[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 182 (Tuesday, September 21, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 57556-57595]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-22225]



[[Page 57555]]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Part II





Department of Energy





-----------------------------------------------------------------------



10 CFR Part 430



Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products: Test Procedure for 
Residential Clothes Washers; Proposed Rule

  Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 182 / Tuesday, September 21, 2010 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 57556]]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

10 CFR Part 430

[Docket No. EERE-2010-BT-TP-0021]
RIN 1904-AC08


Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products: Test Procedure 
for Residential Clothes Washers

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

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) and public meeting.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) proposes amending its test 
procedure for residential clothes washers under the Energy Policy and 
Conservation Act to provide for measuring standby mode and off mode 
energy consumption, and to update the active mode test procedure. DOE 
is also proposing to eliminate an obsolete clothes washer test 
procedure currently codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, and is 
announcing a public meeting to discuss and receive comments on the 
issues presented in this NOPR.

DATES: DOE will hold a public meeting on Thursday, October 28, 2010, 
from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., in Washington, DC. DOE must receive requests to 
speak at the public meeting before 4 p.m., Thursday, October 14, 2010. 
DOE must receive a signed original and an electronic copy of statements 
to be given at the public meeting before 4 p.m., Thursday, October 21, 
2010.
    DOE will accept comments, data, and information regarding the NOPR 
before and after the public meeting, but no later than December 6, 
2010. For details, see section V, ``Public Participation,'' of this 
NOPR.

ADDRESSES: The public meeting will be held at the U.S. Department of 
Energy, Forrestal Building, Room 1E-245, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20585-0121. To attend the public meeting, please notify 
Ms. Brenda Edwards at (202) 586-2945. Please note that foreign 
nationals visiting DOE Headquarters are subject to advance security 
screening procedures. Any foreign national wishing to participate in 
the meeting should advise DOE as soon as possible by contacting Ms. 
Edwards to initiate the necessary procedures.
    Any comments submitted must identify the NOPR on Test Procedures 
for Residential Clothes Washers, and provide the docket number EERE-
2010-BT-TP-0021 and/or regulatory information number (RIN) 1904-AC08. 
Comments may be submitted using any of the following methods:
    1. Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow 
the instructions for submitting comments.
    2. E-mail: [email protected]. Include docket number 
EERE-2010-BT-TP-0021 and/or RIN 1904-AC08 in the subject line of the 
message.
    3. Mail: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department of Energy, Building 
Technologies Program, Mailstop EE-2J, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20585-0121. Please submit one signed original paper 
copy.
    4. Hand Delivery/Courier: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department of 
Energy, Building Technologies Program, 6th Floor, 950 L'Enfant Plaza, 
SW., Washington, DC 20024. Telephone: (202) 586-2945. Please submit one 
signed original paper copy.
    For detailed instructions on submitting comments and additional 
information on the rulemaking process, see Section V, ``Public 
Participation,'' of this document.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
comments received, visit the U.S. Department of Energy, Resource Room 
of the Building Technologies Program, 6th Floor, 950 L'Enfant Plaza, 
SW., Washington, DC 20024, (202) 586-2945, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Please call Ms. Brenda 
Edwards at the above telephone number for additional information about 
visiting the Resource Room.


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Stephen L. Witkowski, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy 
Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building Technologies Program, EE-2J, 
1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone: 
(202) 586-7463. E-mail: mailto:[email protected].
Ms. Jennifer Tiedeman, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the General 
Counsel, GC-71, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585-
0121. Telephone: (202) 287-6111. E-mail: 
mailto:[email protected].
For information on how to submit or review public comments and on how 
to participate in the public meeting, contact Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. 
Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, 
Building Technologies Program, EE-2J, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone: (202) 586-2945. E-mail: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Table of Contents

I. Background and Legal Authority
II. Summary of the Proposal
III. Discussion
    A. Products Covered by This Test Procedure Change
    B. Compliance Date of Proposed Test Procedure
    C. Standby Mode, Off Mode, and Additional Active Mode Test 
Procedures
    1. Incorporating by Reference IEC Standard 62301 for Measuring 
Standby Mode and Off Mode Power Consumption
    2. Determination of Modes To Be Incorporated
    3. Adding Specifications for the Test Methods and Measurements 
for Standby Mode, Off Mode, and Additional Active Mode Testing
    4. Calculation of Energy Use Associated With Each Operating Mode
    5. Measures of Energy Consumption
    D. Clothes Washer Active Mode Test Procedure
    1. Technologies Not Covered by the Current Clothes Washer Test 
Procedure
    a. Steam Wash Cycles
    b. Self-Clean Cycles
    c. Adaptive Control Technologies
    d. Demand Response Technology
    2. Changes to Reflect Current Usage Patterns and Capabilities
    a. Representative Annual Cycles
    b. Test Load Size Specifications
    c. Use Factors
    3. Test Cloth
    4. Other Revisions and Clarifications
    a. Clothes Washer Capacity Measurement Method
    b. New Measure of Water Consumption
    c. Energy Test Cycle
    d. Detergent Specifications for Test Cloth Preconditioning
    e. Clothes Washer for Test Cloth Preconditioning
    f. Water Supply Pressure
    g. Additional Revisions and Clarifications
    5. Test Procedure Performance Specifications
    E. Compliance With Other EPCA Requirements
    1. Test Burden
    2. Integration of Standby Mode and Off Mode Energy Consumption 
Into the Efficiency Metrics
    3. Commercial Clothes Washers
    F. Impact of the Proposed Amendments on EnergyGuide and ENERGY 
STAR
    G. Elimination of the Obsolete Clothes Washer Test Procedure
IV. Procedural Requirements
    A. Review Under Executive Order 12866
    B. Review Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act
    C. Review Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
    D. Review Under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
    E. Review Under Executive Order 13132
    F. Review Under Executive Order 12988
    G. Review Under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995

[[Page 57557]]

    H. Review Under the Treasury and General Government 
Appropriations Act, 1999
I. Review Under Executive Order 12630
    J. Review Under the Treasury and General Government 
Appropriations Act, 2001
    K. Review Under Executive Order 13211
    L. Review Under Section 32 of the Federal Energy Administration 
(FEA) Act of 1974
V. Public Participation
    A. Attendance at Public Meeting
    B. Procedure for Submitting Requests to Speak
    C. Conduct of Public Meeting
    D. Submission of Comments
    E. Issues on Which DOE Seeks Comment
    1. Incorporation of IEC Standard 62301
    2. Clothes Washer Modes
    3. Default Settings
    4. Delay Start Mode
    5. Test Room Ambient Temperature
    6. Energy Use Calculation
    7. New Integrated Measures of Energy Consumption and Energy 
Efficiency
    8. Annual Energy Cost Calculation
    9. Steam Wash Cycles
    10. Self-Clean Cycles
    11. Adaptive Control and Demand Response Technologies
    12. Representative Number of Annual Cycles
    13. Test Load Size Specifications
    14. Use Factors
    15. Test Cloth
    16. Capacity Measurement Method
    17. New Integrated Measure of Water Consumption
    18. Energy Test Cycle Definition
    19. Detergent Specifications
    20. Clothes Washer for Preconditioning
    21. Water Supply Pressure
    22. Impact on Commercial Clothes Washers
VI. Approval of the Office of the Secretary

I. Background and Legal Authority

    Title III of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6291 
et seq.) (EPCA or the Act) sets forth a variety of provisions designed 
to improve energy efficiency. Part A of Title III (42 U.S.C. 6291-6309) 
establishes the ``Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products 
Other Than Automobiles,'' which covers consumer products and certain 
commercial products (all of which are referred to below as ``covered 
products''). These include residential clothes washers, the subject of 
today's notice. (42 U.S.C. 6292(a)(7))
    Under the Act, this program consists essentially of three parts: 
(1) Testing, (2) labeling, and (3) Federal energy conservation 
standards. The testing requirements consist of test procedures that, 
pursuant to EPCA, manufacturers of covered products must use as the 
basis for certifying to DOE that their products comply with the 
applicable energy conservation standards adopted under EPCA and for 
representations about the efficiency of those products. DOE also must 
use these test requirements to determine whether the products comply 
with EPCA standards. Section 323 of EPCA (42 U.S.C. 6293) sets forth 
criteria and procedures for DOE's adoption and amendment of such test 
procedures. EPCA provides that ``[a]ny test procedures prescribed or 
amended under this section shall be reasonably designed to produce test 
results which measure energy efficiency, energy use * * * or estimated 
annual operating cost of a covered product during a representative 
average use cycle or period of use, as determined by the Secretary [of 
Energy], and shall not be unduly burdensome to conduct.'' (42 U.S.C. 
6293(b)(3)) In addition, if DOE determines that a test procedure 
amendment is warranted, it must publish proposed test procedures and 
offer the public an opportunity to present oral and written comments on 
them. (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(2))
    Finally, in any rulemaking to amend a test procedure, DOE must 
determine ``to what extent, if any, the proposed test procedure would 
alter the measured energy efficiency * * * of any covered product as 
determined under the existing test procedure.'' (42 U.S.C. 6293(e)(1)) 
If DOE determines that the amended test procedure would alter the 
measured efficiency of a covered product, DOE must amend the applicable 
energy conservation standard accordingly. In determining the amended 
energy conservation standard, the Secretary shall measure, pursuant to 
the amended test procedure, the energy efficiency, energy use, or water 
use of a representative sample of covered products that minimally 
comply with the existing standard. The average of such energy 
efficiency, energy use, or water use levels determined under the 
amended test procedure shall constitute the amended energy conservation 
standard for the applicable covered products. (42 U.S.C. 6293(e)(2)) 
EPCA also states that ``models of covered products in use before the 
date on which the amended energy conservation standard becomes 
effective (or revisions of such models that come into use after such 
date and have the same energy efficiency, energy use, or water use 
characteristics) that comply with the energy conservation standard 
applicable to such covered products on the day before such date shall 
be deemed to comply with the amended energy conservation standard.'' 
(42 U.S.C. 6293(e)(2))
    The DOE test procedure for clothes washers currently being 
manufactured is found at 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix J1. DOE 
adopted appendix J1 in 1997 to correct for changes in consumer habits 
that resulted in an overstatement of average annual energy consumption 
when using the methods specified in appendix J. 62 FR 45508 (Aug. 27, 
1997). DOE added appendix J1, rather than amending appendix J, to 
accommodate continued use of appendix J until DOE amended the 
residential clothes washer conservation standards to reference the new 
appendix J1. On January 12, 2001, DOE published a final rule 
(hereinafter referred to as the January 2001 final rule), to amend the 
energy conservation standards for residential clothes washers to 
reference the efficiency metrics as defined in appendix J1. 66 FR 3314. 
Use of the amended J1 test procedure was required to demonstrate 
compliance with these amended energy conservation standards as of 
January 1, 2004. Since 1997, DOE has amended the test procedure in 
appendix J1 three times, twice substantively to address test cloth 
correlation procedures, and once to correct the introductory note. 63 
FR 16669 (Apr. 6, 1998); 66 FR 3330 (Jan. 12, 2001); 68 FR 62204 (Oct. 
31, 2003). One of these amendments also included an amendment to 
Appendix J. 66 FR 3330 (Jan. 12, 2001). Because appendix J applies only 
to clothes washers manufactured before January 1, 2004, however, 
appendix J is now obsolete. 10 CFR 430 appendix J1.
    The current applicable test procedure includes provisions for 
determining the modified energy factor (MEF) for clothes washers, which 
is a function of the total energy used for each cubic foot (ft\3\) of 
clothes washer capacity. The test procedure measures the total energy 
consumption of the clothes washer. It also accounts for the amount of 
energy required to heat the water and subsequently dry the load based 
on the remaining moisture content (RMC) of the clothes at the 
completion of the machine's full cycle. The test procedure does not 
currently address energy use in the standby or off modes.
    Clothes washer energy conservation standards were originally 
established by the National Appliance Energy Conservation Act of 1987, 
which amended EPCA to prescribe that clothes washers manufactured on or 
after January 1, 1988, have an unheated rinse option. (42 U.S.C. 6295 
(g)) The amendments to EPCA also required DOE to conduct a rulemaking 
by January 1, 1990, to determine if the above mentioned standards 
should be amended. A final rule was issued on May 14, 1991, 
(hereinafter referred to as the May 1991 final rule) establishing the 
first set of performance standards for residential clothes washers. 
Compliance with these standards was required for products manufactured 
on or after May 14, 1994. 56 FR 22279. EPCA also

[[Page 57558]]

required DOE to conduct a subsequent rulemaking no later than 5 years 
after the date of publication of the previous final rule to determine 
whether to amend those standards. A final rule establishing revised 
standards for residential clothes washers was published in the January 
2001 final rule. 66 FR 3313. The January 2001 final rule required all 
new residential clothes washers manufactured after January 1, 2007 to 
be 35 percent more efficient than clothes washers minimally compliant 
with the efficiency standards established in the May 1991 final rule.
    The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA 2007), 
Public Law 110-140, amended EPCA and, in relevant part, revised the 
energy conservation standards for residential clothes washers. The 
revised standards established a maximum water consumption factor (WF) 
of 9.5, effective January 1, 2011. EISA 2007 further required that DOE 
publish a final rule no later than December 31, 2011 determining 
whether to amend the standards in effect for clothes washers 
manufactured on or after January 1, 2015. (42 U.S.C. 6295(g)(9)) 
Consequently, DOE is conducting a separate standards rulemaking for 
these products.
    The EISA 2007 amendments to EPCA also direct DOE to amend its test 
procedures to integrate measures of standby mode and off mode energy 
consumption into the overall energy efficiency, energy consumption, or 
other energy descriptor for each covered product unless the current 
test procedure already fully accounts for and incorporates standby and 
off mode energy consumption or such integration is technically 
infeasible. If an integrated test procedure is technically infeasible, 
DOE must prescribe a separate standby mode and off mode energy use test 
procedure for the covered product, if technically feasible. (42 U.S.C. 
6295(gg)(2)(A))
    Any such amendment must consider the most current versions of the 
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Standard 62301, 
``Household electrical appliances--measurement of standby power,'' 
First Edition 2005-06, and IEC Standard 62087, ``Methods of measurement 
for the power consumption of audio, video, and related equipment,'' 
Second Edition, 2008-09.1 2 In developing these test 
procedure amendments for clothes washers, DOE initially determined that 
it would consider a revised IEC Standard 62301 expected to be released 
in July 2009. DOE subsequently found that this revision is expected to 
be delayed until late-2010, so DOE determined it appropriate to proceed 
with an amended test procedure based on the current version of IEC 
Standard 62301, First Edition 2005-06. DOE is also considering a draft 
version of IEC Standard 62301, Final Draft International Standard (IEC 
Standard 62301 FDIS), for updated mode definitions, which are expected 
to be included in the final revised IEC Standard 62301, Second Edition.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ IEC standards are available online at http://www.iec.ch.
    \2\ Multiple editions of this standard are referenced in this 
notice. Unless otherwise indicated, the terms ``IEC Standard 62301'' 
or ``IEC Standard 62301 First Edition'' refer to ``Household 
electrical appliances-measurement of standby power,'' First Edition 
2005-06.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On August 28, 2009, DOE published a notice in the Federal Register 
announcing the availability of a framework document to initiate a 
rulemaking to consider amended energy conservation standards for 
residential clothes washers (hereafter the August 2009 framework 
document). 74 FR 44306. In the August 2009 framework document, DOE 
requested comments on the merits of revising the clothes washer test 
procedure, and sought input regarding how the test procedure could be 
improved. DOE held a public meeting on September 21, 2009 (September 
2009 public meeting). In addition, DOE requested written comments, 
data, and information on the August 2009 framework document, which it 
accepted through September 28, 2009.
    DOE received comments in response to the August 2009 framework 
document stating that it should consider changes to the active mode 
test procedure. As a result, in addition to amending its test procedure 
for clothes washers to include measures for standby and off mode power 
consumption, DOE proposes to address issues regarding the active mode 
provisions of the test procedure.

II. Summary of the Proposal

    In today's NOPR, DOE proposes amending the test procedure for 
clothes washers to assist DOE in the concurrent development and 
implementation of standards that address use of standby mode and off 
mode power by these products. Specifically, DOE proposes to integrate 
measures of standby mode and off mode power consumption, as well as 
measures of power consumption in certain additional modes determined to 
be part of active mode, into the test procedure. DOE also proposes, for 
the measurement of energy use in active mode, to: (1) Adopt technical 
changes and procedures for accurately measuring the energy consumption 
of clothes washers with technologies not covered by the current 
procedure; (2) more accurately reflect current consumer behavior and 
clothes washer capabilities; (3) address issues related to the test 
cloth, detergent, and certain test equipment; (4) revise and clarify 
the existing methods and calculations; and (5) delete obsolete appendix 
J to subpart B of CFR part 430 and references thereto. The following 
paragraphs summarize these proposed changes.
    To integrate measures of standby mode and off mode power 
consumption into the test procedure, DOE proposes to incorporate by 
reference into the clothes washer test procedure specific provisions 
from IEC Standard 62301 regarding test conditions and test procedures 
for measuring standby mode and off mode power consumption. DOE also 
proposes to incorporate into the test procedure the definitions of 
``active mode,'' ``standby mode,'' and ``off mode'' that are based on 
the definitions provided in IEC Standard 62301 FDIS. Further, DOE 
proposes to include in the test procedure additional language that 
would clarify the application of clauses from IEC Standard 62301 for 
measuring standby mode and off mode power consumption.\3\ In addition, 
DOE proposes to incorporate energy consumption associated with delay 
start and cycle finished modes. Although these modes would be 
considered part of active mode, the measurements and calculations 
proposed for them are similar to those proposed for standby and off 
modes. DOE also proposes to: (1) Establish a new measure of energy use 
to calculate the per-cycle standby mode, off mode, delay start mode, 
and cycle finished mode energy consumption; and (2) adopt a new measure 
of energy efficiency (integrated modified energy factor (IMEF)) that 
includes the energy used in the active, standby, and off modes. As 
indicated above, DOE energy conservation standards currently do not 
address the energy use of clothes washers in the standby or off modes. 
Section 325(gg)(2)(C) of EPCA provides that amendments to the test 
procedures to include standby and off mode energy

[[Page 57559]]

consumption will not be used to determine compliance with previously 
established standards. (42 U.S.C. 6295(gg)(2(C)).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ EISA 2007 directs DOE to also consider IEC Standard 62087 
when amending its test procedure to include standby mode and off 
mode energy consumption. See 42 U.S.C. 6295(gg)(2)(A). DOE 
considered IEC Standard 62087 and concluded that because IEC 
Standard 62087 addresses the methods of measuring the power 
consumption of audio, video, and related equipment, the narrow scope 
of this particular IEC Standard reduces its relevance to today's 
proposal. Further details are provided later in this notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    For the measurement of active mode energy use other than in delay 
start and cycle finished modes, DOE proposes to:
    (1) Update the test procedure to address technologies not covered 
by the current procedure, based upon comments from interested parties 
in response to the August 2009 framework document and further review by 
DOE. These technologies include steam wash and self-cleaning cycles. 
Steam wash cycles inject steam into the wash basket, and claim to offer 
more effective cleaning. Self-clean cycles enable consumers to 
intermittently, typically once per month, run a self-clean cycle to 
prevent odor, bacteria, and mildew from building up in the clothes 
washer. DOE proposes to amend the test procedure to measure energy use 
in steam and self-clean cycles. DOE also received comments regarding 
demand response technologies, and investigated adaptive controls other 
than adaptive fill control. Demand response features enable an 
appliance to shift its activity based on interaction with the electric 
grid, utilities, or user programming. Adaptive controls enable a 
clothes washer to adjust parameters such as agitation speed, number of 
rinses, wash time, and wash and rinse temperatures based on the size, 
fabric mix, and soil level of a wash load. However, for reasons 
discussed in sections III.D.1.c and III.D.1.d, DOE is not proposing to 
update the test procedure to include provisions for measuring the 
energy consumption of clothes washers offering demand response 
technologies or adaptive controls other than adaptive fill control.
    (2) Amend the test procedure for clothes washers to reflect current 
usage patterns and capabilities. DOE received multiple comments on this 
issue in response to the August 2009 framework document, and reviewed 
current consumer data from surveys conducted in 2004 and 2005 to 
determine whether such updates are appropriate. The proposed amendments 
address the following specific issues: Representative average-use 
cycles per year for a clothes washer, test load size specifications, 
and consumer use factors. The proposed amendments are based on recent 
data that more accurately describe current consumer behavior and 
updated clothes washer capabilities.
    (3) Amend the test procedure to update the procedure and 
specifications for determining test cloth correlations, change the 
tolerances regarding the size and weight of the test cloth, and revise 
the detergent and preconditioning clothes washer specifications due to 
obsolescence or anticipated obsolescence of the existing test materials 
and equipment specified in the test procedure. These proposed 
amendments are based on multiple comments received in response to the 
August 2009 framework document and at the September 2009 public meeting 
regarding the test cloth used in the current test procedure.
    (4) Update the test procedure to clarify or revise the existing 
methods and calculations for measuring clothes container capacity, 
calculating water consumption factor, determining the energy test 
cycle, and setting the supply water test conditions. The current 
capacity measurement provisions can be interpreted in multiple ways. 
Different allowable interpretations of the maximum water fill level 
used for the measurement can produce inconsistent results that may not 
accurately reflect the actual usable volume of a clothes washer. The 
proposed revisions revise the capacity measurement specifications so 
that interpretations are more likely to be uniform, repeatable, and 
representative, thereby ensuring the data is reported consistently. DOE 
proposes to adopt a new measure of water consumption, integrated water 
consumption factor (IWF) that would include water used in self-clean 
cycles. The IWF would also include water consumption from all energy 
test cycles, rather than only from the cold wash/cold rinse cycle as 
the test procedure currently requires. DOE also proposes to clarify the 
energy test cycle definition and the supply water test conditions 
specification.
    DOE has also investigated how each of the proposed amendments to 
the active mode provisions for clothes washers, discussed above would 
affect the measured efficiency of products. See section III.D for 
further details. Because of the potential for significant impacts to 
the measured efficiency of products, DOE proposes to codify the amended 
clothes washer test procedure as appendix J2 in 10 CFR part 430 subpart 
B. Manufacturers would not be required to use appendix J2 to 
demonstrate compliance with clothes washer energy conservation 
standards until the compliance date of new standards, which would take 
into account any test procedure amendments. Until that time, 
manufacturers would be required to use existing appendix J1.
    Finally, DOE proposes to delete appendix J to subpart B of CFR part 
430, along with all references to appendix J in 10 CFR part 430.23. 
Appendix J only applies to clothes washers manufactured before January 
1, 2004, and is now obsolete. Appendix J1 would retain its current 
designation and not be re-designated as Appendix J.

III. Discussion

A. Products Covered by This Test Procedure Change

    Today's proposed amendments to the DOE test procedure cover 
residential clothes washers, which DOE's regulations define as follows:
    Clothes washer means a consumer product designed to clean clothes, 
utilizing a water solution of soap and/or detergent and mechanical 
agitation or other movement, and must be one of the following classes: 
automatic clothes washers, semi-automatic clothes washers, and other 
clothes washers.
    Automatic clothes washer means a class of clothes washer which has 
a control system which is capable of scheduling a preselected 
combination of operations, such as regulation of water temperature, 
regulation of the water fill level, and performance of wash, rinse, 
drain, and spin functions without the need for user intervention 
subsequent to the initiation of machine operation. Some models may 
require user intervention to initiate these different segments of the 
cycle after the machine has begun operation, but they do not require 
the user to intervene to regulate the water temperature by adjusting 
the external water faucet valves.
    Semi-automatic clothes washer means a class of clothes washer that 
is the same as an automatic clothes washer except that user 
intervention is required to regulate the water temperature by adjusting 
the external water faucet valves.
    Other clothes washer means a class of clothes washer which is not 
an automatic or semi-automatic clothes washer. 10 CFR 430.2.
    DOE is not proposing any amendments to these definitions in today's 
NOPR. The clothes washers covered by these definitions, and by today's 
proposed amendments, include top-loading compact (less than 1.6 ft\3\ 
capacity); top-loading standard size (1.6 ft\3\ or greater capacity); 
top-loading, semi-automatic; front-loading; and suds-saving clothes 
washers.

B. Compliance Date of Proposed Test Procedure

    As stated previously, DOE originally considered reviewing a revised 
IEC Standard 62301, expected to be released in July 2009, in the 
development of these test procedure amendments. DOE received comments 
in response to the August 2009 framework document

[[Page 57560]]

jointly from the Appliance Standards Awareness Project (ASAP), the 
Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and the National Consumer Law 
Center (NCLC) (Joint Comment); and the Alliance to Save Energy (ASE), 
stating that the IEC 62301 revision process may take longer than 
previously thought and that DOE should proceed with updating the 
clothes washer test procedure. (Joint Comment, No. 14 at p. 1 \4\; ASE, 
No. 22 at p. 1) Additionally, Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships 
(NEEP) commented that waiting for the IEC process to finalize could be 
detrimental to the standards rulemaking, and that DOE should consider 
quickly revising the test procedure independently after the IEC 
procedure is finalized. (NEEP, No. 20 at p. 1)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ A notation in the form ``Joint Comment, No. 14 at p. 1'' 
identifies a written comment (1) made by ASAP, NRDC, and NCLC 
jointly; (2) recorded in document number 14 that is filed in the 
docket of the clothes washer energy conservation standards 
rulemaking (Docket No. EERE-2008-BT-STD-0019) and maintained in the 
Resource Room of the Building Technologies Program; and (3) which 
appears on page 1 of document number 14.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DOE agrees that the revision to IEC Standard 62301 is expected to 
be delayed; the revision is currently expected in late 2010. Therefore, 
DOE proposes basing the amendments to the clothes washer test on the 
first edition of IEC Standard 62301, as well as draft versions of the 
second edition, in the issuance of this NOPR. Such action is necessary 
to permit manufacturers to certify that their products comply with any 
newly established energy conservation standards that take into account 
standby and off mode energy use.
    The amended test procedure would become effective 30 days after the 
date of publication in the Federal Register of the final rule in this 
test procedure rulemaking. However, DOE would clarify in the published 
amended test procedure in 10 CFR part 430 subpart B appendix J2 that it 
need not be used to determine compliance with current energy 
conservation standards. Instead, manufacturers would be required to 
begin using the test procedures in appendix J2 on the compliance date 
of any final rule establishing amended energy conservation standards 
that would, in part, address standby and off mode power consumption for 
these products. 42 U.S.C. 6295(gg)(2)(C).

