# Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products: Test Procedures for Refrigerators, Refrigerator-Freezers, and Freezers

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URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A2010-11957

## Record

- **Collection:** Federal Register
- **Document type:** Proposed Rule
- **Published:** May 27, 2010
- **Citation:** 75 FR 29824

## Text

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
10 CFR Part 430
[Docket No. EERE-2009-BT-TP-0003]
RIN 1904-AB92
Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products: Test Procedures for Refrigerators, Refrigerator-Freezers, and Freezers

AGENCY:

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

ACTION:

Notice of proposed rulemaking and public meeting.

SUMMARY:

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today is issuing a notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) to amend the test procedures for refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and freezers. The NOPR consists of two parts. First, it proposes amending the current procedure by adding test procedures to account for refrigerator-freezers equipped with variable anti-sweat heater controls, amending the long-time automatic defrost test procedure to capture all energy use associated with the defrost cycle expended during testing, establishing test procedures for refrigerator-freezers equipped with more than two compartments, making minor adjustments to the language to eliminate any potential ambiguity regarding how to conduct tests, and requiring certain information in certification reports to clarify how some products are tested to determine their energy ratings. Second, the notice proposes amended test procedures for refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and freezers that would be required for measuring energy consumption once DOE promulgates new energy conservation standards for these products. These new standards are currently under development in a separate rulemaking activity. Pursuant to the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975, as amended, these new standards would apply to newly manufactured products starting on January 1, 2014. While the amended test procedures would be based largely on the test methodology used in the existing test procedures, they also include significant revisions with respect to the measurement of compartment temperatures and compartment volumes that would provide a more comprehensive accounting of energy usage by these products. Finally, the new test procedure for 2014 would incorporate into the energy use metric the energy use associated with icemaking for products with automatic icemakers. This NOPR also discusses the proposed treatment of combination wine storage-freezer products that were the subject of a recent test procedure waiver, the testing of refrigeration products with the anti-sweat heater switch turned off, the treatment of auxiliary features used in refrigeration products, the treatment of electric heaters in the current and proposed test procedures, and the incorporation of icemaking energy use in the test procedure.

DATES:

DOE will hold a public meeting on Tuesday, June 22, 2010, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., in Washington, DC. DOE must receive requests to speak at the public meeting before 4 p.m., Tuesday, June 8, 2010. DOE must receive a signed original and an electronic copy of statements to be given at the public meeting before 4 p.m., Tuesday, June 15, 2010.

DOE will accept comments, data, and information regarding this NOPR before and after the public meeting, but no later than August 10, 2010.
See
section V, “Public Participation,” of this NOPR for details.

ADDRESSES:

The public meeting will be held at the U.S. Department of Energy, Forrestal Building, Room 8E-089, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121. To attend the public meeting, please notify Ms. Brenda Edwards at (202) 586-2945. (Please note that foreign nationals visiting DOE Headquarters are subject to advance security screening procedures. Any foreign national wishing to participate in the public meeting should advise DOE as soon as possible by contacting Ms. Edwards to initiate the necessary procedures.)

Any comments submitted must identify the NOPR on Test Procedures for Refrigerators, Refrigerator-Freezers, and Freezers, and provide the docket number EERE-2009-BT-TP-0003 and/or Regulatory Information Number (RIN) 1904-AB92. Comments may be submitted using any of the following methods:

•
Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.

•
E-mail: Refrig-2009-TP-0003@ee.doe.gov.
Include docket number EERE-2009-BT-TP-0003 and/or RIN 1904-AB92 in the subject line of the message.

•
Mail:
Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department of Energy, Building Technologies Program, Mailstop EE-2J, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121. Please submit one signed paper original.

•
Hand Delivery/Courier:
Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department of Energy, Building Technologies Program, 950 L'Enfant Plaza, SW., Suite 600, Washington, DC 20024. Telephone: (202) 586-2945. Please submit one signed paper original.

For detailed instructions on submitting comments and additional information on the rulemaking process, see section V, “Public Participation,” of this document.

Docket:
For access to the docket to read background documents or comments received, visit the U.S. Department of Energy, Resource Room of the Building Technologies Program, 950 L'Enfant Plaza, SW., Suite 600, Washington, DC 20024, (202) 586-2945, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Please call Ms. Brenda Edwards at the above telephone number for additional information about visiting the Resource Room.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mr. Lucas Adin, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building Technologies Program, EE-2J, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone: (202) 287-1317. E-mail:
Lucas.Adin@ee.doe.gov.

Mr. Michael Kido, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the General Counsel, GC-72, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone: (202) 586-8145. E-mail:
Michael.Kido@hq.doe.gov
.

For information on how to submit or review public comments and on how to participate in the public meeting, contact Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building Technologies Program, EE-2J, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone: (202) 586-2945. E-mail:
Brenda.Edwards@ee.doe.gov
.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background and Authority

II. Summary of the Proposal

III. Discussion

A. Products Covered by the Proposed Revisions

B. Combination Wine Storage-Freezer Units

C. Establishing New Appendices A and B, and Compliance Date for the Amended Test Procedures

D. Amendments to Take Effect Prior to a New Energy Conservation Standard

1. Procedures for Test Sample Preparation

2. Product Clearances to Walls During Testing

3. Alternative Compartment Temperature Sensor Locations

4. Median Temperature Settings for Electronic Control Products

5. Test Procedures for Convertible Compartments and Special Compartments

6. Establishing a Temperature-Averaging Procedure for Auxiliary Compartments

7. Modified Definition for Anti-Sweat Heater

8. Testing With the Anti-Sweat Heater Switch Turned Off

9. Incorporation of Test Procedures for Products With Variable Anti-Sweat Heating Control Waivers

10. Modification of Long-Time and Variable Defrost Test Method To Capture Precooling Energy

11. Establishing Test Procedures for Multiple Defrost Cycle Types

12. Elimination of Part 3 of the Variable Defrost Test

13. Corrections and Other Test Procedure Language Changes

14. Including in Certification Reports Basic Information Clarifying Energy Measurements

E. Amendments To Take Effect Simultaneously With a New Energy Conservation Standard

1. Incorporating by Reference AHAM Standard HRF-1-2008 for Measuring Energy and Internal Volume of Refrigerating Appliances

2. Establishing New Compartment Temperatures

3. Establishing New Volume Calculation Method

4. Control Settings for Refrigerators and Refrigerator-Freezers During Testing

5. Icemakers and Icemaking

F. Other Issues Under Consideration

1. Electric Heaters

2. Rounding Off Energy Test Results

G. Compliance With Other EPCA Requirements

1. Test Burden

2. Potential Amendments To Include Standby and Off Mode Energy Consumption

IV. Procedural Requirements

A. Review Under Executive Order 12866

B. Review Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act

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 the 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

V. Public Participation

A. Attendance at the Public Meeting

B. Procedure for Submitting Requests To Speak

C. Conduct of Public Meeting

D. Submission of Comments

E. Issues on Which DOE Seeks Comment

VI. Approval of the Office of the Secretary

I. Background and Authority

Title III of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6291,
et seq.;
“EPCA” or, “the Act”) sets forth a variety of provisions designed to improve energy efficiency. (All references to EPCA refer to the statute as amended through the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA 2007), Public Law 110-140 (Dec. 19, 2007)). Part A of title III (42 U.S.C. 6291-6309) establishes the “Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products Other Than Automobiles,” which includes refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and freezers, all of which are referred to below as “covered products”. (42 U.S.C. 6291(1)-(2) and 6292(a)(1)) “Refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and freezers” are referred to below, collectively, as “refrigeration products”. Under the Act, this program consists essentially of three parts: (1) Testing, (2) labeling, and (3) Federal energy conservation standards. The testing requirements consist of test procedures that, pursuant to EPCA, manufacturers of covered products must use (1) as the basis for certifying to the DOE that their products comply with applicable energy conservation standards adopted under EPCA, and (2) for making representations about the efficiency of those products. Similarly, DOE must use these test requirements to determine whether the products comply with any relevant standards promulgated under EPCA.

By way of background, the National Appliance Energy Conservation Act of 1987 (NAECA), Public Law 100-12, amended EPCA by including, among other things, performance standards for residential refrigeration products. (42 U.S.C. 6295(b)). On November 17, 1989, DOE amended these performance standards for products manufactured on or after January 1, 1993. 54 FR 47916. DOE subsequently published a correction to revise these new standards for three product classes. 55 FR 42845 (October 24, 1990). DOE again updated the performance standards for refrigeration products on April 28, 1997, for products manufactured on or after July 1, 2001. 62 FR 23102.

EISA 2007 amended EPCA to require DOE to determine by December 31, 2010, whether amending the energy conservation standards in effect for refrigeration products would be justified. (42 U.S.C. 6295(b)(4)) As a result, DOE has initiated a standards rulemaking for these products. On September 18, 2008, DOE announced the availability of a framework document to initiate that rulemaking. (73 FR 54089) On September 29, 2008, DOE held a public workshop to discuss the framework document and issues related to the rulemaking. The framework document identified several test procedure issues, including: (1) Compartment temperature changes; (2) modified volume calculation methods; (3) products that deactivate energy-using features during energy testing; (4) variable anti-sweat heaters; (5) references to the updated Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) HRF-1 test standard, “Energy and Internal Volume of Refrigerating Appliances”, published in 2008 (HRF-1-2008); (6) convertible compartments; and (7) harmonization with international test procedures. (“Energy Conservation Standards Rulemaking Framework Document for Residential Refrigerators, Refrigerator-Freezers, and Freezers”, RIN 1904-AB79, Docket No. EERE-2008-BT-STD-0012) Separately, DOE raised the issue of how to address various aspects related to the icemaker, including the manner in which to measure icemaking energy usage as well as set-up issues during testing. (“Additional Guidance Regarding Application of Current Procedures for Testing Energy Consumption of Refrigerator-Freezers with Automatic Ice Makers”, (December 18, 2009) published at 75 FR 2122 (January 14, 2010)) The test procedure rulemaking announced by today's notice seeks to address these issues and to establish a procedure that will be used for determining compliance with the new energy conservation standards under development.

General Test Procedure Rulemaking Process

Under 42 U.S.C. 6293, EPCA sets forth the criteria and procedures for DOE's adoption and amendment of such test procedures. EPCA provides in relevant part that “[a]ny test procedures prescribed or amended under this section shall 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, as determined by the Secretary [of Energy], and shall not be unduly burdensome to conduct.” (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(3))

In addition, if DOE determines that a test procedure amendment is warranted, it must publish proposed test procedures and offer the public an opportunity to present oral and written comments. (U.S.C. 6293(b)(2)) Finally, in any rulemaking to amend a test procedure, DOE must determine “to what extent, if any, the proposed test procedure would alter the measured energy efficiency * * * of any covered

product as determined under the existing test procedure.” (42 U.S.C. 6293(e)(1)) If DOE determines that the amended test procedure would alter the measured efficiency of a covered product, DOE must amend the applicable energy conservation standard accordingly. (42 U.S.C. 6293(e)(2))

With respect to today's rulemaking, DOE has tentatively determined that at least some of the amendments it is proposing may result in a change in measured efficiency when compared to the current test procedure, although DOE has not quantified the full impact of these anticipated changes. In such situations, EPCA requires a standards rulemaking to address such changes in measured energy efficiency. (42 U.S.C. 6293(e)(2)) However, DOE is presently under an obligation under 42 U.S.C. 6295(b)(4) to conduct an amended standards rulemaking for refrigeration products by December 31, 2010. Consequently, DOE will consider the impacts of the test procedure changes that are affected by this rulemaking in the context of that standards rulemaking. DOE requests comments regarding what impacts, if any, would be associated with the test procedure amendments proposed to be adopted prior to the effective date of the new energy conservation standards. These comments should specifically address the amendments proposed in section III.D.

