[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 84 (Tuesday, May 3, 1994)] [Unknown Section] [Page 0] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 94-10579] [[Page Unknown]] [Federal Register: May 3, 1994] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY [Case No. F-071] Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products: Granting of the Application for Interim Waiver and Publishing of the Petition for Waiver of DOE Furnace Test Procedures From Rheem Manufacturing Company AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, DOE. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: Today's notice publishes a letter granting an Interim Waiver to Rheem Manufacturing Company (Rheem) from the existing Department of Energy (DOE) test procedure regarding blower time delay for the company's GDG upflow, GLH downflow, GVH horizontal, and GPH upflow/ horizontal gas furnaces. Today's notice also publishes a ``Petition for Waiver'' from Rheem. Rheem's Petition for Waiver requests DOE to grant relief from the DOE furnace test procedure relating to the blower time delay specification. Rheem seeks to test using a blower delay time of 20 seconds for its GDG upflow, GLH downflow, GVH horizontal, and GPH upflow/horizontal gas furnaces instead of the specified 1.5-minute delay between burner on- time and blower on-time. The Department is soliciting comments, data, and information respecting the Petition for Waiver. DATES: DOE will accept comments, data, and information not later than June 2, 1994. ADDRESSES: Written comments and statements shall be sent to: Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Case No. F-071, Mail Stop EE-43, room 5E-066, Forrestal Building, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585, (202) 586-7140. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cyrus H. Nasseri, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Mail Station EE-431, Forrestal Building, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585, (202) 586-7140. Eugene Margolis, Esq., U.S. Department of Energy, Office of General Counsel, Mail Station GC-72, Forrestal Building, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585, (202) 586-9507. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products (other than automobiles) was established pursuant to the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA), Public Law 94-163, 89 Stat. 917, as amended by the National Energy Conservation Policy Act (NECPA), Public Law 95-619, 92 Stat. 3266, the National Appliance Energy Conservation Act of 1987 (NAECA), Public Law 100-12, the National Appliance Energy Conservation Amendments of 1988 (NAECA 1988), Public Law 100-357, and the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct), Public Law 102- 486, 106 Stat. 2776, which requires DOE to prescribe standardized test procedures to measure the energy consumption of certain consumer products, including furnaces. The intent of the test procedures is to provide a comparable measure of energy consumption that will assist consumers in making purchasing decisions. These test procedures appear at 10 CFR part 430, Subpart B. The Department amended the prescribed test procedures by adding 10 CFR 430.27 on September 26, 1980, creating the waiver process. 45 FR 64108. Thereafter, DOE further amended the appliance test procedure waiver process to allow the Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (Assistant Secretary) to grant an Interim Waiver from test procedure requirements to manufacturers that have petitioned DOE for a waiver of such prescribed test procedures. 51 FR 42823, November 26, 1986. The waiver process allows the Assistant Secretary to waive temporarily, test procedures for a particular basic model when a petitioner shows that the basic model contains one or more design characteristics which prevent testing according to the prescribed test procedures, or when the prescribed test procedures may evaluate the basic model in a manner so unrepresentative of its true energy consumption as to provide materially inaccurate comparative data. Waivers generally remain in effect until final test procedure amendments become effective, resolving the problem that is the subject of the waiver. The Interim