[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 161 (Monday, August 21, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43367-43370]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-20654]



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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 (``Commission'') amends its 
Appliance Labeling Rule by publishing new ranges of comparability to be 
used on required labels for dishwashers, instantaneous water heaters, 
heat pump water heaters, room air conditioners, and pool heaters. The 
Commission also announces that the ranges of comparability for storage-
type water heaters, furnaces, and boilers, which were published on 
September 23, 1994,\1\ will remain in effect until further notice.

    \1\ 59 FR 48796.
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EFFECTIVE DATE: November 20, 1995.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 324 of the Energy Policy and 
Conservation Act of 1975 (``EPCA'') \2\ requires the 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. Dishwashers, room air conditioners, 
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.

    \2\ 42 U.S.C. 6294.
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    On November 19, 1979, the Commission issued the Appliance Labeling 
Rule (``Rule''), which covered seven of the thirteen appliance 
categories that were then covered by DOE test procedures: Refrigerators 
and refrigerator-freezers, freezers, dishwashers, clothes washers, 
water heaters, room air conditioners and furnaces (this category 
includes boilers).\3\ The Commission has extended the coverage of the 
Rule five time since it originally issued the Rule: In 1987 (central 
air conditioners, heat pumps, and pulse combustion and condensing 
furnaces \4\); 1989 (fluorescent lamp ballasts \5\); 1993 (certain 
plumbing products \6\ and certain lighting products \7\), and, in 1994 
(pool heaters, instantaneous water heaters, and heat pump water heaters 
\8\).

    \3\ 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.
    \4\ 52 FR 46888 (Dec. 10, 1987).
    \5\ 54 FR 28031 (July 5, 1989).
    \6\ 58 FR 54955 (Oct. 25, 1993).
    \7\ 59 FR 25176 (May 13, 1993).
    \8\ 59 FR 49556 (Sept. 28, 1994). The original effective date of 
these amendments was December 29, 1994. Because it became apparent 
that manufacturers of pool heaters, instantaneous water heaters and 
heat pump water heaters would have difficulty preparing the revised 
labels by December 29, however, the Commission, on December 8, 1994, 
published a partial delay of compliance dates for these products. 59 
FR 63688. In this second notice, the Commission gave manufacturers 
of these products extra time to prepare the new labels. The 
Commission announces today that manufacturers of pool heaters, 
instantaneous water heaters, and heat pump water heaters must begin 
using the new labels (and ranges of comparability published herein) 
on all covered products manufactured on or after the effective date 
of today's notice.
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    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 

[[Page 43368]]
comparability purposes.\9\ The new format applies to labels for all 
products, including the newly required labels for instantaneous water 
heaters, heat pump water heaters, and pool heaters. The amendments 
change the labels for dishwashers and room air conditioners. For 
dishwashers, the principal energy usage descriptor has been changed 
from an estimated annual operating cost to an estimated annual energy 
consumption. For both dishwashers and room air conditioners, the cost 
grid has been eliminated and a secondary disclosure of energy usage has 
been added in the form of an estimated annual operating cost in a box 
at the bottom of the label together with a disclosure of the usage 
assumptions and electrical cost upon which the operating cost is based. 
For room air conditioners, the products are now grouped into new sub-
categories identical to the sub-categories used by DOE in its minimum 
efficiency standards program.

    \9\ 59 FR 34014. The original effective date of these amendments 
was December 28, 1994. As was the case with pool heaters, 
instantaneous water heaters, and heat pump water heaters (see note 
8, above), it became apparent that manufacturers of refrigerators, 
refrigerator-freezers, freezers, dishwashers, clothes wasters, and 
room air conditioners would have difficulty preparing the revised 
labels by December 28. Consequently, the Commission, on December 8, 
1994, granted a partial delay of compliance dates for these products 
in the same notice announcing the partial delay for the water 
heating products. 59 FR 63688. The Commission announces today that 
manufacturers of dishwashers and room air conditioners must begin 
using the new labels (and ranges of comparability published herein) 
on all covered products manufactured on or after the effective date 
of today's notice.
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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.\10\ These reports contain the estimated annual energy 
consumption or energy efficiency ratings 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 on labels up to date, the Commission is empowered, 
under Section 305.10 of the Rule, to publish new ranges (but not more 
often 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.