DOE also considers the activity initiated by today's notice sufficient to satisfy the 7-year review requirement established by Section 302 of EISA 2007 to review its test procedures for all covered products at least once every seven years, including refrigeration products, and either amend the applicable test procedures or publish a determination in the
Federal Register
not to amend it. (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(1)(A))

Because DOE's existing test procedures for these products were already in place on December 19, 2007, when the 7-year test procedure review provisions of EPCA were enacted (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(1)(A)), DOE would have had to review these test procedures by December 2014. However, since DOE is already considering changes to the test procedure in anticipation of the 2014 rulemaking required by Congress, DOE is satisfying this requirement in advance of that date. This rulemaking satisfies those review requirements in that it constitutes a review of the current procedures and proposes amendments to those procedures for refrigeration products.

Refrigerators and Refrigerator-Freezers

DOE's test procedures for refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers are found at 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, Appendix A1. DOE initially established its test procedures for refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers in a final rule published in the
Federal Register
on September 14, 1977. 42 FR 46140. Industry representatives viewed these test procedures as too complex and eventually developed alternative test procedures in conjunction with AHAM that were incorporated into the 1979 version of HRF-1, “Household Refrigerators, Combination Refrigerator-Freezers, and Household Freezers” (HRF-1-1979). Using this industry-created test procedure, DOE revised its test procedures on August 10, 1982. 47 FR 34517. On August 31, 1989, DOE published a final rule establishing test procedures for variable defrost control (a system that varies the time intervals between defrosts based on the defrost need). 54 FR 36238. DOE most recently amended these test procedures in a final rule published March 7, 2003, which modified the test period used for products equipped with long-time automatic defrost. 68 FR 10957. The term “long-time automatic defrost” identifies the use of an automatic defrost control in which successive defrosts are separated by more than 14 hours of compressor run time. The test procedures include provisions for determining the annual energy use in kilowatt-hours (kWh) and the annual operating cost for electricity for refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers.

Also, consistent with the regulations set out in 10 CFR part 430, the 1989 and 2003 final rules terminated all the previous refrigerator and refrigerator-freezer test procedure waivers that DOE had previously granted to manufacturers before the issuance of the 2003 rule. Since the issuance of that rule, DOE has granted four waivers and three interim waivers. First, on April 24, 2007, DOE permitted Liebherr Hausgeräte to test a combination wine storage-freezer line of appliances using a standardized temperature of 55 °F for the wine storage compartment, as opposed to the 45 °F prescribed for fresh food compartments of refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers. 72 FR 20333, 20334.

Second, DOE has granted waivers and interim waivers allowing manufacturers to use a modified procedure to test refrigeration products that use ambient condition sensors that adjust anti-sweat heater power consumption. These heaters prevent condensation on the external surfaces of refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers. The new control addressed by the waivers uses sensors that detect ambient conditions to energize the heaters only when needed. The procedure described by these waivers provides a method for manufacturers to determine the energy consumed by a refrigerator using this type of variable control system. The first of these waivers was granted to the General Electric Company (GE) on February 27, 2008. 73 FR 10425. DOE granted a similar waiver to Whirlpool Corporation on May 5, 2009. 74 FR 20695. DOE published a petition for a third waiver from Electrolux Home Products, Inc. (Electrolux) and granted its application for an interim waiver on June 4, 2009. 74 FR 26853. On December 15, 2009, DOE granted a waiver to Electrolux (74 FR 66338) and published a petition for a second waiver to Electrolux seeking to extend the coverage of this waiver to additional basic models. 74 FR 66344. On December 15, 2009, DOE also published a petition from Samsung Electronics America (Samsung) seeking a waiver for variable control of anti-sweat heaters and granted the company an interim waiver. 74 FR 66340.

After granting a waiver, DOE regulations generally direct the agency to initiate a rulemaking that would amend the regulations to eliminate the continued need for the waiver. 10 CFR 430.27(m). Today's notice addresses this requirement. Once this rule becomes effective, any waivers it addresses will terminate.

Freezers

DOE's test procedures for freezers are found at 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, Appendix B1. DOE established its test procedures for freezers in a final rule published in the
Federal Register
on September 14, 1977. 42 FR 46140. As with DOE's test procedures for refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers, industry representatives viewed the freezer test procedures as too complex and worked with AHAM to develop alternative test procedures, which were incorporated into the 1979 version of HRF-1. DOE revised its test procedures for freezers based on this AHAM standard on August 10, 1982. 47 FR 34517. The test procedures were amended on September 20, 1989, to correct the effective date published in the August 31, 1989 rule. See 54 FR 38788. The test procedures include provisions for determining the annual energy use in kWh and annual electrical operating costs for freezers.

DOE has not issued any waivers from the freezer test procedures since the promulgation of the 1989 final rule.

II. Summary of the Proposal

The proposed rule contains two basic parts. First, it would amend the current DOE test procedures for refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and freezers, to clarify the manner in which to test for compliance with existing energy conservation standards. As indicated in greater detail below, these proposed amendments, if adopted, would apply strictly to the current procedures in Appendices A1 and B1. These minor amendments would eliminate any potential ambiguity contained in these appendices and clarify regulatory text to ensure that regulated entities fully understand the long-standing views and interpretations that the Department holds with respect to the application and implementation of the test procedures that are in place. The current procedures would also be amended to account for, among other things, the various waivers granted by DOE.

Second, the proposal would establish comprehensive changes to the manner in which the procedures are conducted by creating new Appendices A and B. Elements from the proposed amendments to Appendices A1 and B1 would also be carried over into the new Appendices A and B. The procedures contained in these new appendices would apply only to those products that would be covered by any new standard that DOE promulgates and would be organized separately from the current test procedures found in Appendices A1 and B1. EPCA requires these new standards to take effect by January 1, 2014. While DOE is proposing to retain current Appendices A1 and B1 for this rulemaking to cover products manufactured before the effective date of the new standards, once the new standards become effective, these appendices would be replaced by Appendices A and B, respectively. Consequently, DOE would apply the procedures detailed in the proposed Appendices A and B to potential revisions to the energy conservation standards for refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and freezers.

The proposed amendments discussed in this notice would, if adopted, take effect 30 days after issuance of the final rule. However, manufacturers would not need to use Appendices A and B until the compliance date for the 2014 standards, which has been set by Congress through EISA 2007 (
i.e.
January 1, 2014). See EISA 2007, sec. 311(a)(3) (42 U.S.C. 6295(b)(4))

The proposed revisions of Appendices A1 and B1 would achieve four primary goals: (1) Address issues raised in the framework document, by stakeholders during the framework workshop, and in written comments; (2) incorporate test procedures for refrigerator-freezers with variable anti-sweat heater controls that were the subject of test procedure waivers granted to General Electric, Whirlpool, and Electrolux and an interim waiver granted to Samsung, (3) modify the long-time automatic defrost test procedure to ensure that the test procedure measures all energy use associated with the defrost function, and (4) clarify the test procedures for addressing special compartments and those refrigerator-freezers that are equipped with more than two compartments. The revisions also address areas of potential inconsistency in the current procedure, and eliminate an optional test that DOE understands is not used by the industry.

The test procedure revisions in the new Appendices A and B would include (1) new compartment temperatures for refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers, and (2) new methods for measuring compartment volumes for all refrigeration products. These two amendments would improve harmonization with relevant international standards and test repeatability. The compartment temperature changes would significantly impact the energy use measured by the test for refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers. The new volume calculation method being proposed would change the adjusted volume for all refrigeration products. The proposed temperature changes would also affect the calculated adjusted volume, which is equal to the fresh food compartment volume plus a temperature-dependent adjustment factor multiplied by the freezer compartment volume. Since the standards for refrigeration products are expressed as equations that specify maximum energy use as a function of adjusted volume, the proposed modifications would impact the allowable energy use for all of these products. The proposed changes would also change the energy factor, which is equal to adjusted volume divided by daily energy consumption.

This notice also discusses the combination wine storage-freezer products that were the subject of the Liebherr Hausgeräte test procedure waiver. While DOE expects to propose modified product definitions to include coverage of wine storage products in a separate future rulemaking addressing just these products, DOE proposes in this current rulemaking to establish consistency in its treatment of wine coolers and wine storage-freezers.

Lastly, this notice also discusses (1) the measurement of energy use of electric heaters in refrigeration products, (2) the energy use of auxiliary features, and (3) the incorporation of the measurement of icemaking energy use into the test procedure. Incorporating the measurement of icemaking energy use would add the energy used to produce ice in refrigeration products that are equipped with automatic icemakers. This addition would improve the consistency of the measurement with the representative use cycle for such products.

III. Discussion

Table 1 below summarizes the subsections of this section and indicates where the proposed amendments would appear in each appendix. Three of the subsections address proposed changes in sections of 10 CFR 430 other than appendices A1, B1, A, or B, and four of the subsections would not have any proposed test procedure changes associated with them.

Table 1—Section III Subsections

Section
Title
Affected appendices
A1
B1
A
B

A
Products Covered by the Proposed Revisions
No proposed change is associated with this section of the NOPR.

B
Combination Wine Storage-Freezer Units
*

C
Establishing New Appendices A and B, and Compliance Date for the Amended Test Procedures
✓
✓
✓
✓

D.1
Procedures for Test Sample Preparation
✓
✓
✓
✓

D.2
Product Clearances to Walls During Testing
✓
✓
✓
✓

D.3
Alternative Compartment Temperature Sensor Locations
✓
✓
✓
✓

D.4
Median Temperature Settings for Electronic Control Products
✓
✓
✓
✓

D.5
Test Procedures for Convertible Compartments and Special Compartments
✓

✓

D.6
Establishing a Temperature-Averaging Procedure for Auxiliary Compartments
✓
✓
✓
✓

D.7
Modified Definition for Anti-Sweat Heater
✓
✓
✓
✓

D.8
Testing with the Anti-Sweat Heater Switch Turned Off
**

D.9
Incorporation of Test Procedures for Products with Variable Anti-Sweat Heating Control Waivers
✓

✓

D.10
Modification of Long-Time and Variable Defrost Test Method to Capture Precooling Energy
✓
✓
✓
✓

D.11
Establishing Test Procedures for Multiple Defrost Cycle Types
✓

✓

D.12
Elimination of Part 3 of the Variable Defrost Test
✓
✓
✓
✓

D.13.A
A: Simplification of Energy Use Equation for Products with Variable Defrost Control
✓
✓
✓
✓

D.13.B
B: Energy Testing and Energy Use Equation for Products with Dual Automatic Defrost
✓

✓

D.14
Including in Certification Reports Basic Information Clarifying Energy Measurements
***

E.1
Incorporating by Reference AHAM Standard HRF-1-2008 for Measuring Energy and Internal Volume of Refrigerating Appliances

✓
✓

E.2
Establishing New Compartment Temperatures

✓
✓

E.3
Establishing New Volume Calculation Method

✓
✓

E.4
Control Settings for Refrigerators and Refrigerator-Freezers During Testing

✓
✓

E.5
Icemakers and Icemaking

✓
✓

F.1
Electric Heaters
No proposed changes to the regulatory language are associated with these sections of the NOPR.

F.2
Rounding Off Energy Test Results

G.1
Test Burden

G.2
Potential Amendments to Include Standby and Off Mode Energy Consumption

*
This amendment would appear in 10 CFR 430.2.

