Energy Conservation Program: Test Procedure for Air Cleaners, 63324-63353 [2022-21698]
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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 200 / Tuesday, October 18, 2022 / Proposed Rules
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
10 CFR Parts 429 and 430
[EERE–2021–BT–TP–0036]
RIN 1904–AF26
Energy Conservation Program: Test
Procedure for Air Cleaners
Office of Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy, Department of
Energy.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
and request for comment.
AGENCY:
The U.S. Department of
Energy (‘‘DOE’’) proposes to establish
definitions, a test procedure, and
sampling and representation
requirements for air cleaners. Currently,
air cleaners are not subject to DOE test
procedures or energy conservation
standards. DOE proposes a test
procedure for measuring the integrated
energy factor for air cleaners. The
proposed test method references the
relevant industry standard, with certain
proposed modifications. DOE is seeking
comment from interested parties on the
proposal.
DATES: DOE will accept comments, data,
and information regarding this proposal
no later than December 19, 2022. See
section V, ‘‘Public Participation,’’ for
details. DOE will hold a webinar on
Wednesday, November 9, 2022, from
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. See section V,
‘‘Public Participation,’’ for webinar
registration information, participant
instructions, and information about the
capabilities available to webinar
participants.
SUMMARY:
Interested persons are
encouraged to submit comments using
the Federal eRulemaking Portal at
www.regulations.gov under docket
number EERE–2021–BT–TP–0036.
Follow the instructions for submitting
comments. Alternatively, interested
persons may submit comments,
identified by docket number EERE–
2021–BT–TP–0036, by any of the
following methods:
Email: AirCleaners2021TP0036@
ee.doe.gov. Include the docket number
EERE–2021–BT–TP–0036 in the subject
line of the message.
Postal Mail: Appliance and
Equipment Standards Program, U.S.
Department of Energy, Building
Technologies Office, Mailstop EE–5B,
1000 Independence Avenue SW,
Washington, DC 20585–0121.
Telephone: (202) 287–1445. If possible,
please submit all items on a compact
disc (‘‘CD’’), in which case it is not
necessary to include printed copies.
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ADDRESSES:
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Hand Delivery/Courier: Appliance
and Equipment Standards Program, U.S.
Department of Energy, Building
Technologies Office, 950 L’Enfant Plaza
SW, 6th Floor, Washington, DC 20024.
Telephone: (202) 287–1445. If possible,
please submit all items on a CD, in
which case it is not necessary to include
printed copies.
No telefacsimiles (‘‘faxes’’) will be
accepted. For detailed instructions on
submitting comments and additional
information on this process, see section
V of this document.
Docket: The docket for this activity,
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, not all documents listed in
the index may be publicly available,
such as information that is exempt from
public disclosure.
The docket web page can be found at
www.regulations.gov/docket/EERE2021-BT-TP-0036. 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:
Dr. Stephanie Johnson, U.S.
Department of Energy, Office of Energy
Efficiency and Renewable Energy,
Building Technologies Office, EE–5B,
1000 Independence Avenue SW,
Washington, DC 20585–0121.
Telephone: (202) 287–1943. Email
ApplianceStandardsQuestions@
ee.doe.gov.
Ms. Amelia Whiting, U.S. Department
of Energy, Office of the General Counsel,
GC–33, 1000 Independence Avenue SW,
Washington, DC 20585–0121.
Telephone: (202) 586–2588. Email:
Amelia.Whiting@hq.doe.gov.
For further information on how to
submit a comment, review other public
comments and the docket, or participate
in a public meeting (if one is held),
contact the Appliance and Equipment
Standards Program staff at (202) 287–
1445 or by email:
ApplianceStandardsQuestions@
ee.doe.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DOE
proposes to incorporate by reference the
following draft industry standards into
10 CFR part 430:
AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft, ‘‘Energy
Test Method for Consumer Room Air
Cleaners’’.
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AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft is in draft
form and its text was provided to DOE
for the purposes of review only during
the drafting of this notice of proposed
rulemaking (‘‘NOPR’’). DOE intends to
update the reference to the final
published version of AHAM AC–7–2022
Draft in the test procedure final rule,
should it publish prior to the final rule,
unless there are substantive changes
between the draft and published
versions, in which case DOE may adopt
the substance of the AHAM AC–7–2022
Draft or provide additional opportunity
for comment on the changes to the
industry consensus test procedure.
A copy of AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft is
included in the docket for this proposed
rulemaking.
AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft additionally
references ANSI/AHAM AC–1–2020,
‘‘Method for Measuring Performance of
Portable Household Electric Room Air
Cleaners’’ in several sections (‘‘AHAM
AC–1–2020’’).
A copy of AHAM AC–1–2020 can be
obtained from the Association of Home
Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) at
1111 19th Street NW, Suite 402,
Washington, DC 20036; or
www.aham.org/AHAM/AuxStore.
ASTM E741–11(2017), ‘‘Standard Test
Method for Determining Air Change in
a Single Zone Means of a Tracer Gas
Dilution’’ Reapproved Sept. 1, 2017.
A copy of ASTM E741–11(2017) can
be obtained from ASTM International
(ASTM), 100 Barr Harbor Drive, P.O.
Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA
19428–2959, or www.astm.org.
IEC 62301, ‘‘Household electrical
appliances—Measurement of standby
power;’’ Edition 2.0, 2011–01, (‘‘IEC
62301 Ed. 2.0’’).
A copy of IEC 62301 Ed. 2.0 can be
obtained from the International
Electrotechnical Commission (IEC),
available from the American National
Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W 43rd
Street, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036,
(212) 642–4900, or webstore.ansi.org.
See section IV.M of this document for
a further discussion of these standards.
Table of Contents
I. Authority and Background
A. Authority
B. Background
C. Deviation From Appendix A
II. Synopsis of the Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking
III. Discussion
A. Scope of Applicability
B. Industry Standards Incorporated by
Reference
1. AHAM AC–1 and AHAM AC–7 Industry
Standards
2. Other Industry Standards
C. Definitions
D. Test Conditions
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1. Electrical Supply
2. Ambient Conditions
3. Test Chamber Air Exchange Rate
4. Test Chamber Particulate Matter
Concentrations
5. Test Unit Preparation
6. Test Unit Placement for Testing
7. Network Functionality
E. Instrumentation
F. Active Mode Testing
1. Background on CADR
2. Particulate Used for Testing and CADR
Measurement
3. Performance Mode for Testing
4. Secondary Functions
5. Power Measurement Procedure
6. Pollen CADR
7. Consumer Use Hours
G. Standby Mode Testing
H. Integrated Energy Factor Metric
I. Representations
J. Sampling Plan
K. Test Procedure Costs and
Harmonization
1. Test Procedure Costs and Impact
2. Harmonization With Industry Standards
L. Compliance Date
IV. Procedural Issues and Regulatory Review
A. Review Under Executive Orders 12866
and 13563
B. Review Under the Regulatory Flexibility
Act
1. Description of 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
On July 15, 2022, DOE published a
final determination (‘‘July 2022 Final
Determination’’) in which it determined
that air cleaners qualify as a ‘‘covered
product’’ under the Energy Policy and
Conservation Act, as amended
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(‘‘EPCA’’).1 87 FR 42297. DOE
determined in the July 2022 Final
Determination that coverage of air
cleaners is necessary or appropriate to
carry out the purposes of EPCA, and
that the average U.S. household energy
use for air cleaners is likely to exceed
100 kilowatt-hours (‘‘kWh’’) per year. Id.
Currently, no energy conservation
standards or test procedures are
prescribed by DOE for air cleaners. The
following sections discuss DOE’s
authority to establish test procedures for
air cleaners and relevant background
information regarding DOE’s
consideration of test procedures for this
product.
A. Authority
EPCA, 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 for certain
products, referred to as ‘‘covered
products.’’ 3 In addition to specifying a
list of consumer products that are
covered products, EPCA contains
provisions that enable the Secretary of
Energy to classify additional types of
consumer products as covered products.
To classify a consumer product as a
covered product, the Secretary must
determine that classifying the product
as a covered product is necessary or
appropriate to carry out the purposes of
EPCA and the average annual per
household 4 energy use by products of
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), which
reflect the last statutory amendments that impact
Parts A and A–1 of EPCA.
2 For editorial reasons, upon codification in the
U.S. Code, Part B was redesignated Part A.
3 The enumerated list of covered products is at 42
U.S.C. 6292(a)(1)–(19).
4 DOE has defined ‘‘household’’ to mean an entity
consisting of either an individual, a family, or a
group of unrelated individuals, who reside in a
particular housing unit. For the purpose of this
definition: Group quarters means living quarters
that are occupied by an institutional group of 10 or
more unrelated persons, such as a nursing home,
military barracks, halfway house, college dormitory,
fraternity or sorority house, convent, shelter, jail or
correctional institution. Housing unit means a
house, an apartment, a group of rooms, or a single
room occupied as separate living quarters, but does
not include group quarters.
Separate living quarters means living quarters: to
which the occupants have access either: directly
from outside of the building, or through a common
hall that is accessible to other living quarters and
that does not go through someone else’s living
quarters, and occupied by one or more persons who
live and eat separately from occupant(s) of other
living quarters, if any, in the same building. 10 CFR
430.2.
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such type is likely to exceed 100 kWh
(or British thermal unit (‘‘Btu’’)
equivalent) per year. (42 U.S.C.
6292(b)(1))
As stated, DOE has determined that
air cleaners are covered products. 87 FR
42297.
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), test procedures (42
U.S.C. 6293), labeling provisions (42
U.S.C. 6294), energy conservation
standards (42 U.S.C. 6295), and the
authority to require information and
reports from manufacturers (42 U.S.C.
6296).
The Federal testing requirements
consist of test procedures that
manufacturers of covered products must
use as the basis for: (1) certifying to DOE
that their products comply with the
applicable energy conservation
standards adopted pursuant to EPCA (42
U.S.C. 6295(s)), and (2) making other
representations about the efficiency of
those consumer products (42 U.S.C.
6293(c)). Similarly, DOE must use these
test procedures to determine whether
the products comply with relevant
standards promulgated under EPCA. (42
U.S.C. 6295(s))
Federal energy efficiency
requirements for covered products
established under EPCA generally
supersede State laws and regulations
concerning energy conservation testing,
labeling, and standards. (42 U.S.C. 6297)
DOE may, however, grant waivers of
Federal preemption for particular State
laws or regulations, in accordance with
the procedures and other provisions of
EPCA. (42 U.S.C. 6297(d))
Under 42 U.S.C. 6293, EPCA sets forth
the criteria and procedures DOE must
follow when prescribing or amending
test procedures for covered products.
EPCA requires that any test procedures
prescribed or amended under this
section be reasonably designed to
produce test results which measure
energy efficiency, energy use or
estimated annual operating cost of a
covered product during a representative
average use cycle or period of use and
not be unduly burdensome to conduct.
(42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(3))
If the Secretary determines, on her
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
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present oral and written data, views,
and arguments with respect to such
procedures. The comment period on a
proposed rule to amend a test procedure
shall be at least 60 days and may not
exceed 270 days. In prescribing or
amending a test procedure, the
Secretary shall take into account such
information as the Secretary determines
relevant to such procedure, including
technological developments relating to
energy use or energy efficiency of the
type (or class) of covered products
involved. (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(2)). If DOE
determines that test procedure revisions
are not appropriate, DOE must publish
its determination not to amend the test
procedures. (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(1)(A)(ii))
In addition, EPCA requires that DOE
amend its test procedures for all covered
products to integrate measures of
standby mode and off mode energy
consumption. (42 U.S.C. 6295(gg)(2)(A))
Standby mode and off mode energy
consumption must be incorporated into
the overall energy efficiency, energy
consumption, or other energy descriptor
for each covered product unless the
current test procedures already account
for and incorporate standby and off
mode energy consumption or such
integration is technically infeasible. If
an integrated test procedure is
technically infeasible, DOE must
prescribe a separate standby mode and
off mode energy use test procedure for
the covered product, if technically
feasible. (42 U.S.C. 6295(gg)(2)(A)(ii))
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))
DOE is publishing this NOPR
consistent with its authority and these
obligations.
B. Background
DOE has not previously conducted a
test procedure rulemaking for air
cleaners. As stated, DOE determined in
the July 2022 Final Determination that:
coverage of air cleaners is necessary or
appropriate to carry out the purposes of
EPCA; the average U.S. household
energy use for air cleaners is likely to
exceed 100 kWh per year; and thus, air
cleaners qualify as a ‘‘covered product’’
under EPCA. 87 FR 42297.
On January 25, 2022, DOE published
a request for information (‘‘January 2022
RFI’’), seeking comments on potential
test procedure and energy conservation
standards for air cleaners. 87 FR 3702.
In the January 2022 RFI, DOE requested
comments, data, and information
regarding development and evaluation
of a new air cleaners test procedure that
would be reasonably designed to
produce test results, which reflect
energy use during a representative
average use cycle for the product
without being unduly burdensome to
conduct.7 Id. This NOPR addresses the
comments received in response to the
January 2022 RFI that pertain to the test
procedure for air cleaners. DOE will
address comments pertaining to the
energy conservation standards for air
cleaners in a separate standards
rulemaking.
DOE received comments in response
to the January 2022 RFI from the
interested parties listed in Table I.1.
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TABLE I.1—LIST OF COMMENTERS WITH WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS IN RESPONSE TO THE JANUARY 2022 RFI
Commenter(s)
Reference in
this NOPR
Comment No.
in the docket
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, Appliance
Standards Awareness Project, Association of Home Appliance
Manufacturers, Consumer Federation of America, and Natural Resources Defense Council.
Air-Conditioning, Heating, & Refrigeration Institute .............................
Blueair IAQ ...........................................................................................
Daikin U.S. Corporation .......................................................................
Electrolux Home Products Inc. North America ....................................
Lennox International Inc .......................................................................
Madison Indoor Air Quality ..................................................................
Molekule, Inc ........................................................................................
Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance ..................................................
Pacific Gas and Electric Company, San Diego Gas and Electric, and
Southern California Edison; collectively, the California Investor
Owned Utilities.
Synexis LLC .........................................................................................
Trane Technologies .............................................................................
Joint Commenters ..
8
AHRI ......................
Blueair ....................
Daikin .....................
Electrolux ...............
Lennox ...................
MIAQ ......................
Molekule ................
NEEA .....................
CA IOUs ................
15
11
13
6
7
5
12
14
10
Synexis ..................
Trane .....................
9
3
A parenthetical reference at the end of
a comment quotation or paraphrase
provides the location of the item in the
public record.8
On August 23, 2022, the Joint
Commenters, New York State Energy
Research and Development Authority,
and Pacific Gas and Electric Company
(hereafter referred to as ‘‘Joint
Stakeholders’’), submitted a joint
proposal recommending a test
procedure and energy conservation
standards for consumer room air
cleaners. (Joint Stakeholders, No. 16 at
p. 1)
5 IEC 62301, Household electrical appliances—
Measurement of standby power (Edition 2.0, 2011–
01).
6 IEC 62087, Audio, video and related
equipment—Methods of measurement for power
consumption (Edition 1.0, Parts 1–6: 2015, Part 7:
2018).
7 The January 2022 RFI also solicited information
regarding the development and evaluation of
potential new energy conservation standards for air
cleaners, and whether such standards would result
in significant energy savings, be technologically
feasible and economically justified. 87 FR 3702.
8 The parenthetical reference provides a reference
for information located in the docket of DOE’s
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C. Deviation From Appendix A
In accordance with section 3(a) of 10
CFR part 430, subpart C, appendix A
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Commenter type
Efficiency Organizations and
Trade Association.
Trade Association.
Manufacturer.
Manufacturer.
Manufacturer.
Manufacturer.
Manufacturer.
Manufacturer.
Efficiency Organization.
Utility Association.
Manufacturer.
Manufacturer.
(‘‘appendix A’’), DOE notes that it is
deviating from the provision in
appendix A that DOE will finalize
coverage for a product/equipment at
least 180 days prior to publication of a
proposed rule to establish a test
procedure. 10 CFR part 430, subpart C,
appendix A, section 5(c). DOE is opting
to deviate from this provision because of
rulemaking to develop test procedures for air
cleaners. (Docket No. EERE–2021–BT–TP–0036,
which is maintained at www.regulations.gov). The
references are arranged as follows: (commenter
name, comment docket ID number, page of that
document).
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broad support for the development of
test procedures and energy conservation
standards, which is further evidenced
by the Joint Proposal outlining
negotiated energy conservation
standards and related test procedures
for consumer room air cleaners. The
Joint Stakeholders urged DOE to publish
final rules adopting consumer room air
cleaner test procedure and standards as
soon as possible but not later than
December 31, 2022. (Joint Stakeholders,
No. 16 at p.1) DOE is working to
conduct this rulemaking in accordance
with that timeline which would require
DOE to publish this test procedure
NOPR less than 180 days after
publication of the July 2022 Final
Determination.
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II. Synopsis of the Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking
In this NOPR, DOE proposes to
establish a new test procedure at 10 CFR
part 430, subpart B, appendix FF
(‘‘appendix FF’’) for air cleaners that
would include methods to (1) measure
the performance of the covered product
and (2) use the measured results to
calculate an integrated energy factor
(‘‘IEF’’) to represent the energy
efficiency of an air cleaner.
DOE’s proposed test procedure for air
cleaners includes measurements of
smoke clean air delivery rate (‘‘CADR’’)
and dust CADR, which are used to
calculate PM2.5 9 CADR, and active
mode and standby mode power
consumption, which are used to
calculate annual energy consumption
(‘‘AEC’’). PM2.5 CADR and AEC are
required to calculate IEF. DOE also
proposes to include measurements of
pollen CADR and calculation of
effective room size for representation
purposes. For consistent and uniform
measurement of these values, DOE
proposes to incorporate by reference the
industry standards AHAM AC–7–2022
Draft, AHAM AC–1–2020, and IEC
62301 Ed. 2.0. Specifically, DOE
proposes to specify the following
provisions from within the referenced
industry standards:
(1) From AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft, the
following items:
(a) Definition of ‘‘conventional room
air cleaners’’ in 10 CFR 430.2, which
would be used to specify the scope of
the air cleaners test procedure in the
proposed new appendix FF;
(b) Definitions of terms that are
relevant to the test procedure;
(c) Test setup requirements for
electrical supply and test chamber,
9 PM
2.5 refers to particulate matter that are
nominally 2.5 micrometers in width or smaller.
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which additionally include a reference
to AHAM AC–1–2020;
(d) Instrumentation requirements for
power measuring instruments and
temperature and relative humidity
measuring devices;
(e) Active mode and standby mode
power measurements; the standby mode
power measurement method
additionally includes a reference to IEC
62301 Ed. 2.0 for the test conduct; and
(f) Calculations for PM2.5 CADR,
AEC, and IEF.
(2) From AHAM AC–1–2020, test
methods for determining the pollen
CADR, smoke CADR, and dust CADR,
calculation of effective room size, and
test chamber construction and
equipment.
This NOPR also proposes
requirements regarding the sampling
plan and representations for air cleaners
at 10 CFR 429.67. DOE also proposes
rounding requirements for the measured
and calculated values of the air cleaners
test procedure.
If the proposed test procedure and
associated provisions are final,
manufacturers would not be required to
test according to the DOE test procedure
until such time as compliance is
required with energy conservation
standards for air cleaners, should DOE
establish such standards. Were DOE to
establish test procedures as proposed,
manufacturers choosing to make
voluntary representations would be
required to test the subject air cleaner
according to the established test
procedure, and any such representations
would have to fairly disclose the results
of such testing.
While discussion of DOE’s proposed
actions are addressed in detail in
section III of this NOPR, DOE also
received comments regarding the
rulemaking process and timeline. These
comments are summarized underneath.
AHRI and MIAQ commented that
unresolved issues regarding scope and
applicability from the September 2021
NOPD, made it difficult for stakeholders
to participate meaningfully in providing
substantive technical comments
necessary to determine whether a
particular test procedure is feasible and
the impact of energy conservation
standards on these products. (AHRI, No.
15 at p. 2; MIAQ, No. 5 at p. 2) AHRI
and MIAQ additionally commented that
the shortened comment period of 30
days from 75 days for the January 2022
RFI inhibited AHRI and MIAQ from
investigating test laboratory capacity or
capabilities. (AHRI, No. 15 at pp. 2–3;
MIAQ, No. 5 at p. 2) Electrolux inquired
about whether DOE’s timeframe for the
air cleaners rulemakings was long-term
(i.e., 5–6 years) or near-term (i.e., 2–3
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years). (Electrolux, No. 6 at p. 1)
Electrolux further inquired if
information from the air cleaner
rulemakings would be incorporated into
ongoing international standards
discussions. (Id.)
In the September 2021 NOPD, DOE
proposed a definition for the term ‘‘air
cleaner’’. 86 FR 51629, 51632. At the
time of the January 2022 RFI, DOE had
not made a final determination about
whether to cover air cleaners as a
covered product nor had it finalized a
definition of the term. 87 FR 3702, 3707.
As such, the focus of the test procedure
portion of the January 2022 RFI was to
seek feedback primarily on the AHAM
AC–1–2020 test procedure, which is an
industry-accepted standard for testing
portable household electric room air
cleaners, as well as on other industry,
investigative, and international test
methods, including those under
development. 87 FR 3702, 3707–3708.
Further, as it pertains to the timeline for
this rulemaking and as discussed in
section I.C of this document, the
timeline of this rulemaking is
accelerated compared to DOE’s typical
timeline in order to follow as closely as
possible the schedule outlined in the
negotiated agreement.
III. Discussion
A. Scope of Applicability
In the September 2021 NOPD, DOE
proposed the following definition for air
cleaners:
An air cleaner is a consumer product
that:
(1) Is a self-contained, mechanically
encased assembly;
(2) Is powered by single-phase electric
current;
(3) Removes, destroys, or deactivates
particulates and microorganisms from
the air;
(4) Excludes products that destroy or
deactivate particulates and
microorganisms solely by means of
ultraviolet light without a fan for air
circulation; and
(5) Excludes central air conditioners,
room air conditioners, portable air
conditioners, dehumidifiers, and
furnaces as defined in 10 CFR 430.2. 86
FR 51629, 51632.
After considering the comments
received in response to the September
2021 NOPD and January 2022 RFI, in
the July 2022 Final Determination, DOE
defined an air cleaner at 10 CFR 430.2
as ‘‘a product for improving indoor air
quality, other than a central air
conditioner, room air conditioner,
portable air conditioner, dehumidifier,
or furnace, that is an electricallypowered, self-contained, mechanically
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encased assembly that contains means
to remove, destroy, or deactivate
particulates, VOCs, and/or
microorganisms from the air. It excludes
products that operate solely by means of
ultraviolet light without a fan for air
circulation.’’ 87 FR 42297, 42304 and
42308.
In the July 2022 Final Determination,
DOE addressed comments it received in
response to the September 2021 NOPD
as well as some of the comments it
received in response to the January 2022
RFI 10 that pertained to the scope of the
rulemaking and definition of an air
cleaner.
In this NOPR, DOE is proposing to
establish test procedures for a subset of
products that meet the definition of ‘‘air
cleaner’’ as established by the July 2022
Final Determination. Specifically, DOE
is proposing to define the scope of the
proposed test procedure as covering
products defined as ‘‘conventional room
air cleaners’’ in the AHAM AC–7–2022
Draft standard. The proposed scope of
the test procedure aligns with the
available industry standard and
encompasses a majority of the air
cleaner market. Further, this scope is
consistent with the scope in the Joint
Proposal. (Joint Stakeholders, No. 16 at
p. 5) DOE may consider test procedures
for other types of air cleaners in a future
rulemaking.
Section 2.1.1 of AHAM AC–7–2022
Draft defines a ‘‘conventional room air
cleaner’’ as a consumer room air cleaner
that is a portable or wall mounted
(fixed) unit that plugs in to an electrical
outlet; operates with a fan for air
circulation; and contains means to
remove, destroy, and/or deactivate
particulates.
Sections 2.1.3.1 and 2.1.3.2 of AHAM
AC–7–2022 Draft further define
‘‘portable’’ and ‘‘fixed’’, respectively, as
follows:
Portable: can be easily moved from
one place to another for use; and has no
provision for permanent mounting.
Tools are not required for the product
installation or removal.
Fixed: permanently connected to the
electrical supply source; permanently
mounted, such that tools are required
for the product installation or removal;
or, sized so that it is not easily moved
from one place to another.
10 (Joint Commenters, No. 8 at pp. 2, 3; Daikin,
No. 12 at p. 2; AHRI, No. 15 at pp. 3–4, 4, 4–5, 5,
5–6; MIAQ, No. 5, at pp. 3, 3–4, 4–5; Synexis, No.
14, at pp. 1, 1–2; Blueair, No. 11 at p. 2; Lennox,
No. 7 at pp. 1–2, 2; NEEA, No. 13 at p. 3; CA IOUs,
No. 9 at pp. 9–10, 11; Trane Technologies, No. 3
at p, 3).
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DOE proposes to specify in section 1
of the proposed new appendix FF that
the test procedure applies to
‘‘conventional room air cleaners’’ and to
define that term in 10 CFR 430.2
through reference to Section 2.1.1 of
AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft. DOE further
proposes to add references to Sections
2.1.3.1 and 2.1.3.2 of AHAM AC–7–
2022 Draft to the proposed definition of
conventional room air cleaners to
reference the definitions of portable and
fixed conventional room air cleaners.
DOE requests comment on its
proposal to define the scope of the
proposed air cleaner test procedure as
those air cleaners that meet the
definition of a conventional room air
cleaner as defined in Section 2.1.1 of
AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft.
DOE requests comment on its
proposal to reference Sections 2.1.1,
2.1.3.1, and 2.1.3.2 of AHAM AC–7–
2022 Draft in 10 CFR 430.2 for the
definitions of conventional room air
cleaner, portable conventional room air
cleaner, and fixed conventional room air
cleaner, respectively.
In addition to defining the scope of
the proposed air cleaner test procedure
to conventional room air cleaners, DOE
notes that Section 2 of AHAM AC–1–
2020 indicates that the precision of the
test method is as follows: ± 25 cubic feet
per minute (‘‘cfm’’) for pollen CADR; ±
10 cfm for dust CADR; and ± 10 cfm for
cigarette smoke CADR. Additionally,
Section 2 of AHAM AC–1–2020
indicates that the theoretical maximum
limits for CADR are determined by the
maximum number of initial available
particles, the acceptable minimum
number of available particles, an
average background natural decay rate
(from statistical study), the size of the
test chamber, and the available
minimum experiment time. Given these
levels of precision, Section 2 of AHAM
AC–1–2020 specifies the test procedure
being applicable only to air cleaners
within rated CADR ranges of 10 to 600
cfm for dust and cigarette smoke and 25
to 450 cfm for pollen.
Further, in the negotiated agreement
submitted by the Joint Stakeholders,
they propose that negotiated standards
are applicable to conventional room air
cleaners with a minimum PM2.5 CADR
of 10 cfm. (Joint Stakeholders, No. 16 at
p. 9)
As discussed, DOE’s proposed scope
pertains to conventional room air
cleaners that are portable or wall
mounted and plug into an electrical
outlet. This is also the scope of the
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AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft and AHAM
AC–1–2020 standards, which DOE is
proposing to reference for the CADR and
power measurement tests as discussed
in later sections of this NOPR. Given
that DOE is proposing to reference the
AHAM industry standards for the DOE
air cleaner test procedure, DOE requests
comment on whether it should also
specify the acceptable CADR range from
AHAM AC–1–2020 as part of its test
procedure scope. Specifically, DOE
would consider specifying that the test
procedure is applicable for conventional
room air cleaners with smoke or dust
CADR between 10 to 600 cfm.
DOE requests comment on whether it
should reference Section 2 of AHAM
AC–1–2020, which specifies that the
standard is applicable for air cleaners
only within rated CADR ranges of 10 to
600 cfm for dust and cigarette smoke.
Additionally, DOE requests comment on
whether this CADR range should be
specified for PM2.5 CADR instead of for
dust CADR and smoke CADR.
B. Industry Standards Incorporated by
Reference
1. AHAM AC–1 and AHAM AC–7
Industry Standards
As discussed, AHAM published
AHAM AC–1–2020 for measuring the
performance of portable household
electric room air cleaners.
AHAM AC–1–2020 is a voluntary
industry-developed test procedure that
provides test methods to measure the
relative reduction of smoke, dust, and
pollen suspended in the air in a
specified test chamber when an air
cleaner is in operation. The test method
is conducted by introducing a known
initial concentration of a given
particulate in the chamber, without the
air cleaner in operation, to measure its
natural decay. Next, the particulate is
reintroduced in the chamber with the
air cleaner in operation to measure the
particulate decay with the air cleaner
operating. The difference in the
logarithmic rate of decay with the air
cleaner in operation and without the air
cleaner in operation, multiplied by the
volume of the chamber, provides the
CADR value of the test unit. AHAM AC–
1–2020 additionally specifies methods
to measure an air cleaner’s active mode
power consumption when conducting
the pollen, smoke, or dust performance
test in the test chamber, as well as
methods to measure standby mode
power consumption.
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AHAM AC–1–2020 is currently
referenced by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (‘‘EPA’’) in the
ENERGY STAR Product Specification
for Room Air Cleaners, Version 2.0, Rev.
May 2022 (‘‘ENERGY STAR V. 2.0
Specification’’).11 Further, the ENERGY
STAR V. 2.0 Specification is referenced
by air cleaner standards in Washington
DC, New Jersey, Nevada, and
Maryland.12
In the January 2022 RFI, DOE
requested comment on whether AHAM
AC–1–2020 provides an appropriate
method to use as the basis for a Federal
test method and for defining energy
conservation standards for air cleaners.
87 FR 3702, 3708. DOE also sought
feedback on industry standards that
could be referenced for the standby
power measurement procedure.
Specifically, DOE requested feedback on
the suitability of the standby power
measurement test procedure specified in
AHAM AC–1–2020, IEC 62301 Ed. 2.0,
or any other test method for measuring
standby mode and off mode energy use
of consumer air cleaners, in light of
EPCA’s requirement in 42 U.S.C.
6295(gg)(2)(A)) for DOE to consider the
most current version of IEC Standard
62301. Id. at 87 FR 3709, 3710.
The Joint Commenters stated that
AHAM and its partners 13 are currently
developing the AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft
standard, which is a test procedure to
measure the energy efficiency of air
cleaners. (Joint Commenters, No. 8 at p.
3) The Joint Stakeholders recommended
that DOE adopt AHAM AC–7–2022,
which is currently in final draft form, as
the test procedure. The Joint
Stakeholders additionally stated that if
a final version of AHAM AC–7–2022 is
not available to incorporate by
reference, DOE should align with the
final draft version and AHAM
authorized DOE to use the text of the
final draft as the basis for DOE’s test
procedure. (Joint Stakeholders, No. 16 at
p. 6) 14 Blueair expressed support for the
11 Further information on the ENERGY STAR
V2.0 Specification is available online at:
www.energystar.gov/sites/default/files/asset/
document/ENERGY%20STAR%20Version
%202.0%20Room%20Air%20Cleaners
%20Specification%20%28Rev.%20May%202022
%29.pdf.
12 Further information on state air cleaner
standards and timelines is available online from
ASAP at: https://appliance-standards.org/product/
air-purifiers.
13 Partners include ASAP, the CA IOUs, DOE, and
Guidehouse.
14 The CA IOUs supported the updates that were
being discussed by AHAM and its partners. (CA
IOUs, No. 10 at p. 1) After publication of the Joint
Statement, the CA IOUs also submitted a letter of
support for the negotiated agreement, which
includes using AHAM AC–7–2022 for the DOE air
cleaner test procedure. (CA IOUs, No. 17 at p. 1).
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AHAM AC–1–2020 standard as a robust
method for determining air cleaner
energy efficiency and stated that it
should serve as the Federal test
procedure. (Blueair, No. 11 at pp. 2–3)
Blueair noted that laboratories across
the country can readily run tests for
manufacturers and third parties at
reasonable costs and turnaround times.
(Id.) Daikin commented that the AHAM
AC–1–2020 test procedure was
appropriate for testing portable small
room air cleaners. (Daikin, No. 13 at p.
2) MIAQ and Lennox commented that
the AHAM AC–1–2020 standard is
appropriate to test portable air cleaners,
but would not be appropriate to test
non-portable air cleaners that would be
included in the scope of DOE’s covered
product. (MIAQ, No. 5 at p. 3; Lennox,
No. 7 at p. 2) Molekule commented that
based on its research, existing
standards, such as AHAM AC–1–2020
are limited in their ability to determine
the efficacy of air cleaners that remove
and oxidize airborne allergens (i.e.,
aeroallergens). (Molekule, No. 12 at p. 4)
Synexis commented that AHAM AC–1–
2020 was designed for measuring the
performance of indoor air cleaners,
which remove particulates from the air,
presumably via mechanical filtration
and it does not account for the
performance of devices that use
mechanisms other than mechanical
filtration. (Synexis, No. 9 at p. 2)
Since publication of the January 2022
RFI, DOE is aware that AHAM’s air
cleaner task force is working to establish
a new test method, AHAM AC–7–2022
Draft, that would specify the test
methods for measuring air cleaner
efficiency. The power measurement test
methods specified in AHAM AC–7–
2022 Draft are being developed using
the existing power measurement test
methods specified in AHAM AC–1–
2020, updated to reflect current air
cleaner technologies and functionalities.
Additionally, AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft
specifies the methods to determine
PM2.5 CADR, which is calculated based
on the smoke and dust CADR values;
AEC; and IEF (expressed in CADR per
watt (‘‘CADR/W’’)), which defines the
efficacy of an air cleaner. DOE has
participated in the meetings of the
AHAM task force group responsible for
developing AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft
and has provided input on several
topics during its development. DOE has
also conducted testing according to
AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft and provided
input to the AHAM task force based on
its observations and experience during
testing.
AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft additionally
references AHAM AC–1–2020 in several
sections to specify requirements for the
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test chamber equipment and setup, as
well as to conduct the in-chamber active
mode power consumption test. All but
one section refers to ‘‘ANSI/AHAM AC–
1,’’ ‘‘AHAM AC–1,’’ or ‘‘ANSI/AHAM
AC–1–2020.’’ DOE understands each of
these references to be denoting the
AHAM AC–1–2020 version of the
standard, since it is included as a
normative reference in AHAM AC–7–
2022 Draft. In contrast, Section 5.7.1 of
AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft references
ANSI/AHAM AC–1–2022 Draft in
stating that potassium chloride (‘‘KCl’’)
is allowed as an alternate to cigarette
smoke in ANSI/AHAM AC–1–2022
Draft. The text of AHAM AC–1–2022
Draft standard was not available
publicly for DOE to review at the time
of publication of this NOPR. However,
from its participation on the AHAM task
force, DOE understands AHAM AC–1–
2022 Draft to be materially the same as
AHAM AC–1–2020, with updates to
harmonize with other AHAM air
cleaners standards (e.g., AC–7, AC–5 15
for microorganisms, AC–4 16 for gases,
etc.) and to remove the power
measurement requirements from AHAM
AC–1–2020, given that these
requirements are now specified in
AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft.
In this NOPR, DOE proposes to
incorporate by reference AHAM AC–7–
2022 Draft into 10 CFR 430.3 and to
reference the relevant sections of this
industry standard in the DOE test
procedure at the proposed new
appendix FF. DOE is proposing
modifications to certain aspects of
AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft, as discussed
in the relevant sections of this
document that follow.
Specifically, DOE proposes to
reference AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft to
specify the test methods for determining
PM2.5 CADR, AEC, and IEF. AHAM AC–
7–2022 Draft specifies definitions, test
conditions, and test methods for
determining active mode power,
standby mode power, out of chamber
active mode power, and PM2.5 CADR.
DOE has initially determined that the
measurement of PM2.5 CADR and power
consumption as specified in the
AHAM–AC–7–2022 Draft would
produce test results that measure the
energy efficiency of an air cleaner
during a representative average use
cycle or period of use and would not be
unduly burdensome to conduct.
DOE additionally proposes to
incorporate by reference AHAM AC–1–
15 Method for Assessing the Reduction Rate of
Key Bioaerosols by Portable Air Cleaners Using an
Aerobiology Test Chamber, AHAM AC–5–2022.
16 Method of Assessing the Reduction Rate of
Chemical Gases by a Room Air Cleaner, AHAM AC–
4–2022.
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2020 to reference the test methods for
determining pollen CADR, smoke
CADR, and dust CADR and for each
instance where AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft
references AHAM AC–1–2020.
DOE additionally proposes to
incorporate by reference IEC 62301 Ed.
2.0, which is referenced in AHAM AC–
7–2022 Draft, for the instrumentation
requirements and standby mode power
measurement.
DOE additionally proposes to
incorporate by reference ASTM E741–
11(2017), which is the current version of
the standard referenced in Section 3.3 of
AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft with regard to
determining the test chamber air
exchange rate.
As discussed, DOE intends to update
the reference to the final published
version of AHAM AC–7–2022 in the test
procedure final rule, should it publish
prior to the final rule, unless there are
substantive changes between the draft
and published versions, in which case
DOE may adopt the substance of the
AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft or provide
additional opportunity for comment on
the changes to the industry consensus
test procedure.
Given that AHAM is considering
publishing an updated AHAM AC–1–
2022, should AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft
be updated to reference AHAM AC–1–
2022, DOE will consider adopting the
published version of AHAM AC–7–
2022, including the reference to AHAM
AC–1–2022 as long as it is also
published and is substantively the same
as AHAM AC–1–2020. If there are
substantive changes between the final
version of AHAM AC–1–2022 and
AHAM AC–1–2020, DOE may consider
providing additional opportunity for
comment on the changes to the industry
consensus test procedure or continue to
reference AHAM AC–1–2020.
Additionally, DOE is considering
whether it should include reference to
the use of KCl as an alternate to cigarette
smoke, as currently specified in AHAM
AC–7–2022 Draft.
DOE requests comment on its
proposal to adopt the substantive
provisions of AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft
with certain modifications.
DOE requests comment on its
proposal to incorporate by reference
AHAM AC–1–2020, which is referenced
in AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft, as well as
to specify provisions related to the
measurement of pollen CADR, smoke
CADR, and dust CADR.
DOE also requests comment on
whether it should consider specifying
that KCl is an allowable alternate to
cigarette smoke in the measurement of
smoke CADR, even if AHAM AC–1–
2022 Draft is not published by the time
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DOE publishes its final rule. DOE
requests data and information on the
implications of using cigarette smoke
and KCl interchangeably when
performing air cleaner performance
tests. DOE requests data and
information on how a CADR value
obtained using KCl compares to the
CADR value obtained using cigarette
smoke.
DOE requests comment on its
proposal to reference IEC 62301 Ed. 2.0,
which is referenced in AHAM AC–7–
2022 Draft for the instrumentation and
testing provisions for measuring standby
mode power consumption.
DOE requests comment on its
proposal to reference ASTM E741–
11(2017), which is referenced in AHAM
AC–7–2022 Draft for determining the
test chamber air exchange rate.
