Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products: Proposed Rule Adding Test Procedures for Externally Vented Refrigerators and Refrigerator-Freezers

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

10 CFR Part 430

RIN No. 1904-AA93

Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products: Proposed Rule

Adding Test Procedures for Externally Vented Refrigerators and

Refrigerator-Freezers

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

Energy.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Energy (Department or DOE) proposes test

procedures for measuring the energy consumption of an externally vented

refrigerator and externally vented refrigerator-freezer, a

technological innovation which is not accommodated by the existing test

procedures. Today's proposal would not change in any way the test

procedures applicable to refrigerator and refrigerator-freezer designs

without venting.

DATES: Written comments in response to this notice must be received by

May 8, 1997. The Department requests 10 copies of the comments and, if

possible, a computer disk. The Department is currently using

WordPerfectTM 6.1.

ADDRESSES: Written comments are to be submitted to: U.S. Department of

Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, EE-43, Room

1J-018, ``Test Procedures for Refrigerators and Refrigerator-

Freezers,'' Docket No. EE-RM-97-118, Forrestal Building, 1000

Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone: (202)

586-7574. Comments may be hand delivered between the hours of 8:00 a.m.

and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Comments

should be labeled, ``Test Procedures for Refrigerators and

Refrigerator-Freezers'' (Docket No. EE-RM-97-118), both on the document

or computer disk and on the envelope. Copies of public comments

received may be read and/or photocopied at the Department of Energy

Freedom of Information Reading Room, U.S. Department of Energy,

Forrestal Building, Room 1E-190, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW,

Washington, D.C. 20585-0121, telephone (202) 586-6020, between the

hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal

holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Michael G. Raymond, U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency and

Renewable Energy, Mail Station EE-43, Forrestal Building, 1000

Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C., 20585-0121, (202) 586-9611

Eugene Margolis, Esq., U.S. Department of Energy, Office of General

Counsel, Mail Station GC-72, Forrestal Building, 1000 Independence

Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20585-0103, (202) 586-9507

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Introduction

A. Authority

Part B of Title III of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of

1975, Public Law 94-163, as amended by the National Energy Conservation

Policy Act, Public Law 95-619, the National Appliance Energy

Conservation Act of 1987, Public Law 100-12, the National Appliance

Energy Conservation Amendments of 1988, Public Law 100-357, and the

Energy Policy Act of 1992, Public Law 102-486, created the Energy

Conservation Program for Consumer Products other than Automobiles

(Program).1 The products currently subject to this Program (often

referred to hereafter as ``covered products'') include electric

refrigerators and electric refrigerator-freezers.

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\1 \ Part B of Title III of Energy Policy and Conservation Act,

as amended, is referred to in this proposed rule as ``EPCA'' or the

``Act.'' Part B of Title III is codified at 42 U.S.C. 6291-6309.

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Under the Act, the Program consists essentially of three parts:

testing, labeling, and the Federal energy conservation standards. This

proposed rule concerns the testing aspect of this program. The

Department, with assistance from the National Institute of Standards

and Technology, may amend or establish new test procedures, as

appropriate, for any covered product. EPCA, Sec. 323. The purpose of

the test procedures is to produce test results that measure energy

efficiency, energy use, water use (in the case of showerheads, faucets,

water closets and urinals), or estimated annual operating cost of a

covered product during a representative average use cycle or period of

use. The test procedures shall not be unduly burdensome to conduct.

EPCA, Sec. 323(b)(3). One hundred and eighty days after a test

procedure for a product is adopted, no manufacturer may make

representations with respect to energy use, efficiency or water use of

such product, or the cost of energy consumed by such product, except as

reflected in tests conducted according to the DOE procedure. EPCA,

Sec. 323(c)(2).

Test procedures promulgated by DOE appear at 10 CFR Part 430,

Subpart B. The ``Uniform Test Method for Measuring the Energy

Consumption of Electric Refrigerators and Electric Refrigerator-

Freezers'' appears at Appendix A1 to Subpart B.

Section 323(e) of the Act requires DOE to determine to what extent,

if any, a proposed test procedure would alter the measured energy

efficiency, measured energy use or measured water use of any covered

product as determined under the existing test procedure. If DOE

determines that an amended test procedure would alter the measured

efficiency or measured use of a covered product, DOE is required to

amend the applicable energy conservation standard accordingly. In

determining the amended energy conservation standard, DOE is required

to measure the energy efficiency or energy use of a representative

sample of covered products that minimally comply with the existing

standard. The average energy use of this representative sample,

determined under the amended test procedure, constitutes the amended

standard. EPCA, Sec. 323(e)(2).

B. Background

Today's notice proposes to add test procedure amendments that are

specific to a new product design--externally vented refrigerators and

externally vented refrigerator-freezers. These test procedure

amendments will apply only to this product design and will not apply to

existing product designs of refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers

without this feature. Existing test procedures for non-externally

vented refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers will remain unchanged.

The energy conservation standards for refrigerators and refrigerator-

freezers will be unaffected by the adoption or use of the proposed new

test procedures.

