Department of Energy March 13, 2014 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In this notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR), the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) proposes to revise its test procedures established under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) for packaged terminal air conditioners (PTACs) and packaged terminal heat pumps (PTHPs). The proposed amendments would specify an optional break- in period, explicitly require that wall sleeves be sealed, allow for the pre-filling of the condensate drain pan, require that ASHRAE Standard 16 be the sole method of test when measuring the cooling capacity for PTACs and PTHPs under ANSI/AHRI Standard 310/380-2004, and require testing with 14-inch deep wall sleeves and the filter option most representative of a typical installation. These updates fulfill DOE's obligation under EPCA to review its test procedures for covered equipment at least once every 7 years and either amend the applicable test procedures or publish a determination in the Federal Register not to amend them. DOE will hold a public meeting to discuss and receive comments on the issues presented in this notice.