[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 205 (Monday, October 24, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 65616-65631]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-25813]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 205 / Monday, October 24, 2011 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 65616]]
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
10 CFR Part 430
[Docket No. EERE-2009-BT-TP-0004]
RIN 1904-AB94
Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products: Test
Procedures for Residential Central Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps
AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of
Energy.
ACTION: Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE or the Department) proposed
amendments to the DOE test procedure for residential central air
conditioners and heat pumps in a June 2010 notice of proposed
rulemaking (June 2010 NOPR) and in an April 2011 supplemental notice of
proposed rulemaking (April 2011 SNOPR). The amendments proposed in this
subsequent SNOPR would change the off-mode laboratory test steps and
calculation algorithm to determine off-mode power consumption for
residential central air conditioners and heat pumps. DOE welcomes
written comments from the public on any subject within the scope of
this test procedure rulemaking for addressing the off-mode energy
consumption of residential central air conditioners and heat pumps.
DATES: DOE will accept comments, data, and other information regarding
this supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNOPR) no later than
November 23, 2011. See section 0, ``Public Participation,'' of this
SNOPR for details.
ADDRESSES: Interested parties may submit comments, identified by docket
number EERE-2009-BT-TP-0004 or Regulation Identifier Number (RIN) 1904-
AB94, by 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 the docket
number EERE-2009-BT-TP-0004 and/or RIN 1904-AB94 in the subject line of
the message.
3. Postal Mail: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department of Energy,
Building Technologies Program, Mailstop EE-2J, 1000 Independence
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121. If possible, please submit all
items on a compact disc (CD), in which case it is not necessary to
include printed copies. Otherwise, please submit one signed paper
original.
4. Hand Delivery/Courier: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department of
Energy, Building Technologies Program, 950 L'Enfant Plaza, SW., Suite
600, Washington, DC 20024. Telephone: (202) 586-2945. If possible,
please submit all items on a CD, in which case it is not necessary to
include printed copies. Otherwise, please submit one signed paper
original.
Instructions: No telefacsimilies (faxes) will be accepted. All
submissions must include the docket number or RIN for this rulemaking.
For detailed instructions on submitting comments and additional
information on the rulemaking process, see section 0, ``Public
Participation,'' of this document.
Docket: The docket is available for review at http://www.regulations.gov, including Federal Register notices, framework
documents, public meeting attendee lists and transcripts, comments, and
other supporting documents/materials. All documents in the docket are
listed in the http://www.regulations.gov index. However, not all
documents listed in the index may be publicly available, such as
information that is exempt from public disclosure.
A link to the docket web page can be found at: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/residential/residential_cac_hp.html. This web page will contain a link to the
docket for this notice on the Web site http://www.regulations.gov. The
http://www.regulations.gov Web page will contain simple instructions on
how to access all documents, including public comments, in the docket.
See section 0, ``Public Participation,'' for information on how to
submit comments through regulations.gov.
For further information on how to submit or review public comments
or view hard copies of the docket, contact Ms. Brenda Edwards at (202)
586-2945 or e-mail: [email protected].
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ashley Armstrong, 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) 586-6590. E-mail:
[email protected]. Ms. Jennifer Tiedeman, U.S. Department of
Energy, Office of the General Counsel, GC-71, 1000 Independence Avenue,
SW., Washington, DC 20585. Telephone: (202) 287-6111. E-mail:
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Authority and Background
A. Authority
B. Background
II. Summary of the Proposal
III. Discussion
A. Testing Burden and Complexity
B. Individual Component Testing
C. Length of Shoulder and Heating Seasons
D. Proposed Test Methods and Calculations for Off-Mode Power and
Energy Consumption of Residential Central Air Conditioners and Heat
Pumps
1. Provisions for Large Tonnage Systems
2. Special Requirements for Multi-Compressor Systems
IV. Procedural Issues and Regulatory Review
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
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
Act of 1974
V. Public Participation
A. Submission of Comments
B. Issues on Which DOE Seeks Comment
1. The Proposed Equation for the Calculation of a System's Off-
Mode Rating
[[Page 65617]]
2. An Appropriate Scaling Factor To Account for Larger Units
Requiring a Larger Crankcase Heater Due to Bigger Compressors and
Larger Refrigerant Volume
3. The Proposed Equation To Adjust Crankcase Heater Power Draw
for Systems With Multiple Compressors
4. The Estimate of the Number of Small Entities That May Be
Impacted by the Proposed Test Procedure
5. The Estimate of the Impact of the Proposed Test Procedure
Amendments on Small Entities and Its Conclusion That This Impact Is
Not Significant
VI. Approval of the Office of the Secretary
I. Authority and Background
A. Authority
Title III, Part B of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975
(EPCA or the Act), Public Law 94-163 (42 U.S.C. 6291-6309, as
codified), established the Energy Conservation Program for Consumer
Products Other Than Automobiles, a program covering most major
household appliances, including the single phrase residential central
air conditioners and heat pumps with rated cooling capacities less than
65,000 British thermal units per hour (Btu/h) that are the focus of
this notice.\1\ (42 U.S.C. 6291(1)-(2), (21) and 6292(a)(3))
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\1\ For editorial reasons, upon codification in the U.S. Code,
Part B was re-designated Part A.
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Under EPCA, the program consists of four activities: (1) Testing;
(2) labeling; and (3) Federal energy conservation standards, and also
(4) certification, compliance, and enforcement. The testing
requirements consist of test procedures that manufacturers of covered
products must use as the basis for certifying to DOE that their
products comply with applicable energy conservation standards adopted
pursuant to EPCA and for representing the efficiency of those products.
(42 U.S.C. 6293(c); 42 U.S.C. 6295(s)) Similarly, DOE must use these
test procedures in any enforcement action to determine whether covered
products comply with these energy conservation standards. (42 U.S.C.
6295(s)) Under 42 U.S.C. 6293, EPCA sets forth criteria and procedures
for DOE's adoption and amendment of such test procedures. Specifically,
EPCA provides that an amended test procedure shall produce results
which measure the energy efficiency, energy use or estimated annual
operating cost of a covered product over an average or representative
period of use, 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 the extent to which the proposed test
procedure would change, if at all, the measured efficiency of a system
which was tested 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. (42 U.S.C.