The Department does not believe that any of the proposed changes to

the test procedures would alter the measurement of energy consumption

of electric refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers currently on the

market. Accordingly, adoption of the proposed amended test procedures

would not require any change in energy conservation standards for

refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers currently in place. In

addition, the Department believes that the proposed test procedure

amendments would have no effect on the pending rulemaking considering

revised minimum energy conservation standards for electric

[[Page 16740]]

refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers and freezers. (Docket No. EE-RM-

93-801).

On March 14, 1995, Edward Schulak Equities, Inc. (``ESE'')

submitted a letter to the Department regarding the inapplicability of

existing test procedures in Appendix A1 to externally vented

refrigerators. ESE submitted a description of an externally vented

refrigerator from a recently granted patent. ESE claimed that allowing

cooler outside air to be passed over the condenser/compressor of a

refrigerator would reduce energy consumption of the refrigerator. ESE

explained that the existing test procedures address only a closed

system without the possibility of transfer of exterior air cooler than

the ambient room temperature. Based on the information submitted, the

Department agrees that the existing test procedures do not permit the

measurement of energy consumption of an externally vented refrigerator.

While ESE's letter was submitted as a petition for waiver, the

Department concluded that its waiver process was not appropriate

because waivers apply to ``basic models,'' and no models are currently

being manufactured incorporating this invention, nor is the invention

being produced for retrofitting. Therefore, the Department published

ESE's letter and issued a Notice of Inquiry inviting public comment on

several issues relating to the energy consumption, manufacturability,

and retrofitting of externally vented refrigerators. 60 FR 37603 (July

21, 1995). The Department also invited comments on methods of testing

externally vented refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers to determine

energy savings. Notice of Inquiry at 60 FR 37604. No public comments

were received in response to this Notice of Inquiry.

On November 13, 1995, acting upon the Department's suggestion, ESE

submitted a draft of proposed amendments to the test procedures for

refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers. The Department referred this

submittal to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

NIST, the Department and ESE representatives extensively discussed the

requirements for test procedures for externally vented refrigerators

and refrigerator-freezers. NIST conducted an analysis of test

procedures for externally vented refrigerators and refrigerator-

freezers. The notice published today by the Department reflects these

extensive discussions and subsequent NIST recommendations for test

procedure amendments.

Today's notice proposes revising the test procedures for electric

refrigerators and electric refrigerator-freezers appearing in 10 CFR

Part 430, Subpart B, Appendix A1 by: (1) Adding a definition of

externally vented refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers to which the

revisions are applicable, (2) prescribing test conditions for

externally vented refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers, (3)

specifying energy consumption measurement tests for externally vented

refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers, and (4) including calculation

methods for deriving results from test measurements.

II. Discussion

The current test procedures for refrigerators and refrigerator-

freezers, found at 10 CFR Part 430, Appendix A1 of Subpart B, does not

address testing of externally vented refrigerators and refrigerator-

freezers. The existing test procedures apply to a refrigerator system

to which cool outside air cannot be conducted for purposes of heat

transfer. Externally vented refrigerators would be designed to permit

outside air to be introduced across the refrigerator's condenser and

compressor and, in some cases, throughout the walls of the

refrigerator. The introduction of outside air at temperatures lower

than the ambient room air temperature permits more efficient heat

transfer, potentially resulting in energy savings.

The Department therefore proposes to revise the test procedures to

include provisions tailored to measuring the energy consumption of

externally vented refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers. These

provisions will add to, rather than replace, the existing test

procedures, which remain fully applicable to both externally vented and

non-vented refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers. The Department

emphasizes that the proposed amendments to the test procedures do not

affect in any way the test procedures applicable to existing

refrigerator designs. The amendments provide a method for accurately

measuring the energy consumption of an enclosed, externally vented

refrigerator or refrigerator-freezer unit and take account of design

features (e.g., enclosed condenser, outside air conduits, dampers)

peculiar to an externally vented refrigerator or refrigerator-freezer

that circulates outside air around its condenser. The amendments do not

apply to refrigerators or refrigerator-freezers that use outside air

through the refrigerator walls. With these amendments, the test

procedures will provide a basis for making comparable measurements of

energy consumption for externally vented and unvented refrigerators and

refrigerator-freezers.

The Department also emphasizes that recognition of a design option

of externally vented refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers does not

affect in any way the Department's consideration of design options in

connection with its consideration of proposed revisions to energy

consumption standards for refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers. This

design option was not included in the standards rulemaking record and

therefore cannot be considered in the current standards rulemaking.

The Department invites comments on any aspect of the proposed test

procedure amendments for externally vented refrigerators and

refrigerator-freezers.

The Department today proposes to amend the test procedures

applicable to electric refrigerators and electric refrigerator-freezers

(10 CFR Part 430, Subpart B, Appendix A1), as follows:

1. Definitions and applicability of amended test procedures. The

Department proposes to define ``externally vented refrigerator or

refrigerator-freezer'' as a refrigerator or refrigerator-freezer with

an enclosed condenser or an enclosed condenser/compressor compartment,

and a set of air ducts for transferring exterior air from outside the

building envelope into, through, and out of the refrigerator or

refrigerator-freezer cabinet (section 1.12). Energy consumption savings

from an externally vented refrigerator or refrigerator-freezer should

be achievable for outside air temperatures between 60 deg.F and 80

deg.F. Above 80 deg.F, outside air may be warmer than ambient room

air, making heat transfer in the wrong direction for energy savings.

