[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 241 (Monday, December 17, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71387-71391]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-24439]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy


Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products: Decision and 
Order Granting a Waiver to Samsung Air Conditioning From the Department 
of Energy Residential and Commercial Package Air Conditioner and Heat 
Pump Test Procedures [Case No. CAC-009]

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

ACTION: Decision and Order.

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SUMMARY: This notice publishes the Department of Energy's Decision and 
Order in Case No. CAC-009, which grants a waiver to Samsung Air 
Conditioning (Samsung) from the existing Department of Energy (DOE) 
residential and commercial package air conditioner and heat pump test 
procedures for specified Digital Variable Multi (DVM) variable 
refrigerant flow multi-split products. As a condition of this waiver, 
Samsung must test and rate its DVM multi-split products according to 
the alternate test procedure set forth in this notice.

DATES: This Decision and Order is effective December 17, 2007.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Michael G. Raymond, U.S. 
Department of Energy, Building Technologies Program, Mailstop EE-2J, 
1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone: 
(202) 586-9611. E-mail: [email protected].
    Francine Pinto or Eric Stas, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of 
General Counsel, Mail Stop GC-72, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20585-0103. Telephone: (202) 586-9507. E-mail: 
[email protected] or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with 10 CFR 430.27(l) and 10 
CFR 431.401(f)(4), notice is hereby given of the issuance of the 
Decision and Order set forth below. In this Decision and Order, DOE 
grants Samsung a waiver from the applicable DOE residential and 
commercial package air conditioner and heat pump test procedures \1\ 
for its DVM multi-split products, subject to a condition requiring 
Samsung to test and rate its DVM multi-split products pursuant to the 
alternate test procedure provided in this notice. Today's decision 
requires that Samsung may not make any representations concerning the 
energy efficiency of these products unless such product has been tested 
in accordance with the DOE test procedure, consistent with the 
provisions and restrictions in the alternate test procedure set forth 
in the Decision and Order below, and such representation fairly 
discloses the results of such testing.\2\ (42 U.S.C. 6293(c))
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    \1\ For residential products, the applicable test procedure is 
set forth in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, Appendix M. For commercial 
products, the applicable test procedure is the Air-Conditioning and 
Refrigeration Institute (ARI) Standard 340/360-2004, ``Performance 
Rating of Commercial and Industrial Unitary Air-Conditioning and 
Heat Pump Equipment'' (incorporated by reference at 10 CFR 
431.95(b)(2)).
    \2\ Consistent with the statute, distributors, retailers, and 
private labelers are held to the same standard when making 
representations regarding the energy efficiency of these products. 
(42 U.S.C. 6293(c))


[[Page 71388]]


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    Issued in Washington, DC, on November 4, 2007.
Alexander A. Karsner,
Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

Decision and Order

    In the Matter of: Samsung Air Conditioning (Samsung) (Case No. CAC-
009).