    \10\ Reports for dishwashers are due June 1; reports for room 
air conditioners, water heaters, furnaces, boilers, and pool heaters 
are due May 1.
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    The annual submissions of data for dishwashers, room air 
conditioners, water heaters, furnaces, boilers, and pool heaters have 
been made and have been analyzed by the Commission. These submissions 
of data were made by the affected manufacturers in compliance with the 
new requirements, where applicable, for new energy use descriptors and 
sub-categories in the amendments the Commission published on July 1, 
1994.
    The ranges for storage-type water heaters, furnaces, and boilers 
have not changed by more than 15% from the current ranges for these 
products, which were published on September 23, 1994, and which were 
based on the new energy usage descriptors and sub-categories published 
on July 1, 1994.\11\ Therefore, these ratings will remain in effect 
until further notice.

    \11\ See note 1, above.
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    The data submissions for dishwashers and room air conditioners were 
based on the new energy usage descriptors and new sub-categories 
required by the July 1, 1994, amendments and, therefore, have resulted 
in entirely new ranges of comparability figures for these two product 
categories. The new ranges for dishwashers will supersede the current 
ranges for dishwashers, which were published on January 12, 1994,\12\ 
and the new ranges for room air conditioners will supersede the current 
ranges for room air conditioners, which were published on September 22, 
1989.\13\

    \12\ 59 FR 1627.
    \13\ 54 FR 38966.
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    The new ranges of comparability for instantaneous water heaters, 
heat pump water heaters, and heat pool heaters are based on the first 
data submissions for these products, and will not, therefore, supersede 
existing ranges of camparability.
    The following ranges of comparability are for use in required 
disclosures (including labeling) for dishwashers, instantaneous water 
heaters, heat pump water heaters, room air conditioners, and pool 
heaters manufactured on or after November 20, 1995.
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. Appendix C to part 305 is revised to read as follows:

Appendix C to Part 305--Dishwashers

    Range Information:
    ``Compact'' includes countertop dishwasher models with a 
capacity of fewer that eight (8) place settings.
    ``Standard'' includes portable or built-in dishwasher models 
with a capacity of eight (8) or more place settings.
    Place settings shall be in accordance with Appendix C to 10 CFR 
part 430, subpart B. Load patterns shall conform to the operating 
normal for the model being tested.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     Range of estimated 
                                                       annual energy,   
                                                     energy consumption 
                     Capacity                             (kWh/yr.)     
                                                   ---------------------
                                                       Low        High  
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Compact...........................................        (*)        (*)
Standard..........................................        496        699
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*No data submitted.                                                     

    3. Appendix D4 to Part 305 is revised to read as follows:

Appendix D4 to Part 305--Water Heaters--Instantaneous--Gas

                           Range Information:                           
------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Capacity                 Range of estimated annual energy         
---------------------       consumption(therms/yr. and gallons/yr.)     
                     ---------------------------------------------------
                       Natural gas therms/yr.      Propanegallons/yr.   
  First hour rating  ---------------------------------------------------
                          Low          High         Low          High   
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than 21........          (*)          (*)          (*)          (*)
21 to 24............          (*)          (*)          (*)          (*)
25 to 29............          (*)          (*)          (*)          (*)

[[Page 43369]]
                                                                        
30 to 34............          (*)          (*)          (*)          (*)
35 to 40............          (*)          (*)          (*)          (*)
41 to 47............          (*)          (*)          (*)          (*)
48 to 55............          (*)          (*)          (*)          (*)
56 to 64............          (*)          (*)          (*)          (*)
65 to 74............          411          411          451          451
75 to 86............          (*)          (*)          (*)          (*)
87 to 99............          (*)          (*)          (*)          (*)
100 to 114..........          230          422          230          464
115 to 131..........          (*)          (*)          (*)          (*)
Over 131............         (237          402          238          444
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* No data submitted.                                                    