**
This amendment would appear in 10 CFR 430.23.

***
This amendment would appear in 10 CFR 430.62.

A. Products Covered by the Proposed Revisions

The current regulations define the terms “refrigerators,” “refrigerator-freezers,” and related terms as follows:

“Refrigerator” means an electric refrigerator.

“Refrigerator-freezer” means an electric refrigerator-freezer.

“Electric refrigerator” means a cabinet designed for the refrigerated storage of food at temperatures above 32 °F and below 39 °F, configured for general refrigerated food storage, and having a source of refrigeration requiring single phase, alternating current electric energy input only. An electric refrigerator may include a compartment for the freezing and storage of food at temperatures below 32 °F, but does not provide a separate low temperature compartment designed for the freezing and storage of food at temperatures below 8 °F.

“Electric refrigerator-freezer” means a cabinet which consists of two or more compartments with at least one of the compartments designed for the refrigerated storage of food at temperatures above 32 °F and with at least one of the compartments designed for the freezing and storage of food at temperatures below 8 °F which may be adjusted by the user to a temperature of 0 °F or below. The source of refrigeration requires single phase, alternating current electric energy input only.

10 CFR 430.2.

This rulemaking proposes to change the definition for electric refrigerator-freezer to limit the fresh food compartment temperature range to a maximum temperature of 39 °F, consistent with the definition for electric refrigerator. This specific

proposal is discussed further in section III.B. No change is being proposed to the definition for electric refrigerator but DOE is open to comments on possible improvements to enhance the clarity of this term and may incorporate such changes in the final rule.

DOE notes that its regulations currently define a freezer as “a cabinet designed as a unit for the freezing and storage of food at temperatures of 0 °F or below, and having a source of refrigeration requiring single phase, alternating current electric energy input only.” 10 CFR 430.2. No change in this definition is being proposed at this time but, as with the definition for electric refrigerator-freezers, DOE is interested in receiving comments on this issue to help improve the definition's clarity and may decide to modify the definition based on these comments.

B. Combination Wine Storage-Freezer Units

DOE amended its definition of electric refrigerators to exclude wine storage products on November 19, 2001. 66 FR 57845. Specifically, the definition was changed to exclude products that do not maintain internal temperatures below 39 °F. The final rule explained that these products “are configured with special storage racks for wine bottles and in general do not attain as low a storage temperature as a standard refrigerator. These characteristics make them unsuitable for general long-term storage of perishable foods.” 66 FR 57846. The final rule also stated that “sales of these products are small and excluding them from coverage would not have any significant impacts.” Id.

DOE, however, did not change the definition of electric refrigerator-freezers to exclude products such as the Liebherr line of wine storage-freezer appliances, which contain both freezer and wine storage compartments. DOE believes that the arguments made in favor of excluding wine storage products from the definition of electric refrigerators also apply to combination appliances such as these wine storage-freezer combination appliances—
i.e.,
the wine storage compartment does not attain temperatures which are suitable for long-term storage of perishable foods, and the sales levels of such products are small.

The current test procedure does not address the treatment of wine storage-freezer products. Because of this gap, Liebherr Hausgeräte (Liebherr) petitioned the agency for a test procedure waiver to address this product. (72 FR 20333) DOE granted a test procedure waiver to Liebherr on April 24, 2007 (Liebherr waiver) that permitted the company to test and certify its combination wine storage-freezer line of appliances. (72 FR 20333) The waiver specified that testing shall be conducted following the test procedures for refrigerator-freezers, except that the standard temperature for the wine-storage compartment shall be 55 °F, as opposed to 45 °F as specified in the test procedures for refrigerator-freezers. (72 FR 20334)

Under DOE's regulations, DOE must publish a NOPR to amend the DOE test procedures to eliminate the continued need for the waiver. A final rule must issue “as soon thereafter as practicable.” The waiver would then terminate on the effective date of the final rule. 10 CFR 430.27(m). Accordingly, to address this requirement and the treatment of these products, DOE proposes to modify the definition of electric refrigerator-freezers in order to exclude products with wine storage or other compartments that do not attain suitable temperatures for food storage. The proposed modified definition is as follows:

“Electric refrigerator-freezer” means a cabinet which consists of two or more compartments with at least one of the compartments designed for the refrigerated storage of food at temperatures above 32 °F and below 39 °F and with at least one of the compartments designed for the freezing and storage of food at temperatures below 8 °F which may be adjusted by the user to a temperature of 0 °F or below. Additional compartments shall be designed for temperatures in any range up to 39 °F. The source of refrigeration requires single phase, alternating current electric energy input only.

This definition of refrigerator-freezer, if adopted, would exclude the Liebherr product line and other similar products from coverage under the test procedures and energy conservation standards for refrigerator-freezers. DOE is proposing this approach to maintain consistency with treatment of single-compartment wine storage products, which were eliminated from coverage by the definition change for refrigerators discussed above in this section, and to clarify that energy conservation standards have not been established for these products. DOE expects to propose modifications to cover wine storage products in a separate future rulemaking.

DOE notes that beer refrigerators, in contrast to wine coolers, generally are designed to operate with compartment temperature below 39°F. Hence, these products are, and would continue to be treated as, refrigerators and would continue to remain subject to the current test procedures and energy conservation standards of 10 CFR 430.

C. Establishing New Appendices A and B, and Compliance Date for the Amended Test Procedures

As briefly discussed above, the effective date for all of today's proposed amendments would be 30 days after publication of a final rule. However, only the amendments to Appendices A1 and B1 would have an immediate impact on manufacturers.

For purposes of representations, under 42 U.S.C. 6293(c)(2), effective 180 days after amending a test procedure, manufacturers cannot make representations regarding energy use and efficiency unless the product was tested in accordance with the amended test procedure. A manufacturer, distributor, retailer or private labeler may petition DOE to obtain an extension of time for making these representations. (42 U.S.C. 6293(c)(3))

However, manufacturers would need to use proposed Appendices A and B once amended energy conservation standards become effective on January 1, 2014. Likewise, the proposed Appendices A and B would be mandatory for representations regarding energy use or operating cost of these products once the new energy conservation standards take effect. Under EPCA, DOE must determine by no later than December 31, 2010, whether to amend energy conservation standards that would apply to refrigeration products manufactured on or after January 1, 2014. As discussed earlier, because the proposed modified test procedures of Appendices A and B would change the measured energy use of these products, DOE is planning to amend its energy conservation standards for these products. (42 U.S.C. 6293(e)(2)) These amended test procedures would be used in analyzing and developing any amended standards.

D. Amendments To Take Effect Prior to a New Energy Conservation Standard

1. Procedures for Test Sample Preparation

Current DOE test procedures generally address product features and functions available at the time that the test procedures were written. Advances in technology and product design, however, can lead to operating conditions and/or product features and functions that are not addressed in current applicable test procedures. In particular, these existing test procedures may not specifically address these new features or functions that are in addition to (and not involved in) the primary functions of maintaining temperatures suitable for food storage
(i.e.
temperatures up to 39 °F). To the extent

that these new features or functions may be directly involved with the primary functions, in DOE's view, the energy use impact of these secondary functions should be included when measuring the overall energy consumption of a covered product under the DOE test procedure.

Because DOE's test procedures provide a measurement of a representative average use cycle, the procedures need to reflect the changes in technology and product design that are present in current products. If installation of a refrigeration product according to its accompanying instructions does not clearly explain how to set up products with new technology or design features, concerns may arise as to whether a given test can be conducted in a fashion that would measure the representative energy use of the product.

HRF-1-1979, parts of which are included in the current DOE test procedure by reference, requires that, “the cabinet with its refrigerating mechanism is to be assembled and set up as nearly as practicable in accordance with the printed instructions supplied with the cabinet.” HRF-1-1979, section 7.4.2. Similarly, HRF-1-2008, parts of which are proposed to be included in the new Appendices A and B, has an essentially identical requirement: “The cabinet with its refrigerating mechanism shall be assembled and set up as nearly as practical in accordance with the printed instructions supplied with the cabinet.” HRF-1-2008, section 5.5.2. DOE proposes to emphasize this set-up requirement by eliminating the words, “as nearly as practical”, and providing specific (permitted and required) deviations from this set-up requirement as warranted. DOE is proposing the use of these specific deviations in order to ensure that the procedure is clear and yields consistent test results. This provision would be inserted directly into section 2 of Appendices A1, B1, A, and B.

Permitted deviations from this requirement would include set-up details that are required for consumer installation but do not affect measured energy use. Examples include:

• Connection of water lines and installation of water filters (not required).

• Anchoring or otherwise securing a product to prevent tipping during energy testing (also not required, but encouraged if necessary to ensure safety during testing).

Required deviations needed to achieve the necessary testing conditions and obtain consistent results would include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Clearance requirements: Establishing a consistent approach for wall-to-cabinet clearances that would limit the clearance ranges when compared to actual field installations.

• The electric power supply: Establishing a tighter tolerance on the voltage of the power supply than would be found during field use.

• Temperature control settings: Establishing standardized compartment temperatures to ensure meaningful comparisons of test results.

All of the permitted and required deviations from the printed instructions included with the manufacturer's product would be listed in section 2 of Appendices A1, B1, A, and B. DOE conducted a review of product installation instructions to determine which instructions would require specific language describing allowed or required deviations during testing. However, there may be other specific installation instructions that would affect energy use or would otherwise not be necessary to conduct the test. DOE seeks comment on whether these proposed deviations are sufficient to ensure that the procedure is clear and produces consistent results.

DOE recognizes that in some cases there may still be questions about how to set up a product for testing. In cases where the proposed modified language does not address the specific type of situation presented by a particular basic model, a test procedure waiver would be the appropriate course of action to allow test procedures to be developed for the specific characteristics of the product. DOE proposes to incorporate language into the test procedure instructing manufacturers to apply for a test procedure waiver in such cases. DOE proposes adding language to the set-up instructions of section 2 to alert manufacturers to this issue.

In addition, DOE proposes to add a new section 7 to the test procedure that explains when a test procedure waiver would be needed:

To the extent that the procedures contained in this appendix do not provide a means for determining the energy consumption of a refrigerator or refrigerator-freezer, a manufacturer must obtain a waiver under 10 CFR 430.27 to establish an acceptable test procedure for each such product. Such instances could, for example, include situations where the test set-up for a particular refrigerator or refrigerator-freezer basic model is not clearly defined by the provisions of section 2. For details regarding the criteria and procedures for obtaining a waiver, please refer to 10 CFR 430.27.

DOE proposes to add this language to Appendices A1, B1, A, and B.

In addition to questions about product set-up during testing, the introduction of new technology in refrigeration products may cause the product to operate in a manner inconsistent with a representative average use cycle. An example of such technology in modern refrigerators is the variable anti-sweat heater control described in section III.D.9. This type of control, which responds to ambient humidity, generally will not allow the anti-sweat heaters to operate in a fashion consistent with a representative use cycle when tested in accordance with the required 90 °F ambient temperature. This occurs because the control operates on the basis of relative humidity, which is not required to be controlled and is typically lower in a test chamber at 90 °F than in the temperatures typically found in homes (approximately 70 °F). (
See, e.g,,
Appendix A1, section 2.1). Measuring the energy use of such a product using the current test procedure would not be repeatable because the measurement can be affected by this uncontrolled parameter. Hence, the modifications provided by the current waivers associated with this control (and by the proposed amended test procedure) provide a reasonably designed procedure to obtain energy costs during a representative average use cycle.