Below 60 deg.F, outside air may be too cool for optimal operation of

the unit. The proposed amendments to the test procedures are generally

predicated upon a unit's design that permits the exclusion and/or

mixing of outside air that is either above 80 deg.F or below 60

deg.F. Accordingly, the amendments to the test procedures will apply

only under conditions where the externally vented refrigerator or

refrigerator-freezer design is capable of mixing the exterior air drawn

in from outside the building envelope with the ambient room air. The

modification includes thermostatically controlled dampers or controls

that: 1) enable the proper mixing of outside and ambient room air when

the outside air temperature is lower than 60 deg.F, and 2) exclude

outside air warmer than 80 deg.F, or warmer than room air temperature

(section 1.12). Externally vented units could have

[[Page 16741]]

temperature controls that exclude outside air either at a pre-set

temperature no lower than 80 deg.F or when the outside air temperature

exceeds the ambient room air temperature (section 1.12). The test

procedures require that prior to conducting energy consumption tests,

the operability of thermostatic controls be verified (section 5.4.1).

All tests must generally be conducted with the thermostatic controls

operable. A special rule is provided for testing energy consumption

when mixing controls do not operate properly (section 5.4.2.4). The

test procedures will take account of the energy consumption of any

exterior air fan that draws air to the refrigerator cabinet.

2. Exterior air source. The Department recognizes that actual

testing should take place under conditions of variable exterior air

temperatures and, therefore, proposes to require that prescribed test

conditions include the provision of an external air source that

provides air at adjustable temperature and pressure capabilities

(section 2.6). The test procedures prescribe the location of

temperature sensors for measuring the air temperature at the inlet to

the condenser/compressor compartment (section 2.6.2). Air temperature

will also be measured at the exterior air source. Temperature

measurements are to be made at prescribed intervals.

3. Air ducts. Externally vented refrigerators and refrigerator/

freezers depend upon air ducts to transfer exterior air to the

refrigerator cabinet. Rather than specifying the length, diameter,

shape and material of the duct, the Department proposes to specify air

pressure requirements as a uniform test condition (section 2.6.3).

Specifically, the proposed test procedures require exterior air

pressure at the inlet to the refrigerator unit to be maintained at a

negative pressure of 0.20'' 0.05'' water column (62 Pa

12.5 Pa). The test procedures also specify location

distances for the pressure sensors, relative to the exterior air source

(i.e., the inlet to the building envelope) and to the condenser inlet.

4. Applicability of general test method conditions. The proposed

amendments to the test procedures are not intended to supplant existing

test methods applicable to all other refrigerators and refrigerator-

freezers. Accordingly, the proposed amendments provide that, except as

expressly modified, the test conditions and specifications included in

the existing test procedures shall also apply to externally vented

refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers (section 5.4).

5. Energy consumption correction factor for test measurements. The

Department proposes a series of formulas for determining energy

consumption from test measurements. First, the Department recognizes

that energy consumption of any refrigerator will be different with and

without door openings. Under the existing test procedure, refrigerators

are tested at 90 deg.F without door openings to simulate the energy

consumption they would have at normal room temperature with door

openings. Normal room temperature for the refrigerator test procedure

is considered to be 80 deg.F, the typical temperature of the ambient

air surrounding the refrigerator's condenser. An externally vented

refrigerator will show an artificially low energy consumption compared

to an unvented refrigerator when tested at 90 deg.F room air

temperature, because 90 deg.F is warmer than normal room temperature.

The Department proposes to require calculation of a correction factor

for each basic model of externally vented refrigerator. The correction

factor is the ratio of the energy consumption of an externally vented

refrigerator (with external venting disabled) at 90 deg.F inlet air

temperature to the energy consumption of the unit at 80 deg.F inlet

air temperature (sections 5.4.2.1 and 6.3.1).

6. Energy consumption test measurements and calculations. Based on

analysis by NIST and its derivation of an algebraic equation for

determining energy consumption over a range of outside air

temperatures, the Department has determined that test measurements of

energy consumption need be taken at only two outside air temperatures,

90 deg.F and 60 deg.F (sections 5.4.2.2 and 5.4.2.3). If the outside

air temperature is not in this range, mixing controls and dampers will

keep the condenser inlet temperature within the range. Accordingly, the

Department proposes an energy profile equation that will allow for the

interpolation of energy consumption at outside air temperatures within

this range (section 6.3.4). The parameters of the energy profile

equation are determined for each basic model of externally vented

refrigerator that is tested, based on the measured energy consumption

during testing at 90 deg.F and 60 deg.F.