6293(e)(2)) The amendments proposed in today's SNOPR will not alter the
measured efficiency, as represented in the regulating metrics of
seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) and heating seasonal
performance factor (HSPF) of residential central air conditioners and
heat pumps. Thus, today's proposed test procedure changes can be
adopted without amending the existing standards. (42 U.S.C. 6293(e)(2))
On December 19, 2007, the President signed the Energy Independence
and Security Act of 2007 (EISA 2007), Public Law 110-140, which
contains numerous amendments to EPCA. Section 310 of EISA 2007
established that the Department's test procedures for all covered
products must account for standby mode and off-mode energy consumption.
(42 U.S.C. 6295(gg)(2)(A)) Today's SNOPR includes proposals relevant to
these statutory provisions.
DOE's existing test procedures for residential central air
conditioners and heat pumps adopted pursuant to these provisions appear
under Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 430,
subpart B, appendix M (``Uniform Test Method for Measuring the Energy
Consumption of Central Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps''). These
procedures establish the currently permitted means for determining
energy efficiency and annual energy consumption of these products.
B. Background
DOE's initial proposals for estimating off-mode energy consumption
in the test procedure for residential central air conditioners and heat
pumps were shared with the public in a notice of proposed rulemaking
published in the Federal Register on June 2, 2010 (June 2010 NOPR; 75
FR 31224) and at a public meeting at DOE headquarters in Washington, DC
on June 11, 2010. Subsequently, DOE published a supplemental notice of
proposed rulemaking (SNOPR) on April 1, 2011 in response to comments
received on the June 2010 NOPR, and due to the results of additional
laboratory testing conducted by DOE. 76 FR 18105, 18127. DOE received
additional comments in response to the April 2011 SNOPR. In today's
SNOPR, DOE addresses only those comments not previously addressed in
the April 2011 SNOPR that concern off-mode testing of central air
conditioners and heat pumps. DOE will subsequently address the
remainder of the unrelated comments in response to both the June 2010
NOPR and April 2011 SNOPR in the test procedure final rule.
In the June 2010 NOPR, DOE proposed new laboratory tests and
calculation algorithms for determining the off-mode power and off-mode
energy consumption of residential central air conditioners and heat
pumps, which were subsequently modified in the April 2011 SNOPR. 75 FR
31238-39; 76 FR 18107-09. The off-mode rating reflects those extended
times of the year during which a residential central air conditioner or
heat pump sits idle. The energy consumed by these products during these
extended times is not accounted for by the existing seasonal rating
metrics of SEER and HSPF.
One of the extended off-mode intervals was designated the
``shoulder season'' in the June 2010 NOPR. 75 FR 31239. The shoulder
season for central air conditioners is defined as the time between the
cooling and heating seasons when the unit provides no cooling and when
the unit is idle during the entire heating season. The shoulder season
for residential heat pumps is defined as the time between the cooling
and heating seasons when the unit provides neither heating nor cooling.
The off-mode testing and calculations proposed in the June 2010
NOPR would be used to determine the average power consumption of a
residential central air conditioner or heat pump during the shoulder
season (represented by the variable P1) and, for residential central
air conditioners, the unit's average power consumption during the
heating season (represented by the variable P2). 75 FR at 31238-39. The
resulting average power values may then be multiplied by the number of
hours assigned to the shoulder and heating seasons to obtain the
corresponding off-mode energy values. In the June 2010 NOPR, DOE
proposed an approach for assigning the number of hours to the shoulder
and heating seasons, as specified in ASHRAE Standard 137-2009. Id. For
any given location or for each of the six DOE generalized climate
[[Page 65618]]
regions,\2\ the sum of the hours in the cooling, heating, and shoulder
seasons equals 8,760 hours. See Figures 2 and 3 of 10 CFR part 430,
subpart B, appendix M. As proposed in the June 2010 NOPR, annual
operating cost calculations would represent operation of a residential
central air conditioner or heat pump over a complete 8,760-hour year,
not just the cooling season (in the case of a residential central air
conditioner) or just the cooling and heating seasons (in the case of a
heat pump). Id. at 31238-39.
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\2\ Each of the regions, which is labeled with Roman numbers
from I to VI, is representative of a certain climate zone in the
United States and contains the typical season length for the area.
Region IV is considered the average and is used for the calculation
of ratings.
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DOE included off-mode testing and calculations among the issues
revisited in the April 2011 SNOPR as a result of comments received from
interested parties in response to the originally proposed off-mode
tests and calculations, and as a result of information gained from
testing conducted by DOE after the close of the public comment period
for the June 2010 NOPR. 76 FR at 18107-09. Most of the proposed
revisions introduced in the April 2011 SNOPR applied to the laboratory
testing of units with compressor crankcase heaters. Id. Rather than
attempting to formulate a single generic test that would apply to all
units with a crankcase heater, DOE proposed multiple product-specific
tests. The tests were structured to differentiate between residential
central air conditioners and heat pumps, between fixed-output and self-
regulating crankcase heaters, between thermostatically controlled and
continuously on heater designs, and between local and global
thermostatic control options. Id. at 18109.
As explained in the April 2011 SNOPR, ``local'' control refers to
cases in which the heater is regulated based on a measured or inferred
temperature of the compressor sump. Global control refers to cases in
which the heater's operation is regulated based on a measured or
inferred temperature that is not influenced by the crankcase heater.
Id. The most common example of global control is a heater that is
powered or unpowered based on the temperature measured by an outdoor
air thermostat. Id.
Most of the proposed revisions to the off-mode calculations set
forth in the April 2011 SNOPR specified which laboratory test to
conduct based on system characteristics (e.g., presence of crankcase
heater controls). For example, separate off-mode calculations were
provided for fixed-output heaters and self-regulating heaters. Id. at
18117-25. Additionally, calculations were proposed to account for use
of local control, global control or a combination of local and global
control. Id. Other calculation changes were proposed to better balance
test burden and test rigor. Id. at 18107-08. Specifically, a method to
extrapolate test data in lieu of actual testing was proposed for
certain crankcase heater controls which would take the longest to
physically test. Id.
Finally, in light of the need for an overall off-mode rating for
residential central air conditioners, DOE introduced an algorithm for
weighting the shoulder season off-mode rating, P1, with the heating
season off-mode rating, P2. Id. at 18111. When P1 and P2 are weighted
based on the national average values for the lengths of the shoulder
and heating seasons, the overall off-mode rating is specifically
designated by the variable PW,OFF. Id. The amended off-mode energy
conservation standards for central air conditioners are defined in
terms of PW,OFF and are set forth in the recently published direct
final rule (DFR) for amended energy conservation standards for these
products. 76 FR 37408, 37411(June 27, 2011).