    4. Appendix D5 to Part 305 is revised to read as follows:

Appendix D5 to Part 305--Water Heaters--Instantaneous--Oil

                            Range Information                           
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     Capacity                        Range of estimated 
---------------------------------------------------     annual energy   
                                                    consumption (gallons/
                                                            yr.)        
                 First hour rating                 ---------------------
                                                       Low        High  
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than 21......................................        (*)        (*)
21 to 24..........................................        (*)        (*)
25 to 29..........................................        (*)        (*)
30 to 34..........................................        (*)        (*)
35 to 40..........................................        (*)        (*)
41 to 47..........................................        (*)        (*)
48 to 55..........................................        (*)        (*)
56 to 64..........................................        (*)        (*)
65 to 74..........................................        (*)        (*)
75 to 86..........................................        (*)        (*)
87 to 99..........................................        (*)        (*)
100 to 114........................................        (*)        (*)
115 to 131........................................        (*)        (*)
Over 131..........................................        (*)        (*)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* No data submitted.                                                    

    5. Appendix D6 to Part 305 is revised to read as follows:

Appendix D6 to Part 305--Water Heaters--Heat Pump

                            Range Information                           
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     Capacity                        Range of estimated 
---------------------------------------------------     annual energy   
                                                      consumption (kWh/ 
                                                            yr.)        
                 First hour rating                 ---------------------
                                                       Low        High  
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than 21......................................        (*)        (*)
21 to 24..........................................        (*)        (*)
25 to 29..........................................        (*)        (*)
30 to 34..........................................        (*)        (*)
35 to 40..........................................        (*)        (*)
41 to 47..........................................        (*)        (*)
48 to 55..........................................        (*)        (*)
56 to 64..........................................       1756       2091
65 to 74..........................................        (*)        (*)
75 to 86..........................................        (*)        (*)
87 to 99..........................................       1756       1996
100 to 114........................................        (*)        (*)
115 to 131........................................        (*)        (*)
Over 131..........................................        (*)        (*)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* No data submitted.                                                    

    6. Appendix E to Part 305 is revised to read as follows:

Appendix E to Part 305--Room Air Conditioners

                            Range Information                           
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Range of energy
                                                           efficiency   
  Manufacturer's rated cooling capacity in Btu's/hr.      ratios (EERs) 
                                                       -----------------
                                                          Low      High 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Without Reverse Cycle and with Louvered Sides:                          
    Less than 6,000 Btu...............................      8.0     10.0
    6,000 to 7,999 Btu................................      8.5     10.3
    8,000 to 13,999 Btu...............................      8.5     12.0
    14,000 to 19,999 Btu..............................      9.0     10.7
    20,000 and more Btu...............................      8.8     10.0
Without Reverse Cycle and without Louvered Sides:                       
    Less than 6,000 Btu...............................      (*)      (*)
    6,000 to 7,999 Btu................................      8.5      9.6
    8,000 to 13,999 Btu...............................      8.5      9.2
    14,000 to 19,999 Btu..............................      (*)      (*)
    20,000 and more Btu...............................      (*)      (*)
With Reverse Cycle and with Louvered Sides............      8.5     11.5
With Reverse Cycle, without Louvered Sides............      8.0      9.0
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* No data submitted.                                                    

    7. Appendices J1 and J2 to Part 305 are revised to read as follows:

Appendix J1 to Part 305--Pool Heaters--Gas

                            Range Information                           
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Range of thermal efficiencies (percent)     
                     ---------------------------------------------------
Manufacturer's rated         Natural gas                 Propane        
 heating capacities  ---------------------------------------------------
                          Low          High         Low          High   
------------------------------------------------------------------------
All capacities......         78.4         97.0         78.4         97.0
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 43370]]


Appendix J2 to Part 305--Pool Heaters--Oil

                            Range Information                           
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      Range of thermal  
                                                        efficiencies    
      Manufacturer's rated heating capacities             (percent)     
                                                   ---------------------
                                                       Low        High  
------------------------------------------------------------------------
All capacities....................................       78.0       78.0
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    By direction of the Commission.
Benjamin I. Berman,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 95-20654 Filed 8-18-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6750-01-M