C. Standby Mode, Off Mode, and Additional Active Mode Test Procedures

1. Incorporating by Reference IEC Standard 62301 for Measuring Standby 
Mode and Off Mode Power Consumption
    As required by EPCA, as amended by EISA 2007, DOE considered the 
most current versions of IEC Standard 62301 and IEC Standard 62087 for 
measuring power consumption in standby mode and off mode when 
developing today's proposed amendments to the clothes washer test 
procedure. (42 U.S.C. 6295(gg)(2)(A)) DOE noted that IEC Standard 62301 
provides for measuring standby power in electrical appliances, 
including clothes washers, and thus is relevant here. DOE also reviewed 
IEC Standard 62087, which specifies methods of measuring the power 
consumption of TV receivers, video cassette recorders (VCRs), set top 
boxes, audio equipment, and multi-function equipment for consumer use. 
IEC Standard 62087 does not, however, include methods for measuring the 
power consumption of electrical appliances such as clothes washers. 
Therefore, DOE has determined that IEC Standard 62087 is inapplicable 
to this rulemaking, and has not included any of its provisions in 
today's proposed test procedure.
    DOE proposes to incorporate by reference into this test procedure 
all applicable provisions from Sections 4 and 5 of IEC Standard 62301. 
Specifically, DOE proposes to incorporate, from section 4, (``General 
conditions for measurements''), paragraph 4.2, ``Test room;'' paragraph 
4.4, ``Supply voltage waveform;'' paragraph 4.5, ``Power measurement 
accuracy;'' and from section 5, (``Measurements''), paragraph 5.1, 
``General,'' Note 1; and paragraph 5.3, ``Procedure.'' These clauses 
provide test conditions and test procedures for measuring average 
standby mode and average off mode power consumption. With respect to 
test conditions, section 4 of IEC Standard 62301 provides 
specifications for the test room conditions, supply voltage waveform, 
and power measurement meter tolerances to ensure repeatable and precise 
measurements of standby mode and off mode power consumption. With 
respect to test procedures, section 5 of IEC Standard 62301 provides 
methods for measuring power consumption when the power measurement is 
stable and when it is unstable.
    DOE invites comment on whether IEC Standard 62301 measures standby 
and off mode power consumption for clothes washers adequately, and 
whether incorporating these specific provisions into the DOE test 
procedure is appropriate.
2. Determination of Modes To Be Incorporated
    EPCA provides the following mode definitions:
    ``Active mode'' is defined as the condition in which an energy-
using product is connected to a main power source, has been activated, 
and provides one or more main functions. (42 U.S.C. 6295(gg)(1)(A)(i))
    ``Standby mode'' is defined as the condition in which an energy-
using product is connected to a main power source and offers one or 
more of the following user-oriented or protective functions: to 
facilitate the activation or deactivation of other functions (including 
active mode) by remote switch (including remote control), internal 
sensor, or timer; or continuous functions, including information or 
status displays (including clocks) or sensor-based functions. (42 
U.S.C. 6295(gg)(1)(A)(iii))
    ``Off mode'' is defined as the condition in which an energy-using 
product is connected to a main power source and is not providing any 
standby mode or active mode function. (42 U.S.C. 6295(gg)(1)(A)(ii))
    During the September 2009 Public Meeting, ASAP commented that the 
definitions provided in IEC Standard 62301 do not conform to the 
statutory definitions provided by EPCA, so ASAP believed it was not 
entirely clear that DOE should adopt the IEC definitions word-for-word. 
(ASAP, Public Meeting Transcript, No. 7 at p. 19) \5\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ A notation in the form ``ASAP, Public Meeting Transcript, 
No. 7 at p. 19'' identifies an oral comment that DOE received during 
the September 21, 2009, Framework public meeting, was recorded in 
the public meeting transcript in the docket for the clothes washer 
energy conservation standards rulemaking (Docket No. EERE-2008-BT-
STD-0019), and is maintained in the Resource Room of the Building 
Technologies Program. This particular notation refers to a comment 
(1) made by ASAP during the public meeting; (2) recorded in document 
number 7, which is the public meeting transcript that is filed in 
the docket of the clothes washer energy conservation standards 
rulemaking; and (3) which appears on page 19 of document number 7.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DOE notes that the EPCA definition of standby mode differs from the 
one provided in IEC Standard 62301, which defines standby mode as the 
``lowest power consumption mode which cannot be switched off 
(influenced) by the user and that may persist for an indefinite time 
when an appliance is connected to the main electricity supply and used 
in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.'' However, DOE 
expects significant changes to the mode

[[Page 57561]]

definitions included in IEC Standard 62301, based on review of IEC 
Standard 62301 FDIS. The definitions provided in IEC Standard 62301 
FDIS are likely to be included in the final revised IEC Standard 62301, 
Second Edition. DOE considered the definitions provided by IEC Standard 
62301 FDIS as the most current when determining the mode definitions 
proposed to be included in the test procedure.
    EPCA authorizes DOE to amend mode definitions, as appropriate, 
considering the most current versions of IEC Standards 62301 and 62087. 
(42 U.S.C. 6295(gg)(1)(B)) DOE recognizes that the EPCA definitions for 
active mode, standby mode, and off mode were developed to be broadly 
applicable for many energy-using products. However, for specific 
products with multiple functions, these broad definitions could be 
interpreted in different ways. For these reasons, DOE proposes amending 
the test procedure to include definitions for these modes based on the 
definitions provided in IEC Standard 62301 FDIS, with added 
clarifications specific to clothes washers.
Active Mode
    DOE proposes to define active mode as a mode in which the clothes 
washer is connected to a mains power source; has been activated; and is 
performing one or more of the main functions of washing, soaking, 
tumbling, agitating, rinsing, and/or removing water from the clothing, 
or is involved in functions necessary for these main functions, such as 
admitting water into the washer or pumping water out of the washer. DOE 
is proposing to refer to the typical clothes washing operation (i.e., a 
complete wash cycle intended for washing a clothing load, including 
washing, rinsing, and spinning) as the active washing mode. DOE is 
aware of three additional relevant modes that it proposes to define as 
a part of active mode: delay start mode, cycle finished mode, and self-
clean mode. DOE is proposing to include these modes in the measures of 
clothes washer energy consumption, as discussed in section III.C.4.
i. Delay Start Mode
    DOE proposes to define delay start mode as a mode in which 
activation of the active washing mode is facilitated by a timer. 
Because delay start mode is not a mode that may persist for an 
indefinite time, DOE believes it would not be considered as part of a 
standby mode based on the proposed definition discussed below. DOE also 
notes that IEC Standard 62301 Committee Draft 2 (IEC Standard 62301 
CD2) provides the additional clarification that ``delay start mode is a 
one off user initiated short duration function that is associated with 
an active mode.'' The subsequent IEC Standard 62301 Committee Draft for 
Vote (IEC Standard 62301 CDV) removes this clarification; however, in 
response to comments on IEC Standard 62301 CD2 that led to IEC Standard 
62301 CDV, IEC states that delay start mode is a one off function of 
limited duration. DOE infers that delay start mode should therefore be 
considered part of active mode. DOE notes that IEC 62301 FDIS 
classifies delay start as a secondary function and therefore not part 
of active mode. DOE continues to believe, however, that because delay 
start is of limited duration and is uniquely associated with the 
initiation of a main function (i.e., washing cycle), it should be 
considered part of active mode. The proposed methods for measuring 
energy consumption in delay start mode are discussed in III.C.3.
ii. Cycle Finished Mode
    DOE proposes to define cycle finished mode as a mode that provides 
continuous status display following operation in the active washing 
mode. However, as with delay start mode, cycle finished mode is not a 
mode that may persist for an indefinite time, and would therefore not 
be considered as a part of standby mode. Additionally, operation in 
cycle finished mode occurs only after operation in the active washing 
mode. DOE believes cycle finished mode, similar to delay start mode, 
would be considered a one off short duration function that is 
associated with an active mode. DOE is therefore proposing to define 
cycle finished mode as a part of active mode. The proposed methods for 
measuring energy consumption in cycle finished mode are discussed in 
III.C.3.
    DOE is aware that some clothes washers currently available offer 
energy-consuming features in cycle finished mode other than a 
continuous status display. For example, certain models may employ a 
low-power fan to circulate air around the damp clothes to prevent 
odors. These models may also periodically tumble the clothes to prevent 
wrinkles for up to 10 hours after the completion of the wash cycle. 
These functions, while enabled, would use more energy than the 
continuous display normally associated with cycle finished mode. 
However, DOE does not propose amending the test procedure to address 
these specific cycle finished mode functions, because DOE believes 
measuring the energy use from these functions would significantly 
increase the test cycle duration to capture a negligible contributor to 
annual energy consumption. In addition, DOE research indicates that 
only eight out of the 94 residential clothes washer models currently 
produced by manufacturers representing more than 92 percent of the 
residential clothes washer market incorporate such a circulation or 
tumbling function. Because these models are also higher priced and 
recently introduced, DOE believes that the shipment-weighted percentage 
of residential clothes washers with a circulation or tumbling function 
in cycle finished mode is less than 5 percent. Therefore, DOE believes 
the energy consumed by these features in cycle finished mode represents 
a negligible portion of the overall energy consumption of clothes 
washers.
iii. Self-Clean Mode
    DOE proposes to define self-clean mode as a clothes washer 
operating mode that:
     Is dedicated to cleaning, deodorizing, or sanitizing the 
clothes washer by eliminating sources of odor, bacteria, mold, and 
mildew;
     Is recommended to be run intermittently by the 
manufacturer; and
     Is separate from clothes washing cycles.
    Self-clean mode is considered a part of the active mode because it 
is a function necessary for the main functions associated with washing 
clothes. A clothes washer with excessive bacteria, mildew, or odor 
cannot effectively wash clothes. A further discussion of self-clean 
mode, including its incorporation in the clothes washer test procedure, 
is included in section III.D.1.b.
Standby Mode
    DOE proposes to define standby mode as any mode in which the 
clothes washer is connected to a mains power source and offers one or 
more of the following user-oriented or protective functions which may 
persist for an indefinite time: \6\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ The actual language for the standby mode definition in IEC 
Standard 62301 FDIS describes ``* * *user oriented or protective 
functions which usually persist'' rather than ``* * * user oriented 
or protective functions which may persist for an indefinite time.'' 
DOE notes, however, that section 5.1 of IEC Standard 62301 FDIS 
states that ``a mode is considered to be persistent where the power 
level is constant or where there are several power levels that occur 
in a regular sequence for an indefinite period of time.'' DOE 
believes that the proposed language, which was originally included 
in IEC Standard 62301 CD2, encompasses the possible scenarios 
foreseen by section 5.1 of IEC Standard 62301 FDIS without 
unnecessary specificity.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Facilitation of the activation of other modes (including 
activation or deactivation of active mode) by remote

[[Page 57562]]

switch (including remote control), internal sensor, or timer;
     Continuous function: Information or status displays 
including clocks; and
     Continuous function: Sensor-based functions.
    DOE proposes adding a clarification of what would be considered a 
timer under this definition of standby mode. DOE would clarify that a 
timer is a continuous clock function (which may or may not be 
associated with a display) that provides regular scheduled tasks (e.g., 
switching) and that operates on a continuous basis. As noted earlier in 
this section, this proposed definition was developed based on the 
definition provided in IEC Standard 62301 FDIS. It expands on the EPCA 
mode definition to provide additional clarifications as to which 
functions are associated with standby mode.
    The proposed definition of standby mode based on IEC Standard 62301 
FDIS allows for multiple modes to be considered a standby mode. DOE has 
identified only one mode that would be considered a standby mode under 
the proposed definition. DOE proposes to define this ``inactive mode'' 
as a standby mode that facilitates the activation of active mode by 
remote switch (including remote control), internal sensor, or timer, or 
that provides continuous status display. DOE proposes amending the test 
procedure for clothes washers to include provisions for measuring 
energy use in inactive mode as the measurement of standby energy use. 
Although it identified only this one particular standby mode, DOE 
remains open to consideration of additional standby modes.
Off Mode
    As discussed in section III.C.1, DOE proposes in today's NOPR to 
amend the DOE test procedure for clothes washers to define ``off mode'' 
as any mode in which the clothes washer is connected to a mains power 
source and is not providing any standby mode or active mode function 
and the mode may persist for an indefinite time. An indicator that only 
shows the user that the product is in the off position is included 
within the off mode classification. As noted in section III.C.1, this 
definition was developed based on the definitions provided in IEC 
Standard 62301 FDIS. It expands on the EPCA mode definitions to provide 
additional clarifications as to which functions are associated with off 
mode.
    Under the proposed definitions, a clothes washer equipped with a 
mechanical on/off switch that can disconnect power to the display and/
or control components would be considered as operating in the off mode 
when the switch is in the ``off'' position, provided that no other 
standby or active mode functions are energized. An energized light-
emitting diode (LED) or other indicator that only shows the user that 
the product is in the off position would be considered part of off mode 
under the proposed definition, again provided that no other standby or 
active mode functions are energized. As stated above, however, if any 
energy is consumed by the appliance in the presence of a one-way remote 
control, the unit would be operating in standby mode under the proposed 
definition. That definition would include remote controls that 
facilitate the activation or deactivation of other functions (including 
active mode) as a feature of standby mode.
    IEC Standard 62301 FDIS also provides definitions for additional 
modes that DOE determined are not applicable to the clothes washer test 
procedure. Section 3.7 of IEC Standard 62301 FDIS defines network mode 
as a mode category that includes ``any product modes where the energy 
using product is connected to a mains power source and at least one 
network function is activated (such as reactivation via network command 
or network integrity communication) but where the primary function is 
not active.'' IEC Standard 62301 FDIS also provides a note, stating 
that ``[w]here a network function is provided but is not active and/or 
not connected to a network, then this mode is not applicable. A network 
function could become active intermittently according to a fixed 
schedule or in response to a network requirement. A `network' in this 
context includes communication between two or more separate 
independently powered devices or products. A network does not include 
one or more controls which are dedicated to a single product. Network 
mode may include one or more standby functions.'' As discussed further 
in section III.D.1.c, DOE is not proposing any amendments to include 
provisions for testing network mode energy consumption in clothes 
washers.
    DOE also notes that section 3.9 of IEC Standard 62301 FDIS provides 
a definition of ``disconnected mode'', which is ``the state where all 
connections to mains power sources of the energy using product are 
removed or interrupted.'' IEC Standard 62301 FDIS also adds a note that 
common terms such as ``unplugged'' or ``cut off from mains'' also 
describe this mode and that this mode is not part of the lower power 
mode category. DOE believes that there would be no energy use in a 
disconnected mode, and therefore, is not proposing a definition or 
testing methods for such a mode in the DOE test procedure for clothes 
washers.
    DOE welcomes comment on the proposed establishment of the modes as 
discussed above, including inactive mode as the only standby mode for 
clothes washers. DOE also invites comment on the determination that 
delay start mode and cycle finished mode would be considered part of 
active mode. DOE further invites comment on the proposed mode 
definitions, including the definition of self-clean mode, and whether 
there are any modes that have not been identified in this NOPR that 
represent significant energy use and are consistent with the proposed 
active mode, standby mode, or off mode definitions.
3. Adding Specifications for the Test Methods and Measurements for 
Standby Mode, Off Mode, and Additional Active Mode Testing
    This section discusses the provisions DOE proposes to include in 
the test procedure to clarify the IEC Standard 62301 methods when used 
to measure standby mode and off mode energy use in clothes washers. 
These proposed procedures also include provisions for measuring energy 
use in delay start mode and cycle finished mode. Although these modes 
are considered a part of active mode under the proposed definitions, 
the methods for measuring their associated energy consumptions are 
similar to those used for standby mode and off mode.
    Paragraph 5.3.1 of section 5.3 of IEC Standard 62301 contains 
provisions for measuring power. It specifies, for products in which the 
power is stable (i.e., power varies by not more than 5 percent from a 
maximum level during a period of 5 minutes), waiting at least 5 minutes 
for the product to stabilize and then measuring the power at the end of 
an additional time period of not less than 5 minutes. Paragraph 5.3.2 
contains provisions for measuring average power in cases where the 
power is not stable (i.e., power varies by more than 5 percent from a 
maximum level during a period of 5 minutes). In such cases, IEC 
Standard 62301 requires a measurement period of no less than 5 minutes, 
or one or more complete operating cycles of several minutes or hours. 
DOE notes these provisions do not preclude manufacturers from testing 
products with a longer stabilization period, or a longer measurement 
period (if the power varies by not more than 5 percent or if that 
period represents one or more complete cycles).

[[Page 57563]]

    Displays on residential clothes washers may reduce power 
consumption by dimming or turning off after a certain period of user 
inactivity (``automatic power-down''). For clothes washers whose power 
input in standby, off, and cycle finished modes varies in this manner 
during testing, DOE proposes that the test be conducted after the power 
level has dropped to its lowest level, as discussed in IEC Standard 
62301, section 5, (``Measurements''), paragraph 5.1, ``General,'' Note 
1. DOE is aware that IEC Standard 62301 does not provide guidance on 
how long to wait for the appliance to drop to the lower-power state. 
DOE observed during tests of 17 residential clothes washers that in 
units with an automatic power-down feature the higher-power state 
persists for less than 10 minutes of inactivity after the display has 
been energized. Thus, the energy consumption at the low-power level is 
most representative of standby mode, off mode, and cycle finished mode 
power. However, DOE notes the test sample of 17 clothes washers was 
relatively small. It is possible that some clothes washers may remain 
in the higher-power state for the duration of a 5-minute stabilization 
period and 5-minute measurement period, and then drop to the lower-
power state that is more representative of standby mode, off mode, or 
cycle finished mode. In contrast, IEC Standard 62301 CDV specifies for 
each testing method that the product be allowed to stabilize for at 
least 30 minutes prior to a measurement period of not less than 10 
minutes. DOE believes this method would allow sufficient time for 
displays that automatically dim or power down after a period of user 
inactivity to reach the lower-power state prior to measurement. Based 
on the automatic power-down time periods observed in its own testing, 
DOE believes that the IEC Standard 62301 CDV 30-minute stabilization 
and 10-minute measurement periods provide a clearer and more consistent 
testing procedure than the corresponding time periods specified in IEC 
Standard 62301. Those periods allow for representative measurements to 
be made among products that may have varying time periods before the 
power drops to a lower level more representative of standby, off, or 
cycle finished mode. DOE notes that IEC Standard 62301 FDIS establishes 
an overall test period of not less than 15 minutes for products in 
which power consumption in the mode being tested is not cyclic. Data 
collected during the first third of the total period is discarded (and 
thus this time could be inferred to be a stabilization period), and 
data from the remaining two-thirds of the total period are used to 
determine whether the power is stable. If stability is not achieved, 
the total period is extended continuously until the stability criteria 
are achieved, to a maximum of 3 hours. Modes that are known to be non-
cyclic and of varying power consumption shall follow this same 
procedure, but with a total test period not less than 60 minutes. If 
power consumption in a mode is cyclic, measurements must be conducted 
with an initial operation period (analogous to a stabilization period) 
of at least 10 minutes, and the average power measured over at least 
four complete cycles. The measurement period must be at least 20 
minutes. DOE believes that the specifications provided in IEC Standard 
62301 FDIS would not produce power consumption measurements as 
accurate, repeatable, and enforceable as the specifications provided in 
IEC Standard 62301 CDV. Therefore, DOE proposes to require that: (1) 
the product be allowed to stabilize for at least 30 minutes, then (2) 
the power measurement be made for a period not less than 10 minutes for 
inactive, off, and cycle finished modes.
    DOE's test procedures are developed to measure representative 
energy use for the typical consumer, and cannot capture all possible 
consumer actions and appliance usage patterns that might increase 
energy use. For example, certain residential clothes washer models 
featuring a display power-down may allow consumers to alter the display 
settings to increase the amount of time in the high-power state, or to 
make the high-power state permanent. Because DOE does not have 
information regarding the likelihood consumer will alter the default 
display settings, DOE has not proposed additional provisions in today's 
NOPR to address the possibility of increased energy use as a result of 
consumers adjusting the display power-down settings or other features. 
DOE welcomes comment on the suitability of using the default settings 
in testing standby energy consumption. It also welcomes comment on any 
methodologies that can account for consumer actions that might increase 
energy use, and requests data on the repeatability of such testing 
procedures.
    DOE understands that clothes washers with a delay start capability 
may use varying amounts of power during delay start mode, depending on 
the delay time entered, the amount of remaining delay time displayed, 
and/or display indication of mode status. To ensure comparable and 
valid results, DOE proposes to include in its clothes washer test 
procedure a specification for the delay start time to be set at 5 
hours, and for power to be monitored for 60 minutes after waiting at 
least 5 minutes for power input to stabilize. In determining the 
specification for delay start parameters, DOE considered the 
possibility that display power input would depend on the time 
displayed, which is typically the time in hours remaining before the 
start. Displays may be one or two digits. Some two-digit displays may 
show whole numbers for remaining delay hours of 10 or more and both the 
ones and tenths digits for the remaining delay hours of 9.9 or less. 
DOE analyzed the number of LEDs activated in LED displays of the 
remaining hours over a range of delay times. It concluded that the 
average number of LEDs lit for the range of all possible delay times 
would be best approximated by determining the average number of LEDs 
lit for either single-digit or two-digit displays in a 60-minute test 
if the delay time is set at 5 hours. DOE welcomes comment on this 
approach to measuring delay start mode.
    DOE is also proposing that test room ambient temperatures for 
standby mode and off mode testing, as well as delay start mode and 
cycle finished mode testing, be specified for all clothes washers 
according to section 4, paragraph 4.2 of IEC Standard 62301. The 
current DOE test procedure includes a test room ambient air temperature 
specification only for water-heating clothes washers, for which the 
requirement is 75  5 degrees Fahrenheit ([deg]F). This 
falls within the range specified by IEC Standard 62301 of 73.4  9 [deg]F. Today's proposed test procedure would allow 
manufacturers of water-heating clothes washers to use the more 
stringent ambient temperature range in the current DOE test procedure 
if tests of active washing mode performance and standby, off, delay 
start, and cycle finished mode power are conducted simultaneously in 
the same room on multiple clothes washers. Alternatively, the proposed 
temperature specifications taken from IEC Standard 62301 would allow a 
manufacturer that opts to conduct standby, off, delay start, and cycle 
finished mode testing separately from active washing mode testing more 
latitude in maintaining ambient conditions. DOE requests comment on the 
appropriateness of this proposed modified test room ambient temperature 
range.
4. Calculation of Energy Use Associated With Each Operating Mode
    To combine active washing mode energy consumption with energy

[[Page 57564]]

consumption from inactive, off, and additional active modes (delay 
start, cycle finished, and self-clean modes), DOE estimated the 
representative energy use for each of these modes. The total energy 
consumption in each of these modes depends on both the power level of 
that mode and the time spent in that mode. This section discusses the 
approach DOE proposes for calculating energy use associated with each 
operating mode for clothes washers and the numbers of hours proposed to 
be associated with each mode.
    Energy use for clothes washers is expressed in terms of ft \3\ of 
wash load capacity per total energy use per wash cycle.\7\ As discussed 
further in section III.E.2, DOE has tentatively determined that it is 
technically feasible to integrate measures of standby mode and off mode 
energy use into the overall energy use metric, as required by the EISA 
2007 amendments to EPCA. (42 U.S.C. 6295(gg)(2)(A)) Therefore, DOE has 
examined standby mode and off mode power consumption in terms of annual 
energy use apportioned on a per-cycle basis. DOE has also examined 
energy consumption from delay start, cycle finished, and self-clean 
modes on a per-cycle basis. Energy used during an active washing mode 
test cycle is directly measured in the current DOE test procedure, and 
a weighted average is calculated under different load sizes, fill 
levels, and wash temperature conditions according to the specific 
machine's capacity and features. (See section 4.1 of appendix J1 of 
subpart B of 10 CFR 430 for details.) The calculation of MEF also 
includes nominal energy used by a water heater to heat the water 
supplied to the clothes washer, and by a dryer to remove the remaining 
moisture after the clothes washer completes its full cycle (weighted by 
a dryer usage factor (DUF) to account for loads not dried in a clothes 
dryer).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ See section III.C.5 for a detailed description of how the 
efficiency metric is calculated.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Average cycle times can vary significantly based on the axis of 
basket rotation and type of load. One 1997 study compared a 37-minute 
normal cycle for a vertical-axis, top-loading clothes washer with 40 to 
110-minute cycles for eight different front-loading, horizontal-axis 
machines.\8\ The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported in 
2005 on three studies in the magazine ``Consumer Reports'' \9\ that 
determined top-loading clothes washers have ``normal'' cycle times of 
37-55 minutes, and front-loading washers have ``normal'' cycle times of 
51-105 minutes.\10\ Therefore, DOE proposes to adopt the estimate of 1 
hour per cycle associated with a residential clothes washer's typical 
active washing mode (i.e., a complete wash cycle including washing, 
rinsing, and spinning). DOE is proposing a single cycle duration for 
both top-loading and front-loading clothes washers rather than more 
accurate cycle times specific to each product class to simplify the 
test procedure and calculations. Additionally, proposing cycle times 
for each product class would have an insignificant effect on the 
calculations proposed in the test procedure because it is used only to 
allocate the number of annual hours associated with inactive/off mode. 
For example, using cycle times of 45 minutes for top-loaders and 75 
minutes for front-loaders would change the number of hours allocated to 
inactive/off mode (the only modes affected by the number of active mode 
hours) by less than 1 percent.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \8\ J. Dieckmann, D. Westphalen. 1997. ``Laboratory Testing of 
Clothes Washers.'' The High-Efficiency Laundry Metering and Market 
Analysis (THELMA). Volume 2. Final Report to the Electric Power 
Research Institute (EPRI). Report No. TR-109147-V2. December 29, 
1997. Available for purchase at http://www.epri.com.
    \9\ These studies appeared in the July 1998, July 1999, and 
August 2000 issues of Consumer Reports.
    \10\ C. Wilkes et al. 2005. ``Quantification of Exposure-Related 
Water Uses for Various U.S. Subpopulations.'' U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development. Report No. 
EPA/600/R-06/003. Washington, DC. December 2005. Available at http://www.wilkestech.com/205edrb06_Final_Water_Use_Report.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In the January 2001 final rule, 66 FR 3314, DOE estimated the 
representative number of annual wash cycles per clothes washer as 392. 
DOE is proposing to update the number of wash cycles per year from 392 
to 295 to reflect more current consumer behavior, which is discussed in 
detail in section III.D.2.a. One hour per cycle would result in a total 
of 295 hours per year associated with active mode. DOE is proposing to 
associate the remaining 8,465 (8,760 minus 295) hours of the year with 
all modes other than the active washing mode.
    DOE is aware of five modes other than active washing mode in which 
residential clothes washers use energy: (1) Inactive mode, (2) cycle 
finished mode, (3) delay start mode, (4) off mode, and (5) self-clean 
mode. DOE is aware of only limited studies of the time clothes washers 
spend in these different modes. One household survey conducted by the 
National Appliance and Equipment Energy Efficiency Committee (NAEEEC) 
in Australia in 2000, for example, measured the time associated with 
different modes for 61 clothes washers with an average age of 9 years. 
The daily time spent in each mode in this study averaged 1 hour for 
washing (active washing mode), zero time for delay start and ``active 
standby'' modes, and the remaining time split 20 percent for ``end of 
program'' mode and 80 percent for off mode.\11\ Self-clean mode was not 
explicitly addressed. The active standby mode of the washers in this 
study is equivalent to the inactive mode defined in section III.C.2 of 
this notice, and the end of program mode is equivalent to cycle 
finished mode.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ Australia's National Appliance and Equipment Energy 
Efficiency Committee (NAEEEC). Standby Product Profile--Clothes 
Washers. October 2003. Available at http://www.energyrating.gov.au/library/pubs/sb200308-washers.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The average age of the clothes washers in the study suggests that 
many of them have electromechanical rather than electronic controls, 
and thus would not likely have been capable of inactive mode. Hence, 
DOE does not infer from those results that more modern clothes washers 
spend negligible time in inactive mode. DOE believes that because 
current clothes washer models offer both mechanical and electronic 
controls, the time apportioned to off mode in this study would actually 
be split between off mode and inactive mode. Clothes washers with 
electromechanical controllers can have a delayed start feature, 
although its implementation appears to be market-specific. Markets with 
a long history of residential time-of-day electricity pricing are more 
likely to have appliances with delayed start features than in markets 
where household electricity prices are constant. The clothes washers in 
the NAEEEC study would have been less likely to have a delay start mode 
because differential power pricing is a relatively recent development 
in the Australian residential power market. Thus, the findings in the 
Australian clothes washer study regarding delayed start are 
inconclusive regarding the time current models of clothes washers spend 
in delay start mode.
    To help address this uncertainty, DOE examined a more recent 2005 
Australian study that noted a small number of usage hours associated 
with delay start mode. This study used dataloggers to monitor time 
clothes washers spent in different modes in Australia and New Zealand. 
The study showed that the average amount of time spent in delay start 
mode per wash cycle was approximately 5 minutes.\12\ DOE

[[Page 57565]]

expects similar low usage patterns of delayed start functionality for 
clothes washers in U.S. households because DOE research suggests that 
most U.S. residential electricity customers have fixed-rate electricity 
pricing (i.e., the cost of electricity does not change with time of 
day, day of week, or time of year). However, delayed start 
functionality usage could increase in the United States as more 
electric utilities offer residential customers variable-rate pricing 
plans that encourage shifting electricity consumption to off-peak 
hours.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \12\ Australian Electrical and Electronic Manufacturer's 
Association. A Submission to NAEEEC on Mode Times for Use When 
Determining Standby Energy Consumption of Clothes Washers, 
Dishwashers, and Dryers. Appendix B. March 11, 2005. Available at 
http://www.aeema.asn.au/ArticleDocuments/258/standby.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DOE welcomes comment on whether the sources cited provide a 
reasonable indication of residential clothes washer mode usage 
patterns, and also welcomes any additional information about such usage 
patterns.
    Based on these two studies, DOE concludes that a typical modern 
residential clothes washer spends a small amount of time in delay start 
mode. Using an estimated 5 minutes per cycle, the total annual amount 
of time spent in delay start mode, using the proposed representative 
295 cycles per year, is 25 hours.
    The NAEEEC study suggests that 20 percent of the total use cycle 
time not allocated to active washing or delay start mode would be 
associated with cycle finished mode. However, DOE testing of multiple 
residential clothes washers showed that the time spent in a cycle 
finished mode per use cycle is very short. Several models tested had no 
cycle finished mode, and immediately reverted to off/inactive mode 
after the wash cycle completed. All of the tested units with cycle 
finished mode remained in that state for less than 5 minutes before 
switching back to off/inactive mode. Based on these results, DOE is 
proposing to allocate 3 minutes per average use cycle to cycle finished 
mode, for a total of 15 hours per year.
    In addition, DOE is aware that some residential clothes washers 
offer a self-clean mode, as further discussed in section III.D.1.b. 
These self-clean cycles are not accounted for in the proposed 295 
active mode washing hours per year. DOE tested seven machines that had 
these cycles, and found an average self-clean cycle time of 1.3 hours. 
DOE proposes to account for the time spent in self-cleaning cycles, if 
applicable, based on an estimated average manufacturer recommendation 
of 12 self-clean cycles per year, resulting in 16 hours per year. 
Therefore, machines offering a self-cleaning cycle will spend 16 fewer 
hours per year in standby mode or off mode.
    In summary, DOE is proposing to allocate 295 hours per year to the 
active washing mode, 16 hours to self-clean mode (if applicable), 25 
hours to delay start mode, 15 hours to cycle finished mode, and the 
remainder (8,409 hours for clothes washers offering other modes) to off 
and/or inactive mode.
    Table III.1 presents DOE's estimate of the annual energy use 
associated with all modes for a clothes washer that is capable of each 
of these functions. The approximate ranges of power associated with the 
different modes are based on DOE testing of residential clothes washers 
with the exception of active washing mode, as noted below. Where ranges 
of average power are listed, the highest and lowest average measured 
values for both top- and front-loading clothes washers are provided. 
Active washing mode annual energy use is calculated based on the 
proposed 295 cycles per year in a standard-size, top-loading or front-
loading clothes washer. Active washing mode per-cycle energy use is 
determined from a 2006 study that referenced data provided in 2005 by 
the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) and Whirlpool 
Corporation (Whirlpool).\13\ This study estimated that, in 2005, 
average per-cycle energy use was 2.23 kWh for a typical residential 
clothes washer in the United States with an average MEF of 1.37 and a 
capacity of 3.06 ft \3\.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \13\ R. Bole. Life-Cycle Optimization of Residential Clothes 
Washer Replacement. Center for Sustainable Systems, University of 
Michigan. Report. No. CSS06-03. Appendix C. April 21, 2006. 
Available at css.snre.umich.edu/css_doc/CSS06-03.pdf.

