in 10 CFR 430.23(j)(1). 7. Structure of the Proposed New Appendix J As part of the creation of the proposed new Appendix J, DOE is proposing several changes to the structure of the test procedure as compared to the current Appendix J2 to improve readability, as follows. DOE is proposing to better organize section 2.8 of the proposed new Appendix J, as compared to the parallel section in Appendix J2. Currently, section 2.8 of Appendix J2 crossreferences the load size table to determine the three load sizes, specifies the allowable composition of energy test cloths and energy stuffer cloths in each load,71 and provides a table showing required test load sizes and water fill settings for each type of WFCS. In the proposed new Appendix J, section 2.8.1 71 Test loads must consist of energy test cloths and no more than five energy stuffer clothes per load to achieve the proper weight. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 would contain the specifications for determining the load sizes; section 2.8.2 would contain the specifications describing the allowable composition of energy test cloths and energy stuffer cloths in each load; and the table specifying the required test load sizes and water fill settings for each type of WFCS would not be included. This table would be no longer needed in the proposed new Appendix J because the same two load sizes (small and large) would be used for all WFCS types. Section 2.9 of Appendix J2 is named ‘‘Use of test loads’’ and provides specifications for drying each load to bone-dry prior to use and instructions for loading the test cloth into the clothes washer. DOE is proposing to title section 2.9 of the proposed new Appendix J ‘‘Preparation and loading of test loads’’ and to include a statement that the procedures described in section 2.9 to prepare and load each test load are applicable when performing the testing procedures in section 3 of the appendix. Section 3.2 of Appendix J2 is titled ‘‘Procedure for measuring water and energy consumption values on all automatic and semi-automatic washers’’ and specifies conducting testing under the energy test cycle (3.2.1); provides a table that cross-references to each relevant test section in section 3 of the appendix (3.2.2); and provides specifications for: Configuring the hot and cold water faucets (3.2.3); selecting the wash/rinse temperature selection (3.2.4); selecting the wash time setting (3.2.5); selecting water fill levels for each type of WFCS (3.2.6); using manufacturer default settings (3.2.7); testing active washing mode only (3.2.8); and discarding anomalous data (3.2.9). DOE is proposing to title section 3.2 of the proposed new Appendix J as simply ‘‘Cycle settings’’ and to organize the section as follows: The contents in section 3.2.1 of Appendix J2 would be instead included within the instructions of a new section 3.3 (as described below); the contents of section 3.2 of Appendix J2, including the table, would not be included as the contents would be redundant with the proposed sections 3.3 and 3.4; the contents of section 3.2.3 of Appendix J2 would not be included, as the hot and cold water faucet instructions would no longer be necessary given the proposed changes described in section III.C.2 of this document regarding the installation of single-inlet clothes washers; and sections 3.2.4 through 3.2.9 of Appendix J2 would be included as sections 3.2.1 through 3.2.6, respectively, and include any relevant edits as discussed throughout this document. PO 00000 Frm 00047 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 49185 Currently, sections 3.3 through 3.7 of Appendix J2 contain detailed instructions for testing each wash/rinse temperature available in the energy test cycle: Extra Hot/Cold (3.3); Hot/Cold (3.4); Warm/Cold (3.5); Warm/Warm (3.6); and Cold/Cold (3.7). The content and structure of each of these sections is nearly identical, except for two caveats: (1) Describing the use of temperature indicator labels in section 3.3 to verify the presence of an Extra Hot wash; and (2) describing the 25/50/ 75 test, described in section III.D.3 of this document, for clothes washers that offer four or more Warm/Cold or Warm/ Warm selections. To significantly simplify this part of test procedure, and because the use of temperature indicator labels would be moved to section 2.5.4 of the proposed new Appendix J and the 25/50/75 test would no longer be applicable under the proposals outlined in section III.D.3 of this document, DOE is proposing to combine the common language from sections 3.3 through 3.7 in Appendix J2 into a single section 3.3 in the proposed new Appendix J for automatic clothes washers and an analogous section 3.4 for semiautomatic clothes washers. Section 3.3 of the proposed new Appendix J would also provide a table designating the symbol definitions of each required measured value for each wash/rinse temperature selection and load size. As discussed in section III.D.8.c of this document, section 3.4 of the proposed new Appendix J would provide the same information for semi-automatic clothes washes. Section 3.8 of Appendix J2 specifies the procedure for measuring and calculating RMC. As described in section III.D.4 of this document, DOE is proposing in the proposed new Appendix J to require measuring the RMC of each tested cycle within the energy test cycle, and to calculate final RMC using TUFs and LUFs, consistent with how hot water energy, electrical energy, and water usage are calculated. Under this proposed change, the RMC values would be calculated in section 4 (‘‘Calculation of Derived Results From Test Measurements’’) of the proposed new Appendix J. Given these proposed changes, the current specifications in section 3.8 of Appendix J2 would not apply to the proposed new Appendix J. DOE is therefore proposing not to include the RMC provisions from section 3 in Appendix J2 in the proposed new Appendix J. DOE is proposing to include sections 3.9 and 3.10 of Appendix J2 in the proposed new Appendix J as sections 3.5 and 3.6, respectively, and to provide the appropriate cross-references. E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 49186 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules Section 3.10 of Appendix J2 (section 3.6 in the proposed new Appendix J) is titled ‘‘Energy consumption for the purpose of determining the cycle selection(s) to be included in the energy test cycle’’ and specifies the following: Establishing the test conditions and setting the cycle selections (3.10.1); using the maximum test load size (3.10.2); using the maximum water fill level available (3.10.3); including only the active washing mode (3.10.4); and calculating ‘‘total energy consumption’’ using a defined equation (3.10.5). DOE is proposing to simplify section 3.6 in the proposed new Appendix J by condensing the specifications of sections 3.10.1 through 3.10.4 in Appendix J2 into a single statement in section 3.6.1 of the proposed new Appendix J to use the cycle settings as described in section 3.2 of the proposed new Appendix J. Current section 3.10.5 of Appendix J2 would be included in the proposed new Appendix J as section 3.6.2. Sections 3 and 4 of Appendix J2 assign various different subscripts to each symbol definition to denote load size and wash/rinse temperature selection, among other attributes. Currently, Appendix J2 uses the subscript ‘‘x’’ to denote the maximum load size and the subscript ‘‘m’’ to denote the Extra Hot/Cold temperature selection. In the proposed new Appendix J, DOE proposes to use new subscripts to represent the large load size (‘‘L’’) and the small load size (‘‘S’’). Because the maximum load size would no longer apply in the proposed new Appendix J, DOE is proposing to update the subscript for Extra-Hot/Cold temperature selection from ‘‘m’’ to ‘‘x’’ (since ‘‘x’’ is more intuitive in representing ‘‘Extra’’). These changes would apply to sections 3.3, 3.4, 3.6 and 4 in the proposed new Appendix J. Additionally, throughout section 4 of Appendix J2, the symbol ‘‘F’’ is used to refer to load usage factors. For greater clarity in the proposed new Appendix J, DOE is proposing to use the symbol ‘‘LUF’’ throughout section 4 to represent the load usage factors, rather than the symbol ‘‘F.’’ Section 4.1.7 of Appendix J2 specifies calculating ‘‘Total per-cycle energy consumption when electrically heated water is used,’’ assigned as symbol ‘‘ETE,’’ as the sum of machine electrical energy and hot water heating energy. ETE was originally defined in section 4.6 of Appendix J–1977 and at the time represented the total measured energy consumption, since the drying energy (‘‘DE’’) and ETLP were not yet included as part of the clothes washer test procedure. Currently, however, the total VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 measured energy consumption would be more accurately represented by the sum of HET, MET, DE, and ETLP. Because the calculation of ETE as an intermediate step is now obsolete, DOE is proposing to not include the definition of ETE from section 4.1.7 of the proposed new Appendix J, as well as all edit crossreferences to ETE (within sections 4.5 and 4.6 of the proposed new Appendix J and 10 CFR 430.23(j)(1)(i)(A) as proposed). In these instances, DOE is proposing to replace ETE with its component parts: HET and MET. Section 4.2 of Appendix J2 provides the calculation of water consumption and is structured with multiple subsections. Sections 4.2.1 through 4.2.5 of Appendix J2 provide for the calculation of total water consumption for each load size within each wash/ rinse temperature selection by summing the measured values of hot water and cold water: Extra Hot/Cold (4.2.1); Hot/ Cold (4.2.2); Warm/Cold (4.2.3); Warm/ Warm (4.2.4); and Cold/Cold (4.2.5). In sections 4.2.6 through 4.2.10 of Appendix J2, the total weighted water consumption for each wash/rinse temperature selection is calculated by combining the water consumption values for each load size as calculated in 4.2.1 through 4.2.5 using the LUFs. In section 4.2.11 of Appendix J2, the total weighted water consumption for all wash cycles is calculated by combining the values calculated in sections 4.2.6 through 4.2.10 (representing each wash/ rinse temperature) using the TUFs. DOE notes that this order of calculations (which combines the measured values from the individual cycles first using LUFs, then combines the resulting values using TUFs) is the reverse order used for the machine electrical and hot water heating energy calculations in section 4.1 of Appendix J2 (which combines the measured values from the individual cycles first using TUFs, then combines the resulting values using LUFs). In the proposed new Appendix J, DOE is proposing to organize section 4.2 to simplify the calculations and to provide consistency between the water consumption calculations and the energy calculations (i.e., to combine the measured values from the individual cycles first using TUFs, then combine the resulting values using LUFs). Accordingly, section 4.2.1 of the proposed new Appendix J would define the per-cycle total water consumption for each large load size tested (summing the hot and cold water consumption for each load size and temperature setting), and 4.2.2 would similarly define the per-cycle total water consumption for each large small size tested. Section PO 00000 Frm 00048 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 4.2.3 of the proposed new Appendix J would provide for the calculation of the per-cycle total water consumption for all load sizes, using the TUFs to calculate the weighted average of all temperature settings for each load size. Finally, section 4.2.4 of the proposed new Appendix J would calculate the total weighted per-cycle water consumption, using the LUFs to calculate the weighted average over the two load sizes. DOE requests comment on its proposed structure of the proposed new Appendix J to simplify and improve readability as compared to Appendix J2. 8. Proposed Deletions and Simplifications DOE proposes to remove Appendix J1 to subpart B of 10 CFR part 430 along with all references to Appendix J1 in 10 CFR parts 429, 430, and 431. Appendix J1 applied only to RCWs manufactured before March 7, 2015 and CCWs manufactured before January 1, 2018 and is therefore not applicable to models manufactured on or after those dates. Use of Appendix J2 to subpart B of 10 CFR part 430 is currently required for any representations of energy or water consumption of both RCWs and CCWs, including demonstrating compliance with the currently applicable energy conservation standards. As discussed, DOE proposes to maintain the current naming of Appendix J2, and to establish a new test procedure at Appendix J, which would be used for the evaluation and issuance of updated efficiency standards, and for determining compliance with those standards. DOE requests comment on its proposal to remove Appendix J1 to subpart B of 10 CFR part 430 along with all references to Appendix J1 in 10 CFR parts 429, 430, and 431. Given DOE’s proposal to update the energy and water metrics in the proposed new Appendix J, as described in section III.E of this document, DOE proposes to include references to the proposed new metrics EER, AEER, and WER in place of references to the WF, IWF, MEF, and IMEF metrics, as appropriate, in the proposed new Appendix J. Given that the WF metric is no longer the basis for energy conservation standards for either RCWs or CCWs, DOE proposes to remove the calculation of WF in section 4.2.12 of Appendix J2, as well as any references to WF in 10 CFR parts 429, 430, and 431. Similarly, given that MEF is no longer the basis for energy conservation standards for RCWs, DOE proposes to remove references to MEF from 10 CFR 429.20 and 10 CFR 430.23. E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules DOE requests comment on its proposal to remove obsolete metric definitions. DOE proposes to delete the following definitions from section 1 of Appendix J2 because they are either no longer used within the appendix currently, or would no longer be used given DOE’s proposed amendments in this NOPR: ‘‘adaptive control system,’’ ‘‘compact,’’ ‘‘manual control system,’’ ‘‘standard,’’ and ‘‘thermostatically controlled water valves.’’ Section 1.13 of Appendix J2 defines the energy test cycle as follows: Energy test cycle means the complete set of wash/rinse temperature selections required for testing, as determined according to section 2.12 [of Appendix J2]. Within the energy test cycle, the following definitions apply: (a) Cold Wash/Cold Rinse is the wash/ rinse temperature selection determined by evaluating the flowchart in Figure 2.12.1 of this appendix. (b) Hot Wash/Cold Rinse is the wash/ rinse temperature selection determined by evaluating the flowchart in Figure 2.12.2 of this appendix. (c) Warm Wash/Cold Rinse is the wash/rinse temperature selection determined by evaluating the flowchart in Figure 2.12.3 of this appendix. (d) Warm Wash/Warm Rinse is the wash/rinse temperature selection determined by evaluating the flowchart in Figure 2.12.4 of this appendix. (e) Extra-Hot Wash/Cold Rinse is the wash/rinse temperature selection determined by evaluating the flowchart in Figure 2.12.5 of this appendix. Parts (a) through (e) of this definition are redundant with the flowchart definitions provided in section 2.12 of Appendix J2. Therefore, DOE proposes to simplify the definition of energy test cycle in both Appendix J2 and the proposed new Appendix J by keeping only the first sentence of the current definition: Energy test cycle means the complete set of wash/rinse temperature selections required for testing, as determined according to section 2.12. DOE also proposes to remove section 1.30 of Appendix J2, ‘‘Symbol usage,’’ to rename section 1 of Appendix J2 (currently ‘‘Definitions and Symbols’’) ‘‘Definitions,’’ and name section 1 of the proposed new Appendix J ‘‘Definitions’’ accordingly. Throughout the appendices, each symbol is defined at each usage, making this section unnecessary for executing the test procedure. DOE notes that most other test procedures in subpart B to part 430 do not include a symbol usage section. DOE also proposes to remove the numbering of all definitions in section 1 of Appendix J2, and in section 2 of VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 Appendix J3, and instead list the definitions in alphabetical order. This would simplify cross-references to defined terms and would allow for easier editing in the future by avoiding the need to renumber all the definitions (and associated cross-references) any time a definition is added or deleted. The proposed new Appendix J reflects these changes as proposed for Appendix J2. DOE requests comment on its proposal to delete the following definitions from section 1 of Appendix J2: ‘‘adaptive control system,’’ ‘‘compact,’’ ‘‘manual control system,’’ ‘‘standard,’’ and ‘‘thermostatically controlled water valves.’’ DOE also requests comment on its proposal to simplify the definition of ‘‘energy test cycle.’’ DOE also requests comment on its proposal to remove section 1.30 ‘‘Symbol usage’’ from Appendix J2. Lastly, DOE requests comment on its proposal to remove the numbering of all definitions in section 1 of Appendix J2 and section 2 of Appendix J3, and to instead list the definitions in alphabetical order. DOE further proposes to remove section 6, Waivers and Field Testing, from Appendix J2 and not include a parallel section in the proposed new Appendix J. The language of section 6 of Appendix J2 was first introduced as section 7 in Appendix J–1997 and has been maintained through successive amendments of the test procedures. DOE notes, however, that none of the waivers sought by manufacturers to date have made use of these provisions. Instead, the provisions of 10 CFR 430.27 (Petitions for waiver and interim waiver) provide comprehensive instructions regarding DOE’s waiver process. DOE tentatively concludes that the information presented in section 6 of Appendix J2 is unnecessary given the regulatory language of 10 CFR 430.27. DOE requests comment on its proposal to remove section 6, Waivers and Field Testing, of Appendix J2 and proposal not to include a parallel section in the proposed new Appendix J. 9. Typographical Errors In an effort to improve the readability of the text in certain sections of 10 CFR 430.23 and Appendix J2, DOE is proposing to make minor typographical corrections and formatting modifications as follows. These minor proposed modifications are not intended to change the substance of the test methods or descriptions provided in these sections. The language of the proposed new Appendix J reflects these corrections. PO 00000 Frm 00049 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 49187 The test procedure provisions at 10 CFR 430.23(j)(1)(ii)(B) contain a definition for ‘‘CKWH,’’ which is duplicative with the same definition provided in 10 CFR 430.23(j)(1)(ii)(A). DOE proposes to remove the duplicate definition of CKWH from 10 CFR 430.23(j)(1)(ii)(B). DOE is proposing to correct two misspellings in section 2.8 of Appendix J2 referring to energy stuffer cloths (currently ‘‘clothes’’) and test load sizes (currently ‘‘siszes’’). DOE is also proposing to correct the spelling of ‘‘discrete’’ in section 3.2.5 of Appendix J2 (currently ‘‘discreet’’) and of ‘‘test cycle’’ in section 3.6 of Appendix J2 (currently ‘‘testy’’). DOE is also proposing to spell out the word ‘‘percent’’ in the paragraph in section 3.2.5 of Appendix J2. Currently in Appendix J2, the drying energy abbreviation is DE. This notation is inconsistent with the notation used for machine electrical energy and hot water heating energy (MET and HET, respectively). DOE is proposing to standardize the notation used for drying energy throughout sections 3 and 4 of the proposed new Appendix J, such that it is listed as DET. DOE could consider also making this change in Appendix J2, but understands that changing the symbol definition could require test laboratories to update test templates that use the DE symbol as currently defined in Appendix J2. DOE is also proposing to rename section 2 in Appendix J2 from ‘‘Testing Conditions’’ to ‘‘Testing Conditions and Instrumentation’’ to more fully reflect the contents of this section. In several instances throughout Appendix J2, the qualifier ‘‘of this appendix’’ is missing in section crossreferences. DOE is proposing to rectify these omissions. DOE is also proposing to clarify references to Appendix J3 in Appendix J2, and vice-versa, by using ‘‘to this subpart.’’ Finally, DOE proposes to update all cross-references as needed, following the edits proposed in this NOPR. DOE requests comment on its proposal to make the minor typographical corrections and formatting modifications described in this section. I. Test Cloth Provisions Appendix J2 requires using specialized test cloth as the material comprising each tested load. DOE originally developed the energy test cloth specifications as part of the January 2001 Final Rule, based on the results of a detailed investigation of the cloth material used by industry for E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 49188 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules testing.72 In particular, DOE observed that the material properties of the energy test cloth had a significant effect on the RMC measurement,73 which as discussed was added to Appendix J1– 2001 to measure the effectiveness of the final spin cycle in removing moisture from the wash load. As described in the test cloth report, the final specifications for the energy test cloth were developed to be representative of a consumer load: A 50-percent cotton/50-percent polyester blended material was specified to approximate the typical mix of cotton, cotton/polyester blend, and synthetic articles that are machinewashed by consumers. In developing the test cloth specifications, DOE also considered: b Manufacturability: A 50/50 cottonpolyester momie weave was specified because at the time, such cloth was produced in high volume, had been produced to a consistent specification for many years, and was expected to be produced on this basis for the foreseeable future. 66 FR 3314, 3331. b Consistency in test cloth production: The cloth material properties were specified in detail, including fiber content, thread count, and fabric weight; as well as requirements to verify that water repellent finishes are not applied to the cloth. Id. b Consistency of the RMC measurement among different lots: A procedure was developed to generate correction factors for each new ‘‘lot’’ (i.e., batch) of test cloth to normalize test results and ensure consistent RMC measurements regardless of which lot is used for testing. Id. khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 1. Test Cloth Specification In the May 2020 RFI, DOE requested comments on manufacturers’ and testing laboratories’ experience with the current test cloth specifications and whether DOE should consider any changes to the energy test cloth specifications to reduce burden and improve testing results. 85 FR 31065, 31071. AHAM commented that it would strongly oppose changing from the uniform test cloth to a more varied load. 72 ‘‘Development of a Standardized Energy Test Cloth for Measuring Remaining Moisture Content in a Residential Clothes Washer.’’ U.S. Department of Energy: Buildings, Research and Standards. May 2000. Available online at www.regulations.gov/ document/EERE-2006-STD-0064-0277. 73 The RMC measurement is an important aspect of DOE’s clothes washer test procedure because the RMC value determines the drying energy, which is the largest contributor to IMEF. Based on the Technical Support Documents from the March 2012 Final Rule, drying energy represents 65 percent of the total energy for a 2015 baseline-efficiency toploading standard RCW, and 72 percent for a 2015 baseline-efficiency front-loading standard RCW. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 AHAM stated that the clothes washer test procedure requires the use of a uniform test cloth to produce repeatable and reproducible results. (AHAM, No. 5 at p. 3) According to AHAM, the introduction of a ‘‘real-world’’ load that includes items with different weights, sizes, and materials could introduce significant variation in the test procedure. AHAM stated that sufficient data have not been provided that would demonstrate acceptable repeatability and reproducibility using a ‘‘real-world’’ test load. Id. GEA recommended that DOE not change the current test cloth specifications, noting that significant work has gone into addressing the myriad complexities with test cloth variation. (GEA, No. 13 at p. 2) DOE is not proposing any changes to the test cloth specification. 2. Consolidation to Appendix J3 Appendix J3 specifies a qualification procedure that must be conducted on all new lots of energy test cloth prior to the use of such test cloths in any clothes washer test procedure. This qualification procedure provides a set of correction factors that correlate the measured RMC values of the new test cloth lot with a set of standard RMC values established as the historical reference point. These correction factors are applied to the RMC test results in section 3.8.2.6 of Appendix J2 to ensure the repeatability and reproducibility of test results performed using different lots of test cloth. The measured RMC of each clothes washer has a significant impact on the final IMEF value. DOE is proposing several structural changes to Appendix J3 to consolidate all of the test cloth specifications and procedures (some of which are currently located in Appendix J2) that must be evaluated on each new lot of test cloth. Consolidating into a single test procedure will improve the overall logical flow of both test procedures and clarify that the test cloth procedures need not be conducted for each clothes washer under test. As described further, the proposed changes would remove from Appendix J2 specifications and procedures that are not intended to be completed for every clothes washer test. The proposed edits would also formally codify additional qualification procedures that are currently conducted for every new lot of test cloth. a. Test Cloth Requirements in Appendix J2 Section 2.7 of Appendix J2 (‘‘Test cloths’’) contains specifications and procedures regarding the test cloth. Sections 2.7.1 and 2.7.2 specify the PO 00000 Frm 00050 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 unfinished and finished dimensions, maximum lifetime, and marking requirements for energy test cloth and energy stuffer cloths, respectively. These sections also specify that mixed lots of material must not be used for testing. Section 2.7.3 specifies a procedure for preconditioning new test cloth, which requires performing a series of five wash cycles on all new (unused) test cloths before the cloth can be used for clothes washer tests. Section 2.7.4 provides the material specifications (fabric type, fabric weight, thread count, and fiber content) for the energy test cloths and energy stuffer cloths, as well as three industry test methods that must be performed to confirm the absence of any waterrepellent finishes and to measure the cloth shrinkage after preconditioning. Section 2.7.5 references Appendix J3 for performing the standard extractor procedure to measure the moisture absorption and retention characteristic of each new lot of cloth. Several of these provisions within section 2.7 of Appendix J2 are not intended to be conducted as part of each individual clothes washer test performed under Appendix J2. Based on discussions with the AHAM Test Cloth Task Force, DOE is aware that some of the test cloth provisions in section 2.7 of Appendix J2 are performed by a third-party laboratory on each new lot of test cloth, avoiding the need for manufacturers and test laboratories to perform the same procedures for each individual clothes washer test. 85 FR 31065, 31071. In the May 2020 RFI, DOE requested comments on whether to consolidate into Appendix J3 provisions from section 2.7 of Appendix J2 that relate only to the testing of the test cloth and are not required to be performed for each individual Appendix J2 clothes washer test. Id. DOE also sought comment on whether to remove these provisions entirely. Id. AHAM supported the consolidation of section 2.7 of Appendix J2 provisions into Appendix J3, stating that doing so would mitigate testing burden. (AHAM, No. 5 at p. 9) NEEA supported reorganization of the test procedure to put all test cloth qualification and lot correction information into the separate Appendix J3 test procedure, as this would add clarity and improve ease of use. (NEEA, No. 12 at p. 25) In this NOPR, DOE is proposing to move most of the specifications from section 2.7 of Appendix J2 to Appendix J3. Section 2.7 of Appendix J2 would retain the following specifications, which are relevant to the conduct of E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 individual clothes washer tests: The maximum lifetime specification, marking requirements, and the requirement that mixed lots of material must not be used for testing. All other specifications from section 2.7 of Appendix J2 would be moved to Appendix J3. DOE would add a general statement in section 2.7 of Appendix J2 that the test cloth material and dimensions must conform to the specifications in Appendix J3. These proposed changes are also reflected in the proposed new Appendix J. DOE requests comment on its proposal to consolidate into Appendix J3 the test cloth specifications and procedures from section 2.7 of Appendix J2 that are not intended to be conducted as part of each individual clothes washer test performed under Appendix J2. b. Test Cloth Requirements in Appendix J3 Industry has developed a process in which the qualification procedure described above is performed by a thirdparty laboratory, and the results are reviewed and approved by the AHAM Test Cloth Task Force, after which the new lot of test cloth is made available for purchase by manufacturers and test laboratories. 85 FR 31065, 31071. DOE has received a request from members of the AHAM Test Cloth Task Force to add to Appendix J3 additional steps to the qualification procedure that have historically been performed on each new lot of test cloth to ensure uniformity of RMC test results on test cloths from the beginning, middle, and end of each new lot. Id. Industry practice is to perform this ‘‘uniformity check’’ before conducting the procedure to develop the RMC correction factors currently specified in the DOE test procedure, as described previously. Id. Specifically, the uniformity check involves performing an RMC measurement on nine bundles of sample cloth representing the beginning, middle, and end locations of the first, middle, and last rolls of cloth in a new lot. Id. The coefficient of variation across the nine RMC values must be less than or equal to 1 percent for the test cloth lot to be considered acceptable for use. Id. In the May 2020 RFI, DOE sought comment on whether it is necessary to specify any qualification procedure that must be conducted on all new lots of energy test cloth prior to use of such test cloths, as opposed to simply providing requirements for the test cloth without specifying in DOE’s regulations the procedure for achieving those requirements. Id. Industry could then VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 continue with its current prequalification process, making changes as it determined necessary to improve that process, without the need to seek permission from DOE and participate in a rulemaking proceeding to make such improvements. Id. DOE also requested comments on whether it is necessary to incorporate the aforementioned test cloth uniformity check into Appendix J3, or whether the current regulations, with the existing requirements for test cloth and qualification procedure, are sufficient to ensure the quality of the test cloth. Id. DOE requested comment on any burden that results from the current qualification procedure, or would result from incorporating the discussed uniformity check, particularly for small businesses. Id. AHAM commented that the existing cloth uniformity test is effective and does not need to be changed. (AHAM, No. 5 at p. 9) AHAM added that DOE should consider requiring that each load that is used for testing contains a mix of cloth from the beginning, middle, and end of the lot so that it is representative of the entire lot. AHAM further added that more sampling may be necessary if test cloth lot sizes increase. Id. With regards to DOE’s consideration of test burden, AHAM commented that the current process works well, and that it is not necessary to develop a particular qualification procedure. Id. NEEA encouraged DOE to adopt an additional test cloth qualification procedure if one is needed to maintain reproducibility, as it would improve transparency. (NEEA, No. 12 at p. 25) In this NOPR, DOE is proposing to codify in Appendix J3 the ‘‘uniformity check’’ described above and to restructure Appendix J3 to improve the overall logical flow of the procedure. The sections of Appendix J3 are currently structured as follows: (1) Objective; (2) Definitions; (3) Testing Conditions; (4) Test Loads; (5) Test Measurements; (6) Calculation of RMC Correction Curve; and (7) Application of the RMC Correction Curve. DOE is proposing to update the objectives included in section 1 to specify that Appendix J3 now includes: (1) Specifications for the energy test cloth to be used for testing clothes washers; (2) procedures for verifying that new lots of energy test cloth meet the defined material specifications; and (3) procedures for developing the RMC correction coefficients. In section 2 of Appendix J3, DOE is proposing to add a definition for the term ‘‘roll,’’ which refers to a subset of a lot, and to remove the definition of roll from Appendix J2. PO 00000 Frm 00051 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 49189 DOE is proposing to create a new section 3, ‘‘Energy Test Cloth Specifications,’’ that would specify the test cloth material, dimensions, and use requirements as currently specified in section 2.7 of Appendix J2. DOE is proposing to change the title of current section 3 of Appendix J3, newly renumbered as section 4, from ‘‘Testing Conditions’’ to ‘‘Equipment Specifications.’’ This section would contain the specifications for the extractor (currently specified in section 3.2) and the bone-dryer (currently specified in section 3.3). DOE proposes to merge the current specification in section 3.1 of Appendix J3 (which specifies the extractor spin conditions to be used) with the proposed edits to newly renumbered section 8 (‘‘RMC Correction Curve Procedure’’), as described below. DOE is proposing to create a new section 5, ‘‘Pre-Conditioning Instructions,’’ in Appendix J3 that would specify the instructions for preconditioning test cloth, as currently specified in section 4.1 of Appendix J3, with a clarifying wording change. Currently, the second paragraph of section 4.1 in Appendix J3 specifies ‘‘Perform five complete wash-rinse-spin cycles, the first two with current AHAM Standard detergent Formula 3 and the last three without detergent.’’ The last sentence of that paragraph specifies: ‘‘Repeat the cycle with detergent and then repeat the cycle three additional times without detergent, bone drying the load between cycles (for a total of five complete wash-rinse-spin cycles).’’ DOE is concerned that the wording of the last sentence could be misconstrued as requiring the repeating of the entire sequence of five wash-rinse-spin cycles specified in the first sentence. To avoid this potential misinterpretation, DOE is proposing to replace the last sentence with the following: ‘‘Dry the load to bone-dry between each of the five washrinse-spin cycles.’’ DOE is proposing to create a new section 6, ‘‘Extractor Run Instructions,’’ in Appendix J3 that would specify the instructions for testing test cloth in the extractor at specific spin speed and time conditions, as currently listed in sections 5.1 through 5.10 of Appendix J3, with some minor organizational changes. DOE is proposing to create a new section 7, ‘‘Test Cloth Material Verification Procedure,’’ in Appendix J3 that codifies the ‘‘uniformity check’’ procedure described above. DOE is proposing to add a new section 8, ‘‘RMC Correction Curve Procedure,’’ in Appendix J3 which would consolidate the provisions E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 49190 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 currently specified in sections 5 and 6 of Appendix J3. DOE is proposing to renumber section 7 to section 9 in Appendix J3 and to update any applicable cross references. Finally, given the broader scope of Appendix J3 as proposed by these amendments, DOE is proposing to rename Appendix J3 from ‘‘Uniform Test Method for Measuring the Moisture Absorption and Retention Characteristics of New Energy Test Cloth Lots’’ to ‘‘Energy Test Cloth Specifications and Procedures for Determining Correction Coefficients of New Energy Test Cloth Lots.’’ DOE requests comment on its proposed edits to Appendix J3 to codify the ‘‘uniformity check’’ procedure and to restructure Appendix J3 to improve the overall logical flow of the procedure. J. Product-Specific RMC Enforcement Provisions DOE provides product-specific enforcement provisions for all clothes washers at 10 CFR 429.134(c), which specify provisions for determining RMC. 10 CFR 429.134(c)(1)(i) specifies that the measured RMC value of a tested unit will be considered the tested unit’s final RMC value if the measured RMC value is within two RMC percentage points of the certified RMC value of the basic model (expressed as a percentage), or is lower than the certified RMC value. 10 CFR 429.134(c)(1)(ii) specifies that if the measured RMC value of a tested unit is more than two RMC percentage points higher than the certified RMC value of the basic model, DOE will perform two additional replications of the RMC measurement procedure, each pursuant to the provisions of section 3.8.5 of Appendix J2, for a total of three independent RMC measurements of the tested unit. The average of the three RMC measurements will be the tested unit’s final RMC value and will be used as the basis for the calculation of percycle energy consumption for removal of moisture from the test load for that unit. As described in sections I.B and III.I of this document, DOE uses the procedures specified in Appendix J3 to evaluate the moisture absorption and retention characteristics of each new lot of test cloth. The results are used to develop a unique correction curve for each new lot of test cloth, which helps ensure that a consistent RMC measurement is obtained for any test cloth lot used during testing. The correction factors developed for each new cloth lot are used to adjust the ‘‘uncorrected’’ RMC measurements obtained when performing an Appendix J2 test on an individual clothes washer VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 model.74 Without the application of correction factors, the uncorrected RMC values for a given spin setting can vary by more than 10 RMC percentage points. The application of correction factors is intended to significantly reduce this lotto-lot variation in RMC results. Multiple interested parties have presented confidential data to DOE suggesting that despite the application of correction factors, the ‘‘corrected’’ RMC values can vary by up to three RMC percentage points among different test cloth lots. A variation of three RMC percentage points can lead to over a 5percent variation in IMEF rating.75 DOE conducted an internal analysis of the confidential data, in which DOE investigated three potential sources of the observed variation in corrected RMC values: (1) Test-to-test variation masking as lot-to-lot variation; (2) spin cycle anomalies masking as lot-to-lot variation; and (3) choice of Lot 3 as the reference lot.76 Based on DOE’s investigations, none of these three hypotheses explained the observed lotto-lot variation in corrected RMC values in the data presented by the interested parties. Based on these investigations, DOE preliminarily concludes that although the application of correction factors for each test cloth lot significantly reduces the lot-to-lot variation in RMC (from over 10 percentage points uncorrected), the current methodology may be limited to reducing lot-to-lot variation in corrected RMC to around three RMC percentage points. Recognizing this potential for lot-tolot variation of up to three RMC percentage points (corrected), DOE proposes to extend its product-specific enforcement provisions for clothes washers to accommodate up to a 3percentage point variation in the corrected RMC measurement based on the test cloth lot used for testing. The following paragraphs describe DOE’s proposed approach for implementation of these provisions. DOE proposes to modify the text of 10 CFR 429.134(c)(1) to state that its 74 DOE maintains an historical record of the standard extractor test data and final correction curve coefficients for each approved lot of energy test cloth. These are available through DOE’s web page for standards and test procedures for residential clothes washers at www.energy.gov/eere/ buildings/downloads/clothes-washer-test-clothcorrection-factor-information. 75 See discussion in the August 2015 Final Rule in which DOE described that limiting RMC variation to 2 RMC percentage points would limit the variation in the overall MEF or IMEF calculation to roughly 5 percent. 80 FR 46730, 46756. 76 The RMC characteristics of historical Lot 3 represent the ‘‘standard RMC values’’ defined in Table 6.1 of Appendix J3. PO 00000 Frm 00052 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 provisions address anomalous RMC results that are not representative of a basic model’s performance, as well as differences in RMC values that may result from DOE using a different test cloth lot than was used by the manufacturer for testing and certifying the basic model. DOE proposes to specify the enforcement provisions when testing according to the proposed new Appendix J at 10 CFR 429.134(c)(1)(i), and when testing according to Appendix J2 at 10 CFR 429.134(c)(1)(ii). Under the provisions for Appendix J2, DOE proposes new subsection (ii)(A), which would specify that the procedure for determining RMC will be performed once in its entirety, pursuant to the test requirements of section 3.8 of Appendix J2, for each unit tested (as currently specified at 10 CFR 429.134(c)(1)). DOE proposes new subsection (ii)(B), which would specify that if the measured RMC value of a tested unit is equal to or lower than the certified RMC value of the basic model (expressed as a percentage), the measured RMC value will be considered the tested unit’s final RMC value and will be used as the basis for the calculation of per-cycle energy consumption for removal of moisture from the test load for that unit (consistent with the current specifications at 10 CFR 429.134(c)(1)(i)). DOE proposes new subsection 10 CFR 429.134(ii)(C), which would specify that if the difference between the measured RMC value and the certified RMC value of the basic model is less than or equal to two RMC percentage points, the measured RMC value of a tested unit will be considered the tested unit’s final RMC value unless DOE used a different test cloth lot than was used by the manufacturer for testing and certifying the basic model; in which case, DOE may 77 apply the proposed new paragraph (c)(1)(ii)(E) of the same section if the difference between the measured and certified RMC values would affect the unit’s compliance with the applicable standards. DOE proposes new subsection 10 CFR 429.134 (ii)(D)—which would address anomalous RMC results that are not representative of a basic model’s performance—specifying that if the measured RMC value of a tested unit is more than two RMC percentage points 77 DOE is proposing to use the phrase ‘‘may apply’’, as opposed to ‘‘shall apply’’, to allow for appropriate discretion by DOE. If ‘‘shall’’ were to be used instead, DOE would be required to seek the test cloth lot information from the manufacturer in every such case, since lot number is not a reported value. Alternatively, DOE could require reporting of the lot number used to certify each basic model. E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules higher than the certified RMC value of the basic model, DOE will perform two replications of the RMC measurement procedure, each pursuant to the provisions of section 3.8.5 of Appendix J2, for a total of three independent RMC measurements of the tested unit; and that average of the three RMC measurements will be calculated (as currently specified at 10 CFR 429.134(c)(1)(ii)). Within this section, a new subsection 10 CFR 429.134 (ii)(D)(1) would specify that if the average of the three RMC measurements is equal to or lower than the certified RMC value of the basic model, the average RMC value will be considered the tested unit’s final RMC value. A new subsection 10 CFR 429.134 (ii)(D)(2) would specify that if the average of the three RMC measurements is higher than the certified RMC value of the basic model, the average RMC value will be considered the tested unit’s final RMC value unless DOE used a different test cloth lot than was used by the manufacturer for testing and certifying the basic model; in which case, DOE may apply a new proposed paragraph (c)(1)(ii)(E) of the same section if the difference between the average and certified RMC values would affect the unit’s compliance with the applicable standards. The proposed new subsection (ii)(E)— which would address differences in RMC values that may result from DOE using a different test cloth lot—specifies two potential courses of action if DOE uses a different test cloth lot than was used by the manufacturer for testing and certifying the basic model. New subsection 10 CFR 429.134 (ii)(E)(1) would specify that if the difference between the tested unit’s measured RMC value (or average RMC value pursuant to the new proposed paragraph (c)(1)(ii)(D) of the same section) and the certified RMC value of the basic model is less than or equal to three RMC percentage points, then the certified RMC value of the basic model may be considered the tested unit’s final RMC value. New subsection 10 CFR 429.134 (ii)(E)(2) would specify that if the tested unit’s measured RMC value (or average RMC value pursuant to paragraph (c)(1)(ii)(D) of the same section) is more than three RMC percentage points higher than the certified RMC value of the basic model, then a value three RMC percentage points less than the measured RMC value may be considered the tested unit’s final RMC value. For testing conducted according to the proposed new Appendix J, several modifications would be made to the procedures described for Appendix J2 due to the revised methodology for VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 measuring RMC in the proposed new Appendix J, as described in section III.D.4 of this document (specifically, that in the proposed new Appendix J, RMC would be measured for each individual test cycle as opposed to measured using a separate set of additional test cycles, as is required by Appendix J2). The provisions for the proposed new Appendix J would not include the specifications for 10 CFR 429.134 (ii)(A) or 10 CFR 429.134 (ii)(D) as described previously. DOE requests comment on its proposal to extend its product-specific enforcement provisions for clothes washers to accommodate up to a 3percentage point variation in the corrected RMC measurement based on the test cloth lot used for testing. DOE also requests comment on alternate enforcement approaches that could be implemented. K. Test Procedure Costs, Harmonization, and Other Topics 1. Test Procedure Costs and Impact EPCA requires that test procedures proposed by DOE not be unduly burdensome to conduct. (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(3)) The following sections discuss DOE’s evaluation of estimated costs and savings associated with the amendments proposed in this NOPR. a. Appendix J2 and Appendix J3 Proposed Amendments In this NOPR, DOE proposes to amend the existing test procedures for clothes washers by: (1) Further specifying supply water temperature test conditions and water meter resolution requirements; (2) Adding specifications for measuring wash water temperature using submersible data loggers; (3) Expanding the load size table to accommodate clothes container capacities up to 8.0 ft3; (4) Defining user-adjustable automatic WFCS; (5) Specifying the applicability of the wash time setting for clothes washers with a range of wash time settings; (6) Specifying how the energy test cycle flow charts apply to clothes washers that internally generate hot water; (7) Specifying that the energy test cycle flow charts be evaluated using the Maximum load size; (8) Specifying that testing is to be conducted with any network settings disabled if instructions are available to the user to disable these functions; (9) Further specifying the conditions under which data from a test cycle would be discarded; PO 00000 Frm 00053 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 49191 (10) Adding a product-specific enforcement provision to accommodate the potential for test cloth lot-to-lot variation in RMC; (11) Deleting obsolete definitions, metrics, and the clothes washer-specific waiver section; (12) Consolidating all test clothrelated specifications in Appendix J3; (13) Reorganizing sections of Appendix J3 for improved readability; and (14) Codifying the test cloth material verification procedure as used by industry. DOE has tentatively determined that these proposed amendments to Appendix J2 and Appendix J3 would not be unduly burdensome for manufacturers to conduct and would not result in the need for any re-testing. The proposal to remove the target inlet water temperatures from the specified range of temperatures would allow test laboratories to select the optimal water temperature target for their water supply system within the prescribed range (e.g., choosing the midpoint of the range as the target). This could reduce test burden by reducing the potential for invalid cycles to occur due to a deviation in water temperatures outside the specified range. The proposal to require more precise hot water meters for clothes washers with hot water usage less than 0.1 gallons in any of the energy test cycles would require additional cost to upgrade existing water meters if a manufacturer or test laboratory expects to test such clothes washers but does not already have a water meter with the proposed more precise resolution. Based on a market survey of water meters, the cost of a water meter that provides the proposed resolution, including associated hardware, is around $600 for each device. DOE recognizes that laboratories may have multiple test stands, and that each test stand would likely be upgraded with the more precise hot water meter (if such an upgrade is required). As an example, for a laboratory with 10 test stands, the material cost associated with installing a more precise hot water meter would total approximately $6,000. However, as discussed, at least one manufacturer already uses water meters with the proposed more precise resolution, and DOE’s experience working with thirdparty laboratories indicates that most, if not all, third-party laboratories already use water meters with this resolution. DOE has not included the potential costs associated with this proposal based on stakeholder comment and DOE’s knowledge of third-party laboratory capabilities that suggest that E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 49192 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules laboratories that test clothes washers with hot water usage less than 0.1 gallons already use water meters with the proposed more precise resolution. The proposal to explicitly allow for the use of submersible temperature loggers would specify an additional means for determining wash water temperatures to confirm whether a wash temperature greater than 135 °F (defined as an Extra Hot Wash) has been achieved during the wash cycle. As discussed, other methods for measuring wash water temperatures may provide inconclusive results, thus requiring retesting of cycles or additional ‘‘exploratory’’ testing to accurately determine the wash water temperature. Explicitly providing for the use of submersible temperature loggers may avoid the need for such additional testing. Based on a market survey of submersible data loggers, the cost of a submersible data logger is around $230 for each device. As discussed, laboratories may have multiple test stands, and DOE expects that a laboratory would purchase a separate data logger for each test stand. As an example, for a laboratory with 10 test stands, the material cost associated with purchasing submersible data loggers for each test stand would total around $2,300. DOE expects that the recurring cost savings enabled by the use of submersible temperature loggers (due to reducing the need for re-testing certain cycles or performing additional exploratory testing) would substantially outweigh the one-time purchase cost associated with each device and therefore has not included this cost in its summary of costs associated with this NOPR. DOE requests comment, specifically from manufacturers and third-party test laboratories, on whether costs would be incurred for each laboratory as a result of the proposals in this NOPR to specify more precise hot water meters and to explicitly allow the use of submersible temperature loggers; and if so, the total incurred cost associated with outfitting each test stand with the specified instrumentation. DOE also requests comment on the potential cost savings to be expected from enabling the use of submersible temperature loggers. The proposal to extend the load size table would apply only to clothes washers with capacities exceeding 6.0 ft3. Any such clothes washers currently on the market have already been granted a test procedure waiver from DOE, which specifies the same extended capacity table. The proposal to more explicitly define user-adjustable automatic WFCS would provide greater specification of DOE’s VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 existing definitions and could potentially alleviate test burden resulting from an incorrect application of the existing language. The proposals specifying updated language regarding cycle selection for clothes washers with a range of wash time settings would improve repeatability and reproducibility without imposing any additional test burden. The proposal to specify how the energy test cycle flow charts apply to clothes washers that internally generate hot water reflects DOE’s interpretation of the current Cold Wash/Cold Rinse flowchart and subsequent flowcharts for the Warm Rinse temperature selections for this type of clothes washer; in addition, comments from interested parties suggest that this interpretation is generally consistent with that of manufacturers and third-party laboratories. The proposal to specify that the energy test cycle flow charts be evaluated using the Maximum load size would improve repeatability and reproducibility without imposing any additional test burden. The proposal to specify that network settings must be disabled for testing under Appendix J2 would impact only clothes washers with network settings that are enabled by default. DOE is not aware of any clothes washers currently on the market that meet these characteristics, and as such DOE does not expect this proposal to change how any current models are tested. The proposal to add product-specific enforcement provisions to accommodate the potential for lot-to-lot variation in RMC would extend current productspecific enforcement provisions for clothes washers to accommodate up to a 3-percentage point variation in the corrected RMC measurement based on the test cloth lot used for testing, and would not impact manufacturers’ testing costs. The proposal to delete obsolete definitions, metrics, and the waiver section would not impact manufacturers’ testing costs because these sections of the test procedure are no longer in use. The proposal to move all test clothrelated sections of the test procedures into Appendix J3 would simplify Appendix J2 without any changes to the test conduct or cost to manufacturers. The proposal to add additional test cloth qualification procedures to Appendix J3 would not affect manufacturer cost because the proposal would codify existing industry-standard practices. DOE requests comment on its characterization of the expected costs of the proposed amendments to Appendix PO 00000 Frm 00054 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 J2 and Appendix J3 and on DOE’s preliminary determination that the proposed amendments would not be unduly burdensome. b. Appendix J Proposed Test Procedure In this NOPR, DOE is also proposing a new Appendix J that would include, in addition to the amendments discussed previously for Appendix J2, significant additional changes that would affect the measured efficiency of a clothes washer. Because DOE would use the new Appendix J for the evaluation and issuance of any updated efficiency standards, and for determining compliance with those standards, the use of the proposed new Appendix J would not be required until such a time as compliance with any amended energy conservation standards that are developed with consideration of new Appendix J are required. The ongoing energy conservation standards rulemakings for RCWs and CCWs would consider the impact of such changes to manufacturers. The differences between Appendix J2 (as proposed in this NOPR) and the proposed Appendix J are the following: (1) Modifying the hot water supply temperature range; (2) Modifying the clothes washer preconditioning requirements; (3) Modifying the Extra-Hot Wash threshold temperature; (4) Adding a measurement and calculation of average cycle time; (5) Requiring the testing of no more than two Warm Wash/Cold Rinse cycles, and no more than two Warm Wash/Warm Rinse cycles; (6) Measuring RMC on each cycle within the energy test cycle, rather than on cycles specifically dedicated to measuring RMC; (7) Reducing the number of load sizes from three to two for units with automatic WFCS; (8) Modifying the load size definitions consistent with two, rather than three, load sizes; (9) Updating the water fill levels to be used for testing to reflect the modified load size definitions; (10) Specifying the installation of single-inlet clothes washers, and simplifying the test procedure for semiautomatic clothes washers; (11) Defining new performance metrics that are functions of the weighted-average load size rather than clothes container capacity; (12) Updating the number of annual clothes washer cycles from 295 to 234; and (13) Updating the number of hours assigned to low-power mode to be based on the clothes washer’s average E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules measured cycle time rather than an assumed fixed value. The proposal to require the measurement of cycle time could result in an increase in test burden if a laboratory is not currently measuring cycle time. However, although cycle time is not currently required to be measured, it is DOE’s understanding that test laboratories already measure cycle time or use a data acquisition system to record electronic logs of each test cycle, from which average cycle time can be readily determined such that any increase in test burden would be de minimis. Therefore, DOE preliminarily concludes that the proposal to require measurement of cycle time is unlikely to result in an increase in test burden. Furthermore, none of the other proposed changes for Appendix J would result in an increase in test burden. As described in the paragraphs that follow, DOE has tentatively determined that several of the proposed changes would result in a substantial decrease in test burden. To determine the potential savings to manufacturers, DOE first estimated the number of RCW and CCW models that are currently certified, using data from DOE’s publicly available Compliance Certification Database (‘‘CCMS’’).78 DOE identified approximately 25 manufacturers selling an estimated 702 basic models of RCWs and 67 basic models of CCWs. To enable an estimate of cost savings associated with specific features, as described in the paragraphs that follow, DOE developed representative market samples consisting of 100 basic models of RCWs and 10 basic models of CCWs (representing approximately 15 percent of the total basic models for each) that capture the range of available functionalities and options available to consumers. To develop these market samples, DOE selected a sample of basic models for which detailed product features could be determined from product brochures and other marketing materials, representing all major manufacturers and product designs currently on the market, and spanning all available efficiency levels. The proposal to reduce the number of load sizes from three to two for units with an automatic WFCS would reduce test burden for all clothes washers with an automatic WFCS. DOE’s representative market sample suggests that 11 percent of RCWs have a manual WFCS and therefore would experience no change in test burden as a result of this proposal. Whereas, 89 percent of 78 www.regulations.doe.gov/certification-data. Last accessed on June 24, 2021. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 RCWs on the market would experience a reduction in test burden as follows: 20 percent of RCWs would experience a reduction in test burden of 2 to 4 cycles; 54 percent of RCWs would experience a reduction in test burden of 5 to 8 cycles; and 15 percent of RCWs would experience a reduction in test burden of more than 9 cycles. DOE’s representative mark sample suggests that all CCWs have an automatic WFCS and therefore DOE estimates that 70 percent of CCWs would experience a reduction in test burden of 3 or 4 cycles and that 30 percent of CCWs would experience a reduction in test burden of 5 cycles. Based on these estimates, DOE estimates a weighted-average test burden reduction of 5.1 cycles per RCW, and 3.7 cycles per CCW. The proposal to reduce the number of required test cycles by requiring the use of no more than two Warm Wash/Cold Rinse cycles, and no more than two Warm Wash/Warm Rinse cycles, would reduce the number of tested cycles for any clothes washer offering more than two Warm Wash temperatures. Based on DOE’s representative market sample, DOE estimates that 49 percent of RCWs offer two or fewer Warm Wash temperature options and therefore would experience no change; 44 percent of RCWs would experience a reduction in test burden of 2 cycles; and 7 percent of RCWs would experience a reduction in test burden of 4 cycles. DOE estimates that 70 percent of CCWs would experience no change and that 30 percent of CCWs would experience a reduction in test burden of 4 cycles. Based on these estimates, DOE estimates a weighted-average additional test burden reduction of 1.2 cycles per RCW, and 0.6 cycles per CCW.79 The proposal to reduce the number of required test cycles by measuring RMC on each tested cycle instead of measuring it on dedicated RMC cycles would remove the need for one or more cycles used for measuring RMC for any clothes washer offering more than one spin speed selectable on the Normal cycle. Based on DOE’s representative market sample, DOE estimates that 45 percent of RCWs would experience no change; 27 percent of RCWs would experience a reduction in test burden of 1 cycle; 27 percent of RCWs would experience a reduction in test burden of 2 cycles; and 1 percent of RCWs would experience a reduction in test burden of 4 cycles. DOE estimates that no CCWs would experience a reduction in test burden from this change. Based on these 79 These savings assume the savings from reducing the number of load sizes have already been implemented. PO 00000 Frm 00055 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 49193 estimates, DOE estimates a weightedaverage additional test burden reduction of 0.9 cycles per RCW.80 The proposal to simplify the test procedure for semi-automatic clothes washers would reduce test burden for all semi-automatic clothes washers by 10 cycles. DOE has determined that approximately 2 percent of RCW basic models in CCMS are semi-automatic and is not aware of any semi-automatic CCWs. DOE therefore estimates a weighted-average additional test burden reduction of 0.2 cycles per RCW. To estimate the cost savings associated with the amendments that are expected to reduce the number of cycles required for testing, DOE estimated each RCW cycle to have a duration of 1 hour, and each CCW cycle to have a duration of 45 minutes. Based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (‘‘BLS’s’’) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, the mean hourly wage for mechanical engineering technologists and technicians is $29.27.81 Additionally, DOE used data from BLS’s Employer Costs for Employee Compensation to estimate the percent that wages comprise the total compensation for an employee. DOE estimates that wages make up 70.3 percent of the total compensation for private industry employees.82 Therefore, DOE estimated that the total hourly compensation (including all fringe benefits) of a technician performing the testing is $41.64.83 Based on a July 2021 price list from the test cloth manufacturer, the cost of the test cloth required for performing testing is $7.47 per cloth.84 Based on an average RCW capacity of 4.14 ft3,85 the load sizes associated with testing an 80 These savings assume the savings from reducing the number of load sizes and from reducing the number of Warm Wash temperature selections under test have already been implemented. 81 DOE used the mean hourly wage of the ‘‘17– 3027 Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians’’ from the most recent BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2020) to estimate the hourly wage rate of a technician assumed to perform this testing. See www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes173027.htm. Last accessed on May 26, 2021. 82 DOE used the December 2020 ‘‘Employer Costs for Employee Compensation’’ to estimate that for ‘‘Private Industry Workers,’’ ‘‘Wages and Salaries’’ are 70.3 percent of the total employee compensation. See www.bls.gov/news.release/ archives/ecec_03182021.pdf. Last accessed on May 26, 2021. 83 $29.27 ÷ 0.703 = $41.64. 84 testgewebe.de/en/products/ballast-loads-baseload-textiles/doe-energy-test-cloth/. Last accessed and converted to U.S. dollars on July 8, 2021. 85 AHAM Trends in Energy Efficiency, 2018. E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 49194 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 average-capacity RCW,86 and the maximum allowable usage of 60 test cycles per cloth,87 DOE estimates a total material cost of $5.35 per wash cycle on average across all RCWs on the market. Using these material costs, labor rates and time estimates, DOE estimates that the reduction in burden of a single test cycle on an RCW would provide $46.99 in costs savings 88 for tests conducted at an in-house test facility. Based on discussions with manufacturers over the course of multiple rulemakings, DOE understands that the majority of manufacturer testing is conducted at inhouse test facilities. Based on an average CCW capacity of 3.17 ft3,89 the load sizes associated with testing an average-capacity CCW,90 and the maximum allowable usage of 60 test cycles per cloth, DOE estimates a total material cost of $4.36 per wash cycle on average across all CCWs on the market. Using these material costs, labor rates and time estimates, DOE estimates that the reduction in burden of a single test cycle on a CCW would provide $35.59 in costs savings 91 for tests conducted at an in-house test facility. Based on these estimates, DOE has tentatively determined that the use of proposed new Appendix J would result in a total burden reduction of 7.4 cycles per RCW on average, which results in an average saving of $348 per basic model of RCW.92 For CCWs, use of proposed new Appendix J would result in a total burden reduction of 4.3 cycles per CCW on average, which results in an average saving of $153 per basic model of CCW.93 Based on these estimates, DOE has tentatively determined that the 86 The load sizes associated with a 4.14 ft3 clothes washer are 3.0 lb (minimum), 10.0 lb (average), and 17.0 lb (maximum) under Appendix J2; and 6.1 lb (small) and 13.65 lb (large) under proposed Appendix J, resulting in an average load size of 10.0 lb under Appendix J2 or 9.9 lb under Appendix J. For the purpose of the calculations in this analysis, DOE used 10.0 lb to represent the average load size. 87 Section 2.7.1 of Appendix J2 specifies that each energy test cloth must not be used for more than 60 test runs (after preconditioning). 88 1 × $41.64 + $5.35 = $46.99. 89 DOE calculated the average CCW capacity based on the average capacity of the representative sample of CCWs presented in chapter 5 of the technical support document accompanying the December 2014 Final Rule. Available at www.regulations.gov/document/EERE-2012-BTSTD-0020-0036. 90 The load sizes associated with a 3.17 ft3 clothes washer are 3.0 lb (minimum), 7.95 lb (average), and 12.9 lb (maximum) under Appendix J2; and 5.2 lb (small) and 10.55 lb (large) under proposed Appendix J, resulting in an average load size of 7.95 lb under Appendix J2 or 7.9 lb under Appendix J. For the purpose of the calculations in this analysis, DOE used 7.95 lb to represent the average load size. 91 0.75 × $41.64 + $4.36 = $35.59. 92 7.4 × $46.99 = $348. 93 4.3 × $35.59 = $153. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 proposed new test procedure at Appendix J would not be unduly burdensome for manufacturers to conduct. DOE requests comment on any aspect of the estimated testing costs and savings associated with DOE’s proposed test procedures. 2. Harmonization With Industry Standards DOE’s established practice is to adopt relevant industry standards as DOE test procedures unless such methodology would be unduly burdensome to conduct or would not produce test results that reflect the energy efficiency, energy use, water use (as specified in EPCA) or estimated operating costs of that product during a representative average use cycle or period of use. Section 8(c) of Appendix A of 10 CFR part 430 subpart C; 10 CFR 431.4. In cases where the industry standard does not meet EPCA statutory criteria for test procedures, DOE will make modifications through the rulemaking process to these standards as the DOE test procedures. The test procedures for clothes washers at the proposed new Appendix J and Appendix J2 and Appendix J3 incorporate by reference certain provisions of IEC Standard 62301 that provide test conditions, testing equipment, and methods for measuring standby mode and off mode power consumption. These appendices also reference AATCC test methods for qualifying new batches of test cloth, and AHAM Standard Test Detergent Formula 3 for preconditioning new test cloths. DOE is not aware of any existing industry test procedures for clothes washers that measure energy and water efficiency. AHAM commented on the May 2020 RFI that it is about to begin development of its own clothes washer energy test procedure based on Appendix J2, which will address many of the issues DOE raised in the May 2020 RFI. (AHAM, No. 5 at p. 5) For example, AHAM stated that it plans to investigate methods of reducing test burden, including through review of relevant customer usage data. (AHAM, No. 5 at p. 4) AHAM suggested that DOE eventually incorporate AHAM’s test procedure by reference. (AHAM, No. 5 at p. 5) AHAM invited DOE, as well as other entities that are able to contribute technical resources to the effort, to participate in the task force. Id. The CA IOUs opposed the adoption of industry test procedures without modification without DOE conducting an independent assessment of representativeness in a public PO 00000 Frm 00056 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 rulemaking to allow adequate stakeholder discussion and review. (CA IOUs, No. 8 at p. 16) DOE is aware of two clothes washer test procedures established by industry: AHAM HLW–1–2013 and IEC 60456. AHAM’s existing clothes washer procedure, AHAM HLW–1–2013, does not include a procedure for measuring energy and water. IEC 60456 includes tests for water and energy use, water extraction (i.e., RMC), washing performance, rinsing performance, and wool shrinkage. DOE notes several key differences between IEC 60456 and DOE’s test procedure, including: (1) IEC 60456 uses manufacturerdeclared capacity or, in the absence of a declared capacity, specifies two alternative capacity measurement procedures: A table tennis ball method (in which the drum is filled with table tennis balls) and a water fill method, which more closely resembles DOE’s capacity measurement method. However, the water fill method for toploading clothes washers corresponds to ‘‘Fill Level 1,’’ as discussed in section III.D.6.c of this document, in contrast to DOE’s currently specified ‘‘Fill Level 2.’’ (2) IEC 60456 defines two types of load materials that can be used: A 100percent cotton load, consisting of sheets, pillowcases, and towels; or a synthetics/ blends load (65-percent polyester, 35percent cotton), consistent of men’s shirt and pillowcases. IEC 60456 requires a distribution in age (i.e., number of cycles that have been performed) for each different item type comprising the load. (3) The procedure for determining water and energy consumption (section 8.6 of IEC 60456) specifies that the test load shall be subjected to ‘‘performance’’ testing, which requires operating a reference clothes washer in parallel with the unit under test; using a test load that includes stain strips used to evaluate cleaning performance; and using detergent as specified. (4) IEC 60456 does not define the ‘‘Normal’’ cycle or energy test cycle; rather, the procedures in IEC 60456 are generic and can be applied to any wash program or cycle selections defined by the tester. DOE tentatively concludes that IEC 60456 does not meet EPCA statutory criteria, in that IEC 60456 would be unduly burdensome to conduct and would not produce test results that reflect the energy efficiency, energy use, water use, or estimated operating costs of a clothes washer during a representative average use cycle or period of use for a U.S. consumer. E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules 3. 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 clothes washers. Note that DOE also 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 (Mar. 18, 2019). DOE particularly seeks comment on this issue as it pertains to the test procedures for clothes washers, as well as information that would help DOE create a procedure that is not unduly burdensome to conduct. Comments regarding repeatability and reproducibility are also welcome. khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 L. Compliance Date and Waivers EPCA prescribes that, if DOE amends a test procedure, all representations of energy efficiency and energy use, including those made on marketing materials and product labels, must be made in accordance with that amended test procedure, beginning 180 days after publication of such a test procedure final rule in the Federal Register. (42 U.S.C. 6293(c)(2); 42 U.S.C. 6314(d)(1)) To the extent the new test procedure at Appendix J proposed in this document is required only for the evaluation and issuance of updated efficiency standards, use of new Appendix J, if finalized, would not be required until the compliance date of any updated standards. Section 8(d) of appendix A to 10 CFR part 430 subpart C; 10 CFR 431.4. If DOE were to publish amended test procedures, EPCA provides an allowance for individual manufacturers to petition DOE for an extension of the 180-day period if the manufacturer may experience undue hardship in meeting the deadline. (42 U.S.C. 6293(c)(3); 42 U.S.C. 6314(d)(2)) To receive such an extension, petitions must be filed with DOE no later than 60 days before the end of the 180-day period and must detail how the manufacturer will experience undue hardship. (Id.) Upon the compliance date of test procedure provisions of an amended test procedure, should DOE issue a such an amendment, any waivers that had been previously issued and are in effect that pertain to issues addressed by such provisions are terminated. 10 CFR 430.27(h)(2); 10 CFR 431.401(h)(2). Recipients of any such waivers would be required to test the products subject to the waiver according to the amended test procedures as of the compliance VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 date of the amended test procedures. The amendments proposed in this NOPR pertain to issues addressed by waivers granted to Whirlpool (case no. CW–026) and Samsung (case no. CW– 027). 81 FR 26215; 82 FR 17229, respectively. IV. Procedural Issues and Regulatory Review A. Review Under Executive Order 12866 The Office of Management and Budget (‘‘OMB’’) has determined that this test procedure rulemaking does not constitute ‘‘significant regulatory actions’’ under section 3(f) of Executive Order (‘‘E.O.’’) 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review, 58 FR 51735 (Oct. 4, 1993). Accordingly, this action was not subject to review under the Executive Order by the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (‘‘OIRA’’) in OMB. B. Review Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act The Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) requires preparation of an initial regulatory flexibility analysis (‘‘IRFA’’) for any rule that by law must be proposed for public comment, unless the agency certifies that the rule, if promulgated, will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. As required by Executive Order 13272, ‘‘Proper Consideration of Small Entities in Agency Rulemaking,’’ 67 FR 53461 (August 16, 2002), DOE published procedures and policies on February 19, 2003, to ensure that the potential impacts of its rules on small entities are properly considered during the DOE rulemaking process. 68 FR 7990. DOE has made its procedures and policies available on the Office of the General Counsel’s website: https://energy.gov/ gc/office-general-counsel. DOE reviewed this proposed rule under the provisions of the Regulatory Flexibility Act and the policies and procedures published on February 19, 2003. The following sections detail DOE’s IRFA for this test procedure rulemaking. 1. Description of Reasons Why Action Is Being Considered The Energy Policy and Conservation Act, as amended (‘‘EPCA’’),94 requires that, at least once every 7 years, DOE evaluate test procedures for RCWs. (42 U.S.C. 6291–6317) EPCA also requires the test procedures for CCWs to be the same as the test procedures established for RCWs. (42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(8)) As with 94 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). PO 00000 Frm 00057 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 49195 the test procedures for RCWs, EPCA requires that DOE evaluate, at least once every 7 years, the test procedures for CCWs. 2. Objective of, and Legal Basis for, Rule EPCA, as amended, authorizes DOE to regulate the energy efficiency of a number of consumer products and certain industrial equipment. (42 U.S.C. 6291–6317) Title III, Part B 95 of EPCA established the Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products Other Than Automobiles, which sets forth a variety of provisions designed to improve energy efficiency. These products include RCWs. (42 U.S.C. 6292(a)(7)) Title III, Part C 96 of EPCA, added by Public Law 95–619, Title IV, § 441(a), established the Energy Conservation Program for Certain Industrial Equipment. This equipment includes CCWs. (42 U.S.C. 6311(1)(H)) Both RCWs and CCWs are the subject of this document. EPCA also requires that, at least once every 7 years, DOE evaluate test procedures for each type of covered product, including RCWs, to determine whether amended test procedures would more accurately or fully comply with the requirements for the test procedures to not be unduly burdensome to conduct and be reasonably designed to produce test results that reflect energy efficiency, energy use, and estimated operating costs during a representative average use cycle or period of use. (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(1)(A)) EPCA requires the test procedures for CCWs to be the same as the test procedures established for RCWs. (42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(8)) As with the test procedures for RCWs, EPCA requires that DOE evaluate, at least once every 7 years, the test procedures for CCWs 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)) 3. Description and Estimate of Small Entities Regulated DOE uses the Small Business Administration’s (‘‘SBA’’) small business size standards to determine whether manufacturers qualify as small 95 For editorial reasons, upon codification in the U.S. Code, Part B was redesignated Part A. 96 For editorial reasons, upon codification in the U.S. Code, Part C was redesignated Part A–1. E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 49196 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 businesses, which are listed by the North American Industry Classification System (‘‘NAICS’’). The SBA considers a business entity to be a small business, if, together with its affiliates, it employs less than a threshold number of workers specified in 13 CFR part 121. The NAICS code for clothes washers is 335220, major household appliance manufacturing. The threshold number for NAICS code 335220 is 1,500 employees.97 This employee threshold includes all employees in a business’s parent company and any other subsidiaries. DOE identified 15 original equipment manufacturers (‘‘OEMs’’) of covered products and equipment. Of those companies, one is a small business that offers a single model of RCWs. DOE requests comment on its initial determination that there is one small, domestic OEM of RCWs and no small, domestic OEMs of CCWs. 4. Description and Estimate of Compliance Requirements In this NOPR, DOE proposes to amend Appendix J2 and Appendix J3 by (1) further specifying supply water temperature test conditions; (2) further specifying water meter resolution requirements; (3) adding specifications for measuring wash water temperature using submersible data loggers; (4) expanding the load size table to accommodate up to 8.0 ft3 in capacity; (5) defining user-adjustable automatic WFCS; (6) specifying more explicitly the cycle selection for clothes washers with a range of wash time settings; (7) specifying how the energy test cycle flow charts apply to clothes washers that internally generate hot water; (8) specifying that the energy test cycle flow charts be evaluated using the Maximum load size; (9) specifying that testing is to be conducted with any network settings disabled if instructions are available to the user to disable these functions; (10) further specifying the conditions under which data from a test cycle would be discarded; (11) adding a product-specific enforcement provision to accommodate the potential for lot-tolot variation in RMC; (12) deleting obsolete definitions, metrics, and the clothes washer-specific waiver section; (13) consolidating all test cloth-related specifications in Appendix J3; and (14) codifying the test cloth material verification procedure as used by industry into Appendix J3. DOE has initially determined these proposed amendments to Appendix J2 and Appendix J3 would not result in 97 Available online at: www.sba.gov/document/ support--table-size-standards. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 manufacturers needing to re-rate clothes washers. The amendment (2) above may require more precise hot water meters for clothes washers with hot water usage less than 0.1 gallons in any of the energy test cycles. However, DOE’s analysis of the small manufacturer’s product offering indicates that the amendment would not apply and no capital expenditures would be necessary for the business. Next, this NOPR proposes to specify a new Appendix J, to be applicable upon the compliance date of any future amended energy conservation standards for clothes washers. The proposed new Appendix J would include modifications beyond Appendix J2 that: (1) Modify the hot water supply target temperature and clothes washer preconditioning requirements; (2) modify the Extra-Hot Wash threshold temperature; (3) add measurement and calculation of average cycle time; (4) reduce the number of required test cycles by requiring the use of no more than two Warm Wash/Cold Rinse cycles, and no more than two Warm Wash/Warm Rinse cycles; (5) reduce the number of required test cycles by removing the need for one or more cycles used for measuring RMC; (6) reduce the number of load sizes from three to two for units with automatic water fill controls; (7) modify the load size definitions consistent with two, rather than three, load sizes; (8) update the water fill levels to be used for testing to reflect the modified load size definitions; (9) specify the installation of single-inlet clothes washers, and simplify the test procedure for semiautomatic clothes washers; (10) define new performance metrics that are functions of the weighted-average load size rather than clothes container capacity: ‘‘energy efficiency ratio,’’ ‘‘active-mode energy efficiency ratio,’’ and ‘‘water efficiency ratio’’; (11) update the number of annual clothes washer cycles from 295 to 234; and (12) update the number of hours assigned to lowpower mode to be based on the clothes washer’s measured cycle time rather than an assumed fixed value. Due to the reduction in number of loads and number of wash cycles, the proposed new Appendix J would be less burdensome than Appendix J2 for industry. However, the small manufacturer would need to re-rate its one model when any future amended energy conservation standard requires the use of the proposed new Appendix J. The cost of re-rating one model would have a cost of less than $1000. DOE estimates this to be less than 0.1 percent of revenue for the small manufacturer. PO 00000 Frm 00058 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 DOE requests comment on its initial determination that the proposed amendments would result in small incremental test burdens on the small business manufacturers of RCWs and CCWs in the United States. 5. Duplication, Overlap, and Conflict With Other Rules and Regulations DOE is not aware of any rules or regulations that duplicate, overlap, or conflict with the rule being considered today. 6. Significant Alternatives to the Rule DOE considered alternative test methods and modifications to the test procedures for RCWs and CCWs, and tentatively determined that there are no better alternatives than the modifications and procedures proposed in this NOPR. DOE expects the proposed amendments to Appendix J2 to result in zero cost to the small manufacturer. DOE expects the new Appendix J would have no impact before an amended energy conservation standard is adopted. After an amended energy conservation standard is adopted, DOE expects the proposed new Appendix J to have de minimis cost impact on the small manufacturer. Additional compliance flexibilities may be available through other means. EPCA provides that a manufacturer whose annual gross revenue from all of its operations does not exceed $8 million may apply for an exemption from all or part of an energy conservation standard for a period not longer than 24 months after the effective date of a final rule establishing the standard. (42 U.S.C. 6295(t)) Additionally, section 504 of the Department of Energy Organization Act, 42 U.S.C. 7194, provides authority for the Secretary to adjust a rule issued under EPCA in order to prevent ‘‘special hardship, inequity, or unfair distribution of burdens’’ that may be imposed on that manufacturer as a result of such rule. Manufacturers should refer to 10 CFR part 430, subpart E, and part 1003 for additional details. C. Review Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 Manufacturers of RCWs and CCWs must certify to DOE that their products comply with any applicable energy conservation standards. To certify compliance, manufacturers must first obtain test data for their products according to the DOE test procedures, including any amendments adopted for those test procedures. DOE has established regulations for the certification and recordkeeping requirements for all covered consumer E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules products and commercial equipment, including RCWs and CCWs. (See generally 10 CFR part 429.) The collection-of-information requirement for the certification and recordkeeping is subject to review and approval by OMB under the Paperwork Reduction Act (‘‘PRA’’). This requirement has been approved by OMB under OMB control number 1910–1400. Public reporting burden for the certification is estimated to average 35 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, no person is required to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with, a collection of information subject to the requirements of the PRA, unless that collection of information displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 D. Review Under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 In this proposed rule, DOE proposes test procedure amendments that it expects will be used to develop and implement future energy conservation standards for residential and commercial clothes washers. DOE has determined that this rule falls into a class of actions that are categorically excluded from review under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and DOE’s implementing regulations at 10 CFR part 1021. Specifically, DOE has determined that adopting test procedures for measuring energy efficiency of consumer products and industrial equipment is consistent with activities identified in 10 CFR part 1021, appendix A to subpart D, A5 and A6. Accordingly, neither an environmental assessment nor an environmental impact statement is required. E. Review Under Executive Order 13132 Executive Order 13132, ‘‘Federalism,’’ 64 FR 43255 (Aug. 10, 1999) imposes certain requirements on agencies formulating and implementing policies or regulations that preempt State law or that have Federalism implications. The Executive Order requires agencies to examine the constitutional and statutory authority supporting any action that would limit the policymaking discretion of the States and to carefully assess the necessity for such actions. The Executive Order also requires agencies to have an accountable process to ensure meaningful and timely input by State and local officials in the development of regulatory policies that VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 have Federalism implications. On March 14, 2000, DOE published a statement of policy describing the intergovernmental consultation process it will follow in the development of such regulations. 65 FR 13735. DOE has examined this proposed rule and has determined that it would not have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. EPCA governs and prescribes Federal preemption of State regulations as to energy conservation for the products that are the subject of this proposed rule. States can petition DOE for exemption from such preemption to the extent, and based on criteria, set forth in EPCA. (42 U.S.C. 6297(d)) No further action is required by Executive Order 13132. F. Review Under Executive Order 12988 Regarding the review of existing regulations and the promulgation of new regulations, section 3(a) of Executive Order 12988, ‘‘Civil Justice Reform,’’ 61 FR 4729 (Feb. 7, 1996), imposes on Federal agencies the general duty to adhere to the following requirements: (1) Eliminate drafting errors and ambiguity, (2) write regulations to minimize litigation, (3) provide a clear legal standard for affected conduct rather than a general standard, and (4) promote simplification and burden reduction. Section 3(b) of Executive Order 12988 specifically requires that Executive agencies make every reasonable effort to ensure that the regulation (1) clearly specifies the preemptive effect, if any, (2) clearly specifies any effect on existing Federal law or regulation, (3) provides a clear legal standard for affected conduct while promoting simplification and burden reduction, (4) specifies the retroactive effect, if any, (5) adequately defines key terms, and (6) addresses other important issues affecting clarity and general draftsmanship under any guidelines issued by the Attorney General. Section 3(c) of Executive Order 12988 requires Executive agencies to review regulations in light of applicable standards in sections 3(a) and 3(b) to determine whether they are met or it is unreasonable to meet one or more of them. DOE has completed the required review and determined that, to the extent permitted by law, the proposed rule meets the relevant standards of Executive Order 12988. PO 00000 Frm 00059 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 49197 G. Review Under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (‘‘UMRA’’) requires each Federal agency to assess the effects of Federal regulatory actions on State, local, and Tribal governments and the private sector. Public Law 104–4, sec. 201 (codified at 2 U.S.C. 1531). For a proposed regulatory action likely to result in a rule that may cause the expenditure by State, local, and Tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector of $100 million or more in any one year (adjusted annually for inflation), section 202 of UMRA requires a Federal agency to publish a written statement that estimates the resulting costs, benefits, and other effects on the national economy. (2 U.S.C. 1532(a), (b)) The UMRA also requires a Federal agency to develop an effective process to permit timely input by elected officers of State, local, and Tribal governments on a proposed ‘‘significant intergovernmental mandate,’’ and requires an agency plan for giving notice and opportunity for timely input to potentially affected small governments before establishing any requirements that might significantly or uniquely affect small governments. On March 18, 1997, DOE published a statement of policy on its process for intergovernmental consultation under UMRA. 62 FR 12820; also available at https://energy.gov/gc/office-generalcounsel. DOE examined this proposed rule according to UMRA and its statement of policy and determined that the rule contains neither an intergovernmental mandate, nor a mandate that may result in the expenditure of $100 million or more in any year, so these requirements do not apply. H. Review Under the Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 1999 Section 654 of the Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 1999 (Pub. L. 105–277) requires Federal agencies to issue a Family Policymaking Assessment for any rule that may affect family well-being. This proposed rule would not have any impact on the autonomy or integrity of the family as an institution. Accordingly, DOE has concluded that it is not necessary to prepare a Family Policymaking Assessment. I. Review Under Executive Order 12630 DOE has determined, under Executive Order 12630, ‘‘Governmental Actions and Interference with Constitutionally Protected Property Rights’’ 53 FR 8859 E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 49198 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules (March 18, 1988), that this proposed regulation would not result in any takings that might require compensation under the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 J. Review Under Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 2001 Section 515 of the Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 2001 (44 U.S.C. 3516 note) provides for agencies to review most disseminations of information to the public under guidelines established by each agency pursuant to general guidelines issued by OMB. OMB’s guidelines were published at 67 FR 8452 (Feb. 22, 2002), and DOE’s guidelines were published at 67 FR 62446 (Oct. 7, 2002). Pursuant to OMB Memorandum M–19–15, Improving Implementation of the Information Quality Act (April 24, 2019), DOE published updated guidelines which are available at www.energy.gov/sites/prod/ files/2019/12/f70/ DOE%20Final%20Updated %20IQI%20Guidelines% 20Dec%202019.pdf. DOE has reviewed this proposed rule under the OMB and DOE guidelines and has concluded that it is consistent with applicable policies in those guidelines. K. Review Under Executive Order 13211 Executive Order 13211, ‘‘Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use,’’ 66 FR 28355 (May 22, 2001), requires Federal agencies to prepare and submit to OMB, a Statement of Energy Effects for any proposed significant energy action. A ‘‘significant energy action’’ is defined as any action by an agency that promulgated or is expected to lead to promulgation of a final rule, and that (1) is a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866, or any successor order; and (2) is likely to have a significant adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use of energy; or (3) is designated by the Administrator of OIRA as a significant energy action. For any proposed significant energy action, the agency must give a detailed statement of any adverse effects on energy supply, distribution, or use should the proposal be implemented, and of reasonable alternatives to the action and their expected benefits on energy supply, distribution, and use. The proposed regulatory action to amend the test procedures for measuring the energy efficiency of RCWs and CCWs is not a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866. Moreover, it would not have a significant adverse effect on the supply, VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 distribution, or use of energy, nor has it been designated as a significant energy action by the Administrator of OIRA. Therefore, it is not a significant energy action, and, accordingly, DOE has not prepared a Statement of Energy Effects. L. Review Under Section 32 of the Federal Energy Administration Act of 1974 Under section 301 of the Department of Energy Organization Act (Pub. L. 95– 91; 42 U.S.C. 7101), DOE must comply with section 32 of the Federal Energy Administration Act of 1974, as amended by the Federal Energy Administration Authorization Act of 1977. (15 U.S.C. 788; ‘‘FEAA’’) Section 32 essentially provides in relevant part that, where a proposed rule authorizes or requires use of commercial standards, the notice of proposed rulemaking must inform the public of the use and background of such standards. In addition, section 32(c) requires DOE to consult with the Attorney General and the Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission (‘‘FTC’’) concerning the impact of the commercial or industry standards on competition. The proposed modifications to the test procedures for clothes washers would continue to incorporate testing methods contained in certain sections of the following commercial standards: AATCC Test Method 79–2010, AATCC Test Method 118–2007, AATCC Test Method 135–2010, and IEC 62031. DOE has evaluated these standards and is unable to conclude whether it fully complies with the requirements of section 32(b) of the FEAA (i.e., whether it was developed in a manner that fully provides for public participation, comment, and review.) DOE will consult with both the Attorney General and the Chairman of the FTC concerning the impact of these test procedures on competition, prior to prescribing a final rule. M. Description of Materials Incorporated by Reference In this NOPR, DOE proposes to incorporate by reference the test standard published by AATCC, titled ‘‘Absorbency of Textiles,’’ AATCC Test Method 79–2010. DOE also proposes to incorporate by reference the test standard published by AATCC, titled ‘‘Oil Repellency: Hydrocarbon Resistance Test,’’ AATCC Test Method 118–2007. AATCC 79–2010 and AATCC 118–2007 are industry-accepted test procedure that verify the presence or absence of water repellent finishes on fabric by measuring the water absorbency and oil repellency of the fabric, respectively. PO 00000 Frm 00060 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 In this NOPR, DOE proposes to incorporate by reference the test standard published by AATCC, titled ‘‘Dimensional Changes of Fabrics after Home Laundering,’’ AATCC Test Method 135–2010. AATCC 135–2010 is an industry-accepted test procedure for measuring dimensional changes in fabric (‘‘shrinkage’’) due to laundering. All three of these AATCC test methods are currently incorporated by reference for use in Appendix J2. This NOPR proposes to transfer the references to these test methods to Appendix J3. Copies of AATCC test methods can be obtained from AATC, P.O. Box 12215, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, (919) 549–3526, or by going to www.aatcc.org. In this NOPR, DOE proposes to incorporate by reference the test standard published by IEC, titled ‘‘Household electrical appliances— Measurement of standby power,’’ (Edition 2.0, 2011–01), IEC 62301. IEC 62301 is an industry-accepted test procedure for measuring standby energy consumption. IEC 62301 is currently incorporated by reference for use in Appendix J2, which references specific provisions of the industry standard. See 10 CFR 430.3(o)(6). This NOPR proposes to include the same references in the proposed new Appendix J. Copies of IEC 62301 available from the American National Standards Institute, 25 W 43rd Street, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, (212) 642–4900, or by going to webstore.ansi.org. V. Public Participation A. Participation in the Webinar The time and date of the webinar are listed in the DATES section at the beginning of this document. Webinar registration information, participant instructions, and information about the capabilities available to webinar participants will be published on DOE’s website: www1.eere.energy.gov/ buildings/appliance_standards/ standards.aspx?productid= 68&action=viewlive. Participants are responsible for ensuring their systems are compatible with the webinar software. Additionally, you may request an inperson meeting to be held prior to the close of the request period provided in the DATES section of this document. Requests for an in-person meeting may be made by contacting Appliance and Equipment Standards Program staff at (202) 287–1445 or by email: Appliance_ Standards_Public_Meetings@ee.doe.gov. E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules B. Procedure for Submitting Prepared General Statements for Distribution Any person who has an interest in the topics addressed in this proposed rulemaking, or who is representative of a group or class of persons that has an interest in these issues, may request an opportunity to make an oral presentation at the webinar. Such persons may submit requests to speak by sending an email to ResClothesWasher2016TP0011@ ee.doe.gov. Persons who wish to speak should include with their request a computer file in WordPerfect, Microsoft Word, PDF, or text (ASCII) file format that briefly describes the nature of their interest in this rulemaking and the topics they wish to discuss. Such persons should also provide a daytime telephone number where they can be reached. Persons requesting to speak should briefly describe the nature of their interest in this rulemaking and provide a telephone number for contact. DOE requests persons selected to make an oral presentation to submit an advance copy of their statements at least two weeks before the webinar. At its discretion, DOE may permit persons who cannot supply an advance copy of their statement to participate, if those persons have made advance alternative arrangements with the Building Technologies Office. As necessary, requests to give an oral presentation should ask for such alternative arrangements. khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 C. Conduct of the Webinar DOE will designate a DOE official to preside at the webinar and may also use a professional facilitator to aid discussion. The meeting will not be a judicial or evidentiary-type public hearing, but DOE will conduct it in accordance with section 336 of EPCA (42 U.S.C. 6306). A court reporter will be present to record the proceedings and prepare a transcript. DOE reserves the right to schedule the order of presentations and to establish the procedures governing the conduct of the webinar. There shall not be discussion of proprietary information, costs or prices, market share, or other commercial matters regulated by U.S. anti-trust laws. After the webinar and until the end of the comment period, interested parties may submit further comments on the proceedings and any aspect of the rulemaking. The webinar will be conducted in an informal, conference style. DOE will present summaries of comments received before the webinar, allow time for prepared general statements by VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 participants, and encourage all interested parties to share their views on issues affecting this rulemaking. Each participant will be allowed to make a general statement (within time limits determined by DOE), before the discussion of specific topics. DOE will allow, as time permits, other participants to comment briefly on any general statements. At the end of all prepared statements on a topic, DOE will permit participants to clarify their statements briefly and comment on statements made by others. Participants should be prepared to answer questions by DOE and by other participants concerning these issues. DOE representatives may also ask questions of participants concerning other matters relevant to this rulemaking. The official conducting the webinar will accept additional comments or questions from those attending, as time permits. The presiding official will announce any further procedural rules or modification of the above procedures that may be needed for the proper conduct of the webinar. A transcript of the webinar will be included in the docket, which can be viewed as described in the Docket section at the beginning of this document and will be accessible on the DOE website. In addition, any person may buy a copy of the transcript from the transcribing reporter. D. Submission of Comments DOE will accept comments, data, and information regarding this proposed rule no later than the date provided in the DATES section at the beginning of this proposed rule. Interested parties may submit comments using any of the methods described in the ADDRESSES section at the beginning of this document. 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 PO 00000 Frm 00061 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 49199 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 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. No 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. E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 49200 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 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 wellmarked 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. 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). E. Issues on Which DOE Seeks Comment Although DOE welcomes comments on any aspect of this proposal, DOE is particularly interested in receiving comments and views of interested parties concerning the following issues: (1) DOE requests comment on its proposal to require a hot water meter resolution no larger than 0.01 gallons for clothes washers that use less than 0.1 gallons in any of the individual cycles within the energy test cycle. DOE requests comment on the extent to which manufacturers and test laboratories already use water meters with this greater resolution. DOE also requests comment on whether proposing this requirement for Appendix J2 would require manufacturers to retest any basic models that have already been certified under the existing water meter resolution requirements. (2) DOE requests comment on its proposal to require all single-inlet clothes washers to be installed to the cold water supply only. DOE also requests comment on whether this requirement should be included in only the proposed new Appendix J, or whether, if adopted, it should be included as an amendment to Appendix J2. (3) DOE requests comment on its proposal to update the hot water supply temperature for the proposed new VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 Appendix J from 130–135 °F to 120– 125 °F. DOE seeks more recent data on hot water supply temperatures in consumer clothes washer installations. DOE also requests comment on any potential impact to testing costs that may occur by harmonizing temperatures between the clothes washer and dishwasher test procedures, and the impacts on manufacturer burden associated with any changes to the hot water supply temperature. (4) DOE requests comment on its proposal to specify in the proposed new Appendix J that the Extra-Hot Wash/ Cold Rinse designation would apply to a wash temperature greater than or equal to 140 °F. DOE requests any additional data on the wash temperature of cycles that meet the Appendix J2 definition of Extra-Hot Wash/Cold Rinse. DOE is also interested in data and information on any potential impact to testing costs that may occur by changing the Extra-Hot Wash temperature threshold, and the impacts on manufacturer burden associated with any changes to the Extra-Hot Wash/Cold Rinse definition. (5) DOE requests comment on its proposal to remove the target temperatures and instead specify water supply temperature ranges as 55 °F to 60 °F for cold water in both Appendix J2 and the proposed new Appendix J, 130 °F to 135 °F for hot water in Appendix J2, and 120 °F to 125 °F for hot water in the proposed new Appendix J. (6) DOE requests comment on its proposal to allow the use of a submersible temperature logger in Appendix J2 and the proposed new Appendix J as an option to confirm that an Extra-Hot Wash temperature greater than the Extra-Hot Wash threshold has been achieved during the wash cycle. DOE requests data and information confirming (or disputing) DOE’s discussion of the benefits and limitations of using a submersible temperature logger, including DOE’s determination that a submersible logger’s failure to measure a temperature greater than the Extra-Hot Wash threshold does not necessarily indicate that the cycle under test does not meet the definition of an Extra-Hot Wash/ Cold Rinse cycle. (7) DOE requests comment on its proposal to specify the same preconditioning requirements for all clothes washers and to remove the ‘‘water-heating clothes washer’’ and ‘‘non-water-heating clothes washer’’ definitions in the proposed new Appendix J. DOE also requests information regarding whether test laboratories typically pre-condition PO 00000 Frm 00062 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 water-heating and non-water-heating clothes washers using the same procedure. (8) DOE requests comment on its proposal to expand the load size table in both Appendix J2 and the proposed new Appendix J to accommodate RCWs with capacities up to 8.0 ft3. (9) DOE requests comment on its proposal to replace the minimum, maximum, and average load sizes with the small and large load sizes in the proposed new Appendix J. DOE seeks comment on how reducing the number of load sizes tested would impact the representativeness of test results. DOE also requests data and information to quantify the reduction in test burden that would result from reducing the number of load sizes from three to two for clothes washers with automatic WFCS. (10) DOE requests comment on its proposal to change the water fill level selections in the proposed new Appendix J for clothes washers with manual and user-adjustable automatic WFCS to reflect the proposed small and large test load sizes. DOE seeks data and information on how the proposed changes to the water fill level selection for clothes washers with manual and user-adjustable automatic WFCS would impact test procedure representativeness. (11) DOE requests comment on the proposal to require in the proposed new Appendix J testing only the hottest and the coldest Warm Wash/Cold Rinse settings. DOE seeks data and information on how this proposed change to the Warm Wash temperature settings required for testing would impact representativeness, testing costs, and manufacturer burden. (12) DOE requests comment on its proposal to revise the RMC procedure so that RMC would be measured at the default spin setting for each temperature selection and load size, and the individual RMC values would be averaged using TUFs and LUFs to calculate the final RMC. DOE seeks data and information regarding how this change to the RMC calculation would impact testing costs and manufacturer test burden. (13) DOE further requests comment on whether DOE should implement any changes to the RMC calculation in Appendix J2 to address clothes washers with spin settings that are available only on certain temperature selections. (14) DOE requests comment on its tentative conclusion not to propose changes to the bone-dry definition and associated dryer temperature measurement method. E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules (15) DOE requests comment on its proposal to require that each test cycle use a bone-dry test load in the proposed new Appendix J. DOE requests comment on whether test laboratories start test cycles with the test load at bone-dry or at up to 104 percent of the bone-dry weight. DOE further requests feedback on its assessment that this change would not affect test burden. (16) DOE requests comment on its proposal to add cycle time measurements and to calculate average cycle time using the weighted-average method in the proposed new Appendix J. DOE also requests comment on its assertion that adding cycle time measurements and a calculation of a weighted-average cycle time would not increase testing costs or overall test burden. (17) DOE requests comment on its tentative determination to maintain the current capacity measurement method. (18) DOE requests comment on the proposed criteria for determining whether test data are to be discarded. Specifically, DOE requests comment on the proposal that test data are discarded if a washing machine either signals to the user by means of a visual or audio alert that an out-of-balance condition has occurred or terminates prematurely. DOE requests comment on whether additional or alternate criteria would provide objective and observable indication during a single test that test data are to be discarded. (19) DOE requests comment on its proposal for testing semi-automatic clothes washers in the proposed new Appendix J that would require testing only the wash/rinse temperature combinations that do not require a wash temperature change between the wash and rinse portions of the cycle (i.e., Hot/ Hot, Warm/Warm, and Cold/Cold). (20) DOE requests feedback on its proposal to test semi-automatic clothes washers using TUF values of 0.14 for Hot, 0.49 for Warm, and 0.37 for Cold. (21) DOE further requests comment on whether the temperature selections and TUFs that DOE has proposed for semiautomatic clothes washers would be representative of consumer use; and if not, which temperature selections and TUF values would better reflect consumer use. (22) DOE requests comment on whether to include explicit instructions for how to test semi-automatic clothes washers in Appendix J2, and if so, whether DOE should implement the same procedures being proposed for the proposed new Appendix J. (23) DOE requests feedback on how manufacturers of semi-automatic clothes VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 washers are currently testing their products using Appendix J2. (24) DOE requests comment on its proposal to require semi-automatic clothes washers to test only the Cold cycle, and to determine the representative values for the Warm and Hot cycles formulaically, for the proposed new Appendix J. (25) DOE requests comment on the test burden associated with determining the apportionment between wash water use and rinse water use on semiautomatic clothes washers. (26) DOE requests comment on maintaining the current requirement to use the manufacturer default settings for optional cycle modifiers. (27) DOE requests comment on its proposed amendment to Appendix J2 and the proposed new Appendix J to specify that network settings (on clothes washers with network capabilities) must be disabled during testing if such settings can be disabled by the end-user, and the product’s user manual provides instructions on how to do so. (28) DOE requests feedback on its characterization of connected clothes washers currently on the market. Specifically, DOE requests input on the types of features or functionality enabled by connected clothes washers that exist on the market or that are under development. (29) DOE requests data on the percentage of users purchasing connected clothes washers, and, for those users, the percentage of the time when the connected functionality of the clothes washer is used. (30) DOE requests data on the amount of additional or reduced energy use of connected clothes washers. (31) DOE requests data on the pattern of additional or reduced energy use of connected clothes washers; for example, whether it is constant, periodic, or triggered by the user. (32) DOE requests information on any existing testing protocols that account for connected features of clothes washers, as well as any testing protocols that may be under development within the industry. (33) DOE requests comment on its proposal to replace the capacity term with weighted-average load size in the energy efficiency metrics and the water efficiency metric in the proposed new Appendix J. (34) DOE requests comment on its proposed names for the proposed new efficiency metrics: energy efficiency ratio (EER), active-mode energy efficiency ratio (AEER), and water efficiency ratio (WER). (35) DOE requests comment on its proposal to invert the water efficiency PO 00000 Frm 00063 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 49201 metric and calculate the newly defined WER metric as the quotient of the weighted-average load size divided by the total weighted per-cycle water consumption for all wash cycles. (36) DOE requests data on the annual amount of laundry washed by consumers, and whether the annual amount of laundry washed by consumers is correlated with clothes washer capacity. (37) DOE requests comment on its proposed updated representation and sampling requirements for RCWs and CCWs. (38) DOE requests comment on its proposal to update the number of annual wash cycles to 234 in the proposed new Appendix J and 10 CFR 430.23(j)(1)(i) and (j)(3)(i). (39) DOE requests comment on maintaining the assumed final moisture content of 4 percent in the drying energy equation, or whether it should update the assumed final moisture content to 2 percent to align with DOE’s Appendix D2 clothes dryer test procedure. (40) DOE requests comment on maintaining the current DEF value of 0.5 kWh/lb. (41) DOE requests comment on maintaining the current DUF value of 0.91. (42) DOE requests comment on its proposal to update the number of hours spent in low-power mode from a fixed 8,465 total hours to a formula based on measured cycle time and an assumed number of annual cycles. (43) DOE requests comment on maintaining the current TUF values. (44) DOE requests comment on its proposal to update the LUFs for the small and large load sizes to be equal to 0.5, consistent with the proposed load size definitions in the proposed new Appendix J. (45) DOE requests comment on maintaining the current water heater efficiency assumptions. (46) DOE requests comment on its proposal to specify the use of hoses not to exceed 72 inches in length in the proposed new Appendix J. DOE also requests comment on the length of inlet hose typically used for testing. (47) DOE requests comment on whether it should amend the test procedure to accommodate potential future clothes washer models for which the maximum load size required by the test procedure conflicts with the maximum load size intended or able to be washed with the cycle required for testing. If so, DOE seeks additional comment on the approaches it has considered, or on any other approaches E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 49202 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules that could be considered, that would address this issue in the test procedure. (48) DOE requests comment on its proposed changes to the definition of ‘‘fixed water fill control system’’ and on its proposal to add a definition for ‘‘user-adjustable automatic water fill control system.’’ (49) DOE requests comment on its proposal to update the wording of section 3.2.6.2.2 of Appendix J2 and section 3.2.3.2.2 of the proposed new Appendix J from ‘‘the setting that will give the most energy intensive result’’ to ‘‘the setting that uses the most water;’’ and from ‘‘the setting that will give the least energy intensive result’’ to ‘‘the setting that uses the least water.’’ (50) DOE requests comment on its proposal to require that the energy test cycle flow charts be evaluated using the large load size for all wash/rinse temperature settings in the proposed new Appendix J. DOE also requests comment on its proposal to require that the energy test cycle flow charts be evaluated using the maximum load size, except for the Cold/Cold flow chart, in Appendix J2. (51) DOE requests comments on its proposal to update the flowcharts for Cold Wash/Cold Rinse and Warm Wash/ Warm Rinse in both Appendix J2 and the proposed new Appendix J to explicitly address clothes washers that internally generate hot water. (52) DOE requests comment on its proposal to clarify the wording of the wash time setting specifications in section 3.2.5 of Appendix J2 and section 3.2.2 of the proposed new Appendix J. (53) DOE requests comment on its proposal to add a clause in section 3.2.5.2 of Appendix J2 and section 3.2.2.2 of the proposed new Appendix J stating that the requirement to rotate the dial in the direction of increasing wash time would only apply to dials that can rotate in both directions. (54) DOE requests comment on its proposal to add a definition of ‘‘wash time’’ to section 1 of both Appendix J2 and the proposed new Appendix J. (55) DOE requests comment on its proposed updates to the annual operating cost calculations in 10 CFR 430.23(j)(1). (56) DOE requests comment on its proposed structure of the proposed new Appendix J to simplify and improve readability as compared to Appendix J2. (57) DOE requests comment on its proposal to delete Appendix J1 to subpart B of 10 CFR part 430 along with all references to Appendix J1 in 10 CFR parts 429, 430, and 431. (58) DOE requests comment on its proposal to remove obsolete metric definitions. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 (59) DOE requests comment on its proposal to delete the following definitions from section 1 of Appendix J2: ‘‘adaptive control system,’’ ‘‘compact,’’ ‘‘manual control system,’’ ‘‘standard,’’ and ‘‘thermostatically controlled water valves.’’ DOE also requests comment on its proposal to simplify the definition of ‘‘energy test cycle.’’ DOE also requests comment on its proposal to remove section 1.30 ‘‘Symbol usage’’ from Appendix J2. Lastly, DOE requests comment on its proposal to remove the numbering of all definitions in section 1 of Appendix J2 and section 2 of Appendix J3, and to instead list the definitions in alphabetical order. (60) DOE requests comment on its proposal to remove section 6, Waivers and Field Testing, of Appendix J2 and proposal not to include a parallel section in the proposed new Appendix J. (61) DOE requests comment on its proposal to make the minor typographical corrections and formatting modifications described in this section. (62) DOE requests comment on its proposal to consolidate into Appendix J3 the test cloth specifications and procedures from section 2.7 of Appendix J2 that are not intended to be conducted as part of each individual clothes washer test performed under Appendix J2. (63) DOE requests comment on its proposed edits to Appendix J3 to codify the ‘‘uniformity check’’ procedure and to restructure Appendix J3 to improve the overall logical flow of the procedure. (64) DOE requests comment on its proposal to extend its product-specific enforcement provisions for clothes washers to accommodate up to a 3percentage point variation in the corrected RMC measurement based on the test cloth lot used for testing. DOE also requests comment on alternate enforcement approaches that could be implemented. (65) DOE requests comment, specifically from manufacturers and third-party test laboratories, on whether costs would be incurred for each laboratory as a result of the proposals in this NOPR to specify more precise hot water meters and to explicitly allow the use of submersible temperature loggers; and if so, the total incurred cost associated with outfitting each test stand with the specified instrumentation. DOE also requests comment on the potential cost savings to be expected from enabling the use of submersible temperature loggers. (66) DOE requests comment on its characterization of the expected costs of PO 00000 Frm 00064 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 the proposed amendments to Appendix J2 and Appendix J3 and on DOE’s preliminary determination that the proposed amendments would not be unduly burdensome. (67) DOE requests comment on any aspect of the estimated testing costs and savings associated with DOE’s proposed test procedures. (68) DOE requests comment on its initial determination that there is one small, domestic OEM of RCWs and no small, domestic OEMs of CCWs. (69) DOE requests comment on its initial determination that the proposed amendments would result in small incremental test burdens on the small business manufacturers of RCWs and CCWs in the United States. VI. Approval of the Office of the Secretary The Secretary of Energy has approved publication of this proposed rule. List of Subjects 10 CFR Part 429 Administrative practice and procedure, Confidential business information, Energy conservation, Household appliances, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements. 10 CFR Part 430 Administrative practice and procedure, Confidential business information, Energy conservation, Household appliances, Imports, Incorporation by reference, Intergovernmental relations, Small businesses. 