Waiver provisions added by the 1986 amendment allow the Secretary to grant an Interim Waiver when it is determined that the applicant will experience economic hardship if the Application for Interim Waiver is denied, if it appears likely that the Petition for Waiver will be granted, and/or the Assistant Secretary determines that it would be desirable for public policy reasons to grant immediate relief pending a determination on the Petition for Waiver. An Interim Waiver remains in effect for a period of 180 days or until DOE issues its determination on the Petition for Waiver, whichever is sooner, and may be extended for an additional 180 days, if necessary. On March 23, 1994, Rheem filed an Application for Interim Waiver regarding blower time delay. Rheem's Application seeks an Interim Waiver from the DOE test provisions that require a 1.5-minute time delay between the ignition of the burner and starting of the circulating air blower. Instead, Rheem requests the allowance to test using a 20-second blower time delay when testing its GDG upflow, GLH downflow, GVH horizontal, and GPH upflow/horizontal gas furnaces. Rheem states that the 20-second delay is indicative of how these furnaces actually operate. Such a delay results in an average increase in AFUE of 2.0 percentage points. Since current DOE test procedures do not address this variable blower time delay, Rheem asks that the Interim Waiver be granted. The Department has published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on August 23, 1993, (58 FR 44583) to amend the furnace test procedure, which addresses the above issue. Previous waivers for this type of time blower delay control have been granted by DOE to Coleman Company, 50 FR 2710, January 18, 1985; Magic Chef Company, 50 FR 41553, October 11, 1985; Rheem Manufacturing Company, 53 FR 48574, December 1, 1988, 56 FR 2920, January 25, 1991, 57 FR 10166, March 24, 1992, and 57 FR 34560, August 5, 1992; Trane Company, 54 FR 19226, May 4, 1989, 56 FR 6021, February 14, 1991, 57 FR 10167, March 24, 1992, 57 FR 22222, May 27, 1992, and 58 FR 68138, December 23, 1993; Lennox Industries, 55 FR 50224, December 5, 1990, 57 FR 49700, November 3, 1992, 58 FR 68136, December 23, 1993, and 58 FR 68137, December 23, 1993; Inter-City Products Corporation, 55 FR 51487, December 14, 1990, and 56 FR 63945, December 6, 1991; DMO Industries, 56 FR 4622, February 5, 1991; Heil-Quaker Corporation, 56 FR 6019, February 14, 1991; Carrier Corporation, 56 FR 6018, February 14, 1991, 57 FR 38830, August 27, 1992, 58 FR 68131, December 23, 1993, 58 FR 68133, December 23, 1993 and 59 FR 14394, March 28, 1994; Amana Refrigeration Inc., 56 FR 27958, June 18, 1991, 56 FR 63940, December 6, 1991, 57 FR 23392, June 3, 1992, and 58 FR 68130, December 23, 1993; Snyder General Corporation, 56 FR 54960, September 9, 1991; Goodman Manufacturing Corporation, 56 FR 51713, October 15, 1991, 57 FR 27970, June 23, 1992 and 59 FR 12586, March 17, 1994; The Ducane Company Inc., 56 FR 63943, December 6, 1991, 57 FR 10163, March 24, 1992, and 58 FR 68134, December 23, 1993; Armstrong Air Conditioning, Inc., 57 FR 899, January 9, 1992, 57 FR 10160, March 24, 1992, 57 FR 10161, March 24, 1992, 57 FR 39193, August 28, 1992, and 57 FR 54230, November 17, 1992; Thermo Products, Inc., 57 FR 903, January 9, 1992; Consolidated Industries Corporation, 57 FR 22220, May 27, 1992; Evcon Industries, Inc., 57 FR 47847, October 20, 1992; and Bard Manufacturing Company, 57 FR 53733, November 12, 1992. Thus, it appears likely that the Petition for Waiver will be granted for blower time delay. In those instances where the likely success of the Petition for Waiver has been demonstrated based upon DOE having granted a waiver for a similar product design, it is in the public interest to have similar products tested and rated for energy consumption on a comparable basis. Therefore, based on the above, DOE is granting Rheem an Interim Waiver for its GDG upflow, GLH downflow, GVH horizontal, and GPH upflow/horizontal gas furnaces. Pursuant to paragraph (e) of Sec. 430.27 of the Code of Federal Regulations part 430, the following letter granting the Application for Interim Waiver to Rheem was issued. Pursuant to paragraph (b) of 10 CFR 