Background

    Title III of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) sets 
forth a variety of provisions concerning energy efficiency, including 
Part B of Title III which establishes the ``Energy Conservation Program 
for Consumer Products Other Than Automobiles.'' (42 U.S.C. 6291-6309) 
Similar to the Program in Part B, Part C of Title III provides for an 
energy efficiency program titled, ``Certain Industrial Equipment,'' 
which includes commercial air conditioning equipment, package boilers, 
water heaters, and other types of commercial equipment. (42 U.S.C. 
6311-6317)
    Today's notice involves residential products under Part B, as well 
as commercial equipment under Part C. Under both parts, the statute 
specifically includes definitions, test procedures, labeling 
provisions, energy conservation standards, and the authority to require 
information and reports from manufacturers. With respect to test 
procedures, both parts generally authorize the Secretary of Energy (the 
Secretary) to prescribe test procedures that are reasonably designed to 
produce results which reflect energy efficiency, energy use, and 
estimated annual operating costs, and that are not unduly burdensome to 
conduct. (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(3), 6314(a)(2))
    Relevant to the current Petition for Waiver, the test procedure for 
residential central air conditioning and heat pump products is set 
forth in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, Appendix M. For commercial package 
air conditioning and heating equipment, EPCA provides that ``the test 
procedures shall be those generally accepted industry testing 
procedures or rating procedures developed or recognized by the Air-
Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute [ARI] or by the American 
Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers 
[ASHRAE], as referenced in ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1 and in effect on 
June 30, 1992.'' (42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(4)(A)) Under 42 U.S.C. 
6314(a)(4)(B), the statute further directs the Secretary to amend the 
test procedure for a covered commercial product if the industry test 
procedure is amended, unless the Secretary determines that such a 
modified test procedure does not meet the statutory criteria set forth 
in 42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(2) and (3).
    On December 8, 2006, DOE published a final rule adopting test 
procedures for commercial package air conditioning and heating 
equipment, effective January 8, 2007. 71 FR 71340. DOE adopted ARI 
Standard 210/240-2003 for commercial package air conditioning and 
heating equipment with capacities <65,000 British thermal units per 
hour (Btu/h) and ARI Standard 340/360-2004 for commercial package air 
conditioning and heating equipment with capacities >=65,000 Btu/h and 
<240,000 Btu/h. Id. at 71371. Pursuant to this rulemaking, DOE's 
regulations at 10 CFR 431.95(b)(2) incorporate by reference the 
relevant ARI standards, and 10 CFR 431.96 directs manufacturers of 
commercial package air-conditioning and heating equipment to use the 
appropriate procedure when measuring energy efficiency of those 
products. (The cooling capacities of Samsung's DVM multi-split products 
fall in the ranges covered by ARI Standard 340/360-2004 and the DOE 
test procedure for residential products referred to above.)
    In addition, DOE's regulations contain provisions allowing a person 
to seek a waiver from the test procedure requirements for covered 
consumer products, when the petitioner's basic model contains one or 
more design characteristics that prevent testing according to the 
prescribed test procedures, or when the prescribed test procedures may 
evaluate the basic model in a manner so unrepresentative of its true 
energy consumption as to provide materially inaccurate comparative 
data. 10 CFR 430.27(a)(1). The waiver provisions for commercial 
equipment are substantively identical to those for covered consumer 
products and are found at 10 CFR 431.401. Petitioners must include in 
their petition any alternate test procedures known to evaluate the 
basic model in a manner representative of its energy consumption. 10 
CFR 430.27(b)(1)(iii); 10 CFR 431.401(b)(1)(iii).
    The Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy 
(the Assistant Secretary) may grant a waiver subject to conditions, 
including adherence to alternate test procedures. 10 CFR 430.27(l); 10 
CFR 431.401(f)(4). In general, a waiver terminates on the effective 
date of a final rule which prescribes amended test procedures 
appropriate to the model series manufactured by the petitioner, thereby 
eliminating any need for the continuation of the waiver. 10 CFR 
430.27(m); 10 CFR 430.401(g).
    The waiver process also allows any interested person who has 
submitted a Petition for Waiver to file an Application for Interim 
Waiver of the applicable test procedure requirements. 10 CFR 
430.27(a)(2); 10 CFR 431.401(a)(2). An Interim Waiver remains in effect 
for a period of 180 days or until DOE issues its determination on the 
Petition for Waiver, whichever occurs first, and may be extended by DOE 
for 180 days, if necessary. 10 CFR 430.27(h); 10 CFR 431.401(e)(4).
    On October 7, 2003, Samsung filed a Petition for Waiver and an 
Application for Interim Waiver from the test procedures applicable to 
its DVM line of residential and commercial multi-split air conditioning 
and heating equipment. Samsung's petition requested a waiver from both 
the residential and commercial test procedures. The applicable 
residential test procedures are contained in 10 CFR part 430, subpart 
B, Appendix M, and the applicable commercial test procedures are 
contained in ARI Standard 340/360-2004 \3\ (incorporated by reference 
at 10 CFR 431.95(b)(2)). Samsung seeks a waiver from the applicable 
test procedures because the design characteristics of its DVM systems 
prevent testing according to the currently prescribed test procedures.
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    \3\ In its petition, Samsung also requested a waiver from ARI 
Standard 210/240-2003 (incorporated by reference at 10 CFR 
431.95(b)(1)). However, based on a review of the products listed by 
Samsung in its petition, DOE has determined that none of these 
products has the combined features (i.e., three-phase power and 
rated capacity less than 65,000 Btu/h) as would necessitate a waiver 
from ARI Standard 210/240-2003.
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    On February 28, 2005, DOE published Samsung's Petition for Waiver 
and granted the Application for Interim Waiver. 70 FR 9630. In a 
similar and relevant case, DOE published a Petition for Waiver from 
Mitsubishi Electric and Electronics USA, Inc. (MEUS) for products very 
similar to Samsung's DVM products. 71 FR 14858 (March 24, 2006). In the 
March 24, 2006 Federal Register notice, DOE also published and 
requested comment on an alternate test procedure for the MEUS products 
at issue. DOE stated that if it specified an alternate test procedure 
for MEUS in the subsequent Decision and Order, DOE would consider 
applying the same procedure to similar waivers for residential and 
commercial central air conditioners and heat pumps, including such 
products for which waivers had previously been granted. Most of the 
comments responded favorably to DOE's

