[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 78 (Monday, April 22, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 17589-17603]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-9683]



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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

10 CFR Part 430

[Docket No. EE-RM-94-230A]


Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products: Test Procedure 
for Clothes Washers and Reporting Requirements for Clothes Washers, 
Clothes Dryers, and Dishwashers

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

ACTION: Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Energy (DOE or Department) today is issuing 
a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking to expand the scope of the 
Department's proposed rule to amend the clothes washer test procedure 
used to test for compliance with the existing energy conservation 
standard. The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) 
recommended an additional new test procedure that would apply to the 
anticipated future clothes washer energy conservation standards. The 
Department is reopening the comment period on its proposed rule to seek 
comments on whether it should adopt the AHAM recommended test 
procedure, with certain changes.

DATES: Written comments in response to this notice must be received by 
June 6, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Written comments, 10 copies, are to be submitted to: U.S. 
Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, 
EE-43, Room 1J-018, ``Test Procedure for Clothes Washers and Reporting 
Requirements for Clothes Washers, Clothes Dryers, and Dishwashers,'' 
Docket No. EE-RM-94-230A, Forrestal Building, 1000 Independence Avenue 
SW., Washington, DC 20585, (202)-586-7574.
    Copies of the transcript of the public hearing and the public 
comments received on the proposed rule, 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, DC 20585, (202) 586-6020 between 
the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays.

[[Page 17590]]

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

P. Marc LaFrance, U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency and 
Renewable Energy, Mail Station EE-43, Forrestal Building, 1000 
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121, (202) 586-8423
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:

I. Introduction
II. Discussion
    A. AHAM Recommended Test Procedure
    Annual Energy Consumption
    Capacity Measurement
    Electrical Energy Supply
    Remaining Moisture Content (RMC)
    Sodium Hypochlorite Bleach
    Suds-saver Provision
    Temperature Use Factors
    Test Cloth and Test Load
    Uniformly Distributed Temperature Selections
    Water-heating Clothes Washers
    Water Consumption Factor
    B. Related Matters
    1. Potential Impacts/Changes to the Appendix J Test Procedure
    Test Load Sizes
    Water-heating Clothes Washers
    Field Testing
    2. Section 430.23, ``Test procedures for measures of energy 
consumption,'' paragraph (j)

I. Introduction

    On Thursday, March 23, 1995, the Department published a proposed 
rule to amend the clothes washer test procedure. 60 FR 15330 (hereafter 
referred to as the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking or NOPR). On July 12, 
1995, a hearing on the proposed rule was held in Washington, DC.
    The proposed amendment to the test procedure was based on the same 
factual foundation as the existing test procedure and energy 
conservation standards for clothes washers, so that the existing energy 
conservation standard would not have to be adjusted. The Department 
believes, however, that the existing test procedure currently 
overstates the average annual energy consumption for clothes washers 
because of changes in consumer habits since the current test procedure 
was adopted.\1\ The Department had planned on initiating a subsequent 
clothes washer test procedure rulemaking, at a later date, which would 
take into account current consumer habits, and would be used as the 
basis for considering revision of the clothes washer energy 
conservation standards.\2\
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    \1\ Proctor & Gamble data indicates a decrease in the use of hot 
water and the number of cycles per year over time.
    \2\ The second round of clothes washer standards rulemaking was 
initiated by the publication of an Advance Notice of Proposed 
Rulemaking (ANOPR), (59 FR 56423, November 14, 1994.)
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    In response to the NOPR, AHAM submitted comments asking DOE to 
adopt an additional new test procedure to take effect when new 
standards take effect. The Department greatly appreciates AHAM's effort 
in developing a new test procedure. The Department is considering 
adopting the test procedure with certain revisions. The Department is 
considering issuance of a final rule with two test procedures, to be 
codified in Appendices ``J'' and ``J1'' in the Code of Federal 
Regulations, title 10, part 430, Sec. 430.23. Appendix ``J'' would be a 
revision of the current test procedure, would be consistent with the 
existing standards, and would become effective 30 days after issuance 
of the final rule. Appendix ``J1'', based on AHAM's test procedures, 
would be used in the analysis and review of revised efficiency 
standards, and would apply to any revised standards. At that time the 
Department would amend its regulations to replace Appendix ``J'' with 
Appendix ``J1.''
    The Department solicits comments from the public at this time on 
issues raised by the AHAM recommended test procedure and by the options 
under consideration with respect to this proposal. In connection with 
the reopening of the comment period, the Department is proposing 
regulatory language for part 430, Sec. 430.23, Appendix J1.

II. Discussion

A. AHAM Recommended Test Procedure

    AHAM recommended a test procedure for use and adoption during the 
next round of clothes washer standards rulemaking. The AHAM test 
procedure addresses current consumer usage habits which result in 
approximately a 30 percent reduction in energy consumption from the 
current test procedure. Discussed below are comments by the following 
industry representatives: General Electric Company (GE), Maytag and 
Admiral Products (Maytag), Speed Queen Company (Speed Queen), Whirlpool 
Corporation (Whirlpool), and Miele Appliances Inc. (Miele), directed to 
the AHAM test procedures, as well as industry comments that were 
directed to the NOPR but that concern matters also covered by the AHAM 
test procedure. In addition, AHAM provided copies of its clothes washer 
test procedure to non-industry representatives who have been involved 
with the residential appliance standards program. (AHAM, No. 8).\3\ The 
Department received comments concerning the AHAM test procedure from 
the Clorox Company (Clorox), the Proctor and Gamble Company (P&G), and 
American Council for and Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE).
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    \3\ Comments on the NOPR have been assigned docket numbers and 
have been numbered consecutively. Statements that were presented at 
the July 12, 1995, public hearing are identified as Testimony.
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Annual Energy Consumption
    GE recommended that the Department incorporate into the AHAM test 
procedure a table for the annual number of clothes washer cycles per 
year based on the capacity of the clothes washer being tested for 
determining annual energy consumption. GE's recommendation would in 
essence specify a constant amount of clothing (in pounds) that is 
washed per year per typical household. GE derived its table by 
averaging P&G data for average wash loads used in ``regular'' and 
``large'' capacity clothes washers. The GE table shows a range of 
``Adjusted Annual Cycles (AAC)'' from 264 to 810 based on capacity. 
(GE, No. 6 at 4). Maytag strongly opposes the GE recommendation 
primarily because it states, ``there is no evidence that average load 
size is a function of washer capacity. To the contrary, there is 
evidence that wash load sizes are based on factors other than washer 
capacity most of the time.'' (Maytag, No. 41 at 1).
    The Department understands GE's purpose is to provide some type of 
scale to adjust for the use of larger capacity machines. The Department 
is proposing to reduce the number of annual cycles from 416 to 392, as 
stated in the NOPR. The Department is aware that the number of annual 
cycles has declined over time,\4\ while the shipment weighted average 
capacity of clothes washers has increased over the same relative time 
period.\5\ However, the Department believes that it is reasonable to 
assume that the number of cycles for all sizes of clothes washers is 
relatively constant and that families with large needs, based on 
lifestyle or number of family members, purchase larger clothes washers 
and families with smaller needs purchase smaller clothes washers. If 
the GE table were to be employed it would result in the following 
expected

[[Page 17591]]

consumer use cycles per year: using a 1.5 cubic foot compact clothes 
washer, 517 cycles per year would be expected, whereas using a 3.2 
cubic foot standard clothes washer, 298 cycles per year would be 
expected.\6\ For the reasons indicated above, however, the Department 
does not believe that there is such great variation in the average 
usage of washers of different sizes. Moreover, the Department is not 
aware of any data concerning current usage which establish that as the 
capacity of a clothes washer increases, it is operated less frequently. 
Therefore, the Department does not propose to incorporate a table to 
allow for a variation in annual clothes washer cycles dependent upon 
clothes washer capacity. The Department will reconsider this issue, 
however, if it receives statistically valid data showing such a 
variation.
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    \4\ Proctor and Gamble letter of September 2, 1994 to DOE.
    \5\ AHAM Major Home Appliance Industry Book published 1995.
    \6\ These figures were derived by DOE from the GE proposed table 
using the specified clothes washer capacities.
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Capacity Measurement
    The AHAM recommended test procedure, as well as the current and 
NOPR test procedures, require a test measurement of the clothes 
container capacity. This capacity is defined as the volume which a dry 
clothes load could occupy. This capacity is then used in the 
calculation of the Energy Factor which is used to rate the efficiency 
of clothes washers on a per load basis. The actual load, in pounds of 
clothing, that a clothes washer can wash is a function of many 
variables including the wetted clothes container volume which is 
actually available for clothes washing, the agitation system and the 
motor torque. The Department has used the measured clothes container 
capacity as a proxy for the actual load a clothes washer is capable of 
washing, and this has worked well for purposes of comparing vertical 
axis clothes washers. However, there has been discussion as to whether 
the measured capacity of a clothes container is a comparable proxy of 
the load capability for horizontal axis clothes washers.
    The DOE and AHAM recommended test procedures both require measuring 
the capacity to the upper most part of the clothes washer container, 
which includes the volume occupied by the tub ring. The maximum water 
level in any vertical axis clothes washer may vary, but the water level 
cannot go to the top of the tub ring. Maytag calculated that this 
current method of measuring capacity results in the measured volume of 
vertical-axis clothes washers exceeding the wetted volume by a minimum 
of 15 percent to well over 20 percent. (Maytag, No. 13 at 1). However, 
all the manufacturers, including Maytag, believe that the current 
method for measuring vertical-axis clothes washer capacity is 
sufficient and should not be changed. (AHAM, No. 33 at 5).
    Since the measured and wetted volumes of a horizontal axis clothes 
washer are the same, Maytag proposed multiplying the measured volume of 
a horizontal axis clothes washer by a factor of 1.2. (Maytag, No. 13 at 
2). This factor would mathematically increase the capacity of 
horizontal-axis clothes washers and would result in a 20 percent 
increase in the energy factor for horizontal-axis clothes washers. A 
similar factor is included in the International Electrotechnical 
Commission (IEC) 456 test procedure for clothes washers. ACEEE supports 
a capacity credit for horizontal-axis clothes washers.\7\ ACEEE states 
that the IEC test procedure has a 15 percent credit and believes the 
credit may be too low. ACEEE believes the credit should be 21 percent. 
(ACEEE, No. 32 at 3).
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    \7\ Commenters have used both terms ``factor'' and ``credit'' 
which are intended to mean the same thing.
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    Speed Queen opposes a horizontal-axis clothes washer capacity 
adjustment factor stating that adequate time for discussion and comment 
is needed on this ``recently raised issue.'' (Speed Queen, No. 29 at 
3). GE opposes any horizontal-axis clothes washer capacity credit 
stating, ``In view of the evidence, from P & G, that American consumer 
washing habits are driven in large part by their perception of 
capacity, proponents of a European adjustment factor must provide hard 
data of its applicability to the U.S. market.'' (GE, No. 36 at 2). 
Whirlpool also opposes any credit for horizontal-axis clothes washer 
capacity because no data has been presented that would demonstrate a 
difference of American loading habits for vertical-axis versus 
horizontal-axis clothes washers. (Whirlpool, No. 37 at 4).
    The Department notes that the measured volume of a vertical axis 
clothes washer is larger than the wetted volume, whereas, these two 
volumes are the same for horizontal axis clothes washers. Therefore, 
for these two types of machines, capacity may not have the same 
relationship to the amount of clothes a clothes washer is capable of 
washing. However, the Department has no data to indicate that this 
possible difference translates into an actual difference in load size 
capability when the other variables that affect load size are 
considered, or as to how American consumers will use horizontal axis 
washers. If such data becomes available, the Department would consider 
making an adjustment to the calculation of the energy factor of either 
vertical or horizontal axis clothes washers to have relatively accurate 
comparisons. However, today's notice of proposed rulemaking would make 
no changes in this area.
Electrical Energy Supply
    The NOPR would delete a provision in the existing test procedures 
that allowed turning off of console lights which did not consume more 
than 10 watts during the clothes washer test cycle. AHAM maintains this 
provision in its recommended test procedure. Speed Queen, however, 
indicated that it supported the Department's proposal to remove the 
provision. (Speed Queen, No. 29 at 4). Today's notice is consistent 
with the NOPR, and excludes this provision.
Remaining Moisture Content
    The AHAM recommended test procedure includes a provision to test 
the Remaining Moisture Content (RMC) of a test load. RMC represents a 
percentage derived by dividing the moisture weight that is remaining in 
the clothing at the completion of the clothes washer cycle by the 
weight of the dry clothes prior to the clothes washing cycle. There are 
several issues raised relating to the methodology for testing RMC.
    GE expressed a concern about the possibility of manufacturers 
providing manual selectable options to consumers which would affect the 
resulting RMC of consumer wash loads. GE believes that the Department 
should not use the lowest RMC level achieved in a clothes washer for 
the future minimum energy conservation standard analysis or for energy 
reporting, and that there should be some type of ``discounting of the 
RMC credit.'' According to GE, consumers may not always choose the 
setting which would result in the lowest RMC value. (Testimony at 157). 
GE provided a chart showing four factors which affect RMC--spin speed, 
spin time, load size, and rinse temperature (GE, No. 6 at appendix E)--
and stated that clothes washers could be manufactured that offered user 
options for spin speed and duration. Whirlpool indicated that the AHAM 
test procedure addresses the concern regarding consumer selection of 
spin speed. Specifically, Whirlpool stated that the AHAM test procedure 
requires the use of the energy test cycle, which specifies that the 
spin speed recommended by the

