[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 184 (Friday, September 23, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-23577]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: September 23, 1994]


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FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

16 CFR Part 305

 

Rule Concerning Disclosures Regarding Energy Consumption and 
Water Use of Certain Home Appliances and Other Products Required Under 
the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (``Appliance Labeling Rule'')

AGENCY: Federal Trade Commission.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Trade Commission amends its Appliance Labeling 
Rule by publishing new ranges of comparability to be used on required 
labels for storage-type water heaters and on required labels and in 
required fact sheets (or directories) for furnaces and boilers.

EFFECTIVE DATE: December 28, 1994.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Mills, Attorney, Division of 
Enforcement, Federal Trade Commission, Washington, D.C. 20580 (202-326-
3035).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 324 of the Energy Policy and 
Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA)\1\ requires the Federal Trade 
Commission to consider labeling rules for the disclosure of estimated 
annual energy cost or alternative energy consumption information for at 
least thirteen categories of appliances. Storage-type water heaters, 
furnaces, and boilers are included in those categories. The statute 
also requires the Department of Energy (``DOE'') to develop test 
procedures that measure how much energy the appliances use. In 
addition, DOE is required to determine the representative average cost 
a consumer pays for the different types of energy available.
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    \1\Pub. L. 94-163, 89 Stat. 871, 42 U.S.C. 6294 (Dec. 22, 1975).
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    On November 19, 1979, the Commission issued a final rule covering 
seven of the thirteen appliance categories that were then covered by 
DOE test procedures: refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers, freezers, 
dishwashers, water heaters, clothes washers, room air conditioners and 
furnaces (this category includes boilers).\2\ The Commission has 
extended the coverage of the Appliance Labeling Rule (``Rule'') four 
times since it originally issued the Rule: in 1987 (central air 
conditioners, heat pumps, and pulse combustion and condensing 
furnaces);\3\ 1989 (fluorescent lamp ballasts);\4\ and, 1993 (certain 
plumbing products\5\ and certain lighting products\6\). On July 1, 
1994, the Commission amended the Rule to make certain improvements, 
including making the label format more ``user-friendly,'' changing the 
energy usage descriptors required on labels, and adopting new product 
sub-categories for ranges of comparability purposes.\7\
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    \2\44 FR 66466, 16 CFR Part 305 (Nov. 19, 1979). The Statement 
of Basis and Purpose for the final Rule describes the reasons the 
Commission declined to cover the other categories of covered 
products. Id. at 66467-69.
    \3\52 FR 46888 (Dec. 10, 1987).
    \4\54 FR 28031 (July 5, 1989).
    \5\58 FR 54955 (Oct. 25, 1993).
    \6\59 FR 25176 (May 13, 1993).
    \7\59 FR 34014.
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    Section 305.8(b) of the Rule requires manufacturers, after filing 
an initial report, to report annually by specified dates for each 
product type.\8\ These reports, which are to assist the Commission in 
preparing the ranges of comparability, contain the estimated annual 
energy consumption or energy efficiency rating for the appliances 
derived from tests performed pursuant to the DOE test procedures. 
Because manufacturers regularly add new models to their lines, improve 
existing models and drop others, the data base from which the ranges of 
comparability are calculated is constantly changing. To keep the 
required information in line with these changes, the Commission is 
empowered, under Section 305.10 of the Rule, to publish new ranges (but 
not more than annually) if an analysis of the new information indicates 
that the upper or lower limits of the ranges have changed by more than 
15%. Otherwise, the Commission must publish a statement that the prior 
ranges remain in effect for the next year.
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    \8\Reports for storage-type water heaters, furnaces, and boilers 
are due May 1.
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    The annual submissions of data for storage-type water heaters, 
furnaces, and boilers have been made and have been analyzed by the 
Commission. These submissions of data were made by the affected 
manufacturers, in conjunction with the Gas Appliance Manufacturers 
Association (an industry trade association), in voluntary compliance 
with the requirements for new energy usage descriptors and sub-
categories that were contained in the amendments published on July 1, 
1994. These ranges will supersede the current ranges for these product 
categories, which were published on September 13, 1991 (storage-type 
water heaters)\9\ and March 1, 1990 (furnaces and boilers).\10\
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    \9\56 FR 46524.
    \10\55 FR 7302.
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    In consideration of the foregoing, the Commission revises 
Appendices D1-D3 and G1-G8 of its Appliance Labeling Rule by publishing 
the following ranges of comparability for use in required disclosures 
(including labeling) for storage-type water heaters, furnaces, and 
boilers manufactured on or after December 28, 1994.

List of Subjects in 16 CFR Part 305

    Advertising, Energy conservation, Household appliances, Labeling, 
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

    Accordingly, 16 CFR Part 305 is amended as follows:

PART 305--[AMENDED]

    1. The authority citation for Part 305 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6294.

    2. Appendices D1-D3 to Part 305 are revised to read as follows:

Appendix D1 to Part 305--Storage-Type Water Heater--Gas

    Range Information: 