[[Page 71389]]

proposed alternate test procedure. Also, there was general agreement 
that an alternate test procedure is necessary while a final test 
procedure for these types of products is being developed. The MEUS 
Decision and Order, including the alternate test procedure, was 
published in the Federal Register on April 9, 2007. 72 FR 17528.
    DOE received comments on the Samsung Petition from Carrier 
Corporation (Carrier), Daikin U.S. Corporation, and Fujitsu General. 
These comments are discussed below.

Assertions and Determinations

Samsung's Petition for Waiver
    On October 7, 2003, Samsung submitted a Petition for Waiver and an 
Application for Interim Waiver from the test procedures applicable to 
residential and commercial package air-conditioning and heating 
equipment for its new DVM multi-split products. Samsung's petition 
presented several arguments in support of its claim that the design 
characteristics of its DVM multi-split systems prevent testing 
according to the currently prescribed test procedures. Specifically, 
Samsung claimed that no other product currently available for sale in 
the U.S. offers the ability of a direct expansion system to vary its 
capacity every 20 seconds between 10 percent and 100 percent of the 
building design load, and argued that no existing test procedure can 
provide a method for rating at those capacity points. Samsung also 
asserted that existing test procedures do not require calculating 
integrated part-load values in the heating mode and do not account for 
either the benefits of the DVM system's zoned cooling or the inherent 
benefits of eliminating duct loss in a ductless system.
    Therefore, the Samsung Petition requested that DOE grant a waiver 
from existing test procedures until such time as a representative test 
procedure is developed and adopted for this class of products. Samsung 
did not include an alternate test procedure in its Petition for Waiver. 
(However, DOE understands that Samsung is actively working with ARI to 
develop test procedures that accurately reflect the operation and 
energy consumption of these particular product designs.)
    Regardless of their accuracy, DOE believes that these assertions 
are inapposite to the present case for the reasons that follow. First, 
for commercial systems at or above 65,000 Btu/h and less than 135,000 
Btu/h, EPCA mandates use of the full load energy efficiency ratio (EER) 
descriptor, and the relevant energy performance is the peak-load 
efficiency, not the seasonal energy savings. (42 U.S.C. 6313(a)(1)(C)) 
A waiver can only be granted if a test procedure does not fairly 
represent the peak-load energy consumption characteristics, which EER 
measures. For Samsung's residential models, the seasonal energy 
efficiency ratio (SEER) captures some of the benefits of the DVM multi-
split products' part-load efficiency. Nevertheless, there are 
deficiencies in the current DOE test methods and calculation algorithms 
when applied to multi-split systems. DOE has previously acknowledged 
these limitations in its current test procedure, and accordingly, MEUS 
was granted a waiver on the following grounds:
    1. No existing test procedure provides a method for testing and 
rating a system that utilizes one outdoor unit and sixteen indoor 
units.
    2. No existing test procedure can provide a method for rating 
systems where the type and capacity of the indoor unit can be mixed in 
the same system. The DVM system can mix together six different indoor 
models with seven different capacities, resulting in over 1,000 
combinations.
    Given the present situation, Samsung can make the same claims 
regarding its DVM multi-split products. Therefore, the bases for 
Samsung's Petition for Waiver involve: (1) The problem of being 
physically unable to test most of the complete systems in a laboratory; 
(2) difficulties associated with the regulatory requirement to test the 
highest-sales-volume combination; and (3) the lack of a method for 
predicting the performance of untested combinations.
    Of the three comments on the Samsung petition, only Carrier 
Corporation (Carrier) expressed opposition. Carrier claimed that 
Samsung's DVM multi-split systems could be tested using the calorimeter 
air enthalpy test method set forth in ASHRAE Standard 37, ``Methods of 
Testing for Rating Unitary Air-Conditioning and Heat Pump Equipment.'' 
Although DOE believes that use of this test, as Carrier recommends, is 
theoretically possible and would likely provide more accurate results 
in the cooling mode, it is not a practical solution because existing 
calorimeter test rooms are too small to test Samsung's DVM multi-split 
systems with more than three or four indoor units. DOE believes that 
its alternate test procedure (discussed below) effectively addresses 
these objections.
    As mentioned above, DOE recently addressed a situation regarding 
multi-split products that is relevant to the Samsung products at issue 
here. Specifically, on March 24, 2006, DOE published in the Federal 
Register a Petition for Waiver from MEUS relating to its R410A CITY 
MULTI VRFZ products, which are very similar to Samsung's DVM multi-
split products. 71 FR 14858. In that publication, DOE stated:

