[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 229 (Monday, November 30, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65767-65768]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-31810]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
RIN 1904-AA77


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

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


[[Page 65768]]


ACTION: Notice and request for comment.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Pub. 
L. 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)), the Office of Codes and Standards 
(OCS) in the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) 
invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this 
opportunity to comment on the proposed information collection under the 
title ``Study of Central Air Conditioner Prices.'' OCS is soliciting 
comments concerning the collection of data regarding equipment and 
installation prices for residential unitary air conditioners and heat 
pumps.

DATES: Consideration will be given to comments submitted by January 29, 
1999.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the proposed collection of information can be 
obtained from and written comments may be submitted to: U.S. Department 
of Energy, Attn: Kathi Epping, Office of Codes and Standards (EE-43), 
1J-018/FORS, 1000 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20585-0121.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kathi Epping, U.S. Department of 
Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Codes and 
Standards, Mail Station EE-431, Room 1J-018 Forrestal Building, 1000 
Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20585-0121, (202) 586-7425, E-
mail: Kathi.E[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Collection title: Study of Central Air Conditioner Life Cycle 
Costs.
    Form Number: N/A.
    Abstract: OCS is undertaking a rulemaking to determine whether the 
current regulations mandating minimum energy efficiency levels for 
central air conditioners and heat pumps should be amended. Legislation 
requires that, in determining whether an energy conservation standard 
is economically justified, the Secretary shall consider ``the savings 
in operating costs throughout the estimated average life of the covered 
product . . . compared to any increase in the price of, or in the 
initial charges for, or maintenance expenses of, the covered 
products.'' (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(B)(i)(II)). As part of this analysis, 
the Office of Codes and Standards is seeking to survey participants in 
central air conditioner and heat pump markets to determine current 
retail unitary equipment prices and installation costs by equipment 
efficiency level.
    The information collection will include contractors participating 
in the residential unitary equipment market. Consumers will not be 
surveyed. Questions will attempt to gather data related to equipment 
costs, sales volumes, and other information pertinent to the 
determination of retail prices. Some information does exist and is 
available to OCS from government and private sources. These sources 
include:
     Current Industrial Report MA35M(96), U.S. Bureau of the 
Census, 1997.
     ARI Statistical Profile, Air Conditioning and 
Refrigeration Institute, 1997.
     U.S. Unitary and Close Control Air Conditioning, Report 
11973/2, Building Services Research and Information Association, 1997.
     1996 Measure Cost Study, California Energy Commission, 
1997.
     Forced-air Furnace and Central Air Conditioner Market, 
Report 164-1, Energy Center of Wisconsin.
    This information is not sufficient to determine retail prices for 
the purposes of this analysis, because most sources (1) disaggregate by 
capacity rather than efficiency, (2) aggregate on a national rather 
than regional level, (3) do not differentiate between ``deluxe'' and 
standard models, and (4) do not differentiate between the appropriate 
product classes. OCS is not aware of any source or combination of 
sources that satisfies all requirements. This information collection 
request is intended to provide that additional necessary information.
    Approximately 250 respondents each will be asked 6-10 questions, 
and responses will be voluntary. Independent market research firms and 
consultants will conduct much of the collection on behalf of the 
Department. Most interviews will be conducted via telephone or 
facsimile and in person. Responses requiring disclosure of proprietary 
information will be kept confidential in accordance with Department 
policy.
    Type of request: Approval of new collection.
    Type of respondents: Contractors.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 250.
    Total annual responses: 250 (one per respondent).
    Estimated Burden hours per respondent: 1.5 hours.
    Estimated total reporting burden: 375 hours.
    Estimated cost burden to respondents: No monetary burden.
    Request for comments: Comments submitted in response to this notice 
will be summarized and/or included in the request for the Office of 
Management and Budget's (OMB) approval. All comments will become a 
matter of public record. Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the 
proposed collection of information is necessary to carry out the 
mandates of the legislation; (2) the accuracy of DOE's estimate of the 
burden of the proposed information collection; (3) ways to enhance the 
quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and 
(4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
respondents.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on November 23, 1998.
Dan W. Reicher,
Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
[FR Doc. 98-31810 Filed 11-27-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P