[[Page 17592]]

manufacturer for cotton and linen clothes shall be used in the test 
(section 2.1.1 AHAM submitted test procedure). (Testimony at 170). The 
Department realizes there are several issues that affect RMC 
measurement which have not been addressed and are discussed below, 
which could affect the final test procedure methodology for testing 
RMC.
Spin Speed and Spin Time
    The Department is aware that the AHAM recommended test procedure 
requires the use of the energy test cycle to conduct the RMC test. The 
AHAM test procedure defines the ``energy test cycle'' as follows: ``the 
cycle recommended by the manufacturer for washing cotton and/or linen 
clothes. It includes the agitation/tumble operation, spin speed (s), 
wash times, and rinse times applicable to that cycle, including water 
heating time for water heating clothes washers, and applies to all 
wash/rinse temperature selections and water levels available on the 
model, regardless of whether the wash/rinse temperature selections or 
water levels are available in the cycle recommended for cotton and/or 
linens.'' This definition appears to address clothes washers with 
multiple spin speeds, because spin speed is depicted as ``spin 
speed(s).'' In addition, rinse time is depicted as ``rinse times.'' The 
definition clearly states that testing for energy reporting shall be 
conducted in the cycle the manufacturer specifies for cotton and/or 
linen clothes.
    The AHAM test procedure appears to be adequate in the situation 
where the energy test cycle has only one spin speed and time. However, 
the AHAM test procedure does not specify the spin speed to be used in 
testing a clothes washer for which that cycle has several or a range of 
values for spin speed and time for cotton and linen clothes. Therefore, 
because exact consumer preferences are not known relative to the choice 
of multiple spin speed or spin time selections, the Department is 
considering the option of requiring the use of the average of the 
extreme values of the spin speeds and times that are available in the 
energy test cycle.\8\ The Department believes that this would address 
the testing of clothes washers with multiple recommended spin speeds 
and times, and might discount the RMC value as proposed by GE. The 
Department welcomes comments on this issue.
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    \8\ Similarly, for example, the DOE dishwasher test procedure 
has a 50 percent proration value for use of heated verses unheated 
dry option. (42 FR 15423, March 17, 1977)
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Load Size
    GE provided a graph with RMC on the ``Y'' axis and Load Size on the 
``X'' axis. (GE, No. 6 at appendix E). The graph was not quantified, 
but depicted a relatively large negative slope of approximately 0.5. 
Thus, according to the graph, as load size gets larger the RMC level 
decreases substantially.\9\ The Department requested data from all 
parties present at the hearing to help quantify the exact slope. 
(Testimony at 160). So far, the Department has not received any such 
data. The issue is important because the AHAM test procedure specifies 
that the maximum test load be used to conduct the RMC test, which is 
approximately 35 percent larger than an average test load. However, the 
AHAM test procedure indicates, based on P&G data, that consumers use a 
maximum load only 12 percent of the time whereas they use an average 
load 74 percent of the time.
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    \9\ RMC is a percentage which decreases, although the actual 
remaining moisture weight increases because the larger load retains 
more moisture.
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    If GE's graph accurately depicts the slope, this would have a major 
impact on the expected energy savings to consumers and manufacturer 
efficiency/energy consumption representations, because data shows that 
consumers use their clothes washers with an average size load 74 
percent of the time. It would mean that, under the AHAM recommended 
test procedure, the anticipated energy consumption to remove the 
moisture from the clothing would be artificially low because the test 
procedure calculates RMC on the basis of a maximum size load. Under the 
AHAM test procedure RMC is first determined for a maximum size load. 
The RMC thus determined is then adjusted in order to determine the 
moisture content that would remain in an average size load. The 
adjustment formula is based on the assumption that RMC as a percentage 
amount is the same for different load sizes, the point that GE 
disputes. An alternative to the AHAM recommended test method for RMC 
could be to require testing using the average test load, rather than 
the maximum test load with an adjustment. However, the Department 
believes that this may increase test burden. Currently, the majority of 
clothes washer models do not have adaptive control features such as 
automatic water fill control. Under the AHAM recommended test 
procedure, machines with adaptive controls need to be tested using an 
average test load. Requiring testing of all machines using the average 
test load may not be warranted if the slope is actually small. At this 
time, the Department does not plan to change the AHAM recommended test 
method. The Department requests data, comment and suggested changes to 
the test procedure, if needed, to address this issue.
Energy Required To Remove Moisture From the Test Load
    The RMC value is used to calculate the energy required to remove 
moisture from the test load, ``DE''. The ``DE'' is calculated 
using the maximum size test load, load adjustment factor (LAF) (P&G 
ratio of maximum load size to average load size), nominal energy 
required to remove moisture from clothes (constant for all clothes 
washers, 0.5 KWh/lb) and the clothes dryer utilization factor (DUF) 
(percentage of clothes washer loads that are dried by clothes dryers). 
AHAM recommended a DUF of 83 percent, although P&G calculates the DUF 
to be 84.4 percent.\10\ AHAM stated at the hearing it did not think 
using the 84 percent figure would be controversial, but that it might 
need to further consider the matter. (Testimony at 104-105). The 
Department is using 84 percent for the DUF in today's proposal.
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    \10\ Comment 32 on Docket number EE-RM-94-403.
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Sodium Hypochlorite Bleach
    Clorox recommended that the Department adopt a definition for 
sodium hypochlorite bleach (bleach) dispenser, and a corresponding 
credit because of the potential for energy savings. (Clorox, No. 30 at 
1). In regard to the clothes washer standard rulemaking, Clorox has 
provided the Department with data indicating that a significant amount 
of energy can be saved with the use of bleach.11 The savings would 
be realized through the use of colder water for washing. The Clorox 
data shows that cleaning performance is maintained or minimally 
degraded at colder temperatures if bleach is used. Clorox recommended 
revising the Temperature Use Factors (TUFs) and energy consumption 
calculations to provide a credit to clothes washers equipped with a 
bleach dispenser. Clorox stated, however, ``Consumer data identifies a 
large area for potential energy savings due to the higher incidence of 
hot water usage in bleach loads.'' (Emphasis added.) Clorox further 
stated, ``Consumers that use bleach typically are more concerned with 
getting their laundry clean, and recognize that hotter wash 
temperatures provide the best results.'' (Clorox, No. 30 at 2).
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    \11\ Comment 41 on docket number EE-RM-94-403.

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[[Page 17593]]

    The data provided from Clorox relative to the cleaning performance 
with bleach shows a significant potential for energy savings because 
cleaning performance is maintained or minimally degraded when bleach is 
added to cold water and detergent, versus when hot water is used with 
just detergent. However, the energy savings do not appear to be 
demonstrated by the data provided, because consumers who use bleach 
tend to use hot water rather than shifting to cold water. Therefore, 
the Department does not plan to include a provision for bleach in its 
clothes washer test procedures. The Department welcomes comment on this 
issue.
Suds-Saver Provision
    The AHAM recommended test procedure does not provide a credit to 
clothes washers with a suds-saver feature. Based on previous 
information from AHAM (AHAM meeting, February 16, 1995), the Department 
believes that AHAM eliminated this provision due to the relatively low 
number of sales of clothes washers with a suds-saver feature. 
Additionally, AHAM believes that a suds-saver credit is no longer 
needed in the test procedure. The Department requests comments relative 
to the elimination of the suds-saver credit.
Temperature Use Factors
    The Department received several comments regarding the method for 
determining Temperature Use Factors (TUFs), which are used to prorate 
energy consumption among cold, warm and hot wash, as well as to factor 
in a warm rinse if offered. Because any test procedure based on the 
AHAM test procedure would not become effective until approximately the 
year 2000, a significant emphasis in determining such test procedure's 
TUF values has been on the need and method to project future consumer 
usage habits based on currently available survey data.
    AHAM provided the recommended test procedure with TUFs for wash 
temperatures and a range of TUF values for rinse temperature. (AHAM, 
No. 8). AHAM indicated that the original submission had been revised 
and provided the final version of TUFs. The final version also included 
a range of rinse TUF values. (AHAM, No. 48 at 1). GE indicated that it 
supported the AHAM wash TUFs and provided justification for a warm 
rinse TUF of 21 percent. GE provided a detailed analysis which included 
linear regression projections and utilized ``differencing to eliminate 
autocorrelation.'' (GE, No. 6 at 5 and No. 36 at 1). P&G provided data, 
linear regression analysis with and without projections, and 
recommendations for TUFs. P&G indicated that it believed the future 
projections of the linear regression were valid for the wash TUFs, 
although it thought the projection for the warm rinse TUF was too 
aggressive. (P&G, No. 12 at 1). ACEEE believed the TUFs should be 
determined by the average between a current linear regression and a 
linear regression projected to the year 1999. (ACEEE, No. 32 at 3). 
Although Whirlpool disagreed with AHAM's use of linear regression 
projection to obtain wash TUF values, and instead recommended use of an 
average of the last five years, it supported the AHAM wash TUFs because 
the resultant difference was small. Whirlpool indicated that it 
believed the warm rinse TUF value should be 33 percent. (Whirlpool, No. 
37 at 2).
    At the Department's request, the National Institute of Standards 
and Technology (NIST) has conducted a linear regression with and 
without future year projections. The NIST results varied slightly from 
the P&G analysis results, probably due to rounding off to integers or 
to use of the calendar year for the data (P & G survey data is 
conducted over two calendar years, i.e., 93/94), but were basically 
consistent with the P&G results. The following table provides the TUF 
values as recommended from the various entities.