Once the parameters of the energy profile equation are determined,

the test procedures provide a basis for calculating energy consumption

at various temperatures. Because temperatures vary across the country,

throughout a day, and throughout the year, the proposed test procedures

specify an energy consumption formula that determines a unit's total

energy consumption based on weighted averaging of the unit's energy

consumption at different exterior air temperatures. The test procedures

provide weighting factors for a national average energy consumption

(section 6.3.6) and weighting factors for four different regions of the

country, which are identified on a map. This procedure was based on the

test procedure for heat pumps, for which energy savings are also a

function of climate. The regional map is the same as that used in the

heat pump test procedure, except Regions I and II from the heat pump

test procedure are combined and called Region I. Externally vented

refrigerators need only be tested at 90 deg.F and 60 deg.F, and from

such measurements, application of the correction factor, and

application of the energy profile equation, the unit's average per

cycle energy consumption can be determined for the nation as a whole

and for each of the four regions of the country. The Department

recognizes the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has authority to

prescribe labeling requirements for all types of refrigerators and

other covered products and may require fact sheets containing regional

performance information. The proposed energy consumption measurement

formulas would satisfy the FTC's requirements.

7. Reporting requirements. The Department is proposing to add a

reporting requirement for externally vented refrigerators and

refrigerator-freezers. The energy savings due to externally venting a

refrigerator or refrigerator-freezer is a function of the outdoor air

temperature, therefore, externally vented refrigerators and

refrigerator-freezer's energy use will depend on climate. The

Department proposes to require that a manufacturer's certification

report include the national average annual energy use for externally

vented refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers. Separate reporting of

regional per cycle energy consumption would not be required.

III. Review Under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969

In this rule, the Department proposes amendments to the test

procedures for refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers to include

externally vented refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers. The

Department has determined that this rule is covered under the

Categorical Exclusion found at paragraph A.6 of appendix A to Subpart

D, 10 CFR Part 1021, which applies to the establishment of procedural

rulemakings. This Proposed Rule is also a procedural rulemaking and its

implementation will not affect the

[[Page 16742]]

quality or distribution of energy usage and therefore will not result

in any environmental impacts. Accordingly, neither an environmental

assessment nor an environmental impact statement is required.

IV. Regulatory Review

Today's regulatory proposal has been determined not to be a

``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866,

``Regulatory Planning and Review,'' (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993).

Accordingly, today's action was not subject to review under the

Executive Order by the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs.

V. Regulatory Flexibility Review

The proposed rule has been reviewed under the Regulatory

Flexibility Act, Pub. L. 96-354 (42 U.S.C. 601-612) which requires

preparation of a regulatory flexibility analysis for any regulation

that will have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of

small entities, i.e., small businesses and small government

jurisdictions. The proposed rule would not have significant economic

impact on manufacturers of externally vented refrigerators and

refrigerator-freezers. The rule, if promulgated, would modify the

testing methods that currently apply. DOE accordingly certifies that

the proposed rule would not, if promulgated, have a significant

economic impact on a substantial number of small entities and that

preparation of a regulatory flexibility analysis is not warranted.

VI. ``Takings'' Assessment Review

It has been determined pursuant to Executive Order 12630 (52 FR

8859, March 18, 1988) that this proposed regulation, if adopted, would

not result in any takings which might require compensation under the

Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution.

VII. Federalism Review

Executive Order 12612 (52 FR 41685, October 30, 1987) requires that

regulations or rules be reviewed for any substantial direct effects on

States, on the relationship between the Federal Government and the

States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among

various levels of Government. If there are sufficient substantial

direct effects, the Executive Order 12612 requires the preparation of a

Federalism assessment to be used in decisions by senior policy makers

in promulgating or implementing the regulation.

The proposed rule published today would not alter the distribution

of authority and responsibility to regulate in this area. The proposed

rule would only revise a currently applicable DOE test procedure to

accommodate a technological development in the manufacture of

refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers. Accordingly, DOE has

determined that preparation of a federalism assessment is unnecessary.

VIII. Paperwork Reduction Act Review

This proposed rule contains no new collections of information under

the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.

IX. Review Under Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995

Section 202 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (``Unfunded

Mandates Act'') requires that the Department prepare a budgetary impact

statement before promulgating a rule that includes a Federal mandate

that may result in expenditure by state, local, and tribal governments,

in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of $100 million or more in

any one year. The budgetary impact statement must include: (i)

Identification of the Federal law under which the rule is promulgated;

(ii) a qualitative and quantitative assessment of anticipated costs and

benefits of the Federal mandate and an analysis of the extent to which

such costs to state, local, and tribal governments may be paid with

Federal financial assistance; (iii) if feasible, estimates of the

future compliance costs and of any disproportionate budgetary effects

the mandate has on particular regions, communities, non-Federal units

of government, or sectors of the economy; (iv) if feasible, estimates

of the effect on the national economy; and (v) a description of the

Department's prior consultation with elected representatives of state,

local, and tribal governments and a summary and evaluation of the

comments and concerns presented.

The Department has determined that the action proposed today does

not include a Federal mandate that may result in estimated costs of

$100 million or more to state, local or to tribal governments in the

aggregate or to the private sector. Therefore, the requirements of

Sections 203 and 204 of the Unfunded Mandates Act do not apply to this

action.