Stakeholders raised significant issues and suggested changes to the
test procedure proposals set forth in the April 2011 SNOPR, as further
described below. Based on these comments and additional laboratory
testing conducted by DOE, DOE's position on these topics has evolved.
Today's SNOPR shares DOE's current position on the test procedure for
residential central air conditioners and heat pumps, and provides
interested parties with an additional opportunity to comment on its
proposed methodology.
II. Summary of the Proposal
Today's SNOPR revisits the test methods and calculations for off-
mode power and energy consumption, which were originally proposed in
the June 2010 NOPR and modified in the April 2011 SNOPR. DOE now
proposes to revise the off-mode testing procedures and calculation
algorithms set forth in the April 2011 SNOPR to shorten the duration
and burden of the off-mode testing, while still adequately measuring
the off-mode power consumption of the tested residential central air
conditioner or heat pump. Specifically, DOE proposes that the
applicable test and calculation combination will depend on whether the
tested unit is equipped with a crankcase heater and whether or not the
crankcase heater operation is controlled by the unit during the test.
Furthermore, DOE proposes to alter the calculation for PWOFF that is
used to determine the overall off-mode rating for residential central
air conditioners and heat pumps.
DOE proposes to make the off-mode test procedure additions in
today's SNOPR effective 180 days after publication of the test
procedure final rule in the Federal Register. By doing so, DOE would
not require manufacturers to publish the new rating metrics by this
time, but rather, would require that manufacturers use the amended test
procedure as of this date only if they wish to make representations of
the off-mode energy consumption of their central air conditioners and
heat pumps. In addition, DOE proposes to require that the compliance
date for these test procedure amendments correspond to the January 1,
2015 compliance date for the amended energy conservation standards for
residential central air conditioners and heat pumps. 76 FR 39245.
III. Discussion
This section provides discussion of the revisions and additions to
the test procedure that DOE proposes in this SNOPR, based in part on
comments DOE received in response to the April 2011 SNOPR. Section 0
describes DOE's proposed changes to test methods and calculations for
off-mode power and energy consumption. Additionally, DOE provides the
specific proposed revisions to 10 CFR 430, subpart B, appendix M,
``Uniform Test Method for Measuring the Energy Consumption of Central
Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps'' as part of this SNOPR.
A. Testing Burden and Complexity
The majority of comments received following publication of the
April 2011 SNOPR addressed the revised off-mode testing requirements.
In a joint comment, Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) and
Northwest Power Coordinating Council (NPCC) stated that the lack of
test data precludes an interested party from evaluating whether the
proposed off-mode test method reasonably captures off-mode energy use.
(NEEA and NPCC, No. 26 at pp. 2-3) \3\ In another joint comment, the
Appliance Standards Awareness Project (ASAP), the American Council for
an
[[Page 65619]]
Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), and the Natural Resources Defense
Council (NRDC) encouraged DOE to capture crankcase heater energy
consumption in the test procedure with minimal testing burden while
providing a means to encourage innovative designs that minimize off-
mode energy consumption. (ASAP, ACEEE, and NRDC, No. 27 at pp. 1-2) The
California State Investor Owned Utilities (CAIOUs) supported DOE's
proposal to account for different types of crankcase heaters and
crankcase heater controls. (CAIOUs, No. 23 at p. 1)
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\3\ In the following discussion, comments will be presented
along with a notation in the form ``NEEA and NPCC, No. 26 at pp. 2-
3,'' which identifies a written comment DOE received and included in
the docket of this rulemaking. DOE numbers all comments based on
when the comment was submitted in the rulemaking process. This
particular notation refers to a comment by (1) By NEEA and NPCC, (2)
in document number 26 in this docket, and (3) appearing on pages 2-
3.
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Both the American Heating and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) and
Trane stated that the proposed off-mode test procedure is unnecessarily
complex. (AHRI, No. 24 at p. 1; Trane, No. 21 at p. 1) AHRI further
stated that it does not support DOE's proposed off-mode test procedure
because the procedure is too expensive and will not achieve the desired
result. (AHRI, No. 24 at p. 1) Trane submitted similar comments, noting
that the off-mode proposal will significantly increase testing time,
thus adding to the cumulative regulatory burden. (Trane, No. 21 at p.
1) In exploring an alternative to the off-mode test method proposed in
the April 2011 SNOPR, AHRI questioned whether the same or similar
results could be achieved with minimal testing and/or analysis. (AHRI,
No. 24 at p. 1) AHRI went on to offer specific alternatives and
modifications to DOE's proposed off-mode test method, including
reducing the number of samples tested, using default values to reduce
some of the test burden, and adding an alternative set of more
component-based off-mode tests (see Section 0). (AHRI, No. 28 at pp. 2,
6-7, and 35-38)
DOE agrees with the joint comment from ASAP, ACEEE and NRDC, and
notes that one of the key objectives considered by DOE in amending the
test procedure for residential central air conditioners and heat pumps
is obtaining a reasonable balance between test burden and off-mode
ratings that sufficiently differentiate among products. In response to
the comment by NEEA and NPCC regarding insufficient data, DOE conducted
additional testing for this SNOPR, which is discussed in detail in
section 0, and collected additional data from stakeholders. Based on
consideration of comments by AHRI and Trane, as well as results of
additional laboratory testing, DOE also concurs that the added
complexity and burden resulting from proposed changes in the April 2011
SNOPR would outweigh the benefits of distinguishing among different
types of off-mode systems to more specifically capture a unit's off-
mode power consumption. Consequently, in today's notice, DOE is
proposing additional revisions to the off-mode test procedure to reduce
the burden and complexity of testing, while still achieving the
intended purpose of accurately measuring off-mode power consumption.
The methodology of this revised procedure is discussed in section 0.