                          Presentation of Various Positions for Temperature Use Factors                         
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  Hot wash (DATA/    Warm wash       Cold wash      Warm rinse      Warm rinse  
                                       TUF)         (DATA/TUF)      (DATA/TUF)        (DATA)         (TUF \3\)  
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
P&G 1994 RAW DATA...............            0.16            0.48            0.36            0.18             N/A
AHAM............................            0.14            0.47            0.39   \1\ 0.13-0.21       0.21-0.33
GE..............................            0.14            0.47            0.39            0.13            0.21
WHIRLPOOL.......................        \1\ 0.16        \1\ 0.50        \1\ 0.34        \1\ 0.21        \1\ 0.33
ACEEE...........................        \1\ 0.14        \1\ 0.49        \1\ 0.37        \1\ 0.16        \1\ 0.27
P&G 1994 REGRESSION.............            0.15            0.51            0.34            0.18        \1\ 0.30
NIST 1994 REGRESSION............        \1\ 0.15        \1\ 0.50        \1\ 0.35        \1\ 0.19        \1\ 0.32
P&G 2000 REGRESSION.............            0.14            0.48            0.38        \2\ 0.16        \1\ 0.27
NIST 2000 REGRESSION............        \1\ 0.13        \1\ 0.48        \1\ 0.39        \1\ 0.13        \1\ 0.22
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\1\ Calculated by NIST independently or based on comment.                                                       
\2\ Recommended by P&G, independent of regression results.                                                      
\3\ Presently accepted by all commenters as being calculated by (P&G data)/0.60, representing that 60 percent of
  the clothes washers in the P&G survey had a warm rinse available.                                             

    The Department believes that linear regression is one acceptable 
method of conducting data plotting because it is generally accepted, 
for example, by educators, economists and businesses. However, to 
project consumer usage data into the future, linear regression may be 
unacceptable because it does not address factors which affect the 
change in consumer's habits (e.g., per P&G: improvements in detergent, 
change in fabric type or concern to save energy). (P&G, No. 12 at 1,2). 
From a statistical standpoint, if data were available on the factors 
which correlate to the decrease in hot water usage, then an accurate 
prediction could be made. However, the Department does not have this 
data and understands that the data is not readily available. 
Considering P&G's comments, the Department believes the trend to choose 
cooler wash temperatures is likely to continue, but possibly not at the 
rate indicated by the linear regression projection. Considering the 
above, the Department believes that the ACEEE position to average the 
current TUF values and the projected TUF values is a reasonable 
approach, since the test procedure is being developed for future use. 
Therefore, in its modifications of the AHAM test procedure, DOE is 
considering incorporation of the following TUFs: hot wash, 14 percent; 
warm wash, 49 percent; cold wash, 37 percent; and warm rinse, 27 
percent. The Department welcomes comments relating to the acceptability 
of these TUF values.

[[Page 17594]]

Test Cloth and Test Load
    AHAM recommended a requirement for pre-conditioning the ``energy 
test cloths'' (see AHAM test procedure section 2.6.1.2). In this 
section, AHAM referenced its standard ``test detergent IIA.'' The 
Department believes that specifying a particular detergent is too 
specific and may not be warranted because a variation in detergent for 
preconditioning test cloth is unlikely to measurably affect the energy 
consumption of a clothes washer being tested. Absent any justification 
to require use of AHAM's detergent in performing the test procedure, 
non-AHAM manufacturers should not be required to obtain the AHAM 
detergent to test their clothes washers. Therefore, the Department is 
considering changing the detergent to ``commercially available clothes 
washer detergent that is suitable for 135  deg.F (57.2  deg.C) wash 
water.'' The Department requests comment on this detergent description.
    The Department is also concerned about the use of ``energy stuffer 
cloths'' (test procedure section 2.6.2). Energy test cloths and energy 
stuffer cloths are used to make up the various size test loads. An 
energy stuffer cloth is approximately one sixth the size of an energy 
test cloth. The concern is that if a large number of energy stuffer 
cloths are used instead of energy test cloths, then the mechanical 
energy needed to agitate the test load may be understated. The 
Department believes that there should be a maximum number of energy 
stuffer cloths that can be used to establish the test load. Therefore, 
the Department is considering the option of setting the maximum number 
of energy stuffer cloths that can be used to 5. This number represents 
the maximum number of energy stuffer cloths that should be needed 
because 6 energy stuffer cloths would be the equivalent of one energy 
test cloth. The Department requests comments on this issue.
    In its test load table (table 5.1), AHAM recommended a tolerance of 
 0.10 pounds. The Department believes this tolerance is too 
large. A tolerance of  0.05 pounds appears to be more 
suitable because the required test load sizes can easily be obtained 
through the use of energy stuffer cloths that weigh approximately 0.04 
pounds each. The Department requests comments on the tolerance value.
Uniformly Distributed Temperature Selections
    At the hearing, the Department expressed concern regarding 
terminology used in AHAM's recommended test procedure--``uniformly 
distributed, by temperature [between hot wash and cold wash]''--
relative to the calculation or testing of a warm wash temperature 
selection. (Testimony at 113). The AHAM test procedure requires that 
the warm wash (or multiple warm wash) selection(s) be calculated, in 
lieu of testing, when all of a model's temperature selections are 
uniformly distributed. If not uniformly distributed, then each 
temperature selection must be tested. The Department asked AHAM to 
define ``uniformly distributed, by temperature (between hot wash and 
cold wash)'' at the hearing. (Testimony at 115). AHAM responded with an 
expanded definition that sets two conditions for a ``warm wash having 
uniform distribution by temperature between hot wash and cold wash.'' 
(AHAM, No. 33 at 4). The first condition is: the ``theoretical mean 
warm wash temperature'' equals the ``theoretical mean of all wash 
temperatures.'' The second condition is: ``uniform separation'' of warm 
wash temperatures exists. AHAM included detailed mathematical equations 
(see AHAM No. 33 at 4) to further explain the above terms.
    The Department appreciates AHAM's submission regarding the 
definition and mathematical expressions. However, the Department 
believes that a narrative definition would be more appropriate for the 
rule language to maintain consistency with other definitions. The 
Department is considering an approach that retains the content of the 
AHAM definition, but converts it into narrative form through a 
definition for ``uniformly distributed warm wash.''
    AHAM also indicated without qualification that an ``infinite 
selection'' warm wash temperature selection would be considered 
uniformly distributed. If a clothes washer has an infinite number of 
warm wash temperature selections which follows a proportional (or 
linear) relationship with the warm wash selection device (dial, slide, 
etc.), then clearly the warm wash temperature selection is uniformly 
distributed and the recommended AHAM method for uniformly distributed 
temperatures applies. However, the AHAM test procedure does not address 
an infinite warm wash selection which follows a path that is not 
proportional (linear). It is possible that some clothes washer 
manufacturers, in the future, may employ non-linear infinite warm wash 
selections. Therefore, the Department is considering the option of 
revising sections 3.5.1 and 3.5.2 of the AHAM test procedure to address 
this issue, and welcomes comments relative to the definitions and 
revised sections it is considering.
    In addition, Whirlpool has indicated a concern about the language 
regarding intermediate warm wash temperatures. (Whirlpool No. 50 at 1). 
Whirlpool recommended changing the terminology in the test procedure 
from ``Warm Wash'' to ``Intermediate Wash'' to eliminate confusion. The 
Department agrees with Whirlpool that the intent of the AHAM 
recommended test procedure is that the warm wash temperatures refer to 
all temperatures which are below the hottest hot (135  deg.F (57.2 
deg.C)) and above the coldest cold. The Department agrees with 
Whirlpool and believes that was the intent of the AHAM recommended test 
procedure. Therefore, to prevent any possible ambiguity regarding warm 
wash temperatures, the Department is considering defining ``warm wash'' 
as all temperature selections between the hottest and coldest. The 
Department welcomes comments regarding the AHAM test procedure and the 
acceptability of the new definition.
Water-Heating Clothes Washers
    NIST on behalf of the Department expressed a concern regarding the 
possible need to establish ambient test conditions for testing water-
heating clothes washers. (Testimony at 132). The Department believes 
that the energy consumed in a water-heating clothes washer may be 
affected by the ambient temperature of the clothes washer. Thus, if the 
ambient temperature prior to and during testing is relatively hot, then 
less energy will be consumed than under typical operating conditions, 
i.e., the test will understate the clothes washer's energy consumption. 
Conversely, if the ambient temperature prior to and during the test is 
relatively cold, then the energy consumption will be overstated. The 
Department asked AHAM to comment on this issue at the hearing. 
(Testimony at 132). AHAM recommended adding ambient temperature 
conditions for tests of water heating clothes washers, specified as 75 
deg.F  5  deg.F. (AHAM, No. 33 at 6) . Speed Queen 
supported the AHAM recommendation. (Speed Queen, No. 29 at 2). The 
Department believes that AHAM's specified temperature is above room 
temperature but reflects acceptable test conditions for manufacturer 
facilities while preventing large variations. Therefore, DOE is 
considering adoption of this requirement.
    The Department is concerned about the testing of water-heating 
clothes washers that may have been stored in an area that has a 
temperature outside of

[[Page 17595]]

the above range, prior to testing. The concern is that the thermal mass 
of the clothes washer may affect the resultant energy consumption. 
Therefore, the Department is considering the addition of pre-
conditioning requirements for water-heating clothes washers. The unique 
requirement would be to conduct the established pre-conditioning 
procedure, if the water-heating clothes washer has not been stored in 
the test room, at the specified ambient conditions, for at least 8 
hours (see section 2.9.2). The Department welcomes comment on the 8 
hour time frame and on the issue of ambient conditions for water-
heating clothes washers.
    AHAM's recommended test procedure provides for testing water-
heating clothes washers that are capable of using externally heated 
water. However, the AHAM test procedure only included a provision for 
hot water heated externally by electricity and did not include a 
provision for water-heating clothes washers that use hot water heated 
externally by gas or oil. A test provision for hot water heated 
externally by gas or oil is required for Federal Trade Commission 
labeling. Therefore, the Department is considering adoption of such a 
provision. Additionally, in doing so, the Department is also 
considering simplification of the test procedure by combining sections 
for water-heating and nonwater-heating clothes washers where 
appropriate. The Department requests comments on these options.
Water Consumption Factor
    In the NOPR, the Department proposed a Water Consumption Factor 
(WCF) (clothes washer capacity per gallon per cycle). The Department 
believes that providing a means of determining WCF may allow consumers, 
utilities or other organizations to compare clothes washer water 
consumption independent of clothes washer capacity. AHAM recommended 
language to calculate total water consumption in gallons per cycle. The 
AHAM expression is not adjusted to take into account variations of 
model capacities and will penalize larger capacity clothes washers on a 
comparison basis.
    In response to the NOPR for Appendix ``J'', the Department received 
several comments regarding the WCF. Miele and Speed Queen indicated 
that WCF should be the inverse of what was proposed because many 
utilities already use that factor (gallons per cycle per cubic foot 
capacity). (Miele, No. 10 at 2 and Speed Queen, No. 29 at 3). AHAM 
indicated that WCF on a per cycle basis can be expressed as cubic feet 
per gallon (AHAM, No. 33 at 5). The Department agrees with Miele and 
Speed Queen that the WCF should be consistent with existing utility 
programs and represented on a per cycle basis as gallons (weighted 
water consumption) per cubic foot capacity. Therefore, the Department 
is considering addition of a provision to AHAM's recommended test 
procedure to calculate WCF expressed as gallons per cycle per cubic 
feet. The Department requests comments regarding this topic.