In order to address these types of situations, AHAM introduced the following additional language in AHAM standard HRF-1-2007:

The following principles of interpretation should be applied to AHAM HRF-1, and should apply to and guide any revisions to the test procedure. The intent of the energy test procedure is to simulate typical room conditions (approximately 70 °F) with door openings, by testing at 90 °F without door openings.

Except for operating characteristics that are affected by ambient temperature (for example, compressor percent run time), the unit, when tested under this standard, shall operate equivalent to the unit in typical room conditions. The energy used by the unit shall be calculated when a calculation is provided by the standard.

Energy consuming components that operate in typical room conditions (including as a result of door openings, or a function of humidity), and that are not exempted by this standard, shall operate in an equivalent manner during energy testing under this standard, or be accounted for by all calculations as provided for in the standard.

Examples:

1. Energy saving features that are designed to operate when there are no door openings for long periods of time shall not be functional during the energy test.

2. The defrost heater should not either function or turn off differently during the

energy test than it would when in typical room conditions.

3. Electric heaters that would normally operate at typical room conditions with door openings should also operate during the energy test.

4. Energy used during adaptive defrost shall continue to be tested and adjusted per the calculation provided for in this standard.

(HRF-1-2007, section 1.2)

HRF-1-2008 incorporates this language and ENERGY STAR adopted it as part of its Program Requirements that took effect in April 2008. (
see
“ENERGY STAR Program Eligibility Criteria for Residential Refrigerators and/or Freezers”, section 4 (August 3, 2007)).

DOE proposes to use similar language in 10 CFR 430.23(a) to address the testing of refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers, and 10 CFR 430.23(b) to address the testing of freezers. The new text would read as follows:

The energy test procedure is designed to provide a measurement consistent with representative average consumer use of the product, even if the test conditions and/or procedures may not themselves all be representative of average consumer use (
e.g,
90 ºF ambient conditions, no door openings, use of temperature settings unsafe for food preservation,
etc.
). If (1) a product contains energy consuming components that operate differently during the prescribed testing than they would during representative average consumer use and (2) applying the prescribed test to that product would evaluate it in a manner that is unrepresentative of its true energy consumption (thereby providing materially inaccurate comparative data), the prescribed procedure may not be used. Examples of products that cannot be tested using the prescribed test procedure include those products that can exhibit operating parameters (
e.g,
duty cycle or input wattage) for any energy using component that are not smoothly varying functions of operating conditions or control inputs—such as when a component is automatically shut off when test conditions or test settings are reached. A manufacturer wishing to test such a product must obtain a waiver in accordance with the relevant provisions of 10 CFR 430.

DOE's proposal reflects the statutory requirement, and the Department's longstanding view, that the overall objective of the test procedure is to measure the product's energy consumption during a representative average use cycle or period of use. 42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(3). Further, the test procedure requires specific conditions during testing that are designed to ensure repeatability while avoiding excessive testing burdens. Although certain test conditions specified in the test procedure may deviate from representative use, such deviations are carefully designed and circumscribed in order to attain an overall calculated measurement of the energy consumption during representative use. Thus, it is—and has always been—DOE's view that products should not be designed such that the energy consumption drops during test condition settings in ways that would bias the overall measurement to make it unrepresentative of average consumer use. While DOE may consider imposing design requirements to prohibit certain control schemes, the agency believes that addressing this issue through the applicable test procedure and related requirements is appropriate at this time. Accordingly, DOE's proposed language both (1) makes explicit in the regulatory text the Department's long held interpretation that the purpose of the test procedure is to measure representative use and (2) proposes a specific mechanism—the waiver process—as a mandatory requirement for all products for which the test procedure would not properly capture the energy consumption during representative use.

DOE seeks comment on this proposed language to address products equipped with controls or other features that modify the operation of energy using components during testing. The language does not identify specific product characteristics that could make the test procedure unsuitable for testing certain products (
e.g,
modification of operation based on ambient temperature) but rather describes such characteristics generally, in order to assure that the language can apply to any potential features that would yield measurements unrepresentative of the product's energy consumption during a representative use cycle. While the proposed language does not delineate what constitutes representative average consumer use, in DOE's view, this use would include a variety of factors, including ranges of ambient temperature and humidity, multiple door openings of a variety of durations, food product loading, and ice production, among others. DOE seeks comment on this issue and invites commenters to submit any data that would help define the representative average use setting for each of these parameters and seeks comment and data on this issue. DOE also seeks comment on whether more specificity is needed to define (1) the types of product characteristics that would make the test procedure unsuitable to use and (2) the concept of representative average use.

2. Product Clearances to Walls During Testing

Wall clearance is a necessary element to refrigerator and refrigerator-freezer energy efficiency testing because the restriction of airflow due to close proximity to the wall can affect the cooling performance of the condenser. The condenser removes heat from the refrigeration system to the ambient air. In this regard, the current procedure references the steps outlined in HRF-1-1979, which provides that “[t]he space between the back [of the cabinet] and the wall shall be in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions or as determined by mechanical stops on the back of the cabinet.” (HRF-1-1979, section 7.4.2).

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) examined the repeatability of energy testing based on the current DOE procedure and observed that the procedure does not provide clear guidance regarding the required clearance between the rear of a test sample cabinet and the wall of the test chamber or another simulated wall during testing. (Yashar, D.A.
Repeatability of Energy Consumption Test Results for Compact Refrigerators,
September 2000. U.S. Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD. NISTIR.6560, available at
http://www.fire.nist.gov/bfrlpubs/build00/PDF/b00055.pdf
). The alternative instruction provided by the current procedure—
i.e.
“as determined by mechanical stops on the back of the cabinet”—implies that a minimum distance from the wall applies. HRF-1-2008 provides greater specificity by providing that “the space between the back and the test room wall or simulated wall shall be the minimum distance in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions or as determined by mechanical stops on the back of the cabinet.” (HRF-1-2008, section 5.5.2).

Refining this requirement is particularly important for products equipped with static condensers, which rely on free convection (
i.e.
heat transfer by air movement induced by the buoyancy effects of temperature differences rather than by fans) to cool the condenser. Static condensers are generally mounted on the back of the refrigerator or refrigerator-freezer. Manufacturers of most full-size refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers have replaced static condensers with forced-convection condensers (fan-cooled condensers), which are generally mounted at the base of the refrigerator near the compressor.

However, many manufacturers of compact refrigerators and freezers still use static condensers. Compact refrigerators are defined as refrigerators and freezers “with total volume less than 7.75 cubic feet * * * and 36 inches * * * or less in height.” 10 CFR

part 430.2. While the performance of refrigeration products with static condensers tends to be sensitive to rear clearance, the performance of products with forced-convection condensers tends to be less sensitive to this factor. DOE believes that most refrigerators are installed with the back of the refrigerator positioned with at the minimum distance from the wall as specified in the manufacturer's instructions. The limited potential for increasing exterior dimensions is often cited by the industry as a reason why increasing insulation thickness is not a viable design option to improve efficiency for these products. DOE noted this limitation in its technical support document that accompanied the 1997 final rule.
See
62 FR 23102 (April 28, 1997) (noting that “[s]ince kitchen dimensions and designed spaces for refrigerator-freezers are limited, there are restrictions on increasing the exterior size of the product”). (U.S. Department of Energy-Office of Codes and Standards, Technical Support Document: Energy Efficiency Standards for Consumer Products: Refrigerators, Refrigerator-Freezers, and Freezers, DOE/EE-0064, at 3-6 (July 1995)). If there were any significant space between the rear wall of the cabinet and the kitchen wall, this limitation would not be present. Accordingly, positioning a refrigerator or refrigerator-freezer more than the minimum distance from the wall may not produce repeatable or representative performance results during the representative average use cycle or period.

DOE proposes to include in the test procedures of Appendices A1, B1, A, and B, the following language, which more thoroughly addresses clearance to the cabinet walls:

2.9 The space between the back of the cabinet and the test room wall or simulated wall shall be the minimum distance in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. If the instructions do not specify a minimum distance, the cabinet shall be located such that the rear of the cabinet touches the test room wall or simulated wall. The test room wall facing the rear of the cabinet or the simulated wall shall be flat within ¼ inch, and vertical to within 1 degree. The cabinet shall be leveled to within 1 degree of true level, and positioned with its rear wall parallel to the test chamber wall or simulated wall immediately behind the cabinet. Any simulated wall shall be solid and shall extend vertically from the floor to above the height of the cabinet and horizontally beyond both sides of the cabinet.

The additional specifications in this proposed language, including touching the rear wall, flatness and vertical orientation of the wall behind the product, use of a solid wall (
i.e.
rather than a perforated wall or screen), size of the simulated wall, and product orientation to be level and parallel with the wall would collectively help ensure the consistent application of simulated walls in energy testing. DOE believes that these additional requirements are consistent with the current test procedures, as well as the clearance requirements found in HRF-1-1979 and HRF-1-2008, but have the added advantage of providing greater assurance that the intended product installation set-up is used for testing. DOE seeks comment on this approach.

3. Alternative Compartment Temperature Sensor Locations

The current test procedures indicate that temperature sensor locations shall be as indicated in HRF-1-1979, Figures 7.1 and 7.2. (see for example Appendix A1, section 5.1). The test procedure indicates what a manufacturer would do in case the cabinet layout is not consistent with these figures:

If the interior arrangements of the cabinet do not conform with those shown in Figure 7.1 and 7.2 of HRF-1-1979, measurements shall be taken at selected locations chosen to represent approximately the entire refrigerated compartment. The locations selected shall be a matter of record.

Appendix A1, section 5.1

In order to provide clearer instructions, and to avoid the potential for significant deviation from the standard temperature sensor locations, DOE proposes to modify this requirement, allowing manufacturer selection of new locations only for small deviations from the standard locations, and otherwise requiring a waiver to allow for the development of a new diagram addressing the new compartment configuration. DOE proposes the following amended text for section 5.1:

If the interior arrangements of the cabinet do not conform with those shown in Figure 7.1 and 7.2 of HRF-1-1979, the product may be tested by relocating the temperature sensors from the locations specified in the Figures by no more than 2 inches to avoid interference with hardware or components within the cabinet, in which case the specific locations used for the temperature sensors shall be noted in the test data records maintained by the manufacturer in accordance with 10 CFR 430.62(d). For those products equipped with a cabinet that does not conform with Figures 7.1 or 7.2 and cannot be tested in the manner described above, the manufacturer must obtain a waiver under 10 CFR 430.27 to establish an acceptable test procedure for each such product.

DOE expects that the processing of several such waivers and subsequent development and incorporation into the test procedures of new figures describing the test sensor location requirements for modified cabinet styles will help to improve energy testing consistency. DOE proposes to make these changes in Appendices A1 and B1, and to include these requirements in Appendices A and B. DOE seeks comment on the frequency of temperature sensor location revisions from the specifications of the figures of HRF-1-1979, and on whether the exception allowing for minor relocation of sensors is sufficient to limit to a reasonable level the potential number of waivers associated with the proposed requirement.

In order to ensure that manufacturers make DOE aware of small changes in temperature sensor locations to avoid interference with internal hardware, DOE further proposes to include a requirement that manufacturers report that such a change has been made as part of the certification reporting requirements. This additional proposal is discussed in more detail in section III.D.14.

4. Median Temperature Settings for Electronic Control Products

The procedure related to temperature control settings is detailed in section 3 of Appendix A1. The procedure specifies how to set thermostatic controls for the freezer and fresh food compartments of refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers to permit testing that yields results that are interpolated based on compartment temperatures to represent the energy use of these products when operated with the compartment temperatures set at the specified standardized temperatures. Interpolation in this context means calculating the energy use associated with a standardized compartment temperature using two tests. In one test, the compartment temperature is lower than the standardized temperature. In the other test, the compartment temperature is higher than the standardized temperature. This approach is used so that the test measurement can be based on the standardized temperature without requiring the numerous trial and error attempts it generally takes to exactly match this temperature during testing.