B. Individual Component Testing
To reduce the testing burden and complexity, as discussed above,
AHRI recommended a component-based testing approach and questioned the
amount of testing that should be required to determine off-mode ratings
accurately for a product family. (AHRI, No. 28 at pp. 3-50)
Specifically, AHRI recommended adding text to the Code of Federal
Regulations that would allow off-mode ratings to be obtained in one of
two ways: (1) By testing a minimum of two units from each basic model
group of a given product family; or (2) by bench testing a minimum of
10 samples of each component that contributes to off-mode energy use
(e.g., each type of crankcase heater, each type of controller, etc.)
and then using the data obtained to conduct off-mode calculations. With
respect to the first option, AHRI pointed out the need to define
``product family'' and offered the following proposed definition: ``any
set of basic model groups that have the same (or less) power
consumption devices, including but not limited to: control board,
crankcase heater, timer(s), switches, etc.'' (AHRI, No. 28 at p. 4)
According to AHRI's recommendation, two or more samples would be tested
using the full system, off-mode tests specified in the April 2011
SNOPR. DOE believes that the purpose of the AHRI proposal is to
identify a single off-mode rating for all central air conditioners or
heat pumps of the same product family.
The second AHRI recommendation of testing a minimum of 10 samples
of each relevant component would need to be done separately from the
complete system testing conducted for determining the SEER and HSPF of
a particular unit. AHRI notes that this approach reduces the ``overall
testing burden by allowing non-psychometric room testing but yet
increase[s] confidence in values by increasing sample size.'' (AHRI,
No. 28 at p. 4) According to AHRI, its proposed ``short cut,'' or
component-based testing approach, ``may be used for rating products
only after the manufacturer verifies a single sample using the
appropriate section 3.13 procedure [i.e., the off-mode tests specified
in the April 2011 SNOPR] and [that] the P1 and P2 values measured via
section 3.13 and calculated per section 3.14 [i.e., the AHRI component-
based method] are within 10% of each other.'' (AHRI, No. 28 at p. 35)
DOE views this approach as a variation of its alternative rating method
(ARM) or alternative energy determination method (AEDM) \4\ approach
used for rating untested split system combinations for SEER and HSPF.
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\4\ ARMs are computer simulations used to rate residential
central air conditioners or heat pumps in lieu of actual testing to
determine the rating. AEDMs accomplish the same purpose as ARMs, but
are used for products other than residential central air
conditioners and heat pumps and do not require DOE approval prior to
use.
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In response to AHRI's proposals, DOE is not considering changes to
the definition of product family or, by extension, basic model, at this
time. DOE recently clarified its definition of a basic model in its
March 2011 certification, compliance, and enforcement final rule. 76 FR
12422 (March 7, 2011) Nonetheless, DOE agrees with AHRI's contention
that a manufacturer will need a sample of sufficient size, which is not
less than two units, to determine the certified rating for the off-mode
energy consumption of a given product. With respect to AHRI's second
recommendation of using ARMs to calculate off-mode energy consumption,
DOE has an open rulemaking to address many issues associated with
alternate methods of determining the efficiency of central air
conditioners and heat pumps.\5\ DOE plans to address the applicability
of ARMs to the off-mode consumption measurement in that rulemaking.
While DOE agrees that both of AHRI's recommendations provide potential
mechanisms for obtaining off-mode ratings for a manufacturer's complete
product line without requiring excessive testing time and does not seek
to limit the use of ARMs or AEDMs, DOE believes that its own revised
procedure is not unduly burdensome and that there is benefit to
conducting off-mode tests in conjunction with the tests for SEER and
HSPF. Consequently, DOE is proposing an off-mode test procedure, which
is detailed in section 0, and comprises whole system testing, not
testing or simulation of individual components.
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\5\ See Docket Number EERE-2011-BP-TP-00024 at regulations.gov
for more information on the AEDM and ARM rulemaking. A request for
information was published in the Federal Register on April 18, 2011.
76 FR 21673 (April 18, 2011)
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[[Page 65620]]
C. Length of Shoulder and Heating Seasons
DOE received several comments regarding DOE's approach proposed in
the June 2010 NOPR and repeated in the April 2011 SNOPR for assigning
the number of hours to the heating, cooling, and shoulder seasons based
on cooling and heating load hour maps. See Figures 2 and 3 from 10 CFR
part 430, subpart B, appendix M. NRDC asserted that the cooling load
hour distribution is out of date and recommended that new estimates be
determined by simulating a reference home built to the 2009
International Energy Conservation Code (IECC).\6\ (NRDC, No. 22 at p.
2) CAIOUs recommended that DOE update the season hours using Typical
Meteorological Year 3 (TMY3) \7\ data from 1952 to 2005, which more
accurately reflects current climate conditions. (CAIOUs, No. 23 at p.
2)
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\6\ IECC standards are used to support the design and
construction of energy efficient buildings. These standards vary by
assigned climate zone, with the country divided into eight climate
zones and three climate types (dry, marine, moist). A summary of
these standards and map of the climate zones is available at http://reca-codes.org/pages/iecc2009.html.
\7\ TMY3 refers to a data set of hourly values of solar
radiation and meteorological elements for a 1-year period recorded
in 1,029 locations. This data set is compiled by the National
Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and allows for the simulation of
building systems, such as central air conditioners or heat pumps in
various locations. See http://rredc.nrel.gov/solar/old_data/nsrdb/1991-2005/tmy3/ for additional information.
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The commenters did not further elaborate on how DOE would
transition from hourly simulation results to a broader definition of
``seasons;'' did not provide further detail on what specifically would
constitute a reference home; and did not elaborate on how DOE should
most appropriately use the results of these simulations. Stakeholders
also did not provide results from either a previously completed
analysis of a 2009 IECC residential building or a revised set of season
hours based on TMY3 data that DOE could consider within the time frame
of this rulemaking to substantiate stakeholder concerns that the
current load distribution is out of date. Finally, there is no
assurance that if such a simulation were to be conducted by DOE that
the shoulder season hours calculated would meet stakeholder
expectations. While DOE acknowledges that a review of the load hour
maps is perhaps a useful exercise, DOE does not intend to conduct this
analysis during this rulemaking because it believes that its proposed
season lengths which are based on the DOE climate regions are adequate
to determine typical performance of a tested system.
Neither AHRI nor Trane explicitly suggested a method for updating
the lengths of seasons, but both disagreed with DOE's definition of
shoulder season and opined that the number of hours assigned to the
shoulder season was high and needed to be re-evaluated. (AHRI, No. 24
at pp. 1-2; Trane, No. 21 at p. 1) Further, Trane expressed concern
that the off-mode hours reflected in the April 2011 SNOPR would be
over-representative of several southern climates in particular. (Trane,
No. 21 at p. 1) DOE agrees that the shoulder season will vary with
climate, but notes that, under EPCA, DOE is not permitted to develop
regional off-mode standards. (42 U.S.C. 6295(gg)(3)(B)) Consequently,
DOE must develop a ``typical'' profile for allocating the hours in a
year to each of the seasons considered.