10 CFR Part 431 Administrative practice and procedure, Confidential business information, Energy conservation test procedures, Incorporation by reference, and Reporting and recordkeeping requirements. Signing Authority This document of the Department of Energy was signed on August 5, 2021, by Kelly Speakes-Backman, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary and Acting Assistant Secretary for 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 E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules administrative process in no way alters the legal effect of this document upon publication in the Federal Register. Signed in Washington, DC, on August 5, 2021. Treena V. Garrett, Federal Register Liaison Officer, U.S. Department of Energy. For the reasons stated in the preamble, DOE is proposing to amend parts 429, 430, and 431 of chapter II of title 10, Code of Federal Regulations as set forth below: PART 429—CERTIFICATION, COMPLIANCE, AND ENFORCEMENT FOR CONSUMER PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT 1. The authority citation for part 429 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6291–6317; 28 U.S.C. 2461 note. 2. Section 429.20 is amended by revising introductory paragraphs (a)(2)(i) and (ii), and (a)(3) to read as follows: ■ § 429.20 Residential clothes washers. khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 * * * * * (a) * * * (2) * * * (i) Any represented value of the integrated water factor, the estimated annual operating cost, the energy or water consumption, or other measure of energy or water consumption of a basic model for which consumers would favor lower values shall be greater than or equal to the higher of: * * * * * (ii) Any represented value of the integrated modified energy factor, energy efficiency ratio, water efficiency ratio, or other measure of energy or water consumption of a basic model for which consumers would favor higher values shall be less than or equal to the lower of: * * * * * (3) The clothes container capacity of a basic model reported in accordance with paragraph (b)(2) of this section shall be the mean of the measured clothes container capacity, C, of all tested units of the basic model. * * * * * ■ 3. Section 429.46 is amended by revising introductory paragraph (a)(2)(ii) to read as follows: § 429.46 Commercial clothes washers. * * * * * (a) * * * (2) * * * (ii) Any represented value of the modified energy factor, active-mode VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 energy efficiency ratio, water efficiency ratio, or other measure of energy or water consumption of a basic model for which consumers would favor higher values shall be greater than or equal to the higher of: * * * * * ■ 4. Section 429.134 is amended by revising paragraph (c)(1) to read as follows: § 429.134 Product-specific enforcement provisions. * * * * * (c) Clothes washers—(1) Determination of Remaining Moisture Content. These provisions address anomalous remaining moisture content (RMC) results that are not representative of a basic model’s performance, as well as differences in RMC values that may result from DOE using a different test cloth lot than was used by the manufacturer for testing and certifying the basic model. (i) When testing according to appendix J to subpart B of part 430: (A) If the measured RMC value of a tested unit is equal to or lower than the certified RMC value of the basic model (expressed as a percentage), the measured RMC value will be considered the tested unit’s final RMC value and will be used as the basis for the calculation of per-cycle energy consumption for removal of moisture from the test load for that unit. (B) If the measured RMC value is higher than the certified RMC value of the basic model, the measured RMC value of a tested unit will be considered the tested unit’s final RMC value unless DOE used a different test cloth lot than was used by the manufacturer for testing and certifying the basic model; in which case, DOE may apply paragraph (c)(1)(i)(C) of this section if the difference between the measured and certified RMC values would affect the unit’s compliance with the applicable standards. (C) If DOE uses a different test cloth lot than was used by the manufacturer for testing and certifying the basic model: (1) If the difference between the tested unit’s measured RMC value and the certified RMC value of the basic model is less than or equal to three RMC percentage points, then the certified RMC value of the basic model may be considered the tested unit’s final RMC value. (2) If the tested unit’s measured RMC value is more than three RMC percentage points higher than the certified RMC value of the basic model, then a value three RMC percentage points less than the measured RMC PO 00000 Frm 00065 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 49203 value may be considered the tested unit’s final RMC value. (ii) When testing according to appendix J2 to subpart B of part 430: (A) The procedure for determining remaining moisture content (RMC) will be performed once in its entirety, pursuant to the test requirements of section 3.8 of appendix J2 to subpart B of part 430, for each unit tested. (B) If the measured RMC value of a tested unit is equal to or lower than the certified RMC value of the basic model (expressed as a percentage), the measured RMC value will be considered the tested unit’s final RMC value and will be used as the basis for the calculation of per-cycle energy consumption for removal of moisture from the test load for that unit. (C) If the difference between the measured RMC value and the certified RMC value of the basic model is less than or equal to two RMC percentage points, the measured RMC value of a tested unit will be considered the tested unit’s final RMC value unless DOE used a different test cloth lot than was used by the manufacturer for testing and certifying the basic model; in which case, DOE may apply paragraph (c)(1)(ii)(E) of this section if the difference between the measured and certified RMC values would affect the unit’s compliance with the applicable standards. (D) If the measured RMC value of a tested unit is more than two RMC percentage points higher than the certified RMC value of the basic model, DOE will perform two replications of the RMC measurement procedure, each pursuant to the provisions of section 3.8.5 of appendix J2 to subpart B of part 430, for a total of three independent RMC measurements of the tested unit. The average of the three RMC measurements will be calculated. (1) If the average of the three RMC measurements is equal to or lower than the certified RMC value of the basic model, the average RMC value will be considered the tested unit’s final RMC value. (2) If the average of the three RMC measurements is higher than the certified RMC value of the basic model, the average RMC value will be considered the tested unit’s final RMC value unless DOE used a different test cloth lot than was used by the manufacturer for testing and certifying the basic model; in which case, DOE may apply paragraph (c)(1)(ii)(E) of this section if the difference between the average and certified RMC values would affect the unit’s compliance with the applicable standards. E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 49204 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules (E) If DOE uses a different test cloth lot than was used by the manufacturer for testing and certifying the basic model: (1) If the difference between the tested unit’s measured RMC value (or average RMC value pursuant to paragraph (c)(1)(ii)(D) of this section) and the certified RMC value of the basic model is less than or equal to three RMC percentage points, then the certified RMC value of the basic model may be considered the tested unit’s final RMC value. (2) If the tested unit’s measured RMC value (or average RMC value pursuant to paragraph (c)(1)(ii)(D) of this section) is more than three RMC percentage points higher than the certified RMC value of the basic model, then a value three RMC percentage points less than the measured RMC value may be considered the tested unit’s final RMC value. * * * * * PART 430—ENERGY CONSERVATION PROGRAM FOR CONSUMER PRODUCTS 5. The authority citation for part 430 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6291–6309; 28 U.S.C. 2461 note. 6. Section 430.3 is amended by revising paragraphs (d) and (o)(6) to read as follows: ■ § 430.3 Materials incorporated by reference. khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 * * * * * (d) AATCC. American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists, P.O. Box 12215, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, (919) 549–3526, or go to www.aatcc.org. (1) AATCC Test Method 79–2010, Absorbency of Textiles, Revised 2010, IBR approved for appendix J3 to subpart B. (2) AATCC Test Method 118–2007, Oil Repellency: Hydrocarbon Resistance Test, Revised 2007, IBR approved for appendix J3 to subpart B. (3) AATCC Test Method 135–2010, Dimensional Changes of Fabrics after Home Laundering, Revised 2010, IBR approved for appendix J3 to subpart B. * * * * * (o) * * * (6) IEC 62301 (‘‘IEC 62301’’), Household electrical appliances— Measurement of standby power, (Edition 2.0, 2011–01), IBR approved for appendices C1, D1, D2, F, G, H, I, J, J2, N, O, P, Q, X, X1, Y, Z, BB, and CC to subpart B. * * * * * ■ 7. Section 430.23 is amended by: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 a. Revising paragraphs (j)(1)(i) and (ii); b. Removing paragraph (j)(2)(i); c. Redesignating paragraph (j)(2)(ii) as (j)(2)(i); ■ d. Adding paragraph (j)(2)(ii); ■ e. Revising paragraph (j)(3)(i); ■ f. Removing paragraph (j)(4)(i); ■ g. Redesignating paragraph (j)(4)(ii) as (j)(4)(i); ■ h. Revising newly redesignated paragraph (j)(4)(i); ■ i. Adding paragraph (j)(4)(ii); and ■ j. Revising paragraph (j)(5). The additions and revisions read as follows: ■ ■ ■ § 430.23 Test procedures for the measurement of energy and water consumption. * * * * * (j) * * * (1) * * * (i) When using appendix J (see the note at the beginning of appendix J), (A) When electrically heated water is used, (N × (MET + HET + ETLP) × CKWH) Where: N = the representative average residential clothes washer use of 234 cycles per year according to appendix J, MET = the total weighted per-cycle machine electrical energy consumption, in kilowatt-hours per cycle, determined according to section 4.1.6 of appendix J, HET = the total weighted per-cycle hot water energy consumption using an electrical water heater, in kilowatt-hours per cycle, determined according to section 4.1.3 of appendix J, ETLP = the per-cycle combined low-power mode energy consumption, in kilowatthours per cycle, determined according to section 4.6.2 of appendix J, and CKWH = the representative average unit cost, in dollars per kilowatt-hour, as provided by the Secretary. (B) When gas-heated or oil-heated water is used, (N × (((MET + ETLP) × CKWH) + (HETG × CBTU))) Where: N, MET, ETLP, and CKWH are defined in paragraph (j)(1)(i)(A) of this section, HETG = the total per-cycle hot water energy consumption using gas-heated or oilheated water, in Btu per cycle, determined according to section 4.1.4 of appendix J, and CBTU = the representative average unit cost, in dollars per Btu for oil or gas, as appropriate, as provided by the Secretary. (ii) When using appendix J2 (see the note at the beginning of appendix J2), (A) When electrically heated water is used (N2 × (ETE2 + ETLP2) × CKWH) Where: PO 00000 Frm 00066 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 N2 = the representative average residential clothes washer use of 295 cycles per year according to appendix J2, ETE2 = the total per-cycle energy consumption when electrically heated water is used, in kilowatt-hours per cycle, determined according to section 4.1.7 of appendix J2, ETLP2 = the per-cycle combined low-power mode energy consumption, in kilowatthours per cycle, determined according to section 4.4 of appendix J2, and CKWH = the representative average unit cost, in dollars per kilowatt-hour, as provided by the Secretary. (B) When gas-heated or oil-heated water is used, (N2 × (((MET2 + ETLP2) × CKWH) + (HETG2 × CBTU))) Where: N2, ETLP2, and CKWH are defined in (j)(1)(ii)(A) of this section, MET2 = the total weighted per-cycle machine electrical energy consumption, in kilowatt-hours per cycle, determined according to section 4.1.6 of appendix J2, HETG2 = the total per-cycle hot water energy consumption using gas-heated or oilheated water, in Btu per cycle, determined according to section 4.1.4 of appendix J2, and CBTU = the representative average unit cost, in dollars per Btu for oil or gas, as appropriate, as provided by the Secretary. (2) * * * (ii) The energy efficiency ratio for automatic and semi-automatic clothes washers is determined according to section 4.9 of appendix J (when using appendix J). The result shall be rounded off to the nearest 0.1 pound per kilowatt-hour per cycle. (3) * * * (i) When using appendix J, the product of the representative averageuse of 234 cycles per year and the total weighted per-cycle water consumption in gallons per cycle determined according to section 4.2.4 of appendix J. * * * * * (4)(i) The integrated water factor must be determined according to section 4.2.12 of appendix J2, with the result rounded to the nearest 0.1 gallons per cycle per cubic foot. (ii) The water efficiency ratio for automatic and semi-automatic clothes washers is determined according to section 4.7 of appendix J (when using appendix J). The result shall be rounded off to the nearest 0.1 pound per gallon per cycle. (5) Other useful measures of energy consumption for automatic or semiautomatic clothes washers shall be those measures of energy consumption that the Secretary determines are likely to assist consumers in making purchasing decisions and that are derived from the E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules application of appendix J or appendix J2, as appropriate. * * * * * ■ 8. Appendix J to subpart B of part 430 is added to read as follows: Appendix J to Subpart B of Part 430— Uniform Test Method for Measuring the Energy Consumption of Automatic and Semi-Automatic Clothes Washers khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 Note: Manufacturers must use the results of testing under Appendix J2 to determine compliance with the relevant standards for clothes washers from § 430.32(g)(4) and from § 431.156(b) as they appeared in January 1, 2021 edition of 10 CFR parts 200–499. Specifically, before [Date 180 days following publication of the final rule] representations must be based upon results generated either under Appendix J2 as codified on [Date 30 days following publication of the final rule] or under Appendix J2 as it appeared in the 10 CFR parts 200–499 edition revised as of January 1, 2021. Any representations made on or after [Date 180 days following publication of the final rule] but before the compliance date of any amended standards for clothes washers must be made based upon results generated using Appendix J2 as codified on [Date 30 days following publication of the final rule]. Manufacturers must use the results of testing under Appendix J to determine compliance with any amended standards for clothes washers provided in § 430.32(g) and in § 431.156 that are published after January 1, 2021. Any representations related to energy or water consumption of residential or commercial clothes washers must be made in accordance with the appropriate appendix that applies (i.e., Appendix J or Appendix J2) when determining compliance with the relevant standard. Manufacturers may also use Appendix J to certify compliance with any amended standards prior to the applicable compliance date for those standards. 1. Definitions Active mode means a mode in which the clothes washer is connected to a mains power source, has been activated, and is performing one or more of the main functions of washing, soaking, tumbling, agitating, rinsing, and/or removing water from the clothing, or is involved in functions necessary for these main functions, such as admitting water into the washer or pumping water out of the washer. Active mode also includes delay start and cycle finished modes. Active-mode energy efficiency ratio means the quotient of the weighted-average load size divided by the total clothes washer energy consumption per cycle, with such energy consumption expressed as the sum of the machine electrical energy consumption, the hot water energy consumption, and the energy required for removal of the remaining moisture in the wash load. Active washing mode means a mode in which the clothes washer is performing any of the operations included in a complete cycle intended for washing a clothing load, including the main functions of washing, VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 soaking, tumbling, agitating, rinsing, and/or removing water from the clothing. Adaptive water fill control system means a clothes washer automatic water fill control system that is capable of automatically adjusting the water fill level based on the size or weight of the clothes load placed in the clothes container. Automatic water fill control system means a clothes washer water fill control system that does not allow or require the user to determine or select the water fill level, and includes adaptive water fill control systems and fixed water fill control systems. Bone-dry means a condition of a load of test cloth that has been dried in a dryer at maximum temperature for a minimum of 10 minutes, removed and weighed before cool down, and then dried again for 10 minute periods until the final weight change of the load is 1 percent or less. Clothes container means the compartment within the clothes washer that holds the clothes during the operation of the machine. Cold rinse means the coldest rinse temperature available on the machine, as indicated to the user on the clothes washer control panel. Combined low-power mode means the aggregate of available modes other than active washing mode, including inactive mode, off mode, delay start mode, and cycle finished mode. Cycle finished mode means an active mode that provides continuous status display, intermittent tumbling, or air circulation following operation in active washing mode. Delay start mode means an active mode in which activation of active washing mode is facilitated by a timer. Energy efficiency ratio means the quotient of the weighted-average load size divided by the total clothes washer energy consumption per cycle, with such energy consumption expressed as the sum of: (a) The machine electrical energy consumption; (b) The hot water energy consumption; (c) The energy required for removal of the remaining moisture in the wash load; and (d) The combined low-power mode energy consumption. Energy test cycle means the complete set of wash/rinse temperature selections required for testing, as determined according to section 2.12 of this appendix. Fixed water fill control system means a clothes washer automatic water fill control system that automatically terminates the fill when the water reaches a pre-defined level that is not based on the size or weight of the clothes load placed in the clothes container, without allowing or requiring the user to determine or select the water fill level. IEC 62301 means the test standard published by the International Electrotechnical Commission, entitled ‘‘Household electrical appliances— Measurement of standby power,’’ Publication 62301, Edition 2.0 2011–01 (incorporated by reference; see § 430.3). Inactive mode means a standby mode that facilitates the activation of active mode by remote switch (including remote control), internal sensor, or timer, or that provides continuous status display. PO 00000 Frm 00067 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 49205 Load usage factor means the percentage of the total number of wash loads that a user would wash a particular size (weight) load. Lot means a quantity of cloth that has been manufactured with the same batches of cotton and polyester during one continuous process. Manual water fill control system means a clothes washer water fill control system that requires the user to determine or select the water fill level. Normal cycle means the cycle recommended by the manufacturer (considering manufacturer instructions, control panel labeling, and other markings on the clothes washer) for normal, regular, or typical use for washing up to a full load of normally-soiled cotton clothing. For machines where multiple cycle settings are recommended by the manufacturer for normal, regular, or typical use for washing up to a full load of normally-soiled cotton clothing, then the Normal cycle is the cycle selection that results in the lowest EER or AEER value. Off mode means a mode in which the clothes washer is connected to a mains power source and is not providing any active or standby mode function, and where the mode may persist for an indefinite time. Standby mode means any mode in which the clothes washer is connected to a mains power source and offers one or more of the following user oriented or protective functions that may persist for an indefinite time: (a) Facilitating the activation of other modes (including activation or deactivation of active mode) by remote switch (including remote control), internal sensor, or timer; (b) Continuous functions, including information or status displays (including clocks) or sensor-based functions. A timer is a continuous clock function (which may or may not be associated with a display) that provides regular scheduled tasks (e.g., switching) and that operates on a continuous basis. Temperature use factor means, for a particular wash/rinse temperature setting, the percentage of the total number of wash loads that an average user would wash with that setting. User-adjustable automatic water fill control system means an automatic clothes washer fill control system that allows the user to adjust the amount of water that the machine provides, which is based on the size or weight of the clothes load placed in the clothes container. Wash time means the wash portion of the cycle, which begins when the cycle is initiated and includes the agitation or tumble time, which may be periodic or continuous during the wash portion of the cycle. Water efficiency ratio means the quotient of the weighted-average load size divided by the total weighted per-cycle water consumption for all wash cycles in gallons. 2. Testing Conditions and Instrumentation 2.1 Electrical energy supply. 2.1.1 Supply voltage and frequency. Maintain the electrical supply at the clothes washer terminal block within 2 percent of 120, 120/240, or 120/208Y volts as applicable E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 49206 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules to the particular terminal block wiring system and within 2 percent of the nameplate frequency as specified by the manufacturer. If the clothes washer has a dual voltage conversion capability, conduct test at the highest voltage specified by the manufacturer. 2.1.2 Supply voltage waveform. For the combined low-power mode testing, maintain the electrical supply voltage waveform indicated in Section 4, Paragraph 4.3.2 of IEC 62301 (incorporated by reference; see § 430.3). If the power measuring instrument used for testing is unable to measure and record the total harmonic content during the test measurement period, total harmonic content may be measured and recorded immediately before and after the test measurement period. 2.2 Supply water. Maintain the temperature of the hot water supply at the water inlets between 120 °F (48.9 °C) and 125 °F (51.7 °C). Maintain the temperature of the cold water supply at the water inlets between 55 °F (12.8 °C) and 60 °F (15.6 °C). 2.3 Water pressure. Maintain the static water pressure at the hot and cold water inlet connection of the clothes washer at 35 pounds per square inch gauge (psig) ± 2.5 psig (241.3 kPa ± 17.2 kPa) when the water is flowing. 2.4 Test room temperature. For all clothes washers, maintain the test room ambient air temperature at 75 ± 5 °F (23.9 ± 2.8 °C) for active mode testing and combined low-power mode testing. Do not use the test room ambient air temperature conditions specified in Section 4, Paragraph 4.2 of IEC 62301 for combined low-power mode testing. 2.5 Instrumentation. Perform all test measurements using the following instruments, as appropriate: 2.5.1 Weighing scales. 2.5.1.1 Weighing scale for test cloth. The scale used for weighing test cloth must have a resolution of no larger than 0.2 oz (5.7 g) and a maximum error no greater than 0.3 percent of the measured value. 2.5.1.2 Weighing scale for clothes container capacity measurement. The scale used for performing the clothes container capacity measurement must have a resolution no larger than 0.50 lbs (0.23 kg) and a maximum error no greater than 0.5 percent of the measured value. 2.5.2 Watt-hour meter. The watt-hour meter used to measure electrical energy consumption must have a resolution no larger than 1 Wh (3.6 kJ) and a maximum error no greater than 2 percent of the measured value for any demand greater than 50 Wh (180.0 kJ). 2.5.3 Watt meter. The watt meter used to measure combined low-power mode power VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 consumption must comply with the requirements specified in Section 4, Paragraph 4.4 of IEC 62301. If the power measuring instrument used for testing is unable to measure and record the crest factor, power factor, or maximum current ratio during the test measurement period, the crest factor, power factor, and maximum current ratio may be measured and recorded immediately before and after the test measurement period. 2.5.4 Water and air temperature measuring devices. The temperature devices used to measure water and air temperature must have an error no greater than ±1 °F (±0.6 °C) over the range being measured. 2.5.4.1 Non-reversible temperature indicator labels, adhered to the inside of the clothes container, may be used to confirm that an extra-hot wash temperature greater than or equal to 140 °F has been achieved during the wash cycle, under the following conditions. The label must remain waterproof, intact, and adhered to the wash drum throughout an entire wash cycle; provide consistent maximum temperature readings; and provide repeatable temperature indications sufficient to demonstrate that a wash temperature of greater than or equal to 140 °F has been achieved. The label must have been verified to consistently indicate temperature measurements with an accuracy of ±1 °F. If using a temperature indicator label to test a front-loading clothes washer, adhere the label along the interior surface of the clothes container drum, midway between the front and the back of the drum, adjacent to one of the baffles. If using a temperature indicator label to test a top-loading clothes washer, adhere the label along the interior surface of the clothes container drum, on the vertical portion of the sidewall, as close to the bottom of the container as possible. 2.5.4.2 Submersible temperature loggers placed inside the wash drum may be used to confirm that an extra-hot wash temperature greater than or equal to 140 °F has been achieved during the wash cycle, under the following conditions. The submersible temperature logger must have a time resolution of at least 1 data point every 5 seconds and a temperature measurement accuracy of ±1 °F. Due to the potential for a waterproof capsule to provide a thermal insulating effect, failure to measure a temperature of 140 °F does not necessarily indicate the lack of an extra-hot wash temperature. However, such a result would not be conclusive due to the lack of verification of the water temperature requirement, in which case an alternative method must be used to confirm that an extra-hot wash temperature greater than or PO 00000 Frm 00068 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 equal to 140 °F has been achieved during the wash cycle. 2.5.5 Water meter. A water meter must be installed in both the hot and cold water lines to measure water flow and/or water consumption. The water meters must have a resolution no larger than 0.1 gallons (0.4 liters) and a maximum error no greater than 2 percent for the water flow rates being measured. If the volume of hot water for any individual cycle within the energy test cycle is less than 0.1 gallons (0.4 liters), the hot water meter must have a resolution no larger than 0.01 gallons (0.04 liters). 2.5.6 Water pressure gauge. A water pressure gauge must be installed in both the hot and cold water lines to measure water pressure. The water pressure gauges must have a resolution of 1 pound per square inch gauge (psig) (6.9 kPa) and a maximum error no greater than 5 percent of any measured value. 2.6 Bone-dryer. The dryer used for drying the cloth to bone-dry must heat the test cloth load above 210 °F (99 °C). 2.7 Test cloths. The test cloth material and dimensions must conform to the specifications in appendix J3 to this subpart. The energy test cloth and the energy stuffer cloths must be clean and must not be used for more than 60 test runs (after preconditioning as specified in section 5 of appendix J3 to this subpart). All energy test cloth must be permanently marked identifying the lot number of the material. Mixed lots of material must not be used for testing a clothes washer. The moisture absorption and retention must be evaluated for each new lot of test cloth using the standard extractor Remaining Moisture Content (RMC) procedure specified in appendix J3 to this subpart. 2.8 Test Loads. 2.8.1 Test load sizes. Create small and large test loads as defined in Table 5.1 of this appendix based on the clothes container capacity as measured in section 3.1 of this appendix. 2.8.2 Test load composition. Test loads must consist primarily of energy test cloths and no more than five energy stuffer cloths per load to achieve the proper weight. 2.9 Preparation and loading of test loads. Use the following procedures to prepare and load each test load for testing in section 3 of this appendix. 2.9.1 Test loads for energy and water consumption measurements must be bonedry prior to each test cycle. 2.9.2 Prepare the energy test cloths for loading by grasping them in the center, lifting, and shaking them to hang loosely, as illustrated in Figure 2.9.2 of this appendix. E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules 49207 Figure 2.9.2-Grasping Energy Test Cloths in the Center, Lifting, and Shaking to Hang Loosely For all clothes washers, follow any manufacturer loading instructions provided to the user regarding the placement of clothing within the clothes container. In the absence of any manufacturer instructions regarding the placement of clothing within the clothes container, the following loading instructions apply. 2.9.2.1 To load the energy test cloths in a top-loading clothes washer, arrange the cloths circumferentially around the axis of rotation of the clothes container, using alternating lengthwise orientations for adjacent pieces of cloth. Complete each cloth layer across its horizontal plane within the clothes container before adding a new layer. Figure 2.9.2.1 of this appendix illustrates the correct loading technique for a vertical-axis clothes washer. Figure 2.9.2.1-Loading Energy Test Cloths into a Top-Loading Clothes Washer ~I-Axis:. View from.the Top VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 available water inlet hoses, not to exceed 72 inches in length, in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions. 2.10.2 Low-power mode testing. For combined low-power mode testing, install the clothes washer in accordance with Section 5, Paragraph 5.2 of IEC 62301, disregarding the provisions regarding batteries and the determination, classification, and testing of relevant modes. 2.11 Clothes washer pre-conditioning. If the clothes washer has not been filled with water in the preceding 96 hours, or if it has not been in the test room at the specified ambient conditions for 8 hours, pre-condition it by running it through a cold rinse cycle and then draining it to ensure that the hose, pump, and sump are filled with water. 2.12 Determining the energy test cycle. PO 00000 Frm 00069 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 2.12.1 Automatic clothes washers. To determine the energy test cycle, evaluate the wash/rinse temperature selection flowcharts in the order in which they are presented in this section. Use the large load size to evaluate each flowchart. The determination of the energy test cycle must take into consideration all cycle settings available to the end user, including any cycle selections or cycle modifications provided by the manufacturer via software or firmware updates to the product, for the basic model under test. The energy test cycle does not include any cycle that is recommended by the manufacturer exclusively for cleaning, deodorizing, or sanitizing the clothes washer. BILLING CODE 6450–01–P E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 EP01SE21.005</GPH> 2.9.2.2 To load the energy test cloths in a front-loading clothes washer, grasp each test cloth in the center as indicted in section 2.9.2 of this appendix, and then place each cloth into the clothes container prior to activating the clothes washer. 2.10 Clothes washer installation. Install the clothes washer in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions. 2.10.1 Water inlet connections. If the clothes washer has 2 water inlets, connect the inlets to the hot water and cold water supplies, in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. If the clothes washer has only 1 water inlet, connect the inlet to the cold water supply, in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Use the water inlet hoses provided with the clothes washer; otherwise use commercially EP01SE21.004</GPH> khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 Front 49208 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules Figure 2.12.1.1-Determination of Cold Wash/Cold Rinse Cold Wash/Cold Rinse ("Cold/Cold") Cold Wash/Cold Rinse is the wash temperature selection with the coldest wash temperature available in the Normal cycle, paired with a cold rinse. If multiple wash temperature selections in the Normal cycle do not use or intemaUy generate any hot water. Cold Wash/Cold Rinse is the wash temperature selection among these with the highest energy consumption (as measured according to section 3.6 of this appendix), and the others are excluded from testing and from consideration as the Hot Wash/Cold Rinse or Warm Wash/Cold Rinse. Fi ure 2.12.1.2-Determination of Hot Wash/Cold Rinse Hot Wash/Cold Rinse ("Hot/Cold") Among all cycle selections available on the clothes washer, does the clothes washer offer a wash/rinse temperature selection that meets all of the following criteria? • Wash temperature greater than the wash temperature of the Cold Wash/Cold Rinse • Cold rinse No •••• The energy test cycle does not include a Hot Wash/Cold Rinse. Yes Other than any wash temperature selections excluded as a result of the determination of Cold Wash/Cold Rinse, does the Normal cycle contain the wash temperature selection indicated on the control panel as the hottest wash temperature selection less than 140°F available on the clothes washer? No Yes •• •• Ill Ill • Ill Ill EP01SE21.007</GPH> Hot Wash/Cold Rinse is the wash/rinse temperature selection, among all cycle selections available on the clothes washer, that meets all of the following criteria: • Wash temperature greater than the wash temperature of the Cold Wash/Cold Rinse • Hottest available wash temperature less than 140°F • Cold rinse VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 PO 00000 Frm 00070 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4725 E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 EP01SE21.006</GPH> khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 • ••••••••••••••• Hot Wash/Cold Rinse is the wash/rinse temperature selection in the Normal cycle that meets all of the following criteria: • Wash temperature greater than the wash temperature of the Cold Wash/Cold Rinse • Hottest available wash temperature less than 140°F • Cold rinse Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules 49209 Fi ure 2.12.1.3-Determination of Warm Wash/Cold Rinse Warm Wash/Cold Rinse "Warm/Cold" Other than any wash temperature selections excluded as a result of the determination of Cold WashlCOldRinse, does the Normal cycle Yes contain any washlrinse temperature selections that meet an of the foHowing criteria? l-alll9f • Wash temperature less than the wash temperature of the Hot Wash/Cold Rinse • Wash temperature greater than the wash temperature of the Cold Wash/Cold Rinse • Cold rinse No Warm Wash/Cold Rinse includes·the hottest and the. coldest washlrinse temperatore selections in the Normal cycle that meet all of the fOUowing criteria: • Wash temperature less than the wash temperature of the Hot Wash/ColdRinse • Wash temperature greater than the wash temperature of the Cold Wash/Cold Rinse • Cold rinse • : Does the clothes washer offer any washlrinse temperature selections, among all cycle selections available on the clothes washer, that meet all of the foUowing criteria? • Wash temperature less than the wash temperature of the Hot Wash/Cold Rinse • Wash temperature greater than the wash temperature of the Cold Wash/Cold Rinse • Cold rinse No ••• The energy test cycle does not include a Warm Wash/Cold Rinse. Yes VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 PO 00000 Frm 00071 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4725 E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 EP01SE21.008</GPH> khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 Warm Wash/Cold Rinse is the washlrinse temperature selection with the greatest energy consumption (as measured according to section 3.6 of this appendix) among all cycle selections available on the clothes .__ _ _• 111 washer that meet all of the following criteria: • Wash temperature less than the wash temperature of the Hot Wash/Cold Rinse • Wash temperature greater than the wash temperature of the Cold Wash/Cold Rinse • Cold rinse 49210 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules Figure 2.12.1.4-Determination of Warm Wash/Warm Rinse Warm Wash/Warm Rinse ("Warm/Warm") Does the Normal cycle offer any rinse temperature selections that add or intemaUy generate hot water? No •• •• •• Does the clothes washer offer any rinse temperature selections that add or intemany generate hot water, among all cycle selections available on the clothes washer? No •• ••• •• Warm Rinse is the hottest rinse temperature selection available In the Normal cycle. Warm Wash/Warm Rinse includes the hottest and the coldest wash temperature selections in the , _ _ _ Normal cycle that meet all of the following criteria: • Wash temperature less than the wash temperature of the Hot Wash/Cold Rinse • Wash temperature greater than the wash temperature of the Cold Wash/Cold Rinse • Can be paired with the Warm Rinse Yes Warm Rinse is the hottest rinse temperature selection available on the clothes washer among all Yes cycle selections available on the clothes washer. Warm Wash/Warm Rinse is the wash temperature ,__.,. selection that uses the greatest amount of energy (as measured according to section 3.6 of this appendix) among all cycle selections available on the clothes washer that meet all of the following criteria: • Wash temperature less than the wash temperature of the Hot Wash/Cold Rinse • Wash temperature greater than the wash temperature of the Cold Wash/Cold Rinse • Can be paired with the Warm Rinse. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 PO 00000 Frm 00072 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4725 E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 EP01SE21.009</GPH> khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 The energy test cycle does not include a Warm Wash/Warm Rinse. Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules 49211 Figure 2.12.1.5---Determination of Extra-Hot Wash/Cold Rinse Extra-Hot Wash/Cold Rinse ("Extra-Hot/Cold") No Does the clothes washer have an internal water heater? •••• The energy test cycle does not include an Extra-Hot Wash/ColdRihse. Yes Does the Normal cycle contain any wash/rinse temperature Yes selections that meet au of the following criteria? ---~M • wash temperature greater than .... or equal to 140°F • Cold rinse • Intended forwashing clothing No • Extra-Hot Wash/Cold Rinse is the wash/rinse temperature selection ln the Normal cycle that meets au of the foUoWing criteria: • Highest available wash temperature greater than or equal to 140°F • Cold rinse • Intended forwashing clothing. other wash temperature selection(s)that have a wash temperature greater than or equal to 140°F are excluded from testing. •• Extra-Hot Wash/Cold Rinse is the Does the clothes washer offer any wash/rinse temperature selection With the greatest energy consumption (as measured wash/rinse temperature selections, among all cycle according to section 3.6 of this appendix) Yes selections available on the among all cycle selections available on clothes washer, that meet au of I-■~_,. the clothes washer that meet au of the the foUowing criteria? foUowing criteria: • Wash temperature greater than • Wash temperature greater than or equal or equal to 140°F to 140°F • Cold rinse • Cold rinse • Intended for washing clothing • Intended for washing clothing. other wash temperature selection(s) that have a wash temperature greater than or No equal to 140°F are excluded from testing. • •• 2.12.2. Semi-automatic clothes washers. The energy test cycle for semi-automatic clothes washers includes only the Cold Wash/Cold Rinse (‘‘Cold’’) test cycle. Energy and water use for all other wash/rinse temperature combinations are calculated numerically in section 3.4.2 of this appendix. khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 3. Test Measurements 3.1 Clothes container capacity. Measure the entire volume that a clothes load could occupy within the clothes container during active mode washer operation according to the following procedures: 3.1.1 Place the clothes washer in such a position that the uppermost edge of the clothes container opening is leveled horizontally, so that the container will hold the maximum amount of water. For frontloading clothes washers, the door seal and shipping bolts or other forms of bracing hardware to support the wash drum during shipping must remain in place during the capacity measurement. If the design of a VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 front-loading clothes washer does not include shipping bolts or other forms of bracing hardware to support the wash drum during shipping, a laboratory may support the wash drum by other means, including temporary bracing or support beams. Any temporary bracing or support beams must keep the wash drum in a fixed position, relative to the geometry of the door and door seal components, that is representative of the position of the wash drum during normal operation. The method used must avoid damage to the unit that would affect the results of the energy and water testing. For a front-loading clothes washer that does not include shipping bolts or other forms of bracing hardware to support the wash drum during shipping, the laboratory must fully document the alternative method used to support the wash drum during capacity measurement, include such documentation in the final test report, and pursuant to § 429.71 of this chapter, the manufacturer PO 00000 Frm 00073 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 must retain such documentation as part its test records. 3.1.2 Line the inside of the clothes container with a 2 mil thickness (0.051 mm) plastic bag. All clothes washer components that occupy space within the clothes container and that are recommended for use during a wash cycle must be in place and must be lined with a 2 mil thickness (0.051 mm) plastic bag to prevent water from entering any void space. 3.1.3 Record the total weight of the machine before adding water. 3.1.4 Fill the clothes container manually with either 60 °F ± 5 °F (15.6 °C ± 2.8 °C) or 100 °F ± 10 °F (37.8 °C ± 5.5 °C) water, with the door open. For a top-loading vertical-axis clothes washer, fill the clothes container to the uppermost edge of the rotating portion, including any balance ring. Figure 3.1.4.1 of this appendix illustrates the maximum fill level for top-loading clothes washers. E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 EP01SE21.010</GPH> The energy test cycle does not include an Extra-Hot Wash/Cold Rinse. 49212 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules Figure 3.1.4.1-Maximum Fill Level for the Clothes Container Capacity Measurement of Top-Loading Vertical-Axis Clothes Washers Tub cover Maximum Fill Level (Uppermost edge of the rotating portion) Balance Ring Outer tub Wash basket For a front-loading horizontal-axis clothes washer, fill the clothes container to the highest point of contact between the door and the door gasket. If any portion of the door or gasket would occupy the measured volume space when the door is closed, exclude from the measurement the volume that the door or gasket portion would occupy. For a front-loading horizontal-axis clothes washer with a concave door shape, include any additional volume above the plane defined by the highest point of contact between the door and the door gasket, if that area can be occupied by clothing during washer operation. For a top-loading horizontal-axis clothes washer, include any additional volume above the plane of the door hinge that clothing could occupy during washer operation. Figure 3.1.4.2 of this appendix illustrates the maximum fill volumes for all horizontal-axis clothes washer types. Figure 3.1.4.2-Maximum Fill Level for the Clothes Container Capacity Measurement of Horizontal-Axis Clothes Washers Outer tub For all clothes washers, exclude any volume that cannot be occupied by the clothing load during operation. 3.1.5 Measure and record the weight of water, W, in pounds. 3.1.6 Calculate the clothes container capacity as follows: C = W/d where: C = Capacity in cubic feet (liters). W = Mass of water in pounds (kilograms). d = Density of water (62.0 lbs/ft3 for 100 °F (993 kg/m3 for 37.8 °C) or 62.3 lbs/ft3 for 60 °F (998 kg/m3 for 15.6 °C)). 3.1.7 Calculate the clothes container capacity, C, to the nearest 0.01 cubic foot for the purpose of determining test load sizes per Table 5.1 of this appendix and for all subsequent calculations that include the clothes container capacity. 3.2 Cycle settings. 3.2.1 Wash/rinse temperature selection. For automatic clothes washers, set the wash/ rinse temperature selection control to obtain the desired wash/rinse temperature selection within the energy test cycle. 3.2.2 Wash time setting. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 3.2.2.1 If the cycle under test offers a range of wash time settings, the wash time setting shall be the higher of either the minimum or 70 percent of the maximum wash time available for the wash cycle under test, regardless of the labeling of suggested dial locations. If 70 percent of the maximum wash time is not available on a dial with a discrete number of wash time settings, choose the next-highest setting greater than 70 percent. 3.2.2.2 If the clothes washer is equipped with an electromechanical dial or timer controlling wash time that rotates in both directions, reset the dial to the minimum wash time and then turn it in the direction of increasing wash time to reach the appropriate setting. If the appropriate setting is passed, return the dial to the minimum wash time and then turn in the direction of increasing wash time until the appropriate setting is reached. 3.2.3 Water fill level settings. 3.2.3.1 Clothes washers with manual water fill control system. For the large test load size, set the water fill level selector to the maximum water fill level setting available for the wash cycle under test. If the water fill level selector has two settings available for the wash cycle under test, for PO 00000 Frm 00074 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 the small test load size, select the minimum water fill level setting available for the wash cycle under test. If the water fill level selector has more than two settings available for the wash cycle under test, for the small test load size, select the second-lowest water fill level setting. 3.2.3.2 Clothes washers with automatic water fill control system. 3.2.3.2.1 Not user-adjustable. The water level is automatically determined by the water fill control system. 3.2.3.2.2 User-adjustable. For the large test load size, set the water fill selector to the setting that uses the most water. For the small test load size, set the water fill selector to the setting that uses the least water. 3.2.3.3 Clothes washers with automatic water fill control system and alternate manual water fill control system. If a clothes washer with an automatic water fill control system allows user selection of manual controls as an alternative, test both manual and automatic modes and, for each mode, calculate the energy consumption (HET, MET, and DET) and water consumption (QT) values as set forth in section 4 of this appendix. Then, calculate the average of the two values (one from each mode, automatic and manual) for each variable (HET, MET, DET, and QT) E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 EP01SE21.011</GPH> khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 BILLING CODE 6450–01–C EP01SE21.012</GPH> L _ Top-Loading __I 49213 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules and use the average value for each variable in the final calculations in section 4 of this appendix. 3.2.4 Manufacturer default settings. For clothes washers with electronic control systems, use the manufacturer default settings for any cycle selections, except for (1) the temperature selection, (2) the wash water fill levels, or (3) network settings. If the clothes washer has network capabilities, the network settings must be disabled throughout testing if such settings can be disabled by the end-user and the product’s user manual provides instructions on how to do so. For all other cycle selections, the manufacturer default settings must be used for wash conditions such as agitation/tumble operation, soil level, spin speed, wash times, rinse times, optional rinse settings, water heating time for water heating clothes washers, and all other wash parameters or optional features applicable to that wash cycle. Any optional wash cycle feature or setting (other than wash/rinse temperature, water fill level selection, or network settings on clothes washers with network capabilities) that is activated by default on the wash cycle under test must be included for testing unless the manufacturer instructions recommend not selecting this option, or recommend selecting a different option, for washing normally soiled cotton clothing. For clothes washers with control panels containing mechanical switches or dials, any optional settings, except for the temperature selection or the wash water fill levels, must be in the position recommended by the manufacturer for washing normally soiled cotton clothing. If the manufacturer instructions do not recommend a particular switch or dial position to be used for washing normally soiled cotton clothing, the setting switch or dial must remain in its as-shipped position. 3.2.5 For each wash cycle tested, include the entire active washing mode and exclude any delay start or cycle finished modes. 3.2.6 Anomalous Test Cycles. If during a wash cycle the clothes washer: a) signals to the user by means of a visual or audio alert that an out-of-balance condition has been detected; or b) terminates prematurely and thus does not include the agitation/tumble operation, spin speed(s), wash times, and rinse times applicable to the wash cycle under test, discard the test data and repeat the wash cycle. Document in the test report the rejection of data from any wash cycle during testing and the reason for the rejection. 3.3 Test cycles for automatic clothes washers. Perform testing on each wash/rinse temperature selection available in the energy test cycle was defined in section 2.12.1 of this appendix. Test each load size as defined in section 2.8 of this appendix with its associated water fill level defined in section 3.2.3 of this appendix. For each test cycle, measure and record the bone-dry weight of the test load before the start of the cycle. Place the test load in the clothes washer and initiate the cycle under test. Measure the values for hot water consumption, cold water consumption, electrical energy consumption, and cycle time for the complete cycle. Record the weight of the test load immediately after completion of the cycle. Table 3.3 of this appendix provides the symbol definitions for each measured value. TABLE 3.3—SYMBOL DEFINITIONS OF MEASURED VALUES FOR AUTOMATIC CLOTHES WASHER TEST CYCLES Wash/rinse temperature selection Extra-hot/cold ............. Hot/Cold ..................... Warm/Cold * ................ Warm/Warm * ............. Cold/Cold ................... Bone-dry weight Hot water Cold water Electrical energy Cycle time WIxL ............... WIxS ............... WIhL ............... WIhS ............... WIwL .............. WIwS .............. WIwwL ........... WIwwS ............ WIcL ............... WIcS ............... HxL ................. HxS ................. HhL ................ HhS ................. HwL ................ HwS ................ HwwL ............. HwwS ............. HcL ................. HcS ................. CxL ................. CxS ................. ChL ................ ChS ................. CwL ................ CwS ................ CwwL ............. CwwS ............. CcL ................. CcS ................. ExL ................. ExS ................. EhL ................. EhS ................. EwL ................ EwS ................ EwwL ............. EwwS .............. EcL ................. EcS ................. TxL ................. TxS ................. ThL ................. ThS ................. TwL ................ TwS ................ TwwL .............. TwwS .............. TcL ................. TcS ................. Load size Large Small Large Small Large Small Large Small Large Small .............. .............. .............. .............. .............. .............. .............. .............. .............. .............. Cycle complete weight WCxL WCxS WChL WChS WCwL WCwS WCwwL WCwwS WCcL WCcS * If two cycles are tested to represent the Warm/Cold selection or the Warm/Warm selection, calculate the average of the two tested cycles and use that value for all further calculations. 3.4 Test cycles for semi-automatic clothes washers. 3.4.1 Test Measurements. Perform testing on each wash/rinse temperature selection available in the energy test cycle as defined in section 2.12.2 of this appendix. Test each load size as defined in section 2.8 of this appendix with the associated water fill level defined in section 3.2.3 of this appendix. For each test cycle, measure and record the bonedry weight of the test load before the start of the cycle. Place the test load in the clothes washer and initiate the cycle under test. Measure the values for cold water consumption, electrical energy consumption, and cycle time for the complete cycle. Record the weight of the test load immediately after completion of the cycle. Table 3.4.1 of this appendix provides symbol definitions for each measured value for the Cold temperature selection. khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 TABLE 3.4.1—SYMBOL DEFINITIONS OF MEASURED VALUES FOR SEMI-AUTOMATIC CLOTHES WASHER TEST CYCLES Temperature selection Load size Bone-dry weight Cold ............................ Large .............. Small .............. WIcL ............... WIcS ............... 3.4.2 Calculation of Hot and Warm measured values. In lieu of testing, the measured values for the Hot and Warm cycles are calculated based on the measured VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 Hot water not measured not measured Cold water Electrical energy Cycle time CcL ................. CcS ................. EcL ................. EcS ................. TcL ................. TcS ................. values for the Cold cycle, as defined in section 3.4.1 of this appendix. Table 3.4.2 of this appendix provides the symbol PO 00000 Frm 00075 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 Cycle complete weight WCcL WCcS definitions and calculations for each value for the Hot and Warm temperature selections. E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 49214 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules TABLE 3.4.2—SYMBOL DEFINITIONS AND CALCULATION OF MEASURED VALUES FOR SEMI-AUTOMATIC CLOTHES WASHER TEST CYCLES Temperature selection Hot ............................. Warm ......................... Load size Large Small Large Small .............. .............. .............. .............. Bone-dry weight Hot water Cold water Electrical energy Cycle time Cycle complete weight WIhL = WIcL ... WIhS = WIcS .. WIwL = WIcL .. WIwS = WIcS HhL = CcL ...... HhS = CcS ...... HwL = CcL ÷ 2 HwS = CcS ÷ 2 ........................ ........................ CwL = CcL ÷ 2 CwS = CcS ÷ 2 EhL = EcL ....... EhS = EcS ...... EwL = EcL ...... EwS = EcS ..... ThL = TcL ....... ThS = TcS ...... TwL = TcL ...... TwS = TcS ...... WChL = WCcL WChS = WCcS WCwL = WCcL WCwS = WCcS 3.5 Combined low-power mode power. Connect the clothes washer to a watt meter as specified in section 2.5.3 of this appendix. Establish the testing conditions set forth in sections 2.1, 2.4, and 2.10.2 of this appendix. 3.5.1 Perform combined low-power mode testing after completion of an active mode wash cycle included as part of the energy test cycle; after removing the test load; without changing the control panel settings used for the active mode wash cycle; with the door closed; and without disconnecting the electrical energy supply to the clothes washer between completion of the active mode wash cycle and the start of combined low-power mode testing. 3.5.2 For a clothes washer that takes some time to automatically enter a stable inactive mode or off mode state from a higher power state as discussed in Section 5, Paragraph 5.1, note 1 of IEC 62301 (incorporated by reference; see § 430.3), allow sufficient time for the clothes washer to automatically reach the default inactive/off mode state before proceeding with the test measurement. 3.5.3 Once the stable inactive/off mode state has been reached, measure and record the default inactive/off mode power, Pdefault, in watts, following the test procedure for the sampling method specified in Section 5, Paragraph 5.3.2 of IEC 62301. 3.5.4 For a clothes washer with a switch, dial, or button that can be optionally selected by the end user to achieve a lower-power inactive/off mode state than the default inactive/off mode state measured in section 3.5.3 of this appendix, after performing the measurement in section 3.5.3 of this appendix, activate the switch, dial, or button to the position resulting in the lowest power consumption and repeat the measurement procedure described in section 3.5.3 of this appendix. Measure and record the lowestpower inactive/off mode power, Plowest, in Watts. 3.6 Energy consumption for the purpose of determining the cycle selection(s) to be included in the energy test cycle. This section is implemented only in cases where the energy test cycle flowcharts in section 2.12.1 of this appendix require the determination of the wash/rinse temperature selection with the highest energy consumption. 3.6.1 For the wash/rinse temperature selection being considered under this section, establish the testing conditions set forth in section 2 of this appendix. Select the applicable cycle selection and wash/rinse temperature selection. For all wash/rinse temperature selections, select the cycle settings as described in section 3.2 of this appendix. 3.6.2 Measure each wash cycle’s electrical energy consumption (EL) and hot water consumption (HL). Calculate the total energy consumption for each cycle selection (ETL), as follows: ETL = EL + (HL × T × K) Where: EL is the electrical energy consumption, expressed in kilowatt-hours per cycle. HL is the hot water consumption, expressed in gallons per cycle. T = nominal temperature rise = 65 °F (36.1 °C). K = Water specific heat in kilowatt-hours per gallon per degree F = 0.00240 kWh/gal°F (0.00114 kWh/L-°C). 4. Calculation of Derived Results From Test Measurements 4.1 Hot water and machine electrical energy consumption of clothes washers. 4.1.1 Per-cycle temperature-weighted hot water consumption for all load sizes tested. Calculate the per-cycle temperature-weighted hot water consumption for the large test load size, VhL, and the small test load size, VhS, expressed in gallons per cycle (or liters per cycle) and defined as: (a) VhL = [HxL × TUFx] + [HhL × TUFh] + [HwL × TUFw] + [HwwL × TUFww] + [HcL × TUFc] (b) VhS = [HxS × TUFx] + [HhS × TUFh] + [HwS × TUFw] + [HwwS × TUFww] + [HcS × TUFc] Where: HxL, HhL, HwL, HwwL, HcL, HxS, HhS, HwS, HwwS, and HcS are the hot water consumption values, in gallons per-cycle (or liters per cycle) as measured in section 3.3 of this appendix for automatic clothes washers or section 3.4 of this appendix for semi-automatic clothes washers. TUFx, TUFh, TUFw, TUFww, and TUFc are temperature use factors for Extra-Hot Wash/Cold Rinse, Hot Wash/Cold Rinse, Warm Wash/Cold Rinse, Warm Wash/ Warm Rinse, and Cold Wash/Cold Rinse temperature selections, respectively, as defined in Table 4.1.1 of this appendix. TABLE 4.1.1—TEMPERATURE USE FACTORS khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 Clothes washers with cold rinse only Clothes washers with both cold and warm rinse Wash/rinse temperature selections available in the energy test cycle C/C H/C C/C H/C W/C C/C * XH/C H/C C/C XH/C H/C W/C C/C HC/C W/C W/W C/C XH/C H/C W/W C/C TUFx (Extra-Hot/Cold) ...................................... TUFh (Hot/Cold) ................................................ TUFw (Warm/Cold) ........................................... TUFww (Warm/Warm) ...................................... TUFc (Cold/Cold) .............................................. .................... .................... .................... .................... 1.00 .................... 0.63 .................... .................... 0.37 .................... 0.14 0.49 .................... 0.37 0.14 ** 0.49 .................... .................... 0.37 0.05 0.09 0.49 .................... 0.37 .................... 0.14 0.22 0.27 0.37 0.14 ** 0.22 .................... 0.27 0.37 XH/C H/C W/C W/W C/C 0.05 0.09 0.22 0.27 0.37 * This column applies to all semi-automatic clothes washers. ** On clothes washers with only two wash temperature selections <140 °F, the higher of the two wash temperatures is classified as a Hot Wash/Cold Rinse, in accordance with the wash/rinse temperature definitions within the energy test cycle. 4.1.2 Total per-cycle hot water energy consumption for all load sizes tested. Calculate the total per-cycle hot water energy consumption for the large test load size, HEL, VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 and the small test load size, HES, expressed in kilowatt-hours per cycle and defined as: (a) HEL = [VhL × T × K] = Total energy when the large test load is tested. PO 00000 Frm 00076 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 (b) HES = [VhS × T × K] = Total energy when the small test load is tested. Where: E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules VhL and VhS are defined in section 4.1.1 of this appendix. T = Temperature rise = 65 °F (36.1 °C). K = Water specific heat in kilowatt-hours per gallon per degree F = 0.00240 kWh/gal°F (0.00114 kWh/L-°C). 4.1.3 Total weighted per-cycle hot water energy consumption. Calculate the total weighted per-cycle hot water energy consumption, HET, expressed in kilowatthours per cycle and defined as: HET = [HEL × LUFL] + [HES × LUFS] Where: HEL and HES are defined in section 4.1.2 of this appendix. LUFL = Load usage factor for the large test load = 0.5. LUFS = Load usage factor for the small test load = 0.5. 4.1.4 Total per-cycle hot water energy consumption using gas-heated or oil-heated water, for product labeling requirements. Calculate for the energy test cycle the percycle hot water consumption, HETG, using gas-heated or oil-heated water, expressed in Btu per cycle (or megajoules per cycle) and defined as: HETG = HET × 1/e × 3412 Btu/kWh or HETG = HET × 1/e × 3.6 MJ/kWh. Where: e = Nominal gas or oil water heater efficiency = 0.75. HET = As defined in section 4.1.3 of this appendix. 4.1.5 Per-cycle machine electrical energy consumption for all load sizes tested. Calculate the total per-cycle machine electrical energy consumption for the large test load size, MEL, and the small test load size, MES, expressed in kilowatt-hours per cycle and defined as: (a) MEL = [ExL × TUFx] + [EhL × TUFh] + [EwL × TUFw] + [EwwL × TUFww] + [EcL × TUFc] (b) MES = [ExS × TUFx] + [EhS × TUFh] + [EwS × TUFw] + [EwwS × TUFww] + [EcS × TUFc] Where: ExL, EhL, EwL, EwwL, EcL, ExS, EhS, EwS, EwwS, and EcS are the electrical energy consumption values, in kilowatt-hours per cycle as measured in section 3.3 of this appendix for automatic clothes washers or section 3.4 of this appendix for semi-automatic clothes washers. TUFx, TUFh, TUFw, TUFww, and TUFc are defined in Table 4.1.1 of this appendix. 4.1.6 Total weighted per-cycle machine electrical energy consumption. Calculate the total weighted per-cycle machine electrical energy consumption, MET, expressed in kilowatt-hours per cycle and defined as: MET = [MEL × LUFL] + [MES × LUFS] Where: MEL and MES are defined in section 4.1.5 of this appendix. LUFL and LUFS are defined in section 4.1.3 of this appendix. 4.2 Water consumption of clothes washers. 4.2.1 Per cycle total water consumption for each large load size tested. Calculate the per-cycle total water consumption of the VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 large test load for the Extra-Hot Wash/Cold Rinse cycle, QxL, Hot Wash/Cold Rinse cycle, QhL, Warm Wash/Cold Rinse cycle, QwL, Warm Wash/Warm Rinse cycle, QwwL, and Cold Wash/Cold Rinse cycle, QcL, defined as: (a) QxL = HxL + CxL (b) QhL = HhL + ChL (c) QwL = HwL + CwL (d) QwwL = HwwL + CwwL (e) QcL = HcL + CcL Where: HxL, HhL, HwL, HwwL, HcL, CxL, ChL, CwL, CwwL, and CcL are defined in section 3.3 of this appendix for automatic clothes washers or section 3.4 of this appendix for semi-automatic clothes washers. 4.2.2 Per cycle total water consumption for each small load size tested. Calculate the per-cycle total water consumption of the small test load for the Extra-Hot Wash/Cold Rinse cycle, QxS, Hot Wash/Cold Rinse cycle, QhS, Warm Wash/Cold Rinse cycle, QwS, Warm Wash/Warm Rinse cycle, QwwS, and Cold Wash/Cold Rinse cycle, QcS, defined as: (a) QxS = HxS + CxS (b) QhS = HhS + ChS (c) QwS = HwS + CwS (d) QwwS = HwwS + CwwS (e) QcS = HcS + CcS Where: HxS, HhS, HwS, HwwS, HcS, CxS, ChS, CwS, CwwS, and CcS are defined in section 3.3 of this appendix for automatic clothes washers or section 3.4 of this appendix for semi-automatic clothes washers. 4.2.3 Per-cycle total water consumption for all load sizes tested. Calculate the total per-cycle water consumption for the large test load size, QL, and the small test load size, QS, expressed in gallons per cycle (or liters per cycle) and defined as: (a) QL = [QxL × TUFx] + [QhL × TUFh] + [QwL × TUFw] + [QwwL × TUFww] + [QcL × TUFc] (b) QS = [QxS × TUFx] + [QhS × TUFh] + [QwS × TUFw] + [QwwS × TUFww] + [QcS × TUFc] Where: QxL, QhL, QwL, QwwL, and QcL are defined in section 4.2.1 of this appendix. QxS, QhS, QwS, QwwS, and QcS are defined in section 4.2.2 of this appendix. TUFx, TUFh, TUFw, TUFww, and TUFc are defined in Table 4.1.1 of this appendix. 4.2.4 Total weighted per-cycle water consumption. Calculate the total per-cycle water consumption, QT, expressed in gallons per cycle (or liters per cycle) and defined as: QT = [QL × LUFL] + [QS × LUFS] Where: QL and QS are defined in section 4.2.3 of this appendix. LUFL and LUFS are defined in section 4.1.3 of this appendix. 4.3 Remaining moisture content (RMC). 4.3.1 Per cycle remaining moisture content for each large load size tested. Calculate the per-cycle remaining moisture content of the large test load for the ExtraHot Wash/Cold Rinse cycle, RMCxL, Hot Wash/Cold Rinse cycle, RMChL, Warm Wash/Cold Rinse cycle, RMCwL, Warm PO 00000 Frm 00077 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 49215 Wash/Warm Rinse cycle, RMCwwL, and Cold Wash/Cold Rinse cycle, RMCcL, defined as: (a) RMCxL = (WCxL¥WIxL)/WIxL (b) RMChL = (WChL¥WIhL)/WIhL (c) RMCwL = (WCwL¥WIwL)/WIwL (d) RMCwwL = (WCwwL¥WIwwL)/WIwwL (e) RMCcL = (WCcL¥WIcL)/WIcL Where: WCxL, WChL, WCwL, WCwwL, WCcL, WIxL, WIhL, WIwL, WIwwL, and WIcL are the bone-dry weights and cycle completion weights as measured in section 3.3 of this appendix for automatic clothes washers or section 3.4 of this appendix for semi-automatic clothes washers. 4.3.2 Per cycle remaining moisture content for each small load size tested. Calculate the per-cycle remaining moisture content of the small test load for the ExtraHot Wash/Cold Rinse cycle, RMCxS, Hot Wash/Cold Rinse cycle, RMChS, Warm Wash/Cold Rinse cycle, RMCwS, Warm Wash/Warm Rinse cycle, RMCwwS, and Cold Wash/Cold Rinse cycle, RMCcS, defined as: (a) RMCxS = (WCxS¥WIxS)/WIxS (b) RMChS = (WChS¥WIhS)/WIhS (c) RMCwS = (WCwS¥WIwS)/WIwS (d) RMCwwS = (WCwwS¥WIwwS)/WIwwS (e) RMCcS = (WCcS¥WIcS)/WIcS Where: WCxS, WChS, WCwS, WCwwS, WCcS, WIxS, WIhS, WIwS, WIwwS, and WIcS are the bone-dry weights and cycle completion weights as measured in section 3.3 of this appendix for automatic clothes washers or section 3.4 of this appendix for semi-automatic clothes washers. 4.3.3 Per-cycle remaining moisture content for all load sizes tested. Calculate the per-cycle temperature-weighted remaining moisture content for the large test load size, RMCL, and the small test load size, RMCS, defined as: (a) RMCL = [RMCxL × TUFx] + [RMChL × TUFh] + [RMCwL × TUFw] + [RMCwwL × TUFww] + [RMCcL × TUFc] (b) RMCS = [RMCxS × TUFx] + [RMChS × TUFh] + [RMCwS × TUFw] + [RMCwwS × TUFww] + [RMCcS × TUFc] Where: RMCxL, RMChL, RMCwL, RMCwwL, and RMCcL are defined in section 4.3.1 of this appendix. RMCxS, RMChS, RMCwS, RMCwwS, and RMCcS are defined in section 4.3.2 of this appendix. TUFx, TUFh, TUFw, TUFww, and TUFc are defined in Table 4.1.1 of this appendix. 4.3.4 Weighted per-cycle remaining moisture content. Calculate the weighted percycle remaining moisture content, RMCT, defined as: RMCT = [RMCL × LUFL] + [RMCS × LUFS] Where: RMCL and RMCS are defined in section 4.3.3 of this appendix. LUFL and LUFS are defined in section 4.1.3 of this appendix. 4.3.5 Apply the RMC correction curve as described in section 9 of appendix J3 to this subpart to calculate the corrected remaining moisture content, RMCcorr, expressed as a percentage as follows: E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 49216 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules RMCcorr = (A × RMCT + B) × 100% Where: A and B are the coefficients of the RMC correction curve as defined in section 8.7 of appendix J3 to this subpart. RMCT = As defined in section 4.3.4 of this appendix. 4.4 Per-cycle energy consumption for removal of moisture from test load. Calculate the per-cycle energy required to remove the remaining moisture of the test load, DET, expressed in kilowatt-hours per cycle and defined as: DET = [(LUFL × Large test load weight) + (LUFS × Small test load weight)] × (RMCcorr¥4%) × (DEF) × (DUF) Where: LUFL and LUFS are defined in section 4.1.3 of this appendix. Large and small test load weights are defined in Table 5.1 of this appendix. RMCcorr = As defined in section 4.3.5 of this appendix. DEF = Nominal energy required for a clothes dryer to remove moisture from clothes = 0.5 kWh/lb (1.1 kWh/kg). DUF = Dryer usage factor, percentage of washer loads dried in a clothes dryer = 0.91. 4.5 Cycle time. 4.5.1 Per-cycle temperature-weighted cycle time for all load sizes tested. Calculate the per-cycle temperature-weighted cycle time for the large test load size, TL, and the small test load size, TS, expressed in minutes, and defined as: (a) TL = [TxL × TUFx] + [ThL × TUFh] + [TwL × TUFw] + [TwwL × TUFww] + [TcL × TUFc] (b) TS = [TxS × TUFx] + [ThS × TUFh] + [TwS × TUFw] + [TwwS × TUFww] + [TcS × TUFc] Where: TxL, ThL, TwL, TwwL, TcL, TxS, ThS, TwS, TwwS, and TcS are the cycle time values, in minutes as measured in section 3.3 of this appendix for automatic clothes washers or section 3.4 of this appendix for semi-automatic clothes washers. TUFx, TUFh, TUFw, TUFww, and TUFc are temperature use factors for Extra-Hot Wash/Cold Rinse, Hot Wash/Cold Rinse, Warm Wash/Cold Rinse, Warm Wash/ Warm Rinse, and Cold Wash/Cold Rinse temperature selections, respectively, as defined in Table 4.1.1 of this appendix. 4.5.2 Total weighted per-cycle cycle time. Calculate the total weighted per-cycle cycle time, TT, expressed in minutes, rounded to the nearest minute, and defined as: TT = [TL × LUFL] + [TS × LUFS] Where: TL and TS are defined in section 4.5.1 of this appendix. LUFL and LUFS are defined in section 4.1.3 of this appendix. 4.6 Combined low-power mode energy consumption. 4.6.1 Annual hours in default inactive/off mode. Calculate the annual hours spent in default inactive/off mode, Sdefault, expressed in hours and defined as: Sdefault = [8,760¥(234 × TT/60)]/N Where: TT = As defined in section 4.5.2 of this appendix, in minutes. N = Number of inactive/off modes, defined as 1 if no optional lowest-power inactive/off mode is available; otherwise 2. 8,760 = Total number of hours in a year. 234 = Representative average number of clothes washer cycles in a year. 60 = Conversion from minutes to hours. 4.6.2 Per-cycle combined low-power mode energy consumption. Calculate the percycle combined low-power mode energy consumption, ETLP, expressed in kilowatthours per cycle and defined as: ETLP = [(Pdefault × Sdefault) + (Plowest × Slowest)] × Kp/234 Where: Pdefault = Default inactive/off mode power, in watts, as measured in section 3.5.3 of this appendix. Plowest = Lowest-power inactive/off mode power, in watts, as measured in section 3.5.4 of this appendix for clothes washers with a switch, dial, or button that can be optionally selected by the end user to achieve a lower-power inactive/off mode than the default inactive/off mode; otherwise, Plowest = 0. Sdefault = Annual hours in default inactive/off mode, as calculated in section 4.6.1 of this appendix. Slowest = Annual hours in lowest-power inactive/off mode, defined as 0 if no optional lowest-power inactive/off mode is available; otherwise equal to Sdefault, as calculated in section 4.6.1 of this appendix. Kp = Conversion factor of watt-hours to kilowatt-hours = 0.001. 234 = Representative average number of clothes washer cycles in a year. 4.7 Water efficiency ratio. Calculate the water efficiency ratio, WER, expressed in pounds per gallon per cycle (or kilograms per liter per cycle), as: WER = [(LUFL × Large test load weight) + (LUFS × Small test load weight)]/QT Where: LUFL and LUFS are defined in section 4.1.3 of this appendix. Large and small test load weights are defined in Table 5.1 of this appendix. QT = As defined in section 4.2.4 of this appendix. 4.8 Active-mode energy efficiency ratio. Calculate the active-mode energy efficiency ratio, AEER, expressed in pounds per kilowatt-hour per cycle (or kilograms per kilowatt-hour per cycle) and defined as: AEER = [(LUFL × Large test load weight) + (LUFS × Small test load weight)]/(MET + HET + DET) Where: LUFL and LUFS are defined in section 4.1.3 of this appendix. Large and small test load weights are defined in Table 5.1 of this appendix. MET = As defined in section 4.1.6 of this appendix. HET = As defined in section 4.1.3 of this appendix. DET = As defined in section 4.4 of this appendix. 4.9 Energy efficiency ratio. Calculate the energy efficiency ratio, EER, expressed in pounds per kilowatt-hour per cycle (or kilograms per kilowatt-hour per cycle) and defined as: EER = [(LUFL × Large test load weight) + (LUFS × Small test load weight)]/(MET + HET + DET + ETLP) Where: LUFL and LUFS are defined in section 4.1.3 of this appendix. Large and small test load weights are defined in Table 5.1 of this appendix. MET = As defined in section 4.1.6 of this appendix. HET = As defined in section 4.1.3 of this appendix. DET = As defined in section 4.4 of this appendix. ETLP = As defined in section 4.6.2 of this appendix. 5. Test Loads TABLE 5.1—TEST LOAD SIZES khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 Container volume Small load cu. ft. liter ≥< ≥< 0.00–0.80 0.80–0.90 0.90–1.00 1.00–1.10 1.10–1.20 1.20–1.30 1.30–1.40 1.40–1.50 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 lb 0.00–22.7 22.7–25.5 25.5–28.3 28.3–31.1 31.1–34.0 34.0–36.8 36.8–39.6 39.6–42.5 Jkt 253001 PO 00000 kg 3.00 3.10 3.20 3.30 3.40 3.45 3.55 3.65 Frm 00078 Large load Fmt 4701 lb 1.36 1.41 1.45 1.50 1.54 1.56 1.61 1.66 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM kg 3.00 3.35 3.70 4.00 4.30 4.60 4.95 5.25 01SEP3 1.36 1.52 1.68 1.81 1.95 2.09 2.25 2.38 49217 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules TABLE 5.1—TEST LOAD SIZES—Continued khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 Container volume Small load cu. ft. liter ≥< ≥< 1.50–1.60 1.60–1.70 1.70–1.80 1.80–1.90 1.90–2.00 2.00–2.10 2.10–2.20 2.20–2.30 2.30–2.40 2.40–2.50 2.50–2.60 2.60–2.70 2.70–2.80 2.80–2.90 2.90–3.00 3.00–3.10 3.10–3.20 3.20–3.30 3.30–3.40 3.40–3.50 3.50–3.60 3.60–3.70 3.70–3.80 3.80–3.90 3.90–4.00 4.00–4.10 4.10–4.20 4.20–4.30 4.30–4.40 4.40–4.50 4.50–4.60 4.60–4.70 4.70–4.80 4.80–4.90 4.90–5.00 5.00–5.10 5.10–5.20 5.20–5.30 5.30–5.40 5.40–5.50 5.50–5.60 5.60–5.70 5.70–5.80 5.80–5.90 5.90–6.00 6.00–6.10 6.10–6.20 6.20–6.30 6.30–6.40 6.40–6.50 6.50–6.60 6.60–6.70 6.70–6.80 6.80–6.90 6.90–7.00 7.00–7.10 7.10–7.20 7.20–7.30 7.30–7.40 7.40–7.50 7.50–7.60 7.60–7.70 7.70–7.80 7.80–7.90 7.90–8.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... lb 42.5–45.3 45.3–48.1 48.1–51.0 51.0–53.8 53.8–56.6 56.6–59.5 59.5–62.3 62.3–65.1 65.1–68.0 68.0–70.8 70.8–73.6 73.6–76.5 76.5–79.3 79.3–82.1 82.1–85.0 85.0–87.8 87.8–90.6 90.6–93.4 93.4–96.3 96.3–99.1 99.1–101.9 101.9–104.8 104.8–107.6 107.6–110.4 110.4–113.3 113.3–116.1 116.1–118.9 118.9–121.8 121.8–124.6 124.6–127.4 127.4–130.3 130.3–133.1 133.1–135.9 135.9–138.8 138.8–141.6 141.6–144.4 144.4–147.2 147.2–150.1 150.1–152.9 152.9–155.7 155.7–158.6 158.6–161.4 161.4–164.2 164.2–167.1 167.1–169.9 169.9–172.7 172.7–175.6 175.6–178.4 178.4–181.2 181.2–184.1 184.1–186.9 186.9–189.7 189.7–192.6 192.6–195.4 195.4–198.2 198.2–201.0 201.0–203.9 203.9–206.7 206.7–209.5 209.5–212.4 212.4–215.2 215.2–218.0 218.0–220.9 220.9–223.7 223.7–226.5 Large load kg 3.75 3.80 3.90 4.00 4.10 4.20 4.30 4.35 4.45 4.55 4.65 4.70 4.80 4.90 5.00 5.10 5.20 5.25 5.35 5.45 5.55 5.65 5.70 5.80 5.90 6.00 6.10 6.15 6.25 6.35 6.45 6.55 6.60 6.70 6.80 6.90 7.00 7.05 7.15 7.25 7.35 7.45 7.50 7.60 7.70 7.80 7.90 7.95 8.05 8.15 8.25 8.30 8.40 8.50 8.60 8.70 8.80 8.85 8.95 9.05 9.15 9.25 9.30 9.40 9.50 lb 1.70 1.72 1.77 1.81 1.86 1.91 1.95 1.97 2.02 2.06 2.11 2.13 2.18 2.22 2.27 2.31 2.36 2.38 2.43 2.47 2.52 2.56 2.59 2.63 2.68 2.72 2.77 2.79 2.83 2.88 2.93 2.97 2.99 3.04 3.08 3.13 3.18 3.20 3.24 3.29 3.33 3.38 3.40 3.45 3.49 3.54 3.58 3.61 3.65 3.70 3.74 3.76 3.81 3.86 3.90 3.95 3.99 4.01 4.06 4.11 4.15 4.20 4.22 4.26 4.31 5.55 5.85 6.20 6.50 6.80 7.10 7.45 7.75 8.05 8.35 8.70 9.00 9.30 9.60 9.90 10.25 10.55 10.85 11.15 11.50 11.80 12.10 12.40 12.75 13.05 13.35 13.65 14.00 14.30 14.60 14.90 15.25 15.55 15.85 16.15 16.50 16.80 17.10 17.40 17.70 18.05 18.35 18.65 18.95 19.30 19.60 19.90 20.20 20.55 20.85 21.15 21.45 21.80 22.10 22.40 22.70 23.05 23.35 23.65 23.95 24.30 24.60 24.90 25.20 25.50 Notes: (1) All test load weights are bone-dry weights. (2) Allowable tolerance on the test load weights is ±0.10 lbs (0.05 kg). VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 PO 00000 Frm 00079 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM kg 01SEP3 2.52 2.65 2.81 2.95 3.08 3.22 3.38 3.52 3.65 3.79 3.95 4.08 4.22 4.35 4.49 4.65 4.79 4.92 5.06 5.22 5.35 5.49 5.62 5.78 5.92 6.06 6.19 6.35 6.49 6.62 6.76 6.92 7.05 7.19 7.33 7.48 7.62 7.76 7.89 8.03 8.19 8.32 8.46 8.60 8.75 8.89 9.03 9.16 9.32 9.46 9.59 9.73 9.89 10.02 10.16 10.30 10.46 10.59 10.73 10.86 11.02 11.16 11.29 11.43 11.57 49218 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules Appendix J1 [Removed and Reserved] 9. Remove and reserved Appendix J1 to subpart B of part 430. ■ 10. Appendix J2 to subpart B of part 430 is amended by: ■ a. Revising the introductory note and section 1; ■ b. Revising the heading for section 2; ■ c. Revising section 2.2; ■ d. Adding section 2.5.4.1 and 2.5.4.2; ■ e. Revising sections 2.5.5, 2.7 and 2.12; ■ f. Removing sections 2.7.1, 2.7.2, 2.7.3, 2.7.4, 2.7.4.1, 2.7.4.2, 2.7.4.3, 2.7.4.4, 2.7.4.5, 2.7.4.6, 2.7.4.6.1, 2.7.4.6.2, 2.7.4.7, and 2.7.5; ■ g. Removing ‘‘energy stuffer clothes’’ and adding in its place, ‘‘energy stuffer cloths’’ in section 2.8; ■ h. Removing ‘‘Siszes’’ and adding in its place, ‘‘Sizes’’ in the title of Table 2.8; ■ i. Revising section 3.2.5; ■ j. Adding sections 3.2.5.1 and 3.2.5.2; ■ k. Revising sections 3.2.6.2.2, 3.2.7 and 3.2.9; ■ l. Revising sections 3.3 and 3.6; ■ m. Removing ‘‘section 7 of appendix J3’’ and adding in its place, ‘‘section 9 of appendix J3’’, and removing ‘‘section 6.1 of appendix J3’’ and adding in its place, ‘‘section 8.7 of appendix J3’’ in sections 3.8.2.6, 3.8.3.2, and 3.8.3.4; ■ n. Removing section 4.2.12; ■ o. Redesignating section 4.2.13 as 4.2.12; ■ p. Revising Table 5.1; and ■ q. Removing section 6. The additions and revisions read as follows: ■ khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 Appendix J2 to Subpart B of Part 430— Uniform Test Method for Measuring the Energy Consumption of Automatic and Semi-Automatic Clothes Washers Note: Manufacturers must use the results of testing under Appendix J2 to determine compliance with the relevant standards for clothes washers from § 430.32(g)(4) and from § 431.156(b) as they appeared in January 1, 2021 edition of 10 CFR parts 200–499. Specifically, before [Date 180 days following publication of the final rule] representations must be based upon results generated either under Appendix J2 as codified on [Date 30 days following publication of the final rule] or under Appendix J2 as it appeared in the 10 CFR parts 200–499 edition revised as of January 1, 2021. Any representations made on or after [Date 180 days following publication of the final rule] but before the compliance date of any amended standards for clothes washers must be made based upon results generated using Appendix J2 as codified on [Date 30 days following publication of the final rule]. Manufacturers must use the results of testing under Appendix J to determine compliance with any amended standards for clothes washers provided in 10 CFR 430.32(g) and in § 431.156 that are published after January 1, VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 2021. Any representations related to energy or water consumption of residential or commercial clothes washers must be made in accordance with the appropriate appendix that applies (i.e., Appendix J or Appendix J2) when determining compliance with the relevant standard. Manufacturers may also use Appendix J to certify compliance with any amended standards prior to the applicable compliance date for those standards. 1. Definitions Active mode means a mode in which the clothes washer is connected to a mains power source, has been activated, and is performing one or more of the main functions of washing, soaking, tumbling, agitating, rinsing, and/or removing water from the clothing, or is involved in functions necessary for these main functions, such as admitting water into the washer or pumping water out of the washer. Active mode also includes delay start and cycle finished modes. Active washing mode means a mode in which the clothes washer is performing any of the operations included in a complete cycle intended for washing a clothing load, including the main functions of washing, soaking, tumbling, agitating, rinsing, and/or removing water from the clothing. Adaptive water fill control system means a clothes washer automatic water fill control system that is capable of automatically adjusting the water fill level based on the size or weight of the clothes load placed in the clothes container. Automatic water fill control system means a clothes washer water fill control system that does not allow or require the user to determine or select the water fill level, and includes adaptive water fill control systems and fixed water fill control systems. Bone-dry means a condition of a load of test cloth that has been dried in a dryer at maximum temperature for a minimum of 10 minutes, removed and weighed before cool down, and then dried again for 10 minute periods until the final weight change of the load is 1 percent or less. Clothes container means the compartment within the clothes washer that holds the clothes during the operation of the machine. Cold rinse means the coldest rinse temperature available on the machine, as indicated to the user on the clothes washer control panel. Combined low-power mode means the aggregate of available modes other than active washing mode, including inactive mode, off mode, delay start mode, and cycle finished mode. Cycle finished mode means an active mode that provides continuous status display, intermittent tumbling, or air circulation following operation in active washing mode. Delay start mode means an active mode in which activation of active washing mode is facilitated by a timer. Energy test cycle means the complete set of wash/rinse temperature selections required for testing, as determined according to section 2.12 of this appendix. Fixed water fill control system means a clothes washer automatic water fill control PO 00000 Frm 00080 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 system that automatically terminates the fill when the water reaches a pre-defined level that is not based on the size or weight of the clothes load placed in the clothes container, without allowing or requiring the user to determine or select the water fill level. IEC 62301 means the test standard published by the International Electrotechnical Commission, entitled ‘‘Household electrical appliances— Measurement of standby power,’’ Publication 62301, Edition 2.0 2011–01 (incorporated by reference; see § 430.3). Inactive mode means a standby mode that facilitates the activation of active mode by remote switch (including remote control), internal sensor, or timer, or that provides continuous status display. Integrated modified energy factor means the quotient of the cubic foot (or liter) capacity of the clothes container divided by the total clothes washer energy consumption per cycle, with such energy consumption expressed as the sum of: (a) The machine electrical energy consumption; (b) The hot water energy consumption; (c) The energy required for removal of the remaining moisture in the wash load; and (d) The combined low-power mode energy consumption. Integrated water factor means the quotient of the total weighted per-cycle water consumption for all wash cycles in gallons divided by the cubic foot (or liter) capacity of the clothes washer. Load usage factor means the percentage of the total number of wash loads that a user would wash a particular size (weight) load. Lot means a quantity of cloth that has been manufactured with the same batches of cotton and polyester during one continuous process. Manual water fill control system means a clothes washer water fill control system that requires the user to determine or select the water fill level. Modified energy factor means the quotient of the cubic foot (or liter) capacity of the clothes container divided by the total clothes washer energy consumption per cycle, with such energy consumption expressed as the sum of the machine electrical energy consumption, the hot water energy consumption, and the energy required for removal of the remaining moisture in the wash load. Non-water-heating clothes washer means a clothes washer that does not have an internal water heating device to generate hot water. Normal cycle means the cycle recommended by the manufacturer (considering manufacturer instructions, control panel labeling, and other markings on the clothes washer) for normal, regular, or typical use for washing up to a full load of normally-soiled cotton clothing. For machines where multiple cycle settings are recommended by the manufacturer for normal, regular, or typical use for washing up to a full load of normally-soiled cotton clothing, then the Normal cycle is the cycle selection that results in the lowest IMEF or MEF value. Off mode means a mode in which the clothes washer is connected to a mains E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules power source and is not providing any active or standby mode function, and where the mode may persist for an indefinite time. Standby mode means any mode in which the clothes washer is connected to a mains power source and offers one or more of the following user oriented or protective functions that may persist for an indefinite time: (a) Facilitating the activation of other modes (including activation or deactivation of active mode) by remote switch (including remote control), internal sensor, or timer; (b) Continuous functions, including information or status displays (including clocks) or sensor-based functions. (c) A timer is a continuous clock function (which may or may not be associated with a display) that provides regular scheduled tasks (e.g., switching) and that operates on a continuous basis. Temperature use factor means, for a particular wash/rinse temperature setting, the percentage of the total number of wash loads that an average user would wash with that setting. User-adjustable automatic water fill control system means an automatic clothes washer fill control system that allows the user to adjust the amount of water that the machine provides, which is based on the size or weight of the clothes load placed in the clothes container. Wash time means the wash portion of the cycle, which begins when the cycle is initiated and includes the agitation or tumble time, which may be periodic or continuous during the wash portion of the cycle. Water factor means the quotient of the total weighted per-cycle water consumption for cold wash divided by the cubic foot (or liter) capacity of the clothes washer. Water-heating clothes washer means a clothes washer where some or all of the hot water for clothes washing is generated by a water heating device internal to the clothes washer. 2. Testing Conditions and Instrumentation * * * * * 2.2 Supply water. Maintain the temperature of the hot water supply at the water inlets between 130 °F (54.4 °C) and 135 °F (57.2 °C). Maintain the temperature of the cold water supply at the water inlets between 55 °F (12.8 °C) and 60 °F (15.6 °C). * * * * * khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 2.5.4 * * * VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 2.5.4.1 Non-reversible temperature indicator labels, adhered to the inside of the clothes container, may be used to confirm that an extra-hot wash temperature greater than 135 °F has been achieved during the wash cycle, under the following conditions. The label must remain waterproof, intact, and adhered to the wash drum throughout an entire wash cycle; provide consistent maximum temperature readings; and provide repeatable temperature indications sufficient to demonstrate that a wash temperature of greater than 135 °F has been achieved. The label must have been verified to consistently indicate temperature measurements with an accuracy of ±1 °F if the label provides a temperature indicator at 135 °F. If the label does not provide a temperature indicator at 135 °F, the label must have been verified to consistently indicate temperature measurements with an accuracy of ±1 °F if the next-highest temperature indicator is greater than 135 °F and less than 140 °F, or ±3 °F if the next-highest temperature indicator is 140 °F or greater. If the label does not provide a temperature indicator at 135 °F, failure to activate the next-highest temperature indicator does not necessarily indicate the lack of an extra-hot wash temperature. However, such a result would not be conclusive due to the lack of verification of the water temperature requirement, in which case an alternative method must be used to confirm that an extra-hot wash temperature greater than 135 °F has been achieved during the wash cycle. If using a temperature indicator label to test a front-loading clothes washer, adhere the label along the interior surface of the clothes container drum, midway between the front and the back of the drum, adjacent to one of the baffles. If using a temperature indicator label to test a top-loading clothes washer, adhere the label along the interior surface of the clothes container drum, on the vertical portion of the sidewall, as close to the bottom of the container as possible. 2.5.4.2 Submersible temperature loggers placed inside the wash drum may be used to confirm that an extra-hot wash temperature greater than 135 °F has been achieved during the wash cycle, under the following conditions. The submersible temperature logger must have a time resolution of at least 1 data point every 5 seconds and a temperature measurement accuracy of ±1 °F. Due to the potential for a waterproof capsule to provide a thermal insulating effect, failure to measure a temperature of 135 °F does not PO 00000 Frm 00081 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 49219 necessarily indicate the lack of an extra-hot wash temperature. However, such a result would not be conclusive due to the lack of verification of the water temperature requirement, in which case an alternative method must be used to confirm that an extra-hot wash temperature greater than 135 °F has been achieved during the wash cycle. 2.5.5 Water meter. A water meter must be installed in both the hot and cold water lines to measure water flow and/or water consumption. The water meters must have a resolution no larger than 0.1 gallons (0.4 liters) and a maximum error no greater than 2 percent for the water flow rates being measured. If the volume of hot water for any individual cycle within the energy test cycle is less than 0.1 gallons (0.4 liters), the hot water meter must have a resolution no larger than 0.01 gallons (0.04 liters). * * * * * 2.7 Test cloths. The test cloth material and dimensions must conform to the specifications in appendix J3 to this subpart. The energy test cloth and the energy stuffer cloths must be clean and must not be used for more than 60 test runs (after preconditioning as specified in section 5 of appendix J3 to this subpart). All energy test cloth must be permanently marked identifying the lot number of the material. Mixed lots of material must not be used for testing a clothes washer. The moisture absorption and retention must be evaluated for each new lot of test cloth using the standard extractor Remaining Moisture Content (RMC) procedure specified in appendix J3 to this subpart. * * * * * 2.12 Determining the energy test cycle. To determine the energy test cycle, evaluate the wash/rinse temperature selection flowcharts in the order in which they are presented in this section. Except for Cold Wash/Cold Rinse, use the maximum load size to evaluate each flowchart. The determination of the energy test cycle must take into consideration all cycle settings available to the end user, including any cycle selections or cycle modifications provided by the manufacturer via software or firmware updates to the product, for the basic model under test. The energy test cycle does not include any cycle that is recommended by the manufacturer exclusively for cleaning, deodorizing, or sanitizing the clothes washer. BILLING CODE 6450–01–P E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 49220 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules Figure 2.12.1-Determination of Cold Wash/Cold Rinse Cold Wash/Cold Rinse ("Cold/Cold") Cold Wash/Cold Rinse ls the wash temperature selection with the coldest wash temperature available in the Normal cycle, paired with· a cold rinse. If multiple wasn temperature selections in the Normal cycle do not use or internally generate any hot water for any of the water fill levels or test load sizes required for testing, Cold Wash/Cold Rinse is the wash temperature selection among these with the highest energy consumption (as measured according to section 3.10 of this appendix), and the others are excluded from testing and from consideration as the Hot Wash/Cold Rinse or Warm Wash/Cold Rinse. Figure 2.12.2-Determination of Hot Wash/Cold Rinse EP01SE21.014</GPH> VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 PO 00000 Frm 00082 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4725 E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 EP01SE21.013</GPH> khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 • ••••••••• khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 VerDate Sep<11>2014 Jkt 253001 1-rj 1 PO 00000 . . . . . . . . .li!lllilMlllil• iuu111 ,. ·nn»pn ., .·"-V ~ Frm 00083 Fmt 4701 ',. I . ., Ii I l . ~- ! I. ~. .. . . '31 .g a: .· g~- Sfmt 4725 E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM a i 01SEP3 , hf au I "~~ a I .. J , ·hh h 1 91 . • ?' • .· • = · a..~ ;.... r1r II .. ·. i . r I· ., ~ . ; Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 .... 49221 EP01SE21.015</GPH> 49222 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules Figure 2.12.4-Determination of Warm Wash/Warm Rinse Warm Wash/Warm Rinse ("Warm/Warm") Does the Normal cycle offer any rinse temperature selections that add or internally generate hot water? Yes Ill Ill No •• Ill Does the clothes washer offer any rinse temperature selections that add or internally generate hot water, among all cycle selections available on the clothes washer? No Warm Rinse is the hottest rinse temperature selection available in the Normal cycle. Warm Wash/Warm Rinse includes all wash temperature selections in the Normal cycle that meet all of the following criteria: • Wash temperature less than the wash temperature of the Hot Wash/Cold Rinse • Wash temperature greater than the wash temperature of the Cold Wash/Cold Rinse • Can be paired with the Warm Rinse Yes II II Ill Ill 1111 Ill Ill Warm Rinse is the hottest rinse temperature selection available on the clothes washer among all cycle selections available on the clothes washer. Warm Wash/Warm Rinse is the wash temperature selection that uses the greatest amount of energy (as measured according to section 3.10 of this appendix) among all cycle selections available on the clothes washer that meet all of the following criteria: • Wash temperature less than the wash temperature of the Hot Wash/Cold Rinse • Wash temperature greater than the wash temperature of the Cold Wash/Cold Rinse • Can be paired with the Warm Rinse. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 PO 00000 Frm 00084 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4725 E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 EP01SE21.016</GPH> khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 The energy test cycle does not include a Warm Wash/Warm Rinse. Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules 49223 Figure 2.12.5-Determination of Extra-Hot Wash/Cold Rinse Exira-Hot WashlCold !Rinse ('11Extra-Hot/Cold") D~ the dothll, wablr l:lave Im lntefnali water hlldtr? Ill ill ill No ~- Ooll lbl ~ Wl1llffl\lr mferm'I)'' ~ Nik'~,~·•*'•·· nltctkms N avalll'.llil M dalhn \lllBllher, l:tltll meet at of ltll, ~ crttetrla'? • WUl'I t11~111 ~ , , um 136"'F • Coldne ii ,. lntlndtd fo!"'\ll!Bffllrl; ~ No 1111 The IW!e11))! le1t eyclie dol1 il'd. lndllde 1 1111ft Ef:11:t-Hot Wsah#Cold R/mlll, 3. Test Measurements khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 * * * * * 3.2.5 Wash time setting. 3.2.5.1 If the cycle under test offers a range of wash time settings, the wash time setting shall be the higher of either the minimum or 70 percent of the maximum wash time available for the wash cycle under test, regardless of the labeling of suggested dial locations. If 70 percent of the maximum wash time is not available on a dial with a discrete number of wash time settings, choose the next-highest setting greater than 70 percent. 3.2.5.2 If the clothes washer is equipped with an electromechanical dial or timer controlling wash time that rotates in both directions, reset the dial to the minimum wash time and then turn it in the direction of increasing wash time to reach the appropriate setting. If the appropriate setting VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 is passed, return the dial to the minimum wash time and then turn in the direction of increasing wash time until the appropriate setting is reached. setting that uses the least water. Average the results of the third and fourth tests to obtain the energy and water consumption values for the average test load size. * * * * * * 3.2.6 * * * * * * * * 3.2.6.2.2 User-adjustable. Conduct four tests on clothes washers with user-adjustable automatic water fill controls. Conduct the first test using the maximum test load and with the automatic water fill control system set in the setting that uses the most water. Conduct the second test using the minimum test load and with the automatic water fill control system set in the setting that uses the least water. Conduct the third test using the average test load and with the automatic water fill control system set in the setting that uses the most water. Conduct the fourth test using the average test load and with the automatic water fill control system set in the PO 00000 Frm 00085 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 * * * * 3.2.7 Manufacturer default settings. For clothes washers with electronic control systems, use the manufacturer default settings for any cycle selections, except for (1) the temperature selection, (2) the wash water fill levels, (3) if necessary, the spin speeds on wash cycles used to determine remaining moisture content, or (4) network settings. If the clothes washer has network capabilities, the network settings must be disabled throughout testing if such settings can be disabled by the end-user and the product’s user manual provides instructions on how to do so. For all other cycle selections, the manufacturer default settings must be used for wash conditions such as agitation/tumble operation, soil level, spin E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 EP01SE21.017</GPH> BILLING CODE 6450–01–C 49224 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules switch or dial position to be used for washing normally soiled cotton clothing, the setting switch or dial must remain in its as-shipped position. speed on wash cycles used to determine energy and water consumption, wash times, rinse times, optional rinse settings, water heating time for water heating clothes washers, and all other wash parameters or optional features applicable to that wash cycle. Any optional wash cycle feature or setting (other than wash/rinse temperature, water fill level selection, spin speed on wash cycles used to determine remaining moisture content, or network settings on clothes washers with network capabilities) that is activated by default on the wash cycle under test must be included for testing unless the manufacturer instructions recommend not selecting this option, or recommend selecting a different option, for washing normally soiled cotton clothing. For clothes washers with control panels containing mechanical switches or dials, any optional settings, except for (1) the temperature selection, (2) the wash water fill levels, or (3) if necessary, the spin speeds on wash cycles used to determine remaining moisture content, must be in the position recommended by the manufacturer for washing normally soiled cotton clothing. If the manufacturer instructions do not recommend a particular 3.2.9 Anomalous Test Cycles. If during a wash cycle the clothes washer: (a) Signals to the user by means of a visual or audio alert that an out-of-balance condition has been detected; or (b) terminates prematurely and thus does not include the agitation/tumble operation, spin speed(s), wash times, and rinse times applicable to the wash cycle under test, discard the test data and repeat the wash cycle. Document in the test report the rejection of data from any wash cycle during testing and the reason for the rejection. 3.3 Extra-Hot Wash/Cold Rinse. Measure the water and electrical energy consumption for each water fill level and test load size as specified in sections 3.3.1 through 3.3.3 of this appendix for the Extra-Hot Wash/Cold Rinse as defined within the energy test cycle. for each water fill level and/or test load size as specified in sections 3.6.1 through 3.6.3 of this appendix for the applicable Warm Wash/ Warm Rinse temperature selection(s), as defined within the energy test cycle. For a clothes washer with fewer than four discrete Warm Wash/Warm Rinse temperature selections, test all Warm Wash/Warm Rinse selections. For a clothes washer that offers four or more Warm Wash/Warm Rinse selections, test at all discrete selections, or test at 25 percent, 50 percent, and 75 percent positions of the temperature selection device between the hottest hot (≤135 °F (57.2 °C)) wash and the coldest cold wash. If a selection is not available at the 25, 50 or 75 percent position, in place of each such unavailable selection use the next warmer setting. For each reportable value to be used for the Warm Wash/Warm Rinse temperature selection, calculate the average of all Warm Wash/Warm Rinse temperature selections tested pursuant to this section. * * * * * * * * * * * 3.6 Warm Wash/Warm Rinse. Measure the water and electrical energy consumption * * * * 5. Test Loads TABLE 5.1—TEST LOAD SIZES khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 Container volume Minimum load cu. ft. liter ≥< ≥< 0.00–0.80 0.80–0.90 0.90–1.00 1.00–1.10 1.10–1.20 1.20–1.30 1.30–1.40 1.40–1.50 1.50–1.60 1.60–1.70 1.70–1.80 1.80–1.90 1.90–2.00 2.00–2.10 2.10–2.20 2.20–2.30 2.30–2.40 2.40–2.50 2.50–2.60 2.60–2.70 2.70–2.80 2.80–2.90 2.90–3.00 3.00–3.10 3.10–3.20 3.20–3.30 3.30–3.40 3.40–3.50 3.50–3.60 3.60–3.70 3.70–3.80 3.80–3.90 3.90–4.00 4.00–4.10 4.10–4.20 4.20–4.30 4.30–4.40 4.40–4.50 4.50–4.60 4.60–4.70 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... VerDate Sep<11>2014 lb 0.00–22.7 22.7–25.5 25.5–28.3 28.3–31.1 31.1–34.0 34.0–36.8 36.8–39.6 39.6–42.5 42.5–45.3 45.3–48.1 48.1–51.0 51.0–53.8 53.8–56.6 56.6–59.5 59.5–62.3 62.3–65.1 65.1–68.0 68.0–70.8 70.8–73.6 73.6–76.5 76.5–79.3 79.3–82.1 82.1–85.0 85.0–87.8 87.8–90.6 90.6–93.4 93.4–96.3 96.3–99.1 99.1–101.9 101.9–104.8 104.8–107.6 107.6–110.4 110.4–113.3 113.3–116.1 116.1–118.9 118.9–121.8 121.8–124.6 124.6–127.4 127.4–130.3 130.3–133.1 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 Maximum load kg 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 PO 00000 Frm 00086 lb 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 Fmt 4701 Average load kg 3.00 3.50 3.90 4.30 4.70 5.10 5.50 5.90 6.40 6.80 7.20 7.60 8.00 8.40 8.80 9.20 9.60 10.00 10.50 10.90 11.30 11.70 12.10 12.50 12.90 13.30 13.70 14.10 14.60 15.00 15.40 15.80 16.20 16.60 17.00 17.40 17.80 18.20 18.70 19.10 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM lb 1.36 1.59 1.77 1.95 2.13 2.31 2.49 2.68 2.90 3.08 3.27 3.45 3.63 3.81 3.99 4.17 4.35 4.54 4.76 4.94 5.13 5.31 5.49 5.67 5.85 6.03 6.21 6.40 6.62 6.80 6.99 7.16 7.34 7.53 7.72 7.90 8.09 8.27 8.46 8.65 01SEP3 kg 3.00 3.25 3.45 3.65 3.85 4.05 4.25 4.45 4.70 4.90 5.10 5.30 5.50 5.70 5.90 6.10 6.30 6.50 6.75 6.95 7.15 7.35 7.55 7.75 7.95 8.15 8.35 8.55 8.80 9.00 9.20 9.40 9.60 9.80 10.00 10.20 10.40 10.60 10.85 11.05 1.36 1.47 1.56 1.66 1.75 1.84 1.93 2.02 2.13 2.22 2.31 2.40 2.49 2.59 2.68 2.77 2.86 2.95 3.06 3.15 3.24 3.33 3.42 3.52 3.61 3.70 3.79 3.88 3.99 4.08 4.17 4.26 4.35 4.45 4.54 4.63 4.72 4.82 4.91 5.00 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules 49225 TABLE 5.1—TEST LOAD SIZES—Continued Container volume Minimum load cu. ft. liter ≥< ≥< 4.70–4.80 4.80–4.90 4.90–5.00 5.00–5.10 5.10–5.20 5.20–5.30 5.30–5.40 5.40–5.50 5.50–5.60 5.60–5.70 5.70–5.80 5.80–5.90 5.90–6.00 6.00–6.10 6.10–6.20 6.20–6.30 6.30–6.40 6.40–6.50 6.50–6.60 6.60–6.70 6.70–6.80 6.80–6.90 6.90–7.00 7.00–7.10 7.10–7.20 7.20–7.30 7.30–7.40 7.40–7.50 7.50–7.60 7.60–7.70 7.70–7.80 7.80–7.90 7.90–8.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... lb 133.1–135.9 135.9–138.8 138.8–141.6 141.6–144.4 144.4–147.2 147.2–150.1 150.1–152.9 152.9–155.7 155.7–158.6 158.6–161.4 161.4–164.2 164.2–167.1 167.1–169.9 169.9–172.7 172.7–175.6 175.6–178.4 178.4–181.2 181.2–184.1 184.1–186.9 186.9–189.7 189.7–192.6 192.6–195.4 195.4–198.2 198.2–201.0 201.0–203.9 203.9–206.7 206.7–209.5 209.5–212.4 212.4–215.2 215.2–218.0 218.0–220.9 220.9–223.7 223.7–226.5 11. Appendix J3 to subpart B of part 430 is revised to read as follows: Appendix J3 to Subpart B of Part 430— Energy Test Cloth Specifications and Procedures for Determining Correction Coefficients of New Energy Test Cloth Lots khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 Note: DOE maintains an historical record of the standard extractor test data and final correction curve coefficients for each approved lot of energy test cloth. These can be accessed through DOE’s web page for standards and test procedures for residential clothes washers at DOE’s Building Technologies Office Appliance and Equipment Standards website. 1. Objective This appendix includes the following: (1) Specifications for the energy test cloth to be used for testing clothes washers; (2) procedures for verifying that new lots of energy test cloth meet the defined material specifications; and (3) procedures for developing a set of correction coefficients that correlate the measured remaining moisture content (RMC) values of each new test cloth lot with a set of standard RMC values established as an historical reference point. These correction coefficients are applied to the RMC measurements performed VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 kg 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 ■ Maximum load lb 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 kg 19.50 19.90 20.30 20.70 21.10 21.50 21.90 22.30 22.80 23.20 23.60 24.00 24.40 24.80 25.20 25.60 26.00 26.40 26.90 27.30 27.70 28.10 28.50 28.90 29.30 29.70 30.10 30.50 31.00 31.40 31.80 32.20 32.60 during testing according to appendix J or appendix J2 to this subpart, ensuring that the final corrected RMC measurement for a clothes washer remains independent of the test cloth lot used for testing. 2. Definitions AHAM means the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers. Bone-dry means a condition of a load of test cloth that has been dried in a dryer at maximum temperature for a minimum of 10 minutes, removed and weighed before cool down, and then dried again for 10 minute periods until the final weight change of the load is 1 percent or less. Lot means a quantity of cloth that has been manufactured with the same batches of cotton and polyester during one continuous process. Roll means a subset of a lot. 3. Energy Test Cloth Specifications The energy test cloths and energy stuffer cloths must meet the following specifications: 3.1 The test cloth material should come from a roll of material with a width of approximately 63 inches and approximately 500 yards per roll. However, other sizes may be used if the test cloth material meets the specifications listed in sections 3.2 through 3.6 of this appendix. PO 00000 Frm 00087 Fmt 4701 Average load Sfmt 4702 lb 8.83 9.02 9.20 9.39 9.58 9.76 9.95 10.13 10.32 10.51 10.69 10.88 11.06 11.25 11.43 11.61 11.79 11.97 12.20 12.38 12.56 12.75 12.93 13.11 13.29 13.47 13.65 13.83 14.06 14.24 14.42 14.61 14.79 kg 11.25 11.45 11.65 11.85 12.05 12.25 12.45 12.65 12.90 13.10 13.30 13.50 13.70 13.90 14.10 14.30 14.50 14.70 14.95 15.15 15.35 15.55 15.75 15.95 16.15 16.35 16.55 16.75 17.00 17.20 17.40 17.60 17.80 5.10 5.19 5.28 5.38 5.47 5.56 5.65 5.75 5.84 5.93 6.03 6.12 6.21 6.30 6.40 6.49 6.58 6.67 6.78 6.87 6.96 7.05 7.14 7.23 7.33 7.42 7.51 7.60 7.71 7.80 7.89 7.98 8.07 3.2 Nominal fabric type. Pure finished bleached cloth made with a momie or granite weave, which is nominally 50 percent cotton and 50 percent polyester. 3.3 Fabric weight. 5.60 ± 0.25 ounces per square yard (190.0 ± 8.4 g/m2). 3.4 Thread count. 65 × 57 per inch (warp × fill), ±2 percent. 3.5 Fiber content of warp and filling yarn. 50 percent ± 4 percent cotton, with the balance being polyester, open end spun, 15/ 1 ± 5 percent cotton count blended yarn. 3.6 Water repellent finishes, such as fluoropolymer stain resistant finishes, must not be applied to the test cloth. 3.7. Test cloth dimensions. 3.7.1 Energy test cloth. The energy test cloth must be made from energy test cloth material, as specified in section 3.1 of this appendix, that is 24 ± 1⁄2 inches by 36 ± 1⁄2 inches (61.0 ± 1.3 cm by 91.4 ± 1.3 cm) and has been hemmed to 22 ± 1⁄2 inches by 34 ± 1⁄2 inches (55.9 ± 1.3 cm by 86.4 ± 1.3 cm) before washing. 3.7.2 Energy stuffer cloth. The energy stuffer cloth must be made from energy test cloth material, as specified in section 3.1 of this appendix, that is 12 ± 1⁄4 inches by 12 ± 1⁄4 inches (30.5 ± 0.6 cm by 30.5 ± 0.6 cm) and has been hemmed to 10 ± 1⁄4 inches by 10 ± 1⁄4 inches (25.4 ± 0.6 cm by 25.4 ± 0.6 cm) before washing. E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 49226 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules 3.8 The test cloth must be clean and must not be used for more than 60 test runs (after pre-conditioning as specified in section 5 of this appendix). All test cloth must be permanently marked identifying the lot number of the material. Mixed lots of material must not be used for testing a clothes washer according to appendix J or appendix J2 to this subpart. 4. Equipment Specifications 4.1 Extractor. Use a North Star Engineered Products Inc. (formerly Bock) Model 215 extractor (having a basket diameter of 20 inches, height of 11.5 inches, and volume of 2.09 ft3), with a variable speed drive (North Star Engineered Products, P.O. Box 5127, Toledo, OH 43611) or an equivalent extractor with same basket design (i.e., diameter, height, volume, and hole configuration) and variable speed drive. Table 4.1 of this appendix shows the extractor spin speed, in revolutions per minute (RPM), that must be used to attain each required g-force level. TABLE 4.1—EXTRACTOR SPIN SPEEDS FOR EACH TEST CONDITION ‘‘g Force’’ 100 200 350 500 650 ............................................ ............................................ ............................................ ............................................ ............................................ RPM 594 840 1,111 1,328 1,514 ± ± ± ± ± 1 1 1 1 1 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 4.2 Bone-dryer. The dryer used for drying the cloth to bone-dry must heat the test cloth and energy stuffer cloths above 210 °F (99 °C). 5. Test Cloth Pre-Conditioning Instructions Use the following instructions for performing pre-conditioning of new energy test cloths and energy stuffer cloths as specified throughout section 7 and section 8 of this appendix, and before any clothes washer testing using appendix J or appendix J2 to this subpart: Perform five complete wash-rinse-spin cycles, the first two with current AHAM Standard detergent Formula 3 and the last three without detergent. Place the test cloth in a clothes washer set at the maximum water level. Wash the load for ten minutes in soft water (17 ppm hardness or less) using 27.0 grams + 4.0 grams per pound of cloth load of AHAM Standard detergent Formula 3. The wash temperature is to be controlled to 135 °F ± 5 °F (57.2 °C ± 2.8 °C) and the rinse temperature is to be controlled to 60 °F ± 5 °F (15.6 °C ± 2.8 °C). Dry the load to bone-dry between each of the five wash-rinse-spin cycles. The maximum shrinkage after preconditioning must not be more than 5 percent of the length and width. Measure per AATCC Test Method 135–2010 (incorporated by reference; see § 430.3). 6. Extractor Run Instructions Use the following instructions for performing each of the extractor runs specified throughout section 7 and section 8 of this appendix: 6.1 Test load size. Use a test load size of 8.4 lbs. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 6.2 Measure the average RMC for each sample loads as follows: 6.2.1 Dry the test cloth until it is bone-dry according to the definition in section 2 of this appendix. Record the bone-dry weight of the test load (WI). 6.2.2 Prepare the test load for soak by grouping four test cloths into loose bundles. Create the bundles by hanging four cloths vertically from one corner and loosely wrapping the test cloth onto itself to form the bundle. Bundles should be wrapped loosely to ensure consistency of water extraction. Then place the bundles into the water to soak. Eight to nine bundles will be formed depending on the test load. The ninth bundle may not equal four cloths but can incorporate energy stuffer cloths to help offset the size difference. 6.2.3 Soak the test load for 20 minutes in 10 gallons of soft (<17 ppm) water. The entire test load must be submerged. Maintain a water temperature of 100 °F ± 5 °F (37.8 °C ± 2.8 °C) at all times between the start and end of the soak. 6.2.4 Remove the test load and allow each of the test cloth bundles to drain over the water bath for a maximum of 5 seconds. 6.2.5 Manually place the test cloth bundles in the basket of the extractor, distributing them evenly by eye. The draining and loading process must take no longer than 1 minute. Spin the load at a fixed speed corresponding to the intended centripetal acceleration level (measured in units of the acceleration of gravity, g) ± 1g for the intended time period ± 5 seconds. Begin the timer when the extractor meets the required spin speed for each test. 6.2.6 Record the weight of the test load immediately after the completion of the extractor spin cycle (WC). 6.2.7 Calculate the remaining moisture content of the test load as (WC ¥ WI)/WI. 6.2.8 Draining the soak tub is not necessary if the water bath is corrected for water level and temperature before the next extraction. 6.2.9 Drying the test load in between extraction runs is not necessary. However, the bone-dry weight must be checked after every 12 extraction runs to make sure the bone-dry weight is within tolerance (8.4 ± 0.1 lbs). Following this, the test load must be soaked and extracted once before continuing with the remaining extraction runs. Perform this extraction at the same spin speed used for the extraction run prior to checking the bone-dry weight, for a time period of 4 minutes. Either warm or cold soak temperature may be used. 7. Test Cloth Material Verification Procedure 7.1 Material Properties Verification. The test cloth manufacturer must supply a certificate of conformance to ensure that the energy test cloth and stuffer cloth samples used for prequalification testing meet the specifications in section 3 of this appendix. The material properties of one energy test cloth from each of the first, middle, and last rolls must be evaluated as follows, prior to pre-conditioning: 7.1.1 Dimensions. Each hemmed energy test cloth must meet the size specifications in section 3.7.1 of this appendix. Each hemmed PO 00000 Frm 00088 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 stuffer cloth must meet the size specifications in section 3.7.2 of this appendix. 7.1.2 Oil repellency. Perform AATCC Test Method 118–2007, Oil Repellency: Hydrocarbon Resistance Test, (incorporated by reference, see § 430.3), to confirm the absence of ScotchguardTM or other waterrepellent finish. An Oil Repellency Grade of 0 (Fails Kaydol) is required. 7.1.3 Absorbency. Perform AATCC Test Method 79–2010, Absorbency of Textiles, (incorporated by reference, see § 430.3), to confirm the absence of ScotchguardTM or other water-repellent finish. The time to absorb one drop must be on the order of 1 second. 7.2 Uniformity Verification. The uniformity of each test cloth lot must be evaluated as follows. 7.2.1 Pre-conditioning. Pre-condition the energy test cloths and energy stuffer cloths used for uniformity verification, as specified in section 5 of this appendix. 7.2.2 Distribution of samples. Test loads must be comprised of cloth from three different rolls from the sample lot. Each roll from a lot must be marked in the run order that it was made. The three rolls are selected based on the run order such that the first, middle, and last rolls are used. As the rolls are cut into cloth, fabric must be selected from the beginning, middle, and end of the roll to create separate loads from each location, for a total of nine sample loads according to Table 7.2.2. TABLE 7.2.2—DISTRIBUTION OF SAMPLE LOADS FOR PREQUALIFICATION TESTING Roll No. First .................................... Middle ................................ Last .................................... Roll location Beginning. Middle. End. Beginning. Middle. End. Beginning. Middle. End. 7.2.3 Measure the remaining moisture content of each of the nine sample test loads, as specified in section 6 of this appendix, using a centripetal acceleration of 350g (corresponding to 1111 ± 1 RPM) and a spin duration of 15 minutes ± 5 seconds. 7.2.4 Repeat section 7.2.3 of this appendix an additional two times and calculate the arithmetic average of the three RMC values to determine the average RMC value for each sample load. It is not necessary to dry the load to bone-dry the load before the second and third replications. 7.2.5 Calculate the coefficient of variation (CV) of the nine average RMC values from each sample load. The CV must be less than or equal to 1 percent for the test cloth lot to be considered acceptable and to perform the standard extractor RMC testing. 8. RMC Correction Curve Procedure 8.1 Pre-conditioning. Pre-condition the energy test cloths and energy stuffer cloths E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / Proposed Rules levels: 100 g, 200 g, 350 g, 500 g, and 650 g, using two different spin times at each g level: 4 minutes and 15 minutes. Table 4.1 of this appendix provides the corresponding spin speeds for each g-force level. 8.4 Repeat section 8.3 of this appendix using soft (<17 ppm) water at 60 °F ± 5 °F (15.6 °C ± 2.8 °C). 8.5 Repeat sections 8.3.3 and 8.3.4 of this appendix an additional two times, so that three replications at each extractor condition are performed. When this procedure is performed in its entirety, a total of 60 extractor RMC test runs are required. used for RMC correction curve measurements, as specified in section 5 of this appendix. 8.2 Distribution of samples. Test loads must be comprised of randomly selected cloth at the beginning, middle and end of a lot. Two test loads may be used, with each load used for half of the total number of required tests. Separate test loads must be used from the loads used for uniformity verification. 8.3 Measure the remaining moisture content of the test load, as specified in section 6 of this appendix at five g-force 49227 8.6 Average the values of the 3 replications performed for each extractor condition specified in section 8.3 of this appendix. 8.7 Perform a linear least-squares fit to determine coefficients A and B such that the standard RMC values shown in Table 8.7 of this appendix (RMCstandard) are linearly related to the average RMC values calculated in section 8.6 of this appendix (RMCcloth): RMCstandard ∼ A × RMCcloth + B where A and B are coefficients of the linear least-squares fit. TABLE 8.7—STANDARD RMC VALUES (RMCstandard) RMC percentage Warm soak ‘‘g Force’’ 15 min. spin (percent) 100 200 350 500 650 ................................................... ................................................... ................................................... ................................................... ................................................... 9. Application of the RMC Correction Curve 9.1 Using the coefficients A and B calculated in section 8.7 of this appendix: RMCcorr = A × RMC + B 9.2 Apply this RMC correction curve to measured RMC values in appendix J and appendix J2 to this subpart. PART 431—ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAM FOR CERTAIN COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT 12. The authority citation for part 431 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6291–6317; 28 U.S.C. 2461 note. 13. Section 431.152 is revised to read as follows: khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS3 VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:45 Aug 31, 2021 Jkt 253001 4 min. spin (percent) 15 min. spin (percent) 45.9 35.7 29.6 24.2 23.0 8.8 Perform an analysis of variance with replication test using two factors, spin speed and lot, to check the interaction of speed and lot. Use the values from section 8.6 of this appendix and Table 8.7 of this appendix in the calculation. The ‘‘P’’ value of the Fstatistic for interaction between spin speed and lot in the variance analysis must be greater than or equal to 0.1. If the ‘‘P’’ value is less than 0.1, the test cloth is unacceptable. ‘‘P’’ is a theoretically based measure of interaction based on an analysis of variance. ■ Cold soak 49.9 40.4 33.1 28.7 26.4 § 431.152 Definitions concerning commercial clothes washers. AEER means active-mode energy efficiency ratio, in pounds per kilowatthour per cycle (lbs/kWh/cycle), as determined in section 4.8 of appendix J to subpart B of part 430 of this chapter (when using appendix J). Basic model means all units of a given type of covered product (or class thereof) manufactured by one manufacturer, having the same primary energy source, and which have essentially identical electrical, physical, and functional (or hydraulic) characteristics that affect energy consumption, energy efficiency, water consumption, or water efficiency. Commercial clothes washer means a soft-mounted front-loading or softmounted top-loading clothes washer that— (1) Has a clothes container compartment that— (i) For horizontal-axis clothes washers, is not more than 3.5 cubic feet; and (ii) For vertical-axis clothes washers, is not more than 4.0 cubic feet; and (2) Is designed for use in— (i) Applications in which the occupants of more than one household PO 00000 Frm 00089 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 9990 4 min. spin (percent) 49.7 37.9 30.7 25.5 24.1 52.8 43.1 35.8 30.0 28.0 will be using the clothes washer, such as multi-family housing common areas and coin laundries; or (ii) Other commercial applications. IWF means integrated water factor, in gallons per cubic feet per cycle (gal/cu ft/cycle), as determined in section 4.2.12 of appendix J2 to subpart B of part 430 of this chapter (when using appendix J2). MEFJ2 means modified energy factor, in cu ft/kWh/cycle, as determined in section 4.5 of appendix J2 to subpart B of part 430 (when using appendix J2). WER means water efficiency ratio, in pounds per gallon per cycle (lbs/gal/ cycle), as determined in section 4.7 of appendix J to subpart B of part 430 of this chapter (when using appendix J). ■ 14. Section 431.154 is revised to read as follows: § 431.154 Test procedures. The test procedures for clothes washers in appendix J2 to subpart B of part 430 of this chapter must be used to determine compliance with the energy conservation standards at § 431.156(b). [FR Doc. 2021–17018 Filed 8–31–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450–01–P E:\FR\FM\01SEP3.SGM 01SEP3