Most refrigeration products have user-operable temperature controls, for which the procedures of section 3.2 apply. While section 3.2 provides a number of alternative control setting options, the specific provisions of section 3.2.1 are most often applied because the provisions of sections 3.2.2 and 3.2.3 have special conditions that typically do not apply, such as the

inability to achieve the standardized temperature in the compartment. Section 3.2.1 currently specifies the adjustment of settings as follows:

A first test shall be performed with all compartment temperature controls set at their median position midway between their warmest and coldest settings. Knob detents shall be mechanically defeated if necessary to attain a median setting. A second test shall be performed with all controls set at either their warmest or their coldest setting (not electrically or mechanically bypassed), whichever is appropriate, to attempt to achieve compartment temperatures measured during the two tests which bound (
i.e.,
one is above and one is below) the standardized temperature for the type of product being tested. (10 CFR part 430, subpart B, Appendix A1, section 3.2.1)

DOE is aware of some issues associated with this procedure. First, the section describes the defeating of mechanical detents of controls that do not allow controls to be set in the median position. Many current products have electronic controls, which generally have setpoints indicating specific control temperatures. For these controls, an average of the coldest and warmest temperature settings is generally used as the median. However, in some cases there is no temperature setting exactly equal to this average, and the controls cannot be mechanically defeated as described in the procedure. To address this situation, DOE proposes to modify the test procedure language to specify that products equipped with such electronic controls be tested using one of the following three options: (1) Use of a setting equal to the average of the coldest and warmest settings, (2) use of the setting that is closest to this average, or (3) if there are two settings whose difference with the average is the same, use of the higher of these two such settings. This modification is being proposed for Appendices A1 and B1, and they would be retained for Appendices A and B.

Additional issues and proposed amendments addressing them for Appendices A and B are discussed in section III.E.4.

5. Test Procedures for Convertible Compartments and Special Compartments

Manufacturers recently introduced refrigerator-freezers with compartments that consumers can convert from fresh food to freezer use and vice versa. Under the current DOE test procedure, which references section 7.4.2 of HRF-1-1979, “compartments which are convertible from refrigerator to freezer are operated in the highest energy usage position.” (This section of HRF-1-1979 is referenced in Appendix A1, section 2.2.) DOE believes that the highest energy use position would most likely be the freezer mode since additional energy is required to maintain the colder temperatures required for freezer use when compared to fresh food compartment use. However, DOE recognizes that the requirement does not clarify whether such a compartment is to be controlled as a freezer compartment, or whether the controls are to be set in the absolute highest energy position.

To ascertain how manufacturers might be treating these compartments during testing, DOE examined data reported to the ENERGY STAR program, which are available at
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=refrig.display_products_excel.
Based on DOE's analysis of these data, the entries suggest that some manufacturers may have rated their own products based on the operation of these convertible compartments as fresh food compartments. DOE came to this conclusion after noticing that the calculated adjusted volume matches the reported adjusted volumes when the convertible compartment is treated as a fresh food compartment. Accordingly, to ensure manufacturer clarity, DOE proposes including the following language in section 2 of Appendices A1 and A: “Compartments that are convertible (
e.g,,
from fresh food to freezer) shall be operated in [their] highest energy use position.”

A related situation applies to special compartments that are not convertible from fresh food to freezer. The procedure for such compartments is also described in HRF-1-1979:

Other temperature controllable compartments (such as crispers convertible to meat keepers and temperature adjustable meat keepers) are considered special compartments and are tested with controls set to provide the coldest temperature. (HRF-1-1979 section 7.4.2)

To simplify the requirements of this provision, DOE proposes to add similar language as discussed above into section 2 of Appendices A and A1: “Other temperature controllable compartments (such as crispers convertible to meat keepers), with the exception of butter conditioners, shall also be tested with controls set in the highest energy use position.” DOE believes that this language would retain the purpose contained in the original provisions (
i.e.
to maximize energy usage during energy efficiency testing) while simplifying the language of the procedure.

DOE seeks comment on this proposed change to its procedure.

6. Establishing a Temperature-Averaging Procedure for Auxiliary Compartments

The current DOE test procedure defines a refrigerator-freezer as “a cabinet which consists of two or more compartments with at least one of the compartments designed for the refrigerated storage of food at temperatures above 32 °F and with at least one of the compartments designed for the freezing and storage of food at temperatures below 8 °F.” 10 CFR 430.2. Hence, a refrigerator-freezer includes at least one fresh food compartment and at least one freezer compartment. The definition does not specify the characteristics of any additional compartments.

Some refrigeration products have an additional freezer compartment or an additional fresh food compartment, or both, and some have enclosed compartments within the primary compartments that have separate temperature controls and may represent a substantial fraction of the primary compartment volume. DOE notes that, with respect to the latter group of products, it is not yet proposing a value of this fraction (
i.e.
such as 25% or 35%). However, this concept is necessary in order to distinguish such auxiliary compartments from the “special compartments” discussed in section III.D.5. For the purposes of this discussion, auxiliary compartments are additional compartments in a refrigerator or refrigerator-freezer that are large enough that treatment as special compartments is not appropriate (generally, 2 cubic feet or greater).
1

1
Auxiliary compartments could be entirely separate from the main two compartments of a typical refrigerator-freezer (the freezer compartment and the fresh food compartment), or they could be substantial-volume, separately-controllable compartments located within main compartments. In the latter case, they are referred to as “sub-compartments” for the purposes of this discussion.

As discussed earlier in Section III.D.5, products with additional convertible compartments are examples of refrigerator-freezers equipped with more than two compartments. In such cases, the convertible compartment could be considered an auxiliary compartment.

While the special compartments discussed in section III.D.5 would be tested with their controls set to the highest energy use position under the proposed test procedure modification, the compartments addressed in this section are relatively large (
i.e.
2 cubic feet or larger) and represent instances in which employing the highest energy use position would be inappropriate. The requirements for setting such a compartment at the absolute highest energy use position are inappropriate

because (1) such a compartment would likely be used for general food storage rather than for a limited special purpose and (2) the energy use impact during testing when the controls are set for the absolute highest energy use position would be very significant and would not necessarily be consistent with consumer use.

Both HRF-1-1979 and HRF-1-2008 include definitions and special test procedures for special compartments. However, neither the current test procedure (
i.e.
setting them to their coldest temperature) nor the proposed one (
i.e.
setting them in the highest energy use position) would necessarily be consistent with the required representative average use cycles for compartments representing a substantial fraction of the product's total refrigerated volume. DOE is not aware of many products currently being sold in the U.S. market that have auxiliary compartments. This section discusses issues associated with testing refrigerator-freezers with all such auxiliary compartments.

DOE notes that a large drawer without separate temperature control that is located within a compartment would not be considered a sub-compartment for the purpose of this discussion. Such a drawer would be part of the compartment in which it is housed. In contrast, for the purposes of this discussion, a larger compartment with a separate door
without
separate temperature control would be considered an auxiliary compartment, since it is not part of any other compartment. Further, if one or more drawers or doors that open to the exterior serve a space inside a refrigeration product that is a single compartment, the status as a single compartment is not affected by the presence of the additional drawer(s) or door(s).

While there is no size limit for classification as a special compartment under the current DOE test procedure, and DOE is not currently proposing such a limit, DOE seeks comment on whether such a size limit should be imposed, and what the size limit should be.

As discussed in section III.D.5, the DOE test procedures require that a convertible auxiliary compartment must be tested in the “highest energy usage position.” However, the current test procedures do not state whether the temperature for the compartment must be set at a level to ensure energy use is at its absolute maximum, or whether the temperature must be the standardized test temperature for the higher energy use compartment type (5 °F for a freezer compartment and 45 °F for a fresh food compartment for the current DOE test procedures). DOE proposes that a convertible auxiliary compartment with separate exterior doors be tested as a freezer compartment or fresh food compartment, depending on which of these represents the highest energy usage position. For these compartments, and for nonconvertible auxiliary compartments with separate exterior doors whose operating temperature range specifies their status as freezer or fresh food compartments, DOE proposes that these energy measurements be determined based on the compartment's standardized temperature.

In contrast, DOE proposes that sub-compartments (
i.e.,
auxiliary compartments located entirely within main compartments) be tested with their settings in the absolute highest energy use position. Although the discussion of this section is intended to address large sub-compartments, the common sub-compartments with separate temperature controls found in U.S. refrigerator-freezer products usually occupy a relatively small portion of the fresh food compartment. Examples include ice compartments, meat drawers, deli drawers, and butter conditioning compartments. Hence, DOE believes that the proposed procedures for special compartments described in section III.D.5 (
i.e.
that the consumer-adjustable setting be in its highest energy-use position) are appropriate for these compartments.

In contrast, auxiliary compartments that have their own external doors often have large volumes, which are comparable to the volumes of other compartments associated with the products. An example of such a product is the Samsung RM257ACRS, which has an 11.8 cubic foot fresh food compartment, a 7.0 cubic foot freezer compartment, and two convertible compartments of volumes 3.5 and 2.3 cubic feet.

Given that auxiliary compartments with external doors would be tested as either freezer or fresh food compartments, requirements must be established for (1) temperature settings during testing, (2) measurement of auxiliary compartment temperature, and (3) incorporation of the auxiliary compartment temperature in the calculation of energy consumption. To address these issues, DOE proposes the following changes:

(1) Temperature settings, generally—Consistent with current temperature setting requirements, the temperature settings for auxiliary compartments with external doors that have individual temperature control capability would be the same median, cold, or warm setting required for all compartments when performing testing as described in section III.D.4.

(2) Auxiliary compartment temperature measurements—Measurement of compartment temperature during testing is done using temperature sensors. The placement of temperature sensors (typically thermocouples) is specified in HRF-1-1979 in section 7.4.3.2 and Figure 7.1 for fresh food compartments and in section 7.4.3.3 and Figure 7.2 for freezer compartments. The DOE test procedures incorporate by reference these sections of HRF-1-1979. They provide further instructions on determination of compartment temperature, stating that the “measured temperature of a compartment is to be the average of all sensor temperature readings taken in that compartment at a particular time.” (10 CFR part 430, subpart B, Appendix A1, section 5.1.1), and the “compartment temperature for each test period shall be an average of the measured temperatures taken in a compartment during a complete cycle or several complete cycles of the compressor motor (one compressor cycle is one complete motor `on' and one complete motor `off' period).” Id. at section 5.1.2. The same procedures for measuring the compartment temperature during testing would be used for auxiliary compartments with external doors.

(3) Incorporation of auxiliary compartment temperature measurements in the test procedure calculations—Calculation of freezer temperature for a product with more than one freezer compartment (including one or more auxiliary freezer compartments with external doors) would be a weighted average of the compartment temperatures measured within each freezer compartment. The weighting factors for this average would be the calculated compartment volumes. Likewise, calculation of fresh food temperature for a product with more than one fresh food compartment (including one or more auxiliary fresh food compartments with external doors) would be a volume-weighted average of the measured compartment temperatures. These freezer and fresh food temperatures would be used both in the determination of the appropriate temperature settings for subsequent testing, and in the energy use calculation. The calculation of daily energy consumption, described for refrigerators or refrigerator-freezers in section 6.2.2 of Appendix A1, uses the freezer or fresh food compartment temperature in the equation. This

approach would be adopted for auxiliary compartments using the volume-weighted average temperatures.