However, DOE believes that stakeholder concerns regarding the
relative length of seasons and consequent over-representation for
certain areas have merit. Since EPCA does not allow for regional off-
mode standards, DOE is instead proposing a calculation method that is
independent of the climate region and bin hours and will instead
equally weight the two different power measurements in calculating the
off mode metric. This approach is discussed in further detail below.
D. Proposed Test Methods and Calculations for Off-Mode Power and Energy
Consumption of Residential Central Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps
Interested parties also provided additional comments on specific
elements of the off-mode test method proposed in the April 2011 SNOPR.
Both NRDC and CAIOUs expressed their preference that manufacturers be
required to report both the central air conditioner's shoulder season
off-mode rating, P1, and its heating season off-mode rating, P2, rather
than to report the proposed combined off-mode rating, P
w,off. (NRDC, No. 22 at p. 3; CAIOUs, No. 23 at p. 1) AHRI
proposed adding definitions for T00, the temperature at which the
crankcase heater begins to cycle on, and T100, the temperature at which
the crankcase heater must operate continuously, within the amended
Appendix M. (AHRI, No. 28 at p. 10) Trane stated that definitions for
T00 and T100 should not be expressed in terms of ambient temperature,
but rather, in terms of crankcase temperature for those units that are
thermostatically controlled. (Trane, No. 21 at p. 1) Because of
revisions proposed in today's notice, DOE is no longer planning to use
T00 or T100, and therefore does not intend to add definitions for these
terms in appendix M. With respect to NRDC's and CAIOUs' comments
regarding certification requirements, DOE will consider those issues as
part of the regional standards enforcement rulemaking, through which it
will address all of the reporting requirements for central air
conditioners and heat pumps. Pursuant to EPCA, DOE will begin this
rulemaking within 90 days of issuing a final rule for residential
central air conditioners and heat pumps. (42 U.S.C.
6295(o)(6)(G)(ii)(I))
Further, both Trane and AHRI questioned the need to consider
crankcase heater operation during the shoulder season, which would be
represented by the outdoor temperature bins of 57 [deg]F, 62 [deg]F, 67
[deg]F, and 72 [deg]F, according to DOE's proposal. (Trane, No. 21 at
p. 1; AHRI, No. 24 at p. 2) AHRI commented that off-mode power
consumption at 57 [ordm]F should be the only temperature set-point that
matters. (AHRI, No. 24 at p. 2) Additionally, Trane and AHRI stated
that DOE's proposed requirement for the crankcase heater power
measurement to begin five minutes after the end of the compressor run-
time will not measure crankcase heater power correctly for heaters that
are thermostatically controlled or that use a time delay relay. (Trane,
No. 21 at p. 1; AHRI, No. 24 at p. 2)
In response to comments by stakeholders, DOE conducted additional
testing on 2 central air conditioners and 3 heat pumps, all of which
were one compressor systems. This testing was done to according to the
procedure which is proposed in today's notice and complements the prior
testing which DOE already conducted. DOE also received off-mode data
from AHRI for 80 heat pumps and 44 central air conditioners; 74 of
these 124 systems were two-compressor systems. (AHRI, No. 30 at p.1) A
summary of AHRI's data, which were produced using the procedure in the
April 2011 SNOPR, is contained below in Table 0-1:
Table 0-1--AHRI Off-Mode Data
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average Range
PWOFF (W) (W)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Heat Pumps........................................ 69 32-103
Central Air Conditioners.......................... 122 45-136
Two Compressor Central Air Conditioners and Heat 120.1 103-136
Pumps............................................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 65621]]
While DOE appreciates AHRI's effort, DOE is concerned that it cannot
determine the types of systems which were used to produce these results
and that these results may not be representative of the entire market.
No explanation was provided as to why the central air conditioner off-
mode average is significantly higher than the heat pump off-mode
average. In its submission, AHRI stated that ``systems with
PWOFF greater than 100 are very efficient (18-20 SEER) and
have two compressors.'' This statement indicates that the average
central air conditioner reflected in this data is a high efficiency
system with two compressors; DOE does not believe that such systems
represent the average central air conditioner in the marketplace.
Further, the label on the data submitted by AHRI for the two-compressor
systems indicates that the data are representative of both central air
conditioners and heat pumps. However, the lower bound of the range is
greater than the higher bound of the heat pump range, which suggests
that the data only comprise central air conditioners. DOE acknowledges
AHRI's concerns, but believes that its own data are more representative
of the market and chose to base the analysis on this data.
Additionally, DOE disagrees with Trane and AHRI that crankcase
heater operation may not need to be accounted for during the shoulder
season. While a crankcase heater with controls may not turn on during
the shoulder season, an uncontrolled crankcase heater would run
constantly during the shoulder season. Therefore, DOE believes that it
is important to consider crankcase heater operation during the shoulder
season.
Previously, DOE considered testing at four different temperatures
(57 [deg]F, 62 [deg]F, 67 [deg]F, 72 [deg]F), but believes that testing
at four temperatures is unnecessary and does not provide sufficient
benefit to justify the additional test burden. With four test
temperatures, the intermediate points will be equal to either the
higher test point or the lower test point, depending on when the
crankcase heater turns on (because it is always either on or off).
Based on this conclusion and the results of the additional testing, DOE
agrees with stakeholder observations regarding test temperatures, and
proposes to base the off-mode rating,PW,OFF, for units with
a cooling capacity of 36,000 Btu/h or less, on an average of wattages,
P1 and P2, which are recorded at two different outdoor ambient
temperatures: 82 [deg]F for P1 and 57 [deg]F for P2. For systems with
crankcase heater controls, the higher temperature set point would
measure the off-mode contribution from components other than the
crankcase heater, while DOE believes that the lower test point is
sufficiently low that the crankcase heater would be energized. However,
for systems without a crankcase heater or with an uncontrolled
crankcase heater, there would be no difference between measurements
taken at the two different temperatures. Consequently, DOE proposes to
only test these systems at 82 [deg]F and use this measured value for
both P2 and P1.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP24OC11.059
Where,
P1X = the overall system power draw at 82 [deg]F, W,
PX = the power draw at 82 [deg]F of components not
associated with the residential central air conditioner or heat
pump, W, and
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP24OC11.060
Where,
P2X = the overall system power draw at 57 [deg]F, W.