X. Review Under Executive Order 12988, ``Civil Justice Reform''

With respect to the review of existing regulations and the

promulgation of new regulations, Section 3(a) of Executive Order 12988,

``Civil Justice Reform,'' 61 FR 4729 (February 7, 1996), imposes on

executive agencies the general duty to adhere to the following

requirements: (1) Eliminate drafting errors and ambiguity; (2) write

regulations to minimize litigation; and (3) provide a clear legal

standard for affected conduct rather than a general standard and

promote simplification and burden reduction. With regard to the review

required by Section 3(a), Section 3(b) of the Executive Order

specifically requires that Executive agencies make every reasonable

effort to ensure that the regulation: (1) Clearly specifies the

preemptive effect, if any; (2) clearly specifies any effect on existing

Federal law or regulation; (3) provide a clear legal standard for

affected conduct while promoting simplification and burden reduction;

(4) specifies the retroactive effect, if any; (5) adequately defines

key terms; and (6) addresses other important issues affecting clarity

and general draftsmanship under any guidelines issued by the Attorney

General. Section 3(c) of the Executive Order requires Executive

agencies to review regulations in light of applicable standards Section

3(a) and Section 3(b) to determine whether they are met or it is

unreasonable to meet one or more of them. DOE reviewed today's proposed

rulemaking under the standards of Section 3 of the Executive Order and

determined that, to the extent permitted by law, they meet the

requirements of those standards.

XI. Public Comment Procedures

A. Written Comment Procedures

Interested persons are invited to participate in the rulemaking by

submitting data, comments, or information with respect to the proposed

test procedures set forth in this notice to the address indicated at

the beginning of the notice.

Comments should be identified both on the envelope and on the

documents as ``Test Procedures for Refrigerators and Refrigerator-

Freezers,'' Docket No. EE-RM-97-118. Ten (10) copies are requested to

be submitted. In addition, the Department requests that an electronic

copy (3\1/2\'' diskette) of the comments on WordPerfectTM 6.1 be

provided. All submittals received by the date specified at the

beginning of this notice will be considered by the Department of Energy

before final action is taken on the proposed amendments.

Pursuant to the provisions of 10 CFR 1004.11, any person submitting

information that he or she believes to be

[[Page 16743]]

confidential and exempt by law from public disclosure should submit one

complete copy of the document and ten (10) copies, if possible, from

which the information believed to be confidential has been deleted. The

Department of Energy will make its own determination with regard to the

confidential status of the information and treat it according to its

determination.

Factors of interest to DOE when evaluating requests to treat as

confidential information that has been submitted include: (1) A

description of the items; (2) an indication as to whether and why such

items are customarily treated as confidential within the industry; (3)

whether the information is generally known by or available from other

sources; (4) whether the information has previously been made available

to others without obligation concerning its confidentiality; (5) an

explanation of the competitive injury to the submitting person that

would result from public disclosure; (6) an indication as to when such

information might lose its confidential character due to the passage of

time; and (7) why disclosure of the information would be contrary to

the public interest.

B. Issues for Public Comment

The Department of Energy is interested in receiving comments and

data concerning the suitability and workability of these test

procedures. Also, the Department welcomes comment on improvements or

alternatives to these approaches. In particular, DOE is interested in

gathering comments on the following:

The appropriateness of providing test procedures for

externally vented refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers.

The definition of externally vented refrigerators and

refrigerator-freezers and the applicability of the proposed revisions

of the test procedures.

The interaction of the externally vented refrigerator and

refrigerator/freezer and its associated air conduits and building

envelope penetration with the building heating and cooling loads.

The effects on energy conservation if externally vented

refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers are installed without the

outside air connection, and methods for adjusting the test results to

account for the likely failure of some consumers to make use of this

feature.

The appropriate test conditions for externally vented

refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers, including the selection of

outside air temperatures at which testing should occur.

The appropriateness of the correction factor to account

for the externally vented refrigerator and refrigerator-freezer's

testing advantage resulting from the 90 deg.F test temperature.

The appropriateness of the energy profile equations and

the derivation of formulas for computing energy consumption from test

results.

The appropriateness and means of measuring national and

regional average per cycle energy consumption.

List of Subjects in 10 CFR Part 430

Administrative practice and procedure, Energy conservation,

Household appliances.

Issued in Washington, DC, March 24, 1997.

Christine A. Ervin,

Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

For the reasons set forth in the preamble, Part 430 of Chapter II

of Title 10, Code of Federal Regulations is proposed to be amended as

follows:

PART 430--ENERGY CONSERVATION PROGRAM FOR CONSUMER PRODUCTS

1. The authority citation for Part 430 continues to read as

follows:

Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6291-6309.

2. Section 430.23 (a) is amended in the following respects:

Subpart B--Test Procedures

Sec. 430.23 Test procedures for measures of energy consumption.

(a) Refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers. (1) The estimated

annual operating cost for electric refrigerators and electric

refrigerator-freezers without an anti-sweat heater switch shall be the

product of the following three factors:

(i) The representative average-use cycle of 365 cycles per year,

(ii) The average per-cycle energy consumption for the standard

cycle in kilowatt-hours per cycle, determined according to 6.2 or 6.3.6

of appendix A1 of this subpart for the non-externally vented or

externally vented units, respectively, and

(iii) The representative average unit cost of electricity in

dollars per kilowatt-hour as provided by the Secretary, the resulting

product then being rounded off to the nearest dollar per year.