B. Related Matters

1. Potential Impacts/Changes to the Appendix J Test Procedure
Test Load Sizes
    AHAM recommended that the Department adopt its test load table 
(table 5.1 of the Appendix ``J1'' test procedure) for the Appendix 
``J'' test procedure. The Department supports the incorporation of the 
AHAM test load table because it reflects the latest consumer usage 
data. However, the impact of the incorporation of the recommended AHAM 
test load table will most likely result in the majority of front-loader 
clothes washers being tested with larger test loads. The Department 
realizes that front-loader clothes washers are not required to meet a 
performance minimum energy conservation standard, but existing models 
will require retesting and relabeling. The Department requests comments 
relative to the acceptability of the AHAM recommended test load table 
for the Appendix ``J'' test procedure.
Water-Heating Clothes Washers
    AHAM recommended a provision for testing water-heating clothes 
washers that have the capability of using externally heated water (see 
discussion above). However, the provision for externally heated water 
was not in the NOPR. Therefore, the Department plans on similarly 
incorporating test procedures for water-heating clothes washers with 
externally heated water capability in the final rule for the Appendix 
``J'' test procedure. The Department requests comments on this issue.
Field Testing
    Methods for testing nonconventional clothes washers are not 
provided in the DOE current test procedure, the NOPR Appendix J, or 
AHAM recommended test procedure. In addition, none of these test 
procedures is valid for machines equipped with adaptive controls if 
consumers use the adaptive cycle more than 50% of the time. AHAM's 
recommended test procedure specifies guidelines for conducting field 
tests of nonconventional clothes washers, and of machines with adaptive 
controls where a manufacturer believes the controls will be used more 
than 50% of the time. The field testing provisions provide guidelines 
for manufacturers to conduct data gathering in support of a Petition 
for Waiver pursuant to Code of Federal Regulation, Title 10, Part 430, 
section 430.27. AHAM proposed that these same field testing provisions 
be added to Appendix ``J''. The Department requests comments on this 
proposal.
2. Section 430.23, ``Test Procedures for Measures of Energy 
Consumption'', Paragraph (j)
    The Department proposed revisions to Sec. 430.23 (j) in the NOPR. 
These changes dealt with the number of annual clothes washer cycles, 
corresponding Appendix ``J'' section number references and the 
incorporation of the Modified Energy Factor descriptor. If Appendix 
``J1'' is promulgated, Sec. 430.23(j) will need to be revised. The 
Department plans to make the required section reference changes to 
Sec. 430.23(j), for both the Appendix ``J'' and Appendix ``J1'' test 
procedures.

List of Subjects in 10 CFR Part 430

    Administrative practice and procedure, Energy conservation, 
Household appliances.

    Issued in Washington, DC, April 15, 1996.
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, of the Code of Federal Regulations is proposed to be 
amended as set forth below:
    1. The authority citation for part 430 continues to read as 
follows:

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

    2. Appendix J1 is added to subpart B of part 430 as follows:

Appendix J1 to Subpart B of Part 430--Uniform Test Method for Measuring 
the Energy Consumption of Automatic and Semi-Automatic Clothes Washers.

    Note: This test procedure applies to amendments to revise 1994 
minimum energy conservation standards for clothes washers set forth 
at Title 10 CFR 430.32(g).

1. Definitions

    1.1  Adaptive control system refers to a clothes washer control 
system which is capable of automatically adjusting washer operation 
or washing conditions based on characteristics of the clothes load 
placed in the clothes container, without allowing or requiring 
consumer intervention and/or actions. Examples would be clothes 
washer

[[Page 17596]]

control system independent selection, modifications, or absolute 
control of wash water temperature, agitation and/or tumble cycle 
time, number of rinse cycles, spin speed, etc.

    Note: The energy consumption of any adaptive system which 
depends on the use of, detection of, or the presence of either soil, 
soap, suds, or any additive laundering substitute or complimentary 
product to determine the operation of the clothes washer must be 
determined following the field test procedures defined in section 6.

    1.2  Adaptive water fill control system refers to a clothes 
washer water fill control system which is capable of automatically 
adjusting the water fill level based on the size or weight of the 
clothes load placed in the clothes container, without allowing or 
requiring consumer intervention and/or actions.
    1.3  Bone-dry means a condition or a load of test cloth which 
has been dried in a dryer at maximum temperature for a minimum of 10 
minutes, removed and weighed before cool down, and then dried again 
for 10 minute periods until the final weight change of the load is 1 
percent or less.
    1.4  Clothes container means the compartment within the clothes 
washer that holds the clothes during the operation of the machine.
    1.5  Compact refers to a clothes washer which has a clothes 
container capacity of less than 1.6 cubic feet.
    1.6  Deep rinse cycle refers to a rinse cycle in which the 
clothes container is filled with water to a selected level and the 
clothes load is rinsed by agitating it or tumbling it through the 
water.
    1.7  Energy test cycle means the cycle recommended by the 
manufacturer for washing cotton and/or linen clothes. It includes 
the agitation/tumble operation, spin speed(s), wash times, and rinse 
times applicable to that cycle, including water heating time for 
water heating clothes washers, and applies to all wash/rinse 
temperature selections and water levels available on the model, 
regardless of whether the wash/rinse temperature selections or water 
levels are available in the cycle recommended for cottons and/or 
linens.
    1.8  Load use factor means the percentage of the total number of 
wash loads that a user would wash a particular size (weight) load.
    1.9  Manual control systems refers to the type of washer control 
system which requires that the consumer make the choices that 
determine washer operation or washing conditions, for example: wash/
rinse temperature selections, and wash time before starting the 
cycle.
    1.10  Manual water fill control system refers to a clothes 
washer water fill control system which requires the consumer to 
determine or select the water fill level.
    1.11  Modified energy factor means the quotient of the cubic 
foot (or liter) capacity of the clothes container divided by the 
total clothes washer energy consumption per cycle, expressed as the 
sum of the machine electrical energy consumption, the hot water 
energy consumption, and the energy required for removal of remaining 
moisture of the test load.
    1.12  Nonwater-heating clothes washer refers to a clothes washer 
which does not have an internal hot water heating device to generate 
hot water.
    1.13  Spray rinse cycle refers to a rinse cycle in which water 
is sprayed onto the clothes for a period of time without maintaining 
any specific water level in the clothes container.
    1.14  Standard refers to a clothes washer which has a clothes 
container capacity of 1.6 cubic feet or greater.
    1.15  Temperature use factor means, for a particular wash/rinse 
temperature setting, the percentage of the total number of wash 
loads that an average user would wash with that setting.
    1.16  Thermostatically controlled water valves refer to a set of 
clothes washer valves which sense water temperature and adjust the 
hot water and cold water supplies appropriately to maintain a 
desired mixed water temperature.
    1.17  Uniformly distributed warm wash refers to warm wash 
selections for which the warm wash water temperatures have a linear 
relationship with all discrete warm wash selections when the water 
temperatures are plotted against equally spaced consecutive warm 
wash selections between the hottest warm wash and the coldest warm 
wash. If the warm wash has infinite selections, the warm wash water 
temperature shall have a linear relationship with the distance on 
the selection device (e.g. dial angle or slide movement) between the 
hottest warm wash and the coldest warm wash. The criteria for a 
linear relationship as specified above is that the difference 
between the actual water temperature at any warm wash selection and 
the corresponding temperature on the temperature/selection line 
formed by connecting the warmest and the coldest warm selections is 
less than 5 percent. In all cases, the mean water 
temperature of the warmest and the coldest warm selections must 
coincide with the mean of the hot and cold water temperature.
    1.18  Warm wash refers to all temperature selections that are 
below the hottest hot (135  deg.F (57.2  deg.C)) and 
above the coldest cold temperature selection.
    1.19  Water consumption factor means the quotient of the total 
weighted per-cycle water consumption divided by the cubic foot (or 
liter) capacity of the clothes washer.
    1.20  Water-heating clothes washer refers to a clothes washer 
where some or all of the hot water for clothes washing is generated 
by a water heating device internal to the clothes washer.
    1.21  Symbol usage.
    The following identity relationships are provided to help 
clarify the symbology used throughout this procedure. The other 
symbols and corresponding terms from the table below a sample 
variable can be substituted with their appropriate meanings:
    1.21.1  For example, ``Electrical Energy Consumption'' for an 
``Extra Hot Wash'' and ``Maximum Test Load'' would be depicted as 
follows:

Emx

E--Electrical Energy Consumption
H--Hot Water Consumption
C--Cold Water Consumption
m--Extra Hot Wash (max. temp. >135 deg.F (57.2 deg.C.))
h--Hot Wash (max. temp. <=135 deg.F (57.2 deg.C.))
w--Warm Wash (intermediate temp.)
c--Cold Wash (minimum temp.)
x--Maximum Test Load
a+--Above Average Test Load
a--Average Test Load
a---Below Average Test Load
n--Minimum Test Load

    1.21.2  For example, ``Hot Water Consumed by Warm Rinse'' for 
the ``Maximum Test Load'' would be depicted as follows:

Rx

R--Hot Water Consumed by Warm Rinse
Er--Electrical Energy Consumed by Warm Wash/Warm Rinse
ER--Electrical Energy Consumed by Warm Rinse+--Maximum Test 
Load
a+--Above Average Test Load
a--Average Test Load
a---Below Average Test Load
n--Minimum Test Load

    1.21.3  For example, ``Temperature Use Factor'' for ``Extra Hot 
Wash'' would be depicted as follows:

TUFm

m--Extra Hot Wash
h--Hot Wash
w--Warm Wash
c--Cold Wash
R--Warm Rinse

    1.21.4  For example, ``Temperature Weighted Hot Water 
Consumption'' for the ``Maximum Test Load'' would be depicted as 
follows:

Vhx

x--Maximum Test Load
a+--Above Average Test Load
a--Average Test Load
a---Below Average Test Load
n--Minimum Test Load

    1.21.5  For example, ``Hot Water Energy Consumption'' for the 
``Maximum Test Load'' would be depicted as follows:

Emax

E--Hot Water Energy Consumption
F--Load Usage Factor
Q--Total Water Consumption
ME--Machine Electrical Energy Consumption
max--Maximum Test Load
avg--Average Test Load
min--Minimum Test Load

    1.21.6  The following additional symbols are used in the test 
procedure:

RMC--Remaining Moisture Content
WI--Initial Weight of Dry Test Load
WC--Weight of Test Load After Extraction
MET--Total Machine Electrical Energy Consumption
ETE--Total Per-Cycle Energy Consumption

2. Testing Conditions

    2.1  Installation. Install the clothes washer in accordance with 
manufacturer's instructions.
    2.2  Electrical energy supply. Maintain the electrical supply at 
the clothes washer terminal block within 2 percent of 120, 120/240, 
or 120/208Y volts as applicable to the particular terminal block 
wiring system and