Agencies

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 167 (Wednesday, September 1, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 49140-49227]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-17018]



[[Page 49139]]

Vol. 86

Wednesday,

No. 167

September 1, 2021

Part III





 Department of Energy





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10 CFR Parts 429, 430, and 431





Energy Conservation Program: Test Procedures for Residential and 
Commercial Clothes Washers; Proposed Rule

Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 167 / Wednesday, September 1, 2021 / 
Proposed Rules

[[Page 49140]]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

10 CFR Parts 429, 430 and 431

[EERE-2016-BT-TP-0011]
RIN 1904-AD95


Energy Conservation Program: Test Procedures for Residential and 
Commercial Clothes Washers

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

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking, request for comment, and 
announcement of webinar.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (``DOE'') proposes to amend the 
test procedures for residential and commercial clothes washers to 
specify test conditions, instrument specifications, and test settings; 
address large clothes container capacities; add product-specific 
enforcement provisions; delete obsolete provisions; and consolidate all 
test cloth-related provisions and codify additional test cloth material 
verification procedures used by industry. DOE also proposes to create a 
new test procedure for residential and commercial clothes washers with 
additional modifications for certain test conditions, measurement of 
average cycle time, required test cycles, tested load sizes, semi-
automatic clothes washer provisions, new performance metrics, and 
updated usage factors. The proposed new test procedure would be used 
for the evaluation and issuance of updated efficiency standards, as 
well as to determine compliance with the updated standards. As part of 
this proposal, DOE is announcing a webinar to collect comments and data 
on this proposal. DOE is seeking comment from interested parties on the 
proposal.

DATES: DOE will accept comments, data, and information regarding this 
proposal no later than November 1, 2021. See section V, ``Public 
Participation,'' for details. DOE will hold a webinar on Tuesday, 
September 14, 2021, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. See section V, 
``Public Participation,'' for webinar registration information, 
participant instructions, and information about the capabilities 
available to webinar participants.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are encouraged to submit comments using 
the Federal eRulemaking Portal at www.regulations.gov. Follow the 
instructions for submitting comments. Alternatively, interested persons 
may submit comments, by email to the following address: 
[email protected]. Include ``Energy Conservation 
Program: Test Procedures for Residential and Commercial Clothes 
Washers'' and docket number EERE-2016-BT-TP-0011 and/or RIN number 
1904-AD95 in the subject line of the message. Submit electronic 
comments in WordPerfect, Microsoft Word, PDF, or ASCII file format, and 
avoid the use of special characters or any form of encryption.
    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 corona virus 2019 (``COVID-19'') pandemic. DOE is currently 
accepting only electronic submissions at this time. 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.
    No telefacsimilies (``faxes'') will be accepted. For detailed 
instructions on submitting comments and additional information on the 
rulemaking process, see section V of this document.
    Docket: The docket, which includes Federal Register notices, public 
meeting attendee lists and transcripts (if a public meeting is held), 
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-2016-BT-TP-0011. The docket web page contains instructions on how 
to access all documents, including public comments, in the docket. See 
section V for information on how to submit comments through 
www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 
    Mr. Bryan Berringer, 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) 586-0371. Email: [email protected].
    Ms. Kathryn McIntosh, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the 
General Counsel, GC-33, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 
20585-0121. Telephone: (202) 586-2002. Email: 
[email protected].
    For further information on how to submit a comment, review other 
public comments and the docket, or participate in the webinar, contact 
the Appliance and Equipment Standards Program staff at (202) 287-1445 
or by email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DOE proposes to incorporate by reference the 
following standards into part 430.
    American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (``AATCC'') 
Test Method 79-2010, ``Absorbency of Textiles,'' Revised 2010.
    AATCC Test Method 118-2007, ``Oil Repellency: Hydrocarbon 
Resistance Test,'' Revised 2007.
    AATCC Test Method 135-2010, ``Dimensional Changes of Fabrics after 
Home Laundering,'' Revised 2010.
    Copies of AATCC test methods can be obtained from AATC, P.O. Box 
12215, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, (919) 549-3526, or by going to 
www.aatcc.org.
    International Electrotechnical Commission (``IEC'') 62301, 
``Household electrical appliances--Measurement of standby power,'' 
(Edition 2.0, 2011-01).
    Copies of IEC 62301 are available from the American National 
Standards Institute, 25 W 43rd Street, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, 
(212) 642-4900, or by going to webstore.ansi.org.
    For a further discussion of these standards, see section IV.M of 
this document.

Table of Contents

I. Authority and Background
    A. Authority
    B. Background
II. Synopsis of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
III. Discussion
    A. General Comments
    B. Scope of Coverage
    C. Testing Conditions and Instrumentation
    1. Water Meter Resolution
    2. Installation of Single-Inlet Machines
    3. Water Supply Temperatures
    4. Wash Water Temperature Measurement
    5. Pre-Conditioning Requirements
    D. Cycle Selection and Test Conduct
    1. Tested Load Sizes
    2. Water Fill Setting Selections for the Proposed Load Sizes
    3. Determination of Warm Wash Tested Settings
    4. Remaining Moisture Content
    5. Cycle Time Measurement

[[Page 49141]]

    6. Capacity Measurement
    7. Anomalous Cycles
    8. Semi-Automatic Clothes Washers
    9. Optional Cycle Modifiers
    10. Clothes Washers With Connected Functionality
    E. Metrics
    1. Replacing Capacity With Weighted-Average Load Size
    2. Inverting the Water Metric
    3. Annual Energy Use
    4. Representation Requirements
    F. Cleaning Performance
    G. Consumer Usage Assumptions
    1. Annual Number of Wash Cycles
    2. Drying Energy Assumptions
    3. Low-Power Mode Assumptions
    4. Temperature Usage Factors
    5. Load Usage Factors
    6. Water Heater Assumptions
    7. Commercial Clothes Washer Usage
    H. Clarifications
    1. Water Inlet Hose Length
    2. Water Fill Selection Availability
    3. Water Fill Control Systems
    4. Energy Test Cycle Flowcharts
    5. Wash Time Setting
    6. Annual Operating Cost Calculation
    7. Structure of the Proposed New Appendix J
    8. Proposed Deletions and Simplifications
    9. Typographical Errors
    I. Test Cloth Provisions
    1. Test Cloth Specification
    2. Consolidation to Appendix J3
    J. Product-Specific RMC Enforcement Provisions
    K. Test Procedure Costs, Harmonization, and Other Topics
    1. Test Procedure Costs and Impact
    2. Harmonization With Industry Standards
    3. Other Test Procedure Topics
    L. Compliance Date and Waivers
IV. Procedural Issues and Regulatory Review
    A. Review Under Executive Order 12866
    B. Review Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act
    1. Description of Reasons Why Action Is Being Considered
    2. Objective of, and Legal Basis for, Rule
    3. Description and Estimate of Small Entities Regulated
    4. Description and Estimate of Compliance Requirements
    5. Duplication, Overlap, and Conflict With Other Rules and 
Regulations
    6. Significant Alternatives to the Rule
    C. Review Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
    D. Review Under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
    E. Review Under Executive Order 13132
    F. Review Under Executive Order 12988
    G. Review Under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995
    H. Review Under the Treasury and General Government 
Appropriations Act, 1999
    I. Review Under Executive Order 12630
    J. Review Under Treasury and General Government Appropriations 
Act, 2001
    K. Review Under Executive Order 13211
    L. Review Under Section 32 of the Federal Energy Administration 
Act of 1974
    M. Description of Materials Incorporated by Reference
V. Public Participation
    A. Participation in the Webinar
    B. Procedure for Submitting Prepared General Statements for 
Distribution
    C. Conduct of the Webinar
    D. Submission of Comments
    E. Issues on Which DOE Seeks Comment
VI. Approval of the Office of the Secretary

I. Authority and Background

    Consumer (residential) clothes washers (``RCWs'') are included in 
the list of ``covered products'' for which DOE is authorized to 
establish and amend energy conservation standards and test procedures. 
(42 U.S.C. 6292(a)(7)) DOE's energy conservation standards and test 
procedures for RCWs are currently prescribed at title 10 of the Code of 
Federal Regulations (``CFR''), part 430 section 23(j), and subpart B 
appendices J1 (``Appendix J1'') and J2 (``Appendix J2''). DOE also 
prescribes a test method for measuring the moisture absorption and 
retention characteristics of new lots of energy test cloth, which is 
used in testing clothes washers, at appendix J3 to subpart B 
(``Appendix J3''). Commercial clothes washers (``CCWs'') 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)(H)) The test procedures for CCWs must be the same as 
those established for RCWs. (42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(8)) The following 
sections discuss DOE's authority to establish test procedures for RCWs 
and CCWs and relevant background information regarding DOE's 
consideration of test procedures for these products and equipment.

A. Authority

    The Energy Policy and Conservation Act, as amended (``EPCA''),\1\ 
authorizes DOE to regulate the energy efficiency of a number of 
consumer products and certain industrial equipment. (42 U.S.C. 6291-
6317) Title III, Part B \2\ of EPCA established the Energy Conservation 
Program for Consumer Products Other Than Automobiles, which sets forth 
a variety of provisions designed to improve energy efficiency. These 
products include RCWs. (42 U.S.C. 6292(a)(7)) Title III, Part C \3\ of 
EPCA, added by Public Law 95-619, Title IV, section 441(a), established 
the Energy Conservation Program for Certain Industrial Equipment. This 
equipment includes CCWs. (42 U.S.C. 6311(1)(H)) Both RCWs and CCWs are 
the subject of this document.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ 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).
    \2\ For editorial reasons, upon codification in the U.S. Code, 
Part B was redesignated Part A.
    \3\ 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. 6291; 42 
U.S.C. 6311), test procedures (42 U.S.C. 6293; 42 U.S.C. 6314), 
labeling provisions (42 U.S.C. 6294; 42 U.S.C. 6315), energy 
conservation standards (42 U.S.C. 6295; 42 U.S.C. 6313), and the 
authority to require information and reports from manufacturers (42 
U.S.C. 6296; 42 U.S.C. 6316).
    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); 42 
U.S.C. 6316(a)), and (2) making representations about the efficiency of 
those consumer products (42 U.S.C. 6293(c); 42 U.S.C. 6314(d)). 
Similarly, DOE must use these test procedures to determine whether the 
products and equipment comply with relevant standards promulgated under 
EPCA. (42 U.S.C. 6295(s); 42 U.S.C. 6316(a))
    Federal energy efficiency requirements for covered products and 
equipment established under EPCA generally supersede State laws and 
regulations concerning energy conservation testing, labeling, and 
standards. (42 U.S.C. 6297; 42 U.S.C. 6316(a) and (b)) DOE may, 
however, grant waivers of Federal preemption for particular State laws 
or regulations, in accordance with the procedures and other provisions 
of EPCA. (42 U.S.C. 6297(d); 42 U.S.C. 6316(b)(2)(D))
    Under 42 U.S.C. 6293 and 42 U.S.C. 6314, EPCA sets forth the 
criteria and procedures DOE must follow when prescribing or amending 
test procedures for covered products and equipment, respectively. EPCA 
requires that any test procedures prescribed or amended under this 
section be reasonably designed to produce test results which measure 
energy efficiency, energy use or estimated annual operating cost of a 
covered product or equipment during a representative average use cycle 
or period of use and not be unduly burdensome to conduct. (42 U.S.C. 
6293(b)(3); 42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(2))
    In addition, EPCA requires that DOE amend its test procedures for 
all covered products to integrate measures of standby mode and off mode 
energy consumption. (42 U.S.C. 6295(gg)(2)(A))

[[Page 49142]]

Standby mode and off mode energy consumption must be incorporated into 
the overall energy efficiency, energy consumption, or other energy 
descriptor for each covered product unless the current test procedures 
already account for and incorporate standby and off mode energy 
consumption or such integration is technically infeasible. If an 
integrated test procedure is technically infeasible, DOE must prescribe 
a separate standby mode and off mode energy use test procedure for the 
covered product, if technically feasible. (42 U.S.C. 
6295(gg)(2)(A)(ii)) \4\ Any such amendment must consider the most 
current versions of the IEC Standard 62301 \5\ and IEC Standard 62087 
\6\ as applicable. (42 U.S.C. 6295(gg)(2)(A))
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ EPCA does not contain an analogous provision for commercial 
equipment.
    \5\ IEC 62301, Household electrical appliances--Measurement of 
standby power (Edition 2.0, 2011-01).
    \6\ IEC 62087, Methods of measurement for the power consumption 
of audio, video, and related equipment (Edition 3.0, 2011-04).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    EPCA also requires that, at least once every 7 years, DOE evaluate 
test procedures for each type of covered product, including RCWs, to 
determine whether amended test procedures would more accurately or 
fully comply with the requirements for the test procedures to not be 
unduly burdensome to conduct and be reasonably designed to produce test 
results that reflect energy efficiency, energy use, and estimated 
operating costs during a representative average use cycle or period of 
use. (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(1)(A))
    If the Secretary determines, on his own behalf or in response to a 
petition by any interested person, that a test procedure should be 
prescribed or amended, the Secretary shall promptly publish in the 
Federal Register proposed test procedures and afford interested persons 
an opportunity to present oral and written data, views, and arguments 
with respect to such procedures. (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(2)) The comment 
period on a proposed rule to amend a test procedure shall be at least 
60 days and may not exceed 270 days.\7\ Id. In prescribing or amending 
a test procedure, the Secretary shall take into account such 
information as the Secretary determines relevant to such procedure, 
including technological developments relating to energy use or energy 
efficiency of the type (or class) of covered products involved. Id. If 
DOE determines that test procedure revisions are not appropriate, DOE 
must publish its determination not to amend the test procedures.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ DOE has historically provided a 75-day comment period for 
test procedure NOPRs, consistent with the comment period requirement 
for technical regulations in the North American Free Trade 
Agreement, U.S.-Canada-Mexico (``NAFTA''), Dec. 17, 1992, 32 I.L.M. 
289 (1993); the North American Free Trade Agreement Implementation 
Act, Public Law 103-182, 107 Stat. 2057 (1993) (codified as amended 
at 10 U.S.C.A. Sec.  2576) (1993) (``NAFTA Implementation Act''); 
and Executive Order 12889, ``Implementation of the North American 
Free Trade Agreement,'' 58 FR 69681 (Dec. 30, 1993). However, 
Congress repealed the NAFTA Implementation Act and has replaced 
NAFTA with the Agreement between the United States of America, the 
United Mexican States, and the United Canadian States (``USMCA''), 
Nov. 30, 2018, 134 Stat. 11, thereby rendering E.O. 12889 
inoperable. Consequently, since the USMCA is consistent with EPCA's 
public comment period requirements and normally requires only a 
minimum comment period of 60 days for technical regulations, DOE now 
provides a 60-day public comment period for test procedure NOPRs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    EPCA requires the test procedures for CCWs to be the same as the 
test procedures established for RCWs. (42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(8)) As with 
the test procedures for RCWs, EPCA requires that DOE evaluate, at least 
once every 7 years, the test procedures for CCWs 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))
    DOE is publishing this notice of proposed rulemaking (``NOPR'') in 
satisfaction of the 7-year review requirement specified in EPCA. (42 
U.S.C. 6293(b)(1)(A); 42 U.S.C.6314(a)(1))

B. Background

    As discussed, DOE's existing test procedures for clothes washers 
appear in Appendix J1, Appendix J2, and Appendix J3.
    DOE originally established its clothes washer test procedure, 
codified at 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix J (``Appendix J''),\8\ 
in a final rule published Sept. 28, 1977. 42 FR 49802 (``September 1977 
Final Rule''). Since that time, the test procedure has undergone 
several amendments that are relevant to this rulemaking, summarized as 
follows and described in additional detail in a request for information 
(``RFI'') that DOE published on May 22, 2020. 85 FR 31065 (``May 2020 
RFI'').
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \8\ In this NOPR, to distinguish different versions of each test 
method, DOE uses the following nomenclature: Appendix [letter]-[year 
of amendment]. For example, the original version of Appendix J is 
referred to as Appendix J-1977. The version as amended by the August 
1997 Final Rule is referred to as Appendix J-1997, and so forth.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DOE amended Appendix J in August 1997 (62 FR 45484 (Aug. 27, 1997); 
``August 1997 Final Rule'') and January 2001 (66 FR 3313 (Jan. 12, 
2001); ``January 2001 Final Rule''). The August 1997 Final Rule also 
established an Appendix J1. 62 FR 45484. DOE amended Appendix J1 in the 
January 2001 Final Rule (66 FR 3313) and in March 2012. 77 FR 13887 
(Mar. 7, 2012) (``March 2012 Final Rule''). The March 2012 Final Rule 
also established a new test procedure at Appendix J2 and removed the 
obsolete Appendix J-2001. Id.\9\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ In that rulemaking, DOE also adopted procedures to measure 
standby mode and off mode energy consumption into the energy 
efficiency metrics in the then-newly created Appendix J2. 
Manufacturers were not required to incorporate those changes until 
the compliance date of an amended standard. 77 FR 13887, 13932. 
Amended standards were then adopted through a direct final rule that 
required the use of Appendix J2 for RCWs manufactured on or after 
the 2015 compliance date. 77 FR 32308, 32313 (May 31, 2012). The 
newly proposed Appendix J in this NOPR follows a similar approach 
because manufacturers would not be required to incorporate the 
amendments proposed in Appendix J until the compliance date of an 
amended standard.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DOE most recently amended both Appendix J1 and Appendix J2 in a 
final rule published on August 5, 2015. 80 FR 46729 (``August 2015 
Final Rule''). The August 2015 Final Rule also moved the test cloth 
qualification procedures from Appendix J1 and Appendix J2 to the newly 
created Appendix J3. 80 FR 46729, 46735.
    The current version of the test procedure at Appendix J2 includes 
provisions for determining modified energy factor (``MEF'') and 
integrated modified energy factor (``IMEF'') in cubic feet per 
kilowatt-hour per cycle (``ft\3\/kWh/cycle''); and water factor 
(``WF'') and integrated water factor (``IWF'') in gallons per cycle per 
cubic feet (``gal/cycle/ft\3\''). RCWs manufactured on or after January 
1, 2018, must meet current energy conservation standards, which are 
based on IMEF and IWF, determined using Appendix J2. 10 CFR 
430.32(g)(4); 10 CFR 430.23(j)(2)(ii) and (4)(ii). CCWs manufactured 
after January 1, 2018 must meet current energy conservation standards, 
which are based on MEF and IWF, determined using Appendix J2. 10 CFR 
431.154 and 10 CFR 431.156(b).
    DOE published the May 2020 RFI to initiate an effort to determine 
whether to amend the current test procedures for clothes washers. 85 FR 
31065. DOE requested comment on specific aspects of the current test 
procedure, including product definitions and configurations, testing 
conditions and instrumentation,

[[Page 49143]]

measurement methods, representative usage and efficiency factors, and 
metric definitions. 85 FR 31065, 31067-31082 (May 22, 2020). In 
response to stakeholder requests, DOE re-opened the comment period for 
the May 2020 RFI. 85 FR 38106 (June 25, 2020).
    On December 16, 2020, DOE established separate product classes for 
top-loading RCWs with a cycle time of less than 30 minutes and for 
front-loading RCWs with a cycle time of less than 45 minutes. 85 FR 
81359 (``December 2020 Final Rule''). DOE is re-evaluating the new 
short-cycle product classes in response to Executive Order 13900, 
``Protecting Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science to 
Tackle the Climate Crisis.'' 86 FR 7037 (Jan. 25, 2021). In addition, 
stakeholders and interested parties filed multiple lawsuits challenging 
the December 2020 Final Rule, and DOE has received several petitions 
for reconsideration of the December 2020 Final Rule.
    DOE received comments in response to the May 2020 RFI from the 
interested parties listed in Table I.1.

    Table I.1--Written Comments Received in Response to May 2020 RFI
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Reference in this
          Commenter(s)                   NOPR           Commenter type
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appliance Standards Awareness     Joint Commenters..  Efficiency
 Project, American Council for                         Organizations.
 an Energy-Efficient Economy,
 Consumer Federation of America,
 National Consumer Law Center,
 Natural Resources Defense
 Council.
Association of Home Appliance     AHAM..............  Trade Association.
 Manufacturers.
Electrolux Home Products........  Electrolux........  Manufacturer.
GE Appliances...................  GEA...............  Manufacturer.
Northwest Energy Efficiency       NEEA..............  Efficiency
 Alliance.                                             Organization.
Pacific Gas and Electric          California          Utilities.
 Company, Southern California      Investor-Owned
 Edison, San Diego Gas &           Utilities (``CA
 Electric Company.                 IOUs'').
Samsung Electronics America.....  Samsung...........  Manufacturer.
Underwriters Laboratories.......  UL................  Third-Party Test
                                                       Laboratory.
Whirlpool Corporation...........  Whirlpool.........  Manufacturer.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    A parenthetical reference at the end of a comment quotation or 
paraphrase provides the location of the item in the public record.\10\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \10\ The parenthetical reference provides a reference for 
information located in the docket of DOE's rulemaking to develop 
test procedures for clothes washers. (Docket No. EERE-2016-BT-TP-
0011, which is maintained at www.regulations.gov/docket/EERE-2016-BT-TP-0011). The references are arranged as follows: (Commenter 
name, comment docket ID number, page of that document).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

II. Synopsis of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

    In this NOPR, DOE proposes to update Appendix J2 as follows:
    (1) Further specify supply water temperature test conditions and 
water meter resolution requirements;
    (2) Add specifications for measuring wash water temperature using 
submersible data loggers;
    (3) Expand the load size table to accommodate clothes container 
capacities up to 8.0 cubic feet (``ft\3\'');
    (4) Define ``user-adjustable automatic water fill control;''
    (5) Specify the applicability of the wash time setting for clothes 
washers with a range of wash time settings;
    (6) Specify how the energy test cycle flow charts apply to clothes 
washers that internally generate hot water;
    (7) Specify that the energy test cycle flow charts are to be 
evaluated using the Maximum load size;
    (8) Specify that testing is to be conducted with any network 
settings disabled if instructions are available to the user to disable 
these functions;
    (9) Further specify the conditions under which data from a test 
cycle would be discarded;
    (10) Add product-specific enforcement provisions to accommodate the 
potential for test cloth lot-to-lot variation in remaining moisture 
content (``RMC'');
    (11) Delete obsolete definitions, metrics, and the clothes washer-
specific waiver section; and
    (12) Move additional test cloth related specifications to Appendix 
J3.
    In this NOPR, DOE is also proposing to update 10 CFR part 430, 
subpart B, appendix J3, ``Uniform Test Method for Measuring the 
Moisture Absorption and Retention Characteristics,'' as follows:
    (1) Consolidate all test cloth-related provisions, including those 
proposed to be moved from Appendix J2;
    (2) Reorganize sections for improved readability; and
    (3) Codify the test cloth material verification procedure as used 
by industry.
    In this NOPR, DOE is also proposing to create a new appendix J to 
10 CFR part 430, subpart B, ``Uniform Test Method for Measuring the 
Energy Consumption of Automatic and Semi-Automatic Clothes Washers,'' 
which would be used for the evaluation and issuance of any updated 
efficiency standards, as well as to determine compliance with the 
updated standards, should DOE determine that amended standards are 
warranted based on the criteria established by EPCA.\11\ The proposed 
new Appendix J would include the following additional provisions beyond 
those proposed as amendments to Appendix J2:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ Information regarding the ongoing RCW and CCW energy 
conservation standards rulemakings can be found at docket numbers 
EERE-2017-BT-STD-0014 and EERE-2019-BT-STD-0044, respectively.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (1) Modify the hot water supply target temperature and clothes 
washer pre-conditioning requirements;
    (2) Modify the Extra-Hot Wash threshold temperature;
    (3) Add measurement and calculation of average cycle time;
    (4) Reduce the number of required test cycles by requiring the use 
of no more than two Warm Wash/Cold Rinse cycles, and no more than two 
Warm Wash/Warm Rinse cycles;
    (5) Reduce the number of required test cycles by removing the need 
for one or more cycles used for measuring RMC;
    (6) Reduce the number of load sizes from three to two for units 
with automatic water fill controls;
    (7) Modify the load size definitions consistent with two, rather 
than three, load sizes;
    (8) Update the water fill levels to be used for testing to reflect 
the modified load size definitions;
    (9) Specify the installation of single-inlet clothes washers, and 
simplify the test procedure for semi-automatic clothes washers;
    (10) Define new performance metrics that are functions of the 
weighted-average load size rather than clothes

[[Page 49144]]

container capacity: ``energy efficiency ratio,'' ``active-mode energy 
efficiency ratio,'' and ``water efficiency ratio;''
    (11) Update the number of annual clothes washer cycles from 295 to 
234; and
    (12) Update the number of hours assigned to low-power mode to be 
based on the clothes washer's measured cycle time rather than an 
assumed fixed value.
    Finally, in this NOPR, DOE is proposing to remove Appendix J1 and 
to update the relevant sections of 10 CFR parts 429, 430 and 431 in 
accordance with the edits discussed previously, and to modify the 
product-specific enforcement provisions regarding the determination of 
RMC.
    DOE's proposed actions are summarized in Table II.1 compared to the 
current test procedures as well as the reason for the proposed change.

 Table II.1--Summary of Changes in Proposed Test Procedures Relative to
                         Current Test Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Proposed test
   Current DOE test procedure          procedure          Attribution
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Specifies a water meter           Requires a water    Improve
 resolution of no larger than      meter with a        representativenes
 0.1 gallons.                      resolution no       s of test
                                   larger than 0.01    results.
                                   gallons if the
                                   hot water use is
                                   less than 0.1
                                   gallons, in
                                   Appendices J and
                                   J2.
Does not specify how to install   Specifies           Provide further
 clothes washers with a single     installing          direction for
 inlet.                            clothes washers     unaddressed
                                   with a single       feature.
                                   inlet to the cold
                                   water inlet, in
                                   Appendix J.
Specifies a hot water supply      Specifies a hot     Improve
 temperature of 130-135 [deg]F.    water supply        representativenes
                                   temperature of      s of test
                                   120-125 [deg]F,     results.
                                   in Appendix J.
Defines the Extra-Hot Wash        Specifies an Extra- Improve
 threshold as 135 [deg]F.          Hot Wash            representativenes
                                   threshold of 140    s of test
                                   [deg]F, in          results.
                                   Appendix J.
Specifies a target water supply   Removes the target  Reduce test
 temperature at the high end of    water temperature   burden.
 the water supply temperature      specification, in
 range.                            Appendices J and
                                   J2.
Specifically allows the use of    Adds specification  Reduce test
 temperature indicating labels     for using a         burden.
 for measuring wash water          submersible
 temperature.                      temperature
                                   logger to measure
                                   wash water
                                   temperature, in
                                   Appendices J and
                                   J2.
Specifies different pre-          Requires the same   Improve
 conditioning requirements for     pre-conditioning    reproducibility
 water-heating and non-water-      requirements for    of test results.
 heating clothes washers.          all clothes
                                   washers, in
                                   Appendix J.
Specifies the test load sizes     Specifies the test  Response to
 for clothes container             load sizes for      waiver.
 capacities up to 6.0 ft\3\.       clothes container
                                   capacities up to
                                   8.0 ft\3\, in
                                   Appendices J and
                                   J2.
Requires 3 tested load sizes on   Reduces the number  Reduce test
 clothes washers with automatic    of load sizes to    burden.
 water fill control systems.       test to 2, and
                                   specifies new
                                   load sizes, in
                                   Appendix J.
Defines load sizes for each 0.1   Redefines load      Maintain
 ft\3\ increment in clothes        sizes for each      representativenes
 container capacity.               increment in        s.
                                   clothes container
                                   capacity,
                                   consistent with
                                   reduction from 3
                                   to 2 load sizes,
                                   in Appendix J.
Defines water fill levels to use  Changes the water   Maintain
 with each tested load sizes on    fill levels         representativenes
 clothes washers with manual       consistent with     s.
 water fill control systems.       the updated load
                                   sizes, in
                                   Appendix J.
Requires testing up to 3 Warm     Requires testing a  Reduce test
 Wash temperature selections.      maximum of 2 Warm   burden.
                                   Wash temperature
                                   selections, in
                                   Appendix J.
Specifies that the RMC is to be   Specifies that the  Reduce test
 measured on separate cycle(s)     RMC is to be        burden, improve
 from the energy test cycle.       measured on all     representativenes
                                   energy test         s of test
                                   cycles, in          results.
                                   Appendix J.
Provides product-specific         Provides            Accommodate
 enforcement provisions to         additional          potential source
 address anomalous RMC results     product-specific    of variation in
 that are not representative of    enforcement         enforcement
 a basic model's performance.      provisions to       testing.
                                   accommodate
                                   differences in
                                   RMC values that
                                   may result from
                                   DOE using a
                                   different test
                                   cloth lot than
                                   was used by the
                                   manufacturer for
                                   testing and
                                   certifying the
                                   basic model, for
                                   Appendices J and
                                   J2.
Specifies that the starting       Requires that the   Improve
 weight of the test cloth may be   test cloth be       reproducibility
 up to 104 percent of bone-dry.    bone-dry at the     of test results.
                                   start of every
                                   test cycle, in
                                   Appendix J.
Does not specify a measure of     Specifies           Improve
 cycle time.                       provisions for      representativenes
                                   measuring cycle     s of test
                                   time, in Appendix   results.
                                   J.
Specifies discarding data from a  Specifies           Response to test
 wash cycle that provides a        discarding the      laboratory
 visual or audio indicator to      test data if        question.
 alert the user that an out-of-    during a wash
 balance condition has been        cycle the clothes
 detected, or that terminates      washer signals
 prematurely if an out-of-         the user by means
 balance condition is detected.    of a visual or
                                   audio alert that
                                   an out-of-balance
                                   condition has
                                   been detected or
                                   terminates
                                   prematurely, in
                                   Appendices J and
                                   J2.
Does not explicitly state how to  Provides explicit   Provide further
 test semi-automatic clothes       test provisions     direction for
 washers.                          for testing semi-   unaddressed
                                   automatic clothes   feature.
                                   washers, in
                                   Appendix J.
Does not explicitly address the   Specifies that      Improve
 required configuration for        clothes washers     reproducibility
 network-connected functionality.  with connected      of test results.
                                   functionality
                                   shall be tested
                                   with the network-
                                   connected
                                   functions
                                   disabled if such
                                   settings can be
                                   disabled by the
                                   end-user, and the
                                   product's user
                                   manual provides
                                   instructions on
                                   how to do so, in
                                   Appendices J and
                                   J2.
Defines metrics that are          Specifies new       Improve
 dependent on capacity (IMEF,      metrics that are    representativenes
 MEF, IWF).                        dependent on the    s of test
                                   weighted-average    results.
                                   load size, in
                                   Appendix J.
Estimates the number of annual    Updates the         Update with more
 use cycles for clothes washers    estimate to 234     recent consumer
 as 295, based on the 2005         cycles per year,    usage data.
 Residential Energy Consumption    based on the
 Survey (``RECS'') data.           latest available
                                   2015 RECS data,
                                   in Appendix J.

[[Page 49145]]

 
Estimates the number of hours     Calculates the      Improve
 spent in low-power mode as        number of hours     representativenes
 8,465, based on 295 cycles per    spent in low-       s of test
 year and an assumed 1-hour        power mode for      results.
 cycle time.                       each clothes
                                   washer based on
                                   234 cycles per
                                   year and measured
                                   cycle time, in
                                   Appendix J.
Does not specify how to test a    Specifies using a   Response to test
 clothes washer that does not      water inlet hose    laboratory
 provide water inlet hoses.        length of no more   question.
                                   than 72 inches,
                                   in Appendix J.
Does not provide an explicit      Provides a          Improve
 definition for ``user-            definition for      readability.
 adjustable automatic water fill   ``user-adjustable
 controls'' or ``wash time''.      automatic water
                                   fill controls,''
                                   in Appendix J and
                                   for ``wash
                                   time,'' in
                                   Appendices J and
                                   J2.
Specifies that user-adjustable    Changes the         Response to test
 automatic clothes washers must    wording to          laboratory
 be tested with the water fill     specify selecting   question.
 setting in the most or least      the setting based
 energy-intensive setting          on the most, or
 without defining energy-          least, amount of
 intensive.                        water used, in
                                   Appendices J and
                                   J2.
Does not specify on which load    Specifies           Response to test
 size to evaluate the energy       evaluating the      laboratory
 test cycle flow charts.           flow charts using   question, improve
                                   the maximum load    reproducibility
                                   size for Appendix   of test results.
                                   J2 and the large
                                   load size for
                                   Appendix J.
Does not explicitly address how   Explicitly          Response to test
 to evaluate the Cold/Cold         addresses clothes   laboratory
 energy test cycle flow chart      washers that        question.
 for clothes washers that          internally
 internally generate hot water.    generate hot
                                   water, in
                                   Appendices J and
                                   J2.
Does not provide direction for    Clarifies how to    Improve
 all control panel styles on       test cycles with    readability.
 clothes washers that offer a      a range of wash
 range of wash time settings.      time settings, in
                                   Appendices J and
                                   J2.
Includes test cloth verification  Moves all test      Improve
 specifications in Appendix J2.    cloth related       readability.
                                   provisions to
                                   Appendix J3.
Does not include all aspects of   Codifies            Codify industry
 test cloth verification           additional test     practice.
 procedures performed by           cloth
 industry.                         verification
                                   procedures
                                   performed by
                                   industry, in
                                   Appendix J3.
Contains obsolete provisions....  Updates or deletes  Improve
                                   obsolete            readability.
                                   provisions,
                                   including
                                   Appendix J1 in
                                   its entirety.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DOE has tentatively determined that the proposed amendments to 
Appendix J2 and Appendix J3 described in section III of this document 
would not alter the measured efficiency of clothes washers, and that 
the proposed test procedures would not be unduly burdensome to conduct.
    DOE has tentatively determined that the proposed amendments in the 
new Appendix J would alter the measured efficiency of clothes washers, 
in part because the amended test procedures would adopt a different 
energy efficiency metric and water efficiency metric than in the 
current test procedure. Because the proposed new Appendix J would be 
used for the evaluation and issuance of updated efficiency standards, 
DOE is proposing that use of new Appendix J, if finalized, would not be 
required until the compliance date of any updated standards. Discussion 
of DOE's proposed actions are addressed in detail in section III of 
this document.

III. Discussion

    In the following sections, DOE describes the proposed amendments to 
the test procedures for residential and commercial clothes washers. 
This NOPR includes issues identified in previous rulemakings and 
discusses additional issues that DOE has become aware of since the 
completion of the August 2015 Final Rule. DOE seeks input from the 
public to assist with its consideration of the proposed amendments 
presented in this document. In addition, DOE welcomes comments on other 
relevant issues that may not specifically be identified in this 
document.

A. General Comments

    DOE received a number of general comments from stakeholders, as 
summarized below.
    AHAM commented generally that no test can be considered 
``reasonably designed'' under EPCA if the test is not accurate, 
repeatable, and reproducible. AHAM stated that test procedures with 
significant variation do not allow consumers to make informed purchase 
decisions based on energy use/efficiency and do not adequately serve 
the purpose of demonstrating compliance with energy conservation 
standards. (AHAM, No. 5 at p. 2) AHAM also claimed that as energy 
conservation standards become more stringent, minimizing variation in 
test procedure results becomes more important because of the need for 
manufacturers to conservatively rate their products. AHAM asserted that 
lack of uniform test results requires manufacturers to rate more 
conservatively, which effectively makes the standard more stringent in 
practice. Id.
    AHAM commented that the clothes washer test procedure is one of the 
most burdensome DOE test procedures for consumer appliances. AHAM 
provided an example that a full-featured clothes washer (one that 
includes manual and user-adjustable automatic water fill control 
systems (``WFCS''), a heater, four warm wash temperatures, warm rinse, 
and selectable spin speeds) could require more than 70 test cycles per 
unit under Appendix J2. (AHAM, No. 5 at pp. 4-5) GEA similarly 
commented that DOE should work to reduce test burden for full-featured 
clothes washers, stating that requiring 70 individual cycles for a 
single test of certain clothes washers demonstrates that the clothes 
washer test procedure has become overly complicated and fails to 
fulfill the representativeness requirement under the EPCA. (GEA, No. 13 
at p. 2)
    AHAM requested that if DOE implements any changes that will 
significantly impact measured energy, DOE should require compliance 
with the revised test procedure on the same date as the next amended 
energy conservation standards for clothes washers. (AHAM, No. 5 at p. 
16)
    Electrolux, GEA, and Whirlpool support AHAM's comments to the RFI. 
(Electrolux, No. 11 at p. 1; GEA, No. 13 at p. 1; Whirlpool, No. 7 at 
p. 1) GEA incorporates them into its own comments by reference. (GEA, 
No. 13 at

[[Page 49146]]

p. 1) Whirlpool further supports a reasonable balancing of the DOE test 
procedure, considering repeatability, reproducibility, 
representativeness, and testing burden. (Whirlpool, No. 7 at p. 1)
    As stated, EPCA requires that any test procedures be reasonably 
designed to produce test results which measure energy efficiency, 
energy use or estimated annual operating cost of a covered product or 
equipment during a representative average use cycle or period of use 
and not be unduly burdensome to conduct. (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(3); 42 
U.S.C. 6314(a)(2)) As described in this NOPR, DOE is proposing a number 
of changes to be implemented in a proposed new Appendix J that DOE has 
tentatively concluded would significantly reduce test burden while 
maintaining or improving the representativeness of test results. In 
addition, both the amendments to Appendix J2 and the proposed new 
Appendix J are intended to further improve the repeatability and 
reproducibility of test results, as described in the relevant sections 
of this document.
    DOE is proposing to establish a new test procedure at a new 
Appendix J at 10 CFR part 430 subpart B. Any changes to the test 
procedure that would impact measured efficiency would be provided in 
this proposed new Appendix J, which DOE would use for the evaluation 
and issuance of updated efficiency standards. Therefore, DOE is 
proposing that use of new Appendix J would not be required until the 
compliance date of any updated standards that are based on new Appendix 
J. (42 U.S.C. 6295(gg)(2)(C)). DOE also proposes to state in the 
introductory text to both Appendix J2 and the proposed new Appendix J 
that Appendix J2 is required to determine compliance with energy 
conservation standards until any such amended standards are adopted.

B. Scope of Coverage

    This NOPR covers those consumer products that meet the definition 
of ``clothes washer,'' as codified at 10 CFR 430.2.
    EPCA does not define the term ``clothes washer.'' DOE has defined a 
``clothes washer'' as a consumer product designed to clean clothes, 
utilizing a water solution of soap and/or detergent and mechanical 
agitation or other movement, that must be one of the following classes: 
Automatic clothes washers, semi-automatic clothes washers, and other 
clothes washers. 10 CFR 430.2.
    An ``automatic clothes washer'' is a class of clothes washer that 
has a control system that is capable of scheduling a preselected 
combination of operations, such as regulation of water temperature, 
regulation of the water fill level, and performance of wash, rinse, 
drain, and spin functions without the need for user intervention 
subsequent to the initiation of machine operation. Some models may 
require user intervention to initiate these different segments of the 
cycle after the machine has begun operation, but they do not require 
the user to intervene to regulate the water temperature by adjusting 
the external water faucet valves. Id.
    A ``semi-automatic clothes washer'' is a class of clothes washer 
that is the same as an automatic clothes washer except that user 
intervention is required to regulate the water temperature by adjusting 
the external water faucet valves. Id.
    ``Other clothes washer'' means a class of clothes washer that is 
not an automatic or semi-automatic clothes washer. Id.
    This NOPR also covers commercial equipment that meets the 
definition of ``commercial clothes washer.'' ``Commercial clothes 
washer'' is defined as a soft-mount front-loading or soft-mount top-
loading clothes washer that--

    (A) Has a clothes container compartment that--
    (i) For horizontal-axis clothes washers, is not more than 3.5 
cubic feet; and
    (ii) For vertical-axis clothes washers, is not more than 4.0 
cubic feet; and
    (B) Is designed for use in--
    (i) Applications in which the occupants of more than one 
household will be using the clothes washer, such as multi-family 
housing common areas and coin laundries; or
    (ii) Other commercial applications.

(42 U.S.C. 6311(21); 10 CFR 431.452)

    DOE is not proposing any changes to the scope of products and 
equipment covered by its clothes washer test procedures, or to the 
relevant definitions.

C. Testing Conditions and Instrumentation

1. Water Meter Resolution
    Section 2.5.5 of Appendix J2 requires the use of water meters (in 
the hot and cold water lines) with a resolution no larger than 0.1 
gallons and a maximum error no greater than 2 percent of the measured 
flow rate. DOE has observed that some clothes washers use very small 
amounts of hot water on some temperature selections, on the order of 
0.1 gallons or less. 85 FR 31065, 31069. For example, some clothes 
washers have both Cold and Tap Cold temperature selections, and the 
Cold selection may use a fraction of a gallon of hot water. 85 FR 
31065, 31070. DOE believes that Appendix J2 may not provide the 
necessary resolution to accurately and precisely measure the hot water 
usage of such temperature selections. Id. In the May 2020 RFI, DOE 
requested input on whether to amend section 2.5.5 of Appendix J2 to 
require that water meters must have a resolution more precise than 0.1 
gallons. Id.
    The Joint Commenters encouraged DOE to require a water meter with 
greater precision than that of the current specification to ensure that 
the test procedures are accurately representing energy use. (Joint 
Commenters, No. 10 at p. 3)
    AHAM commented that requiring more precise water meters could 
provide a benefit by increasing the accuracy of the measurements but 
could also increase the burden due to the cost of obtaining these 
meters that could become overly burdensome. (AHAM, No. 5 at p. 7)
    GEA supported moving to a 0.01-gallon resolution for water meters. 
GEA stated that it uses water meters with this resolution and has 
encountered reproducibility issues when using a water meter with only 
0.1-gallon resolution. (GEA, No. 13 at p. 2)
    Whirlpool commented that requiring a more precise water meter is 
not justified. Whirlpool estimates that a manufacturer without these 
meters installed could face a cost of over $100,000 to purchase and 
install them, and cautioned that the need for a more precise water 
meter needs to be balanced with the cost burden. (Whirlpool, No. 7 at 
p. 1)
    DOE has identified clothes washers on the market that use less than 
0.1 gallons of hot water on certain temperature selections or load 
sizes required for testing. In DOE's experience with such clothes 
washers, the maximum load size typically uses more than 0.1 gallons of 
hot water on each of the available temperature selections (providing 
indication of which temperature selections use hot water), whereas the 
average and minimum load sizes may use a quantity less than 0.1 
gallons. For these clothes washers, the existing water meter resolution 
of 0.1 gallons is insufficient to provide an accurate measurement of 
hot water consumption, i.e., the volume of hot water measured is less 
than the resolution of the water meter. To improve the 
representativeness of the water measurement, DOE is proposing a 
requirement to use a water meter with greater precision for clothes 
washers that use less than 0.1 gallons of hot water. DOE's testing 
suggests that

[[Page 49147]]

clothes washers that use such low volumes of heated water represent a 
minority of units on the market. Requiring greater water meter 
precision for all clothes washers would represent an undue burden for 
those clothes washer models for which water meters with the currently 
required level of precision provide representative results. DOE is 
therefore proposing that the hot water meter must have a resolution no 
larger than 0.01 gallons only for clothes washers with hot water usage 
less than 0.1 gallons in any of the individual cycles within the energy 
test cycle. All other clothes washers may continue to be tested using a 
water meter with a resolution no larger than 0.1 gallons. As noted by 
GEA's comment, some manufacturers may already be using water meters 
with this greater resolution, and DOE's experience working with third-
party laboratories indicates that at least some third-party 
laboratories already use water meters with this greater resolution.
    DOE is proposing to include in section 2.5.5 of both the proposed 
new Appendix J and Appendix J2 the following specification: ``If the 
volume of hot water for any individual cycle within the energy test 
cycle is less than 0.1 gallons (0.4 liters), the hot water meter must 
have a resolution no larger than 0.01 gallons (0.04 liters).''
    DOE requests comment on its proposal to require a hot water meter 
resolution no larger than 0.01 gallons for clothes washers that use 
less than 0.1 gallons in any of the individual cycles within the energy 
test cycle. DOE requests comment on the extent to which manufacturers 
and test laboratories already use water meters with this greater 
resolution. DOE also requests comment on whether proposing this 
requirement for Appendix J2 would require manufacturers to retest any 
basic models that have already been certified under the existing water 
meter resolution requirements.
2. Installation of Single-Inlet Machines
    Section 2.10 of Appendix J2 provides specifications for installing 
a clothes washer, referencing both the hot water and cold water inlets. 
Additionally, section 2.5.5 of Appendix J2 specifies that a water meter 
must be installed in both the hot and cold water lines. DOE is aware of 
RCWs on the market that have a single water inlet rather than separate 
hot and cold water inlets. 85 FR 31065, 31070. DOE has observed two 
types of single-inlet RCWs: (1) Semi-automatic clothes washers, which 
are generally intended to be connected to a kitchen or bathroom faucet 
and which require user intervention to regulate the water temperature 
by adjusting the external water faucet valves; and (2) automatic 
clothes washers intended to be connected only to a cold water inlet, 
and which regulate the water temperature through the use of an internal 
heating element to generate any hot water used during the cycle. Id.
    DOE stated in the May 2020 RFI that it understood that a ``Y''-
shaped hose or other similar device may be provided by the manufacturer 
on some automatic models to allow separate cold and hot water supply 
lines to be connected to the single inlet on the unit; however, other 
models may not include such a connector. Id. In the May 2020 RFI, DOE 
inadvertently attributed the use of a Y-shaped hose to automatic 
single-inlet clothes washers (emphasis added)--rather, DOE intended to 
describe that semi-automatic single-inlet clothes washers may provide 
or accommodate the use of a Y-shaped hose, based on its experience with 
testing semi-automatic clothes washers.
    For single-inlet semi-automatic clothes washers (i.e., the first 
example described previously), DOE has observed that these clothes 
washers are most often designed to be connected to a kitchen or 
bathroom faucet, with a single hose connecting the faucet to the single 
inlet on the clothes washer (i.e., both cold and hot water are supplied 
to the clothes washer through a single hose).\12\ The user regulates 
the water temperature externally by adjusting the faucet(s) to provide 
cold, warm, or hot water temperatures for the wash and rinse portions 
of the cycle.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \12\ As noted, some models may provide or accommodate a Y-shaped 
hose to connect the separate cold and hot water faucets or supply 
lines.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Section 3.2.3.2 of Appendix J2 provides setup instructions for 
semi-automatic clothes washers regarding the configuration of both cold 
and hot water faucets during testing. Specifically, the test procedure 
specifies that to obtain a hot inlet water temperature, open the hot 
water faucet completely and close the cold water faucet; for a warm 
inlet water temperature, open both hot and cold water faucets 
completely; and for a cold inlet water temperature, close the hot water 
faucet and open the cold water faucet completely. In the laboratory 
setup defined by section 2.2 of Appendix J2, the cold and hot water 
supplies are provided as separate hookups, in contrast to most faucets 
in residential settings, in which the cold and hot water supply lines 
combine internally within the faucet into a single output. Thus, the 
instructions in section 3.2.3.2 of Appendix J2 can be conducted only 
for either a semi-automatic clothes washer with both hot and cold water 
inlets (of which no such models are currently on the market, according 
to DOE research), or a single-inlet semi-automatic clothes washer 
installed with a Y-shaped hose or other similar device that combines 
the cold and hot water supply lines to connect to the single inlet on 
the unit (simulating most residential faucets, which combine the cold 
and hot water supply lines internally, as described). Appendix J2 does 
not, however, explicitly prescribe the use of a Y-shaped hose.
    As described in the May 2020 RFI, without the use of a Y-shaped 
hose, connecting a single-inlet semi-automatic clothes washer to only a 
single water supply would limit the available water temperature to 
either 60 degrees Fahrenheit (``[deg]F'') (provided by the cold water 
supply) or 135 [deg]F (provided by the hot water supply), based on the 
supply water specifications currently provided in section 2.2 of 
Appendix J2. 85 FR 31065, 31070. In effect, only Cold Wash/Cold Rinse 
or Hot Wash/Hot Rinse could be tested with a single-hose installation. 
Id. As noted, Appendix J2 does not provide explicit direction on how to 
connect a single-inlet semi-automatic clothes washer to enable testing 
at other wash/rinse temperatures. Id. Therefore, DOE requested 
information on whether and how consumers using this type of clothes 
washer adjust their water temperature for the wash and rinse portions 
of the cycle and requested comments, data, and information on the 
typical connection and representative average use of single-inlet semi-
automatic clothes washers. Additionally, DOE requested information on 
how manufacturers are currently testing single-inlet semi-automatic 
clothes washers under Appendix J2. Id.
    No comments were received regarding installation or testing of 
single-inlet semi-automatic clothes washers.
    Based on the previous discussion, DOE maintains that additional 
direction in the test procedure is warranted for single-inlet semi-
automatic clothes washers to produce test results that reflect 
representative consumer usage of cold, warm, and hot wash/rinse 
temperatures. DOE considered three potential changes to address the 
installation of single-inlet semi-automatic clothes washers: (1) 
Require the use of a Y-shaped hose, which would be used to connect the 
single inlet of the clothes washer to both the cold and hot water 
supply connections; (2) connect the single inlet of the clothes washer 
to a single water supply

[[Page 49148]]

connection with a non-fixed temperature output that can be nominally 
set to 60 [deg]F (for cold), 97.5 [deg]F (for warm), or 135 [deg]F (for 
hot), for example; or (3) require connection to only the cold water 
supply, enabling testing of only the Cold/Cold wash/rinse temperature, 
and calculate the energy and water performance at other wash/rinse 
temperatures formulaically from the Cold/Cold cycle data. As discussed 
in detail in the following paragraphs, DOE is proposing to adopt option 
3 in this NOPR.
    Regarding option 1, requiring the use of a Y-shaped hose would 
provide a simple and low-cost approach for testing of cold, warm, and 
hot wash/rinse temperatures on single-inlet semi-automatic clothes 
washers. The Y-shaped hose would mimic the functionality provided by 
most residential faucets, and thus would provide a representative 
installation setup. However, by connecting the cold and hot lines to 
each other, differences in water pressure \13\ between the two sides 
can result in unequal and unrepeatable water flow rates through the 
cold and hot sides.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \13\ Section 2.3 of Appendix J2 specifies maintaining water 
pressure of 35 pounds per square inch gauge (``psig'')  
2.5 psig on both the cold and hot water supply lines. These 
tolerances could result in a pressure difference of up to 5 psig 
between the two lines.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regarding option 2, (requiring a non-fixed temperature supply line 
that can be set to the specified cold, warm, or hot temperature), DOE 
tentatively concludes that such a requirement could present undue test 
burden on laboratories that do not currently implement variable-
temperature supply water controls and instrumentation, given the 
relatively low number of single-inlet semi-automatic models on the 
market that would be tested each year. In addition, because temperature 
sensors are typically calibrated around the target temperature being 
measured, varying the temperature of the supply line between 60 [deg]F 
and 120 [deg]F could result in less accurate inlet water temperature 
measurements.
    Regarding option 3, (connecting to the cold water inlet only, 
testing only on the Cold/Cold cycle, and determining performance at 
other temperatures numerically), as discussed further in section 
III.D.8.b of this document, energy and water performance at 
temperatures other than Cold Wash/Cold Rinse can be calculated 
numerically using test data from the Cold/Cold cycle because the 
measured characteristics \14\ of a semi-automatic clothes washer cycle 
do not depend on the inlet water temperature. Therefore, DOE 
tentatively concludes that representative test results can be obtained 
with a minimal number of test cycles using this approach, which DOE 
proposes to incorporate into the proposed new Appendix J.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \14\ Measured characteristics of a semi-automatic clothes washer 
cycle include total water consumption, electrical energy 
consumption, cycle time, and bone-dry and cycle complete load 
weights. See section III.D.8.b of this document for more details.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DOE is proposing in this NOPR to make this change only in the 
proposed new Appendix J because connecting to only the cold water inlet 
may differ from how such units are currently being tested by 
manufacturers and laboratories under Appendix J2. DOE seeks information 
about implementing this change to Appendix J2 as well, specifically 
regarding how single-inlet semi-automatic clothes washers are being 
tested and any potential impact on the measured energy use of these 
clothes washers on the market.
    See section III.D.8 of this document for a full discussion of other 
proposed edits to testing provisions for semi-automatic clothes washers 
and a list of related issues on which DOE seeks comment.
    For a single-inlet automatic clothes washer, DOE discussed in the 
May 2020 RFI the use of a Y-shaped hose to allow both cold and hot 
water supply lines to be connected to the single inlet on the unit. 85 
FR 31065, 31070 (emphasis added). DOE requested comments or information 
on how single-inlet automatic clothes washers are typically installed 
by consumers. Id.
    AHAM commented that it is not aware of a Y-shaped hose connecter 
being used for typical installation of single-inlet automatic clothes 
washers. (AHAM, No. 5 at p. 7)
    As described previously, DOE inadvertently attributed the use of a 
Y-shaped hose to automatic, rather than semi-automatic, single-inlet 
clothes washers. DOE is not aware of any single-inlet automatic clothes 
washers that require the use of a Y-shaped hose connector because such 
clothes washers internally generate any hot water needed for the cycle. 
Based on a review of models currently certified in DOE's compliance 
certification database, DOE is aware of three models of single-inlet 
automatic clothes washers currently available on the market.\15\ DOE's 
examination of user manuals for each of these single-inlet automatic 
clothes washers indicates that the instructions accompanying these 
products direct that they be connected to the cold water supply.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \15\ DOE's certification compliance database is available at 
www.regulations.doe.gov/certification-data/CCMS-4-Clothes_Washers.html. DOE identified the following single-inlet 
automatic models: WFW3090J**, WFW5090J**, WFC8090G**. Analysis 
conducted in March 2021.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Therefore, DOE is proposing in this NOPR to specify that all 
single-inlet automatic clothes washers be installed to the cold water 
supply only. As discussed above, DOE is proposing to include this 
provision in the proposed new Appendix J only. The proposed edit would 
specify in section 2.10.1 of the proposed new Appendix J that if the 
clothes washer has only one water inlet, connect the inlet to the cold 
water supply in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
    DOE requests comment on its proposal to require all single-inlet 
clothes washers to be installed to the cold water supply only. DOE also 
requests comment on whether this requirement should be included in only 
the proposed new Appendix J, or whether, if adopted, it should be 
included as an amendment to Appendix J2.
3. Water Supply Temperatures
a. Hot Water Supply Temperature
    Section 2.2 of Appendix J2 requires maintaining the hot water 
supply temperature between 130 [deg]F (54.4 degrees Celsius 
(``[deg]C'')) and 135 [deg]F (57.2 [deg]C), using 135 [deg]F as the 
target temperature.
    DOE has revised the hot water supply temperature requirements 
several times throughout the history of the clothes washer test 
procedures to remain representative of household water temperatures at 
the time of each analysis. When establishing the original clothes 
washer test procedure at Appendix J in 1977, DOE specified a hot water 
supply temperature of 140 [deg]F  5 [deg]F for clothes 
washers equipped with thermostatically controlled inlet water valves. 
42 FR 49802, 49808. In the August 1997 Final Rule, DOE specified in 
Appendix J1 that for clothes washers in which electrical energy 
consumption or water energy consumption is affected by the inlet water 
temperatures,\16\ the hot water supply temperature cannot exceed 135 
[deg]F (57.2 [deg]C); and for other clothes washers, the hot water 
supply temperature is to be maintained at 135 [deg]F 5 
[deg]F (57.2 [deg]C  2.8 [deg]C). 62 FR 45484, 45497. DOE 
maintained these same requirements in the original version of Appendix 
J2. In the August 2015 Final Rule, DOE adjusted the allowable tolerance 
of the hot water

[[Page 49149]]

supply temperature in section 2.2 of Appendix J2 to between 130 [deg]F 
(54.4 [deg]C) and 135 [deg]F (57.2 [deg]C) for all clothes washers, but 
maintained 135 [deg]F as the target temperature. 80 FR 46729, 46734-
46735.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \16\ For example, water-heating clothes washers or clothes 
washers with thermostatically controlled water valves.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DOE analyzed household water temperatures as part of the test 
procedure final rule for residential and commercial water heaters 
published July 11, 2014. 79 FR 40541 (``July 2014 Water Heater Final 
Rule''). In the July 2014 Water Heater Final Rule, DOE revised the hot 
water delivery temperature from 135 [deg]F to 125 [deg]F based on an 
analysis of data showing that the average set point temperature for 
consumer water heaters in the field is 124.2 [deg]F (51.2 [deg]C), 
which was rounded to the nearest 5 [deg]F, resulting in a test set 
point temperature of 125 [deg]F. 79 FR 40541, 40554. Additionally, a 
2011 compilation of field data across the United States and southern 
Ontario by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (``LBNL'') \17\ found 
a median daily outlet water temperature of 122.7 [deg]F (50.4 [deg]C). 
Id. Further, DOE noted in the July 2014 Water Heater Final Rule that 
water heaters are commonly set with temperatures in the range of 120 
[deg]F to 125 [deg]F. Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \17\ Lutz, JD, Renaldi, Lekov A, Qin Y, and Melody M, ``Hot 
Water Draw Patterns in Single Family Houses: Findings from Field 
Studies,'' LBNL Report number LBNL-4830E (May 2011). Available at 
www.escholarship.org/uc/item/2k24v1kj.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Additionally, DOE's consumer dishwasher test procedure, codified at 
10 CFR part 430 subpart B, appendix C1 (``Appendix C1''), specifies a 
hot water supply temperature of 120 [deg]F  2 [deg]F for 
water-heating dishwashers designed for heating water with a nominal 
inlet temperature of 120 [deg]F, which includes nearly all consumer 
dishwashers currently on the U.S. market. Section 2.3.2 of Appendix C1. 
This water supply temperature is intended to be representative of 
household hot water temperatures.
    Table III.1 summarizes the various hot water temperature data 
considered for the present rulemaking.