(2) The estimated annual operating cost for electric refrigerators

and electric refrigerator-freezers with an anti-sweat heater switch

shall be the product of the following three factors:

(i) The representative average-use cycle of 365 cycles per year,

(ii) Half the sum of the average per-cycle energy consumption for

the standard cycle and the average per-cycle energy consumption for a

test cycle type with the anti-sweat heater switch in the position set

at the factory just prior to shipping, each in kilowatt-hours per

cycle, determined according to 6.2 or 6.3.6 of appendix A1 of this

subpart for the non-externally vented or externally vented units,

respectively, and

(iii) The representative average unit cost of electricity in

dollars per kilowatt-hour as provided by the Secretary, the resulting

product then being rounded off to the nearest dollar per year.

(3) The estimated annual operating cost for any other specified

cycle type for electric refrigerators and electric refrigerator-

freezers shall be the product of the following three factors:

(i) The representative average-use cycle of 365 cycles per year,

(ii) The average per-cycle energy consumption for the specified

cycle type, in kilowatt-hours per cycle, determined according to 6.2 or

6.3.6 of appendix A1 of this subpart for the non-externally vented or

externally vented units, respectively, and

(iii) The representative average unit cost of electricity in

dollars per kilowatt-hour as provided by the Secretary, the resulting

product then being rounded off to the nearest dollar per year.

(4) The energy factor for electric refrigerators and electric

refrigerator-freezers, expressed in cubic feet per kilowatt-hour per

cycle, shall be--

(i) For electric refrigerators and electric refrigerator-freezers

not having an anti-sweat heater switch, the quotient of

(A) The adjusted total volume in cubic feet, determined according

to 6.1 of Appendix A1 of this subpart, divided by

(B) The average per-cycle energy consumption for the standard cycle

in kilowatt-hours per cycle, determined according to 6.2 or 6.3.6 of

appendix A1 of this subpart for the non-externally vented or externally

vented units, respectively, the resulting quotient then being rounded

off to the second decimal place, and

(ii) For electric refrigerators and electric refrigerator-freezers

having an anti-sweat heater switch, the quotient of

(A) The adjusted total volume in cubic feet, determined according

to 6.1 of Appendix A1 of this subpart, divided by

(B) Half the sum of the average per-cycle energy consumption for

the standard cycle and the average per-cycle energy consumption for a

test cycle type with the anti-sweat heater switch in the position set

at the factory just prior to

[[Page 16744]]

shipping, each in kilowatt-hours per cycle, determined according to 6.2

or 6.3.6 of appendix A1 of this subpart for the non-externally vented

or externally vented units, respectively, the resulting quotient then

being rounded off to the second decimal place.

(5) The annual energy use of electric refrigerators and electric

refrigerator-freezers equals the representative average use cycle of

365 cycles per year times the average per-cycle energy consumption for

the standard cycle in kilowatt-hours per cycle, determined according to

6.2 or 6.3.6 of appendix A1 of this subpart for the non-externally

vented or externally vented units, respectively.

(6) Other useful measures of energy consumption for electric

refrigerators and electric refrigerator-freezers shall be those

measures of energy consumption for electric refrigerators and electric

refrigerator-freezers which the Secretary determines are likely to

assist consumers in making purchasing decisions which are derived from

the application of appendix A1 of this subpart.

(7) The estimated regional annual operating cost for externally

vented electric refrigerators and externally vented electric

refrigerator-freezers without an anti-sweat heater switch shall be the

product of the following three factors:

(i) The representative average cycle of 365 cycles per year,

(ii) The regional average per-cycle energy consumption for the

standard cycle in kilowatt-hours per cycle, determined according to

6.3.7 of appendix A1 of this subpart and

(iii) The representative average unit cost of electricity in

dollars per kilowatt-hour as provided by the Secretary, the resulting

product then being rounded off to the nearest dollar per year.

(8) The estimated regional annual operating cost for externally

vented electric refrigerators and externally vented electric

refrigerator-freezers with an anti-sweat heater switch shall be the

product of the following three factors:

(i) The representative average cycle of 365 cycles per year,

(ii) Half the sum of the average per-cycle energy consumption for

the standard cycle and the regional average per-cycle energy

consumption for a test cycle type with the anti-sweat heater switch in

the position set at the factory just prior to shipping, each in

kilowatt-hours per cycle, determined according to 6.3.7 of appendix A1

of this subpart, and

(iii) The representative average unit cost of electricity in

dollars per kilowatt-hour as provided by the Secretary, the resulting

product then being rounded off to the nearest dollar per year.

(9) The estimated regional annual operating cost for any other

specified cycle type for externally vented electric refrigerators and

externally vented electric refrigerator-freezers shall be the product

of the following three factors:

(i) The representative average cycle of 365 cycles per year,

(ii) The regional average per-cycle energy consumption for the

specified cycle type, in kilowatt-hours per cycle, determined according

to 6.3.7 of appendix A1 of this subpart, and

(iii) The representative average unit cost of electricity in

dollars per kilowatt-hour as provided by the Secretary, the resulting

product then being rounded off to the nearest dollar per year.