DOE proposes these amendments to address auxiliary compartments with external doors in Appendices A1 and A. DOE proposes similar amendments to address auxiliary compartments of freezers in Appendices B1 and B. DOE further proposes a definition for “separate auxiliary compartments” to refer to these auxiliary compartments with external doors that would be treated in the test procedures as described in this section. This definition would read as follows:

“Separate auxiliary compartment” means a freezer compartment or a fresh food compartment of a refrigerator or refrigerator-freezer having more than two compartments that is not the first freezer compartment or the first fresh food compartment. Access to a separate auxiliary compartment is through a separate exterior door or doors rather than through the door or doors of another compartment. Separate auxiliary compartments may be convertible (
e.g,,
from fresh food to freezer).

DOE seeks comment on this proposed approach.

7. Modified Definition for Anti-Sweat Heater

The DOE test procedure for refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers defines an “anti-sweat heater” as “a device incorporated into the design of a refrigerator or refrigerator-freezer to prevent the accumulation of moisture on exterior surfaces of the cabinet under conditions of high ambient humidity.” 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix A1, section 1.3. (This accumulated moisture is commonly referred to as “sweat”, and the process of accumulation of such moisture is called “sweating”.) Similarly, the DOE test procedure for freezers defines an “anti-sweat heater” as “a device incorporated into the design of a freezer to prevent the accumulation of moisture on exterior surfaces of the cabinet under conditions of high ambient humidity.” 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, Appendix B1, section 1.2. Some refrigerator-freezers also use anti-sweat heaters to prevent moisture accumulation on internal surfaces of the cabinet. In particular, manufacturers of French door refrigerator-freezers with through the door (TTD) ice service have used anti-sweat heaters to prevent accumulation of moisture inside the fresh food compartment near the air duct that carries refrigerated air to the ice compartment.

In DOE's view, to obtain consistency and an accurate measurement of all energy consuming components, the anti-sweat heater regulations should apply to any anti-sweat heater regardless of the heater location. To ensure that this result occurs, DOE proposes to modify the definitions of anti-sweat heater for both the refrigerator and refrigerator-freezer test procedures and for the freezer test procedures to apply to both interior and exterior surfaces. DOE proposes to make these changes in Appendices A1 and B1, and to include these modified definitions in Appendices A and B.

This proposed modification does not change the test procedure. Rather, it clarifies that interior heaters used to prevent sweating are to be treated as anti-sweat heaters for purposes of calculating energy usage under the procedure.

DOE seeks comment on this proposed clarification.

Additionally, in DOE's view, the current and proposed definitions of an anti-sweat heater encompass devices that prevent moisture accumulation. However, DOE is considering modifying the anti-sweat heater definition to indicate that a heater that prevents the accumulation of moisture, irrespective of whether that heater is designated as an anti-sweat heater, should be defined as an anti-sweat heater. DOE is interested in whether additional specificity is required to bring further clarity to this concept, and seeks public comment.

8. Testing With the Anti-Sweat Heater Switch Turned Off

The energy conservation standards for refrigeration products are based on annual energy use calculated for these products. The annual energy use is calculated based on a “standard cycle,” which is defined as “the cycle type in which the anti-sweat heater control, when provided, is set in the highest energy consuming position.” This term is applied throughout the regulatory provisions governing refrigeration products.
See, e.g,
10 CFR 430.23(a)(5) and (b)(5) (applying the term “standard cycle”), 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, Appendix A1, section 1.7 (defining “standard cycle” for refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers), and 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, Appendix B1, section 1.5 (defining “standard cycle” for freezers).

In contrast, the annual operating cost, which serves as the basis for the figures reported on the Federal Trade Commission's EnergyGuide label, can be calculated based on the average of energy consumption test results using the standard cycle and a cycle with the anti-sweat heater switch positioned as it is when shipped from the factory. See 10 CFR 430.23(a)(2) and (b)(2). DOE understands that most manufacturers test refrigeration products equipped with anti-sweat heater switches in this fashion, and use the same results for reporting both energy use and annual operating cost.

DOE added the energy use calculation requirements to the test procedure on February 7, 1989. 54 FR 6062. At the time of the final rule's publication, the annual operating cost calculation had already been established in the test procedure. The final rule, however, did not discuss the different treatment between the calculation for energy use and the calculation of annual operating cost.

It is unclear to DOE whether a need exists for the distinction between the annual operating cost and the energy use calculations. Accordingly, DOE is proposing to modify the calculation for annual energy use to ensure consistency with the annual operating cost calculation. These changes would be implemented by making changes to 10 CFR 430.23(a) and 10 CFR 430.23(b).

This test procedure modification would not affect the way manufacturers test products to establish their ratings or alter the measured energy use of these products.

9. Incorporation of Test Procedures for Products With Variable Anti-Sweat Heating Control Waivers

On February 27, 2008, DOE published a decision and order granting GE with a waiver from the DOE test procedure (“GE waiver”) to allow the company to use a modified test procedure for a line of appliances that use ambient condition sensors to adjust the wattage of anti-sweat heaters. 73 FR 10425. These sensors use the detected humidity levels to adjust anti-sweat heater operation to prevent condensation. DOE granted a similar waiver to Whirlpool Corporation on May 5, 2009. 74 FR 20695. DOE published a petition for a third such waiver from Electrolux Home Products, Inc. (Electrolux) and granted the application for an interim waiver on June 4, 2009. 74 FR 26853. This waiver was granted on December 15, 2009. 74 FR 66338. Electrolux also submitted a petition to extend the initial waiver to additional products—DOE published this petition and granted the associated application for an interim waiver on December 15, 2009. 74 FR 66344. Samsung also petitioned DOE for a waiver for this type of control for anti-sweat heaters. The Samsung petition was published and the associated application for interim waiver granted on December 15, 2009. 74 FR 66340.

Because ambient humidity of the test chamber is not specified in the DOE test procedures, the current test procedure is unable to accurately determine the annual energy use contribution of anti-sweat heaters. The test procedure allowed under the GE waiver involves (1) conducting energy testing with the anti-sweat heater switch in the “off” position, and (2) adding a correction factor to account for the additional energy use associated with the anti-sweat heater for a standard cycle (
i.e.,
a cycle with the anti-sweat heater switch in the “on” position). 73 FR 10427. While the test procedure allowed under the GE waiver assumes that the anti-sweat heater operates on a switch that can turn off the heater, this feature would not necessarily be present on all products equipped with variable anti-sweat heater control systems.

The test procedure allowed under the GE waiver specifies calculation of the correction factor as follows:

Correction Factor = (Anti-sweat Heater Power × System-loss Factor) × (24 hrs/1 day) × (1 kW/1000 W)

Where: Anti-sweat Heater Power

= A1 * (Heater Watts at 5%RH)

+ A2 * (Heater Watts at 15%RH)

+ A3 * (Heater Watts at 25%RH)

+ A4 * (Heater Watts at 35%RH)

+ A5 * (Heater Watts at 45%RH)

+ A6 * (Heater Watts at 55%RH)

+ A7 * (Heater Watts at 65%RH)

+ A8 * (Heater Watts at 75%RH)

+ A9 * (Heater Watts at 85%RH)

+ A10 * (Heater Watts at 95%RH)

Where A1-A10 are from the following table:

A1 = 0.034

A2 = 0.211

A3 = 0.204

A4 = 0.166

A5 = 0.126

A6 = 0.119

A7 = 0.069

A8 = 0.047

A9 = 0.008

A10 = 0.015

73 FR 10427

The System-Loss Factor noted in the above calculation accounts for additional energy use (a) of the refrigeration system to overcome the increased cabinet load imposed by the anti-sweat heater, and (b) of the controls associated with the anti-sweat heater. 73 FR 10427. The GE waiver specifies a System-Loss Factor of 1.3, based on experience-related data developed by GE. Factors A1 through A10 represent the national average frequency of occurrence for various ambient relative humidity ranges that a refrigerator is likely to experience in a typical consumer household. GE determined these factors based on 30 years of weather data for 50 major population centers within the United States. 73 FR 10427. The GE waiver defines the Heater Watts parameter of Equation 1 as “the nominal watts used by all heaters at that specific relative humidity, 72 °F ambient, and DOE reference temperatures of fresh food (FF) average temperature of 45 °F and freezer (FZ) average temperature of 5 °F.” 73 FR 10427.

However, the alternate test procedure permitted under the GE waiver does not state how the Heater Watts parameter is determined during an energy test conducted under the waiver. It also does not disclose the associated number of heater-watts for each product equipped with variable anti-sweat control features. Hence, it would be impossible to independently verify published energy consumption measured under the GE, Whirlpool, Electrolux, or Samsung waivers. To address these deficiencies, DOE is proposing to incorporate a modified version of the GE waiver procedure into Appendices A and A1.

Proposed Amendment

DOE proposes amending its test procedures to require measurements of variable anti-sweat heater energy contribution under various specific ambient air conditions to permit laboratory verification of the resulting energy consumption estimates. DOE also proposes using the relative humidity factors A1 through A10 established in the GE waiver. The proposed changes would be implemented by modifications in various sections of Appendix A1, which would also be implemented in Appendix A. These humidity factors represent the national average frequency of the relative humidity levels for refrigeration product ambient conditions. While field test data corroborating the methodology for determining typical consumer household humidity levels were not provided as part of the waiver petition, DOE is unaware of more accurate or comprehensive information to better represent field conditions.

Although the GE waiver includes a calculation involving ten relative humidities, testing to determine performance of variable anti-sweat heater control systems would not require ten separate measurements. The proposed approach is based on the fact that the rate of heat energy input supplied by the electric anti-sweat heaters required to prevent condensation at a fixed ambient temperature and compartment temperature should vary linearly with dew point temperature (
i.e.,
the temperature of a given mixture of dry air and water vapor at 100% relative humidity). This means that the wattage increment associated with the heater control system needs to be determined for only two humidity conditions. DOE defines this type of anti-sweat heater control as “ideal”.

Based on DOE's analysis, at a fixed ambient air dry-bulb temperature such as the 72 °F ambient specified in the GE waiver, ideal anti-sweat heater power varies linearly as a function of dew point temperature, increasing from zero power at some dew point temperature lower than the ambient dry bulb temperature (
i.e.,
at low relative humidity) to a maximum requirement at a dew point temperature equal to the ambient dry bulb temperature (
i.e.,
at 100% relative humidity). DOE conducted this analysis for a surface that (1) loses heat to the refrigerator interior at a rate proportional to the difference in temperature between the surface and the interior, (2) gains heat from the ambient air at a rate proportional to the difference in temperature between the ambient air and the surface, and (3) gains a controlled amount of heat from the anti-sweat heater to maintain the surface at a fixed small temperature difference (such as 1 °F) above the dew-point temperature of the ambient air.

One can establish correlations for the ideal heater wattage once the heat-flow characteristics from the heated surfaces to the refrigerator interior and the ambient air are understood. The linear nature of these correlations with respect to ambient dew point suggests that tests conducted at a limited number of ambient humidity conditions could provide sufficient information about the operating characteristics of a variable anti-sweat heating system. Based on DOE's analysis, for operation in a normal ambient near 72 °F, the freezer compartment of a typical refrigerator-freezer should require no anti-sweat heating at relative humidities below roughly 50 percent and the fresh food compartment of a typical refrigerator-freezer should require no anti-sweat heating at relative humidities below roughly 65 percent. However, the actual relative humidity at which no anti-sweat heat is needed would vary among products and even at different surfaces of the same product, depending on design details.