[[Page 17597]]

within 2 percent of the nameplate frequency as specified by the 
manufacturer. If the clothes washer has a dual voltage conversion 
capability, conduct test at the highest voltage specified by the 
manufacturer.
    2.3  Supply Water Temperature.
    2.3.1  Clothes washers in which electrical energy consumption 
and/or water energy consumption are affected by the inlet water 
temperature (for example, water heating clothes washers or clothes 
washers with thermostatically controlled water valves). The 
temperature of the hot water supply at the water inlets shall be 
maintained at 135 deg.F +0 deg.F -10 deg.F (57.2 deg.C +0 deg.C 
-5.5 deg.C) and the cold water supply at the water inlets shall be 
maintained at 60 deg.F +0 deg.F -10 deg.F (15.6 deg.C +0 deg.C 
-5.6 deg.C). A water meter shall be installed in both the hot and 
cold water lines to measure water consumption.
    2.3.2  Clothes washers in which electrical energy consumption 
and water energy consumption are NOT affected by the inlet water 
temperature. The temperature of the hot water supply shall be 
maintained at 135 deg.F  5 deg.F (57.2 deg.C 
 2.8 deg.C) and the cold water supply shall be 
maintained at 60 deg.F  5 deg.F (15.6 deg.C  
2.8 deg.C). A water meter shall be installed in both the hot and 
cold water lines to measure water consumption.
    2.4  Water pressure. The static water pressure at the hot and 
cold water inlet connection of the clothes washer shall be 
maintained at 35 pounds per square inch gauge (psig) 2.5 
psig (241.3 kPa  17.2 kPa) during the test. The static 
water pressure for a single water inlet connection shall be 
maintained at 35 psig 2.5 psig (241.3 kPa 
17.2 kPa) during the test. A water pressure gauge shall 
be installed in both the hot and cold water lines to measure water 
pressure.
    2.5  Instrumentation. Perform all test measurements using the 
following instruments, as appropriate:
    2.5.1  Weighing scales.
    2.5.1.1  Weighing scale for test cloth. The scale shall have a 
resolution of at least 0.2 ounces (5.7 g) and a maximum error no 
greater than 0.3 percent of the measured value.
    2.5.1.2  Weighing scale for clothes container capacity 
measurements. The scale should have a resolution of 0.50 pounds (0.2 
kg) and a maximum error no greater than 0.5 percent of the measured 
value.
    2.5.2  Watt-hour meter. The watt-hour meter shall have a 
resolution no larger than 1 watt-hour (3.6 kJ) and a maximum error 
no greater than 2 percent of the measured value for any demand 
greater than 50 watts-hours (180.0 kJ).
    2.5.3  Temperature measuring device. The device shall have an 
error no greater than 1 deg.F ( 0.6 deg.C) 
over the range being measured.
    2.5.4   Water meter. The water meter shall have a resolution no 
larger than 0.1 gallons (0.4 liters) and a maximum error no greater 
than 2 percent for the water flow rates being measured.
    2.5.5  Water pressure gauge. The water pressure gauge shall have 
a resolution of 1 pound per square inch gauge (psig) (6.9 kPa) and 
shall have an error no greater than 5 percent of any measured value.
    2.6  Test cloths.
    2.6.1  Energy test cloth.
    2.6.1.1  The energy test cloth shall not be used for more than 
25 test runs and shall be clean and consist of the following:
    (a) Pure finished bleached cloth, made with a momie or granite 
weave, which is 50 percent cotton and 50 percent polyester and 
weighs 5.75 ounces per square yard (195.0 g/m\2\) and has 65 ends on 
the warp and 57 picks on the fill. (b) Cloth material that is 24 
inches by 36 inches (61.0 cm by 91.4 cm) and has been hemmed to 22 
inches by 34 inches (55.9 cm by 86.4 cm) before washing. The maximum 
shrinkage after five washes shall not be more than four percent on 
the length and width.
    2.6.1.2  The new test cloths, including energy test cloths and 
energy stuffer cloths shall be pre-conditioned in a clothes washer 
in the following manner:
    2.6.1.2.1  For each gallon (3.79 liters) of water used, use 6 
grams of a commercially available clothes washing detergent that is 
suitable for 135  deg.F (57.2  deg.C) wash water, with the washer 
set on maximum water level. Place detergent in washer and then place 
the new load to be conditioned in the washer. Wash the load for ten 
minutes in soft water (17ppm or less). Wash water is to be hot, and 
controlled at 135  deg.F  5  deg.F (57.2  deg.C 
 2.8  deg.C). Rinse water temperature is to be cold, and 
controlled at 60  deg.F  5  deg.F (15.6  
deg.C 2.8  deg.C). Rinse the load through a second rinse using the 
same water temperature (utilize an optional second rinse if 
available).
    2.6.1.2.2  Dry the load.
    2.6.1.2.3  A final cycle is to be hot water wash with no 
detergent followed by two cold water rinses.
    2.6.1.2.4  Dry the load.
    2.6.2  Energy stuffer cloth. The energy stuffer cloth shall be 
made from energy test cloth material and shall consist of pieces of 
material that are 12 inches by 12 inches (30.5 cm by 30.5 cm) and 
have been hemmed to 10 inches by 10 inches (25.4 cm by 25.4 cm) 
before washing. The maximum shrinkage after five washes shall not be 
more than four percent on the length and width. The number of test 
runs on the same energy stuffer cloth shall not exceed 25 runs.
    2.7  Test Load Sizes. Maximum, minimum, and when required, 
average test load sizes shall be determined using Table 5.1 and the 
clothes container capacity as measured in 3.1 through 3.1.4. Test 
loads shall consist of energy test cloths, except that adjustments 
to the test loads to achieve proper weight can be made by the use of 
energy stuffer cloths with no more than 5 stuffer clothes per load.
    2.8  Use of Test Loads. Table 2.8 defines the test load sizes 
and corresponding water fill settings which are to be used when 
measuring water and energy consumption. ``Control System'' refers to 
the type of clothes washer control system as defined in section 1 of 
this appendix:

                                              Table 2.8.--Test Load Sizes and Water Fill Settings Required                                              
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Water fill control system                     Manual                                  Manual                                 Adaptive               
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Manual                                 Adaptive                           Manual or adaptive          
      Other control systems      -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Test load size    Water fill setting    Test load size    Water fill setting    Test load size    Water fill setting
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  Max...............  Max...............  Max...............  Max...............  Max...............  As determined by  
                                                                                                                                       the Clothes      
                                                                                                                                       Washer.          
                                  Min...............  Min...............  Avg...............  Max...............  Avg+\1\...........                    
                                                                          Min...............  Min...............  Avg...............                    
                                                                                              ..................  Avg\1\............                    
                                                                                                                  Min ..............                    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ See 3.3.3.1, 3.4.3.1, or 3.6.3.1 to determine if these load sizes are required.                                                                     

    2.8.1  The test load sizes to be used to measure RMC are 
specified in section 3.8.
    2.8.2  Test loads for energy and water consumption measurements 
shall be bone dry prior to the first cycle of the test, and dried to 
a maximum of 104 percent of bone dry weight for subsequent testing.
    2.8.3  Method of loading. Load the energy test cloths by 
grasping them in the center, shaking them to hang loosely and then 
put them into the clothes container prior to activating the clothes 
washer.
    2.9  Pre-conditioning.
    2.9.1  Nonwater-heating clothes washer. If the clothes washer 
has neither been tested nor filled with water in the preceding 96 
hours, pre-condition it by running it through a cold rinse cycle and 
then draining it to ensure that the hose, pump, and sump are filled 
with water.
    2.9.2  Water-heating clothes washer. If the clothes washer has 
neither been tested nor filled with water in the preceding 96 hours

[[Page 17598]]

and/or if it has not been in the test room at the specified ambient 
conditions for 8 hours, pre-condition it by running it through a 
cold rinse cycle and then draining it to ensure that the hose, pump, 
and sump are filled with water.
    2.10  Wash time setting. If one wash time is prescribed in the 
energy test cycle, that shall be the wash time setting; otherwise, 
the wash time setting shall be the higher of either the minimum, or 
70 percent of the maximum, wash time available in the energy test 
cycle.
    2.11  Test room temperature for water-heating clothes washers. 
Maintain the test room ambient air temperature at 
75 deg.F5  deg.F (23.9  deg.C 2.8  deg.C).

3. Test Measurements

    3.1  Clothes container capacity. Measure the entire volume which 
a dry clothes load could occupy within the clothes container during 
washer operation according to the following procedures:
    3.1.1  Line the inside of the clothes container with 2 mil 
(0.051 mm) plastic sheet. All clothes washer components which occupy 
space within the clothes container and which are recommended for use 
with the energy test cycle shall be in place and shall be lined with 
2 mil (0.051 mm) plastic sheet to prevent water from entering any 
void space.
    3.1.2  Record the total weight of the machine before adding 
water.
    3.1.3  Fill the clothes container manually with either 60 
deg.F5  deg.F (15.6  deg.C2.8  deg. C) or 
100 deg.F#10  deg.F (37.8 deg.C 2.8 deg.C) 
water to its uppermost edge. Measure and record the weight of water, 
W, in pounds.
    3.1.4  The clothes container capacity is calculated as follows:

C=W/d.

Where:

C=Capacity in cubic feet.
W=Mass of water in pounds.
d=Density of water (62.0 lbs/ft3 for 100 deg. F (993 kg/m\3\ 
for 37.8 deg. C) or 62.3 lbs/ft\3\ for 60 deg. F (998 kg/m\3\ for 
15.6 deg. C)).

    3.2  Procedure for measuring water and energy consumption values 
on all automatic and semi-automatic washers. All energy consumption 
tests shall be performed under the energy test cycle, unless 
otherwise specified. Table 3.2 defines the sections below which 
govern tests of particular clothes washers, based on the number of 
wash/rinse temperature selections available on the model, and/or 
method of water heating. The procedures prescribed are applicable 
regardless of a clothes washer's washing capacity, loading port 
location, primary axis of rotation of the clothes container, and 
type of control system.

                                       Table 3.2.--Test Section Reference                                       
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Max. wash temp. available                  <=135  deg.F (57.2  deg.C)          135  deg.F  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------     (57.2  deg.C) \2\    
                                                                                      --------------------------
       Number of wash temp. selections             1            2       =3       3       3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Test Sections Required to be Followed.......          3.6          3.4           3.4           3.3           3.3
                                                  \1\ 3.7          3.6           3.5           3.5           3.4
                                                      3.8      \1\ 3.7           3.6           3.6           3.5
                                              ...........          3.8       \1\ 3.7       \1\ 3.7           3.6
                                              ...........  ...........           3.8           3.8       \1\ 3.7
                                              ...........  ...........           3.8           3.8        \1\3.7
                                              ...........  ...........  .............  ...........           3.8
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Only applicable to machines with warm rinse.                                                                
\2\ This only applies to water heating clothes washers on which the maximum wash temperature available exceeds  
  135 deg. F (57.2 deg. C).                                                                                     