    To provide a test procedure from which manufacturers can make 
valid representations, the Department is considering setting an 
alternate test procedure for MEUS in the subsequent Decision and 
Order. Furthermore, if DOE specifies an alternate test procedure for 
MEUS, DOE is considering applying the alternate test procedure to 
similar waivers for residential and commercial central air 
conditioners and heat pumps. Such cases include Samsung's petition 
for its DVM products (70 FR 9629, February 28, 2005), Fujitsu's 
petition for its Airstage variable refrigerant flow (VRF) products 
(70 FR 5980, February 4, 2005), and MEUS's petition for its R22 CITY 
MULTI VRFZ products (69 FR 52660 (August 27, 2004).

71 FR 14858, 14861 (March 24, 2006).
    Since that time, DOE has developed such an alternate test 
procedure. Thus, in order to enable Samsung to make energy efficiency 
representations for its specified DVM multi-split products, DOE has 
decided to require use of the alternate test procedure described below, 
as a condition of Samsung's waiver. This alternate test procedure is 
substantially the same as the one that DOE applied to the MEUS waiver.
DOE's Alternate Test Procedure
    The alternate test procedure has two basic components. First, it 
permits Samsung to designate a ``tested combination'' for each model of 
outdoor unit. The indoor units designated as part of the tested 
combination must meet specific requirements. For example, the tested 
combination must have from two to five indoor units so that it can be 
tested in available test facilities. The tested combination must be 
tested according to the applicable DOE test procedure, as modified by 
the provisions of the alternate test procedure. Second, having a DOE 
test procedure that can be applied to its product allows Samsung to 
represent the energy efficiency of that product, because any such 
representation must fairly disclose the results of such testing. The 
DOE test procedure, as modified by the alternate test procedure 
provided in this Decision and Order, provides for testing of a non-
tested combination in two ways: (1) at an energy efficiency level 
determined under a DOE-approved alternative rating method; or (2) if 
the first method is not available, then at the efficiency level of