    Table III.1--Summary of Field Surveys of Water Heater Temperature
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Temperature
             Source                    Description           ([deg]F)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
May 2011 LBNL Report...........  Median daily outlet               122.7
                                  water temperature.
July 2014 Water Heater Final     Average set point                 124.2
 Rule.                            temperature for
                                  consumer water heaters
                                  in the field.
July 2014 Water Heater Final     Common water heater             120-125
 Rule.                            setpoints.
Appendix C1....................  Dishwasher test                     120
                                  procedure supply
                                  temperature.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In the May 2020 RFI, DOE requested comments on whether DOE should 
consider updating the hot water supply temperature specification for 
the clothes washer test procedures to be within the range of 120 [deg]F 
to 125 [deg]F, providing better consistency with DOE's test procedures 
for dishwashers and consumer water heaters. 85 FR 31065, 31069.
    AHAM suggested that product design changes may be required if DOE 
amends the clothes washer test procedures to harmonize the hot water 
supply temperature with the dishwasher test procedure. AHAM stated that 
changing the hot water supply temperature specification would impact 
measured efficiency, and DOE would thus need to address that change in 
the accompanying standards rulemaking. (AHAM, No. 5 at p. 6)
    GEA stated that there is little benefit to consumers by moving the 
target temperature to 120 [deg]F. If DOE does change the target 
temperature, GEA is concerned about the change in measured hot water 
energy usage. (GEA, No. 13 at p. 2)
    The CA IOUs recommended keeping the target temperature at 135 
[deg]F to prevent the growth of Legionella bacteria. The CA IOUs 
referenced the American Society of Sanitary Engineering (``ASSE'') 
Scald Awareness Task Group and Unified Plumbing Code (``UPC'') 
recommendations that hot water temperature should be 130-140 [deg]F to 
eliminate the risk of Legionella growth. (CA IOUs, No. 8 at pp. 14-15)
    The Joint Commenters stated that DOE should consider changing the 
target temperature to 120 [deg]F, because 120 [deg]F is the hot water 
supply temperature for the consumer dishwasher test procedure and is a 
common water heater set point. (Joint Commenters, No. 10 at p. 3) 
However, the Joint Commenters also stated that the 135 [deg]F target 
temperature may be appropriate to maintain as average set points 
increase in the field due to Legionella concerns. The Joint Commenters 
encouraged DOE to investigate which hot water supply temperature would 
be most representative. Id.
    UL supports specifying the hot water supply temperature to be 
consistent with hot water heater outlet temperatures, as supported by 
field data. (UL, No. 9 at p. 1)
    Samsung recommended that DOE specify a hot water supply temperature 
of 120  2 [deg]F, consistent with the temperature specified 
in the consumer dishwasher test procedure. Samsung also commented that 
the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends this temperature 
to consumers as the safest set point for water heaters to avoid scalds. 
(Samsung, No. 6 at p. 3)
    NEEA encouraged DOE to investigate the hot water supply temperature 
that would be most representative of field use. NEEA added that water 
heater set points may increase closer to the Appendix J2-specified 135 
[deg]F in the future, due to concerns about Legionella bacteria growth. 
(NEEA, No. 12 at p. 26) NEEA also recommended that DOE consider heat 
losses in the pipes and static water in the supply line in the field, 
which are likely to lower clothes washer inlet hot temperatures 
relative to water heater set points. Id.
    Based on the analysis of recent water temperature data summarized 
in Table III.1, DOE is proposing to update the hot water supply 
temperature in the proposed new Appendix J from 130-135 [deg]F to 120-
125 [deg]F. DOE preliminarily concludes that an inlet temperature of 
120-125 [deg]F is more representative of consumer hot water 
temperatures than the range of 130-135 [deg]F currently specified in 
Appendix J2.
    In addition, section 4.1.2 of Appendix J2 calculates the hot water 
energy consumption for each tested load size, by multiplying the hot 
water consumption for each tested load size, by ``T,'' the temperature 
rise, and by ``K,'' the specific heat of water. In Appendix J2, T is 
defined as 75 [deg]F, which represents the nominal difference between 
the hot and cold water inlet temperatures. In this NOPR, DOE is 
proposing to use a value for T of 65 [deg]F in the proposed new 
Appendix J, consistent with the differential between the nominal values 
for the proposed hot

[[Page 49150]]

water supply temperature (120-125 [deg]F) and the cold water supply 
temperature (55-60 [deg]F).
    DOE agrees with AHAM and GEA that changing the hot water supply 
temperature would likely impact measured efficiency because hot water 
energy consumption is a significant component in the calculation of the 
IMEF metric. As a result, DOE is proposing to update the hot water 
supply temperature only in the proposed new Appendix J and not in 
existing Appendix J2. Therefore, DOE's proposal would not affect the 
measured efficiency of clothes washers currently tested using Appendix 
J2. The ongoing RCW and CCW energy conservation standards rulemakings 
would consider the impact of this proposed modification to the hot 
water supply temperature on measured efficiency.
    DOE requests comment on its proposal to update the hot water supply 
temperature for the proposed new Appendix J from 130-135 [deg]F to 120-
125 [deg]F. DOE seeks more recent data on hot water supply temperatures 
in consumer clothes washer installations. DOE also requests comment on 
any potential impact to testing costs that may occur by harmonizing 
temperatures between the clothes washer and dishwasher test procedures, 
and the impacts on manufacturer burden associated with any changes to 
the hot water supply temperature.
    In the NOPR preceding the July 2014 Water Heater Final Rule, DOE 
cited a comment from Applied Energy Technology,\18\ which stated that 
water temperatures in the range of 120 [deg]F are adequate to prevent 
Legionella growth as long as the water is maintained at a temperature 
``high enough, long enough, and often enough.'' 78 FR 66202, 66219 
(Nov. 4, 2013). In that NOPR, DOE also cited the American Society of 
Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (``ASHRAE'') 
guideline \19\ which states that hot water should be stored above 140 
[deg]F only for high-risk applications (such as health-care facilities 
and nursing homes). 78 FR 66202, 66218 (Nov. 4, 2013). Moreover, the 
specification of hot water supply temperature in the clothes washer 
test procedure is intended to be representative of consumer clothes 
washer installations, as supported by the data described previously. 
The target temperature defined in the clothes washer test procedure 
does not and would not introduce any regulatory requirement on water 
heater manufacturers, installers, or consumers regarding the set point 
temperature that can be chosen for any individual water heater 
installation.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \18\ See comment number 22 in Docket number EERE-2011-BT-TP-
0042. Available at www.regulations.gov/docket/EERE-2011-BT-TP-0042.
    \19\ ASHRAE Guideline 12, ``Minimizing the Risk of Legionellosis 
Associated with Building Water Systems,'' states that the 
temperature range most favorable for amplification of legionellae 
bacteria is 77-108 [deg]F (25-42 [deg]C) and recommends that when 
practical, hot water should be stored at temperatures of 120 [deg]F 
(49 [deg]C) or above. The guideline states that hot water should be 
stored above 140 [deg]F (60 [deg]C) for high-risk settings such as 
in health care facilities and nursing homes. For more information 
visit: www.ashrae.org.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

b. Extra-Hot Wash Determination
    Clothes washers are tested using an energy test cycle that is 
comprised of certain cycles taking into consideration all cycle 
settings available to the end user. Section 2.12 of Appendix J2. Figure 
2.12.5 of Appendix J2 specifies that for the energy test cycle to 
include an Extra-Hot Wash/Cold Rinse, the clothes washer must have an 
internal heater and the Normal cycle \20\ must, in part, contain a 
wash/rinse temperature selection that has a wash temperature greater 
than 135 [deg]F. The 135 [deg]F threshold matches the current hot water 
inlet target temperature, as specified in section 2.2 of Appendix J2.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \20\ Section 1.25 of Appendix J2 defines the Normal cycle as the 
cycle recommended by the manufacturer (considering manufacturer 
instructions, control panel labeling, and other markings on the 
clothes washer) for normal, regular, or typical use for washing up 
to a full load of normally-soiled cotton clothing. For machines 
where multiple cycle settings are recommended by the manufacturer 
for normal, regular, or typical use for washing up to a full load of 
normally-soiled cotton clothing, then the Normal cycle is the cycle 
selection that results in the lowest IMEF or MEF value.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DOE has revised the Extra-Hot wash temperature parameters 
previously. In the August 1997 Final Rule, DOE changed the minimum hot 
water supply temperature from 140 [deg]F in Appendix J-1977 to 135 
[deg]F in Appendix J1-1997, and also revised the threshold temperature 
for Extra-Hot Wash from 140 [deg]F to 135 [deg]F accordingly. 62 FR 
45484, 45497. As noted, Appendix J2 retains this threshold temperature 
of 135 [deg]F for Extra-Hot Wash.
    As described previously, DOE is proposing to update the hot water 
inlet temperature from 135 [deg]F to 125 [deg]F (see section III.C.3.a 
of this document). This proposed change to the hot water inlet 
temperature prompted DOE to reassess the threshold temperature for the 
Extra-Hot wash temperature. Because the inclusion of an Extra-Hot Wash/
Cold Rinse in the energy test cycle requires the clothes washer to have 
an internal heater, the threshold temperature is not limited to the 
input temperature.
    DOE testing of a broad range of clothes washers \21\ indicates that 
over 70 percent of Extra-Hot cycles have a wash water temperature that 
exceeds 140 [deg]F, despite the threshold temperature for Extra-Hot 
Wash changing to 135 [deg]F in the August 1997 Final Rule. Furthermore, 
DOE research indicates that 140 [deg]F is widely cited as a threshold 
for achieving sanitization by organizations including the World Health 
Organization and the United Kingdom's National Health Service.\22\ \23\ 
Based on DOE's data indicating that a majority of existing Extra-Hot 
cycles have wash water temperatures that exceed 140 [deg]F, and based 
on the cited reports finding that washing textiles at 140 [deg]F is an 
accepted sanitation threshold, DOE proposes specifying the Extra-Hot 
Wash threshold as 140 [deg]F. Based on the research described above, 
DOE preliminarily concludes that a temperature threshold of 140 [deg]F 
would align with 140 [deg]F as an accepted temperature threshold for 
sanitization, and therefore may be more representative of consumer 
expectations and usage of the Extra-Hot Wash cycle, than the current 
135 [deg]F threshold.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \21\ DOE analyzed test data from 2 top-loading and 15 front-
loading models representing 7 different manufacturers and 9 
different brands.
    \22\ World Health Organization. ``Boil Water.'' Available at: 
www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/dwq/Boiling_water_01_15.pdf.
    \23\ National Health Service. ``Can clothes and towels spread 
germs?'' Available at: www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/
infections/can-clothes-and-towels-spread-germs/.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In addition to improving representativeness, changing the Extra-Hot 
Wash temperature threshold to 140 [deg]F could potentially reduce test 
burden. As discussed more fully in section III.C.4 of this document, a 
threshold of 140 [deg]F would enable easier confirmation that an Extra-
Hot temperature has been achieved when measuring wash temperature with 
non-reversible temperature indicator labels, as permitted by section 
3.3 of Appendix J2. Temperature indicator labels are widely available 
with a 140 [deg]F indicator, whereas DOE is not aware of any 
commercially available temperature indicator labels that provide a 135 
[deg]F indicator.
    In summary, DOE is proposing to specify in the proposed new 
Appendix J that the minimum temperature threshold for the Extra-Hot 
Wash/Cold Rinse is 140 [deg]F. This change would be reflected in the 
proposed Extra Hot Wash/Cold Rinse flowchart in section 2.12 of the 
proposed new Appendix J as well as any references to this temperature 
threshold elsewhere

[[Page 49151]]

throughout the proposed new Appendix J.
    DOE recognizes that for the 30 percent of units with Extra-Hot Wash 
temperatures that do not exceed 140 [deg]F, DOE's proposal to change 
the Extra-Hot Wash definition may impact measured efficiency. 
Therefore, in this NOPR, DOE is proposing to include the amended Extra-
Hot Wash temperature parameter only in the proposed new Appendix J and 
not in existing Appendix J2. The ongoing RCW and CCW energy 
conservation standards rulemakings would consider the impact of any 
modifications to the Extra-Hot Wash definition on measured efficiency.
    DOE requests comment on its proposal to specify in the proposed new 
Appendix J that the Extra-Hot Wash/Cold Rinse designation would apply 
to a wash temperature greater than or equal to 140 [deg]F. DOE requests 
any additional data on the wash temperature of cycles that meet the 
Appendix J2 definition of Extra-Hot Wash/Cold Rinse. DOE is also 
interested in data and information on any potential impact to testing 
costs that may occur by changing the Extra-Hot Wash temperature 
threshold, and the impacts on manufacturer burden associated with any 
changes to the Extra-Hot Wash/Cold Rinse definition.
c. Target Water Supply Temperature
    Section 2.2 of Appendix J2 specifies that the hot water supply 
temperature must be maintained between 130 [deg]F (54.4 [deg]C) and 135 
[deg]F (57.2 [deg]C), using 135 [deg]F as the target temperature. Based 
on experience working with third-party test laboratories, as well as 
its own testing experience, DOE recognizes that maintaining 135 [deg]F 
as the target temperature for the hot water supply may be difficult 
given that the target temperature of 135 [deg]F lies at the edge, 
rather than the midpoint, of the allowable temperature range of 130 
[deg]F to 135 [deg]F. 85 FR 31065, 31069. On electronic temperature-
mixing valves commonly used by test laboratories, the output water 
temperature is maintained within an approximately two-degree tolerance 
above or below a target temperature programmed by the user (e.g., if 
the target temperature is set at 135 [deg]F, the controller may provide 
water temperatures ranging from 133 [deg]F to 137 [deg]F). Id. To 
ensure that the hot water inlet temperature remains within the 
allowable range of 130 [deg]F to 135 [deg]F, such a temperature 
controller would need to be set to around the midpoint of the range, 
which conflicts with the test procedure requirement to use 135 [deg]F 
as the target temperature. Id. An analogous difficulty exists for the 
cold water supply temperature. Section 2.2 of Appendix J2 specifies 
maintaining a cold water temperature between 55 [deg]F and 60 [deg]F, 
using 60 [deg]F as the target.
    In the May 2020 NOPR, DOE requested comments on whether it should 
consider changes to the target temperature or allowable range of 
temperature specified for the hot and cold water inlets, and if so, 
what alternate specifications should be considered. Id.
    UL commented that it supports the change to an equal sided 
tolerance for the hot and cold water inlet temperature requirements. 
(UL, No. 9 at p. 1)
    AHAM also supported DOE updating the target water temperature to 
have a tolerance and nominal value (rather than any temperature within 
the range) specified as the target, i.e., X  Y, with 
nominal (X) as the target. (AHAM, No. 5 at p. 6)
    The CA IOUs supported a change in the water supply temperature 
tolerance to  2.5 [deg]F around the target temperature, 
claiming that it may create a more repeatable test procedure and 
decrease the number of failed test runs. (CA IOUs, No. 8 at p. 15)
    GEA supported a hot water target temperature adjustment to 132.5 
 2.5 [deg]F, stating that doing so would align the test 
procedure with engineering best practices. (GEA, No. 13 at p. 2)
    DOE recognizes the widespread support for defining a temperature 
range centered around a target midpoint of the range. Although this 
would appear to reflect current test laboratory practice, DOE is 
concerned that specifying a cold water target temperature of 57.5 
[deg]F in Appendix J2 and the proposed new Appendix J, or specifying a 
hot water target temperature of 132.5 [deg]F for Appendix J2 or 122.5 
[deg]F for the proposed new Appendix J, could imply that the test 
procedure requires a precision of 0.5 [deg]F in temperature control, 
which could create undue test burden. Furthermore, DOE is concerned 
that defining a ``target'' temperature, whether as currently defined or 
defined as the midpoint of the range, could unintentionally imply that 
a test would be invalid if the water temperature remains within the 
allowable range, but not centered exactly around the target.
    For these reasons, DOE is proposing to remove the ``target'' 
temperature associated with each water supply temperature range, and to 
instead define only the allowable temperature range. Specifically, the 
cold water supply temperature range would be defined as 55 [deg]F to 60 
[deg]F in both Appendix J2 and the proposed new Appendix J; the hot 
water supply temperature range in Appendix J2 would be defined as 130 
[deg]F to 135 [deg]F; and the hot water supply temperature range in the 
proposed new Appendix J would be defined as 120 [deg]F to 125 [deg]F. 
Defining allowable water supply temperature ranges instead of specific 
target temperatures at the upper end of the allowable ranges would 
reduce the difficulty of maintaining water supply temperatures within 
the desired ranges.
    DOE requests comment on its proposal to remove the target 
temperatures and instead specify water supply temperature ranges as 55 
[deg]F to 60 [deg]F for cold water in both Appendix J2 and the proposed 
new Appendix J, 130 [deg]F to 135 [deg]F for hot water in Appendix J2, 
and 120 [deg]F to 125 [deg]F for hot water in the proposed new Appendix 
J.
4. Wash Water Temperature Measurement
    In the August 2015 Final Rule, DOE amended section 3.3 of Appendix 
J2, ``Extra-Hot Wash/Cold Rinse,'' to allow the use of non-reversible 
temperature indicator labels to confirm that a wash temperature greater 
than 135 [deg]F had been achieved. 80 FR 46729, 46753. Since the 
publication of the August 2015 Final Rule, DOE has become aware that 
some third-party laboratories measure wash temperature using self-
contained temperature sensors in a waterproof capsule placed inside the 
clothes washer drum during testing. 85 FR 31065, 31069. In the May 2020 
RFI, DOE requested comments on manufacturers' or test laboratories' 
experience with these or any other methods for determining the 
temperature during a wash cycle that may reduce manufacturer burden, 
including the reliability and accuracy of those methods. Id.
    UL commented that it has not found any temperature labels that read 
exactly 135 [deg]F, but rather only labels that provide 10 [deg]F 
increments between 130 [deg]F and 140 [deg]F. (UL, No 9 at p. 2) UL 
added that if a label does not change at 140 [deg]F but does change at 
130 [deg]F, there is no way of knowing if the water temperature reached 
135 [deg]F without running an additional test run with a data logger. 
Id. UL also commented that if DOE requires temperature loggers for 
measuring the internal water temperature, DOE should prescribe a 
specific method, for increased lab-to-lab reproducibility. Id.
    AHAM similarly commented that the non-reversible temperature 
indicator labels currently specified in the test procedure do not work 
well because the labels available on the market do not easily identify 
when 135 [deg]F is reached, as they typically provide 10 [deg]F

[[Page 49152]]

increments, and none are available in increments of 125 [deg]F to 135 
[deg]F. (AHAM, No. 5 at pp. 6-7) According to AHAM, testers must 
estimate when 135 [deg]F is reached on labels that are currently 
available. Thus, AHAM suggests that DOE consider permitting the use of 
submersible temperature loggers. Id.
    As discussed by UL and AHAM, DOE is aware that none of the 
temperature indicator labels available on the market provide an 
indicator at 135 [deg]F, the current Extra-Hot Wash water temperature 
threshold. Because of this, temperature indicator labels can be used to 
confirm that the water temperature reached 135 [deg]F only if the water 
temperature exceeds 140 [deg]F. The temperature indicator labels are 
unable to identify an Extra-Hot Wash/Cold Rinse cycle if the 
temperature of the cycle is greater than 135 [deg]F but less than 140 
[deg]F. DOE recognizes the potential benefit of other methods of 
measurement to supplement or replace the temperature indicator labels.
    DOE investigated submersible temperature loggers as suggested by 
AHAM. DOE found submersible temperature loggers available for less than 
$175 and available with a resolution of 0.5 [deg]C (0.9 [deg]F) or 
better and an accuracy of 0.5 [deg]C (0.9 [deg]F) for water 
temperatures between -10 [deg]C (14 [deg]F) and +65 [deg]C (149 
[deg]F).\24\ In testing with such temperature loggers, DOE found them 
small enough in size to be able to embed within the test load during 
testing. However, DOE testing indicated a 5 to 10-minute time lag in 
measuring dynamically changing temperatures, which is likely due to the 
thermal mass of the waterproof capsule. As a result of this time lag, 
if a clothes washer's wash water temperature were to reach 135 [deg]F 
only briefly, then a submersible temperature logger may not record that 
135 [deg]F had been reached. DOE concludes that, similar to temperature 
indicator labels, a submersible temperature logger indicating a 
temperature higher than 135 [deg]F can provide confirmation that the 
water temperature reached 135 [deg]F, but failure to record a 
temperature of 135 [deg]F does not necessarily determine that the 
temperature threshold for the Extra-Hot Wash cycle has not been 
achieved. For clothes washers with sustained water temperatures greater 
than 135 [deg]F but less than 140 [deg]F, submersible temperature 
loggers may provide potentially reduced test burden, compared to using 
temperature indicator labels.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \24\ See e.g., www.maximintegrated.com/en/products/ibutton-one-wire/data-loggers/DS1923.html/product-details/tabs-3, 
www.maximintegrated.com/en/products/ibutton-one-wire/ibutton/DS9107.html, and www.maximintegrated.com/en/products/interface/universal-serial-bus/DS9490.html.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    For Appendix J2, DOE is proposing to allow the use of a submersible 
temperature logger as an additional temperature measurement option to 
confirm that an Extra-Hot Wash temperature greater than 135 [deg]F has 
been achieved during the wash cycle. DOE is proposing that the 
submersible temperature logger must have a time resolution of at least 
1 data point every 5 seconds and a temperature measurement accuracy of 
1 [deg]F. As described currently for temperature indicator 
labels, DOE would include a note that failure to measure a temperature 
of 135 [deg]F would not necessarily indicate of the lack of an Extra-
Hot Wash temperature. However, such a result would not be conclusive 
due to the lack of verification of that the required water temperature 
was achieved, in which case an alternative method must be used to 
confirm that an extra-hot wash temperature greater than 135 [deg]F has 
been achieved during the wash cycle.
    Because DOE is proposing to change the Extra-Hot Wash water 
temperature threshold to 140 [deg]F for the proposed new Appendix J, 
commercially available temperature indicator labels with indications at 
140 [deg]F would be able to be used more readily to determine whether 
the water temperature reached the Extra-Hot Wash temperature threshold. 
DOE is also proposing to allow the usage of a submersible temperature 
logger in the proposed new Appendix J as an option to confirm that an 
Extra-Hot Wash temperature greater than 140 [deg]F has been achieved 
during the wash cycle. Like the temperature threshold of 135 [deg]F in 
Appendix J2, failure to measure a temperature of 140 [deg]F would not 
necessarily indicate the lack of an Extra-Hot Wash temperature. 
However, such a result would not be conclusive due to the lack of 
verification of that the required water temperature was achieved, in 
which case an alternative method must be used to confirm that an extra-
hot wash temperature greater than 140 [deg]F has been achieved during 
the wash cycle.
    Lastly, DOE is proposing to move the description of allowable 
temperature measuring devices from section 3.3 of Appendix J2 to 
section 2.5.4 of both Appendix J2 and the proposed new Appendix J 
(``Water and air temperature measuring devices''), specifying the use 
of non-reversible temperature indicator labels in new section 2.5.4.1, 
and adding specifications for the use of submersible temperature 
loggers to new section 2.5.4.2 of both Appendix J2 and the proposed new 
Appendix J.
    DOE requests comment on its proposal to allow the use of a 
submersible temperature logger in Appendix J2 and the proposed new 
Appendix J as an option to confirm that an Extra-Hot Wash temperature 
greater than the Extra-Hot Wash threshold has been achieved during the 
wash cycle. DOE requests data and information confirming (or disputing) 
DOE's discussion of the benefits and limitations of using a submersible 
temperature logger, including DOE's determination that a submersible 
logger's failure to measure a temperature greater than the Extra-Hot 
Wash threshold does not necessarily indicate that the cycle under test 
does not meet the definition of an Extra-Hot Wash/Cold Rinse cycle.
5. Pre-Conditioning Requirements
    Section 2.11 of Appendix J2 specifies the procedure for clothes 
washer pre-conditioning. The current pre-conditioning procedure 
requires that any clothes washer that has not been filled with water in 
the preceding 96 hours, or any water-heating clothes washer that has 
not been in the test room at the specified ambient conditions for 8 
hours, must be pre-conditioned by running it through a Cold Rinse cycle 
and then draining it to ensure that the hose, pump, and sump are filled 
with water. The purpose of pre-conditioning is to promote repeatability 
and reproducibility of test results by ensuring a consistent starting 
state for each test, as well as to promote the representativeness of 
test results by ensuring that the clothes washer is operated consistent 
with the defined ambient conditions. In particular, the additional 
specification for water-heating clothes washers was first suggested in 
a supplemental NOPR published on April 22, 1996, (``April 1996 
SNOPR''), in which DOE expressed concern about the testing of water-
heating clothes washers that may have been stored at a temperature 
outside of the specified ambient temperature range (75 [deg]F  5 [deg]F) prior to testing. 61 FR 17589, 17594-17595. DOE stated 
that the energy consumed in a water-heating clothes washer may be 
affected by the ambient temperature. Id. Thus, if the ambient 
temperature prior to and during testing is relatively hot, then less 
energy will be consumed than under typical operating conditions, i.e., 
the test will understate the clothes washer's energy consumption. Id. 
Conversely, if the ambient temperature prior to and during the test is 
relatively cold, then the energy consumption will be overstated. Id. In 
the subsequent August 1997 Final Rule, DOE added the

[[Page 49153]]

pre-conditioning requirement for water-heating clothes washers, which 
requires water-heating units to be pre-conditioned if they had not been 
in the test room at ambient conditions for 8 hours. 62 FR 45484, 45002, 
45009, 45010.
    DOE is concerned that the energy use of non-water-heating clothes 
washers could also be affected by the starting temperature of the 
clothes washer, particularly those that implement temperature control 
by measuring internal water temperatures during the wash cycle. For 
example, if the ambient temperature prior to testing is relatively hot, 
causing the internal components of the clothes washer to be at a higher 
temperature than the specified ambient temperature range, less hot 
water may be consumed during the test than otherwise would be if the 
starting temperature of the clothes washer is within the specified 
ambient temperature range. Noting that third-party test laboratories 
cannot necessarily identify whether a unit is a water-heating clothes 
washer or not, DOE is proposing to require the same pre-conditioning 
procedure for both water-heating and non-water-heating clothes washers, 
which would minimize the influence of ambient temperature on energy use 
and alleviate the need for third-party test laboratories to determine 
whether a clothes washer is water-heating or not. If adopted, this 
proposed change may impact the measured energy use of non-water-heating 
clothes washers that implement temperature control by measuring 
internal water temperatures during the wash cycle. Due to the potential 
impact on the measured energy use, DOE is proposing this change only 
for the proposed new Appendix J, which would be used for the evaluation 
and issuance of updated efficiency standards, and to determine 
compliance with those standards. DOE is therefore proposing that use of 
the proposed new Appendix J, if finalized, would not be required until 
the compliance date of any updated standards.
    In addition, the proposed amendments to the pre-conditioning 
requirements would eliminate the differentiation between ``water-
heating clothes washer'' and ``non-water heating clothes washer,'' 
which are defined terms in the test procedure. Therefore, DOE is also 
proposing to remove the definitions of ``water-heating clothes washer'' 
and ``non-water-heating clothes washer'' from section 1 of the proposed 
new Appendix J.
    DOE requests comment on its proposal to specify the same pre-
conditioning requirements for all clothes washers and to remove the 
``water-heating clothes washer'' and ``non-water-heating clothes 
washer'' definitions in the proposed new Appendix J. DOE also requests 
information regarding whether test laboratories typically pre-condition 
water-heating and non-water-heating clothes washers using the same 
procedure.

D. Cycle Selection and Test Conduct

1. Tested Load Sizes
    Table 5.1 of Appendix J2 provides the minimum, average, and maximum 
load sizes to be used for testing based on the measured capacity of the 
clothes washer. The table defines capacity ``bins'' in 0.1 ft\3\ 
increments. The load sizes for each capacity bin are determined as 
follows:
    [squ] Minimum load is 3 pounds (``lb'') for all capacity bins;
    [squ] Maximum load (in lb) is equal to 4.1 times the mean clothes 
washer capacity of each capacity bin (in ft3); and
    [squ] Average load is the arithmetic mean of the minimum load and 
maximum load.
    These three load sizes are used for testing clothes washers with 
automatic WFCS. Clothes washers with manual WFCS are tested with only 
the minimum and maximum load sizes.
a. Expanding the Load Size Table
    DOE originally introduced the load size table in Appendix J1-1997, 
which accommodated clothes container capacities up to 3.8 ft\3\. 62 FR 
45484, 45513. In the March 2012 Final Rule, DOE expanded Table 5.1 in 
both Appendix J1 and Appendix J2 to accommodate clothes container 
capacities up to 6.0 ft\3\. 77 FR 13887, 13910. DOE extrapolated the 
load sizes to 6.0 ft\3\ using the same equations to define the maximum 
and average load sizes as described above.
    On May 2, 2016 and April 10, 2017, DOE granted waivers to Whirlpool 
and Samsung, respectively, for testing RCWs \25\ with capacities 
between 6.0 and 8.0 ft\3\, by further extrapolating Table 5.1 using the 
same equations to define the maximum and average load sizes as 
described. 81 FR 26215; 82 FR 17229. DOE's regulations in 10 CFR 430.27 
contain provisions allowing any interested person to seek a waiver from 
the test procedure requirements if certain conditions are met. A waiver 
allows manufacturers to use an alternate test procedure in situations 
where the DOE test procedure cannot be used to test the product or 
equipment, or where use of the DOE test procedure would generate 
unrepresentative results. 10 CFR 430.27(a)(1) DOE's regulations at 10 
CFR 430.27(l) require that as soon as practicable after the granting of 
any waiver, DOE will publish in the Federal Register a NOPR to amend 
its regulations so as to eliminate any need for the continuation of 
such waiver. As soon thereafter as practicable, DOE will publish in the 
Federal Register a final rule. 10 CFR 430.27(l).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \25\ As noted, CCWs are limited under the statutory definition 
to a maximum capacity of 3.5 cubic feet for horizontal-axis CCWs and 
4.0 cubic feet for vertical-axis CCWs. (42 U.S.C. 6311(21))
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In the May 2020 RFI, DOE requested comment on whether to 
extrapolate Table 5.1 of Appendix J2 to accommodate RCW capacities up 
to 8.0 ft\3\, and if so, appropriate methods for extrapolation. 85 FR 
31065, 31077. DOE received comments from multiple interested parties 
regarding the definition of load sizes more generally, which DOE 
addresses in section III.D.1.b of this document. DOE received no 
comments regarding the expansion of the load size table itself.
    In this NOPR, DOE is proposing to expand Table 5.1 in both Appendix 
J2 and the proposed new Appendix J to accommodate clothes washers with 
capacities up to 8.0 ft\3\. In Appendix J2, DOE proposes to expand 
Table 5.1 using the same equations as the current table, as described 
above, and consistent with the load size tables provided in the two 
granted waivers. For the proposed new Appendix J, DOE proposes a 
revised methodology for defining the load sizes in each capacity bin in 
Table 5.1, as further discussed in section III.D.1.b of this document.
    DOE requests comment on its proposal to expand the load size table 
in both Appendix J2 and the proposed new Appendix J to accommodate RCWs 
with capacities up to 8.0 ft\3\.
b. Defining New Load Sizes
    As discussed in the previous section, Appendix J2 currently defines 
three load sizes for automatic clothes washers (minimum, average, and 
maximum) for each capacity bin in Table 5.1 of the appendix. In this 
NOPR, DOE is proposing for the proposed new Appendix J to define two 
load sizes for automatic clothes washers (small and large) for each 
capacity bin, which are intended to represent the same load size 
distribution underlying the existing three load sizes. DOE has 
tentatively concluded that this would substantially reduce test burden 
while maintaining or improving representativeness. The following 
paragraphs describe the development of the current load size 
definitions to provide context and

[[Page 49154]]

justification for DOE's proposed changes.
    The current load size definitions (i.e., the defining of three load 
sizes, and the equations used to determine each of the three load 
sizes) are based on consumer usage data analyzed during the test 
procedure rulemaking that culminated in the August 1997 Final Rule. As 
part of that rulemaking, AHAM presented to DOE data from the Procter & 
Gamble Company (``P&G'') showing the distribution of consumer load 
sizes for 2.4 ft\3\ and 2.8 ft\3\ clothes washers, which represented 
typical clothes washer capacities at the time (1995).\26\ The 1995 P&G 
data indicated that the distribution of consumer load sizes followed an 
approximate normal distribution slightly skewed towards the lower end 
of the size range. Figure III.1 shows the summarized data presented by 
AHAM.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \26\ The full data set presented by AHAM is available at 
www.regulations.gov/document/EERE-2006-TP-0065-0027.
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BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP01SE21.001

    In the August 1997 Final Rule, DOE defined three load sizes--
minimum, average, and maximum--to represent this normal distribution. 
62 FR 45484, 45490. The minimum load size represented approximately the 
14th percentile of the distribution (i.e., the lower 14 percent of the 
cumulative distribution); the average load size represented 
approximately the 14th through 88th percentile (i.e., the middle 74 
percent of the cumulative distribution); and the maximum load size 
represented approximately the 88th through 100th percentile (i.e., the 
upper 12 percent of the cumulative distribution).\27\ Figure III.2 
illustrates the boundaries representing the three defined load sizes 
overlaid with the P&G load distribution data.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \27\ See the table titled ``Relationship of Water Fill Factors 
to Cumulative Load Size Distribution'' on page 22 of the data 
presented by AHAM as part of the rulemaking that culminated in the 
August 1997 Final Rule, available at www.regulations.gov/document/EERE-2006-TP-0065-0027.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 49155]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP01SE21.002

BILLING CODE 6450-01-C
    In the August 1997 Final Rule, these load size relationships were 
scaled across the range of 0.8 ft\3\ to 3.8 ft\3\ capacities \28\ using 
the equations described above: Minimum load size fixed at 3 lb for all 
capacity bins; maximum load size calculated as 4.1 times the mean 
clothes washer capacity of each capacity bin; and average load size 
calculated as the mean of the minimum and maximum load sizes. 62 FR 
45484, 45504, 45513. Within each capacity bin, the three defined load 
sizes were intended to approximate a normal distribution of consumer 
load sizes. As noted, the load size table in Appendix J1-1997 was 
extrapolated to 6.0 ft\3\ in the March 2012 Final Rule, applicable to 
both Appendix J1 and Appendix J2.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \28\ For capacities in the range of 0.0 to 0.8 ft\3\, a fixed 
load size of 3 lb was defined for all three test load sizes.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In the May 2020 RFI, DOE requested data and information on whether 
the minimum, average, and maximum load size definitions in Table 5.1 
are representative of the range of load sizes used by consumers for 
each capacity bin in the table, particularly for larger-capacity RCWs. 
85 FR 31065, 31078.
    UL commented that in order to make load sizes more equitable for 
the widening range of clothes washer capacities, all three load sizes 
should be proportional to capacity, similar to the current definition 
of maximum load. UL suggested that minimum and average load sizes could 
be proportional to the maximum load size (e.g., minimum and average 
load sizes could be 25 percent and 50 percent of maximum load size, 
respectively). (UL, No. 9 at p. 4)
    Fixing the minimum load size at 3 lb represents the need for 
consumers to wash a small load of laundry (for example, a single outfit 
of clothing) regardless of the capacity of the clothes washer. The 
``average'' load size as constructed in Appendix J2 represents the 
middle of the range of load sizes \29\ washed by consumers (i.e., the 
approximate peak of the roughly normal distribution of load sizes). As 
described below, DOE is proposing in the proposed new Appendix J to 
define two, rather than three, load sizes, and each of the two load 
sizes would be defined as a function of capacity.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \29\ In effect, the ``average'' load size is intended to 
represent the median load size washed by consumers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The CA IOUs recommended that DOE amend the average and maximum load 
sizes in Table 5.1 of Appendix J2 to use

[[Page 49156]]

a logarithmic relationship between capacity and load size. (CA IOUs, 
No. 8 at pp. 1-4) The CA IOUs presented data from a 2016 Pacific Gas 
and Electric Company (``PG&E'') field survey (``2016 PG&E survey'') 
that recorded load size and capacity data, and showed a logarithmic 
relationship between load size and capacity for clothes washers with 
capacities from 2-5 ft\3\. In the range of 2 ft\3\ to approximately 5 
ft\3\ capacity, the 2016 PG&E survey showed slightly higher average 
consumer load sizes than would be defined by Table 5.1 in Appendix J2 
for a clothes washer of the same capacity. The CA IOUs commented that 
extrapolating this relationship to smaller and larger-capacity clothes 
washers, however, would result in a smaller consumer load sizes than 
would be defined by Table 5.1 of the current Appendix J2. Id. The CA 
IOUs also commented that a similar logarithmic trend was found in an 
Australian clothes dryer study.\30\ Although the Australian study 
relates to residential clothes dryers, the CA IOUs asserted that the 
operation of clothes washers and clothes dryers are closely linked. Id. 
The CA IOUs commented that the 2016 PG&E survey excludes households 
outside of the ``hot-dry'' Southwestern region of the United States, as 
well as households that rely on CCWs to wash their clothes, and 
requested that DOE conduct a larger national survey or study existing 
surveys to explore the relationship between capacity and average load 
size before making any changes to Table 5.1 of Appendix J2 to ensure 
that the test procedure produces results that most represent an average 
use cycle. Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \30\ Lloyd Harrington of Energy Efficient Strategies, Australia. 
Supporting data and corresponding presentations: eedal2017.uci.edu/wp-content/uploads/Thursday-17-Harrington.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DOE appreciates the CA IOUs providing consumer usage data from the 
2016 PG&E field survey. While the conclusions from this data may be 
instructive as a point of comparison, these data are limited in that 
they represent usage in a single season (summer), in a single state 
(California), and only around three wash cycles per participating 
household.\31\ Notwithstanding these limitations, the results indicate 
that within the range of 2 to approximately 5 ft\3\, which encompasses 
the large majority of units on the market, the load sizes defined by 
Appendix J2 are reasonably close to the load sizes observed in the 2016 
PG&E field study. Regarding the Australian clothes dryer study, while 
these data provide a point of comparison, usage patterns of Australian 
consumers do not necessarily represent the usage patterns of U.S. 
consumers. DOE is not aware of, and the CA IOUs have not provided, any 
data or information that would suggest that Australian usage patterns 
are the same as U.S. usage patterns. Further, clothes dryer load sizes 
may differ from clothes washer loads for reasons which may depend on 
region or localized customs (for example, line drying clothing may be 
more common in hot, dry climates). DOE is not aware of, nor have the CA 
IOUs provided, any data to suggest how Australian dryer load sizes 
relate to Australian clothes washer load sizes. DOE also observes that 
a logarithmic trend may not represent the best characterization of the 
Australian data.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \31\ According to CA IOUs, the data represent 310 wash cycles 
across 105 California households. (CA IOUs, No. 8 at p. 7)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    NEEA recommended that, if DOE were to adopt an efficiency metric 
that is a function of capacity, DOE should eliminate the current 
average load calculation method and replace it with a fixed 7.6 lb 
load, which it believes would be more representative. NEEA cited its 
2014 laundry field study that found an average clothes washer load size 
of 7.6 lb, which NEEA characterized as being close to the average load 
size of 8.5 lb that corresponds with the 2010 market-weighted average 
capacity of 3.5 ft\3\. NEEA stated, however, that the market-weighted 
average capacity as of 2019 has increased to 4.4 ft\3\, for which 
Appendix J2 defines an average load size of 10.4 lb.\32\ (NEEA, No. 12 
at pp. 22-24) NEEA compared this 10.4 lb average load size to three 
Australian field studies that found an average load size of 
approximately 6.6 lb. NEEA further referenced another Australian 
research study conducted by Choice \33\ in which consumers were 
instructed to fully fill the clothes container. The resulting average 
load size measured during the study was 8 lb, which NEEA described as 
significantly less than an amount that the clothes container could 
hold. Id. NEEA asserted that using a fixed average load size of 7.6 lb 
would increase representativeness, stating that the growing 
inconsistency between field-measured average load size and Appendix J2-
calculated average load size indicates that average load size is 
independent of clothes washer capacity and is relatively small. Id. 
NEEA also stated that using a fixed average load size would reduce test 
burden, since less work would be required by the laboratory to build an 
inventory of custom Appendix J2-defined average loads for each clothes 
washer capacity. NEEA recommended that if DOE were to determine a field 
average load size for the United States, DOE could conduct a study 
similar to the referenced Choice study but with a representative group 
of consumers in the United States. Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \32\ NEEA's estimate of 4.4 ft\3\ average capacity in 2019 is 
based on NEEA's 2019 ENERGY STAR Retail Products Platform data.
    \33\ ``Washing machine user habits: A report on wash temperature 
and load size habits among CHOICE Members.'' 2011. Prepared for the 
Australian Department of Climate Change and Energy. Not publicly 
published, but can be made available upon request to Simon Newman, 
Residential Energy Efficiency Branch, Energy Security and Efficiency 
Division, Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources, PO 
Box 2013, Canberra, ACT 2601. 39 Personal Communication. Lloyd 
Harington, Energy Efficient Strategies. 17 June 2020.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DOE appreciates NEEA providing the consumer usage data from the 
2014 laundry study. DOE does not agree with NEEA's conclusion that the 
2014 laundry study confirms that the field average load size is 
independent of clothes container size and is relatively small. In 
support of its assertion, NEEA presented data indicating that current 
(2019) average capacity has increased to 4.4 ft\3\, for which Appendix 
J2 defines an average load size of 10.4 lb. However, NEEA did not 
present any field data demonstrating average consumer load sizes for a 
sample of clothes washers with an average capacity of 4.4 ft\3\. 
Therefore, no conclusions can be drawn from the 2014 laundry study 
regarding how consumer load sizes may have changed as average clothes 
washer capacity has increased from around 3.5 ft\3\ in 2010 to 4.4 
ft\3\ in 2019. Regarding NEEA's summary of the three Australian field 
studies, DOE reiterates that the usage patterns of Australian consumers 
do not necessarily represent the usage patterns of U.S. consumers. DOE 
notes that the summaries of the Electrolux and Fisher & Paykel surveys 
provided by NEEA do not identify the average capacity of the clothes 
washers in the survey samples. Therefore, no conclusions can be drawn 
regarding how the average consumer load size of 6.6 lb from the surveys 
compares to the load size that Appendix J2 would prescribe for a U.S. 
clothes washer of the same size. While DOE agrees that using a fixed 
average load size could decrease test burden by avoiding the need to 
inventory different average load sizes for each possible capacity, for 
the reasons described above, DOE preliminarily concludes that the data 
provided by NEEA do not justify using a fixed average load size across 
all clothes container capacities.
    The Joint Commenters also encouraged DOE to consider specifying an 
average load size that is a constant value independent of capacity. 
(Joint

[[Page 49157]]

Commenters, No. 10 at pp. 4-5) According to the Joint Commenters, the 
introduction of large-capacity clothes washers to the market, combined 
with the structure of Table 5.1 in Appendix J2, has led to the 
weighted-average load size for the largest clothes washers being 
significantly greater than that for small clothes washers. For example, 
the Joint Commenters stated that the weighted-average load size for a 
6.0 ft\3\ clothes washer (13.68 lb) is around 60 percent larger than 
the weighted-average load size for a 3.5 ft\3\ clothes washer (8.68 
lb). Id. The Joint Commenters also referenced NEEA's laundry field 
study, which the Joint Commenters characterized as finding no clear 
correlation between clothes washer capacity and load size. The Joint 
Commenters expressed concern that the current test procedure may not be 
representative of an average cycle use for large-capacity clothes 
washers. Id.
    As noted previously, DOE preliminary concludes that the data 
provided by NEEA, as referenced by the Joint Commenters, do not 
demonstrate that using a fixed average load size would be 
representative of U.S. consumer usage. DOE also notes that the 
assertion made by NEEA and the Joint Commenters--that consumer average 
load sizes are smaller than DOE's Appendix J2 load sizes--conflicts 
with the data summarized above from the CA IOUs, which suggest consumer 
average load sizes for clothes washers in the range of 2 to 5 ft\3\ 
capacity that are larger than the Appendix J2 load sizes. These 
conflicting conclusions, combined with the noted limitations of each 
data set, do not provide justification for DOE to change the average 
load sizes in Table 5.1 of Appendix J2.
    As noted, DOE is proposing to replace the minimum, maximum, and 
average load sizes with two new load sizes in the proposed new Appendix 
J, designated as ``small'' and ``large.'' In the paragraphs that 
follow, DOE explains its rationale for (1) reducing the number of load 
sizes from three to two, and (2) defining the two load sizes for each 
capacity bin.
    As discussed in section III.A of this document, AHAM and GEA 
commented on the current test burden associated with conducting the 
Appendix J2 test procedure. While DOE acknowledges the theoretical 
possibility of Appendix J2 requiring up to 70 test cycles, DOE is not 
aware of any products currently or historically on the market that 
would require this maximum number of test cycles. In DOE's experience, 
in practice the number of test cycles is around 6 cycles for clothes 
washers with very few and basic features; around 15-20 cycles for the 
most typical configurations on the market; and around 35 cycles for the 
most feature-rich models that would trigger the greatest number of 
required test cycles in Appendix J2. Nevertheless, DOE seeks to find 
opportunities for reducing the test burden associated with its test 
procedures, while maintaining representative, repeatable, and 
reproducible test results.
    One of the key contributors to the total number of required cycles 
is the requirement to test three load sizes for each wash/rinse 
temperature selection required for testing on clothes washers with 
automatic WFCS (which represent the majority of the market). As 
described previously, the three load sizes were devised to approximate 
a normal distribution of consumer load sizes. At the time of the August 
1997 Final Rule, clothes washer control panels were not as feature-rich 
as current models available on the market, and DOE had not contemplated 
that future clothes washer models could require testing up to 35 
cycles.
    Given the increasing prevalence of more feature-rich clothes washer 
models that require a higher number of test cycles under Appendix J2, 
DOE is proposing to reduce test burden by reducing the number of 
defined load sizes for the proposed new Appendix J from three to two 
for clothes washers with automatic WFCS. The following paragraphs 
discuss how DOE proposes to define the two load sizes for each capacity 
bin.
    The new proposed small and large load sizes would continue to 
represent the same roughly normal distribution presented in the 1995 
P&G data described above. The weighted-average load size using the 
proposed small and large load sizes would match the weighted-average 
load size using the current minimum, average, and maximum load sizes. 
As proposed, the small and large load sizes would have equal load usage 
factors (``LUFs'') \34\ of 0.5. The small and large load sizes would 
represent approximately the 25th and 75th percentiles of the normal 
distribution, respectively. Each of these points is discussed in 
greater detail in the paragraphs that follow.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \34\ LUFs are weighting factors that represent the percentage of 
wash cycles that consumers run with a given load size.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
    Figure III.3 illustrates how the proposed new small and large load 
sizes would overlay with the P&G load distribution data.

[[Page 49158]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP01SE21.003

BILLING CODE 6450-01-C
    As noted, DOE defined the proposed new load sizes and LUFs such 
that the weighted-average load size equals the weighted-average load 
size of the current minimum, average, and maximum load definitions for 
clothes washers with automatic WFCS, and thus will produce test results 
with equivalent representativeness. As noted in DOE's responses to 
comments above, DOE is not aware of any more recent, nationally 
representative field data indicating that the consumer load size 
distribution in relation to clothes washer capacity has changed since 
the introduction of the three load sizes in the August 1997 Final Rule.
    Further, defining the small and large loads to represent 
approximately the 25th and 75th percentiles of the normal distribution 
balances the need to capture as large of a load size range as possible 
while remaining representative of the ``peak'' of the load distribution 
curve, which represents the most frequently used load sizes.
    Specifically, DOE is proposing that the small and large load sizes 
be calculated using Equation III.1 and Equation III.2, respectively.

Small load size [lb] = 0.90 x Capacity [ft\3\] + 2.34
Equation III.1 Proposed Determination of the Small Test Load Size

Large load size [lb] = 3.12 x Capacity [ft\3\] + 0.72
Equation III.2 Proposed Determination of the Large Test Load Size

    As noted, clothes washers with manual WFCS are tested only with the 
minimum and maximum load sizes, in contrast to clothes washers with 
automatic WFCS, which are tested with all three load sizes. Given DOE's 
proposal to define only two load sizes in the proposed new Appendix J, 
the same two load sizes could be used for all clothes washers, 
regardless of whether a clothes washer's WFCS is automatic or manual.
    DOE's proposal would reduce test burden under the proposed new 
Appendix J by requiring only two load sizes to be tested instead of 
three for clothes washers with automatic WFCS. Specifically, the number 
of cycles tested would be reduced by 33 percent for clothes washers 
with automatic WFCS, which represent a large majority of clothes 
washers on the market.
    DOE's proposed water fill selections corresponding to the new small 
and large load sizes are further discussed in section III.D.2 of this 
document.
    DOE requests comment on its proposal to replace the minimum, 
maximum, and average load sizes with the small and large load sizes in 
the proposed new Appendix J. DOE seeks comment on how reducing the 
number of load sizes tested would impact the

[[Page 49159]]

representativeness of test results. DOE also requests data and 
information to quantify the reduction in test burden that would result 
from reducing the number of load sizes from three to two for clothes 
washers with automatic WFCS.
2. Water Fill Setting Selections for the Proposed Load Sizes
    Section 3.2.6 of Appendix J2 prescribes the water fill setting 
selections to use with each load size based on the type of WFCS on the 
clothes washer. As discussed in section III.D.1.b of this document, DOE 
is proposing that the proposed new Appendix J test newly-defined small 
and large load sizes, rather than the minimum, maximum, and average 
load sizes used in Appendix J2. To test clothes washers using these new 
small and large load sizes, the appropriate water fill setting 
selections would also need to be provided in the proposed new Appendix 
J for each load size for each type of WFCS.
    Appendix J2 defines two main types of WFCS: manual WFCS, which 
``requires the user to determine or select the water fill level,'' and 
automatic WFCS, which ``does not allow or require the user to determine 
or select the water fill level, and includes adaptive WFCS and fixed 
WFCS.'' Sections 1.22 and 1.5 of Appendix J2, respectively. Section 
3.2.6.2 of Appendix J2 further distinguishes between user-adjustable 
and not-user-adjustable automatic WFCS. Additionally, section 3.2.6.3 
of Appendix J2 accommodates clothes washers that have both an automatic 
WFCS and an alternate manual WFCS. Proposed amendments to the 
definitions of fixed WFCS and user-adjustable automatic WFCS are 
further discussed in section III.H.3.a of this document.
    Section 3.2.6.1 of the current Appendix J2 specifies that clothes 
washers with a manual WFCS are set to the maximum water level available 
for the wash cycle under test for the maximum test load size and the 
minimum water level available for the wash cycle under test for the 
minimum test load size.
    Section 3.2.6.2.1 of Appendix J2 specifies that clothes washers 
with non-user-adjustable automatic WFCS are tested using the specified 
maximum, minimum, and average test load sizes, and that the maximum, 
minimum, and average water levels are selected by the control system 
when the respective test loads are used (i.e., no selection of water 
fill level is required by the user).
    Section 3.2.6.2.2 of Appendix J2 specifies that clothes washers 
with user-adjustable automatic WFCS undergo four tests. The first test 
is conducted using the maximum test load and with the automatic WFCS 
set in the setting that will give the most energy intensive result. The 
second test is conducted with the minimum test load and with the 
automatic WFCS set in the setting that will give the least energy 
intensive result. The third test is conducted with the average test 
load and with the automatic WFCS set in the setting that will give the 
most energy intensive result for the given test load. The fourth test 
is conducted with the average test load and with the automatic WFCS set 
in the setting that will give the least energy intensive result for the 
given test load. The energy and water consumption for the average test 
load and water level are calculated as the average of the third and 
fourth tests.
    As discussed in section III.D.1.b of this document, DOE is 
proposing that the proposed new Appendix J test newly-defined small and 
large load sizes, rather than the minimum, maximum, and average load 
sizes used in Appendix J2. To test clothes washers using these new 
small and large load sizes, the appropriate water fill setting 
selections would also need to be provided in the proposed new Appendix 
J for each load size for each type of WFCS.
    For manual WFCS clothes washers, DOE first considered maintaining 
the current water fill level settings as specified in Appendix J2 
(i.e., testing the proposed small load with the minimum water level 
setting available and testing the proposed large load with the maximum 
water level setting available). However, the proposed small load is 
larger than the current minimum load, and using the minimum water fill 
setting for the larger-sized ``small'' load may not be representative 
of consumer use. In other words, while the minimum water fill level 
setting may provide an appropriate amount of water for washing the 
``minimum'' load size, it may not provide sufficient water for washing 
the ``small'' load size as proposed. Further, the 1995 P&G data showed 
that when using a clothes washer with manual WFCS, consumers tend to 
select more water than is minimally necessary for the size of the load 
being washed.\35\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \35\ See p. 20 of the AHAM document at www.regulations.gov/document/EERE-2006-TP-0065-0027; specifically, the conclusions that 
``consumers are not good judges of clothes load size'' and 
``consumers overuse maximum fill level.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Based on these considerations, DOE is instead proposing to specify 
the use of the second-lowest water fill level setting for the proposed 
small load size. Although DOE is not aware of any clothes washers with 
manual WFCS currently on the market with only two water fill level 
settings available, DOE proposes to accommodate such a design by 
specifying that if the water fill level selector has two settings 
available for the wash cycle under test, the minimum water fill level 
setting would be selected for the small load size, consistent with the 
current specification in Appendix J2. In all cases, the water fill 
level selector would be set for the large load size to the maximum 
water fill level setting available for the wash cycle under test, 
consistent with the current specification in Appendix J2 for testing 
the maximum load size.
    For clothes washers with non-user-adjustable automatic WFCS, no 
changes would be required because the water fill levels are determined 
automatically by the WFCS.
    As discussed, section 3.2.6.2.2 of Appendix J2 specifies that 
clothes washers with user-adjustable automatic WFCS require four test 
cycles: one test at the most energy-intensive setting \36\ using the 
maximum load size, one test at the least energy-intensive setting using 
the minimum load size, one test at the least energy-intensive setting 
using the average load size, and one test at the most energy-intensive 
setting using the average load size. As described in section III.D.1.b 
of this document, DOE's proposal would reduce the number of test load 
sizes from three to two, which would necessitate a change to these 
instructions for clothes washers with user-adjustable WFCS. To 
accommodate the proposed ``small'' and ``large'' load sizes in the 
proposed new Appendix J, DOE is proposing to require testing clothes 
washers with user-adjustable WFCS using the large test load size at the 
setting that provides the most energy-intensive result, and the small 
test load size at the setting that provides the least energy-intensive 
result. This proposal would capture the same range of water fill 
performance as the current test procedure (i.e., capturing the range of 
least-intensive to most-intensive results). Additional tests could be 
considered, for example: Testing the small test load size at the 
setting that provides the most energy-intensive result and the large 
test load size at the setting that provides the least energy-intensive 
result. However, DOE has tentatively concluded that requiring

[[Page 49160]]

these two additional cycles beyond the two proposed cycles would create 
additional test burden with little, if any, improvement to 
representativeness compared to the proposal.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \36\ As described in section III.H.3.b of this document, DOE is 
proposing to update the phrase ``the setting that will give the most 
energy-intensive result'' to ``the setting that uses the most 
water'' (and likewise for the setting that will give the least 
energy-intensive result) to reflect the original intent of this 
provision.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In summary, DOE tentatively concludes that the proposed changes to 
the water fill level settings, in conjunction with the proposed changes 
to the load sizes and the applicable LUFs, would continue to produce 
representative test results for each type of WFCS. Collectively, this 
combination of amendments would continue to approximate the same 
consumer usage patterns that provide the foundation for the current 
Appendix J2 test procedure.
    DOE recognizes that for some models, these proposed amendments 
could change the measured efficiency. As noted, DOE is proposing to 
include the changes to the water fill level specifications only in the 
proposed new Appendix J, which DOE would use for the evaluation and 
issuance of updated efficiency standards. Thus, DOE is proposing that 
use of the proposed new Appendix J, if finalized, would not be required 
until such time as the energy conservation standards are amended using 
the measured efficiency as determined under Appendix J.
    DOE requests comment on its proposal to change the water fill level 
selections in the proposed new Appendix J for clothes washers with 
manual and user-adjustable automatic WFCS to reflect the proposed small 
and large test load sizes. DOE seeks data and information on how the 
proposed changes to the water fill level selection for clothes washers 
with manual and user-adjustable automatic WFCS would impact test 
procedure representativeness.
3. Determination of Warm Wash Tested Settings
    Section 3.5 of Appendix J2 states that if a clothes washer has four 
or more Warm Wash/Cold Rinse temperature selections, either all 
discrete selections shall be tested, or the clothes washer shall be 
tested at the 25-percent, 50-percent, and 75-percent positions of the 
temperature selection device between the hottest hot (<=135 [deg]F 
(57.2 [deg]C)) wash and the coldest cold wash. If a selection is not 
available at the 25, 50 or 75-percent position, in place of each such 
unavailable selection, the next warmer temperature selection shall be 
used. DOE refers to the latter provision as the ``25/50/75 test.'' 
Section 3.6 of Appendix J2 states that the 25/50/75 test provision also 
applies to the Warm Wash/Warm Rinse temperature selection.
    DOE first established the 25/50/75 test in Appendix J1-1997 to 
address the test burden for clothes washers that offer a large number 
of warm wash temperature selections, if the test procedure were to 
require testing all warm temperature selections. 62 FR 45484, 45497. 
DOE had originally proposed a similar method \37\ in the April 1996 
SNOPR for clothes washers having infinite warm wash selections that are 
nonuniformly distributed. 61 FR 17589, 17599. In the August 1997 Final 
Rule, DOE considered clothes washers with more than three warm wash 
temperatures to be clothes washers with infinite warm wash temperature 
selections, therefore allowing them to also use the 25/50/75 test. 62 
FR 45484, 45498. DOE concluded at that time that testing at the various 
test points of the temperature range, with a requirement to test to the 
next higher selection if a temperature selection is not available at a 
specified test point, would provide data representative of the warm 
wash temperature selection offerings. Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \37\ The originally proposed test would have required testing at 
the 20/40/60/80 percent positions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DOE notes that the 25/50/75 test was adopted before the widespread 
use of electronic controls, which now allow for the assignment of wash 
water temperatures that may not reflect the physical spacing between 
temperature selections on the control panel. For example, with 
electronic controls, the 25-percent, 50-percent, and 75-percent 
positions on the dial may not necessarily correspond to 25-percent, 50-
percent, and 75-percent temperature differences between the hottest and 
coldest selections. DOE is aware of clothes washers on the market with 
four or more warm wash temperature selections, in which the temperature 
selections located at the 25, 50, and 75-percent positions are low-
temperature cycles that have wash temperatures only a few degrees 
higher than the coldest wash temperature; whereas the temperature 
selection labeled ``Warm'' is located beyond the 75-percent position on 
the temperature selection dial and is therefore not included for 
testing under the 25/50/75 test. 85 FR 31065, 31073.
    In the May 2020 RFI, DOE requested feedback on the 
representativeness of using the 25/50/75 test on clothes washers with 
electronic controls, particularly for clothes washers in which the 25-
percent, 50-percent, and 75-percent positions on the dial do not 
correspond to 25-percent, 50-percent, and 75-percent temperature 
increments between the hottest and coldest selections. Id. DOE also 
requested comment on whether there is a less burdensome means for the 
test procedure to be reasonably designed to measure energy use or 
efficiency of the clothes washer during a representative average use 
cycle.
    AHAM opposed any changes to the 25/50/75 test for clothes washers 
with four or more warm/cold temperature selections, stating that 
changes are not necessary. AHAM asserted that introducing any change 
could lead to increased test burden with no evident benefit to 
consumers or energy savings. (AHAM, No. 5 at p. 13)
    The CA IOUs supported DOE amending the 25/50/75 test to define 
positions along the temperature range instead of positions along the 
temperature selection device. The CA IOUs expressed concern that the 
current 25/50/75 test significantly underestimates energy usage of 
clothes washers in situations where positions along the temperature 
selection device do not match positions along the temperature range. 
(CA IOUs, No. 8 at p. 16)
    The Joint Commenters expressed concern that the 25/50/75 test for 
clothes washers with four or more Warm Wash/Cold Rinse temperature 
selections is not representative because, for some clothes washers, the 
25-percent, 50-percent, and 75-percent positions on the temperature 
dial may not accurately represent the 25-percent, 50-percent, and 75-
percent temperature differences between the coldest and hottest 
selections. The Joint Commenters encouraged DOE to amend the 25/50/75 
test so that it adequately represents the energy use of all clothes 
washers' Warm Wash/Cold Rinse temperature selections. (Joint 
Commenters, No. 10 at p. 3)
    NEEA recommended that DOE characterize the Warm Wash/Cold Rinse 
temperature selections using a single test run on the wash temperature 
setting labeled ``Warm'' in order to increase representativeness of 
real-world use. NEEA expressed concern that the current test procedure 
likely underestimates hot water use and adds unnecessary test burden. 
(NEEA, No. 12 at pp. 18-20) NEEA added that its recommended change 
would eliminate up to six test runs from the test procedure (three load 
sizes at two wash/rinse temperatures). NEEA expects that this benefit 
would affect a sizeable percentage of the market, given NEEA's estimate 
that more than 75 percent of clothes washers sold in the Northwest have 
three or more discrete Warm Wash/Cold Rinse temperature selections. Id.

[[Page 49161]]

    DOE is proposing to require testing of both the hottest Warm Wash/
Cold Rinse setting and the coldest Warm Wash/Cold Rinse setting for all 
clothes washers in the proposed new Appendix J instead of the 25/50/75 
test. Water consumption, electrical energy consumption, and all other 
measured values \38\ would be averaged between the two tested cycles to 
represent the Warm Wash/Cold Rinse cycle. DOE is proposing to make the 
same changes to the Warm Wash/Warm Rinse cycle in the proposed new 
Appendix J.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \38\ As discussed in sections III.D.4.a and III.D.5 of this 
document, DOE is proposing to require measurements of RMC and cycle 
time for each tested cycle.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DOE's proposal would decrease the test burden under the proposed 
new Appendix J for clothes washers that offer more than two Warm Wash/
Cold Rinse or Warm Wash/Warm Rinse temperature settings, which DOE 
estimates represent around half of the market, by reducing the number 
of Warm Wash/Cold Rinse and Warm Wash/Warm Rinse tested cycles from 
three to two. Because this proposed approach may, however, change the 
measured energy use of clothes washers that offer more than two Warm 
Wash/Cold Rinse or Warm Wash/Warm Rinse settings, the proposed edits 
would not apply to Appendix J2 and therefore would not affect the 
measured efficiency of existing clothes washers. The ongoing RCW and 
CCW energy conservation standards rulemakings would consider the impact 
of any modifications to the measured efficiency using the proposed new 
Appendix J.
    DOE tentatively concludes that the proposed approach in the 
proposed new Appendix J would maintain representativeness by continuing 
to capture the complete range of Warm Wash temperatures available for 
selection (i.e., by relying on an average of the hottest Warm Wash/Cold 
Rinse setting and the coldest Warm Wash/Cold Rinse setting). For models 
that are currently tested using the 25/50/75 test and for which certain 
``Warm'' settings are located beyond the 75-percent position on the 
temperature selection dial and therefore not included for testing, 
DOE's proposal would capture entire range of available Warm Wash 
temperatures available to the consumer, and therefore would improve 
representativeness.
    DOE acknowledges that NEEA's suggestion to characterize the Warm 
Wash/Cold Rinse temperature selections using a single test run on the 
wash temperature setting labeled ``Warm'' would reduce test burden even 
further by requiring just a single test cycle. However, DOE tentatively 
concludes that testing a single Warm Wash temperature on a clothes 
washer that offers multiple Warm Wash selections to the user may not 
provide as accurate a representation of consumer usage as DOE's 
proposal, which captures the full range of available Warm Wash 
temperatures. In addition, DOE is concerned that defining the tested 
temperature as the setting labeled ``Warm'' would create ambiguity for 
clothes washers that offer multiple Warm Wash temperatures but for 
which no setting is expressly labeled ``Warm.'' For example, DOE is 
aware of clothes washers that use descriptors such as ``Colors,'' 
``Brights,'' and ``Whites'' to describe the different wash temperature 
selections available to the user.
    DOE requests comment on the proposal to require in the proposed new 
Appendix J testing only the hottest and the coldest Warm Wash/Cold 
Rinse settings. DOE seeks data and information on how this proposed 
change to the Warm Wash temperature settings required for testing would 
impact representativeness, testing costs, and manufacturer burden.
    As noted, based on its market research, DOE estimates that roughly 
half of all clothes washer models on the U.S. market offer more than 
two Warm Wash/Cold Rinse temperature settings. For these units, DOE's 
proposal to simplify the Warm Wash/Cold Rinse settings required for 
testing may impact measured efficiency. Therefore, in this NOPR, DOE is 
proposing to change the Warm Wash tested settings only in the proposed 
new Appendix J and not in the existing Appendix J2. The ongoing RCW and 
CCW energy conservation standards rulemakings would consider the impact 
of these modifications to the Warm Wash/Cold Rinse tested cycles on 
measured efficiency.
4. Remaining Moisture Content
    Section 3.8.4 of Appendix J2 requires that for clothes washers that 
have multiple spin settings \39\ available within the energy test cycle 
that result in different RMC values, the maximum and minimum extremes 
of the available spin settings must be tested with the maximum load 
size on the Cold/Cold temperature selection.\40\ The final RMC is the 
weighted average of the maximum and minimum spin settings, with the 
maximum spin setting weighted at 75 percent and the minimum spin 
setting weighted at 25 percent. The RMC measurement is used to 
calculate the drying energy component of IMEF. On most clothes washers, 
the drying energy component represents the largest portion of energy 
captured in the MEF and IMEF metric.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \39\ The term ``spin settings'' refers to spin times or spin 
speeds. The maximum spin setting results in a lower (better) RMC.
    \40\ On clothes washers that provide a Warm Rinse option, RMC 
must be measured on both Cold Rinse and Warm Rinse, with the final 
RMC calculated as a weighted average using TUFs of 73 percent for 
Cold Rinse and 27 percent for Warm Rinse. DOE has observed very few 
clothes washer models on the market that offer Warm Rinse. For 
simplicity throughout this discussion, DOE references the testing 
requirements for clothes washers that offer Cold Rinse only.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DOE is aware of clothes washers on the market that offer multiple 
spin settings, but which offer only the maximum spin setting on the 
Cold/Cold temperature selection. 85 FR 31065, 31073. This results in 
the lower spin setting not being factored into the RMC calculation, 
despite being available at other temperature selections in the energy 
test cycle. As defined in the Temperature Use Factor (``TUF'') \41\ 
Table 4.1.1 in Appendix J2, the Cold/Cold temperature selection 
represents 37 percent of consumer temperature selections, whereas the 
other available temperature selections, for which the lower spin 
settings would be available on such a unit, represent a combined 63 
percent of consumer temperature selections. Id. DOE has tentatively 
concluded that the existing RMC measurement procedure may not provide 
representative test results on certain clothes washer models.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \41\ As described in more detail in section III.G.4 of this 
document, TUFs are weighting factors that represent the percentage 
of time that consumers choose a particular wash/rinse temperature 
selection for the wash cycle.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

a. Revised Calculation
    In the May 2020 RFI, DOE requested comment on testing clothes 
washers that offer only the maximum spin setting on the Cold/Cold 
temperature selection but provide lower spin settings on other 
temperature selections. Id. DOE suggested that, RMC could be measured 
at the default spin setting for each temperature selection and averaged 
using the TUFs. Id.
    AHAM stated that it is not necessary to address clothes washers 
with spin settings that are only available on certain temperature 
selections because the current method of RMC calculation is 
representative of an average use cycle. (AHAM, No. 5 at p. 13)
    Samsung commented that clothes washers with spin settings that are 
available only on certain temperature selections make the current test 
procedure unrepresentative of real world use, since customers can 
select an

[[Page 49162]]

un-tested, and potentially more energy-intensive mode, in order to 
access the spin speed they intend to use. Samsung suggested that for 
such units, DOE consider requiring an additional test at another 
temperature setting where the spin speed is selectable. (Samsung, No. 6 
at pp. 2-3)
    NEEA commented that it was not aware of any units with spin speeds 
that are available only on certain temperature selections, but asserted 
that Appendix J2's current RMC test does not represent the range of 
RMCs expected in the field, even when maximum and minimum speeds are 
tested as specified in Appendix J2. NEEA presented RMC data from its 
testing of three top-selling clothes washer models, which demonstrated 
a difference in RMC of 0.3-1.1 percentage points between maximum and 
minimum speed.\42\ (NEEA, No. 12 at p. 5) NEEA described laboratory 
testing it conducted to isolate and measure variables that affect RMC: 
testing was performed on 12 top-selling RCW models (including six 
front-loading and five top-loading), representing over five 
manufacturers, and spanning the range of efficiencies available on the 
market; two CCWs were tested as well. (NEEA at No. 12, pp. 2-13) NEEA 
stated its testing was performed according to the DOE Appendix J2 
procedure, except that the RMC was calculated for all test runs 
performed; an encoder non-invasively measured revolutions per minute 
during test runs; and some tests were performed at different load sizes 
or using different cycle selections. Based on its data, NEEA stated 
that the current Appendix J2 RMC test does not represent the RMC of an 
average clothes washer cycle. NEEA asserted that the RMC test procedure 
prescribed in Appendix J2 represents a ``best-case'' scenario for RMC 
conditions--every other test that NEEA performed at alternate 
temperatures, load sizes, and cycle types increased the RMC value 
relative to the Appendix J2-tested value. Id. NEEA commented that, 
according to its testing, the primary difference in RMC for a given 
clothes washer was due to programmed spin differences such as spin 
time, and not differences in load size. Id. NEEA's stated that its test 
data show that among all the clothes washers tested, spin time was, on 
average, 7 minutes longer using the Cold Wash/Cold Rinse temperature 
selection with the maximum spin selection than when using the Warm 
Wash/Cold Rinse temperature selection with the default spin selection. 
These differences resulted in an RMC difference of an average of 10 
percentage points. Id. NEEA recommended that DOE measure RMC at the 
default spin setting for each temperature selection and load size, and 
average those RMC values using TUFs and LUFs. NEEA stated that this 
approach will reduce test burden by removing the need for a separate 
test run exclusively for measuring RMC, increase representativeness by 
capturing RMC for all load sizes and water temperatures, and 
potentially result in significant energy savings for clothes dryers in 
the future. Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \42\ DOE notes that in NEEA's comment, this range was cited as 
0.3-0.9, but the data in the table presented by NEEA displayed a 
range of 0.3-1.1 percentage points between the RMCs at maximum and 
minimum speed.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Joint Commenters and CA IOUs supported NEEA's comments and 
urged DOE to amend the test procedure to measure RMC for all load sizes 
and temperature selections, and to weight the measurements using LUFs 
and TUFs because doing so would improve the representativeness of the 
test procedure. (Joint Commenters, No. 10 at pp. 1-2; CA IOUs, No. 8 at 
pp. 6-7) The Joint Commenters stated that the current test procedure is 
likely significantly underestimating drying energy use and is leading 
to inaccurate efficiency ratings. (Joint Commenters, No. 10 at p. 1)
    DOE is proposing an amended method for measuring RMC in the 
proposed new Appendix J that would require measuring RMC on each of the 
energy test cycles using the default spin settings, and determining the 
final RMC by weighting the individual RMC measurements using the same 
TUFs and LUFs that apply to the water and energy measurements. DOE 
notes that this proposal is largely consistent with the approach 
recommended by NEEA and supported by the Joint Commenters and CA IOUs.
    DOE tentatively concludes (based on its test observations as 
described above and the test results presented by NEEA) that the 
current method of measuring RMC may no longer produce test results that 
measure energy and water use during a representative average use cycle 
or period of use, particularly as the prevalence of clothes washers 
with complex electronic controls continues to increase in the market. 
On a clothes washer with basic controls (e.g., in which the available 
spin settings are the same regardless of what wash/rinse temperature is 
selected), measuring RMC using only the Cold/Cold cycle would be 
expected to provide RMC results that are equally representative of the 
other available wash/rinse temperatures, which as noted comprise the 
majority of consumer cycle selections. However, on a clothes washers in 
which the selection of wash/rinse temperature affects which spin 
settings are available to be selected, measuring RMC using only the 
Cold/Cold cycle may not necessarily provide results that measure energy 
and water use during a representative average use cycle or period of 
use (i.e., across the range of wash/rinse temperature options selected 
by consumers, as represented by the temperature use factors).
    The data presented by NEEA illustrates how, on average, the spin 
portion of the cycle on the setting used to measure RMC (i.e., the 
maximum spin setting on the Cold Wash/Cold Rinse temperature setting) 
may not be representative of the spin characteristics and resulting RMC 
measurement of other temperature selections comprising the energy test 
cycle. Specifically, the data presented by NEEA suggest that the 
specific cycle configuration from which RMC is measured is programed 
with a longer spin time than other temperature settings available to 
the consumer, resulting in a significantly better RMC measurement than 
would be experienced by the consumer on the majority of wash cycles 
performed.
    The proposed update to the RMC measurement would provide a more 
representative measure of RMC than the current test procedures because 
RMC would be measured on all of the energy test cycles rather than only 
the Cold Wash/Cold Rinse cycles, which represent only 37 percent of 
consumer cycles and may not share the same RMC performance as the other 
63 percent of consumer cycles.\43\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \43\ 37% is the TUF for the Cold Wash/Cold Rinse temperature 
selection as specified in Table 4.1.1 of Appendix J2.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regarding Samsung's suggestion to require an additional RMC test at 
a different temperature setting that would provide the spin speed that 
is unavailable on the Cold setting, DOE tentatively concludes that its 
proposed approach would provide a more representative measure of RMC by 
capturing RMC across all the temperature settings within the energy 
test cycle.
    Because RMC directly affects drying energy, which is a large 
component in the calculation of IMEF, it is important that the RMC 
value be representative of all test cycles. DOE's proposal would make 
the RMC calculation consistent with how hot water energy, electrical 
energy, and water usage are calculated, i.e., by testing multiple load 
sizes and temperatures and averaging these values using LUFs and TUFs.