2. Other Industry Standards
In the January 2022 RFI, DOE also
requested comment on whether it
should consider any methodology for
measuring the removal efficacy of
microorganisms (i.e., viruses, bacteria,
mold, etc.) from indoor air as part of a
Federal test procedure for air cleaners.
87 FR 3702, 3710. DOE also requested
comment on other test methods that it
should consider when developing a test
procedure to measure the energy
efficiency of air cleaners. Id.
In response to the January 2022 RFI,
Lennox commented that the American
Society of Heating, Refrigerating and
Air-Conditioning Engineers
(‘‘ASHRAE’’) standard ASHRAE 52.2–
2017, ‘‘Method of Testing General
Ventilation Air-Cleaning Devices for
Removal Efficiency by Particle Size,’’
methodology is acceptable for air
cleaners that remove particles. (Lennox,
No. 7 at pp. 2–3) DOE notes that
ASHRAE 52.2–2017 provides a test
method for measuring the performance
of general ventilation air cleaning
devices; specifically, it provides a
metric to determine the performance of
air filters that are part of in-duct or
whole-home air cleaners. Non-powered
products such as filters are not included
within the proposed scope of the
proposed test procedure.
MIAQ and AHRI commented that
ASHRAE and AHRI standards and State
regulations already require
manufacturers of air cleaners to
optimize their product air filter designs
and that DOE’s new standard would
create potential conflicts, such as
competing goals. (MIAQ, No. 5 at pp. 5–
7; AHRI, No. 15 at pp. 7–8) DOE notes
that while the ASHRAE and AHRI
standards and State regulations may
specify requirements for air filter
designs, DOE’s proposed test procedure
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is intended to evaluate the energy
efficiency of an air cleaner; i.e., the
ability of the air cleaner to deliver clean
air as a function of its energy use.
MIAQ commented that in addition to
the industry test standards that DOE
referenced in the January 2022 RFI, DOE
could consider evaluating other
international air cleaners test methods
such as the CNS 16098 standard
specified in Taiwan’s regulations,17 TIS
3061:2563 that is used in Thailand’s
voluntary program,18 and several other
AHAM, IEC, ASHRAE, and AHRI
standards, such as AHAM AC–3; AHAM
AC–5–2021; AHAM AC–4; GB/T18801–
2015 (Chinese); NRCC–54013
(Canadian); ISO 16000–36; ISO/CD
16000–43; ISO/CD 16000–44; NF–B44–
200:2016; NF EN 16846–1:2017; JEM
1467 2015 (Japan); IEC 63086–2 (gases);
SPS–KACA002 2016 Korean; ISO/TC
142–IEC 63086; ASHRAE 52.2; ASHRAE
52.2 with optional appendix J; ASHRAE
52.2 proposed appendix; ISO 16890;
AHRI Standard 850; AHRI Standard
680/681–2017; ASHRAE 145.2; ISO
10121; and ASHRAE 185.1. (MIAQ, No.
5 at pp. 7–8; AHRI, No. 15 at pp. 8–9)
DOE’s preliminary assessment of
Taiwan and Thailand’s regulations
indicate that these standards specify the
evaluation of PM2.5 CADR and power
consumption, similar to the AHAM AC–
7–2022 Draft. Additionally, DOE notes
that AHAM AC–3 is similar to AHAM
AC–1–2020 except that it provides test
methods to evaluate the performance of
portable air cleaners before and after the
air cleaners have been subjected to
accelerated particulate loading
conditions. DOE is not evaluating
accelerated particulate loading 19
conditions at this time; therefore, DOE
is not proposing to reference AHAM
AC–3. AHAM AC–4 and AHAM AC–5
are also similar to AHAM AC–1–2020,
but specify test methods using different
contaminants—gases and
microorganisms, respectively. These
industry standards were published
recently and, as discussed later in this
section, DOE is currently evaluating
these standards. GB/T18801–2015
(Chinese), NRCC–54013 (Canadian),
JEM 1467 2015 (Japan), IEC 63086–2
(gases), SPS–KACA002 2016 Korean,
ISO/TC 142–IEC 63086 test air cleaners
to determine CADR in a manner similar
to AHAM AC–1–2020 (i.e., in a test
chamber after introducing a
17 CNS 16098: Air Cleaners for household and
similar use—Methods for measuring the
performance, available at: www.cnsonline.com.tw/
?node=result&typeof=common&locale=zh_TW.
18 labelno5.egat.co.th/new58/wp-content/
uploads/update/product/airpure.pdf.
19 Accelerated particle loading is a method for
simulating defined periods of use of the filter.
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contaminant and taking measurements
without the air cleaner operating
(natural decay) and with the air cleaner
operating). However, these standards
specify certain different contaminants,
including gaseous pollutants. Some of
these standards also include additional
performance tests, such as noise and
ozone emissions. Given the widespread
use of AHAM AC–1–2020 in the United
States, DOE is not proposing any
requirements from these additional
standards at this time. ISO 16000–36,
ISO/CD 16000–43, and ISO/CD 16000–
44 are standards for assessing the
reduction rate of culturable airborne
bacteria, culturable airborne fungi, and
gases, respectively. As noted, DOE is
still evaluating test methods for gaseous
and microorganism contaminants and
will consider these standards for
gaseous and/or microorganism testing.
NF–B44–200:2016 also specifies
multiple contaminants including
particulates, gasses, and
microorganisms. However, DOE could
not identify the specified test method
for testing with each contaminant and
requests additional information.
Similarly, NF EN 16846–1:2017 is a
test method to evaluate photocatalytic
devices used for the elimination of
gasses and DOE will evaluate this
standard. ASHRAE 52.2, ASHRAE 52.2
with optional appendix J, ASHRAE
145.2, and ISO 10121 are standards for
air filters used as part of in-duct
devices, which are not included within
the proposed scope of the proposed test
procedure. Similarly, ISO 16890 is a
standard for the air filters of general
ventilation air cleaners, which are not
included within the proposed scope of
the proposed test procedure. AHRI
Standard 850 and AHRI Standard 680/
681—2017 are standards for air filters
and associated equipment, which DOE
is not proposing to regulate in this
proposed test procedure. Finally,
ASHRAE 185.1 is a standard for testing
ultraviolet (‘‘UV’’) lights in air ducts;
DOE’s definition of air cleaners
excludes products that operate solely by
means of UV light without a fan for air
circulation.
The CA IOUs stated that DOE should
consider provisions specified in ANSI
and ASHRAE standards for air cleaners
that generate ozone or UV light. (CA
IOUs, No. 10 at p. 11) DOE’s objective
is to establish test procedures for air
cleaners that would evaluate the energy
efficiency of an air cleaner. It is DOE’s
understanding that safety standards and
requirements specified in industry
standards ensure that both ozone and
UV light generated as part of air cleaner
operation remain within specified
threshold limits. Therefore, DOE is not
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proposing to adopt these provisions in
the air cleaners test procedure.
The CA IOUs additionally commented
that in the absence of an acceptable
standardized energy performance rating
for biological agents, it would be
reasonable to focus on the accepted
particulate-based energy test, but
recommended that DOE validate if a
correlation exists between the
microorganism and particulate tests.
(CA IOUs, No. 10 at p. 6)
Synexis commented that DOE should
consider test methods used to measure
the removal of microorganisms such as
AHAM AC–5–2022 Draft. Synexis stated
that the Korean Test Labs test method
only tests for bacterial reduction.
Synexis stated that utilizing the
Research Triangle Institute (‘‘RTI’’) test
method in combination with some
additional test methods (National
Research Council Canada (‘‘NRCC’’) or
others) would provide better evidence of
device effectiveness. For example, the
RTI and NRCC test methods capture
many of the effectiveness criteria, as the
RTI method measures airborne virus,
bacteria and mold reduction while the
NRCC method measures VOC and ozone
reduction and would demonstrate that
the devices are not producing harmful
levels of by-products. (Synexis, No. 9 at
pp. 3–4) Molekule commented that
many of the industry standards that
evaluate the performance of air cleaners
against microorganisms and chemicals,
such as AHAM AC–4, AHAM AC–5–
2022, and the NRCC_54013 protocol,
only gauge the initial reduction of
pollutants and do not provide any
insight into sustained performance over
time. (Molekule, No. 12 at p. 4)
Lennox commented that
microorganisms and VOCs present
complex issues that DOE must consider
before proceeding with a test procedure
or standard. Lennox further stated that
AHAM is working to include
microorganisms as a new contaminant
in its air cleaner standard and DOE
should wait until that standard is
published. (Lennox, No. 7 at p. 3) It is
DOE’s understanding that the AHAM
standard that Lennox is referencing is
AHAM AC–5–2022, which published
after the comment period for the January
2022 RFI closed.
In proposing to establish an initial test
procedure for measuring energy
efficiency of air cleaners, DOE is
focusing on the functionality most
broadly implemented in air cleaners on
the market in the United States; i.e., the
removal of particulate matter through
mechanical filtration means, which may
include ionization particulate capture as
well. Certain microorganisms,
depending on their size, also may be
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removed from the air by such devices.
In light of the ongoing coronavirus-19
pandemic and other health concerns,
DOE recognizes the utility to consumers
of additional means to reduce
concentrations of microorganisms in the
air, including destruction or
deactivation of the microorganisms.
DOE expects to monitor the air cleaner
market for the presence of models with
such antimicrobial features and may
evaluate in the future test methods for
air cleaners that eliminate
microorganisms.
An example of a test method for air
cleaners that reduce concentrations of
airborne microorganisms is AHAM AC–
5–2022, which AHAM issued in March
2022. Under this test method, air
cleaners are tested in a manner similar
to AHAM AC–1–2020, except
microorganisms are aerosolized and
introduced into the chamber rather than
particulates. AHAM AC–5–2022
specifies different types of bacteria,
bacteriophages, and mold spores that
could be used for testing. Although DOE
is not proposing provisions in this
proposed test procedure to measure the
efficacy of an air cleaner’s removal of
microorganisms, DOE welcomes
comment on the impact the type of
microorganism selected for testing has
on the CADR for microbes (‘‘m-CADR’’)
value (e.g., Phi-X 174 vs. MS2). DOE
also welcomes comment on whether
measurements taken every 2 minutes for
a duration of 10 minutes, as specified in
Section 7.3 of AHAM AC–5–2022 is
sufficient to determine m-CADR. DOE
additionally requests comment on the
duration for which a sample must be
collected during each measurement
point. DOE also observed from test
results that the natural decay curve for
microorganisms could be increasing
during the first 10–15 minutes and
welcomes feedback on whether this is
reasonable.
DOE requests comment on whether
the m-CADR value specified in AHAM
AC–5–2022 would change, and if so,
how, if a different type of
microorganism was used for testing
from the same general microorganism
category (e.g., using MS–2 vs. Phi X 174
for bacteriophage testing).
DOE requests comment on whether
measurements taken every 2 minutes for
a duration of 10 minutes, as specified in
Section 7.3 of AHAM AC–5–2022, is
sufficient to determine m-CADR. DOE
also requests comment on the duration
for which a sample must be collected for
each measurement point.
Additionally, if stakeholders indicate
that operating the test unit for 10
minutes is sufficient, DOE requests
comment on whether the natural decay
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C. Definitions
As discussed, the July 2022 Final
Determination established a definition
for air cleaners. Additionally, as
discussed in section III.A of this
document, DOE is proposing to
reference Section 2.1.1 of AHAM AC–7–
2022 Draft in 10 CFR part 430.2 to
specify the definition for ‘‘conventional
room air cleaner’’ and additionally
reference within this definition Sections
2.1.3.1 and 2.1.3.2 of AHAM AC–7–
2022 Draft to define ‘‘portable air
cleaner’’ and ‘‘fixed air cleaner,’’
respectively. These definitions are
relevant to establish the scope of the
proposed new appendix FF.
In addition to these definitions, DOE
proposes to specify certain additional
definitions in the proposed new
appendix FF that would be required to
test air cleaners according to the
proposed test procedure.
DOE proposes to reference Sections
2.2 and 2.3, Sections 2.4.1 through
2.4.2.4, and Sections 2.6 through 2.8 of
AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft to specify
definitions for the following terms in
section 2 of the proposed new appendix
FF:
• Function—means a predetermined
operation undertaken by the air cleaner.
Functions may be controlled by an
interaction of the user, of other
technical systems, of the system itself,
from measurable inputs from the
environment and/or time. In AHAM
AC–7–2022 Draft, functions are grouped
into four main types:
Æ Primary functions
Æ Secondary functions
Æ User oriented secondary functions
Æ Network related secondary
functions
• Primary function—means an air
cleaning function that reduces the
concentration of one or more types of
indoor air pollutants.
• Secondary function—means a
function that enables, supplements, or
enhances a primary function. For air
cleaners, secondary functions are other
functions which are not directly related
to air cleaning. Examples may include a
vacuum, heating, humidification, or
additional ambient room lights (e.g.,
night light).
• User oriented and network function
(i.e., control functions)—may include
network connection, Wi-Fi, clocks,
radio, remote controls, or other
programmable functions that may
continue to be enabled when the
primary function is inactive.
• Mode—means a state that has no
function, one function or a combination
of functions present.
• Active mode—means a product
mode where the energy using product is
connected to a mains power source and
at least one primary function is
activated.
• Low power mode—as per IEC 62301
Ed. 2.0 means a product mode that falls
into one of the following broad mode
categories:
Æ Off Mode(s)
Æ Standby Mode(s)
Æ Network Mode(s)
Æ Inactive Mode
• Standby mode—means a mode
offering one or more of the following
user-oriented or protective functions
which may persist for an indefinite
time:
(a) To facilitate the activation of other
modes (including activation or
deactivation of active mode) by remote
switch (including remote control),
internal sensor, or timer.
Informative Note: 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.
(b) Continuous functions, including
information or status displays
(including clocks) or sensor-based
functions.
• Inactive mode—means a standby
mode that facilitates the activation of
active mode by remote switch
(including remote control) or internal
sensor or which provides continuous
status display.
• Off mode—means a mode in which
a consumer room air cleaner is not
providing any active or standby mode
function and where the mode may
persist for an indefinite time, including
an indicator that only shows the user
that the product is in the off position.
• Network mode—means any product
modes where at least one network
function is activated (such as
reactivation via network command or
network integrity communication) but
where the primary function is not
active.
• Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR)—is
the measure of the delivery of
contaminant free air, within a defined
particle size range, by an air cleaner,
expressed in cubic feet per minute
(cfm). CADR is the rate of contaminant
reduction in the test chamber when the
air cleaner is turned on, minus the rate
of natural decay when the air cleaner is
not running, multiplied by the volume
of the test chamber as measured in cubic
feet. Note: CADR values are always the
measurement of an air cleaner
performance as a complete system and
have no linear relationship to the air
movement per se or to the
characteristics of any particle removal
methodology.
• Integrated energy factor (IEF)—is
the energy the air cleaner uses when it
is in standby mode, as well as, its active
mode energy. This is fully defined as
the measured PM2.5 CADR per watt.
• PM2.5—means particulate matter
with an aerodynamic diameter less than
or equal to a nominal 2.5 micrometers
as measured by a reference method
based on 40 CFR part 50, annex I. and
designated in accordance with 40 CFR
part 53 or by an equivalent method
designated in accordance with 40 CFR
part 53.
• PM2.5 CADR—is from ANSI/AHAM
AC–1–2020; Annex I. The performance
on PM2.5 of an air cleaner is represented
by a clean air delivery rate (CADR)
based on the dust and cigarette smoke
performance data.
The diversity of particle natures and
the sizes of the dust and smoke
pollutants gives a well-balanced
representation of the ultra-fine and fine
particulate matters that define PM2.5.
• PM2.5 CADR is obtained by
combining the CADR of cigarette smoke
particle sizes ranging from 0.1 to 0.5
microns with the CADR of dust particles
that fall in the range of 0.5 to 2.5
microns and performing a geometric
average calculation.
PM 2.5 CADR = !/[Smoke CADR (0.1 - 0.5 µm) x Dust CADR( 0.5 - 2.5 µm)
AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft also
includes definitions for other terms that
DOE is not proposing to incorporate into
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the proposed new appendix FF.
Generally, these other terms are
inconsistent with or not relevant to the
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test should also be conducted for only
10 minutes. DOE also requests comment
on whether it is reasonable for the
natural decay curve for microorganisms
to be increasing during the first 10–15
minutes of the test, and if not, how
should DOE mitigate this issue.
Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 200 / Tuesday, October 18, 2022 / Proposed Rules
DOE requests comment on its
proposal to include definitions for the
aforementioned terms, via reference to
AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft, in the
proposed new appendix FF. Should the
AHAM task force consider any changes
to any of these definitions or include
definitions for additional terms that
would be relevant to DOE’s proposed
test procedure, DOE requests comment
on such changes and the justification for
DOE to consider including them in its
test procedure for air cleaners.
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D. Test Conditions
Section 3 of AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft
specifies test conditions for the
measurement of active mode and
standby mode power consumption and
includes references to certain sections of
AHAM AC–1–2020 as appropriate.
Specifically, Sections 3.1 through 3.6 of
AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft specify
requirements for active mode and
standby mode electrical supply, test
chamber ambient temperature, test
chamber air exchange rate, test chamber
particulate matter concentrations,
chamber equipment, and test unit
preparation (including conditioning of
the air cleaner prior to testing,
placement of the air cleaner for testing,
and network connection setup
requirements), respectively.
Through participation in the task
force to develop AHAM AC–7–2022 and
conducting preliminary testing, DOE
has initially determined that the AHAM
AC–7–2022 Draft test conditions
produce test results that measure the
efficiency of air cleaners during a
representative average use cycle and are
not unduly burdensome. Therefore,
DOE proposes to reference the test
condition requirements specified in
Sections 3.1 through 3.6 of AHAM AC–
7–2022 Draft in the proposed new
appendix FF. The following sections
summarize each of the requirements
specified in AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft
along with DOE’s proposals.
1. Electrical Supply
Section 3.1 of AHAM AC–7–2022
Draft specifies the electrical supply
requirements for active mode and
standby mode testing. These
requirements specify that active mode
power supply test voltage and frequency
must be set to the nameplate voltage ±1
percent. If a range of voltage is provided
on the nameplate, then the voltage for
the country for which the measurement
is being determined shall be used per
Table 1 of AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft (±1
percent). Table 1 specifies 120 volts and
60 hertz for units in North America. For
standby mode testing, the power supply
test voltage and frequency are to be set
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as noted in Table 1 of AHAM AC–7–
2022 Draft (±1 percent), which specifies
115 volts and 60 hertz for units in North
America. DOE notes that these power
supply requirements are generally
consistent with DOE test procedures for
other consumer products for which
standby mode and active mode are
tested. Accordingly, DOE proposes to
reference Section 3.1 of AHAM AC–7–
2022 Draft for the electrical supply
requirements.
DOE requests comment on its
proposal to reference Section 3.1 of
AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft for the
electrical supply requirements for active
mode and standby mode power
measurement.
specified ambient temperature and
relative humidity test conditions, within
the specified tolerances, when testing
air cleaners within the test chamber as
well as the expertise and equipment
necessary for maintaining temperature
within the specified tolerance for
standby mode. Accordingly, DOE
proposes to reference these ambient
temperature and relative humidity
requirements from AHAM AC–7–2022
Draft.
DOE requests comment on its
proposal to reference Section 3.2 of
AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft for the
ambient temperature and humidity
requirements for active mode and
standby mode power measurement.
2. Ambient Conditions
Section 3.2 of AHAM AC–7–2022
Draft specifies the test chamber ambient
temperature requirements for active
mode and standby mode tests. The
active mode ambient temperature
requirement is 70 ± 5 degrees
Fahrenheit (‘‘°F’’) (21 ± 3 degrees
Celsius (‘‘°C’’)) with a relative humidity
of 40 ± 5 percent. The standby mode
ambient temperature requirement is 70
± 9 °F (21 ± 5 °C), with no relative
humidity requirement specified. DOE
notes that the active mode test
requirements are similar to the ambient
conditions specified for certain other
consumer products that affect room air
besides heating or cooling (e.g., DOE’s
ceiling fan test procedure specifies
maintaining the room temperature at 70
± 5 °F and the room relative humidity
at 50 ± 5 percent during testing),20 and
as such, DOE expects that these
conditions would also produce
representative test results for air
cleaners. Additionally, Section 5.7.2 of
AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft, which
specifies the supplemental test to
measure active mode power
consumption outside a test chamber,
also references Section 3.2 of AHAM
AC–7–2022 Draft to specify that the
same ambient conditions must be
maintained when testing outside the
chamber.
DOE recognizes that standby mode
testing is likely to be much less
sensitive to ambient room temperature
or humidity compared to active mode
testing, such that the wider tolerance on
ambient temperature and the lack of a
humidity requirement for standby mode
testing are appropriate. DOE
understands that test laboratories
already have the expertise and
equipment necessary to maintain these
3. Test Chamber Air Exchange Rate
Section 3.3 of AHAM AC–7–2022
Draft requires that, per AHAM AC–1–
2020, the test chamber air exchange rate
must be less than 0.03 air changes per
hour as determined by ASTM E741 or
an equivalent method. Section 4.3 of
AHAM AC–1–2020 provides these
specifications. DOE does not have
information on typical air changes
within a representative room, but this
condition is necessary to ensure
consistent test chamber conditions by
minimizing the air exchange rate, and
DOE has tentatively determined that the
industry-accepted specification for the
air exchange rate, as reviewed by the
AHAM task force, would be appropriate
for air cleaner testing. Accordingly, DOE
proposes to additionally reference
Section 4.3 of AHAM AC–1–2020
within the proposed provisions of
Section 3 of the proposed new appendix
FF. As discussed, DOE is also proposing
to incorporate by reference ASTM
E741–11(2017), the most recent version
of that industry standard.
DOE requests comment on its
proposal to reference Section 3.3 of
AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft for the test
chamber air exchange rate requirements,
including its reference to ASTM E741–
11(2017).
20 See section 3.3.1(1) of appendix U to subpart
B of part 430—Uniform Test Method for Measuring
the Energy Consumption of Ceiling Fans.
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4. Test Chamber Particulate Matter
Concentrations
Section 3.4 of AHAM AC–7–2022
Draft specifies the acceptable range of
particle concentrations for the initial
test condition for the smoke and dust
tests, via reference to Section 4.4 of
AHAM AC–1–2020. DOE recognizes
that initial particle concentration is a
necessary requirement for repeatability
and reproducibility by ensuring
consistent test chamber conditions prior
to measuring decay rate, and DOE has
tentatively determined that the
industry-accepted specification for the
initial particle concentrations, as
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reviewed by the AHAM task force,
would be appropriate for air cleaner
testing. Accordingly, DOE is proposing
to reference Section 3.4 of AHAM AC–
7–2022 Draft and additionally reference
Section 4.4 of AHAM AC–1–2020
within the proposed provisions of
section 3 of the proposed new appendix
FF.
DOE requests comment on its
proposal to reference Section 3.4 of
AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft for the initial
particulate concentrations in the test
chamber.
Test Chamber Construction and
Equipment
Section 3.5 of AHAM AC–7–2022
Draft references Annex A of AHAM AC–
1–2020 to specify the test chamber
construction and equipment positioning
during testing. This includes
requirements for chamber size,
framework, constructions and material
for the walls and flooring, as well as
additional equipment that must be used
in the chamber for conducting tests.
DOE believes these requirements are
relevant to ensure that testing is
conducted in a representative chamber
and that it is repeatable and
reproducible.
In response to the January 2022 RFI,
Synexis commented that the CADR test
chamber is not representative of actual
room sizes, that testing should be
conducted in a larger chamber, and that
the setup of an air cleaner (e.g., wallmounted, ceiling-mounted, freestanding, etc.) is less critical in
measuring efficiency than the air
cleaning mechanism. (Synexis, No. 9 at
pp. 4–5)
EPCA requires that any test
procedures DOE prescribes or amends
be reasonably designed to produce test
results that measure energy efficiency,
energy use, or estimated annual
operating cost of a covered product
during a representative average use
cycle or period of use, as determined by
the Secretary, and not be unduly
burdensome to conduct. (42 U.S.C.
6293(b)(3)) DOE recognizes that the test
chamber size specified in AHAM AC–1–
2020, 10.5 feet (‘‘ft’’) × 12 ft × 8 ft, may
not be representative of larger rooms,
but DOE does not have consumer data
on the room sizes in which air cleaners
are most commonly used that would
indicate that a different test chamber
size would be more representative of
average use. Additionally, utilizing a
chamber of the same size for testing all
conventional room air cleaners and that
is required for testing in accordance
with the ENERGY STAR V. 2.0
Specification would produce repeatable
and reproducible test results, while also
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ensuring that the test setup and chamber
size requirements are not unduly
burdensome. Those laboratories that are
currently testing air cleaners for the
purposes of ENERGY STAR
qualification are equipped with the test
chamber specified in AHAM AC–1–
2020, and specifying a larger test
chamber size may reduce the capability
of the industry to test at third-party
laboratories and would also impose
burden on test laboratories to upscale
their test chambers. Further, AHAM
AC–1–2020 specifies a maximum
theoretical CADR that can be achieved
when testing according to this standard,
which is determined by the maximum
number of initial available particles in
the chamber, the acceptable minimum
number of available particles in the
chamber, an average background natural
decay rate (from statistical study), and
the size of the test chamber, and the
available minimum experiment time.21
That is, the size of the test chamber is
one of the inputs that limits the size of
air cleaners that can be tested according
to this standard. Products that exceed a
smoke or dust CADR of 600 cfm are not
intended to be tested using this test
method. For these reasons, DOE
proposes in this NOPR to utilize the
same test chamber requirements as
specified in AHAM AC–1–2020.
DOE proposes to reference Section 3.5
of AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft, which
references Annex A of AHAM AC–1–
2020 for the details of the test chamber
construction and equipment.
DOE requests comment on its
proposal to reference Section 3.5 of
AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft, which
references Annex A of AHAM AC–1–
2020 to specify the test chamber
construction and equipment
requirements.
5. Test Unit Preparation
Section 3.6 of AHAM AC–7–2022
Draft specifies three requirements
regarding test unit preparation:
conditioning of the air cleaner prior to
measurement in Section 3.6.1; test unit
placement for testing in Section 3.6.2;
and network connectivity requirements
in Section 3.6.3.
For the conditioning requirements,
Section 3.6.1 of AHAM AC–7–2022
Draft specifies that air cleaners must be
operated for 48 hours in maximum
performance mode to break-in the motor
prior to conducting any tests. It further
specifies that this break-in must be
conducted with replacement filters and
that after the break-in period is
completed, all original and as-received
21 DOE infers this to mean the minimum number
of time points required for running the test.
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filters must be reinstalled, and nonreplaceable components should be
cleaned according to manufacturers
instructions prior to performing the
active mode test. Additionally, Section
3.6.1 of AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft
specifies that installation of a UV device
that is energized during air cleaning
function and lamp assembly within the
air cleaner shall be according to
manufacturer’s instructions and the
burn-in time for the UV lamp shall also
be 48 hours, run concurrently with the
break-in period of the motor.
DOE requests comment on its
proposal to reference Section 3.6.1 of
AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft for the air
cleaner conditioning requirements.
DOE requests comment on whether
the 48 hour burn-in time for air cleaners
with UV lights is sufficient or if the
burn-in time duration should be
increased.
6. Test Unit Placement for Testing
Section 3.6.2 of AHAM AC–7–2022
Draft specifies that the air cleaner must
be placed in the test chamber in
accordance with Section 4.6 of AHAM
AC–1–2020, which states that the air
cleaner must be installed per
manufacturer’s instructions in the
center of the test chamber, facing the
test window, positioned with its air
discharge as close as possible to the test
chamber center. Section 4.6 of AHAM
AC–1–2020 further requires that if the
manufacturer’s instructions ‘‘do not
specify’’ 22 and the air cleaner is not a
floor model, the air cleaner must be
placed on the table for testing. AHAM
AC–1–2020 does not provide further
specificity as to how to determine if an
air cleaner is a floor model, which may
potentially cause ambiguity in
determining whether a particular air
cleaner would need to be placed on the
table or not. DOE notes that Section 5.7
of IEC 63086–1 23 requires that if
placement of an air cleaner is not
specified by the manufacturer and the
air cleaner’s height is less than 0.7
meters from the floor, the unit shall be
placed on a table of 0.7 meters in height.
In all other instances, IEC 63086–1
specifies that the air cleaner shall be
placed on the floor of the test chamber.
While DOE is proposing to reference
Section 3.6.2 of AHAM AC–7–2022
Draft, DOE is considering if it should
22 DOE understands the language ‘‘If
manufacturer’s instructions do not specify’’ to mean
that the manufacturer’s instructions do not clearly
indicate the placement of the air cleaner on a floor,
table, or another flat surface.
23 Household and similar electrical air cleaning
appliances—Methods for measuring the
performance—Part 1: General requirements. IEC
63086–1:2020.
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also include the additional test unit
placement requirement from IEC 63086–
1 and requests comment. By referencing
a measurable metric (unit height) to
determine the installation configuration
of the air cleaner in the absence of
manufacturer’s instructions, IEC 63086–
1 may provide greater certainty
regarding how to test certain air cleaner
models, which could contribute to a
more reproducible and representative
test measurement. For the DOE test
procedure, DOE could consider
specifying the height limit for
placement on the table in the test
chamber as 28 inches, given that 0.7
meters is approximately 27.6 inches.
Additionally, DOE is considering
whether it should include any
requirement for air cleaners shipped
with casters; specifically, DOE is
considering whether such air cleaners
should be tested on the floor regardless
of the unit’s height.
DOE requests comment on its
proposal to reference Section 3.6.2 of
AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft, which
references Section 4.6 of AHAM AC–1–
2020 for the test unit placement
instructions.
DOE also requests comment on
whether it should consider including
the requirement from IEC 63086–1 that
specifies that if the placement of the air
cleaner is not specified by the
manufacturer and the air cleaner’s
height is less than 28 inches, then the
unit must be tested on the table.
Specifically, DOE requests comment on
whether the language in AHAM AC–7–
2022 Draft which states that, ‘‘if the air
cleaner is not a floor model’’ is clear to
follow, without any ambiguity, or
whether a quantitative metric such as
unit height would be better to ensure
consistent test setup.
DOE also requests comment on
whether it should include any
placement instructions for air cleaners
shipped with casters.
7. Network Functionality
Section 3.6.3 of AHAM AC–7–2022
Draft specifies requirements for setting
up air cleaners with network
functionality, including requirements
for the network connection and for
establishing the connection between the
air cleaner and the network. This
section specifies that air cleaners must
be tested on a Wi-Fi network and that
if the unit has additional network
capabilities (e.g., Bluetooth®), these
capabilities shall remain in their
default, as-shipped configuration.
Additionally, Section 3.6.3 of AHAM
AC–7–2022 Draft specifies that the
network shall support the highest and
lowest data speeds of the air cleaner’s
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network function, and that the live
connection must be maintained for the
duration of the active mode and standby
mode tests. AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft
also specifies that if the air cleaner
needs to install any software updates,
testing must wait until these updates
have occurred; otherwise, if the unit can
operate without updates, the updates
may be bypassed.
DOE is aware of at least one air
cleaner on the market 24 that cannot be
operated by the user, unless it is
connected to an active network
connection. On such a model, control of
the air cleaner is provided exclusively
through a mobile phone application.
Accordingly, DOE is proposing to
reference the AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft
network connection requirements.
DOE requests comment on its
proposal to reference Section 3.6.3 of
AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft regarding
network connection requirements
during active mode and standby mode
tests. DOE also requests comment on the
impact on repeatability and
reproducibility when testing air cleaners
with network functionality while
connected to a network.
DOE requests comment on whether
the software update requirements are
adequately specified or whether DOE
should explicitly state that software
updates must always be executed prior
to running the tests.
DOE requests comment on its
proposal to reference Sections 3.1 to 3.6
of AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft for the test
conditions and setup. Should AHAM
AC–7–2022 Draft change any of these
requirements between publication of
this NOPR and publication of the final
version of AHAM AC–7–2022, DOE
requests comment on these changes, the
reasons for these changes, and the
impact of these changes on the overall
air cleaners test procedure.
E. Instrumentation
Section 4 of AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft
specifies requirements for
instrumentation used for measuring
voltage and power by referencing IEC
62301 Ed. 2.0 and specifies the accuracy
required for power measuring
equipment.
Sections 4.1.1 through 4.1.3 of AHAM
AC–7–2022 Draft specify requirements
for power measurement uncertainty,
frequency response, and long-term
averaging, by referencing requirements
in Sections 4.4.1 through 4.4.3 of IEC
62301 Ed. 2.0. Along with these
requirements, Section 4 of AHAM AC–
7–2022 Draft specifies the accuracy of
instruments used for measuring voltage
24 See,
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and power to be accurate to within ±0.5
percent of the quantity measured.
Section 4 of AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft
also specifies requirements for the
accuracy of the temperature measuring
device (error no greater than ± 1 °F (± 0.6
°C) over the range being measured) and
the relative humidity measuring device
(resolution of at least 1 percent relative
humidity, and an accuracy of at least ±
6 percent relative humidity over the
temperature range of (24 ± 3) °C [(75 ±
5) °F]).
DOE understands these
instrumentation specifications to be
appropriate for producing repeatable,
reproducible, and representative test
results for air cleaners, and that test
laboratories currently have
instrumentation that meets these
proposed specifications. Therefore, DOE
proposes to reference these
instrumentation requirements specified
in Section 4 of AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft,
including the applicable provisions
from Sections 4.4.1, 4.4.2, and 4.4.3, of
IEC 62301 Ed. 2.0 in the proposed new
appendix FF.
DOE requests comment on its
proposal to incorporate by reference
Section 4 of AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft
regarding instrumentation requirements,
including the applicable provisions
from relevant sections of IEC 62301 Ed.
2.0. Should AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft
change any of these requirements
between publication of this NOPR and
publication of the final version of
AHAM AC–7–2022, DOE requests
comment on these changes, the reasons
for these changes, and the impact of
these changes on the overall air cleaner
test procedure.
F. Active Mode Testing
1. Background on CADR
Section 3.14 of AHAM AC–1–2020
defines CADR as the metric which
measures an air cleaner’s efficacy in
removing particulate matter from the
air. CADR represents the logarithmic
rate of particulate reduction in the test
chamber when the air cleaner is turned
on (expressed as a number per minute),
minus the logarithmic rate of ‘‘natural
decay’’ 25 when the air cleaner is not
running (also expressed as a number per
minute), multiplied by the volume of
the test chamber (specified as 1,008
cubic feet). As such, testing an air
25 Section 3.13 of AHAM AC–1–2020 defines
‘‘natural decay’’ as the reduction of particulate
matter due to natural phenomena in the test
chamber: principally agglomeration [a process in
which fine particles ‘‘clump’’ together], surface
deposition [a process in which particles attach to
a surface] (including sedimentation [a process in
which particles settle out of suspension in the air
onto a surface due to gravity]), and air exchange.
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cleaner requires conducting two
separate tests: a first test with the air
cleaner not operating in active mode,
and a second test with the air cleaner
operating in active mode. The CADR
value is expressed in units of cfm.26
Sections 5, 6, and 7 of AHAM AC–1–
2020 specify procedures for measuring
air cleaner efficacy using three different
types of particulates representing three
ranges of particulate matter size:
cigarette smoke (0.10 micrometer
(‘‘mm’’) to 1.0 mm diameter), dust (0.5
mm to 3.0 mm diameter), and pollen (5
mm to 11 mm diameter), respectively.
In the January 2022 RFI, DOE
requested comment on the use of CADR,
as opposed to another metric such as
rate of decay, to characterize air cleaner
performance. In particular, DOE
requested comment on whether
consumers could find the unit of
measurement of cfm for CADR
confusing and misunderstand it as
referring to the rate of air movement
through the device. 87 FR 3702, 3708.
Synexis commented that CADR is not
an appropriate performance metric
because it applies only to filtration
devices and that any metric must
consider the mechanism of action of the
air cleaner and types of contaminants it
addresses. (Synexis, No. 9 at p. 2)
Daikin commented that CADR
primarily measures the capacity of the
unit, but there are other air cleaning
efficacy metrics that should be
considered based on product categories.
Daikin stated that metrics like CADR
and MERV are similar to the capacity of
delivering clean air and air cleaning
efficacy respectively, but they are not an
energy efficiency metric. (Daikin, No. 13
at p. 2)
DOE recognizes that other capacity
metrics may be relevant for the removal
of other air contaminants such as gases
and microorganisms. However, for the
scope of products covered by this
proposed test procedure, i.e.,
conventional room air cleaners, and the
contaminants used to test such air
cleaners, i.e., smoke, dust, and pollen,
DOE has tentatively determined that
CADR would be an appropriate capacity
metric, as DOE is not proposing to test
for gases and microorganisms at this
time. CADR is a well-established
industry capacity metric, and the
AHAM AC–1 standard has been in use
for over 30 years. CADR is a measure of
the reduction rate of specific
26 Although the unit of measurement for CADR is
cfm, Section 3.14 of AHAM AC–1–2020 explains
that CADR values indicate the performance of an air
cleaner as a complete system and that the metric
has no linear relationship to air movement or to the
characteristics of any particular particle removal
methodology per se.
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particulates by an air cleaner in a
controlled environment. Accordingly,
DOE proposes to use the CADR metric
to evaluate the capacity of air cleaners.
As discussed in later sections, DOE is
proposing an IEF metric, which
specifies the efficiency of an air cleaner
in CADR/W.
2. Particulate Used for Testing and
CADR Measurement
In the January 2022 RFI, DOE
requested comment on whether the
power measurement could vary based
on the particulate test that is used to
measure operating power. 87 FR 3702,
3708. If power measurement varies
based on the particulate test, DOE
requested comment on which
particulate test (pollen, dust, or smoke)
should be used as the basis for the
power measurement in any Federal test
procedure that DOE may develop.
Alternately, DOE requested comment on
whether it should consider requiring
power measurements for each
particulate test and use a simple or
weighted average to determine operating
power. Id.
DOE also requested comment on
whether cigarette smoke would be the
appropriate particulate for determining
a CADR rating of air cleaners under a
DOE test procedure, should DOE adopt
a measurement of CADR in a test
procedure for air cleaners. If cigarette
smoke is not the most appropriate
particulate, DOE requested comment on
other particulate(s) that would be more
appropriate as the basis for
measurement, including data and
information to support such a
recommendation. Id. at 87 FR 3710–
3711.
Blueair commented that it supports
the use of cigarette smoke as the
appropriate particulate for CADR ratings
as it can be a surrogate for much smaller
particles that can be found in the home,
but that any pollutants specified in
AHAM AC–1–2020 could be suitable
alternatives. (Blueair, No. 11 at p. 3)
Blueair additionally supported using
PM2.5 CADR as the performance metric
for air cleaners. (Id.) Further, Blueair
noted PM2.5 is the primary concern from
a health standpoint and is often found
indoors. Blueair also commented that
this particulate is likely to be of greatest
concern to consumers and is very fine
and can adequately represent a unit’s
performance for other particles. (Id.)