------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Capacity                 Range of estimated annual energy     
-----------------------------  consumption (therms/yr. and gallons/yr.) 
                             -------------------------------------------
                               Natural gas therms/   Propane gallons/yr.
      First hour rating                yr.         ---------------------
                             ----------------------                     
                                 Low        High       Low        High  
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than 21................        (*)        (*)        (*)        (*)
21 to 24....................        (*)        (*)        (*)        (*)
25 to 29....................        (*)        (*)        (*)        (*)
30 to 34....................        (*)        (*)        (*)        (*)
35 to 40....................        (*)        (*)        (*)        (*)
41 to 47....................        242        263        265        284
48 to 55....................        235        278        257        304
56 to 64....................        238        273        262        299
65 to 74....................        215        283        249        310
75 to 86....................        220        288        266        317
87 to 99....................        255        295        279        310
100 to 114..................        268        300        294        329
115 to 131..................        288        288        317        336
Over 131....................        288        349        317        383
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* No data submitted.                                                    

Appendix D2 to Part 305--Storage-Type Water Heater--Electric

    Range Information:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       Capacity                             Range of    
------------------------------------------------------- estimated annual
                                                             energy     
                                                        consumption (kWh/
                   First hour rating                          yr.)      
                                                       -----------------
                                                          Low      High 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than 21..........................................     4672     4672
21 to 24..............................................     4769     4769
25 to 29..............................................     4879     4879
30 to 34..............................................     4672     4939
35 to 40..............................................     4575     4939
41 to 47..............................................     4575     5109
48 to 55..............................................     4624     5109
56 to 64..............................................     4624     5109
65 to 74..............................................     4624     5231
75 to 86..............................................     4624     5352
87 to 99..............................................     4624     5352
100 to 114............................................     4672     5631
115 to 131............................................     5109     5704
Over 131..............................................      (*)      (*)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*No data submitted.                                                     

Appendix D3 to Part 305--Storage-Type Water Heater--Oil

    Range Information:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       Capacity                             Range of    
------------------------------------------------------- estimated annual
                                                             energy     
                                                           consumption  
                   First hour rating                      (gallons/yr.) 
                                                       -----------------
                                                          Low      High 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than 65..........................................      (*)      (*)
65 to 74..............................................      (*)      (*)
75 to 86..............................................      (*)      (*)
87 to 99..............................................      (*)      (*)
100 to 114............................................      177      200
115 to 131............................................      171      212
Over 131..............................................      180      180
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*No data submitted.                                                     

    3. Appendix G1 to part 305 is amended by revising the first table 
to read as follows:

Appendix G1 to Part 305--Furnaces--Gas

    1. Range Information:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Range of annual
                                                        fuel utilization
                                                          efficiencies  
  Manufacturer's rated heating capacities (Btu's/hr.)       (AFUE's)    
                                                       -----------------
                                                          Low      High 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
All Capacities........................................       78     96.6
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
    4. Appendix G2 to part 305 is amended by revising the first table 
to read as follows:

Appendix G2 to Part 305--Furnaces--Electric

    1. Range Information:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        Ranges of annual
                                                        fuel utilization
                                                          efficiencies  
  Manufacturer's rated heating capacities (Btu's/hr.)       (AFUE's)    
                                                       -----------------
                                                          Low      High 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
All Capacities........................................      100      100
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
    5. Appendix G3 to part 305 is amended by revising the first table 
to read as follows:

Appendix G3 to Part 305--Furnaces--Oil

    1. Range Information:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Range of annual
                                                        fuel utilization
                                                          efficiencies  
  Manufacturer's rated heating capacities (Btu's/hr.)       (AFUE's)    
                                                       -----------------
                                                          Low      High 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
All Capacities........................................       78     86.7
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
    6. Appendix G4 to part 305 is amended by revising the first table 
to read as follows:

Appendix G4 to Part 305--Mobile Home Furnaces

    1. Range Information:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Range of annual
                                                        fuel utilization
                                                          efficiencies  
  Manufacturer's rated heating capacities (Btu's/hr.)       (AFUE's)    
                                                       -----------------
                                                          Low      High 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
All Capacities........................................       75     83.2
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
    7. Appendix G5 to part 305 is amended by revising the first table 
to read as follows:

Appendix G5 to Part 305--Boilers--Gas (Except Steam)

    1. Range Information:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Range of annual
                                                        fuel utilization
                                                          efficiencies  
  Manufacturer's rated heating capacities (Btu's/hr.)       (AFUE's)    
                                                       -----------------
                                                          Low      High 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
All Capacities........................................       80     90.6
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
    8. Appendix G6 to part 305 is amended by revising the first table 
to read as follows:

Appendix G6 to Part 305--Boilers--Gas (Steam)

    1. Range Information:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Range of annual
                                                        fuel utilization
                                                          efficiencies  
  Manufacturer's rated heating capacities (Btu's/hr.)       (AFUE's)    
                                                       -----------------
                                                          Low      High 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
All Capacities........................................       75     83.5
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
    9. Appendix G7 to part 305 is amended by revising the first table 
to read as follows:

Appendix G7 to Part 305--Boilers--Oil

    1. Range Information:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Range of annual
                                                        fuel utilization
                                                          efficiencies  
  Manufacturer's rated heating capacities (Btu's/hr.)       (AFUE's)    
                                                       -----------------
                                                          Low      High 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
All Capacities........................................       80     88.7
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
    10. Appendix G8 to part 305 is amended by revising the first table 
to read as follows:

Appendix G8 to Part 305--Boilers--Electric

    1. Range Information:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Range of annual
                                                        fuel utilization
                                                          efficiencies  
  Manufacturer's rated heating capacities (Btu's/hr.)       (AFUE's)    
                                                       -----------------
                                                          Low      High 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
All Capacities........................................      100      100
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
    By direction of the Commission.
Donald S. Clark,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 94-23577 Filed 9-22-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6750-01-M