DOE proposes to amend the DOE test procedures to determine the incremental energy contribution of the variable anti-sweat heater in the manner described below.

a. DOE proposes specifying that tests be conducted in a chamber with both temperature and humidity control to

verify the behavior of the variable anti-sweat heater control. Three tests would be conducted, as described below.

i.
Ambient Conditions:
The tests would be conducted in a chamber controlled to 72 ± 1 °F dry bulb temperature, at three different relative humidities, 95 ± 2 percent, 65 ± 2 percent, and 25 ± 10 percent. DOE proposes wide tolerances in the relative humidity for the 25 percent relative humidity test because it is expected that the anti-sweat heater would be turned off throughout this range of conditions, thus obviating the need for tight control. The 25 percent relative humidity test would determine energy use of the refrigerator-freezer with the anti-sweat heaters turned off in the 72 °F dry bulb condition specified for these tests. The difference in energy use measured during this test and energy use measured during the tests conducted at 65 percent and 95 percent relative humidities would be the energy use contribution of the anti-sweat heaters at the higher humidities.

ii.
Cabinet Temperatures:
Appendix A1, as amended, would specify cabinet temperatures of 5 ± 2 °F in the freezer compartment and 38 ± 2 °F in the fresh food compartment for the variable anti-sweat heater tests. Appendix A would specify cabinet temperatures of 0 °F ± 2 °F in the freezer compartment and 39 °F ± 2 °F in the fresh food compartment, consistent with the new compartment temperatures prescribed in HRF-1-2008. These modified cabinet temperatures would be more consistent with the modified standardized cabinet temperatures used for all of the testing conducted under Appendix A.

iii.
Test Period:
Each test would be similar to an energy test for a refrigerator without automatic defrost (as described in section 4.1.1 of 10 CFR part 430 subpart B Appendix A1), including compressor cycling but no defrost cycles.

iv.
Stabilization:
The test would require waiting to achieve steady state conditions as the test starts. However, for each test that is conducted immediately following another test in which the ambient dry bulb temperature is maintained between tests, the standard stabilization period may be waived, and the test can proceed two hours after the required ambient humidity conditions have been established.

b. The energy use in kilowatt-hours per day for the 25-percent relative humidity test would be subtracted from the energy use per day for the 95-percent and 65-percent relative humidity tests to determine energy use contributions of the anti-sweat heaters at 95-percent and 65-percent relative humidities.

c. DOE proposes calculating the anti-sweat heater energy contributions for the same ten relative humidities specified in the GE waiver based on the measured energy use contributions of the variable anti-sweat heaters at 95-percent and 65-percent relative humidity, assuming that the anti-sweat heater energy contribution varies linearly with dew point, but with a minimum energy contribution of zero kilowatt-hours (
i.e.,
the anti-sweat heater cannot have negative energy use, which would represent electric energy generation). The correction factor would be calculated using the ten RH factors (A1 through A10), but without using the system adjustment factor (1.3 in the GE waiver) and without converting from watts to kilowatt-hours.

d. The correction factor would be added to the energy use measured for a normal energy test as conducted in 90 °F ambient temperature.

e. For a product with an anti-sweat heater switch, DOE proposes to require that all tests be conducted with the switch in the on position, in order to ensure proper measurement of the energy use associated with the ambient sensing functions of the variable anti-sweat heating control, and to reduce the possibility of circumvention associated with the switch—
i.e.
using this switch to control heaters or components other than the anti-sweat heater. In order to ensure that the anti-sweat heater itself is not energized during the normal energy test conducted in 90 °F ambient conditions, this energy test would be conducted in a chamber with sufficiently low humidity to prevent activation of the heater. DOE proposes adding the following language to Appendix A1, section 2.1: “If the product being tested has variable anti-sweat heater control, the ambient relative humidity shall be no more than 35%.”

f. DOE proposes eliminating the averaging of tests with the anti-sweat heater switch on and off for products with variable anti-sweat heater control. The GE waiver specifies that the correction factor for the energy use associated with the variable anti-sweat heaters would be applied to the standard cycle. 73 FR 10427. Under the current test procedure, the standard cycle is a cycle with the anti-sweat heater switch turned on. (10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix A1, section 1.7). The calculation of annual operating cost for a product with an anti-sweat heater switch is based on an average of a test with (1) the switch set in its position just prior to shipping from the factory (typically off) and (2) a test of the standard cycle. 10 CFR 430.23(a)(2).

However, this approach of averaging of the standard cycle and the cycle for a test with the anti-sweat heater switch turned off is inappropriate for products with variable anti-sweat heater control because the position of the switch would impact the operation of the anti-sweat heaters only during times when ambient conditions are sufficiently humid to trigger the operation of the anti-sweat heater. For this reason, it is unlikely that the switch would be moved to the off position during times when it could save energy. Hence, it is unlikely that the anti-sweat heater switch could generate any significant energy savings in addition to the savings provided by the variable control. Accordingly, DOE proposes to eliminate the averaging of tests with the anti-sweat heater switch turned on and with the switch turned off for products equipped with variable anti-sweat heating.

The above proposed modifications to the test procedure to address variable anti-sweat heater control would be made in both Appendices A1 and A. DOE is proposing at this time to implement the variable anti-sweat heater test only for refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers because of the limited use of electric anti-sweat heaters in freezers. DOE seeks comments as to whether a similar requirement in Appendices B1 and B should also apply to freezers.

DOE seeks comments regarding the proposed test procedures for measurement of energy use of products with variable anti-sweat heater control.

10. Modification of Long-Time and Variable Defrost Test Method To Capture Precooling Energy

DOE is proposing to modify the test method for products with long-time or variable defrost to capture precooling energy. Precooling involves cooling the compartment(s) of a refrigerator-freezer to temperatures significantly lower than the user-selected temperature settings prior to an automatic defrost cycle. Before DOE established test procedures for long-time defrost (defrost control in which compressor run time between defrosts exceeds 14 hours) and variable defrost (defrost control in which the time interval between defrosts is adjusted based on the need,
i.e.
on the amount of moisture collecting on the evaporator as frost), the DOE test procedures had captured energy use associated with defrost by specifying that duration of an energy test be “from one point during a defrost period to the same point during the next defrost

period.” 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, Appendix A1, section 4.1.2. In 1982, DOE amended the test procedures to include the alternative procedure for long-time defrost (section 4.1.2.1 of Appendix A1) to accommodate long periods of time between defrosts (
i.e.
significantly greater than 24 hours of test time) without making the energy test period unduly burdensome. 47 FR 34517 (August 10, 1982).

The current long-time defrost test consists of two parts. The first part measures the steady cycling energy use of the refrigerator-freezer with no contribution from the defrost cycle. The second part measures all of the energy use contribution associated with the defrost cycle. The equation for total energy use for a 24-hour period combines these two energy use contributions and weights the measurement of the second part of the test based on the reciprocal of compressor run time between defrosts. 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, Appendix A1, section 5.2.1.2.

The variable defrost test, introduced in 1989, accommodates even longer times between defrosts compared to the time periods in the long-time defrost test. (
See
54 FR 36238 discussing calculated values of CT (hours of compressor run time between defrosts to be used in the equation for energy consumption) with values ranging from 28.96 to 45 hours, as compared to approximately 14 hours for long-time defrost). The current DOE test procedures provide an optional step (Part 3) to measure the mean time between defrosts based on “typical” ambient and door-opening conditions. This optional step would be used in cases where a manufacturer chooses to measure the mean time between defrosts rather than using the default value prescribed by the test procedure. 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, Appendix A1.

When DOE first introduced the test method for long-time defrost in 1982, few refrigerator-freezers, if any, employed electronic controls. Instead, refrigerator-freezers controlled defrost using mechanical defrost controllers. Because of their simpler nature, mechanical defrost controllers are incapable of performing any of the more complex control functions handled by models equipped with electronic controls.

On August 3, 2001, DOE granted an interim test procedure waiver to Electrolux Home Products (Electrolux) for products that use a sophisticated control algorithm. 66 FR 40689. The associated test procedure modification was incorporated into the DOE test procedure on March 7, 2003. 68 FR 10957. The modified procedure allows a delay between the end of the last compressor on-cycle and the start of the defrost cycle. This delay saves energy by allowing the evaporator to warm naturally after the compressor turns off. 66 FR 40690. The modified test method only applies to products using long-time or variable defrost. If such a control strategy were applied to a product not equipped with long-time or variable defrost, the product would be tested in accordance with Appendix A1, section 4.1.2, which specifies a test period “from one point during a defrost period to the same point during the next defrost period.” Such a test would measure the reduction in energy use from the natural warming of the evaporator, making this modified procedure unnecessary.

Precooling before defrost also requires a more sophisticated control system than a defrost timer. A precooling control system initiates an extra long compressor run (
i.e.
a compressor on-cycle that continues for at least 10% of the length of a typical compressor on-cycle after the compartment temperature has dropped down to the temperature at which the compressor typically turns off during steady state cycling operation between defrosts) before the defrost cycle to reduce the temperature of the cabinet or one of its compartments significantly more than would occur during a normal compressor cycle. Precooling before defrost may prevent unacceptable increases in freezer compartment temperature during the defrost cycle. Precooling will also reduce the recovery time after a defrost cycle, which could reduce the measured energy use of the recovery portion of the defrost cycle. However, the long time automatic defrost test procedure does not consider the energy use of compressor operation to provide precooling, since the second part of the test starts after compressor operation has stopped but prior to the initiation of a defrost cycle. The measured energy use of a refrigerator-freezer or freezer using precooling before the defrost cycle may underrepresent the product's actual energy consumption.

DOE intends for its test procedures to capture all of the energy use associated with defrost and to provide results that accurately represent the energy use of the product by consumers. In light of this intent and the recognized limitations present in the current procedure, DOE proposes modifying the test method for long-time defrost in a manner consistent with what Fisher Paykel suggested in its comment to the Electrolux petition for waiver mentioned above. 68 FR 10958. Fisher Paykel proposed amending the third sentence of section 4.1.2.1 of the test procedure to read as follows: “The second part would start at the last compressor off [-cycle] that is part of steady-state operation (or at a point still within stable operation if there are no temperature swings) before a defrost is initiated * * *.” 68 FR 10958. Currently, section 4.1.2.1 calls for the second part of the test to start either when the defrost heater is energized or at the end of the last compressor on-cycle prior to defrost. If this last compressor on-cycle is an extended run for precooling, its energy use impact will be captured neither in the first part nor the second part of the test. Amending the test procedure as described would enable the test to capture such an increase in compressor run time needed to accomplish precooling before the defrost cycle occurs.

The language suggested by Fisher-Paykel addressing the “no temperature swings” scenario apparently referred to systems with variable-speed compressors that modulate capacity over a wide range such that the compressor operates at a low speed but does not turn off during steady-state operation between defrosts. DOE is aware that such products have been commercialized. However, DOE believes that the instructions suggested by Fisher Paykel for this type of operation are not sufficiently clear to ensure consistent application of the test procedure because such stable operation has not been defined. DOE proposes to clarify that the second part of the test would start when the compartment temperatures are within their measured ranges during steady state operation or within 0.5 °F of their average temperature during steady state operation if this range is 1 °F or less when testing products that do not experience compressor off cycles during steady-state operation between defrosts. Language addressing the end of the second part of the test for products for which there is no compressor off-cycle between defrosts is not needed, because this possibility is already addressed by the maximum time for the test of 4 hours after the defrost heater is first energized.