                 Table III.1--Estimate of Annual Energy Use of Residential Clothes Washer Modes
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       Typical average
               Mode                      Hours             power W                 Annual energy use kWh
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Active Washing....................             295  2,230...............  \**\ 657.9.
Self-Clean........................              16  75 to 2,081.........  [dagger] 1.2 to 33.3
Delay Start.......................              25  1.4 to 8.9..........  0.04 to 0.2.
Cycle Finished....................              15  0 to 5.2............  0 to 0.08.
Off and Inactive..................         * 8,409  0 to 1.7............  0 to 14.3.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\*\ Remaining time = 8,760 - 295 - 16 - 25 - 15 = 8409.
\**\ Includes energy consumption for water heating and moisture removal in the dryer as well as machine
  electrical energy consumption.
[dagger] Based on DOE testing of seven units with self-clean cycles, and 12 cycles per year. Values include
  energy consumption for water heating and machine electrical energy consumption.

    To determine the annual hours per mode for clothes washers that do 
not utilize all possible modes, DOE estimated values based upon 
reallocating the hours for modes that are not present to off/inactive 
modes. Table III.2 summarizes the allocation of hours to different 
possible modes under each scenario.

                     Table III.2--Estimate of Annual Hours of Possible Clothes Washer Modes
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                 No delay start
                  Mode                        All modes      No delay start       No cycle          or cycle
                                              possible            mode          finished mode    finished modes
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             No Self-Clean Available
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Active Washing..........................               295               295               295               295
Delay Start.............................                25                 0                25                 0
Cycle Finished..........................                15                15                 0                 0
Off and Inactive........................             8,425             8,450             8,440             8,465
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 57566]]

 
                                              Self-Clean Available
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Active Washing..........................               295               295               295               295
Self-Clean..............................                16                16                16                16
Delay Start.............................                25                 0                25                 0
Cycle Finished..........................                15                15                 0                 0
Off and Inactive........................             8,409             8,434             8,424             8,449
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DOE believes the proposed definition of off mode as applied to 
residential clothes washers refers to units with mechanical rather than 
electronic controls, or units with electronic controls combined with a 
mechanical switch with which the user can de-energize the electronic 
controls. Reactivation of the clothes washer with a pushbutton sensor, 
touch sensor, or other similar device that consumes power is considered 
to be a standby mode feature under the proposed definition. DOE 
believes there are few clothes washers with electronic controls that 
have an additional mechanical on/off switch. Therefore, the combined 
inactive/off hours would most likely be allocated fully either to 
inactive mode or off mode, depending on the type of controls present on 
the clothes washer. DOE does not have market share information to 
determine how many residential clothes washers are currently shipped 
with electromechanical controls. For clothes washers with electronic 
controls plus a mechanical on/off switch, DOE is proposing to allocate 
half of the inactive/off hours each to inactive and off modes. DOE 
welcomes comment and additional information on this point.
    In conclusion, DOE is proposing to calculate residential clothes 
washer energy use per cycle associated with inactive, off, delay start, 
and cycle finished modes by (1) Calculating the product of wattage and 
allocated hours for all possible inactive, off, delay start and cycle 
finished modes; (2) summing the results; (3) dividing the sum by 1,000 
to convert from Wh to kWh; and (4) dividing by the proposed 295 use 
cycles per year. DOE is also proposing to calculate energy use per 
cycle associated with self-clean mode, if available, by (1) multiplying 
the energy use per self-clean cycle in kWh by 12 (the number of self-
clean cycles estimated per year); and (2) dividing by the proposed 295 
use cycles per year.
    DOE invites comments on this proposed methodology and associated 
factors, including accuracy, allocation of annual hours, and test 
burden. DOE may also consider the following alternative methodology 
based on comments received:
    The comparison of annual energy use of different clothes washer 
modes shows that delay start and cycle finished modes represent a 
relatively small number of hours at low power consumption levels. For 
clothes washers currently on the market, these levels are distinct 
from, but comparable to, those for off/inactive modes. Thus, DOE could 
adopt an approach that would be limited to specifying hours for only 
off and inactive modes when calculating energy use. In that case, all 
of the hours not associated with active washing mode or self-clean mode 
(8,465 hours total) would be allocated to the inactive and off modes. 
DOE invites comment on whether such an alternative would be 
representative of the power consumption of clothes washers currently on 
the market.
5. Measures of Energy Consumption
    The DOE test procedure for clothes washers currently incorporates 
various measures of per-cycle energy consumption including total 
weighted per-cycle hot water energy consumption (for electric-, gas-, 
or oil-heated water), total weighted per-cycle machine electrical 
energy consumption, and per-cycle energy consumption for removing 
moisture from a test load in a dryer. (See sections 4.1 and 4.3 of 
appendix J1 of subpart B of 10 CFR 430 for details.) The test procedure 
also provides a calculation for MEF, which is equal to the clothes 
container capacity in ft\3\ divided by the sum, expressed in kWh, of 
the total weighted per-cycle hot water energy consumption, the total 
weighted per-cycle machine electrical energy consumption, and the per-
cycle energy consumption for removing moisture from a test load. (See 
section 4.4 of appendix J1 of subpart B of 10 CFR 430 for details.) The 
current Federal energy conservation standards for clothes washers are 
expressed in MEF. (10 CFR 430.32(g)(3)).
    In response to the August 2009 framework document, Whirlpool 
commented that DOE should incorporate standby power into the MEF 
calculation, and that standby power should not be accounted for 
separately. (Whirlpool, No. 21 at p. 2) Additionally, the Joint Comment 
and ASE commented that DOE should integrate standby and no-load mode 
power into a single energy metric based on the revisions to IEC 
Standard 62301. (Joint Comment, No. 14 at p. 1; ASE, No. 22 at p. 1).
    Under 42 U.S.C. 6295(gg)(2)(A), EPCA directs that the ``[t]est 
procedures for all covered products shall be amended pursuant to 
section 323 to include standby mode and off mode energy consumption * * 
* with such energy consumption integrated into the overall energy 
efficiency, energy consumption, or other energy descriptor for each 
covered product, unless the Secretary determines that--(i) the current 
test procedures for a covered product already fully account for and 
incorporate the standby mode and off mode energy consumption of the 
covered product; or (ii) such an integrated test procedure is 
technically infeasible for a particular covered product, in which case 
the Secretary shall prescribe a separate standby mode and off mode 
energy use test procedure for the covered product, if technically 
feasible.''
    DOE proposes to establish the following measure of energy 
consumption for clothes washers. It integrates energy use of standby 
mode and off, modes with the energy use of the product's main 
functions, including delay start and cycle finished modes as well as 
any self-clean function available. DOE would define a ``per-cycle 
standby, off, delay start and cycle finished mode energy consumption,'' 
and a ``per-cycle self-clean mode energy consumption'' measure, as 
applicable, expressed in kWh. DOE would also define integrated modified 
energy factor (IMEF) as the clothes container capacity in 
ft3 divided by the sum, expressed in kWh, of:

[[Page 57567]]

     The total weighted per-cycle hot water energy consumption;
     The total weighted per-cycle machine electrical energy 
consumption;
     The per-cycle energy consumption for removing moisture 
from a test load;
     The per-cycle standby, off, delay start and cycle finished 
mode energy consumption; and
     The per-cycle self-clean mode energy consumption, as 
applicable (discussed in III.D.1.b).
    DOE proposes an amended clothes washer test procedure, appendix J2 
to subpart B of 10 CFR part 430, to include the measurement of the 
energy consumption in these additional modes and the calculation of 
IMEF.
    DOE does not propose to amend the estimated annual operating cost 
calculation in 10 CFR 430.23 to include the cost of energy consumed in 
the non-active washing modes because:
     DOE believes that the cost of energy consumed in self-
clean, standby, off, delay start, and cycle finished modes is small 
relative to the total annual energy cost for clothes washers and, 
therefore, would make little difference in the estimated annual 
operating cost calculation; and
     The Federal Trade Commission's (FTC's) EnergyGuide Label 
for clothes washers includes as its primary indicator of product energy 
efficiency the estimated annual operating cost, compared to a range of 
annual operating costs of similar products. Appendix F1 to 16 CFR part 
305. An estimated annual operating cost incorporating self-clean, 
standby, off, delay start, and cycle finished mode energy use would no 
longer be directly comparable to the minimum and maximum energy costs 
prescribed for the EnergyGuide Label.

D. Clothes Washer Active Mode Test Procedure

1. Technologies Not Covered by the Current Clothes Washer Test 
Procedure
a. Steam Wash Cycles
    Multiple clothes washer models currently available on the market 
offer a steam function via pre-set cycles or as an optional addition to 
conventional wash cycles. During these cycles, steam is injected into 
the basket, which manufacturers claim provides enhanced cleaning and/or 
sterilization. The steam is produced in a generator that requires a 
significant amount of energy to heat and vaporize the water. The 
current clothes washer test procedure does not account for energy or 
water consumption during this type of wash cycle.
    In response to the August 2009 framework document, DOE received 
comments from the Joint Comment and ASE supporting revisions to the 
test procedure to measure energy and water consumption during steam 
wash cycles. (Joint Comment, No. 14 at p. 3; ASE, No. 22 at p. 1).
    The current clothes washer test procedure specifies methods for 
measuring energy and water consumption over a range of wash 
temperatures based on the temperature selections available on a clothes 
washer, as specified in Table 3.2 of the test procedure, Test Section 
Reference. DOE proposes amending the test procedure to include an 
additional measurement of energy and water consumption during a steam 
wash cycle for clothes washers offering this feature, included in 
section 3.9. In the proposed amendments, Table 3.2 of the test 
procedure is updated to include a column that specifies the test 
sections to be followed for clothes washers offering a steam wash 
cycle, to update the footnotes, and to correct an error in the current 
organization of the table. The test sections required for clothes 
washers without a steam wash cycle would remain unchanged. The proposed 
updated Table 3.2 from the test procedure is shown below as table 
III.3.

                                       Table III.3--Test Section Reference
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Max. wash temp. available                 <=135 [deg]F (57.2 [deg]C)         ** >135 [deg]F (57.2 [deg]C)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Number of wash temp. selections             1            2            >2           3            >3      3
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------
Test Sections Required to be Followed.......  ...........  ...........  ...........          3.3          3.3
                                              ...........          3.4          3.4  ...........          3.4
                                              ...........  ...........          3.5          3.5          3.5
                                                      3.6          3.6          3.6          3.6          3.6
                                              ...........  ...........        * 3.7        * 3.7        * 3.7
                                                      3.8          3.8          3.8          3.8          3.8
                                              ...........  ...........  ...........     [dagger]     [dagger]
                                                                                             3.9          3.9
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
** Only applicable to machines with a warm wash/warm rinse cycle.
** Only applicable to water heating clothes washers on which the maximum wash temperature available exceeds 135
  [deg]F (57.2 [deg]C)
[dagger] Only applicable to machines equipped with a steam wash cycle.

    DOE also proposes to include the energy and water consumption from 
steam wash cycles in the final calculations for the energy and water 
use metrics. For clothes washers capable of steam wash cycles, the 
measurements of energy and water consumption from the steam wash cycle 
with the hottest wash temperature would be included in the overall 
energy and water use calculations based on the temperature use factor 
(TUF) for steam wash. Table 4.1.1 of the test procedure specifies the 
current weight given to the consumption measurements for the different 
wash cycles. DOE believes extra hot and steam cycles would be reserved 
for the most heavily soiled loads, and would have similar use factors. 
However, DOE has tentatively assumed that the steam wash cycles would 
be selected somewhat fewer times than the extra hot cycle because on 
some models steam is available only as an option on certain settings. 
DOE is proposing to update Table 4.1.1 to include 0.02 as the TUF of a 
steam wash cycle, when available. Although DOE lacks data on consumer 
use of steam wash cycles, DOE believes these cycles would decrease the 
use of extra hot cycles, but would leave the use of hot, warm, and cold 
cycles unchanged. DOE therefore believes the 0.02 TUF associated with 
steam washes would correspond to a 0.02 decrease in the current TUFs 
associated with extra hot cycles, from 0.05 to 0.03 or 0.14 to 0.12, 
for a steam-capable clothes washer Table III.4 below shows the proposed 
Table 4.1.1, including specifications for a steam wash cycle, and 
updated warm rinse TUFs, as discussed below in section III.D.2.c.

[[Page 57568]]



                                                          Table III.4--Temperature Use Factors
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  <=135        <=135        <=135
                                                                  [deg]F       [deg]F       [deg]F    >135 [deg]F  >135 [deg]F
                   Max wash temp available                        (57.2        (57.2        (57.2        (57.2        (57.2        Steam        Steam
                                                                 [deg]C)      [deg]C)      [deg]C)      [deg]C)      [deg]C)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number wash temp selections                                        0Single     02 Temps   0> 2 Temps     03 Temps   0> 3 Temps     03 Temps   0> 3 Temps
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TUFs (steam).................................................           NA           NA           NA           NA           NA         0.02         0.02
TUFm (extra hot).............................................           NA           NA           NA         0.14         0.05         0.12         0.03
TUFh (hot)...................................................           NA         0.63         0.14           NA         0.09           NA         0.09
TUFww (warm/warm)............................................           NA           NA       * 0.27       * 0.27       * 0.27       * 0.27       * 0.27
TUFw (warm)..................................................           NA           NA         0.22         0.22         0.22         0.22         0.22
TUFc (cold)..................................................         1.00         0.37         0.37         0.37         0.37         0.37         0.37
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Only applicable to machines offering a warm/warm cycle. For machines with no warm/warm cycle, this value would be zero and the warm/cold TUF should be
  increased by 0.27.

    DOE requests comment on the following issues: Whether the energy 
and water consumption of a steam wash cycle should be included in the 
test procedure; whether the proposed TUF associated with steam wash 
cycles is appropriate; and whether any data are available regarding 
consumer usage patterns of such cycles.
b. Self-Clean Cycles
    Many residential clothes washers currently on the market offer a 
self-clean cycle. These cycles are used periodically with bleach and/or 
detergent but no clothes load to clean, deodorize, or sanitize the 
components that come into contact with water by preventing or 
eliminating mold, bacteria, and mildew. Self-clean cycles may require 
higher water temperatures and greater volumes of water than a normal 
cycle, and therefore potentially consume a substantial amount of 
energy. The current test procedure does not account for energy or water 
consumption attributable to self-clean cycles.
    In response to the August 2009 framework document, DOE received 
comments from the Joint Comment and ASE recommending that DOE amend the 
test procedure to account for energy and water consumption from these 
periodic cleansing or sanitizing cycles. According to both commenters, 
the test procedure should also be amended to credit clothes washer 
designs that address mold and odor issues without the use of periodic 
sanitizing cycles. (Joint Comment, No. 14 at p. 3; ASE, No. 22 at p. 
1).
    In its research, DOE noted that many clothes washer user manuals 
include a recommendation for how frequently the consumer should run a 
self-clean cycle. DOE observed that the manufacturer-recommended 
frequency typically is once a month. Some manufacturers also recommend 
a cleaning cycle every certain number of wash cycles. DOE believes that 
these self-clean cycles are not accounted for in the proposed 295 wash 
cycles per year. Because these cycles may consume a significant amount 
of energy and water, DOE is proposing to include them in the 
calculation of the efficiency metric.
    DOE is proposing to define a ``self-clean mode'' as a clothes 
washer operating mode that:
     Is dedicated to cleaning, deodorizing, or sanitizing the 
clothes washer by eliminating sources of odor, bacteria, mold, and 
mildew;
     Is recommended to be run intermittently by the 
manufacturer; and
     Is separate from clothes washing cycles.
    DOE also proposes to integrate energy and water consumption in 
self-clean cycles into the overall energy efficiency metric, under the 
assumption that these cycles are typically run once per month. As 
discussed in section III.C.5, DOE proposes to define IMEF as the 
clothes container capacity in ft3 divided by the sum, 
expressed in kWh, of:
     The total weighted per-cycle hot water energy consumption,
     The total weighted per-cycle machine electrical energy 
consumption,
     The per-cycle energy consumption for removing moisture 
from a test load,
     The per-cycle standby mode and off mode energy 
consumption, and
     The per-cycle energy consumption from any self-clean 
cycles.
    DOE proposes to calculate the per-cycle energy consumption from 
self-clean cycles by:
     Measuring the hot and cold water consumption and the 
electrical energy consumption for a self-clean cycle,
     Calculating the per-cycle hot water energy consumption and 
summing with the per-cycle machine electrical energy consumption for 
the self-clean cycle, and
     Multiplying by the number of self-clean cycles per year 
(12) divided by 295 annual active washing mode cycles.
    This approach apportions the annual energy use in self-clean mode 
to each annual active washing mode cycle. DOE notes that it only 
proposes to account for self-clean cycles in the IMEF calculation for 
clothes washers for which the manufacturer provides and/or recommends 
such cycles. If a clothes washer is designed to address mold and odor 
problems without the need for separate dedicated cleaning cycles, the 
per-cycle self-clean energy consumption will be zero.
    DOE proposes to use a similar approach for including self-clean 
water consumption in the calculation of IWF (see section III.D.4.b). 
The total measured hot and cold water consumption for a self-clean 
cycle would be multiplied by 12 self-clean cycles per year divided by 
295 annual active washing mode cycles. This per-cycle self-clean water 
consumption would be summed with the total weighted per-cycle water 
consumption in the active washing mode, then divided by clothes 
container capacity to obtain IWF.
    DOE requests comment on self-clean cycles, including the proposed 
definition, the inclusion of self-clean cycle energy and water use into 
the overall energy efficiency metrics, and on whether any relevant data 
are available regarding self-clean cycles.
c. Adaptive Control Technologies
    Adaptive control technologies can adjust parameters such as 
agitation speed, number of rinses, wash time, and wash and rinse 
temperatures based on the size, fabric mix, and soil level of a wash 
load. The current test procedure accounts for adaptive fill 
technologies, but no other types of adaptive controls.
    AHAM, BSH Home Appliances Corporation (BSH), and Whirlpool 
commented in response to the August 2009 framework document that 
adaptive controls are already widely used in residential clothes 
washers. DOE agrees that multiple models are available on the market 
that use adaptive control technologies to respond to measured or 
inferred load size and fabric mix. However, DOE lacks data on the 
distribution of load size and fabric

[[Page 57569]]

content representative of actual consumer usage. DOE is also not aware 
of any residential clothes washers that currently incorporate soil 
sensing systems. According to multiple manufacturers that DOE 
interviewed, implementing soil sensing systems requires overcoming 
several technical challenges. For example, typical soil sensors have 
difficulty identifying a single soiled clothing item. Also, detergent 
foaming can interfere with control systems using turbidity sensors to 
monitor the clarity of the wash water.
    DOE is aware that other consumer products employ adaptive controls, 
and that these are addressed in their respective test procedures. For 
example, many dishwashers incorporate adaptive controls by means of a 
turbidity sensor which adjusts the number and duration of wash and 
rinse cycles. The dishwasher test procedure accounts for these models 
through the use of soiled dishware loads. (10 CFR part 430, subpart B, 
appendix C)
    If clothes washers become available that offer adaptive controls 
using a turbidity sensor, DOE could consider amending the clothes 
washer test procedure to measure energy and water consumption with a 
soiled wash load. DOE is aware of other industry and international 
clothes washer test procedures that use a soiled wash load to determine 
wash performance, including AHAM HLW-1, ``Performance Evaluation 
Procedures for Household Clothes Washers,'' IEC 60456, ``Clothes 
washing machines for household use--Methods for measuring the 
performance,'' and Standards Australia/Standards New Zealand (AS/NZS) 
2040.1, ``Performance of household electrical appliances--Clothes 
washing machines--Methods for measuring performance, energy and water 
consumption.'' \14\ DOE could, for example, incorporate the test cloth 
soiling method from one of these test procedures into the DOE clothes 
washer test procedure to capture the energy and water consumption 
effects of adaptive controls.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \14\ AHAM and AS/NZS standards are available online at http://webstore.ansi.org/.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DOE welcomes comment on whether there are any clothes washers 
available on the market offering soil-sensing adaptive controls, and on 
its tentative decision to account for only adaptive fill controls in 
the test procedure. DOE further invites information on the size 
distribution and fabric content of wash loads typical of consumer use, 
and comment on using a soiled test load to determine energy and water 
consumption in the presence of adaptive controls.
d. Demand Response Technology
    Demand response technology enables an appliance to shift its 
activity based on interaction with the electric grid, utilities, or 
user programming. Appliances that can communicate with the electric 
grid or any other network would be considered to have a network mode as 
defined by IEC Standard 62301 FDIS. This standard defines network mode 
as a mode category that includes ``any product modes where the energy 
using product is connected to a mains power source and at least one 
network function is activated (such as reactivation via network command 
or network integrity communication) but where the primary function is 
not active.'' IEC Standard 62301 FDIS also provides a note stating, 
``[w]here a network function is provided but is not active and/or not 
connected to a network, then this mode is not applicable. A network 
function could become active intermittently according to a fixed 
schedule or in response to a network requirement. A `network' in this 
context includes communication between two or more separate 
independently powered devices or products. A network does not include 
one or more controls which are dedicated to a single product. Network 
mode may include one or more standby functions.''
    In response to the August 2009 framework document, DOE received 
multiple comments regarding demand response technologies in clothes 
washers. Energy Solutions, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), 
Southern California Gas Company (SoCal Gas), San Diego Gas and Electric 
Company (SDG&E), and Southern California Edison Design & Engineering 
Services (SoCal Edison) (jointly, the California Utilities) commented 
that it is important for DOE standards to give credit not only to 
energy conservation, but to the reduction of peak demand from demand 
responsive controls. (California Utilities, No. 18 at p. 6) AHAM 
commented that DOE should evaluate the capability of residential 
clothes washers to provide peak load shedding capabilities through a 
``smart grid'' infrastructure. (AHAM, No. 15 at p. 4) General Electric 
(GE) also commented in support of DOE considering demand responsiveness 
as a technology associated with residential clothes washers. (GE, No. 
19 at p. 3) Samsung Electronics America (Samsung) commented that DOE 
should consider smart grid or grid-enabled appliance technologies for 
their effect on energy use as it drafts DOE's clothes washer test 
procedure. (Samsung, No. 22 at p. 4)
    However, as mentioned in section III.C.2, DOE does not propose 
amending the test procedure to include any provisions for measuring 
energy consumption in network mode because it is unaware of any clothes 
washers currently available on the market that incorporate a networking 
function. At this time, DOE is unaware of any data regarding network 
mode in clothes washers that would enable it to determine appropriate 
testing procedures and mode definitions for incorporation into the test 
procedure. In particular, DOE is unaware of:
     Data and methods for the appropriate configuration of 
networks;
     Whether network connection speed or the number and type of 
network connections affect power consumption;
     Whether wireless network devices may have different power 
consumptions when the device is looking for a connection and when the 
network connection is actually established;
     How the energy consumption for clothes washers in a 
network environment may be affected by their product design and user 
interaction as well as network interaction; and
     Whether the network function could become active 
intermittently according to a fixed schedule or in response to a 
network requirement.
    For these reasons, the proposed amendments in today's NOPR do not 
include the measurement of energy use in network mode. Provisions for 
testing power consumption in network mode could be incorporated into 
the test procedure through future amendments, once the appropriate data 
and testing methodologies become available. DOE welcomes comment on 
whether clothes washers that incorporate a networking function are 
currently available, and whether definitions and testing procedures for 
a network mode should be incorporated into the DOE test procedure. DOE 
also requests comment on appropriate methodologies for measuring energy 
consumption in a network mode, and data on the repeatability of such 
testing methodology.
2. Changes To Reflect Current Usage Patterns and Capabilities
a. Representative Annual Cycles
    In the January 2001 final rule, DOE estimated the representative 
number of annual wash cycles per clothes washer as 392. 66 FR 3314. 
This number is not used in the calculations for the current energy 
efficiency metric, because MEF is calculated on a per cycle basis. In 
this

[[Page 57570]]

NOPR, DOE is proposing to include power consumption from modes other 
than active washing mode in the energy efficiency metric. As discussed 
above, doing so requires an estimate of the time a typical clothes 
washer spends in active washing, inactive, off, delay start, cycle 
finished, and self-clean modes. The number of annual wash cycles is 
used to determine the time spent in the active washing mode, and 
determines the remaining time to be allocated to the other possible 
modes.
    DOE received comments in response to the August 2009 framework 
document on the number of average clothes washer cycles per year. 
Alliance Laundry Systems, LLC (ALS) commented that the annual cycles 
value should be revised to approximately 300 cycles per year, referring 
to Procter & Gamble (P&G) consumer studies which have been used by DOE 
in prior test procedure rulemakings. (ALS, No. 12 at p. 1) The Joint 
Comment and ASE stated that DOE should acquire data for an updated 
annual number of wash cycles because the current value in the test 
procedure is based on outdated consumer usage patterns and machine 
characteristics. (Joint Comment, No. 14 at p. 1; ASE, No. 22 at p. 1) 
AHAM stated that it supported the use of data from the 2005 
``Residential Energy Consumption Survey'' (RECS) in determining the 
annual energy and water consumption of residential clothes washers. 
(AHAM, No. 15 at p. 6) Additionally, Whirlpool commented that the RECS 
data has limitations, but that it was unaware of any more robust 
alternatives to determine annual energy and water consumption of 
residential clothes washers. (Whirlpool, No. 21 at p. 7)
    The 2005 RECS compiles data on energy use in residential buildings 
from households across the United States. The survey has a section 
devoted to appliance usage, including residential clothes washer usage. 
The survey asked respondents to identify the average number of loads 
per week that they wash, with response options of 1 or fewer, 2 to 4, 5 
to 9, 10 to 15, and more than 15 loads per week. DOE assigned a 
representative average number of wash cycles per year to each of these 
response categories, and calculated the weighted average. Using this 
method, DOE determined that the data show an average of 295 wash cycles 
per year.
    DOE is aware that the ``California Residential Appliance Saturation 
Survey'' (California RASS) from 2004 also provides data on the use of 
residential appliances. For clothes washer use, the survey asks for the 
number of loads washed in the household during a typical week using 
hot, warm, and cold wash water temperature settings. There are 11 
response options, ranging from zero to 10+ per week. DOE summed the 
average number of wash loads per week for each water temperature and 
scaled this weekly value to an annual value to determine the average 
number of wash cycles per year. Using this method, the California RASS 
data show an average of 283 wash cycles per year.
    P&G also supplied DOE with data on typical consumer use of clothes 
washers. The P&G data show an average of 308 wash cycles per year. DOE 
review determined that the P&G data set contains fewer single-person 
households and more multiple-person households than the 2005 RECS data, 
which more closely approximates the household sizes shown in the latest 
sampling performed by the U.S. Census Bureau and the American Housing 
Survey in 2007.\15\ DOE believes that the larger average household size 
in the P&G study could lead to the higher average annual wash cycles 
value found in the P&G data.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \15\ Information on the American Housing Survey can be found on 
the U.S. Census Bureau Web site at http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/housing/ahs/ahs.html.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In today's notice, DOE is proposing 295 as the representative 
number of wash cycles per year based on the 2005 RECS data. DOE 
believes this is a more representative value than the results of the 
California RASS because the survey is nationwide rather than limited to 
a single State. DOE also believes the 2005 RECS value is more 
representative of average use than the value based on the P&G study due 
to the household size distribution of the data sets. Overall, however, 
the relatively small variation among the three estimates of annual 
clothes washer cycles supports DOE's tentative conclusion that 295 
cycles per year is a reasonable value to include in its clothes washer 
test procedure.
    DOE welcomes comment on whether 295 wash cycles per year is 
representative of typical consumer use, and whether the 2005 RECS is an 
appropriate source of data for this issue. DOE also seeks any 
additional data relevant to the representative number of annual clothes 
washer cycles.
b. Test Load Size Specifications
    The current DOE clothes washer test procedure specifies the test 
load size for the active washing mode energy tests based on the clothes 
washer's container volume. The table specifying the test load sizes in 
the test procedure, Table 5.1, currently only covers clothes washer 
container volumes up to 3.8 ft\3\. DOE is aware that multiple clothes 
washers available on the market have container volumes exceeding 3.8 
ft\3\.
    ALS commented in response to the August 2009 framework document 
that it supports revising Table 5.1 to account for larger capacities 
because larger capacity clothes washers exist in the marketplace, for 
which Whirlpool filed a petition for waiver on November 21, 2005. 71 FR 
48913. ALS also stated that it supports Whirlpool's petition. (ALS, No. 
12 at p. 1) AHAM and Whirlpool commented that DOE should expand Table 
5.1 to include washer capacities up to 6 ft\3\. AHAM stated that the 
larger capacities should be addressed by continuing the linear 
relationship used in the current table. (AHAM, No. 15 at p. 2; 
Whirlpool, No. 21 at p. 1)
    DOE also received comments from the Joint Comment and ASE opposing 
the expansion of the test load size specifications to cover container 
volumes up to 6 ft\3\ unless DOE verifies the validity of the 
calculations used in Table 5.1 with current consumer data. 
Specifically, these commenters request that DOE verify the average load 
calculations across machines of different capacities. These commenters 
also stated that DOE should ensure that the calculations do not 
introduce a bias favoring clothes washers with larger capacities. 
(Joint Comment, No. 14 at pp. 1-2; ASE, No. 22 at p. 1)
    In response to Whirlpool's November 2005 request for waiver, DOE 
granted an interim test procedure waiver to Whirlpool for three of 
Whirlpool's clothes washer models with container capacities greater 
than 3.8 ft\3\. 71 FR 48913 (August 22, 2006). This notice contained an 
alternate test procedure, which extended the linear relationship 
between maximum test load size and clothes washer container volume in 
Table 5.1 to include a maximum test load size of 15.4 pounds (lbs) for 
clothes washer container volumes of 3.8 to 3.9 ft\3\.
    DOE is aware of limited data regarding typical clothes washer load 
sizes. In 2003, P&G conducted a survey on load size with 510 
respondents, comprising 3367 loads of laundry. The data from this 
survey show an average load size of 7.2 lbs for top-loading machines, 
and 8.4 lbs for front-loading machines. These load sizes correspond to 
the average test loads for the 2.7-2.8 ft\3\ and 3.3-3.4 ft\3\ clothes 
washer capacity bins, respectively, in Table 5.1. These results are 
consistent with the shipment-weighted average tub volume of 3.05 ft\3\ 
from the 2005 AHAM Factbook.