The Joint Commenters recommended
that DOE adopt an air cleaner metric
based on a PM2.5 CADR. The Joint
Commenters noted that fine particulate
matter has been shown to cause serious
health problems and can get into the
lungs and bloodstream and likely be of
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concern to consumers. (Joint
Commenters, No. 8 at p. 4) The Joint
Commenters stated that due to the small
size, PM2.5 particles can adequately
represent a unit’s performance for other
larger particles and noted that AHAM
AC–7–2022 Draft measures efficiency
based on PM2.5 CADR as the numerator.
(Id.)
Synexis commented that an air
cleaner’s energy consumption may vary
based on the size of particles used in
particulate tests because particulates of
various sizes can cause filters to become
entrained with pollutant particles and
require greater pressure to move air
through the device. Synexis further
commented that power measurements
for each particulate test would not be
representative of real-world energy
consumption and would not provide
any useful data. (Synexis, No. 9 at p. 2)
Testing conducted by DOE, as well as
power consumption data provided in
ENERGY STAR’s database, do not
indicate any substantive differences in
power consumption among the smoke,
dust, and pollen tests.
The CA IOUs recommended a PM2.5
CADR performance metric. (CA IOUs,
No. 10 at p. 2) The CA IOUs commented
that they analyzed the PM2.5 CADR
metric and observed that a topperforming model based on PM2.5 CADR
will likely perform well on pollen as
well, which is a particulate of concern
to consumers. (Id. at p. 3) Additionally,
the CA IOUs asserted that since AHAM
AC–1–2020 indicates testing with
pollen particles is not considered
sufficiently accurate and is thus out of
scope for products with a CADR below
25 cfm, while cigarette smoke and dust
particles can be considered sufficiently
accurate down to a CADR of 10 cfm,
DOE should adopt a performance metric
based on PM2.5 CADR. The CA IOUs
commented that this would ensure
products with a low cfm can be
included within scope and that this
metric would produce the most precise
test procedure that balances the
representativeness of consumer use
cases. The CA IOUs encouraged DOE to
monitor pollen CADR performance to
ensure a strong correlation is
maintained between PM2.5 and pollen
performance. (Id. at p. 5)
For compliance with the standards in
tier one of the Joint Proposal, the Joint
Stakeholders recommended that DOE
permit Section 6.2 of AHAM AC–1–
2020 for dust CADR to be applied as an
alternative for calculating PM2.5 CADR.
The Joint Stakeholders stated that the
dust CADR, determined according to
Section 6.2 of AHAM AC–1–2020, is
nearly identical to the subset dust CADR
used to calculate PM2.5 CADR. The Joint
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pollutants gives a well-balanced
representation of the ultra-fine and fine
particulate matters that define PM2.5.
Specifically, PM2.5 CADR is obtained by
combining the CADR of smoke (which
includes particle sizes ranging from 0.1
to 0.5 micron meters (‘‘mm’’)) with the
CADR of dust (which includes particle
sizes ranging from 0.5 to 2.5 mm) and
performing a geometric average
calculation as follows:
= ,Jsmoke CADR (0.1- 0.5 µm) x Dust CADR (0.5 -
The tests to determine smoke CADR
and dust CADR are specified in Sections
5 and 6 of AHAM AC–1–2020. These
sections of AHAM AC–1–2020 specify
the procedure for introducing the smoke
and dust particulates, conducting the
natural decay test, and the measuring
the decay with the air cleaner in
operation. However, PM2.5 CADR
specifies a narrower range of allowable
particle sizes for the smoke CADR and
dust CADR than the smoke CADR and
dust CADR tests in Sections 5.2 and 6.2,
respectively, of AHAM AC–1–2020.
That is, the allowable particle size for
smoke particles is 0.1 to 1 mm for the
smoke CADR test in AHAM AC–1–2020,
while it is 0.1 to 0.5 mm for the PM2.5
calculation in AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft.
Similarly, the allowable particle size for
dust particles is 0.5 to 3 mm for the dust
CADR test in AHAM AC–1–2020, while
it is 0.5 to 2.5 mm for the PM2.5
calculation in AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft.
DOE interprets the Joint Stakeholders’
recommendation of an alternative
approach to mean that the Joint
Stakeholders want the allowable range
of particle size to encompass all dust
particle sizes, as specified in AHAM
AC–1–2020, in the calculation of PM2.5
CADR. While not mentioned in the Joint
Proposal, the same alternative could be
required for the smoke CADR used in
the calculation of PM2.5 CADR.
While the allowable smoke and dust
particle size for the smoke CADR and
dust CADR tests in Sections 5 and 6 of
AHAM AC–1–2020 is larger (i.e., 0.1 to
1 mm for smoke particles and 0.5 to 3
mm for dust particles) than the allowable
smoke and dust particle size for the
calculation of PM2.5 CADR (i.e., 0.1 to
0.5 mm for smoke particles and 0.5 to 2.5
mm for dust particles), the calculated
PM2.5 CADR according to AC–7–2022
Draft is nearly identical to the smoke
CADR and dust CADR as measured
according to Sections 5 and 6 of AHAM
AC–1–2020, as shown in the figures
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2.5 micrometers, as measured by a
reference method based on 40 CFR part
50, annex I and designated in
accordance with 40 CFR part 53 or by
an equivalent method designated in
accordance with 40 CFR part 53.
Section 2.9 of AHAM AC–7–2022
Draft specifies the method used to
calculate PM2.5 CADR, which is based
on the measured smoke CADR and dust
CADR values. This section discusses
that the diversity of particle natures and
the sizes of the dust and smoke
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included in the Joint Proposal.27
Accordingly, DOE proposes that PM2.5
CADR may alternatively be calculated
using the full range of particles used to
calculate smoke CADR and dust CADR
according to Sections 5 and 6 of AHAM
AC–1–2020, respectively. DOE may
further consider the option to allow the
use of both approaches to calculate
PM2.5 CADR in a future standards
rulemaking.
DOE requests comment on the Joint
Stakeholders’ recommendation of using
dust CADR as calculated in Section 6 of
AHAM AC–1–2020 as an alternative for
calculating PM2.5 CADR. DOE also
requests comment on its proposal to
allow the same alternative for the smoke
CADR value used in the PM2.5 CADR
calculation.
DOE notes that AHAM AC–7–2022
Draft specifies calculating IEF using
PM2.5 CADR. Conversely, ENERGY
STAR V. 2.0 Specification specifies its
metric based on smoke CADR, whereas
ENERGY STAR V. 1.0 Specification
specified its metric based on dust
CADR.
Given the historic use of both smoke
and dust particulates to define a metric
for air cleaners, as well as the range of
particle sizes covered by the smoke and
dust test, DOE proposes to incorporate
by reference Section 2.9 of AHAM AC–
7–2022 Draft to specify testing with
smoke and dust and calculating PM2.5
CADR. DOE also proposes to include an
alternative for using the smoke CADR
and dust CADR as calculated according
to Sections 5 and 6 of AHAM AC–1–
2020.
Additionally, DOE proposes to
reference Sections 5 and 6 of AHAM
AC–1–2020 for conducting the smoke
CADR and dust CADR tests.
DOE requests feedback on its proposal
to incorporate by reference Section 2.9
of AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft to calculate
27 The figure appears on page 6 of the Joint
Proposal. (Joint Stakeholders, No. 16 at p. 6).
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2.5 µm)
PM2.5 CADR based on measurements of
smoke CADR and dust CADR. DOE also
requests comment on its proposal to
allow the use of smoke CADR and dust
CADR calculated according to Sections
5 and 6 of AHAM AC–1–2020.
DOE also requests comment on its
proposal to reference Sections 5 and 6
of AHAM AC–1–2020 to specify the test
methods for determining smoke CADR
and dust CADR, respectively.
3. Performance Mode for Testing
In the January 2022 RFI, DOE
requested comment on whether it
should consider testing air cleaners at
any other power level in addition to the
maximum power level required by
AHAM AC–1–2020. 87 FR 3702, 3708.
Consistent with AHAM AC–1–2020,
Section 5.3.1 of AHAM AC–7–2022
Draft specifies that the active mode test
for all conventional room air cleaners be
performed with the air cleaner set to the
highest flow rate setting.28 Section 5.3.1
of AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft additionally
specifies that products that include
additional air cleaning functionality
beyond mechanical filtration shall
additionally have all air cleaning
functions switched on, set to maximum.
Section 5.6 of AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft
specifies requirements for automatic
mode, which is a mode in which the air
cleaner performs air cleaning
functionality in response to a sensor
input, timer, or scheduling feature.
AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft states that
although a product may have an
automatic mode, the product shall be
operated in its maximum performance
mode.
Synexis stated that it was appropriate
to test air cleaners at their maximum
performance mode because it represents
a worst-case scenario in terms of energy
28 AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft FN1 specifies that
‘‘highest flow rate setting’’ is the highest fan speed
setting as identified in the manufacturer’s
instructions that would allow the product to
operate indefinitely.
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Stakeholders further stated that given
many products have already been tested
per AHAM AC–1–2020, allowing this
alternative would ensure that
manufacturers are not required to retest
using AHAM AC–7–2022 to
demonstrate compliance with a new
standard on a short timeline. (Joint
Stakeholders, No. 16 at p. 6)
Section 2.8 of AHAM AC–7–2022
Draft specifies that PM2.5 means
particulate matter with an aerodynamic
diameter less than or equal to a nominal
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consumption. Synexis explained that
medium and low power settings are
likely to exhibit different performance
characteristics in different devices and
would not provide an appropriate
metric to compare different air cleaners.
(Synexis, No. 9 at p. 3) Molekule stated
that its air cleaners use sensors and
automatic mode to address indoor air
quality conditions, and that energy
efficiency requirements should take
these features into account, rather than
only considering a unit’s maximum
speed. (Molekule, No. 12 at p. 5) The
Joint Commenters stated that they
recognize the efficiency benefits of
automatic mode for air cleaners, but that
no test procedure exists currently that
can account for the associated efficiency
benefits or measure the effectiveness of
automatic mode. (Joint Commentors,
No. 8 at p. 4)
As discussed, AHAM AC–7–2022
Draft specifies that the active mode test
be performed at the highest flow rate
with all air cleaning functions switched
on, set to maximum. Section 1 of AHAM
AC–7–2022 Draft includes an
informative note stating the following:
‘‘The purpose of this standard is to have
one standard for measurement of energy
of air cleaners. The standard is designed
in such a way to maximize the validity,
repeatability and reproducibility of the
testing, and thus to give manufacturers,
public information groups and
consumers information to compare air
cleaners. AHAM recognizes that not all
consumers will operate their air cleaner
at maximum speed or conditions all the
time. While it is possible to test air
cleaners at different speeds and settings,
the difficulty is to arrive at a consistent
speed or function setting on all air
cleaners for multiple manufacturers.
The most consistent measurement for all
air cleaners is to test at the Maximum
Performance Test Setting.’’
This informative note in AHAM AC–
7–2022 Draft indicates that the
requirement to perform testing at the
maximum performance level provides
the best balance among repeatability,
reproducibility, and representativeness
of test results at this time. For this
reason, DOE has tentatively determined
that maximum performance mode is the
best approach currently established by
the industry standard for producing test
results during a representative average
use cycle or period of use, while not
being unduly burdensome to conduct.
DOE is therefore proposing to adopt the
active mode test provisions of AHAM
AC–7–2022 Draft, including the
requirement to test at the maximum
performance mode.
DOE is aware that the AHAM task
force has initiated an effort to develop
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test methods for automatic mode, and
DOE is continuing to participate in this
effort. If a test method to measure air
cleaner performance when operating in
automatic mode that produces results
that are more representative of an
average use cycle or period of use were
to be developed, DOE would consider it
in a future test procedure rulemaking.
Specific proposals regarding the
active mode measurement requirements
are discussed in the following
paragraphs.
Section 5.3 of AHAM AC–7–2022
Draft specifies that all products shall be
tested with the air cleaner set to the
highest flow rate setting, also known as
maximum performance mode.
Additionally, Section 5.3 of AHAM AC–
7–2022 Draft specifies that for products
that have air cleaning functionality
beyond mechanical filtration (i.e.,
ionization, UV, etc.) the test unit shall
be configured such that these features
are enabled and set to the maximum
level during active mode testing.
DOE proposes to reference Section 5.3
of AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft regarding
test unit setup requirements for testing
in maximum performance mode.
DOE requests comment on its
proposal to reference Section 5.3 of
AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft to test units in
maximum performance mode.
4. Secondary Functions
Section 5.4 of AHAM AC–7–2022
Draft specifies the configuration for
secondary functions, which are
unrelated to air cleaning (i.e.,
humidifier, ambient light, etc.). As these
functions do not contribute to the air
cleaning capabilities of the unit, they
are switched off or disconnected for the
duration of the test. If it is not possible
to switch off or disconnect such
functions, AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft
states that these functions shall be set to
their lowest power-consuming mode
that is selectable when running the air
cleaner at its maximum performance
mode or highest fan speed. For
customized control displays, AHAM
AC–7–2022 Draft specifies that the test
unit shall be configured to its default or
as-shipped control setting intensity
level, unless the panel lights are
adjustable in intensity and are shipped
in the off mode, in which case the
control panel is run in the leastintensity mode that would keep it on for
the test. DOE proposes to reference this
requirement for the configuration of
secondary functions.
Section 5.5 of AHAM AC–7–2022
Draft specifies the configuration of
control functions during active mode
testing. Control functions include any
programmable functions that may
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continue to be enabled when the
primary function is inactive (i.e., clocks,
Wi-Fi, remote controls, etc.). AHAM
AC–7–2022 Draft states that control
functions are intended to be on and
connected to any communication
network during active mode testing.
DOE proposes to reference this
requirement to specify that control
functions shall be in on mode and
connected to any communication
network during active mode testing as
specified in Section 5.5 of AHAM AC–
7–2022 Draft.
DOE requests comment on its
proposal to reference Sections 5.4 and
5.5 of AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft to
specify the configuration of secondary
functions and control functions during
active mode testing.
5. Power Measurement Procedure
Section 5.7 of AHAM AC–7–2022
Draft specifies the methods for
measuring active mode power. These
methods include measuring the power
consumption when operating the test
unit within the test chamber at the same
time as the smoke CADR test and dust
CADR test or by measuring the power
consumption during a supplemental
power test outside of a test chamber.
More specifically, Section 5.7.1 of
AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft specifies that
the power consumption measurement
can be conducted simultaneously with
the smoke CADR or dust CADR test
from Section 5.2.5 or 6.2.5 of AHAM
AC–1–2020, respectively. Section 5.7.2
of AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft specifies an
alternative method for measuring active
mode power consumption, referred to as
the ‘‘supplemental’’ test. This test can
be used to determine the active mode
power consumption outside of the test
chamber used for smoke CADR and dust
CADR testing. The supplemental power
test specifies the same unit
configuration and records power over a
period of 15 minutes at no greater than
1 second intervals, averaging the power
consumption over 13 minutes starting
after the initial 2 minutes. AHAM AC–
7–2022 Draft additionally specifies that
if the test unit has pollutant indicators
and they do not light up when no
pollutant is present in the air, but light
up when detecting pollutants, then the
test unit cannot be tested outside the
chamber to measure active mode power
consumption.
Finally, Sections 5.7.3 and 5.7.4 of
AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft specify the
equations to determine the average
active mode power consumption and
the annual active mode energy use,
respectively.
DOE performed testing at a third-party
laboratory to investigate the similarity
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in power measurement between a test
conducted simultaneously with the
CADR measurement and a supplemental
test performed outside of a test chamber.
Testing was conducted on 11 units
using smoke for the CADR test. Table
III.1 shows the test results.
TABLE III.1—DIFFERENCE IN POWER CONSUMPTION BETWEEN SMOKE TEST AND SUPPLEMENTAL TEST
Smoke test
power
(W)
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Unit number
Supplemental
test power
(W)
Percent
difference
1 ...................................................................................................................................................
2 ...................................................................................................................................................
3 ...................................................................................................................................................
4 ...................................................................................................................................................
5 ...................................................................................................................................................
6 ...................................................................................................................................................
7 ...................................................................................................................................................
8 ...................................................................................................................................................
9 ...................................................................................................................................................
10 .................................................................................................................................................
11 .................................................................................................................................................
44.2
51.5
55.0
24.6
18.8
42.6
5.9
38.2
37.9
58.1
84.8
43.9
54.0
55.6
25.4
18.9
42.6
5.8
37.4
38.3
57.8
81.7
¥0.7
+4.7
+1.1
+3.2
+0.3
+0.1
¥1.4
¥2.2
+1.2
¥0.5
¥3.6
Average Difference ...............................................................................................................
........................
........................
+0.2%
As indicated in Table III.1, the
percent difference between power
consumption measured during the
smoke CADR test and the supplemental
out-of-chamber test ranged from –3.7
percent to +4.9 percent, with an average
of +0.2 percent. Based on these data,
DOE has tentatively determined that the
power consumption of the out-ofchamber supplemental power test is
closely comparable to the in-chamber
smoke, and likely dust, CADR tests
because measured power using the
maximum performance mode is not
significantly impacted by whether a
particle is present. Accordingly, DOE
proposes to reference Sections 5.7.1
through 5.7.4 of AHAM AC–7–2022
Draft to measure active mode power
either in the test chamber (Section 5.7.1)
at the same time as the smoke or dust
CADR test or outside the chamber
(Section 5.7.2) as a supplemental power
test and to calculate average power
(Section 5.7.3) and annual active mode
energy use (Section 5.7.4).
DOE requests comment on its
proposal to reference Sections 5.7.1
through 5.7.4 of AHAM AC–7–2022
Draft, which specify methods for
measuring active mode power at the
same time as the smoke or dust CADR
test when the test unit is operating
within the chamber and measuring the
power consumption during a
supplemental power test outside of a
test chamber, respectively.
6. Pollen CADR
To enable consistent and meaningful
representations of metrics most
desirable to consumers, DOE is
considering including an additional test
to determine pollen CADR. Similar to
dust and smoke CADR, pollen CADR
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provides a measurement of the air
cleaner’s performance to remove pollen
from indoor air. Pollen CADR typically
increases with increasing air cleaner
energy use, and therefore DOE believes
this is an appropriate metric to measure.
Further, according to the Asthma and
Allergy Foundation of America more
than 50 million people in the United
States experience various types of
allergies each year and allergies are the
sixth leading cause of chronic illness in
the United States.29 Further, pollen is
one of the most common environmental
allergens to trigger an allergic reaction.
Accordingly, many air purifiers are
marketed as providing pollen removal.
DOE notes that the ENERGY STAR V.
2.0 Specification requires reporting of
pollen CADR. Therefore, DOE believes it
is important that any representation
related to an air cleaner’s pollen CADR
performance must be made based on
testing conducted in a repeatable and
representative manner. Accordingly,
DOE is proposing to include the pollen
CADR measurement test specified in
Section 7 of AHAM AC–1–2020.
Section 7 of AHAM AC–1–2020
specifies the test procedure for
determining paper mulberry pollen
CADR. The method for measuring
pollen CADR is the same as dust CADR
and smoke CADR; however, the test
duration is only 10 minutes compared
to 20 minutes for the smoke test and
dust test. The reduced test duration is
specified because pollen decays faster
than both dust and smoke and thus only
10 minutes is necessary to determine
pollen CADR. All other test conditions
remain the same including the test
29 Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.
Allergy Facts and Figures. www.aafa.org/allergyfacts/.
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chamber, use of a recirculation and
ceiling fan, and test equipment.
As discussed in section III.A of this
NOPR, Section 2 of AHAM AC–1–2020
specifies the test procedure being
applicable only to air cleaners within
rated CADR ranges of 10 to 600 cfm for
dust and cigarette smoke and 25 to 450
cfm for pollen. Given that DOE is
proposing to reference the AHAM
industry standards for the DOE air
cleaner test procedure, including the
pollen CADR test, DOE requests
comment on whether it should also
specify that the acceptable pollen CADR
range from AHAM AC–1–2020 applies
for measurements of pollen CADR.
Specifically, DOE would consider
specifying that the pollen CADR test is
applicable for conventional room air
cleaners with pollen CADR between 25
and 450 cfm.
Because this test is currently specified
in the ENERGY STAR V. 2.0
Specification, DOE expects it would
minimally increase test burden
compared to the tests required for
smoke CADR and dust CADR. While
DOE is proposing to include only a
pollen CADR test, it requests comment
on whether it should also include an
active mode power measurement
associated with the pollen CADR test
and specify a pollen CADR/W metric. If
a pollen CADR/W metric is considered,
DOE also welcomes comment on
whether this measurement should be
based only on active mode power
consumption or if it should be
calculated in a similar manner to the
IEF metric, using energy consumption
in both active mode and standby mode
as opposed to active mode power.
DOE requests comment on its
proposal to reference Section 7 of
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AHAM AC–1–2020 for the pollen CADR
measurement test.
DOE requests comment and data on
the relationship between the pollen
CADR measurement and the energy use
of the air cleaner.
DOE requests comment on whether it
should reference Section 2 of AHAM
AC–1–2020, which specifies that the
standard is applicable for air cleaners
with pollen CADR of 25 to 450 cfm, for
pollen CADR testing.
DOE also requests comment on
whether it should specify measurement
of active mode power consumption
when conducting the pollen CADR
measurement test.
DOE requests comment on whether it
should consider specifying a pollen
CADR/W metric and whether such a
metric should be based on active mode
power consumption or include energy
consumption in both active mode and
standby mode.
7. Consumer Use Hours
In the January 2022 RFI, DOE
requested comment on consumer usage
of air cleaners, in particular, the amount
of time spent in active mode, standby
mode, and off mode. 87 FR 3702, 3710.
DOE requested comment on its example
approach of defining an integrated
CADR/W metric, in which the
denominator would represent a
weighted average of the power
consumption associated with active
mode, standby mode, and off mode,
weighted by the amount of time spent
in each mode. Id.
In response to the January 2022 RFI,
Blueair supported the use of the active
mode and standby mode hours specified
in ENERGY STAR V. 2.0 Specification,
which assumes 16 active mode hours
per day and 8 inactive mode hours per
day, to calculate the annual energy
consumption of qualifying air cleaners.
(Blueair, No. 11 at p. 3) Daikin
commented that DOE’s assumption that
an air cleaner runs at 100-percent
capacity for 16 hours a day is flawed
and asserted that most air cleaners
currently on the market are
recommended by the manufacturer to
operate in automatic mode, which runs
the unit at 100-percent capacity only
when indoor air quality drops. (Daikin,
No. 13 at pp. 2–3) The CA IOUs
presented data from a survey conducted
by Evergreen Economics, which
indicated a wide range of active mode
operating hours: 23 percent of
respondents reported operating their air
cleaners all day (i.e., 24 hours), while 53
percent of respondents reported
operating their air cleaners for 6 hours
or fewer each day. The CA IOUs further
stated that DOE should consider the
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prevalence of automatic mode and the
time spent in each mode when
determining appropriate weighting
factors. (CA IOUs, No. 10 at p. 8)
AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft Section 5.7.4
specifies the calculation for Eactive,
which is used to convert the power
consumption measurement to an energy
consumption value. To calculate Eactive,
AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft estimates that
an air cleaner spends 5,840 annual
hours in active mode, which is
equivalent to 16 hours per day.
DOE is proposing to align with the
estimated active mode annual hours
specified in AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft
(corresponding to 16 hours per day) and
consistent with the ENERGY STAR V.
2.0 specification. As discussed, the
informative note in Section 1 of AHAM
AC–7–2022 Draft acknowledges that not
all consumers will operate their air
cleaner at maximum speed or
conditions all the time. For the reasons
discussed in section III.F.3 of this
document, DOE has tentatively
determined, in accordance with AHAM
AC–7–2022 Draft, that the most
consistent measurement for all air
cleaners is to test in the maximum
performance mode and is proposing to
allocate the same active mode annual
hours in the proposed new appendix FF
as in AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft. DOE is
aware that the AHAM task force is
initiating an effort to develop test
methods for automatic mode. DOE will
continue to participate in this effort and
may consider any such method,
including any associated active mode
annual hours, in a future test procedure
rulemaking.
DOE requests comment on its
proposal to reference Section 5.7.4 of
AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft, which
specifies the calculation of active mode
energy consumption using an estimated
5,840 hours per year in active mode.
G. Standby Mode Testing
In the January 2022 RFI, DOE
requested comment on the suitability of
the standby power measurement
procedure specified in AHAM AC–1–
2020, IEC 62301 Ed. 2.0, or any other
test method for measuring standby
mode and off mode energy use of air
cleaners, in light of EPCA’s requirement
in 42 U.S.C. 6295(gg)(2)(A) for DOE to
consider the most current version of IEC
Standard 62301. 87 FR 3702, 3709.
The CA IOUs commented that DOE
should test standby power in the asshipped condition, with any
manufacturer’s recommended settings
for normal use enabled. (CA IOUs, No.
10 at p. 8) As discussed further in this
section, DOE is proposing to reference
the relevant sections of AHAM AC–7–
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2022 Draft pertaining to the standby
power measurement, which includes
the specification that standby power be
tested in the as-shipped condition.
Synexis commented that a standby
mode power test may provide baseline
energy use data, but maximum energy
utilization would occur when the air
cleaner is operating, and that many air
cleaners are intended to operate
continuously. (Synexis, No. 9 at p. 3)
Synexis further commented that if
standby mode power is tested, the test
time period would need to be 24 hours
to provide meaningful results. (Synexis,
No. 9 at p. 5) DOE has initially
determined based on stakeholder
comments and a review of existing test
standards that testing an air cleaner in
standby mode would be representative
of average use. Further, as noted in
section III.F.7 of this document, DOE is
proposing to align with the estimated
active mode annual hours specified in
AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft (corresponding
to 16 hours per day). AHAM AC–7–2022
Draft additionally estimates the
remaining hours in a day are spent in
standby mode (i.e., 8 hours per day in
standby mode). DOE is proposing to
align with the estimated standby mode
annual hours specified in AHAM AC–7–
2022 Draft. DOE additionally notes that
IEC 63201 Ed. 2.0, which EPCA requires
to be considered by DOE, specifies a
maximum duration of 3 hours for
standby mode testing. DOE specifies use
of IEC 63201 Ed. 2.0 for measuring the
standby power of numerous other
consumer products and finds the
procedure to be suitable for providing a
repeatable, reproducible, and
representative measure of standby
power. Based on successful application
of IEC 63201 Ed. 2.0 for other consumer
products, DOE tentatively concludes
that requiring a 24-hour time period for
measuring standby power would be
unduly burdensome.
DOE notes that while the January
2022 RFI requested comment on the use
of AHAM AC–1–2020 or IEC 62301 Ed.
2.0, AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft references
IEC 62301 Ed. 2.0 for conducting
standby mode tests. Section 6 of AHAM
AC–7–2022 Draft defines the setup and
procedures to measure air cleaner
standby mode power consumption. DOE
proposes to incorporate by reference all
subsections of Section 6 of AHAM AC–
7–2022 Draft, which establish
conditions of measurement, preparation
of the air cleaner model for testing, test
procedure, test results, and the annual
combined low power mode energy
consumption calculations.
Section 6.3 of AHAM AC–7–2022
Draft references Section 5.3 of IEC
62301 Ed. 2.0 for the procedure to
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measure standby mode power. Sections
6.4.1 and 6.4.2 of AHAM AC–7–2022
Draft define measurements for inactive
mode power, PIA, and off mode power,
POM, respectively. DOE proposes to
reference Section 6.4 of AHAM AC–7–
2022 Draft.
Section 6.5 of AHAM AC–7–2022
Draft defines an annual combined low
power mode energy consumption
calculation based on PIA and POM as
follows:
ETLP = {PIA × SIA + POM × SOM} ×K
where:
P1A = air cleaner inactive mode power, in W,
for air cleaners capable of operating in
inactive mode; otherwise, P1A = 0,
POM = air cleaner off mode power, in W, for
air cleaners capable of operating in off
mode; otherwise, POM = 0,
SIA = annual hours in inactive mode and
defined as SLP if no off mode is possible,
[SLP/2] if both inactive mode and off
mode are possible, and 0 if no inactive
mode is possible,
SOM = annual hours in off mode and defined
as LPLP if no inactive mode is possible,
[SLP/2] if both inactive mode and off
mode are possible, and 0 if no off mode
is possible,
K = 0.001 kWh/Wh conversion factor for Wh
to kWh.
SLP = 2,920 air cleaner inactive mode annual
hours
Consistent with the active mode
energy consumption calculation, AHAM
AC–7–2022 Draft specifies 2,920 annual
hours in standby mode, which is
equivalent to 8 hours per day and is
consistent with the estimated standby
mode hours specified in the ENERGY
STAR V. 2.0 Specification. Accordingly,
DOE proposes to reference these
requirements for standby mode.
DOE requests feedback on its proposal
to reference Section 6 of AHAM AC–7–
2022 Draft to determine annual
combined low power mode energy
consumption.
H. Integrated Energy Factor Metric
In the January 2022 RFI, DOE
requested comment on the technical
feasibility of integrating measures of
standby mode and off mode energy
consumption into the overall energy
efficiency metric (i.e., creating an
integrated metric) for air cleaners. 87 FR
3702, 3710. In particular, DOE requested
comment on its example approach of
defining an integrated CADR/W metric,
in which the denominator would
represent a weighted average of the
power consumption associated with
active mode, standby mode, and off
mode, weighted by the amount of time
spent in each mode. Id.
The Joint Commenters stated that it is
technically feasible to integrate standby
mode and off mode energy consumption
into the overall energy efficiency metric
and intend to propose a method to do
so in the future. (Joint Commenters, No.
8 at p. 4)
Blueair commented that CADR/W was
the appropriate metric to determine air
cleaner efficiency as a function of the
unit’s performance output. (Blueair, No.
11 at pp. 2–4) Trane commented that the
integrated CADR/W metric is
appropriate and stated that additional
metrics should be considered as well,
such as noise thresholds to avoid
occupant space disruption and lack of
use. (Trane, No. 3 at p. 2) DOE is aware
that noise and noise reduction is an
important representation for air
cleaners; however, DOE has initially
determined that noise is unrelated to
energy consumption and is therefore not
a suitable performance metric for DOE’s
test procedure.
Synexis stated that CADR/W would
not be an effective metric for air
cleaners that do not utilize filtration
(e.g., air cleaners that destroy
microorganisms or particulates) and
commented that a metric expressed in
square feet per watt would be more
representative. (Synexis, No. 9 at p. 6)
Synexis also commented that a systemic
approach, which accounts for a device’s
power use, capacity, and environment
in which the device is working to
63341
improve air quality, should be adopted
to evaluate air cleaners. (Id. at p. 7)
The CA IOUs commented that an
integrated performance metric that
appropriately allocates active, standby,
and off mode operating hours should be
implemented for air cleaners and that it
is technically feasible to integrate
measures of standby and off mode
energy consumption into an overall
performance metric for air cleaners. The
CA IOUs further commented that DOE
should review survey information when
allocating hours to active mode and
standby modes for the calculation of an
IEF. (CA IOUs, No. 10 at p. 8)
DOE’s analysis shows that it is
technically feasible to integrate active
mode and standby mode energy
consumption into an overall
performance metric for air cleaners.
Specifically, active mode and standby
mode power consumption can be
combined into the AEC metric using the
respective estimated annual usage
hours. Further, to express air cleaner
performance as a function of its power
use, DOE’s analysis shows that an
integrated metric, such as IEF, is
technically feasible. This approach is
similar to other DOE test procedures,
such as room air conditioners and
dehumidifiers, which specify a metric
that is expressed as space conditioning
function provided per unit power. DOE
additionally notes that all products
included in the scope of the proposed
test procedure are those that could
remove, destroy, and/or deactivate
particulates. Accordingly, a CADR/W
metric is appropriate. Additionally,
DOE is proposing to include a
calculation for representation of room
size, in square feet, as discussed in
section III.I of this document.
DOE proposes to incorporate by
reference Section 7 of AHAM AC–7–
2022 Draft, which provides a calculation
to determine AEC and IEF for air
cleaners as follows:
IBF=
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3
)
CADR
mm
AEC kWh
1 year
1000 Wh
(
(year) * 5,840 hours * 1 kWh )
r
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AEC = Eactive + ETLP
Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 200 / Tuesday, October 18, 2022 / Proposed Rules
where,
CADR = PM2.5 Clean air delivery rate from
the combined smoke and dust test [cfm]
Eactive = air cleaner active mode test energy
consumption (in kWh per year).
ETLP = low power mode annual energy
consumption (expressed in kWh per
year).
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS4
DOE requests comment on its
proposal to reference Section 7 of
AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft for the AEC
and IEF calculations. Should AHAM
AC–7–2022 Draft specify a different
method to calculate AEC and/or IEF,
DOE requests comment on the new
methodology, the reasons for adopting
this new methodology, and the impact,
if any, of using the new methodology
compared to the equations proposed in
this document.
I. Representations
DOE is aware that air cleaner
manufacturers typically include several
representations in marketing materials
for their air cleaner models (e.g., smoke
CADR, dust CADR, pollen CADR,
CADR/W, room size, etc.) DOE has
observed that room size is represented
in different ways among various models
and different values of suitable room
sizes may be specified even for the same
model. As an illustrative example, DOE
identified a model that is marketed for
a large room up to 912 square feet, when
completing one air change per hour and
taking up to 60 minutes to clean air,
while the same air cleaner is also
represented as being suitable for a room
size of 190 square feet with 4.8 air
changes per hour and taking about 12.5
minutes to clean air. Further, this unit
is rated in the AHAM Verifide 30
program as being applicable for a room
size of 190 square feet. It is unlikely that
the acceptable room size for an air
cleaner of a given capacity can be
increased proportionally, potentially to
infinity, in such a manner, without
having an impact on the cleaning
performance of the air cleaner.
Room size would strongly impact the
capacity of the air cleaner that would be
required to clean the air in the desired
room. For instance, if the air cleaner is
too small compared to the size of the
room it is being used in, it will be
ineffective, thus providing low
efficiency. Conversely, if an air cleaner
is too big for the room that it is operated
in, it will clean the air very quickly and
still continue operating, leading to
wasted energy use. Therefore, it is
important that an air cleaner be selected
such that its capacity (expressed in
terms of its CADR) is appropriate for the
30 AHAM
Verifide. https://ahamverifide.org/
directory-of-air-cleaners/.
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size of the room that it is intended to be
used in. Additionally, for any air
cleaner, the represented values of CADR
and IEF are inherently a function of the
room size that the unit is expected to
operate in; i.e., the represented CADR
value is inherently a function of the test
chamber size, number of air exchanges
provided, and the initial concentration
of the contaminant. Accordingly, DOE
considers room size an important metric
that must be represented accurately and
consistently to provide meaningful
information to consumers.
Section 8.6 and Annex E of AHAM
AC–1–2020 specify a calculation for the
effective room size based on standard
construction criteria for rooms and a
history of the natural decay rate of small
particles as determined for cigarette
smoke. Specifically, the room size
calculation is based on the ability of the
air cleaner to reduce the concentration
of particles, expressed in CADR, in a
room at steady-state to a new steadystate concentration that is 80 percent
less than the original when the air
cleaner is operating. The calculation
includes additional assumptions such as
a mixing factor equal to 1.0, an air
exchange rate of 1 per hour, a cigarette
smoke particle natural decay equal to
the average background natural decay
(from statistical study), a ceiling height
of 8 ft, and a cigarette smoke particle
generation or influx rate such that a
cigarette smoke particle concentration of
1 is maintained at the initial steady
state. Based on its estimations, AHAM
AC–1–2020 specifies that the effective
room size, in square feet, that can be
serviced by an air cleaner is 1.55 times
the smoke CADR value of the air
cleaner.
DOE is proposing to include this
calculation as a represented value for
room size. Specifically, DOE is
proposing to include in 10 CFR 429.67
that the effective room size be
calculated as the product of 1.55 and the
basic model’s represented value of
smoke CADR. DOE further proposes that
this represented value of effective room
size, in square feet, be rounded to the
nearest whole number.
While DOE is proposing to align with
AHAM AC–1–2020 to specify that the
effective room size be calculated from
smoke CADR, DOE welcomes comment
on if it should consider using PM2.5
CADR, or a different CADR value,
instead.
DOE requests comment on its
proposal to include a calculation from
AHAM AC–1–2020 for the effective
room size that can be serviced by an air
cleaner. DOE requests comment on
whether it is appropriate to use smoke
CADR as the metric to calculate
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effective room size or if it should be
based on PM2.5 CADR instead. If
stakeholders indicate the use of PM2.5
CADR, DOE requests comment on
whether multiplying PM2.5 CADR by
1.55 to determine effective room size in
square feet is appropriate or if a
different constant would need to be
used instead.
J. Sampling Plan
DOE is proposing the following
sampling plan and rounding
requirements applicable to any
representations of energy consumption
or energy efficiency of air cleaners. The
sampling requirements would be
included in the proposed 10 CFR
429.67. Specifically, DOE is proposing
that the general sampling requirements
of 10 CFR 429.11 for selecting units to
be tested be applicable to air cleaners.
In addition, DOE is proposing that for
each air cleaner basic model, a sufficient
sample size must be randomly selected
to ensure that a representative value of
energy consumption for a basic model is
greater than or equal to the higher of the
mean of the sample or upper 95 percent
confidence limit (‘‘UCL’’) of the true
mean divided by 1.10. For IEF or other
measure of energy consumption where a
higher value is preferable to the
consumer, the representative value shall
be less than or equal to the lower of the
mean of the sample or the lower 95
percent confidence limit (‘‘LCL’’) of the
true mean divided by 0.90. The mean,
UCL, and LCL are calculated as follows:
UCL=
LCL
x + to.9s (~)
=x -
to.9s (~)
Where:
x¯ is the sample mean;
n is the number of units in the test sample;
xi is the ith sample;
s is the sample standard deviation; and
t0.95 is the t statistic for a 95 percent onetailed confidence interval with n–1
degrees of freedom.
This proposed sampling plan for air
cleaners is consistent with sampling
plans already established for portable
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air conditioners,31 dehumidifiers 32 and
other similar products that are portable
and/or provide space conditioning
functionality.
DOE also proposes that all
calculations be performed with the
unrounded measured values, and that
representations of pollen CADR, smoke
CADR, dust CADR, and PM2.5 CADR
values of a basic model be calculated as
the mean of the CADR for each tested
unit of the basic model, rounded to the
nearest whole number. DOE further
proposes that AEC be rounded to the
nearest 0.1 kWh/year and the IEF be
rounded to the nearest 0.1 CADR/W. As
noted previously, DOE also proposed
that the effective room size be rounded
to the nearest whole number. DOE notes
that these rounding instructions would
be included in the proposed sampling
plan for air cleaners.
As discussed, manufacturers would
not be required to test according to the
DOE test procedure until such time as
compliance is required with energy
conservation standards for air cleaners,
should DOE establish such standards.
Were DOE to establish test procedures
as proposed, manufacturers choosing to
make voluntary representations would
be required to test the subject air cleaner
according to the established test
procedure, and any such representations
would have to fairly disclose the results
of such testing.
DOE is not proposing any certification
or reporting requirements for air
cleaners at this time. DOE will propose
certification requirements through a
separate rulemaking in the future.
DOE seeks comment on the proposed
sampling plan and rounding
requirements for smoke CADR, dust
CADR, PM2.5 CADR, AEC, and IEF.