430.27, DOE is hereby publishing the ``Petition for Waiver'' in its entirety. The petition contains no confidential information. The Department solicits comments, data, and information respecting the petition. Issued in Washington, DC, April 19, 1994. Frank M. Stewart, Jr., Acting Chief of Staff, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. April 19, 1994. Mr. Daniel J. Canclini, Vice-President, Product Development and, Research Engineering, Rheem Manufacturing Company, P.O. Box 17010, Fort Smith, AR 72917-7010. Dear Mr. Canclini: This is in response to your March 23, 1994, Application for Interim Waiver and Petition for Waiver from the Department of Energy (DOE) test procedure regarding blower time delay for Rheem Manufacturing Company (Rheem) GDG upflow, GLH downflow, GVH horizontal, and GPH upflow/horizontal gas furnaces. Previous waivers for this type of timed blower delay control have been granted by DOE to Coleman Company, 50 FR 2710, January 18, 1985; Magic Chef Company, 50 FR 41553, October 11, 1985; Rheem Manufacturing Company, 53 FR 48574, December 1, 1988, 56 FR 2920, January 25, 1991, 57 FR 10166, March 24, 1992, and 57 FR 34560, August 5, 1992; Trane Company, 54 FR 19226, May 4, 1989, 56 FR 6021, February 14, 1991, 57 FR 10167, March 24, 1992, 57 FR 22222, May 27, 1992, and 58 FR 68138, December 23, 1993; Lennox Industries, 55 FR 50224, December 5, 1990, 57 FR 49700, November 3, 1992, 58 FR 68136, December 23, 1993, and 58 FR 68137, December 23, 1993; Inter-City Products Corporation, 55 FR 51487, December 14, 1990, and 56 FR 63945, December 6, 1991; DMO Industries, 56 FR 4622, February 5, 1991; Heil-Quaker Corporation, 56 FR 6019, February 14, 1991; Carrier Corporation, 56 FR 6018, February 14, 1991, 57 FR 38830, August 27, 1992, 58 FR 68131, December 23, 1993, 58 FR 68133, December 23, 1993 and 59 FR 14394, March 28, 1994; Amana Refrigeration Inc., 56 FR 27958, June 18, 1991, 56 FR 63940, December 6, 1991, 57 FR 23392, June 3, 1992, and 58 FR 68130, December 23, 1993; Snyder General Corporation, 56 FR 54960, September 9, 1991; Goodman Manufacturing Corporation, 56 FR 51713, October 15, 1991, 57 FR 27970, June 23, 1992 and 59 FR 12586, March 17, 1994; The Ducane Company Inc., 56 FR 63943, December 6, 1991, 57 FR 10163, March 24, 1992, and 58 FR 68134, December 23, 1993; Armstrong Air Conditioning, Inc., 57 FR 899, January 9, 1992, 57 FR 10160, March 24, 1992, 57 FR 10161, March 24, 1992, 57 FR 39193, August 28, 1992, and 57 FR 54230, November 17, 1992; Thermo Products, Inc., 57 FR 903, January 9, 1992; Consolidated Industries Corporation, 57 FR 22220, May 27, 1992; Evcon Industries, Inc., 57 FR 47847, October 20, 1992; and Bard Manufacturing Company, 57 FR 53733, November 12, 1992. Thus, it appears likely that the Petition for Waiver will be granted for blower time delay. Rheem's Application for Interim Waiver does not provide sufficient information to evaluate what, if any, economic impact or competitive disadvantage Rheem will likely experience absent a favorable determination on its application. However, in those instances where the likely success of the Petition for Waiver has been demonstrated, based upon DOE having granted a waiver for a similar product design, it is in the public interest to have similar products tested and rated for energy consumption on a comparable basis. Therefore, Rheem's Application for an Interim Waiver from the DOE test procedure for its GDG upflow, GLH downflow, GVH horizontal, and GPH upflow/horizontal gas furnaces regarding blower time delay is granted. Rheem shall be permitted to test its GDG upflow, GLH downflow, GVH horizontal, and GPH upflow/horizontal gas furnaces on the basis of the test procedures specified in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, Appendix N, with the modification set forth below: (i) Section 3.0 in Appendix N is deleted and replaced with the following paragraph: 3.0 Test Procedure. Testing and measurements shall be as specified in Section 9 in ANSI/ASHRAE 103-82 with the exception of Sections 9.2.2, 9.3.1, and 9.3.2, and the inclusion of the following additional procedures: (ii) Add a new paragraph 3.10 in Appendix N as follows: 3.10 Gas- and Oil-Fueled Central Furnaces. After equilibrium