[[Page 57571]]

    P&G has also noted that increases in average load size tend to 
correlate with increases in clothes washer capacities. DOE has found 
that from 1993 to 2005, tub capacities have increased by 14 percent, 
based on AHAM data, while the number of cycles per year has decreased 
by 17 percent, based on RECS data. Assuming that households continued 
to wash the same volume of clothes each year, the data imply that, on 
average, the wash loads were larger.
    The limited data on this subject suggest that the current values in 
the test load size chart are appropriate, and extending the linear 
relationship between test load size and container capacity to larger 
capacities is valid. Thus, DOE proposes amending the clothes washer 
test procedure to establish test load size specifications for clothes 
washer container volumes up to 6.0 ft\3\. The amendment would be based 
on a continuation of the linear relationship between test load size and 
clothes washer container volume currently in the DOE clothes washer 
test procedure. DOE welcomes comment on the proposed test load sizes, 
including whether the linear relationship between test load size and 
clothes washer container volume is representative of actual consumer 
use, and additional consumer use data relevant to this topic.
c. Use Factors
    The clothes washer test procedure relies on use factors to weight 
different consumer behaviors in the overall energy and water 
consumption calculations. The factors are based on consumer use data 
and represent the fraction of all cycles that are run with certain 
settings or characteristics. The use factors in the test procedure 
cover wash and rinse temperatures, load sizes, and dryer use.
    DOE received comments from the Joint Comment and ASE regarding 
usage factors in the current clothes washer test procedure. They stated 
that DOE should validate the use factors for minimum, average, and 
maximum loads, TUFs, and the DUF based on current data. They also 
stated that DOE should verify that the current use factors for load 
size--12 percent for minimum load size, 74 percent for average load 
size, and 14 percent for maximum load size--do not introduce a 
systematic bias favoring large capacity clothes washers. These factors 
also might not reflect current consumer usage because they were 
established in the 1990s and because the assumed downward trend in the 
number of annual wash cycles may indicate that loads are, on average, 
larger. The Joint Comment and ASE also suggested that DOE should 
reassess the load adjustment factor (LAF) used in the RMC calculation. 
This factor is intended to represent the ratio of maximum load size to 
average load size, but a fixed value of 0.52 is used despite the ratio 
changing as capacity increases according to the data in Table 5.1. 
(Joint Comment, No. 14 at pp. 1-3; ASE, No. 22 at p. 1)
    DOE's responses to these comments on use factors are discussed 
separately in the following sections.
i. Load Size Use Factors
    The load size use factors in the DOE test procedure represent the 
fraction of all wash cycles a typical consumer runs for the minimum, 
average, and maximum load sizes. DOE is not aware of recent data 
characterizing such usage patterns. Therefore, DOE is not proposing in 
today's notice to change the load size use factors. DOE welcomes input 
and data on consumer selection of load sizes.
ii. Temperature Use Factors
    As stated in section III.D.1.a, DOE proposes amending the TUFs in 
its clothes washer test procedure to account for steam wash cycles, and 
to revise the warm rinse TUF. DOE believes the steam wash cycle TUF 
only affects the extra hot TUF, leaving the other TUFs unchanged.
    Among the limited data on consumer wash and rinse temperature 
selections, the 2005 RECS and the 2004 California RASS both provide 
some information on temperature selections. However, each of these 
surveys only disaggregate temperature use into hot, warm, and cold 
cycle settings, providing no information on extra hot or steam use. 
Further, the RECS questionnaire asks respondents only for the water 
temperature selections usually used for the wash and rinse cycles of a 
clothes washer, which may not account for the less-frequent use of the 
hot wash cycle. Hot wash cycles are generally used for the most heavily 
soiled loads, which DOE believes would not represent the water 
temperature selection usually used by consumers. As a result, the 2005 
RECS data may support a hot wash use factor that is lower than the 
actual value. The California RASS questionnaire asks for the number of 
wash loads per week typically washed at hot, warm, and cold temperature 
settings. While this phrasing captures the use of all three temperature 
selections, the California RASS only represents one State, and may not 
reflect consumer use nationwide. Table III.5 compares the TUFs from 
these two surveys with the current values in the DOE clothes washer 
test procedure for hot, warm, and cold washes, and for warm rinse.

                                      Table III.5--Temperature Use Factors
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                       TUF, 2004
             Temperature setting                 TUF, current      TUF, 2005 RECS     California
                                                test procedure                           RASS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hot Wash.....................................              0.14              0.062             0.2
Warm Wash....................................              0.49              0.542            0.41
Cold Wash....................................              0.37              0.397            0.39
Warm Rinse...................................              0.27              0.2               N/A
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Because the factors from each source demonstrate general agreement, 
DOE believes that the TUFs in its test procedure are a reasonable 
estimate of current consumer use. While DOE is therefore proposing to 
amend only the TUFs for clothes washers offering a steam wash cycle as 
discussed in section III.D.1.a and shown in Table III.4, DOE welcomes 
comment on the proposed TUFs.
    DOE also notes that it has recently received consumer usage survey 
data from a manufacturer which indicate that, for one clothes washer 
model with no cold rinse option on the cycle recommended for cotton 
clothes and a default cold rinse on all other cycles, users 
participating in the survey reported using warm rinse for 1.6 percent 
of all cycles. Although DOE does not believe that this conclusion 
necessarily applies to all consumers and residential clothes washer 
models, it remains open to considering the warm rinse TUF and welcomes 
further data

[[Page 57572]]

regarding consumer usage of warm rinse.
    In addition, DOE proposes to revise the methods for measuring warm 
rinse and incorporating the revised measurement into the test 
procedure's calculations. The current test procedure addresses warm 
rinses by applying a TUF of 0.27 to account for the incremental energy 
consumption of a warm rinse over that of a cold rinse. This indicates 
that 27 percent of all loads across all temperatures use a warm rinse. 
Because the test procedure incrementally accounts for warm rinses, the 
relevant provisions require the measurement of hot water consumption 
for the warm rinse only and the measurement of the electrical energy 
consumed by the clothes washer to heat the rinse water only. For some 
clothes washers, though, it is not entirely clear when water 
consumption for the wash cycle ends and rinse begins because multiple 
fill and drain events may occur in various sequences.
    To address this uncertainty, DOE believes that it is more 
appropriate to measure energy and water consumption over an entire 
cycle that utilizes warm rinse. DOE believes that most clothes washers 
currently available on the market allow users to select a warm rinse 
only with a warm wash cycle. DOE is, therefore, proposing to establish 
a TUF for a full warm wash/warm rinse cycle and to eliminate the 
incremental use factor currently attributed to warm rinse. DOE believes 
that the value of this incremental use factor of 0.27 would represent a 
valid TUF for the warm wash/warm rinse cycle. For those clothes washers 
with such an option, DOE is also proposing to decrement the warm wash/
cold rinse TUF by a corresponding amount, reducing it from 0.49 to 
0.22. DOE further proposes that the warm wash/warm rinse TUF would not 
be applicable for clothes washers with one or two wash temperature 
settings because these washers would not be capable of warm wash.
    DOE is not proposing to amend the TUFs for wash temperature 
selections other than the warm wash. Additionally, the proposed TUFs 
for warm/cold and warm/warm sum to the current warm wash TUF. Overall, 
the warm wash temperature selection would receive the same weight in 
the energy and water consumption calculations.
    DOE recognizes that not all clothes washers offer a warm/warm 
temperature selection under the normal wash cycle setting recommended 
for washing cotton or linen clothes (hereafter, the ``Normal'' 
setting). For these clothes washers, if a warm/warm cycle is available 
in any other wash cycle setting that employs agitation/tumble 
operation, spin speed(s), wash times, and rinse times that are largely 
similar to the ``Normal'' cycle, the warm/warm cycle would be tested 
using the wash cycle setting that would best reflect typical consumer 
use. Under the current test procedure, only the hot water consumption 
for the warm rinse and the electrical energy consumed by the clothes 
washer to heat the rinse water are required to be measured for this 
cycle. The proposed test procedure would require measuring energy and 
water consumption over the complete warm wash/warm rinse cycle. As a 
result, MEF measured under the current test procedure could differ from 
the MEF measured with under the proposed revisions. During the ongoing 
energy conservation standards rulemaking, DOE expects to analyze 
potential effects of the proposed warm rinse methodology on measured 
MEF and incorporate any such effects, as appropriate, into any amended 
standards.
    As stated above, DOE welcomes comment on these proposed TUFs, 
including steam wash and warm wash/warm rinse cycles, and on whether 
any other consumer use data regarding temperature setting selection is 
available. DOE also requests comment and any relevant data on whether 
the proposed method of incorporating warm rinse would affect MEF 
ratings.
iii. Dryer Use Factor
    DOE investigated whether the DUF of 0.84 in its clothes washer test 
procedure reflects current consumer usage. The 2005 RECS includes data 
on both clothes washer and clothes dryer use. As stated previously in 
section III.D.2.a, AHAM and Whirlpool both commented in support of 
using RECS data for representative annual cycles, because they believe 
no other alternative data set is available. (AHAM, No. 15 at p. 6; 
Whirlpool, No. 21 at p. 7)
    Analysis of the RECS data shows that, for households with both a 
clothes washer and dryer, the average DUF is 0.96. For all households 
with a clothes washer, the average DUF is 0.91. This use factor is 
lower because it includes households with only a clothes washer and no 
dryer. DOE also analyzed the 2004 California RASS to determine that its 
data show a DUF of 0.86 for households with both a clothes washer and 
dryer. This dryer use factor is based on 283 clothes washer cycles per 
year as supported by the California RASS, not the proposed 295 cycles 
per year in today's NOPR. Including households without a clothes dryer, 
the California RASS data show a DUF of 0.76.
    DOE proposes amending its clothes washer test procedure to include 
a DUF of 0.91, based on the 2005 RECS. DOE is proposing 0.91 rather 
than 0.96 because the clothes washer test procedure aims to estimate 
the energy use of all clothes washers, regardless of clothes dryer 
ownership. DOE is proposing to use the value derived from the 2005 RECS 
rather than the 2004 California RASS to be consistent with the proposed 
number of wash cycles per year and because, as stated in section 
III.D.2.a, the RECS data represent the entire country rather than one 
State. DOE welcomes comment on the proposed value of 0.91 for the DUF 
and using the RECS data to calculate this value.
iv. Load Adjustment Factor
    Load Adjustment Factor (LAF) represents the ratio of maximum load 
size to average load size. This ratio is used in the calculation of the 
energy required to remove moisture from the test load. The RMC value 
used in this calculation is based only on tests using the maximum test 
load, so the LAF is used to scale this value down to the average load 
size. DOE lacks information warranting adjusting this value or changing 
it from a fixed value to one that varies as a function of average load 
size, and is therefore not proposing to amend the LAF in the test 
procedure. DOE welcomes comments on appropriate adjustments that could 
be made to the LAF.
3. Test Cloth
    The current clothes washer test procedure requires the use of 
closely-specified test cloth for the energy test cycles. The test cloth 
affects the calculated energy consumption largely through the RMC 
value. RMC is calculated as the ratio of the weight of water absorbed 
by the test cloth after a complete energy cycle to the initial weight 
of the ``bone dry'' test cloth, multiplied by 100 percent. The RMC is 
then used to calculate the per-cycle energy consumption for removal of 
moisture from the test load. Because the test cloth plays a central 
role in determining energy consumption, the test procedure includes 
provisions to ensure consistent and accurate results. The test cloth 
characteristics can vary based on production lot, or even within the 
same lot, so the test procedure includes a calibration procedure to 
provide consistent results for all test cloth.
    DOE received multiple comments in response to the August 2009 
framework

[[Page 57573]]

document regarding the test cloth used in its clothes washer test 
procedure. ALS commented that DOE should revise the test procedure to 
improve test cloth calibration auditing. (ALS, No. 12 at p. 1) AHAM 
submitted detailed comments on this issue, including a proposal it sent 
to DOE on September 22, 2008, that addresses energy test cloth 
tolerances, provides additional detail for determining RMC, and removes 
redundant sections regarding preconditioning the test cloths. AHAM also 
commented that DOE should provide guidance and/or support on the annual 
test cloth correlation work, including a proposal for the creation of a 
DOE Test Cloth Advisory Panel. (AHAM, No. 15 at pp. 2, 10, 14-18, 34) 
In a letter to DOE sent March 29, 2010, AHAM confirmed that the AHAM 
DOE Test Cloth Task Force, which includes AHAM members, BSH, Electrolux 
Home Products, GE, Samsung, Whirlpool, and SDL Atlas, supported the 
test cloth-related changes to the test procedure that were proposed in 
AHAM's comments submitted for the framework document. Whirlpool 
commented in support of the AHAM test cloth proposal. Whirlpool also 
commented that DOE should provide guidance and/or support on the test 
cloth issues not addressed by the current test cloth supplier, which 
include quality, correlation coefficients, and the availability of new 
fabric lots. (Whirlpool, No. 21 at pp. 1-2)
    DOE believes that the test cloth specifications that AHAM proposed 
represent the industry's consensus on the available means to limit 
uncertainty in the test procedure due to variations in the test cloth 
properties. DOE is therefore proposing to update the sections of the 
test procedure regarding test cloth to reflect the changes in September 
22, 2008, proposal included in the AHAM comment and supported by 
Whirlpool and the Test Cloth Task Force. The current test procedure 
does not specify any tolerances for the size and weight of the energy 
test cloths. DOE is proposing the following tolerances:
     In section 2.6.1, ``Energy Test Cloth,'' the energy test 
cloth shall be 24  \1/2\ inches by 36  \1/2\ 
inches (61.0  1.3 cm by 91.4  1.3 cm) and 
hemmed to 22  \1/2\ inches by 34  \1/2\ inches 
(55.9  1.3 cm by 86.4  1.3 cm) before washing;
     In section 2.6.2, ``Energy Stuffer Cloth,'' the energy 
stuffer cloth shall be 12  \1/4\ inches by 12  
\1/4\ inches (30.5  .6 cm by 30.5  .6 cm) and 
hemmed to 10  \1/4\ inches by 10  \1/4\ inches 
(25.4  .6 cm by 25.4  0.6 cm) before washing; 
and
     In section 2.6.4.2, the fabric weight specification shall 
be 5.60  0.25 ounces per square yard (190.0  
8.4 g/m\2\).
    According to AHAM, these tolerances are supported by test cloth 
supplier data. DOE believes that manufacturers generally agree with 
these updated tolerances, as they were proposed through AHAM. It also 
believes that specified tolerances will result in consistency across 
lots of test cloth.
    The current test procedure also contains redundant sections 
regarding the test cloth specifications and preconditioning. DOE 
proposes to delete the redundant sections 2.6.1.1-2.6.1.2.4. These 
sections were made obsolete in the 2001 Final Rule, which added 
sections 2.6.3 through 2.6.7.2 into Appendix J1. 66 FR 3314. However, 
DOE proposes to use in section 2.6.4.3 the thread count specification 
from deleted section 2.6.1.1(A), of 65 x 57 per inch (warp x fill), 
based on supplier data. Additionally, DOE proposes to maintain a 
shrinkage limit, relocated from section 2.6.1.1(B) to new section 
2.6.4.7, but to increase the limit from 4 percent to 5 percent on the 
length and width. DOE also proposes to require the cloth shrinkage be 
measured as per the American Association of Textile Chemists and 
Colorists (AATCC) Test Method 135-2004, ``Dimensional Changes of 
Fabrics after Home Laundering.'' These revisions are also supported by 
supplier data, according to AHAM. (AHAM, No. 15 at p. 15)
    The current DOE test procedure uses extractor tests of up to 500 
units of gravitational acceleration (g) in determining the RMC 
correlation curve for test cloth lots. Clothes washers currently 
available on the market are capable of higher spin speeds that achieve 
g-forces higher than 500 g. DOE is therefore proposing to include an 
additional set of extraction tests at 650 g. Because of the prevalence 
of higher spin speeds, DOE is also proposing to remove the requirement 
that the 500 g requirement be used only if a clothes washer can achieve 
spin speeds in the 500 g range. These proposed amendments will result 
in 60 extractor RMC test runs required for correlation testing rather 
than the currently required 48. DOE is also proposing to update Tables 
2.6.5--Matrix of Extractor RMC Test Conditions, and Table 2.6.6.1--
Standard RMC Values (RMC Standard) to include tests at 650 g. The 
proposed updated Table 2.6.6.1 is shown below in Table III.6, and it 
contains the additional standard RMC values at 650 g that were 
suggested by AHAM and supported by the AHAM DOE Test Cloth Task Force.

                                 Table III.6--Standard RMC Values (RMC Standard)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             RMC percentage
                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     ``g Force''                         Warm soak                                    Cold soak
                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            15 min. spin           4 min. spin            15 min. spin           4 min. spin
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              100                   45.9                   49.9                   49.7                   52.8
              200                   35.7                   40.4                   37.9                   43.1
              350                   29.6                   33.1                   30.7                   35.8
              500                   24.2                   28.7                   25.5                   30.0
              650                   23.0                   26.4                   24.1                   28.0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    AHAM also commented on certain equipment necessary for extractor 
RMC tests. Specifically, AHAM suggested updating the manufacturer 
specified for the extractor from Bock Engineered Products to North Star 
Engineered Products, Inc., although the extractor model number remains 
the same. AHAM also suggested updating the requirements for bone drying 
the test cloth in preparation for determining the RMC of the test loads 
in the extractor tests, including a requirement for using a clothes 
dryer capable of heating the test cloth to over 210 degrees Fahrenheit 
([deg]F) (99 degrees Celsius ([deg]C)). AHAM also suggested 
clarifications to the requirements for bundling and draining the test 
cloth prior to completing the extractor spin cycles. These 
clarifications include procedures to create loose bundles of four test 
clothes each, as well as a time limit of 5 seconds for gravity draining 
the bundles after

[[Page 57574]]

soaking and 1 minute for overall draining and loading of all bundles 
into the extractor. Whirlpool stated that it supports these revisions 
and clarifications. (AHAM, No. 15 at pp. 17-18; Whirlpool, No. 21 at p. 
1) DOE concurs that these revisions are appropriate. In particular, DOE 
conducted extractor testing and observed that handling the test cloth 
as specified by AHAM produces consistent and repeatable RMC 
measurements for use in developing RMC correction curves. DOE also 
notes that North Star Engineered Products, Inc. operates at the same 
location and supplies the same model of extractor as the previously 
specified Bock Engineered Products, and that AHAM's proposed 
requirements for a bone dryer add specificity that was previously 
lacking in the test procedure and have general industry approval. 
Therefore, DOE proposes in today's notice to amend its clothes washer 
test procedure in sections 2.6.5.1 and 2.6.5.3 as discussed above, and 
add new section 2.12 with the bone dryer specifications.
    AHAM also recommended that DOE add a section 2.6.5.3.1.2 to include 
a ``Bone Drying Procedure.'' (AHAM, No. 15 at p. 17) DOE finds that 
this procedure is duplicative of the definition of ``bone-dry'' in 
section 1 of its test procedure, and, therefore, is not proposing to 
amend section 2.6.5.3.1 as suggested by AHAM.
    DOE requests comment on the proposed updated test cloth tolerances 
and correlation procedure. DOE also requests any data related to the 
test cloth and correlation procedures.
4. Other Revisions and Clarifications
a. Clothes Washer Capacity Measurement Method
    The current clothes washer test procedure requires measuring 
clothes container capacity as ``the entire volume which a dry clothes 
load could occupy within the clothes container during washer 
operation.'' 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix J1. The procedure 
involves filling the clothes washer with water, and determining the 
volume based on the added weight of water divided by its density. 
Specifically, the test procedure requires that the clothes container be 
filled manually with either 60 [deg]F  5 [deg]F (15.6 
[deg]C  2.8 [deg]C) or 100 [deg]F  10 [deg]F 
(37.8 [deg]C  5.5 [deg]C) water to its ``uppermost edge''. 
Id.
    DOE became aware that this general specification of the water fill 
level could lead to multiple capacity measurements that do not reflect 
the actual capacity available for washing clothes. DOE conducted 
capacity tests on a small sample of clothes washers to observe the 
different possible fill levels and to determine the variability 
associated with the current capacity test method. Comparison of 
measured capacities to rated values for the models in DOE's test sample 
showed that the majority of the reported capacities varied from DOE's 
measurements, some by as much as 0.5 ft\3\. To provide more specific 
instructions on measuring the clothes container capacity, DOE issued 
draft guidance interpreting the maximum fill level required by the 
existing test procedure, available at http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/residential/pdfs/frequently_asked_questions_cw_final_05-13-2010.pdf. This draft guidance determines 
the maximum fill level (i.e., the ``uppermost edge'') as the highest 
horizontal plane that a clothes load could occupy with the clothes 
container oriented vertically.
    Separate from development of the guidance interpreting the fill 
level required by the existing test procedure, DOE sought comment in 
the August 2009 framework document on whether improvements to the 
existing test procedure were warranted. BSH commented that a 
performance assessment related to claimed load size would significantly 
benefit the consumer. According to BSH, comparing clothes container 
volumes between ``regular efficiency'' vertical-axis, high efficiency 
vertical-axis, and horizontal-axis clothes washers can be misleading. 
BSH stated that capacity should be linked to performance to better 
describe the utility of the appliance. (BSH, No. 9 at p. 2) The Joint 
Comment and ASE stated that the test procedure capacity measurement 
should reflect the useful volume of the clothes container that is 
actually available for clothes washing. The two comments noted that in 
1995 DOE received information from Maytag that the clothes container 
volumes for vertical-axis machines could be overstated by 15 to 20 
percent. The two comments stated that DOE should modify the test 
procedure to provide more accurate measurements if this overstatement 
is still occurring today. (Joint Comment, No. 14 at pp. 2-3; ASE, No. 
22 at p. 1) Samsung also commented that DOE should propose to clarify 
how clothes container capacity for vertical-axis clothes washers is 
measured so that the result would reflect the usable capacity of the 
clothes washer. Samsung suggested the Committee Draft for Vote of IEC 
Standard 60456, Fifth Edition as a possible source for the 
clarification. That document specifies filling the clothes container 
with water ``to its uppermost edge which may be used to fill in 
clothes, respecting manufacturer instructions.'' Samsung notes that 
manufacturers instruct consumers to fill clothes to the top of the 
clothes container's internal basket. (Samsung, No. 24 at pp. 1-2) ALS 
commented that DOE should revise the test procedure to clarify that, 
for vertical-axis clothes washers, the ``uppermost edge'' terminating 
point for the ``capacity'' measurement should be defined as the ``top 
of the tub cover.'' (ALS, No. 12 at p. 1) ASAP expressed concern that 
the advertised capacity of a specific model is typically larger than 
the capacity that's reported to ENERGY STAR, CEC, and other public 
databases. (ASAP, Public Meeting Transcript, No. 7 at p. 20) According 
to the Joint Comment, the advertised capacity may be based on the DOE 
capacity, multiplied by an IEC conversion factor of 15/13, but that 
this conversion may not be made apparent. (Joint Comment, No. 14 at p. 
2)
    DOE believes that these comments indicate that improvements to the 
description of the fill level required by the current test procedure 
could result in more stable, accurate, representative, and repeatable 
capacity measurements. The following paragraphs describe DOE's proposed 
changes to the test measurements for both horizontal-axis and vertical-
axis clothes washers.
    For vertical-axis clothes washers, DOE proposes that the clothes 
container be filled to the uppermost edge of the rotating portion, 
including any balance ring. In tests DOE conducted on a limited sample 
of residential clothes washers for this rulemaking, DOE observed the 
maximum height to which the dry clothes could be filled in a vertical-
axis clothes washer technically includes space above the upper surface 
of the stationary portion over the wash tub (commonly referred to as 
the tub cover.) However, in most cases, if clothes were placed in that 
region during a wash cycle, it is likely that portion of the load would 
not interact with water and detergent properly, and that entanglement 
would also likely occur. Based on its tests and review of manufacturer 
recommendations provided in product manuals, DOE believes the uppermost 
edge of the rotating portion of the clothes container for a vertical-
axis clothes washer would be the highest horizontal plane that a 
clothes load could occupy while maintaining proper wash performance and 
ensuring a stable, accurate, and repeatable measurement. This would 
include the uppermost edge of any balance ring attached to the clothes 
container. Additionally, any volume

[[Page 57575]]

within the clothes container that a clothing load could not occupy 
during active washing mode operation should be excluded from the 
measurement.
    For horizontal-axis clothes washers, DOE proposes that the clothes 
container be filled to the uppermost edge that is in contact with the 
door seal. DOE believes that the uppermost edge of the clothes 
container would typically be the portion of the door seal in contact 
with the door during operation. DOE also considered using the inner 
surface of the closed door as a possible definition of the uppermost 
edge of the clothes container. However, DOE observed during testing 
that small variations in the leveling of the clothes container's upper 
edge can make it difficult to determine in a repeatable way the water 
level that just meets the inner door surface. Additionally, measuring 
to the innermost surface of the closed door would not account for the 
extra volume available due to other parts of the door not projecting as 
far into the clothes container. Therefore, DOE believes that the 
uppermost edge of the clothes container that is in contact with the 
door seal for a horizontal-axis clothes washer would be the highest 
horizontal plane that a clothes load could occupy, as determined with 
the door open. Any volume within the clothes container that the 
clothing load could not occupy during active washing mode operation 
must be excluded.
    DOE believes the proposed amendments would provide a consistent 
approach to determining the fill level and result in a representative 
capacity measurement. DOE is aware of other methods for measuring the 
clothes container capacity, such as those contained in IEC Standard 
60456, but believes these other methods create an unnecessary test 
burden by using uncommon materials to measure the container capacity, 
and may not result in a capacity that is representative of actual use. 
DOE welcomes comment on whether the proposed method for measuring 
clothes container capacity provides a representative measurement of the 
volume which a dry clothes load could occupy within the clothes 
container during washer operation. DOE also welcomes comment on whether 
any other valid measurement method is available.
b. New Measure of Water Consumption
    The calculation for WF currently set forth in the clothes washer 
test procedure is derived from only the water consumed during the cold 
wash/cold rinse wash cycle. 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix J1. 
Hot water consumption is measured for all wash cycles, including warm, 
hot, and extra hot washes, but it is only used to determine the energy 
needed to heat the water. This presents an opportunity to bias the test 
procedure results by setting cold wash water consumption very low, 
while using more water at higher temperatures, in order to minimize the 
weighted average water consumption on which the WF is based.
    To prevent such bias and to produce the most representative value 
of water consumption, DOE proposes to include water consumption from 
all energy test cycles in the calculation of the new integrated metric, 
IWF. DOE believes the proposed IWF calculation will provide a more 
representative measure of water consumption and will not substantially 
increase manufacturers' test burden. This is because hot water 
consumption is already recorded for all wash cycles and the equipment 
for measuring cold water consumption must be in place for the cold wash 
cycles. DOE believes that, in practice, manufacturers likely record the 
data for cold water consumption at other wash temperatures as well even 
though it is not required by the current test procedure.
    DOE therefore proposes to measure both the hot and cold water 
consumption for each test cycle in order to calculate IWF. Doing so 
will provide total water consumption for each test cycle, including 
self-clean cycles. The total weighted per-cycle water consumption will 
equal the self-clean cycle water consumption multiplied by the number 
of self-clean cycles per year divided by 295 annual use cycles, plus 
the total water consumption for each test cycle multiplied by its TUF 
and load usage factor. IWF is then equal to this total weighted per-
cycle water consumption divided by the clothes container volume.
    DOE welcomes comment on the validity of including water consumption 
from all test cycles, including self-clean cycles, in the proposed 
calculation of IWF. DOE also requests comment on whether the IWF 
calculation would result in a significant test burden.
c. Energy Test Cycle
    The energy test cycle is the cycle used in determining the MEF and 
WF for a clothes washer. The current clothes washer test procedure 
defines the energy test cycle as ``(A) the cycle recommended by the 
manufacturer for washing cotton or linen clothes, and includes all 
wash/rinse temperature selections and water levels offered in that 
cycle, and (B) for each other wash/rinse temperature selection or water 
level available on that basic model, the portion(s) of other cycle(s) 
with that temperature selection or water level that, when tested 
pursuant to these test procedures, will contribute to an accurate 
representation of the energy consumption of the basic model as used by 
consumers. Any cycle under (A) or (B) shall include 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.'' 10 CFR 430, subpart B, appendix J1.
    Many machines provide a ``normal'' cycle setting, or some 
equivalent, which is typically used for washing cotton or linen 
clothes. Testing conducted using the normal cycle setting satisfies 
part A of the energy test cycle definition. However, many of these 
normal cycle settings limit range of wash and rinse temperature 
selections. For example, they may offer cold and warm wash temperatures 
with cold rinse, but may not allow the user to select a hot or extra 
hot wash, or a warm wash with warm rinse. Testing only the wash 
temperature options available to the normal cycle, despite being able 
to access the other temperature options by switching out of the normal 
cycle, may neglect part B of the energy test cycle definition, which 
requires manufacturers to switch out of the normal cycle to a different 
setting that allows the other temperature settings to be selected and 
tested if such testing contributes to an accurate representation of 
energy consumption as used by consumers.
    DOE understands that the requirement to test different temperature 
options ``if such testing contributes to an accurate representation of 
energy consumption as used by consumers'' has caused some confusion. As 
a result, DOE proposes to amend part B of the energy test cycle 
definition to definitively account for temperature options available 
only outside the normal cycle. The proposed part (B) would read ``* * * 
(B) if the cycle described in (A) does not include all wash/rinse 
temperature settings available on the clothes washer, and required for 
testing as described in this test procedure, the energy test cycle 
shall also include the portions of a cycle setting offering these wash/
rinse temperature settings with agitation/tumble operation, spin 
speed(s), wash times, and rinse times that are largely comparable to 
those for the cycle recommended by the manufacturer for washing cotton 
or linen clothes. Any cycle under (A) or (B) shall include the default 
agitation/tumble operation, soil level, spin speed(s), wash times, and 
rinse times applicable to that cycle,