[[Page 49163]]

    DOE tentatively concludes that this proposal would reduce overall 
test burden. The proposal would require weighing the cloth before and 
after each test cycle, but would avoid the need to perform extra cycles 
for capturing both the maximum and minimum spin settings available on 
the clothes washer if such spin settings are not activated by default 
as part of the energy test cycle. In DOE's experience, a majority of 
clothes washers offer multiple spin settings, thus requiring between 
one and eight RMC cycles, depending on the specific options available 
on the clothes washer. Appendix J2 currently requires measuring the 
test load weight before each cycle in order to verify that the load is 
bone-dry.\44\ To DOE's knowledge, many laboratories already measure and 
record the test load weight after each test cycle as a means for 
identifying potential cycle anomalies or to provide additional data 
that can be used to verify quality control retrospectively. In cases 
where a laboratory currently does not measure the weight after 
completion of the cycle, DOE's proposal would incur a de minimis amount 
of additional time to weigh the load after the cycle, which can be 
performed using the same scale used to weigh the load at the beginning 
of the cycle. For these reasons DOE does not expect the additional 
collection of data to result in additional test burden.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \44\ See section III.D.4.b of this document for the definition 
of the term ``bone-dry.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    This proposal would likely impact the measured RMC value and thus 
would impact a clothes washer's IMEF value. Therefore, in this NOPR, 
DOE is proposing the revised RMC procedure only in the proposed new 
Appendix J and not in existing Appendix J2. The ongoing RCW and CCW 
energy conservation standards rulemakings would consider the impact of 
any modifications to the RMC calculation on measured efficiency.
    DOE requests comment on its proposal to revise the RMC procedure so 
that RMC would be measured at the default spin setting for each 
temperature selection and load size, and the individual RMC values 
would be averaged using TUFs and LUFs to calculate the final RMC. DOE 
seeks data and information regarding how this change to the RMC 
calculation would impact testing costs and manufacturer test burden.
    DOE further requests comment on whether DOE should implement any 
changes to the RMC calculation in Appendix J2 to address clothes 
washers with spin settings that are available only on certain 
temperature selections.
b. Definition of Bone-Dry
    In section 1.6 of Appendix J2, the term ``bone-dry'' is defined as 
a condition of a load of test cloth that has been dried in a dryer at 
maximum temperature for a minimum of 10 minutes, removed and weighed 
before cool down, and then dried again for 10-minute periods until the 
final weight change of the load is 1 percent or less. The bone-dry 
definition was first established in the September 1977 Final Rule. 42 
FR 49801, 49807-49808. In the March 2012 Final Rule, DOE added a 
specification to section 2.6 of Appendix J2 requiring that the dryer 
used for drying the cloth to bone-dry must heat the test cloth (and 
stuffer cloths) above 210 [deg]F (99 [deg]C). 77 FR 13888, 13924.
    In response to the May 2020 RFI, NEEA recommended that DOE update 
its procedure for achieving bone-dry test cloth to harmonize with Annex 
G of IEC Standard 60456, ``Clothes washing machines for household use--
Methods for measuring the performance'' Edition 5.0 (``IEC 60456''). 
(NEEA, No. 12 at p. 26) In particular, NEEA recommended that DOE 
consider the tumble dryer specifications in Section G.2 of IEC 60456, 
the dryer inlet temperature measurement method, and the requirement 
that the weight of the bone-dry load change be no more than 1 percent 
or 0.044 lb (whichever is smaller) between 10-minute drying periods 
(Section G.3 of IEC 60456). Id.
    DOE is not aware of any problems with the current bone-dry 
definition that would justify changing the bone-dry definition as NEEA 
has suggested. DOE has tentatively concluded that specifying a weight 
change of no more than 1 percent or 0.044 lb (whichever is smaller) 
would increase the test burden because for a majority of tested loads, 
the 0.044 lb requirement would apply, which would be more stringent 
than the existing 1 percent requirement. DOE has not identified, and 
commenters have not suggested, any problems with the current approach. 
In the absence of data indicating any problems with the current 
procedure, DOE is not proposing any changes to the bone-dry definition 
or associated dryer temperature measurement method in this NOPR.
    DOE requests comment on its tentative conclusion not to propose 
changes to the bone-dry definition and associated dryer temperature 
measurement method.
c. Starting Moisture Content
    Section 2.9.1 of Appendix J2 requires the test load for energy and 
water consumption measurements to be bone-dry prior to the first cycle 
of the test, and allows the test load to be dried to a maximum of 104 
percent of the bone-dry weight for subsequent testing. This allowance 
effectively allows for an increase to the starting moisture content of 
the load from 1 percent moisture (as implied in the definition of 
``bone-dry'' in section 1 of Appendix J2) to 4 percent moisture, which 
creates two concerns.
    First, for the largest clothes washers on the market, which use the 
largest test load sizes, a 4 percent tolerance can represent up to 1 lb 
of additional water weight in a starting test load. DOE is concerned 
that the range of starting water weights that this provision allows 
could reduce the repeatability and reproducibility of test results, 
particularly for larger clothes washers.
    Second, as described in section III.D.4.a of this document, DOE is 
proposing to require the measurement of RMC for all tested cycles in 
the proposed new Appendix J. The RMC of each tested cycle would be 
calculated based on the bone-dry weight at the start of the cycle. 
Allowing the bone-dry weight to vary within a range of 1 percent to 4 
percent moisture at the beginning of each tested cycle would introduce 
variability into the RMC calculation.
    Therefore, to improve repeatability and reproducibility of test 
results, DOE is proposing in new Appendix J to remove the provision 
that allows for a starting test load weight of 104 percent of the bone-
dry weight, and instead require that each test cycle use a bone-dry 
test load. DOE is not proposing to make any changes to section 2.9.1 of 
Appendix J2, recognizing that such a change could impact measured 
energy efficiency.
    In DOE's experience, most test laboratories use the bone-dry weight 
as the starting weight of each test load rather than a starting weight 
up to 104 percent of bone-dry, as allowed by section 2.9.1 of Appendix 
J2. If a test laboratory does make use of this provision in section 
2.9.1 of Appendix J2, the requirement to use the bone-dry weight would 
add no more than 10 minutes of drying time per cycle to ensure that the 
test load has reached the bone-dry requirement. In DOE's experience, 
most test laboratories dry the load from the previous test cycle while 
the next cycle is being tested on the clothes washer, such that a minor 
increase in drying time would not affect the overall time required to 
conduct the test procedure.
    DOE requests comment on its proposal to require that each test 
cycle use a bone-dry test load in the proposed new Appendix J. DOE 
requests comment on whether test laboratories

[[Page 49164]]

start test cycles with the test load at bone-dry or at up to 104 
percent of the bone-dry weight. DOE further requests feedback on its 
assessment that this change would not affect test burden.
5. Cycle Time Measurement
    The current test procedure does not specify a measurement for 
average cycle time. In this NOPR, DOE is proposing to base the 
allocation of annual combined low-power mode hours on the measured 
average cycle time rather than a fixed value of 8,465 hours, for the 
proposed new Appendix J (see section III.G.3 of this document). DOE is 
therefore proposing to require the measurement of average cycle time 
for the proposed new Appendix J. Calculating the annual standby mode 
and off mode hours using the measured average cycle time would provide 
a more representative basis for determining the energy consumption in 
the combined low-power modes for the specific clothes washer under 
test.
    DOE is proposing to define the overall average cycle time of a 
clothes washer model as the weighted average of the individual cycle 
times for each wash cycle configuration conducted as part of the test 
procedure, using the TUFs and LUFs for the weighting. Using the 
weighted-average approach would align the average cycle time 
calculation with the calculations for determining weighted-average 
energy and water use. These proposed changes would apply only to the 
proposed new Appendix J.
    DOE does not expect the measurement of cycle time to increase test 
burden. To DOE's knowledge, test laboratories are either already 
measuring cycle time for all tested cycles or using data acquisition 
systems to record electronic logs of each cycle, from which determining 
the cycle time would require minimal additional work.
    DOE requests comment on its proposal to add cycle time measurements 
and to calculate average cycle time using the weighted-average method 
in the proposed new Appendix J. DOE also requests comment on its 
assertion that adding cycle time measurements and a calculation of a 
weighted-average cycle time would not increase testing costs or overall 
test burden.
6. Capacity Measurement
    Section 3.1 of Appendix J2 provides the procedure for measuring the 
clothes container capacity, which represents the maximum usable volume 
for washing clothes. The clothes container capacity is measured by 
filling the clothes container with water and using the weight of the 
water to determine the volume of the clothes container. For front-
loading clothes washers, this procedure requires positioning the 
clothes washer on its back surface such that the door opening of the 
clothes container faces upwards and is leveled horizontally.
a. Computer-Aided Design
    DOE is aware that for some front-loading clothes washers, 
positioning the clothes washer on its back surface may be impractical 
or unsafe, particularly for very large or heavy clothes washers or 
those with internal components that could be damaged by the procedures 
specified in section 3.1 of Appendix J2. 85 FR 31065, 31072. On other 
clothes washers, filling the clothes container volume as described 
could be difficult or impractical, particularly for clothes washers 
with concave or otherwise complex door geometries. Id.
    Recognizing these challenges, in the May 2020 RFI, DOE considered 
whether to allow manufacturers to determine the clothes container 
capacity by performing a calculation of the volume based upon computer-
aided design (``CAD'') models of the basic model in lieu of physical 
measurements of a production unit of the basic model. 85 FR 31065, 
31072. DOE allows a CAD-based approach for consumer refrigerators, 
refrigerator-freezers, and freezers, as specified at 10 CFR 
429.72(c).\45\ In the May 2020 RFI, DOE requested comments on whether 
to allow CAD-based determination of clothes container capacity for 
clothes washers in lieu of physical measurements of a production unit 
of the basic model. Id. DOE also requested comments on the impacts on 
manufacturer burden associated with any such change to the capacity 
measurement procedure. Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \45\ Under this approach, any value of total refrigerated volume 
of a basic model reported to DOE in a certification of compliance in 
accordance with Sec.  429.14(b)(2) must be calculated using the CAD-
derived volume(s) and the applicable provisions in the test 
procedures in 10 CFR part 430 for measuring volume, and must be 
within 2 percent, or 0.5 ft\3\ (0.2 ft\3\ for compact products), 
whichever is greater, of the volume of a production unit of the 
basic model measured in accordance with the applicable test 
procedure in 10 CFR part 430. (See 10 CFR 429.72(c).)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    AHAM stated that the current volume measurement procedure works 
well as written, and AHAM does not believe it is necessary to allow for 
CAD-based determination of volume, stating that it would add 
unnecessary complexity to the test procedure. (AHAM, No. 5 at p. 10)
    UL commented that while manufacturers could easily use CAD models 
of their clothes washer containers in order to measure capacity, third-
party laboratories would still need to use the water-filling method. UL 
suggested that in order to eliminate the necessity of the water-filling 
method, manufacturers could submit CAD drawings to DOE as part of the 
certification process. (UL, No. 9 at p. 3)
    NEEA commented that DOE should not allow manufacturers to declare 
capacities that cannot be verified by a third party (such as 
manufacturer-reported CAD-based determinations). (NEEA, No. 12 at pp. 
26-27)
    No information is available at this time to determine how a 
capacity rating based on a CAD model would compare to the measured 
capacity using the procedure defined in Appendix J2. DOE is not 
proposing to allow CAD-based capacity measurement at this time.
b. Alternative Measurements
    In test procedures established in certain other jurisdictions 
(e.g., Europe, the United Arab Emirates, Australia, and New Zealand), 
clothes washer capacity is represented in terms of the weight of 
clothing (e.g., kilograms or pounds) that may be washed, rather than 
the physical volume of the clothes container. Furthermore, some of 
these test procedures allow for the clothes washer capacity to be 
declared by the manufacturer, representing the maximum weight of 
clothing that the clothes washer is designed to successfully clean. 85 
FR 31065, 31072.
    Some of the alternate representations of clothes washer capacity 
that DOE could consider include:
     A weight-based capacity, such as pounds of clothing, which 
could be derived from the measured volume of the clothes container in a 
similar manner to the way that the maximum test load is currently 
specified in Table 5.1 of Appendix J2 based on the measured clothes 
container volume.
     A clothes container capacity that is declared by the 
manufacturer using an industry-standard methodology. For example, IEC 
60456 provides two optional methodologies for determining clothes 
container capacity, using either table tennis balls or water.\46\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \46\ For the table tennis ball approach, the clothes container 
is filled with specified table tennis balls, and an empirically 
determined equation is provided to convert the number of balls into 
a capacity value. The water approach is similar to the approach 
provided in section 3.1 of Appendix J2.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In the May 2020 RFI, DOE requested comment on whether to consider 
any changes to the representation of clothes washer capacity, 
including, but not limited to, a weight-based capacity or manufacturer-
declared capacity based on industry-standard methodology. 85 FR 31065, 
31072. Specifically, DOE

[[Page 49165]]

requested comment on whether the two methodologies provided in IEC 
60456 provide capacity measurements that result in a test method that 
measures the energy use of the clothes washer during a representative 
average use cycle or period of use. Id.
    AHAM supported the continued use of the current DOE clothes washer 
volume measurement, stating that it is accurate, repeatable, and 
reproducible. AHAM opposed any changes of the representation of clothes 
washer volume to a weight-based measurement or other manufacturer-
declared capacity because, to AHAM's knowledge, there is not a 
repeatable, reproducible way to do so. (AHAM, No. 5 at pp. 10-12) AHAM 
described work it has performed over the past decade to develop a test 
procedure to evaluate capacity in terms of the weight of clothes that 
can be effectively washed and rinsed, similar to various international 
approaches. Id. As part of its investigation, AHAM tested cleaning, 
rinsing, and gentleness on nine randomly selected units to develop a 
baseline performance. AHAM stated that the results of this testing 
showed that the variation of the performance scores was too high to 
yield repeatable or reproducible results. Id. AHAM stated that any DOE 
effort to formulate a similar procedure would likely meet similar 
challenges. Id.
    Electrolux supported AHAM's position that alternative capacity 
measurement methods should not be considered. Electrolux stated that 
the water volume-based method in use today is easy for third-party 
laboratories to use, and provides the best and most accurate data for 
the DOE test method. Electrolux stated that the water method is neither 
too restrictive nor too burdensome. (Electrolux, No. 11 at p. 1)
    NEEA commented that DOE should maintain a single method of 
measurement of volumetric capacity, as it does currently in Appendix 
J2. (NEEA, No. 12 at pp. 26-27) NEEA stated that DOE should not allow 
multiple methods of capacity measurement under the test method, stating 
that this can lead to inconsistency and inequitable application of the 
test procedure that includes a maximum load size based on basket 
capacity. Id. NEEA also commented that DOE should not allow 
manufacturer declarations of capacity that cannot be verified by a 
third party (such as manufacturer reported CAD-based determinations). 
Id. NEEA cited the potentially high burden that would be associated 
with including washing performance testing that would be required for a 
manufacturer-reported weight capacity. Id.
    DOE appreciates details and insights from stakeholders and industry 
regarding efforts to investigate this issue. DOE is not proposing to 
specify any alternatives to the current capacity measurement procedure 
at this time.
c. Modifications to the Existing Capacity Method
    Section 3.1 of Appendix J2 provides the methodology for determining 
clothes container capacity. In the March 2012 Final Rule, DOE revised 
the clothes container capacity measurement to better reflect the actual 
usable capacity compared to the previous measurement procedures. 77 FR 
13887, 13917. In the August 2015 Final Rule, DOE further added to the 
capacity measurement procedure a revised description of the maximum 
fill volume for front-loading clothes washers, as well as illustrations 
of the boundaries defining the uppermost edge of the clothes container 
for top-loading vertical-axis clothes washers and the maximum fill 
volume for horizontal-axis clothes washers. 80 FR 46729, 46733.
    For top-loading vertical-axis clothes washers, DOE defined the 
uppermost edge of the clothes container as the uppermost edge of the 
rotating portion of the wash basket. 77 FR 13887, 13917-13918. DOE also 
concluded that the uppermost edge is the highest horizontal plane that 
a dry clothes load could occupy in a top-loading vertical-axis clothes 
washer that would allow clothing to interact with the water and 
detergent properly. Id.
    Samsung recommended that DOE reconsider the capacity measurement 
guideline for top-loading clothes washers. Samsung stated that volume 
should be measured up to the manufacturer-recommended fill line, 
instead of measuring up to the top of the rotating portion of the 
clothes container. Samsung added that the discrepancy between measured 
volume and manufacturer-recommended fill line may overstate the energy 
and water efficiency in the test method compared to real-world use. 
(Samsung, No. 6 at p. 2)
    DOE discussed its justification for the current fill level 
definition for top-loading clothes washers as part of the March 2012 
Final Rule. 77 FR 13888, 13917-13920. The fill level recommended by 
Samsung corresponds to ``Fill Level 1'' as described in the March 2012 
Final Rule, while the current definition as the uppermost edge of the 
rotating portion of the wash basket corresponds to ``Fill Level 2'' as 
described in the March 2012 Final Rule. As DOE explained in the March 
2012 Final Rule, by respecting manufacturer recommendations, Fill Level 
1 would best ensure wash performance is maintained, and thus is the 
most consumer-relevant fill level. However, should clothing occupy the 
space between Fill Level 1 and Fill Level 2 during a wash cycle, the 
clothing could be cleaned sufficiently because water can still be 
contained within that volume. Clothing above Fill Level 2, however, is 
not likely to be cleaned sufficiently because it would be outside the 
wash basket during the wash cycle and risks being damaged if it becomes 
entangled on stationary fixtures such as the tub cover or other 
mechanical components of the clothes washer during the wash cycle. Id. 
For these reasons, DOE adopted Fill Level 2 for determining the 
capacity of top-loading clothes washers.
    DOE is not aware of any changes to product designs since the March 
2012 Final Rule that would cause DOE to reevaluate its conclusions 
about the most appropriate capacity fill level. In DOE's experience 
since the March 2012 Final Rule, the existing capacity fill definition 
is implemented consistently by test laboratories and results in 
repeatable and reproducible measurements of capacity. DOE is therefore 
not proposing any changes to the existing capacity measurement method.
    DOE requests comment on its tentative determination to maintain the 
current capacity measurement method.
7. Anomalous Cycles
    Section 3.2.9 of Appendix J2 specifies discarding the data from a 
wash cycle that ``provides a visual or audio indicator to alert the 
user that an out-of-balance condition has been detected, or that 
terminates prematurely if an out-of-balance condition is detected, and 
thus does not include the agitation/tumble operation, spin speed(s), 
wash times, and rinse times applicable to the wash cycle under test.'' 
In the May 2020 RFI, DOE sought input on whether the test procedure 
should, in addition to out-of-balance conditions, also require 
discarding data for wash cycles in which any other anomalous behavior 
may be observed. 85 FR 31065, 31070. DOE also requested information on 
whether the test procedure should explicitly require that any wash 
cycle for which data was discarded due to anomalous behavior must also 
be repeated to obtain data without the anomalous behavior to be 
included in the energy test cycle. Id.
    NEEA requested more specific guidance on when test cycle data 
should be considered anomalous to ensure test

[[Page 49166]]

procedure consistency, specifically whether a ``visual or audio'' 
indicator includes tub cabinet hits, a paused spin cycle, anomalous 
revolutions per minute (``rpm''), an ``unbalanced'' indication on the 
control panel, or any other type of signal. NEEA stated that 
inconsistencies among test laboratory interpretations of this provision 
could lead to repeatability and reproducibility issues. (NEEA, No. 12 
at p. 17)
    UL commented that DOE should consider amending section 3.2.9 of 
Appendix J2 to specify whether the term ``audio indicator'' includes 
only electronic tones from the clothes washer (e.g., beeps), or if it 
also includes mechanical noises from the machinery itself (e.g., the 
cabinet hitting due to an unbalanced load). UL added that unbalanced 
visual indicators (such as a machine control panel displaying ``ul'' 
for unbalanced load) may last for only a few seconds and could be 
easily missed. (UL, No. 9 at p. 2) UL also suggested that wash water 
use data be discarded if consumption and/or cycle time differ vastly 
from other cycles run on the machine, since cycle time may be altered 
if a clothes washer adds an extra rinse to redistribute an unbalanced 
load. Id.
    AHAM commented that sometimes a cycle may not terminate due to an 
out-of-balance or other anomalous behavior, and that some models do not 
provide audio or visual indicators to notify the consumer that an 
anomalous condition was detected and fixed by the machine. (AHAM, No. 5 
at pp. 7-8) According to AHAM, these actions benefit the consumer--
instead of requiring consumer interaction during the cycle, the clothes 
washer addresses the anomalous behavior and finishes the cycle. AHAM 
added that this also often saves energy and water by finishing the 
cycle with some incrementally increased water or energy usage instead 
of requiring a cycle to be canceled and completely re-run. Id. AHAM 
stated that it is unlikely that these anomalous conditions happen 
frequently when consumers use the clothes washer and that test runs 
exhibiting these conditions should be considered invalid. Id. In 
response to DOE's question about how anomalous behavior can be detected 
without an indicator and during the test of only one unit, AHAM 
commented that a spot check verification test would be the only means 
for doing so. AHAM added that should anomalous behavior occur during a 
single test, more units will almost always be tested as part of DOE's 
enforcement procedures or ENERGY STAR verification procedures, and that 
at that time, anomalous behavior would become evident and would be a 
signal to the laboratory that the outlier test run should be discarded. 
Id. According to AHAM, a trained technician--whether at a manufacturer 
laboratory or a third-party laboratory--should similarly be able to 
tell that there was a power interruption at some point in the duration 
of the cycle due to software detecting an issue, stopping the cycle, 
and taking action to fix it (e.g., redistributing the load). Id.
    AHAM recommended that DOE add language to the test procedure 
specifying that if there is a visual or audio indicator that would 
alert the user about anomalous behavior, or if there are other 
indicators that suggest anomalous behavior, the test be stopped and the 
results discarded. Id. According to AHAM, without this change, 
manufacturers may need to redesign products to terminate at any 
indication of anomalous behavior rather than automatically resolve the 
issue for the consumer. AHAM added that the ability of a clothes washer 
to correct itself without terminating the cycle is an important 
consumer utility. Id. To address possible circumvention concerns (e.g., 
that a product would be designed to perform this way), AHAM proposed 
that DOE consider a similar approach to IEC 60456 (Section 8.2.5 and 
the accompanying note which references Section 9.1), which limits the 
number of additional test runs and requires reporting the reason for 
the rejection of a test run. Id.
    Electrolux supported the suggestion that energy data obtained from 
a cycle that may be acting erratically or abnormally in any way should 
be discarded. Electrolux recommended that DOE consider a possible 
manufacturer-supplied cycle status code that would be available to any 
test agency following completion of a cycle, which would monitor the 
cycle for anomalous behavior and provide an error code indicating not 
to use that cycle data. Electrolux additionally supported AHAM's 
comments on this issue. (Electrolux, No. 11 at p. 3)
    DOE acknowledges that as clothes washer technology has improved, 
certain clothes washers are designed to self-correct out-of-balance 
loads or make other adjustments to the operation of the unit to 
complete the cycle without alerting the consumer or requiring user 
intervention. DOE also recognizes the benefit of objective and 
observable criteria to determine when an anomalous cycle has occurred, 
based on a single test, such that the data from that anomalous cycle 
should be discarded.
    To provide more objective and observable criteria, DOE proposes 
that data from a wash cycle would be discarded if either: The washing 
machine signals to the user by means of an audio or visual alert that 
an off-balance condition has occurred; or the wash cycle terminates 
prematurely and thus does not include the agitation/tumble operation, 
spin speed(s), wash times, and rinse times applicable to the wash cycle 
under test. The proposed reference to an audio or visual alert refers 
to a warning sound initiated by the clothes washer, or visual cue such 
as a flashing light or persistent error code, that is provided to the 
user to actively inform the user that a problem has occurred; as 
opposed to a more passive indication such as the cabinet hitting the 
side or a change in the projected cycle duration, which could go 
unnoticed by the user or which itself may not be an indication of an 
out-of-balance load that warrants discarding the data for a test cycle. 
To emphasize this intent, DOE is proposing to change the current phrase 
``provides a visual or audio indicator to alert the user'' to ``signals 
to the user by means of a visual or audio alert'' in both section 3.2.9 
of Appendix J2 and section 3.2.6 of the proposed new Appendix J.
    DOE is also proposing to change the current phrase ``terminates 
prematurely if an out-of-balance condition is detected'' to simply 
``terminates prematurely,'' in recognition that other factors beyond an 
out-of-balance condition could also cause a wash cycle to terminate 
prematurely (e.g., a clogged filter, mechanical malfunction, etc.), and 
that for any such reason, the data from that wash cycle would be 
discarded.
    DOE is further proposing non-substantive wording changes to section 
3.2.9 of Appendix J2 and section 3.2.6 of the proposed new Appendix J 
to make explicit that if data are discarded for the reasons described 
in these sections, the wash cycle is repeated.
    DOE requests comment on the proposed criteria for determining 
whether test data are to be discarded. Specifically, DOE requests 
comment on the proposal that test data are discarded if a washing 
machine either signals to the user by means of a visual or audio alert 
that an out-of-balance condition has occurred or terminates 
prematurely. DOE requests comment on whether additional or alternate 
criteria would provide objective and observable indication during a 
single test that test data are to be discarded.
8. Semi-Automatic Clothes Washers
    Section III.C.2 of this document discussed the installation of 
semi-automatic clothes washers for testing.

[[Page 49167]]

This section discusses the wash/rinse temperature selections and TUFs 
applicable to semi-automatic clothes washers. As noted, semi-automatic 
clothes washers are defined at 10 CFR 430.2 as a class of clothes 
washer that is the same as an automatic clothes washer except that user 
intervention is required to regulate the water temperature by adjusting 
the external water faucet valves. DOE's test procedure requirements at 
10 CFR 430.23(j)(2)(ii) state that the use of Appendix J2 is required 
to determine IMEF for both automatic and semi-automatic clothes 
washers.
    Semi-automatic clothes washers inherently do not provide wash/rinse 
temperature selections on the control panel, as any combination of 
cold, warm, and hot wash temperatures and rinse temperatures are 
provided by the user's adjustment of the external water faucet valves. 
The following discussion provides relevant historical context on this 
issue.
    Section 6.1 of Appendix J-1977 and Appendix J-1997 provided 
separate TUFs explicitly for semi-automatic clothes washers for the 
following wash/rinse temperature combinations: Hot/Hot, Hot/Warm, Hot/
Cold, Warm/Warm, Warm/Cold, and Cold/Cold. The specification of these 
TUFs indicated that these six wash/rinse temperature combinations were 
required for testing. Section 3.2.2.6 of Appendix J-1977 and Appendix 
J-1997 and section 3.2.3.1.6 of Appendix J1-1997 and Appendix J1-2001 
provided a table indicating the following external water faucet valve 
positions required to achieve each wash and rinse temperature 
selection:
     Hot: Hot valve completely open, cold valve closed;
     Warm: Hot valve completely open, cold valve completely 
open; and
     Cold: Hot valve closed, cold valve completely open.
    Inherently, testing the Hot/Hot, Warm/Warm, and Cold/Cold 
temperature combinations require no changes to the water faucet valve 
positions between the wash and rinse portions of the cycle. However, 
testing the Hot/Warm, Hot/Cold, and Warm/Cold temperature combinations 
requires the test administrator to manually regulate the water 
temperature between the wash and rinse portions of the cycle by 
adjusting the external water faucet valves. As reflected in DOE's 
definition of semi-automatic clothes washer, user intervention is 
required to regulate the water temperature of all semi-automatic 
clothes washers (i.e., user regulation of water temperature is the 
distinguishing characteristic of a semi-automatic clothes washer). See 
10 CFR 430.2.
    When it established Appendix J1-1997, DOE combined all of the TUF 
tables--for both automatic and semi-automatic clothes washers--that 
were provided in section 5 and section 6 of Appendix J-1997 into a 
single condensed table in Table 4.1.1 of Appendix J1-1997. 62 FR 45484, 
45512. In contrast to Appendix J-1997, which provided separate TUF 
tables for every possible set of available wash/rinse temperature 
selections, the simplified table in Appendix J1-1997 was organized into 
columns based on the number of wash temperature selections available on 
a clothes washer. Warm rinse was considered separately within each 
column of the table. Id. In the current version of Appendix J2, Table 
4.1.1 remains a single simplified table, although in the August 2015 
Final Rule, DOE clarified the column headings by listing the wash/rinse 
temperature selections applicable to each column. 80 FR 46729, 46782.
    The simplified Table 4.1.1 in Appendix J2 does not state which 
column(s) of the table are applicable to semi-automatic clothes 
washers. In the May 2012 Direct Final Rule, DOE stated that it was not 
aware of any semi-automatic clothes washers on the market. 77 FR 32307, 
32317. However, DOE is currently aware of several semi-automatic 
clothes washer models available in the U.S. market.
    In the May 2020 RFI, DOE requested input on whether to amend the 
test procedure with regard to the specificity of wash/rinse test 
combinations for semiautomatic clothes washers in Appendix J2, and 
whether those updates would provide test results that measure energy 
efficiency and water use during a representative average use cycle or 
period of use, and whether they would be unduly burdensome to conduct. 
85 FR 31065, 31077.
    No comments were received regarding these aspects of the test 
procedure for semi-automatic clothes washers. The following sections 
describe DOE's proposals for specifying how to test semi-automatic 
clothes washers.
a. Temperature Selections and Usage Factors
    DOE is proposing to specify how to test semi-automatic clothes 
washers in the proposed new Appendix J. In this section, DOE describes 
its proposals to specify which temperatures to test and which TUFs to 
apply to the measured results.
    As described above, Appendix J-1977 required testing six wash/rinse 
temperature combinations: Hot/Hot, Hot/Warm, Hot/Cold, Warm/Warm, Warm/
Cold and Cold/Cold. The TUFs in Table 6.1 of Appendix J-1977 used the 
same general usage factors for semi-automatic clothes washers as for 
automatic clothes washers. 42 FR 49802, 49810. For example, the Cold/
Cold TUF of 0.15 was the same for both types, and the sum of Hot/Hot, 
Hot/Warm and Hot/Cold (with a total TUF of 0.30) for semi-automatic 
clothes washers was the same as the TUF for Hot/Cold on an automatic 
clothes washer with only three temperature selections.
    DOE updated the TUFs in the August 1997 Final Rule, based on P&G 
data provided by AHAM. 62 FR 45484, 45491. Currently, Table 4.1.1 of 
Appendix J2 does not include TUFs for all six of the temperatures 
required for testing in Appendix J-1977.
    DOE considered requiring that semi-automatic clothes washers be 
tested with the same six temperature settings as in Appendix J-1977. 
Table III.2 lists potential TUF values that could be used if DOE were 
to require testing all six possible temperature combinations. These 
values follow the same pattern that was used in Table 6.1 of Appendix 
J-1977, such that the sum of all temperature selections with a Hot Wash 
add up to 0.14 and the sum of all temperature selections with a Warm 
Wash add up to 0.49,\47\ consistent with the current TUFs for Hot/Cold 
and Warm/Cold as defined in Table 4.1.1 of Appendix J2.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \47\ DOE notes that the apportionment between Warm/Warm and 
Warm/Cold was different for automatic clothes washers and semi-
automatic clothes washers in Appendix J-1977. DOE is proposing a TUF 
apportionment between Warm/Warm and Warm/Cold that is proportional 
to the apportionment in Table 6.1 of Appendix J-1977.

   Table III.2--Potential Temperature Usage Factors for Semi-Automatic
    Clothes Washers Reflecting Six Required Temperature Combinations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Potential TUF
            Wash/rinse temperature  selection                 values
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hot/Hot.................................................            0.07
Hot/Warm................................................            0.05
Hot/Cold................................................            0.02
Warm/Warm...............................................            0.38
Warm/Cold...............................................            0.11
Cold/Cold...............................................            0.37
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    By including all six possible temperature combinations, Table 6.1 
of Appendix J-1977 included wash/rinse temperature settings that 
require the water temperature to be changed between the wash portion 
and the rinse portion of the cycle (i.e., Hot/Warm, Hot/Cold, and Warm/
Cold), and wash/rinse temperature settings that do not require any 
water temperature change

[[Page 49168]]

(i.e., Hot/Hot, Warm/Warm, and Cold/Cold). In Table 6.1 of Appendix J-
1977, temperature settings that do not require a water temperature 
change had higher usage factors than temperatures settings that do 
require a water temperature change, reflecting that consumers are more 
likely to use a single temperature for the entire duration of the cycle 
than to change the temperature between the wash and rinse portions of 
the cycle.
    In implementing specific provisions for testing semi-automatic 
clothes washers in the proposed new Appendix J, DOE is proposing to 
require testing only those temperature settings that do not require a 
water temperature change (i.e., Hot/Hot, Warm/Warm, and Cold/Cold). As 
indicated, by the TUFs from Appendix J-1977 and Appendix J-1997, 
consumers are more likely to use a single temperature for the entire 
duration of the cycle than to change the temperature between the wash 
and rinse portions of the cycle. Changing the temperature between the 
wash and rinse portions of the cycle would require the consumer to 
monitor the operation of the clothes washer and adjust the temperature 
at the appropriate time. It is expected that consumers are more likely 
not to interact with the operation of the clothes washer during 
operation of the unit, once it has been started. Not requiring testing 
of temperature combinations that would require the user to change the 
temperature between wash and rinse would reduce test burden 
significantly, while producing results that are representative of 
consumer usage. DOE tentatively concludes that requiring testing all 
six possible temperature combinations would present undue burden 
compared to testing only those temperature combinations that do not 
require a water temperature change.
    DOE requests comment on its proposal for testing semi-automatic 
clothes washers in the proposed new Appendix J that would require 
testing only the wash/rinse temperature combinations that do not 
require a wash temperature change between the wash and rinse portions 
of the cycle (i.e., Hot/Hot, Warm/Warm, and Cold/Cold).
    To define the TUFs for these three temperature combinations, DOE 
proposes to use the TUFs from the existing column of Table 4.1.1 of 
Appendix J2 specified for testing clothes washers with Hot/Cold, Warm/
Cold, and Cold/Cold temperature selections, and presented in Table 
III.3. To further simplify the test procedure, since DOE is proposing 
to require testing only those temperature selections that do not 
require a change in the water temperature, DOE is proposing to label 
these selections ``Hot,'' ``Warm,'' and ``Cold,'' respectively (as 
opposed to ``Hot/Hot'', ``Warm/Warm'', and ``Cold/Cold'').

   Table III.3--Potential Temperature Usage Factors for Semi-Automatic
   Clothes Washers Reflecting Three Required Temperature Combinations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Potential TUF
                  Temperature selection                       values
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hot.....................................................            0.14
Warm....................................................            0.49
Cold....................................................            0.37
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DOE requests feedback on its proposal to test semi-automatic 
clothes washers using TUF values of 0.14 for Hot, 0.49 for Warm, and 
0.37 for Cold.
    DOE further requests comment on whether the temperature selections 
and TUFs that DOE has proposed for semi-automatic clothes washers would 
be representative of consumer use; and if not, which temperature 
selections and TUF values would better reflect consumer use.
    DOE recognizes that these proposed specifications for testing semi-
automatic clothes washers may differ from how manufacturers are 
currently testing semi-automatic clothes washers under Appendix J2 
(which, as described, does not provide explicit instructions for semi-
automatic clothes washers). Therefore, DOE is proposing to include 
these provisions only in the proposed new Appendix J, which would be 
used for the evaluation and issuance of updated efficiency standards, 
and would not be required until the compliance date of any updated 
standards. However, DOE could consider replicating these changes in 
Appendix J2 as well, to provide greater clarity on how to test semi-
automatic clothes washers using Appendix J2.
    DOE requests comment on whether to include explicit instructions 
for how to test semi-automatic clothes washers in Appendix J2, and if 
so, whether DOE should implement the same procedures being proposed for 
the proposed new Appendix J.
    DOE requests feedback on how manufacturers of semi-automatic 
clothes washers are currently testing their products using Appendix J2.
b. Cycles Required for Test
    Inherent to semi-automatic clothes washer operation is that the 
clothes washer provides the same cycle operation for a given load size 
and cycle setting, regardless of the water temperature that the user 
provides. As a result, when testing a semi-automatic clothes washer, 
machine energy consumption, total water consumption, bone-dry weight, 
cycle-completion weight, and cycle time for a given load size are 
unaffected by wash/rinse temperature. When testing a given load size, 
only the relative amount of cold and hot water consumption is based on 
the water temperature provided by the user. For the Cold cycle as 
proposed, all of the water used is cold; for the Hot cycle as proposed, 
all of the water used is hot; and for the Warm cycle as proposed, half 
of the water used is cold and half is hot.\48\ Based on these 
relationships, for a given load size, once one of the test cycles has 
been performed and the total water consumption determined, the relative 
amounts of cold and hot water for the other required cycles can be 
determined formulaically rather than needing to be determined through 
testing. Therefore, DOE has tentatively determined that testing all 
three of the proposed temperature selections would be unnecessary, and 
that only a single test cycle is required for a given load size. DOE is 
proposing in the proposed new Appendix J to require testing only the 
Cold cycle, and to determine the representative values for the Hot and 
Warm cycles formulaically based on the values measured for the Cold 
cycle. This approach would reduce the test burden for semi-automatic 
clothes washers by requiring only two test cycles be conducted (using 
the small and large test loads with the Cold cycle) as opposed to six 
cycles (using the small and large test loads with the Cold, Warm, and 
Hot cycles) and obtaining the other required values through 
calculation.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \48\ These water use determinations are based on the water 
faucet positions specified in section 3.2.3.2 of Appendix J2, which 
as described previously, specifies that to obtain a hot inlet water 
temperature, open the hot water faucet completely and close the cold 
water faucet; for a warm inlet water temperature, open both hot and 
cold water faucets completely; and for a cold inlet water 
temperature, close the hot water faucet and open the cold water 
faucet completely.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DOE requests comment on its proposal to require semi-automatic 
clothes washers to test only the Cold cycle, and to determine the 
representative values for the Warm and Hot cycles formulaically, for 
the proposed new Appendix J.
    DOE notes that if it were to require measuring all six temperature 
options listed in Table III.2 of this document (Hot/Hot, Hot/Warm, Hot/
Cold, Warm/Warm, Warm/Cold, and Cold/Cold), the determination of hot 
and cold water use would be more complicated for temperature selections 
that require a

[[Page 49169]]

water temperature change. The tester would first need to determine the 
proportion of wash water to rinse water, in order to be able to 
apportion the total volume of cold and hot water used between wash and 
rinse for each of the temperature selections determined formulaically.
    DOE requests comment on the test burden associated with determining 
the apportionment between wash water use and rinse water use on semi-
automatic clothes washers.
c. Implementation
    To implement the changes described above for semi-automatic clothes 
washers, DOE is proposing to create a section 3.4 in the proposed new 
Appendix J (see discussion in section III.H.7 of this document for an 
explanation of how section 3 of the proposed new Appendix J would be 
structured) specifying the cycles required for testing semi-automatic 
clothes washers. Section 3.4.1 would specify the required test 
measurements for the Cold cycle and would define variables for each 
measured value. Section 3.4.2 would specify the formulas used to 
calculate the representative values for the Warm and Hot cycles, based 
on the measured values from the Cold cycle.
    DOE is also proposing to create a section 2.12.2 in the proposed 
new Appendix J to state that the energy test cycle for semi-automatic 
clothes washers includes only the Cold Wash/Cold Rinse (``Cold'') test 
cycle. DOE would also create a section 2.12.1, which would parallel the 
current section 2.12 in Appendix J2 and would be identified as applying 
to automatic clothes washers. DOE is further proposing to specify that 
section 3.2.1 of the proposed new Appendix J (which would mirror 
section 3.2.4 of Appendix J2) would apply only to automatic clothes 
washers.
9. Optional Cycle Modifiers
    Section 3.2.7 of Appendix J2 states that for clothes washers with 
electronic control systems, the manufacturer default settings must be 
used for any cycle selections, except for (1) the temperature 
selection, (2) the wash water fill levels, or (3) if necessary, the 
spin speeds on wash cycles used to determine RMC. Specifically, the 
manufacturer default settings must be used for wash conditions such as 
agitation/tumble operation, soil level, spin speed on wash cycles used 
to determine energy and water consumption, wash times, rinse times, 
optional rinse settings, water heating time for water-heating clothes 
washers, and all other wash parameters or optional features applicable 
to that wash cycle. Any optional wash cycle feature or setting (other 
than wash/rinse temperature, water fill level selection, or spin speed 
on wash cycles used to determine RMC) that is activated by default on 
the wash cycle under test must be included for testing unless the 
manufacturer instructions recommend not selecting this option, or 
recommend selecting a different option, for washing normally soiled 
cotton clothing.
    DOE has observed a trend towards increased availability of optional 
cycle modifiers such as ``deep fill,'' and ``extra rinse,'' among 
others. 85 FR 31065, 31076. These optional settings may significantly 
impact the water and/or energy consumption of the clothes washer when 
activated. Id. DOE has observed that the default setting of these 
optional settings on the Normal cycle is most often in the off 
position; i.e., the least energy- and water-intensive setting. Id. The 
growing presence of such features may, however, be indicative of an 
increase in consumer demand and/or usage of these features. Id.
    In the May 2020 RFI, DOE sought comment on whether testing cycle 
settings other than the manufacturer default settings would measure the 
energy efficiency and water use of the clothes washer during a 
representative average use cycle or period of use. Id. DOE also sought 
comment on whether the non-default selections required by the current 
DOE test procedure meet this requirement. Id. DOE additionally 
requested information regarding how frequently consumers use ``deep 
fill,'' ``extra rinse,'' or other cycle modifiers, as well as whether 
(and if so, by how much) such modifiers may increase the energy or 
water consumption of a wash cycle compared to the default settings on 
the Normal cycle. Id. DOE requested comment on whether testing these 
features in the default settings would produce test results that 
measure energy efficiency and water use of clothes washers during a 
representative average use cycle or period of use, and the burden of 
such testing on manufacturers. Id.
    AHAM opposed testing of cycle settings other than the manufacturer 
default and recommended that DOE should not test every possible clothes 
washer cycle or combination of options. AHAM stated that it does not 
believe optional cycle modifiers are used in most cycles--they exist to 
provide additional choices to the consumer and increase customer 
satisfaction. (AHAM, No. 5 at pp. 14-15) AHAM, stated that testing 
these optional cycle modifiers could increase test burden without a 
corresponding benefit in improving consumer representativeness, and 
that DOE should only measure cycles that are representative of an 
average use cycle or period of use, as required by EPCA. Id. AHAM 
commented that any potential future test procedure change or 
calculation approach must take into account the frequency with which 
consumers use optional features and the impact such usage has on 
energy. (AHAM, No. 5 at p. 4)
    Electrolux also opposed additional testing for cycle modifiers. 
Electrolux commented that cycle modifiers are included on clothes 
washers for special purposes and are not intended for full-time use. 
According to Electrolux, these modifiers may be unavailable for 
specific test cycles and are never a default option due to their 
specific use. Electrolux stated that adding these to an energy 
calculation would require extensive survey of their use by consumers. 
Electrolux further commented that the variety and number of cycle 
modifiers on machines on the market make it difficult to track and 
understand usage of the modifiers. (Electrolux, No. 11 at p. 3)
    The CA IOUs supported the investigation of the usage frequency of 
cycle modifiers, stating that the increased presence of such modifiers 
implies that there is a market desire for such features and that 
clothes washers are being used with these cycle settings at a non-
trivial frequency. (CA IOUs, No. 8 at p. 16)
    NEEA commented that, since options such as ``extra water'' and/or 
``deep fill'' improve clothes washer performance,\49\ it is likely that 
many consumers use these options even if they are not enabled by 
default. NEEA stated that these alternative settings should therefore 
be included in the test procedure. (NEEA, No. 12 at p. 21)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \49\ DOE assumes that by clothes washer performance, NEEA means 
cleaning and rinsing performance.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Joint Commenters encouraged DOE to capture the impact of cycle 
modifiers such as ``deep fill'' and ``extra rinse'' on energy and water 
use. The Joint Commenters expressed concern that since the default 
position for these modifiers is most often ``off,'' the test procedure 
is effectively assigning a value of zero to the energy and water use of 
these features, which is likely not representative. According to the 
Joint Commenters, the test procedure may therefore be significantly 
underestimating energy and/or water use of clothes washers with these

[[Page 49170]]

optional cycle modifiers. (Joint Commenters, No. 10 at p. 4)
    Samsung suggested that DOE amend section 2.8 of Appendix J2 to note 
that at test load sizes ``Max'' and ``Min'' for manual and automatic 
water control systems, the corresponding water fill setting should 
require the use of any user-selectable options to change water level in 
order to reflect real-world minimum and maximum fill levels. (Samsung, 
No. 6 at p. 3)
    DOE is not aware of any consumer usage data concerning the use of 
optional cycle modifiers, nor did interested parties provide any such 
data. Although DOE maintains that the growing presence of such features 
may be indicative of an increase in consumer usage of these features, 
DOE lacks consumer usage data that would be required to incorporate the 
testing of such features in the test procedure. Therefore, DOE is not 
proposing to change the current requirement to use the manufacturer 
default settings for optional cycle modifiers.
    In response to Samsung's comment, DOE notes that in section 3.2.7 
of Appendix J2, wash water fill levels are excluded from the list of 
cycle options for which the manufacturer default settings must be used. 
Selecting the most (or least) energy intensive water fill setting as 
required in section 3.2.6.2.2 for clothes washers with user-adjustable 
automatic WFCS would therefore require changing an optional cycle 
modifier from its default position if doing so would provide the most 
(or least) energy intensive result.
    Finally, as discussed in section III.D.4 of this document, DOE is 
proposing in the proposed new Appendix J to require measuring RMC on 
each tested cycle using the default spin settings for each cycle. 
Consistent with this proposal, DOE is proposing to remove ``spin speeds 
on wash cycles used to determine RMC'' from the list of cycle settings 
that are excluded from the requirement to use the manufacturer default 
settings in section 3.2.4 (Manufacturer default settings) of the 
proposed new Appendix J.
    DOE requests comment on maintaining the current requirement to use 
the manufacturer default settings for optional cycle modifiers.
10. Clothes Washers With Connected Functionality
    DOE is aware of several ``connected'' RCW models currently on the 
market, from at least four major manufacturers. 85 FR 31065, 31068. 
These products offer optional wireless network connectivity to enable 
features such as remote monitoring and control via smartphone, as well 
as certain demand response features \50\ available through partnerships 
with a small number of local electric utilities. Id. In addition, 
connected features are available via certain external communication 
modules for CCWs. Id. However, DOE is not aware of any CCW models 
currently on the market that incorporate connected features directly 
into the unit. Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \50\ ``Demand response features'' refers to product 
functionality that can be controlled by the ``smart grid'' to 
improve the overall operation of the electrical grid, for example by 
reducing energy consumption during peak periods and/or shifting 
power consumption to off-peak periods.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As noted previously, section 3.2.7 of Appendix J2 specifies using 
the manufacturer default settings for any cycle selections except 
temperature selection, wash water fill level, or spin speed. 
Furthermore, section 3.9.1 of Appendix J2 specifies performing the 
combined low-power mode testing without changing any control panel 
settings used for the active mode wash cycle. With regard to the 
measurement of network mode energy use specifically, DOE stated in the 
March 2012 Final Rule that ``DOE cannot thoroughly evaluate these [IEC 
Standard 62301 (Second Edition)] network mode provisions, as would be 
required to justify their incorporation into DOE's test procedures at 
this time.'' 77 FR 13887, 13899. DOE notes that although an individual 
appliance may consume a relatively small amount of power in network 
mode, the potential exists for energy-related benefits that more than 
offset this additional power consumption if the appliance can be 
controlled by the ``smart grid'' to consume power during non-peak 
periods. 85 FR 31065, 31068.
    If connected features on a clothes washer affect its inactive mode 
power consumption in the as-shipped configuration (e.g., by energizing 
a wireless communication chip on the circuit board by default), such 
impact would be measured by the current test procedure provisions in 
section 3.9 of Appendix J2 for measuring combined low-power mode power. 
Whereas, if the inactive mode power consumption is not affected unless 
the consumer actively enables the connected functionality on the unit, 
any incremental inactive mode power consumption resulting from the 
connected features would not be measured by the current test procedure, 
because the test procedure does not include instructions for activating 
any such features before performing the low-power mode measurement. 
Similarly, any incremental energy consumption in active mode, or any 
other modes of operation impacted by the product's connected features, 
would not be measured as part of the current DOE test procedure, 
because the test cycle requirements in section 3.2.7 of Appendix J2 do 
not include instructions for activating any such features before 
performing the active mode test cycles.
    In the May 2020 RFI, DOE requested feedback on its characterization 
of connected RCWs, and any CCWs, currently on the market. Id. 
Specifically, DOE requested input on the types of features or 
functionality enabled by connected clothes washers that exist on the 
market or that are under development. Id. DOE also sought comment on 
adding a clarifying provision that would require testing to be 
conducted with any network functionality turned off, or without 
measuring or reporting the energy use of the clothes washer in network 
mode. Id. DOE also requested data on the percentage of users purchasing 
connected RCWs who activate the connected capabilities, and, for those 
users, the percentage of the time when the connected functionality of 
the RCW is activated and using additional energy. Id.
    The CA IOUs recommended that network-capable RCWs be tested with 
connected functions activated to capture the energy use associated with 
these functions, especially as connected clothes washers become more 
prevalent. The CA IOUs commented that while network capabilities may 
use a small amount of power compared to the active washing cycle, these 
features often operate year-round and could potentially consume a 
significant amount of energy annually. (CA IOUs, No. 8 at pp. 12-13) 
The CA IOUs added that capturing the energy consumption associated with 
connected features should not hinder their continued development. Id.
    The Joint Commenters recommended that DOE incorporate a measurement 
of ``network mode'' power consumption to provide consumers with 
information about any additional energy consumption associated with 
connected features. The Joint Commenters stated that, although it 
asserts that DOE is concerned about impeding innovation, the power 
consumption associated with ``network mode'' may be accounted for in 
energy conservation standards so as not to hinder the availability of 
models with connected features. (Joint Commenters, No. 10 at p. 2)
    NEEA recommended that DOE develop a method for measuring standby 
mode energy use of clothes washers with connected functionality,

[[Page 49171]]

since connected clothes washers are becoming more prevalent and sales 
of connected RCWs have been increasing. NEEA also commented that Wi-Fi-
enabled appliances tend to experience a wide variation of energy use, 
depending on the circuit design and silicon used, so it will be 
important to measure individual clothes washer energy use in this 
context. (NEEA, No. 12 at pp. 20-21)
    AHAM commented that there is not yet adequate consumer use data on 
connected features to justify amending the test procedure. (AHAM, No. 5 
at p. 5) AHAM stated that consumer use and understanding of new 
technologies continues to evolve and inform manufacturers' designs. 
According to AHAM, some consumers do not even connect their network-
enabled appliances to use the available features. Id. AHAM stated that 
DOE should ensure that the clothes washer test procedure does not 
prematurely address new designs which may not yet have an average use 
or be in common use, and that doing so could stifle innovation. Id.
    DOE recognizes the potential benefits that could be provided by 
connected capability, such as providing energy saving benefits to 
consumers, enabling peak load shifting on the electrical grid, and 
other consumer-related benefits. While a number of connected clothes 
washers are currently on the market with varying implementations of 
connected features, DOE is not aware of any data available, nor did 
interested parties provide any such data, regarding the consumer use of 
connected features. Therefore, DOE is unable to establish a 
representative test configuration for assessing the energy consumption 
of connected functionality for clothes washers.
    As noted previously, while DOE's current test procedure does not 
specifically consider energy use of network features, the test 
procedure may result in the measurement of the energy use of connected 
features in inactive mode. Specifically, as discussed, any energy use 
of connected features would be measured in section 3.9 of Appendix J2 
for measuring combined low-power mode power if the connected features 
are enabled in the ``as-shipped'' configuration. If the consumer is 
required to actively enable the connected functionality, however, such 
energy consumption would not be measured. Similarly, any incremental 
energy consumption in active mode, or any other modes of operation 
impacted by the product's connected features, would not be measured 
because the test cycle requirements in section 3.2.7 of Appendix J2 do 
not include instructions for activating any such features before 
performing the active mode test cycles.
    Given the lack of data to establish a test configuration that would 
be representative of consumer use of connected features on clothes 
washers, DOE is proposing to amend section 3.2.7 of Appendix J2 and 
section 3.2.4 of the proposed new Appendix J to specify that network 
settings (on clothes washers with network capabilities) must be 
disabled during testing if such settings can be disabled by the end-
user, and the product's user manual provides instructions on how to do 
so.
    If, however, connected functionality cannot be disabled by the end-
user or the product's user manual does not provide instruction for 
disabling connected functionality that is enabled by default, then the 
unit must be tested with the network capability in the factory default 
setting as specified in the current test procedure. DOE has 
preliminarily determined that if connected functionality cannot be 
disabled, or the product's user manual does not provide instruction for 
disabling the function, it is more representative to include the energy 
consumption of the clothes washer in the default condition, including 
the enabled connected function, than to exclude the energy consumption 
associated with the connected feature. As such, the energy consumption 
of a connected function that cannot be disabled would continue to be 
measured, as in the current test procedure. DOE notes that this 
approach is consistent with the approach proposed in the test procedure 
supplemental NOPR for microwave ovens published on August 3, 2021. 86 
FR 41759.
    DOE requests comment on its proposed amendment to Appendix J2 and 
the proposed new Appendix J to specify that network settings (on 
clothes washers with network capabilities) must be disabled during 
testing if such settings can be disabled by the end-user, and the 
product's user manual provides instructions on how to do so.
    DOE seeks the following information regarding connected clothes 
washers, which could inform future test procedure considerations:
    DOE requests feedback on its characterization of connected clothes 
washers currently on the market. Specifically, DOE requests input on 
the types of features or functionality enabled by connected clothes 
washers that exist on the market or that are under development.
    DOE requests data on the percentage of users purchasing connected 
clothes washers, and, for those users, the percentage of the time when 
the connected functionality of the clothes washer is used.
    DOE requests data on the amount of additional or reduced energy use 
of connected clothes washers.
    DOE requests data on the pattern of additional or reduced energy 
use of connected clothes washers; for example, whether it is constant, 
periodic, or triggered by the user.
    DOE requests information on any existing testing protocols that 
account for connected features of clothes washers, as well as any 
testing protocols that may be under development within the industry.

E. Metrics

1. Replacing Capacity With Weighted-Average Load Size
    As discussed, the current energy efficiency standards for RCWs are 
based on the IMEF metric, measured in ft\3\/kWh/cycle, as calculated in 
section 4.6 of Appendix J2. IMEF is calculated as the capacity of the 
clothes container (in ft\3\) divided by the total clothes washer energy 
consumption (in kWh) per cycle. The total clothes washer energy 
consumption per cycle is the sum of: (a) The machine electrical energy 
consumption; (b) the hot water energy consumption; (c) the energy 
required for removal of the remaining moisture in the wash load; and 
(d) the combined low-power mode energy consumption.
    The current energy efficiency standards for CCWs are based on the 
MEFJ2 metric, measured in ft\3\/kWh/cycle, as determined in 
section 4.5 of Appendix J2. The MEFJ2 metric differs from 
the IMEF metric by not including the combined low-power mode energy 
consumption in the total clothes washer energy consumption per cycle.
    The current water efficiency standards for both RCWs and CCWs are 
based on the IWF metric, measured in gal/cycle/ft\3\, as calculated in 
section 4.2.13 of Appendix J2. IWF is calculated as the total weighted 
per-cycle water consumption (in gallons) for all wash cycles divided by 
the capacity of the clothes container (in ft\3\).
    In the May 2020 RFI, DOE requested feedback on whether to consider 
changing the energy or water efficiency metrics for RCWs or CCWs to 
maintain consistency with any changes to the capacity metric or for 
other reasons. 85 FR 31065, 31080. DOE included several examples such 
as incorporating the weighted-average weight of test cloth test load, 
which would result in energy efficiency metric expressed in terms of 
pounds of clothing per kWh per cycle. Id.

[[Page 49172]]

    AHAM stated that DOE does not need to change the energy efficiency 
or water efficiency metrics. (AHAM, No. 5 at p. 16)
    The CA IOUs recommended changing IWF and IMEF to eliminate their 
relationship to capacity. The CA IOUs stated that by normalizing with 
the capacity of a clothes washer, the current metrics create a built-in 
bias towards larger-capacity machines, as the minimum- and average-
sized test loads are not purely scaled with the clothes washer's 
capacity. The CA IOUS stated that this leads to larger-capacity clothes 
washers washing a smaller fraction of clothing compared to their 
capacity. The CA IOUs commented that in order to remove this bias, IMEF 
and IWF should be normalized with the weighted-average load size of 
clothing washed (e.g., IMEF would be measured in lb/kWh/cycle instead 
of ft\3\/kWh/cycle). (CA IOUs, No. 8 at p. 5) The CA IOUs stated that 
this amendment would create a more representative performance metric of 
an average clothes washer use cycle and would also improve alignment 
with the clothes dryer performance metric. Id.
    The Joint Commenters encouraged DOE to consider basing efficiency 
metrics on pounds of clothes washed instead of capacity of the clothes 
washer. According to the Joint Commenters, basing efficiency metrics on 
clothes washer capacity creates a bias towards large-capacity clothes 
washers, since weighted-average load size is much greater for large-
capacity clothes washers than it is for small-capacity clothes washers. 
The Joint Commenters encouraged DOE to instead consider alternative 
efficiency metrics based on the LUF-weighted-average load size for a 
given clothes washer capacity. (Joint Commenters, No. 10 at p. 5)
    NEEA commented that the current DOE test procedure allows larger-
capacity clothes washers to use more energy and water per pound of 
textiles washed than smaller-capacity clothes washers with the same 
IMEF ratings. NEEA has also observed that IMEF generally increases with 
capacity in the most recent models to come into the market. NEEA stated 
that due to the increase in average clothes washer capacity from 3.5 
ft\3\ to 4.4 ft\3\, this issue is becoming more prevalent. (NEEA, No. 
12 at pp. 13-17) NEEA conducted testing under conditions that it 
characterized as more realistic than DOE test conditions and summarized 
the results as demonstrating that on a lb/kWh basis, larger-capacity 
clothes washers perform less efficiently than smaller-capacity clothes 
washers.\51\ Based on these results, NEEA concluded that large-capacity 
clothes washers may use more energy than small-capacity clothes washers 
when operating with typical load sizes and wash temperatures. Id. NEEA 
recommended that, to better address the efficiency of the largest-
capacity clothes washers in the market, DOE should consider adopting an 
alternative energy efficiency metric such as pounds of textile per kWh, 
which would be based on the LUF-weighted load size, and the LUF-
weighted and TUF-weighted energy use per cycle. NEEA also recommended 
that DOE consider developing an energy conservation standard that is a 
function of capacity, so that larger-capacity clothes washers would 
need to meet higher IMEF and lower IWF levels than smaller clothes 
washers. Id. NEEA noted that this would be similar to the way standards 
for refrigerators, room air conditioners, and water heaters are a 
function of adjusted volume, cooling capacity, and storage volume, 
respectively. NEEA calculated that making these changes could result in 
1-2 quads of energy savings over a 30-year period associated with 
increased efficiency of large-capacity clothes washers. Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \51\ NEEA stated that that it considers these data to be 
preliminary and that additional testing would provide more clarity.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As noted throughout the discussion previously, under Appendix J2, 
energy use (the denominator of the IMEF and MEF equations) scales with 
weighted-average load size, whereas capacity (the numerator of the IMEF 
and MEF equations) scales with maximum load size. This provides an 
inherent numerical advantage to large-capacity clothes washers that is 
disproportionate to the efficiency advantage that can be achieved 
through ``economies of scale'' associated with washing larger loads. 
This advantage means that a larger-capacity clothes washer consumes 
more energy to wash a pound of clothes than a smaller-capacity clothes 
washer with the same IMEF rating. This relationship applies similarly 
to water efficiency through the IWF equation. As noted in the comments 
summarized previously, this disproportionate benefit increases as 
average clothes washer capacity increases over time. To avoid providing 
bias for large-capacity clothes washers, DOE is proposing to change the 
energy and water efficiency metrics in the proposed new Appendix J by 
replacing the capacity term with the weighted-average load size, in 
pounds. Under this proposed change, energy and water use would scale 
proportionally with weighted-average load size in the IMEF, MEF, and 
IWF formulas and thus eliminate the efficiency bias currently provided 
to large-capacity clothes washers.
    EPCA defines energy efficiency as ``the ratio of the useful output 
of services from a consumer product to the energy use of such 
product.'' (42 U.S.C. 6291(5); 42 U.S.C. 6311(3)) In the current 
efficiency metrics, clothes washer capacity is used to represent the 
measure of useful output. DOE has tentatively determined that clothing 
load size (i.e., the weight of clothes cleaned), expressed as the 
weighted-average load size, may better represent the ``useful output'' 
of a clothes washer.
    Were DOE to finalize the proposed metric change, changes to the 
energy conservation standards would be addressed in an energy 
conservation standards rulemaking.
    DOE requests comment on its proposal to replace the capacity term 
with weighted-average load size in the energy efficiency metrics and 
the water efficiency metric in the proposed new Appendix J.
    In addition, DOE is proposing to rename the efficiency metrics to 
avoid any confusion between the proposed new metrics and the existing 
metrics. DOE is proposing to designate energy efficiency ratio 
(``EER'') as the energy efficiency metric for RCWs (replacing IMEF); 
active-mode energy efficiency ratio (``AEER'') as the energy efficiency 
metric for CCWs (replacing MEFJ2); and water efficiency 
ratio (``WER'') as the water efficiency metric for both RCWs and CCWs 
(replacing IWF). As proposed, EER would be calculated as the quotient 
of the weighted-average load size (in lb) divided by the total clothes 
washer energy consumption (in kWh) per cycle; and AEER would be 
calculated as the quotient of the weighted-average load size (in lb) 
divided by the total clothes washer energy consumption (in kWh) per 
cycle not including the combined low-power mode energy consumption. 
Section III.E.2 of this document describes how WER would be calculated.
    DOE is also proposing to establish provisions in 10 CFR 430.23(j) 
to specify the procedure for determining EER and WER for RCWs, and in 
10 CFR 431.154 to specify the procedure for determining AEER and WER 
for CCWs.
    DOE requests comment on its proposed names for the proposed new 
efficiency metrics: Energy efficiency ratio (EER), active-mode energy 
efficiency ratio (AEER), and water efficiency ratio (WER).

[[Page 49173]]

2. Inverting the Water Metric
    As described previously, IWF is calculated in section 4.2.13 of 
Appendix J2 as the total weighted per-cycle water consumption (in 
gallons) for all wash cycles divided by the capacity of the clothes 
container (in ft\3\). Unlike the IMEF metric, in which a higher number 
indicates more efficient performance, a lower IWF value indicates more 
efficient performance.
    In the May 2020 RFI, DOE requested feedback on whether to consider 
any changes to the water efficiency metric defined in the test 
procedure to maintain consistency with any changes to the capacity 
metric or for any other purpose, including those described for the 
energy efficiency metric, and whether it would be appropriate to invert 
the existing calculation such that a higher value of IWF would 
represent more efficient performance. 85 FR 31065, 31080.
    The CA IOUs supported inverting the IWF and WF metrics to better 
align with the IMEF and MEF metrics. (CA IOUs, No. 8 at p. 6) 
Additionally, the CA IOUs recommended that DOE should consider changing 
the name of the updated metrics in order to alert customers and 
relevant stakeholders of the implications of the change. Id.
    DOE is proposing to invert the water metric, in conjunction with 
replacing the capacity term with weighted-average load size, as 
described in the previous section. By inverting the metric, a higher 
value would represent more efficient performance, consistent with the 
energy efficiency metrics. In addition, by inverting the metric, the 
proposed WER metric would represent the ratio of the useful output of 
services to the water use of the product, consistent with EPCA's 
definition of energy efficiency as described.
    DOE is proposing to define WER in the proposed new Appendix J as 
the quotient of the weighted-average load size (in lb) divided by the 
total weighted per-cycle water consumption for all wash cycles (in 
gallons).
    DOE requests comment on its proposal to invert the water efficiency 
metric and calculate the newly defined WER metric as the quotient of 
the weighted-average load size divided by the total weighted per-cycle 
water consumption for all wash cycles.
3. Annual Energy Use
    The annual energy consumption of an RCW tested according to 
Appendix J2 is calculated as part of the estimated annual operating 
cost calculations at 10 CFR 430.23(j)(1)(ii)(A) and (B).\52\ In each 
equation, annual energy consumption is calculated by multiplying the 
per-cycle energy consumption \53\ by the representative average RCW use 
of 295 cycles per year.\54\ The annual operating cost is provided to 
the consumer on the Federal Trade Commission (``FTC'') EnergyGuide 
label for RCWs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \52\ Part (A) provides the calculation when electrically heated 
water is used. Part (B) provides the calculation when gas-heated or 
oil-heated water is used.
    \53\ These equations include the machine electrical energy 
consumption, hot water energy consumption, and combined low-power 
mode energy consumption; they exclude the energy consumption for 
removal of moisture from the test load (i.e., the ``drying 
energy'').
    \54\ See section III.G.1 of this document for DOE's proposal to 
modify the representative average clothes washer use per year.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DOE considered whether to make changes to the method for 
calculating annual energy use so that the calculation more directly 
reflects annual energy use during a representative average use cycle. 
DOE also considered whether changes to the overall calculation 
methodology would improve the usefulness of the information presented 
to the consumer on the product label.
    According to the current calculation methodology, all clothes 
washers are assumed to be used for 295 cycles per year, while the per-
cycle energy reflects a weighted-average load size based on the clothes 
washer capacity. Therefore, the annual energy calculation reflects an 
annual volume of laundered clothing that scales with clothes washer 
capacity. For example, the current annual energy calculation 
methodology is based on an annual laundry volume of 2,258 pounds for a 
3.0-ft\3\ RCW and 4,036 pounds for a 6.0-ft\3\ RCW. 85 FR 31065, 31081.
    Under the current annual energy calculation methodology, the 
information presented on the product label would indicate that a 
larger-capacity RCW would use significantly more annual energy than a 
smaller-capacity model with the same IMEF rating. This is because the 
larger-capacity RCW's label would be based on a significantly larger 
amount of annual laundry than the smaller-capacity model, as 
illustrated above. Whereas, if compared on the basis of an equivalent 
volume of laundered clothing, both RCWs could be expected to use the 
same amount of annual energy since they have the same IMEF efficiency 
rating. This potential disparity may limit the ability of an individual 
consumer to use the information presented on the product label to 
compare the differences in expected energy use among RCW models with 
the same rated energy efficiency but different capacities.
    When DOE originally developed the annual energy calculation 
methodology at 10 CFR 430.23(j)(1)(i), the test procedure accommodated 
clothes washers with capacities up to 3.8 ft\3\.\55\ An increasingly 
wide range of RCW capacities are available on the market, ranging from 
less than 1.0 ft\3\ to greater than 6.0 ft\3\. As the range of 
capacities increases, the effect of capacity on the represented annual 
energy cost becomes more pronounced.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \55\ The maximum capacity in the original load size table in 
Appendix J1-1997 was 3.8 ft\3\.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Given the increasingly wide range of RCW capacities available on 
the market, and the significant changes over time in estimated annual 
RCW cycles, DOE considered whether any changes are warranted for the 
annual energy and annual water calculations to ensure that the results 
continue to reflect representative average use for all clothes washer 
sizes, to harmonize with any changes to other metrics within the DOE 
test procedures, and to continue to provide useful comparative 
information to consumers. 85 FR 31065, 31081. DOE described two 
examples in the May 2020 RFI:
     Revising the annual energy and annual water calculation 
methodology from being based on a fixed number of annual cycles to a 
fixed number of annual pounds of clothing.
     Varying the annual number of wash cycles based on clothes 
washer capacity, rather than a fixed number of annual cycles for all 
clothes washers. Id.
    In the May 2020 RFI, DOE requested data and information regarding 
whether and how the annual number of wash cycles varies as a function 
of clothes washer capacity. Id. DOE also requested feedback on whether 
DOE should consider any changes to the annual energy or annual water 
calculation methodology and the burden associated with these potential 
changes. Id.
    NEEA recommended that DOE change the annual energy metric to use an 
average number of pounds of textiles washed annually instead of using 
an average number of cycles per year. NEEA stated that its research 
found that neither number of cycles nor load size scales with capacity, 
suggesting that this change would provide a more effective comparison 
of clothes washers with different capacities. (NEEA, No. 12 at p. 25)
    The CA IOUs supported DOE's current method of basing annual energy 
calculations on a fixed number of wash cycles per year, rather than 
using a fixed amount of clothing washed per year.

[[Page 49174]]

The CA IOUs commented that annual energy calculations based on a fixed 
amount of clothing washed would contradict the test procedure that 
acknowledges that clothes washers of different sizes wash different 
amounts of clothing, as identified in LUFs and test load sizes. (CA 
IOUs, No. 8 at pp. 11-12) The CA IOUs further recommended that DOE 
investigate whether the fixed number of cycles per year should be 
changed to be more representative of average use in larger households, 
since larger households tend to have larger-capacity clothes washers, 
and larger-capacity clothes washers run more cycles per year, as 
detailed in Table HC3.4 and Figure 3.9 of the 2015 Residential Energy 
Consumption Survey (``RECS'') data. Id.
    The CA IOUs also recommended that if DOE changes the annual energy 
calculation from a fixed number of annual wash cycles to a fixed amount 
of clothing washed, this change should also be reflected in the rest of 
the test procedure to capture any operational difference by capacity. 
(CA IOUs, No. 8 at p. 12)
    Notwithstanding the potential limitations of DOE's current approach 
of calculating annual energy consumption, as described previously, in 
the absence of any new nationally representative data showing either a 
constant annual weight of washed laundry, or a correlation between 
clothes washer capacity and annual weight of washed laundry, DOE is not 
proposing to change the methodology for calculating annual energy use. 
DOE could, however, consider such a change should additional data or 
information become available, as previously described.
    DOE requests data on the annual amount of laundry washed by 
consumers, and whether the annual amount of laundry washed by consumers 
is correlated with clothes washer capacity.
4. Representation Requirements
    Representation requirements for RCWs and CCWs are codified at 10 
CFR 429.20(a) and 10 CFR 429.46(a), respectively.
    DOE is proposing to specify that the sampling requirements for RCWs 
specified at 10 CFR 429.20(a)(2)(ii) would also apply to the new 
proposed EER and WER metrics. DOE is proposing to clarify that the 
capacity specified in 10 CFR 429.20(a)(3) is the clothes container 
capacity (emphasis added).
    DOE is proposing to specify that the sampling requirements 
specified for CCWs at 10 CFR 429.46(a)(2)(ii) would also apply to the 
new proposed AEER and WER metrics.
    DOE requests comment on its proposed updated representation and 
sampling requirements for RCWs and CCWs.

F. Cleaning Performance

    EPCA requires DOE to consider any lessening of the utility or the 
performance of the covered products (and certain commercial equipment, 
including CCWs) likely to result from the imposition of potential new 
or amended standards. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(B)(i)(IV); 42 U.S.C. 
6316(a)) EPCA prohibits DOE from prescribing an amended or new standard 
if the Secretary finds that interested persons have established by a 
preponderance of the evidence that the standard is likely to result in 
the unavailability in the United States in any covered product type (or 
class) of performance characteristics (including reliability), 
features, sizes, capacities, and volumes that are substantially the 
same as those generally available in the United States at the time of 
the Secretary's finding. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(4)) \56\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \56\ The unavailability provision is applicable to CCWs under 42 
U.S.C. 6316(a).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    EPCA authorizes DOE to design test procedures that measure energy 
efficiency, energy use, water use (in the case of showerheads, faucets, 
water closets and urinals), or estimated annual operating cost of a 
covered product during a representative average use cycle or period of 
use. (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(3)) DOE regulates only the energy and water 
efficiency of clothes washers. Manufacturers may design their products 
to prioritize any of the other consumer-relevant performance 
characteristics, including cleaning performance. As such, DOE's clothes 
washer test procedures do not prescribe a method for testing clothes 
washer cleaning performance.
    Samsung commented that a product should perform at least its basic 
cleaning function during the energy test cycle so that consumers can 
purchase products that perform their basic function effectively, while 
saving energy and water. (Samsung, No. 6 at p. 2) Samsung added that 
unless clothes washers perform at a minimum level of acceptable 
functionality on the Normal cycle, consumers may use other energy- or 
water-intensive modes and unknowingly sacrifice energy efficiency. Id. 
To ensure products perform their basic functionality, Samsung 
recommended that DOE incorporate by reference the ENERGY STAR ``Test 
Method for Determining Residential Clothes Washer Cleaning 
Performance'' \57\ as a new appendix to the test procedure. Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \57\ The ENERGY STAR ``Test Method for Determining Residential 
Clothes Washer Cleaning Performance'' is available at 
www.energystar.gov/sites/default/files/asset/document/Test%20Method%20for%20Determining%20Residential%20Clothes%20Washer%20Cleaning%20Performance%20-%20July%202018_0.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Electrolux encouraged DOE to introduce an independent cleaning and 
rinsing performance test into the energy test procedure, because 
Electrolux is concerned that as more cycles become available to 
consumers, they are less likely to select the more efficient energy 
test cycle due to performance concerns. (Electrolux, No. 11 at p. 2) 
Electrolux added that tying performance testing to the energy test 
cycle could give consumers visibility into the tradeoff between 
efficiency and cleaning/rinsing performance, and place the energy test 
cycle as a more prominent cycle that is efficient and has high cleaning 
performance. Id. Electrolux stated that if DOE were to add a new 
cleaning and rinsing test, it should be developed based on proven 
industry standards in use, such as IEC 60456, AHAM HLW-1-2013, 
``Performance Evaluation Procedures for Household Clothes Washers'' 
(``AHAM HLW-1-2013''), or AS/NZS 2040.1:2005, ``Performance of 
household electrical appliances--Clothes washing machines Methods for 
measuring performance, energy and water consumption'' (``AS/NZS 
2040.1:2005''). Id. Electrolux stated that these industry cleaning 
standards do not have the repeatability and reproducibility required 
for establishing limits or boundaries, but Electrolux supported their 
use for reporting and comparison purposes. Id. According to Electrolux, 
adding new cleaning and rinsing metrics would not significantly 
increase testing burden because manufacturers already extensively 
perform cleaning and rinsing testing on the energy test cycle. Id. 
Electrolux suggested the following specific testing criteria: (1) 
Incorporate by reference cleaning and rinsing performance test 
procedures; (2) test the same machines used for energy testing; (3) 
test the energy test cycle and settings used for the energy testing; 
(4) test with a load size based on DOE average capacity and using load 
types defined in the cleaning standard; (5) limit load sizes to one or 
two; (6) limit wash and rinse temperature combinations to those that 
differentiate performance the most, such as one cold, one hot, and one 
warmest warm; (7) weight multiple tests using TUFs from Appendix J2; 
and (8) average

[[Page 49175]]

machine cleaning and rinsing performance scores. Id.
    As noted, EPCA authorizes DOE to design test procedures that 
measure energy efficiency, energy use, water use (in the case of 
showerheads, faucets, water closets and urinals), or estimated annual 
operating cost of a covered product during a representative average use 
cycle or period of use. (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(3)) Also as noted, in 
determining whether a new or amended energy conservation standard is 
economically justified, EPCA requires DOE to consider any lessening of 
the utility or the performance likely to result from the imposition of 
a new standard. 42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(B)(i)(IV); 42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(4); 
42 U.S.C. 6316(a)). As indicated by comments summarized above, multiple 
test procedures from industry and international organizations are 
available for measuring clothes washer cleaning performance (among 
other attributes). DOE may conduct research and testing that uses these 
or other established test methods as part of an energy conservation 
standards rulemaking to evaluate any lessening of the utility or the 
performance of the covered products likely to result from the 
imposition of potential new or amended standards, as required by EPCA. 
For example, in the most recent energy conservation standards final 
rule for CCWs, published on December 15, 2014 (``December 2014 Final 
Rule''), DOE conducted performance testing using AHAM's HLW-1-2010 test 
procedure to quantitatively evaluate potential impacts on cleaning 
performance, rinsing performance, and solid particle removal as a 
result of higher standard levels. 79 FR 74492, 74506.
    DOE is not, however, proposing to add a cleaning performance test 
procedure to the proposed new Appendix J or to Appendix J2 in this 
NOPR.

G. Consumer Usage Assumptions

    In the May 2020 RFI, DOE requested information on whether, in 
accordance with 42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(3), the consumer usage factors 
incorporated into the test procedure produce test results that measure 
energy efficiency and water use of clothes washers during a 
representative average use cycle or period of use. 85 FR 31065, 31077. 
DOE also sought comment on whether testing cycle configurations with 
usage factors below a certain percentage would be unduly burdensome to 
conduct and would not be considered to be reasonably designed to 
measure energy and water use during a representative average use cycle 
or period of use because they are rarely used by consumers. Id.
    AHAM commented generally that it supports updating the test 
procedure to reflect average use cycles, but commented that any updates 
must reflect changes observed in national, statistically significant 
field use studies and must not impact repeatability or reproducibility, 
or be unduly burdensome to conduct. (AHAM, No. 5 at p. 12) AHAM stated 
that should it find data that would assist DOE in its rulemaking, it 
will provide it as soon as possible. (AHAM, No. 5 at p. 15)
    Discussion and consideration of consumer usage assumptions are 
provided in the following paragraphs.
1. Annual Number of Wash Cycles
    Section 4.4 of Appendix J2 provides the representative average 
number of annual clothes washer cycles to translate the annualized 
inactive and off mode energy consumption measurements into a per-cycle 
value applied to each active mode wash cycle. Separately, the number of 
annual wash cycles is also referenced in DOE's test procedure 
provisions at 10 CFR 430.23(j)(1)(i)(A) and (B), (j)(1)(ii)(A) and (B), 
and (j)(3)(i) and (ii) to calculate annual operating cost and annual 
water consumption of a clothes washer.
    In the August 1997 Final Rule, DOE estimated the representative 
number of annual wash cycles per RCW to be 392, which represented the 
average number of cycles per year from 1986 through 1994, based on P&G 
survey data provided to DOE as described in a NOPR published on March 
23, 1995. 60 FR 15330, 1533; 62 FR 45484, 45501.
    In the March 2012 Final Rule, DOE updated the representative number 
of wash cycles per year to 295 based on an analysis of the 2005 RECS 
data. 77 FR 13887, 13909. More recently, in the May 2020 RFI, DOE 
presented an analysis of the 2009 RECS data, which suggests 284 cycles 
per year, and of the 2015 RECS data (the most recent available) which 
suggests 234 cycles per year. 85 FR 31065, 31079.
    In the May 2020 RFI, DOE requested data and information on whether 
any further adjustments to the number of annual wash cycles are 
warranted to reflect current RCW consumer usage patterns, as suggested 
by RECS data. Id.
    AHAM supported using 2015 RECS data as a basis for determining 
annual use cycles. (AHAM, No. 5 at p. 15) AHAM stated that its survey 
of members found that the average number of annual cycles is 233, which 
supports DOE's analysis of the 2015 RECS data indicating 234 cycles per 
year. Id.
    NEEA supported keeping the current number of wash cycles per year 
or increasing it slightly. (NEEA, No. 12 at p. 24) NEEA stated that 
findings from its 2014 laundry study indicate 313 annual use cycles for 
RCWs. Id. NEEA stated that its study was developed to represent the 
distribution of average household size, which NEEA claims principally 
determines the number of annual laundry cycles. Id. NEEA recommended 
that DOE not use the RECS methodology, which NEEA stated relies on 
consumer recollection of typical number of clothes washer loads, and 
which NEEA asserts is likely to be less accurate. Id.
    DOE appreciates the submission of data by NEEA but notes that the 
survey results represent regional usage (the Pacific Northwest) during 
a 4 to 6-week period in 2012, as described in the referenced report. As 
such, these findings do not provide a basis for estimated national 
average usage. In lieu of such data, DOE finds that the 2015 RECS 
survey is the most reliable source available for nationally 
representative annual usage data.
    Based on the data from the 2015 RECS survey, DOE is proposing to 
update the number of annual wash cycles to 234 in the proposed new 
Appendix J. This update would impact the per-cycle low-power mode 
energy consumption value included in the calculation of IMEF and EER. 
The per-cycle low-power mode energy consumption would be divided by a 
smaller number (i.e., 234 instead of 295), and would therefore increase 
by around 25%. See further discussion of the proposed changes to the 
calculation of low-power mode energy in section III.G.3 of this 
document.
    DOE is not proposing to change the number of annual wash cycles in 
Appendix J2 because such a change would impact measured energy 
efficiency. DOE proposes to make such changes only in the proposed new 
Appendix J, which would be used for the evaluation and issuance of 
updated efficiency standards, and for determining compliance with those 
standards.
    In addition to other changes discussed in section III.H.6 of this 
document, DOE is proposing to update 10 CFR 430.23(j)(1)(i) and 
(j)(3)(i) such that the annual operating cost and annual water 
consumption calculation would reflect the new proposed number of annual 
wash cycles when a clothes washer is tested using the proposed new 
Appendix J, if finalized.
    DOE requests comment on its proposal to update the number of annual 
wash cycles to 234 in the

[[Page 49176]]

proposed new Appendix J and 10 CFR 430.23(j)(1)(i) and (j)(3)(i).
2. Drying Energy Assumptions
    Section 4.3 of Appendix J2 provides an equation for calculating 
total per-cycle energy consumption for removal of moisture from the 
clothes washer test load in a clothes dryer, i.e., the ``drying 
energy.'' DOE first introduced the drying energy equation in Appendix 
J1 as part of the August 1997 Final Rule. The drying energy calculation 
is based on the following three assumed values: (1) A clothes dryer 
final moisture content of 4 percent; (2) the nominal energy required 
for a clothes dryer to remove moisture from a pound of clothes 
(``DEF'') of 0.5 kWh/lb; and (3) a clothes dryer usage factor (``DUF'') 
of 0.91, representing the percentage of clothes washer loads dried in a 
clothes dryer.
a. Dryer Final Moisture Content
    DOE's test procedure for clothes dryers, codified at 10 CFR part 
430, subpart B, appendix D1 (``Appendix D1''), prescribes a final 
moisture content between 2.5 and 5.0 percent, which is consistent with 
the 4-percent final moisture content value in the clothes washer test 
procedure for determining the drying energy. However, DOE's alternate 
clothes dryer test procedure, codified at 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, 
appendix D2 (``Appendix D2''), prescribes a final moisture content 
between 1 and 2.5 percent for timer dryers, which are clothes dryers 
that can be preset to carry out at least one operation that is 
terminated by a timer, but may also be manually controlled without 
including any automatic termination function. For automatic termination 
control dryers, which can be preset to carry out at least one sequence 
of operations to be terminated by means of a system assessing, directly 
or indirectly, the moisture content of the load, the test cycle is 
deemed invalid if the clothes dryer terminates the cycle at a final 
moisture content greater than 2 percent. Section 3.3.2 of Appendix D2. 
In the final rule establishing Appendix D2, DOE determined a clothes 
dryer final moisture content of 2 percent using the DOE test load to be 
more representative in that, generally, consumers would find a final 
moisture content higher than this level unacceptable. 78 FR 49607, 
49625 (Aug. 14, 2013). Timer dryers are allowed a range of final 
moisture contents during the test because DOE concluded that it would 
be unduly burdensome to require the tester to dry the test load to an 
exact final moisture content; however, the measured test cycle energy 
consumption for timer dryers is normalized to calculate the energy 
consumption required to dry the test load to 2-percent final moisture 
content. Id. Manufacturers may elect to use Appendix D2 to demonstrate 
compliance with the January 1, 2015, energy conservation standards; 
however, the procedures in Appendix D2 need not be performed to 
determine compliance with energy conservation standards for clothes 
dryers at this time. See introductory paragraph to Appendix D1. Use of 
Appendix D2 is, however, required for ENERGY STAR certification.\58\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \58\ The ENERGY STAR Specification of Clothes Dryer Requirements 
Version 1.1 requires the use of Appendix D2 for clothes dryers to 
obtain ENERGY STAR certification.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In the May 2020 RFI, DOE requested information to determine whether 
to revise the clothes dryer final moisture content in the clothes 
washer test procedure. 85 FR 31065, 31079.
    AHAM opposed changing the final moisture content to align with 
DOE's clothes dryer test procedure in Appendix D2 because the current 
value of 4 percent is consistent with Appendix D1, which is still the 
mandatory test procedure and the one most often used. (AHAM, No. 5 at 
p. 15)
    Samsung supported changing the final moisture content value in the 
drying energy calculation in Appendix J2 from 4 percent to 2 percent to 
align with the DOE clothes dryer test procedure in Appendix D2, because 
automatic termination dryers represent a majority of the clothes dryer 
market, and Appendix D2 has been recognized by stakeholders as 
representative of how automatic termination dryers are used by 
consumers. (Samsung, No. 6 at p. 4) Samsung added that the Appendix D1 
test procedure was intended as a stopgap measure to test ``sensor 
dryers'' using ``non-sensing'' settings, and that the Appendix D1 
procedure does not represent how the ``sensor dry'' products are used 
by consumers as accurately as the Appendix D2 test procedure. Id.
    The Joint Commenters and CA IOUs supported changing the final 
moisture content value in the drying energy calculation from 4 percent 
to 2 percent in order to align with the clothes dryer test procedure in 
Appendix D2. (Joint Commenters, No. 10 at p. 4; CA IOUs, No. 8 at p. 9)
    Although clothes dryer manufacturers may optionally use Appendix D2 
to demonstrate compliance with the current energy conservation 
standards, Appendix D1 provides the basis for the current clothes dryer 
energy conservation standard levels and, as noted by AHAM, is the test 
procedure used as the basis for certification for the majority of 
models on the market. In this NOPR, DOE is not proposing to change the 
assumed final moisture content of 4 percent in the drying energy 
calculation, which aligns with Appendix D1. However, DOE could 
reevaluate updating the assumed final moisture content in the clothes 
washer test procedure based on future updates to clothes dryer test 
procedures or standards, among other factors.
    DOE requests comment on maintaining the assumed final moisture 
content of 4 percent in the drying energy equation, or whether it 
should update the assumed final moisture content to 2 percent to align 
with DOE's Appendix D2 clothes dryer test procedure.
b. Nominal Dryer Energy
    The DEF represents the nominal energy required for a clothes dryer 
to remove moisture from clothes. The value of 0.5 kWh/lb was first 
proposed in the March 23, 1995 NOPR. 60 FR 15330, 15336. DOE received 
no comments on this proposal and introduced this DEF value into 
Appendix J1 in the August 1997 Final Rule. 62 FR 45484, 45489.
    In the May 2020 RFI, DOE requested information to determine whether 
to revise the DEF value as a result of the 2015 updates to the DOE 
clothes dryer test procedure and any market changes due to the most 
recent energy conservation standards for clothes dryers. 85 FR 31065, 
31079.
    AHAM proposed that DOE should lower DEF because of the existence of 
more efficient clothes dryers. (AHAM, No. 5 at pp. 15-16). AHAM did not 
propose an amended DEF value but commented that one would need to be 
determined based on the efficiency of products in the market. Id.
    The CA IOUs commented that the current DEF represents a reasonable 
and conservative estimate for residential clothes dryers based on their 
analysis of current consumer clothes dryer standards and market share 
data from the most recent energy conservation standards rulemaking for 
clothes dryers. (CA IOUs, No. 8 at pp. 9-11)
    NEEA recommended that DOE retain the current DEF, or increase it 
slightly to what NEEA stated would be a more representative value, such 
as 0.66 kWh/lb, as used by the Northwest Regional Technical Forum. 
(NEEA, No. 12 at pp. 25-26) NEEA stated that its research showed that 
residential clothes dryers use more energy in the field than what is 
predicted by the dryer test procedure.