    3.2.1  Inlet water temperature and the wash/rinse temperature 
settings.
    3.2.1.1  For automatic clothes washers set the wash/rinse 
temperature selection control to obtain the wash water temperature 
desired (extra hot, hot, warm, or cold) and cold rinse and open both 
the hot and cold water faucets.
    3.2.1.2  For semi-automatic washers: (1) For hot water 
temperature: open the hot water faucet completely and close the cold 
water faucet; (2) for warm inlet water temperature: Open both hot 
and cold water faucets completely; (3) for cold water temperature: 
close the hot water faucet and open the cold water faucet 
completely.
    3.2.2  Total water consumption during the energy test cycle 
shall be measured, including hot and cold water consumption during 
wash, deep rinse, and spray rinse.
    3.2.3  Clothes washers with adaptive/manual/consumer optional 
control systems
    3.2.3.1  Clothes washers with adaptive controls and alternate 
manual controls. If clothes washers with adaptive controls allow 
consumer selection of manual controls as an alternative, then both 
manual and adaptive modes shall be tested and the energy 
consumption, ETE , calculated in section 4 shall be the average 
of the measured values. If the product manufacturer feels more 
energy savings would result from the actual in home use of the 
adaptive control system, then the procedures in section 6.2 can be 
used as an alternate means to provide data in support of a waiver.
    3.2.3.2  Clothes washers with adaptive water fill controls. When 
testing these clothes washers in adaptive water fill control, the 
maximum, minimum, and average water levels as defined in the 
following sections shall be interpreted to mean that amount of water 
fill which is selected by the control system when the respective 
test loads are used, as defined in Table 2.8. The load usage factors 
which shall be used when calculating energy consumption values are 
defined in Table 4.1.3.
    3.2.3.3  Clothes washers with adaptive control systems which do 
not adaptively modify the water fill levels. The water fill selector 
shall be set to the maximum water level available on the clothes 
washer for the maximum and average test load sizes and set to the 
minimum water level for the minimum test load size as defined in 
Table 2.8. The load usage factors which shall be used when 
calculating energy consumption values are defined in Table 4.1.3.
    3.2.3.4  Clothes washers with manual control systems. The water 
fill selector shall be set to the maximum water level available on 
the clothes washer for the maximum test load size and set to the 
minimum water level for the minimum test load size as defined in 
Table 2.8. The load usage factors which shall be used when 
calculating energy consumption values are defined in Table 4.1.3.
    3.2.3.5  Clothes washers with consumer options for the energy 
test cycle. Clothes washers which have more than one option or a 
range of options for various characteristics (other than wash time) 
of the energy test cycle, such as various spin speeds or adaptive 
water fill selections, etc., shall be tested at the maximum and 
minimum extremities of the available options. The energy consumption 
and other equations calculated in section 4 shall be determined by 
the average of the measured values.
    3.3  ``Extra Hot Wash'' Cycle (Max Wash Temp >135 deg. F 
(57.2 deg. C)). This section applies to water heating clothes 
washers only. Water and electrical energy consumption shall be 
measured for each water fill level and/or test load size as 
specified in 3.3.1 through 3.3.3.5.2 for the hottest setting 
available.
    3.3.1  Maximum test load and water fill. Hot water consumption 
(Hmx), cold water consumption (Cmx), and electrical energy 
consumption (Emn) shall be measured for an extra hot wash/cold 
rinse energy test cycle, with the controls set for the maximum water 
fill level. The maximum test load size is to be used and shall be 
determined per table 5.1.
    3.3.2  Minimum test load and water fill. Hot water consumption 
(Hmn), cold water consumption (Cmn), and electrical energy 
consumption (Emn) shall be measured for an extra hot wash/cold rinse 
energy test cycle, with the controls set for the minimum water fill 
level. The minimum test load size is to be used and shall be 
determined per table 5.1.
    3.3.3  Average test load and water fill. For clothes washers 
with adaptive controls, measure the values for hot water consumption 
(Hma), cold water consumption (Cma), and electrical energy 
consumption (Ema) for an extra hot wash/cold rinse energy test 
cycle, with an average test load size as determined per table 5.1.
    3.3.3.1  Steps 3.3.3.2 through 3.3.3.5.2 are to determine if 
additional testing of clothes washers with adaptive water fill 
controls is necessary, by checking for linearity in the

[[Page 17599]]

three water consumption values (minimum, average, and maximum) 
measured.
    3.3.3.2  Calculate the total water consumption for the maximum 
test load size (Vx=Hmx+Cmx)
    3.3.3.3  Calculate the total water consumption for the average 
test load size (Va=Hma+Cma)
    3.3.3.4  Calculate the total water consumption for the minimum 
test load size (Vn=Hmn+Cmn)
    3.3.3.5  If Va is different than the average of Vx and 
Vn by 5 percent or more then two additional test load sizes, 
average(+) and average(-) shall be tested as follows:
    3.3.3.5.1  To determine the average(+) test load size, add 
the weights for the maximum and average test load sizes and divide 
by two. Place the average(+) test load size into the clothes 
washer and measure the hot water consumption (Hma+), cold water 
consumption (Cma+), and electrical energy consumption 
(Ema+) for an extra hot wash/cold rinse energy test cycle.
    3.3.3.5.2  To determine the average(-) test load size, add 
the weights for the average and minimum test load sizes and divide 
by two. Place the average(-) test load size into the clothes 
washer and measure the hot water consumption (Hma-), cold water 
consumption (Cma-), and electrical energy consumption 
(Ema-) for an extra hot wash/cold rinse energy test cycle.
    3.4  ``Hot Wash'' Cycle (Max Wash Temp 135  deg.F 
(57.2  deg.C)). Water and electrical energy consumption shall be 
measured for each water fill level and/or test load size as 
specified in 3.4.1 through 3.4.3.5.2 for 135  deg.F (57.2  deg.C) 
wash if available or the hottest selection less than 135  deg.F 
(57.2  deg.C).
    3.4.1  Maximum test load and water fill. Hot water consumption 
(Hhx), cold water consumption (Chx), and electrical energy 
consumption (Ehx) shall be measured for a hot wash/cold rinse 
energy test cycle, with the controls set for the maximum water fill 
level. The maximum test load size is to be used and shall be 
determined per table 5.1.
    3.4.2  Minimum test load and water fill. Hot water consumption 
(Hhn), cold water consumption (Chn), and electrical energy 
consumption (Ehn) shall be measured for a hot wash/cold rinse 
energy test cycle, with the controls set for the minimum water fill 
level. The minimum test load size is to be used and shall be 
determined per table 5.1.
    3.4.3  Average test load and water fill. For clothes washers 
with adaptive controls, measure the values for hot water consumption 
(Hha), cold water consumption (Cha), and electrical energy 
consumption (Eha) for a hot wash/cold rinse energy test cycle, 
with an average test load size as determined per table 5.1.
    3.4.3.1  Steps 3.4.3.2 through 3.4.3.5.2 are to determine if 
additional testing of clothes washers with adaptive water fill 
controls is necessary, by checking for linearity in the three water 
consumption values (minimum, average, and maximum) measured.
    3.4.3.2  Calculate the total water consumption for the maximum 
test load size (Vx=Hhx+Chx)
    3.4.3.3  Calculate the total water consumption for the average 
test load size (Va=Hha+Cha)
    3.4.3.4  Calculate the total water consumption for the minimum 
test load size (Vn=Hhn+Chn)
    3.4.3.5  If Va is different than the average of Vx and 
Vn by 5 percent or more then two additional test load sizes, 
average(+) and average(-) shall be tested as follows:
    3.4.3.5.1  To determine the average(+) test load size, add 
the weights for the maximum and average test load sizes and divide 
by two. Place the average(+) test load size into the clothes 
washer and measure the hot water consumption (Hha+), cold water 
consumption (Cha+), and electrical energy consumption 
(Eha+) for a hot wash/cold rinse energy test cycle.
    3.4.3.5.2  To determine the average(-) test load size, add 
the weights for the average and minimum test load sizes and divide 
by two. Place the average(-) test load size into the clothes 
washer and measure the hot water consumption (Hha-), cold water 
consumption (Cha-), and electrical energy consumption 
(Eha-) for a hot wash/cold rinse energy test cycle.
    3.5  ``Warm Wash'' Cycle (Intermediate Wash Temperature 
Selection Between Hot and Cold). Water and electrical energy 
consumption shall be measured for each water fill level and/or test 
load size as specified in 3.5.1 through 3.5.5.3 for the warm water 
wash temperature.
    3.5.1  For clothes washers with uniformly distributed warm wash 
temperature selections, the reportable values to be used for the 
warm water wash setting shall be the arithmetic average of hot and 
cold selections measurements. This is a calculation only, no testing 
is required.
    3.5.2  For clothes washers that do not have uniformly 
distributed warm wash temperature selections, test all intermediate 
wash temperature selections for washers having discrete warm wash 
selections. For washers having infinite warm wash selections which 
are non-uniformly distributed by temperature between ``hot wash'' 
and ``cold wash'', test at 20 percent, 40 percent, 60 percent, and 
80 percent positions of the temperature selection device between the 
hottest hot (135  deg.F (57.2  deg.C)) wash and the 
coldest cold wash. The reportable values to be used for the warm 
water wash setting shall be the arithmetic averages of all tests 
required in this section.
    3.5.3  Maximum test load and water fill. Hot water consumption 
(Hwx), cold water consumption (Cwx), and electrical energy 
consumption (Ewx) shall be measured for a warm wash/cold rinse 
energy test cycle, with the controls set for the maximum water fill 
level. The maximum test load size is to be used and shall be 
determined per table 5.1.
    3.5.4  Minimum test load and water fill. Hot water consumption 
(Hwn), cold water consumption (Cwn), and electrical energy 
consumption (Ewn) shall be measured for a warm wash/cold rinse 
energy test cycle, with the controls set for the minimum water fill 
level. The minimum test load size is to be used and shall be 
determined per table 5.1.
    3.5.5  Average test load and water fill. For clothes washers 
with adaptive controls, measure the values for hot water consumption 
(Hwa), cold water consumption (Cwa), and electrical energy 
consumption (Ewa) for a warm wash/cold rinse energy test cycle, 
with an average test load size as determined per table 5.1.
    3.5.5.1  If additional testing of clothes washers with adaptive 
water fill controls was determined to be necessary by section 
3.3.3.1 or 3.4.3.1. average(+) and average(-) test load 
sizes shall be determined for warm wash as follows:
    3.5.5.2  To determine the average(+) test load size, add 
the weights for the maximum and average test load sizes and divide 
by two. Place the average(+) test load size into the clothes 
washer and measure the hot water consumption (Hwa+), cold water 
consumption (Cwa+), and electrical energy consumption 
(Ewa+) for a warm wash/cold rinse energy test cycle.
    3.5.5.3  To determine the average(-) test load size, add 
the weights for the average and minimum test load sizes and divide 
by two. Place the average(-) test load size into the clothes 
washer and measure the hot water consumption (Hwa-), cold water 
consumption (Cwa-), and electrical energy consumption 
(Ewa-) for a warm wash/cold rinse energy test cycle.
    3.6  ``Cold Wash'' Cycle (Minimum Wash Temperature Selection). 
Water and electrical energy consumption shall be measured for each 
water fill level and/or test load size as specified in 3.6.1 through 
3.6.3.5.2 for the coldest wash temperature selection available.
    3.6.1  Maximum test load and water fill. Hot water consumption 
(Hcx), cold water consumption (Ccx), and electrical energy 
consumption (Ecx) shall be measured for a cold wash/cold rinse 
energy test cycle, with the controls set for the maximum water fill 
level. The maximum test load size is to be used and shall be 
determined per table 5.1.
    3.6.2  Minimum test load and water fill. Hot water consumption 
(Hcn), cold water consumption (Ccn), and electrical energy 
consumption (Ecn) shall be measured for a cold wash/cold rinse 
energy test cycle, with the controls set for the minimum water fill 
level. The minimum test load size is to be used and shall be 
determined per table 5.1.
    3.6.3  Average test load and water fill. For clothes washers 
with adaptive controls, measure the values for hot water consumption 
(Hca), cold water consumption (Cca), and electrical energy 
consumption (Eca) for a cold wash/cold rinse energy test cycle, 
with an average test load size as determined per table 5.1.
    3.6.3.1  Steps 3.6.3.2 through 3.6.3.5.2 are to determine if 
additional testing of clothes washers with adaptive water fill 
controls is necessary, by checking for linearity in the three water 
consumption values (minimum, average, and maximum) measured.
    3.6.3.2  Calculate the total water consumption for the maximum 
test load size ( Vx=Hcx+Ccx)
    3.6.3.3  Calculate the total water consumption for the average 
test load size (Va=Hca+Cca)
    3.6.3.4  Calculate the total water consumption for the minimum 
test load size (Vn=Hcn+Ccn)
    3.6.3.5  If Va is different than the average of Vx and 
Vn by 5 percent or more then two additional test load sizes, 
average(+) and average(-) shall be tested as follows:

[[Page 17600]]

    3.6.3.5.1  To determine the average(+) test load size, add 
the weights for the maximum and average test load sizes and divide 
by two. Place the average(+) test load size into the clothes 
washer and measure the hot water consumption (Hca+), cold water 
consumption (Cca+), and electrical energy consumption 
(Eca+) for a cold wash/cold rinse energy test cycle.
    3.6.3.5.2  To determine the average(-) test load size, add 
the weights for the average and minimum test load sizes and divide 
by two. Place the average(-) test load size into the clothes 
washer and measure the hot water consumption (Hca-), cold water 
consumption (Cca-), and electrical energy consumption 
(Eca-) for a cold wash/cold rinse energy test cycle.
    3.7  Warm Rinse.
    3.7.1  Measure the amount of hot water consumed during the 
hottest rinse cycle with the rinse temperature set to warm, 
including all deep and spray rinses, for the maximum (Rx), 
minimum (Rn), and average (Ra) test load sizes and/or 
water fill levels.
    3.7.2  Measure the total amount of electrical energy consumed by 
the clothes washer with a warm wash and hottest rinse cycle, 
including all wash, deep rinses, and spray rinses, for the maximum 
(Erx), minimum (Ern), and average (Era) test load 
sizes and/or water fill levels.
    3.7.3  Subtract the electrical energy values for warm wash/cold 
rinse as measured in section 3.5 (Ew) from the Er values determined 
above in section 3.7.2 to calculate the additional electrical energy 
required to heat the water and operate the clothes washer for the 
warm wash/warm rinse cycle (ER).