P1 and P2 are then combined to calculate PW,OFF:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP24OC11.061
To address concerns from AHRI and Trane with respect to time delay
switches and the potential for inaccurate results due to a thermostat
being placed on a warm compressor, DOE proposes to require the
manufacturer to specify the presence of these components in the
installation manuals, so that the off-mode tests for these systems may
be run prior to the tests for SEER and HSPF. Running off-mode tests
first would ensure that the time delay switch has not been activated
and also that the thermostat will not be influenced by any heat from
the compressor because the unit would not have yet been run. For units
without these components and for units with time delay switches and for
which there is no indication of their presence in their installation
manual, the off-mode tests would be done after the steady state `B'
test.\8\ DOE seeks comment on its equation for calculating a system's
off-mode rating. (See Issue 1 in section 0, ``Issues on Which DOE Seeks
Comment'').
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\8\ As specified in Appendix M of Subpart B to Part 430 of Title
10 in the Code of Federal Regulations, the `B' test is a steady
state test conducted at an outdoor ambient dry bulb inlet
temperature of 82 [deg]F and an indoor ambient dry bulb inlet
temperature of 80 [deg]F.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Provisions for Large Tonnage Systems
For its off-mode analysis, DOE analyzed units with a cooling
capacity of three tons (36,000 Btu/h), which is the capacity most
representative of units in the marketplace. However, DOE is concerned
that larger capacity units have characteristics which could make it
more difficult for them to achieve the same standard as those at the
representative three-ton capacity. Specifically, DOE believes that
larger units may require a larger crankcase heater to ensure safe
compressor operation because four- and five-ton units typically have
larger compressors as well as larger refrigerant volumes. These two
characteristics could necessitate a crankcase heater with a higher
power than 40 W crankcase heaters, which DOE observed in units at the
representative capacity. Based on further research into system
specification sheets and teardown data from the standards rulemaking
for these products, DOE believes that larger capacity units require a
larger crankcase heater and is now proposing a scaling factor for units
at capacities greater than the representative capacity of 36,000 Btu/h.
This scaling factor would be directly proportional to the cooling
capacity and determined by the following equation:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP24OC11.062
Where,
Qc(95) = the total cooling capacity at the A or
A2 Test condition. This scaling factor would then be
applied to the two power measurements, P1 and P2, to determine
PW,OFF as follows:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP24OC11.063
However, in its analysis DOE also found that units smaller than the
representative capacity still required the same components and
crankcase heater as units at the representative capacity. DOE does not
want to unduly create a market constraint on the manufacture and
purchase of smaller central air conditioning systems that otherwise
would be right-sized for smaller or more efficient homes by setting an
exceedingly stringent off-mode standard. Consequently, DOE is not
proposing to apply a scaling factor to units which have a cooling
capacity that is less than that of the representative capacity. DOE
seeks comment on both the necessity of a scaling factor for large
tonnage units, and its approach of making this factor directly
proportional to capacity. (See Issue 2 in section 0,
[[Page 65622]]
``Issues on Which DOE Seeks Comment'').
2. Special Requirements for Multi-Compressor Systems
DOE is also aware that certain high efficiency residential central
air conditioners and heat pumps utilize a two compressor design to
provide varying levels of cooling. With different capacity compressors
operating at close to full load, the two-compressor unit is able to
operate more efficiently and achieve a higher efficiency rating than
would be possible with a single compressor. Because there are two
compressors in these units, it is likely that the system would have two
crankcase heaters (one for each compressor), which would result in
higher off-mode power consumption because of the significant effect
that crankcase heaters have on a system's off-mode power consumption.
However, DOE's analysis for the June 2010 NOPR and the April 2011 SNOPR
did not account for this type of unit, and DOE does not want to prevent
these high efficiency products from being developed or being made
available to the consumer. Therefore, in today's notice, DOE is
proposing a method for normalizing the crankcase heater power
consumption on a per compressor basis for multi-compressor systems with
controlled crankcase heaters using the following equation:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP24OC11.064
Where,
P1x = overall system measured power draw at 82 [deg]F, W;
P2x = overall system measured power draw at 57 [deg]F, W.
This equation isolates and averages the power draw associated with the
crankcase heaters because, as mentioned previously, DOE believes that
units with controlled crankcase heaters would have the crankcase heater
off at the P1 temperature of 82 [deg]F and on at the P2 temperature of
57 [deg]F. This belief is based on manufacturer interviews during the
standards rulemaking, as well as on testing done following the April
2011 SNOPR.
For systems with uncontrolled crankcase heaters, DOE recognizes
that there is a need to isolate the crankcase heater power in order to
normalize it on a per compressor basis. Multi-compressor systems with
controls are likely to have crankcase heaters off during the P1 test
and on during the P2 test, which allows for the first term in the
equation above to determine the crankcase heater power. However, in
these cases, the P1 test would yield incorrect results because the
power consumption of the components not associated with the residential
central air conditioner or heat pump would have to be divided by the
number of compressors, while the number of controls does not scale with
the number of compressors. Therefore, DOE proposes to require a
slightly different approach to determine the off mode power consumption
of these systems. In such cases, DOE proposes that, first, the
crankcase heater should be disconnected and then the overall system
power draw with the disconnected crankcase heater should be recorded as
P1D. Next, the average power draw on a per compressor basis
should be calculated by dividing the difference between the overall
system power draws (P1X andP1D). Then this
difference should be combined with the previously recorded
P1D:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP24OC11.065
Where,
P1D = the measured power draw with the crankcase heater
disconnected, W.
DOE seeks comment on the use of this equation to calculate an average
power draw and for determining the off-mode rating for multiple
compressor units. (See Issue 3 in section 0, ``Issues on Which DOE
Seeks Comment.'')
IV. Procedural Issues and Regulatory Review
A. Review Under Executive Order 12866
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has determined that test
procedure rulemakings do not constitute ``significant regulatory
actions'' under section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866, Regulatory
Planning and Review, 58 FR 51735 (Oct. 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 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 (IRFA) for
any rule proposed for public comment, unless the agency certifies that
the 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 (Aug. 16, 2002), DOE published procedures and
policies on February 19, 2003, so that the potential impacts of its
rules on small entities are properly considered during the rulemaking
process. 68 FR 7990. DOE has made its procedures and policies available
on the Office of the General Counsel's Web site: http://www.gc.doe.gov.