[[Page 49177]]

Id. NEEA recommended that if DOE retains the current DEF, DOE should 
revisit this issue once the clothes dryer test procedure has been 
adjusted to better reflect real-world energy use. Id.
    As noted by the CA IOUs, the current estimate of 0.5 kWh/lb is 
consistent with the estimates that DOE developed to reflect the current 
installed base of clothes dryers as part of the most recent energy 
conservation standards final rule for clothes dryers.\59\ In lieu of 
any additional data representing national average clothes dryer usage, 
DOE has tentatively concluded that a DEF of 0.5 kWh/lb remains 
representative of the nominal energy required for a clothes dryer to 
remove moisture from clothes.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \59\ April 2011 Clothes Dryers Energy Conservation Standards 
Final Rule Technical Support Document, Chapter 9. Available at 
www.regulations.gov/document/EERE-2007-BT-STD-0010-0053.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DOE is, therefore, not proposing to change the value of DEF at this 
time.
    DOE requests comment on maintaining the current DEF value of 0.5 
kWh/lb.
c. Dryer Usage Factor
    The DUF represents the percentage of clothes washer loads dried in 
a clothes dryer and is used in section 4.3 of Appendix J2 in the 
equation for calculating the per-cycle drying energy. In the August 
1997 Final Rule, DOE originally established a DUF value of 0.84, which 
was based in part on data provided by P&G, as described in the April 
1996 SNOPR. 61 FR 17589, 17592; 62 FR 45484, 45489. In the March 2012 
Final Rule, DOE revised the DUF in Appendix J2 to 0.91 based on updated 
consumer usage data from 2005 RECS. 77 FR 13887, 13913-13914.
    In the May 2020 RFI, DOE requested information to determine whether 
to revise the DUF value. 85 FR 31065, 31078.
    NEEA supported keeping the DUF at 0.91 or raising it to a slightly 
higher value. (NEEA, No. 12 at p. 25) NEEA calculated a DUF of 0.935, 
using data from its own study. Id.
    DOE appreciates the submission of data by NEEA but notes that its 
survey results represent regional usage (the Pacific Northwest) during 
a 4 to 6-week period in 2012, as described in its report. As such, 
NEEA's suggested DUF value of 0.935 does not represent national average 
usage. DOE is not aware of data or information that would indicate that 
a value other than 0.91 should be considered and so is not proposing to 
change the DUF in this NOPR.
    DOE requests comment on maintaining the current DUF value of 0.91.
3. Low-Power Mode Assumptions
    Section 4.4 of Appendix J2 allocates 8,465 combined annual hours 
for inactive and off modes. If a clothes washer offers a switch, dial, 
or button that can be optionally selected by the user to achieve a 
lower-power inactive/off mode than the default inactive/off mode, 
section 4.4 of Appendix J2 assigns half of those hours (i.e., 4,232.5 
hours) to the default inactive/off mode and the other half to the 
optional lowest-power inactive/off mode. This allocation is based on an 
assumption that if a clothes washer offers such a feature, consumers 
will select the optional lower-power mode half of the time. 77 FR 
13887, 13904. The allocation of 8,465 hours to combined inactive and 
off modes is based on assumptions of 1 hour per cycle and 295 cycles 
per year, resulting in 295 active mode hours (for a total of 8,760 
hours per year for all operating modes). As described in the September 
2010 NOPR and confirmed in the March 2012 Final Rule, the estimate of 1 
hour per cycle was based on a 2005 report from the U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency (``EPA'') \60\ that summarized test data from three 
issues of the Consumer Reports magazine, which showed top-loading 
clothes washers with ``normal'' cycle times of 37-55 minutes and front-
loading clothes washers with ``normal'' cycle times of 51-105 
minutes.\61\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \60\ C. Wilkes et al. 2005. ``Quantification of Exposure-Related 
Water Uses for Various U.S. Subpopulations.'' U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development. Report No. 
EPA/600/R-06/003. Washington, DC. December 2005. Available at 
www.wilkestech.com/205edrb06_Final_Water_Use_Report.pdf.
    \61\ These studies appeared in the July 1998, July 1999, and 
August 2000 issues of Consumer Reports, as cited by EPA.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In the May 2020 RFI, DOE requested input on whether the annual 
hours allocated to combined inactive and off modes, as well as the 
assumed 50-percent split between default inactive/off mode and any 
optional lower-power inactive/off mode, result in a test method that 
measures the energy efficiency of the clothes washer during a 
representative average use cycle or period of use and would not be 
unduly burdensome to conduct. 85 FR 31065, 31079.
    No comments were received regarding the assumed 50-percent split 
between default inactive/off mode and any optional lower-power 
inactive/off mode. Other issues regarding low-power mode, specifically 
regarding CCWs, are further discussed in section III.G.7 of this 
document.
    For the proposed new Appendix J, DOE is proposing to update the 
number of hours spent in low-power mode from a fixed 8,465 total hours 
to a formula based on the clothes washer's measured cycle time, as 
discussed in section III.D.5 of this document, and the updated number 
of annual cycles, as discussed in section III.G.1 of this document. 
This proposal would allow for a more representative allocation of hours 
between active mode and low-power mode. DOE is not proposing to make 
these changes to Appendix J2 because doing so would likely change the 
measured efficiency, and DOE proposes to make such changes only in the 
proposed new Appendix J, which would be used for the evaluation and 
issuance of updated efficiency standards, and for determining 
compliance with those standards.
    DOE requests comment on its proposal to update the number of hours 
spent in low-power mode from a fixed 8,465 total hours to a formula 
based on measured cycle time and an assumed number of annual cycles.
4. Temperature Usage Factors
    TUFs are weighting factors that represent the percentage of wash 
cycles for which consumers choose a particular wash/rinse temperature 
selection. The TUFs in Table 4.1.1 of Appendix J2 are based on the TUFs 
established in Appendix J1-1997. As described in the April 1996 SNOPR, 
DOE established the TUFs in Appendix J1-1997 based on an analysis of 
consumer usage data provided by P&G, AHAM, General Electric Company, 
and Whirlpool, as well as linear regression analyses performed by P&G 
and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (``NIST''). 61 
FR 17589, 17593.
    In the May 2020 RFI, DOE requested comment on current consumer 
usage frequency of the wash/rinse temperature selections required for 
testing in Appendix J2. 85 FR 31065, 31077. DOE also requested input on 
whether requiring the testing of temperature selections with low TUFs 
(for example, the current Table 4.1.1 lists TUFs including 5, 9, and 14 
percent) is consistent with the EPCA requirement that the test 
procedure be reasonably designed to measure the energy use or 
efficiency of the clothes washer during a representative average use 
cycle or period of use, and not be unduly burdensome to conduct. Id.
    NEEA and the CA IOUs commented that they support the existing TUF 
values. (NEEA, No. 12 at p. 22; CA IOUs, No. 8 at p. 7) The CA IOUs 
provided temperature selection data from the 2016 PG&E survey, which 
found that wash temperature and rinse temperature usage data aligned

[[Page 49178]]

reasonably well with TUFs from Table 4.1.1 of Appendix J2. (CA IOUs, 
No. 8 at p. 7-8) As summarized by CA IOUs, the 2016 PG&E survey 
indicated the following selection frequencies of each wash temperature 
setting: Cold (45 percent), Warm (46 percent), Hot (7 percent), and 
Sanitize (1 percent). Id. For the rinse temperature setting, 21 percent 
of cycles used warm rinse, 51 percent used cold rinse, and 28 percent 
reported no separate rinse temperature. Id.
    The CA IOUs supported measuring energy and water use of all 
relevant cycle selections in Table 4.1.1 of Appendix J2, including 
those with lower TUFs, in order to fully capture energy use in a 
representative average use cycle or period of use, as required by EPCA. 
(CA IOUs, No. 8 at p. 7)
    As previously mentioned in section III.A of this document, AHAM 
commented that, in the worst-case scenario of a product with every 
feature (one that includes manual and user-adjustable automatic WFCS, a 
heater, four warm wash temperatures, warm rinse, and selectable spin 
speeds), over half of the test cycles have 1 percent or less overall 
contribution to the total energy efficiency. (AHAM, No. 5 at p. 4) AHAM 
emphasized that temperature use factors play a role in the overall 
burden of the test procedure. Id.
    DOE appreciates the CA IOUs' data regarding consumer usage of 
different wash temperatures. As noted previously, the results from the 
2016 PG&E survey are instructive as a point of comparison, but limited 
in geographic and seasonal representation, and represent only a small 
number of wash cycles per participating household. DOE is not aware of 
any nationally representative consumer usage data that demonstrate a 
change in temperature setting usage; therefore, DOE is not proposing 
any changes to the TUF values at this time.
    In response to AHAM's comment regarding the test burden caused by 
TUFs that represent a relatively smaller percentage of consumer usage, 
DOE is proposing to implement several other changes to the proposed new 
Appendix J that would reduce test burden while maintaining 
representativeness. In particular, DOE is proposing to reduce the 
number of Warm Wash tested settings, as discussed in section III.D.3 of 
this document; to reduce the number of tested load sizes, as further 
discussed in section III.D.1.b of this document; and to measure RMC on 
the energy test cycle rather than requiring separate additional cycles 
for measuring RMC, as further discussed in section III.D.4 of this 
document. Nonetheless, testing the full range of wash temperatures 
available to consumers on the Normal cycle is necessary to fully 
capture the energy and water use of a representative use cycle/period 
of use of a clothes washer.
    DOE requests comment on maintaining the current TUF values.
5. Load Usage Factors
    As described previously, LUFs are weighting factors that represent 
the percentage of wash cycles that consumers run with a given load 
size. Table 4.1.3 of Appendix J2 provides two sets of LUFs based on 
whether the clothes washer has a manual WFCS or automatic WFCS.
    For a clothes washer with a manual WFCS, the two LUFs represent the 
percentage of wash cycles for which consumers choose the maximum water 
fill level and minimum water fill level in conjunction with the maximum 
and minimum load sizes, respectively. For a clothes washer with an 
automatic WFCS, the three LUFs represent the percentage of cycles for 
which the consumer washes a minimum-size, average-size, and maximum-
size load (for which the clothes washer determines the water fill 
level). As discussed in section III.D.1.b of this document, the values 
of these LUFs are intended to approximate a normal distribution that is 
slightly skewed towards the minimum load size.
    In the May 2020 RFI, DOE requested data on current consumer usage 
as related to the LUFs and whether any updates to the LUFs in Table 
4.1.3 of Appendix J2 are warranted to reflect current consumer usage 
patterns. 85 FR 31065, 31077. DOE specifically requested comment on 
whether the use of certain LUFs in the test procedure is consistent 
with the EPCA requirement that the test procedure be reasonably 
designed to measure energy and water use during a representative 
average use cycle or period of use without being unduly burdensome to 
conduct, because certain load sizes may be rarely used by consumers. 
Id.
    The CA IOUs provided load size data from the 2016 PG&E survey that 
showed the following load size usage: Very small (3 percent), small (11 
percent), medium (28 percent), large (45 percent), and very large (14 
percent).\62\ (CA IOUs, No. 8 at pp. 8-9) The CA IOUs stated that 
international research supports the conclusion that large loads 
represent a more significant portion of consumer operation than 
currently represented by Table 4.1.3 of Appendix J2. Id. The CA IOUs 
recommended that DOE consider the results from the 2016 PG&E survey in 
updating the LUFs. Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \62\ The CA IOUs did not define the terms ``very small,'' 
``small,'' ``medium,'' ``large,'' or ``very large.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    NEEA presented its test data showing that 36 percent of consumer 
loads are small (less than 6 lb), 52 percent are medium (6 lb to 12 
lb), and 11 percent are large (12 lb or more). (NEEA, No. 12 at p. 22) 
NEEA recommended, based on its testing data, that DOE update the LUFs 
to place higher weightings on small- and average-sized loads, and less 
weighting on maximum-sized loads. Id.
    DOE notes that, as discussed previously in this document, the data 
presented from both NEEA and the CA IOUs are regional in scope and do 
not necessarily represent national U.S.-average usage. In addition, DOE 
notes that the two data sets offer opposing conclusions with regard to 
load size usage factors.
    As previously discussed in section III.D.1.b of this document, DOE 
is proposing to replace the minimum, maximum, and average load sizes 
with the small and large load sizes in the proposed new Appendix J. DOE 
has defined the small and large load sizes such that the small and 
large load sizes each have an equal (50-50) weighting. As such, DOE is 
proposing to update the LUFs in the proposed new Appendix J to 0.5 for 
both the small and the large load size. Because this proposal 
simplifies the LUF definitions by using the same LUFs regardless of 
clothes washer WFCS, a separate LUF table is no longer needed. DOE is 
therefore proposing to remove the LUF Table 4.1.3 and define the LUFs 
as 0.5 in the equations where the LUFs are first used in section 4.1.3 
of the proposed new Appendix J.
    DOE requests comment on its proposal to update the LUFs for the 
small and large load sizes to be equal to 0.5, consistent with the 
proposed load size definitions in the proposed new Appendix J.
6. Water Heater Assumptions
    Section 4.1.2 of Appendix J2 provides equations for calculating 
total per-cycle hot water energy consumption for all water fill levels 
tested. The hot water energy consumption is calculated by multiplying 
the measured volume of hot water by a constant fixed temperature rise 
of 75 [deg]F and by the specific heat of water, defined as 0.00240 
kilowatt-hours per gallon per degree Fahrenheit (``kWh/gal-[deg]F''). 
No efficiency or loss factor is included in this calculation, which 
implies an electric water heater efficiency of 100 percent. Similarly, 
section 4.1.4 of Appendix J2 provides an equation for calculating total 
per-cycle

[[Page 49179]]

hot water energy consumption using gas-heated or oil-heated water, for 
product labeling requirements.\63\ This equation includes a 
multiplication factor ``e,'' representing the nominal gas or oil water 
heater efficiency, defined as 0.75. These water-heating energy 
equations estimate the energy required by the household water heater to 
heat the hot water used by the clothes washer. Per-cycle hot water 
energy consumption is one of the four energy components in the IMEF 
metric.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \63\ The Federal Trade Commission's EnergyGuide label for RCWs 
includes the estimated annual operating cost using natural gas water 
heating.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In the May 2020 RFI, DOE requested input on whether any updates 
were warranted to the water heater efficiency values implied in section 
4.1.2 and provided in section 4.1.4 of Appendix J2. 85 FR 31065, 31079.
    The CA IOUs recommended that DOE update the gas and oil efficiency 
factor in section 4.1.4 of Appendix J2, and include a new efficiency 
factor for electric water heaters in the rest of section 4.1 of 
Appendix J2, to account for heat losses in the hot water distribution 
system. (CA IOUs, No. 8 at p. 15)
    The CA IOUs did not provide specific recommendations or data that 
could be used to justify updating the gas and oil efficiency factor, or 
for a new efficiency factor to account for any heat losses in the hot 
water distribution system. DOE is unaware of any nationally 
representative data regarding heat losses in residential water 
distribution systems.
    In the absence of such data, DOE is not proposing any changes to 
the assumed water heater efficiency factors in the clothes washer test 
procedure.
    DOE requests comment on maintaining the current water heater 
efficiency assumptions.
7. Commercial Clothes Washer Usage
    As mentioned in section I of this document, CCWs 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)(H)) EPCA requires the test procedures for CCWs to be 
the same as those established for RCWs. (42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(8))
    The CA IOUs recommended that DOE include CCW use patterns when 
determining the number of average use cycles, annual loads of laundry, 
and LUF values. (CA IOUs, No. 8 at pp. 8-9, 12-14) The CA IOUs stated 
that according to Table HC3.4 of the 2015 RECS data, 17.6 percent of 
respondents rely on CCWs to wash their clothing. The CA IOUs commented 
that, due to the exclusion of CCW usage data, DOE's analysis 
undercounts the average annual use cycles. Id. The CA IOUs cited an 
ENERGY STAR case study at an apartment building in Maryland that 
reported 1,138 cycles per CCW per year, with each CCW servicing more 
than 19 apartments.\64\ According to the CA IOUs, this implies that the 
RECS annual cycle use analysis provided by DOE in the September 2010 
NOPR represents an undercounting of the average annual use cycles due 
to a lack of representation of CCWs. Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \64\ The apartment building included 14 clothes washers for 272 
apartments. www.energystar.gov/ia/products/appliances/clotheswash/508_ColesvilleTowers.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The CA IOUs also suggested that DOE develop a DEF for CCWs that is 
different than the DEF for RCWs. (CA IOUs, No. 8 at p. 11) The CA IOUs 
recommended that DOE calculate this DEF by investigating any changes to 
market share distribution of consumer clothes dryers since the 2011 
clothes dryer standards rulemaking, and by incorporating energy use and 
market share implications for CCWs. Id.
    NEEA, the CA IOUs, and the Joint Commenters recommended that DOE 
require standby/low power mode testing for CCWs, and that low-power 
mode energy consumption should be incorporated into the energy 
efficiency metric for CCWs. (NEEA, No. 12 at p. 18; Joint Commenters, 
No. 10 at p. 2; CA IOUs, No. 8 at p. 13) NEEA reported data from its 
test program that showed CCWs have an average standby power of 6.4 
watts compared to 0.5 watts for RCWs. NEEA stated that although CCWs 
have more active wash cycles than RCWs, CCWs still spend a significant 
amount of time in low power mode. According to NEEA, low-power mode 
energy use in CCWs can be reduced cost-effectively in a variety of 
ways. (NEEA, No. 12 at p. 18) The CA IOUs further commented that 
transitioning CCWs' efficiency metric to IMEF could align with the 
California Energy Commission's Low Power Modes Roadmap.\65\ (CA IOUs, 
No. 8 at p. 13)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \65\ Additional information can be found at the California 
Energy Commission's Low-Power Mode docket: efiling.energy.ca.gov/Lists/DocketLog.aspx?docketnumber=17-AAER-12.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    NEEA's standby power data for CCWs falls within with the range of 
test results described by DOE in the December 2014 Final Rule. As part 
of its market assessment and engineering analysis for the December 2014 
Final Rule, DOE performed an in-depth evaluation of the standby and off 
mode power characteristics of a representative sample of CCWs spanning 
a wide range of display types, payment systems, and communication 
features. 79 FR 74492, 74501. DOE observed that manufacturers offer a 
variety of display and payment functionalities that can be selected 
independently from the basic model. The standby power associated with 
these different display and payment functionalities varies from 0.88 to 
11.77 watts. Id. The lowest standby power levels are associated with 
models having no vend price display and no coin or card payment options 
(often referred to as ``push-to-start'' models). These models are 
typically used in small multi-family housing facilities offering free 
laundry, or in other commercial applications not requiring fare 
payment. Such models are not suitable for coin-operated laundry or most 
other multi-family housing facilities. Id. The highest standby power 
levels are associated with models having a digital vend price display, 
coin or debit card payment system, and advanced features such as 
dynamic or cycle-based pricing controls, built-in logging capabilities, 
and remote auditing features. These models are typically used in coin-
operated laundries located in competitive markets. Id.
    In the December 2014 Final Rule, DOE determined not to include low-
power mode energy in the CCW energy efficiency metric. Id. DOE 
determined that promulgating an amended standard that included low-
power mode energy could enable backsliding and that the IMEF metric 
would not provide a useful means for differentiating the active mode 
characteristics of different CCW models. Id. Because of the wide 
variations in standby power, CCWs with significantly different active 
mode ratings could have similar IMEF ratings depending on their control 
panel functionalities, and vice versa. This would diminish the 
usefulness of the IMEF metric as a means for differentiating the active 
mode characteristics of different CCW models. Id.
    Moreover, as noted, EPCA requires the test procedures for CCWs to 
be the same as those established for RCWs. (42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(8)) 
Creating load, temperature, or dryer usage factors specific to CCWs 
within the RCW test procedure would effectively create a separate test 
procedure for CCWs because the LUF, TUF, DUF, and DEF values are 
integral to the calculations of per-cycle energy and water use, on 
which the regulated metrics for RCWs and CCWs are based.
    Regarding annual use cycles, DOE notes that in calculating national 
energy

[[Page 49180]]

savings as part of the analysis conducted during CCW energy 
conservation standards rulemakings, DOE uses CCW-specific usage data 
for factors such as annual use cycles, the proportion of gas versus 
electric water heating, and others. This ensures that the analysis of 
energy savings and national impacts as part of a CCW standards 
rulemaking accurately reflects CCW usage. Any determination regarding 
whether to include low-power mode energy use in the energy efficiency 
metric for CCWs would be made as part of the ongoing energy 
conservation standards rulemaking for CCWs.
    DOE is not proposing any changes to CCW usage factors or to the CCW 
energy efficiency metric in this NOPR.

H. Clarifications

    In this section of the NOPR, DOE is proposing amendments to its 
test procedures for clothes washers at Appendix J2 that DOE has 
tentatively determined would not alter the measured efficiency of 
clothes washers. The proposed amendments either codify guidance on the 
existing regulations, provide more specificity in the test procedure 
provisions, provide improved organization of each section, or correct 
formatting errors in DOE's clothes washer test procedures.
1. Water Inlet Hose Length
    DOE has observed an increasing trend of water inlet hoses not being 
included with the purchase of a new clothes washer. DOE has received 
questions from test laboratories asking how to install a clothes washer 
that does not include water inlet hoses among the installation 
hardware.
    Multiple styles of water inlet hoses (different materials, lengths, 
durability, etc.) are commercially available from appliance and 
hardware retailers. While most such products intended for consumer use 
would be appropriate for installing a clothes washer, DOE seeks to 
provide additional direction to avoid the use of a hose designed for 
niche purposes (i.e., to ensure representativeness) as well as to 
ensure reproducible results among different laboratories. Specifically, 
DOE observes a wide range of hose lengths available on the market, and 
recognizes that using an excessively long hose could result in the 
water temperature or pressure at the clothes washer inlet deviating 
significantly from the temperature and pressure at the test fixture. 
Based on a review of water inlet hoses available at major retailers, 
the most common lengths for clothes washer hoses range from 3-6 feet 
(``ft''). DOE is therefore proposing to specify the use of hoses that 
do not exceed 72 inches in length (6 ft) in section 2.10.1 of the 
proposed new Appendix J.
    DOE requests comment on its proposal to specify the use of hoses 
not to exceed 72 inches in length in the proposed new Appendix J. DOE 
also requests comment on the length of inlet hose typically used for 
testing.
    DOE could also consider this change for Appendix J2, but is not 
proposing it in this NOPR because of the potential for this change to 
impact measured energy efficiency. DOE proposes to make such changes 
only in the proposed new Appendix J, which would be used for the 
evaluation and issuance of updated efficiency standards, and for 
determining compliance with those standards.
2. Water Fill Selection Availability
    Table 2.8 within section 2.8 of Appendix J2 requires that, for 
clothes washers with manual WFCS, each temperature selection that is 
part of the energy test cycle be tested using both the minimum and 
maximum water fill levels, using the minimum and maximum load sizes, 
respectively. Section 3.2.6 of Appendix J2 describes these water fill 
levels as the minimum and maximum water levels available for the wash 
cycle under test. DOE has observed one RCW model with electronic 
controls in which the maximum water fill level on the unit cannot be 
selected with all of the temperature selections required for testing; 
i.e., on at least one temperature setting, the maximum water fill that 
can be selected is one of the intermediate fill levels on the unit. In 
such cases generally, the ``reduced maximum'' water fill level for a 
particular temperature setting may not be appropriate for use with the 
maximum load size required for that particular cycle under test. Using 
a maximum load size with a reduced maximum water fill level may not 
provide results that measure energy efficiency and water use during a 
representative average use cycle or period of use, since the 
unavailability of the ``full maximum'' water fill level for that 
particular cycle under test would suggest that the particular 
temperature selection is not intended to be used with a maximum load 
size.
    The RCW model with this characteristic is no longer available on 
the market, and DOE is not aware of any other clothes washer models 
currently on the market with this characteristic. As described further 
in this discussion, DOE is not proposing any amendments in this NOPR to 
address the potential for the maximum load size required by the test 
procedure to conflict with the maximum load size intended or able to be 
washed on such a cycle. Nevertheless, DOE considered comments received 
from interested parties on this issue and seeks additional comment on 
several approaches that DOE has considered that could address this 
issue in the test procedure.
    In the May 2020 RFI, DOE requested comment from interested parties 
on how the test procedure should accommodate clothes washers in which 
the maximum available water fill level may differ depending on the 
temperature selection. 85 FR 31065, 31073.
    Samsung stated that it believes that because some clothes washers 
do not offer all water level selections for all temperature options, 
the current test procedure is unrepresentative of real-world use. 
According to Samsung, if the energy test cycle cannot be run at all 
temperature and water fill options, consumers may switch to a non-
tested, and potentially more energy-intensive, mode in order to access 
the water level and temperature they intend to use. Samsung suggested 
that DOE consider amending the test procedure to require testing of 
other cycles, in addition to the Normal cycle, for which all water 
level selections are available. (Samsung, No. 6 at pp. 2-3)
    AHAM commented that it is not necessary to amend the test procedure 
to include directions for testing clothes washers with water fill 
levels that are only available at certain temperature settings. (AHAM, 
No. 5 at p. 12) AHAM commented that while consumers have options 
available for other needs, the Normal cycle remains the most 
representative of customer use, and there have not been any data to 
prove otherwise. AHAM emphasized that the purpose of testing is to test 
the most used, or ``representative,'' cycle and that the Normal cycle 
has been and remains that cycle. Id. Furthermore, AHAM commented that 
DOE has achieved its objectives by limiting water and energy use and 
restrictions on options in the most commonly used cycle while also 
allowing for consumer choice. AHAM stated that it may have more data on 
this issue at a future time. Id.
    The suggestion by Samsung to require testing of other cycles for 
which all water level selections are available would mirror the 
approached used in the flowcharts in section 2.12 of Appendix J2 for 
determining the wash/rinse temperatures that comprise energy test 
cycle. For each wash/rinse temperature selection other than Cold/Cold, 
the flowcharts require deviating

[[Page 49181]]

from the Normal cycle (as that term is defined in section 1.25 of 
Appendix J2) if the particular wash/rinse temperature combination is 
not offered on the Normal cycle but is offered on one of the other 
cycle selections on the clothes washer. DOE could consider amending the 
flowcharts to incorporate the availability of load sizes in conjunction 
with the availability of wash/rinse temperature selections, for 
example.
    DOE could also consider other approaches that would maintain the 
use of the Normal cycle in such cases; for example, specifying the use 
of a modified load size if the maximum load size defined by the test 
procedure conflicts with the maximum load size intended or able to be 
washed on such a cycle.
    DOE notes an important distinction between the requirements of EPCA 
and AHAM's comment regarding the purpose of the test procedure. As 
discussed, EPCA requires that test procedures produce test results that 
measure energy efficiency or energy use during a representative average 
use cycle or period of use (among other considerations). (42 U.S.C. 
6293(b)(3); 42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(2)) AHAM's comment suggests that testing 
other cycles for models with certain characteristics is not necessary 
because, according to AHAM, the Normal cycle remains the most 
representative of customer use. However, EPCA does not require that the 
results of the test procedure be representative of the average use of 
consumers across all models of clothes washers; rather, EPCA requires 
that the results of the test procedure be representative of the energy 
(and water) use of the particular model being tested. Although the 
Normal cycle may be the most commonly used cycle across all clothes 
washers on the market, the ``representative average use cycle or period 
of use'' might differ for a model in which the maximum water fill level 
on the unit cannot be selected with all of the temperature selections 
required for testing.
    As stated, DOE is not proposing any changes at this time to address 
the potential for the maximum load size required by the test procedure 
to conflict with the maximum load size intended or able to be washed 
using the cycle required for testing. To the extent that models with 
this characteristic were to be reintroduced the market, more research 
would be needed to address any potential concerns regarding 
representative use.
    Finally, DOE notes that the amended load sizes proposed for new 
Appendix J (in which the ``large'' load size is smaller than the 
``maximum'' load size currently defined by Appendix J2) would obviate 
the need for any changes to the test procedure for the one RCW model of 
concern.
    DOE requests comment on whether it should amend the test procedure 
to accommodate potential future clothes washer models for which the 
maximum load size required by the test procedure conflicts with the 
maximum load size intended or able to be washed with the cycle required 
for testing. If so, DOE seeks additional comment on the approaches it 
has considered, or on any other approaches that could be considered, 
that would address this issue in the test procedure.
3. Water Fill Control Systems
a. Definitions
    Section 1.5 of Appendix J2 defines ``automatic water fill control 
system'' as a clothes washer WFCS that does not allow or require the 
user to determine or select the water fill level, and includes adaptive 
WFCS and fixed WFCS. Section 1.4 of Appendix J2 defines ``adaptive 
water fill control system'' as a clothes washer automatic WFCS that is 
capable of automatically adjusting the water fill level based on the 
size or weight of the clothes load placed in the clothes container. 
Section 1.14 of Appendix J2 defines ``fixed water fill control system'' 
as a clothes washer automatic WFCS that automatically terminates the 
fill when the water reaches an appropriate level in the clothes 
container. Section 3.2.6.2.2 of Appendix J2 provides testing 
instructions for a ``user-adjustable'' automatic WFCS, which is 
described in that section as an automatic water fill control that 
affects the relative wash water levels.
    In response to the May 2020 RFI, NEEA and the Joint Commenters 
recommended that DOE develop new definitions for WFCS to address the 
current variety and sophistication of clothes washer fill options and 
the range of possible consumer use. NEEA stated that the market has 
shifted away from the two main types of WFCS currently defined in 
Appendix J2, and that NEEA has encountered many types of combined WFCS. 
(NEEA, No. 12 at p. 21; Joint Commenters, No. 10 at pp. 3-4)
    To provide additional specificity to both Appendix J2 and the 
proposed new Appendix J, DOE is proposing revisions to some of the WFCS 
definitions, as follows.
    DOE proposes to amend the definition of ``fixed water fill control 
system'' to mean ``a clothes washer automatic water fill control system 
that automatically terminates the fill when the water reaches a pre-
defined level that is not based on the size or weight of the clothes 
load placed in the clothes container, without allowing or requiring the 
user to determine or select the water fill level.'' This proposed 
amendment to the definition would specify that the water fill level for 
this type of WFCS is pre-defined (i.e., fixed) and does not vary based 
on the size or weight of the load. The proposal would incorporate the 
same terminology used in the other WFCS definitions so as to more 
clearly articulate how a fixed WFCS relates to the other defined WFCS. 
This amended definition would be included in the proposed new Appendix 
J as well.
    To provide greater specificity regarding user-adjustable automatic 
WFCS, DOE is proposing to add a definition of a ``user-adjustable 
automatic water fill control system'' to section 1 of both Appendix J2 
and the proposed new Appendix J. DOE is proposing to define a user-
adjustable automatic WFCS as ``an automatic clothes washer fill control 
system that allows the user to adjust the amount of water that the 
machine provides, which is based on the size or weight of the clothes 
load placed in the clothes container.'' Given DOE's proposal to create 
a definition of user-adjustable automatic WFCS, DOE proposes to 
simplify the wording of section 3.2.6.2.2 of Appendix J2 from 
``[c]onduct four tests on clothes washers with user adjustable 
automatic water fill controls that affect the relative wash water 
levels'' to ``[c]onduct four tests on clothes washers with user-
adjustable automatic water fill controls.'' For the proposed new 
Appendix J, section 3.2.3.2.2 would state ``For the large test load 
size, set the water fill selector to the setting that uses the most 
water. For the small test load size, set the water fill selector to the 
setting that uses the least water.''
    DOE requests comment on its proposed changes to the definition of 
``fixed water fill control system'' and on its proposal to add a 
definition for ``user-adjustable automatic water fill control system.''
b. ``Most Energy Intensive'' Wording for User-Adjustable Automatic 
Water Fill Control Systems
    As discussed, section 3.2.6.2.2 of Appendix J2 specifies how to 
test clothes washers with user-adjustable automatic WFCS. Four tests 
are required:
    [squ] A test using the maximum test load size and with the WFCS set 
in the setting that will give the most energy intensive result;

[[Page 49182]]

    [squ] a test using the minimum test load size and with the WFCS set 
in the setting that will give the least energy intensive result;
    [squ] a test using the average test load size and with the WFCS set 
in the setting that will give the most energy intensive result; and
    [squ] a test using the average test load size and with the WFCS set 
in the setting that will give the least energy intensive result.
    DOE has received questions from a test laboratory regarding how to 
determine which setting is the most ``energy intensive'' for the 
purposes of this provision. Depending on the quantity and temperature 
of water under consideration--as well as whether the term ``energy 
intensive'' is intended to include machine electrical energy, hot water 
heating energy, and/or drying energy--the setting that uses the most 
(or least) amount of water may not correspond to the most (or least) 
amount of energy. While the amount of water used in a wash cycle can be 
readily determined, measuring and calculating the amount of energy 
consumption requires more time and effort, particularly if energy 
consumption includes a combination of machine electrical energy, hot 
water heating energy, and/or drying energy.
    The provisions requiring testing the most and least energy 
intensive settings were initially proposed in response to an interim 
waiver granted to GEA for a clothes washer with user-adjustable 
adaptive WFCS. 61 FR 57794, 57795 (Nov. 8, 1996; ``November 1996 
NOPR''), referencing interim waiver case no. CW-004, 61 FR 18125 (Apr. 
24, 1996; ``April 1996 Interim Waiver''). These testing provisions were 
adopted in the August 1997 Final Rule 62 FR 45484, 45487.
    At the time of the November 1996 NOPR, the applicable energy 
efficiency metric (i.e., energy factor) did not include the drying 
energy component, and the energy conservation standards at the time did 
not regulate the water efficiency of clothes washers. As evident 
throughout the discussions in the April 1996 Interim Waiver, November 
1996 NOPR, and August 1997 Final Rule, absent the consideration of 
drying energy and water efficiency, DOE used the terms ``most energy 
intensive'' and ``least energy intensive'' synonymously with discussing 
the water fill amounts.\66\ The terms ``most energy intensive'' and 
``least energy intensive'' were originally employed to provide 
direction of the water fill amounts required for testing of the 
adaptive WFCS. In no part of any of these three documents did DOE 
discuss the possibility that the highest (or lowest) water fill amount 
would not also correspond to the most (or least) energy intensive 
setting. In the context of the user-adjustable automatic WFCS 
provisions, the test conditions are to provide instruction as to the 
required water fill level, and not require a determination of energy 
intensity.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \66\ For example, in the April 1996 Interim Waiver, DOE stated 
the following: However, the ``sensitivity'' or relative fill amounts 
of the automatic water fill mode can be reprogrammed in the 
secondary programming mode, thus resulting in an increase in energy 
consumption above the manual mode result. 61 FR 18125, 18127.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As the test procedures and energy conservation standards have been 
amended, the measured energy use accounts for more than just that which 
correlates to the water fill level. However, use of the energy 
intensity terminology remained in the user-adjustable automatic WFCS 
provisions.
    Given the evolution of clothes washer control systems and operation 
since the August 1997 Final Rule, more precise language is needed to 
avoid an unnecessary determination of whether the highest (or lowest) 
water fill amount on a user-adjustable automatic WFCS corresponds to 
the most (or least) energy intensive setting. Therefore, DOE is 
proposing to change the wording of both section 3.2.6.2.2 of Appendix 
J2 and section 3.2.3.2.2 of the proposed new Appendix J, to update the 
phrase ``the setting that will give the most energy intensive result'' 
to ``the setting that uses the most water'' to reflect the original 
intent of this provision. Similarly, DOE is proposing to update the 
phrase ``the setting that will give the least energy intensive result'' 
to ``the setting that uses the least water.''
    DOE requests comment on its proposal to update the wording of 
section 3.2.6.2.2 of Appendix J2 and section 3.2.3.2.2 of the proposed 
new Appendix J from ``the setting that will give the most energy 
intensive result'' to ``the setting that uses the most water;'' and 
from ``the setting that will give the least energy intensive result'' 
to ``the setting that uses the least water.''
4. Energy Test Cycle Flowcharts
    In the August 2015 Final Rule, DOE implemented a series of 
flowcharts to determine the wash/rinse temperature selections required 
for testing in section 2.12 of Appendix J2. 80 FR 46730, 46744.
a. Clarification of Load Size To Be Used for Temperature Comparisons
    Figure 2.12.5 of Appendix J2, which is the flow chart used for the 
determination of the Extra-Hot Wash/Cold Rinse temperature selection, 
asks if the wash/rinse temperature selection has a wash temperature 
greater than 135 [deg]F. DOE is aware that for some clothes washer on 
the market, the answer to that question could differ depending on what 
load size is used, i.e., the wash temperature may exceed 135 [deg]F 
only on certain load sizes, meaning that the determination of whether 
the temperature selection is classified as Hot Wash/Cold Rinse or 
Extra-Hot Wash/Cold Rinse would depend on the load size used for making 
the determination. More generally, all of the flowcharts in section 
2.12 require comparing wash and rinse water temperatures across 
different temperature selections, without specifying a load size to be 
used for making these comparisons.
    DOE is proposing to specify using the maximum load size to evaluate 
the flow chart for clothes washers tested to Appendix J2, and the large 
load size for the proposed new Appendix J.\67\ The maximum/large load 
size is the load size expected to use the most water (compared to the 
other load sizes) under each appendix, and in DOE's experience, larger 
quantities of water (particularly hot water) provide a more reliable 
determination of the relative differences in water temperature among 
the various temperature settings. Therefore, the maximum/large load 
size is likely to provide the most repeatable and reproducible end 
result for each flowchart.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \67\ See section III.D.1.b of this document for a discussion of 
the definition of the new ``large'' test load size.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DOE notes that Figure 2.12.1 of Appendix J2, which is the flow 
chart used for the determination of the Cold Wash/Cold Rinse 
temperature selection, provides direction for cases where multiple wash 
temperature selections in the Normal cycle do not use any hot water for 
any of the water fill levels or test load sizes required for testing. 
For Appendix J2, DOE is proposing that the new clarifying language 
would not apply to the Cold Wash/Cold Rinse temperature settings in 
order to avoid the potential need for retesting under Appendix J2 if a 
clothes washer was tested in a manner inconsistent with this proposed 
change. For the proposed new Appendix J, DOE is proposing to delete 
from the Cold Wash/Cold Rinse flowchart (Figure 2.12.1) the clause 
applying it to all tested load sizes, and

[[Page 49183]]

to instead require the use of the large size, consistent with all the 
other wash/rinse temperature selection flowcharts.
    DOE requests comment on its proposal to require that the energy 
test cycle flow charts be evaluated using the large load size for all 
wash/rinse temperature settings in the proposed new Appendix J. DOE 
also requests comment on its proposal to require that the energy test 
cycle flow charts be evaluated using the maximum load size, except for 
the Cold/Cold flow chart, in Appendix J2.
b. Clothes Washers That Generate All Hot Water Internally
    As described in section III.C.2 of this document, DOE is aware of 
single-inlet clothes washers on the market that intake only cold water 
and internally generate all hot water required for a cycle by means of 
an internal heating element. As observed on the market, these clothes 
washers offer Cold, Warm, Hot, and/or Extra Hot temperature selections. 
As part of determining the Cold Wash/Cold Rinse temperature selection, 
the instruction box in the flowchart in Figure 2.12.1 of Appendix J2 
refers to ``. . . multiple wash temperature selections in the Normal 
cycle [that] do not use any hot water for any of the water fill levels 
or test load sizes required for testing . . .'' In the May 2020 RFI, 
DOE considered rephrasing the text in Figure 2.12.1 of Appendix J2 to 
say ``. . . use or internally generate any heated water . . .'' 
(emphasis added) so that the wording of the Cold Wash/Cold Rinse 
flowchart in Figure 2.12.1 of Appendix J2 explicitly addresses clothes 
washers that internally generate hot water. 85 FR 31065, 31074. This 
change would be consistent with DOE's interpretation of the current 
Cold Wash/Cold Rinse flowchart and subsequent flowcharts for the Warm 
Wash and Hot Wash temperature selections for this type of clothes 
washer. Id. DOE requested input on this rephrasing. Id.
    UL supported changing the wording of Figure 2.12.1 of Appendix J2 
to specifically address clothes washers that internally generate heated 
water. (UL, No. 9 at p. 3)
    AHAM stated that it does not oppose rephrasing Figure 2.12.1 of 
Appendix J2 to specifically address clothes washers that internally 
generate all hot water used for a cycle by means of internal heating 
elements, and believes it would be a useful clarification. (AHAM, No. 5 
at p. 13)
    As suggested in the May 2020 RFI, DOE proposes rephrasing the text 
in Figure 2.12.1 of both Appendix J2 and the proposed new Appendix J to 
say ``. . . use or internally generate any heated water . . .'' 
(emphasis added) so that the wording of the Cold Wash/Cold Rinse 
flowchart in both appendices explicitly addresses clothes washers that 
internally generate hot water. 85 FR 31065, 31074. In this NOPR, DOE is 
further proposing to rephrase the description of Warm Wash/Warm Rinse 
in Figure 2.12.4 of both Appendix J2 and the proposed new Appendix J to 
state ``. . . rinse temperature selections that add or internally 
generate hot water . . .'' (emphasis added), for the same reasons.
    DOE requests comments on its proposal to update the flowcharts for 
Cold Wash/Cold Rinse and Warm Wash/Warm Rinse in both Appendix J2 and 
the proposed new Appendix J to explicitly address clothes washers that 
internally generate hot water.
5. Wash Time Setting
    Section 3.2.5 of Appendix J2 defines how to select the wash time 
setting on a clothes washer. If no one wash time is prescribed for the 
wash cycle under test, the wash time setting is the higher of either 
the minimum or 70 percent of the maximum wash time available, 
regardless of the labeling of suggested dial locations. Hereafter in 
this document, DOE refers to this provision as the ``70-percent test.''
    In the March 2012 Final Rule, DOE added instructions to the wash 
time section of Appendix J1 and Appendix J2 that specified the 
direction of rotation of electromechanical dials, and that the 70-
percent test applies regardless of the labeling of suggested dial 
locations. 77 FR 13887, 13927. In the August 2015 Final Rule, DOE 
specified that, if 70-percent of the maximum wash time is not available 
on a dial with a discrete number of wash time settings, the next-
highest setting greater than 70-percent must be chosen. 80 FR 46729, 
46745.
a. Electronic vs. Electromechanical Dials
    DOE has observed on the market clothes washers that have an 
electronic cycle selection dial designed to visually simulate a 
conventional electromechanical dial.\68\ 85 FR 31065, 31075. In 
particular, DOE has observed clothes washers with an electronic dial 
that offers multiple Normal cycle selections; for example, ``Normal-
Light,'' ``Normal-Medium,'' and ``Normal-Heavy,'' with the descriptor 
referring to the soil level of the clothing. On such clothes washers, 
the only difference between the three Normal cycles apparent to 
consumers when performing each cycle may be the wash time, although 
other less observable parameters may also differ. Although the 
electronic dial simulates the visual appearance of an electromechanical 
dial, the electronic dial is programmed with a preestablished set of 
wash cycle parameters, including wash time, for each of the discrete 
cycle selections presented on the machine. Id. For this type of cycle 
selection dial, each of the discrete cycle selection options represents 
a selectable ``wash cycle'' as referred to in section 3.2.5 of Appendix 
J2, and a wash time is prescribed for each available wash cycle. 
Therefore, for clothes washers with this type of electronic dial, the 
wash cycle selected for testing must correspond to the wash cycle that 
meets the definition of Normal cycle in section 1.25 of Appendix J2. 
The wash time setting thus would be the prescribed wash time for the 
selected wash cycle; i.e., the 70-percent test would not apply to this 
type of dial. Id. In the May 2020 RFI, DOE requested feedback on 
whether to further clarify section 3.2.5 of Appendix J2 regarding 
electronic cycle selection dials that visually simulate conventional 
electromechanical dials. Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \68\ On most electromechanical dials, the rotational position of 
the dial corresponds to the desired wash time. The user rotates the 
dial from the initial ``off'' position to the desired wash time 
position, and after starting the wash cycle, the dial rotates 
throughout the progression of the wash cycle until it reaches the 
``off'' position at the end of the cycle. In contrast, an electronic 
dial contains a fixed number of selectable positions, and the dial 
remains in the selected position for the duration of the wash cycle.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    AHAM suggested that section 3.2.5 of Appendix J2 could be clarified 
by specifying that the instructions pertaining to electromechanical 
dials (regarding resetting the dial and turning it to reach the 
appropriate setting) also pertain to timers that control wash time. 
(AHAM, No. 5 at p. 14)
    DOE agrees with AHAM's suggestion and is proposing to amend section 
3.2.5.3 of both Appendix J2 and the proposed new Appendix J by adding 
the words ``or timer'' after the words ``electromechanical dial'' in 
order to clarify the application of the instructions to electronic 
cycle selection dials.
    DOE is further proposing to revise the wording of section 3.2.5 of 
Appendix J2 and section 3.2.2 of the proposed new Appendix J \69\ by 
changing the first sentence of the section to read, ``If the cycle 
under test offers a range of wash time settings, the wash time setting 
shall be the higher of either the minimum 70 percent of the maximum 
wash time available for the wash cycle under test,

[[Page 49184]]

regardless of the labeling of suggested dial locations'' (emphasis 
added). DOE is also proposing to separate section 3.2.5 of Appendix J2 
and section 3.2.2 of the proposed new Appendix J into two subsections: 
Section 3.2.5.1 (in Appendix J2) and section 3.2.2.1 (in the proposed 
new Appendix J), which specifies the wash time setting for a clothes 
washer cycle with a range of wash time settings; and section 3.2.5.2 
(in Appendix J2) and 3.2.2.2 (in the proposed new Appendix J), which 
specifies the dial rotation procedure for a clothes washer equipped 
with an electromechanical dial or timer that rotates in both 
directions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \69\ See section III.H.7 of this document for a discussion of 
the structure of section 3 of the proposed new Appendix J.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DOE requests comment on its proposal to clarify the wording of the 
wash time setting specifications in section 3.2.5 of Appendix J2 and 
section 3.2.2 of the proposed new Appendix J.
b. Direction of Dial Rotation
    Section 3.2.5 of Appendix J2 states that, for clothes washers with 
electromechanical dials controlling wash time, the dial must be turned 
in the direction of increasing wash time to reach the appropriate wash 
time setting. DOE is aware that not all electromechanical dials 
currently on the market can be turned in the direction of increasing 
wash time. 85 FR 31065, 31075. On such models, the dial can only be 
turned in the direction of decreasing wash time. DOE believes that the 
direction of rotation need only be prescribed on a clothes washer with 
an electromechanical dial that can rotate in both directions. Id. In 
the May 2020 RFI, DOE requested comment on its understanding of the 
functioning of dials currently on the market, specifically with regard 
to the direction(s) of rotation and whether the wording of section 
3.2.5 of Appendix J2 warrants revision to specify that the requirement 
to rotate the dial in the direction of increasing wash time applies 
only to dials that can rotate in both directions. Id.
    UL commented that it supports specifying that the requirement to 
rotate the dial in the direction of increasing wash time applies only 
to dials that can rotate in both directions, because some dials only 
rotate in one direction. (UL, No. 9 at p. 3)
    AHAM supported amending section 3.2.5 of Appendix J2 to specify 
that the requirement to rotate the dial in the direction of increasing 
wash time applies only to dials that can rotate in both directions. 
(AHAM, No. 5 at p. 14)
    DOE notes general support for its suggestion to specify that the 
requirement to rotate the dial in the direction of increasing wash time 
applies only to dials that can rotate in both directions. In this NOPR, 
DOE is proposing to add a clause in section 3.2.5.2 of Appendix J2 and 
section 3.2.2.2 of the proposed new Appendix J that would specify that 
the requirement to rotate the dial in the direction of increasing wash 
time would only apply to dials that can rotate in both directions.
    DOE requests comment on its proposal to add a clause in section 
3.2.5.2 of Appendix J2 and section 3.2.2.2 of the proposed new Appendix 
J stating that the requirement to rotate the dial in the direction of 
increasing wash time would only apply to dials that can rotate in both 
directions.
c. ``Wash Time'' Definition
    The 70-percent test described above does not explicitly define how 
to calculate ``wash time.'' In the May 2020 RFI, DOE was considering 
whether to state that the phrase ``wash time'' in section 3.2.5 of 
Appendix J2 refers to the period of agitation or tumble. 85 FR 31065, 
31975. This clarification would be consistent with the historical 
context of this section of the test procedure. In Appendix J-1997, 
section 2.10 Clothes washer setting refers to ``actual wash time'' as 
the ``period of agitation.'' In Appendix J-2001, DOE renamed section 
2.10 Wash time (period of agitation or tumble) setting.\70\ 66 FR 3313, 
3330. When establishing Appendix J1 in the August 1997 Final Rule, DOE 
did not include reference to ``period of agitation or tumble'' in 
section 2.10 of Appendix J1. 62 FR 45484, 45510. DOE did not address 
this difference from Appendix J-1977 in the preamble of the August 1997 
Final Rule or the NOPRs that preceded that final rule, but given the 
continued reference to ``wash time'' in Appendix J1, did not intend to 
change the general understanding that wash time refers to the wash 
portion of the cycle, which includes agitation or tumble time. DOE has 
since further amended section 2.10 of both Appendix J1 and Appendix J2 
as part of the March 2012 Final Rule and August 2015 Final Rule (in 
which section 2.10 was renumbered as section 3.2.5), with no discussion 
in these final rules of the statement that remained in Appendix J-2001, 
where wash time was referred to in the title of section 2.10 as the 
period of agitation or tumble time. DOE further notes that in current 
RCW models on the market, agitation or tumble may be periodic or 
continuous during the wash portion of the cycle.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \70\ In this context, ``agitation'' refers to the wash action of 
a top-loading clothes washer, whereas ``tumble'' refers to the wash 
action of a front-loading clothes washer.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In the May 2020 RFI, DOE requested feedback on whether DOE should 
consider reincorporating language into section 3.2.5 of Appendix J2 to 
state that the term ``wash time'' refers to the wash portion of the 
cycle, including agitation or tumble time. 85 FR 31065, 31076.
    UL suggested that the phrase ``wash time'' include agitation or 
tumble time, which can be periodic throughout the wash cycle. (UL, No. 
9 at p. 3) UL specified in particular that wash time could be defined 
as starting when the clothes washer starts filling with water, 
agitating or tumbling, or a combination of both; and as ending when the 
clothes washer drains the water from the wash portion of the cycle. Id.
    AHAM agreed with DOE's proposal to state that ``wash time'' refers 
to the period of agitation or tumble. (AHAM, No. 5 at p. 14)
    In order to provide further clarity in evaluating the wash time 
setting requirements of section 3.2.5 of Appendix J2 and section 3.2.2 
of the proposed new Appendix J, DOE is proposing to define the term 
``wash time'' in section 1 of both Appendix J2 and the proposed new 
Appendix J as ``the wash portion of the cycle, which begins when the 
cycle is initiated and includes the agitation or tumble time, which may 
be periodic or continuous during the wash portion of the cycle.''
    DOE requests comment on its proposal to add a definition of ``wash 
time'' to section 1 of both Appendix J2 and the proposed new Appendix 
J.
6. Annual Operating Cost Calculation
    DOE provides in 10 CFR 430.23(j)(1)(ii) the method for calculating 
the estimated annual operating cost for automatic and semi-automatic 
clothes washers, when using Appendix J2. In the March 2012 Final Rule, 
DOE assigned the symbol ``ETLP'' to represent combined low-
power mode energy consumption. However, in that rule, DOE used a 
different symbol (``ETSO'') in updating section 10 CFR 
430.23(j)(1)(ii) to represent the same value. 77 FR 12888, 13937-13948. 
DOE is proposing to update the symbol nomenclature in 10 CFR 
430.23(j)(1)(ii) to match the symbol nomenclature in Appendix J2.
    In addition, to differentiate between values determined using 
Appendix J2 from values determined using the proposed new Appendix J 
throughout 10 CFR 430.23(j), DOE is proposing to add a number ``2'' to 
each of the symbols representing values derived from Appendix J2 (e.g., 
ETLP2) that are not already designated accordingly.

[[Page 49185]]

    DOE further notes that the formula for calculating the estimated 
annual operating cost for automatic and semi-automatic clothes washers 
when gas-heated or oil-heated water is used, provided in 10 CFR 
430.23(j)(1)(ii)(B), is missing a pair of parentheses. The 
``N2'' multiplier is intended to apply to all of the other 
factors in the equation, but the lack of parentheses around the 
``MET2'' through ``CBTU'' terms erroneously 
applies it to only the first term of the sum. DOE is proposing to 
correct this error.
    Since DOE is proposing to remove Appendix J1, DOE is also proposing 
to update 10 CFR 430.23(j)(1)(i), which currently specifies the 
formulas for calculating the estimated annual operating cost for 
automatic and semi-automatic clothes washers when using Appendix J1, 
with the formulas for calculating the estimated annual operating cost 
for automatic and semi-automatic clothes washers when using the 
proposed new Appendix J. These proposed formulas are analogous to the 
formulas in 10 CFR 430.23(j)(1)(ii). As discussed further in section 
III.H.7 of this document, the proposed new Appendix J does not include 
a separate calculation for ``ETE'' (the sum of machine 
electrical energy (``MET'') and hot water heating energy 
(``HET''), as currently defined in section 4.1.7 of Appendix 
J2). Therefore, DOE's proposed revisions to 10 CFR 430.23(j)(1)(i) 
replace ETE with the individual components MET + 
HET.
    DOE requests comment on its proposed updates to the annual 
operating cost calculations in 10 CFR 430.23(j)(1).
7. Structure of the Proposed New Appendix J
    As part of the creation of the proposed new Appendix J, DOE is 
proposing several changes to the structure of the test procedure as 
compared to the current Appendix J2 to improve readability, as follows.
    DOE is proposing to better organize section 2.8 of the proposed new 
Appendix J, as compared to the parallel section in Appendix J2. 
Currently, section 2.8 of Appendix J2 cross-references the load size 
table to determine the three load sizes, specifies the allowable 
composition of energy test cloths and energy stuffer cloths in each 
load,\71\ and provides a table showing required test load sizes and 
water fill settings for each type of WFCS. In the proposed new Appendix 
J, section 2.8.1 would contain the specifications for determining the 
load sizes; section 2.8.2 would contain the specifications describing 
the allowable composition of energy test cloths and energy stuffer 
cloths in each load; and the table specifying the required test load 
sizes and water fill settings for each type of WFCS would not be 
included. This table would be no longer needed in the proposed new 
Appendix J because the same two load sizes (small and large) would be 
used for all WFCS types.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \71\ Test loads must consist of energy test cloths and no more 
than five energy stuffer clothes per load to achieve the proper 
weight.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Section 2.9 of Appendix J2 is named ``Use of test loads'' and 
provides specifications for drying each load to bone-dry prior to use 
and instructions for loading the test cloth into the clothes washer. 
DOE is proposing to title section 2.9 of the proposed new Appendix J 
``Preparation and loading of test loads'' and to include a statement 
that the procedures described in section 2.9 to prepare and load each 
test load are applicable when performing the testing procedures in 
section 3 of the appendix.
    Section 3.2 of Appendix J2 is titled ``Procedure for measuring 
water and energy consumption values on all automatic and semi-automatic 
washers'' and specifies conducting testing under the energy test cycle 
(3.2.1); provides a table that cross-references to each relevant test 
section in section 3 of the appendix (3.2.2); and provides 
specifications for: Configuring the hot and cold water faucets (3.2.3); 
selecting the wash/rinse temperature selection (3.2.4); selecting the 
wash time setting (3.2.5); selecting water fill levels for each type of 
WFCS (3.2.6); using manufacturer default settings (3.2.7); testing 
active washing mode only (3.2.8); and discarding anomalous data 
(3.2.9). DOE is proposing to title section 3.2 of the proposed new 
Appendix J as simply ``Cycle settings'' and to organize the section as 
follows: The contents in section 3.2.1 of Appendix J2 would be instead 
included within the instructions of a new section 3.3 (as described 
below); the contents of section 3.2 of Appendix J2, including the 
table, would not be included as the contents would be redundant with 
the proposed sections 3.3 and 3.4; the contents of section 3.2.3 of 
Appendix J2 would not be included, as the hot and cold water faucet 
instructions would no longer be necessary given the proposed changes 
described in section III.C.2 of this document regarding the 
installation of single-inlet clothes washers; and sections 3.2.4 
through 3.2.9 of Appendix J2 would be included as sections 3.2.1 
through 3.2.6, respectively, and include any relevant edits as 
discussed throughout this document.
    Currently, sections 3.3 through 3.7 of Appendix J2 contain detailed 
instructions for testing each wash/rinse temperature available in the 
energy test cycle: Extra Hot/Cold (3.3); Hot/Cold (3.4); Warm/Cold 
(3.5); Warm/Warm (3.6); and Cold/Cold (3.7). The content and structure 
of each of these sections is nearly identical, except for two caveats: 
(1) Describing the use of temperature indicator labels in section 3.3 
to verify the presence of an Extra Hot wash; and (2) describing the 25/
50/75 test, described in section III.D.3 of this document, for clothes 
washers that offer four or more Warm/Cold or Warm/Warm selections. To 
significantly simplify this part of test procedure, and because the use 
of temperature indicator labels would be moved to section 2.5.4 of the 
proposed new Appendix J and the 25/50/75 test would no longer be 
applicable under the proposals outlined in section III.D.3 of this 
document, DOE is proposing to combine the common language from sections 
3.3 through 3.7 in Appendix J2 into a single section 3.3 in the 
proposed new Appendix J for automatic clothes washers and an analogous 
section 3.4 for semi-automatic clothes washers. Section 3.3 of the 
proposed new Appendix J would also provide a table designating the 
symbol definitions of each required measured value for each wash/rinse 
temperature selection and load size. As discussed in section III.D.8.c 
of this document, section 3.4 of the proposed new Appendix J would 
provide the same information for semi-automatic clothes washes.
    Section 3.8 of Appendix J2 specifies the procedure for measuring 
and calculating RMC. As described in section III.D.4 of this document, 
DOE is proposing in the proposed new Appendix J to require measuring 
the RMC of each tested cycle within the energy test cycle, and to 
calculate final RMC using TUFs and LUFs, consistent with how hot water 
energy, electrical energy, and water usage are calculated. Under this 
proposed change, the RMC values would be calculated in section 4 
(``Calculation of Derived Results From Test Measurements'') of the 
proposed new Appendix J. Given these proposed changes, the current 
specifications in section 3.8 of Appendix J2 would not apply to the 
proposed new Appendix J. DOE is therefore proposing not to include the 
RMC provisions from section 3 in Appendix J2 in the proposed new 
Appendix J.
    DOE is proposing to include sections 3.9 and 3.10 of Appendix J2 in 
the proposed new Appendix J as sections 3.5 and 3.6, respectively, and 
to provide the appropriate cross-references.

[[Page 49186]]

    Section 3.10 of Appendix J2 (section 3.6 in the proposed new 
Appendix J) is titled ``Energy consumption for the purpose of 
determining the cycle selection(s) to be included in the energy test 
cycle'' and specifies the following: Establishing the test conditions 
and setting the cycle selections (3.10.1); using the maximum test load 
size (3.10.2); using the maximum water fill level available (3.10.3); 
including only the active washing mode (3.10.4); and calculating 
``total energy consumption'' using a defined equation (3.10.5). DOE is 
proposing to simplify section 3.6 in the proposed new Appendix J by 
condensing the specifications of sections 3.10.1 through 3.10.4 in 
Appendix J2 into a single statement in section 3.6.1 of the proposed 
new Appendix J to use the cycle settings as described in section 3.2 of 
the proposed new Appendix J. Current section 3.10.5 of Appendix J2 
would be included in the proposed new Appendix J as section 3.6.2.
    Sections 3 and 4 of Appendix J2 assign various different subscripts 
to each symbol definition to denote load size and wash/rinse 
temperature selection, among other attributes. Currently, Appendix J2 
uses the subscript ``x'' to denote the maximum load size and the 
subscript ``m'' to denote the Extra Hot/Cold temperature selection. In 
the proposed new Appendix J, DOE proposes to use new subscripts to 
represent the large load size (``L'') and the small load size (``S''). 
Because the maximum load size would no longer apply in the proposed new 
Appendix J, DOE is proposing to update the subscript for Extra-Hot/Cold 
temperature selection from ``m'' to ``x'' (since ``x'' is more 
intuitive in representing ``Extra''). These changes would apply to 
sections 3.3, 3.4, 3.6 and 4 in the proposed new Appendix J. 
Additionally, throughout section 4 of Appendix J2, the symbol ``F'' is 
used to refer to load usage factors. For greater clarity in the 
proposed new Appendix J, DOE is proposing to use the symbol ``LUF'' 
throughout section 4 to represent the load usage factors, rather than 
the symbol ``F.''
    Section 4.1.7 of Appendix J2 specifies calculating ``Total per-
cycle energy consumption when electrically heated water is used,'' 
assigned as symbol ``ETE,'' as the sum of machine electrical 
energy and hot water heating energy. ETE was originally 
defined in section 4.6 of Appendix J-1977 and at the time represented 
the total measured energy consumption, since the drying energy 
(``DE'') and ETLP were not yet included as part 
of the clothes washer test procedure. Currently, however, the total 
measured energy consumption would be more accurately represented by the 
sum of HET, MET, DE, and 
ETLP. Because the calculation of ETE as an 
intermediate step is now obsolete, DOE is proposing to not include the 
definition of ETE from section 4.1.7 of the proposed new 
Appendix J, as well as all edit cross-references to ETE 
(within sections 4.5 and 4.6 of the proposed new Appendix J and 10 CFR 
430.23(j)(1)(i)(A) as proposed). In these instances, DOE is proposing 
to replace ETE with its component parts: HET and 
MET.
    Section 4.2 of Appendix J2 provides the calculation of water 
consumption and is structured with multiple subsections. Sections 4.2.1 
through 4.2.5 of Appendix J2 provide for the calculation of total water 
consumption for each load size within each wash/rinse temperature 
selection by summing the measured values of hot water and cold water: 
Extra Hot/Cold (4.2.1); Hot/Cold (4.2.2); Warm/Cold (4.2.3); Warm/Warm 
(4.2.4); and Cold/Cold (4.2.5). In sections 4.2.6 through 4.2.10 of 
Appendix J2, the total weighted water consumption for each wash/rinse 
temperature selection is calculated by combining the water consumption 
values for each load size as calculated in 4.2.1 through 4.2.5 using 
the LUFs. In section 4.2.11 of Appendix J2, the total weighted water 
consumption for all wash cycles is calculated by combining the values 
calculated in sections 4.2.6 through 4.2.10 (representing each wash/
rinse temperature) using the TUFs. DOE notes that this order of 
calculations (which combines the measured values from the individual 
cycles first using LUFs, then combines the resulting values using TUFs) 
is the reverse order used for the machine electrical and hot water 
heating energy calculations in section 4.1 of Appendix J2 (which 
combines the measured values from the individual cycles first using 
TUFs, then combines the resulting values using LUFs). In the proposed 
new Appendix J, DOE is proposing to organize section 4.2 to simplify 
the calculations and to provide consistency between the water 
consumption calculations and the energy calculations (i.e., to combine 
the measured values from the individual cycles first using TUFs, then 
combine the resulting values using LUFs). Accordingly, section 4.2.1 of 
the proposed new Appendix J would define the per-cycle total water 
consumption for each large load size tested (summing the hot and cold 
water consumption for each load size and temperature setting), and 
4.2.2 would similarly define the per-cycle total water consumption for 
each large small size tested. Section 4.2.3 of the proposed new 
Appendix J would provide for the calculation of the per-cycle total 
water consumption for all load sizes, using the TUFs to calculate the 
weighted average of all temperature settings for each load size. 
Finally, section 4.2.4 of the proposed new Appendix J would calculate 
the total weighted per-cycle water consumption, using the LUFs to 
calculate the weighted average over the two load sizes.
    DOE requests comment on its proposed structure of the proposed new 
Appendix J to simplify and improve readability as compared to Appendix 
J2.
8. Proposed Deletions and Simplifications
    DOE proposes to remove Appendix J1 to subpart B of 10 CFR part 430 
along with all references to Appendix J1 in 10 CFR parts 429, 430, and 
431. Appendix J1 applied only to RCWs manufactured before March 7, 2015 
and CCWs manufactured before January 1, 2018 and is therefore not 
applicable to models manufactured on or after those dates. Use of 
Appendix J2 to subpart B of 10 CFR part 430 is currently required for 
any representations of energy or water consumption of both RCWs and 
CCWs, including demonstrating compliance with the currently applicable 
energy conservation standards. As discussed, DOE proposes to maintain 
the current naming of Appendix J2, and to establish a new test 
procedure at Appendix J, which would be used for the evaluation and 
issuance of updated efficiency standards, and for determining 
compliance with those standards.
    DOE requests comment on its proposal to remove Appendix J1 to 
subpart B of 10 CFR part 430 along with all references to Appendix J1 
in 10 CFR parts 429, 430, and 431.
    Given DOE's proposal to update the energy and water metrics in the 
proposed new Appendix J, as described in section III.E of this 
document, DOE proposes to include references to the proposed new 
metrics EER, AEER, and WER in place of references to the WF, IWF, MEF, 
and IMEF metrics, as appropriate, in the proposed new Appendix J. Given 
that the WF metric is no longer the basis for energy conservation 
standards for either RCWs or CCWs, DOE proposes to remove the 
calculation of WF in section 4.2.12 of Appendix J2, as well as any 
references to WF in 10 CFR parts 429, 430, and 431. Similarly, given 
that MEF is no longer the basis for energy conservation standards for 
RCWs, DOE proposes to remove references to MEF from 10 CFR 429.20 and 
10 CFR 430.23.

[[Page 49187]]

    DOE requests comment on its proposal to remove obsolete metric 
definitions.
    DOE proposes to delete the following definitions from section 1 of 
Appendix J2 because they are either no longer used within the appendix 
currently, or would no longer be used given DOE's proposed amendments 
in this NOPR: ``adaptive control system,'' ``compact,'' ``manual 
control system,'' ``standard,'' and ``thermostatically controlled water 
valves.''
    Section 1.13 of Appendix J2 defines the energy test cycle as 
follows: Energy test cycle means the complete set of wash/rinse 
temperature selections required for testing, as determined according to 
section 2.12 [of Appendix J2]. Within the energy test cycle, the 
following definitions apply:
    (a) Cold Wash/Cold Rinse is the wash/rinse temperature selection 
determined by evaluating the flowchart in Figure 2.12.1 of this 
appendix.
    (b) Hot Wash/Cold Rinse is the wash/rinse temperature selection 
determined by evaluating the flowchart in Figure 2.12.2 of this 
appendix.
    (c) Warm Wash/Cold Rinse is the wash/rinse temperature selection 
determined by evaluating the flowchart in Figure 2.12.3 of this 
appendix.
    (d) Warm Wash/Warm Rinse is the wash/rinse temperature selection 
determined by evaluating the flowchart in Figure 2.12.4 of this 
appendix.
    (e) Extra-Hot Wash/Cold Rinse is the wash/rinse temperature 
selection determined by evaluating the flowchart in Figure 2.12.5 of 
this appendix.
    Parts (a) through (e) of this definition are redundant with the 
flowchart definitions provided in section 2.12 of Appendix J2. 
Therefore, DOE proposes to simplify the definition of energy test cycle 
in both Appendix J2 and the proposed new Appendix J by keeping only the 
first sentence of the current definition: Energy test cycle means the 
complete set of wash/rinse temperature selections required for testing, 
as determined according to section 2.12.
    DOE also proposes to remove section 1.30 of Appendix J2, ``Symbol 
usage,'' to rename section 1 of Appendix J2 (currently ``Definitions 
and Symbols'') ``Definitions,'' and name section 1 of the proposed new 
Appendix J ``Definitions'' accordingly. Throughout the appendices, each 
symbol is defined at each usage, making this section unnecessary for 
executing the test procedure. DOE notes that most other test procedures 
in subpart B to part 430 do not include a symbol usage section.
    DOE also proposes to remove the numbering of all definitions in 
section 1 of Appendix J2, and in section 2 of Appendix J3, and instead 
list the definitions in alphabetical order. This would simplify cross-
references to defined terms and would allow for easier editing in the 
future by avoiding the need to renumber all the definitions (and 
associated cross-references) any time a definition is added or deleted.
    The proposed new Appendix J reflects these changes as proposed for 
Appendix J2.
    DOE requests comment on its proposal to delete the following 
definitions from section 1 of Appendix J2: ``adaptive control system,'' 
``compact,'' ``manual control system,'' ``standard,'' and 
``thermostatically controlled water valves.'' DOE also requests comment 
on its proposal to simplify the definition of ``energy test cycle.'' 
DOE also requests comment on its proposal to remove section 1.30 
``Symbol usage'' from Appendix J2. Lastly, DOE requests comment on its 
proposal to remove the numbering of all definitions in section 1 of 
Appendix J2 and section 2 of Appendix J3, and to instead list the 
definitions in alphabetical order.
    DOE further proposes to remove section 6, Waivers and Field 
Testing, from Appendix J2 and not include a parallel section in the 
proposed new Appendix J. The language of section 6 of Appendix J2 was 
first introduced as section 7 in Appendix J-1997 and has been 
maintained through successive amendments of the test procedures. DOE 
notes, however, that none of the waivers sought by manufacturers to 
date have made use of these provisions. Instead, the provisions of 10 
CFR 430.27 (Petitions for waiver and interim waiver) provide 
comprehensive instructions regarding DOE's waiver process. DOE 
tentatively concludes that the information presented in section 6 of 
Appendix J2 is unnecessary given the regulatory language of 10 CFR 
430.27.
    DOE requests comment on its proposal to remove section 6, Waivers 
and Field Testing, of Appendix J2 and proposal not to include a 
parallel section in the proposed new Appendix J.
9. Typographical Errors
    In an effort to improve the readability of the text in certain 
sections of 10 CFR 430.23 and Appendix J2, DOE is proposing to make 
minor typographical corrections and formatting modifications as 
follows. These minor proposed modifications are not intended to change 
the substance of the test methods or descriptions provided in these 
sections. The language of the proposed new Appendix J reflects these 
corrections.
    The test procedure provisions at 10 CFR 430.23(j)(1)(ii)(B) contain 
a definition for ``CKWH,'' which is duplicative with the 
same definition provided in 10 CFR 430.23(j)(1)(ii)(A). DOE proposes to 
remove the duplicate definition of CKWH from 10 CFR 
430.23(j)(1)(ii)(B).
    DOE is proposing to correct two misspellings in section 2.8 of 
Appendix J2 referring to energy stuffer cloths (currently ``clothes'') 
and test load sizes (currently ``siszes''). DOE is also proposing to 
correct the spelling of ``discrete'' in section 3.2.5 of Appendix J2 
(currently ``discreet'') and of ``test cycle'' in section 3.6 of 
Appendix J2 (currently ``testy''). DOE is also proposing to spell out 
the word ``percent'' in the paragraph in section 3.2.5 of Appendix J2.
    Currently in Appendix J2, the drying energy abbreviation is 
DE. This notation is inconsistent with the notation used for 
machine electrical energy and hot water heating energy (MET 
and HET, respectively). DOE is proposing to standardize the 
notation used for drying energy throughout sections 3 and 4 of the 
proposed new Appendix J, such that it is listed as DET. DOE 
could consider also making this change in Appendix J2, but understands 
that changing the symbol definition could require test laboratories to 
update test templates that use the DE symbol as currently 
defined in Appendix J2.
    DOE is also proposing to rename section 2 in Appendix J2 from 
``Testing Conditions'' to ``Testing Conditions and Instrumentation'' to 
more fully reflect the contents of this section.
    In several instances throughout Appendix J2, the qualifier ``of 
this appendix'' is missing in section cross-references. DOE is 
proposing to rectify these omissions. DOE is also proposing to clarify 
references to Appendix J3 in Appendix J2, and vice-versa, by using ``to 
this subpart.'' Finally, DOE proposes to update all cross-references as 
needed, following the edits proposed in this NOPR.
    DOE requests comment on its proposal to make the minor 
typographical corrections and formatting modifications described in 
this section.

I. Test Cloth Provisions

    Appendix J2 requires using specialized test cloth as the material 
comprising each tested load. DOE originally developed the energy test 
cloth specifications as part of the January 2001 Final Rule, based on 
the results of a detailed investigation of the cloth material used by 
industry for

[[Page 49188]]

testing.\72\ In particular, DOE observed that the material properties 
of the energy test cloth had a significant effect on the RMC 
measurement,\73\ which as discussed was added to Appendix J1-2001 to 
measure the effectiveness of the final spin cycle in removing moisture 
from the wash load. As described in the test cloth report, the final 
specifications for the energy test cloth were developed to be 
representative of a consumer load: A 50-percent cotton/50-percent 
polyester blended material was specified to approximate the typical mix 
of cotton, cotton/polyester blend, and synthetic articles that are 
machine-washed by consumers. In developing the test cloth 
specifications, DOE also considered:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \72\ ``Development of a Standardized Energy Test Cloth for 
Measuring Remaining Moisture Content in a Residential Clothes 
Washer.'' U.S. Department of Energy: Buildings, Research and 
Standards. May 2000. Available online at www.regulations.gov/document/EERE-2006-STD-0064-0277.
    \73\ The RMC measurement is an important aspect of DOE's clothes 
washer test procedure because the RMC value determines the drying 
energy, which is the largest contributor to IMEF. Based on the 
Technical Support Documents from the March 2012 Final Rule, drying 
energy represents 65 percent of the total energy for a 2015 
baseline-efficiency top-loading standard RCW, and 72 percent for a 
2015 baseline-efficiency front-loading standard RCW.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    [squ] Manufacturability: A 50/50 cotton-polyester momie weave was 
specified because at the time, such cloth was produced in high volume, 
had been produced to a consistent specification for many years, and was 
expected to be produced on this basis for the foreseeable future. 66 FR 
3314, 3331.
    [squ] Consistency in test cloth production: The cloth material 
properties were specified in detail, including fiber content, thread 
count, and fabric weight; as well as requirements to verify that water 
repellent finishes are not applied to the cloth. Id.
    [squ] Consistency of the RMC measurement among different lots: A 
procedure was developed to generate correction factors for each new 
``lot'' (i.e., batch) of test cloth to normalize test results and 
ensure consistent RMC measurements regardless of which lot is used for 
testing. Id.
1. Test Cloth Specification
    In the May 2020 RFI, DOE requested comments on manufacturers' and 
testing laboratories' experience with the current test cloth 
specifications and whether DOE should consider any changes to the 
energy test cloth specifications to reduce burden and improve testing 
results. 85 FR 31065, 31071.
    AHAM commented that it would strongly oppose changing from the 
uniform test cloth to a more varied load. AHAM stated that the clothes 
washer test procedure requires the use of a uniform test cloth to 
produce repeatable and reproducible results. (AHAM, No. 5 at p. 3) 
According to AHAM, the introduction of a ``real-world'' load that 
includes items with different weights, sizes, and materials could 
introduce significant variation in the test procedure. AHAM stated that 
sufficient data have not been provided that would demonstrate 
acceptable repeatability and reproducibility using a ``real-world'' 
test load. Id.
    GEA recommended that DOE not change the current test cloth 
specifications, noting that significant work has gone into addressing 
the myriad complexities with test cloth variation. (GEA, No. 13 at p. 
2)
    DOE is not proposing any changes to the test cloth specification.
2. Consolidation to Appendix J3
    Appendix J3 specifies a qualification procedure that must be 
conducted on all new lots of energy test cloth prior to the use of such 
test cloths in any clothes washer test procedure. This qualification 
procedure provides a set of correction factors that correlate the 
measured RMC values of the new test cloth lot with a set of standard 
RMC values established as the historical reference point. These 
correction factors are applied to the RMC test results in section 
3.8.2.6 of Appendix J2 to ensure the repeatability and reproducibility 
of test results performed using different lots of test cloth. The 
measured RMC of each clothes washer has a significant impact on the 
final IMEF value.
    DOE is proposing several structural changes to Appendix J3 to 
consolidate all of the test cloth specifications and procedures (some 
of which are currently located in Appendix J2) that must be evaluated 
on each new lot of test cloth. Consolidating into a single test 
procedure will improve the overall logical flow of both test procedures 
and clarify that the test cloth procedures need not be conducted for 
each clothes washer under test. As described further, the proposed 
changes would remove from Appendix J2 specifications and procedures 
that are not intended to be completed for every clothes washer test. 
The proposed edits would also formally codify additional qualification 
procedures that are currently conducted for every new lot of test 
cloth.
a. Test Cloth Requirements in Appendix J2
    Section 2.7 of Appendix J2 (``Test cloths'') contains 
specifications and procedures regarding the test cloth. Sections 2.7.1 
and 2.7.2 specify the unfinished and finished dimensions, maximum 
lifetime, and marking requirements for energy test cloth and energy 
stuffer cloths, respectively. These sections also specify that mixed 
lots of material must not be used for testing. Section 2.7.3 specifies 
a procedure for preconditioning new test cloth, which requires 
performing a series of five wash cycles on all new (unused) test cloths 
before the cloth can be used for clothes washer tests. Section 2.7.4 
provides the material specifications (fabric type, fabric weight, 
thread count, and fiber content) for the energy test cloths and energy 
stuffer cloths, as well as three industry test methods that must be 
performed to confirm the absence of any water-repellent finishes and to 
measure the cloth shrinkage after preconditioning. Section 2.7.5 
references Appendix J3 for performing the standard extractor procedure 
to measure the moisture absorption and retention characteristic of each 
new lot of cloth.
    Several of these provisions within section 2.7 of Appendix J2 are 
not intended to be conducted as part of each individual clothes washer 
test performed under Appendix J2. Based on discussions with the AHAM 
Test Cloth Task Force, DOE is aware that some of the test cloth 
provisions in section 2.7 of Appendix J2 are performed by a third-party 
laboratory on each new lot of test cloth, avoiding the need for 
manufacturers and test laboratories to perform the same procedures for 
each individual clothes washer test. 85 FR 31065, 31071.
    In the May 2020 RFI, DOE requested comments on whether to 
consolidate into Appendix J3 provisions from section 2.7 of Appendix J2 
that relate only to the testing of the test cloth and are not required 
to be performed for each individual Appendix J2 clothes washer test. 
Id. DOE also sought comment on whether to remove these provisions 
entirely. Id.
    AHAM supported the consolidation of section 2.7 of Appendix J2 
provisions into Appendix J3, stating that doing so would mitigate 
testing burden. (AHAM, No. 5 at p. 9)
    NEEA supported reorganization of the test procedure to put all test 
cloth qualification and lot correction information into the separate 
Appendix J3 test procedure, as this would add clarity and improve ease 
of use. (NEEA, No. 12 at p. 25)
    In this NOPR, DOE is proposing to move most of the specifications 
from section 2.7 of Appendix J2 to Appendix J3. Section 2.7 of Appendix 
J2 would retain the following specifications, which are relevant to the 
conduct of

[[Page 49189]]

individual clothes washer tests: The maximum lifetime specification, 
marking requirements, and the requirement that mixed lots of material 
must not be used for testing. All other specifications from section 2.7 
of Appendix J2 would be moved to Appendix J3. DOE would add a general 
statement in section 2.7 of Appendix J2 that the test cloth material 
and dimensions must conform to the specifications in Appendix J3. These 
proposed changes are also reflected in the proposed new Appendix J.
    DOE requests comment on its proposal to consolidate into Appendix 
J3 the test cloth specifications and procedures from section 2.7 of 
Appendix J2 that are not intended to be conducted as part of each 
individual clothes washer test performed under Appendix J2.
b. Test Cloth Requirements in Appendix J3
    Industry has developed a process in which the qualification 
procedure described above is performed by a third-party laboratory, and 
the results are reviewed and approved by the AHAM Test Cloth Task 
Force, after which the new lot of test cloth is made available for 
purchase by manufacturers and test laboratories. 85 FR 31065, 31071.
    DOE has received a request from members of the AHAM Test Cloth Task 
Force to add to Appendix J3 additional steps to the qualification 
procedure that have historically been performed on each new lot of test 
cloth to ensure uniformity of RMC test results on test cloths from the 
beginning, middle, and end of each new lot. Id. Industry practice is to 
perform this ``uniformity check'' before conducting the procedure to 
develop the RMC correction factors currently specified in the DOE test 
procedure, as described previously. Id. Specifically, the uniformity 
check involves performing an RMC measurement on nine bundles of sample 
cloth representing the beginning, middle, and end locations of the 
first, middle, and last rolls of cloth in a new lot. Id. The 
coefficient of variation across the nine RMC values must be less than 
or equal to 1 percent for the test cloth lot to be considered 
acceptable for use. Id.
    In the May 2020 RFI, DOE sought comment on whether it is necessary 
to specify any qualification procedure that must be conducted on all 
new lots of energy test cloth prior to use of such test cloths, as 
opposed to simply providing requirements for the test cloth without 
specifying in DOE's regulations the procedure for achieving those 
requirements. Id. Industry could then continue with its current 
prequalification process, making changes as it determined necessary to 
improve that process, without the need to seek permission from DOE and 
participate in a rulemaking proceeding to make such improvements. Id. 
DOE also requested comments on whether it is necessary to incorporate 
the aforementioned test cloth uniformity check into Appendix J3, or 
whether the current regulations, with the existing requirements for 
test cloth and qualification procedure, are sufficient to ensure the 
quality of the test cloth. Id. DOE requested comment on any burden that 
results from the current qualification procedure, or would result from 
incorporating the discussed uniformity check, particularly for small 
businesses. Id.
    AHAM commented that the existing cloth uniformity test is effective 
and does not need to be changed. (AHAM, No. 5 at p. 9) AHAM added that 
DOE should consider requiring that each load that is used for testing 
contains a mix of cloth from the beginning, middle, and end of the lot 
so that it is representative of the entire lot. AHAM further added that 
more sampling may be necessary if test cloth lot sizes increase. Id.
    With regards to DOE's consideration of test burden, AHAM commented 
that the current process works well, and that it is not necessary to 
develop a particular qualification procedure. Id.
    NEEA encouraged DOE to adopt an additional test cloth qualification 
procedure if one is needed to maintain reproducibility, as it would 
improve transparency. (NEEA, No. 12 at p. 25)
    In this NOPR, DOE is proposing to codify in Appendix J3 the 
``uniformity check'' described above and to restructure Appendix J3 to 
improve the overall logical flow of the procedure.
    The sections of Appendix J3 are currently structured as follows: 
(1) Objective; (2) Definitions; (3) Testing Conditions; (4) Test Loads; 
(5) Test Measurements; (6) Calculation of RMC Correction Curve; and (7) 
Application of the RMC Correction Curve.
    DOE is proposing to update the objectives included in section 1 to 
specify that Appendix J3 now includes: (1) Specifications for the 
energy test cloth to be used for testing clothes washers; (2) 
procedures for verifying that new lots of energy test cloth meet the 
defined material specifications; and (3) procedures for developing the 
RMC correction coefficients.
    In section 2 of Appendix J3, DOE is proposing to add a definition 
for the term ``roll,'' which refers to a subset of a lot, and to remove 
the definition of roll from Appendix J2.
    DOE is proposing to create a new section 3, ``Energy Test Cloth 
Specifications,'' that would specify the test cloth material, 
dimensions, and use requirements as currently specified in section 2.7 
of Appendix J2.
    DOE is proposing to change the title of current section 3 of 
Appendix J3, newly renumbered as section 4, from ``Testing Conditions'' 
to ``Equipment Specifications.'' This section would contain the 
specifications for the extractor (currently specified in section 3.2) 
and the bone-dryer (currently specified in section 3.3). DOE proposes 
to merge the current specification in section 3.1 of Appendix J3 (which 
specifies the extractor spin conditions to be used) with the proposed 
edits to newly renumbered section 8 (``RMC Correction Curve 
Procedure''), as described below.
    DOE is proposing to create a new section 5, ``Pre-Conditioning 
Instructions,'' in Appendix J3 that would specify the instructions for 
pre-conditioning test cloth, as currently specified in section 4.1 of 
Appendix J3, with a clarifying wording change. Currently, the second 
paragraph of section 4.1 in Appendix J3 specifies ``Perform five 
complete wash-rinse-spin cycles, the first two with current AHAM 
Standard detergent Formula 3 and the last three without detergent.'' 
The last sentence of that paragraph specifies: ``Repeat the cycle with 
detergent and then repeat the cycle three additional times without 
detergent, bone drying the load between cycles (for a total of five 
complete wash-rinse-spin cycles).'' DOE is concerned that the wording 
of the last sentence could be misconstrued as requiring the repeating 
of the entire sequence of five wash-rinse-spin cycles specified in the 
first sentence. To avoid this potential misinterpretation, DOE is 
proposing to replace the last sentence with the following: ``Dry the 
load to bone-dry between each of the five wash-rinse-spin cycles.''
    DOE is proposing to create a new section 6, ``Extractor Run 
Instructions,'' in Appendix J3 that would specify the instructions for 
testing test cloth in the extractor at specific spin speed and time 
conditions, as currently listed in sections 5.1 through 5.10 of 
Appendix J3, with some minor organizational changes.
    DOE is proposing to create a new section 7, ``Test Cloth Material 
Verification Procedure,'' in Appendix J3 that codifies the ``uniformity 
check'' procedure described above.
    DOE is proposing to add a new section 8, ``RMC Correction Curve 
Procedure,'' in Appendix J3 which would consolidate the provisions

[[Page 49190]]

currently specified in sections 5 and 6 of Appendix J3.
    DOE is proposing to renumber section 7 to section 9 in Appendix J3 
and to update any applicable cross references.
    Finally, given the broader scope of Appendix J3 as proposed by 
these amendments, DOE is proposing to rename Appendix J3 from ``Uniform 
Test Method for Measuring the Moisture Absorption and Retention 
Characteristics of New Energy Test Cloth Lots'' to ``Energy Test Cloth 
Specifications and Procedures for Determining Correction Coefficients 
of New Energy Test Cloth Lots.''
    DOE requests comment on its proposed edits to Appendix J3 to codify 
the ``uniformity check'' procedure and to restructure Appendix J3 to 
improve the overall logical flow of the procedure.

J. Product-Specific RMC Enforcement Provisions

    DOE provides product-specific enforcement provisions for all 
clothes washers at 10 CFR 429.134(c), which specify provisions for 
determining RMC. 10 CFR 429.134(c)(1)(i) specifies that the measured 
RMC value of a tested unit will be considered the tested unit's final 
RMC value if the measured RMC value is within two RMC percentage points 
of the certified RMC value of the basic model (expressed as a 
percentage), or is lower than the certified RMC value. 10 CFR 
429.134(c)(1)(ii) specifies that if the measured RMC value of a tested 
unit is more than two RMC percentage points higher than the certified 
RMC value of the basic model, DOE will perform two additional 
replications of the RMC measurement procedure, each pursuant to the 
provisions of section 3.8.5 of Appendix J2, for a total of three 
independent RMC measurements of the tested unit. The average of the 
three RMC measurements will be the tested unit's final RMC value and 
will be used as the basis for the calculation of per-cycle energy 
consumption for removal of moisture from the test load for that unit.
    As described in sections I.B and III.I of this document, DOE uses 
the procedures specified in Appendix J3 to evaluate the moisture 
absorption and retention characteristics of each new lot of test cloth. 
The results are used to develop a unique correction curve for each new 
lot of test cloth, which helps ensure that a consistent RMC measurement 
is obtained for any test cloth lot used during testing. The correction 
factors developed for each new cloth lot are used to adjust the 
``uncorrected'' RMC measurements obtained when performing an Appendix 
J2 test on an individual clothes washer model.\74\ Without the 
application of correction factors, the uncorrected RMC values for a 
given spin setting can vary by more than 10 RMC percentage points. The 
application of correction factors is intended to significantly reduce 
this lot-to-lot variation in RMC results.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \74\ DOE maintains an historical record of the standard 
extractor test data and final correction curve coefficients for each 
approved lot of energy test cloth. These are available through DOE's 
web page for standards and test procedures for residential clothes 
washers at www.energy.gov/eere/buildings/downloads/clothes-washer-test-cloth-correction-factor-information.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Multiple interested parties have presented confidential data to DOE 
suggesting that despite the application of correction factors, the 
``corrected'' RMC values can vary by up to three RMC percentage points 
among different test cloth lots. A variation of three RMC percentage 
points can lead to over a 5-percent variation in IMEF rating.\75\ DOE 
conducted an internal analysis of the confidential data, in which DOE 
investigated three potential sources of the observed variation in 
corrected RMC values: (1) Test-to-test variation masking as lot-to-lot 
variation; (2) spin cycle anomalies masking as lot-to-lot variation; 
and (3) choice of Lot 3 as the reference lot.\76\ Based on DOE's 
investigations, none of these three hypotheses explained the observed 
lot-to-lot variation in corrected RMC values in the data presented by 
the interested parties.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \75\ See discussion in the August 2015 Final Rule in which DOE 
described that limiting RMC variation to 2 RMC percentage points 
would limit the variation in the overall MEF or IMEF calculation to 
roughly 5 percent. 80 FR 46730, 46756.
    \76\ The RMC characteristics of historical Lot 3 represent the 
``standard RMC values'' defined in Table 6.1 of Appendix J3.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Based on these investigations, DOE preliminarily concludes that 
although the application of correction factors for each test cloth lot 
significantly reduces the lot-to-lot variation in RMC (from over 10 
percentage points uncorrected), the current methodology may be limited 
to reducing lot-to-lot variation in corrected RMC to around three RMC 
percentage points.
    Recognizing this potential for lot-to-lot variation of up to three 
RMC percentage points (corrected), DOE proposes to extend its product-
specific enforcement provisions for clothes washers to accommodate up 
to a 3-percentage point variation in the corrected RMC measurement 
based on the test cloth lot used for testing. The following paragraphs 
describe DOE's proposed approach for implementation of these 
provisions.
    DOE proposes to modify the text of 10 CFR 429.134(c)(1) to state 
that its provisions address anomalous RMC results that are not 
representative of a basic model's performance, as well as differences 
in RMC values that may result from DOE using a different test cloth lot 
than was used by the manufacturer for testing and certifying the basic 
model.
    DOE proposes to specify the enforcement provisions when testing 
according to the proposed new Appendix J at 10 CFR 429.134(c)(1)(i), 
and when testing according to Appendix J2 at 10 CFR 429.134(c)(1)(ii).
    Under the provisions for Appendix J2, DOE proposes new subsection 
(ii)(A), which would specify that the procedure for determining RMC 
will be performed once in its entirety, pursuant to the test 
requirements of section 3.8 of Appendix J2, for each unit tested (as 
currently specified at 10 CFR 429.134(c)(1)).
    DOE proposes new subsection (ii)(B), which would specify that if 
the measured RMC value of a tested unit is equal to or lower than the 
certified RMC value of the basic model (expressed as a percentage), the 
measured RMC value will be considered the tested unit's final RMC value 
and will be used as the basis for the calculation of per-cycle energy 
consumption for removal of moisture from the test load for that unit 
(consistent with the current specifications at 10 CFR 
429.134(c)(1)(i)).
    DOE proposes new subsection 10 CFR 429.134(ii)(C), which would 
specify that if the difference between the measured RMC value and the 
certified RMC value of the basic model is less than or equal to two RMC 
percentage points, the measured RMC value of a tested unit will be 
considered the tested unit's final RMC value unless DOE used a 
different test cloth lot than was used by the manufacturer for testing 
and certifying the basic model; in which case, DOE may \77\ apply the 
proposed new paragraph (c)(1)(ii)(E) of the same section if the 
difference between the measured and certified RMC values would affect 
the unit's compliance with the applicable standards.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \77\ DOE is proposing to use the phrase ``may apply'', as 
opposed to ``shall apply'', to allow for appropriate discretion by 
DOE. If ``shall'' were to be used instead, DOE would be required to 
seek the test cloth lot information from the manufacturer in every 
such case, since lot number is not a reported value. Alternatively, 
DOE could require reporting of the lot number used to certify each 
basic model.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DOE proposes new subsection 10 CFR 429.134 (ii)(D)--which would 
address anomalous RMC results that are not representative of a basic 
model's performance--specifying that if the measured RMC value of a 
tested unit is more than two RMC percentage points

[[Page 49191]]

higher than the certified RMC value of the basic model, DOE will 
perform two replications of the RMC measurement procedure, each 
pursuant to the provisions of section 3.8.5 of Appendix J2, for a total 
of three independent RMC measurements of the tested unit; and that 
average of the three RMC measurements will be calculated (as currently 
specified at 10 CFR 429.134(c)(1)(ii)). Within this section, a new 
subsection 10 CFR 429.134 (ii)(D)(1) would specify that if the average 
of the three RMC measurements is equal to or lower than the certified 
RMC value of the basic model, the average RMC value will be considered 
the tested unit's final RMC value. A new subsection 10 CFR 429.134 
(ii)(D)(2) would specify that if the average of the three RMC 
measurements is higher than the certified RMC value of the basic model, 
the average RMC value will be considered the tested unit's final RMC 
value unless DOE used a different test cloth lot than was used by the 
manufacturer for testing and certifying the basic model; in which case, 
DOE may apply a new proposed paragraph (c)(1)(ii)(E) of the same 
section if the difference between the average and certified RMC values 
would affect the unit's compliance with the applicable standards.
    The proposed new subsection (ii)(E)--which would address 
differences in RMC values that may result from DOE using a different 
test cloth lot--specifies two potential courses of action if DOE uses a 
different test cloth lot than was used by the manufacturer for testing 
and certifying the basic model. New subsection 10 CFR 429.134 
(ii)(E)(1) would specify that if the difference between the tested 
unit's measured RMC value (or average RMC value pursuant to the new 
proposed paragraph (c)(1)(ii)(D) of the same section) and the certified 
RMC value of the basic model is less than or equal to three RMC 
percentage points, then the certified RMC value of the basic model may 
be considered the tested unit's final RMC value. New subsection 10 CFR 
429.134 (ii)(E)(2) would specify that if the tested unit's measured RMC 
value (or average RMC value pursuant to paragraph (c)(1)(ii)(D) of the 
same section) is more than three RMC percentage points higher than the 
certified RMC value of the basic model, then a value three RMC 
percentage points less than the measured RMC value may be considered 
the tested unit's final RMC value.
    For testing conducted according to the proposed new Appendix J, 
several modifications would be made to the procedures described for 
Appendix J2 due to the revised methodology for measuring RMC in the 
proposed new Appendix J, as described in section III.D.4 of this 
document (specifically, that in the proposed new Appendix J, RMC would 
be measured for each individual test cycle as opposed to measured using 
a separate set of additional test cycles, as is required by Appendix 
J2). The provisions for the proposed new Appendix J would not include 
the specifications for 10 CFR 429.134 (ii)(A) or 10 CFR 429.134 (ii)(D) 
as described previously.
    DOE requests comment on its proposal to extend its product-specific 
enforcement provisions for clothes washers to accommodate up to a 3-
percentage point variation in the corrected RMC measurement based on 
the test cloth lot used for testing. DOE also requests comment on 
alternate enforcement approaches that could be implemented.