(a) ERx=Erx-Ewx
(b) ERa=Era-Ewa
(c) ERn=Ern-Ewn

    3.7.4  If additional testing of clothes washers with adaptive 
water fill controls was determined to be necessary by section 
3.3.3.1, 3.4.3.1, 3.5.5.1 or 3.6.3.1., the average(+) and 
average(-) values shall be determined for warm rinse in 
sections 3.7.1 (Ra+ and Ra-), 3.7.2 (Era+ and 
Era-), and 3.7.3 (ERa+ and ERa-) as appropriate.
    3.8  Remaining Moisture Content.
    3.8.1  The wash temperature will be the same as the rinse 
temperature for all testing.
    3.8.2  For clothes washers with cold rinse only.
    3.8.2.1  Determine the maximum test load as defined in table 5.1 
and section 3.1.
    3.8.2.2  Record the actual `bone dry' weight of the test load 
(WImax).
    3.8.2.3  Set water level selector to maximum fill.
    3.8.2.4  Run the energy test cycle.
    3.8.2.5  Record the weight of the test load immediately after 
completion of the energy test cycle (WCmax).
    3.8.2.6  Calculate the remaining moisture content of the maximum 
test load, RMCmax, expressed as a percentage and defined as:

RMCmax = ((WCmax-WImax) / WImax) x 100%

    3.8.3  For clothes washers with cold and warm rinse options.
    3.8.3.1  Complete steps 3.8.2.1 through 3.8.2.5 for cold rinse. 
Calculate the remaining moisture content of the maximum test load 
for cold rinse, RMCCOLD, expressed as a percentage and defined as:

RMCCOLD = ((WCmax-WImax) / WImax) x 100%

    3.8.3.2  Complete steps 3.8.2.1 through 3.8.2.6 for warm rinse. 
Calculate the remaining moisture content of the maximum test load 
for warm rinse, RMCWARM, expressed as a percentage and defined 
as:

RMCWARM = ((WCmax-WImax) / WImax) x 100%

    3.8.3.3  Calculate the remaining moisture content of the maximum 
test load, RMCmax, expressed as a percentage and defined as:

RMCmax = RMCCOLD x (1-TUFR) + 
RMCWARM x (TUFR).

4. Calculation of Derived Results from Test Measurements

    All calculations for average, above average, and below average 
test load sizes in this section are applicable only to those clothes 
washers which were required to be tested in these conditions, as 
stated in Table 2.8.
    4.1  Hot water and machine electrical energy consumption of 
clothes washers.
    4.1.1  Per-cycle temperature-weighted hot water consumption for 
maximum, intermediate, and minimum water fill levels using each 
appropriate load size as defined in section 2.8 and Table 5.1. 
Calculate for the cycle under test the per-cycle temperature 
weighted hot water consumption for the maximum water fill level, 
Vhx, the above average water fill level, Vha+, the average 
water fill level, Vha, the below average water fill level, 
Vha-, and the minimum water fill level, Vhn, expressed in 
gallons per cycle (or liters per cycle) and defined as:

(a) Vhx=[Hmx x TUFm]
  +[Hhx x TUFh]
  +[Hwx x TUFw]
  +[Hcx x TUFc]
  +[Rx x TUFR]
(b) Vha+=[Hma+ x TUFm]
  +[Hha++ x TUFh]
  +[Hwa+ x TUFw]
  +[Hca+ x TUFc]
  +[Ra+ x TUFR]
(c) Vha=[Hma x TUFm]
  +[Hha x TUFh]
  +[Hwa x TUFw]
  +[Hca x TUFc]
  +[Ra x TUFR]
(d) Vha-=[Hma- x TUFm]
  +[Hha- x TUFh]
  +[Hwa- x TUFw]
  +[Hca- x TUFc]
  +[Ra- x TUFR]
(e) Vhn=[Hmn x TUFm]
  +[Hhn x TUFh]
  +[Hwn x TUFw]
  +[Hcn x TUFc]
  +[Rn x TUFR]

Where:

x, a, & n are the maximum, average, and minimum test load for the 
clothes washer under test.
a+ is the above average test load size.
a- is the below average test load size.
Hmx, Hma+, Hma, Hma-, and Hmn, are reported 
hot water consumption values, in gallons per-cycle (or liters per 
cycle), at maximum, above average, average, below average, and 
minimum fill, respectively, for the extra-hot wash cycle with the 
appropriate test loads, as defined in section 2.8.
Hhx, Hha+, Hha, Hha-, and Hhn, are reported 
hot water consumption values, in gallons per-cycle (or liters per 
cycle), at maximum, above average, average, below average, and 
minimum fill, respectively, for the hot wash cycle with the 
appropriate test loads, as defined in section 2.8.
Hwx, Hwa+, Hwa, Hwa-, and Hwn, are reported 
hot water consumption values, in gallons per-cycle (or liters per 
cycle), at maximum, above average, average, below average, and 
minimum fill, respectively, for the warm wash cycle with the 
appropriate test loads, as defined in section 2.8.
Hcx, Hca+, Hca, Hca-, and Hcn, are reported 
hot water consumption values, in gallons per-cycle (or liters per 
cycle), at maximum, above average, average, below average, and 
minimum fill, respectively, for the cold wash cycle with the 
appropriate test loads, as defined in section 2.8.
Rx, Ra+, Ra, Ra-, and Rn are the reported 
hot water consumption values, in gallons per- cycle (or liters per 
cycle), at maximum, above average, average, below average, and 
minimum fill, respectively, for the warm rinse cycle and the 
appropriate test loads, as defined in section 2.8
TUFm, TUFh, TUFw, TUFc, and TUFR are 
temperature use factors for extra hot wash, hot wash, warm wash, 
cold wash, and warm rinse temperature selections, respectively, and 
are as defined in Table 4.1.1.

                                                           Table 4.1.1.--Temperature Use Factors                                                        
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                                                        
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Max Wash Temp Available........  135  deg.F...  135  deg.F...  135  deg.F...  >135  deg.F.............  >135  deg.F    
                                 (57.2  deg.C)...........  (57.2  deg.C)...........  (57.2  deg.C)...........  (57.2  deg.C)...........  (57.2  deg.C)  
No. Wash Temp Selections.......  Single..................  2 Temps.................  3 Temps......  3 Temps.................  >3 Temps       
TUFm (extra hot)...............  NA......................  NA......................  NA......................  0.14....................  0.05           
TUFh (hot).....................  NA......................  0.63....................  0.14....................  NA......................  0.09           
TUFw (warm)....................  NA......................  NA......................  0.49....................  0.49....................  0.49           
TUFc (cold)....................  1.00....................  0.37....................  0.37....................  0.37....................  0.37           
TUFR (warm rinse)..............  0.27....................  0.27....................  0.27....................  0.27....................  0.27           
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 17601]]



    4.1.2  Total per-cycle hot water energy consumption for all 
maximum, intermediate, and minimum water fill levels tested. 
Calculate the total per-cycle hot water energy consumption for the 
maximum water fill level, Emax, the minimum water fill level, 
Emin, and the average water fill level, Eavg, expressed in 
kilowatt-hours per cycle and defined as:
(a) Emax = [Vhx  x  T  x  K] = Total energy when a maximum 
load is tested.
(b) Eavg = [Vha x T x K] or if above average and below average 
test loads were required to be tested Eavg = [(\1/3\)  x  
(Vha+ + Vha + Vha-) + T  x  K] = Total energy for an 
average load.
(c) Emin=[Vhn x T x K]=Total energy when a minimum load is 
tested.

Where:

T=Temperature rise=75  deg.F (23.9  deg.C).
K=Water specific heat in kilowatt-hours per gallon degree F=0.00240 
[0.00114 kWh/(L\ deg.C)].

Vhx, Vha+, Vha, Vha-, and Vhn, are as 
defined in 4.1.1.

    4.1.3  Total weighted per-cycle hot water energy consumption. 
Calculate the total weighted per cycle hot water energy consumption, 
ET, expressed in kilowatt-hours per cycle and defined as:

ET=[Emax x Fmax]+[Eavg x Favg]+[Emin x 
Fmin]

Where:

Emax, Eavg, and Emin are as defined in 4.1.2.
Fmax, Favg, and Fmin are the load usage factors for 
the maximum, average, and minimum test loads based on the size and 
type of control system on the washer being tested. The values are as 
shown in table 4.1.3.

                    Table 4.1.3.--Load Usage Factors                    
------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Water Fill Control System           Manual     Manual    Adaptive
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Manual or
         Other Control Systems             Manual    Adaptive   Adaptive
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fmax=                                       \1\.72     \2\.10     \3\.12
Favg=                                                  \2\.62     \3\.74
Fmin=                                       \1\.28     \2\.28    \3\.14 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Reference 3.2.3.4                                                   
\2\ Reference 3.2.3.3.                                                  
\3\ Reference 3.2.3.2                                                   

    4.1.4  Total Per-cycle hot water energy consumption using gas-
heated or oil-heated water. Calculate for the energy test cycle the 
per-cycle hot water consumption, ETG, using gas heated or oil-
heated water, expressed in Btu per cycle (or megajoules per cycle) 
and defined as:

ETG=ET x 1/e x 3412 Btu/kWh or ETG=ET x 1/
e x 3.3 MJ/kWh

Where:

e = Nominal gas or oil water heater efficiency = 0.75.
ET = As defined in 4.1.3.

    4.1.5  Per-cycle machine electrical energy consumption for all 
maximum, average, and minimum test load sizes. Calculate the total 
per-cycle machine electrical energy consumption for the maximum 
water fill level, MEmax, the minimum water fill level, 
MEmin, and the average water fill level, MEavg, expressed 
in kilowatt-hours per cycle and defined as:

(a) MEmax=[Emx x TUFm] +[Ehx x  
TUFh]+[Ewx x  
TUFw]+[Ecx x TUFc]+[ERx x TUFR]
(b) MEavg=[Ema
   x TUFm][Eha
   x TUFh]+[Ewa
   x TUFw]+[Eca
   x TUFc]+[ERa
   x TUFR]
Note: Ema is the average of Ema+, Ema, and Ema- 
if above average and below average test loads were required to be 
tested. The same applies to Eha, Ewa, Eca, and 
ERa.
(c) MEmin=[Emn
   x TUFm]+[Ehn
   x TUFh]+[Ewn
   x TUFw]+[Ecn
   x TUFc]+[ERn
   x TUFR]

Where:

x, a, & n are the maximum, average, and minimum test load for the 
clothes washer under test.
a+ & a- are the above average and below average test load 
sizes for the clothes washer under test.
Emx, Ema+, Ema, Ema-, and Emn, are reported 
electrical energy consumption values, in kilowatt-hours per cycle, 
at maximum, above average, average, below average, and minimum test 
loads, respectively, for the extra-hot wash cycle.
Ehx, Eha+, Eha, Eha-, and Ehn, are reported 
electrical energy consumption values, in kilowatt-hours per cycle, 
at maximum, above average, average, below average, and minimum test 
loads, respectively, for the hot wash cycle.
Ewx, Ewa+, Ewa, Ewa-, and Ewn, are reported 
electrical energy consumption values, in kilowatt-hours per cycle, 
at maximum, above average, average, below average, and minimum test 
loads, respectively, for the warm wash cycle.
Ecx, Eca+, Eca, Eca-, and Ecn, are reported 
electrical energy consumption values, in kilowatt-hours per cycle, 
at maximum, above average, average, below average, and minimum test 
loads, respectively, for the cold wash cycle.
ERx, ERa+, ERa, ERa-, and ERn are reported 
electrical energy consumption values, in kilowatt-hours per cycle, 
at maximum, above average, average, below average, and minimum test 
loads, respectively, for the warm rinse cycle.
TUFm, TUFh, TUFw, TUFc, and TUFR are as 
defined in 4.1.1.