[[Page 57576]]

including water heating time for water heating clothes washers.'' DOE 
believes that requiring manufacturers to test temperature options 
available outside the normal cycle would result in clear testing 
requirements. Combined with appropriate TUFs, the proposed test 
procedure would produce results that measure energy consumption of 
clothes washers during a representative average use cycle or period of 
use, as required by 42 U.S.C. 6923(b)(3).
    DOE notes that it has issued draft guidance, available at http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/residential/pdfs/warm_rinse_guidance_july_30.pdf, interpreting the definition of 
energy test cycle under the existing clothes washer test procedure. 
This draft guidance states DOE's view that under the existing test 
procedure, the energy test cycle should include the warm rinse of the 
cycle most comparable to the cycle recommended by the manufacturer for 
washing cotton or linen clothes if warm rinse is not available on the 
cotton or linen cycle. In addition, DOE reiterates in the guidance that 
under the existing test procedure, warm rinse is to be measured as 
being used 27 percent of the time, regardless of whether the warm rinse 
is available on the cotton or linen cycle.
    DOE also notes that it has received information from a manufacturer 
that suggests that cycles that vary from the cotton or linen cycle by 
means of lower spin speed result in a higher RMC than would be measured 
for the cotton or linen cycle, and therefore would not be largely 
comparable to those for the cycle recommended by the manufacturer for 
washing cotton or linen clothes or contribute to an accurate 
representation of energy consumption as used by consumers if they were 
included in the energy test cycle.
    DOE requests comment on the proposed definition of the energy test 
cycle and on how manufacturers currently address wash/rinse temperature 
selection under the current definition, as well as the percentage of 
loads in which consumers use warm rinse, as represented by the TUFs 
discussed in section III.D.2.c.ii. DOE also requests comment on the 
selection of cycles to be included in the energy test cycle under 
section 1.7(B) of the test procedure to definitively account for 
temperature options available only outside the normal cycle.
d. Detergent Specifications for Test Cloth Preconditioning
    The DOE clothes washer test procedure currently specifies that the 
test cloth be preconditioned by performing two normal wash-rinse-spin 
cycles using AHAM Standard detergent IIA. 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, 
appendix J1. This detergent is obsolete and no longer supplied by AHAM 
or other suppliers. The current AHAM standard detergent is identified 
as AHAM standard test detergent Formula 3. Because AHAM Standard 
detergent IIA is no longer available to manufacturers, DOE proposes 
amending the clothes washer test procedure to specify the use of AHAM 
standard test detergent Formula 3 in test cloth preconditioning.
    Tests that DOE conducted with AHAM standard test detergent Formula 
3 according to the existing DOE clothes washer test procedure suggest 
that the dosage that is specified in section 2.6.3.1 for AHAM Standard 
detergent IIA--6.0 grams (g) per gallon of water--may no longer be 
appropriate. At the end of test cloth preconditioning, undissolved 
clumps of detergent were observed in the cloth load. Further, DOE 
conducted extractor tests that indicate that detergent dosage affects 
RMC measurements by as much as several percent.
    Instructions provided with AHAM standard test detergent Formula 3 
by one supplier of standard test materials, SDL Atlas, indicate that 
the appropriate dosage for this detergent is 27.0 g + 4.0 g per pound 
of cloth load. In addition, AHAM's clothes dryer test standard, AHAM 
HLD-1-2009, specifies the same dosage of AHAM standard test detergent 
Formula 3 for test cloth pre-treatment. Due to the problems associated 
with the current dosage specification in the DOE clothes washer test 
procedure, DOE is tentatively proposing to amend the test procedure to 
require 27.0 g + 4.0 g/lb of AHAM standard test detergent Formula 3 for 
test cloth preconditioning. However, DOE is also seeking further 
information on the appropriate detergent concentration.
e. Clothes Washer for Test Cloth Preconditioning
    Section 2.6.3.1 of the current DOE clothes washer test procedure 
delineates the requirements for preconditioning the test cloths using a 
clothes washer for which a maximum water level can be set, the load can 
be washed for 10 minutes, and the wash temperature can be controlled to 
135 [deg]F  5 [deg]F (57.2 [deg]C  2.8 [deg]C). 
10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix J1. In interviews with DOE, 
multiple manufacturers expressed concern that there are currently few 
clothes washers commercially available that meet these requirements. 
They also expressed concern that the more stringent energy conservation 
standards that may result from the residential clothes washer standards 
rulemaking may eliminate such clothes washer models from the market 
entirely. DOE seeks information regarding an alternative specification 
for the clothes washer to be used for preconditioning that would allow 
for the use of more recent models.
f. Water Supply Pressure
    Section 2.4 of the current DOE clothes washer test procedure 
provides the water pressure test conditions. According to this section, 
``[t]he 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 the 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.'' 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix 
J1. DOE believes this description is ambiguous as to whether the 
nominal 35 psig water pressure is to be set under static (non-flow) 
conditions and allowed to drop during flow due to the head losses in 
the line, or whether the 35 psig is to be maintained continuously under 
all flow conditions during the test. In addition, the test procedure 
does not specify where the pressure measurement is to be taken, which 
could lead to different results depending on the pressure drops 
associated with the water supply lines between the gauge and the 
connection to the clothes washer.
    Tests conducted by DOE on a small sample of both front- and top-
loading clothes washers indicate that water supply pressure can affect 
water consumption during a wash cycle, and the effect of water supply 
pressure on total water use can vary depending on the temperature 
settings selected. For tests at 10, 20, and 35 psig water supply 
pressure under flow conditions, water consumption varied by 10-30 
percent among the different pressure conditions for either hot wash/
cold rinse or cold wash/cold rinse cycles.
    The test data suggest that a water supply pressure of 20 psig under 
flow conditions results in the most consistent water use among 
different cycles for a given clothes washer. DOE believes that 20 psig 
may represent typical static pressure under flow conditions that would 
result from 35 psig at non-flow conditions. DOE further believes that 
these conditions may be more representative of water supply

[[Page 57577]]

conditions that would be found in typical residential settings than a 
constant static pressure of 35 psig even under flow conditions.
    However, DOE test procedures for other residential appliances more 
closely specify the 35 psig requirement as being applicable under flow 
conditions. For example, section 2.4 of the DOE test procedure for 
dishwashers (10 CFR part 430 subpart B, appendix C) specifies to 
``maintain the pressure of the water supply at 35  2.5 
pounds per square inch gauge (psig) when the water is flowing.'' 
Dishwashers and clothes washers would likely have the same water supply 
pressure when installed in a house, so the test procedures for these 
products should include consistent water supply pressure 
specifications.
    DOE is uncertain about which interpretation of the water supply 
pressure (i.e., 35 psig only for no-flow conditions, or 35 psig under 
all flow conditions) has been assumed by manufacturers and 
certification laboratories. DOE also lacks sufficient information as to 
which interpretation produces representative, repeatable water 
consumption measurements. For these reasons, DOE is not proposing in 
today's notice amendments to its clothes washer test procedure to more 
closely specify water supply pressure. DOE seeks information about the 
conditions under which clothes washers are currently tested and invites 
comment on the appropriate specification of the water supply pressure.
g. Additional Revisions and Clarifications
    Section 2.6.4.5.3 of the current test procedure discusses standards 
incorporated by reference for verifying the absence of water repellent 
finishes on the energy test cloth: AATCC Test Method 118-1997, ``Oil 
Repellency: Hydrocarbon Resistance Test'' and AATCC Test Method 79-
2000, ``Absorbency of Bleached Textiles.'' 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, 
appendix J1. To be consistent with referenced standards in other DOE 
test procedures, DOE proposes to remove this paragraph from the clothes 
washer test procedure and, instead, include these two AATCC test 
procedures in 10 CFR 430.3, ``Materials Incorporated by Reference.'' In 
addition, DOE proposes adding to 10 CFR 430.3 the newly referenced 
AATCC Test Method 135-2004, ``Dimensional Changes of Fabrics after Home 
Laundering'' for measuring shrinkage of the energy test cloth.
    Section 3.8.4 provides test methods for measuring RMC for clothes 
washers that have options that result in different RMC values, such as 
multiple selection of spin speeds or spin times. The methodology 
requires conducting tests to measure RMC at maximum spin settings with 
the maximum test load size for cold rinse and, if any, for warm rinse, 
and then repeating the tests at minimum spin settings. These tests 
would result in two values of RMC at maximum load size, which are 
weighted to obtain final RMC. These two values are currently identified 
as RMCmax extraction and RMCmin extraction, which 
do not correspond to the nomenclature used in the sections from which 
they are derived, sections 3.8.2 or section 3.8.3, respectively. In 
those sections, the measurement is designated as RMCmax. DOE 
proposes to modify the nomenclature in section 3.8.4 to clarify that 
these are the values obtained from either section 3.8.2 or section 
3.8.3.
    Section 4.1.4 of the current clothes washer test procedure 
calculates the total per-cycle hot water energy consumption using gas-
heated or oil-heated water. The equation listed in this section 
contains a clerical error in the symbol for total weighted per-cycle 
hot water energy consumption. DOE proposes amending the equation to 
replace the incorrect symbol, HT, with the correct symbol, 
HET. DOE would apply this amendment to both existing 
appendix J1 and new appendix J2 in 10 CFR part 430 subpart B.
    Section 4.5 of the current clothes washer test procedure provides 
for the calculation of Energy Factor (EF). EF was the energy efficiency 
metric used to establish energy conservation standards for clothes 
washers manufactured before January 1, 2004. 10 CFR 430.32(g). This 
metric is no longer used to determine compliance with energy 
conservation standards, or in any other related metrics. For example, 
the EnergyGuide labeling requirements specify identification of annual 
operating costs. 16 CFR part 305, appendix F1, appendix F2. Annual 
operating cost is based on the per-cycle energy consumption, rather 
than EF or MEF. 10 CFR 430.23(j). Therefore, DOE proposes to remove the 
obsolete calculation of EF from the clothes washer test procedure.
5. Test Procedure Performance Specifications
    The current DOE clothes washer test procedure does not include any 
provisions for evaluating the wash quality of a clothes washer. The 
intent of the test procedure is to determine the water and energy 
consumption of a clothes washer, regardless of its wash capabilities.
    In response to the August 2009 framework document, DOE received 
multiple comments regarding adding performance measures to the clothes 
washer test procedure. AHAM and BSH commented that DOE should evaluate 
the feasibility of incorporating a performance measure into the test 
procedure because, according to both, the efficiency level 4 and max-
tech MEFs and WFs proposed in the August 2009 framework document are 
approaching limits at which product performance and consumer 
satisfaction may become an issue. AHAM noted it has a standard 
addressing performance, AHAM HLW-1, which is harmonized with IEC 
Standard 60456, ``Clothes washing machines for household use--Methods 
for measuring the performance.'' Additionally, AHAM and BSH stated that 
Europe requires a performance rating in addition to energy and water 
consumption requirements. BSH stated that DOE should review IEC 
Standard 60456 for methods of assessing performance. (AHAM, No. 15 at 
p. 2; BSH, No. 9 at p. 1) ALS also expressed concern that the standards 
have reached a point where increased efficiency levels will result in 
unacceptable washing, rinsing, and expected consumer utility 
performance, especially in the standard capacity vertical-axis product 
class. According to ALS, washing clothes requires both water and 
thermal energy, but higher efficiency standards require decreasing 
both. ALS commented that there already appears to be ``consumer 
backlash'' from some owners of high-efficiency clothes washers 
regarding the ability of these washers to clean their laundry as 
expected. ALS recommended that DOE examine AHAM HLW-1, IEC Standard 
60456, and AS/NZS 2040.1 as possible performance test procedures. (ALS, 
No. 12 at pp. 1-2) Whirlpool commented that many of the candidate 
standard levels in the August 2009 framework document could only be met 
by significantly compromising product performance, and therefore 
provisions to ensure proper wash performance, rinse performance, and an 
absence of fabric damage must be added to the test procedure. The 
comment referenced the AHAM test procedure, HLW-1-2007, as a source for 
such performance criteria. (Whirlpool, No. 21 at p. 2)
    DOE has carefully considered these comments and recognizes the 
benefits of wash performance characterization, but is not proposing to 
incorporate measures of wash performance into the clothes washer test 
procedure. As stated in EPCA, ``[a]ny test procedures prescribed or 
amended under this section shall be reasonably designed to produce test 
results which measure energy efficiency, energy use * * * or

[[Page 57578]]

estimated annual operating cost of a covered product during a 
representative average use cycle or period of use * * * and shall not 
be unduly burdensome to conduct.'' 42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(3). DOE will, 
however, consider wash performance and related impacts to consumer 
utility in developing any future energy conservation standards for 
residential clothes washers.

E. Compliance With Other EPCA Requirements

1. Test Burden
    As noted previously, under 42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(3), EPCA requires that 
``[a]ny test procedures prescribed or amended under this section shall 
be reasonably designed to produce test results which measure energy 
efficiency, energy use * * * or estimated annual operating cost of a 
covered product during a representative average use cycle or period of 
use * * * and shall not be unduly burdensome to conduct.'' For the 
reasons that follow, DOE has tentatively concluded that amending the 
relevant DOE test procedures to incorporate clauses regarding test 
conditions and methods found in IEC Standard 62301, along with the 
proposed modifications to the active washing mode test procedure, would 
satisfy this requirement.
    The proposed amendments to the DOE test procedure incorporate a 
test standard that is accepted internationally for measuring power 
consumption in standby mode and off mode. Based on its analysis of IEC 
Standard 62301, DOE determined that the proposed amendments to the 
clothes washer test procedure will produce standby mode and off mode 
average power consumption measurements that are representative of an 
average use cycle, both when the measured power is stable and when the 
measured power is unstable (i.e., when the measured power varies by 5 
percent or more during 30 minutes.) Additionally, DOE is proposing 
similar provisions for measuring power in additional active modes 
(delay start and cycle finished modes). The test methods and equipment 
that the amendments would require for measuring power in these modes 
are not substantially different from the test methods and equipment 
required in the current DOE test procedure for measuring the product's 
energy consumption in active washing mode. Therefore, the proposed test 
procedure would not require manufacturers to make a major investment in 
test facilities and new equipment. For these reasons, DOE has 
tentatively concluded that the proposed amended test procedure would 
produce test results that measure the standby, off, delay start and 
cycle finished mode power consumption of a clothes washer during a 
representative average use cycle, and that the test procedure would not 
be unduly burdensome to conduct.
    DOE is also proposing amendments to the active washing mode portion 
of the clothes washer test procedure. Because these amendments would 
require manufacturers to make the same measurements as specified by the 
current test procedure, DOE believes that manufacturers likely would 
not require additional investment or equipment purchases to conduct the 
energy testing as proposed in this notice. The proposed water pressure 
requirement may require some manufacturers to purchase additional 
pressure regulators, but DOE believes this expense would not be 
significant--on the order of hundreds of dollars. The proposed 
amendments would also require additional time to conduct, because 
manufacturers would need to test additional cycles not included in the 
current test procedure, such as self-clean or steam wash cycles. DOE 
believes, however, that including these additional cycles in the test 
procedure would provide for a more representative measurement of 
machine energy efficiency and water use, and that the time commitment 
required to test these additional cycles would not represent a 
significant burden on manufacturers. The current test procedure already 
requires multiple energy test cycles. Testing self-clean and steam wash 
cycles, only on clothes washers offering these features, would likely 
increase the total test time for these units by approximately 25 
percent.
2. Integration of Standby Mode and Off Mode Energy Consumption Into the 
Efficiency Metrics
    Section 325(gg)(2)(A) of EPCA requires that standby mode and off 
mode energy consumption be ``integrated into the overall energy 
efficiency, energy consumption, or other energy descriptor for each 
covered product'' unless the current test procedures already fully 
account for the standby mode and off mode energy consumption or if such 
an integrated test procedure is technically infeasible. (42 U.S.C. 
6295(gg)(2)(A)) DOE proposes to incorporate the clothes washer standby 
and off mode energy consumption, in addition to energy consumption in 
delay start and cycle finished modes, into a ``per-cycle standby, off, 
delay start and cycle finished mode energy consumption,'' expressed in 
kWh, and into an IMEF, as discussed in section III.C.5 of this notice.
    EPCA provides that test procedure amendments adopted to comply with 
the new EPCA requirements for standby and off mode energy consumption 
will not determine compliance with previously established standards. 
(42 U.S.C. 6295(gg)(2)(C)) Because DOE is proposing to adopt the 
amendments as a new appendix J1 to 10 CFR part 430 subpart B that 
manufacturers would not be required to use until the compliance date of 
amended energy conservation standards for residential clothes washers, 
the test procedure amendments pertaining to standby mode and off mode 
energy consumption that DOE proposes to adopt in this rulemaking would 
not apply to, and would have no effect on, existing standards.
3. Commercial Clothes Washers
    The test procedure for commercial clothes washers is required to be 
the same test procedure established for residential clothes washers. 
(42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(8)) Thus, the test procedure set forth in appendix 
J1 of subpart B of 10 CFR part 430 is also currently used to test 
commercial clothes washers. (10 CFR part 431.154) If DOE were to apply 
the proposed new appendix J2 to commercial clothes washers, the impacts 
would be limited to the proposed amendments associated with active 
washing mode because commercial clothes washer standards are based on 
MEF and WF. These include proposed changes to the test load size 
specification, TUFs, DUF, test cloth specification, capacity 
measurement, detergent specification, and water supply pressure 
specification, which will have some effect on the measured energy and 
water efficiencies of a commercial clothes washer. DOE believes that 
the most significant impacts could be associated with the proposed 
amendments for capacity measurement and usage factors, but does not 
have information to evaluate any impacts for commercial clothes 
washers. Therefore, DOE welcomes inputs on the effects of the proposed 
amendments in appendix J2 on the measured energy and water efficiencies 
of commercial clothes washers.

F. Impact of the Proposed Amendments on EnergyGuide and ENERGY STAR

    DOE considered potential impacts of the proposed test procedure 
amendments to the FTC EnergyGuide requirements and determined that 
there will be no impact. DOE also considered potential impacts of the 
proposed test procedure amendments to the EPA/DOE

[[Page 57579]]

ENERGY STAR voluntary labeling program. The ENERGY STAR program for 
clothes washers is based on MEF and WF. DOE notes that the calculation 
of MEF could be affected by the proposed revisions incorporating the 
energy and water consumption for warm wash/warm rinse cycles. These 
proposed revisions should not affect the calculated MEF for the 
majority of clothes washers, but could have some effect on clothes 
washers offering a warm/warm temperature selection only for cycle 
setting(s) other than the cycle setting recommended by the manufacturer 
for cotton or linen clothing. The calculations of both MEF and WF could 
also be affected by the proposed revision to the clothes container 
capacity measurement, depending on how manufacturers are currently 
interpreting the nonspecific water fill level specification. As part of 
the current residential clothes washer energy conservation standards 
rulemaking, DOE would analyze any potential impact of the proposed test 
procedure on calculated MEF values.

G. Elimination of the Obsolete Clothes Washer Test Procedure

    DOE proposes to delete appendix J to subpart B of 10 CFR part 430 
along with all references to appendix J in 10 CFR 430.23. Appendix J 
applies only to clothes washers manufactured before January 1, 2004 and 
is therefore obsolete. Appendix J1 to subpart B of 10 CFR part 430 
provides an applicable test procedure for all clothes washers currently 
available on the market. DOE proposes to maintain the current naming of 
appendix J1, rather than renaming it as appendix J, and to establish 
new appendix J2 to simplify the changes required. DOE has previously 
used this approach of retaining later versions of appendices to subpart 
B of 10 CFR part 430 when deleting the original version, including 
appendix A1, ``Uniform Test Method for Measuring the Energy Consumption 
of Electric Refrigerators and Electric Refrigerator-Freezers,'' and 
appendix B1, ``Uniform Test Method for Measuring the Energy Consumption 
of Freezers.''

IV. Procedural Requirements

A. Review Under Executive Order 12866

    Today's regulatory action is not a ``significant regulatory 
action'' under section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866, Regulatory 
Planning and Review, 58 FR 51735 (October 4, 1993). Accordingly, this 
proposed action was not subject to review under the Executive Order by 
the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) in the Office 
of Management and Budget (OMB).

B. Review Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) requires 
preparation of an initial regulatory flexibility analysis for any rule 
that by law must be proposed for public comment, unless the agency 
certifies that the proposed rule, if promulgated, will not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. 
As required by Executive Order 13272, ``Proper Consideration of Small 
Entities in Agency Rulemaking,'' 67 FR 53461 (August 16, 2002), DOE 
published procedures and policies on February 19, 2003, to ensure that 
the potential impacts of its rules on small entities are properly 
considered during the rulemaking process. 68 FR 7990. DOE's procedures 
and policies may be viewed on the Office of the General Counsel's Web 
site (http://www.gc.doe.gov).
    DOE reviewed today's proposed rule under the provisions of the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act and the procedures and policies published on 
February 19, 2003. DOE has tentatively concluded that the proposed rule 
would not have a significant impact on a substantial number of small 
entities. The factual basis for this certification is as follows:
    The Small Business Administration (SBA) considers a business entity 
to be small business, if, together with its affiliates, it employs less 
than a threshold number of workers specified in 13 CFR part 121. These 
size standards and codes are established by the North American Industry 
Classification System (NAICS). The threshold number for NAICS 
classification code 335224, which applies to household laundry 
equipment manufacturers and includes clothes washer manufacturers, is 
1,000 employees. Searches of the SBA Web site \16\ to identify clothes 
washer manufacturers within these NAICS codes identified, out of 
approximately 17 manufacturers supplying clothes washers in the United 
States, only one small business. This small business manufactures 
laundry appliances, including clothes washers. The other manufacturers 
supplying clothes washers are large multinational corporations.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \16\ A searchable database of certified small businesses is 
available online at: http://dsbs.sba.gov/dsbs/search/dsp_dsbs.cfm.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The proposed rule would amend DOE's test procedure by incorporating 
testing provisions to address active mode, standby mode, and off mode 
energy and water consumption that will be used to demonstrate 
compliance with energy conservation standards. The proposed test 
procedure amendments for standby, off, delay start and cycle finished 
modes involve measuring power input when the clothes washer is in these 
modes. These tests can be conducted in the same facilities used for the 
current energy testing of these products, so it is anticipated that 
manufacturers would not incur any additional facilities costs as a 
result of the proposed test procedure amendments. The power meter 
required for these tests might require greater accuracy than the power 
meter used for current energy testing, but the investment required for 
a possible instrumentation upgrade is a one-time cost, expected to be 
approximately a few thousand dollars. The duration of each test period 
is roughly 40 minutes (comprising a 30-minute stabilization period and 
10-minute test period). This is comparable to approximately half the 
time required to conduct a single energy test cycle. Each clothes 
washer tested requires, on average, approximately 15 test cycles for 
energy testing, which equates to about three days of testing. For 
clothes washers offering all relevant non-active washing modes--
inactive, off, delay start, and cycle finished--DOE estimates roughly 
an 11-percent increase in total test period duration. DOE also 
estimates that it costs a manufacturer approximately $2,300 on average, 
including the cost of consumables, to conduct energy testing for a 
particular clothes washer. DOE further estimates that the cost of 
additional testing for non-active washing modes would average $200 per 
machine, a 9-percent increase over current test costs. DOE believes 
these additional requirements for equipment and time and additional 
cost to conduct the proposed non-active washing mode tests would not be 
expected to impose a significant economic burden on entities subject to 
the applicable testing requirements. Although the small business has 
significantly lower sales than other manufacturers over which to 
amortize these additional costs, it only produces a single platform 
which would be subject to the proposed non-active washing mode tests 
and thus the total additional cost for these tests would be on the 
order of $2,500.
    The proposed test procedure amendments for the active washing mode 
would increase test burden by imposing a requirement for conducting 
test cycles under two additional conditions, steam and self-clean, for 
those clothes washers equipped with such features. The testing 
conditions

[[Page 57580]]

and equipment for these cycles are the same as already required for the 
other energy test cycles, and manufacturers are already required to 
conduct measurements for multiple energy test cycles. Additionally, as 
discussed in section III.E.1, the additional time required for the 
testing steam and self-clean cycles would increase the test period by 
roughly 25 percent, from approximately three days to nearly four days 
total duration. DOE estimates that the average test cost increment per 
machine for these proposed active mode amendments would be 
approximately $600. Test burden could potentially also be increased by 
the proposed amendment to the water supply pressure requirement if a 
manufacturer were required to install additional equipment to maintain 
35 psig under flow conditions. The cost of this equipment, as discussed 
in section III.E.1, would not be significant, on the order of hundreds 
of dollars. The proposed amendments for additional extractor tests for 
determining RMC coefficients also represent an increased burden for the 
limited number of entities that conduct such tests. However, these 
tests are limited to qualification of a new test cloth lot, and do not 
need to be performed by every manufacturer because the coefficients are 
made available to the public on DOE's website. Therefore, DOE does not 
believe these proposed amendments would have a significant impact on a 
substantial number of small entities. Because the one small business 
only manufactures a single platform, it would be subject to total 
additional costs of approximately $1,000 associated with the proposed 
active washing mode amendments.
    For these reasons, DOE tentatively concludes and certifies that the 
proposed rule would not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities. Accordingly, DOE has not prepared 
a regulatory flexibility analysis for this rulemaking. DOE seeks 
comment on its certification and will transmit the certification and 
supporting statement of factual basis to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy 
of the SBA for review under 5 U.S.C. 605(b).

C. Review Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995

    This NOPR contains a collection-of-information requirement subject 
to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) which has been approved by OMB 
under control number 1910-1400. Public reporting burden for compliance 
reporting for energy and water conservation standards is estimated to 
average 30 hours per response, including the time for reviewing 
instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and 
maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden 
estimate, or any other aspect of this data collection, including 
suggestions for reducing the burden, to DOE (see ADDRESSES) and by e-
mail to [email protected].
    Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, no person is 
required to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty 
for failure to comply with, a collection of information subject to the 
requirements of the PRA, unless that collection of information displays 
a currently valid OMB Control Number.

D. Review Under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969

    In this proposed rule, DOE proposes test procedure amendments that 
it expects will be used to develop and implement future energy 
conservation standards for clothes washers. DOE has determined that 
this rule falls into a class of actions that are categorically excluded 
from review under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and DOE's implementing regulations at 10 CFR part 
1021. Specifically, this rule amends an existing rule without changing 
its environmental effect and, therefore, is covered by the Categorical 
Exclusion in 10 CFR part 1021, subpart D, paragraph A5. Accordingly, 
neither an environmental assessment nor an environmental impact 
statement is required.

E. Review Under Executive Order 13132

    Executive Order 13132, ``Federalism,'' imposes certain requirements 
on agencies formulating and implementing policies or regulations that 
preempt State law or that have federalism implications. 64 FR 43255 
(August 4, 1999). The Executive Order requires agencies to examine the 
constitutional and statutory authority supporting any action that would 
limit the policymaking discretion of the States, and to carefully 
assess the necessity for such actions. The Executive Order also 
requires agencies to have an accountable process to ensure meaningful 
and timely input by State and local officials in the development of 
regulatory policies that have Federalism implications. On March 14, 
2000, DOE published a statement of policy describing the 
intergovernmental consultation process that it will follow in 
developing such regulations. 65 FR 13735. DOE examined this proposed 
rule and determined that it would not preempt State law and would not 
have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship 
between the national government and the States, or on the distribution 
of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. 
EPCA governs and prescribes Federal preemption of State regulations as 
to energy conservation for the products that are the subject of today's 
proposed rule. States can petition DOE for exemption from such 
preemption to the extent, and based on criteria, set forth in EPCA. (42 
U.S.C. 6297(d)) Therefore, Executive Order 13132 requires no further 
action.

F. Review Under Executive Order 12988

    Regarding the review of existing regulations and the promulgation 
of new regulations, section 3(a) of Executive Order 12988, ``Civil 
Justice Reform,'' 61 FR 4729 (February 7, 1996), imposes on Federal 
agencies the general duty to adhere to the following requirements: (1) 
Eliminate drafting errors and ambiguity, (2) write regulations to 
minimize litigation, (3) provide a clear legal standard for affected 
conduct rather than a general standard, and (4) promote simplification 
and burden reduction. Section 3(b) of Executive Order 12988 
specifically requires that executive agencies make every reasonable 
effort to ensure that the regulation specifies the following: (1) The 
preemptive effect, if any; (2) any effect on existing Federal law or 
regulation; (3) a clear legal standard for affected conduct while 
promoting simplification and burden reduction; (4) the retroactive 
effect, if any; (5) definitions of key terms; and (6) other important 
issues affecting clarity and general draftsmanship under any guidelines 
issued by the Attorney General. Section 3(c) of Executive Order 12988 
requires Executive agencies to review regulations in light of 
applicable standards in sections 3(a) and 3(b) to determine whether 
they are met or whether it is unreasonable to meet one or more of them. 
DOE has completed the required review and determined that, to the 
extent permitted by law, this proposed rule meets the relevant 
standards of Executive Order 12988.