DOE reviewed today's proposed rule, which would amend the test
procedure for residential central air conditioners and heat pumps,
under the provisions of the Regulatory Flexibility Act and the
procedures and policies published on February 19, 2003. DOE tentatively
concludes and certifies that the proposed rule, if adopted, would not
result in a significant impact on a substantial number of small
entities. The factual basis for this certification is set forth below.
For the purpose of the regulatory flexibility analysis for this
rule, the DOE adopts the Small Business Administration (SBA) definition
of a small entity within this industry as a manufacturing enterprise
with 750 employees or fewer. DOE used the small business size standards
published on January 31, 1996, as amended, by the SBA to determine
whether any small entities would be required to comply with the rule.
61 FR 3280, 3286, as amended at 67 FR 3041, 3045 (Jan. 23, 2002) and at
69 FR 29192, 29203 (May 21, 2004); see also 65 FR 30836, 30850
[[Page 65623]]
(May 15, 2000), as amended at 65 FR 53533, 53545 (Sept. 5, 2000). The
size standards are codified at 13 CFR part 121. The standards are
listed by North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code
and industry description and are available at http://www.sba.gov/idc/groups/public/documents/sba_homepage/serv_sstd_tablepdf.pdf.
Residential central air conditioner and heat pump equipment
manufacturing is classified under NAICS 333415, ``Air-Conditioning and
Warm Air Heating Equipment and Commercial and Industrial Refrigeration
Equipment Manufacturing.'' 70 FR 12395 (March 11, 2005). DOE reviewed
AHRI's listing of residential central air conditioner and heat pump
product manufacturer members and surveyed the industry to develop a
list of domestic manufacturers. As a result of this review, DOE
identified 22 manufacturers of residential central air conditioners and
heat pumps, of which 15 would be considered small manufacturers with a
total of approximately 3 percent of the market sales. DOE seeks comment
on its estimate of the number of small entities that may be impacted by
the proposed test procedure. (See Issue 4 in section 0, ``Issues on
Which DOE Seeks Comment'').
Potential impacts of the proposed test procedure on all
manufacturers, including small businesses, come from impacts associated
with the cost of proposed additional testing. DOE estimates the
incremental cost of the proposed additional tests described in 10 CFR
part 430, subpart B, appendix M (proposed section 3.13) to be an
increase of $1,000 to $1,500 per unit tested. This estimate is based on
private testing services quoted on behalf of DOE in the last two years
for residential central air conditioners and heat pumps. Typical costs
for running the cooling tests appear to be approximately $5,000. DOE
estimated that the additional activities required by the revised test
procedure would introduce a 20 to 30 percent increase in testing time,
resulting in the additional cost.
Because the incremental cost of running the extra tests is the same
for all manufacturers, DOE believes that all manufacturers would incur
comparable costs for testing of individual basic models as a result of
the proposed test procedure. DOE expects that small manufacturers will
incur less testing expense compared with larger manufacturers as a
result of the proposed testing requirements because they have fewer
basic models and thus require proportionally less testing when compared
with large manufacturers that have many basic models. DOE recognizes,
however, that smaller manufacturers may have less capital available
over which to spread the increased costs of testing.
DOE compared the cost of the testing to the total value added by
the manufacturers to determine whether the impact of the proposed test
procedure amendments is significant. The value added represents the net
economic value that a business creates when it takes manufacturing
inputs (e.g., materials) and turns them into manufacturing outputs
(e.g., manufactured goods). Specifically, as defined by the U.S.
Census, the value added statistic is calculated as the total value of
shipments (products manufactured plus receipts for services rendered)
minus the cost of materials, supplies, containers, fuel, purchased
electricity, and contract work expenses.
DOE analyzed the impact on the smallest manufacturers of
residential central air conditioners and heat pumps because these
manufacturers would likely be the most vulnerable to cost increases.
DOE calculated the additional testing expense as a percentage of the
average value added statistic for the five individual firms in the 25
to 49 employee size category in NAICS 333415 as reported by the U.S.
Census (U.S. Bureau of the Census, American Factfinder, 2002 Economic
Census, Manufacturing, Industry Series, Industry Statistics by
Employment Size, http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/EconSectorServlet?_lang=en&ds_name=EC0200A1&_SectorId=31&_ts=288639767147). The average annual value for manufacturers in this
size range from the census data was $1.26 million in 2001$, per the
2002 Economic Census, or approximately $1.52 million per year in 2009$
after adjusting for inflation using the implicit price deflator for
gross domestic product (U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Economic
Analysis, http://www.bea.gov/national/nipaweb/SelectTable.asp).
DOE also examined the average value added statistic provided by
census for all manufacturers with fewer than 500 employees in this
NAICS classification as the most representative value from the 2002
Economic Census data of the residential central air conditioner
manufacturers with fewer than 750 employees that are considered small
businesses by the SBA (15 manufacturers). The average annual value
added statistic for all small manufacturers with fewer than 500
employees was $7.88 million (2009$).
Given this data, and assuming the high-end estimate of $1,500 for
the additional testing costs, DOE concluded that the additional costs
for testing of a single basic model product under the proposed
requirements would be approximately 0.1 percent of annual value added
for the 5 smallest firms, and approximately 0.02 percent of the average
annual value added for all small residential central air conditioner or
heat pump manufacturers (15 firms). DOE estimates that testing of basic
models may not have to be updated more than once every 5 years, and
therefore the average incremental burden of testing one basic model may
be one fifth of these values when the cost is spread over several
years.
DOE requires that only the highest sales volume split system
combinations be laboratory tested. 10 CFR 430.24(m). The majority of
residential central air conditioners and heat pumps offered by a
manufacturer are typically split systems that are not required to be
laboratory tested but can be certified using an alternative rating
method that does not require DOE testing of these units. DOE reviewed
the available data for five of the smallest manufacturers to estimate
the incremental testing cost burden for those small firms that might
experience the greatest relative burden from the revised test
procedure. These manufacturers had an average of 10 models requiring
testing (AHRI Directory of Certified Product Performance, http://www.ahridirectory.org/ahridirectory/pages/home.aspx), while large
manufacturers will have well over 100 such models. The additional
testing cost for final certification for 10 models was estimated at
$15,000. Meanwhile, these certifications would be expected to last the
product life, estimated to be at least 5 years based on the time frame
established in EPCA for DOE review of residential central air
conditioner efficiency standards. This test burden is therefore
estimated to be approximately 0.2 percent of the estimated 5-year value
added for the smallest five manufacturers. DOE believes that these
costs are not significant given other, much more significant costs that
the small manufacturers of residential central air conditioners and
heat pumps incur in the course of doing business. DOE seeks comment on
its estimate of the impact of the proposed test procedure amendments on
small entities and its conclusion that this impact is not significant.