    4.1.6  Total weighted per-cycle machine electrical energy 
consumption. Calculate the total per cycle load size weighted energy 
consumption, MET, expressed in kilowatt-hours per cycle and 
defined as:

MET=[MEmax x Fmax]
  +[MEavg x Favg]
  +[MEmin x Fmin]

Where:

MEmax, MEavg, and MEmin are as defined in 4.1.5.
Fmax, Favg, and Fmin are as defined in 4.1.3.

    4.1.7  Total per-cycle energy consumption when electrically 
heated water is used. Calculate for the energy test cycle the total 
per-cycle energy consumption, ETE, using electrical heated 
water, expressed in kilowatt-hours per cycle and defined as:

ETE=ET
  +MET

Where:

MET=As defined in 4.1.6.
ET=As defined in 4.1.3.

    4.2  Water consumption of clothes washers.
    4.2.1  Per-cycle water consumption. Calculate the maximum, 
average, and minimum total water consumption, expressed in gallons 
per cycle (or liters per cycle), for the cold wash/cold rinse cycle 
and defined as:

Qmax=[Hcx
  +Ccx]
Qavg=[Hca
  +Cca]

    Note: Hca is the average of Hca+, Hca, and 
Hca- if above average and below average test loads were 
required to be tested. The same applies to Cca.

Qmin=[Hcn
  +Ccn]

Where:

Hcx, Ccx, Hca, Cca, Hcn, and Ccn are 
as defined in 3.6.

    4.2.2  Total weighted per-cycle water consumption. Calculate the 
total weighted per cycle consumption, QT, expressed in gallons 
per cycle (or liters per cycle) and defined as:

QT=[Qmax x Fmax]
  +[Qavg x Favg]
  +[Qmin x Fmin]

Where:

Qmax, Qavg, and Qmin are as defined in 4.2.1.
Fmax, Favg, and Fmin are as defined in 4.1.3.

    4.2.3  Water consumption factor. Calculate the water consumption 
factor, WCF, expressed in gallon per cycle per cubic feet (or liter 
per cycle per liter), as:

WCF=QT/C

Where:
QT=as defined in section 4.2.2.
C=as defined in section 3.1.

    4.3  Per-cycle energy consumption for removal of moisture from 
test load. Calculate the per-cycle energy required to remove the 
moisture of the test load, DE, expressed in kilowatt-hours per 
cycle and defined as

DE=(LAF) x (Maximum test load weight)
   x (RMCmax-4%) x (DEF) x (DUF)
Where:

LAF=Load adjustment factor=0.52.
Maximum test load weight=As shown in Table 5.1 expressed in lbs/
cycle.
RMCmax=As defined in 3.8.2.6 or 3.8.3.3.
DEF=nominal energy required for a clothes dryer to remove moisture 
from clothes=0.5 kWh/lb (1.1 kWh/kg).
DUF=dryer usage factor, percentage of washer loads dried in a 
clothes dryer=0.84.

    4.4  Modified energy factor. Calculate the modified energy 
factor, MEF, expressed in cubic feet per kilowatt-hour per cycle (or

[[Page 17602]]

liters per kilowatt-hour per cycle) and defined as:

MEF=C / (ETE+DE)

Where:

C=As defined in 3.1.4.
ETE=As defined in 4.1.7.
DE=As defined in 4.3.

5. Test Loads

                                                               Table 5.1.--Test Load Sizes                                                              
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Container  volume              cu. ft.   <   -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         ----------------                                                                                               
                                              (liter)           lb             (kg)             lb             (kg)             lb             (kg)     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0  -0.80................................  0  -22.7                  3.00            1.36            3.00            1.36            3.00            1.36
0.80-0.90...............................  22.7-25.5                 3.00            1.36            3.50            1.59            3.25            1.47
0.90-1.00...............................  25.5-28.3                 3.00            1.36            3.90            1.77            3.45            1.56
1.00-1.10...............................  28.3-31.1                 3.00            1.36            4.30            1.95            3.65            1.66
1.10-1.20...............................  31.1-34.0                 3.00            1.36            4.70            2.13            3.85            1.75
1.20-1.30...............................  34.0-36.8                 3.00            1.36            5.10            2.31            4.05            1.84
1.30-1.40...............................  36.8-39.6                 3.00            1.36            5.50            2.49            4.25            1.93
1.40-1.50...............................  39.6-42.5                 3.00            1.36            5.90            2.68            4.45            2.02
1.50-1.60...............................  42.5-45.3                 3.00            1.36            6.40            2.90            4.70            2.13
1.60-1.70...............................  45.3-48.1                 3.00            1.36            6.80            3.08            4.90            2.22
1.70-1.80...............................  48.1-51.0                 3.00            1.36            7.20            3.27            5.10            2.31
1.80-1.90...............................  51.0-53.8                 3.00            1.36            7.60            3.45            5.30            2.40
1.90-2.00...............................  53.8-56.6                 3.00            1.36            8.00            3.63            5.50            2.49
2.00-2.10...............................  56.6-59.5                 3.00            1.36            8.40            3.81            5.70            2.59
2.10-2.20...............................  59.5-62.3                 3.00            1.36            8.80            3.99            5.90            2.68
2.20-2.30...............................  62.3-65.1                 3.00            1.36            9.20            4.17            6.10            2.77
2.30-2.40...............................  65.1-68.0                 3.00            1.36            9.60            4.35            6.30            2.86
2.40-2.50...............................  68.0-70.8                 3.00            1.36           10.00            4.54            6.50            2.95
2.50-2.60...............................  70.8-73.6                 3.00            1.36           10.50            4.76            6.75            3.06
2.60-2.70...............................  73.6-76.5                 3.00            1.36           10.90            4.94            6.95            3.15
2.70-2.80...............................  76.5-79.3                 3.00            1.36           11.30            5.13            7.15            3.24
2.80-2.90...............................  79.3-82.1                 3.00            1.36           11.70            5.31            7.35            3.33
2.90-3.00...............................  82.1-85.0                 3.00            1.36           12.10            5.49            7.55            3.42
3.00-3.10...............................  85.0-87.8                 3.00            1.36           12.50            5.67            7.75            3.52
3.10-3.20...............................  87.8-90.6                 3.00            1.36           12.90            5.85            7.95            3.61
3.20-3.30...............................  90.6-93.4                 3.00            1.36           13.30            6.03            8.15            3.70
3.30-3.40...............................  93.4-96.3                 3.00            1.36           13.70            6.21            8.35            3.79
3.40-3.50...............................  96.3-99.1                 3.00            1.36           14.10            6.40            8.55            3.88
3.50-3.60...............................  99.1-101.9                3.00            1.36           14.60            6.62            8.80            3.99
3.60-3.70...............................  101.9-104.8               3.00            1.36           15.00            6.80            9.00            4.08
3.70-3.80...............................  104.8-107.6               3.00            1.36           15.40            6.99            9.20           4.17 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes:                                                                                                                                                  
(1) All test load weights are bone dry weights.                                                                                                         
(2) Allowable tolerance on the test load weights are +/- 0.05 pounds (0.023 kg).                                                                        

6. Field Testing

    6.1  Nonconventional Wash System Energy Consumption Test.
    If a clothes washer has washer controls or systems that do not 
allow for adequate measurement of energy consumption under the test 
procedure, or for calculation of energy consumption using a 
procedure accepted by DOE and a representative number of other 
manufacturers, such nonconventional clothes washers must be field 
tested as a basis for a waiver request.
    The field test shall consist of a minimum of 10 of the 
nonconventional clothes washers (``test clothes washers'') and 10 
clothes washers already being distributed in commerce (``base 
clothes washers''). The tests shall include a minimum of 50 cycles 
per clothes washer. The test clothes washers and base clothes 
washers should be identical in construction except for the controls 
or systems being tested. Equal numbers of both the test clothes 
washer and the base clothes washer shall be tested simultaneously in 
comparable settings to minimize seasonal and/or consumer laundering 
conditions and/or variations. The clothes washers shall be monitored 
in such a way as to accurately record the total energy consumption 
per cycle. At a minimum, the following must be measured and recorded 
throughout the test period for each clothes washer: Hot water usage 
in gallons (or liters), electrical energy in kilowatt-hours, and the 
cycles of usage.
    The field test results will be used to determine the best method 
to correlate the rating of the test clothes washer to the rating of 
the base clothes washer. If the base clothes washer is rated at A 
kWh per year, but field tests at B kWh per year, and the test 
clothes washer field tests at D kWh per year, the test unit would be 
rated as follows:

A x (D/B)=G kWh per year
    6.2  Adaptive control system field test.
    Section 3.2.3.1 defines the test method for measuring energy 
consumption for clothes washers which incorporate control systems 
having both adaptive wash cycle and alternate manual wash cycle 
selections. Energy consumption calculated by the method defined in 
section 3.2.3.1 assumes the adaptive cycle will be used 50 percent 
of the time. The purpose of this section is to define the 
requirements for developing in-house and field test data in support 
of a request for a waiver when it is felt that the adaptive cycle 
will be used more than 50 percent of the time.
    The field test sample size shall be a minimum of 10 test clothes 
washers. The test clothes washers shall be totally representative of 
the design, construction, and control system that will be placed in 
commerce. The duration of field testing in the user's house shall be 
a minimum of 50 energy test cycles, for each unit. No special 
instructions as to cycle selection or product usage shall be given 
to the field test participants, other than inclusion of the product 
literature pack which will be shipped with all units, and 
instructions regarding filling out data collection forms, use of 
data collection equipment, and/or basic procedural methods.
    Prior to the test clothes washers being installed in the field 
test locations, baseline data shall be developed for all field test 
units by conducting laboratory tests as defined by section 1 through 
section 5 of these test procedures to determine the energy

[[Page 17603]]

consumption, water consumption, and remaining moisture content 
values.
    The following data shall be measured and recorded for each wash 
load during the test period: wash cycle selected (adaptive or 
manual), clothes load dry weight (measured prior to placement into 
the clothes washer) in pounds, and type of articles in the clothes 
load (i.e., cottons, linens, permanent press, etc.).
    The wash loads used in calculating the in-home percentage split 
between adaptive and manual cycle usage shall be only those wash 
loads which conform to the definition of the energy test cycle.

Calculate:

T=The total number of energy test cycles run during the field test
Ta=The total number of adaptive control energy test cycles
Tm=The total number of manual control energy test cycles

    The percentage weighing factors:

Pa=(Ta/T) x 100 (the percentage weighing for adaptive 
control selection)
Pm=(Tm/T) x 100 (the percentage weighing for manual 
control selection)

    Energy consumption (ETE), calculated in section 4.1, and 
water consumption (QT), calculated in section 4.2, shall be the 
weighted average of the measured values using Pa and Pm as 
the weighing factors.

[FR Doc. 96-9683 Filed 4-19-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P