G. Review Under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995

    Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA) (Pub. 
L. 104-4; 2 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.) requires each Federal agency to assess 
the effects of Federal regulatory actions on State, local, and Tribal 
governments and the private sector. For a proposed regulatory action 
likely to result in a rule that may

[[Page 57581]]

cause the expenditure by State, local, and Tribal governments, in the 
aggregate, or by the private sector, of $100 million or more in any one 
year (adjusted annually for inflation), section 202 of UMRA requires a 
Federal agency to publish estimates of the resulting costs, benefits, 
and other effects on the national economy. (2 U.S.C. 1532(a),(b)) UMRA 
also requires a Federal agency to develop an effective process to 
permit timely input by elected officers of State, local, and Tribal 
governments on a proposed ``significant intergovernmental mandate,'' 
and requires an agency plan for giving notice and opportunity for 
timely input to potentially affected small governments before 
establishing any requirements that might significantly or uniquely 
affect such governments. On March 18, 1997, DOE published a statement 
of policy on its process for intergovernmental consultation under UMRA. 
62 FR 12820. (The policy is also available at http://www.gc.doe.gov). 
Today's proposed rule contains neither an intergovernmental mandate nor 
a mandate that may result in an expenditure of $100 million or more in 
any year, so these requirements do not apply.

H. Review Under the Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 
1999

    Section 654 of the Treasury and General Government Appropriations 
Act, 1999 (Pub. L. 105-277) requires Federal agencies to issue a Family 
Policymaking Assessment for any rule that may affect family well-being. 
Today's proposed rule would not have any impact on the autonomy or 
integrity of the family as an institution. Accordingly, DOE has 
concluded that it is not necessary to prepare a Family Policymaking 
Assessment.

I. Review Under Executive Order 12630

    DOE has determined, under Executive Order 12630, ``Governmental 
Actions and Interference with Constitutionally Protected Property 
Rights,'' 53 FR 8859 (March 18, 1988), that this proposed regulation 
would not result in any takings that might require compensation under 
the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

J. Review Under the Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 
2001

    Section 515 of the Treasury and General Government Appropriations 
Act, 2001 (44 U.S.C. 3516 note) provides for agencies to review most 
disseminations of information to the public under guidelines 
established by each agency pursuant to general guidelines issued by 
OMB. OMB's guidelines were published at 67 FR 8452 (February 22, 2002), 
and DOE's guidelines were published at 67 FR 62446 (October 7, 2002). 
DOE has reviewed today's notice under OMB and DOE guidelines and has 
concluded that it is consistent with applicable policies in those 
guidelines.

K. Review Under Executive Order 13211

    Executive Order 13211, ``Actions Concerning Regulations That 
Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use,'' 66 FR 28355 
(May 22, 2001), requires Federal agencies to prepare and submit to OIRA 
a Statement of Energy Effects for any proposed significant energy 
action. A ``significant energy action'' is defined as any action by an 
agency that promulgates or is expected to lead to promulgation of a 
final rule, and that (1) Is a significant regulatory action under 
Executive Order 12866, or any successor order; and (2) is likely to 
have a significant adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use 
of energy; or (3) is designated by the Administrator of OIRA as a 
significant energy action. For any proposed significant energy action, 
the agency must give a detailed statement of any adverse effects on 
energy supply, distribution, or use if the proposal is implemented, and 
of reasonable alternatives to the action and their expected benefits on 
energy supply, distribution, and use. Today's proposed regulatory 
action, which proposes amendments to the test procedure for measuring 
the energy efficiency of residential clothes washers, is not a 
significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866 or any 
successor order; would not have a significant adverse effect on the 
supply, distribution, or use of energy; and has not been designated by 
the Administrator of OIRA as a significant energy action. Therefore, it 
is not a significant energy action, and, accordingly, DOE has not 
prepared a Statement of Energy Effects.

L. Review Under Section 32 of the Federal Energy Administration (FEA) 
Act of 1974

    Under section 301 of the DOE Organization Act (Pub. L. 95-91; 42 
U.S.C. 7101 et seq.), DOE must comply with section 32 of the Federal 
Energy Administration Act of 1974, as amended by the Federal Energy 
Administration Authorization Act of 1977 (FEAA). (15 U.S.C. 788) 
Section 32 essentially provides that, where a proposed rule authorizes 
or requires use of commercial standards, the rulemaking must inform the 
public of the use and background of such standards. In addition, 
section 32(c) requires DOE to consult with the Attorney General and the 
Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) concerning the impact of 
the commercial or industry standards on competition.
    The proposed modifications to the test procedure addressed by this 
action incorporate testing methods contained in the commercial 
standard, IEC Standard 62301. DOE has evaluated this standard and is 
unable to conclude whether it fully complies with the requirements of 
section 32(b) of the FEAA (i.e., whether it was developed in a manner 
that fully provides for public participation, comment, and review.) DOE 
will consult with the Attorney General and the Chairman of the FTC 
about the impact on competition of using the methods contained in this 
standard, before prescribing a final rule.

V. Public Participation

A. Attendance at Public Meeting

    The time, date, and location of the public meeting are listed in 
the DATES and ADDRESSES sections at the beginning of this NOPR. To 
attend the public meeting, please notify Ms. Brenda Edwards at (202) 
586-2945. As explained in the ADDRESSES section, foreign nationals 
visiting DOE Headquarters are subject to advance security screening 
procedures.

B. Procedure for Submitting Requests To Speak

    Any person who has an interest in today's NOPR, or who is a 
representative of a group or class of persons that has an interest in 
these issues, may request an opportunity to make an oral presentation 
at the public meeting. Such persons may hand-deliver requests to speak 
to the address shown in the ADDRESSES section at the beginning of this 
NOPR between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. Requests may also be sent by mail or e-mail to Ms. Brenda 
Edwards, U.S. Department of Energy, Building Technologies Program, 
Mailstop EE-2J, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585-
0121, or [email protected]. Persons who wish to speak should 
include in their request a computer diskette or CD in WordPerfect, 
Microsoft Word, PDF, or text (ASCII) file format that briefly describes 
the nature of their interest in this rulemaking and the topics they 
wish to discuss. Such persons should also provide a daytime telephone 
number where they can be reached.

[[Page 57582]]

    DOE requests persons selected to make an oral presentation to 
submit an advance copy of their statements at least one week before the 
public meeting. DOE may permit persons who cannot supply an advance 
copy of their statement to participate, if those persons have made 
advance alternative arrangements with the Building Technologies 
Program. Requests to give an oral presentation should ask for such 
alternative arrangements.

C. Conduct of Public Meeting

    DOE will designate a DOE official to preside at the public meeting 
and may also use a professional facilitator to aid discussion. The 
meeting will not be a judicial or evidentiary-type public hearing, but 
DOE will conduct it in accordance with section 336 of EPCA (42 U.S.C. 
6306). A court reporter will be present to record the proceedings and 
prepare a transcript. DOE reserves the right to schedule the order of 
presentations and to establish the procedures governing the conduct of 
the public meeting. After the public meeting, interested parties may 
submit further comments on the proceedings as well as on any aspect of 
the rulemaking until the end of the comment period.
    The public meeting will be conducted in an informal, conference 
style. DOE will present summaries of comments received before the 
public meeting, allow time for presentations by participants, and 
encourage all interested parties to share their views on issues 
affecting this rulemaking. Each participant will be allowed to make a 
prepared general statement (within time limits determined by DOE), 
before the discussion of specific topics. DOE will permit other 
participants to comment briefly on any general statements. At the end 
of all prepared statements on each specific topic, DOE will permit 
participants to clarify their statements briefly and comment on 
statements made by others.
    Participants should be prepared to answer DOE's and other 
participants' questions. DOE representatives may also ask participants 
about other matters relevant to this rulemaking. The official 
conducting the public meeting will accept additional comments or 
questions from those attending, as time permits. The presiding official 
will announce any further procedural rules or modification of the above 
procedures that may be needed for the proper conduct of the public 
meeting.
    DOE will make the entire record of this proposed rulemaking, 
including the transcript from the public meeting, available for 
inspection at the U.S. Department of Energy, 6th Floor, 950 L'Enfant 
Plaza, SW., Washington, DC 20024, (202) 586-2945, between 9 a.m. and 4 
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Copies of the 
transcript are available for purchase from the transcribing reporter 
and will also be made available on DOE's Web site at http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/residential/clothes_washers.html.

D. Submission of Comments

    DOE will accept comments, data, and information regarding the 
proposed rule before or after the public meeting, but no later than the 
date provided at the beginning of this notice. Comments, data, and 
information submitted to DOE's e-mail address for this rulemaking 
should be provided in WordPerfect, Microsoft Word, PDF, or text (ASCII) 
file format. Interested parties should avoid the use of special 
characters or any form of encryption, and wherever possible comments 
should include the electronic signature of the author. Comments, data, 
and information submitted to DOE via mail or hand delivery/courier 
should include one signed original paper copy. No telefacsimiles 
(faxes) will be accepted.
    According to 10 CFR 1004.11, any person submitting information that 
he or she believes to be confidential and exempt by law from public 
disclosure should submit two copies: one copy of the document that 
includes all of the information believed to be confidential, and one 
copy of the document with that information deleted. DOE will determine 
the confidential status of the information and treat it accordingly.
    Factors of interest to DOE when evaluating requests to treat 
submitted information as confidential include (1) A description of the 
items, (2) whether and why such items are customarily treated as 
confidential within the industry, (3) whether the information is 
generally known by or available from other sources, (4) whether the 
information was previously made available to others without obligation 
concerning its confidentiality, (5) an explanation of the competitive 
injury to the submitting person that would result from public 
disclosure, (6) when such information might lose its confidential 
character due to the passage of time, and (7) why disclosure of the 
information would be contrary to the public interest.

E. Issues on Which DOE Seeks Comment

    DOE is particularly interested in receiving comments and views of 
interested parties on the following issues:
    1. Incorporation of IEC Standard 62301. DOE invites comment on the 
adequacy of IEC Standard 62301 to measure standby and off mode power 
consumption for clothes washers, and the suitability of incorporating 
into DOE regulations the specific provisions described in section 
III.C.1 of this notice;
    2. Clothes washer modes. DOE invites comment on the proposed 
establishment of inactive mode as the only standby mode for clothes 
washers and the determination that ``delay start mode'' and ``cycle 
finished mode'' and ``self-clean mode'' would be considered additional 
active modes. DOE further invites comment on the proposed mode 
definitions, including the definition of ``self-clean'' mode, and on 
the question of whether there are any modes consistent with the 
``active mode,'' ``standby mode,'' or ``off mode'' definitions that 
have not been identified in this NOPR that represent significant energy 
use (see section III.C.2.);
    3. Default settings. DOE welcomes comment on the suitability of 
using the default settings in testing standby energy consumption, and 
on any methodologies that can account for consumer actions that might 
increase energy use and data on the repeatability of such testing 
procedures (see section III.C.3.);
    4. Delay start mode. DOE welcomes comment on the methodology 
proposed for measuring delay start mode (see section III.C.3);
    5. Test room ambient temperature. DOE seeks comment on the 
appropriateness of the proposed modified test room ambient temperature 
range, which would allow manufacturers to conduct standby and off mode 
testing separately from performance testing under the less stringent 
ambient conditions specified in the IEC Standard 62301 (73.4  9 [deg]F) (see section III.C.3.);
    6. Energy use calculation. DOE invites comment on the approach for 
calculating energy use for the various operating modes for clothes 
washers. DOE also invites comment on the allocation of annual hours and 
test burden, as well as the alternative methodology for allocation of 
annual hours (see section III.C.4.);
    7. New integrated measures of energy consumption and energy 
efficiency. DOE invites comment on the proposed plan to establish new 
integrated measures of energy consumption for clothes washers: ``per-
cycle standby, off, delay start, and cycle finished mode energy 
consumption'' and ``per-cycle self-clean mode energy consumption,'' 
expressed in kWh, and a new integrated measure of energy efficiency for 
clothes washers: ``integrated modified energy

[[Page 57583]]

factor'' expressed in ft\3\ per kWh per cycle. (see section III.C.5);
    8. Annual energy cost calculation. DOE invites comment on the 
proposed decision to maintain the existing annual energy cost 
calculation set forth in 10 CFR 430.23, which does not include self-
clean, standby, off, delay start, or cycle finished mode energy 
consumption. One alternative way of incorporating self-clean, standby, 
off, delay start, and cycle finished mode energy consumption in the 
annual energy cost calculation would be to add per-cycle standby, off, 
delay start, and cycle finished mode energy consumption and per-cycle 
self-clean mode energy consumption to the total per-cycle energy 
consumption in the annual energy cost calculations in 10 CFR 
430.23(j)(1)(i) and (ii) (see section III.C.5);
    9. Steam wash cycles. DOE requests comment on the proposed 
inclusion of the energy and water consumption of a steam wash cycle to 
the clothes washer test procedure, including the associated use factor. 
DOE also requests any data available regarding consumer use of steam 
wash cycles (see section III.D.1.a);
    10. Self-clean cycles. DOE invites comment on self-clean cycles for 
clothes washers, including the proposed definition, inclusion of self-
clean cycle energy and water use into the IMEF and IWF calculations, 
and on whether any relevant data is available regarding availability 
and consumer use of self-clean cycles (see section III.D.1.b);
    11. Adaptive control and demand response technologies. DOE requests 
comment on whether any clothes washers are currently available on the 
market offering soil-sensing adaptive controls or demand response 
features. DOE also requests information on load size and fabric 
content, the possible use of a soiled test load to determine energy and 
water use in the presence of soil-sensing adaptive controls, 
appropriate methodologies for measuring energy consumption in a network 
mode, and data on the repeatability of such testing (see sections 
III.D.1.c and III.D.1.d);
    12. Representative number of annual cycles. DOE welcomes comment on 
the appropriateness of the proposed 295 clothes washer cycles per year, 
and on the validity of using the 2005 Residential Energy Consumption 
Survey (RECS) to establish this estimate. DOE also seeks any additional 
data available on this issue (see section III.D.2.a);
    13. Test load size specifications. DOE invites comment on the 
proposed test load sizes, and on whether the linear relationship 
between test load size and clothes washer container volume is 
representative of actual consumer use. DOE welcomes any relevant data 
on this topic (see section III.D.2.b);
    14. Use factors. DOE requests comment on the validity of the 
proposed use factors for temperature, load size, and dryer use, and of 
the data sources used to estimate these values. Additionally, DOE seeks 
comment on the proposed revision to the warm rinse measurements, 
including the validity of the proposed warm wash/warm rinse TUF of 
0.27. DOE also welcomes comment regarding the proposed load adjustment 
factor to be used in the RMC calculation. Stakeholders may submit any 
additional relevant data regarding these use factors (see section 
III.D.2.c);
    15. Test cloth. DOE invites comment on and data regarding the 
proposed updated test cloth specifications and correlation procedure 
(see section III.D.3);
    16. Capacity measurement method. DOE welcomes comment on whether 
the proposed method for measuring clothes container capacity provides 
for a representative measurement of the volume that a dry clothes load 
could occupy within the clothes container during washer operation, and 
on whether any other valid measurement method is available (see section 
III.D.4.a);
    17. New integrated measure of water consumption. DOE invites 
comment on the proposal to establish a new integrated measure of water 
consumption for clothes washers, ``integrated water consumption 
factor'' expressed in gallons per cubic foot. DOE requests comment on 
the validity of including water consumption from all test cycles, 
including self-clean cycles, into the proposed calculation of IWF. DOE 
also requests comment on whether the IWF calculation would result in a 
significant test burden (see section III.D.4.b);
    18. Energy test cycle definition. DOE welcomes comment on the 
proposed definition of the energy test cycle, and on how manufacturers 
currently address wash and rinse temperature selection under the 
current definition. DOE also requests comment on the selection cycles 
to be included in the energy test cycle under section 1.7(B) of the 
test procedure to definitively account for temperature options 
available only outside the normal cycle. (see section III.D.4.c);
    19. Detergent specifications. DOE welcomes comment on the proposed 
updated detergent formulation and associated dosage for test cloth 
preconditioning (see section III.D.4.d);
    20. Clothes washer for preconditioning. DOE requests comment on the 
proposed revisions to the specifications for the clothes washer used in 
test cloth preconditioning, including whether clothes washers currently 
meeting the specifications may be rendered obsolete by potential new 
residential clothes washer energy conservation standards (see section 
III.D.4.e);
    21. Water supply pressure. DOE seeks information about the 
conditions under which clothes washers are currently tested, and 
invites comment on the appropriate specification of the water supply 
pressure (see section III.D.4.f); and
    22. Impact on commercial clothes washers. DOE requests comment on 
how the proposed amendments in new appendix J2 of subpart B to 10 CFR 
part 430 would impact the measured energy and water efficiencies of 
commercial clothes washers. DOE welcomes any relevant data on this 
topic (see section III.E.2).

VI. Approval of the Office of the Secretary

    The Secretary of Energy has approved publication of today's notice 
of proposed rulemaking.

List of Subjects in 10 CFR Part 430

    Administrative practice and procedure, Energy conservation, 
Household appliances.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on August 27, 2010.
Cathy Zoi,
Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

    For the reasons stated in the preamble, DOE proposes amending part 
430 of chapter II of title 10, Code of Federal Regulations, to read as 
set forth below:

PART 430--ENERGY CONSERVATION PROGRAM FOR CONSUMER PRODUCTS

    1. The authority citation for part 430 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6291-6309; 28 U.S.C. 2461 note.

    2. Section 430.3 is amended by:
    a. Redesignating paragraphs (b) through (o) as (c) through (p);
    b. Adding new paragraph (b).
    The additions read as follows:


Sec.  430.3  Materials incorporated by reference.

* * * * *
    (b) AATCC. American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists, 
P.O. Box 1215, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, 919-549-8141, or go to 
http://www.aatcc.org.

[[Page 57584]]

    (1) AATCC Test Method 79-2000, Absorbency of Bleached Textiles, 
(reaffirmed 2000), IBR approved for Appendix J1 to Subpart B.
    (2) AATCC Test Method 118-1997, Oil Repellency: Hydrocarbon 
Resistance Test, reaffirmed (1997), IBR approved for Appendix J1 to 
Subpart B.
    (3) AATCC Test Method 135-2004, Dimensional Changes of Fabrics 
after Home Laundering, reaffirmed (2004), IBR approved for Appendix J1 
to Subpart B.
* * * * *
    3. Section 430.23 is amended by revising paragraph (j) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  430.23  Test procedures for the measurement of energy and water 
consumption.

* * * * *
    (j) Clothes washers. (1) The estimated annual operating cost for 
automatic and semi-automatic clothes washers shall be--
    (i) When electrically heated water is used, the product of the 
following three factors:
    (A) The representative average-use of 392 cycles per year,
    (B) The total per-cycle energy consumption when electrically heated 
water is used, determined according to 4.1.7 of appendix J1 before 
appendix J2 becomes mandatory and 4.1.7 of appendix J2 when appendix J2 
becomes mandatory (see the note at the beginning of appendix J2), and
    (C) The representative average unit cost in dollars per kilowatt-
hour as provided by the Secretary, the resulting product then being 
rounded off to the nearest dollar per year, and
    (ii) When gas-heated or oil-heated water is used, the product of: 
the representative average-use of 392 cycles per year and the sum of 
both:
    (A) The product of the per-cycle machine electrical energy 
consumption in kilowatt-hours per cycle, determined according to 4.1.6 
of appendix J1 before appendix J2 becomes mandatory and 4.1.6 of 
appendix J2 when appendix J2 becomes mandatory, and the representative 
average unit cost in dollars per kilowatt-hours as provided by the 
Secretary, and
    (B) The product of the per-cycle water energy consumption for gas-
heated or oil-heated water in Btu per cycle, determined according to 
4.1.4 of appendix J1 before appendix J2 becomes mandatory and 4.1.4 of 
appendix J2 when appendix J2 becomes mandatory, and the representative 
average unit cost in dollars per Btu for oil or gas, as appropriate, as 
provided by the Secretary, the resulting product then being rounded off 
to the nearest dollar per year.
    (2)(i) The modified energy factor for automatic and semi-automatic 
clothes washers is determined in accordance with 4.4 of appendix J1 
before appendix J2 becomes mandatory and 4.6 of appendix J2 when 
appendix J2 becomes mandatory. The result shall be rounded off to the 
nearest 0.01 cubic foot per kilowatt-hours.
    (ii) The integrated modified energy factor for automatic and semi-
automatic clothes washers is determined in accordance with 4.7 of 
appendix J2 when appendix J2 becomes mandatory. The result shall be 
rounded off to the nearest 0.01 cubic foot per kilowatt-hours.
    (3) Other useful measures of energy consumption for automatic or 
semi-automatic clothes washers shall be those measures of energy 
consumption which the Secretary determines are likely to assist 
consumers in making purchasing decisions and which are derived from the 
application of appendix J1 before the date that appendix J2 becomes 
mandatory or appendix J2 upon the date that appendix J2 becomes 
mandatory. In addition, the annual water consumption of a clothes 
washer can be determined by the product of:
    (A) The representative average-use of 392 cycles per year, and
    (B) The total weighted per-cycle water consumption for cold wash in 
gallons per cycle determined according to 4.2.2 of appendix J1 before 
appendix J2 becomes mandatory and 4.2.12 of appendix J2 when appendix 
J2 becomes mandatory. The water consumption factor can be determined in 
accordance with 4.2.3 of appendix J1 before appendix J2 becomes 
mandatory and 4.2.15 of appendix J2 when appendix J2 becomes mandatory. 
The integrated water consumption factor can be determined in accordance 
with 4.2.16 of appendix J2 when appendix J2 becomes mandatory. The 
remaining moisture content can be determined in accordance with 3.8 of 
appendix J1 before appendix J2 becomes mandatory and 3.8 of appendix J2 
when appendix J2 becomes mandatory.
* * * * *

Appendix J--[Removed]

    4. Appendix J to subpart B of part 430 is removed.

Appendix J1--[Amended]

    5. Appendix J1 to subpart B of part 430 is amended by revising the 
introductory text after the heading; and section 4.1.4. to read 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

    Appendix J1 is effective until the compliance date of any 
amended standards for residential clothes washers. After this date, 
all residential clothes washers shall be tested using the provisions 
of Appendix J2 of this appendix.
* * * * *
    4. Calculation of Derived Results From Test Measurements.
* * * * *
    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, HETG, using gas-heated 
or oil-heated water, expressed in Btu per cycle (or megajoules per 
cycle) and defined as:

HETG = HET x 1/e x 3412 Btu/kWh or 
HETG = HET x 1/e x 3.6 MJ/kWh

Where:

e = Nominal gas or oil water heater efficiency = 0.75.
HET = As defined in 4.1.3.
* * * * *
    6. Add a new Appendix J2 to subpart B of part 430 to read as 
follows:

Appendix J2 to Subpart B of Part 430--Uniform Test Method for Measuring 
the Energy Consumption of Automatic and Semi-Automatic Clothes Washers

    Appendix J1 is effective until the compliance date of any 
amended standards for residential clothes washers. After this date, 
all residential clothes washers shall be tested using the provisions 
of Appendix J2.

1. Definitions and Symbols

    1.1 Active mode means a mode in which the clothes washer is 
connected to a main power source, has been activated, and is 
performing one or more of the main functions of washing, soaking, 
tumbling, agitating, rinsing, and/or removing water from the 
clothing, or is involved in functions necessary for these main 
functions, such as admitting water into the washer or pumping water 
out of the washer. Active mode also includes delay start, cycle 
finished, and self-clean modes.
    1.2 Active washing mode means a mode in which the clothes washer 
is performing any of the operations included in a complete cycle 
intended for washing a clothing load, including the main functions 
of washing, soaking, tumbling, agitating, rinsing, and/or removing 
water from the clothing.
    1.3 Adaptive control system means a clothes washer control 
system, other than an adaptive water fill 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 or actions. The automatic adjustments may, for example, 
include automatic selection, modification, or control of any of the 
following: Wash water temperature, agitation or tumble cycle time,

[[Page 57585]]

number of rinse cycles, and spin speed. The characteristics of the 
clothes load, which could trigger such adjustments, could, for 
example, consist of or be indicated by the presence of either soil, 
soap, suds, or any other additive laundering substitute or 
complementary product.

    Note: Appendix J1 does not provide a means for determining the 
energy consumption of a clothes washer with an adaptive control 
system. Therefore, pursuant to 10 CFR 430.27, a waiver must be 
obtained to establish an acceptable test procedure for each such 
clothes washer.

    1.4 Adaptive water fill control system means 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 or actions.
    1.5 Bone-dry means a condition of 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.
    1.6 Clothes container means the compartment within the clothes 
washer that holds the clothes during the operation of the machine.
    1.7 Cold rinse means the coldest rinse temperature available on 
the machine (and should be the same rinse temperature selection 
tested in 3.7 of this appendix).
    1.8 Compact means a clothes washer which has a clothes container 
capacity of less than 1.6 ft \3\ (45 L).
    1.9 Cycle finished mode means an active mode which provides 
continuous status display following operation in active washing 
mode.
    1.10 Deep rinse cycle means 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.
    1.11 Delay start mode means an active mode in which activation 
of active washing mode is facilitated by a timer.
    1.12 Energy test cycle for a basic model means (A) the cycle 
recommended by the manufacturer for washing cotton or linen clothes, 
and includes all wash/rinse temperature selections and water levels 
offered in that cycle, and (B) if the cycle described in (A) does 
not include all wash/rinse temperature settings available on the 
clothes washer, and required for testing as described in this test 
procedure, the energy test cycle shall also include the portions of 
a cycle setting offering these wash/rinse temperature settings with 
agitation/tumble operation, spin speed(s), wash times, and rinse 
times that are largely comparable to those for the cycle recommended 
by the manufacturer for washing cotton or linen clothes. Any cycle 
under (A) or (B) shall include the default agitation/tumble 
operation, soil level, spin speed(s), wash times, and rinse times 
applicable to that cycle, including water heating time for water 
heating clothes washers.
    1.13 IEC 62301 means the test standard published by the 
International Electrotechnical Commission, entitled ``Household 
electrical appliances--Measurement of standby power,'' Publication 
62301 First Edition 2005-06 (incorporated by reference; see Sec.  
430.3).
    1.14 Inactive mode means a standby mode that facilitates the 
activation of active mode by remote switch (including remote 
control), internal sensor, or timer, or that provides continuous 
status display.
    1.15 Integrated 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, with such 
energy consumption expressed as the sum of:
    (a) The machine electrical energy consumption;
    (b) The hot water energy consumption;
    (c) The energy required for removal of the remaining moisture in 
the wash load;
    (d) The standby mode energy consumption;
    (e) The off mode energy consumption;
    (f) The delay start mode energy consumption;
    (g) The cycle finished mode energy consumption; and
    (h) The self-clean energy consumption, as applicable.
    1.16 Integrated water consumption factor means the quotient of 
the total clothes washer water consumption per cycle in gallons, 
with such water consumption expressed as the sum of the total 
weighted per-cycle water consumption and the per-cycle self-clean 
water consumption, divided by the cubic foot (or liter) capacity of 
the clothes washer.
    1.17 Load use factor means the percentage of the total number of 
wash loads that a user would wash a particular size (weight) load.
    1.18 Manual control system means a clothes washer control system 
which requires that the consumer make the choices that determine 
washer operation or washing conditions, such as, for example, wash/
rinse temperature selections, and wash time before starting the 
cycle.
    1.19 Manual water fill control system means a clothes washer 
water fill control system which requires the consumer to determine 
or select the water fill level.
    1.20 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, with such energy 
consumption expressed as the sum of the machine electrical energy 
consumption, the hot water energy consumption, and the energy 
required for removal of the remaining moisture in the wash load.
    1.21 Non-water-heating clothes washer means a clothes washer 
which does not have an internal water heating device to generate hot 
water.
    1.22 Off mode means a mode in which the clothes washer is 
connected to a mains power source and is not providing any active or 
standby mode function, and where the mode may persist for an 
indefinite time. An indicator that only shows the user that the 
product is in the off position is included within the classification 
of an off mode.
    1.23 Self-clean mode means an active clothes washer operating 
mode that is:
    (a) Dedicated to cleaning, deodorizing, or sanitizing the 
clothes washer by eliminating sources of odor, bacteria, mold, and 
mildew;
    (b) Recommended to be run intermittently by the manufacturer; 
and
    (c) Separate from clothes washing cycles.
    1.24 Spray rinse cycle means 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.
    1.25 Standard means a clothes washer which has a clothes 
container capacity of 1.6 ft\3\ (45 L) or greater.
    1.26 Standby mode means any modes in which the clothes washer is 
connected to a mains power source and offers one or more of the 
following user oriented or protective functions that may persist for 
an indefinite time:
    (a) To facilitate the activation of other modes (including 
activation or deactivation of active mode) by remote switch 
(including remote control), internal sensor, or timer;
    (b) Continuous functions, including information or status 
displays (including clocks) or sensor-based functions. A timer is a 
continuous clock function (which may or may not be associated with a 
display) that provides regular scheduled tasks (e.g., switching) and 
that operates on a continuous basis.
    1.27 Steam cycle means a wash cycle in which steam is injected 
into the clothes container.
    1.28 Symbol usage. The following identity relationships are 
provided to help clarify the symbology used throughout this 
procedure.