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K. Test Procedure Costs and
Harmonization
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)) DOE proposes to reference
industry standards AHAM AC–7–2022
Draft, AHAM AC–1–2020, and IEC
62301 Ed. 2.0 to measure pollen CADR,
smoke CADR, dust CADR, and active
mode and standby mode power
consumption. DOE also proposes to use
these measured values to calculate PM2.5
CADR, AEC, and IEF as specified in
AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft and effective
room size as specified in AHAM AC–1–
2020. The following paragraphs discuss
DOE’s evaluation of estimated costs
associated with this proposal.
31 10
32 10
CFR 429.62.
CFR 429.36.
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Based on quotes from third-party
laboratories, DOE estimates average
testing costs to be approximately $3,000
to test one unit according to AHAM AC–
1–2020 at such a laboratory. These costs
would include the tests to determine
pollen CADR, smoke CADR, dust CADR,
active mode power, and standby mode
power. DOE typically requires at least
two units to be tested for each basic
model. Therefore, DOE estimates that
manufacturers would incur testing costs
of approximately $6,000 per basic
model (because of the minimum sample
size of two units, as specified in 10 CFR
429.11(b)).
DOE requests comment on its initial
determination of the costs for testing
according to the proposed new air
cleaner test procedure. DOE also
requests comment on the potential
impact to manufacturers from the
proposed new air cleaner test
procedure.
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 of appendix A of 10 CFR part
430 subpart C. 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 procedure.
The test procedure for air cleaners at
the proposed new appendix FF
references AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft,
which specifies the methods of
measurement for active mode power
consumption of conventional room air
cleaners, and IEC 62301 Ed. 2.0, which
is referenced in AHAM AC–7–2022
Draft for the measurement of standby
mode power consumption. Proposed
new appendix FF also references AHAM
AC–1–2020, which specifies the
methods to determine smoke CADR and
dust CADR and is also referenced in
AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft to specify the
test chamber setup requirements.
AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft specifies
definitions, test setup, instrumentation,
test methods for the measurement of
active mode and standby mode power
consumption, and calculation of AEC
and IEF. The industry standards DOE
proposes to incorporate by reference are
discussed in further detail in section
IV.N of this document.
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63343
DOE requests comments on the
benefits and burdens of referencing the
identified industry standards in the
proposed new test procedure for air
cleaners.
L. Compliance Date
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))
If DOE were to publish a test
procedure, EPCA provides an allowance
for individual manufacturers to petition
DOE for an extension of the 180-day
period if the manufacturer may
experience undue hardship in meeting
the deadline. (42 U.S.C. 6293(c)(3)) To
receive such an extension, petitions
must be filed with DOE no later than 60
days before the end of the 180-day
period and must detail how the
manufacturer will experience undue
hardship. (Id.)
IV. Procedural Issues and Regulatory
Review
A. Review Under Executive Orders
12866 and 13563
Executive Order (‘‘E.O.’’) 12866,
‘‘Regulatory Planning and Review,’’ as
supplemented and reaffirmed by E.O.
13563, ‘‘Improving Regulation and
Regulatory Review, 76 FR 3821 (Jan. 21,
2011), requires agencies, to the extent
permitted by law, to (1) propose or
adopt a regulation only upon a reasoned
determination that its benefits justify its
costs (recognizing that some benefits
and costs are difficult to quantify); (2)
tailor regulations to impose the least
burden on society, consistent with
obtaining regulatory objectives, taking
into account, among other things, and to
the extent practicable, the costs of
cumulative regulations; (3) select, in
choosing among alternative regulatory
approaches, those approaches that
maximize net benefits (including
potential economic, environmental,
public health and safety, and other
advantages; distributive impacts; and
equity); (4) to the extent feasible, specify
performance objectives, rather than
specifying the behavior or manner of
compliance that regulated entities must
adopt; and (5) identify and assess
available alternatives to direct
regulation, including providing
economic incentives to encourage the
desired behavior, such as user fees or
marketable permits, or providing
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information upon which choices can be
made by the public. DOE emphasizes as
well that E.O. 13563 requires agencies to
use the best available techniques to
quantify anticipated present and future
benefits and costs as accurately as
possible. In its guidance, the Office of
Information and Regulatory Affairs
(‘‘OIRA’’) in the Office of Management
and Budget (‘‘OMB’’) has emphasized
that such techniques may include
identifying changing future compliance
costs that might result from
technological innovation or anticipated
behavioral changes. For the reasons
stated in the preamble, this proposed
regulatory action is consistent with
these principles.
Section 6(a) of E.O. 12866 also
requires agencies to submit ‘‘significant
regulatory actions’’ to OIRA for review.
OIRA has determined that this proposed
regulatory action does not constitute a
‘‘significant regulatory action’’ under
section 3(f) of E.O. 12866. Accordingly,
this action was not submitted to OIRA
for review under E.O. 12866.
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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: www.energy.gov/gc/
office-general-counsel. DOE reviewed
this proposed rule under the provisions
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act and the
procedures and policies published on
February 19, 2003.
The following sections detail DOE’s
IRFA for this test procedure rulemaking.
1. Description of Why Action is Being
Considered
Currently, no energy conservation
standards or test procedures are
prescribed by DOE for air cleaners. On
July 15, 2022, DOE published the July
2022 Final Determination in which it
determined that air cleaners qualify as
a ‘‘covered product’’ under EPCA. 87 FR
42297. DOE determined in the July 2022
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Final Determination that coverage of air
cleaners is necessary or appropriate to
carry out the purposes of EPCA.
Accordingly, air cleaners 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)(20)) In this NOPR, DOE
proposes to establish a new test
procedure for air cleaners that would
include methods to (1) measure the
performance of the covered product and
(2) use the measured results to calculate
an IEF to represent the energy efficiency
of an air cleaner.
2. Objective of, and Legal Basis for, Rule
EPCA, 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 33 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 for certain
products, referred to as ‘‘covered
products.’’ 34 In addition to specifying a
list of consumer products that are
covered products, EPCA contains
provisions that enable the Secretary of
Energy to classify additional types of
consumer products as covered products.
3. Description and Estimate of Small
Entities Regulated
DOE uses the Small Business
Administration (‘‘SBA’’) small business
size standards to determine whether
manufacturers qualify as ‘‘small
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
specific in 13 CFR part 121.
Air cleaner manufacturers, who
produce the products covered by this
rulemaking, are classified under NAICS
code 335210: ‘‘Small Electrical
Appliance Manufacturing.’’ The SBA
sets a threshold of 1,500 employees or
fewer for an entity to be considered a
small business for this category.35 This
employee threshold includes all
employees in a business’s parent
company and any other subsidiaries.
33 For editorial reasons, upon codification in the
U.S. Code, Part B was redesignated Part A.
34 The enumerated list of covered products is at
42 U.S.C. 6292(a)(1)–(19).
35 U.S. Small Business Administration. Table of
Size Standards (Effective July 14, 2022). Available
at: www.sba.gov/document/support-table-sizestandards (Last accessed September 1, 2022).
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DOE conducted a focused inquiry into
small business manufacturers of the
products covered by this rulemaking.
DOE reviewed AHAM’s database of
Certified Room Air Cleaners,36 ENERGY
STAR’s data set of Certified Air Purifiers
(Cleaners),37 and retailer websites to
create a list of companies that
manufacture or import the products
covered by this proposal. DOE then
consulted other publicly available data,
such as manufacturer specifications and
product literature, import/export logs
(e.g., bills of lading from Panjiva,) 38 and
model numbers, to identify original
equipment manufacturers (‘‘OEMs’’) of
the products covered by this proposed
rulemaking. DOE further relied on
public sources and subscription-based
market research tools (e.g., Dun &
Bradstreet reports) 39 to determine
company location, headcount, and
annual revenue. DOE screened out
companies that do not offer products
covered by this proposed rulemaking,
do not meet the SBA’s definition of a
‘‘small business,’’ or are foreign-owned
and operated.
DOE initially identified 31 OEMs
offering covered air cleaners for the U.S.
market. Of the 31 OEMs identified, DOE
estimates that five qualify as small
domestic OEMs.
4. Description and Estimate of
Compliance Requirements
In this NOPR, DOE proposes to
establish a new test procedure for air
cleaners at appendix FF. DOE proposes
to incorporate by reference in part 430
the industry standards AHAM AC–7–
2022 Draft, AHAM AC–1–2020, and IEC
62301 Ed. 2.0. Specifically, DOE
proposes to specify the following
provisions from within the referenced
industry standards:
(1) From AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft, the
following items:
(a) Definition of ‘‘conventional room
air cleaners’’ in 10 CFR 430.2, which
would be used to specify the scope of
the air cleaners test procedure in the
proposed new appendix FF;
(b) Definitions of terms that are
relevant to the test procedure;
36 Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers.
Certified Room Air Cleaners. Available at:
www.ahamdir.com/room-air-cleaners/ (Last
accessed January 24, 2022).
37 Energy Star. ENERGY STAR Certified Air
Purifiers (Cleaners). Available at:
www.energystar.gov/productfinder/product/
certified-room-air-cleaners/results (Last accessed
May 31, 2022).
38 Panjiva Supply Chain Intelligence is available
at: panjiva.com/import-export/United-States. (Last
accessed July 8, 2022).
39 The Dun & Bradstreet Hoovers subscription
login is available online at: app.dnbhoovers.com/.
(Last accessed July 8, 2022).
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(c) Test setup requirements for
electrical supply and test chamber,
which additionally include a reference
to AHAM AC–1–2020;
(d) Instrumentation requirements for
power measuring instruments and
temperature and relative humidity
measuring devices;
(e) Active mode and standby mode
power measurements; the standby mode
power measurement method
additionally includes a reference to IEC
62301 Ed. 2.0 for the test conduct; and
(f) Calculations for PM2.5 CADR, AEC,
and IEF.
(2) From AHAM AC–1–2020, test
methods for determining the pollen
CADR, smoke CADR, and dust CADR,
calculation of effective room size, and
test chamber construction and
equipment.
This NOPR also proposes
requirements regarding the sampling
plan and representations for air cleaners
at 10 CFR 429.67. DOE also proposes
rounding requirements for the measured
and calculated values of the air cleaners
test procedure.
Were the proposed test procedure and
associated provisions made final,
manufacturers would not be required to
test according to the DOE test procedure
until such time as compliance is
required with energy conservation
standards for air cleaners, should DOE
establish such standards. Were DOE to
establish test procedures as proposed,
manufacturers choosing to make
voluntary representations would be
required to test covered air cleaners
according to the established test
procedure, and any such representations
would have to fairly disclose the results
of such testing.
Air cleaner manufacturers, including
small manufacturers, would not be
required to test according to the
proposed test procedure (other than
making voluntary representations of
energy consumption) until the
compliance date of any energy
conservation standards for products in
these categories. As detailed in section
III.K.1 of this document, DOE estimated
that it would cost approximately $3,000
to test one unit of a basic model to
obtain all the necessary measurements
proposed in this document.40 DOE
typically requires at least two units to be
tested for each basic model. Therefore,
DOE estimates that manufacturers
would incur testing costs of
approximately $6,000 per basic model,
should DOE establish the test procedure
as proposed and establish energy
conservation standards for air cleaners.
As previously discussed, DOE
initially identified five domestic OEMs
that qualify as ‘‘small businesses.’’
Based on a review of publicly available
model databases and individual
company product catalogues, DOE
estimated the number of air cleaners
covered by this test procedure proposal
for each small business. DOE estimated
the number of air cleaners covered by
this test procedure proposal for each
small business ranges from two unique
basic covered models to 10 unique basic
covered models, depending on the
specific small business. As previously
detailed, DOE estimated it would cost
air cleaner manufacturers approximately
$6,000 per basic model to be tested at
a third-party laboratory facility.
Therefore, DOE estimated that a small
business could incur anywhere from
$12,000 to $60,000, should DOE adopt
the test procedure as proposed and
establish energy conservation standards.
DOE used subscription-based market
research tools 41 to estimate the annual
revenue for each potential small
business. DOE used these annual
revenue estimates in addition to the
number of air cleaner models covered
by this proposal to estimate the
potential impact on small businesses,
should energy conservation standards
be adopted in the future. Table IV.1
displays the potential testing costs these
small businesses would incur at the
time of compliance of any adopted
energy conservation standards. DOE
would reassess and incorporate the
potential testing burden on small
businesses at the NOPR stage of any
proposed energy conservation standards
for air cleaners.
TABLE IV.1—ESTIMATED POTENTIAL TESTING BURDEN ON SMALL BUSINESSES, BY ANNUAL REVENUE
Estimated
annual revenue
($)
Small business
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Manufacturer
Manufacturer
Manufacturer
Manufacturer
Manufacturer
A
B
C
D
E
..............................................................................................
..............................................................................................
..............................................................................................
..............................................................................................
..............................................................................................
Number of
models
1,000,000
1,300,000
500,000
3,600,000
19,600,000
10
10
2
5
4
One-time
testing cost
($)
60,000
60,000
12,000
30,000
24,000
Testing cost
as a percent
of annual
revenue
(%)
6.0
4.6
2.4
0.8
0.1
To the extent that air cleaner
manufacturers currently make claims
regarding the energy consumption of
their models, DOE observed that they
typically do so in accordance with
ENERGY STAR V. 2.0 Specification,
which references AHAM AC–1–2020.
Manufacturers currently making
voluntary representations of air cleaners
would be required to test according to
the proposed test procedure beginning
180 days after the final rule, should
DOE finalize the proposal.
Based on a review of AHAM’s
database of Certified Room Air Cleaners
and ENERGY STAR’s data set of
Certified Air Purifiers, DOE identified
only one small domestic OEM making
claims regarding the energy
consumption of their air cleaner models.
Based on Dun & Bradstreet reports, this
small domestic OEM has an estimated
annual revenue of approximately $3.6
million. As previously discussed, DOE
estimates a per-basic model test cost of
$6,000. Therefore, DOE estimates that
the potential costs associated with retesting would be minimal, accounting
for approximately 0.5 percent of annual
revenue for this small business.42
DOE requests comments on its finding
that there are five small, domestic OEMs
of air cleaners. DOE also requests
comment on its findings that costs are
small relative to annual revenue for
40 Approximately $3,000 to test each air cleaner
at a third-party laboratory equipped with the test
chamber to determine pollen CADR, smoke CADR,
dust CADR, active mode power and standby mode
power.
41 The Dun & Bradstreet Hoovers subscription
login is available online at: app.dnbhoovers.com/.
(Last accessed July 8, 2022).
42 The small domestic OEM currently makes
claims regarding the energy consumption of three
air cleaner models. (3 × $6,000)/$3.6 million = 0.5%
of its annual revenue.
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small manufacturers that currently make
voluntary representations.
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 proposed rule being
considered.
6. Significant Alternatives to the Rule
DOE considered alternative test
methods for air cleaners and tentatively
determined that there are no better
alternatives than the procedures
proposed in this NOPR. DOE expects
the proposals outlined would have no
impact before an amended energy
conservation standard is adopted,
unless manufacturers make
representations regarding energy use or
efficiency. DOE examined relevant
industry test standards, and the
Department incorporated these
standards in the proposed test
procedure whenever appropriate.
Specifically, DOE proposes to
incorporate by reference the industry
standards AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft,
AHAM AC–1–2020, and IEC 62301 Ed.
2.0.
Additionally, manufacturers subject
to DOE’s energy efficiency standards
may apply to DOE’s Office of Hearings
and Appeals for exception relief under
certain circumstances. Manufacturers
should refer to 10 CFR part 430, subpart
E, and 10 CFR part 1003 for additional
details for additional details.
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C. Review Under the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995
Manufacturers of covered products
must certify to DOE that their products
comply with any applicable energy
conservation standards. To certify
compliance, manufacturers must first
obtain test data for their products
according to the DOE test procedures,
including any amendments adopted for
those test procedures. DOE has
established regulations for the
certification and recordkeeping
requirements for all covered consumer
products and commercial equipment.
(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
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data needed, and completing and
reviewing the collection of information.
DOE is not proposing any certification
or reporting requirements for air
cleaners in this NOPR. Instead, DOE
may consider proposals to establish
certification requirements and reporting
for air cleaners under a separate
rulemaking regarding appliance and
equipment certification. DOE will
address changes to OMB Control
Number 1910–1400 at that time, as
necessary.
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 NOPR, DOE proposes a new
test procedure that it expects will be
used to develop and implement future
energy conservation standards for air
cleaners. 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. 4, 1999) imposes
certain requirements on agencies
formulating and implementing policies
or regulations that preempt State law or
that have federalism implications. The
Executive order requires agencies to
examine the constitutional and statutory
authority supporting any action that
would limit the policymaking discretion
of the States and to carefully assess the
necessity for such actions. The
Executive order also requires agencies to
have an accountable process to ensure
meaningful and timely input by State
and local officials in the development of
regulatory policies that have federalism
implications. On March 14, 2000, DOE
published a statement of policy
describing the intergovernmental
consultation process it will follow in the
development of such regulations. 65 FR
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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
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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
www.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.
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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
(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
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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%20IQA%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
establish a test procedure for measuring
the energy efficiency of air cleaners 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.
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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 test procedure for air
cleaners would incorporate testing
methods contained in certain sections of
the following commercial standards:
AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft, AHAM AC–1–
2020, and IEC 62301 Ed. 2.0. DOE has
evaluated these standards and is unable
to conclude whether they fully comply
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
AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft is a
voluntary industry-accepted test
procedure that measures active mode
and standby mode power consumption
of air cleaners. The proposed test
procedure in this NOPR generally
references AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft
including provisions for: definitions,
test conditions, instrumentation, active
mode and standby mode power
measurement, and calculation of PM2.5
CADR, AEC, and IEF.
AHAM AC–1–2020 is a voluntary
industry-accepted test procedure that
provides test methods to measure the
relative reduction of particulate matter,
including smoke and dust, suspended in
the air in a specified test chamber when
an air cleaner is in operation. The
proposed test procedure in this NOPR
generally references Sections 5 and 6 of
AHAM AC–1–2020 to determine the
smoke and dust CADR of the air cleaner
test unit. AHAM AC–1–2020 is also
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referenced in several sections of AHAM
AC–7–2022 Draft that DOE proposes to
reference in its test procedure.
These standards are reasonably
available from AHAM (www.aham.org/
AHAM/AuxStore).
IEC 62301 Ed. 2.0 is an international
standard that specifies methods of
measurement of electrical power
consumption of household appliances
in standby mode(s) and other low power
modes, as applicable. The proposed new
appendix FF references AHAM AC–7–
2022 Draft, to specify the standby mode
power consumption test method, which
further references IEC 62301 Ed. 2.0 for
the measurement of air cleaners standby
power consumption. IEC 62301 Ed. 2.0
is reasonably available from IEC
(webstore.ansi.org).
ASTM E741–11(2017) specifies
techniques using tracer gas dilution for
determining a single zone’s air change
with the outdoors, as induced by
weather conditions and by mechanical
ventilation. The proposed new
appendix FF references AHAM AC–7–
2022 Draft to specify the test chamber
air exchange rate, which further
references ASTM E741–11(2017) as the
method to measure test chamber air
exchange rate. ASTM E741–11(2017) is
reasonably available from ASTM
(www.astm.org).
V. Public Participation
A. Participation in the Webinar
The time and date of the webinar
meeting are listed in the DATES section
at the beginning of this document. If no
participants register for the webinar, it
will be cancelled. 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=77&action=viewlive.
Participants are responsible for ensuring
their systems are compatible with the
webinar software.
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS4
B. Procedure for Submitting Prepared
General Statements for Distribution
Any person who has an interest in the
topics addressed in this document, 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 email to:
ApplianceStandardsQuestions@
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
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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.
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
provide a general overview of the topics
addressed in this rulemaking, 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
permit, 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.
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 proposed
rulemaking. The official conducting the
webinar/public meeting will accept
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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 before or after the public meeting,
but no later than the date provided in
the DATES section at the beginning of
this proposed rule.43 Interested parties
may submit comments, data, and other
information 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.
43 DOE has historically provided a 75-day
comment period for test procedure NOPRs pursuant
to 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, on July 1, 2020,
the Agreement between the United States of
America, the United Mexican States, and the United
Canadian States (‘‘USMCA’’), Nov. 30, 2018, 134
Stat. 11 (i.e., the successor to NAFTA), went into
effect, and Congress’s action in replacing NAFTA
through the USMCA Implementation Act, 19 U.S.C.
4501 et seq. (2020), implies the repeal of E.O. 12889
and its 75-day comment period requirement for
technical regulations. Thus, the controlling laws are
EPCA and the USMCA Implementation Act.
Consistent with EPCA’s public comment period
requirements for consumer products, the USMCA
only requires a minimum comment period of 60
days. Consequently, DOE now provides a 60-day
public comment period for test procedure NOPRs.
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However, your contact information
will be publicly viewable if you include
it in the comment itself 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.
Otherwise, 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, hand
delivery/courier, or postal mail.
Comments and documents submitted
via email, hand delivery/courier, or
postal mail 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. Following
these instructions, the cover letter will
not be publicly viewable as long as it
does not include any comments.
Include contact information each time
you submit comments, data, documents,
and other information to DOE. If you
submit via postal mail or hand delivery/
courier, please provide all items on a
CD, if feasible, in which case it is not
necessary to submit printed copies. No
telefacsimiles (‘‘faxes’’) will be
accepted.
Comments, data, and other
information submitted to DOE
electronically should be provided in
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PDF (preferred), Microsoft Word or
Excel, WordPerfect, or text (ASCII) file
format. Provide documents that are not
secured, written in English, and that are
free of any defects or viruses.
Documents should not contain special
characters or any form of encryption
and, if possible, they should carry the
electronic signature of the author.
Campaign form letters. Please submit
campaign form letters by the originating
organization in batches of between 50 to
500 form letters per PDF or as one form
letter with a list of supporters’ names
compiled into one or more PDFs. This
reduces comment processing and
posting time.
Confidential Business Information.
Pursuant to 10 CFR 1004.11, any person
submitting information that he or she
believes to be confidential and exempt
by law from public disclosure should
submit via email 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 define the scope of the
proposed air cleaner test procedure as
those air cleaners that meet the
definition of a conventional room air
cleaner as defined in Section 2.1.1 of
AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft.
(2) DOE requests comment on its
proposal to reference Sections 2.1.1,
2.1.3.1, and 2.1.3.2 of AHAM AC–7–
2022 Draft in 10 CFR 430.2 for the
definitions of conventional room air
cleaner, portable conventional room air
cleaner, and fixed conventional room air
cleaner, respectively.
(3) DOE requests comment on
whether it should reference Section 2 of
AHAM AC–1–2020, which specifies that
the standard is applicable for air
cleaners only within rated CADR ranges
of 10 to 600 cfm for dust and cigarette
smoke. Additionally, DOE requests
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63349
comment on whether this CADR range
should be specified for PM2.5 CADR
instead of for dust CADR and smoke
CADR.
(4) DOE requests comment on its
proposal to adopt the substantive
provisions of AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft
with certain modifications.
(5) DOE requests comment on its
proposal to incorporate by reference
AHAM AC–1–2020, which is referenced
in AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft, as well as
to specify provisions related to the
measurement of pollen CADR, smoke
CADR, and dust CADR.
(6) DOE also requests comment on
whether it should consider specifying
that KCl is an allowable alternate to
cigarette smoke in the measurement of
smoke CADR, even if AHAM AC–1–
2022 Draft is not published by the time
DOE publishes its final rule. DOE
requests data and information on the
implications of using cigarette smoke
and KCl interchangeably when
performing air cleaner performance
tests. DOE requests data and
information on how a CADR value
obtained using KCl compares to the
CADR value obtained using cigarette
smoke.
(7) DOE requests comment on its
proposal to reference IEC 62301 Ed. 2.0,
which is referenced in AHAM AC–7–
2022 Draft for the instrumentation and
testing provisions for measuring standby
mode power consumption.
(8) DOE requests comment on its
proposal to reference ASTM E741–
11(2017), which is referenced in AHAM
AC–7–2022 Draft for determining the
test chamber air exchange rate.
(9) DOE requests comment on
whether the m-CADR value specified in
AHAM AC–5–2022 would change, and
if so, how, if a different type of
microorganism was used for testing
from the same general microorganism
category (e.g., using MS–2 vs. Phi X 174
for bacteriophage testing).
(10) DOE requests comment on
whether measurements taken every 2
minutes for a duration of 10 minutes, as
specified in Section 7.3 of AHAM AC–
5–2022, is sufficient to determine mCADR. DOE also requests comment on
the duration for which a sample must be
collected for each measurement point.
(11) Additionally, if stakeholders
indicate that operating the test unit for
10 minutes is sufficient, DOE requests
comment on whether the natural decay
test should also be conducted for only
10 minutes. DOE also requests comment
on whether it is reasonable for the
natural decay curve for microorganisms
to be increasing during the first 10–15
minutes of the test, and if not, how
should DOE mitigate this issue.
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(12) DOE requests comment on its
proposal to include definitions for the
aforementioned terms, via reference to
AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft, in the
proposed new appendix FF. Should the
AHAM task force consider any changes
to any of these definitions or include
definitions for additional terms that
would be relevant to DOE’s proposed
test procedure, DOE requests comment
on such changes and the justification for
DOE to consider including them in its
test procedure for air cleaners.
(13) DOE requests comment on its
proposal to reference Section 3.1 of
AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft for the
electrical supply requirements for active
mode and standby mode power
measurement.
(14) DOE requests comment on its
proposal to reference Section 3.6.1 of
AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft for the air
cleaner conditioning requirements.
(15) DOE requests comment on
whether the 48 hour burn-in time for air
cleaners with UV lights is sufficient or
if the burn-in time duration should be
increased.
(16) DOE requests comment on its
proposal to reference Section 3.6.2 of
AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft, which
references Section 4.6 of AHAM AC–1–
2020 for the test unit placement
instructions.
(17) DOE also requests comment on
whether it should consider including
the requirement from IEC 63086–1 that
specifies that if the placement of the air
cleaner is not specified by the
manufacturer and the air cleaner’s
height is less than 28 inches, then the
unit must be tested on the table.
Specifically, DOE requests comment on
whether the language in AHAM AC–7–
2022 Draft which states that, ‘‘if the air
cleaner is not a floor model’’ is clear to
follow, without any ambiguity, or
whether a quantitative metric such as
unit height would be better to ensure
consistent test setup.
(18) DOE also requests comment on
whether it should include any
placement instructions for air cleaners
shipped with casters.
(19) DOE requests comment on its
proposal to reference Section 3.6.3 of
AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft regarding
network connection requirements
during active mode and standby mode
tests. DOE also requests comment on the
impact on repeatability and
reproducibility when testing air cleaners
with network functionality while
connected to a network.
(20) DOE requests comment on
whether the software update
requirements are adequately specified or
whether DOE should explicitly state
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that software updates must always be
executed prior to running the tests.
(21) DOE requests comment on its
proposal to reference Sections 3.1 to 3.6
of AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft for the test
conditions and setup. Should AHAM
AC–7–2022 Draft change any of these
requirements between publication of
this NOPR and publication of the final
version of AHAM AC–7–2022, DOE
requests comment on these changes, the
reasons for these changes, and the
impact of these changes on the overall
air cleaners test procedure.
(22) DOE requests comment on its
proposal to incorporate by reference
Section 4 of AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft
regarding instrumentation requirements,
including the applicable provisions
from relevant sections of IEC 62301 Ed.
2.0. Should AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft
change any of these requirements
between publication of this NOPR and
publication of the final version of
AHAM AC–7–2022, DOE requests
comment on these changes, the reasons
for these changes, and the impact of
these changes on the overall air cleaner
test procedure.
(23) DOE requests comment on the
Joint Stakeholders’ recommendation of
using dust CADR as calculated in
Section 6 of AHAM AC–1–2020 as an
alternative for calculating PM2.5 CADR.
DOE also requests comment on its
proposal to allow the same alternative
for the smoke CADR value used in the
PM2.5 CADR calculation.
(24) DOE requests feedback on its
proposal to incorporate by reference
Section 2.9 of AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft
to calculate PM2.5 CADR based on
measurements of smoke CADR and dust
CADR. DOE also requests comment on
its proposal to allow the use of smoke
CADR and dust CADR calculated
according to Sections 5 and 6 of AHAM
AC–1–2020.
(25) DOE also requests comment on
its proposal to reference Sections 5 and
6 of AHAM AC–1–2020 to specify the
test methods for determining smoke
CADR and dust CADR, respectively.
(26) DOE requests comment on its
proposal to reference Section 5.3 of
AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft to test units in
maximum performance mode.
(27) DOE requests comment on its
proposal to reference Sections 5.4 and
5.5 of AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft to
specify the configuration of secondary
functions and control functions during
active mode testing.
(28) DOE requests comment on its
proposal to reference Sections 5.7.1
through 5.7.4 of AHAM AC–7–2022
Draft, which specify methods for
measuring active mode power at the
same time as the smoke or dust CADR
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test when the test unit is operating
within the chamber and measuring the
power consumption during a
supplemental power test outside of a
test chamber, respectively.
(29) DOE requests comment on its
proposal to reference Section 7 of
AHAM AC–1–2020 for the pollen CADR
measurement test.
(30) DOE requests comment and data
on the relationship between the pollen
CADR measurement and the energy use
of the air cleaner.
(31) DOE requests comment on
whether it should reference Section 2 of
AHAM AC–1–2020, which specifies that
the standard is applicable for air
cleaners with pollen CADR of 25 to 450
cfm, for pollen CADR testing.
(32) DOE also requests comment on
whether it should specify measurement
of active mode power consumption
when conducting the pollen CADR
measurement test.
(33) DOE requests comment on
whether it should consider specifying a
pollen CADR/W metric and whether
such a metric should be based on active
mode power consumption or include
energy consumption in both active
mode and standby mode.
(34) DOE requests comment on its
proposal to reference Section 5.7.4 of
AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft, which
specifies the calculation of active mode
energy consumption using an estimated
5,840 hours per year in active mode.
(35) DOE requests feedback on its
proposal to reference Section 6 of
AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft to determine
annual combined low power mode
energy consumption.
(36) DOE requests comment on its
proposal to reference Section 7 of
AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft for the AEC
and IEF calculations. Should AHAM
AC–7–2022 Draft specify a different
method to calculate AEC and/or IEF,
DOE requests comment on the new
methodology, the reasons for adopting
this new methodology, and the impact,
if any, of using the new methodology
compared to the equations proposed in
this document.
(37) DOE requests comment on its
proposal to include a calculation from
AHAM AC–1–2020 for the effective
room size that can be serviced by an air
cleaner. DOE requests comment on
whether it is appropriate to use smoke
CADR as the metric to calculate
effective room size or if it should be
based on PM2.5 CADR instead. If
stakeholders indicate the use of PM2.5
CADR, DOE requests comment on
whether multiplying PM2.5 CADR by
1.55 to determine effective room size in
square feet is appropriate or if a
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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 200 / Tuesday, October 18, 2022 / Proposed Rules
Signed in Washington, DC, on September
30, 2022.
Treena V. Garrett,
Federal Register Liaison Officer, U.S.
Department of Energy.
For the reasons stated in the
preamble, DOE is proposing to further
amend 10 CFR parts 429 and 430 (as
proposed at 87 FR 14622, March 15,
2022) 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.
VI. Approval of the Office of the
Secretary
The Secretary of Energy has approved
publication of this notice of proposed
rulemaking and request for comment.
§§ 429.64–429.65
List of Subjects
(a) Sampling plan for selection of
units for testing. (1) The requirements of
§ 429.11 are applicable to air cleaners;
and
(2) For each basic mode of air
cleaners, a sample of sufficient size
shall be randomly selected and tested to
ensure that—
(i) Any represented value of annual
energy consumption or other measure of
energy consumption of a basic mode for
which consumers would favor lower
values shall be greater than or equal to
the higher of:
(A) The mean of the sample:
Signing Authority
This document of the Department of
Energy was signed on September 28,
2022, by Francisco Alejandro Moreno,
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
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:19 Oct 17, 2022
Jkt 256001
And
(ii) Any represented value of the
integrated energy factor or other
measure of energy consumption of a
basic mode for which consumers would
favor higher values shall be less than or
equal to the high:
(A) The mean of the sample:
Where:
x¯ is the sample mean;
n is the number of samples; and,
xi is the ith sample.
Or,
(B) The lower 95 percent confidence
limit (LCL) of the true mean divided by
0.90:
LCL
[Added and Reserved]
2. Add and reserve §§ 429.64 and
429.65.
■ 3. Add § 429.67 to read as follows:
= x-
to.9s (~)
■
§ 429.67
Where:
x¯ is the sample mean;
s is the sample standard deviation;
h is the number of samples; and,
t0.95 is the t statistic for a 95 percent onetailed confidence interval with n-1
degrees of freedom (from appendix A).
Air cleaners.
Where:
x¯ is the sample mean;
n is the number of samples; and,
xi is the ith sample.
Or,
(B) The upper 95 percent confidence
limit (UCL) of the true mean divided by
1.10:
UCL=
x + to.9s (~)
And
(3) Any represented value of the
pollen, smoke, dust, and PM2.5 clean air
delivery rate (CADR) of a basic model
must be the mean of the CADR for each
tested unit of the basic model. Round
the mean clean air delivery rate value to
the nearest whole number.
(4) Any represented value of the
effective room size, in square feet, of a
basic model must be calculated as the
product of 1.55 and the represented
smoke CADR value of the basic model
as determined in paragraph (a)(3) of this
section. Round the value of the effective
room size, in square feet, to the nearest
whole number.
(5) Round the value of the annual
energy consumption of a basic model to
the nearest 0.1 kWh/year.
(6) Round the value of the integrated
energy factor of a basic model to the
nearest 0.1 CADR/W.
(b) [Reserved]
PART 430—ENERGY CONSERVATION
PROGRAM FOR CONSUMER
PRODUCTS
4. The authority citation for part 430
continues to read as follows:
■
Where:
x¯ is the sample mean;
s is the sample standard deviation;
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Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6291–6309; 28 U.S.C.
2461 note.
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EP18OC22.018</GPH>
10 CFR Part 430
Administrative practice and
procedure, Confidential business
information, Energy conservation,
Household appliances, Imports,
Incorporation by reference,
Intergovernmental relations, Small
businesses.
n is the number of samples; and,
t0.95 is the t statistic for a 95 percent onetailed confidence interval with n¥1
degrees of freedom (from appendix A).
EP18OC22.017</GPH>
10 CFR Part 429
Administrative practice and
procedure, Confidential business
information, Energy conservation,
Household appliances, Imports,
Intergovernmental relations, Reporting
and recordkeeping requirements, Small
businesses.
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS4
publication, as an official document of
the Department of Energy. This
administrative process in no way alters
the legal effect of this document upon
publication in the Federal Register.
EP18OC22.015</GPH> EP18OC22.016</GPH>
different constant would need to be
used instead.
(38) DOE seeks comment on the
proposed sampling plan and rounding
requirements for smoke CADR, dust
CADR, PM2.5 CADR, AEC, and IEF.
(39) DOE requests comment on its
initial determination of the costs for
testing according to the proposed new
air cleaner test procedure. DOE also
requests comment on the potential
impact to manufacturers from the
proposed new air cleaner test
procedure.
(40) DOE requests comments on the
benefits and burdens of referencing the
identified industry standards in the
proposed new test procedure for air
cleaners.
(41) DOE requests comments on its
finding that there are five small,
domestic OEMs of air cleaners. DOE
also requests comment on its findings
that costs are small relative to annual
revenue for small manufacturers that
currently make voluntary
representations.
63351
63352
Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 200 / Tuesday, October 18, 2022 / Proposed Rules
5. Amend § 430.2 by adding in
alphabetical order the definition for
‘‘Conventional room air cleaner’’ to read
as follows:
■
§ 430.2
Definitions.
*
*
*
*
*
Conventional room air cleaner means
an air cleaner as defined in Section 2.1.1
of AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft
(incorporated by reference; see § 430.3).
With respect to the term conventional
room air cleaner—
(1) The term portable is as defined in
Section 2.1.3.1 of AHAM AC–7–2022
Draft; and
(2) The term fixed is as defined in
Section 2.1.3.2 of AHAM AC–7–2022
Draft.
*
*
*
*
*
■ 6. Section 430.3 is amended by:
a. Redesignating paragraphs (i)(1)
through (6) as (i)(3) through (8);
b. Adding new paragraphs (i)(1) and
(2) and paragraph (j)(4); and
c. Revising paragraph (p)(7).
The additions and revision read as
follows:
§ 430.3 Materials incorporated by
reference.
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS4
*
*
*
*
*
(i) * * *
(1) ANSI/AHAM AC–1–2020
(‘‘AHAM AC–1–2020’’), Method for
Measuring Performance of Portable
Household Electric Room Air Cleaners,
approved December 14, 2020; IBR
approved for appendix FF to subpart B.
(2) AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft, Energy
Test Method for Consumer Room Air
Cleaners, approved 2022; IBR approved
for § 430.2 and appendix FF to subpart
B.
*
*
*
*
*
(j) * * *
(4) ASTM E741–11 (Reapproved 2017)
(‘‘ASTM E741–11(2017)’’), Standard
Test Method for Determining Air
Change in a Single Zone Means of a
Tracer Gas Dilution, Reapproved
September 1, 2017; IBR approved for
appendix FF to subpart B.
*
*
*
*
*
(p) * * *
(7) 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, I1, J, J2, N, O, P, Q, U, X, X1,
Y, Y1, Z, BB, CC, and FF to subpart B.
*
*
*
*
*
■ 7. Amend § 430.23 by adding
paragraph (hh) to read as follows:
§ 430.23 Test procedures for the
measurement of energy and water
consumption.
*
*
*
VerDate Sep<11>2014
*
*
18:19 Oct 17, 2022
Jkt 256001
(hh) Air Cleaners. (1) The pollen clean
air delivery rate (CADR), smoke CADR,
and dust CADR, expressed in cubic feet
per minute (cfm), for conventional room
air cleaners shall be measured in
accordance with section 5 of appendix
FF of this subpart.
(2) The PM2.5 CADR, expressed in
cfm, for conventional room air cleaners,
shall be measured in accordance with
section 5 of appendix FF of this subpart.
(3) The active mode and standby
mode power consumption, expressed in
watts, shall be measured in accordance
with sections 5 and 6, respectively, of
appendix FF of this subpart.
(4) The annual energy consumption,
expressed in kilowatt-hours per year,
and the integrated energy factor,
expressed in CADR per watts (CADR/
W), for conventional room air cleaners,
shall be measured in accordance with
section 7 of appendix FF of this subpart.
(5) The estimated annual operating
cost for conventional room air cleaners,
expressed in dollars per year, shall be
determined by multiplying the
following two factors:
(i) The annual energy consumption as
calculated in accordance with section 7
of appendix FF of this subpart, and
(ii) A representative average unit cost
of electrical energy in dollars per
kilowatt-hour as provided by the
Secretary, the resulting product then
being rounded off to the nearest dollar
per year.