* * * * *

3. Section 1 of Appendix A1 is amended by adding the following

definition:

Appendix A1 to Subpart B of Part 430--Uniform Test Method for Measuring

the Energy Consumption of Electric Refrigerators and Electric

Refrigerator-Freezers

1. Definitions

* * * * *

1.12 Externally vented refrigerator or refrigerator-freezer

means an electric refrigerator or electric refrigerator-freezer

that: has an enclosed condenser or an enclosed condenser/compressor

compartment and a set of air ducts for transferring the exterior air

from outside the building envelope into, through and out of the

refrigerator or refrigerator-freezer cabinet; is capable of mixing

exterior air with the room air before discharging into, through, and

out of the condenser or condenser/compressor compartment; includes

thermostatically controlled dampers or controls that enable the

proper mixing of the exterior and room air at low outdoor

temperatures, and the exclusion of exterior air when the outdoor air

temperature is above 80 deg.F or the room air temperature. It may

have a thermostatically actuated exterior air fan.

4. Section 2 of Appendix A1 is amended by adding the following new

sections:

2. Test Conditions

* * * * *

2.6 Exterior air for externally vented refrigerator or

refrigerator-freezer. An exterior air source shall be provided with

adjustable temperature and pressure capabilities. The exterior air

temperature shall be adjustable from 351 deg.F

(1.70.6 deg.C) to 901 deg.F

(32.20.6 deg.C).

2.6.1 Air duct. The exterior air shall pass from the exterior

air source to the test unit through an insulated air duct.

2.6.2 Air temperature measurement. The air temperature entering

the condenser or condenser/compressor compartment shall be

maintained to 3 deg.F (1.7 deg.C) during the

stabilization and test periods and shall be measured at the inlet

point of the condenser or condenser/compressor compartment

(``condenser inlet''). Temperature measurements shall be taken from

at least three temperature sensors or one sensor per 4 square inches

of the air duct cross sectional area, whichever is greater, and

shall be averaged. For a unit that has a condenser air fan, a

minimum of three temperature sensors at the condenser fan discharge

shall be required. Temperature sensors shall be arranged to be at

the centers of equally divided cross sectional areas. The exterior

air temperature, at its source, shall be measured and maintained to

1 deg.F (0.6 deg.C) during the test period. The

temperature measuring devices shall have an error not greater than

0.5 deg.F (0.3 deg.C). Measurements of the

air temperature during the test period shall be taken at regular

intervals not to exceed four minutes.

2.6.3 Exterior air static pressure. The exterior air static

pressure at the inlet point of the unit shall be adjusted to

maintain a negative pressure of 0.20'' 0.05'' water

column (62 Pa12.5 Pa) for all air flow rates supplied to

the unit. The pressure sensor shall be located on a straight duct

with a distance of at least 7.5 times the diameter of the duct

upstream and a distance of at least 3 times the diameter of the duct

downstream. There shall be four static pressure taps at 90 deg.

angles apart. The four pressures shall be averaged by

interconnecting the four pressure taps. The air pressure measuring

instrument shall have an error not greater than 0.01'' water column

(2.5 Pa).

5. Section 5 of Appendix A1 is amended by adding the following new

sections:

5. Test measurements

* * * * *

5.4 Externally vented refrigerator or refrigerator-freezer

units. All test measurements for the externally vented refrigerator

or refrigerator-freezer shall be made in accordance with the

requirements of other sections of this Appendix, except as modified

in this section 5.4 or other sections expressly applicable to

externally vented refrigerators or refrigerator-freezers.

5.4.1 Operability of thermostatic and mixing of air controls.

Prior to conducting energy consumption tests, the operability of

thermostatic controls that permit the mixing of exterior and ambient

air when exterior air temperatures are less than 60 deg.F must be

verified. The operability of such controls shall be verified by

operating the unit under ambient air temperature of 90 deg.F and

exterior air temperature of 45 deg.F. If the inlet air entering the

condenser or condenser/compressor compartment is maintained at 60

deg.F, plus or minus three degrees, energy consumption of the unit

shall be measured under sections 5.4.2.2, and 5.4.2.3. If the inlet

air entering the condenser or condenser/compressor compartment is

not maintained at 60 deg.F, plus or minus three degrees, energy

[[Page 16745]]

consumption of the unit shall also be measured under section

5.4.2.4.

5.4.2 Energy consumption tests.

5.4.2.1 Correction factor test. To enable calculation of a

correction factor, K, two full cycle tests shall be conducted to

measure energy consumption of the unit with air mixing controls

disabled and the condenser inlet air temperatures set at 90 deg.F

(32.2 deg.C) and 80 deg.F (26.7 deg.C). Both tests shall be

conducted with all compartment temperature controls set at the

position midway between their warmest and coldest settings and the

anti-sweat heater switch off. Record the energy consumptions

ec90 and ec80, in kWh/day.

5.4.2.2 Energy consumption at 90 deg.F. The unit shall be

tested at 90 deg.F (32.2 deg.C) exterior air temperature to record

the energy consumptions (e90)i in kWh/day. For a given

setting of the anti-sweat heater, i corresponds to each of the two

states of the compartment temperature control positions.

5.4.2.3 Energy consumption at 60 deg.F. The unit shall be

tested at 60 deg.F (26.7 deg.C) exterior air temperature to record

the energy consumptions (e60)i in kWh/day. For a given

setting of the anti-sweat heater, i corresponds to each of the two

states of the compartment temperature control positions.