E--Electrical Energy Consumption
H--Hot Water Consumption
C--Cold Water Consumption
R--Hot Water Consumed by Warm Rinse
TUF--Temperature Use Factor
HE--Hot Water Energy Consumption
F--Load Usage Factor
Q--Total Water Consumption
ME--Machine Electrical Energy Consumption
RMC--Remaining Moisture Content
WI--Initial Weight of Dry Test Load
WC--Weight of Test Load After Extraction
P--Power
S--Annual Hours
s--Steam Wash
m--Extra Hot Wash (maximum wash temp. > 135 [deg]F (57.2 [deg]C))
h--Hot Wash (maximum wash temp. <=135 [deg]F (57.2 [deg]C))
w--Warm Wash
c--Cold Wash (minimum wash temp.)
r--Warm Rinse (hottest rinse temp.)
sc--Self Clean
x or max--Maximum Test Load
a or avg--Average Test Load
n or min--Minimum Test Load
cf--Cycle Finished Mode
ds--Delay Start Mode
ia--Inactive Mode
o--Off Mode
oi--Combined Off and Inactive Modes
so--Combined Standby and Off Modes

    The following examples are provided to show how the above 
symbols can be used to define variables:


[[Page 57586]]


Emx = ``Electrical Energy Consumption'' for an Extra Hot 
Wash'' and ``Maximum Test Load''
Ra = ``Hot Water Consumed by Warm Rinse'' for the 
``Average Test Load''
TUFm = ``Temperature Use Factor'' for an ``Extra Hot 
Wash''
HEmin = ``Hot Water Energy Consumption'' for the 
``Minimum Test Load''
Qsc = ``Total Water Consumption'' for ``Self Clean''
Pds = ``Power'' in ``Delay Start Mode''
So = ``Annual Hours'' in ``Off Mode''

    1.29 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.
    1.30 Thermostatically controlled water valves means clothes 
washer controls that have the ability to sense and adjust the hot 
and cold supply water.
    1.31 Uniformly distributed warm wash temperature selection(s) 
means (A) multiple 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 has 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 point where that 
temperature is depicted 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 wash'' (maximum wash temperature <= 135 [deg]F 
(57.2 [deg]C)) and ``cold wash'' (minimum wash temperature) water 
temperatures within  3.8 [deg]F ( 2.1 
[deg]C); or (B) on a clothes washer with only one warm wash 
temperature selection, a warm wash temperature selection with a 
water temperature that coincides with the mean of the ``hot wash'' 
(maximum wash temperature <= 135 [deg]F (57.2 [deg]C)) and ``cold 
wash'' (minimum wash temperature) water temperatures within  3.8 [deg]F ( 2.1 [deg]C).
    1.32 Warm rinse means the hottest rinse temperature available on 
the machine.
    1.33 Warm wash means all wash temperature selections that are 
below the maximum wash temperature <= 135 [deg]F (57.2 [deg]C) and 
above the minimum wash temperature.
    1.34 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.
    1.35 Water-heating clothes washer means 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.

2. Testing Conditions

    2.1 Installation. Install the clothes washer in accordance with 
manufacturer's instructions.
    2.2 Electrical energy supply.
    2.2.1 Supply voltage and frequency. 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 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.
    2.2.2 Supply voltage waveform. For the standby, off, delay 
start, and cycle finished mode testing, maintain the electrical 
supply voltage waveform indicated in section 4, paragraph 4.4 of IEC 
62301 (incorporated by reference; see Sec.  430.3).
    2.3 Supply Water.
    2.3.1 Clothes washers in which electrical energy consumption 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 not 
exceed 135 [deg]F (57.2 [deg]C) and the cold water supply at the 
water inlets shall not exceed 60 [deg]F (15.6 [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) when the water is 
flowing. 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) when the water is flowing. 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 no larger than 0.2 oz (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 
measurement. The scale should have a resolution no larger than 0.50 
lbs (0.23 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 Wh (3.6 kJ) and a maximum error no 
greater than 2 percent of the measured value for any demand greater 
than 50 Wh (180.0 kJ).
    2.5.3 Watt meter. The watt meter used to measure standby, off, 
delay start, and cycle finished mode power consumption shall have 
the resolution specified in section 4, paragraph 4.5 of IEC 62301 
(incorporated by reference, see Sec.  430.3). The watt meter shall 
also be able to record a ``true'' average power as specified in 
section 5, paragraph 5.3.2(a) of IEC 62301.
    2.5.4 Temperature measuring device. The device shall have an 
error no greater than  1 [deg]F ( 0.6 
[deg]C) over the range being measured.
    2.5.5 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.
    2.5.6 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. The energy test cloth shall be made 
from energy test cloth material, as specified in 2.6.4, that is 24 
 \1/2\ inches by 36  \1/2\ inches (61.0 
 1.3 cm by 91.4  1.3 cm) and has been hemmed 
to 22  \1/2\ inches by 34  \1/2\ inches 
(55.9  1.3 cm by 86.4  1.3 cm) before 
washing. The energy test cloth shall be clean and shall not be used 
for more than 60 test runs (after preconditioning as specified in 
2.6.3 of this appendix). All energy test cloth must be permanently 
marked identifying the lot number of the material. Mixed lots of 
material shall not be used for testing the clothes washers.
    2.6.2 Energy Stuffer Cloth. The energy stuffer cloth shall be 
made from energy test cloth material, as specified in 2.6.4, and 
shall consist of pieces of material that are 12  \1/4\ 
inches by 12  \1/4\ inches (30.5  0.6 cm by 
30.5  0.6 cm) and have been hemmed to 10  
\1/4\ inches by 10  \1/4\ inches (25.4  0.6 
cm by 25.4  0.6 cm) before washing. The energy stuffer 
cloth shall be clean and shall not be used for more than 60 test 
runs (after preconditioning as specified in 2.6.3 of this appendix). 
All energy stuffer cloth must be permanently marked identifying the 
lot number of the material. Mixed lots of material shall not be used 
for testing the clothes washers.
    2.6.3 Preconditioning of Test Cloths. The new test cloths, 
including energy test cloths and energy stuffer cloths, shall be 
pre-conditioned in a clothes washer in the following manner:
    2.6.3.1 Perform 5 complete normal wash-rinse-spin cycles, the 
first two with current AHAM Standard detergent Formula 3 and the 
last three without detergent. Place the test cloth in a clothes 
washer set at the maximum water level. Wash the load for ten minutes 
in soft water (17 ppm hardness or less) using 27.0 grams + 4.0 grams 
per lb of cloth load of AHAM Standard detergent Formula 3. The wash 
temperature is to be controlled to 135 [deg]F  5 [deg]F 
(57.2 [deg]C  2.8 [deg]C) and the rinse temperature is 
to be controlled to 60 [deg]F  5 [deg]F (15.6 [deg]C 
 2.8 [deg]C). Repeat the cycle with detergent and then 
repeat the cycle three additional times without detergent, bone 
drying the load between cycles (total of five wash and rinse 
cycles).

[[Page 57587]]

    2.6.4 Energy test cloth material. The energy test cloths and 
energy stuffer cloths shall be made from fabric meeting the 
following specifications. The material should come from a roll of 
material with a width of approximately 63 inches and approximately 
500 yards per roll. However, other sizes may be used if they fall 
within the specifications.
    2.6.4.1 Nominal fabric type. Pure finished bleached cloth made 
with a momie or granite weave, which is nominally 50 percent cotton 
and 50 percent polyester.
    2.6.4.2 The fabric weight specification shall be 5.60  0.25 ounces per square yard (190.0  8.4 g/m\2\).
    2.6.4.3 The thread count shall be 65 x 57 per inch (warp x 
fill), 2 percent.
    2.6.4.4 The warp yarn and filling yarn shall each have fiber 
content of 50 percent  4 percent cotton, with the 
balance being polyester, and be open end spun, 15/1  5 
percent cotton count blended yarn.
    2.6.4.5 Water repellent finishes, such as fluoropolymer stain 
resistant finishes shall not be applied to the test cloth. The 
absence of such finishes shall be verified by:
    2.6.4.5.1 American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists 
(AATCC) Test Method 118-1997, Oil Repellency: Hydrocarbon Resistance 
Test (incorporated by reference; see Sec.  430.3), of each new lot 
of test cloth (when purchased from the mill) to confirm the absence 
of ScotchguardTM or other water repellent finish 
(required scores of ``D'' across the board).
    2.6.4.5.2 American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists 
(AATCC) Test Method 79-2000, Absorbency of Bleached Textiles 
(incorporated by reference; see Sec.  430.3), of each new lot of 
test cloth (when purchased from the mill) to confirm the absence of 
ScotchguardTM or other water repellent finish (time to 
absorb one drop should be on the order of 1 second).
    2.6.4.6 The moisture absorption and retention shall be evaluated 
for each new lot of test cloth by the Standard Extractor Remaining 
Moisture Content (RMC) Test specified in 2.6.5 of this appendix.
    2.6.4.6.1 Repeat the Standard Extractor RMC Test in 2.6.5 of 
this appendix three times.
    2.6.4.6.2 An RMC correction curve shall be calculated as 
specified in 2.6.6 of this appendix.
    2.6.4.7 The maximum shrinkage after preconditioning shall not be 
more than 5 percent on the length and width. Measure per AATCC Test 
Method 135-2004, Dimensional Changes of Fabrics after Home 
Laundering (incorporated by reference; see Sec.  430.3).
    2.6.5 Standard Extractor RMC Test Procedure. The following 
procedure is used to evaluate the moisture absorption and retention 
characteristics of a lot of test cloth by measuring the RMC in a 
standard extractor at a specified set of conditions. Table 2.6.5 of 
this appendix is the matrix of test conditions. When this matrix is 
repeated 3 times, a total of 60 extractor RMC test runs are 
required. For the purpose of the extractor RMC test, the test cloths 
may be used for up to 60 test runs (after preconditioning as 
specified in 2.6.3 of this appendix).

                              Table 2.6.5--Matrix of Extractor RMC Test Conditions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Warm soak                       Cold soak
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   15 min. spin     4 min. spin    15 min. spin     4 min. spin
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
100.............................................  ..............  ..............  ..............  ..............
200.............................................  ..............  ..............  ..............  ..............
350.............................................  ..............  ..............  ..............  ..............
500.............................................  ..............  ..............  ..............  ..............
650.............................................  ..............  ..............  ..............  ..............
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    2.6.5.1 The standard extractor RMC tests shall be run in a North 
Star Engineered Products Inc. (formerly Bock) Model 215 extractor 
(having a basket diameter of 19.5 inches, length of 12 inches, and 
volume of 2.1 ft\3\), with a variable speed drive (North Star 
Engineered Products, P.O. Box 5127, Toledo, OH 43611) or an 
equivalent extractor with same basket design (i.e. diameter, length, 
volume, and hole configuration) and variable speed drive.
    2.6.5.2 Test Load. Test cloths shall be preconditioned in 
accordance with 2.6.3 of this appendix. The load size shall be 8.4 
lbs, consistent with 3.8.1 of this appendix.
    2.6.5.3 Procedure.
    2.6.5.3.1 Record the ``bone-dry'' weight of the test load (WI).
    2.6.5.3.2 Prepare the test load for soak by grouping four test 
cloths into loose bundles. Bundles are created by hanging four 
cloths vertically from one corner and loosely wrapping the test 
cloth onto itself to form the bundle. Bundles are then placed into 
the water for soak. Eight to nine bundles will be formed depending 
on the test load. The ninth bundle may not equal four cloths but can 
incorporate energy stuffer cloths to help offset the size 
difference.
    2.6.5.3.3 Soak the test load for 20 minutes in 10 gallons of 
soft (< 17 ppm) water. The entire test load shall be submerged. The 
water temperature shall be 100 [ordm]F  5 [deg]F (38 
[deg]C  3 [deg]C)
    2.6.5.3.4 Remove the test load and allow each of the test cloth 
bundles to drain over the water bath for a maximum of 5 seconds.
    2.6.5.3.5 Manually place the test cloth bundles in the basket of 
the extractor, distributing them evenly by eye. The draining and 
loading process should take less than 1 minute. Spin the load at a 
fixed speed corresponding to the intended centripetal acceleration 
level (measured in units of the acceleration of gravity, g)  1g for the intended time period  5 seconds.
    2.6.5.3.6 Record the weight of the test load immediately after 
the completion of the extractor spin cycle (WC).
    2.6.5.3.7 Calculate the RMC as (WC-WI)/WI.
    2.6.5.3.8 It is not necessary to drain the soak tub if the water 
bath is corrected for water level and temperature before the next 
extraction.
    2.6.5.3.9 It is not necessary to dry the test load in between 
extraction runs. However, the bone dry weight shall be checked after 
every 12 extraction runs to make sure the bone dry weight is within 
tolerance (8.4  0.1 lb).
    2.6.5.3.10 The RMC of the test load shall be measured at five g 
levels: 100 g, 200 g, 350 g, 500 g, and 650 g, using two different 
spin times at each g level: 4 minutes and 15 minutes.
    2.6.5.4 Repeat 2.6.5.3 of this appendix using soft (< 17 ppm) 
water at 60 [deg]F  5 [deg]F.
    2.6.6 Calculation of RMC correction curve.
    2.6.6.1 Average the values of 3 test runs and fill in Table 
2.6.5 of this appendix. Perform a linear least-squares fit to relate 
the standard RMC (RMCstandard) values (shown in Table 
2.6.6.1 of this appendix) to the values measured in 2.6.5 of this 
appendix:

    (RMCcloth): RMCstandard - A x 
RMCcloth + B

Where A and B are coefficients of the linear least-squares fit.

                                Table 2.6.6.1--Standard RMC Values (RMC Standard)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                          RMC percentage
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
                   ``g Force''                               Warm soak                       Cold soak
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   15 min. spin     4 min. spin    15 min. spin     4 min. spin
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
100.............................................            45.9            49.9            49.7            52.8

[[Page 57588]]

 
200.............................................            35.7            40.4            37.9            43.1
350.............................................            29.6            33.1            30.7            35.8
500.............................................            24.2            28.7            25.5            30.0
650.............................................            23.0            26.4            24.1            28.0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    2.6.6.2 Perform an analysis of variance test using two factors, 
spin speed and lot, to check the interaction of speed and lot. Use 
the values from Table 2.6.5 and Table 2.6.6.1 in the calculation. 
The ``P'' value in the variance analysis shall be greater than or 
equal to 0.1. If the ``P'' value is less than 0.1, the test cloth is 
unacceptable. ``P'' is a theoretically based probability of 
interaction based on an analysis of variance.
    2.6.7 Application of the RMC correction curve.
    2.6.7.1 Using the coefficients A and B calculated in 2.6.6.1 of 
this appendix:

RMCcorr = A x RMC + B

    2.6.7.2 Substitute RMCcorr values in calculations in 
3.8 of this appendix.
    2.7 Test Load Sizes. Maximum, minimum, and, when required, 
average test load sizes shall be determined using Table 5.1 of this 
appendix and the clothes container capacity as measured in 3.1.1 
through 3.1.5. 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 cloths 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 consumptions. Adaptive water fill control 
system and manual water fill control system are defined in section 1 
of this appendix:

                           Table 2.8--Test Load Sizes and Water Fill Settings Required
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Manual water fill control system                        Adaptive water fill control system
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Test load size          Water fill setting    Test load size               Water fill setting
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Max............................  Max...............  Max...............  As determined by the Clothes Washer.
Min............................  Min...............  Avg...............  .......................................
                                                     Min...............
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    2.8.1 The test load sizes to be used to measure RMC are 
specified in section 3.8.1.
    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 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 Non-water-heating clothes washer. If the clothes washer 
has not been 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 
not been filled with water in the preceding 96 hours, 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.
    2.11.1 Non-water-heating clothes washer. For standby, off, delay 
start, and cycle finished mode testing, maintain room ambient air 
temperature conditions as specified in section 4, paragraph 4.2 of 
IEC 62301 (incorporated by reference; see Sec.  430.3).
    2.11.2 Water-heating clothes washer. Maintain the test room 
ambient air temperature at 75 [deg]F  5 [deg]F (23.9 
[deg]C  2.8 [deg]C). For standby, off, delay start, and 
cycle finished mode testing, maintain room ambient air temperature 
conditions as specified in section 4, paragraph 4.2 of IEC 62301 
(incorporated by reference; see Sec.  430.3).
    2.12 Bone dryer temperature. The dryer used for bone drying must 
heat the test cloth and energy stuffer cloths above 210 [deg]F (99 
[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 Place the clothes washer in such a position that the 
uppermost edge of the clothes container opening is leveled 
horizontally, so that the container will hold the maximum amount of 
water.
    3.1.2 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.
    3.1.3 Record the total weight of the machine before adding 
water.
    3.1.4 Fill the clothes container manually with either 60 [deg]F 
 5 [deg]F (15.6 [deg]C  2.8 [deg]C) or 100 
[deg]F  10 [deg]F (37.8 [deg]C  5.5 [deg]C) 
water, with the door open. For a top-loading, vertical-axis clothes 
washer, fill the clothes container to the uppermost edge of the 
rotating portion, including any balance ring. For a front-loading, 
horizontal-axis clothes washer, fill the clothes container to the 
uppermost edge that is in contact with the door seal. For all 
clothes washers, any volume which cannot be occupied by the clothing 
load during operation must be excluded from the measurement. Measure 
and record the weight of water, W, in pounds.
    3.1.5 The clothes container capacity is calculated as follows:

C = W/d

Where:

C = Capacity in cubic feet (liters).
W = Mass of water in pounds (kilograms).
d = Density of water (62.0 lbs/ft\3\ 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(s), unless 
otherwise specified. Table 3.2 of this appendix defines the sections 
below which govern tests of

[[Page 57589]]

particular clothes washers, based on the number of wash/rinse 
temperature selections available on the model, and also, in some 
instances, 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.
    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 
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.
    3.2.1.3 Determination of warm wash water temperature(s) to 
decide whether a clothes washer has uniformly distributed warm wash 
temperature selections. The wash water temperature, Tw, of each warm 
water wash selection shall be calculated or measured.
    For non-water heating clothes washers, calculate Tw as follows:

Tw([deg]F) = ((Hw x 135 [deg]F) + (Cw x 60 [deg]F))/(Hw + Cw)

or

Tw([deg]C) = ((Hw x 57.2 [deg]C) + (Cw x 15.6 [deg]C))/(Hw + Cw)

Where:

Hw = Hot water consumption of a warm wash.
Cw = Cold water consumption of a warm wash.

    For water-heating clothes washers, measure and record the 
temperature of each warm wash selection after fill.
    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 water fill/manual water fill 
control systems.
    3.2.3.1 Clothes washers with adaptive water fill control system 
and alternate manual water fill control systems. If a clothes washer 
with an adaptive water fill control system allows consumer selection 
of manual controls as an alternative, then both manual and adaptive 
modes shall be tested and, for each mode, the energy consumption 
(HET, MET, and DE) and water 
consumption (QT), values shall be calculated as set forth 
in section 4. Then the average of the two values (one from each 
mode, adaptive and manual) for each variable shall be used in 
section 4 for the clothes washer.
    3.2.3.2 Clothes washers with adaptive water fill control system.
    3.2.3.2.1 Not user adjustable. 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 of this appendix. The load usage factors which 
shall be used when calculating energy consumption values are defined 
in Table 4.1.3 of this appendix.
    3.2.3.2.2 User adjustable. Four tests shall be conducted on 
clothes washers with user adjustable adaptive water fill controls 
which affect the relative wash water levels. The first test shall be 
conducted with the maximum test load and with the adaptive water 
fill control system set in the setting that will give the most 
energy intensive result. The second test shall be conducted with the 
minimum test load and with the adaptive water fill control system 
set in the setting that will give the least energy intensive result. 
The third test shall be conducted with the average test load and 
with the adaptive water fill control system set in the setting that 
will give the most energy intensive result for the given test load. 
The fourth test shall be conducted with the average test load and 
with the adaptive water fill control system set in the setting that 
will give the least energy intensive result for the given test load. 
The energy and water consumption for the average test load and water 
level shall be the average of the third and fourth tests.
    3.2.3.3 Clothes washers with manual water fill control system. 
In accordance with Table 2.8 of this appendix, 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. The load usage factors 
which shall be used when calculating energy consumption values are 
defined in Table 4.1.3 of this appendix.

                                        Table 3.2--Test Section Reference
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Max. Wash Temp. Available..................................     <= 135 [deg]F (57.2
                                                                      [deg]C)
                                                              \**\>135 [deg]F
                                                               (57.2 [deg]C)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of Wash Temp. Selections............................        1        2      > 2            3           >3
Test Sections Required to be Followed......................  .......  .......  .......          3.3          3.3
                                                             .......      3.4      3.4  ...........          3.4
                                                             .......  .......      3.5          3.5          3.5
                                                                 3.6      3.6      3.6          3.6          3.6
                                                             .......  .......    * 3.7        * 3.7        * 3.7
                                                                 3.8      3.8      3.8          3.8          3.8
                                                             .......  .......  .......  [dagger]3.9  [dagger]3.9
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Only applicable to machines with warm rinse.
** Only applicable to water heating clothes washers on which the maximum wash temperature available exceeds 135
  [deg]F (57.2 [deg]C).
[dagger] Only applicable to machines equipped with a steam cycle.

    3.3 ``Extra Hot Wash'' (Max Wash Temp 135 [deg]F 
(57.2 [deg]C)) for 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 for 
the hottest wash setting available.
    3.3.1 Maximum test load and water fill. Hot water consumption 
(Hmx), cold water consumption (Cmx), and 
electrical energy consumption (Emx) 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 of this appendix.
    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 of this appendix.
    3.3.3 Average test load and water fill. For clothes washers with 
an adaptive water fill control system, 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 of this appendix.
    3.4 ``Hot Wash'' (Max Wash Temp <=135 [deg]F (57.2 [deg]C)). 
Water and electrical energy consumption shall be measured for each 
water fill level or test load size as specified in 3.4.1 through 
3.4.3 for a 135 [deg]F (57.2 [deg]C) wash, if available, or for 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 of this appendix.
    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

[[Page 57590]]

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 of this appendix.
    3.4.3 Average test load and water fill. For clothes washers with 
an adaptive water fill control system, 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 of this appendix.
    3.5 ``Warm Wash.'' Water and electrical energy consumption shall 
be determined for each water fill level and/or test load size as 
specified in 3.5.1 through 3.5.2.3 for the applicable warm water 
wash temperature(s) with a cold rinse.
    3.5.1 Clothes washers with uniformly distributed warm wash 
temperature selection(s). The reportable values to be used for the 
warm water wash setting shall be the arithmetic average of the 
measurements for the hot and cold wash selections. This is a 
calculation only, no testing is required.
    3.5.2 Clothes washers that lack uniformly distributed warm wash 
temperature selections. For a clothes washer with fewer than four 
discrete warm wash selections, test all warm wash temperature 
selections. For a clothes washer that offers four or more warm wash 
selections, test at all discrete selections, or test at 25 percent, 
50 percent, and 75 percent positions of the temperature selection 
device between the hottest hot (<=135 [deg]F (57.2 [deg]C)) wash and 
the coldest cold wash. If a selection is not available at the 25, 50 
or 75 percent position, in place of each such unavailable selection 
use the next warmer setting. Each reportable value to be used for 
the warm water wash setting shall be the arithmetic average of all 
tests conducted pursuant to this section.
    3.5.2.1 Maximum test load and water fill. Hot water consumption 
(Hwx), cold water consumption (Cwx), and 
electrical energy consumption (Ewx) shall be measured 
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 
of this appendix.
    3.5.2.2 Minimum test load and water fill. Hot water consumption 
(Hwn), cold water consumption (Cwn), and 
electrical energy consumption (Ewn) shall be measured 
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 
of this appendix.
    3.5.2.3 Average test load and water fill. For clothes washers 
with an adaptive water fill control system, measure the values for 
hot water consumption (Hwa), cold water consumption 
(Cwa), and electrical energy consumption (Ewa) 
with an average test load size as determined per Table 5.1 of this 
appendix.
    3.6 ``Cold Wash'' (Minimum Wash Temperature Selection). Water 
and electrical energy consumption shall be measured for each water 
fill level or test load size as specified in 3.6.1 through 3.6.3 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 of this appendix.
    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 of this appendix.
    3.6.3 Average test load and water fill. For clothes washers with 
an adaptive water fill control system, 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 of this appendix.
    3.7 ``Warm Wash/Warm Rinse.'' Water and electrical energy 
consumption shall be determined for each water fill level and/or 
test load size as specified in 3.7.2.1 through 3.7.2.3 for the 
applicable warm wash temperature selection as described in 3.7.1 or 
3.7.2 and the hottest available rinse temperature selection.
    3.7.1 Clothes washers with uniformly distributed warm wash 
temperature selection(s). Test the warm wash warm rinse cycle at the 
wash temperature selection with the temperature selection device at 
the 50 percent position between the hottest hot (<=135 [deg]F (57.2 
[deg]C)) wash and the coldest cold wash.
    3.7.2 Clothes washers that lack uniformly distributed warm wash 
temperature selections. For a clothes washer with fewer than four 
discrete warm wash selections, test all warm wash temperature 
selections. For a clothes washer that offers four or more warm wash 
selections, test at all discrete selections, or test at 25 percent, 
50 percent, and 75 percent positions of the temperature selection 
device between the hottest hot (<=135 [deg]F (57.2 [deg]C)) wash and 
the coldest cold wash. If a selection is not available at the 25, 
50, or 75 percent position, in place of each such unavailable 
selection use the next warmer setting. Each reportable value to be 
used for the warm water wash setting shall be the arithmetic average 
of all tests conducted pursuant to this section.
    3.7.2.1 Maximum test load and water fill. Hot water consumption 
(Hwwx), cold water consumption (Cwwx), and 
electrical energy consumption (Ewwx) shall be measured 
with the controls set for the maximum water fill level. The maximum 
test load size is to be used and shall be determine per Table 5.1 of 
this appendix.
    3.7.2.2 Minimum test load and water fill. Hot water consumption 
(Hwwn), cold water consumption (Cwwn), and 
electrical energy consumption (Ewwn) shall be measured 
with the controls set for the minimum water fill level. The minimum 
test load size is to be used and shall be determine per Table 5.1 of 
this appendix.
    3.7.2.3 Average test load and water fill. For clothes washers 
with an adaptive water fill control system, measure the values for 
hot water consumption (Hwwa), cold water consumption 
(Cwwa), and electrical energy consumption 
(Ewwa) with an average test load size as determined per 
Table 5.1 of this appendix.
    3.8 Remaining Moisture Content:
    3.8.1 The wash temperature will be the same as the rinse 
temperature for all testing. Use the maximum test load as defined in 
Table 5.1 of this appendix and section 3.1 for testing.
    3.8.2 For clothes washers with cold rinse only:
    3.8.2.1 Record the actual ``bone dry'' weight of the test load 
(WImax), then place the test load in the clothes washer.
    3.8.2.2 Set water level selector to maximum fill.
    3.8.2.3 Run the energy test cycle.
    3.8.2.4 Record the weight of the test load immediately after 
completion of the energy test cycle (WCmax).
    3.8.2.5 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 3.8.2.4 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 3.8.2.4 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 = RMC COLD x (1-TUFr) + 
RMCWARM x (TUFr)

Where:

TUFr is the temperature use factor for warm rinse as 
defined in Table 4.1.1 of this appendix.

    3.8.4 Clothes washers that have options such as multiple 
selections of spin speeds or spin times that result in different RMC 
values and that are available in the energy test cycle, shall be 
tested at the maximum and minimum extremes of the available options, 
excluding any ``no spin'' (zero spin speed) settings, in accordance 
with requirements in 3.8.2 or 3.8.3. The calculated 
RMCmax,max extraction and 
RMCmax,min extraction at the maximum and minimum 
settings, respectively, shall be combined as follows and the final 
RMC to be used in section 4.3 shall be:

RMC = 0.75 x RMCmax,max extraction + 0.25 x 
RMCmax,min extraction

    3.9 ``Steam Wash'' for clothes washers equipped with a steam 
cycle. Water and electrical energy consumption shall be measured for 
each water fill level and/or test load size as specified in 3.9.1 
through 3.9.3 for the hottest wash setting available with steam.