■ 8. Appendix FF to subpart B of part
430 is added to read as follows:
Appendix FF to Subpart B of Part 430—
Uniform Test Method for Measuring the
Energy Consumption of Air Cleaners
Note: Beginning [date 180 days after date
of publication of a final rule in the Federal
Register], any representations made with
respect to the energy use or efficiency of air
cleaners must be made in accordance with
the results of testing pursuant to this
appendix.
0.
Incorporation by Reference
DOE incorporated by reference in § 430.3
the entire standard for AHAM AC–1–2020,
AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft, ASTM E741–
11(2017), and IEC 62301. However, only
enumerated provisions of AHAM AC–1–
2020, AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft, and IEC
62301 apply to this appendix, as follows:
0.1 AHAM AC–1–2020
(a) Sections 4.2 through 4.6 as specified in
section 3 of this appendix;
(b) Sections 5 through 7 as specified in
section 5 of this appendix;
(c) Section 8.1 as specified in section 5 of
this appendix;
(d) Annex A as specified in section 3 of
this appendix;
(e) Annex I as specified in section 2 of this
appendix.
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0.2
AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft
(a) Sections 2.2 and 2.3, sections 2.4.1
through 2.4.2.4, and sections 2.6 through 2.8
as referenced in section 2 of this appendix;
(b) Section 2.9 as referenced in section 2
and section 5.3 of this appendix;
(c) Sections 3.1 through 3.6.3 as specified
in section 3 of this appendix;
(d) Section 4, excluding section 4.1.4, as
specified in section 4 of this appendix;
(e) Sections 5.3 through 5.7.4 as specified
in section 5 of this appendix;
(f) Section 6 as specified in section 6 of this
appendix;
(g) Section 7 as specified in section 7 of
this appendix.
0.3 IEC 62301: Household Electrical
Appliances—Measurement of Standby Power
(a) Sections 4.4.1 through 4.4.3 as specified
in section 4 of this appendix;
(b) Section 5.3 as specified in section 6 of
this appendix.
1. Scope of Coverage
This appendix contains the test
requirements to measure the energy
performance of a conventional room air
cleaner, as defined at § 430.2.
2. Definitions
The definitions in Sections 2.2, 2.3, 2.4.1
through 2.4.2.4, 2.6 through 2.8, and 2.9 of
AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft apply to this test
procedure, including the applicable
provisions of AHAM AC–1–2020 as
referenced in Section 2.9 of AHAM AC–7–
2022 Draft.
3. Test Conditions
Testing conditions shall be as specified in
Sections 3.1 through 3.6.3 of AHAM AC–7–
2022 Draft, including the applicable
provisions of AHAM AC–1–2020 as
referenced in Sections 3.2.1, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, and
3.6.2 of AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft and the
applicable provisions of ASTM E 741–
11(2017) as referenced in Section 3.3 of
AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft.
4. Instrumentation
Test instruments shall be as specified in
Section 4 of AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft,
including the applicable provisions of IEC
62301 Ed. 2.0, except Section 4.1.4 of AHAM
AC–7–2022 Draft.
5. Active Mode CADR and Power
Measurement
Measurement of smoke CADR, dust CADR,
and pollen CADR shall be as specified in
Sections 5 through 7 of AHAM AC–1–2020,
respectively. Measurement of active mode
power shall be as specified in Sections 5.3
through 5.7.4 of AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft,
including the applicable provisions of
AHAM AC–1–2020 as referenced in Section
5.7.1 of AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft.
Additionally, the following requirement is
also applicable:
5.1. Calculation of PM2.5 CADR.
5.1.1. PM2.5 CADR is calculated as
specified in Section 2.9 of AHAM AC–7–
2022 Draft.
5.1.2. PM2.5 CADR may alternately be
calculated using the smoke CADR and dust
CADR values determined according to
E:\FR\FM\18OCP4.SGM
18OCP4
Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 200 / Tuesday, October 18, 2022 / Proposed Rules
63353
Sections 5 and 6, respectively, of AHAM AC–
1–2020, according to the following equation:
= .JSmoke CADR (0.1 -
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS4
6. Standby Mode Power Measurement
Standby mode power consumption shall be
measured as specified in Section 6 of AHAM
AC–7–2022 Draft, including the applicable
provisions of IEC 62301 Ed. 2.0.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:19 Oct 17, 2022
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1 µm) x Dust CADR (0.5 - 3 µm)
7. Total Energy Calculation
Annual energy consumption, expressed in
kilowatt-hours per year, and integrated
energy factor, expressed in CADR per watt,
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shall be calculated as specified in Section 7
of AHAM AC–7–2022 Draft.
[FR Doc. 2022–21698 Filed 10–17–22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
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PM2 _5 CADR
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 200 (Tuesday, October 18, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 63324-63353]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-21698]
[[Page 63323]]
Vol. 87
Tuesday,
No. 200
October 18, 2022
Part V
Department of Energy
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
10 CFR Parts 429 and 430
Energy Conservation Program: Test Procedure for Air Cleaners; Proposed
Rule
Federal Register / Vol. 87 , No. 200 / Tuesday, October 18, 2022 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 63324]]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
10 CFR Parts 429 and 430
[EERE-2021-BT-TP-0036]
RIN 1904-AF26
Energy Conservation Program: Test Procedure for Air Cleaners
AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of
Energy.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking and request for comment.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (``DOE'') proposes to establish
definitions, a test procedure, and sampling and representation
requirements for air cleaners. Currently, air cleaners are not subject
to DOE test procedures or energy conservation standards. DOE proposes a
test procedure for measuring the integrated energy factor for air
cleaners. The proposed test method references the relevant industry
standard, with certain proposed modifications. DOE is seeking comment
from interested parties on the proposal.
DATES: DOE will accept comments, data, and information regarding this
proposal no later than December 19, 2022. See section V, ``Public
Participation,'' for details. DOE will hold a webinar on Wednesday,
November 9, 2022, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 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 under docket
number EERE-2021-BT-TP-0036. Follow the instructions for submitting
comments. Alternatively, interested persons may submit comments,
identified by docket number EERE-2021-BT-TP-0036, by any of the
following methods:
Email: [email protected]. Include the docket number
EERE-2021-BT-TP-0036 in the subject line of the message.
Postal Mail: Appliance and Equipment Standards Program, U.S.
Department of Energy, Building Technologies Office, Mailstop EE-5B,
1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone:
(202) 287-1445. If possible, please submit all items on a compact disc
(``CD''), in which case it is not necessary to include printed copies.
Hand Delivery/Courier: Appliance and Equipment Standards Program,
U.S. Department of Energy, Building Technologies Office, 950 L'Enfant
Plaza SW, 6th Floor, Washington, DC 20024. Telephone: (202) 287-1445.
If possible, please submit all items on a CD, in which case it is not
necessary to include printed copies.
No telefacsimiles (``faxes'') will be accepted. For detailed
instructions on submitting comments and additional information on this
process, see section V of this document.
Docket: The docket for this activity, 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, not all documents listed in the index may be publicly
available, such as information that is exempt from public disclosure.
The docket web page can be found at www.regulations.gov/docket/EERE-2021-BT-TP-0036. 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:
Dr. Stephanie Johnson, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy
Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building Technologies Office, EE-5B,
1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone:
(202) 287-1943. Email [email protected].
Ms. Amelia Whiting, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the
General Counsel, GC-33, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC
20585-0121. Telephone: (202) 586-2588. Email:
[email protected].
For further information on how to submit a comment, review other
public comments and the docket, or participate in a public meeting (if
one is held), 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 draft industry standards into 10 CFR part 430:
AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft, ``Energy Test Method for Consumer Room Air
Cleaners''.
AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft is in draft form and its text was provided to
DOE for the purposes of review only during the drafting of this notice
of proposed rulemaking (``NOPR''). DOE intends to update the reference
to the final published version of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft in the test
procedure final rule, should it publish prior to the final rule, unless
there are substantive changes between the draft and published versions,
in which case DOE may adopt the substance of the AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft
or provide additional opportunity for comment on the changes to the
industry consensus test procedure.
A copy of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft is included in the docket for this
proposed rulemaking.
AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft additionally references ANSI/AHAM AC-1-2020,
``Method for Measuring Performance of Portable Household Electric Room
Air Cleaners'' in several sections (``AHAM AC-1-2020'').
A copy of AHAM AC-1-2020 can be obtained from the Association of
Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) at 1111 19th Street NW, Suite 402,
Washington, DC 20036; or www.aham.org/AHAM/AuxStore.
ASTM E741-11(2017), ``Standard Test Method for Determining Air
Change in a Single Zone Means of a Tracer Gas Dilution'' Reapproved
Sept. 1, 2017.
A copy of ASTM E741-11(2017) can be obtained from ASTM
International (ASTM), 100 Barr Harbor Drive, P.O. Box C700, West
Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, or www.astm.org.
IEC 62301, ``Household electrical appliances--Measurement of
standby power;'' Edition 2.0, 2011-01, (``IEC 62301 Ed. 2.0'').
A copy of IEC 62301 Ed. 2.0 can be obtained from the International
Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), available from the American National
Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W 43rd Street, 4th Floor, New York, NY
10036, (212) 642-4900, or webstore.ansi.org.
See section IV.M of this document for a further discussion of these
standards.
Table of Contents
I. Authority and Background
A. Authority
B. Background
C. Deviation From Appendix A
II. Synopsis of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
III. Discussion
A. Scope of Applicability
B. Industry Standards Incorporated by Reference
1. AHAM AC-1 and AHAM AC-7 Industry Standards
2. Other Industry Standards
C. Definitions
D. Test Conditions
[[Page 63325]]
1. Electrical Supply
2. Ambient Conditions
3. Test Chamber Air Exchange Rate
4. Test Chamber Particulate Matter Concentrations
5. Test Unit Preparation
6. Test Unit Placement for Testing
7. Network Functionality
E. Instrumentation
F. Active Mode Testing
1. Background on CADR
2. Particulate Used for Testing and CADR Measurement
3. Performance Mode for Testing
4. Secondary Functions
5. Power Measurement Procedure
6. Pollen CADR
7. Consumer Use Hours
G. Standby Mode Testing
H. Integrated Energy Factor Metric
I. Representations
J. Sampling Plan
K. Test Procedure Costs and Harmonization
1. Test Procedure Costs and Impact
2. Harmonization With Industry Standards
L. Compliance Date
IV. Procedural Issues and Regulatory Review
A. Review Under Executive Orders 12866 and 13563
B. Review Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act
1. Description of 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
On July 15, 2022, DOE published a final determination (``July 2022
Final Determination'') in which it determined that air cleaners qualify
as a ``covered product'' under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act,
as amended (``EPCA'').\1\ 87 FR 42297. DOE determined in the July 2022
Final Determination that coverage of air cleaners is necessary or
appropriate to carry out the purposes of EPCA, and that the average
U.S. household energy use for air cleaners is likely to exceed 100
kilowatt-hours (``kWh'') per year. Id. Currently, no energy
conservation standards or test procedures are prescribed by DOE for air
cleaners. The following sections discuss DOE's authority to establish
test procedures for air cleaners and relevant background information
regarding DOE's consideration of test procedures for this product.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\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), which reflect the last statutory amendments that impact
Parts A and A-1 of EPCA.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
A. Authority
EPCA, 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 for
certain products, referred to as ``covered products.'' \3\ In addition
to specifying a list of consumer products that are covered products,
EPCA contains provisions that enable the Secretary of Energy to
classify additional types of consumer products as covered products. To
classify a consumer product as a covered product, the Secretary must
determine that classifying the product as a covered product is
necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of EPCA and the
average annual per household \4\ energy use by products of such type is
likely to exceed 100 kWh (or British thermal unit (``Btu'') equivalent)
per year. (42 U.S.C. 6292(b)(1))
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ For editorial reasons, upon codification in the U.S. Code,
Part B was redesignated Part A.
\3\ The enumerated list of covered products is at 42 U.S.C.
6292(a)(1)-(19).
\4\ DOE has defined ``household'' to mean an entity consisting
of either an individual, a family, or a group of unrelated
individuals, who reside in a particular housing unit. For the
purpose of this definition: Group quarters means living quarters
that are occupied by an institutional group of 10 or more unrelated
persons, such as a nursing home, military barracks, halfway house,
college dormitory, fraternity or sorority house, convent, shelter,
jail or correctional institution. Housing unit means a house, an
apartment, a group of rooms, or a single room occupied as separate
living quarters, but does not include group quarters.
Separate living quarters means living quarters: to which the
occupants have access either: directly from outside of the building,
or through a common hall that is accessible to other living quarters
and that does not go through someone else's living quarters, and
occupied by one or more persons who live and eat separately from
occupant(s) of other living quarters, if any, in the same building.
10 CFR 430.2.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
As stated, DOE has determined that air cleaners are covered
products. 87 FR 42297.
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),
test procedures (42 U.S.C. 6293), labeling provisions (42 U.S.C. 6294),
energy conservation standards (42 U.S.C. 6295), and the authority to
require information and reports from manufacturers (42 U.S.C. 6296).
The Federal testing requirements consist of test procedures that
manufacturers of covered products must use as the basis for: (1)
certifying to DOE that their products comply with the applicable energy
conservation standards adopted pursuant to EPCA (42 U.S.C. 6295(s)),
and (2) making other representations about the efficiency of those
consumer products (42 U.S.C. 6293(c)). Similarly, DOE must use these
test procedures to determine whether the products comply with relevant
standards promulgated under EPCA. (42 U.S.C. 6295(s))
Federal energy efficiency requirements for covered products
established under EPCA generally supersede State laws and regulations
concerning energy conservation testing, labeling, and standards. (42
U.S.C. 6297) DOE may, however, grant waivers of Federal preemption for
particular State laws or regulations, in accordance with the procedures
and other provisions of EPCA. (42 U.S.C. 6297(d))
Under 42 U.S.C. 6293, EPCA sets forth the criteria and procedures
DOE must follow when prescribing or amending test procedures for
covered products. EPCA requires that any test procedures prescribed or
amended under this section be reasonably designed to produce test
results which measure energy efficiency, energy use or estimated annual
operating cost of a covered product during a representative average use
cycle or period of use and not be unduly burdensome to conduct. (42
U.S.C. 6293(b)(3))
If the Secretary determines, on her 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
[[Page 63326]]
present oral and written data, views, and arguments with respect to
such procedures. The comment period on a proposed rule to amend a test
procedure shall be at least 60 days and may not exceed 270 days. In
prescribing or amending a test procedure, the Secretary shall take into
account such information as the Secretary determines relevant to such
procedure, including technological developments relating to energy use
or energy efficiency of the type (or class) of covered products
involved. (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(2)). If DOE determines that test procedure
revisions are not appropriate, DOE must publish its determination not
to amend the test procedures. (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(1)(A)(ii))
In addition, EPCA requires that DOE amend its test procedures for
all covered products to integrate measures of standby mode and off mode
energy consumption. (42 U.S.C. 6295(gg)(2)(A)) Standby mode and off
mode energy consumption must be incorporated into the overall energy
efficiency, energy consumption, or other energy descriptor for each
covered product unless the current test procedures already account for
and incorporate standby and off mode energy consumption or such
integration is technically infeasible. If an integrated test procedure
is technically infeasible, DOE must prescribe a separate standby mode
and off mode energy use test procedure for the covered product, if
technically feasible. (42 U.S.C. 6295(gg)(2)(A)(ii)) 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))
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\5\ IEC 62301, Household electrical appliances--Measurement of
standby power (Edition 2.0, 2011-01).
\6\ IEC 62087, Audio, video and related equipment--Methods of
measurement for power consumption (Edition 1.0, Parts 1-6: 2015,
Part 7: 2018).
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DOE is publishing this NOPR consistent with its authority and these
obligations.
B. Background
DOE has not previously conducted a test procedure rulemaking for
air cleaners. As stated, DOE determined in the July 2022 Final
Determination that: coverage of air cleaners is necessary or
appropriate to carry out the purposes of EPCA; the average U.S.
household energy use for air cleaners is likely to exceed 100 kWh per
year; and thus, air cleaners qualify as a ``covered product'' under
EPCA. 87 FR 42297.
On January 25, 2022, DOE published a request for information
(``January 2022 RFI''), seeking comments on potential test procedure
and energy conservation standards for air cleaners. 87 FR 3702. In the
January 2022 RFI, DOE requested comments, data, and information
regarding development and evaluation of a new air cleaners test
procedure that would be reasonably designed to produce test results,
which reflect energy use during a representative average use cycle for
the product without being unduly burdensome to conduct.\7\ Id. This
NOPR addresses the comments received in response to the January 2022
RFI that pertain to the test procedure for air cleaners. DOE will
address comments pertaining to the energy conservation standards for
air cleaners in a separate standards rulemaking.
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\7\ The January 2022 RFI also solicited information regarding
the development and evaluation of potential new energy conservation
standards for air cleaners, and whether such standards would result
in significant energy savings, be technologically feasible and
economically justified. 87 FR 3702.
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DOE received comments in response to the January 2022 RFI from the
interested parties listed in Table I.1.
Table I.1--List of Commenters With Written Submissions in Response to the January 2022 RFI
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comment No. in
Commenter(s) Reference in this NOPR the docket Commenter type
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Council for an Energy- Joint Commenters................ 8 Efficiency
Efficient Economy, Appliance Organizations and
Standards Awareness Project, Trade Association.
Association of Home Appliance
Manufacturers, Consumer Federation
of America, and Natural Resources
Defense Council.
Air-Conditioning, Heating, & AHRI............................ 15 Trade Association.
Refrigeration Institute.
Blueair IAQ.......................... Blueair......................... 11 Manufacturer.
Daikin U.S. Corporation.............. Daikin.......................... 13 Manufacturer.
Electrolux Home Products Inc. North Electrolux...................... 6 Manufacturer.
America.
Lennox International Inc............. Lennox.......................... 7 Manufacturer.
Madison Indoor Air Quality........... MIAQ............................ 5 Manufacturer.
Molekule, Inc........................ Molekule........................ 12 Manufacturer.
Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance. NEEA............................ 14 Efficiency
Organization.
Pacific Gas and Electric Company, San CA IOUs......................... 10 Utility Association.
Diego Gas and Electric, and Southern
California Edison; collectively, the
California Investor Owned Utilities.
Synexis LLC.......................... Synexis......................... 9 Manufacturer.
Trane Technologies................... Trane........................... 3 Manufacturer.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A parenthetical reference at the end of a comment quotation or
paraphrase provides the location of the item in the public record.\8\
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\8\ The parenthetical reference provides a reference for
information located in the docket of DOE's rulemaking to develop
test procedures for air cleaners. (Docket No. EERE-2021-BT-TP-0036,
which is maintained at www.regulations.gov). The references are
arranged as follows: (commenter name, comment docket ID number, page
of that document).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
On August 23, 2022, the Joint Commenters, New York State Energy
Research and Development Authority, and Pacific Gas and Electric
Company (hereafter referred to as ``Joint Stakeholders''), submitted a
joint proposal recommending a test procedure and energy conservation
standards for consumer room air cleaners. (Joint Stakeholders, No. 16
at p. 1)
C. Deviation From Appendix A
In accordance with section 3(a) of 10 CFR part 430, subpart C,
appendix A (``appendix A''), DOE notes that it is deviating from the
provision in appendix A that DOE will finalize coverage for a product/
equipment at least 180 days prior to publication of a proposed rule to
establish a test procedure. 10 CFR part 430, subpart C, appendix A,
section 5(c). DOE is opting to deviate from this provision because of
[[Page 63327]]
broad support for the development of test procedures and energy
conservation standards, which is further evidenced by the Joint
Proposal outlining negotiated energy conservation standards and related
test procedures for consumer room air cleaners. The Joint Stakeholders
urged DOE to publish final rules adopting consumer room air cleaner
test procedure and standards as soon as possible but not later than
December 31, 2022. (Joint Stakeholders, No. 16 at p.1) DOE is working
to conduct this rulemaking in accordance with that timeline which would
require DOE to publish this test procedure NOPR less than 180 days
after publication of the July 2022 Final Determination.
II. Synopsis of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
In this NOPR, DOE proposes to establish a new test procedure at 10
CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix FF (``appendix FF'') for air cleaners
that would include methods to (1) measure the performance of the
covered product and (2) use the measured results to calculate an
integrated energy factor (``IEF'') to represent the energy efficiency
of an air cleaner.
DOE's proposed test procedure for air cleaners includes
measurements of smoke clean air delivery rate (``CADR'') and dust CADR,
which are used to calculate PM2.5 \9\ CADR, and active mode
and standby mode power consumption, which are used to calculate annual
energy consumption (``AEC''). PM2.5 CADR and AEC are
required to calculate IEF. DOE also proposes to include measurements of
pollen CADR and calculation of effective room size for representation
purposes. For consistent and uniform measurement of these values, DOE
proposes to incorporate by reference the industry standards AHAM AC-7-
2022 Draft, AHAM AC-1-2020, and IEC 62301 Ed. 2.0. Specifically, DOE
proposes to specify the following provisions from within the referenced
industry standards:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\9\ PM2.5 refers to particulate matter that are
nominally 2.5 micrometers in width or smaller.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) From AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft, the following items:
(a) Definition of ``conventional room air cleaners'' in 10 CFR
430.2, which would be used to specify the scope of the air cleaners
test procedure in the proposed new appendix FF;
(b) Definitions of terms that are relevant to the test procedure;
(c) Test setup requirements for electrical supply and test chamber,
which additionally include a reference to AHAM AC-1-2020;
(d) Instrumentation requirements for power measuring instruments
and temperature and relative humidity measuring devices;
(e) Active mode and standby mode power measurements; the standby
mode power measurement method additionally includes a reference to IEC
62301 Ed. 2.0 for the test conduct; and
(f) Calculations for PM2.5 CADR, AEC, and IEF.
(2) From AHAM AC-1-2020, test methods for determining the pollen
CADR, smoke CADR, and dust CADR, calculation of effective room size,
and test chamber construction and equipment.
This NOPR also proposes requirements regarding the sampling plan
and representations for air cleaners at 10 CFR 429.67. DOE also
proposes rounding requirements for the measured and calculated values
of the air cleaners test procedure.
If the proposed test procedure and associated provisions are final,
manufacturers would not be required to test according to the DOE test
procedure until such time as compliance is required with energy
conservation standards for air cleaners, should DOE establish such
standards. Were DOE to establish test procedures as proposed,
manufacturers choosing to make voluntary representations would be
required to test the subject air cleaner according to the established
test procedure, and any such representations would have to fairly
disclose the results of such testing.
While discussion of DOE's proposed actions are addressed in detail
in section III of this NOPR, DOE also received comments regarding the
rulemaking process and timeline. These comments are summarized
underneath.
AHRI and MIAQ commented that unresolved issues regarding scope and
applicability from the September 2021 NOPD, made it difficult for
stakeholders to participate meaningfully in providing substantive
technical comments necessary to determine whether a particular test
procedure is feasible and the impact of energy conservation standards
on these products. (AHRI, No. 15 at p. 2; MIAQ, No. 5 at p. 2) AHRI and
MIAQ additionally commented that the shortened comment period of 30
days from 75 days for the January 2022 RFI inhibited AHRI and MIAQ from
investigating test laboratory capacity or capabilities. (AHRI, No. 15
at pp. 2-3; MIAQ, No. 5 at p. 2) Electrolux inquired about whether
DOE's timeframe for the air cleaners rulemakings was long-term (i.e.,
5-6 years) or near-term (i.e., 2-3 years). (Electrolux, No. 6 at p. 1)
Electrolux further inquired if information from the air cleaner
rulemakings would be incorporated into ongoing international standards
discussions. (Id.)
In the September 2021 NOPD, DOE proposed a definition for the term
``air cleaner''. 86 FR 51629, 51632. At the time of the January 2022
RFI, DOE had not made a final determination about whether to cover air
cleaners as a covered product nor had it finalized a definition of the
term. 87 FR 3702, 3707. As such, the focus of the test procedure
portion of the January 2022 RFI was to seek feedback primarily on the
AHAM AC-1-2020 test procedure, which is an industry-accepted standard
for testing portable household electric room air cleaners, as well as
on other industry, investigative, and international test methods,
including those under development. 87 FR 3702, 3707-3708. Further, as
it pertains to the timeline for this rulemaking and as discussed in
section I.C of this document, the timeline of this rulemaking is
accelerated compared to DOE's typical timeline in order to follow as
closely as possible the schedule outlined in the negotiated agreement.
III. Discussion
A. Scope of Applicability
In the September 2021 NOPD, DOE proposed the following definition
for air cleaners:
An air cleaner is a consumer product that:
(1) Is a self-contained, mechanically encased assembly;
(2) Is powered by single-phase electric current;
(3) Removes, destroys, or deactivates particulates and
microorganisms from the air;
(4) Excludes products that destroy or deactivate particulates and
microorganisms solely by means of ultraviolet light without a fan for
air circulation; and
(5) Excludes central air conditioners, room air conditioners,
portable air conditioners, dehumidifiers, and furnaces as defined in 10
CFR 430.2. 86 FR 51629, 51632.
After considering the comments received in response to the
September 2021 NOPD and January 2022 RFI, in the July 2022 Final
Determination, DOE defined an air cleaner at 10 CFR 430.2 as ``a
product for improving indoor air quality, other than a central air
conditioner, room air conditioner, portable air conditioner,
dehumidifier, or furnace, that is an electrically-powered, self-
contained, mechanically
[[Page 63328]]
encased assembly that contains means to remove, destroy, or deactivate
particulates, VOCs, and/or microorganisms from the air. It excludes
products that operate solely by means of ultraviolet light without a
fan for air circulation.'' 87 FR 42297, 42304 and 42308.
In the July 2022 Final Determination, DOE addressed comments it
received in response to the September 2021 NOPD as well as some of the
comments it received in response to the January 2022 RFI \10\ that
pertained to the scope of the rulemaking and definition of an air
cleaner.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\10\ (Joint Commenters, No. 8 at pp. 2, 3; Daikin, No. 12 at p.
2; AHRI, No. 15 at pp. 3-4, 4, 4-5, 5, 5-6; MIAQ, No. 5, at pp. 3,
3-4, 4-5; Synexis, No. 14, at pp. 1, 1-2; Blueair, No. 11 at p. 2;
Lennox, No. 7 at pp. 1-2, 2; NEEA, No. 13 at p. 3; CA IOUs, No. 9 at
pp. 9-10, 11; Trane Technologies, No. 3 at p, 3).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
In this NOPR, DOE is proposing to establish test procedures for a
subset of products that meet the definition of ``air cleaner'' as
established by the July 2022 Final Determination. Specifically, DOE is
proposing to define the scope of the proposed test procedure as
covering products defined as ``conventional room air cleaners'' in the
AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft standard. The proposed scope of the test procedure
aligns with the available industry standard and encompasses a majority
of the air cleaner market. Further, this scope is consistent with the
scope in the Joint Proposal. (Joint Stakeholders, No. 16 at p. 5) DOE
may consider test procedures for other types of air cleaners in a
future rulemaking.
Section 2.1.1 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft defines a ``conventional room
air cleaner'' as a consumer room air cleaner that is a portable or wall
mounted (fixed) unit that plugs in to an electrical outlet; operates
with a fan for air circulation; and contains means to remove, destroy,
and/or deactivate particulates.
Sections 2.1.3.1 and 2.1.3.2 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft further define
``portable'' and ``fixed'', respectively, as follows:
Portable: can be easily moved from one place to another for use;
and has no provision for permanent mounting. Tools are not required for
the product installation or removal.
Fixed: permanently connected to the electrical supply source;
permanently mounted, such that tools are required for the product
installation or removal; or, sized so that it is not easily moved from
one place to another.
DOE proposes to specify in section 1 of the proposed new appendix
FF that the test procedure applies to ``conventional room air
cleaners'' and to define that term in 10 CFR 430.2 through reference to
Section 2.1.1 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft. DOE further proposes to add
references to Sections 2.1.3.1 and 2.1.3.2 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft to
the proposed definition of conventional room air cleaners to reference
the definitions of portable and fixed conventional room air cleaners.
DOE requests comment on its proposal to define the scope of the
proposed air cleaner test procedure as those air cleaners that meet the
definition of a conventional room air cleaner as defined in Section
2.1.1 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft.
DOE requests comment on its proposal to reference Sections 2.1.1,
2.1.3.1, and 2.1.3.2 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft in 10 CFR 430.2 for the
definitions of conventional room air cleaner, portable conventional
room air cleaner, and fixed conventional room air cleaner,
respectively.
In addition to defining the scope of the proposed air cleaner test
procedure to conventional room air cleaners, DOE notes that Section 2
of AHAM AC-1-2020 indicates that the precision of the test method is as
follows: 25 cubic feet per minute (``cfm'') for pollen
CADR; 10 cfm for dust CADR; and 10 cfm for
cigarette smoke CADR. Additionally, Section 2 of AHAM AC-1-2020
indicates that the theoretical maximum limits for CADR are determined
by the maximum number of initial available particles, the acceptable
minimum number of available particles, an average background natural
decay rate (from statistical study), the size of the test chamber, and
the available minimum experiment time. Given these levels of precision,
Section 2 of AHAM AC-1-2020 specifies the test procedure being
applicable only to air cleaners within rated CADR ranges of 10 to 600
cfm for dust and cigarette smoke and 25 to 450 cfm for pollen.
Further, in the negotiated agreement submitted by the Joint
Stakeholders, they propose that negotiated standards are applicable to
conventional room air cleaners with a minimum PM2.5 CADR of
10 cfm. (Joint Stakeholders, No. 16 at p. 9)
As discussed, DOE's proposed scope pertains to conventional room
air cleaners that are portable or wall mounted and plug into an
electrical outlet. This is also the scope of the AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft
and AHAM AC-1-2020 standards, which DOE is proposing to reference for
the CADR and power measurement tests as discussed in later sections of
this NOPR. Given that DOE is proposing to reference the AHAM industry
standards for the DOE air cleaner test procedure, DOE requests comment
on whether it should also specify the acceptable CADR range from AHAM
AC-1-2020 as part of its test procedure scope. Specifically, DOE would
consider specifying that the test procedure is applicable for
conventional room air cleaners with smoke or dust CADR between 10 to
600 cfm.
DOE requests comment on whether it should reference Section 2 of
AHAM AC-1-2020, which specifies that the standard is applicable for air
cleaners only within rated CADR ranges of 10 to 600 cfm for dust and
cigarette smoke. Additionally, DOE requests comment on whether this
CADR range should be specified for PM2.5 CADR instead of for
dust CADR and smoke CADR.
B. Industry Standards Incorporated by Reference
1. AHAM AC-1 and AHAM AC-7 Industry Standards
As discussed, AHAM published AHAM AC-1-2020 for measuring the
performance of portable household electric room air cleaners.
AHAM AC-1-2020 is a voluntary industry-developed test procedure
that provides test methods to measure the relative reduction of smoke,
dust, and pollen suspended in the air in a specified test chamber when
an air cleaner is in operation. The test method is conducted by
introducing a known initial concentration of a given particulate in the
chamber, without the air cleaner in operation, to measure its natural
decay. Next, the particulate is reintroduced in the chamber with the
air cleaner in operation to measure the particulate decay with the air
cleaner operating. The difference in the logarithmic rate of decay with
the air cleaner in operation and without the air cleaner in operation,
multiplied by the volume of the chamber, provides the CADR value of the
test unit. AHAM AC-1-2020 additionally specifies methods to measure an
air cleaner's active mode power consumption when conducting the pollen,
smoke, or dust performance test in the test chamber, as well as methods
to measure standby mode power consumption.
[[Page 63329]]
AHAM AC-1-2020 is currently referenced by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (``EPA'') in the ENERGY STAR Product Specification
for Room Air Cleaners, Version 2.0, Rev. May 2022 (``ENERGY STAR V. 2.0
Specification'').\11\ Further, the ENERGY STAR V. 2.0 Specification is
referenced by air cleaner standards in Washington DC, New Jersey,
Nevada, and Maryland.\12\
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\11\ Further information on the ENERGY STAR V2.0 Specification
is available online at: www.energystar.gov/sites/default/files/asset/document/ENERGY%20STAR%20Version%202.0%20Room%20Air%20Cleaners%20Specification%20%28Rev.%20May%202022%29.pdf.
\12\ Further information on state air cleaner standards and
timelines is available online from ASAP at: https://appliance-standards.org/product/air-purifiers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the January 2022 RFI, DOE requested comment on whether AHAM AC-
1-2020 provides an appropriate method to use as the basis for a Federal
test method and for defining energy conservation standards for air
cleaners. 87 FR 3702, 3708. DOE also sought feedback on industry
standards that could be referenced for the standby power measurement
procedure. Specifically, DOE requested feedback on the suitability of
the standby power measurement test procedure specified in AHAM AC-1-
2020, IEC 62301 Ed. 2.0, or any other test method for measuring standby
mode and off mode energy use of consumer air cleaners, in light of
EPCA's requirement in 42 U.S.C. 6295(gg)(2)(A)) for DOE to consider the
most current version of IEC Standard 62301. Id. at 87 FR 3709, 3710.
The Joint Commenters stated that AHAM and its partners \13\ are
currently developing the AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft standard, which is a test
procedure to measure the energy efficiency of air cleaners. (Joint
Commenters, No. 8 at p. 3) The Joint Stakeholders recommended that DOE
adopt AHAM AC-7-2022, which is currently in final draft form, as the
test procedure. The Joint Stakeholders additionally stated that if a
final version of AHAM AC-7-2022 is not available to incorporate by
reference, DOE should align with the final draft version and AHAM
authorized DOE to use the text of the final draft as the basis for
DOE's test procedure. (Joint Stakeholders, No. 16 at p. 6) \14\ Blueair
expressed support for the AHAM AC-1-2020 standard as a robust method
for determining air cleaner energy efficiency and stated that it should
serve as the Federal test procedure. (Blueair, No. 11 at pp. 2-3)
Blueair noted that laboratories across the country can readily run
tests for manufacturers and third parties at reasonable costs and
turnaround times. (Id.) Daikin commented that the AHAM AC-1-2020 test
procedure was appropriate for testing portable small room air cleaners.
(Daikin, No. 13 at p. 2) MIAQ and Lennox commented that the AHAM AC-1-
2020 standard is appropriate to test portable air cleaners, but would
not be appropriate to test non-portable air cleaners that would be
included in the scope of DOE's covered product. (MIAQ, No. 5 at p. 3;
Lennox, No. 7 at p. 2) Molekule commented that based on its research,
existing standards, such as AHAM AC-1-2020 are limited in their ability
to determine the efficacy of air cleaners that remove and oxidize
airborne allergens (i.e., aeroallergens). (Molekule, No. 12 at p. 4)
Synexis commented that AHAM AC-1-2020 was designed for measuring the
performance of indoor air cleaners, which remove particulates from the
air, presumably via mechanical filtration and it does not account for
the performance of devices that use mechanisms other than mechanical
filtration. (Synexis, No. 9 at p. 2)
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\13\ Partners include ASAP, the CA IOUs, DOE, and Guidehouse.
\14\ The CA IOUs supported the updates that were being discussed
by AHAM and its partners. (CA IOUs, No. 10 at p. 1) After
publication of the Joint Statement, the CA IOUs also submitted a
letter of support for the negotiated agreement, which includes using
AHAM AC-7-2022 for the DOE air cleaner test procedure. (CA IOUs, No.
17 at p. 1).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Since publication of the January 2022 RFI, DOE is aware that AHAM's
air cleaner task force is working to establish a new test method, AHAM
AC-7-2022 Draft, that would specify the test methods for measuring air
cleaner efficiency. The power measurement test methods specified in
AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft are being developed using the existing power
measurement test methods specified in AHAM AC-1-2020, updated to
reflect current air cleaner technologies and functionalities.
Additionally, AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft specifies the methods to determine
PM2.5 CADR, which is calculated based on the smoke and dust
CADR values; AEC; and IEF (expressed in CADR per watt (``CADR/W'')),
which defines the efficacy of an air cleaner. DOE has participated in
the meetings of the AHAM task force group responsible for developing
AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft and has provided input on several topics during
its development. DOE has also conducted testing according to AHAM AC-7-
2022 Draft and provided input to the AHAM task force based on its
observations and experience during testing.
AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft additionally references AHAM AC-1-2020 in
several sections to specify requirements for the test chamber equipment
and setup, as well as to conduct the in-chamber active mode power
consumption test. All but one section refers to ``ANSI/AHAM AC-1,''
``AHAM AC-1,'' or ``ANSI/AHAM AC-1-2020.'' DOE understands each of
these references to be denoting the AHAM AC-1-2020 version of the
standard, since it is included as a normative reference in AHAM AC-7-
2022 Draft. In contrast, Section 5.7.1 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft
references ANSI/AHAM AC-1-2022 Draft in stating that potassium chloride
(``KCl'') is allowed as an alternate to cigarette smoke in ANSI/AHAM
AC-1-2022 Draft. The text of AHAM AC-1-2022 Draft standard was not
available publicly for DOE to review at the time of publication of this
NOPR. However, from its participation on the AHAM task force, DOE
understands AHAM AC-1-2022 Draft to be materially the same as AHAM AC-
1-2020, with updates to harmonize with other AHAM air cleaners
standards (e.g., AC-7, AC-5 \15\ for microorganisms, AC-4 \16\ for
gases, etc.) and to remove the power measurement requirements from AHAM
AC-1-2020, given that these requirements are now specified in AHAM AC-
7-2022 Draft.
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\15\ Method for Assessing the Reduction Rate of Key Bioaerosols
by Portable Air Cleaners Using an Aerobiology Test Chamber, AHAM AC-
5-2022.
\16\ Method of Assessing the Reduction Rate of Chemical Gases by
a Room Air Cleaner, AHAM AC-4-2022.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
In this NOPR, DOE proposes to incorporate by reference AHAM AC-7-
2022 Draft into 10 CFR 430.3 and to reference the relevant sections of
this industry standard in the DOE test procedure at the proposed new
appendix FF. DOE is proposing modifications to certain aspects of AHAM
AC-7-2022 Draft, as discussed in the relevant sections of this document
that follow.
Specifically, DOE proposes to reference AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft to
specify the test methods for determining PM2.5 CADR, AEC,
and IEF. AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft specifies definitions, test conditions,
and test methods for determining active mode power, standby mode power,
out of chamber active mode power, and PM2.5 CADR. DOE has
initially determined that the measurement of PM2.5 CADR and
power consumption as specified in the AHAM-AC-7-2022 Draft would
produce test results that measure the energy efficiency of an air
cleaner during a representative average use cycle or period of use and
would not be unduly burdensome to conduct.
DOE additionally proposes to incorporate by reference AHAM AC-1-
[[Page 63330]]
2020 to reference the test methods for determining pollen CADR, smoke
CADR, and dust CADR and for each instance where AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft
references AHAM AC-1-2020.
DOE additionally proposes to incorporate by reference IEC 62301 Ed.
2.0, which is referenced in AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft, for the
instrumentation requirements and standby mode power measurement.
DOE additionally proposes to incorporate by reference ASTM E741-
11(2017), which is the current version of the standard referenced in
Section 3.3 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft with regard to determining the test
chamber air exchange rate.