5.4.2.4 Energy consumption if mixing controls do not operate

properly. If the operability of temperature and mixing controls has

not been verified as required under section 5.4.1, the unit shall be

tested at 50 deg.F (10.0 deg.C) and 30 deg.F (-1.1 deg.C)

exterior air temperatures to record the energy consumptions

(e50)i and (e30)i. For a given setting of the

anti-sweat heater, i corresponds to each of the two states of the

compartment temperature control positions.

6. Section 6 of Appendix A1 is amended by adding the following new

sections:

6. Calculation of Derived Results from Test Measurements

* * * * *

6.3 Externally vented refrigerator or refrigerator-freezers.

Per-cycle energy consumption measurements for the externally vented

refrigerator or refrigerator-freezer shall be calculated in

accordance with the requirements of this Appendix, as modified in

sections 6.3.1--6.3.7.

6.3.1 Correction factor. A correction factor, K, shall be

calculated as:

K = ec90/ec80

Where ec90 and ec80 = the energy consumption test results

as determined under section 5.4.2.1.

6.3.2 Combining test results of different settings of

compartment temperature controls. For a given setting of the anti-

sweat heater, follow the calculation procedures of section 6.2 to

combine the test results for energy consumption of the unit at

different temperature control settings for each condenser inlet air

temperature tested under sections 5.4.2.2, 5.4.2.3, and 5.4.2.4,

where applicable, (e90)i, (e60)i,

(e50)i, and (e30)i. The combined values are

90, 60, 50, and

30, where applicable, in kWh/day.

6.3.3 Energy consumption corrections. For a given setting of

the anti-sweat heater, the energy consumptions 90,

60, 50, and 30 calculated

in section 6.3.2 shall be adjusted by multiplying the correction

factor K to obtain the corrected energy consumptions per day, in

kWh/day:

E90 = K x 90,

E60 = K x 60,

E50 = K x 50, and

E30 = K x 30

Where,

K is determined under section 6.3.1, and 90,

60, 50, and 30 are

determined under section 6.3.2.

6.3.4 Energy profile equation. For a given setting of the anti-

sweat heater, the energy consumption Ex, in kWh/day, at a

specific exterior air temperature between 80 deg.F (26.7 deg.C)

and 60 deg.F (26.7 deg.C) shall be calculated by the following

equation:

Ex = a + bTx,

Where,

Tx = exterior air temperature in deg.F;

a = 3E60-2E90, in kWh/day;

b = (E90-E60)/30, in kWh/day per deg.F.

6.3.5 Energy consumption at 80 deg.F (26.7 deg.C), 75 deg.F

(23.9 deg.C) and 65 deg.F (18.3 deg.C). For a given setting of

the anti-sweat heater, calculate the energy consumptions at 80

deg.F (26.7 deg.C), 75 deg.F (23.9 deg.C) and 65 deg.F (18.3

deg.C) exterior air temperatures, E80, E75 and E65,

respectively, in kWh/day, using the equation in 6.3.4.

6.3.6 National average per cycle energy consumption. For a

given setting of the anti-sweat heater, calculate the national

average energy consumption, EN, in kWh/day, using one of the

following equations:

EN = 0.523 x E60 + 0.165 x E65 + 0.181 x E75

+ 0.131 x E80, for unit which is not tested under section

5.4.2.4,

EN = 0.257 x E30 + 0.266 x E50 + 0.165 x

E65 + 0.181 x E75 + 0.131 x E80, for unit tested

under section 5.4.2.4,

Where,

E30, E50, and E60 are defined in 6.3.3,

E65, E75, and E80 are defined in 6.3.5, and the

coefficients are weather associated weighting factors.

6.3.7 Regional average per cycle energy consumption. If

regional average per cycle energy consumption is required to be

calculated, for a given setting of the anti-sweat heater, calculate

the regional average per cycle energy consumption, ER, in kWh/

day, for the regions in figure 1 using one of the following

equations and the coefficients in the table A:

ER = a1 x E60 + c x E65 + d x E75 + e x

E80, for a unit that is not required to be tested under section

5.4.2.4,

ER = a x E30 + b x E50 + c x E65 + d x E75

+ e x E80, for a unit tested under section 5.4.2.4,

Where,

E30, E50, and E60 are defined in 6.3.3,

E65, E75, and E80 are defined in 6.3.5, and a1,

a, b, c, d, e are weather associated weighting factors for the

Regions, as specified in Table A:

Table A.--Coefficients for Calculating Regional Average per Cycle Energy Consumption

[Weighting Factors]

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

Regions a1 a b c d e

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

I................................. 0.282 0.039 0.244 0.194 0.326 0.198

II................................ 0.486 0.194 0.293 0.191 0.193 0.129

III............................... 0.584 0.302 0.282 0.178 0.159 0.079

IV................................ 0.664 0.420 0.244 0.161 0.121 0.055

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

BILLING CODE 6450-01-P

[[Page 16746]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP08AP97.020

BILLING CODE 6450-01-C

Sec. 430.62 [Amended]

7. Section 430.62(a)(2) is amended by inserting after ``(for

refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and freezers),'' in the first

sentence, the following: ``the national average annual energy use and

adjusted volume (for externally vented refrigerators and refrigerator-

freezers),''.

[FR Doc. 97-8937 Filed 4-7-97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6450-01-P