Accordingly, DOE proposes modifying the description of the long time automatic defrost test procedure found in section 4.1.2.1 as follows for Appendices A1, A, B1, and B:

4.1.2.1 Long-time Automatic Defrost. If the model being tested has a long-time automatic defrost system, the two-part test described in this section may be used. The first part is the same as the test for a unit

having no defrost provisions (section 4.1.1). The second part starts when the compressor turns off at the end of a period of steady-state cycling operation just before initiation of the defrost control sequence. If the compressor does not cycle during steady-state operation between defrosts, the second part starts at a time when the compartment temperatures are within their ranges measured during steady state operation, or within 0.5 °F of the average during steady state operation for a compartment with a temperature range during steady state operation no greater than 1 °F. This control sequence may include additional compressor operation prior to energizing the defrost heater. The second part terminates when the compressor turns on the second time after the defrost control sequence or 4 hours after the defrost heater is energized, whichever occurs first. See Figure 1.

In conjunction with these changes, DOE proposes modifying the current illustration in Appendix A1, which shows how to measure long-time defrost and would be modified to reflect the proposed language discussed above. DOE also proposes adding a second illustration showing the appropriate measurement technique when there is precooling. These amendments are proposed for both Appendices A1 and A.

DOE anticipates that these proposed modifications could affect the energy use measurement for those products that employ precooling. However, these products represent a minority of the products available on the market. Adjustment of energy use standards to address the small increase in the measurement for these products would be a relaxation of energy use standards for all other products. If an adjustment were made to accommodate the minority of products with precooling, the energy use of a given product class would be increased. This would represent an increase in allowable energy use for the majority of products of the class for which the new test would make no change in measured energy use.

DOE is aware that sophisticated control systems could be used to reduce the energy use measured in the second part of the test through the use of partial temperature recovery after the defrost, followed later by a full recovery. This control scheme cuts short the first on-cycle of the compressor after the defrost heater has been energized, before cabinet temperatures recover fully. The second part of the test then stops when the compressor starts operating a second time. The second compressor on-cycle is allowed to run long enough for full cabinet temperature recovery, but this additional energy use is not captured in the test. A number of options could be considered to address this issue including, but not limited to, the following: (1) Requiring the recovery to continue until the average freezer temperature is within a specified temperature difference of the average lowest temperature attained during steady-state cycling operation, (2) requiring that the test continue for a specified extended time period after completion of defrost, and (3) requiring that the average temperature of the compartment during the second part of the test be incorporated into the freezer temperature calculation. DOE requests comments on whether consideration should be given to further modification of the test to avoid partial recovery and, if so, what type of changes would be appropriate.

11. Establishing Test Procedures for Multiple Defrost Cycle Types

DOE is aware of products that use more than one control sequence for defrost cycles. Examples include products with refrigeration systems equipped with a single compressor and two evaporators, in which the evaporators have different defrost frequencies. Each defrost cycle type may have a different control sequence. For example, one defrost cycle type may involve defrosting the freezer evaporator while another may involve defrosting the fresh food evaporator. Alternatively, one defrost cycle type may involve defrosting both evaporators, while another may involve defrosting the fresh food evaporator, which may require more frequent defrost cycles. The current test procedures do not address products that employ these types of defrost cycles. DOE proposes to remedy this omission by defining the term “defrost cycle type” as follows.

“Defrost cycle type” means a distinct sequence of control whose function is to remove frost and/or ice from a refrigerated surface. There may be variations in the sequence of control for defrost such as the number of defrost heaters energized. Each such variation establishes a separate distinct defrost cycle type.

In cases where these systems use automatic defrost control with less than fourteen hours of compressor run time between defrosts for all defrost cycle types, and in which compressor run hours for distinct defrost cycle types are multiples of each other (
e.g.,
the freezer defrost occurs every 12 hours of compressor run time and the fresh food defrost occurs every 6 hours of compressor run time), the automatic defrost test procedure of 10 CFR 430, subpart B, Appendix A1, section 4.1.2 applies. This procedure includes a single test period, which lasts “from one point during a defrost period to the same point during the next defrost period.” (10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix A1 section 4.1.2). As currently written, the defrost period can be interpreted as being associated with the defrost cycle type with the longest compressor run time between defrosts, which would enable the test procedure to measure all energy use, including the defrost energy use of the product. DOE proposes to amend the language in the current procedure to ensure that the defrost period used during testing is the period associated with the defrost cycle type with the longest time between defrosts.

In particular, DOE proposes to establish a procedure that addresses the energy contribution of each of the defrost cycle types. Appendix A1 currently provides a procedure for long time defrost that allows separate measurement of the energy use associated with the defrost cycle in a second part of the test. 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, Appendix A1, section 4.1.2.1. DOE proposes that this second part of the test be applied separately to each of the defrost cycle types and that the energy use contribution associated with each of these defrost cycle types be included in the energy use calculation. The calculation would be adjusted as appropriate according to the applicable frequency of the cycle types.

DOE proposes to incorporate these changes into Appendix A1 and the new Appendix A. The changes are not considered to be applicable to freezers, making similar changes to Appendices B and B1 unnecessary.

DOE seeks comments on this approach and its related assumptions and analyses.

12. Elimination of Part 3 of the Variable Defrost Test

As described in section III.D.10, language addressing variable defrost was introduced in the test procedures in August 1989. 54 FR 36238. This test procedure amendment established a three-part test for products equipped with variable defrost. Part 1 measures the steady-state energy use between defrosts. Part 2 measures the energy use associated with each defrost cycle. Part 3, which is optional, provides a measurement of the time interval between defrosts. 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix A1, sections 4.1.2.1 and 4.1.2.2 (describing Parts 1 and 2 of the variable defrost test).

Part 3 reads as follows:

4.1.2.3 Variable defrost control optional test. After steady-state conditions with no door openings are achieved in accordance with section 3.3 above, the test is continued

using the above daily door-opening sequence until stabilized operation is achieved. Stabilization is defined as a minimum of three consecutive defrost cycles with times between defrosts that will allow the calculation of a Mean Time Between Defrosts (MTBD1) that satisfies the statistical relationship of 90 percent confidence. The test is repeated on at least one more unit of the model and until the Mean Time Between Defrosts for the multiple unit tests (MTBD2) satisfies the statistical relationship. If the time between defrosts is greater than 96 hours (compressor “on” time) and this defrost period can be repeated on a second unit, the test may be terminated at 96 hours (CT) and the absolute time value used for MTBD for each unit.

10 CRF part 430, subpart B, appendix A1, section 4.1.2.3.

The time required to conduct this part of the test ranges from 1 to 2 weeks, which can double since a second unit must also be tested.
2

DOE had previously estimated that the energy use captured during this part of the test to comprise between 1.5 to 7 percent of a tested unit's total energy consumption.
See
47 FR 34522 and 54 FR 36238. DOE's testing of refrigeration products to support the energy conservation standard rulemaking involved testing one product using the third part of the test, as described above. Using the optional Part 3, the test yielded a CT value of 20.9 hours, while using the default CT calculation (using the default value 0.2 for F, as specified in Appendix A1 section 5.2.1.3) resulted in a value of 24.0 hours. The energy use calculated using the CT determined by the test differs from the energy use determined using the default value of CT by less than 0.4%.
3

In this case, use of the default results in a lower energy use, but achieving a reduction of 0.4% in the measured energy use would generally not be sufficient to justify running the Part 3 test. Because of the high test burden and the small amount of energy use involved, a manufacturer may decide not to use this optional step. DOE is unaware of any manufacturer that has used the test to rate a refrigeration product.

2
As an example, DOE contracted with a test facility to conduct such a test in October 2008. This test was started on October 10 at 4 p.m. and continued until October 21 at 8 p.m., a total duration of more than 11 days.

3
The energy use contribution of defrost is inversely proportional to the value of CT, which represents hours of compressor run time between defrosts.

Manufacturers that choose not to conduct the optional third part of the test instead use a prescribed equation to determine the appropriate time interval between defrosts for use when calculating energy consumption. The equation is described as follows:

CT = (CT
L
× CT
M
)/(F × (CT
M
−CT
L
) + CT
L
)

CT
L
= least or shortest time between defrosts in tenths of an hour (greater than or equal to six but less than or equal to 12 hours)

CT
M
= maximum time between defrost cycles in tenths of an hour (greater than CT
L
but not more than 96 hours)

10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix A1, section 5.2.1.3

In the equation for CT, the value F is the ratio of per day energy consumption in excess of the least energy and the maximum difference in per day energy consumption, and is set equal to 0.2 if the optional part of the test is not conducted to determine CT directly. (Appendix A1, section 5.2.1.3). For example, if using the maximum time between defrosts and the minimum time between defrosts in the equation for defrost contribution to energy use gives results of 0.1 and 0.2 kilowatt-hours per day, a value of CT would be selected so that the defrost energy use contribution is set equal to 0.1 + 0.2 × (0.2−0.1), equal to 0.12 kilowatt-hours per day.

Since the alternative energy calculation method can be used, the optional step is not necessary. As mentioned above, DOE is unaware of any manufacturers that use this optional part, which indicates that the industry generally considers the equation for CT described above to be an adequate representation of the performance of variable defrost systems. For this reason, and to simplify the test procedure, DOE proposes to eliminate this optional test. This amendment would be made in both Appendices A1 and B1.

13. Corrections and Other Test Procedure Language Changes

This section discusses two other proposed amendments to the current test procedure.

A: Simplification of Energy Use Equation for Products With Variable Defrost Control

Section 5.2.1.3 of Appendix A1 provides the equation for ET, energy use in kilowatt-hours per day, for refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers with variable defrost:

ET = (1440 × EP1/T1) + (EP2−(EP1 × T2/T1)) × (12/CT)

where 1440 is defined in 5.2.1.1 and EP1, EP2, T1, T2 and 12 are defined in 5.2.1.2.

CT = (CTL × CT
M
)/(F × (CT
M
−CT
L
) + CT
L
)

CT
L
= least or shortest time between defrosts in tenths of an hour (greater than or equal to six but less than or equal to 12 hours)

CT
M
= maximum time between defrost cycles in tenths of an hour (greater than CTL but not more than 96 hours)

F = ratio of per day energy consumption in excess of the least energy and the maximum difference in per day energy consumption and is equal to

F = (1/CT − 1/CT
M
)/(1/CT
L
− 1/CT
M
) = (ET−ET
L
)/(ET
M
−ET
L
) or 0.20 in lieu of testing to find CT.

ET
L
= least electrical energy used (kilowatt hours)

ET
M
= maximum electrical energy used (kilowatt hours)

For variable defrost models with no values for CT
L
and CT
M
in the algorithm the default values of 12 and 84 shall be used, respectively.

10 CFR part 430, subpart B, Appendix A1, section 5.2.1.3.

Should DOE adopt the changes to the variable defrost control test as discussed in Section III.D.12 above,—
i.e.,
eliminating it—much of the language describing the factor F (
i.e.,
the ratio of daily energy consumption in excess of the difference between the maximum and minimum (“least”) daily energy consumption) explained above in section III.D.12) would no longer be necessary and would be dropped. For cases in which the optional Part 3 is not conducted, CT is calculated based on the default value of F, and either the manufacturer-specified or the default values of CT
M
and CT
L.
If, on the other hand, DOE retains the optional step, the agency believes that the clarifying equations for F, ET
L
(least electrical energy used (kilowatt hours)), and ET
M
(maximum electrical energy used (kilowatt hours)) are not needed, as described below. For cases in which the optional step is conducted to measure the value of CT (
i.e.,
hours of compressor run time between defrosts to be used in the equation for energy consumption), this value is u

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A2010-11957. Public record. Not legal advice.