[[Page 71390]]

the tested combination utilizing the same outdoor unit. Until an 
alternative rating method is developed, all combinations with a 
particular outdoor unit may use the rating of the combination tested 
with that outdoor unit.
    DOE believes that adopting this alternate test procedure as 
described above (thereby allowing Samsung to make energy efficiency 
representations for non-tested combinations) is reasonable because the 
outdoor unit is the principal efficiency driver. The current test 
procedures tend to rate these products conservatively. The multi-zoning 
feature of these products, which enables them to cool only those 
portions of the building that require cooling, would be expected to use 
less energy than if the unit is operated to cool the entire home or a 
comparatively larger area of a commercial building in response to a 
single thermostat. This feature would not be captured by the test 
procedure, which requires full-load testing. Under full load, the 
entire building would require cooling. Additionally, the current test 
procedure for commercial equipment requires full-load testing, which 
disadvantages these products because they are optimized for best 
efficiency when operating with less than full loads. In fact, these 
products normally operate at part-load conditions. Therefore, the 
alternate test procedure will provide a conservative basis for 
assessing the energy efficiency for such products.
    The alternate test procedure applies to both residential and 
commercial multi-split products. However, some provisions are specific 
to residential or commercial products. For example, section (A) of the 
alternate test procedure has different provisions for residential and 
commercial products. In contrast, section (B), which defines the 
combinations of indoor and outdoor units to test, and section (C), 
which sets forth the requirements for making representations, are the 
same for residential and commercial products.
    Section (A) distinguishes between residential and commercial 
products for two reasons. First, 10 CFR 430.24, used for residential 
products, already has requirements for selecting split-system 
combinations based on the highest sales volume. However, 10 CFR part 
431, which applies to commercial products, has no comparable 
requirements. Therefore, section (A) of the alternate test procedure 
modifies the existing residential and commercial requirements so that 
both residential and commercial products can use the same definition of 
a ``tested combination,'' which is set forth in section (B). Second, 
section (A) requires several test procedure revisions to determine the 
SEER and heating seasonal performance factor (HSPF) for the tested 
combination of residential products. No test procedure revisions are 
introduced for commercial products, because EPCA directs DOE to adopt 
generally accepted industry test standards for these commercial 
products (unless amendments to those industry test procedures are 
determined by clear and convincing evidence not to meet the 
requirements of the statute) (42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(4)). In contrast, for 
residential products, DOE develops its own test procedures, and the 
changes to the test procedure for residential products resulting from 
this notice relate to: (1) The requirement that all indoor units 
operate during all tests; (2) the restriction on using only one indoor 
test room; (3) the selection of the modulation levels (maximum, 
minimum, and a specified intermediate speed) used when testing; and (4) 
the algorithm for estimating performance over the intermediate speed 
operating range. DOE proposed these changes in its July 20, 2006 notice 
of proposed rulemaking. 71 FR 41320.
    For today's Decision and Order, the changes made by the final rule 
published in the Federal Register on October 22, 2007 (72 FR 59906) to 
test procedure sections 2.1, 2.2.3, 2.4.1, 3.2.4 (including Table 6), 
3.6.4 (including Table 12), 4.1.4.2, and 4.2.4.2 constitute mandatory 
elements of the alternate test procedure. These changes allow indoor 
units to cycle off, allow the manufacturer to specify the compressor 
speed used during certain tests, and introduce a new algorithm for 
estimating power consumption.
    With regard to the laboratory testing of both residential and 
commercial products, some of the difficulties associated with the 
existing test procedure are avoided by the alternate test procedure's 
requirements for choosing the indoor units to be used in the 
manufacturer-specified tested combination. For example, in addition to 
limiting the number of indoor units, another requirement is that all of 
the indoor units must be subject to meeting the same minimum external 
static pressure. This requirement allows the test lab to manifold the 
outlets from each indoor unit into a common plenum that supplies air to 
a single airflow measuring apparatus. This requirement eliminates 
situations in which some of the indoor units are ducted and some are 
non-ducted. Without this requirement, the laboratory must evaluate the 
capacity of a subgroup of indoor coils separately, and then sum the 
separate capacities to obtain the overall system capacity. This would 
require that the test laboratory be equipped with multiple airflow 
measuring apparatuses (which is unlikely), or that the test laboratory 
connect its one airflow measuring apparatus to one or more common 
indoor units until the contribution of each indoor unit has been 
measured.
    Furthermore, DOE stated in the notice publishing the MEUS Petition 
for Waiver that if the Department decides to specify an alternate test 
procedure for MEUS, it would consider applying the procedure to waivers 
for similar residential and commercial central air conditioners and 
heat pumps produced by other manufacturers. 71 FR 14858, 14861 (March 
24, 2006). Most of the comments received by DOE in response to the 
March 2006 notice favored the proposed alternate test procedure. 
Commenters generally agreed that an alternate test procedure is 
appropriate for an interim period while a final test procedure for 
these products is being developed.
    Based on the discussion above, DOE believes that the testing 
problems described above would prevent testing of Samsung's DVM basic 
models according to the test procedures currently prescribed in 10 CFR 
part 430, Subpart B, Appendix M, and ARI Standard 340/360-2004. After 
reviewing and considering all of the comments submitted regarding the 
proposed alternate test procedure, DOE has decided to adopt the 
proposed alternate test procedure, with the clarifications discussed 
above. DOE will also consider applying the same alternate test 
procedure to waivers for similar residential and commercial central air 
conditioners and heat pumps.
Consultations With Other Agencies
    DOE consulted with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) concerning 
the Samsung Petition for Waiver. The FTC did not have any objections to 
the issuance of a waiver to Samsung.