[[Page 57591]]

    3.9.1 Maximum test load and water fill. Hot water consumption 
(Hsx), cold water consumption (Csx), and 
electrical energy consumption (Esx) shall be measured for 
a steam 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 of this appendix.
    3.9.2 Minimum test load and water fill. Hot water consumption 
(Hsn), cold water consumption (Csn), and 
electrical energy consumption (Esn) shall be measured for 
a steam 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 of this appendix.
    3.9.3 Average test load and water fill. For clothes washers with 
an adaptive water fill control system, measure the values for hot 
water consumption (Hsa), cold water consumption 
(Csa), and electrical energy consumption (Esa) 
for a steam energy test cycle using an average test load size as 
determined per Table 5.1 of this appendix.
    3.10 Self-clean. Set the controls to obtain the self-clean 
cycle. Hot water consumption (Hsc), cold water 
consumption (Csc), and electric energy consumption 
(Esc) shall be measured for the self-clean cycle. Do not 
use a test load.
    3.11 Standby mode, off mode, delay start mode, and cycle 
finished mode power. Establish the testing conditions set forth in 
sections 2.2 and 2.11. For clothes washers that drop from a higher 
power state to a lower power state as discussed in section 5, 
paragraph 5.1, note 1 of IEC 62301, (incorporated by reference; see 
Sec.  430.3), allow sufficient time for the clothes washer to reach 
the lower power state before proceeding with the test measurement. 
Follow the test procedure specified in section 5, paragraph 5.3 of 
IEC 62301 for testing in each possible mode as described in 3.11.1 
through 3.11.4. For units in which power varies over a cycle, as 
described in section 5, paragraph 5.3.2 of IEC 62301, use the 
average power approach described in Paragraph 5.3.2(a) of IEC 62301.
    3.11.1 If a clothes washer has a cycle finished mode as defined 
in section 1.9, measure and record its average cycle finished mode 
power, Pcf, in watts, allowing the product to stabilize 
for at least 30 minutes and using a measurement period in which the 
energy use is not less than 10 minutes.
    3.11.2 If a clothes washer has a delay start mode as defined in 
section 1.11, measure and record its average delay start mode power, 
Pds, in watts by setting it to a delay start time of 5 
hours, allowing at least 5 minutes for the power input to stabilize. 
Then measure and record the average delay start mode power of the 
clothes washer, Pds, in watts, for the following 60 
minutes.
    3.11.3 If a clothes washer has an inactive mode as defined in 
section 1.14, measure and record the average inactive mode power of 
the clothes washer, Pia, in watts, allowing the product 
to stabilize for at least 30 minutes and using a measurement period 
of not less than 10 minutes.
    3.11.4 If a clothes washer has an off mode as defined in section 
1.22, measure and record its average off mode power, Po, 
in watts, allowing the product to stabilize for at least 30 minutes 
and using a measurement period of not less than 10 minutes.

4. Calculation of Derived Results From Test Measurements

    4.1 Hot water and machine electrical energy consumption of 
clothes washers.
    4.1.1 Per-cycle temperature-weighted hot water consumption for 
maximum, average, and minimum water fill levels using each 
appropriate load size as defined in section 2.8 and Table 5.1 of 
this appendix. Calculate for the cycle under test the per-cycle 
temperature weighted hot water consumption for the maximum water 
fill level, Vhx, the 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 = [Hsx x TUFs] + 
[Hmx x TUFm] + [Hhx x 
TUFh] + [Hwx x TUFw] + 
[Hwwx x TUFww] + [Hcx x 
TUFc]
(b) Vha = [Hsa x TUFs] + 
[Hma x TUFm] + [Hha x 
TUFh] + [Hwa x TUFw] + 
[Hwwa x TUFww] + [Hca x 
TUFc]
(c) Vhn = [Hsn x TUFs] + 
[Hmn x TUFm] + [Hhn x 
TUFh] + [Hwn x TUFw] + 
[Hwwn x TUFww] + [Hcn x 
TUFc]
Where:

Hsx, Hsa, and Hsn, are reported hot 
water consumption values, in gallons per cycle (or liters per 
cycle), at maximum, average, and minimum water fill, respectively, 
for the steam cycle with the appropriate test loads as defined in 
section 2.8.
Hmx, Hma, and Hmn, are reported hot 
water consumption values, in gallons per-cycle (or liters per 
cycle), at maximum, average, and minimum water fill, respectively, 
for the extra hot wash cycle with the appropriate test loads as 
defined in section 2.8.
Hhx, Hha, and Hhn, are reported hot 
water consumption values, in gallons per-cycle (or liters per 
cycle), at maximum, average, and minimum water fill, respectively, 
for the hot wash cycle with the appropriate test loads as defined in 
section 2.8.
Hwx, Hwa, and Hwn, are reported hot 
water consumption values, in gallons per-cycle (or liters per 
cycle), at maximum, average, and minimum water fill, respectively, 
for the warm wash cycle with the appropriate test loads as defined 
in section 2.8.
Hwwx, Hwwa, and Hwwn, are reported 
hot water consumption values, in gallons per-cycle (or liters per 
cycle), at maximum, average, and minimum water fill, respectively, 
for the warm wash/warm rinse cycle with the appropriate test loads 
as defined in section 2.8.
Hcx, Hca, and Hcn, are reported hot 
water consumption values, in gallons per-cycle (or liters per 
cycle), at maximum, average, and minimum water fill, respectively, 
for the cold wash cycle with the appropriate test loads as defined 
in section 2.8.
TUFs, TUFm, TUFh, TUFw, 
TUFww, and TUFc are temperature use factors 
for steam wash, extra hot wash, hot wash, warm wash, warm wash/warm 
rinse, and cold wash temperature selections, respectively, and are 
as defined in Table 4.1.1 of this appendix.

                                                          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      Steam            Steam
                                 (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           >2 Temps         3 Temps          >3 Temps         3 Temps          >3 Temps
TUFs (steam)...................  NA                NA                NA               NA               NA               0.02             0.02
TUFm (extra hot)...............  NA                NA                NA               0.14             0.05             0.12             0.03
TUFh (hot).....................  NA                0.63              0.14             NA               0.09             NA               0.09
TUFww (warm/warm)..............  NA                NA                0.27\*\          0.27\*\          0.27\*\          0.27\*\          0.27\*\
TUFw (warm)....................  NA                NA                0.22             0.22             0.22             0.22             0.22
TUFc (cold)....................  1.00              0.37              0.37             0.37             0.37             0.37             0.37
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\*\ Only applicable to machines offering a warm/warm cycle. For machines with no warm/warm cycle, this value should be zero and TUFw (warm) should be
  0.49.

    4.1.2 Total per-cycle hot water energy consumption for all 
maximum, average, and minimum water fill levels tested. Calculate 
the total per-cycle hot water energy consumption for the maximum 
water fill level, HEmax, the minimum water fill level, 
HEmin, and the average water fill level, 
HEavg, expressed in kilowatt-hours per cycle and defined 
as:

(a) HEmax = [Vhx x T x K] = Total energy when 
a maximum load is tested.
(b) HEavg = [Vha x T x K] = Total energy when 
an average load is tested.
(c) HEmin = [Vhn x T x K] = Total energy when 
a minimum load is tested.

Where:

T = Temperature rise = 75 [deg]F (41.7 [deg]C).

[[Page 57592]]

K = Water specific heat in kilowatt-hours per gallon degree F = 
0.00240 (0.00114 kWh/L-[deg]C).
Vhx, 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, 
HET, expressed in kilowatt-hours per cycle and defined 
as:

HET = [HEmax x Fmax] + 
[HEavg x Favg] + [HEmin x 
Fmin]

Where:

HEmax, HEavg, and HEmin 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 the control system on the washer being 
tested. The values are as shown in Table 4.1.3 of this appendix.

                     Table 4.1.3--Load Usage Factors
------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Water fill control  system                Manual    Adaptive
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fmax =............................................    \1\0.72    \2\0.12
Favg =............................................  .........    \2\0.74
Fmin =............................................    \1\0.28    \2\0.14
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Reference 3.2.3.3.
\2\ 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, HETG, using gas-heated 
or oil-heated water, expressed in Btu per cycle (or megajoules per 
cycle) and defined as:

HETG = HET x 1/e x 3412 Btu/kWh or 
HETG = HET x 1/e x 3.6 MJ/kWh

Where:

e = Nominal gas or oil water heater efficiency = 0.75.
HET = 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 average water fill level, 
MEavg, and the minimum water fill level, 
MEmin, expressed in kilowatt-hours per cycle and defined 
as:
    (a)

MEmax = [Esx x TUFs] + 
[Emx x TUFm] + [Ehx x 
TUFh] + [Ewx x TUFw] + 
[Ewwx x TUFww] + [Ecx x 
TUFc]
    (b)

MEavg = [Esa x TUFs] + 
[Ema x TUFm] + [Eha x 
TUFh] + [Ewa x TUFw] + 
[Ewwa x TUFww] + [Eca x 
TUFc]
    (c)

MEmin = [Esn x TUFs] + 
[Emn x TUFm] + [Ehn x 
TUFh] + [Ewn x TUFw] + 
[Ewwn x TUFww] + [Ecn x 
TUFc]
Where:

Esx, Esa, and Esn, are reported 
electrical energy consumption values, in kilowatt-hours per cycle, 
at maximum, average, and minimum test loads, respectively, for the 
steam cycle.
Emx, Ema, and Emn, are reported 
electrical energy consumption values, in kilowatt-hours per cycle, 
at maximum, average, and minimum test loads, respectively, for the 
extra hot wash cycle.
Ehx, Eha, and Ehn, are reported 
electrical energy consumption values, in kilowatt-hours per cycle, 
at maximum, average, and minimum test loads, respectively, for the 
hot wash cycle.
Ewx, Ewa, and Ewn, are reported 
electrical energy consumption values, in kilowatt-hours per cycle, 
at maximum, average, and minimum test loads, respectively, for the 
warm wash cycle.
Ewwx, Ewwa, and Ewwn, are reported 
electrical energy consumption values, in kilowatt-hours per cycle, 
at maximum, average, and minimum test loads, respectively, for the 
warm wash/warm rinse cycle.
Ecx, Eca, and Ecn, are reported 
electrical energy consumption values, in kilowatt-hours per cycle, 
at maximum, average, and minimum test loads, respectively, for the 
cold wash cycle.
TUFs, TUFm, TUFh, TUFw, 
TUFww, and TUFc are as defined in Table 4.1.1 
of this appendix.

    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 Table 4.1.3 of this appendix.

    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 electrically 
heated water, expressed in kilowatt-hours per cycle and defined as:

ETE = HET + MET

Where:

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

    4.1.8 Per-cycle self-clean hot water energy consumption. 
Calculate the per-cycle self-clean hot water energy consumption, 
HEsc, expressed in kilowatt-hours per cycle, and defined 
as:

HEsc = [Hsc x T x K]

Where:

Hsc = reported hot water consumption value, in gallons 
per-cycle, for the self-clean cycle as defined in section 3.10.
T = Temperature rise = 75 [deg]F (41.7 [deg]C).
K = Water specific heat in kilowatt-hours per gallon degree F = 
0.00240 (0.00114 kWh/L-[deg]C).
    4.2 Water consumption of clothes washers. (The calculations in 
this Section need not be performed to determine compliance with the 
energy conservation standards for clothes washers manufactured 
before January 1, 2011.)
    4.2.1 Per-cycle water consumption for steam wash. Calculate the 
maximum, average, and minimum total water consumption, expressed in 
gallons per cycle (or liters per cycle), for the steam cycle and 
defined as:
Qsmax = [Hsx + Csx]
Qsavg = [Hsa + Csa]
Qsmin = [Hsn + Csn]

Where:

Hsx, Csx, Hsa, Csa, 
Hsn, and Csn are defined in 3.9.

    4.2.2 Per-cycle water consumption for extra hot wash. Calculate 
the maximum, average, and minimum total water consumption, expressed 
in gallons per cycle (or liters per cycle), for the extra hot wash 
cycle and defined as:

Qmmax = [Hmx + Cmx]
Qmavg = [Hma + Cma]
Qmmin = [Hmn + Cmn]

Where:

Hmx, Cmx, Hma, Cma, 
Hmn, and Cmn are defined in 3.3.

    4.2.3 Per-cycle water consumption for hot wash. Calculate the 
maximum, average, and minimum total water consumption, expressed in 
gallons per cycle (or liters per cycle), for the hot wash cycle and 
defined as:

Qhmax = [Hhx + Chx]
Qhavg = [Hha + Cha]
Qhmin = [Hhn + Chn]

Where:

Hhx, Chx, Hha, Cha, 
Hhn, and Chn are defined in 3.4.

    4.2.4 Per-cycle water consumption for warm wash with cold rinse. 
Calculate the maximum, average, and minimum total water consumption, 
expressed in gallons per cycle (or liters per cycle), for the warm 
wash cold rinse cycle and defined as:

Qwmax = [Hwx + Cwx]
Qwavg = [Hwa + Cwa]
Qwmin = [Hwn + Cwn]

Where:

Hwx, Cwx, Hwa, Cwa, 
Hwn, and Cwn are defined in 3.5.

    4.2.5 Per-cycle water consumption for warm wash with warm rinse. 
Calculate the maximum, average, and minimum total water consumption, 
expressed in gallons per cycle (or liters per cycle), for the warm 
wash/warm rinse cycle and defined as:

Qwwmax = [Hwwx + Cwwx]
Qwwavg = [Hwwa + Cwwa]
Qwwmin = [Hwwn + Cwwn]

Where:

Hwwx, Cwwx, Hwwa, Cwwa, 
Hwwn, and Cwwn are defined in 3.7.

    4.2.6 Per-cycle water consumption for cold wash. Calculate the 
maximum, average, and minimum total water consumption, expressed in 
gallons per cycle (or liters per cycle), for the cold wash cycle and 
defined as:

Qcmax = [Hcx + Ccx]
Qcavg = [Hca + Cca]
Qcmin = [Hcn + Ccn]

Where:

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

    4.2.7 Total weighted per-cycle water consumption for steam wash. 
Calculate the total weighted per cycle consumption, QsT, 
expressed in gallons per cycle (or liters per cycle) and defined as:


[[Page 57593]]


QsT = [Qsmax x Fmax] + 
[Qsavg x Favg] + [Qsmin x 
Fmin]

Where:

Qsmax, Qsavg, Qsmin are defined in 
4.2.1.
Fmax, Favg, Fmin are defined in 
Table 4.1.3 of this appendix.

    4.2.8 Total weighted per-cycle water consumption for extra hot 
wash. Calculate the total weighted per cycle consumption, 
QmT, expressed in gallons per cycle (or liters per cycle) 
and defined as:

QmT = [Qmmax x Fmax] + 
[Qmavg x Favg] + [Qmmin x 
Fmin]

Where:

Qmmax, Qmavg, Qmmin are defined in 
4.2.2.
Fmax, Favg, Fmin are defined in 
Table 4.1.3 of this appendix.

    4.2.9 Total weighted per-cycle water consumption for hot wash. 
Calculate the total weighted per cycle consumption, QhT, 
expressed in gallons per cycle (or liters per cycle) and defined as:

QhT = [Qhmax x Fmax] + 
[Qhavg x Favg] + [Qhmin x 
Fmin]

Where:

Qhmax, Qhavg, Qhmin are defined in 
4.2.3.
Fmax, Favg, Fmin are defined in 
Table 4.1.3 of this appendix.

4.2.10 Total weighted per-cycle water consumption for warm wash with 
cold rinse. Calculate the total weighted per cycle consumption, 
QwT, expressed in gallons per cycle (or liters per cycle) 
and defined as:

QwT = [Qwmax x Fmax] + 
[Qwavg x Favg] + [Qwmin x 
Fmin]

Where:

Qwmax, Qwavg, Qwmin are defined in 
4.2.4.
Fmax, Favg, Fmin are defined in 
Table 4.1.3 of this appendix.

    4.2.11 Total weighted per-cycle water consumption for warm wash 
with warm rinse. Calculate the total weighted per cycle consumption, 
QwT, expressed in gallons per cycle (or liters per cycle) 
and defined as:

QwwT = [Qwwmax x Fmax] + 
[Qwwavg x Favg] + [Qwwmin x 
Fmin]

Where:

Qwwmax, Qwwavg, Qwwmin are defined 
in 4.2.5.
Fmax, Favg, Fmin are defined in 
Table 4.1.3 of this appendix.

    4.2.12 Total weighted per-cycle water consumption for cold wash. 
Calculate the total weighted per cycle consumption, QcT, 
expressed in gallons per cycle (or liters per cycle) and defined as:

QcT = [Qcmax x Fmax] + 
[Qcavg x Favg] + [Qcmin x 
Fmin]

Where:

Qcmax, Qcavg, Qcmin are defined in 
4.2.6.
Fmax, Favg, Fmin are defined in 
Table 4.1.3 of this appendix.

    4.2.13 Total weighted per-cycle water consumption for all wash 
cycles. Calculate the total weighted per cycle consumption, 
QT, expressed in gallons per cycle (or liters per cycle) 
and defined as:
QT = [QsT x TUFs] + [QmT 
x TUFm] + [QhT x TUFh] + 
[QwT x TUFw] + [QwwT x 
TUFww] + [QcT x TUFc]

Where:

QsT, QmT, QhT, QwT, 
QwwT, and QcT are defined in 4.2.7 through 
4.2.12.
TUFs, TUFm, TUFh, TUFw, 
TUFww, and TUFc are defined in Table 4.1.1 of 
this appendix.

    4.2.14 Per-cycle self-clean water consumption. Calculate the 
total per-cycle self-clean water consumption, Qsc, in 
gallons per cycle (or liters per cycle) and defined as:

Qsc = [Hsc + Csc]

Where:

Hsc = As defined in 3.10.
Csc = As defined in 3.10.

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

WCF = QcT/C

Where:

QcT = As defined in 4.2.12.
C = As defined in 3.1.5.

    4.2.16 Integrated water consumption factor. Calculate the 
integrated water consumption factor, IWF, expressed in gallons per 
cycle per cubic feet (or liter per cycle per liter), as:

IWF = [QT + Qsc]/C

Where:

QT = As defined in 4.2.13.
Qsc = As defined in 4.2.14.
C = As defined in 3.1.5.

    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 (RMC-4%) x 
(DEF) x (DUF)

Where:

LAF = Load adjustment factor = 0.52.
Test load weight=As required in 3.8.1, expressed in lbs/cycle.
RMC = As defined in 3.8.2.5, 3.8.3.3, or 3.8.4.
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 = 0.91.

    4.4 Per-cycle standby mode, off mode, delay start mode, and 
cycle finished mode energy consumption. Calculate the clothes washer 
combined standby mode, off mode, delay start mode, and cycle 
finished energy consumption per cycle, ETSO, expressed in 
kilowatt-hours per cycle and defined as:

ETSO = [(Pcf x Scf) + 
(Pds x Sds) + (Pia x 
Sia) + (Po x So)] x Kp/
295

Where:

Pcf = Washer cycle finished mode power, in watts, as 
defined in 3.11.1 for clothes washers capable of operating in cycle 
finished mode; otherwise, Pcf = 0.
Pds = Washer delay start mode power, in watts, as defined 
in 3.11.2 for clothes washers capable of operating in delay start 
mode; otherwise, Pds = 0.
Pia = Washer inactive mode power, in watts, as defined in 
3.11.3 for clothes washers capable of operating in inactive mode; 
otherwise, Pia = 0.
Po = Washer off mode power, in watts, as defined in 
3.11.4 for clothes washers capable of operating in off mode; 
otherwise, Po = 0.
Scf = 15 annual hours in cycle finished mode for clothes 
washers capable of operating in inactive mode; otherwise, 
Scf = 0.
Sds = 25 annual hours in delay start mode for clothes 
washers capable of operating in inactive mode; otherwise, 
Sds = 0.
Sia = Annual hours in inactive mode as defined as 
Soi if no off mode is possible, [Soi/2] if 
both inactive mode and off mode are possible, and 0 if no inactive 
mode is possible, where Soi is the combined annual hours 
for off and inactive mode as defined in Table 4.4.1 of this 
appendix.
So = Annual hours in off mode as defined as 
Soi if no inactive mode is possible, [Soi/2] 
if both inactive mode and off mode are possible, and 0 if no off 
mode is possible, where Soi is the combined annual hours 
for off and inactive mode as defined in Table 4.4.1 of this 
appendix.
Kp = Conversion factor of watt-hours to kilowatt-hours = 
0.001.
295 = Representative average number of clothes washer cycles in a 
year.

             Table 4.4.1--Annual Off and Inactive Mode Hours
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                No delay
                                          No delay   No cycle   start or
                              All modes    start     finished    cycle
                               possible     mode       mode     finished
                                                                 modes
------------------------------------------------------------------------
No Self-Clean Cycle:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Soi.........................      8,425      8,450      8,440      8,465
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Self-Clean Cycle Possible:
------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 57594]]

 
    Soi.....................      8,409      8,434      8,424      8,449
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    4.5 Per-cycle self-clean energy consumption. Calculate the 
clothes washer self-clean energy per cycle, ETSC, 
expressed in kilowatt-hours per cycle and defined as:

ETSC = [HEsc + Esc] x 12/295

Where:

HEsc = As defined in 4.1.8.
Esc = Reported electrical energy consumption value, in 
kilowatt hours per cycle, for the self-clean cycle as defined in 
3.10.
12 = Representative average number of clothes washer self-clean 
cycles in a year.
295 = Representative average number of clothes washer cycles in a 
year.

    4.6 Modified energy factor. Calculate the modified energy 
factor, MEF, expressed in cubic feet per kilowatt-hour per cycle (or 
liters per kilowatt-hour per cycle) and defined as:

MEF = C/(ETE + DE)

Where:

C = As defined in 3.1.5.
ETE = As defined in 4.1.7.
DE = As defined in 4.3.

    4.7 Integrated modified energy factor. Calculate the integrated 
modified energy factor, IMEF, expressed in cubic feet per kilowatt-
hour per cycle (or liters per kilowatt-hour per cycle) and defined 
as:

IMEF = C/(ETE + DE + ETSO + 
ETSC)

Where:

C = As defined in 3.1.5.
ETE = As defined in 4.1.7.
DE = As defined in 4.3.
ETSO = As defined in 4.4.
ETSC = As defined in 4.5.

5. Test Loads

                                                               TABLE 5.1--Test Load Sizes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Container volume                         Minimum load                          Maximum load                          Average load
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      cu. ft.              liter
---------------------------------------         lb                 kg                 lb                 kg                 lb                 kg
         <                   <
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           0-0.8              0-22.7                   3               1.36               3.00               1.36               3                  1.36
       0.80-0.90           22.7-25.5                   3               1.36               3.50               1.59               3.25               1.47
       0.90-1.00           25.5-28.3                   3               1.36               3.90               1.77               3.45               1.56
       1.00-1.10           28.3-31.1                   3               1.36               4.30               1.95               3.65               1.66
       1.10-1.20           31.1-34.0                   3               1.36               4.70               2.13               3.85               1.75
       1.20-1.30           34.0-36.8                   3               1.36               5.10               2.31               4.05               1.84
       1.30-1.40           36.8-39.6                   3               1.36               5.50               2.49               4.25               1.93
       1.40-1.50           39.6-42.5                   3               1.36               5.90               2.68               4.45               2.02
       1.50-1.60           42.5-45.3                   3               1.36               6.40               2.9                4.7                2.13
       1.60-1.70           45.3-48.1                   3               1.36               6.80               3.08               4.9                2.22
       1.70-1.80           48.1-51.0                   3               1.36               7.20               3.27               5.1                2.31
       1.80-1.90           51.0-53.8                   3               1.36               7.60               3.45               5.3                2.4
       1.90-2.00           53.8-56.6                   3               1.36               8.00               3.63               5.5                2.49
       2.00-2.10           56.6-59.5                   3               1.36               8.40               3.81               5.7                2.59
       2.10-2.20           59.5-62.3                   3               1.36               8.80               3.99               5.9                2.68
       2.20-2.30           62.3-65.1                   3               1.36               9.20               4.17               6.1                2.77
       2.30-2.40           65.1-68.0                   3               1.36               9.60               4.35               6.3                2.86
       2.40-2.50           68.0-70.8                   3               1.36              10.00               4.54               6.5                2.95
       2.50-2.60           70.8-73.6                   3               1.36              10.50               4.76               6.75               3.06
       2.60-2.70           73.6-76.5                   3               1.36              10.90               4.94               6.95               3.15
       2.70-2.80           76.5-79.3                   3               1.36              11.30               5.13               7.15               3.24
       2.80-2.90           79.3-82.1                   3               1.36              11.70               5.31               7.35               3.33
       2.90-3.00           82.1-85.0                   3               1.36              12.10               5.49               7.55               3.42
       3.00-3.10           85.0-87.8                   3               1.36              12.50               5.67               7.75               3.52
       3.10-3.20           87.8-90.6                   3               1.36              12.90               5.85               7.95               3.61
       3.20-3.30           90.6-93.4                   3               1.36              13.30               6.03               8.15               3.7
       3.30-3.40           93.4-96.3                   3               1.36              13.70               6.21               8.35               3.79
       3.40-3.50           96.3-99.1                   3               1.36              14.10               6.4                8.55               3.88
       3.50-3.60          99.1-101.9                   3               1.36              14.60               6.62               8.8                3.99
       3.60-3.70         101.9-104.8                   3               1.36              15.00               6.8                9                  4.08
       3.70-3.80         104.8-107.6                   3               1.36              15.40               6.99               9.2                4.17
       3.80-3.90         107.6-110.4                   3               1.36              15.80               7.16               9.4                4.26
       3.90-4.00         110.4-113.3                   3               1.36              16.20               7.34               9.6                4.35
       4.00-4.10         113.3-116.1                   3               1.36              16.60               7.53               9.8                4.45
       4.10-4.20         116.1-118.9                   3               1.36              17.00               7.72              10.0                4.54
       4.20-4.30         118.9-121.8                   3               1.36              17.40               7.90              10.2                4.63
       4.30-4.40         121.8-124.6                   3               1.36              17.80               8.09              10.4                4.72
       4.40-4.50         124.6-127.4                   3               1.36              18.20               8.27              10.6                4.82
       4.50-4.60         127.4-130.3                   3               1.36              18.70               8.46              10.8                4.91
       4.60-4.70         130.3-133.1                   3               1.36              19.10               8.65              11.0                5.00
       4.70-4.80         133.1-135.9                   3               1.36              19.50               8.83              11.2                5.10
       4.80-4.90         135.9-138.8                   3               1.36              19.90               9.02              11.4                5.19
       4.90-5.00         138.8-141.6                   3               1.36              20.30               9.20              11.6                5.28

[[Page 57595]]

 
       5.00-5.10         141.6-144.4                   3               1.36              20.70               9.39              11.9                5.38
       5.10-5.20         144.4-147.2                   3               1.36              21.10               9.58              12.1                5.47
       5.20-5.30         147.2-150.1                   3               1.36              21.50               9.76              12.3                5.56
       5.30-5.40         150.1-152.9                   3               1.36              21.90               9.95              12.5                5.65
       5.40-5.50         152.9-155.7                   3               1.36              22.30              10.13              12.7                5.75
       5.50-5.60         155.7-158.6                   3               1.36              22.80              10.32              12.9                5.84
       5.60-5.70         158.6-161.4                   3               1.36              23.20              10.51              13.1                5.93
       5.70-5.80         161.4-164.2                   3               1.36              23.60              10.69              13.3                6.03
       5.80-5.90         164.2-167.1                   3               1.36              24.00              10.88              13.5                6.12
       5.90-6.00         167.1-169.9                   3               1.36              24.40              11.06              13.7                6.21
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes: (1) All test load weights are bone dry weights.
(2) Allowable tolerance on the test load weights are 0.10 lbs (0.05 kg).

6. Waivers and Field Testing

    6.1 Waivers and Field Testing for Non-conventional Clothes 
Washers. Manufacturers of nonconventional clothes washers, such as 
clothes washers with adaptive control systems, must submit a 
petition for waiver pursuant to 10 CFR 430.27 to establish an 
acceptable test procedure for that clothes washer. For these and 
other clothes washers that have controls or systems such that the 
DOE test procedures yield results that are so unrepresentative of 
the clothes washer's true energy consumption characteristics as to 
provide materially inaccurate comparative data, field testing may be 
appropriate for establishing an acceptable test procedure. The 
following are guidelines for field testing which may be used by 
manufacturers in support of petitions for waiver. These guidelines 
are not mandatory and the Department may determine that they do not 
apply to a particular model. Depending upon a manufacturer's 
approach for conducting field testing, additional data may be 
required. Manufacturers are encouraged to communicate with the 
Department prior to the commencement of field tests which may be 
used to support a petition for waiver. Section 6.3 provides an 
example of field testing for a clothes washer with an adaptive water 
fill control system. Other features, such as the use of various spin 
speed selections, could be the subject of field tests.
    6.2 Nonconventional Wash System Energy Consumption Test. The 
field test may 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 should include a minimum of 50 energy test 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 should be tested simultaneously in 
comparable settings to minimize seasonal or consumer laundering 
conditions or variations. The clothes washers should be monitored in 
such a way as to accurately record the total energy consumption per 
cycle. At a minimum, the following should be measured and recorded 
throughout the test period for each clothes washer: Hot water usage 
in gallons (or liters), electrical energy usage in kilowatt-hours, 
and the cycles of usage.
    The field test results would 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

    6.3 Adaptive water fill 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 and alternate 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. This section can 
be used to develop field test data in support of a petition for 
waiver when it is believed that the adaptive cycle will be used more 
than 50 percent of the time. The field test sample size should be a 
minimum of 10 test clothes washers. The test clothes washers should 
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 should be a minimum of 50 energy test 
cycles, for each unit. No special instructions as to cycle selection 
or product usage should be given to the field test participants, 
other than inclusion of the product literature pack which would be 
shipped with all units, and instructions regarding filling out data 
collection forms, use of data collection equipment, or basic 
procedural methods. Prior to the test clothes washers being 
installed in the field test locations, baseline data should 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 consumption, water consumption, and remaining 
moisture content values. The following data should be measured and 
recorded for each wash load during the test period: wash cycle 
selected, the mode of the clothes washer (adaptive or manual), 
clothes load dry weight (measured after the clothes washer and 
clothes dryer cycles are completed) in pounds, and type of articles 
in the clothes load (e.g., cottons, linens, permanent press). The 
wash loads used in calculating the in-home percentage split between 
adaptive and manual cycle usage should 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 weighting factors:

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

    Energy consumption (HET, MET, and 
DE) and water consumption (QT), values 
calculated in section 4 for the manual and adaptive modes, should be 
combined using Pa and Pm as the weighting 
factors.

[FR Doc. 2010-22225 Filed 9-20-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P