As discussed, DOE intends to update the reference to the final
published version of AHAM AC-7-2022 in the test procedure final rule,
should it publish prior to the final rule, unless there are substantive
changes between the draft and published versions, in which case DOE may
adopt the substance of the AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft or provide additional
opportunity for comment on the changes to the industry consensus test
procedure.
Given that AHAM is considering publishing an updated AHAM AC-1-
2022, should AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft be updated to reference AHAM AC-1-
2022, DOE will consider adopting the published version of AHAM AC-7-
2022, including the reference to AHAM AC-1-2022 as long as it is also
published and is substantively the same as AHAM AC-1-2020. If there are
substantive changes between the final version of AHAM AC-1-2022 and
AHAM AC-1-2020, DOE may consider providing additional opportunity for
comment on the changes to the industry consensus test procedure or
continue to reference AHAM AC-1-2020. Additionally, DOE is considering
whether it should include reference to the use of KCl as an alternate
to cigarette smoke, as currently specified in AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft.
DOE requests comment on its proposal to adopt the substantive
provisions of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft with certain modifications.
DOE requests comment on its proposal to incorporate by reference
AHAM AC-1-2020, which is referenced in AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft, as well as
to specify provisions related to the measurement of pollen CADR, smoke
CADR, and dust CADR.
DOE also requests comment on whether it should consider specifying
that KCl is an allowable alternate to cigarette smoke in the
measurement of smoke CADR, even if AHAM AC-1-2022 Draft is not
published by the time DOE publishes its final rule. DOE requests data
and information on the implications of using cigarette smoke and KCl
interchangeably when performing air cleaner performance tests. DOE
requests data and information on how a CADR value obtained using KCl
compares to the CADR value obtained using cigarette smoke.
DOE requests comment on its proposal to reference IEC 62301 Ed.
2.0, which is referenced in AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft for the
instrumentation and testing provisions for measuring standby mode power
consumption.
DOE requests comment on its proposal to reference ASTM E741-
11(2017), which is referenced in AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft for determining
the test chamber air exchange rate.
2. Other Industry Standards
In the January 2022 RFI, DOE also requested comment on whether it
should consider any methodology for measuring the removal efficacy of
microorganisms (i.e., viruses, bacteria, mold, etc.) from indoor air as
part of a Federal test procedure for air cleaners. 87 FR 3702, 3710.
DOE also requested comment on other test methods that it should
consider when developing a test procedure to measure the energy
efficiency of air cleaners. Id.
In response to the January 2022 RFI, Lennox commented that the
American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning
Engineers (``ASHRAE'') standard ASHRAE 52.2-2017, ``Method of Testing
General Ventilation Air-Cleaning Devices for Removal Efficiency by
Particle Size,'' methodology is acceptable for air cleaners that remove
particles. (Lennox, No. 7 at pp. 2-3) DOE notes that ASHRAE 52.2-2017
provides a test method for measuring the performance of general
ventilation air cleaning devices; specifically, it provides a metric to
determine the performance of air filters that are part of in-duct or
whole-home air cleaners. Non-powered products such as filters are not
included within the proposed scope of the proposed test procedure.
MIAQ and AHRI commented that ASHRAE and AHRI standards and State
regulations already require manufacturers of air cleaners to optimize
their product air filter designs and that DOE's new standard would
create potential conflicts, such as competing goals. (MIAQ, No. 5 at
pp. 5-7; AHRI, No. 15 at pp. 7-8) DOE notes that while the ASHRAE and
AHRI standards and State regulations may specify requirements for air
filter designs, DOE's proposed test procedure is intended to evaluate
the energy efficiency of an air cleaner; i.e., the ability of the air
cleaner to deliver clean air as a function of its energy use.
MIAQ commented that in addition to the industry test standards that
DOE referenced in the January 2022 RFI, DOE could consider evaluating
other international air cleaners test methods such as the CNS 16098
standard specified in Taiwan's regulations,\17\ TIS 3061:2563 that is
used in Thailand's voluntary program,\18\ and several other AHAM, IEC,
ASHRAE, and AHRI standards, such as AHAM AC-3; AHAM AC-5-2021; AHAM AC-
4; GB/T18801-2015 (Chinese); NRCC-54013 (Canadian); ISO 16000-36; ISO/
CD 16000-43; ISO/CD 16000-44; NF-B44-200:2016; NF EN 16846-1:2017; JEM
1467 2015 (Japan); IEC 63086-2 (gases); SPS-KACA002 2016 Korean; ISO/TC
142-IEC 63086; ASHRAE 52.2; ASHRAE 52.2 with optional appendix J;
ASHRAE 52.2 proposed appendix; ISO 16890; AHRI Standard 850; AHRI
Standard 680/681-2017; ASHRAE 145.2; ISO 10121; and ASHRAE 185.1.
(MIAQ, No. 5 at pp. 7-8; AHRI, No. 15 at pp. 8-9)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\17\ CNS 16098: Air Cleaners for household and similar use--
Methods for measuring the performance, available at:
www.cnsonline.com.tw/?node=result&typeof=common&locale=zh_TW.
\18\ labelno5.egat.co.th/new58/wp-content/uploads/update/product/airpure.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
DOE's preliminary assessment of Taiwan and Thailand's regulations
indicate that these standards specify the evaluation of
PM2.5 CADR and power consumption, similar to the AHAM AC-7-
2022 Draft. Additionally, DOE notes that AHAM AC-3 is similar to AHAM
AC-1-2020 except that it provides test methods to evaluate the
performance of portable air cleaners before and after the air cleaners
have been subjected to accelerated particulate loading conditions. DOE
is not evaluating accelerated particulate loading \19\ conditions at
this time; therefore, DOE is not proposing to reference AHAM AC-3. AHAM
AC-4 and AHAM AC-5 are also similar to AHAM AC-1-2020, but specify test
methods using different contaminants--gases and microorganisms,
respectively. These industry standards were published recently and, as
discussed later in this section, DOE is currently evaluating these
standards. GB/T18801-2015 (Chinese), NRCC-54013 (Canadian), JEM 1467
2015 (Japan), IEC 63086-2 (gases), SPS-KACA002 2016 Korean, ISO/TC 142-
IEC 63086 test air cleaners to determine CADR in a manner similar to
AHAM AC-1-2020 (i.e., in a test chamber after introducing a
[[Page 63331]]
contaminant and taking measurements without the air cleaner operating
(natural decay) and with the air cleaner operating). However, these
standards specify certain different contaminants, including gaseous
pollutants. Some of these standards also include additional performance
tests, such as noise and ozone emissions. Given the widespread use of
AHAM AC-1-2020 in the United States, DOE is not proposing any
requirements from these additional standards at this time. ISO 16000-
36, ISO/CD 16000-43, and ISO/CD 16000-44 are standards for assessing
the reduction rate of culturable airborne bacteria, culturable airborne
fungi, and gases, respectively. As noted, DOE is still evaluating test
methods for gaseous and microorganism contaminants and will consider
these standards for gaseous and/or microorganism testing. NF-B44-
200:2016 also specifies multiple contaminants including particulates,
gasses, and microorganisms. However, DOE could not identify the
specified test method for testing with each contaminant and requests
additional information.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\19\ Accelerated particle loading is a method for simulating
defined periods of use of the filter.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Similarly, NF EN 16846-1:2017 is a test method to evaluate
photocatalytic devices used for the elimination of gasses and DOE will
evaluate this standard. ASHRAE 52.2, ASHRAE 52.2 with optional appendix
J, ASHRAE 145.2, and ISO 10121 are standards for air filters used as
part of in-duct devices, which are not included within the proposed
scope of the proposed test procedure. Similarly, ISO 16890 is a
standard for the air filters of general ventilation air cleaners, which
are not included within the proposed scope of the proposed test
procedure. AHRI Standard 850 and AHRI Standard 680/681--2017 are
standards for air filters and associated equipment, which DOE is not
proposing to regulate in this proposed test procedure. Finally, ASHRAE
185.1 is a standard for testing ultraviolet (``UV'') lights in air
ducts; DOE's definition of air cleaners excludes products that operate
solely by means of UV light without a fan for air circulation.
The CA IOUs stated that DOE should consider provisions specified in
ANSI and ASHRAE standards for air cleaners that generate ozone or UV
light. (CA IOUs, No. 10 at p. 11) DOE's objective is to establish test
procedures for air cleaners that would evaluate the energy efficiency
of an air cleaner. It is DOE's understanding that safety standards and
requirements specified in industry standards ensure that both ozone and
UV light generated as part of air cleaner operation remain within
specified threshold limits. Therefore, DOE is not proposing to adopt
these provisions in the air cleaners test procedure.
The CA IOUs additionally commented that in the absence of an
acceptable standardized energy performance rating for biological
agents, it would be reasonable to focus on the accepted particulate-
based energy test, but recommended that DOE validate if a correlation
exists between the microorganism and particulate tests. (CA IOUs, No.
10 at p. 6)
Synexis commented that DOE should consider test methods used to
measure the removal of microorganisms such as AHAM AC-5-2022 Draft.
Synexis stated that the Korean Test Labs test method only tests for
bacterial reduction. Synexis stated that utilizing the Research
Triangle Institute (``RTI'') test method in combination with some
additional test methods (National Research Council Canada (``NRCC'') or
others) would provide better evidence of device effectiveness. For
example, the RTI and NRCC test methods capture many of the
effectiveness criteria, as the RTI method measures airborne virus,
bacteria and mold reduction while the NRCC method measures VOC and
ozone reduction and would demonstrate that the devices are not
producing harmful levels of by-products. (Synexis, No. 9 at pp. 3-4)
Molekule commented that many of the industry standards that evaluate
the performance of air cleaners against microorganisms and chemicals,
such as AHAM AC-4, AHAM AC-5-2022, and the NRCC_54013 protocol, only
gauge the initial reduction of pollutants and do not provide any
insight into sustained performance over time. (Molekule, No. 12 at p.
4)
Lennox commented that microorganisms and VOCs present complex
issues that DOE must consider before proceeding with a test procedure
or standard. Lennox further stated that AHAM is working to include
microorganisms as a new contaminant in its air cleaner standard and DOE
should wait until that standard is published. (Lennox, No. 7 at p. 3)
It is DOE's understanding that the AHAM standard that Lennox is
referencing is AHAM AC-5-2022, which published after the comment period
for the January 2022 RFI closed.
In proposing to establish an initial test procedure for measuring
energy efficiency of air cleaners, DOE is focusing on the functionality
most broadly implemented in air cleaners on the market in the United
States; i.e., the removal of particulate matter through mechanical
filtration means, which may include ionization particulate capture as
well. Certain microorganisms, depending on their size, also may be
removed from the air by such devices. In light of the ongoing
coronavirus-19 pandemic and other health concerns, DOE recognizes the
utility to consumers of additional means to reduce concentrations of
microorganisms in the air, including destruction or deactivation of the
microorganisms. DOE expects to monitor the air cleaner market for the
presence of models with such antimicrobial features and may evaluate in
the future test methods for air cleaners that eliminate microorganisms.
An example of a test method for air cleaners that reduce
concentrations of airborne microorganisms is AHAM AC-5-2022, which AHAM
issued in March 2022. Under this test method, air cleaners are tested
in a manner similar to AHAM AC-1-2020, except microorganisms are
aerosolized and introduced into the chamber rather than particulates.
AHAM AC-5-2022 specifies different types of bacteria, bacteriophages,
and mold spores that could be used for testing. Although DOE is not
proposing provisions in this proposed test procedure to measure the
efficacy of an air cleaner's removal of microorganisms, DOE welcomes
comment on the impact the type of microorganism selected for testing
has on the CADR for microbes (``m-CADR'') value (e.g., Phi-X 174 vs.
MS2). DOE also welcomes comment on whether measurements taken every 2
minutes for a duration of 10 minutes, as specified in Section 7.3 of
AHAM AC-5-2022 is sufficient to determine m-CADR. DOE additionally
requests comment on the duration for which a sample must be collected
during each measurement point. DOE also observed from test results that
the natural decay curve for microorganisms could be increasing during
the first 10-15 minutes and welcomes feedback on whether this is
reasonable.
DOE requests comment on whether the m-CADR value specified in AHAM
AC-5-2022 would change, and if so, how, if a different type of
microorganism was used for testing from the same general microorganism
category (e.g., using MS-2 vs. Phi X 174 for bacteriophage testing).
DOE requests comment on whether measurements taken every 2 minutes
for a duration of 10 minutes, as specified in Section 7.3 of AHAM AC-5-
2022, is sufficient to determine m-CADR. DOE also requests comment on
the duration for which a sample must be collected for each measurement
point.
Additionally, if stakeholders indicate that operating the test unit
for 10 minutes is sufficient, DOE requests comment on whether the
natural decay
[[Page 63332]]
test should also be conducted for only 10 minutes. DOE also requests
comment on whether it is reasonable for the natural decay curve for
microorganisms to be increasing during the first 10-15 minutes of the
test, and if not, how should DOE mitigate this issue.
C. Definitions
As discussed, the July 2022 Final Determination established a
definition for air cleaners. Additionally, as discussed in section
III.A of this document, DOE is proposing to reference Section 2.1.1 of
AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft in 10 CFR part 430.2 to specify the definition for
``conventional room air cleaner'' and additionally reference within
this definition Sections 2.1.3.1 and 2.1.3.2 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft to
define ``portable air cleaner'' and ``fixed air cleaner,''
respectively. These definitions are relevant to establish the scope of
the proposed new appendix FF.
In addition to these definitions, DOE proposes to specify certain
additional definitions in the proposed new appendix FF that would be
required to test air cleaners according to the proposed test procedure.
DOE proposes to reference Sections 2.2 and 2.3, Sections 2.4.1
through 2.4.2.4, and Sections 2.6 through 2.8 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft
to specify definitions for the following terms in section 2 of the
proposed new appendix FF:
Function--means a predetermined operation undertaken by
the air cleaner. Functions may be controlled by an interaction of the
user, of other technical systems, of the system itself, from measurable
inputs from the environment and/or time. In AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft,
functions are grouped into four main types:
[cir] Primary functions
[cir] Secondary functions
[cir] User oriented secondary functions
[cir] Network related secondary functions
Primary function--means an air cleaning function that
reduces the concentration of one or more types of indoor air
pollutants.
Secondary function--means a function that enables,
supplements, or enhances a primary function. For air cleaners,
secondary functions are other functions which are not directly related
to air cleaning. Examples may include a vacuum, heating,
humidification, or additional ambient room lights (e.g., night light).
User oriented and network function (i.e., control
functions)--may include network connection, Wi-Fi, clocks, radio,
remote controls, or other programmable functions that may continue to
be enabled when the primary function is inactive.
Mode--means a state that has no function, one function or
a combination of functions present.
Active mode--means a product mode where the energy using
product is connected to a mains power source and at least one primary
function is activated.
Low power mode--as per IEC 62301 Ed. 2.0 means a product
mode that falls into one of the following broad mode categories:
[cir] Off Mode(s)
[cir] Standby Mode(s)
[cir] Network Mode(s)
[cir] Inactive Mode
Standby mode--means a mode offering one or more of the
following user-oriented or protective functions which may persist for
an indefinite time:
(a) To facilitate the activation of other modes (including
activation or deactivation of active mode) by remote switch (including
remote control), internal sensor, or timer.
Informative Note: 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.
(b) Continuous functions, including information or status displays
(including clocks) or sensor-based functions.
Inactive mode--means a standby mode that facilitates the
activation of active mode by remote switch (including remote control)
or internal sensor or which provides continuous status display.
Off mode--means a mode in which a consumer room air
cleaner is not providing any active or standby mode function and where
the mode may persist for an indefinite time, including an indicator
that only shows the user that the product is in the off position.
Network mode--means any product modes where at least one
network function is activated (such as reactivation via network command
or network integrity communication) but where the primary function is
not active.
Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR)--is the measure of the
delivery of contaminant free air, within a defined particle size range,
by an air cleaner, expressed in cubic feet per minute (cfm). CADR is
the rate of contaminant reduction in the test chamber when the air
cleaner is turned on, minus the rate of natural decay when the air
cleaner is not running, multiplied by the volume of the test chamber as
measured in cubic feet. Note: CADR values are always the measurement of
an air cleaner performance as a complete system and have no linear
relationship to the air movement per se or to the characteristics of
any particle removal methodology.
Integrated energy factor (IEF)--is the energy the air
cleaner uses when it is in standby mode, as well as, its active mode
energy. This is fully defined as the measured PM2.5 CADR per
watt.
PM2.5--means particulate matter with an
aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to a nominal 2.5 micrometers as
measured by a reference method based on 40 CFR part 50, annex I. and
designated in accordance with 40 CFR part 53 or by an equivalent method
designated in accordance with 40 CFR part 53.
PM2.5 CADR--is from ANSI/AHAM AC-1-2020; Annex
I. The performance on PM2.5 of an air cleaner is represented
by a clean air delivery rate (CADR) based on the dust and cigarette
smoke performance data.
The diversity of particle natures and the sizes of the dust and
smoke pollutants gives a well-balanced representation of the ultra-fine
and fine particulate matters that define PM2.5.
PM2.5 CADR is obtained by combining the CADR of
cigarette smoke particle sizes ranging from 0.1 to 0.5 microns with the
CADR of dust particles that fall in the range of 0.5 to 2.5 microns and
performing a geometric average calculation.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP18OC22.010
AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft also includes definitions for other terms that
DOE is not proposing to incorporate into the proposed new appendix FF.
Generally, these other terms are inconsistent with or not relevant to
the proposed scope of the DOE test procedure.
[[Page 63333]]
DOE requests comment on its proposal to include definitions for the
aforementioned terms, via reference to AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft, in the
proposed new appendix FF. Should the AHAM task force consider any
changes to any of these definitions or include definitions for
additional terms that would be relevant to DOE's proposed test
procedure, DOE requests comment on such changes and the justification
for DOE to consider including them in its test procedure for air
cleaners.
D. Test Conditions
Section 3 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft specifies test conditions for the
measurement of active mode and standby mode power consumption and
includes references to certain sections of AHAM AC-1-2020 as
appropriate. Specifically, Sections 3.1 through 3.6 of AHAM AC-7-2022
Draft specify requirements for active mode and standby mode electrical
supply, test chamber ambient temperature, test chamber air exchange
rate, test chamber particulate matter concentrations, chamber
equipment, and test unit preparation (including conditioning of the air
cleaner prior to testing, placement of the air cleaner for testing, and
network connection setup requirements), respectively.
Through participation in the task force to develop AHAM AC-7-2022
and conducting preliminary testing, DOE has initially determined that
the AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft test conditions produce test results that
measure the efficiency of air cleaners during a representative average
use cycle and are not unduly burdensome. Therefore, DOE proposes to
reference the test condition requirements specified in Sections 3.1
through 3.6 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft in the proposed new appendix FF.
The following sections summarize each of the requirements specified in
AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft along with DOE's proposals.
1. Electrical Supply
Section 3.1 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft specifies the electrical supply
requirements for active mode and standby mode testing. These
requirements specify that active mode power supply test voltage and
frequency must be set to the nameplate voltage 1 percent.
If a range of voltage is provided on the nameplate, then the voltage
for the country for which the measurement is being determined shall be
used per Table 1 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft (1 percent). Table
1 specifies 120 volts and 60 hertz for units in North America. For
standby mode testing, the power supply test voltage and frequency are
to be set as noted in Table 1 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft (1
percent), which specifies 115 volts and 60 hertz for units in North
America. DOE notes that these power supply requirements are generally
consistent with DOE test procedures for other consumer products for
which standby mode and active mode are tested. Accordingly, DOE
proposes to reference Section 3.1 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft for the
electrical supply requirements.
DOE requests comment on its proposal to reference Section 3.1 of
AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft for the electrical supply requirements for active
mode and standby mode power measurement.
2. Ambient Conditions
Section 3.2 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft specifies the test chamber
ambient temperature requirements for active mode and standby mode
tests. The active mode ambient temperature requirement is 70 5 degrees Fahrenheit (``[deg]F'') (21 3 degrees
Celsius (``[deg]C'')) with a relative humidity of 40 5
percent. The standby mode ambient temperature requirement is 70 9 [deg]F (21 5 [deg]C), with no relative humidity
requirement specified. DOE notes that the active mode test requirements
are similar to the ambient conditions specified for certain other
consumer products that affect room air besides heating or cooling
(e.g., DOE's ceiling fan test procedure specifies maintaining the room
temperature at 70 5 [deg]F and the room relative humidity
at 50 5 percent during testing),\20\ and as such, DOE
expects that these conditions would also produce representative test
results for air cleaners. Additionally, Section 5.7.2 of AHAM AC-7-2022
Draft, which specifies the supplemental test to measure active mode
power consumption outside a test chamber, also references Section 3.2
of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft to specify that the same ambient conditions
must be maintained when testing outside the chamber.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\20\ See section 3.3.1(1) of appendix U to subpart B of part
430--Uniform Test Method for Measuring the Energy Consumption of
Ceiling Fans.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
DOE recognizes that standby mode testing is likely to be much less
sensitive to ambient room temperature or humidity compared to active
mode testing, such that the wider tolerance on ambient temperature and
the lack of a humidity requirement for standby mode testing are
appropriate. DOE understands that test laboratories already have the
expertise and equipment necessary to maintain these specified ambient
temperature and relative humidity test conditions, within the specified
tolerances, when testing air cleaners within the test chamber as well
as the expertise and equipment necessary for maintaining temperature
within the specified tolerance for standby mode. Accordingly, DOE
proposes to reference these ambient temperature and relative humidity
requirements from AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft.
DOE requests comment on its proposal to reference Section 3.2 of
AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft for the ambient temperature and humidity
requirements for active mode and standby mode power measurement.
3. Test Chamber Air Exchange Rate
Section 3.3 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft requires that, per AHAM AC-1-
2020, the test chamber air exchange rate must be less than 0.03 air
changes per hour as determined by ASTM E741 or an equivalent method.
Section 4.3 of AHAM AC-1-2020 provides these specifications. DOE does
not have information on typical air changes within a representative
room, but this condition is necessary to ensure consistent test chamber
conditions by minimizing the air exchange rate, and DOE has tentatively
determined that the industry-accepted specification for the air
exchange rate, as reviewed by the AHAM task force, would be appropriate
for air cleaner testing. Accordingly, DOE proposes to additionally
reference Section 4.3 of AHAM AC-1-2020 within the proposed provisions
of Section 3 of the proposed new appendix FF. As discussed, DOE is also
proposing to incorporate by reference ASTM E741-11(2017), the most
recent version of that industry standard.
DOE requests comment on its proposal to reference Section 3.3 of
AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft for the test chamber air exchange rate
requirements, including its reference to ASTM E741-11(2017).
4. Test Chamber Particulate Matter Concentrations
Section 3.4 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft specifies the acceptable range
of particle concentrations for the initial test condition for the smoke
and dust tests, via reference to Section 4.4 of AHAM AC-1-2020. DOE
recognizes that initial particle concentration is a necessary
requirement for repeatability and reproducibility by ensuring
consistent test chamber conditions prior to measuring decay rate, and
DOE has tentatively determined that the industry-accepted specification
for the initial particle concentrations, as
[[Page 63334]]
reviewed by the AHAM task force, would be appropriate for air cleaner
testing. Accordingly, DOE is proposing to reference Section 3.4 of AHAM
AC-7-2022 Draft and additionally reference Section 4.4 of AHAM AC-1-
2020 within the proposed provisions of section 3 of the proposed new
appendix FF.
DOE requests comment on its proposal to reference Section 3.4 of
AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft for the initial particulate concentrations in the
test chamber.
Test Chamber Construction and Equipment
Section 3.5 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft references Annex A of AHAM AC-
1-2020 to specify the test chamber construction and equipment
positioning during testing. This includes requirements for chamber
size, framework, constructions and material for the walls and flooring,
as well as additional equipment that must be used in the chamber for
conducting tests. DOE believes these requirements are relevant to
ensure that testing is conducted in a representative chamber and that
it is repeatable and reproducible.
In response to the January 2022 RFI, Synexis commented that the
CADR test chamber is not representative of actual room sizes, that
testing should be conducted in a larger chamber, and that the setup of
an air cleaner (e.g., wall-mounted, ceiling-mounted, free-standing,
etc.) is less critical in measuring efficiency than the air cleaning
mechanism. (Synexis, No. 9 at pp. 4-5)
EPCA requires that any test procedures DOE prescribes or amends be
reasonably designed to produce test results that measure energy
efficiency, energy use, or estimated annual operating cost of a covered
product during a representative average use cycle or period of use, as
determined by the Secretary, and not be unduly burdensome to conduct.
(42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(3)) DOE recognizes that the test chamber size
specified in AHAM AC-1-2020, 10.5 feet (``ft'') x 12 ft x 8 ft, may not
be representative of larger rooms, but DOE does not have consumer data
on the room sizes in which air cleaners are most commonly used that
would indicate that a different test chamber size would be more
representative of average use. Additionally, utilizing a chamber of the
same size for testing all conventional room air cleaners and that is
required for testing in accordance with the ENERGY STAR V. 2.0
Specification would produce repeatable and reproducible test results,
while also ensuring that the test setup and chamber size requirements
are not unduly burdensome. Those laboratories that are currently
testing air cleaners for the purposes of ENERGY STAR qualification are
equipped with the test chamber specified in AHAM AC-1-2020, and
specifying a larger test chamber size may reduce the capability of the
industry to test at third-party laboratories and would also impose
burden on test laboratories to upscale their test chambers. Further,
AHAM AC-1-2020 specifies a maximum theoretical CADR that can be
achieved when testing according to this standard, which is determined
by the maximum number of initial available particles in the chamber,
the acceptable minimum number of available particles in the chamber, an
average background natural decay rate (from statistical study), and the
size of the test chamber, and the available minimum experiment
time.\21\ That is, the size of the test chamber is one of the inputs
that limits the size of air cleaners that can be tested according to
this standard. Products that exceed a smoke or dust CADR of 600 cfm are
not intended to be tested using this test method. For these reasons,
DOE proposes in this NOPR to utilize the same test chamber requirements
as specified in AHAM AC-1-2020.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\21\ DOE infers this to mean the minimum number of time points
required for running the test.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
DOE proposes to reference Section 3.5 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft,
which references Annex A of AHAM AC-1-2020 for the details of the test
chamber construction and equipment.
DOE requests comment on its proposal to reference Section 3.5 of
AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft, which references Annex A of AHAM AC-1-2020 to
specify the test chamber construction and equipment requirements.
5. Test Unit Preparation
Section 3.6 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft specifies three requirements
regarding test unit preparation: conditioning of the air cleaner prior
to measurement in Section 3.6.1; test unit placement for testing in
Section 3.6.2; and network connectivity requirements in Section 3.6.3.
For the conditioning requirements, Section 3.6.1 of AHAM AC-7-2022
Draft specifies that air cleaners must be operated for 48 hours in
maximum performance mode to break-in the motor prior to conducting any
tests. It further specifies that this break-in must be conducted with
replacement filters and that after the break-in period is completed,
all original and as-received filters must be reinstalled, and non-
replaceable components should be cleaned according to manufacturers
instructions prior to performing the active mode test. Additionally,
Section 3.6.1 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft specifies that installation of a
UV device that is energized during air cleaning function and lamp
assembly within the air cleaner shall be according to manufacturer's
instructions and the burn-in time for the UV lamp shall also be 48
hours, run concurrently with the break-in period of the motor.
DOE requests comment on its proposal to reference Section 3.6.1 of
AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft for the air cleaner conditioning requirements.
DOE requests comment on whether the 48 hour burn-in time for air
cleaners with UV lights is sufficient or if the burn-in time duration
should be increased.
6. Test Unit Placement for Testing
Section 3.6.2 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft specifies that the air
cleaner must be placed in the test chamber in accordance with Section
4.6 of AHAM AC-1-2020, which states that the air cleaner must be
installed per manufacturer's instructions in the center of the test
chamber, facing the test window, positioned with its air discharge as
close as possible to the test chamber center. Section 4.6 of AHAM AC-1-
2020 further requires that if the manufacturer's instructions ``do not
specify'' \22\ and the air cleaner is not a floor model, the air
cleaner must be placed on the table for testing. AHAM AC-1-2020 does
not provide further specificity as to how to determine if an air
cleaner is a floor model, which may potentially cause ambiguity in
determining whether a particular air cleaner would need to be placed on
the table or not. DOE notes that Section 5.7 of IEC 63086-1 \23\
requires that if placement of an air cleaner is not specified by the
manufacturer and the air cleaner's height is less than 0.7 meters from
the floor, the unit shall be placed on a table of 0.7 meters in height.
In all other instances, IEC 63086-1 specifies that the air cleaner
shall be placed on the floor of the test chamber.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\22\ DOE understands the language ``If manufacturer's
instructions do not specify'' to mean that the manufacturer's
instructions do not clearly indicate the placement of the air
cleaner on a floor, table, or another flat surface.
\23\ Household and similar electrical air cleaning appliances--
Methods for measuring the performance--Part 1: General requirements.
IEC 63086-1:2020.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
While DOE is proposing to reference Section 3.6.2 of AHAM AC-7-2022
Draft, DOE is considering if it should
[[Page 63335]]
also include the additional test unit placement requirement from IEC
63086-1 and requests comment. By referencing a measurable metric (unit
height) to determine the installation configuration of the air cleaner
in the absence of manufacturer's instructions, IEC 63086-1 may provide
greater certainty regarding how to test certain air cleaner models,
which could contribute to a more reproducible and representative test
measurement. For the DOE test procedure, DOE could consider specifying
the height limit for placement on the table in the test chamber as 28
inches, given that 0.7 meters is approximately 27.6 inches.
Additionally, DOE is considering whether it should include any
requirement for air cleaners shipped with casters; specifically, DOE is
considering whether such air cleaners should be tested on the floor
regardless of the unit's height.
DOE requests comment on its proposal to reference Section 3.6.2 of
AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft, which references Section 4.6 of AHAM AC-1-2020
for the test unit placement instructions.
DOE also requests comment on whether it should consider including
the requirement from IEC 63086-1 that specifies that if the placement
of the air cleaner is not specified by the manufacturer and the air
cleaner's height is less than 28 inches, then the unit must be tested
on the table. Specifically, DOE requests comment on whether the
language in AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft which states that, ``if the air
cleaner is not a floor model'' is clear to follow, without any
ambiguity, or whether a quantitative metric such as unit height would
be better to ensure consistent test setup.
DOE also requests comment on whether it should include any
placement instructions for air cleaners shipped with casters.
7. Network Functionality
Section 3.6.3 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft specifies requirements for
setting up air cleaners with network functionality, including
requirements for the network connection and for establishing the
connection between the air cleaner and the network. This section
specifies that air cleaners must be tested on a Wi-Fi network and that
if the unit has additional network capabilities (e.g.,
Bluetooth[supreg]), these capabilities shall remain in their default,
as-shipped configuration. Additionally, Section 3.6.3 of AHAM AC-7-2022
Draft specifies that the network shall support the highest and lowest
data speeds of the air cleaner's network function, and that the live
connection must be maintained for the duration of the active mode and
standby mode tests. AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft also specifies that if the air
cleaner needs to install any software updates, testing must wait until
these updates have occurred; otherwise, if the unit can operate without
updates, the updates may be bypassed.
DOE is aware of at least one air cleaner on the market \24\ that
cannot be operated by the user, unless it is connected to an active
network connection. On such a model, control of the air cleaner is
provided exclusively through a mobile phone application. Accordingly,
DOE is proposing to reference the AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft network
connection requirements.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\24\ See, for example: auraair.io/pages/aura-air-1.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
DOE requests comment on its proposal to reference Section 3.6.3 of
AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft regarding network connection requirements during
active mode and standby mode tests. DOE also requests comment on the
impact on repeatability and reproducibility when testing air cleaners
with network functionality while connected to a network.
DOE requests comment on whether the software update requirements
are adequately specified or whether DOE should explicitly state that
software updates must always be executed prior to running the tests.
DOE requests comment on its proposal to reference Sections 3.1 to
3.6 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft for the test conditions and setup. Should
AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft change any of these requirements between
publication of this NOPR and publication of the final version of AHAM
AC-7-2022, DOE requests comment on these changes, the reasons for these
changes, and the impact of these changes on the overall air cleaners
test procedure.
E. Instrumentation
Section 4 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft specifies requirements for
instrumentation used for measuring voltage and power by referencing IEC
62301 Ed. 2.0 and specifies the accuracy required for power measuring
equipment.
Sections 4.1.1 through 4.1.3 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft specify
requirements for power measurement uncertainty, frequency response, and
long-term averaging, by referencing requirements in Sections 4.4.1
through 4.4.3 of IEC 62301 Ed. 2.0. Along with these requirements,
Section 4 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft specifies the accuracy of instruments
used for measuring voltage and power to be accurate to within 0.5 percent of the quantity measured. Section 4 of AHAM AC-7-2022
Draft also specifies requirements for the accuracy of the temperature
measuring device (error no greater than 1 [deg]F ( 0.6 [deg]C) over the range being measured) and the relative
humidity measuring device (resolution of at least 1 percent relative
humidity, and an accuracy of at least 6 percent relative
humidity over the temperature range of (24 3) [deg]C [(75
5) [deg]F]).
DOE understands these instrumentation specifications to be
appropriate for producing repeatable, reproducible, and representative
test results for air cleaners, and that test laboratories currently
have instrumentation that meets these proposed specifications.
Therefore, DOE proposes to reference these instrumentation requirements
specified in Section 4 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft, including the
applicable provisions from Sections 4.4.1, 4.4.2, and 4.4.3, of IEC
62301 Ed. 2.0 in the proposed new appendix FF.
DOE requests comment on its proposal to incorporate by reference
Section 4 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft regarding instrumentation
requirements, including the applicable provisions from relevant
sections of IEC 62301 Ed. 2.0. Should AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft change any
of these requirements between publication of this NOPR and publication
of the final version of AHAM AC-7-2022, DOE requests comment on these
changes, the reasons for these changes, and the impact of these changes
on the overall air cleaner test procedure.
F. Active Mode Testing
1. Background on CADR
Section 3.14 of AHAM AC-1-2020 defines CADR as the metric which
measures an air cleaner's efficacy in removing particulate matter from
the air. CADR represents the logarithmic rate of particulate reduction
in the test chamber when the air cleaner is turned on (expressed as a
number per minute), minus the logarithmic rate of ``natural decay''
\25\ when the air cleaner is not running (also expressed as a number
per minute), multiplied by the volume of the test chamber (specified as
1,008 cubic feet). As such, testing an air
[[Page 63336]]
cleaner requires conducting two separate tests: a first test with the
air cleaner not operating in active mode, and a second test with the
air cleaner operating in active mode. The CADR value is expressed in
units of cfm.\26\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\25\ Section 3.13 of AHAM AC-1-2020 defines ``natural decay'' as
the reduction of particulate matter due to natural phenomena in the
test chamber: principally agglomeration [a process in which fine
particles ``clump'' together], surface deposition [a process in
which particles attach to a surface] (including sedimentation [a
process in which particles settle out of suspension in the air onto
a surface due to gravity]), and air exchange.
\26\ Although the unit of measurement for CADR is cfm, Section
3.14 of AHAM AC-1-2020 explains that CADR values indicate the
performance of an air cleaner as a complete system and that the
metric has no linear relationship to air movement or to the
characteristics of any particular particle removal methodology per
se.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sections 5, 6, and 7 of AHAM AC-1-2020 specify procedures for
measuring air cleaner efficacy using three different types of
particulates representing three ranges of particulate matter size:
cigarette smoke (0.10 micrometer (``[mu]m'') to 1.0 [mu]m diameter),
dust (0.5 [mu]m to 3.0 [mu]m diameter), and pollen (5 [mu]m to 11 [mu]m
diameter), respectively.
In the January 2022 RFI, DOE requested comment on the use of CADR,
as opposed to another metric such as rate of decay, to characterize air
cleaner performance. In particular, DOE requested comment on whether
consumers could find the unit of measurement of cfm for CADR confusing
and misunderstand it as referring to the rate of air movement through
the device. 87 FR 3702, 3708.
Synexis commented that CADR is not an appropriate performance
metric because it applies only to filtration devices and that any
metric must consider the mechanism of action of the air cleaner and
types of contaminants it addresses. (Synexis, No. 9 at p. 2)
Daikin commented that CADR primarily measures the capacity of the
unit, but there are other air cleaning efficacy metrics that should be
considered based on product categories. Daikin stated that metrics like
CADR and MERV are similar to the capacity of delivering clean air and
air cleaning efficacy respectively, but they are not an energy
efficiency metric. (Daikin, No. 13 at p. 2)
DOE recognizes that other capacity metrics may be relevant for the
removal of other air contaminants such as gases and microorganisms.
However, for the scope of products covered by this proposed test
procedure, i.e., conventional room air cleaners, and the contaminants
used to test such air cleaners, i.e., smoke, dust, and pollen, DOE has
tentatively determined that CADR would be an appropriate capacity
metric, as DOE is not proposing to test for gases and microorganisms at
this time. CADR is a well-established industry capacity metric, and the
AHAM AC-1 standard has been in use for over 30 years. CADR is a measure
of the reduction rate of specific particulates by an air cleaner in a
controlled environment. Accordingly, DOE proposes to use the CADR
metric to evaluate the capacity of air cleaners. As discussed in later
sections, DOE is proposing an IEF metric, which specifies the
efficiency of an air cleaner in CADR/W.
2. Particulate Used for Testing and CADR Measurement
In the January 2022 RFI, DOE requested comment on whether the power
measurement could vary based on the particulate test that is used to
measure operating power. 87 FR 3702, 3708. If power measurement varies
based on the particulate test, DOE requested comment on which
particulate test (pollen, dust, or smoke) should be used as the basis
for the power measurement in any Federal test procedure that DOE may
develop. Alternately, DOE requested comment on whether it should
consider requiring power measurements for each particulate test and use
a simple or weighted average to determine operating power. Id.
DOE also requested comment on whether cigarette smoke would be the
appropriate particulate for determining a CADR rating of air cleaners
under a DOE test procedure, should DOE adopt a measurement of CADR in a
test procedure for air cleaners. If cigarette smoke is not the most
appropriate particulate, DOE requested comment on other particulate(s)
that would be more appropriate as the basis for measurement, including
data and information to support such a recommendation. Id. at 87 FR
3710-3711.
Blueair commented that it supports the use of cigarette smoke as
the appropriate particulate for CADR ratings as it can be a surrogate
for much smaller particles that can be found in the home, but that any
pollutants specified in AHAM AC-1-2020 could be suitable alternatives.
(Blueair, No. 11 at p. 3) Blueair additionally supported using
PM2.5 CADR as the performance metric for air cleaners. (Id.)
Further, Blueair noted PM2.5 is the primary concern from a
health standpoint and is often found indoors. Blueair also commented
that this particulate is likely to be of greatest concern to consumers
and is very fine and can adequately represent a unit's performance for
other particles. (Id.)