conditions are achieved following the cool-down test and the required measurements performed, turn on the furnace and measure the flue gas temperature, using the thermocouple grid described above, at 0.5 and 2.5 minutes after the main burner(s) comes on. After the burner start-up, delay the blower start-up by 1.5 minutes (t-) unless: (1) The furnace employs a single motor to drive the power burner and the indoor air circulation blower, in which case the burner and blower shall be started together; or (2) The furnace is designed to operate using an unvarying delay time that is other than 1.5 minutes, in which case the fan control shall be permitted to start the blower; or (3) The delay time results in the activation of a temperature safety device which shuts off the burner, in which case the fan control shall be permitted to start the blower. In the latter case, if the fan control is adjustable, set it to start the blower at the highest temperature. If the fan control is permitted to start the blower, measure time delay (t-) using a stop watch. Record the measured temperatures. During the heat-up test for oil-fueled furnaces, maintain the draft in the flue pipe within0.01 inch of water column of the manufacturer's recommended on-period draft. This Interim Waiver is based upon the presumed validity of statements and all allegations submitted by the company. This Interim Waiver may be removed or modified at any time upon a determination that the factual basis underlying the application is incorrect. The Interim Waiver shall remain in effect for a period of 180 days or until DOE acts on the Petition for Waiver, whichever is sooner, and may be extended for an additional 180-day period, if necessary. Sincerely, Frank M. Stewart, Jr., Acting Chief of Staff, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. March 23, 1994. Mr. Cyrus Nasseri, Assistant Secretary, Conservation, and Renewable Energy, United States Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585. Dear Mr. Nasseri: This is a petition for waiver and application for interim waiver submitted pursuant to title 10 CFR 430.27. Waiver is requested from the furnace test procedure as prescribed in appendix N to Subpart B of Part 430. The test procedure requires a 1.5 minute delay between burner and blower start-up. Rheem is requesting authorization to use a 20 second delay instead of 1.5 minutes for our series (-)GDG upflow, (-)GLH downflow, (-)GVH horizontal, and (-)GPH upflow/horizontal residential gas-fired furnaces. Rheem will be manufacturing these appliances with an electronic device that controls the blower operation on a timing sequence as opposed to temperature. Improved energy efficiency is achieved by reducing on cycle losses. Under the Appendix N procedures, the stack temperature is allowed to climb at a faster rate than it would with a 20 second blower on time, allowing energy to be lost out of the vent system. This waste of energy would not occur in actual operation. If this petition is granted, the true blower on time delay would be used in the calculations. The current test procedures do not give Rheem credit for the energy savings which averages approximately 2%. This improvement is an average reduction of 20% of the normal on cycle energy losses. Rheem is of the opinion that a 20% reduction is a worthwhile energy savings. Rheem has been granted previous waivers regarding blower on time to be used in the efficiency calculations for our (-)GEB and (-)GKA series condensing furnaces and/or (-)GDE, (-)GLE, (-)GDG, (-)GLG and (-)GVG series furnaces. Several other manufacturers of gas furnaces have also been granted a waiver to permit calculations based on timed blower operation. Also, ASHRAE Standard 103-1993, paragraph 9.5.1.2.2 specifically addresses the use of timed blower operation. Confidential and comparative test data is available to you upon your request, confirming the above energy savings. Manufacturers that domestically market similar products are being sent a copy of this petition for waiver and petition for interim waiver. Sincerely, Daniel J. Canclini, Vice-President, Product Development and Research Engineering. [FR Doc. 94-10579 Filed 5-2-94; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450-01-P