K. Test Procedure Costs, Harmonization, and Other Topics

1. Test Procedure Costs and Impact
    EPCA requires that test procedures proposed by DOE not be unduly 
burdensome to conduct. (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(3)) The following sections 
discuss DOE's evaluation of estimated costs and savings associated with 
the amendments proposed in this NOPR.
a. Appendix J2 and Appendix J3 Proposed Amendments
    In this NOPR, DOE proposes to amend the existing test procedures 
for clothes washers by:
    (1) Further specifying supply water temperature test conditions and 
water meter resolution requirements;
    (2) Adding specifications for measuring wash water temperature 
using submersible data loggers;
    (3) Expanding the load size table to accommodate clothes container 
capacities up to 8.0 ft\3\;
    (4) Defining user-adjustable automatic WFCS;
    (5) Specifying the applicability of the wash time setting for 
clothes washers with a range of wash time settings;
    (6) Specifying how the energy test cycle flow charts apply to 
clothes washers that internally generate hot water;
    (7) Specifying that the energy test cycle flow charts be evaluated 
using the Maximum load size;
    (8) Specifying that testing is to be conducted with any network 
settings disabled if instructions are available to the user to disable 
these functions;
    (9) Further specifying the conditions under which data from a test 
cycle would be discarded;
    (10) Adding a product-specific enforcement provision to accommodate 
the potential for test cloth lot-to-lot variation in RMC;
    (11) Deleting obsolete definitions, metrics, and the clothes 
washer-specific waiver section;
    (12) Consolidating all test cloth-related specifications in 
Appendix J3;
    (13) Reorganizing sections of Appendix J3 for improved readability; 
and
    (14) Codifying the test cloth material verification procedure as 
used by industry.
    DOE has tentatively determined that these proposed amendments to 
Appendix J2 and Appendix J3 would not be unduly burdensome for 
manufacturers to conduct and would not result in the need for any re-
testing.
    The proposal to remove the target inlet water temperatures from the 
specified range of temperatures would allow test laboratories to select 
the optimal water temperature target for their water supply system 
within the prescribed range (e.g., choosing the midpoint of the range 
as the target). This could reduce test burden by reducing the potential 
for invalid cycles to occur due to a deviation in water temperatures 
outside the specified range.
    The proposal to require more precise hot water meters for clothes 
washers with hot water usage less than 0.1 gallons in any of the energy 
test cycles would require additional cost to upgrade existing water 
meters if a manufacturer or test laboratory expects to test such 
clothes washers but does not already have a water meter with the 
proposed more precise resolution. Based on a market survey of water 
meters, the cost of a water meter that provides the proposed 
resolution, including associated hardware, is around $600 for each 
device. DOE recognizes that laboratories may have multiple test stands, 
and that each test stand would likely be upgraded with the more precise 
hot water meter (if such an upgrade is required). As an example, for a 
laboratory with 10 test stands, the material cost associated with 
installing a more precise hot water meter would total approximately 
$6,000. However, as discussed, at least one manufacturer already uses 
water meters with the proposed more precise resolution, and DOE's 
experience working with third-party laboratories indicates that most, 
if not all, third-party laboratories already use water meters with this 
resolution. DOE has not included the potential costs associated with 
this proposal based on stakeholder comment and DOE's knowledge of 
third-party laboratory capabilities that suggest that

[[Page 49192]]

laboratories that test clothes washers with hot water usage less than 
0.1 gallons already use water meters with the proposed more precise 
resolution.
    The proposal to explicitly allow for the use of submersible 
temperature loggers would specify an additional means for determining 
wash water temperatures to confirm whether a wash temperature greater 
than 135 [deg]F (defined as an Extra Hot Wash) has been achieved during 
the wash cycle. As discussed, other methods for measuring wash water 
temperatures may provide inconclusive results, thus requiring re-
testing of cycles or additional ``exploratory'' testing to accurately 
determine the wash water temperature. Explicitly providing for the use 
of submersible temperature loggers may avoid the need for such 
additional testing. Based on a market survey of submersible data 
loggers, the cost of a submersible data logger is around $230 for each 
device. As discussed, laboratories may have multiple test stands, and 
DOE expects that a laboratory would purchase a separate data logger for 
each test stand. As an example, for a laboratory with 10 test stands, 
the material cost associated with purchasing submersible data loggers 
for each test stand would total around $2,300. DOE expects that the 
recurring cost savings enabled by the use of submersible temperature 
loggers (due to reducing the need for re-testing certain cycles or 
performing additional exploratory testing) would substantially outweigh 
the one-time purchase cost associated with each device and therefore 
has not included this cost in its summary of costs associated with this 
NOPR.
    DOE requests comment, specifically from manufacturers and third-
party test laboratories, on whether costs would be incurred for each 
laboratory as a result of the proposals in this NOPR to specify more 
precise hot water meters and to explicitly allow the use of submersible 
temperature loggers; and if so, the total incurred cost associated with 
outfitting each test stand with the specified instrumentation. DOE also 
requests comment on the potential cost savings to be expected from 
enabling the use of submersible temperature loggers.
    The proposal to extend the load size table would apply only to 
clothes washers with capacities exceeding 6.0 ft\3\. Any such clothes 
washers currently on the market have already been granted a test 
procedure waiver from DOE, which specifies the same extended capacity 
table.
    The proposal to more explicitly define user-adjustable automatic 
WFCS would provide greater specification of DOE's existing definitions 
and could potentially alleviate test burden resulting from an incorrect 
application of the existing language. The proposals specifying updated 
language regarding cycle selection for clothes washers with a range of 
wash time settings would improve repeatability and reproducibility 
without imposing any additional test burden. The proposal to specify 
how the energy test cycle flow charts apply to clothes washers that 
internally generate hot water reflects DOE's interpretation of the 
current Cold Wash/Cold Rinse flowchart and subsequent flowcharts for 
the Warm Rinse temperature selections for this type of clothes washer; 
in addition, comments from interested parties suggest that this 
interpretation is generally consistent with that of manufacturers and 
third-party laboratories. The proposal to specify that the energy test 
cycle flow charts be evaluated using the Maximum load size would 
improve repeatability and reproducibility without imposing any 
additional test burden.
    The proposal to specify that network settings must be disabled for 
testing under Appendix J2 would impact only clothes washers with 
network settings that are enabled by default. DOE is not aware of any 
clothes washers currently on the market that meet these 
characteristics, and as such DOE does not expect this proposal to 
change how any current models are tested.
    The proposal to add product-specific enforcement provisions to 
accommodate the potential for lot-to-lot variation in RMC would extend 
current product-specific enforcement provisions for clothes washers to 
accommodate up to a 3-percentage point variation in the corrected RMC 
measurement based on the test cloth lot used for testing, and would not 
impact manufacturers' testing costs.
    The proposal to delete obsolete definitions, metrics, and the 
waiver section would not impact manufacturers' testing costs because 
these sections of the test procedure are no longer in use.
    The proposal to move all test cloth-related sections of the test 
procedures into Appendix J3 would simplify Appendix J2 without any 
changes to the test conduct or cost to manufacturers. The proposal to 
add additional test cloth qualification procedures to Appendix J3 would 
not affect manufacturer cost because the proposal would codify existing 
industry-standard practices.
    DOE requests comment on its characterization of the expected costs 
of the proposed amendments to Appendix J2 and Appendix J3 and on DOE's 
preliminary determination that the proposed amendments would not be 
unduly burdensome.
b. Appendix J Proposed Test Procedure
    In this NOPR, DOE is also proposing a new Appendix J that would 
include, in addition to the amendments discussed previously for 
Appendix J2, significant additional changes that would affect the 
measured efficiency of a clothes washer. Because DOE would use the new 
Appendix J for the evaluation and issuance of any updated efficiency 
standards, and for determining compliance with those standards, the use 
of the proposed new Appendix J would not be required until such a time 
as compliance with any amended energy conservation standards that are 
developed with consideration of new Appendix J are required. The 
ongoing energy conservation standards rulemakings for RCWs and CCWs 
would consider the impact of such changes to manufacturers. The 
differences between Appendix J2 (as proposed in this NOPR) and the 
proposed Appendix J are the following:
    (1) Modifying the hot water supply temperature range;
    (2) Modifying the clothes washer pre-conditioning requirements;
    (3) Modifying the Extra-Hot Wash threshold temperature;
    (4) Adding a measurement and calculation of average cycle time;
    (5) Requiring the testing of no more than two Warm Wash/Cold Rinse 
cycles, and no more than two Warm Wash/Warm Rinse cycles;
    (6) Measuring RMC on each cycle within the energy test cycle, 
rather than on cycles specifically dedicated to measuring RMC;
    (7) Reducing the number of load sizes from three to two for units 
with automatic WFCS;
    (8) Modifying the load size definitions consistent with two, rather 
than three, load sizes;
    (9) Updating the water fill levels to be used for testing to 
reflect the modified load size definitions;
    (10) Specifying the installation of single-inlet clothes washers, 
and simplifying the test procedure for semi-automatic clothes washers;
    (11) Defining new performance metrics that are functions of the 
weighted-average load size rather than clothes container capacity;
    (12) Updating the number of annual clothes washer cycles from 295 
to 234; and
    (13) Updating the number of hours assigned to low-power mode to be 
based on the clothes washer's average

[[Page 49193]]

measured cycle time rather than an assumed fixed value.
    The proposal to require the measurement of cycle time could result 
in an increase in test burden if a laboratory is not currently 
measuring cycle time. However, although cycle time is not currently 
required to be measured, it is DOE's understanding that test 
laboratories already measure cycle time or use a data acquisition 
system to record electronic logs of each test cycle, from which average 
cycle time can be readily determined such that any increase in test 
burden would be de minimis. Therefore, DOE preliminarily concludes that 
the proposal to require measurement of cycle time is unlikely to result 
in an increase in test burden. Furthermore, none of the other proposed 
changes for Appendix J would result in an increase in test burden. As 
described in the paragraphs that follow, DOE has tentatively determined 
that several of the proposed changes would result in a substantial 
decrease in test burden.
    To determine the potential savings to manufacturers, DOE first 
estimated the number of RCW and CCW models that are currently 
certified, using data from DOE's publicly available Compliance 
Certification Database (``CCMS'').\78\ DOE identified approximately 25 
manufacturers selling an estimated 702 basic models of RCWs and 67 
basic models of CCWs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \78\ www.regulations.doe.gov/certification-data. Last accessed 
on June 24, 2021.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    To enable an estimate of cost savings associated with specific 
features, as described in the paragraphs that follow, DOE developed 
representative market samples consisting of 100 basic models of RCWs 
and 10 basic models of CCWs (representing approximately 15 percent of 
the total basic models for each) that capture the range of available 
functionalities and options available to consumers. To develop these 
market samples, DOE selected a sample of basic models for which 
detailed product features could be determined from product brochures 
and other marketing materials, representing all major manufacturers and 
product designs currently on the market, and spanning all available 
efficiency levels.
    The proposal to reduce the number of load sizes from three to two 
for units with an automatic WFCS would reduce test burden for all 
clothes washers with an automatic WFCS. DOE's representative market 
sample suggests that 11 percent of RCWs have a manual WFCS and 
therefore would experience no change in test burden as a result of this 
proposal. Whereas, 89 percent of RCWs on the market would experience a 
reduction in test burden as follows: 20 percent of RCWs would 
experience a reduction in test burden of 2 to 4 cycles; 54 percent of 
RCWs would experience a reduction in test burden of 5 to 8 cycles; and 
15 percent of RCWs would experience a reduction in test burden of more 
than 9 cycles. DOE's representative mark sample suggests that all CCWs 
have an automatic WFCS and therefore DOE estimates that 70 percent of 
CCWs would experience a reduction in test burden of 3 or 4 cycles and 
that 30 percent of CCWs would experience a reduction in test burden of 
5 cycles. Based on these estimates, DOE estimates a weighted-average 
test burden reduction of 5.1 cycles per RCW, and 3.7 cycles per CCW.
    The proposal to reduce the number of required test cycles by 
requiring the use of no more than two Warm Wash/Cold Rinse cycles, and 
no more than two Warm Wash/Warm Rinse cycles, would reduce the number 
of tested cycles for any clothes washer offering more than two Warm 
Wash temperatures. Based on DOE's representative market sample, DOE 
estimates that 49 percent of RCWs offer two or fewer Warm Wash 
temperature options and therefore would experience no change; 44 
percent of RCWs would experience a reduction in test burden of 2 
cycles; and 7 percent of RCWs would experience a reduction in test 
burden of 4 cycles. DOE estimates that 70 percent of CCWs would 
experience no change and that 30 percent of CCWs would experience a 
reduction in test burden of 4 cycles. Based on these estimates, DOE 
estimates a weighted-average additional test burden reduction of 1.2 
cycles per RCW, and 0.6 cycles per CCW.\79\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \79\ These savings assume the savings from reducing the number 
of load sizes have already been implemented.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The proposal to reduce the number of required test cycles by 
measuring RMC on each tested cycle instead of measuring it on dedicated 
RMC cycles would remove the need for one or more cycles used for 
measuring RMC for any clothes washer offering more than one spin speed 
selectable on the Normal cycle. Based on DOE's representative market 
sample, DOE estimates that 45 percent of RCWs would experience no 
change; 27 percent of RCWs would experience a reduction in test burden 
of 1 cycle; 27 percent of RCWs would experience a reduction in test 
burden of 2 cycles; and 1 percent of RCWs would experience a reduction 
in test burden of 4 cycles. DOE estimates that no CCWs would experience 
a reduction in test burden from this change. Based on these estimates, 
DOE estimates a weighted-average additional test burden reduction of 
0.9 cycles per RCW.\80\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \80\ These savings assume the savings from reducing the number 
of load sizes and from reducing the number of Warm Wash temperature 
selections under test have already been implemented.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The proposal to simplify the test procedure for semi-automatic 
clothes washers would reduce test burden for all semi-automatic clothes 
washers by 10 cycles. DOE has determined that approximately 2 percent 
of RCW basic models in CCMS are semi-automatic and is not aware of any 
semi-automatic CCWs. DOE therefore estimates a weighted-average 
additional test burden reduction of 0.2 cycles per RCW.
    To estimate the cost savings associated with the amendments that 
are expected to reduce the number of cycles required for testing, DOE 
estimated each RCW cycle to have a duration of 1 hour, and each CCW 
cycle to have a duration of 45 minutes. Based on data from the Bureau 
of Labor Statistics' (``BLS's'') Occupational Employment and Wage 
Statistics, the mean hourly wage for mechanical engineering 
technologists and technicians is $29.27.\81\ Additionally, DOE used 
data from BLS's Employer Costs for Employee Compensation to estimate 
the percent that wages comprise the total compensation for an employee. 
DOE estimates that wages make up 70.3 percent of the total compensation 
for private industry employees.\82\ Therefore, DOE estimated that the 
total hourly compensation (including all fringe benefits) of a 
technician performing the testing is $41.64.\83\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \81\ DOE used the mean hourly wage of the ``17-3027 Mechanical 
Engineering Technologists and Technicians'' from the most recent BLS 
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2020) to estimate 
the hourly wage rate of a technician assumed to perform this 
testing. See www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes173027.htm. Last accessed on 
May 26, 2021.
    \82\ DOE used the December 2020 ``Employer Costs for Employee 
Compensation'' to estimate that for ``Private Industry Workers,'' 
``Wages and Salaries'' are 70.3 percent of the total employee 
compensation. See www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/ecec_03182021.pdf. Last accessed on May 26, 2021.
    \83\ $29.27 / 0.703 = $41.64.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Based on a July 2021 price list from the test cloth manufacturer, 
the cost of the test cloth required for performing testing is $7.47 per 
cloth.\84\ Based on an average RCW capacity of 4.14 ft\3\,\85\ the load 
sizes associated with testing an

[[Page 49194]]

average-capacity RCW,\86\ and the maximum allowable usage of 60 test 
cycles per cloth,\87\ DOE estimates a total material cost of $5.35 per 
wash cycle on average across all RCWs on the market. Using these 
material costs, labor rates and time estimates, DOE estimates that the 
reduction in burden of a single test cycle on an RCW would provide 
$46.99 in costs savings \88\ for tests conducted at an in-house test 
facility. Based on discussions with manufacturers over the course of 
multiple rulemakings, DOE understands that the majority of manufacturer 
testing is conducted at in-house test facilities.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \84\ testgewebe.de/en/products/ballast-loads-base-load-textiles/
doe-energy-test-cloth/. Last accessed and converted to U.S. dollars 
on July 8, 2021.
    \85\ AHAM Trends in Energy Efficiency, 2018.
    \86\ The load sizes associated with a 4.14 ft\3\ clothes washer 
are 3.0 lb (minimum), 10.0 lb (average), and 17.0 lb (maximum) under 
Appendix J2; and 6.1 lb (small) and 13.65 lb (large) under proposed 
Appendix J, resulting in an average load size of 10.0 lb under 
Appendix J2 or 9.9 lb under Appendix J. For the purpose of the 
calculations in this analysis, DOE used 10.0 lb to represent the 
average load size.
    \87\ Section 2.7.1 of Appendix J2 specifies that each energy 
test cloth must not be used for more than 60 test runs (after 
preconditioning).
    \88\ 1 x $41.64 + $5.35 = $46.99.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Based on an average CCW capacity of 3.17 ft\3\,\89\ the load sizes 
associated with testing an average-capacity CCW,\90\ and the maximum 
allowable usage of 60 test cycles per cloth, DOE estimates a total 
material cost of $4.36 per wash cycle on average across all CCWs on the 
market. Using these material costs, labor rates and time estimates, DOE 
estimates that the reduction in burden of a single test cycle on a CCW 
would provide $35.59 in costs savings \91\ for tests conducted at an 
in-house test facility.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \89\ DOE calculated the average CCW capacity based on the 
average capacity of the representative sample of CCWs presented in 
chapter 5 of the technical support document accompanying the 
December 2014 Final Rule. Available at www.regulations.gov/document/EERE-2012-BT-STD-0020-0036.
    \90\ The load sizes associated with a 3.17 ft\3\ clothes washer 
are 3.0 lb (minimum), 7.95 lb (average), and 12.9 lb (maximum) under 
Appendix J2; and 5.2 lb (small) and 10.55 lb (large) under proposed 
Appendix J, resulting in an average load size of 7.95 lb under 
Appendix J2 or 7.9 lb under Appendix J. For the purpose of the 
calculations in this analysis, DOE used 7.95 lb to represent the 
average load size.
    \91\ 0.75 x $41.64 + $4.36 = $35.59.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Based on these estimates, DOE has tentatively determined that the 
use of proposed new Appendix J would result in a total burden reduction 
of 7.4 cycles per RCW on average, which results in an average saving of 
$348 per basic model of RCW.\92\ For CCWs, use of proposed new Appendix 
J would result in a total burden reduction of 4.3 cycles per CCW on 
average, which results in an average saving of $153 per basic model of 
CCW.\93\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \92\ 7.4 x $46.99 = $348.
    \93\ 4.3 x $35.59 = $153.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Based on these estimates, DOE has tentatively determined that the 
proposed new test procedure at Appendix J would not be unduly 
burdensome for manufacturers to conduct.
    DOE requests comment on any aspect of the estimated testing costs 
and savings associated with DOE's proposed test procedures.
2. Harmonization With Industry Standards
    DOE's established practice is to adopt relevant industry standards 
as DOE test procedures unless such methodology would be unduly 
burdensome to conduct or would not produce test results that reflect 
the energy efficiency, energy use, water use (as specified in EPCA) or 
estimated operating costs of that product during a representative 
average use cycle or period of use. Section 8(c) of Appendix A of 10 
CFR part 430 subpart C; 10 CFR 431.4. In cases where the industry 
standard does not meet EPCA statutory criteria for test procedures, DOE 
will make modifications through the rulemaking process to these 
standards as the DOE test procedures.
    The test procedures for clothes washers at the proposed new 
Appendix J and Appendix J2 and Appendix J3 incorporate by reference 
certain provisions of IEC Standard 62301 that provide test conditions, 
testing equipment, and methods for measuring standby mode and off mode 
power consumption. These appendices also reference AATCC test methods 
for qualifying new batches of test cloth, and AHAM Standard Test 
Detergent Formula 3 for preconditioning new test cloths. DOE is not 
aware of any existing industry test procedures for clothes washers that 
measure energy and water efficiency.
    AHAM commented on the May 2020 RFI that it is about to begin 
development of its own clothes washer energy test procedure based on 
Appendix J2, which will address many of the issues DOE raised in the 
May 2020 RFI. (AHAM, No. 5 at p. 5) For example, AHAM stated that it 
plans to investigate methods of reducing test burden, including through 
review of relevant customer usage data. (AHAM, No. 5 at p. 4) AHAM 
suggested that DOE eventually incorporate AHAM's test procedure by 
reference. (AHAM, No. 5 at p. 5) AHAM invited DOE, as well as other 
entities that are able to contribute technical resources to the effort, 
to participate in the task force. Id.
    The CA IOUs opposed the adoption of industry test procedures 
without modification without DOE conducting an independent assessment 
of representativeness in a public rulemaking to allow adequate 
stakeholder discussion and review. (CA IOUs, No. 8 at p. 16)
    DOE is aware of two clothes washer test procedures established by 
industry: AHAM HLW-1-2013 and IEC 60456. AHAM's existing clothes washer 
procedure, AHAM HLW-1-2013, does not include a procedure for measuring 
energy and water. IEC 60456 includes tests for water and energy use, 
water extraction (i.e., RMC), washing performance, rinsing performance, 
and wool shrinkage. DOE notes several key differences between IEC 60456 
and DOE's test procedure, including:
    (1) IEC 60456 uses manufacturer-declared capacity or, in the 
absence of a declared capacity, specifies two alternative capacity 
measurement procedures: A table tennis ball method (in which the drum 
is filled with table tennis balls) and a water fill method, which more 
closely resembles DOE's capacity measurement method. However, the water 
fill method for top-loading clothes washers corresponds to ``Fill Level 
1,'' as discussed in section III.D.6.c of this document, in contrast to 
DOE's currently specified ``Fill Level 2.''
    (2) IEC 60456 defines two types of load materials that can be used: 
A 100-percent cotton load, consisting of sheets, pillowcases, and 
towels; or a synthetics/blends load (65-percent polyester, 35-percent 
cotton), consistent of men's shirt and pillowcases. IEC 60456 requires 
a distribution in age (i.e., number of cycles that have been performed) 
for each different item type comprising the load.
    (3) The procedure for determining water and energy consumption 
(section 8.6 of IEC 60456) specifies that the test load shall be 
subjected to ``performance'' testing, which requires operating a 
reference clothes washer in parallel with the unit under test; using a 
test load that includes stain strips used to evaluate cleaning 
performance; and using detergent as specified.
    (4) IEC 60456 does not define the ``Normal'' cycle or energy test 
cycle; rather, the procedures in IEC 60456 are generic and can be 
applied to any wash program or cycle selections defined by the tester.
    DOE tentatively concludes that IEC 60456 does not meet EPCA 
statutory criteria, in that IEC 60456 would be unduly burdensome to 
conduct and would not produce test results that reflect the energy 
efficiency, energy use, water use, or estimated operating costs of a 
clothes washer during a representative average use cycle or period of 
use for a U.S. consumer.

[[Page 49195]]

3. 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 clothes washers. Note that DOE also 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 (Mar. 18, 2019). DOE particularly seeks 
comment on this issue as it pertains to the test procedures for clothes 
washers, as well as information that would help DOE create a procedure 
that is not unduly burdensome to conduct. Comments regarding 
repeatability and reproducibility are also welcome.

L. Compliance Date and Waivers

    EPCA prescribes that, if DOE amends a test procedure, all 
representations of energy efficiency and energy use, including those 
made on marketing materials and product labels, must be made in 
accordance with that amended test procedure, beginning 180 days after 
publication of such a test procedure final rule in the Federal 
Register. (42 U.S.C. 6293(c)(2); 42 U.S.C. 6314(d)(1)) To the extent 
the new test procedure at Appendix J proposed in this document is 
required only for the evaluation and issuance of updated efficiency 
standards, use of new Appendix J, if finalized, would not be required 
until the compliance date of any updated standards. Section 8(d) of 
appendix A to 10 CFR part 430 subpart C; 10 CFR 431.4.
    If DOE were to publish amended test procedures, EPCA provides an 
allowance for individual manufacturers to petition DOE for an extension 
of the 180-day period if the manufacturer may experience undue hardship 
in meeting the deadline. (42 U.S.C. 6293(c)(3); 42 U.S.C. 6314(d)(2)) 
To receive such an extension, petitions must be filed with DOE no later 
than 60 days before the end of the 180-day period and must detail how 
the manufacturer will experience undue hardship. (Id.)
    Upon the compliance date of test procedure provisions of an amended 
test procedure, should DOE issue a such an amendment, any waivers that 
had been previously issued and are in effect that pertain to issues 
addressed by such provisions are terminated. 10 CFR 430.27(h)(2); 10 
CFR 431.401(h)(2). Recipients of any such waivers would be required to 
test the products subject to the waiver according to the amended test 
procedures as of the compliance date of the amended test procedures. 
The amendments proposed in this NOPR pertain to issues addressed by 
waivers granted to Whirlpool (case no. CW-026) and Samsung (case no. 
CW-027). 81 FR 26215; 82 FR 17229, respectively.

IV. Procedural Issues and Regulatory Review

A. Review Under Executive Order 12866

    The Office of Management and Budget (``OMB'') has determined that 
this test procedure rulemaking does not constitute ``significant 
regulatory actions'' under section 3(f) of Executive Order (``E.O.'') 
12866, Regulatory Planning and Review, 58 FR 51735 (Oct. 4, 1993). 
Accordingly, this action was not subject to review under the Executive 
Order by the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (``OIRA'') in 
OMB.

B. Review Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) requires 
preparation of an initial regulatory flexibility analysis (``IRFA'') 
for any rule that by law must be proposed for public comment, unless 
the agency certifies that the rule, if promulgated, will not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. 
As required by Executive Order 13272, ``Proper Consideration of Small 
Entities in Agency Rulemaking,'' 67 FR 53461 (August 16, 2002), DOE 
published procedures and policies on February 19, 2003, to ensure that 
the potential impacts of its rules on small entities are properly 
considered during the DOE rulemaking process. 68 FR 7990. DOE has made 
its procedures and policies available on the Office of the General 
Counsel's website: https://energy.gov/gc/office-general-counsel. DOE 
reviewed this proposed rule under the provisions of the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act and the policies and procedures published on February 
19, 2003. The following sections detail DOE's IRFA for this test 
procedure rulemaking.
1. Description of Reasons Why Action Is Being Considered
    The Energy Policy and Conservation Act, as amended (``EPCA''),\94\ 
requires that, at least once every 7 years, DOE evaluate test 
procedures for RCWs. (42 U.S.C. 6291-6317) EPCA also requires the test 
procedures for CCWs to be the same as the test procedures established 
for RCWs. (42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(8)) As with the test procedures for RCWs, 
EPCA requires that DOE evaluate, at least once every 7 years, the test 
procedures for CCWs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \94\ 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).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. Objective of, and Legal Basis for, Rule
    EPCA, as amended, authorizes DOE to regulate the energy efficiency 
of a number of consumer products and certain industrial equipment. (42 
U.S.C. 6291-6317) Title III, Part B \95\ of EPCA established the Energy 
Conservation Program for Consumer Products Other Than Automobiles, 
which sets forth a variety of provisions designed to improve energy 
efficiency. These products include RCWs. (42 U.S.C. 6292(a)(7)) Title 
III, Part C \96\ of EPCA, added by Public Law 95-619, Title IV, Sec.  
441(a), established the Energy Conservation Program for Certain 
Industrial Equipment. This equipment includes CCWs. (42 U.S.C. 
6311(1)(H)) Both RCWs and CCWs are the subject of this document.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \95\ For editorial reasons, upon codification in the U.S. Code, 
Part B was redesignated Part A.
    \96\ For editorial reasons, upon codification in the U.S. Code, 
Part C was redesignated Part A-1.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    EPCA also requires that, at least once every 7 years, DOE evaluate 
test procedures for each type of covered product, including RCWs, to 
determine whether amended test procedures would more accurately or 
fully comply with the requirements for the test procedures to not be 
unduly burdensome to conduct and be reasonably designed to produce test 
results that reflect energy efficiency, energy use, and estimated 
operating costs during a representative average use cycle or period of 
use. (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(1)(A))
    EPCA requires the test procedures for CCWs to be the same as the 
test procedures established for RCWs. (42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(8)) As with 
the test procedures for RCWs, EPCA requires that DOE evaluate, at least 
once every 7 years, the test procedures for CCWs 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))
3. Description and Estimate of Small Entities Regulated
    DOE uses the Small Business Administration's (``SBA'') small 
business size standards to determine whether manufacturers qualify as 
small

[[Page 49196]]

businesses, which are listed by the North American Industry 
Classification System (``NAICS''). The SBA considers a business entity 
to be a small business, if, together with its affiliates, it employs 
less than a threshold number of workers specified in 13 CFR part 121. 
The NAICS code for clothes washers is 335220, major household appliance 
manufacturing. The threshold number for NAICS code 335220 is 1,500 
employees.\97\ This employee threshold includes all employees in a 
business's parent company and any other subsidiaries. DOE identified 15 
original equipment manufacturers (``OEMs'') of covered products and 
equipment. Of those companies, one is a small business that offers a 
single model of RCWs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \97\ Available online at: www.sba.gov/document/support--table-size-standards.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DOE requests comment on its initial determination that there is one 
small, domestic OEM of RCWs and no small, domestic OEMs of CCWs.
4. Description and Estimate of Compliance Requirements
    In this NOPR, DOE proposes to amend Appendix J2 and Appendix J3 by 
(1) further specifying supply water temperature test conditions; (2) 
further specifying water meter resolution requirements; (3) adding 
specifications for measuring wash water temperature using submersible 
data loggers; (4) expanding the load size table to accommodate up to 
8.0 ft\3\ in capacity; (5) defining user-adjustable automatic WFCS; (6) 
specifying more explicitly the cycle selection for clothes washers with 
a range of wash time settings; (7) specifying how the energy test cycle 
flow charts apply to clothes washers that internally generate hot 
water; (8) specifying that the energy test cycle flow charts be 
evaluated using the Maximum load size; (9) specifying that testing is 
to be conducted with any network settings disabled if instructions are 
available to the user to disable these functions; (10) further 
specifying the conditions under which data from a test cycle would be 
discarded; (11) adding a product-specific enforcement provision to 
accommodate the potential for lot-to-lot variation in RMC; (12) 
deleting obsolete definitions, metrics, and the clothes washer-specific 
waiver section; (13) consolidating all test cloth-related 
specifications in Appendix J3; and (14) codifying the test cloth 
material verification procedure as used by industry into Appendix J3. 
DOE has initially determined these proposed amendments to Appendix J2 
and Appendix J3 would not result in manufacturers needing to re-rate 
clothes washers. The amendment (2) above may require more precise hot 
water meters for clothes washers with hot water usage less than 0.1 
gallons in any of the energy test cycles. However, DOE's analysis of 
the small manufacturer's product offering indicates that the amendment 
would not apply and no capital expenditures would be necessary for the 
business.
    Next, this NOPR proposes to specify a new Appendix J, to be 
applicable upon the compliance date of any future amended energy 
conservation standards for clothes washers. The proposed new Appendix J 
would include modifications beyond Appendix J2 that: (1) Modify the hot 
water supply target temperature and clothes washer pre-conditioning 
requirements; (2) modify the Extra-Hot Wash threshold temperature; (3) 
add measurement and calculation of average cycle time; (4) reduce the 
number of required test cycles by requiring the use of no more than two 
Warm Wash/Cold Rinse cycles, and no more than two Warm Wash/Warm Rinse 
cycles; (5) reduce the number of required test cycles by removing the 
need for one or more cycles used for measuring RMC; (6) reduce the 
number of load sizes from three to two for units with automatic water 
fill controls; (7) modify the load size definitions consistent with 
two, rather than three, load sizes; (8) update the water fill levels to 
be used for testing to reflect the modified load size definitions; (9) 
specify the installation of single-inlet clothes washers, and simplify 
the test procedure for semi-automatic clothes washers; (10) define new 
performance metrics that are functions of the weighted-average load 
size rather than clothes container capacity: ``energy efficiency 
ratio,'' ``active-mode energy efficiency ratio,'' and ``water 
efficiency ratio''; (11) update the number of annual clothes washer 
cycles from 295 to 234; and (12) update the number of hours assigned to 
low-power mode to be based on the clothes washer's measured cycle time 
rather than an assumed fixed value. Due to the reduction in number of 
loads and number of wash cycles, the proposed new Appendix J would be 
less burdensome than Appendix J2 for industry. However, the small 
manufacturer would need to re-rate its one model when any future 
amended energy conservation standard requires the use of the proposed 
new Appendix J. The cost of re-rating one model would have a cost of 
less than $1000. DOE estimates this to be less than 0.1 percent of 
revenue for the small manufacturer.
    DOE requests comment on its initial determination that the proposed 
amendments would result in small incremental test burdens on the small 
business manufacturers of RCWs and CCWs in the United States.
5. Duplication, Overlap, and Conflict With Other Rules and Regulations
    DOE is not aware of any rules or regulations that duplicate, 
overlap, or conflict with the rule being considered today.
6. Significant Alternatives to the Rule
    DOE considered alternative test methods and modifications to the 
test procedures for RCWs and CCWs, and tentatively determined that 
there are no better alternatives than the modifications and procedures 
proposed in this NOPR. DOE expects the proposed amendments to Appendix 
J2 to result in zero cost to the small manufacturer. DOE expects the 
new Appendix J would have no impact before an amended energy 
conservation standard is adopted. After an amended energy conservation 
standard is adopted, DOE expects the proposed new Appendix J to have de 
minimis cost impact on the small manufacturer.
    Additional compliance flexibilities may be available through other 
means. EPCA provides that a manufacturer whose annual gross revenue 
from all of its operations does not exceed $8 million may apply for an 
exemption from all or part of an energy conservation standard for a 
period not longer than 24 months after the effective date of a final 
rule establishing the standard. (42 U.S.C. 6295(t)) Additionally, 
section 504 of the Department of Energy Organization Act, 42 U.S.C. 
7194, provides authority for the Secretary to adjust a rule issued 
under EPCA in order to prevent ``special hardship, inequity, or unfair 
distribution of burdens'' that may be imposed on that manufacturer as a 
result of such rule. Manufacturers should refer to 10 CFR part 430, 
subpart E, and part 1003 for additional details.

C. Review Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995

    Manufacturers of RCWs and CCWs must certify to DOE that their 
products comply with any applicable energy conservation standards. To 
certify compliance, manufacturers must first obtain test data for their 
products according to the DOE test procedures, including any amendments 
adopted for those test procedures. DOE has established regulations for 
the certification and recordkeeping requirements for all covered 
consumer

[[Page 49197]]

products and commercial equipment, including RCWs and CCWs. (See 
generally 10 CFR part 429.) The collection-of-information requirement 
for the certification and recordkeeping is subject to review and 
approval by OMB under the Paperwork Reduction Act (``PRA''). This 
requirement has been approved by OMB under OMB control number 1910-
1400. Public reporting burden for the certification is estimated to 
average 35 hours per response, including the time for reviewing 
instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and 
maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the 
collection of information.
    Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, no person is 
required to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty 
for failure to comply with, a collection of information subject to the 
requirements of the PRA, unless that collection of information displays 
a currently valid OMB Control Number.

D. Review Under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969

    In this proposed rule, DOE proposes test procedure amendments that 
it expects will be used to develop and implement future energy 
conservation standards for residential and commercial clothes washers. 
DOE has determined that this rule falls into a class of actions that 
are categorically excluded from review under the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and DOE's implementing 
regulations at 10 CFR part 1021. Specifically, DOE has determined that 
adopting test procedures for measuring energy efficiency of consumer 
products and industrial equipment is consistent with activities 
identified in 10 CFR part 1021, appendix A to subpart D, A5 and A6. 
Accordingly, neither an environmental assessment nor an environmental 
impact statement is required.

E. Review Under Executive Order 13132

    Executive Order 13132, ``Federalism,'' 64 FR 43255 (Aug. 10, 1999) 
imposes certain requirements on agencies formulating and implementing 
policies or regulations that preempt State law or that have Federalism 
implications. The Executive Order requires agencies to examine the 
constitutional and statutory authority supporting any action that would 
limit the policymaking discretion of the States and to carefully assess 
the necessity for such actions. The Executive Order also requires 
agencies to have an accountable process to ensure meaningful and timely 
input by State and local officials in the development of regulatory 
policies that have Federalism implications. On March 14, 2000, DOE 
published a statement of policy describing the intergovernmental 
consultation process it will follow in the development of such 
regulations. 65 FR 13735. DOE has examined this proposed rule and has 
determined that it would not have a substantial direct effect on the 
States, on the relationship between the national government and the 
States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the 
various levels of government. EPCA governs and prescribes Federal 
preemption of State regulations as to energy conservation for the 
products that are the subject of this proposed rule. States can 
petition DOE for exemption from such preemption to the extent, and 
based on criteria, set forth in EPCA. (42 U.S.C. 6297(d)) No further 
action is required by Executive Order 13132.

F. Review Under Executive Order 12988

    Regarding the review of existing regulations and the promulgation 
of new regulations, section 3(a) of Executive Order 12988, ``Civil 
Justice Reform,'' 61 FR 4729 (Feb. 7, 1996), imposes on Federal 
agencies the general duty to adhere to the following requirements: (1) 
Eliminate drafting errors and ambiguity, (2) write regulations to 
minimize litigation, (3) provide a clear legal standard for affected 
conduct rather than a general standard, and (4) promote simplification 
and burden reduction. Section 3(b) of Executive Order 12988 
specifically requires that Executive agencies make every reasonable 
effort to ensure that the regulation (1) clearly specifies the 
preemptive effect, if any, (2) clearly specifies any effect on existing 
Federal law or regulation, (3) provides a clear legal standard for 
affected conduct while promoting simplification and burden reduction, 
(4) specifies the retroactive effect, if any, (5) adequately defines 
key terms, and (6) addresses other important issues affecting clarity 
and general draftsmanship under any guidelines issued by the Attorney 
General. Section 3(c) of Executive Order 12988 requires Executive 
agencies to review regulations in light of applicable standards in 
sections 3(a) and 3(b) to determine whether they are met or it is 
unreasonable to meet one or more of them. DOE has completed the 
required review and determined that, to the extent permitted by law, 
the proposed rule meets the relevant standards of Executive Order 
12988.

G. Review Under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995

    Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (``UMRA'') 
requires each Federal agency to assess the effects of Federal 
regulatory actions on State, local, and Tribal governments and the 
private sector. Public Law 104-4, sec. 201 (codified at 2 U.S.C. 1531). 
For a proposed regulatory action likely to result in a rule that may 
cause the expenditure by State, local, and Tribal governments, in the 
aggregate, or by the private sector of $100 million or more in any one 
year (adjusted annually for inflation), section 202 of UMRA requires a 
Federal agency to publish a written statement that estimates the 
resulting costs, benefits, and other effects on the national economy. 
(2 U.S.C. 1532(a), (b)) The UMRA also requires a Federal agency to 
develop an effective process to permit timely input by elected officers 
of State, local, and Tribal governments on a proposed ``significant 
intergovernmental mandate,'' and requires an agency plan for giving 
notice and opportunity for timely input to potentially affected small 
governments before establishing any requirements that might 
significantly or uniquely affect small governments. On March 18, 1997, 
DOE published a statement of policy on its process for 
intergovernmental consultation under UMRA. 62 FR 12820; also available 
at https://energy.gov/gc/office-general-counsel.
    DOE examined this proposed rule according to UMRA and its statement 
of policy and determined that the rule contains neither an 
intergovernmental mandate, nor a mandate that may result in the 
expenditure of $100 million or more in any year, so these requirements 
do not apply.

H. Review Under the Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 
1999

    Section 654 of the Treasury and General Government Appropriations 
Act, 1999 (Pub. L. 105-277) requires Federal agencies to issue a Family 
Policymaking Assessment for any rule that may affect family well-being. 
This proposed rule would not have any impact on the autonomy or 
integrity of the family as an institution. Accordingly, DOE has 
concluded that it is not necessary to prepare a Family Policymaking 
Assessment.

I. Review Under Executive Order 12630

    DOE has determined, under Executive Order 12630, ``Governmental 
Actions and Interference with Constitutionally Protected Property 
Rights'' 53 FR 8859

[[Page 49198]]

(March 18, 1988), that this proposed regulation would not result in any 
takings that might require compensation under the Fifth Amendment to 
the U.S. Constitution.

J. Review Under Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 
2001

    Section 515 of the Treasury and General Government Appropriations 
Act, 2001 (44 U.S.C. 3516 note) provides for agencies to review most 
disseminations of information to the public under guidelines 
established by each agency pursuant to general guidelines issued by 
OMB. OMB's guidelines were published at 67 FR 8452 (Feb. 22, 2002), and 
DOE's guidelines were published at 67 FR 62446 (Oct. 7, 2002). Pursuant 
to OMB Memorandum M-19-15, Improving Implementation of the Information 
Quality Act (April 24, 2019), DOE published updated guidelines which 
are available at www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2019/12/f70/DOE%20Final%20Updated%20IQI%20Guidelines%20Dec%202019.pdf. DOE has 
reviewed this proposed rule under the OMB and DOE guidelines and has 
concluded that it is consistent with applicable policies in those 
guidelines.

K. Review Under Executive Order 13211

    Executive Order 13211, ``Actions Concerning Regulations That 
Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use,'' 66 FR 28355 
(May 22, 2001), requires Federal agencies to prepare and submit to OMB, 
a Statement of Energy Effects for any proposed significant energy 
action. A ``significant energy action'' is defined as any action by an 
agency that promulgated or is expected to lead to promulgation of a 
final rule, and that (1) is a significant regulatory action under 
Executive Order 12866, or any successor order; and (2) is likely to 
have a significant adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use 
of energy; or (3) is designated by the Administrator of OIRA as a 
significant energy action. For any proposed significant energy action, 
the agency must give a detailed statement of any adverse effects on 
energy supply, distribution, or use should the proposal be implemented, 
and of reasonable alternatives to the action and their expected 
benefits on energy supply, distribution, and use.
    The proposed regulatory action to amend the test procedures for 
measuring the energy efficiency of RCWs and CCWs is not a significant 
regulatory action under Executive Order 12866. Moreover, it would not 
have a significant adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use 
of energy, nor has it been designated as a significant energy action by 
the Administrator of OIRA. Therefore, it is not a significant energy 
action, and, accordingly, DOE has not prepared a Statement of Energy 
Effects.

L. Review Under Section 32 of the Federal Energy Administration Act of 
1974

    Under section 301 of the Department of Energy Organization Act 
(Pub. L. 95-91; 42 U.S.C. 7101), DOE must comply with section 32 of the 
Federal Energy Administration Act of 1974, as amended by the Federal 
Energy Administration Authorization Act of 1977. (15 U.S.C. 788; 
``FEAA'') Section 32 essentially provides in relevant part that, where 
a proposed rule authorizes or requires use of commercial standards, the 
notice of proposed rulemaking must inform the public of the use and 
background of such standards. In addition, section 32(c) requires DOE 
to consult with the Attorney General and the Chairman of the Federal 
Trade Commission (``FTC'') concerning the impact of the commercial or 
industry standards on competition.
    The proposed modifications to the test procedures for clothes 
washers would continue to incorporate testing methods contained in 
certain sections of the following commercial standards: AATCC Test 
Method 79-2010, AATCC Test Method 118-2007, AATCC Test Method 135-2010, 
and IEC 62031. DOE has evaluated these standards and is unable to 
conclude whether it fully complies with the requirements of section 
32(b) of the FEAA (i.e., whether it was developed in a manner that 
fully provides for public participation, comment, and review.) DOE will 
consult with both the Attorney General and the Chairman of the FTC 
concerning the impact of these test procedures on competition, prior to 
prescribing a final rule.

M. Description of Materials Incorporated by Reference

    In this NOPR, DOE proposes to incorporate by reference the test 
standard published by AATCC, titled ``Absorbency of Textiles,'' AATCC 
Test Method 79-2010. DOE also proposes to incorporate by reference the 
test standard published by AATCC, titled ``Oil Repellency: Hydrocarbon 
Resistance Test,'' AATCC Test Method 118-2007. AATCC 79-2010 and AATCC 
118-2007 are industry-accepted test procedure that verify the presence 
or absence of water repellent finishes on fabric by measuring the water 
absorbency and oil repellency of the fabric, respectively.
    In this NOPR, DOE proposes to incorporate by reference the test 
standard published by AATCC, titled ``Dimensional Changes of Fabrics 
after Home Laundering,'' AATCC Test Method 135-2010. AATCC 135-2010 is 
an industry-accepted test procedure for measuring dimensional changes 
in fabric (``shrinkage'') due to laundering.
    All three of these AATCC test methods are currently incorporated by 
reference for use in Appendix J2. This NOPR proposes to transfer the 
references to these test methods to Appendix J3. Copies of AATCC test 
methods can be obtained from AATC, P.O. Box 12215, Research Triangle 
Park, NC 27709, (919) 549-3526, or by going to www.aatcc.org.
    In this NOPR, DOE proposes to incorporate by reference the test 
standard published by IEC, titled ``Household electrical appliances--
Measurement of standby power,'' (Edition 2.0, 2011-01), IEC 62301. IEC 
62301 is an industry-accepted test procedure for measuring standby 
energy consumption. IEC 62301 is currently incorporated by reference 
for use in Appendix J2, which references specific provisions of the 
industry standard. See 10 CFR 430.3(o)(6). This NOPR proposes to 
include the same references in the proposed new Appendix J.
    Copies of IEC 62301 available from the American National Standards 
Institute, 25 W 43rd Street, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, (212) 642-
4900, or by going to webstore.ansi.org.

V. Public Participation

A. Participation in the Webinar

    The time and date of the webinar are listed in the DATES section at 
the beginning of this document. Webinar registration information, 
participant instructions, and information about the capabilities 
available to webinar participants will be published on DOE's website: 
www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/standards.aspx?productid=68&action=viewlive. Participants are 
responsible for ensuring their systems are compatible with the webinar 
software.
    Additionally, you may request an in-person meeting to be held prior 
to the close of the request period provided in the DATES section of 
this document. Requests for an in-person meeting may be made by 
contacting Appliance and Equipment Standards Program staff at (202) 
287-1445 or by email: [email protected].

[[Page 49199]]

B. Procedure for Submitting Prepared General Statements for 
Distribution

    Any person who has an interest in the topics addressed in this 
proposed rulemaking, or who is representative of a group or class of 
persons that has an interest in these issues, may request an 
opportunity to make an oral presentation at the webinar. Such persons 
may submit requests to speak by sending an email to 
[email protected]. Persons who wish to speak should 
include with their request a computer file in WordPerfect, Microsoft 
Word, PDF, or text (ASCII) file format that briefly describes the 
nature of their interest in this rulemaking and the topics they wish to 
discuss. Such persons should also provide a daytime telephone number 
where they can be reached.
    Persons requesting to speak should briefly describe the nature of 
their interest in this rulemaking and provide a telephone number for 
contact. DOE requests persons selected to make an oral presentation to 
submit an advance copy of their statements at least two weeks before 
the webinar. At its discretion, DOE may permit persons who cannot 
supply an advance copy of their statement to participate, if those 
persons have made advance alternative arrangements with the Building 
Technologies Office. As necessary, requests to give an oral 
presentation should ask for such alternative arrangements.

C. Conduct of the Webinar

    DOE will designate a DOE official to preside at the webinar and may 
also use a professional facilitator to aid discussion. The meeting will 
not be a judicial or evidentiary-type public hearing, but DOE will 
conduct it in accordance with section 336 of EPCA (42 U.S.C. 6306). A 
court reporter will be present to record the proceedings and prepare a 
transcript. DOE reserves the right to schedule the order of 
presentations and to establish the procedures governing the conduct of 
the webinar. There shall not be discussion of proprietary information, 
costs or prices, market share, or other commercial matters regulated by 
U.S. anti-trust laws. After the webinar and until the end of the 
comment period, interested parties may submit further comments on the 
proceedings and any aspect of the rulemaking.
    The webinar will be conducted in an informal, conference style. DOE 
will present summaries of comments received before the webinar, allow 
time for prepared general statements by participants, and encourage all 
interested parties to share their views on issues affecting this 
rulemaking. Each participant will be allowed to make a general 
statement (within time limits determined by DOE), before the discussion 
of specific topics. DOE will allow, as time permits, other participants 
to comment briefly on any general statements.
    At the end of all prepared statements on a topic, DOE will permit 
participants to clarify their statements briefly and comment on 
statements made by others. Participants should be prepared to answer 
questions by DOE and by other participants concerning these issues. DOE 
representatives may also ask questions of participants concerning other 
matters relevant to this rulemaking. The official conducting the 
webinar will accept additional comments or questions from those 
attending, as time permits. The presiding official will announce any 
further procedural rules or modification of the above procedures that 
may be needed for the proper conduct of the webinar.
    A transcript of the webinar will be included in the docket, which 
can be viewed as described in the Docket section at the beginning of 
this document and will be accessible on the DOE website. In addition, 
any person may buy a copy of the transcript from the transcribing 
reporter.

D. Submission of Comments

    DOE will accept comments, data, and information regarding this 
proposed rule no later than the date provided in the DATES section at 
the beginning of this proposed rule. Interested parties may submit 
comments using any of the methods described in the ADDRESSES section at 
the beginning of this document.
    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. 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 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. No 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.

[[Page 49200]]

    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. 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).

E. Issues on Which DOE Seeks Comment

    Although DOE welcomes comments on any aspect of this proposal, DOE 
is particularly interested in receiving comments and views of 
interested parties concerning the following issues:
    (1) DOE requests comment on its proposal to require a hot water 
meter resolution no larger than 0.01 gallons for clothes washers that 
use less than 0.1 gallons in any of the individual cycles within the 
energy test cycle. DOE requests comment on the extent to which 
manufacturers and test laboratories already use water meters with this 
greater resolution. DOE also requests comment on whether proposing this 
requirement for Appendix J2 would require manufacturers to retest any 
basic models that have already been certified under the existing water 
meter resolution requirements.
    (2) DOE requests comment on its proposal to require all single-
inlet clothes washers to be installed to the cold water supply only. 
DOE also requests comment on whether this requirement should be 
included in only the proposed new Appendix J, or whether, if adopted, 
it should be included as an amendment to Appendix J2.
    (3) DOE requests comment on its proposal to update the hot water 
supply temperature for the proposed new Appendix J from 130-135 [deg]F 
to 120-125 [deg]F. DOE seeks more recent data on hot water supply 
temperatures in consumer clothes washer installations. DOE also 
requests comment on any potential impact to testing costs that may 
occur by harmonizing temperatures between the clothes washer and 
dishwasher test procedures, and the impacts on manufacturer burden 
associated with any changes to the hot water supply temperature.
    (4) DOE requests comment on its proposal to specify in the proposed 
new Appendix J that the Extra-Hot Wash/Cold Rinse designation would 
apply to a wash temperature greater than or equal to 140 [deg]F. DOE 
requests any additional data on the wash temperature of cycles that 
meet the Appendix J2 definition of Extra-Hot Wash/Cold Rinse. DOE is 
also interested in data and information on any potential impact to 
testing costs that may occur by changing the Extra-Hot Wash temperature 
threshold, and the impacts on manufacturer burden associated with any 
changes to the Extra-Hot Wash/Cold Rinse definition.
    (5) DOE requests comment on its proposal to remove the target 
temperatures and instead specify water supply temperature ranges as 55 
[deg]F to 60 [deg]F for cold water in both Appendix J2 and the proposed 
new Appendix J, 130 [deg]F to 135 [deg]F for hot water in Appendix J2, 
and 120 [deg]F to 125 [deg]F for hot water in the proposed new Appendix 
J.
    (6) DOE requests comment on its proposal to allow the use of a 
submersible temperature logger in Appendix J2 and the proposed new 
Appendix J as an option to confirm that an Extra-Hot Wash temperature 
greater than the Extra-Hot Wash threshold has been achieved during the 
wash cycle. DOE requests data and information confirming (or disputing) 
DOE's discussion of the benefits and limitations of using a submersible 
temperature logger, including DOE's determination that a submersible 
logger's failure to measure a temperature greater than the Extra-Hot 
Wash threshold does not necessarily indicate that the cycle under test 
does not meet the definition of an Extra-Hot Wash/Cold Rinse cycle.
    (7) DOE requests comment on its proposal to specify the same pre-
conditioning requirements for all clothes washers and to remove the 
``water-heating clothes washer'' and ``non-water-heating clothes 
washer'' definitions in the proposed new Appendix J. DOE also requests 
information regarding whether test laboratories typically pre-condition 
water-heating and non-water-heating clothes washers using the same 
procedure.
    (8) DOE requests comment on its proposal to expand the load size 
table in both Appendix J2 and the proposed new Appendix J to 
accommodate RCWs with capacities up to 8.0 ft3.
    (9) DOE requests comment on its proposal to replace the minimum, 
maximum, and average load sizes with the small and large load sizes in 
the proposed new Appendix J. DOE seeks comment on how reducing the 
number of load sizes tested would impact the representativeness of test 
results. DOE also requests data and information to quantify the 
reduction in test burden that would result from reducing the number of 
load sizes from three to two for clothes washers with automatic WFCS.
    (10) DOE requests comment on its proposal to change the water fill 
level selections in the proposed new Appendix J for clothes washers 
with manual and user-adjustable automatic WFCS to reflect the proposed 
small and large test load sizes. DOE seeks data and information on how 
the proposed changes to the water fill level selection for clothes 
washers with manual and user-adjustable automatic WFCS would impact 
test procedure representativeness.
    (11) DOE requests comment on the proposal to require in the 
proposed new Appendix J testing only the hottest and the coldest Warm 
Wash/Cold Rinse settings. DOE seeks data and information on how this 
proposed change to the Warm Wash temperature settings required for 
testing would impact representativeness, testing costs, and 
manufacturer burden.
    (12) DOE requests comment on its proposal to revise the RMC 
procedure so that RMC would be measured at the default spin setting for 
each temperature selection and load size, and the individual RMC values 
would be averaged using TUFs and LUFs to calculate the final RMC. DOE 
seeks data and information regarding how this change to the RMC 
calculation would impact testing costs and manufacturer test burden.
    (13) DOE further requests comment on whether DOE should implement 
any changes to the RMC calculation in Appendix J2 to address clothes 
washers with spin settings that are available only on certain 
temperature selections.
    (14) DOE requests comment on its tentative conclusion not to 
propose changes to the bone-dry definition and associated dryer 
temperature measurement method.

[[Page 49201]]

    (15) DOE requests comment on its proposal to require that each test 
cycle use a bone-dry test load in the proposed new Appendix J. DOE 
requests comment on whether test laboratories start test cycles with 
the test load at bone-dry or at up to 104 percent of the bone-dry 
weight. DOE further requests feedback on its assessment that this 
change would not affect test burden.
    (16) DOE requests comment on its proposal to add cycle time 
measurements and to calculate average cycle time using the weighted-
average method in the proposed new Appendix J. DOE also requests 
comment on its assertion that adding cycle time measurements and a 
calculation of a weighted-average cycle time would not increase testing 
costs or overall test burden.
    (17) DOE requests comment on its tentative determination to 
maintain the current capacity measurement method.
    (18) DOE requests comment on the proposed criteria for determining 
whether test data are to be discarded. Specifically, DOE requests 
comment on the proposal that test data are discarded if a washing 
machine either signals to the user by means of a visual or audio alert 
that an out-of-balance condition has occurred or terminates 
prematurely. DOE requests comment on whether additional or alternate 
criteria would provide objective and observable indication during a 
single test that test data are to be discarded.
    (19) DOE requests comment on its proposal for testing semi-
automatic clothes washers in the proposed new Appendix J that would 
require testing only the wash/rinse temperature combinations that do 
not require a wash temperature change between the wash and rinse 
portions of the cycle (i.e., Hot/Hot, Warm/Warm, and Cold/Cold).
    (20) DOE requests feedback on its proposal to test semi-automatic 
clothes washers using TUF values of 0.14 for Hot, 0.49 for Warm, and 
0.37 for Cold.
    (21) DOE further requests comment on whether the temperature 
selections and TUFs that DOE has proposed for semi-automatic clothes 
washers would be representative of consumer use; and if not, which 
temperature selections and TUF values would better reflect consumer 
use.
    (22) DOE requests comment on whether to include explicit 
instructions for how to test semi-automatic clothes washers in Appendix 
J2, and if so, whether DOE should implement the same procedures being 
proposed for the proposed new Appendix J.
    (23) DOE requests feedback on how manufacturers of semi-automatic 
clothes washers are currently testing their products using Appendix J2.
    (24) DOE requests comment on its proposal to require semi-automatic 
clothes washers to test only the Cold cycle, and to determine the 
representative values for the Warm and Hot cycles formulaically, for 
the proposed new Appendix J.
    (25) DOE requests comment on the test burden associated with 
determining the apportionment between wash water use and rinse water 
use on semi-automatic clothes washers.
    (26) DOE requests comment on maintaining the current requirement to 
use the manufacturer default settings for optional cycle modifiers.
    (27) DOE requests comment on its proposed amendment to Appendix J2 
and the proposed new Appendix J to specify that network settings (on 
clothes washers with network capabilities) must be disabled during 
testing if such settings can be disabled by the end-user, and the 
product's user manual provides instructions on how to do so.
    (28) DOE requests feedback on its characterization of connected 
clothes washers currently on the market. Specifically, DOE requests 
input on the types of features or functionality enabled by connected 
clothes washers that exist on the market or that are under development.
    (29) DOE requests data on the percentage of users purchasing 
connected clothes washers, and, for those users, the percentage of the 
time when the connected functionality of the clothes washer is used.
    (30) DOE requests data on the amount of additional or reduced 
energy use of connected clothes washers.
    (31) DOE requests data on the pattern of additional or reduced 
energy use of connected clothes washers; for example, whether it is 
constant, periodic, or triggered by the user.
    (32) DOE requests information on any existing testing protocols 
that account for connected features of clothes washers, as well as any 
testing protocols that may be under development within the industry.
    (33) DOE requests comment on its proposal to replace the capacity 
term with weighted-average load size in the energy efficiency metrics 
and the water efficiency metric in the proposed new Appendix J.
    (34) DOE requests comment on its proposed names for the proposed 
new efficiency metrics: energy efficiency ratio (EER), active-mode 
energy efficiency ratio (AEER), and water efficiency ratio (WER).
    (35) DOE requests comment on its proposal to invert the water 
efficiency metric and calculate the newly defined WER metric as the 
quotient of the weighted-average load size divided by the total 
weighted per-cycle water consumption for all wash cycles.
    (36) DOE requests data on the annual amount of laundry washed by 
consumers, and whether the annual amount of laundry washed by consumers 
is correlated with clothes washer capacity.
    (37) DOE requests comment on its proposed updated representation 
and sampling requirements for RCWs and CCWs.
    (38) DOE requests comment on its proposal to update the number of 
annual wash cycles to 234 in the proposed new Appendix J and 10 CFR 
430.23(j)(1)(i) and (j)(3)(i).
    (39) DOE requests comment on maintaining the assumed final moisture 
content of 4 percent in the drying energy equation, or whether it 
should update the assumed final moisture content to 2 percent to align 
with DOE's Appendix D2 clothes dryer test procedure.
    (40) DOE requests comment on maintaining the current DEF value of 
0.5 kWh/lb.
    (41) DOE requests comment on maintaining the current DUF value of 
0.91.
    (42) DOE requests comment on its proposal to update the number of 
hours spent in low-power mode from a fixed 8,465 total hours to a 
formula based on measured cycle time and an assumed number of annual 
cycles.
    (43) DOE requests comment on maintaining the current TUF values.
    (44) DOE requests comment on its proposal to update the LUFs for 
the small and large load sizes to be equal to 0.5, consistent with the 
proposed load size definitions in the proposed new Appendix J.
    (45) DOE requests comment on maintaining the current water heater 
efficiency assumptions.
    (46) DOE requests comment on its proposal to specify the use of 
hoses not to exceed 72 inches in length in the proposed new Appendix J. 
DOE also requests comment on the length of inlet hose typically used 
for testing.
    (47) DOE requests comment on whether it should amend the test 
procedure to accommodate potential future clothes washer models for 
which the maximum load size required by the test procedure conflicts 
with the maximum load size intended or able to be washed with the cycle 
required for testing. If so, DOE seeks additional comment on the 
approaches it has considered, or on any other approaches

[[Page 49202]]

that could be considered, that would address this issue in the test 
procedure.
    (48) DOE requests comment on its proposed changes to the definition 
of ``fixed water fill control system'' and on its proposal to add a 
definition for ``user-adjustable automatic water fill control system.''
    (49) DOE requests comment on its proposal to update the wording of 
section 3.2.6.2.2 of Appendix J2 and section 3.2.3.2.2 of the proposed 
new Appendix J from ``the setting that will give the most energy 
intensive result'' to ``the setting that uses the most water;'' and 
from ``the setting that will give the least energy intensive result'' 
to ``the setting that uses the least water.''
    (50) DOE requests comment on its proposal to require that the 
energy test cycle flow charts be evaluated using the large load size 
for all wash/rinse temperature settings in the proposed new Appendix J. 
DOE also requests comment on its proposal to require that the energy 
test cycle flow charts be evaluated using the maximum load size, except 
for the Cold/Cold flow chart, in Appendix J2.
    (51) DOE requests comments on its proposal to update the flowcharts 
for Cold Wash/Cold Rinse and Warm Wash/Warm Rinse in both Appendix J2 
and the proposed new Appendix J to explicitly address clothes washers 
that internally generate hot water.
    (52) DOE requests comment on its proposal to clarify the wording of 
the wash time setting specifications in section 3.2.5 of Appendix J2 
and section 3.2.2 of the proposed new Appendix J.
    (53) DOE requests comment on its proposal to add a clause in 
section 3.2.5.2 of Appendix J2 and section 3.2.2.2 of the proposed new 
Appendix J stating that the requirement to rotate the dial in the 
direction of increasing wash time would only apply to dials that can 
rotate in both directions.
    (54) DOE requests comment on its proposal to add a definition of 
``wash time'' to section 1 of both Appendix J2 and the proposed new 
Appendix J.
    (55) DOE requests comment on its proposed updates to the annual 
operating cost calculations in 10 CFR 430.23(j)(1).
    (56) DOE requests comment on its proposed structure of the proposed 
new Appendix J to simplify and improve readability as compared to 
Appendix J2.
    (57) DOE requests comment on its proposal to delete Appendix J1 to 
subpart B of 10 CFR part 430 along with all references to Appendix J1 
in 10 CFR parts 429, 430, and 431.
    (58) DOE requests comment on its proposal to remove obsolete metric 
definitions.
    (59) DOE requests comment on its proposal to delete the following 
definitions from section 1 of Appendix J2: ``adaptive control system,'' 
``compact,'' ``manual control system,'' ``standard,'' and 
``thermostatically controlled water valves.'' DOE also requests comment 
on its proposal to simplify the definition of ``energy test cycle.'' 
DOE also requests comment on its proposal to remove section 1.30 
``Symbol usage'' from Appendix J2. Lastly, DOE requests comment on its 
proposal to remove the numbering of all definitions in section 1 of 
Appendix J2 and section 2 of Appendix J3, and to instead list the 
definitions in alphabetical order.
    (60) DOE requests comment on its proposal to remove section 6, 
Waivers and Field Testing, of Appendix J2 and proposal not to include a 
parallel section in the proposed new Appendix J.
    (61) DOE requests comment on its proposal to make the minor 
typographical corrections and formatting modifications described in 
this section.
    (62) DOE requests comment on its proposal to consolidate into 
Appendix J3 the test cloth specifications and procedures from section 
2.7 of Appendix J2 that are not intended to be conducted as part of 
each individual clothes washer test performed under Appendix J2.
    (63) DOE requests comment on its proposed edits to Appendix J3 to 
codify the ``uniformity check'' procedure and to restructure Appendix 
J3 to improve the overall logical flow of the procedure.
    (64) DOE requests comment on its proposal to extend its product-
specific enforcement provisions for clothes washers to accommodate up 
to a 3-percentage point variation in the corrected RMC measurement 
based on the test cloth lot used for testing. DOE also requests comment 
on alternate enforcement approaches that could be implemented.
    (65) DOE requests comment, specifically from manufacturers and 
third-party test laboratories, on whether costs would be incurred for 
each laboratory as a result of the proposals in this NOPR to specify 
more precise hot water meters and to explicitly allow the use of 
submersible temperature loggers; and if so, the total incurred cost 
associated with outfitting each test stand with the specified 
instrumentation. DOE also requests comment on the potential cost 
savings to be expected from enabling the use of submersible temperature 
loggers.
    (66) DOE requests comment on its characterization of the expected 
costs of the proposed amendments to Appendix J2 and Appendix J3 and on 
DOE's preliminary determination that the proposed amendments would not 
be unduly burdensome.
    (67) DOE requests comment on any aspect of the estimated testing 
costs and savings associated with DOE's proposed test procedures.
    (68) DOE requests comment on its initial determination that there 
is one small, domestic OEM of RCWs and no small, domestic OEMs of CCWs.
    (69) DOE requests comment on its initial determination that the 
proposed amendments would result in small incremental test burdens on 
the small business manufacturers of RCWs and CCWs in the United States.

VI. Approval of the Office of the Secretary

    The Secretary of Energy has approved publication of this proposed 
rule.

List of Subjects

10 CFR Part 429

    Administrative practice and procedure, Confidential business 
information, Energy conservation, Household appliances, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements.

10 CFR Part 430

    Administrative practice and procedure, Confidential business 
information, Energy conservation, Household appliances, Imports, 
Incorporation by reference, Intergovernmental relations, Small 
businesses.

10 CFR Part 431

    Administrative practice and procedure, Confidential business 
information, Energy conservation test procedures, Incorporation by 
reference, and Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

Signing Authority

    This document of the Department of Energy was signed on August 5, 
2021, by Kelly Speakes-Backman, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary 
and Acting Assistant Secretary for 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

[[Page 49203]]

administrative process in no way alters the legal effect of this 
document upon publication in the Federal Register.

    Signed in Washington, DC, on August 5, 2021.
Treena V. Garrett,
Federal Register Liaison Officer, U.S. Department of Energy.

    For the reasons stated in the preamble, DOE is proposing to amend 
parts 429, 430, and 431 of chapter II of title 10, Code of Federal 
Regulations as set forth below:

PART 429--CERTIFICATION, COMPLIANCE, AND ENFORCEMENT FOR CONSUMER 
PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT

0
1. The authority citation for part 429 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  42 U.S.C. 6291-6317; 28 U.S.C. 2461 note.

0
2. Section 429.20 is amended by revising introductory paragraphs 
(a)(2)(i) and (ii), and (a)(3) to read as follows:


Sec.  429.20  Residential clothes washers.

* * * * *
    (a) * * *
    (2) * * *
    (i) Any represented value of the integrated water factor, the 
estimated annual operating cost, the energy or water consumption, or 
other measure of energy or water consumption of a basic model for which 
consumers would favor lower values shall be greater than or equal to 
the higher of:
* * * * *
    (ii) Any represented value of the integrated modified energy 
factor, energy efficiency ratio, water efficiency ratio, or other 
measure of energy or water consumption of a basic model for which 
consumers would favor higher values shall be less than or equal to the 
lower of:
* * * * *
    (3) The clothes container capacity of a basic model reported in 
accordance with paragraph (b)(2) of this section shall be the mean of 
the measured clothes container capacity, C, of all tested units of the 
basic model.
* * * * *
0
3. Section 429.46 is amended by revising introductory paragraph 
(a)(2)(ii) to read as follows:


Sec.  429.46  Commercial clothes washers.

* * * * *
    (a) * * *
    (2) * * *
    (ii) Any represented value of the modified energy factor, active-
mode energy efficiency ratio, water efficiency ratio, or other measure 
of energy or water consumption of a basic model for which consumers 
would favor higher values shall be greater than or equal to the higher 
of:
* * * * *
0
4. Section 429.134 is amended by revising paragraph (c)(1) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  429.134  Product-specific enforcement provisions.

* * * * *
    (c) Clothes washers--(1) Determination of Remaining Moisture 
Content. These provisions address anomalous remaining moisture content 
(RMC) results that are not representative of a basic model's 
performance, as well as differences in RMC values that may result from 
DOE using a different test cloth lot than was used by the manufacturer 
for testing and certifying the basic model.
    (i) When testing according to appendix J to subpart B of part 430:
    (A) If the measured RMC value of a tested unit is equal to or lower 
than the certified RMC value of the basic model (expressed as a 
percentage), the measured RMC value will be considered the tested 
unit's final RMC value and will be used as the basis for the 
calculation of per-cycle energy consumption for removal of moisture 
from the test load for that unit.
    (B) If the measured RMC value is higher than the certified RMC 
value of the basic model, the measured RMC value of a tested unit will 
be considered the tested unit's final RMC value unless DOE used a 
different test cloth lot than was used by the manufacturer for testing 
and certifying the basic model; in which case, DOE may apply paragraph 
(c)(1)(i)(C) of this section if the difference between the measured and 
certified RMC values would affect the unit's compliance with the 
applicable standards.
    (C) If DOE uses a different test cloth lot than was used by the 
manufacturer for testing and certifying the basic model:
    (1) If the difference between the tested unit's measured RMC value 
and the certified RMC value of the basic model is less than or equal to 
three RMC percentage points, then the certified RMC value of the basic 
model may be considered the tested unit's final RMC value.
    (2) If the tested unit's measured RMC value is more than three RMC 
percentage points higher than the certified RMC value of the basic 
model, then a value three RMC percentage points less than the measured 
RMC value may be considered the tested unit's final RMC value.
    (ii) When testing according to appendix J2 to subpart B of part 
430:
    (A) The procedure for determining remaining moisture content (RMC) 
will be performed once in its entirety, pursuant to the test 
requirements of section 3.8 of appendix J2 to subpart B of part 430, 
for each unit tested.
    (B) If the measured RMC value of a tested unit is equal to or lower 
than the certified RMC value of the basic model (expressed as a 
percentage), the measured RMC value will be considered the tested 
unit's final RMC value and will be used as the basis for the 
calculation of per-cycle energy consumption for removal of moisture 
from the test load for that unit.
    (C) If the difference between the measured RMC value and the 
certified RMC value of the basic model is less than or equal to two RMC 
percentage points, the measured RMC value of a tested unit will be 
considered the tested unit's final RMC value unless DOE used a 
different test cloth lot than was used by the manufacturer for testing 
and certifying the basic model; in which case, DOE may apply paragraph 
(c)(1)(ii)(E) of this section if the difference between the measured 
and certified RMC values would affect the unit's compliance with the 
applicable standards.
    (D) If the measured RMC value of a tested unit is more than two RMC 
percentage points higher than the certified RMC value of the basic 
model, DOE will perform two replications of the RMC measurement 
procedure, each pursuant to the provisions of section 3.8.5 of appendix 
J2 to subpart B of part 430, for a total of three independent RMC 
measurements of the tested unit. The average of the three RMC 
measurements will be calculated.
    (1) If the average of the three RMC measurements is equal to or 
lower than the certified RMC value of the basic model, the average RMC 
value will be considered the tested unit's final RMC value.
    (2) If the average of the three RMC measurements is higher than the 
certified RMC value of the basic model, the average RMC value will be 
considered the tested unit's final RMC value unless DOE used a 
different test cloth lot than was used by the manufacturer for testing 
and certifying the basic model; in which case, DOE may apply paragraph 
(c)(1)(ii)(E) of this section if the difference between the average and 
certified RMC values would affect the unit's compliance with the 
applicable standards.

[[Page 49204]]

    (E) If DOE uses a different test cloth lot than was used by the 
manufacturer for testing and certifying the basic model:
    (1) If the difference between the tested unit's measured RMC value 
(or average RMC value pursuant to paragraph (c)(1)(ii)(D) of this 
section) and the certified RMC value of the basic model is less than or 
equal to three RMC percentage points, then the certified RMC value of 
the basic model may be considered the tested unit's final RMC value.
    (2) If the tested unit's measured RMC value (or average RMC value 
pursuant to paragraph (c)(1)(ii)(D) of this section) is more than three 
RMC percentage points higher than the certified RMC value of the basic 
model, then a value three RMC percentage points less than the measured 
RMC value may be considered the tested unit's final RMC value.
* * * * *

PART 430--ENERGY CONSERVATION PROGRAM FOR CONSUMER PRODUCTS

0
5. The authority citation for part 430 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  42 U.S.C. 6291-6309; 28 U.S.C. 2461 note.

0
6. Section 430.3 is amended by revising paragraphs (d) and (o)(6) to 
read as follows:


Sec.  430.3  Materials incorporated by reference.

* * * * *
    (d) AATCC. American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists, 
P.O. Box 12215, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, (919) 549-3526, or go 
to www.aatcc.org.
    (1) AATCC Test Method 79-2010, Absorbency of Textiles, Revised 
2010, IBR approved for appendix J3 to subpart B.
    (2) AATCC Test Method 118-2007, Oil Repellency: Hydrocarbon 
Resistance Test, Revised 2007, IBR approved for appendix J3 to subpart 
B.
    (3) AATCC Test Method 135-2010, Dimensional Changes of Fabrics 
after Home Laundering, Revised 2010, IBR approved for appendix J3 to 
subpart B.
* * * * *
    (o) * * *
    (6) IEC 62301 (``IEC 62301''), Household electrical appliances--
Measurement of standby power, (Edition 2.0, 2011-01), IBR approved for 
appendices C1, D1, D2, F, G, H, I, J, J2, N, O, P, Q, X, X1, Y, Z, BB, 
and CC to subpart B.
* * * * *
0
7. Section 430.23 is amended by:
0
a. Revising paragraphs (j)(1)(i) and (ii);
0
b. Removing paragraph (j)(2)(i);
0
c. Redesignating paragraph (j)(2)(ii) as (j)(2)(i);
0
d. Adding paragraph (j)(2)(ii);
0
e. Revising paragraph (j)(3)(i);
0
f. Removing paragraph (j)(4)(i);
0
g. Redesignating paragraph (j)(4)(ii) as (j)(4)(i);
0
h. Revising newly redesignated paragraph (j)(4)(i);
0
i. Adding paragraph (j)(4)(ii); and
0
j. Revising paragraph (j)(5).
    The additions and revisions read as follows:


Sec.  430.23  Test procedures for the measurement of energy and water 
consumption.

* * * * *
    (j) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (i) When using appendix J (see the note at the beginning of 
appendix J),
    (A) When electrically heated water is used,

(N x (MET + HET + ETLP) x 
CKWH)

Where:

N = the representative average residential clothes washer use of 234 
cycles per year according to appendix J,
MET = the total weighted per-cycle machine electrical 
energy consumption, in kilowatt-hours per cycle, determined 
according to section 4.1.6 of appendix J,
HET = the total weighted per-cycle hot water energy 
consumption using an electrical water heater, in kilowatt-hours per 
cycle, determined according to section 4.1.3 of appendix J,
ETLP = the per-cycle combined low-power mode energy 
consumption, in kilowatt-hours per cycle, determined according to 
section 4.6.2 of appendix J, and
CKWH = the representative average unit cost, in dollars 
per kilowatt-hour, as provided by the Secretary.

    (B) When gas-heated or oil-heated water is used,

(N x (((MET + ETLP) x CKWH) + 
(HETG x CBTU)))

Where:

N, MET, ETLP, and CKWH are defined 
in paragraph (j)(1)(i)(A) of this section,
HETG = the total per-cycle hot water energy consumption 
using gas-heated or oil-heated water, in Btu per cycle, determined 
according to section 4.1.4 of appendix J, and
CBTU = the representative average unit cost, in dollars 
per Btu for oil or gas, as appropriate, as provided by the 
Secretary.

    (ii) When using appendix J2 (see the note at the beginning of 
appendix J2),
    (A) When electrically heated water is used

(N2 x (ETE2 + ETLP2) x 
CKWH)

Where:

N2 = the representative average residential clothes 
washer use of 295 cycles per year according to appendix J2,
ETE2 = the total per-cycle energy consumption when 
electrically heated water is used, in kilowatt-hours per cycle, 
determined according to section 4.1.7 of appendix J2,
ETLP2 = the per-cycle combined low-power mode energy 
consumption, in kilowatt-hours per cycle, determined according to 
section 4.4 of appendix J2, and
CKWH = the representative average unit cost, in dollars 
per kilowatt-hour, as provided by the Secretary.

    (B) When gas-heated or oil-heated water is used,

(N2 x (((MET2 + ETLP2) x 
CKWH) + (HETG2 x CBTU)))

Where:

N2, ETLP2, and CKWH are defined in 
(j)(1)(ii)(A) of this section,
MET2 = the total weighted per-cycle machine electrical 
energy consumption, in kilowatt-hours per cycle, determined 
according to section 4.1.6 of appendix J2,
HETG2 = the total per-cycle hot water energy consumption 
using gas-heated or oil-heated water, in Btu per cycle, determined 
according to section 4.1.4 of appendix J2, and
CBTU = the representative average unit cost, in dollars 
per Btu for oil or gas, as appropriate, as provided by the 
Secretary.

    (2) * * *
    (ii) The energy efficiency ratio for automatic and semi-automatic 
clothes washers is determined according to section 4.9 of appendix J 
(when using appendix J). The result shall be rounded off to the nearest 
0.1 pound per kilowatt-hour per cycle.
    (3) * * *
    (i) When using appendix J, the product of the representative 
average-use of 234 cycles per year and the total weighted per-cycle 
water consumption in gallons per cycle determined according to section 
4.2.4 of appendix J.
* * * * *
    (4)(i) The integrated water factor must be determined according to 
section 4.2.12 of appendix J2, with the result rounded to the nearest 
0.1 gallons per cycle per cubic foot.
    (ii) The water efficiency ratio for automatic and semi-automatic 
clothes washers is determined according to section 4.7 of appendix J 
(when using appendix J). The result shall be rounded off to the nearest 
0.1 pound per gallon per cycle.
    (5) Other useful measures of energy consumption for automatic or 
semi-automatic clothes washers shall be those measures of energy 
consumption that the Secretary determines are likely to assist 
consumers in making purchasing decisions and that are derived from the

[[Page 49205]]

application of appendix J or appendix J2, as appropriate.
* * * * *
0
8. Appendix J to subpart B of part 430 is added to read as follows:

Appendix J to Subpart B of Part 430--Uniform Test Method for Measuring 
the Energy Consumption of Automatic and Semi-Automatic Clothes Washers

    Note: Manufacturers must use the results of testing under 
Appendix J2 to determine compliance with the relevant standards for 
clothes washers from Sec.  430.32(g)(4) and from Sec.  431.156(b) as 
they appeared in January 1, 2021 edition of 10 CFR parts 200-499. 
Specifically, before [Date 180 days following publication of the 
final rule] representations must be based upon results generated 
either under Appendix J2 as codified on [Date 30 days following 
publication of the final rule] or under Appendix J2 as it appeared 
in the 10 CFR parts 200-499 edition revised as of January 1, 2021. 
Any representations made on or after [Date 180 days following 
publication of the final rule] but before the compliance date of any 
amended standards for clothes washers must be made based upon 
results generated using Appendix J2 as codified on [Date 30 days 
following publication of the final rule].
    Manufacturers must use the results of testing under Appendix J 
to determine compliance with any amended standards for clothes 
washers provided in Sec.  430.32(g) and in Sec.  431.156 that are 
published after January 1, 2021. Any representations related to 
energy or water consumption of residential or commercial clothes 
washers must be made in accordance with the appropriate appendix 
that applies (i.e., Appendix J or Appendix J2) when determining 
compliance with the relevant standard. Manufacturers may also use 
Appendix J to certify compliance with any amended standards prior to 
the applicable compliance date for those standards.

1. Definitions

    Active mode means a mode in which the clothes washer is 
connected to a mains power source, has been activated, and is 
performing one or more of the main functions of washing, soaking, 
tumbling, agitating, rinsing, and/or removing water from the 
clothing, or is involved in functions necessary for these main 
functions, such as admitting water into the washer or pumping water 
out of the washer. Active mode also includes delay start and cycle 
finished modes.
    Active-mode energy efficiency ratio means the quotient of the 
weighted-average load size divided by the total clothes washer 
energy consumption per cycle, with such energy consumption expressed 
as the sum of the machine electrical energy consumption, the hot 
water energy consumption, and the energy required for removal of the 
remaining moisture in the wash load.
    Active washing mode means a mode in which the clothes washer is 
performing any of the operations included in a complete cycle 
intended for washing a clothing load, including the main functions 
of washing, soaking, tumbling, agitating, rinsing, and/or removing 
water from the clothing.
    Adaptive water fill control system means a clothes washer 
automatic water fill control system that is capable of automatically 
adjusting the water fill level based on the size or weight of the 
clothes load placed in the clothes container.
    Automatic water fill control system means a clothes washer water 
fill control system that does not allow or require the user to 
determine or select the water fill level, and includes adaptive 
water fill control systems and fixed water fill control systems.
    Bone-dry means a condition of a load of test cloth that has been 
dried in a dryer at maximum temperature for a minimum of 10 minutes, 
removed and weighed before cool down, and then dried again for 10 
minute periods until the final weight change of the load is 1 
percent or less.
    Clothes container means the compartment within the clothes 
washer that holds the clothes during the operation of the machine.
    Cold rinse means the coldest rinse temperature available on the 
machine, as indicated to the user on the clothes washer control 
panel.
    Combined low-power mode means the aggregate of available modes 
other than active washing mode, including inactive mode, off mode, 
delay start mode, and cycle finished mode.
    Cycle finished mode means an active mode that provides 
continuous status display, intermittent tumbling, or air circulation 
following operation in active washing mode.
    Delay start mode means an active mode in which activation of 
active washing mode is facilitated by a timer.
    Energy efficiency ratio means the quotient of the weighted-
average load size divided by the total clothes washer energy 
consumption per cycle, with such energy consumption expressed as the 
sum of:
    (a) The machine electrical energy consumption;
    (b) The hot water energy consumption;
    (c) The energy required for removal of the remaining moisture in 
the wash load; and
    (d) The combined low-power mode energy consumption.
    Energy test cycle means the complete set of wash/rinse 
temperature selections required for testing, as determined according 
to section 2.12 of this appendix.
    Fixed water fill control system means a clothes washer automatic 
water fill control system that automatically terminates the fill 
when the water reaches a pre-defined level that is not based on the 
size or weight of the clothes load placed in the clothes container, 
without allowing or requiring the user to determine or select the 
water fill level.
    IEC 62301 means the test standard published by the International 
Electrotechnical Commission, entitled ``Household electrical 
appliances--Measurement of standby power,'' Publication 62301, 
Edition 2.0 2011-01 (incorporated by reference; see Sec.  430.3).
    Inactive mode means a standby mode that facilitates the 
activation of active mode by remote switch (including remote 
control), internal sensor, or timer, or that provides continuous 
status display.
    Load usage factor means the percentage of the total number of 
wash loads that a user would wash a particular size (weight) load.
    Lot means a quantity of cloth that has been manufactured with 
the same batches of cotton and polyester during one continuous 
process.
    Manual water fill control system means a clothes washer water 
fill control system that requires the user to determine or select 
the water fill level.
    Normal cycle means the cycle recommended by the manufacturer 
(considering manufacturer instructions, control panel labeling, and 
other markings on the clothes washer) for normal, regular, or 
typical use for washing up to a full load of normally-soiled cotton 
clothing. For machines where multiple cycle settings are recommended 
by the manufacturer for normal, regular, or typical use for washing 
up to a full load of normally-soiled cotton clothing, then the 
Normal cycle is the cycle selection that results in the lowest EER 
or AEER value.
    Off mode means a mode in which the clothes washer is connected 
to a mains power source and is not providing any active or standby 
mode function, and where the mode may persist for an indefinite 
time.
    Standby mode means any mode in which the clothes washer is 
connected to a mains power source and offers one or more of the 
following user oriented or protective functions that may persist for 
an indefinite time:
    (a) Facilitating the activation of other modes (including 
activation or deactivation of active mode) by remote switch 
(including remote control), internal sensor, or timer;
    (b) Continuous functions, including information or status 
displays (including clocks) or sensor-based functions.
    A timer is a continuous clock function (which may or may not be 
associated with a display) that provides regular scheduled tasks 
(e.g., switching) and that operates on a continuous basis.
    Temperature use factor means, for a particular wash/rinse 
temperature setting, the percentage of the total number of wash 
loads that an average user would wash with that setting.
    User-adjustable automatic water fill control system means an 
automatic clothes washer fill control system that allows the user to 
adjust the amount of water that the machine provides, which is based 
on the size or weight of the clothes load placed in the clothes 
container.
    Wash time means the wash portion of the cycle, which begins when 
the cycle is initiated and includes the agitation or tumble time, 
which may be periodic or continuous during the wash portion of the 
cycle.
    Water efficiency ratio means the quotient of the weighted-
average load size divided by the total weighted per-cycle water 
consumption for all wash cycles in gallons.

2. Testing Conditions and Instrumentation

    2.1 Electrical energy supply.
    2.1.1 Supply voltage and frequency. Maintain the electrical 
supply at the clothes washer terminal block within 2 percent of 120, 
120/240, or 120/208Y volts as applicable

[[Page 49206]]

to the particular terminal block wiring system and within 2 percent 
of the nameplate frequency as specified by the manufacturer. If the 
clothes washer has a dual voltage conversion capability, conduct 
test at the highest voltage specified by the manufacturer.
    2.1.2 Supply voltage waveform. For the combined low-power mode 
testing, maintain the electrical supply voltage waveform indicated 
in Section 4, Paragraph 4.3.2 of IEC 62301 (incorporated by 
reference; see Sec.  430.3). If the power measuring instrument used 
for testing is unable to measure and record the total harmonic 
content during the test measurement period, total harmonic content 
may be measured and recorded immediately before and after the test 
measurement period.
    2.2 Supply water. Maintain the temperature of the hot water 
supply at the water inlets between 120 [deg]F (48.9 [deg]C) and 125 
[deg]F (51.7 [deg]C). Maintain the temperature of the cold water 
supply at the water inlets between 55 [deg]F (12.8 [deg]C) and 60 
[deg]F (15.6 [deg]C).
    2.3 Water pressure. Maintain the static water pressure at the 
hot and cold water inlet connection of the clothes washer at 35 
pounds per square inch gauge (psig)  2.5 psig (241.3 kPa 
 17.2 kPa) when the water is flowing.
    2.4 Test room temperature. For all clothes washers, maintain the 
test room ambient air temperature at 75  5 [deg]F (23.9 
 2.8 [deg]C) for active mode testing and combined low-
power mode testing. Do not use the test room ambient air temperature 
conditions specified in Section 4, Paragraph 4.2 of IEC 62301 for 
combined low-power mode testing.
    2.5 Instrumentation. Perform all test measurements using the 
following instruments, as appropriate:
    2.5.1 Weighing scales.
    2.5.1.1 Weighing scale for test cloth. The scale used for 
weighing test cloth must have a resolution of no larger than 0.2 oz 
(5.7 g) and a maximum error no greater than 0.3 percent of the 
measured value.
    2.5.1.2 Weighing scale for clothes container capacity 
measurement. The scale used for performing the clothes container 
capacity measurement must have a resolution no larger than 0.50 lbs 
(0.23 kg) and a maximum error no greater than 0.5 percent of the 
measured value.
    2.5.2 Watt-hour meter. The watt-hour meter used to measure 
electrical energy consumption must have a resolution no larger than 
1 Wh (3.6 kJ) and a maximum error no greater than 2 percent of the 
measured value for any demand greater than 50 Wh (180.0 kJ).
    2.5.3 Watt meter. The watt meter used to measure combined low-
power mode power consumption must comply with the requirements 
specified in Section 4, Paragraph 4.4 of IEC 62301. If the power 
measuring instrument used for testing is unable to measure and 
record the crest factor, power factor, or maximum current ratio 
during the test measurement period, the crest factor, power factor, 
and maximum current ratio may be measured and recorded immediately 
before and after the test measurement period.
    2.5.4 Water and air temperature measuring devices. The 
temperature devices used to measure water and air temperature must 
have an error no greater than 1 [deg]F (0.6 
[deg]C) over the range being measured.
    2.5.4.1 Non-reversible temperature indicator labels, adhered to 
the inside of the clothes container, may be used to confirm that an 
extra-hot wash temperature greater than or equal to 140 [deg]F has 
been achieved during the wash cycle, under the following conditions. 
The label must remain waterproof, intact, and adhered to the wash 
drum throughout an entire wash cycle; provide consistent maximum 
temperature readings; and provide repeatable temperature indications 
sufficient to demonstrate that a wash temperature of greater than or 
equal to 140 [deg]F has been achieved. The label must have been 
verified to consistently indicate temperature measurements with an 
accuracy of 1 [deg]F. If using a temperature indicator 
label to test a front-loading clothes washer, adhere the label along 
the interior surface of the clothes container drum, midway between 
the front and the back of the drum, adjacent to one of the baffles. 
If using a temperature indicator label to test a top-loading clothes 
washer, adhere the label along the interior surface of the clothes 
container drum, on the vertical portion of the sidewall, as close to 
the bottom of the container as possible.
    2.5.4.2 Submersible temperature loggers placed inside the wash 
drum may be used to confirm that an extra-hot wash temperature 
greater than or equal to 140 [deg]F has been achieved during the 
wash cycle, under the following conditions. The submersible 
temperature logger must have a time resolution of at least 1 data 
point every 5 seconds and a temperature measurement accuracy of 
1 [deg]F. Due to the potential for a waterproof capsule 
to provide a thermal insulating effect, failure to measure a 
temperature of 140 [deg]F does not necessarily indicate the lack of 
an extra-hot wash temperature. However, such a result would not be 
conclusive due to the lack of verification of the water temperature 
requirement, in which case an alternative method must be used to 
confirm that an extra-hot wash temperature greater than or equal to 
140 [deg]F has been achieved during the wash cycle.
    2.5.5 Water meter. A water meter must be installed in both the 
hot and cold water lines to measure water flow and/or water 
consumption. The water meters must have a resolution no larger than 
0.1 gallons (0.4 liters) and a maximum error no greater than 2 
percent for the water flow rates being measured. If the volume of 
hot water for any individual cycle within the energy test cycle is 
less than 0.1 gallons (0.4 liters), the hot water meter must have a 
resolution no larger than 0.01 gallons (0.04 liters).
    2.5.6 Water pressure gauge. A water pressure gauge must be 
installed in both the hot and cold water lines to measure water 
pressure. The water pressure gauges must have a resolution of 1 
pound per square inch gauge (psig) (6.9 kPa) and a maximum error no 
greater than 5 percent of any measured value.
    2.6 Bone-dryer. The dryer used for drying the cloth to bone-dry 
must heat the test cloth load above 210 [deg]F (99 [deg]C).
    2.7 Test cloths. The test cloth material and dimensions must 
conform to the specifications in appendix J3 to this subpart. The 
energy test cloth and the energy stuffer cloths must be clean and 
must not be used for more than 60 test runs (after preconditioning 
as specified in section 5 of appendix J3 to this subpart). All 
energy test cloth must be permanently marked identifying the lot 
number of the material. Mixed lots of material must not be used for 
testing a clothes washer. The moisture absorption and retention must 
be evaluated for each new lot of test cloth using the standard 
extractor Remaining Moisture Content (RMC) procedure specified in 
appendix J3 to this subpart.
    2.8 Test Loads.
    2.8.1 Test load sizes. Create small and large test loads as 
defined in Table 5.1 of this appendix based on the clothes container 
capacity as measured in section 3.1 of this appendix.
    2.8.2 Test load composition. Test loads must consist primarily 
of energy test cloths and no more than five energy stuffer cloths 
per load to achieve the proper weight.
    2.9 Preparation and loading of test loads. Use the following 
procedures to prepare and load each test load for testing in section 
3 of this appendix.
    2.9.1 Test loads for energy and water consumption measurements 
must be bone-dry prior to each test cycle.
    2.9.2 Prepare the energy test cloths for loading by grasping 
them in the center, lifting, and shaking them to hang loosely, as 
illustrated in Figure 2.9.2 of this appendix.