The Joint Commenters recommended that DOE adopt an air cleaner
metric based on a PM2.5 CADR. The Joint Commenters noted
that fine particulate matter has been shown to cause serious health
problems and can get into the lungs and bloodstream and likely be of
concern to consumers. (Joint Commenters, No. 8 at p. 4) The Joint
Commenters stated that due to the small size, PM2.5
particles can adequately represent a unit's performance for other
larger particles and noted that AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft measures
efficiency based on PM2.5 CADR as the numerator. (Id.)
Synexis commented that an air cleaner's energy consumption may vary
based on the size of particles used in particulate tests because
particulates of various sizes can cause filters to become entrained
with pollutant particles and require greater pressure to move air
through the device. Synexis further commented that power measurements
for each particulate test would not be representative of real-world
energy consumption and would not provide any useful data. (Synexis, No.
9 at p. 2) Testing conducted by DOE, as well as power consumption data
provided in ENERGY STAR's database, do not indicate any substantive
differences in power consumption among the smoke, dust, and pollen
tests.
The CA IOUs recommended a PM2.5 CADR performance metric.
(CA IOUs, No. 10 at p. 2) The CA IOUs commented that they analyzed the
PM2.5 CADR metric and observed that a top-performing model
based on PM2.5 CADR will likely perform well on pollen as
well, which is a particulate of concern to consumers. (Id. at p. 3)
Additionally, the CA IOUs asserted that since AHAM AC-1-2020 indicates
testing with pollen particles is not considered sufficiently accurate
and is thus out of scope for products with a CADR below 25 cfm, while
cigarette smoke and dust particles can be considered sufficiently
accurate down to a CADR of 10 cfm, DOE should adopt a performance
metric based on PM2.5 CADR. The CA IOUs commented that this
would ensure products with a low cfm can be included within scope and
that this metric would produce the most precise test procedure that
balances the representativeness of consumer use cases. The CA IOUs
encouraged DOE to monitor pollen CADR performance to ensure a strong
correlation is maintained between PM2.5 and pollen
performance. (Id. at p. 5)
For compliance with the standards in tier one of the Joint
Proposal, the Joint Stakeholders recommended that DOE permit Section
6.2 of AHAM AC-1-2020 for dust CADR to be applied as an alternative for
calculating PM2.5 CADR. The Joint Stakeholders stated that
the dust CADR, determined according to Section 6.2 of AHAM AC-1-2020,
is nearly identical to the subset dust CADR used to calculate
PM2.5 CADR. The Joint
[[Page 63337]]
Stakeholders further stated that given many products have already been
tested per AHAM AC-1-2020, allowing this alternative would ensure that
manufacturers are not required to retest using AHAM AC-7-2022 to
demonstrate compliance with a new standard on a short timeline. (Joint
Stakeholders, No. 16 at p. 6)
Section 2.8 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft specifies that PM2.5
means particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than or
equal to a nominal 2.5 micrometers, as measured by a reference method
based on 40 CFR part 50, annex I and designated in accordance with 40
CFR part 53 or by an equivalent method designated in accordance with 40
CFR part 53.
Section 2.9 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft specifies the method used to
calculate PM2.5 CADR, which is based on the measured smoke
CADR and dust CADR values. This section discusses that the diversity of
particle natures and the sizes of the dust and smoke pollutants gives a
well-balanced representation of the ultra-fine and fine particulate
matters that define PM2.5. Specifically, PM2.5
CADR is obtained by combining the CADR of smoke (which includes
particle sizes ranging from 0.1 to 0.5 micron meters (``[micro]m''))
with the CADR of dust (which includes particle sizes ranging from 0.5
to 2.5 [micro]m) and performing a geometric average calculation as
follows:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP18OC22.011
The tests to determine smoke CADR and dust CADR are specified in
Sections 5 and 6 of AHAM AC-1-2020. These sections of AHAM AC-1-2020
specify the procedure for introducing the smoke and dust particulates,
conducting the natural decay test, and the measuring the decay with the
air cleaner in operation. However, PM2.5 CADR specifies a
narrower range of allowable particle sizes for the smoke CADR and dust
CADR than the smoke CADR and dust CADR tests in Sections 5.2 and 6.2,
respectively, of AHAM AC-1-2020. That is, the allowable particle size
for smoke particles is 0.1 to 1 [micro]m for the smoke CADR test in
AHAM AC-1-2020, while it is 0.1 to 0.5 [micro]m for the
PM2.5 calculation in AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft. Similarly, the
allowable particle size for dust particles is 0.5 to 3 [micro]m for the
dust CADR test in AHAM AC-1-2020, while it is 0.5 to 2.5 [micro]m for
the PM2.5 calculation in AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft. DOE
interprets the Joint Stakeholders' recommendation of an alternative
approach to mean that the Joint Stakeholders want the allowable range
of particle size to encompass all dust particle sizes, as specified in
AHAM AC-1-2020, in the calculation of PM2.5 CADR. While not
mentioned in the Joint Proposal, the same alternative could be required
for the smoke CADR used in the calculation of PM2.5 CADR.
While the allowable smoke and dust particle size for the smoke CADR
and dust CADR tests in Sections 5 and 6 of AHAM AC-1-2020 is larger
(i.e., 0.1 to 1 [micro]m for smoke particles and 0.5 to 3 [micro]m for
dust particles) than the allowable smoke and dust particle size for the
calculation of PM2.5 CADR (i.e., 0.1 to 0.5 [micro]m for
smoke particles and 0.5 to 2.5 [micro]m for dust particles), the
calculated PM2.5 CADR according to AC-7-2022 Draft is nearly
identical to the smoke CADR and dust CADR as measured according to
Sections 5 and 6 of AHAM AC-1-2020, as shown in the figures included in
the Joint Proposal.\27\ Accordingly, DOE proposes that PM2.5
CADR may alternatively be calculated using the full range of particles
used to calculate smoke CADR and dust CADR according to Sections 5 and
6 of AHAM AC-1-2020, respectively. DOE may further consider the option
to allow the use of both approaches to calculate PM2.5 CADR
in a future standards rulemaking.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\27\ The figure appears on page 6 of the Joint Proposal. (Joint
Stakeholders, No. 16 at p. 6).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
DOE requests comment on the Joint Stakeholders' recommendation of
using dust CADR as calculated in Section 6 of AHAM AC-1-2020 as an
alternative for calculating PM2.5 CADR. DOE also requests
comment on its proposal to allow the same alternative for the smoke
CADR value used in the PM2.5 CADR calculation.
DOE notes that AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft specifies calculating IEF using
PM2.5 CADR. Conversely, ENERGY STAR V. 2.0 Specification
specifies its metric based on smoke CADR, whereas ENERGY STAR V. 1.0
Specification specified its metric based on dust CADR.
Given the historic use of both smoke and dust particulates to
define a metric for air cleaners, as well as the range of particle
sizes covered by the smoke and dust test, DOE proposes to incorporate
by reference Section 2.9 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft to specify testing
with smoke and dust and calculating PM2.5 CADR. DOE also
proposes to include an alternative for using the smoke CADR and dust
CADR as calculated according to Sections 5 and 6 of AHAM AC-1-2020.
Additionally, DOE proposes to reference Sections 5 and 6 of AHAM
AC-1-2020 for conducting the smoke CADR and dust CADR tests.
DOE requests feedback on its proposal to incorporate by reference
Section 2.9 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft to calculate PM2.5 CADR
based on measurements of smoke CADR and dust CADR. DOE also requests
comment on its proposal to allow the use of smoke CADR and dust CADR
calculated according to Sections 5 and 6 of AHAM AC-1-2020.
DOE also requests comment on its proposal to reference Sections 5
and 6 of AHAM AC-1-2020 to specify the test methods for determining
smoke CADR and dust CADR, respectively.
3. Performance Mode for Testing
In the January 2022 RFI, DOE requested comment on whether it should
consider testing air cleaners at any other power level in addition to
the maximum power level required by AHAM AC-1-2020. 87 FR 3702, 3708.
Consistent with AHAM AC-1-2020, Section 5.3.1 of AHAM AC-7-2022
Draft specifies that the active mode test for all conventional room air
cleaners be performed with the air cleaner set to the highest flow rate
setting.\28\ Section 5.3.1 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft additionally
specifies that products that include additional air cleaning
functionality beyond mechanical filtration shall additionally have all
air cleaning functions switched on, set to maximum. Section 5.6 of AHAM
AC-7-2022 Draft specifies requirements for automatic mode, which is a
mode in which the air cleaner performs air cleaning functionality in
response to a sensor input, timer, or scheduling feature. AHAM AC-7-
2022 Draft states that although a product may have an automatic mode,
the product shall be operated in its maximum performance mode.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\28\ AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft FN1 specifies that ``highest flow rate
setting'' is the highest fan speed setting as identified in the
manufacturer's instructions that would allow the product to operate
indefinitely.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Synexis stated that it was appropriate to test air cleaners at
their maximum performance mode because it represents a worst-case
scenario in terms of energy
[[Page 63338]]
consumption. Synexis explained that medium and low power settings are
likely to exhibit different performance characteristics in different
devices and would not provide an appropriate metric to compare
different air cleaners. (Synexis, No. 9 at p. 3) Molekule stated that
its air cleaners use sensors and automatic mode to address indoor air
quality conditions, and that energy efficiency requirements should take
these features into account, rather than only considering a unit's
maximum speed. (Molekule, No. 12 at p. 5) The Joint Commenters stated
that they recognize the efficiency benefits of automatic mode for air
cleaners, but that no test procedure exists currently that can account
for the associated efficiency benefits or measure the effectiveness of
automatic mode. (Joint Commentors, No. 8 at p. 4)
As discussed, AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft specifies that the active mode
test be performed at the highest flow rate with all air cleaning
functions switched on, set to maximum. Section 1 of AHAM AC-7-2022
Draft includes an informative note stating the following: ``The purpose
of this standard is to have one standard for measurement of energy of
air cleaners. The standard is designed in such a way to maximize the
validity, repeatability and reproducibility of the testing, and thus to
give manufacturers, public information groups and consumers information
to compare air cleaners. AHAM recognizes that not all consumers will
operate their air cleaner at maximum speed or conditions all the time.
While it is possible to test air cleaners at different speeds and
settings, the difficulty is to arrive at a consistent speed or function
setting on all air cleaners for multiple manufacturers. The most
consistent measurement for all air cleaners is to test at the Maximum
Performance Test Setting.''
This informative note in AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft indicates that the
requirement to perform testing at the maximum performance level
provides the best balance among repeatability, reproducibility, and
representativeness of test results at this time. For this reason, DOE
has tentatively determined that maximum performance mode is the best
approach currently established by the industry standard for producing
test results during a representative average use cycle or period of
use, while not being unduly burdensome to conduct. DOE is therefore
proposing to adopt the active mode test provisions of AHAM AC-7-2022
Draft, including the requirement to test at the maximum performance
mode.
DOE is aware that the AHAM task force has initiated an effort to
develop test methods for automatic mode, and DOE is continuing to
participate in this effort. If a test method to measure air cleaner
performance when operating in automatic mode that produces results that
are more representative of an average use cycle or period of use were
to be developed, DOE would consider it in a future test procedure
rulemaking.
Specific proposals regarding the active mode measurement
requirements are discussed in the following paragraphs.
Section 5.3 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft specifies that all products
shall be tested with the air cleaner set to the highest flow rate
setting, also known as maximum performance mode. Additionally, Section
5.3 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft specifies that for products that have air
cleaning functionality beyond mechanical filtration (i.e., ionization,
UV, etc.) the test unit shall be configured such that these features
are enabled and set to the maximum level during active mode testing.
DOE proposes to reference Section 5.3 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft
regarding test unit setup requirements for testing in maximum
performance mode.
DOE requests comment on its proposal to reference Section 5.3 of
AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft to test units in maximum performance mode.
4. Secondary Functions
Section 5.4 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft specifies the configuration for
secondary functions, which are unrelated to air cleaning (i.e.,
humidifier, ambient light, etc.). As these functions do not contribute
to the air cleaning capabilities of the unit, they are switched off or
disconnected for the duration of the test. If it is not possible to
switch off or disconnect such functions, AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft states
that these functions shall be set to their lowest power-consuming mode
that is selectable when running the air cleaner at its maximum
performance mode or highest fan speed. For customized control displays,
AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft specifies that the test unit shall be configured
to its default or as-shipped control setting intensity level, unless
the panel lights are adjustable in intensity and are shipped in the off
mode, in which case the control panel is run in the least-intensity
mode that would keep it on for the test. DOE proposes to reference this
requirement for the configuration of secondary functions.
Section 5.5 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft specifies the configuration of
control functions during active mode testing. Control functions include
any programmable functions that may continue to be enabled when the
primary function is inactive (i.e., clocks, Wi-Fi, remote controls,
etc.). AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft states that control functions are intended
to be on and connected to any communication network during active mode
testing.
DOE proposes to reference this requirement to specify that control
functions shall be in on mode and connected to any communication
network during active mode testing as specified in Section 5.5 of AHAM
AC-7-2022 Draft.
DOE requests comment on its proposal to reference Sections 5.4 and
5.5 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft to specify the configuration of secondary
functions and control functions during active mode testing.
5. Power Measurement Procedure
Section 5.7 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft specifies the methods for
measuring active mode power. These methods include measuring the power
consumption when operating the test unit within the test chamber at the
same time as the smoke CADR test and dust CADR test or by measuring the
power consumption during a supplemental power test outside of a test
chamber.
More specifically, Section 5.7.1 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft specifies
that the power consumption measurement can be conducted simultaneously
with the smoke CADR or dust CADR test from Section 5.2.5 or 6.2.5 of
AHAM AC-1-2020, respectively. Section 5.7.2 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft
specifies an alternative method for measuring active mode power
consumption, referred to as the ``supplemental'' test. This test can be
used to determine the active mode power consumption outside of the test
chamber used for smoke CADR and dust CADR testing. The supplemental
power test specifies the same unit configuration and records power over
a period of 15 minutes at no greater than 1 second intervals, averaging
the power consumption over 13 minutes starting after the initial 2
minutes. AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft additionally specifies that if the test
unit has pollutant indicators and they do not light up when no
pollutant is present in the air, but light up when detecting
pollutants, then the test unit cannot be tested outside the chamber to
measure active mode power consumption.
Finally, Sections 5.7.3 and 5.7.4 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft specify
the equations to determine the average active mode power consumption
and the annual active mode energy use, respectively.
DOE performed testing at a third-party laboratory to investigate
the similarity
[[Page 63339]]
in power measurement between a test conducted simultaneously with the
CADR measurement and a supplemental test performed outside of a test
chamber. Testing was conducted on 11 units using smoke for the CADR
test. Table III.1 shows the test results.
Table III.1--Difference in Power Consumption Between Smoke Test and Supplemental Test
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Smoke test Supplemental Percent
Unit number power (W) test power (W) difference
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1............................................................... 44.2 43.9 -0.7
2............................................................... 51.5 54.0 +4.7
3............................................................... 55.0 55.6 +1.1
4............................................................... 24.6 25.4 +3.2
5............................................................... 18.8 18.9 +0.3
6............................................................... 42.6 42.6 +0.1
7............................................................... 5.9 5.8 -1.4
8............................................................... 38.2 37.4 -2.2
9............................................................... 37.9 38.3 +1.2
10.............................................................. 58.1 57.8 -0.5
11.............................................................. 84.8 81.7 -3.6
-----------------------------------------------
Average Difference.......................................... .............. .............. +0.2%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As indicated in Table III.1, the percent difference between power
consumption measured during the smoke CADR test and the supplemental
out-of-chamber test ranged from -3.7 percent to +4.9 percent, with an
average of +0.2 percent. Based on these data, DOE has tentatively
determined that the power consumption of the out-of-chamber
supplemental power test is closely comparable to the in-chamber smoke,
and likely dust, CADR tests because measured power using the maximum
performance mode is not significantly impacted by whether a particle is
present. Accordingly, DOE proposes to reference Sections 5.7.1 through
5.7.4 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft to measure active mode power either in
the test chamber (Section 5.7.1) at the same time as the smoke or dust
CADR test or outside the chamber (Section 5.7.2) as a supplemental
power test and to calculate average power (Section 5.7.3) and annual
active mode energy use (Section 5.7.4).
DOE requests comment on its proposal to reference Sections 5.7.1
through 5.7.4 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft, which specify methods for
measuring active mode power at the same time as the smoke or dust CADR
test when the test unit is operating within the chamber and measuring
the power consumption during a supplemental power test outside of a
test chamber, respectively.
6. Pollen CADR
To enable consistent and meaningful representations of metrics most
desirable to consumers, DOE is considering including an additional test
to determine pollen CADR. Similar to dust and smoke CADR, pollen CADR
provides a measurement of the air cleaner's performance to remove
pollen from indoor air. Pollen CADR typically increases with increasing
air cleaner energy use, and therefore DOE believes this is an
appropriate metric to measure. Further, according to the Asthma and
Allergy Foundation of America more than 50 million people in the United
States experience various types of allergies each year and allergies
are the sixth leading cause of chronic illness in the United
States.\29\ Further, pollen is one of the most common environmental
allergens to trigger an allergic reaction. Accordingly, many air
purifiers are marketed as providing pollen removal. DOE notes that the
ENERGY STAR V. 2.0 Specification requires reporting of pollen CADR.
Therefore, DOE believes it is important that any representation related
to an air cleaner's pollen CADR performance must be made based on
testing conducted in a repeatable and representative manner.
Accordingly, DOE is proposing to include the pollen CADR measurement
test specified in Section 7 of AHAM AC-1-2020.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\29\ Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Allergy Facts and
Figures. www.aafa.org/allergy-facts/.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 7 of AHAM AC-1-2020 specifies the test procedure for
determining paper mulberry pollen CADR. The method for measuring pollen
CADR is the same as dust CADR and smoke CADR; however, the test
duration is only 10 minutes compared to 20 minutes for the smoke test
and dust test. The reduced test duration is specified because pollen
decays faster than both dust and smoke and thus only 10 minutes is
necessary to determine pollen CADR. All other test conditions remain
the same including the test chamber, use of a recirculation and ceiling
fan, and test equipment.
As discussed in section III.A of this NOPR, Section 2 of AHAM AC-1-
2020 specifies the test procedure being applicable only to air cleaners
within rated CADR ranges of 10 to 600 cfm for dust and cigarette smoke
and 25 to 450 cfm for pollen. Given that DOE is proposing to reference
the AHAM industry standards for the DOE air cleaner test procedure,
including the pollen CADR test, DOE requests comment on whether it
should also specify that the acceptable pollen CADR range from AHAM AC-
1-2020 applies for measurements of pollen CADR. Specifically, DOE would
consider specifying that the pollen CADR test is applicable for
conventional room air cleaners with pollen CADR between 25 and 450 cfm.
Because this test is currently specified in the ENERGY STAR V. 2.0
Specification, DOE expects it would minimally increase test burden
compared to the tests required for smoke CADR and dust CADR. While DOE
is proposing to include only a pollen CADR test, it requests comment on
whether it should also include an active mode power measurement
associated with the pollen CADR test and specify a pollen CADR/W
metric. If a pollen CADR/W metric is considered, DOE also welcomes
comment on whether this measurement should be based only on active mode
power consumption or if it should be calculated in a similar manner to
the IEF metric, using energy consumption in both active mode and
standby mode as opposed to active mode power.
DOE requests comment on its proposal to reference Section 7 of
[[Page 63340]]
AHAM AC-1-2020 for the pollen CADR measurement test.
DOE requests comment and data on the relationship between the
pollen CADR measurement and the energy use of the air cleaner.
DOE requests comment on whether it should reference Section 2 of
AHAM AC-1-2020, which specifies that the standard is applicable for air
cleaners with pollen CADR of 25 to 450 cfm, for pollen CADR testing.
DOE also requests comment on whether it should specify measurement
of active mode power consumption when conducting the pollen CADR
measurement test.
DOE requests comment on whether it should consider specifying a
pollen CADR/W metric and whether such a metric should be based on
active mode power consumption or include energy consumption in both
active mode and standby mode.
7. Consumer Use Hours
In the January 2022 RFI, DOE requested comment on consumer usage of
air cleaners, in particular, the amount of time spent in active mode,
standby mode, and off mode. 87 FR 3702, 3710. DOE requested comment on
its example approach of defining an integrated CADR/W metric, in which
the denominator would represent a weighted average of the power
consumption associated with active mode, standby mode, and off mode,
weighted by the amount of time spent in each mode. Id.
In response to the January 2022 RFI, Blueair supported the use of
the active mode and standby mode hours specified in ENERGY STAR V. 2.0
Specification, which assumes 16 active mode hours per day and 8
inactive mode hours per day, to calculate the annual energy consumption
of qualifying air cleaners. (Blueair, No. 11 at p. 3) Daikin commented
that DOE's assumption that an air cleaner runs at 100-percent capacity
for 16 hours a day is flawed and asserted that most air cleaners
currently on the market are recommended by the manufacturer to operate
in automatic mode, which runs the unit at 100-percent capacity only
when indoor air quality drops. (Daikin, No. 13 at pp. 2-3) The CA IOUs
presented data from a survey conducted by Evergreen Economics, which
indicated a wide range of active mode operating hours: 23 percent of
respondents reported operating their air cleaners all day (i.e., 24
hours), while 53 percent of respondents reported operating their air
cleaners for 6 hours or fewer each day. The CA IOUs further stated that
DOE should consider the prevalence of automatic mode and the time spent
in each mode when determining appropriate weighting factors. (CA IOUs,
No. 10 at p. 8)
AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft Section 5.7.4 specifies the calculation for
Eactive, which is used to convert the power consumption
measurement to an energy consumption value. To calculate
Eactive, AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft estimates that an air cleaner
spends 5,840 annual hours in active mode, which is equivalent to 16
hours per day.
DOE is proposing to align with the estimated active mode annual
hours specified in AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft (corresponding to 16 hours per
day) and consistent with the ENERGY STAR V. 2.0 specification. As
discussed, the informative note in Section 1 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft
acknowledges that not all consumers will operate their air cleaner at
maximum speed or conditions all the time. For the reasons discussed in
section III.F.3 of this document, DOE has tentatively determined, in
accordance with AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft, that the most consistent
measurement for all air cleaners is to test in the maximum performance
mode and is proposing to allocate the same active mode annual hours in
the proposed new appendix FF as in AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft. DOE is aware
that the AHAM task force is initiating an effort to develop test
methods for automatic mode. DOE will continue to participate in this
effort and may consider any such method, including any associated
active mode annual hours, in a future test procedure rulemaking.
DOE requests comment on its proposal to reference Section 5.7.4 of
AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft, which specifies the calculation of active mode
energy consumption using an estimated 5,840 hours per year in active
mode.
G. Standby Mode Testing
In the January 2022 RFI, DOE requested comment on the suitability
of the standby power measurement procedure specified in AHAM AC-1-2020,
IEC 62301 Ed. 2.0, or any other test method for measuring standby mode
and off mode energy use of air cleaners, in light of EPCA's requirement
in 42 U.S.C. 6295(gg)(2)(A) for DOE to consider the most current
version of IEC Standard 62301. 87 FR 3702, 3709.
The CA IOUs commented that DOE should test standby power in the as-
shipped condition, with any manufacturer's recommended settings for
normal use enabled. (CA IOUs, No. 10 at p. 8) As discussed further in
this section, DOE is proposing to reference the relevant sections of
AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft pertaining to the standby power measurement, which
includes the specification that standby power be tested in the as-
shipped condition.
Synexis commented that a standby mode power test may provide
baseline energy use data, but maximum energy utilization would occur
when the air cleaner is operating, and that many air cleaners are
intended to operate continuously. (Synexis, No. 9 at p. 3) Synexis
further commented that if standby mode power is tested, the test time
period would need to be 24 hours to provide meaningful results.
(Synexis, No. 9 at p. 5) DOE has initially determined based on
stakeholder comments and a review of existing test standards that
testing an air cleaner in standby mode would be representative of
average use. Further, as noted in section III.F.7 of this document, DOE
is proposing to align with the estimated active mode annual hours
specified in AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft (corresponding to 16 hours per day).
AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft additionally estimates the remaining hours in a
day are spent in standby mode (i.e., 8 hours per day in standby mode).
DOE is proposing to align with the estimated standby mode annual hours
specified in AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft. DOE additionally notes that IEC
63201 Ed. 2.0, which EPCA requires to be considered by DOE, specifies a
maximum duration of 3 hours for standby mode testing. DOE specifies use
of IEC 63201 Ed. 2.0 for measuring the standby power of numerous other
consumer products and finds the procedure to be suitable for providing
a repeatable, reproducible, and representative measure of standby
power. Based on successful application of IEC 63201 Ed. 2.0 for other
consumer products, DOE tentatively concludes that requiring a 24-hour
time period for measuring standby power would be unduly burdensome.
DOE notes that while the January 2022 RFI requested comment on the
use of AHAM AC-1-2020 or IEC 62301 Ed. 2.0, AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft
references IEC 62301 Ed. 2.0 for conducting standby mode tests. Section
6 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft defines the setup and procedures to measure
air cleaner standby mode power consumption. DOE proposes to incorporate
by reference all subsections of Section 6 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft,
which establish conditions of measurement, preparation of the air
cleaner model for testing, test procedure, test results, and the annual
combined low power mode energy consumption calculations.
Section 6.3 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft references Section 5.3 of IEC
62301 Ed. 2.0 for the procedure to
[[Page 63341]]
measure standby mode power. Sections 6.4.1 and 6.4.2 of AHAM AC-7-2022
Draft define measurements for inactive mode power, PIA, and off mode
power, POM, respectively. DOE proposes to reference Section 6.4 of AHAM
AC-7-2022 Draft.
Section 6.5 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft defines an annual combined low
power mode energy consumption calculation based on PIA and POM as
follows:
ETLP = {PIA x SIA + POM x
SOM{time} xK
where:
P1A = air cleaner inactive mode power, in W, for air cleaners
capable of operating in inactive mode; otherwise, P1A = 0,
POM = air cleaner off mode power, in W, for air cleaners capable of
operating in off mode; otherwise, POM = 0,
SIA = annual hours in inactive mode and defined as
SLP if no off mode is possible, [SLP/2] if both inactive
mode and off mode are possible, and 0 if no inactive mode is
possible,
SOM = annual hours in off mode and defined as LPLP if no inactive
mode is possible, [SLP/2] if both inactive mode and off mode are
possible, and 0 if no off mode is possible,
K = 0.001 kWh/Wh conversion factor for Wh to kWh.
SLP = 2,920 air cleaner inactive mode annual hours
Consistent with the active mode energy consumption calculation,
AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft specifies 2,920 annual hours in standby mode,
which is equivalent to 8 hours per day and is consistent with the
estimated standby mode hours specified in the ENERGY STAR V. 2.0
Specification. Accordingly, DOE proposes to reference these
requirements for standby mode.
DOE requests feedback on its proposal to reference Section 6 of
AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft to determine annual combined low power mode energy
consumption.
H. Integrated Energy Factor Metric
In the January 2022 RFI, DOE requested comment on the technical
feasibility of integrating measures of standby mode and off mode energy
consumption into the overall energy efficiency metric (i.e., creating
an integrated metric) for air cleaners. 87 FR 3702, 3710. In
particular, DOE requested comment on its example approach of defining
an integrated CADR/W metric, in which the denominator would represent a
weighted average of the power consumption associated with active mode,
standby mode, and off mode, weighted by the amount of time spent in
each mode. Id.
The Joint Commenters stated that it is technically feasible to
integrate standby mode and off mode energy consumption into the overall
energy efficiency metric and intend to propose a method to do so in the
future. (Joint Commenters, No. 8 at p. 4)
Blueair commented that CADR/W was the appropriate metric to
determine air cleaner efficiency as a function of the unit's
performance output. (Blueair, No. 11 at pp. 2-4) Trane commented that
the integrated CADR/W metric is appropriate and stated that additional
metrics should be considered as well, such as noise thresholds to avoid
occupant space disruption and lack of use. (Trane, No. 3 at p. 2) DOE
is aware that noise and noise reduction is an important representation
for air cleaners; however, DOE has initially determined that noise is
unrelated to energy consumption and is therefore not a suitable
performance metric for DOE's test procedure.
Synexis stated that CADR/W would not be an effective metric for air
cleaners that do not utilize filtration (e.g., air cleaners that
destroy microorganisms or particulates) and commented that a metric
expressed in square feet per watt would be more representative.
(Synexis, No. 9 at p. 6) Synexis also commented that a systemic
approach, which accounts for a device's power use, capacity, and
environment in which the device is working to improve air quality,
should be adopted to evaluate air cleaners. (Id. at p. 7)
The CA IOUs commented that an integrated performance metric that
appropriately allocates active, standby, and off mode operating hours
should be implemented for air cleaners and that it is technically
feasible to integrate measures of standby and off mode energy
consumption into an overall performance metric for air cleaners. The CA
IOUs further commented that DOE should review survey information when
allocating hours to active mode and standby modes for the calculation
of an IEF. (CA IOUs, No. 10 at p. 8)
DOE's analysis shows that it is technically feasible to integrate
active mode and standby mode energy consumption into an overall
performance metric for air cleaners. Specifically, active mode and
standby mode power consumption can be combined into the AEC metric
using the respective estimated annual usage hours. Further, to express
air cleaner performance as a function of its power use, DOE's analysis
shows that an integrated metric, such as IEF, is technically feasible.
This approach is similar to other DOE test procedures, such as room air
conditioners and dehumidifiers, which specify a metric that is
expressed as space conditioning function provided per unit power. DOE
additionally notes that all products included in the scope of the
proposed test procedure are those that could remove, destroy, and/or
deactivate particulates. Accordingly, a CADR/W metric is appropriate.
Additionally, DOE is proposing to include a calculation for
representation of room size, in square feet, as discussed in section
III.I of this document.
DOE proposes to incorporate by reference Section 7 of AHAM AC-7-
2022 Draft, which provides a calculation to determine AEC and IEF for
air cleaners as follows:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP18OC22.012
[[Page 63342]]
where,
CADR = PM2.5 Clean air delivery rate from the combined smoke and
dust test [cfm]
Eactive = air cleaner active mode test energy consumption
(in kWh per year).
ETLP = low power mode annual energy consumption (expressed in kWh
per year).
DOE requests comment on its proposal to reference Section 7 of AHAM
AC-7-2022 Draft for the AEC and IEF calculations. Should AHAM AC-7-2022
Draft specify a different method to calculate AEC and/or IEF, DOE
requests comment on the new methodology, the reasons for adopting this
new methodology, and the impact, if any, of using the new methodology
compared to the equations proposed in this document.
I. Representations
DOE is aware that air cleaner manufacturers typically include
several representations in marketing materials for their air cleaner
models (e.g., smoke CADR, dust CADR, pollen CADR, CADR/W, room size,
etc.) DOE has observed that room size is represented in different ways
among various models and different values of suitable room sizes may be
specified even for the same model. As an illustrative example, DOE
identified a model that is marketed for a large room up to 912 square
feet, when completing one air change per hour and taking up to 60
minutes to clean air, while the same air cleaner is also represented as
being suitable for a room size of 190 square feet with 4.8 air changes
per hour and taking about 12.5 minutes to clean air. Further, this unit
is rated in the AHAM Verifide \30\ program as being applicable for a
room size of 190 square feet. It is unlikely that the acceptable room
size for an air cleaner of a given capacity can be increased
proportionally, potentially to infinity, in such a manner, without
having an impact on the cleaning performance of the air cleaner.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\30\ AHAM Verifide. https://ahamverifide.org/directory-of-air-cleaners/.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Room size would strongly impact the capacity of the air cleaner
that would be required to clean the air in the desired room. For
instance, if the air cleaner is too small compared to the size of the
room it is being used in, it will be ineffective, thus providing low
efficiency. Conversely, if an air cleaner is too big for the room that
it is operated in, it will clean the air very quickly and still
continue operating, leading to wasted energy use. Therefore, it is
important that an air cleaner be selected such that its capacity
(expressed in terms of its CADR) is appropriate for the size of the
room that it is intended to be used in. Additionally, for any air
cleaner, the represented values of CADR and IEF are inherently a
function of the room size that the unit is expected to operate in;
i.e., the represented CADR value is inherently a function of the test
chamber size, number of air exchanges provided, and the initial
concentration of the contaminant. Accordingly, DOE considers room size
an important metric that must be represented accurately and
consistently to provide meaningful information to consumers.
Section 8.6 and Annex E of AHAM AC-1-2020 specify a calculation for
the effective room size based on standard construction criteria for
rooms and a history of the natural decay rate of small particles as
determined for cigarette smoke. Specifically, the room size calculation
is based on the ability of the air cleaner to reduce the concentration
of particles, expressed in CADR, in a room at steady-state to a new
steady-state concentration that is 80 percent less than the original
when the air cleaner is operating. The calculation includes additional
assumptions such as a mixing factor equal to 1.0, an air exchange rate
of 1 per hour, a cigarette smoke particle natural decay equal to the
average background natural decay (from statistical study), a ceiling
height of 8 ft, and a cigarette smoke particle generation or influx
rate such that a cigarette smoke particle concentration of 1 is
maintained at the initial steady state. Based on its estimations, AHAM
AC-1-2020 specifies that the effective room size, in square feet, that
can be serviced by an air cleaner is 1.55 times the smoke CADR value of
the air cleaner.
DOE is proposing to include this calculation as a represented value
for room size. Specifically, DOE is proposing to include in 10 CFR
429.67 that the effective room size be calculated as the product of
1.55 and the basic model's represented value of smoke CADR. DOE further
proposes that this represented value of effective room size, in square
feet, be rounded to the nearest whole number.
While DOE is proposing to align with AHAM AC-1-2020 to specify that
the effective room size be calculated from smoke CADR, DOE welcomes
comment on if it should consider using PM2.5 CADR, or a
different CADR value, instead.
DOE requests comment on its proposal to include a calculation from
AHAM AC-1-2020 for the effective room size that can be serviced by an
air cleaner. DOE requests comment on whether it is appropriate to use
smoke CADR as the metric to calculate effective room size or if it
should be based on PM2.5 CADR instead. If stakeholders
indicate the use of PM2.5 CADR, DOE requests comment on
whether multiplying PM2.5 CADR by 1.55 to determine
effective room size in square feet is appropriate or if a different
constant would need to be used instead.
J. Sampling Plan
DOE is proposing the following sampling plan and rounding
requirements applicable to any representations of energy consumption or
energy efficiency of air cleaners. The sampling requirements would be
included in the proposed 10 CFR 429.67. Specifically, DOE is proposing
that the general sampling requirements of 10 CFR 429.11 for selecting
units to be tested be applicable to air cleaners. In addition, DOE is
proposing that for each air cleaner basic model, a sufficient sample
size must be randomly selected to ensure that a representative value of
energy consumption for a basic model is greater than or equal to the
higher of the mean of the sample or upper 95 percent confidence limit
(``UCL'') of the true mean divided by 1.10. For IEF or other measure of
energy consumption where a higher value is preferable to the consumer,
the representative value shall be less than or equal to the lower of
the mean of the sample or the lower 95 percent confidence limit
(``LCL'') of the true mean divided by 0.90. The mean, UCL, and LCL are
calculated as follows:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP18OC22.013
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP18OC22.014
Where:
x is the sample mean;
n is the number of units in the test sample;
xi is the ith sample;
s is the sample standard deviation; and
t0.95 is the t statistic for a 95 percent one-tailed
confidence interval with n-1 degrees of freedom.
This proposed sampling plan for air cleaners is consistent with
sampling plans already established for portable
[[Page 63343]]
air conditioners,\31\ dehumidifiers \32\ and other similar products
that are portable and/or provide space conditioning functionality.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\31\ 10 CFR 429.62.
\32\ 10 CFR 429.36.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
DOE also proposes that all calculations be performed with the
unrounded measured values, and that representations of pollen CADR,
smoke CADR, dust CADR, and PM2.5 CADR values of a basic
model be calculated as the mean of the CADR for each tested unit of the
basic model, rounded to the nearest whole number. DOE further proposes
that AEC be rounded to the nearest 0.1 kWh/year and the IEF be rounded
to the nearest 0.1 CADR/W. As noted previously, DOE also proposed that
the effective room size be rounded to the nearest whole number. DOE
notes that these rounding instructions would be included in the
proposed sampling plan for air cleaners.
As discussed, manufacturers would not be required to test according
to the DOE test procedure until such time as compliance is required
with energy conservation standards for air cleaners, should DOE
establish such standards. Were DOE to establish test procedures as
proposed, manufacturers choosing to make voluntary representations
would be required to test the subject air cleaner according to the
established test procedure, and any such representations would have to
fairly disclose the results of such testing.
DOE is not proposing any certification or reporting requirements
for air cleaners at this time. DOE will propose certification
requirements through a separate rulemaking in the future.
DOE seeks comment on the proposed sampling plan and rounding
requirements for smoke CADR, dust CADR, PM2.5 CADR, AEC, and
IEF.
K. Test Procedure Costs and Harmonization
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)) DOE proposes to reference
industry standards AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft, AHAM AC-1-2020, and IEC 62301
Ed. 2.0 to measure pollen CADR, smoke CADR, dust CADR, and active mode
and standby mode power consumption. DOE also proposes to use these
measured values to calculate PM2.5 CADR, AEC, and IEF as
specified in AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft and effective room size as specified
in AHAM AC-1-2020. The following paragraphs discuss DOE's evaluation of
estimated costs associated with this proposal.
Based on quotes from third-party laboratories, DOE estimates
average testing costs to be approximately $3,000 to test one unit
according to AHAM AC-1-2020 at such a laboratory. These costs would
include the tests to determine pollen CADR, smoke CADR, dust CADR,
active mode power, and standby mode power. DOE typically requires at
least two units to be tested for each basic model. Therefore, DOE
estimates that manufacturers would incur testing costs of approximately
$6,000 per basic model (because of the minimum sample size of two
units, as specified in 10 CFR 429.11(b)).
DOE requests comment on its initial determination of the costs for
testing according to the proposed new air cleaner test procedure. DOE
also requests comment on the potential impact to manufacturers from the
proposed new air cleaner test procedure.
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 of appendix A of 10 CFR
part 430 subpart C. 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 procedure.
The test procedure for air cleaners at the proposed new appendix FF
references AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft, which specifies the methods of
measurement for active mode power consumption of conventional room air
cleaners, and IEC 62301 Ed. 2.0, which is referenced in AHAM AC-7-2022
Draft for the measurement of standby mode power consumption. Proposed
new appendix FF also references AHAM AC-1-2020, which specifies the
methods to determine smoke CADR and dust CADR and is also referenced in
AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft to specify the test chamber setup requirements.
AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft specifies definitions, test setup,
instrumentation, test methods for the measurement of active mode and
standby mode power consumption, and calculation of AEC and IEF. The
industry standards DOE proposes to incorporate by reference are
discussed in further detail in section IV.N of this document.
DOE requests comments on the benefits and burdens of referencing
the identified industry standards in the proposed new test procedure
for air cleaners.
L. Compliance Date
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))
If DOE were to publish a test procedure, EPCA provides an allowance
for individual manufacturers to petition DOE for an extension of the
180-day period if the manufacturer may experience undue hardship in
meeting the deadline. (42 U.S.C. 6293(c)(3)) To receive such an
extension, petitions must be filed with DOE no later than 60 days
before the end of the 180-day period and must detail how the
manufacturer will experience undue hardship. (Id.)