Conclusion

    After careful consideration of all the material that was submitted 
by Samsung, the comments received, and consultation with the FTC, it is 
ordered that:
    (1) The Petition for Waiver submitted by Samsung Air Conditioning 
(Samsung) (Case No. CAC-009) is hereby granted as set forth in the 
paragraphs below.
    (2) Samsung shall not be required to test or rate its Digital 
Variable Multi (DVM) products listed below on the basis of the 
currently applicable test

[[Page 71391]]

procedures (contained in 10 CFR part 430, Subpart B, Appendix M, and 
ARI Standard 340/360-2004 (incorporated by reference in 10 CFR 
431.95(b)(2)), but shall be required to test and rate such products 
according to the alternate test procedure as set forth in paragraph 
(3).
    Commercial Systems: Any product using these outdoor units:

RVMH100FAMOU, RVMC100FAMOU, RVMC070FAM0U.

    For these products, the applicable test procedure is ARI 340/360-
2004, as amended by the alternate test procedure as set forth in 
paragraph (3).
    Residential Systems: Any product using these outdoor units:

RVMH050CBM0U, RVMC050CBM0U.

    For these products, the applicable test procedure is the 
residential test procedure contained in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, 
appendix M, as amended by the alternate test procedure as set forth in 
paragraph (3).
    DVM indoor units:

AVMKH020CAOU, AVMKC020CAOU, AVMKH032CAOU, AVMKC032CA0U, AVMKH040CA0U, 
AVMKC040CAOU, AVMCH052CAOU, AVMCC052CA0U, AVMCH072CAOU, AVMCC072CAOU, 
AVMCH105CAOU, AVMCC105CA0U, AVMBH020CAOU, AVMBC020CA0U, AVMBH032CAOU, 
AVMBC032CA0U, AVMBH040CAOU, AVMBC040CA0U, AVMBH052CAOU, AVMBC052CA0U, 
AVMBH072CAOU, AVMBC072CA0U, AVMHH105CAOU, AVMHC105CAOU, AVMHH128CAOU, 
AVMHC105CAOU, AVMDH052CA0U, AVMDC052CA0U, AVMDH072CA0U, AVMDC072CA0U, 
AVMWH020CAOU, AVMWCH020CAOU, AVMWH032CAOU, AVMWC032CAOU, AVMWH040CAOU, 
AVMWC040CAOU, AVMWH052CAOU, AVMWC052CAOU, AVMWH072CAOU, AVMWC072CAOU.