[[Page 49207]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP01SE21.004

    For all clothes washers, follow any manufacturer loading 
instructions provided to the user regarding the placement of 
clothing within the clothes container. In the absence of any 
manufacturer instructions regarding the placement of clothing within 
the clothes container, the following loading instructions apply.
    2.9.2.1 To load the energy test cloths in a top-loading clothes 
washer, arrange the cloths circumferentially around the axis of 
rotation of the clothes container, using alternating lengthwise 
orientations for adjacent pieces of cloth. Complete each cloth layer 
across its horizontal plane within the clothes container before 
adding a new layer. Figure 2.9.2.1 of this appendix illustrates the 
correct loading technique for a vertical-axis clothes washer.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP01SE21.005

    2.9.2.2 To load the energy test cloths in a front-loading 
clothes washer, grasp each test cloth in the center as indicted in 
section 2.9.2 of this appendix, and then place each cloth into the 
clothes container prior to activating the clothes washer.
    2.10 Clothes washer installation. Install the clothes washer in 
accordance with manufacturer's instructions.
    2.10.1 Water inlet connections. If the clothes washer has 2 
water inlets, connect the inlets to the hot water and cold water 
supplies, in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. If the 
clothes washer has only 1 water inlet, connect the inlet to the cold 
water supply, in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. 
Use the water inlet hoses provided with the clothes washer; 
otherwise use commercially available water inlet hoses, not to 
exceed 72 inches in length, in accordance with manufacturer's 
instructions.
    2.10.2 Low-power mode testing. For combined low-power mode 
testing, install the clothes washer in accordance with Section 5, 
Paragraph 5.2 of IEC 62301, disregarding the provisions regarding 
batteries and the determination, classification, and testing of 
relevant modes.
    2.11 Clothes washer pre-conditioning. If the clothes washer has 
not been filled with water in the preceding 96 hours, or if it has 
not been in the test room at the specified ambient conditions for 8 
hours, pre-condition it by running it through a cold rinse cycle and 
then draining it to ensure that the hose, pump, and sump are filled 
with water.
    2.12 Determining the energy test cycle.
    2.12.1 Automatic clothes washers. To determine the energy test 
cycle, evaluate the wash/rinse temperature selection flowcharts in 
the order in which they are presented in this section. Use the large 
load size to evaluate each flowchart. The determination of the 
energy test cycle must take into consideration all cycle settings 
available to the end user, including any cycle selections or cycle 
modifications provided by the manufacturer via software or firmware 
updates to the product, for the basic model under test. The energy 
test cycle does not include any cycle that is recommended by the 
manufacturer exclusively for cleaning, deodorizing, or sanitizing 
the clothes washer.
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P

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    2.12.2. Semi-automatic clothes washers. The energy test cycle 
for semi-automatic clothes washers includes only the Cold Wash/Cold 
Rinse (``Cold'') test cycle. Energy and water use for all other 
wash/rinse temperature combinations are calculated numerically in 
section 3.4.2 of this appendix.

3. Test Measurements

    3.1 Clothes container capacity. Measure the entire volume that a 
clothes load could occupy within the clothes container during active 
mode washer operation according to the following procedures:
    3.1.1 Place the clothes washer in such a position that the 
uppermost edge of the clothes container opening is leveled 
horizontally, so that the container will hold the maximum amount of 
water. For front-loading clothes washers, the door seal and shipping 
bolts or other forms of bracing hardware to support the wash drum 
during shipping must remain in place during the capacity 
measurement. If the design of a front-loading clothes washer does 
not include shipping bolts or other forms of bracing hardware to 
support the wash drum during shipping, a laboratory may support the 
wash drum by other means, including temporary bracing or support 
beams. Any temporary bracing or support beams must keep the wash 
drum in a fixed position, relative to the geometry of the door and 
door seal components, that is representative of the position of the 
wash drum during normal operation. The method used must avoid damage 
to the unit that would affect the results of the energy and water 
testing. For a front-loading clothes washer that does not include 
shipping bolts or other forms of bracing hardware to support the 
wash drum during shipping, the laboratory must fully document the 
alternative method used to support the wash drum during capacity 
measurement, include such documentation in the final test report, 
and pursuant to Sec.  429.71 of this chapter, the manufacturer must 
retain such documentation as part its test records.
    3.1.2 Line the inside of the clothes container with a 2 mil 
thickness (0.051 mm) plastic bag. All clothes washer components that 
occupy space within the clothes container and that are recommended 
for use during a wash cycle must be in place and must be lined with 
a 2 mil thickness (0.051 mm) plastic bag to prevent water from 
entering any void space.
    3.1.3 Record the total weight of the machine before adding 
water.
    3.1.4 Fill the clothes container manually with either 60 [deg]F 
 5 [deg]F (15.6 [deg]C  2.8 [deg]C) or 100 
[deg]F  10 [deg]F (37.8 [deg]C  5.5 [deg]C) 
water, with the door open. For a top-loading vertical-axis clothes 
washer, fill the clothes container to the uppermost edge of the 
rotating portion, including any balance ring. Figure 3.1.4.1 of this 
appendix illustrates the maximum fill level for top-loading clothes 
washers.

[[Page 49212]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP01SE21.011

For a front-loading horizontal-axis clothes washer, fill the clothes 
container to the highest point of contact between the door and the 
door gasket. If any portion of the door or gasket would occupy the 
measured volume space when the door is closed, exclude from the 
measurement the volume that the door or gasket portion would occupy. 
For a front-loading horizontal-axis clothes washer with a concave 
door shape, include any additional volume above the plane defined by 
the highest point of contact between the door and the door gasket, 
if that area can be occupied by clothing during washer operation. 
For a top-loading horizontal-axis clothes washer, include any 
additional volume above the plane of the door hinge that clothing 
could occupy during washer operation. Figure 3.1.4.2 of this 
appendix illustrates the maximum fill volumes for all horizontal-
axis clothes washer types.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP01SE21.012

BILLING CODE 6450-01-C
    For all clothes washers, exclude any volume that cannot be 
occupied by the clothing load during operation.
    3.1.5 Measure and record the weight of water, W, in pounds.
    3.1.6 Calculate the clothes container capacity as follows:

C = W/d

where:

C = Capacity in cubic feet (liters).
W = Mass of water in pounds (kilograms).
d = Density of water (62.0 lbs/ft\3\ for 100 [deg]F (993 kg/m\3\ for 
37.8 [deg]C) or 62.3 lbs/ft\3\ for 60 [deg]F (998 kg/m\3\ for 15.6 
[deg]C)).

    3.1.7 Calculate the clothes container capacity, C, to the 
nearest 0.01 cubic foot for the purpose of determining test load 
sizes per Table 5.1 of this appendix and for all subsequent 
calculations that include the clothes container capacity.
    3.2 Cycle settings.
    3.2.1 Wash/rinse temperature selection. For automatic clothes 
washers, set the wash/rinse temperature selection control to obtain 
the desired wash/rinse temperature selection within the energy test 
cycle.
    3.2.2 Wash time setting.
    3.2.2.1 If the cycle under test offers a range of wash time 
settings, the wash time setting shall be the higher of either the 
minimum or 70 percent of the maximum wash time available for the 
wash cycle under test, regardless of the labeling of suggested dial 
locations. If 70 percent of the maximum wash time is not available 
on a dial with a discrete number of wash time settings, choose the 
next-highest setting greater than 70 percent.
    3.2.2.2 If the clothes washer is equipped with an 
electromechanical dial or timer controlling wash time that rotates 
in both directions, reset the dial to the minimum wash time and then 
turn it in the direction of increasing wash time to reach the 
appropriate setting. If the appropriate setting is passed, return 
the dial to the minimum wash time and then turn in the direction of 
increasing wash time until the appropriate setting is reached.
    3.2.3 Water fill level settings.
    3.2.3.1 Clothes washers with manual water fill control system. 
For the large test load size, set the water fill level selector to 
the maximum water fill level setting available for the wash cycle 
under test. If the water fill level selector has two settings 
available for the wash cycle under test, for the small test load 
size, select the minimum water fill level setting available for the 
wash cycle under test.
    If the water fill level selector has more than two settings 
available for the wash cycle under test, for the small test load 
size, select the second-lowest water fill level setting.
    3.2.3.2 Clothes washers with automatic water fill control 
system.
    3.2.3.2.1 Not user-adjustable. The water level is automatically 
determined by the water fill control system.
    3.2.3.2.2 User-adjustable. For the large test load size, set the 
water fill selector to the setting that uses the most water. For the 
small test load size, set the water fill selector to the setting 
that uses the least water.
    3.2.3.3 Clothes washers with automatic water fill control system 
and alternate manual water fill control system. If a clothes washer 
with an automatic water fill control system allows user selection of 
manual controls as an alternative, test both manual and automatic 
modes and, for each mode, calculate the energy consumption 
(HET, MET, and DET) and water 
consumption (QT) values as set forth in section 4 of this 
appendix. Then, calculate the average of the two values (one from 
each mode, automatic and manual) for each variable (HET, 
MET, DET, and QT)

[[Page 49213]]

and use the average value for each variable in the final 
calculations in section 4 of this appendix.
    3.2.4 Manufacturer default settings. For clothes washers with 
electronic control systems, use the manufacturer default settings 
for any cycle selections, except for (1) the temperature selection, 
(2) the wash water fill levels, or (3) network settings. If the 
clothes washer has network capabilities, the network settings must 
be disabled throughout testing if such settings can be disabled by 
the end-user and the product's user manual provides instructions on 
how to do so. For all other cycle selections, the manufacturer 
default settings must be used for wash conditions such as agitation/
tumble operation, soil level, spin speed, wash times, rinse times, 
optional rinse settings, water heating time for water heating 
clothes washers, and all other wash parameters or optional features 
applicable to that wash cycle. Any optional wash cycle feature or 
setting (other than wash/rinse temperature, water fill level 
selection, or network settings on clothes washers with network 
capabilities) that is activated by default on the wash cycle under 
test must be included for testing unless the manufacturer 
instructions recommend not selecting this option, or recommend 
selecting a different option, for washing normally soiled cotton 
clothing. For clothes washers with control panels containing 
mechanical switches or dials, any optional settings, except for the 
temperature selection or the wash water fill levels, must be in the 
position recommended by the manufacturer for washing normally soiled 
cotton clothing. If the manufacturer instructions do not recommend a 
particular switch or dial position to be used for washing normally 
soiled cotton clothing, the setting switch or dial must remain in 
its as-shipped position.
    3.2.5 For each wash cycle tested, include the entire active 
washing mode and exclude any delay start or cycle finished modes.
    3.2.6 Anomalous Test Cycles. If during a wash cycle the clothes 
washer: a) signals to the user by means of a visual or audio alert 
that an out-of-balance condition has been detected; or b) terminates 
prematurely and thus does not include the agitation/tumble 
operation, spin speed(s), wash times, and rinse times applicable to 
the wash cycle under test, discard the test data and repeat the wash 
cycle. Document in the test report the rejection of data from any 
wash cycle during testing and the reason for the rejection.
    3.3 Test cycles for automatic clothes washers. Perform testing 
on each wash/rinse temperature selection available in the energy 
test cycle was defined in section 2.12.1 of this appendix. Test each 
load size as defined in section 2.8 of this appendix with its 
associated water fill level defined in section 3.2.3 of this 
appendix. For each test cycle, measure and record the bone-dry 
weight of the test load before the start of the cycle. Place the 
test load in the clothes washer and initiate the cycle under test. 
Measure the values for hot water consumption, cold water 
consumption, electrical energy consumption, and cycle time for the 
complete cycle. Record the weight of the test load immediately after 
completion of the cycle. Table 3.3 of this appendix provides the 
symbol definitions for each measured value.

                                                    Table 3.3--Symbol Definitions of Measured Values for Automatic Clothes Washer Test Cycles
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Wash/rinse  temperature                                                                                                                                                   Cycle  complete
           selection                   Load size           Bone-dry weight           Hot water              Cold water         Electrical energy          Cycle time               weight
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Extra-hot/cold.................  Large................  WIxL.................  HxL..................  CxL..................  ExL..................  TxL..................  WCxL
                                 Small................  WIxS.................  HxS..................  CxS..................  ExS..................  TxS..................  WCxS
Hot/Cold.......................  Large................  WIhL.................  HhL..................  ChL..................  EhL..................  ThL..................  WChL
                                 Small................  WIhS.................  HhS..................  ChS..................  EhS..................  ThS..................  WChS
Warm/Cold \*\..................  Large................  WIwL.................  HwL..................  CwL..................  EwL..................  TwL..................  WCwL
                                 Small................  WIwS.................  HwS..................  CwS..................  EwS..................  TwS..................  WCwS
Warm/Warm \*\..................  Large................  WIwwL................  HwwL.................  CwwL.................  EwwL.................  TwwL.................  WCwwL
                                 Small................  WIwwS................  HwwS.................  CwwS.................  EwwS.................  TwwS.................  WCwwS
Cold/Cold......................  Large................  WIcL.................  HcL..................  CcL..................  EcL..................  TcL..................  WCcL
                                 Small................  WIcS.................  HcS..................  CcS..................  EcS..................  TcS..................  WCcS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\*\ If two cycles are tested to represent the Warm/Cold selection or the Warm/Warm selection, calculate the average of the two tested cycles and use that value for all further calculations.

    3.4 Test cycles for semi-automatic clothes washers.
    3.4.1 Test Measurements. Perform testing on each wash/rinse 
temperature selection available in the energy test cycle as defined 
in section 2.12.2 of this appendix. Test each load size as defined 
in section 2.8 of this appendix with the associated water fill level 
defined in section 3.2.3 of this appendix. For each test cycle, 
measure and record the bone-dry weight of the test load before the 
start of the cycle. Place the test load in the clothes washer and 
initiate the cycle under test. Measure the values for cold water 
consumption, electrical energy consumption, and cycle time for the 
complete cycle. Record the weight of the test load immediately after 
completion of the cycle. Table 3.4.1 of this appendix provides 
symbol definitions for each measured value for the Cold temperature 
selection.

                                                Table 3.4.1--Symbol Definitions of Measured Values for Semi-Automatic Clothes Washer Test Cycles
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Temperature selection             Load size           Bone-dry weight           Hot water              Cold water         Electrical energy          Cycle time       Cycle complete weight
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cold...........................  Large................  WIcL.................  not measured.........  CcL..................  EcL..................  TcL..................  WCcL
                                 Small................  WIcS.................  not measured.........  CcS..................  EcS..................  TcS..................  WCcS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    3.4.2 Calculation of Hot and Warm measured values. In lieu of 
testing, the measured values for the Hot and Warm cycles are 
calculated based on the measured values for the Cold cycle, as 
defined in section 3.4.1 of this appendix. Table 3.4.2 of this 
appendix provides the symbol definitions and calculations for each 
value for the Hot and Warm temperature selections.

[[Page 49214]]



                                        Table 3.4.2--Symbol Definitions and Calculation of Measured Values for Semi-Automatic Clothes Washer Test Cycles
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Temperature selection             Load size           Bone-dry weight           Hot water              Cold water         Electrical energy          Cycle time       Cycle complete weight
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hot............................  Large................  WIhL = WIcL..........  HhL = CcL............  .....................  EhL = EcL............  ThL = TcL............  WChL = WCcL
                                 Small................  WIhS = WIcS..........  HhS = CcS............  .....................  EhS = EcS............  ThS = TcS............  WChS = WCcS
Warm...........................  Large................  WIwL = WIcL..........  HwL = CcL / 2........  CwL = CcL / 2........  EwL = EcL............  TwL = TcL............  WCwL = WCcL
                                 Small................  WIwS = WIcS..........  HwS = CcS / 2........  CwS = CcS / 2........  EwS = EcS............  TwS = TcS............  WCwS = WCcS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    3.5 Combined low-power mode power. Connect the clothes washer to 
a watt meter as specified in section 2.5.3 of this appendix. 
Establish the testing conditions set forth in sections 2.1, 2.4, and 
2.10.2 of this appendix.
    3.5.1 Perform combined low-power mode testing after completion 
of an active mode wash cycle included as part of the energy test 
cycle; after removing the test load; without changing the control 
panel settings used for the active mode wash cycle; with the door 
closed; and without disconnecting the electrical energy supply to 
the clothes washer between completion of the active mode wash cycle 
and the start of combined low-power mode testing.
    3.5.2 For a clothes washer that takes some time to automatically 
enter a stable inactive mode or off mode state from a higher power 
state as discussed in Section 5, Paragraph 5.1, note 1 of IEC 62301 
(incorporated by reference; see Sec.  430.3), allow sufficient time 
for the clothes washer to automatically reach the default inactive/
off mode state before proceeding with the test measurement.
    3.5.3 Once the stable inactive/off mode state has been reached, 
measure and record the default inactive/off mode power, 
Pdefault, in watts, following the test procedure for the 
sampling method specified in Section 5, Paragraph 5.3.2 of IEC 
62301.
    3.5.4 For a clothes washer with a switch, dial, or button that 
can be optionally selected by the end user to achieve a lower-power 
inactive/off mode state than the default inactive/off mode state 
measured in section 3.5.3 of this appendix, after performing the 
measurement in section 3.5.3 of this appendix, activate the switch, 
dial, or button to the position resulting in the lowest power 
consumption and repeat the measurement procedure described in 
section 3.5.3 of this appendix. Measure and record the lowest-power 
inactive/off mode power, Plowest, in Watts.
    3.6 Energy consumption for the purpose of determining the cycle 
selection(s) to be included in the energy test cycle. This section 
is implemented only in cases where the energy test cycle flowcharts 
in section 2.12.1 of this appendix require the determination of the 
wash/rinse temperature selection with the highest energy 
consumption.
    3.6.1 For the wash/rinse temperature selection being considered 
under this section, establish the testing conditions set forth in 
section 2 of this appendix. Select the applicable cycle selection 
and wash/rinse temperature selection. For all wash/rinse temperature 
selections, select the cycle settings as described in section 3.2 of 
this appendix.
    3.6.2 Measure each wash cycle's electrical energy consumption 
(EL) and hot water consumption (HL). Calculate 
the total energy consumption for each cycle selection 
(ETL), as follows:

ETL = EL + (HL x T x K)

Where:



EL is the electrical energy consumption, expressed in 
kilowatt-hours per cycle.
HL is the hot water consumption, expressed in gallons per 
cycle.
T = nominal temperature rise = 65 [deg]F (36.1 [deg]C).
K = Water specific heat in kilowatt-hours per gallon per degree F = 
0.00240 kWh/gal-[deg]F (0.00114 kWh/L-[deg]C).

4. Calculation of Derived Results From Test Measurements

    4.1 Hot water and machine electrical energy consumption of 
clothes washers.
    4.1.1 Per-cycle temperature-weighted hot water consumption for 
all load sizes tested. Calculate the per-cycle temperature-weighted 
hot water consumption for the large test load size, VhL, 
and the small test load size, VhS, expressed in gallons 
per cycle (or liters per cycle) and defined as:

(a) VhL = [HxL x TUFx] + 
[HhL x TUFh] + [HwL x 
TUFw] + [HwwL x TUFww] + 
[HcL x TUFc]
(b) VhS = [HxS x TUFx] + 
[HhS x TUFh] + [HwS x 
TUFw] + [HwwS x TUFww] + 
[HcS x TUFc]
Where:

HxL, HhL, HwL, HwwL, 
HcL, HxS, HhS, HwS, 
HwwS, and HcS are the hot water consumption 
values, in gallons per-cycle (or liters per cycle) as measured in 
section 3.3 of this appendix for automatic clothes washers or 
section 3.4 of this appendix for semi-automatic clothes washers.
TUFx, TUFh, TUFw, TUFww, 
and TUFc are temperature use factors for Extra-Hot Wash/
Cold Rinse, Hot Wash/Cold Rinse, Warm Wash/Cold Rinse, Warm Wash/
Warm Rinse, and Cold Wash/Cold Rinse temperature selections, 
respectively, as defined in Table 4.1.1 of this appendix.

                                                          Table 4.1.1--Temperature Use Factors
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Clothes washers with cold rinse only                 Clothes washers with both cold and
                                                 -----------------------------------------------------------------               warm rinse
 Wash/rinse temperature selections available in                                                                   --------------------------------------
              the energy test cycle                   C/C        H/C C/C    H/C W/C C/C  XH/C H/C C/  XH/C H/C W/  HC/C W/C W/  XH/C H/C W/  XH/C H/C W/
                                                                                 *            C          C C/C        W C/C        W C/C      C W/W C/C
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TUFx (Extra-Hot/Cold)...........................  ...........  ...........  ...........         0.14         0.05  ...........         0.14         0.05
TUFh (Hot/Cold).................................  ...........         0.63         0.14      ** 0.49         0.09         0.14      ** 0.22         0.09
TUFw (Warm/Cold)................................  ...........  ...........         0.49  ...........         0.49         0.22  ...........         0.22
TUFww (Warm/Warm)...............................  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........         0.27         0.27         0.27
TUFc (Cold/Cold)................................         1.00         0.37         0.37         0.37         0.37         0.37         0.37         0.37
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* This column applies to all semi-automatic clothes washers.
** On clothes washers with only two wash temperature selections <140 [deg]F, the higher of the two wash temperatures is classified as a Hot Wash/Cold
  Rinse, in accordance with the wash/rinse temperature definitions within the energy test cycle.

    4.1.2 Total per-cycle hot water energy consumption for all load 
sizes tested. Calculate the total per-cycle hot water energy 
consumption for the large test load size, HEL, and the 
small test load size, HES, expressed in kilowatt-hours 
per cycle and defined as:

(a) HEL = [VhL x T x K] = Total energy when 
the large test load is tested.
(b) HES = [VhS x T x K] = Total energy when 
the small test load is tested.

Where:


[[Page 49215]]


VhL and VhS are defined in section 4.1.1 of 
this appendix.
T = Temperature rise = 65 [deg]F (36.1 [deg]C).
K = Water specific heat in kilowatt-hours per gallon per degree F = 
0.00240 kWh/gal-[deg]F (0.00114 kWh/L-[deg]C).

    4.1.3 Total weighted per-cycle hot water energy consumption. 
Calculate the total weighted per-cycle hot water energy consumption, 
HET, expressed in kilowatt-hours per cycle and defined 
as:

HET = [HEL x LUFL] + 
[HES x LUFS]

Where:

HEL and HES are defined in section 4.1.2 of 
this appendix.
LUFL = Load usage factor for the large test load = 0.5.
LUFS = Load usage factor for the small test load = 0.5.

    4.1.4 Total per-cycle hot water energy consumption using gas-
heated or oil-heated water, for product labeling requirements. 
Calculate for the energy test cycle the per-cycle hot water 
consumption, HETG, using gas-heated or oil-heated water, 
expressed in Btu per cycle (or megajoules per cycle) and defined as:

HETG = HET x 1/e x 3412 Btu/kWh or 
HETG = HET x 1/e x 3.6 MJ/kWh.

Where:

e = Nominal gas or oil water heater efficiency = 0.75.
HET = As defined in section 4.1.3 of this appendix.

    4.1.5 Per-cycle machine electrical energy consumption for all 
load sizes tested. Calculate the total per-cycle machine electrical 
energy consumption for the large test load size, MEL, and 
the small test load size, MES, expressed in kilowatt-
hours per cycle and defined as:
(a) MEL = [ExL x TUFx] + 
[EhL x TUFh] + [EwL x 
TUFw] + [EwwL x TUFww] + 
[EcL x TUFc]

(b) MES = [ExS x TUFx] + 
[EhS x TUFh] + [EwS x 
TUFw] + [EwwS x TUFww] + 
[EcS x TUFc]

Where:

ExL, EhL, EwL, EwwL, 
EcL, ExS, EhS, EwS, 
EwwS, and EcS are the electrical energy 
consumption values, in kilowatt-hours per cycle as measured in 
section 3.3 of this appendix for automatic clothes washers or 
section 3.4 of this appendix for semi-automatic clothes washers.
TUFx, TUFh, TUFw, TUFww, 
and TUFc are defined in Table 4.1.1 of this appendix.

    4.1.6 Total weighted per-cycle machine electrical energy 
consumption. Calculate the total weighted per-cycle machine 
electrical energy consumption, MET, expressed in 
kilowatt-hours per cycle and defined as:

MET = [MEL x LUFL] + 
[MES x LUFS]

Where:

MEL and MES are defined in section 4.1.5 of 
this appendix.
LUFL and LUFS are defined in section 4.1.3 of 
this appendix.
    4.2 Water consumption of clothes washers.
    4.2.1 Per cycle total water consumption for each large load size 
tested. Calculate the per-cycle total water consumption of the large 
test load for the Extra-Hot Wash/Cold Rinse cycle, QxL, 
Hot Wash/Cold Rinse cycle, QhL, Warm Wash/Cold Rinse 
cycle, QwL, Warm Wash/Warm Rinse cycle, QwwL, 
and Cold Wash/Cold Rinse cycle, QcL, defined as:

(a) QxL = HxL + CxL
(b) QhL = HhL + ChL
(c) QwL = HwL + CwL
(d) QwwL = HwwL + CwwL
(e) QcL = HcL + CcL

Where:

HxL, HhL, HwL, HwwL, 
HcL, CxL, ChL, CwL, 
CwwL, and CcL are defined in section 3.3 of 
this appendix for automatic clothes washers or section 3.4 of this 
appendix for semi-automatic clothes washers.

    4.2.2 Per cycle total water consumption for each small load size 
tested. Calculate the per-cycle total water consumption of the small 
test load for the Extra-Hot Wash/Cold Rinse cycle, QxS, 
Hot Wash/Cold Rinse cycle, QhS, Warm Wash/Cold Rinse 
cycle, QwS, Warm Wash/Warm Rinse cycle, QwwS, 
and Cold Wash/Cold Rinse cycle, QcS, defined as:

(a) QxS = HxS + CxS
(b) QhS = HhS + ChS
(c) QwS = HwS + CwS
(d) QwwS = HwwS + CwwS
(e) QcS = HcS + CcS

Where:

HxS, HhS, HwS, HwwS, 
HcS, CxS, ChS, CwS, 
CwwS, and CcS are defined in section 3.3 of 
this appendix for automatic clothes washers or section 3.4 of this 
appendix for semi-automatic clothes washers.

    4.2.3 Per-cycle total water consumption for all load sizes 
tested. Calculate the total per-cycle water consumption for the 
large test load size, QL, and the small test load size, 
QS, expressed in gallons per cycle (or liters per cycle) 
and defined as:

(a) QL = [QxL x TUFx] + [QhL x 
TUFh] + [QwL x TUFw] + [QwwL x TUFww] + 
[QcL x TUFc]

(b) QS = [QxS x TUFx] + [QhS x 
TUFh] + [QwS x TUFw] + [QwwS x TUFww] + 
[QcS x TUFc]

Where:

QxL, QhL, QwL, QwwL, and 
QcL are defined in section 4.2.1 of this appendix.
QxS, QhS, QwS, QwwS, and 
QcS are defined in section 4.2.2 of this appendix.
TUFx, TUFh, TUFw, TUFww, and TUFc are defined in Table 4.1.1 of this 
appendix.

    4.2.4 Total weighted per-cycle water consumption. Calculate the 
total per-cycle water consumption, QT, expressed in 
gallons per cycle (or liters per cycle) and defined as:

QT = [QL x LUFL] + [QS x 
LUFS]

Where:

QL and QS are defined in section 4.2.3 of this 
appendix.
LUFL and LUFS are defined in section 4.1.3 of 
this appendix.

    4.3 Remaining moisture content (RMC).
    4.3.1 Per cycle remaining moisture content for each large load 
size tested. Calculate the per-cycle remaining moisture content of 
the large test load for the Extra-Hot Wash/Cold Rinse cycle, 
RMCxL, Hot Wash/Cold Rinse cycle, RMChL, Warm 
Wash/Cold Rinse cycle, RMCwL, Warm Wash/Warm Rinse cycle, 
RMCwwL, and Cold Wash/Cold Rinse cycle, RMCcL, 
defined as:

(a) RMCxL = (WCxL-WIxL)/
WIxL
(b) RMChL = (WChL-WIhL)/
WIhL
(c) RMCwL = (WCwL-WIwL)/
WIwL
(d) RMCwwL = (WCwwL-WIwwL)/
WIwwL
(e) RMCcL = (WCcL-WIcL)/
WIcL

Where:

WCxL, WChL, WCwL, WCwwL, 
WCcL, WIxL, WIhL, WIwL, 
WIwwL, and WIcL are the bone-dry weights and 
cycle completion weights as measured in section 3.3 of this appendix 
for automatic clothes washers or section 3.4 of this appendix for 
semi-automatic clothes washers.

    4.3.2 Per cycle remaining moisture content for each small load 
size tested. Calculate the per-cycle remaining moisture content of 
the small test load for the Extra-Hot Wash/Cold Rinse cycle, 
RMCxS, Hot Wash/Cold Rinse cycle, RMChS, Warm 
Wash/Cold Rinse cycle, RMCwS, Warm Wash/Warm Rinse cycle, 
RMCwwS, and Cold Wash/Cold Rinse cycle, RMCcS, 
defined as:

(a) RMCxS = (WCxS-WIxS)/
WIxS
(b) RMChS = (WChS-WIhS)/
WIhS
(c) RMCwS = (WCwS-WIwS)/
WIwS
(d) RMCwwS = (WCwwS-WIwwS)/
WIwwS
(e) RMCcS = (WCcS-WIcS)/
WIcS

Where:

WCxS, WChS, WCwS, WCwwS, 
WCcS, WIxS, WIhS, WIwS, 
WIwwS, and WIcS are the bone-dry weights and 
cycle completion weights as measured in section 3.3 of this appendix 
for automatic clothes washers or section 3.4 of this appendix for 
semi-automatic clothes washers.

    4.3.3 Per-cycle remaining moisture content for all load sizes 
tested. Calculate the per-cycle temperature-weighted remaining 
moisture content for the large test load size, RMCL, and 
the small test load size, RMCS, defined as:

(a) RMCL = [RMCxL x TUFx] + 
[RMChL x TUFh] + [RMCwL x 
TUFw] + [RMCwwL x TUFww] + 
[RMCcL x TUFc]
(b) RMCS = [RMCxS x TUFx] + 
[RMChS x TUFh] + [RMCwS x 
TUFw] + [RMCwwS x TUFww] + 
[RMCcS x TUFc]

Where:

RMCxL, RMChL, RMCwL, 
RMCwwL, and RMCcL are defined in section 4.3.1 
of this appendix.
RMCxS, RMChS, RMCwS, 
RMCwwS, and RMCcS are defined in section 4.3.2 
of this appendix.
TUFx, TUFh, TUFw, TUFww, 
and TUFc are defined in Table 4.1.1 of this appendix.

    4.3.4 Weighted per-cycle remaining moisture content. Calculate 
the weighted per-cycle remaining moisture content, RMCT, 
defined as:

RMCT = [RMCL x LUFL] + 
[RMCS x LUFS]

Where:

RMCL and RMCS are defined in section 4.3.3 of 
this appendix.
LUFL and LUFS are defined in section 4.1.3 of 
this appendix.

    4.3.5 Apply the RMC correction curve as described in section 9 
of appendix J3 to this subpart to calculate the corrected remaining 
moisture content, RMCcorr, expressed as a percentage as 
follows:


[[Page 49216]]


RMCcorr = (A x RMCT + B) x 100%

Where:

A and B are the coefficients of the RMC correction curve as defined 
in section 8.7 of appendix J3 to this subpart.
RMCT = As defined in section 4.3.4 of this appendix.

    4.4 Per-cycle energy consumption for removal of moisture from 
test load. Calculate the per-cycle energy required to remove the 
remaining moisture of the test load, DET, expressed in 
kilowatt-hours per cycle and defined as:

DET = [(LUFL x Large test load weight) + 
(LUFS x Small test load weight)] x (RMCcorr-
4%) x (DEF) x (DUF)

Where:

LUFL and LUFS are defined in section 4.1.3 of 
this appendix.
Large and small test load weights are defined in Table 5.1 of this 
appendix.
RMCcorr = As defined in section 4.3.5 of this appendix.
DEF = Nominal energy required for a clothes dryer to remove moisture 
from clothes = 0.5 kWh/lb (1.1 kWh/kg).
DUF = Dryer usage factor, percentage of washer loads dried in a 
clothes dryer = 0.91.

    4.5 Cycle time.
    4.5.1 Per-cycle temperature-weighted cycle time for all load 
sizes tested. Calculate the per-cycle temperature-weighted cycle 
time for the large test load size, TL, and the small test 
load size, TS, expressed in minutes, and defined as:

(a) TL = [TxL x TUFx] + 
[ThL x TUFh] + [TwL x 
TUFw] + [TwwL x TUFww] + 
[TcL x TUFc]
(b) TS = [TxS x TUFx] + 
[ThS x TUFh] + [TwS x 
TUFw] + [TwwS x TUFww] + 
[TcS x TUFc]

Where:

TxL, ThL, TwL, TwwL, 
TcL, TxS, ThS, TwS, 
TwwS, and TcS are the cycle time values, in 
minutes as measured in section 3.3 of this appendix for automatic 
clothes washers or section 3.4 of this appendix for semi-automatic 
clothes washers.
TUFx, TUFh, TUFw, TUFww, 
and TUFc are temperature use factors for Extra-Hot Wash/
Cold Rinse, Hot Wash/Cold Rinse, Warm Wash/Cold Rinse, Warm Wash/
Warm Rinse, and Cold Wash/Cold Rinse temperature selections, 
respectively, as defined in Table 4.1.1 of this appendix.

    4.5.2 Total weighted per-cycle cycle time. Calculate the total 
weighted per-cycle cycle time, TT, expressed in minutes, 
rounded to the nearest minute, and defined as:

TT = [TL x LUFL] + [TS x 
LUFS]


Where:

TL and TS are defined in section 4.5.1 of this 
appendix.
LUFL and LUFS are defined in section 4.1.3 of 
this appendix.

    4.6 Combined low-power mode energy consumption.
    4.6.1 Annual hours in default inactive/off mode. Calculate the 
annual hours spent in default inactive/off mode, 
Sdefault, expressed in hours and defined as:

Sdefault = [8,760-(234 x TT/60)]/N

Where:

TT = As defined in section 4.5.2 of this appendix, in 
minutes.
N = Number of inactive/off modes, defined as 1 if no optional 
lowest-power inactive/off mode is available; otherwise 2.
8,760 = Total number of hours in a year.
234 = Representative average number of clothes washer cycles in a 
year.
60 = Conversion from minutes to hours.

    4.6.2 Per-cycle combined low-power mode energy consumption. 
Calculate the per-cycle combined low-power mode energy consumption, 
ETLP, expressed in kilowatt-hours per cycle and defined 
as:

ETLP = [(Pdefault x Sdefault) + 
(Plowest x Slowest)] x Kp/234

Where:

Pdefault = Default inactive/off mode power, in watts, as 
measured in section 3.5.3 of this appendix.
Plowest = Lowest-power inactive/off mode power, in watts, 
as measured in section 3.5.4 of this appendix for clothes washers 
with a switch, dial, or button that can be optionally selected by 
the end user to achieve a lower-power inactive/off mode than the 
default inactive/off mode; otherwise, Plowest = 0.
Sdefault = Annual hours in default inactive/off mode, as 
calculated in section 4.6.1 of this appendix.
Slowest = Annual hours in lowest-power inactive/off mode, 
defined as 0 if no optional lowest-power inactive/off mode is 
available; otherwise equal to Sdefault, as calculated in 
section 4.6.1 of this appendix.
Kp = Conversion factor of watt-hours to kilowatt-hours = 
0.001.
234 = Representative average number of clothes washer cycles in a 
year.

    4.7 Water efficiency ratio. Calculate the water efficiency 
ratio, WER, expressed in pounds per gallon per cycle (or kilograms 
per liter per cycle), as:

WER = [(LUFL x Large test load weight) + (LUFS 
x Small test load weight)]/QT

Where:

LUFL and LUFS are defined in section 4.1.3 of 
this appendix.
Large and small test load weights are defined in Table 5.1 of this 
appendix.
QT = As defined in section 4.2.4 of this appendix.

    4.8 Active-mode energy efficiency ratio. Calculate the active-
mode energy efficiency ratio, AEER, expressed in pounds per 
kilowatt-hour per cycle (or kilograms per kilowatt-hour per cycle) 
and defined as:

AEER = [(LUFL x Large test load weight) + 
(LUFS x Small test load weight)]/(MET + 
HET + DET)

Where:

LUFL and LUFS are defined in section 4.1.3 of 
this appendix.
Large and small test load weights are defined in Table 5.1 of this 
appendix.
MET = As defined in section 4.1.6 of this appendix.
HET = As defined in section 4.1.3 of this appendix.
DET = As defined in section 4.4 of this appendix.

    4.9 Energy efficiency ratio. Calculate the energy efficiency 
ratio, EER, expressed in pounds per kilowatt-hour per cycle (or 
kilograms per kilowatt-hour per cycle) and defined as:
EER = [(LUFL x Large test load weight) + (LUFS 
x Small test load weight)]/(MET + HET + 
DET + ETLP)

Where:

LUFL and LUFS are defined in section 4.1.3 of 
this appendix.
Large and small test load weights are defined in Table 5.1 of this 
appendix.
MET = As defined in section 4.1.6 of this appendix.
HET = As defined in section 4.1.3 of this appendix.
DET = As defined in section 4.4 of this appendix.
ETLP = As defined in section 4.6.2 of this appendix.

5. Test Loads

                                           Table 5.1--Test Load Sizes
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Container volume                            Small load                      Large load
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            cu. ft.                   liter
-------------------------------------------------       lb              kg              lb              kg
              >=<                      >=<
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0.00-0.80.....................         0.00-22.7            3.00            1.36            3.00            1.36
0.80-0.90.....................         22.7-25.5            3.10            1.41            3.35            1.52
0.90-1.00.....................         25.5-28.3            3.20            1.45            3.70            1.68
1.00-1.10.....................         28.3-31.1            3.30            1.50            4.00            1.81
1.10-1.20.....................         31.1-34.0            3.40            1.54            4.30            1.95
1.20-1.30.....................         34.0-36.8            3.45            1.56            4.60            2.09
1.30-1.40.....................         36.8-39.6            3.55            1.61            4.95            2.25
1.40-1.50.....................         39.6-42.5            3.65            1.66            5.25            2.38

[[Page 49217]]

 
1.50-1.60.....................         42.5-45.3            3.75            1.70            5.55            2.52
1.60-1.70.....................         45.3-48.1            3.80            1.72            5.85            2.65
1.70-1.80.....................         48.1-51.0            3.90            1.77            6.20            2.81
1.80-1.90.....................         51.0-53.8            4.00            1.81            6.50            2.95
1.90-2.00.....................         53.8-56.6            4.10            1.86            6.80            3.08
2.00-2.10.....................         56.6-59.5            4.20            1.91            7.10            3.22
2.10-2.20.....................         59.5-62.3            4.30            1.95            7.45            3.38
2.20-2.30.....................         62.3-65.1            4.35            1.97            7.75            3.52
2.30-2.40.....................         65.1-68.0            4.45            2.02            8.05            3.65
2.40-2.50.....................         68.0-70.8            4.55            2.06            8.35            3.79
2.50-2.60.....................         70.8-73.6            4.65            2.11            8.70            3.95
2.60-2.70.....................         73.6-76.5            4.70            2.13            9.00            4.08
2.70-2.80.....................         76.5-79.3            4.80            2.18            9.30            4.22
2.80-2.90.....................         79.3-82.1            4.90            2.22            9.60            4.35
2.90-3.00.....................         82.1-85.0            5.00            2.27            9.90            4.49
3.00-3.10.....................         85.0-87.8            5.10            2.31           10.25            4.65
3.10-3.20.....................         87.8-90.6            5.20            2.36           10.55            4.79
3.20-3.30.....................         90.6-93.4            5.25            2.38           10.85            4.92
3.30-3.40.....................         93.4-96.3            5.35            2.43           11.15            5.06
3.40-3.50.....................         96.3-99.1            5.45            2.47           11.50            5.22
3.50-3.60.....................        99.1-101.9            5.55            2.52           11.80            5.35
3.60-3.70.....................       101.9-104.8            5.65            2.56           12.10            5.49
3.70-3.80.....................       104.8-107.6            5.70            2.59           12.40            5.62
3.80-3.90.....................       107.6-110.4            5.80            2.63           12.75            5.78
3.90-4.00.....................       110.4-113.3            5.90            2.68           13.05            5.92
4.00-4.10.....................       113.3-116.1            6.00            2.72           13.35            6.06
4.10-4.20.....................       116.1-118.9            6.10            2.77           13.65            6.19
4.20-4.30.....................       118.9-121.8            6.15            2.79           14.00            6.35
4.30-4.40.....................       121.8-124.6            6.25            2.83           14.30            6.49
4.40-4.50.....................       124.6-127.4            6.35            2.88           14.60            6.62
4.50-4.60.....................       127.4-130.3            6.45            2.93           14.90            6.76
4.60-4.70.....................       130.3-133.1            6.55            2.97           15.25            6.92
4.70-4.80.....................       133.1-135.9            6.60            2.99           15.55            7.05
4.80-4.90.....................       135.9-138.8            6.70            3.04           15.85            7.19
4.90-5.00.....................       138.8-141.6            6.80            3.08           16.15            7.33
5.00-5.10.....................       141.6-144.4            6.90            3.13           16.50            7.48
5.10-5.20.....................       144.4-147.2            7.00            3.18           16.80            7.62
5.20-5.30.....................       147.2-150.1            7.05            3.20           17.10            7.76
5.30-5.40.....................       150.1-152.9            7.15            3.24           17.40            7.89
5.40-5.50.....................       152.9-155.7            7.25            3.29           17.70            8.03
5.50-5.60.....................       155.7-158.6            7.35            3.33           18.05            8.19
5.60-5.70.....................       158.6-161.4            7.45            3.38           18.35            8.32
5.70-5.80.....................       161.4-164.2            7.50            3.40           18.65            8.46
5.80-5.90.....................       164.2-167.1            7.60            3.45           18.95            8.60
5.90-6.00.....................       167.1-169.9            7.70            3.49           19.30            8.75
6.00-6.10.....................       169.9-172.7            7.80            3.54           19.60            8.89
6.10-6.20.....................       172.7-175.6            7.90            3.58           19.90            9.03
6.20-6.30.....................       175.6-178.4            7.95            3.61           20.20            9.16
6.30-6.40.....................       178.4-181.2            8.05            3.65           20.55            9.32
6.40-6.50.....................       181.2-184.1            8.15            3.70           20.85            9.46
6.50-6.60.....................       184.1-186.9            8.25            3.74           21.15            9.59
6.60-6.70.....................       186.9-189.7            8.30            3.76           21.45            9.73
6.70-6.80.....................       189.7-192.6            8.40            3.81           21.80            9.89
6.80-6.90.....................       192.6-195.4            8.50            3.86           22.10           10.02
6.90-7.00.....................       195.4-198.2            8.60            3.90           22.40           10.16
7.00-7.10.....................       198.2-201.0            8.70            3.95           22.70           10.30
7.10-7.20.....................       201.0-203.9            8.80            3.99           23.05           10.46
7.20-7.30.....................       203.9-206.7            8.85            4.01           23.35           10.59
7.30-7.40.....................       206.7-209.5            8.95            4.06           23.65           10.73
7.40-7.50.....................       209.5-212.4            9.05            4.11           23.95           10.86
7.50-7.60.....................       212.4-215.2            9.15            4.15           24.30           11.02
7.60-7.70.....................       215.2-218.0            9.25            4.20           24.60           11.16
7.70-7.80.....................       218.0-220.9            9.30            4.22           24.90           11.29
7.80-7.90.....................       220.9-223.7            9.40            4.26           25.20           11.43
7.90-8.00.....................       223.7-226.5            9.50            4.31           25.50           11.57
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes:
(1) All test load weights are bone-dry weights.
(2) Allowable tolerance on the test load weights is 0.10 lbs (0.05 kg).


[[Page 49218]]

Appendix J1 [Removed and Reserved]

0
9. Remove and reserved Appendix J1 to subpart B of part 430.
0
10. Appendix J2 to subpart B of part 430 is amended by:
0
a. Revising the introductory note and section 1;
0
b. Revising the heading for section 2;
0
c. Revising section 2.2;
0
d. Adding section 2.5.4.1 and 2.5.4.2;
0
e. Revising sections 2.5.5, 2.7 and 2.12;
0
f. Removing sections 2.7.1, 2.7.2, 2.7.3, 2.7.4, 2.7.4.1, 2.7.4.2, 
2.7.4.3, 2.7.4.4, 2.7.4.5, 2.7.4.6, 2.7.4.6.1, 2.7.4.6.2, 2.7.4.7, and 
2.7.5;
0
g. Removing ``energy stuffer clothes'' and adding in its place, 
``energy stuffer cloths'' in section 2.8;
0
h. Removing ``Siszes'' and adding in its place, ``Sizes'' in the title 
of Table 2.8;
0
i. Revising section 3.2.5;
0
j. Adding sections 3.2.5.1 and 3.2.5.2;
0
k. Revising sections 3.2.6.2.2, 3.2.7 and 3.2.9;
0
l. Revising sections 3.3 and 3.6;
0
m. Removing ``section 7 of appendix J3'' and adding in its place, 
``section 9 of appendix J3'', and removing ``section 6.1 of appendix 
J3'' and adding in its place, ``section 8.7 of appendix J3'' in 
sections 3.8.2.6, 3.8.3.2, and 3.8.3.4;
0
n. Removing section 4.2.12;
0
o. Redesignating section 4.2.13 as 4.2.12;
0
p. Revising Table 5.1; and
0
q. Removing section 6.
    The additions and revisions read as follows:

Appendix J2 to Subpart B of Part 430--Uniform Test Method for Measuring 
the Energy Consumption of Automatic and Semi-Automatic Clothes Washers

    Note: Manufacturers must use the results of testing under 
Appendix J2 to determine compliance with the relevant standards for 
clothes washers from Sec.  430.32(g)(4) and from Sec.  431.156(b) as 
they appeared in January 1, 2021 edition of 10 CFR parts 200-499. 
Specifically, before [Date 180 days following publication of the 
final rule] representations must be based upon results generated 
either under Appendix J2 as codified on [Date 30 days following 
publication of the final rule] or under Appendix J2 as it appeared 
in the 10 CFR parts 200-499 edition revised as of January 1, 2021. 
Any representations made on or after [Date 180 days following 
publication of the final rule] but before the compliance date of any 
amended standards for clothes washers must be made based upon 
results generated using Appendix J2 as codified on [Date 30 days 
following publication of the final rule]. Manufacturers must use the 
results of testing under Appendix J to determine compliance with any 
amended standards for clothes washers provided in 10 CFR 430.32(g) 
and in Sec.  431.156 that are published after January 1, 2021. Any 
representations related to energy or water consumption of 
residential or commercial clothes washers must be made in accordance 
with the appropriate appendix that applies (i.e., Appendix J or 
Appendix J2) when determining compliance with the relevant standard. 
Manufacturers may also use Appendix J to certify compliance with any 
amended standards prior to the applicable compliance date for those 
standards.

1. Definitions

    Active mode means a mode in which the clothes washer is 
connected to a mains power source, has been activated, and is 
performing one or more of the main functions of washing, soaking, 
tumbling, agitating, rinsing, and/or removing water from the 
clothing, or is involved in functions necessary for these main 
functions, such as admitting water into the washer or pumping water 
out of the washer. Active mode also includes delay start and cycle 
finished modes.
    Active washing mode means a mode in which the clothes washer is 
performing any of the operations included in a complete cycle 
intended for washing a clothing load, including the main functions 
of washing, soaking, tumbling, agitating, rinsing, and/or removing 
water from the clothing.
    Adaptive water fill control system means a clothes washer 
automatic water fill control system that is capable of automatically 
adjusting the water fill level based on the size or weight of the 
clothes load placed in the clothes container.
    Automatic water fill control system means a clothes washer water 
fill control system that does not allow or require the user to 
determine or select the water fill level, and includes adaptive 
water fill control systems and fixed water fill control systems.
    Bone-dry means a condition of a load of test cloth that has been 
dried in a dryer at maximum temperature for a minimum of 10 minutes, 
removed and weighed before cool down, and then dried again for 10 
minute periods until the final weight change of the load is 1 
percent or less.
    Clothes container means the compartment within the clothes 
washer that holds the clothes during the operation of the machine.
    Cold rinse means the coldest rinse temperature available on the 
machine, as indicated to the user on the clothes washer control 
panel.
    Combined low-power mode means the aggregate of available modes 
other than active washing mode, including inactive mode, off mode, 
delay start mode, and cycle finished mode.
    Cycle finished mode means an active mode that provides 
continuous status display, intermittent tumbling, or air circulation 
following operation in active washing mode.
    Delay start mode means an active mode in which activation of 
active washing mode is facilitated by a timer.
    Energy test cycle means the complete set of wash/rinse 
temperature selections required for testing, as determined according 
to section 2.12 of this appendix.
    Fixed water fill control system means a clothes washer automatic 
water fill control system that automatically terminates the fill 
when the water reaches a pre-defined level that is not based on the 
size or weight of the clothes load placed in the clothes container, 
without allowing or requiring the user to determine or select the 
water fill level.
    IEC 62301 means the test standard published by the International 
Electrotechnical Commission, entitled ``Household electrical 
appliances--Measurement of standby power,'' Publication 62301, 
Edition 2.0 2011-01 (incorporated by reference; see Sec.  430.3).
    Inactive mode means a standby mode that facilitates the 
activation of active mode by remote switch (including remote 
control), internal sensor, or timer, or that provides continuous 
status display.
    Integrated modified energy factor means the quotient of the 
cubic foot (or liter) capacity of the clothes container divided by 
the total clothes washer energy consumption per cycle, with such 
energy consumption expressed as the sum of:
    (a) The machine electrical energy consumption;
    (b) The hot water energy consumption;
    (c) The energy required for removal of the remaining moisture in 
the wash load; and
    (d) The combined low-power mode energy consumption.
    Integrated water factor means the quotient of the total weighted 
per-cycle water consumption for all wash cycles in gallons divided 
by the cubic foot (or liter) capacity of the clothes washer.
    Load usage factor means the percentage of the total number of 
wash loads that a user would wash a particular size (weight) load.
    Lot means a quantity of cloth that has been manufactured with 
the same batches of cotton and polyester during one continuous 
process.
    Manual water fill control system means a clothes washer water 
fill control system that requires the user to determine or select 
the water fill level.
    Modified energy factor means the quotient of the cubic foot (or 
liter) capacity of the clothes container divided by the total 
clothes washer energy consumption per cycle, with such energy 
consumption expressed as the sum of the machine electrical energy 
consumption, the hot water energy consumption, and the energy 
required for removal of the remaining moisture in the wash load.
    Non-water-heating clothes washer means a clothes washer that 
does not have an internal water heating device to generate hot 
water.
    Normal cycle means the cycle recommended by the manufacturer 
(considering manufacturer instructions, control panel labeling, and 
other markings on the clothes washer) for normal, regular, or 
typical use for washing up to a full load of normally-soiled cotton 
clothing. For machines where multiple cycle settings are recommended 
by the manufacturer for normal, regular, or typical use for washing 
up to a full load of normally-soiled cotton clothing, then the 
Normal cycle is the cycle selection that results in the lowest IMEF 
or MEF value.
    Off mode means a mode in which the clothes washer is connected 
to a mains

[[Page 49219]]

power source and is not providing any active or standby mode 
function, and where the mode may persist for an indefinite time.
    Standby mode means any mode in which the clothes washer is 
connected to a mains power source and offers one or more of the 
following user oriented or protective functions that may persist for 
an indefinite time:
    (a) Facilitating the activation of other modes (including 
activation or deactivation of active mode) by remote switch 
(including remote control), internal sensor, or timer;
    (b) Continuous functions, including information or status 
displays (including clocks) or sensor-based functions.
    (c) A timer is a continuous clock function (which may or may not 
be associated with a display) that provides regular scheduled tasks 
(e.g., switching) and that operates on a continuous basis.
    Temperature use factor means, for a particular wash/rinse 
temperature setting, the percentage of the total number of wash 
loads that an average user would wash with that setting.
    User-adjustable automatic water fill control system means an 
automatic clothes washer fill control system that allows the user to 
adjust the amount of water that the machine provides, which is based 
on the size or weight of the clothes load placed in the clothes 
container.
    Wash time means the wash portion of the cycle, which begins when 
the cycle is initiated and includes the agitation or tumble time, 
which may be periodic or continuous during the wash portion of the 
cycle.
    Water factor means the quotient of the total weighted per-cycle 
water consumption for cold wash divided by the cubic foot (or liter) 
capacity of the clothes washer.
    Water-heating clothes washer means a clothes washer where some 
or all of the hot water for clothes washing is generated by a water 
heating device internal to the clothes washer.

2. Testing Conditions and Instrumentation

* * * * *
    2.2 Supply water. Maintain the temperature of the hot water 
supply at the water inlets between 130 [deg]F (54.4 [deg]C) and 135 
[deg]F (57.2 [deg]C). Maintain the temperature of the cold water 
supply at the water inlets between 55 [deg]F (12.8 [deg]C) and 60 
[deg]F (15.6 [deg]C).
* * * * *
    2.5.4 * * *
    2.5.4.1 Non-reversible temperature indicator labels, adhered to 
the inside of the clothes container, may be used to confirm that an 
extra-hot wash temperature greater than 135 [deg]F has been achieved 
during the wash cycle, under the following conditions. The label 
must remain waterproof, intact, and adhered to the wash drum 
throughout an entire wash cycle; provide consistent maximum 
temperature readings; and provide repeatable temperature indications 
sufficient to demonstrate that a wash temperature of greater than 
135 [deg]F has been achieved. The label must have been verified to 
consistently indicate temperature measurements with an accuracy of 
1 [deg]F if the label provides a temperature indicator 
at 135 [deg]F. If the label does not provide a temperature indicator 
at 135 [deg]F, the label must have been verified to consistently 
indicate temperature measurements with an accuracy of 1 
[deg]F if the next-highest temperature indicator is greater than 135 
[deg]F and less than 140 [deg]F, or 3 [deg]F if the 
next-highest temperature indicator is 140 [deg]F or greater. If the 
label does not provide a temperature indicator at 135 [deg]F, 
failure to activate the next-highest temperature indicator does not 
necessarily indicate the lack of an extra-hot wash temperature. 
However, such a result would not be conclusive due to the lack of 
verification of the water temperature requirement, in which case an 
alternative method must be used to confirm that an extra-hot wash 
temperature greater than 135 [deg]F has been achieved during the 
wash cycle. If using a temperature indicator label to test a front-
loading clothes washer, adhere the label along the interior surface 
of the clothes container drum, midway between the front and the back 
of the drum, adjacent to one of the baffles. If using a temperature 
indicator label to test a top-loading clothes washer, adhere the 
label along the interior surface of the clothes container drum, on 
the vertical portion of the sidewall, as close to the bottom of the 
container as possible.
    2.5.4.2 Submersible temperature loggers placed inside the wash 
drum may be used to confirm that an extra-hot wash temperature 
greater than 135 [deg]F has been achieved during the wash cycle, 
under the following conditions. The submersible temperature logger 
must have a time resolution of at least 1 data point every 5 seconds 
and a temperature measurement accuracy of 1 [deg]F. Due 
to the potential for a waterproof capsule to provide a thermal 
insulating effect, failure to measure a temperature of 135 [deg]F 
does not necessarily indicate the lack of an extra-hot wash 
temperature. However, such a result would not be conclusive due to 
the lack of verification of the water temperature requirement, in 
which case an alternative method must be used to confirm that an 
extra-hot wash temperature greater than 135 [deg]F has been achieved 
during the wash cycle.
    2.5.5 Water meter. A water meter must be installed in both the 
hot and cold water lines to measure water flow and/or water 
consumption. The water meters must have a resolution no larger than 
0.1 gallons (0.4 liters) and a maximum error no greater than 2 
percent for the water flow rates being measured. If the volume of 
hot water for any individual cycle within the energy test cycle is 
less than 0.1 gallons (0.4 liters), the hot water meter must have a 
resolution no larger than 0.01 gallons (0.04 liters).
* * * * *
    2.7 Test cloths. The test cloth material and dimensions must 
conform to the specifications in appendix J3 to this subpart. The 
energy test cloth and the energy stuffer cloths must be clean and 
must not be used for more than 60 test runs (after preconditioning 
as specified in section 5 of appendix J3 to this subpart). All 
energy test cloth must be permanently marked identifying the lot 
number of the material. Mixed lots of material must not be used for 
testing a clothes washer. The moisture absorption and retention must 
be evaluated for each new lot of test cloth using the standard 
extractor Remaining Moisture Content (RMC) procedure specified in 
appendix J3 to this subpart.
* * * * *
    2.12 Determining the energy test cycle. To determine the energy 
test cycle, evaluate the wash/rinse temperature selection flowcharts 
in the order in which they are presented in this section. Except for 
Cold Wash/Cold Rinse, use the maximum load size to evaluate each 
flowchart. The determination of the energy test cycle must take into 
consideration all cycle settings available to the end user, 
including any cycle selections or cycle modifications provided by 
the manufacturer via software or firmware updates to the product, 
for the basic model under test. The energy test cycle does not 
include any cycle that is recommended by the manufacturer 
exclusively for cleaning, deodorizing, or sanitizing the clothes 
washer.
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P

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[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP01SE21.014


[[Page 49221]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP01SE21.015


[[Page 49222]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP01SE21.016


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[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP01SE21.017

BILLING CODE 6450-01-C

3. Test Measurements

* * * * *
    3.2.5 Wash time setting.
    3.2.5.1 If the cycle under test offers a range of wash time 
settings, the wash time setting shall be the higher of either the 
minimum or 70 percent of the maximum wash time available for the 
wash cycle under test, regardless of the labeling of suggested dial 
locations. If 70 percent of the maximum wash time is not available 
on a dial with a discrete number of wash time settings, choose the 
next-highest setting greater than 70 percent.
    3.2.5.2 If the clothes washer is equipped with an 
electromechanical dial or timer controlling wash time that rotates 
in both directions, reset the dial to the minimum wash time and then 
turn it in the direction of increasing wash time to reach the 
appropriate setting. If the appropriate setting is passed, return 
the dial to the minimum wash time and then turn in the direction of 
increasing wash time until the appropriate setting is reached.
* * * * *
    3.2.6 * * *
* * * * *
    3.2.6.2.2 User-adjustable. Conduct four tests on clothes washers 
with user-adjustable automatic water fill controls. Conduct the 
first test using the maximum test load and with the automatic water 
fill control system set in the setting that uses the most water. 
Conduct the second test using the minimum test load and with the 
automatic water fill control system set in the setting that uses the 
least water. Conduct the third test using the average test load and 
with the automatic water fill control system set in the setting that 
uses the most water. Conduct the fourth test using the average test 
load and with the automatic water fill control system set in the 
setting that uses the least water. Average the results of the third 
and fourth tests to obtain the energy and water consumption values 
for the average test load size.
* * * * *
    3.2.7 Manufacturer default settings. For clothes washers with 
electronic control systems, use the manufacturer default settings 
for any cycle selections, except for (1) the temperature selection, 
(2) the wash water fill levels, (3) if necessary, the spin speeds on 
wash cycles used to determine remaining moisture content, or (4) 
network settings. If the clothes washer has network capabilities, 
the network settings must be disabled throughout testing if such 
settings can be disabled by the end-user and the product's user 
manual provides instructions on how to do so. For all other cycle 
selections, the manufacturer default settings must be used for wash 
conditions such as agitation/tumble operation, soil level, spin

[[Page 49224]]

speed on wash cycles used to determine energy and water consumption, 
wash times, rinse times, optional rinse settings, water heating time 
for water heating clothes washers, and all other wash parameters or 
optional features applicable to that wash cycle. Any optional wash 
cycle feature or setting (other than wash/rinse temperature, water 
fill level selection, spin speed on wash cycles used to determine 
remaining moisture content, or network settings on clothes washers 
with network capabilities) that is activated by default on the wash 
cycle under test must be included for testing unless the 
manufacturer instructions recommend not selecting this option, or 
recommend selecting a different option, for washing normally soiled 
cotton clothing. For clothes washers with control panels containing 
mechanical switches or dials, any optional settings, except for (1) 
the temperature selection, (2) the wash water fill levels, or (3) if 
necessary, the spin speeds on wash cycles used to determine 
remaining moisture content, must be in the position recommended by 
the manufacturer for washing normally soiled cotton clothing. If the 
manufacturer instructions do not recommend a particular switch or 
dial position to be used for washing normally soiled cotton 
clothing, the setting switch or dial must remain in its as-shipped 
position.
* * * * *
    3.2.9 Anomalous Test Cycles.
    If during a wash cycle the clothes washer: (a) Signals to the 
user by means of a visual or audio alert that an out-of-balance 
condition has been detected; or (b) terminates prematurely and thus 
does not include the agitation/tumble operation, spin speed(s), wash 
times, and rinse times applicable to the wash cycle under test, 
discard the test data and repeat the wash cycle. Document in the 
test report the rejection of data from any wash cycle during testing 
and the reason for the rejection.
    3.3 Extra-Hot Wash/Cold Rinse. Measure the water and electrical 
energy consumption for each water fill level and test load size as 
specified in sections 3.3.1 through 3.3.3 of this appendix for the 
Extra-Hot Wash/Cold Rinse as defined within the energy test cycle.
* * * * *
    3.6 Warm Wash/Warm Rinse. Measure the water and electrical 
energy consumption for each water fill level and/or test load size 
as specified in sections 3.6.1 through 3.6.3 of this appendix for 
the applicable Warm Wash/Warm Rinse temperature selection(s), as 
defined within the energy test cycle. For a clothes washer with 
fewer than four discrete Warm Wash/Warm Rinse temperature 
selections, test all Warm Wash/Warm Rinse selections. For a clothes 
washer that offers four or more Warm Wash/Warm Rinse selections, 
test at all discrete selections, or test at 25 percent, 50 percent, 
and 75 percent positions of the temperature selection device between 
the hottest hot (<=135 [deg]F (57.2 [deg]C)) wash and the coldest 
cold wash. If a selection is not available at the 25, 50 or 75 
percent position, in place of each such unavailable selection use 
the next warmer setting. For each reportable value to be used for 
the Warm Wash/Warm Rinse temperature selection, calculate the 
average of all Warm Wash/Warm Rinse temperature selections tested 
pursuant to this section.
* * * * *

5. Test Loads

                                                               Table 5.1--Test Load Sizes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Container volume                               Minimum load                    Maximum load                    Average load
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                cu. ft.                       liter
---------------------------------------------------------       lb              kg              lb              kg              lb              kg
                  >=<                          >=<
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0.00-0.80.............................         0.00-22.7            3.00            1.36            3.00            1.36            3.00            1.36
0.80-0.90.............................         22.7-25.5            3.00            1.36            3.50            1.59            3.25            1.47
0.90-1.00.............................         25.5-28.3            3.00            1.36            3.90            1.77            3.45            1.56
1.00-1.10.............................         28.3-31.1            3.00            1.36            4.30            1.95            3.65            1.66
1.10-1.20.............................         31.1-34.0            3.00            1.36            4.70            2.13            3.85            1.75
1.20-1.30.............................         34.0-36.8            3.00            1.36            5.10            2.31            4.05            1.84
1.30-1.40.............................         36.8-39.6            3.00            1.36            5.50            2.49            4.25            1.93
1.40-1.50.............................         39.6-42.5            3.00            1.36            5.90            2.68            4.45            2.02
1.50-1.60.............................         42.5-45.3            3.00            1.36            6.40            2.90            4.70            2.13
1.60-1.70.............................         45.3-48.1            3.00            1.36            6.80            3.08            4.90            2.22
1.70-1.80.............................         48.1-51.0            3.00            1.36            7.20            3.27            5.10            2.31
1.80-1.90.............................         51.0-53.8            3.00            1.36            7.60            3.45            5.30            2.40
1.90-2.00.............................         53.8-56.6            3.00            1.36            8.00            3.63            5.50            2.49
2.00-2.10.............................         56.6-59.5            3.00            1.36            8.40            3.81            5.70            2.59
2.10-2.20.............................         59.5-62.3            3.00            1.36            8.80            3.99            5.90            2.68
2.20-2.30.............................         62.3-65.1            3.00            1.36            9.20            4.17            6.10            2.77
2.30-2.40.............................         65.1-68.0            3.00            1.36            9.60            4.35            6.30            2.86
2.40-2.50.............................         68.0-70.8            3.00            1.36           10.00            4.54            6.50            2.95
2.50-2.60.............................         70.8-73.6            3.00            1.36           10.50            4.76            6.75            3.06
2.60-2.70.............................         73.6-76.5            3.00            1.36           10.90            4.94            6.95            3.15
2.70-2.80.............................         76.5-79.3            3.00            1.36           11.30            5.13            7.15            3.24
2.80-2.90.............................         79.3-82.1            3.00            1.36           11.70            5.31            7.35            3.33
2.90-3.00.............................         82.1-85.0            3.00            1.36           12.10            5.49            7.55            3.42
3.00-3.10.............................         85.0-87.8            3.00            1.36           12.50            5.67            7.75            3.52
3.10-3.20.............................         87.8-90.6            3.00            1.36           12.90            5.85            7.95            3.61
3.20-3.30.............................         90.6-93.4            3.00            1.36           13.30            6.03            8.15            3.70
3.30-3.40.............................         93.4-96.3            3.00            1.36           13.70            6.21            8.35            3.79
3.40-3.50.............................         96.3-99.1            3.00            1.36           14.10            6.40            8.55            3.88
3.50-3.60.............................        99.1-101.9            3.00            1.36           14.60            6.62            8.80            3.99
3.60-3.70.............................       101.9-104.8            3.00            1.36           15.00            6.80            9.00            4.08
3.70-3.80.............................       104.8-107.6            3.00            1.36           15.40            6.99            9.20            4.17
3.80-3.90.............................       107.6-110.4            3.00            1.36           15.80            7.16            9.40            4.26
3.90-4.00.............................       110.4-113.3            3.00            1.36           16.20            7.34            9.60            4.35
4.00-4.10.............................       113.3-116.1            3.00            1.36           16.60            7.53            9.80            4.45
4.10-4.20.............................       116.1-118.9            3.00            1.36           17.00            7.72           10.00            4.54
4.20-4.30.............................       118.9-121.8            3.00            1.36           17.40            7.90           10.20            4.63
4.30-4.40.............................       121.8-124.6            3.00            1.36           17.80            8.09           10.40            4.72
4.40-4.50.............................       124.6-127.4            3.00            1.36           18.20            8.27           10.60            4.82
4.50-4.60.............................       127.4-130.3            3.00            1.36           18.70            8.46           10.85            4.91
4.60-4.70.............................       130.3-133.1            3.00            1.36           19.10            8.65           11.05            5.00

[[Page 49225]]

 
4.70-4.80.............................       133.1-135.9            3.00            1.36           19.50            8.83           11.25            5.10
4.80-4.90.............................       135.9-138.8            3.00            1.36           19.90            9.02           11.45            5.19
4.90-5.00.............................       138.8-141.6            3.00            1.36           20.30            9.20           11.65            5.28
5.00-5.10.............................       141.6-144.4            3.00            1.36           20.70            9.39           11.85            5.38
5.10-5.20.............................       144.4-147.2            3.00            1.36           21.10            9.58           12.05            5.47
5.20-5.30.............................       147.2-150.1            3.00            1.36           21.50            9.76           12.25            5.56
5.30-5.40.............................       150.1-152.9            3.00            1.36           21.90            9.95           12.45            5.65
5.40-5.50.............................       152.9-155.7            3.00            1.36           22.30           10.13           12.65            5.75
5.50-5.60.............................       155.7-158.6            3.00            1.36           22.80           10.32           12.90            5.84
5.60-5.70.............................       158.6-161.4            3.00            1.36           23.20           10.51           13.10            5.93
5.70-5.80.............................       161.4-164.2            3.00            1.36           23.60           10.69           13.30            6.03
5.80-5.90.............................       164.2-167.1            3.00            1.36           24.00           10.88           13.50            6.12
5.90-6.00.............................       167.1-169.9            3.00            1.36           24.40           11.06           13.70            6.21
6.00-6.10.............................       169.9-172.7            3.00            1.36           24.80           11.25           13.90            6.30
6.10-6.20.............................       172.7-175.6            3.00            1.36           25.20           11.43           14.10            6.40
6.20-6.30.............................       175.6-178.4            3.00            1.36           25.60           11.61           14.30            6.49
6.30-6.40.............................       178.4-181.2            3.00            1.36           26.00           11.79           14.50            6.58
6.40-6.50.............................       181.2-184.1            3.00            1.36           26.40           11.97           14.70            6.67
6.50-6.60.............................       184.1-186.9            3.00            1.36           26.90           12.20           14.95            6.78
6.60-6.70.............................       186.9-189.7            3.00            1.36           27.30           12.38           15.15            6.87
6.70-6.80.............................       189.7-192.6            3.00            1.36           27.70           12.56           15.35            6.96
6.80-6.90.............................       192.6-195.4            3.00            1.36           28.10           12.75           15.55            7.05
6.90-7.00.............................       195.4-198.2            3.00            1.36           28.50           12.93           15.75            7.14
7.00-7.10.............................       198.2-201.0            3.00            1.36           28.90           13.11           15.95            7.23
7.10-7.20.............................       201.0-203.9            3.00            1.36           29.30           13.29           16.15            7.33
7.20-7.30.............................       203.9-206.7            3.00            1.36           29.70           13.47           16.35            7.42
7.30-7.40.............................       206.7-209.5            3.00            1.36           30.10           13.65           16.55            7.51
7.40-7.50.............................       209.5-212.4            3.00            1.36           30.50           13.83           16.75            7.60
7.50-7.60.............................       212.4-215.2            3.00            1.36           31.00           14.06           17.00            7.71
7.60-7.70.............................       215.2-218.0            3.00            1.36           31.40           14.24           17.20            7.80
7.70-7.80.............................       218.0-220.9            3.00            1.36           31.80           14.42           17.40            7.89
7.80-7.90.............................       220.9-223.7            3.00            1.36           32.20           14.61           17.60            7.98
7.90-8.00.............................       223.7-226.5            3.00            1.36           32.60           14.79           17.80            8.07
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

0
11. Appendix J3 to subpart B of part 430 is revised to read as follows:

Appendix J3 to Subpart B of Part 430--Energy Test Cloth Specifications 
and Procedures for Determining Correction Coefficients of New Energy 
Test Cloth Lots

    Note: DOE maintains an historical record of the standard 
extractor test data and final correction curve coefficients for each 
approved lot of energy test cloth. These can be accessed through 
DOE's web page for standards and test procedures for residential 
clothes washers at DOE's Building Technologies Office Appliance and 
Equipment Standards website.

1. Objective

    This appendix includes the following: (1) Specifications for the 
energy test cloth to be used for testing clothes washers; (2) 
procedures for verifying that new lots of energy test cloth meet the 
defined material specifications; and (3) procedures for developing a 
set of correction coefficients that correlate the measured remaining 
moisture content (RMC) values of each new test cloth lot with a set 
of standard RMC values established as an historical reference point. 
These correction coefficients are applied to the RMC measurements 
performed during testing according to appendix J or appendix J2 to 
this subpart, ensuring that the final corrected RMC measurement for 
a clothes washer remains independent of the test cloth lot used for 
testing.

2. Definitions

    AHAM means the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers.
    Bone-dry means a condition of a load of test cloth that has been 
dried in a dryer at maximum temperature for a minimum of 10 minutes, 
removed and weighed before cool down, and then dried again for 10 
minute periods until the final weight change of the load is 1 
percent or less.
    Lot means a quantity of cloth that has been manufactured with 
the same batches of cotton and polyester during one continuous 
process.
    Roll means a subset of a lot.

3. Energy Test Cloth Specifications

    The energy test cloths and energy stuffer cloths must meet the 
following specifications:
    3.1 The test cloth material should come from a roll of material 
with a width of approximately 63 inches and approximately 500 yards 
per roll. However, other sizes may be used if the test cloth 
material meets the specifications listed in sections 3.2 through 3.6 
of this appendix.
    3.2 Nominal fabric type. Pure finished bleached cloth made with 
a momie or granite weave, which is nominally 50 percent cotton and 
50 percent polyester.
    3.3 Fabric weight. 5.60  0.25 ounces per square yard 
(190.0  8.4 g/m\2\).
    3.4 Thread count. 65 x 57 per inch (warp x fill), 2 
percent.
    3.5 Fiber content of warp and filling yarn. 50 percent  4 percent cotton, with the balance being polyester, open end 
spun, 15/1  5 percent cotton count blended yarn.
    3.6 Water repellent finishes, such as fluoropolymer stain 
resistant finishes, must not be applied to the test cloth.
    3.7. Test cloth dimensions.
    3.7.1 Energy test cloth. The energy test cloth must be made from 
energy test cloth material, as specified in section 3.1 of this 
appendix, that is 24  \1/2\ inches by 36  
\1/2\ inches (61.0  1.3 cm by 91.4  1.3 cm) 
and has been hemmed to 22  \1/2\ inches by 34  \1/2\ inches (55.9  1.3 cm by 86.4  
1.3 cm) before washing.
    3.7.2 Energy stuffer cloth. The energy stuffer cloth must be 
made from energy test cloth material, as specified in section 3.1 of 
this appendix, that is 12  \1/4\ inches by 12  \1/4\ inches (30.5  0.6 cm by 30.5  
0.6 cm) and has been hemmed to 10  \1/4\ inches by 10 
 \1/4\ inches (25.4  0.6 cm by 25.4  0.6 cm) before washing.

[[Page 49226]]

    3.8 The test cloth must be clean and must not be used for more 
than 60 test runs (after pre-conditioning as specified in section 5 
of this appendix). All test cloth must be permanently marked 
identifying the lot number of the material. Mixed lots of material 
must not be used for testing a clothes washer according to appendix 
J or appendix J2 to this subpart.

4. Equipment Specifications

    4.1 Extractor. Use a North Star Engineered Products Inc. 
(formerly Bock) Model 215 extractor (having a basket diameter of 20 
inches, height of 11.5 inches, and volume of 2.09 ft\3\), with a 
variable speed drive (North Star Engineered Products, P.O. Box 5127, 
Toledo, OH 43611) or an equivalent extractor with same basket design 
(i.e., diameter, height, volume, and hole configuration) and 
variable speed drive. Table 4.1 of this appendix shows the extractor 
spin speed, in revolutions per minute (RPM), that must be used to 
attain each required g-force level.

        Table 4.1--Extractor Spin Speeds for Each Test Condition
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        ``g Force''                              RPM
------------------------------------------------------------------------
100........................................................   594  1
200........................................................   840  1
350........................................................  1,111  1
500........................................................  1,328  1
650........................................................  1,514  1
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    4.2 Bone-dryer. The dryer used for drying the cloth to bone-dry 
must heat the test cloth and energy stuffer cloths above 210 [deg]F 
(99 [deg]C).

5. Test Cloth Pre-Conditioning Instructions

    Use the following instructions for performing pre-conditioning 
of new energy test cloths and energy stuffer cloths as specified 
throughout section 7 and section 8 of this appendix, and before any 
clothes washer testing using appendix J or appendix J2 to this 
subpart:
    Perform five complete wash-rinse-spin cycles, the first two with 
current AHAM Standard detergent Formula 3 and the last three without 
detergent. Place the test cloth in a clothes washer set at the 
maximum water level. Wash the load for ten minutes in soft water (17 
ppm hardness or less) using 27.0 grams + 4.0 grams per pound of 
cloth load of AHAM Standard detergent Formula 3. The wash 
temperature is to be controlled to 135 [deg]F  5 [deg]F 
(57.2 [deg]C  2.8 [deg]C) and the rinse temperature is 
to be controlled to 60 [deg]F  5 [deg]F (15.6 [deg]C 
 2.8 [deg]C). Dry the load to bone-dry between each of 
the five wash-rinse-spin cycles. The maximum shrinkage after 
preconditioning must not be more than 5 percent of the length and 
width. Measure per AATCC Test Method 135-2010 (incorporated by 
reference; see Sec.  430.3).

6. Extractor Run Instructions

    Use the following instructions for performing each of the 
extractor runs specified throughout section 7 and section 8 of this 
appendix:
    6.1 Test load size. Use a test load size of 8.4 lbs.
    6.2 Measure the average RMC for each sample loads as follows:
    6.2.1 Dry the test cloth until it is bone-dry according to the 
definition in section 2 of this appendix. Record the bone-dry weight 
of the test load (WI).
    6.2.2 Prepare the test load for soak by grouping four test 
cloths into loose bundles. Create the bundles by hanging four cloths 
vertically from one corner and loosely wrapping the test cloth onto 
itself to form the bundle. Bundles should be wrapped loosely to 
ensure consistency of water extraction. Then place the bundles into 
the water to soak. Eight to nine bundles will be formed depending on 
the test load. The ninth bundle may not equal four cloths but can 
incorporate energy stuffer cloths to help offset the size 
difference.
    6.2.3 Soak the test load for 20 minutes in 10 gallons of soft 
(<17 ppm) water. The entire test load must be submerged. Maintain a 
water temperature of 100 [deg]F  5 [deg]F (37.8 [deg]C 
 2.8 [deg]C) at all times between the start and end of 
the soak.
    6.2.4 Remove the test load and allow each of the test cloth 
bundles to drain over the water bath for a maximum of 5 seconds.
    6.2.5 Manually place the test cloth bundles in the basket of the 
extractor, distributing them evenly by eye. The draining and loading 
process must take no longer than 1 minute. Spin the load at a fixed 
speed corresponding to the intended centripetal acceleration level 
(measured in units of the acceleration of gravity, g)  
1g for the intended time period  5 seconds. Begin the 
timer when the extractor meets the required spin speed for each 
test.
    6.2.6 Record the weight of the test load immediately after the 
completion of the extractor spin cycle (WC).
    6.2.7 Calculate the remaining moisture content of the test load 
as (WC - WI)/WI.
    6.2.8 Draining the soak tub is not necessary if the water bath 
is corrected for water level and temperature before the next 
extraction.
    6.2.9 Drying the test load in between extraction runs is not 
necessary. However, the bone-dry weight must be checked after every 
12 extraction runs to make sure the bone-dry weight is within 
tolerance (8.4  0.1 lbs). Following this, the test load 
must be soaked and extracted once before continuing with the 
remaining extraction runs. Perform this extraction at the same spin 
speed used for the extraction run prior to checking the bone-dry 
weight, for a time period of 4 minutes. Either warm or cold soak 
temperature may be used.

7. Test Cloth Material Verification Procedure

    7.1 Material Properties Verification. The test cloth 
manufacturer must supply a certificate of conformance to ensure that 
the energy test cloth and stuffer cloth samples used for 
prequalification testing meet the specifications in section 3 of 
this appendix. The material properties of one energy test cloth from 
each of the first, middle, and last rolls must be evaluated as 
follows, prior to pre-conditioning:
    7.1.1 Dimensions. Each hemmed energy test cloth must meet the 
size specifications in section 3.7.1 of this appendix. Each hemmed 
stuffer cloth must meet the size specifications in section 3.7.2 of 
this appendix.
    7.1.2 Oil repellency. Perform AATCC Test Method 118-2007, Oil 
Repellency: Hydrocarbon Resistance Test, (incorporated by reference, 
see Sec.  430.3), to confirm the absence of Scotchguard^TM 
or other water-repellent finish. An Oil Repellency Grade of 0 (Fails 
Kaydol) is required.
    7.1.3 Absorbency. Perform AATCC Test Method 79-2010, Absorbency 
of Textiles, (incorporated by reference, see Sec.  430.3), to 
confirm the absence of Scotchguard^TM or other water-
repellent finish. The time to absorb one drop must be on the order 
of 1 second.
    7.2 Uniformity Verification. The uniformity of each test cloth 
lot must be evaluated as follows.
    7.2.1 Pre-conditioning. Pre-condition the energy test cloths and 
energy stuffer cloths used for uniformity verification, as specified 
in section 5 of this appendix.
    7.2.2 Distribution of samples. Test loads must be comprised of 
cloth from three different rolls from the sample lot. Each roll from 
a lot must be marked in the run order that it was made. The three 
rolls are selected based on the run order such that the first, 
middle, and last rolls are used. As the rolls are cut into cloth, 
fabric must be selected from the beginning, middle, and end of the 
roll to create separate loads from each location, for a total of 
nine sample loads according to Table 7.2.2.

 Table 7.2.2--Distribution of Sample Loads for Prequalification Testing
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Roll No.                          Roll location
------------------------------------------------------------------------
First..................................  Beginning.
                                         Middle.
                                         End.
Middle.................................  Beginning.
                                         Middle.
                                         End.
Last...................................  Beginning.
                                         Middle.
                                         End.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    7.2.3 Measure the remaining moisture content of each of the nine 
sample test loads, as specified in section 6 of this appendix, using 
a centripetal acceleration of 350g (corresponding to 1111  1 RPM) and a spin duration of 15 minutes  5 
seconds.
    7.2.4 Repeat section 7.2.3 of this appendix an additional two 
times and calculate the arithmetic average of the three RMC values 
to determine the average RMC value for each sample load. It is not 
necessary to dry the load to bone-dry the load before the second and 
third replications.
    7.2.5 Calculate the coefficient of variation (CV) of the nine 
average RMC values from each sample load. The CV must be less than 
or equal to 1 percent for the test cloth lot to be considered 
acceptable and to perform the standard extractor RMC testing.

8. RMC Correction Curve Procedure

    8.1 Pre-conditioning. Pre-condition the energy test cloths and 
energy stuffer cloths

[[Page 49227]]

used for RMC correction curve measurements, as specified in section 
5 of this appendix.
    8.2 Distribution of samples. Test loads must be comprised of 
randomly selected cloth at the beginning, middle and end of a lot. 
Two test loads may be used, with each load used for half of the 
total number of required tests. Separate test loads must be used 
from the loads used for uniformity verification.
    8.3 Measure the remaining moisture content of the test load, as 
specified in section 6 of this appendix at five g-force levels: 100 
g, 200 g, 350 g, 500 g, and 650 g, using two different spin times at 
each g level: 4 minutes and 15 minutes. Table 4.1 of this appendix 
provides the corresponding spin speeds for each g-force level.
    8.4 Repeat section 8.3 of this appendix using soft (<17 ppm) 
water at 60 [deg]F  5 [deg]F (15.6 [deg]C  
2.8 [deg]C).
    8.5 Repeat sections 8.3.3 and 8.3.4 of this appendix an 
additional two times, so that three replications at each extractor 
condition are performed. When this procedure is performed in its 
entirety, a total of 60 extractor RMC test runs are required.
    8.6 Average the values of the 3 replications performed for each 
extractor condition specified in section 8.3 of this appendix.
    8.7 Perform a linear least-squares fit to determine coefficients 
A and B such that the standard RMC values shown in Table 8.7 of this 
appendix (RMCstandard) are linearly related to the 
average RMC values calculated in section 8.6 of this appendix 
(RMCcloth):

RMCstandard ~ A x RMCcloth + B

where A and B are coefficients of the linear least-squares fit.

                                                      Table 8.7--Standard RMC Values (RMCstandard)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                RMC percentage
                                                     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     ``g Force''                                          Warm soak                                         Cold soak
                                                     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       15 min. spin (percent)   4 min. spin (percent)    15 min. spin (percent)   4 min. spin (percent)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
100.................................................                     45.9                     49.9                     49.7                     52.8
200.................................................                     35.7                     40.4                     37.9                     43.1
350.................................................                     29.6                     33.1                     30.7                     35.8
500.................................................                     24.2                     28.7                     25.5                     30.0
650.................................................                     23.0                     26.4                     24.1                     28.0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    8.8 Perform an analysis of variance with replication test using 
two factors, spin speed and lot, to check the interaction of speed 
and lot. Use the values from section 8.6 of this appendix and Table 
8.7 of this appendix in the calculation. The ``P'' value of the F-
statistic for interaction between spin speed and lot in the variance 
analysis must be greater than or equal to 0.1. If the ``P'' value is 
less than 0.1, the test cloth is unacceptable. ``P'' is a 
theoretically based measure of interaction based on an analysis of 
variance.

9. Application of the RMC Correction Curve

    9.1 Using the coefficients A and B calculated in section 8.7 of 
this appendix:

RMCcorr = A x RMC + B

    9.2 Apply this RMC correction curve to measured RMC values in 
appendix J and appendix J2 to this subpart.

PART 431--ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAM FOR CERTAIN COMMERCIAL AND 
INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT

0
12. The authority citation for part 431 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6291-6317; 28 U.S.C. 2461 note.

0
13. Section 431.152 is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  431.152  Definitions concerning commercial clothes washers.

    AEER means active-mode energy efficiency ratio, in pounds per 
kilowatt-hour per cycle (lbs/kWh/cycle), as determined in section 4.8 
of appendix J to subpart B of part 430 of this chapter (when using 
appendix J).
    Basic model means all units of a given type of covered product (or 
class thereof) manufactured by one manufacturer, having the same 
primary energy source, and which have essentially identical electrical, 
physical, and functional (or hydraulic) characteristics that affect 
energy consumption, energy efficiency, water consumption, or water 
efficiency.
    Commercial clothes washer means a soft-mounted front-loading or 
soft-mounted top-loading clothes washer that--
    (1) Has a clothes container compartment that--
    (i) For horizontal-axis clothes washers, is not more than 3.5 cubic 
feet; and
    (ii) For vertical-axis clothes washers, is not more than 4.0 cubic 
feet; and
    (2) Is designed for use in--
    (i) Applications in which the occupants of more than one household 
will be using the clothes washer, such as multi-family housing common 
areas and coin laundries; or
    (ii) Other commercial applications.
    IWF means integrated water factor, in gallons per cubic feet per 
cycle (gal/cu ft/cycle), as determined in section 4.2.12 of appendix J2 
to subpart B of part 430 of this chapter (when using appendix J2).
    MEFJ2 means modified energy factor, in cu ft/kWh/cycle, 
as determined in section 4.5 of appendix J2 to subpart B of part 430 
(when using appendix J2).
    WER means water efficiency ratio, in pounds per gallon per cycle 
(lbs/gal/cycle), as determined in section 4.7 of appendix J to subpart 
B of part 430 of this chapter (when using appendix J).
0
14. Section 431.154 is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  431.154  Test procedures.

    The test procedures for clothes washers in appendix J2 to subpart B 
of part 430 of this chapter must be used to determine compliance with 
the energy conservation standards at Sec.  431.156(b).

[FR Doc. 2021-17018 Filed 8-31-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P

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