IV. Procedural Issues and Regulatory Review
A. Review Under Executive Orders 12866 and 13563
Executive Order (``E.O.'') 12866, ``Regulatory Planning and
Review,'' as supplemented and reaffirmed by E.O. 13563, ``Improving
Regulation and Regulatory Review, 76 FR 3821 (Jan. 21, 2011), requires
agencies, to the extent permitted by law, to (1) propose or adopt a
regulation only upon a reasoned determination that its benefits justify
its costs (recognizing that some benefits and costs are difficult to
quantify); (2) tailor regulations to impose the least burden on
society, consistent with obtaining regulatory objectives, taking into
account, among other things, and to the extent practicable, the costs
of cumulative regulations; (3) select, in choosing among alternative
regulatory approaches, those approaches that maximize net benefits
(including potential economic, environmental, public health and safety,
and other advantages; distributive impacts; and equity); (4) to the
extent feasible, specify performance objectives, rather than specifying
the behavior or manner of compliance that regulated entities must
adopt; and (5) identify and assess available alternatives to direct
regulation, including providing economic incentives to encourage the
desired behavior, such as user fees or marketable permits, or providing
[[Page 63344]]
information upon which choices can be made by the public. DOE
emphasizes as well that E.O. 13563 requires agencies to use the best
available techniques to quantify anticipated present and future
benefits and costs as accurately as possible. In its guidance, the
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (``OIRA'') in the Office
of Management and Budget (``OMB'') has emphasized that such techniques
may include identifying changing future compliance costs that might
result from technological innovation or anticipated behavioral changes.
For the reasons stated in the preamble, this proposed regulatory action
is consistent with these principles.
Section 6(a) of E.O. 12866 also requires agencies to submit
``significant regulatory actions'' to OIRA for review. OIRA has
determined that this proposed regulatory action does not constitute a
``significant regulatory action'' under section 3(f) of E.O. 12866.
Accordingly, this action was not submitted to OIRA for review under
E.O. 12866.
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: www.energy.gov/gc/office-general-counsel. DOE
reviewed this proposed rule under the provisions of the Regulatory
Flexibility Act and the procedures and policies published on February
19, 2003.
The following sections detail DOE's IRFA for this test procedure
rulemaking.
1. Description of Why Action is Being Considered
Currently, no energy conservation standards or test procedures are
prescribed by DOE for air cleaners. On July 15, 2022, DOE published the
July 2022 Final Determination in which it determined that air cleaners
qualify as a ``covered product'' under EPCA. 87 FR 42297. DOE
determined in the July 2022 Final Determination that coverage of air
cleaners is necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of EPCA.
Accordingly, air cleaners 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)(20)) In
this NOPR, DOE proposes to establish a new test procedure for air
cleaners that would include methods to (1) measure the performance of
the covered product and (2) use the measured results to calculate an
IEF to represent the energy efficiency of an air cleaner.
2. Objective of, and Legal Basis for, Rule
EPCA, 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 \33\ 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 for certain products, referred to as ``covered products.''
\34\ In addition to specifying a list of consumer products that are
covered products, EPCA contains provisions that enable the Secretary of
Energy to classify additional types of consumer products as covered
products.
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\33\ For editorial reasons, upon codification in the U.S. Code,
Part B was redesignated Part A.
\34\ The enumerated list of covered products is at 42 U.S.C.
6292(a)(1)-(19).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Description and Estimate of Small Entities Regulated
DOE uses the Small Business Administration (``SBA'') small business
size standards to determine whether manufacturers qualify as ``small
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 specific in 13 CFR part 121.
Air cleaner manufacturers, who produce the products covered by this
rulemaking, are classified under NAICS code 335210: ``Small Electrical
Appliance Manufacturing.'' The SBA sets a threshold of 1,500 employees
or fewer for an entity to be considered a small business for this
category.\35\ This employee threshold includes all employees in a
business's parent company and any other subsidiaries.
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\35\ U.S. Small Business Administration. Table of Size Standards
(Effective July 14, 2022). Available at: www.sba.gov/document/support-table-size-standards (Last accessed September 1, 2022).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
DOE conducted a focused inquiry into small business manufacturers
of the products covered by this rulemaking. DOE reviewed AHAM's
database of Certified Room Air Cleaners,\36\ ENERGY STAR's data set of
Certified Air Purifiers (Cleaners),\37\ and retailer websites to create
a list of companies that manufacture or import the products covered by
this proposal. DOE then consulted other publicly available data, such
as manufacturer specifications and product literature, import/export
logs (e.g., bills of lading from Panjiva,) \38\ and model numbers, to
identify original equipment manufacturers (``OEMs'') of the products
covered by this proposed rulemaking. DOE further relied on public
sources and subscription-based market research tools (e.g., Dun &
Bradstreet reports) \39\ to determine company location, headcount, and
annual revenue. DOE screened out companies that do not offer products
covered by this proposed rulemaking, do not meet the SBA's definition
of a ``small business,'' or are foreign-owned and operated.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\36\ Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers. Certified Room
Air Cleaners. Available at: www.ahamdir.com/room-air-cleaners/ (Last
accessed January 24, 2022).
\37\ Energy Star. ENERGY STAR Certified Air Purifiers
(Cleaners). Available at: www.energystar.gov/productfinder/product/certified-room-air-cleaners/results (Last accessed May 31, 2022).
\38\ Panjiva Supply Chain Intelligence is available at:
panjiva.com/import-export/United-States. (Last accessed July 8,
2022).
\39\ The Dun & Bradstreet Hoovers subscription login is
available online at: app.dnbhoovers.com/. (Last accessed July 8,
2022).
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DOE initially identified 31 OEMs offering covered air cleaners for
the U.S. market. Of the 31 OEMs identified, DOE estimates that five
qualify as small domestic OEMs.
4. Description and Estimate of Compliance Requirements
In this NOPR, DOE proposes to establish a new test procedure for
air cleaners at appendix FF. DOE proposes to incorporate by reference
in part 430 the industry standards AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft, AHAM AC-1-
2020, and IEC 62301 Ed. 2.0. Specifically, DOE proposes to specify the
following provisions from within the referenced industry standards:
(1) From AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft, the following items:
(a) Definition of ``conventional room air cleaners'' in 10 CFR
430.2, which would be used to specify the scope of the air cleaners
test procedure in the proposed new appendix FF;
(b) Definitions of terms that are relevant to the test procedure;
[[Page 63345]]
(c) Test setup requirements for electrical supply and test chamber,
which additionally include a reference to AHAM AC-1-2020;
(d) Instrumentation requirements for power measuring instruments
and temperature and relative humidity measuring devices;
(e) Active mode and standby mode power measurements; the standby
mode power measurement method additionally includes a reference to IEC
62301 Ed. 2.0 for the test conduct; and
(f) Calculations for PM2.5 CADR, AEC, and IEF.
(2) From AHAM AC-1-2020, test methods for determining the pollen
CADR, smoke CADR, and dust CADR, calculation of effective room size,
and test chamber construction and equipment.
This NOPR also proposes requirements regarding the sampling plan
and representations for air cleaners at 10 CFR 429.67. DOE also
proposes rounding requirements for the measured and calculated values
of the air cleaners test procedure.
Were the proposed test procedure and associated provisions made
final, manufacturers would not be required to test according to the DOE
test procedure until such time as compliance is required with energy
conservation standards for air cleaners, should DOE establish such
standards. Were DOE to establish test procedures as proposed,
manufacturers choosing to make voluntary representations would be
required to test covered air cleaners according to the established test
procedure, and any such representations would have to fairly disclose
the results of such testing.
Air cleaner manufacturers, including small manufacturers, would not
be required to test according to the proposed test procedure (other
than making voluntary representations of energy consumption) until the
compliance date of any energy conservation standards for products in
these categories. As detailed in section III.K.1 of this document, DOE
estimated that it would cost approximately $3,000 to test one unit of a
basic model to obtain all the necessary measurements proposed in this
document.\40\ DOE typically requires at least two units to be tested
for each basic model. Therefore, DOE estimates that manufacturers would
incur testing costs of approximately $6,000 per basic model, should DOE
establish the test procedure as proposed and establish energy
conservation standards for air cleaners.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\40\ Approximately $3,000 to test each air cleaner at a third-
party laboratory equipped with the test chamber to determine pollen
CADR, smoke CADR, dust CADR, active mode power and standby mode
power.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
As previously discussed, DOE initially identified five domestic
OEMs that qualify as ``small businesses.'' Based on a review of
publicly available model databases and individual company product
catalogues, DOE estimated the number of air cleaners covered by this
test procedure proposal for each small business. DOE estimated the
number of air cleaners covered by this test procedure proposal for each
small business ranges from two unique basic covered models to 10 unique
basic covered models, depending on the specific small business. As
previously detailed, DOE estimated it would cost air cleaner
manufacturers approximately $6,000 per basic model to be tested at a
third-party laboratory facility. Therefore, DOE estimated that a small
business could incur anywhere from $12,000 to $60,000, should DOE adopt
the test procedure as proposed and establish energy conservation
standards.
DOE used subscription-based market research tools \41\ to estimate
the annual revenue for each potential small business. DOE used these
annual revenue estimates in addition to the number of air cleaner
models covered by this proposal to estimate the potential impact on
small businesses, should energy conservation standards be adopted in
the future. Table IV.1 displays the potential testing costs these small
businesses would incur at the time of compliance of any adopted energy
conservation standards. DOE would reassess and incorporate the
potential testing burden on small businesses at the NOPR stage of any
proposed energy conservation standards for air cleaners.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\41\ The Dun & Bradstreet Hoovers subscription login is
available online at: app.dnbhoovers.com/. (Last accessed July 8,
2022).
Table IV.1--Estimated Potential Testing Burden on Small Businesses, by Annual Revenue
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Testing cost
Estimated Number of One-time as a percent
Small business annual revenue models testing cost of annual
($) ($) revenue (%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Manufacturer A................................. 1,000,000 10 60,000 6.0
Manufacturer B................................. 1,300,000 10 60,000 4.6
Manufacturer C................................. 500,000 2 12,000 2.4
Manufacturer D................................. 3,600,000 5 30,000 0.8
Manufacturer E................................. 19,600,000 4 24,000 0.1
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To the extent that air cleaner manufacturers currently make claims
regarding the energy consumption of their models, DOE observed that
they typically do so in accordance with ENERGY STAR V. 2.0
Specification, which references AHAM AC-1-2020. Manufacturers currently
making voluntary representations of air cleaners would be required to
test according to the proposed test procedure beginning 180 days after
the final rule, should DOE finalize the proposal.
Based on a review of AHAM's database of Certified Room Air Cleaners
and ENERGY STAR's data set of Certified Air Purifiers, DOE identified
only one small domestic OEM making claims regarding the energy
consumption of their air cleaner models. Based on Dun & Bradstreet
reports, this small domestic OEM has an estimated annual revenue of
approximately $3.6 million. As previously discussed, DOE estimates a
per-basic model test cost of $6,000. Therefore, DOE estimates that the
potential costs associated with re-testing would be minimal, accounting
for approximately 0.5 percent of annual revenue for this small
business.\42\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\42\ The small domestic OEM currently makes claims regarding the
energy consumption of three air cleaner models. (3 x $6,000)/$3.6
million = 0.5% of its annual revenue.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
DOE requests comments on its finding that there are five small,
domestic OEMs of air cleaners. DOE also requests comment on its
findings that costs are small relative to annual revenue for
[[Page 63346]]
small manufacturers that currently make voluntary representations.
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 proposed rule being considered.
6. Significant Alternatives to the Rule
DOE considered alternative test methods for air cleaners and
tentatively determined that there are no better alternatives than the
procedures proposed in this NOPR. DOE expects the proposals outlined
would have no impact before an amended energy conservation standard is
adopted, unless manufacturers make representations regarding energy use
or efficiency. DOE examined relevant industry test standards, and the
Department incorporated these standards in the proposed test procedure
whenever appropriate. Specifically, DOE proposes to incorporate by
reference the industry standards AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft, AHAM AC-1-2020,
and IEC 62301 Ed. 2.0.
Additionally, manufacturers subject to DOE's energy efficiency
standards may apply to DOE's Office of Hearings and Appeals for
exception relief under certain circumstances. Manufacturers should
refer to 10 CFR part 430, subpart E, and 10 CFR part 1003 for
additional details for additional details.
C. Review Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
Manufacturers of covered products must certify to DOE that their
products comply with any applicable energy conservation standards. To
certify compliance, manufacturers must first obtain test data for their
products according to the DOE test procedures, including any amendments
adopted for those test procedures. DOE has established regulations for
the certification and recordkeeping requirements for all covered
consumer products and commercial equipment. (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.
DOE is not proposing any certification or reporting requirements
for air cleaners in this NOPR. Instead, DOE may consider proposals to
establish certification requirements and reporting for air cleaners
under a separate rulemaking regarding appliance and equipment
certification. DOE will address changes to OMB Control Number 1910-1400
at that time, as necessary.
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 NOPR, DOE proposes a new test procedure that it expects
will be used to develop and implement future energy conservation
standards for air cleaners. 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. 4, 1999)
imposes certain requirements on agencies formulating and implementing
policies or regulations that preempt State law or that have federalism
implications. The Executive order requires agencies to examine the
constitutional and statutory authority supporting any action that would
limit the policymaking discretion of the States and to carefully assess
the necessity for such actions. The Executive order also requires
agencies to have an accountable process to ensure meaningful and timely
input by State and local officials in the development of regulatory
policies that have federalism implications. On March 14, 2000, DOE
published a statement of policy describing the intergovernmental
consultation process it will follow in the development of such
regulations. 65 FR 13735. DOE has examined this proposed rule and has
determined that it would not have a substantial direct effect on the
States, on the relationship between the national government and the
States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the
various levels of government. EPCA governs and prescribes Federal
preemption of State regulations as to energy conservation for the
products that are the subject of this proposed rule. States can
petition DOE for exemption from such preemption to the extent, and
based on criteria, set forth in EPCA. (42 U.S.C. 6297(d)) No further
action is required by Executive Order 13132.
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
[[Page 63347]]
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 www.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 (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%20IQA%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 establish a test procedure for
measuring the energy efficiency of air cleaners 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 test procedure for air cleaners would incorporate
testing methods contained in certain sections of the following
commercial standards: AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft, AHAM AC-1-2020, and IEC
62301 Ed. 2.0. DOE has evaluated these standards and is unable to
conclude whether they fully comply 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
AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft is a voluntary industry-accepted test
procedure that measures active mode and standby mode power consumption
of air cleaners. The proposed test procedure in this NOPR generally
references AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft including provisions for: definitions,
test conditions, instrumentation, active mode and standby mode power
measurement, and calculation of PM2.5 CADR, AEC, and IEF.
AHAM AC-1-2020 is a voluntary industry-accepted test procedure that
provides test methods to measure the relative reduction of particulate
matter, including smoke and dust, suspended in the air in a specified
test chamber when an air cleaner is in operation. The proposed test
procedure in this NOPR generally references Sections 5 and 6 of AHAM
AC-1-2020 to determine the smoke and dust CADR of the air cleaner test
unit. AHAM AC-1-2020 is also
[[Page 63348]]
referenced in several sections of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft that DOE
proposes to reference in its test procedure.
These standards are reasonably available from AHAM (www.aham.org/AHAM/AuxStore).
IEC 62301 Ed. 2.0 is an international standard that specifies
methods of measurement of electrical power consumption of household
appliances in standby mode(s) and other low power modes, as applicable.
The proposed new appendix FF references AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft, to
specify the standby mode power consumption test method, which further
references IEC 62301 Ed. 2.0 for the measurement of air cleaners
standby power consumption. IEC 62301 Ed. 2.0 is reasonably available
from IEC (webstore.ansi.org).
ASTM E741-11(2017) specifies techniques using tracer gas dilution
for determining a single zone's air change with the outdoors, as
induced by weather conditions and by mechanical ventilation. The
proposed new appendix FF references AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft to specify the
test chamber air exchange rate, which further references ASTM E741-
11(2017) as the method to measure test chamber air exchange rate. ASTM
E741-11(2017) is reasonably available from ASTM (www.astm.org).
V. Public Participation
A. Participation in the Webinar
The time and date of the webinar meeting are listed in the DATES
section at the beginning of this document. If no participants register
for the webinar, it will be cancelled. 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=77&action=viewlive. Participants are
responsible for ensuring their systems are compatible with the webinar
software.
B. Procedure for Submitting Prepared General Statements for
Distribution
Any person who has an interest in the topics addressed in this
document, 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 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.
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 provide a general overview of the topics addressed in this
rulemaking, 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 permit, 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. 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 proposed
rulemaking. The official conducting the webinar/public meeting 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 before or after the public meeting, but no later than the
date provided in the DATES section at the beginning of this proposed
rule.\43\ Interested parties may submit comments, data, and other
information using any of the methods described in the ADDRESSES section
at the beginning of this document.
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\43\ DOE has historically provided a 75-day comment period for
test procedure NOPRs pursuant to 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, on July 1,
2020, the Agreement between the United States of America, the United
Mexican States, and the United Canadian States (``USMCA''), Nov. 30,
2018, 134 Stat. 11 (i.e., the successor to NAFTA), went into effect,
and Congress's action in replacing NAFTA through the USMCA
Implementation Act, 19 U.S.C. 4501 et seq. (2020), implies the
repeal of E.O. 12889 and its 75-day comment period requirement for
technical regulations. Thus, the controlling laws are EPCA and the
USMCA Implementation Act. Consistent with EPCA's public comment
period requirements for consumer products, the USMCA only requires a
minimum comment period of 60 days. Consequently, DOE now provides a
60-day public comment period for test procedure NOPRs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
[[Page 63349]]
However, your contact information will be publicly viewable if you
include it in the comment itself 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. Otherwise, persons viewing comments will see only first
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Do not submit to www.regulations.gov information for which
disclosure is restricted by statute, such as trade secrets and
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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
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weeks. Please keep the comment tracking number that www.regulations.gov
provides after you have successfully uploaded your comment.
Submitting comments via email, hand delivery/courier, or postal
mail. Comments and documents submitted via email, hand delivery/
courier, or postal mail also will be posted to 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. Following these instructions, the cover
letter will not be publicly viewable as long as it does not include any
comments.
Include contact information each time you submit comments, data,
documents, and other information to DOE. If you submit via postal mail
or hand delivery/courier, please provide all items on a CD, if
feasible, in which case it is not necessary to submit printed copies.
No telefacsimiles (``faxes'') will be accepted.
Comments, data, and other information submitted to DOE
electronically should be provided in PDF (preferred), Microsoft Word or
Excel, WordPerfect, or text (ASCII) file format. Provide documents that
are not secured, written in English, and that are free of any defects
or viruses. Documents should not contain special characters or any form
of encryption and, if possible, they should carry the electronic
signature of the author.
Campaign form letters. Please submit campaign form letters by the
originating organization in batches of between 50 to 500 form letters
per PDF or as one form letter with a list of supporters' names compiled
into one or more PDFs. This reduces comment processing and posting
time.
Confidential Business Information. Pursuant to 10 CFR 1004.11, any
person submitting information that he or she believes to be
confidential and exempt by law from public disclosure should submit via
email 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 define the scope of the
proposed air cleaner test procedure as those air cleaners that meet the
definition of a conventional room air cleaner as defined in Section
2.1.1 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft.
(2) DOE requests comment on its proposal to reference Sections
2.1.1, 2.1.3.1, and 2.1.3.2 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft in 10 CFR 430.2 for
the definitions of conventional room air cleaner, portable conventional
room air cleaner, and fixed conventional room air cleaner,
respectively.
(3) DOE requests comment on whether it should reference Section 2
of AHAM AC-1-2020, which specifies that the standard is applicable for
air cleaners only within rated CADR ranges of 10 to 600 cfm for dust
and cigarette smoke. Additionally, DOE requests comment on whether this
CADR range should be specified for PM2.5 CADR instead of for
dust CADR and smoke CADR.
(4) DOE requests comment on its proposal to adopt the substantive
provisions of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft with certain modifications.
(5) DOE requests comment on its proposal to incorporate by
reference AHAM AC-1-2020, which is referenced in AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft,
as well as to specify provisions related to the measurement of pollen
CADR, smoke CADR, and dust CADR.
(6) DOE also requests comment on whether it should consider
specifying that KCl is an allowable alternate to cigarette smoke in the
measurement of smoke CADR, even if AHAM AC-1-2022 Draft is not
published by the time DOE publishes its final rule. DOE requests data
and information on the implications of using cigarette smoke and KCl
interchangeably when performing air cleaner performance tests. DOE
requests data and information on how a CADR value obtained using KCl
compares to the CADR value obtained using cigarette smoke.
(7) DOE requests comment on its proposal to reference IEC 62301 Ed.
2.0, which is referenced in AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft for the
instrumentation and testing provisions for measuring standby mode power
consumption.
(8) DOE requests comment on its proposal to reference ASTM E741-
11(2017), which is referenced in AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft for determining
the test chamber air exchange rate.
(9) DOE requests comment on whether the m-CADR value specified in
AHAM AC-5-2022 would change, and if so, how, if a different type of
microorganism was used for testing from the same general microorganism
category (e.g., using MS-2 vs. Phi X 174 for bacteriophage testing).
(10) DOE requests comment on whether measurements taken every 2
minutes for a duration of 10 minutes, as specified in Section 7.3 of
AHAM AC-5-2022, is sufficient to determine m-CADR. DOE also requests
comment on the duration for which a sample must be collected for each
measurement point.
(11) Additionally, if stakeholders indicate that operating the test
unit for 10 minutes is sufficient, DOE requests comment on whether the
natural decay test should also be conducted for only 10 minutes. DOE
also requests comment on whether it is reasonable for the natural decay
curve for microorganisms to be increasing during the first 10-15
minutes of the test, and if not, how should DOE mitigate this issue.
[[Page 63350]]
(12) DOE requests comment on its proposal to include definitions
for the aforementioned terms, via reference to AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft, in
the proposed new appendix FF. Should the AHAM task force consider any
changes to any of these definitions or include definitions for
additional terms that would be relevant to DOE's proposed test
procedure, DOE requests comment on such changes and the justification
for DOE to consider including them in its test procedure for air
cleaners.
(13) DOE requests comment on its proposal to reference Section 3.1
of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft for the electrical supply requirements for
active mode and standby mode power measurement.
(14) DOE requests comment on its proposal to reference Section
3.6.1 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft for the air cleaner conditioning
requirements.
(15) DOE requests comment on whether the 48 hour burn-in time for
air cleaners with UV lights is sufficient or if the burn-in time
duration should be increased.
(16) DOE requests comment on its proposal to reference Section
3.6.2 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft, which references Section 4.6 of AHAM AC-
1-2020 for the test unit placement instructions.
(17) DOE also requests comment on whether it should consider
including the requirement from IEC 63086-1 that specifies that if the
placement of the air cleaner is not specified by the manufacturer and
the air cleaner's height is less than 28 inches, then the unit must be
tested on the table. Specifically, DOE requests comment on whether the
language in AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft which states that, ``if the air
cleaner is not a floor model'' is clear to follow, without any
ambiguity, or whether a quantitative metric such as unit height would
be better to ensure consistent test setup.
(18) DOE also requests comment on whether it should include any
placement instructions for air cleaners shipped with casters.
(19) DOE requests comment on its proposal to reference Section
3.6.3 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft regarding network connection requirements
during active mode and standby mode tests. DOE also requests comment on
the impact on repeatability and reproducibility when testing air
cleaners with network functionality while connected to a network.
(20) DOE requests comment on whether the software update
requirements are adequately specified or whether DOE should explicitly
state that software updates must always be executed prior to running
the tests.
(21) DOE requests comment on its proposal to reference Sections 3.1
to 3.6 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft for the test conditions and setup.
Should AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft change any of these requirements between
publication of this NOPR and publication of the final version of AHAM
AC-7-2022, DOE requests comment on these changes, the reasons for these
changes, and the impact of these changes on the overall air cleaners
test procedure.
(22) DOE requests comment on its proposal to incorporate by
reference Section 4 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft regarding instrumentation
requirements, including the applicable provisions from relevant
sections of IEC 62301 Ed. 2.0. Should AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft change any
of these requirements between publication of this NOPR and publication
of the final version of AHAM AC-7-2022, DOE requests comment on these
changes, the reasons for these changes, and the impact of these changes
on the overall air cleaner test procedure.
(23) DOE requests comment on the Joint Stakeholders' recommendation
of using dust CADR as calculated in Section 6 of AHAM AC-1-2020 as an
alternative for calculating PM2.5 CADR. DOE also requests
comment on its proposal to allow the same alternative for the smoke
CADR value used in the PM2.5 CADR calculation.
(24) DOE requests feedback on its proposal to incorporate by
reference Section 2.9 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft to calculate
PM2.5 CADR based on measurements of smoke CADR and dust
CADR. DOE also requests comment on its proposal to allow the use of
smoke CADR and dust CADR calculated according to Sections 5 and 6 of
AHAM AC-1-2020.
(25) DOE also requests comment on its proposal to reference
Sections 5 and 6 of AHAM AC-1-2020 to specify the test methods for
determining smoke CADR and dust CADR, respectively.
(26) DOE requests comment on its proposal to reference Section 5.3
of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft to test units in maximum performance mode.
(27) DOE requests comment on its proposal to reference Sections 5.4
and 5.5 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft to specify the configuration of
secondary functions and control functions during active mode testing.
(28) DOE requests comment on its proposal to reference Sections
5.7.1 through 5.7.4 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft, which specify methods for
measuring active mode power at the same time as the smoke or dust CADR
test when the test unit is operating within the chamber and measuring
the power consumption during a supplemental power test outside of a
test chamber, respectively.
(29) DOE requests comment on its proposal to reference Section 7 of
AHAM AC-1-2020 for the pollen CADR measurement test.
(30) DOE requests comment and data on the relationship between the
pollen CADR measurement and the energy use of the air cleaner.
(31) DOE requests comment on whether it should reference Section 2
of AHAM AC-1-2020, which specifies that the standard is applicable for
air cleaners with pollen CADR of 25 to 450 cfm, for pollen CADR
testing.
(32) DOE also requests comment on whether it should specify
measurement of active mode power consumption when conducting the pollen
CADR measurement test.
(33) DOE requests comment on whether it should consider specifying
a pollen CADR/W metric and whether such a metric should be based on
active mode power consumption or include energy consumption in both
active mode and standby mode.
(34) DOE requests comment on its proposal to reference Section
5.7.4 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft, which specifies the calculation of
active mode energy consumption using an estimated 5,840 hours per year
in active mode.
(35) DOE requests feedback on its proposal to reference Section 6
of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft to determine annual combined low power mode
energy consumption.
(36) DOE requests comment on its proposal to reference Section 7 of
AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft for the AEC and IEF calculations. Should AHAM AC-
7-2022 Draft specify a different method to calculate AEC and/or IEF,
DOE requests comment on the new methodology, the reasons for adopting
this new methodology, and the impact, if any, of using the new
methodology compared to the equations proposed in this document.
(37) DOE requests comment on its proposal to include a calculation
from AHAM AC-1-2020 for the effective room size that can be serviced by
an air cleaner. DOE requests comment on whether it is appropriate to
use smoke CADR as the metric to calculate effective room size or if it
should be based on PM2.5 CADR instead. If stakeholders
indicate the use of PM2.5 CADR, DOE requests comment on
whether multiplying PM2.5 CADR by 1.55 to determine
effective room size in square feet is appropriate or if a
[[Page 63351]]
different constant would need to be used instead.
(38) DOE seeks comment on the proposed sampling plan and rounding
requirements for smoke CADR, dust CADR, PM2.5 CADR, AEC, and
IEF.
(39) DOE requests comment on its initial determination of the costs
for testing according to the proposed new air cleaner test procedure.
DOE also requests comment on the potential impact to manufacturers from
the proposed new air cleaner test procedure.
(40) DOE requests comments on the benefits and burdens of
referencing the identified industry standards in the proposed new test
procedure for air cleaners.
(41) DOE requests comments on its finding that there are five
small, domestic OEMs of air cleaners. DOE also requests comment on its
findings that costs are small relative to annual revenue for small
manufacturers that currently make voluntary representations.
VI. Approval of the Office of the Secretary
The Secretary of Energy has approved publication of this notice of
proposed rulemaking and request for comment.
List of Subjects
10 CFR Part 429
Administrative practice and procedure, Confidential business
information, Energy conservation, Household appliances, Imports,
Intergovernmental relations, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements,
Small businesses.
10 CFR Part 430
Administrative practice and procedure, Confidential business
information, Energy conservation, Household appliances, Imports,
Incorporation by reference, Intergovernmental relations, Small
businesses.
Signing Authority
This document of the Department of Energy was signed on September
28, 2022, by Francisco Alejandro Moreno, 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 administrative
process in no way alters the legal effect of this document upon
publication in the Federal Register.
Signed in Washington, DC, on September 30, 2022.
Treena V. Garrett,
Federal Register Liaison Officer, U.S. Department of Energy.
For the reasons stated in the preamble, DOE is proposing to further
amend 10 CFR parts 429 and 430 (as proposed at 87 FR 14622, March 15,
2022) 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.
Sec. Sec. 429.64-429.65 [Added and Reserved]
0
2. Add and reserve Sec. Sec. 429.64 and 429.65.
0
3. Add Sec. 429.67 to read as follows:
Sec. 429.67 Air cleaners.
(a) Sampling plan for selection of units for testing. (1) The
requirements of Sec. 429.11 are applicable to air cleaners; and
(2) For each basic mode of air cleaners, a sample of sufficient
size shall be randomly selected and tested to ensure that--
(i) Any represented value of annual energy consumption or other
measure of energy consumption of a basic mode for which consumers would
favor lower values shall be greater than or equal to the higher of:
(A) The mean of the sample:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP18OC22.015
Where:
x is the sample mean;
n is the number of samples; and,
xi is the ith sample.
Or,
(B) The upper 95 percent confidence limit (UCL) of the true mean
divided by 1.10:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP18OC22.016
Where:
x is the sample mean;
s is the sample standard deviation;
n is the number of samples; and,
t0.95 is the t statistic for a 95 percent one-tailed
confidence interval with n-1 degrees of freedom (from appendix A).
And
(ii) Any represented value of the integrated energy factor or other
measure of energy consumption of a basic mode for which consumers would
favor higher values shall be less than or equal to the high:
(A) The mean of the sample:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP18OC22.017
Where:
x is the sample mean;
n is the number of samples; and,
xi is the ith sample.
Or,
(B) The lower 95 percent confidence limit (LCL) of the true mean
divided by 0.90:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP18OC22.018
Where:
x is the sample mean;
s is the sample standard deviation;
[eta] is the number of samples; and,
t0.95 is the t statistic for a 95 percent one-tailed
confidence interval with n-1 degrees of freedom (from appendix A).
And
(3) Any represented value of the pollen, smoke, dust, and
PM2.5 clean air delivery rate (CADR) of a basic model must
be the mean of the CADR for each tested unit of the basic model. Round
the mean clean air delivery rate value to the nearest whole number.
(4) Any represented value of the effective room size, in square
feet, of a basic model must be calculated as the product of 1.55 and
the represented smoke CADR value of the basic model as determined in
paragraph (a)(3) of this section. Round the value of the effective room
size, in square feet, to the nearest whole number.
(5) Round the value of the annual energy consumption of a basic
model to the nearest 0.1 kWh/year.
(6) Round the value of the integrated energy factor of a basic
model to the nearest 0.1 CADR/W.
(b) [Reserved]
PART 430--ENERGY CONSERVATION PROGRAM FOR CONSUMER PRODUCTS
0
4. The authority citation for part 430 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6291-6309; 28 U.S.C. 2461 note.
[[Page 63352]]
0
5. Amend Sec. 430.2 by adding in alphabetical order the definition for
``Conventional room air cleaner'' to read as follows:
Sec. 430.2 Definitions.
* * * * *
Conventional room air cleaner means an air cleaner as defined in
Section 2.1.1 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft (incorporated by reference; see
Sec. 430.3). With respect to the term conventional room air cleaner--
(1) The term portable is as defined in Section 2.1.3.1 of AHAM AC-
7-2022 Draft; and
(2) The term fixed is as defined in Section 2.1.3.2 of AHAM AC-7-
2022 Draft.
* * * * *
0
6. Section 430.3 is amended by:
a. Redesignating paragraphs (i)(1) through (6) as (i)(3) through
(8);
b. Adding new paragraphs (i)(1) and (2) and paragraph (j)(4); and
c. Revising paragraph (p)(7).
The additions and revision read as follows:
Sec. 430.3 Materials incorporated by reference.
* * * * *
(i) * * *
(1) ANSI/AHAM AC-1-2020 (``AHAM AC-1-2020''), Method for Measuring
Performance of Portable Household Electric Room Air Cleaners, approved
December 14, 2020; IBR approved for appendix FF to subpart B.
(2) AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft, Energy Test Method for Consumer Room Air
Cleaners, approved 2022; IBR approved for Sec. 430.2 and appendix FF
to subpart B.
* * * * *
(j) * * *
(4) ASTM E741-11 (Reapproved 2017) (``ASTM E741-11(2017)''),
Standard Test Method for Determining Air Change in a Single Zone Means
of a Tracer Gas Dilution, Reapproved September 1, 2017; IBR approved
for appendix FF to subpart B.
* * * * *
(p) * * *
(7) 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, I1, J, J2, N, O, P, Q, U, X, X1, Y, Y1, Z, BB, CC,
and FF to subpart B.
* * * * *
0
7. Amend Sec. 430.23 by adding paragraph (hh) to read as follows:
Sec. 430.23 Test procedures for the measurement of energy and water
consumption.
* * * * *
(hh) Air Cleaners. (1) The pollen clean air delivery rate (CADR),
smoke CADR, and dust CADR, expressed in cubic feet per minute (cfm),
for conventional room air cleaners shall be measured in accordance with
section 5 of appendix FF of this subpart.
(2) The PM2.5 CADR, expressed in cfm, for conventional
room air cleaners, shall be measured in accordance with section 5 of
appendix FF of this subpart.
(3) The active mode and standby mode power consumption, expressed
in watts, shall be measured in accordance with sections 5 and 6,
respectively, of appendix FF of this subpart.
(4) The annual energy consumption, expressed in kilowatt-hours per
year, and the integrated energy factor, expressed in CADR per watts
(CADR/W), for conventional room air cleaners, shall be measured in
accordance with section 7 of appendix FF of this subpart.
(5) The estimated annual operating cost for conventional room air
cleaners, expressed in dollars per year, shall be determined by
multiplying the following two factors:
(i) The annual energy consumption as calculated in accordance with
section 7 of appendix FF of this subpart, and
(ii) A representative average unit cost of electrical energy in
dollars per kilowatt-hour as provided by the Secretary, the resulting
product then being rounded off to the nearest dollar per year.
0
8. Appendix FF to subpart B of part 430 is added to read as follows:
Appendix FF to Subpart B of Part 430--Uniform Test Method for Measuring
the Energy Consumption of Air Cleaners
Note: Beginning [date 180 days after date of publication of a
final rule in the Federal Register], any representations made with
respect to the energy use or efficiency of air cleaners must be made
in accordance with the results of testing pursuant to this appendix.
0. Incorporation by Reference
DOE incorporated by reference in Sec. 430.3 the entire standard
for AHAM AC-1-2020, AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft, ASTM E741-11(2017), and
IEC 62301. However, only enumerated provisions of AHAM AC-1-2020,
AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft, and IEC 62301 apply to this appendix, as
follows:
0.1 AHAM AC-1-2020
(a) Sections 4.2 through 4.6 as specified in section 3 of this
appendix;
(b) Sections 5 through 7 as specified in section 5 of this
appendix;
(c) Section 8.1 as specified in section 5 of this appendix;
(d) Annex A as specified in section 3 of this appendix;
(e) Annex I as specified in section 2 of this appendix.
0.2 AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft
(a) Sections 2.2 and 2.3, sections 2.4.1 through 2.4.2.4, and
sections 2.6 through 2.8 as referenced in section 2 of this
appendix;
(b) Section 2.9 as referenced in section 2 and section 5.3 of
this appendix;
(c) Sections 3.1 through 3.6.3 as specified in section 3 of this
appendix;
(d) Section 4, excluding section 4.1.4, as specified in section
4 of this appendix;
(e) Sections 5.3 through 5.7.4 as specified in section 5 of this
appendix;
(f) Section 6 as specified in section 6 of this appendix;
(g) Section 7 as specified in section 7 of this appendix.
0.3 IEC 62301: Household Electrical Appliances--Measurement of
Standby Power
(a) Sections 4.4.1 through 4.4.3 as specified in section 4 of
this appendix;
(b) Section 5.3 as specified in section 6 of this appendix.
1. Scope of Coverage
This appendix contains the test requirements to measure the
energy performance of a conventional room air cleaner, as defined at
Sec. 430.2.
2. Definitions
The definitions in Sections 2.2, 2.3, 2.4.1 through 2.4.2.4, 2.6
through 2.8, and 2.9 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft apply to this test
procedure, including the applicable provisions of AHAM AC-1-2020 as
referenced in Section 2.9 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft.
3. Test Conditions
Testing conditions shall be as specified in Sections 3.1 through
3.6.3 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft, including the applicable provisions
of AHAM AC-1-2020 as referenced in Sections 3.2.1, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5,
and 3.6.2 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft and the applicable provisions of
ASTM E 741-11(2017) as referenced in Section 3.3 of AHAM AC-7-2022
Draft.
4. Instrumentation
Test instruments shall be as specified in Section 4 of AHAM AC-
7-2022 Draft, including the applicable provisions of IEC 62301 Ed.
2.0, except Section 4.1.4 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft.
5. Active Mode CADR and Power Measurement
Measurement of smoke CADR, dust CADR, and pollen CADR shall be
as specified in Sections 5 through 7 of AHAM AC-1-2020,
respectively. Measurement of active mode power shall be as specified
in Sections 5.3 through 5.7.4 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft, including the
applicable provisions of AHAM AC-1-2020 as referenced in Section
5.7.1 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft. Additionally, the following
requirement is also applicable:
5.1. Calculation of PM2.5 CADR.
5.1.1. PM2.5 CADR is calculated as specified in
Section 2.9 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft.
5.1.2. PM2.5 CADR may alternately be calculated using
the smoke CADR and dust CADR values determined according to
[[Page 63353]]
Sections 5 and 6, respectively, of AHAM AC-1-2020, according to the
following equation:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP18OC22.019
6. Standby Mode Power Measurement
Standby mode power consumption shall be measured as specified in
Section 6 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft, including the applicable
provisions of IEC 62301 Ed. 2.0.
7. Total Energy Calculation
Annual energy consumption, expressed in kilowatt-hours per year,
and integrated energy factor, expressed in CADR per watt, shall be
calculated as specified in Section 7 of AHAM AC-7-2022 Draft.
[FR Doc. 2022-21698 Filed 10-17-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