    (3) Alternate test procedure.
    (A) Samsung shall be required to test the products listed in 
paragraph (2) above according to the test procedures for central air 
conditioners and heat pumps prescribed by DOE at 10 CFR parts 430 and 
431, except that:
    (i) For products covered by 10 CFR part 430 (consumer products), 
Samsung shall not be required to comply with: (1) The first sentence in 
10 CFR 430.24(m)(2), which refers to ``that combination manufactured by 
the condensing unit manufacturer likely to have the largest volume of 
retail sales;'' and (2) the third sentence in 10 CFR 430.24(m)(2), 
including the provisions of 10 CFR 430.24(m)(2)(i) and (ii). Instead of 
testing the combinations likely to have the highest volume of retail 
sales, Samsung may test a ``tested combination'' selected in accordance 
with the provisions of subparagraph (B) of this paragraph. 
Additionally, instead of following the provisions of 10 CFR 
430.24(m)(2)(i) and (ii) for every other system combination using the 
same outdoor unit as the tested combination, Samsung shall make 
representations concerning the DVM multi-split products covered in this 
waiver according to the provisions of subparagraph (C) below.
    (ii) For products covered by 10 CFR part 430 (consumer products), 
Samsung shall be required to comply with 10 CFR 430, subpart B, 
appendix M as amended by the final rule published in the Federal 
Register on October 22, 2007. 72 FR 59906. The test procedure changes 
applicable to multi-split products are in sections: 2.1, 2.2.3, 2.4.1, 
3.2.4 (including Table 6), 3.6.4 (including Table 12), 4.1.4.2, and 
4.2.4.2.
    (iii) For products covered by 10 CFR part 431 (commercial 
products), Samsung shall test a ``tested combination'' selected in 
accordance with the provisions of subparagraph (B) of this paragraph. 
For every other system combination using the same outdoor unit as the 
tested combination, Samsung shall make representations concerning the 
DVM multi-split products covered in this waiver according to the 
provisions of subparagraph (C) below.
    (B) Tested combination. The term ``tested combination'' means a 
sample basic model comprised of units that are production units, or are 
representative of production units, of the basic model being tested. 
For the purposes of this waiver, the tested combination shall have the 
following features:
    (i) The basic model of a variable refrigerant flow system used as a 
tested combination shall consist of an outdoor unit that is matched 
with between two and five indoor units.
    (ii) The indoor units shall:
    (a) Represent the highest sales volume type models;
    (b) Together, have a capacity between 95 percent and 105 percent of 
the capacity of the outdoor unit;
    (c) Not, individually, have a capacity greater than 50 percent of 
the capacity of the outdoor unit;
    (d) Have a fan speed that is consistent with the manufacturer's 
specifications; and
    (e) All have the same external static pressure.
    (C) Representations. In making representations about the energy 
efficiency of its DVM multi-split products, for compliance, marketing, 
or other purposes, Samsung must fairly disclose the results of testing 
under the DOE test procedure, doing so in a manner consistent with the 
provisions outlined below:
    (i) For DVM combinations tested in accordance with this alternate 
test procedure, Samsung must disclose these test results.
    (ii) For DVM combinations that are not tested, Samsung must make a 
disclosure based on the testing results for the tested combination and 
which are consistent with either of the two following methods, except 
that only method (a) may be used, if available:
    (a) Representation of non-tested combinations according to an 
Alternative Rating Method (ARM) approved by DOE; or
    (b) Representation of non-tested combinations at the same energy 
efficiency level as the tested combination with the same outdoor unit.
    (4) This waiver shall remain in effect from the date of issuance of 
this Order until the effective date of a DOE final rule prescribing 
amended test procedures appropriate to the model series manufactured by 
Samsung listed above. This expiration date is April 21, 2008 for the 
Samsung residential products only, for which such DOE final rule was 
published on October 22, 2007 (72 FR 59906).
    (5) This waiver is conditioned upon the presumed validity of 
statements, representations, and documentary materials provided by the 
petitioner. This waiver may be revoked or modified at any time upon a 
determination that the factual basis underlying the petition is 
incorrect, or DOE determines that the results from the alternate test 
procedure are unrepresentative of the basic models' true energy 
consumption characteristics.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on November 4, 2007.

Alexander A. Karsner,
Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

[FR Doc. E7-24439 Filed 12-14-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P