Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

RIN 1904-AA77

Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection;

Comment Request

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

Energy.

[[Page 65768]]

ACTION: Notice and request for comment.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Pub.

L. 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)), the Office of Codes and Standards

(OCS) in the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)

invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this

opportunity to comment on the proposed information collection under the

title ``Study of Central Air Conditioner Prices.'' OCS is soliciting

comments concerning the collection of data regarding equipment and

installation prices for residential unitary air conditioners and heat

pumps.

DATES: Consideration will be given to comments submitted by January 29,

1999.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the proposed collection of information can be

obtained from and written comments may be submitted to: U.S. Department

of Energy, Attn: Kathi Epping, Office of Codes and Standards (EE-43),

1J-018/FORS, 1000 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20585-0121.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kathi Epping, U.S. Department of

Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Codes and

Standards, Mail Station EE-431, Room 1J-018 Forrestal Building, 1000

Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20585-0121, (202) 586-7425, E-

mail: Kathi.E[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Collection title: Study of Central Air Conditioner Life Cycle

Costs.

Form Number: N/A.

Abstract: OCS is undertaking a rulemaking to determine whether the

current regulations mandating minimum energy efficiency levels for

central air conditioners and heat pumps should be amended. Legislation

requires that, in determining whether an energy conservation standard

is economically justified, the Secretary shall consider ``the savings

in operating costs throughout the estimated average life of the covered

product . . . compared to any increase in the price of, or in the

initial charges for, or maintenance expenses of, the covered

products.'' (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(B)(i)(II)). As part of this analysis,

the Office of Codes and Standards is seeking to survey participants in

central air conditioner and heat pump markets to determine current

retail unitary equipment prices and installation costs by equipment

efficiency level.

The information collection will include contractors participating

in the residential unitary equipment market. Consumers will not be

surveyed. Questions will attempt to gather data related to equipment

costs, sales volumes, and other information pertinent to the

determination of retail prices. Some information does exist and is

available to OCS from government and private sources. These sources

include:

Current Industrial Report MA35M(96), U.S. Bureau of the

Census, 1997.

ARI Statistical Profile, Air Conditioning and

Refrigeration Institute, 1997.

U.S. Unitary and Close Control Air Conditioning, Report

11973/2, Building Services Research and Information Association, 1997.

1996 Measure Cost Study, California Energy Commission,

1997.

Forced-air Furnace and Central Air Conditioner Market,

Report 164-1, Energy Center of Wisconsin.

This information is not sufficient to determine retail prices for

the purposes of this analysis, because most sources (1) disaggregate by

capacity rather than efficiency, (2) aggregate on a national rather

than regional level, (3) do not differentiate between ``deluxe'' and

standard models, and (4) do not differentiate between the appropriate

product classes. OCS is not aware of any source or combination of

sources that satisfies all requirements. This information collection

request is intended to provide that additional necessary information.

Approximately 250 respondents each will be asked 6-10 questions,

and responses will be voluntary. Independent market research firms and

consultants will conduct much of the collection on behalf of the

Department. Most interviews will be conducted via telephone or

facsimile and in person. Responses requiring disclosure of proprietary

information will be kept confidential in accordance with Department

policy.

Type of request: Approval of new collection.

Type of respondents: Contractors.

Estimated annual number of respondents: 250.

Total annual responses: 250 (one per respondent).

Estimated Burden hours per respondent: 1.5 hours.

Estimated total reporting burden: 375 hours.

Estimated cost burden to respondents: No monetary burden.

Request for comments: Comments submitted in response to this notice

will be summarized and/or included in the request for the Office of

Management and Budget's (OMB) approval. All comments will become a

matter of public record. Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the

proposed collection of information is necessary to carry out the

mandates of the legislation; (2) the accuracy of DOE's estimate of the

burden of the proposed information collection; (3) ways to enhance the

quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and

(4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on

respondents.

Issued in Washington, DC, on November 23, 1998.

Dan W. Reicher,

Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

[FR Doc. 98-31810 Filed 11-27-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6450-01-P