(See Issue 5 in section 0, ``Issues on Which DOE Seeks Comment'').
Accordingly, as stated above, DOE tentatively concludes and
certifies that
[[Page 65624]]
this proposed rule would not have a significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities. Accordingly, DOE has not prepared
an initial regulatory flexibility analysis (IRFA) for this rulemaking.
DOE will provide its 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
Manufacturers of residential central air conditioners and heat
pumps must certify to DOE that their product complies with any
applicable energy conservation standard. In certifying compliance,
manufacturers must test their product according to the DOE test
procedure for residential central air conditioners and heat pumps,
including any amendments adopted for that test procedure. DOE has
proposed regulations for the certification and recordkeeping
requirements for all covered consumer products and commercial
equipment, including residential central air conditioners and heat
pumps. 75 FR 56796 (Sept. 16, 2010). The collection-of-information
requirement for the certification and recordkeeping is subject to
review and approval by OMB under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
(PRA). This requirement has been submitted to OMB for approval. Public
reporting burden for the certification is estimated to average 20 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.
D. Review Under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
In this proposed rule, DOE proposes amendments to test procedures
that may be used to implement future energy conservation standards for
residential central air conditioners and heat pumps. 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 (NEPA; 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). The rule is covered by Categorical
Exclusion A5, for rulemakings that interpret or amend an existing rule
without changing the environmental effect, as set forth in DOE's NEPA
regulations in appendix A to subpart D, 10 CFR part 1021. This rule
will not affect the quality or distribution of energy usage and,
therefore, will not result in any environmental impacts. Accordingly,
neither an environmental assessment nor an environmental impact
statement is required.
E. Review Under Executive Order 13132
Executive Order 13132, ``Federalism,'' 64 FR 43255 (Aug. 4, 1999),
imposes certain requirements on agencies formulating and implementing
policies or regulations that preempt State law or that have Federalism
implications. 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 it will follow in the development of such
regulations. 65 FR 13735. DOE has examined today's proposed rule and
has determined that it does not preempt State law and does 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 subjects of today's
proposed rule. States can petition DOE for a waiver of such preemption
to the extent, and based on criteria, set forth in EPCA. (42 U.S.C.
6297) No further action is required by Executive Order 13132.
F. Review Under Executive Order 12988
With respect to the review of existing regulations and the
promulgation of new regulations, section 3(a) of Executive Order 12988,
``Civil Justice Reform,'' 61 FR 4729 (Feb. 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 so that the regulation: (1) clearly specifies the preemptive
effect, if any; (2) clearly specifies any effect on existing Federal
law or regulation; (3) provides a clear legal standard for affected
conduct while promoting simplification and burden reduction; (4)
specifies the retroactive effect, if any; (5) adequately defines key
terms; and (6) addresses other important issues affecting clarity and
general draftsmanship under any guidelines issued by the United States
Attorney General (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 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, the 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, codified at 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 proposed regulatory
actions likely to result in a rule that may cause expenditures 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 small governments. On March 18,
1997, DOE published a statement of policy on its process for
intergovernmental consultation under UMRA. 62 FR 12820. (This 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 the 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
[[Page 65625]]
Federal agencies to issue a Family Policymaking Assessment for any
proposed 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 unnecessary
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 15, 1988), that this proposed regulation,
if promulgated as a final rule, 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. The OMB's guidelines were published in 67 FR 8452 (Feb. 22, 2002),
and DOE's guidelines were published at 67 FR 62446 (Oct. 7, 2002). DOE
has reviewed today's proposed rule under the 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, Office of Management and Budget, a Statement of Energy Effects
for any proposed significant energy action. A ``significant energy
action'' is defined as any action by an agency that promulgated 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
should the proposal be implemented, and of reasonable alternatives to
the action and their expected benefits on energy supply, distribution,
and use.
Today's regulatory action would not have a significant adverse
effect on the supply, distribution, or use of energy and, therefore, it
is not a significant energy action. Accordingly, DOE has not prepared a
Statement of Energy Effects.
L. Review Under Section 32 of the Federal Energy Administration Act of
1974
Under section 301 of the Department of Energy Organization Act
(Pub. L. 95-91), DOE must comply with section 32 of the Federal Energy
Administration Act of 1974 (Pub. L. 93-275), as amended by the Federal
Energy Administration Authorization Act of 1977 (15 U.S.C. 788).
Section 32 essentially provides, in relevant part, that where a
proposed rule contains or involves use of commercial standards, the
notice of proposed 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 FTC
concerning the impact of the commercial or industry standards on
competition.
Today's SNOPR does not incorporate testing methods contained in
commercial standards.
V. Public Participation
A. Submission of Comments
DOE will accept comments, data, and other information regarding the
SNOPR no later than the date provided in the DATES section at the
beginning of this notice. Interested parties may submit comments using
any of the methods described in the ADDRESSES section at the beginning
of this rulemaking.
Submitting comments via regulations.gov. The http://www.regulations.gov webpage will require you to provide your name and
contact information. Your contact information will be viewable to DOE
Building Technologies staff only. Your contact information will not be
publicly viewable except for your first and last names, organization
name (if any), and submitter representative name (if any). If your
comment is not processed properly because of technical difficulties,
DOE will use this information to contact you. If DOE cannot read your
comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for
clarification, DOE may not be able to consider your comment.
However, your contact information will be publicly viewable if you
include it in the comment or in any documents attached to your comment.
Any information that you do not want to be publicly viewable should not
be included in your comment, nor in any document attached to your
comment. Persons viewing comments will see only first and last names,
organization names, correspondence containing comments, and any
documents submitted with the comments.
Do not submit to regulations.gov information for which disclosure
is restricted by statute, such as trade secrets and commercial or
financial information (hereinafter referred to as Confidential Business
Information (CBI)). Comments submitted through regulations.gov cannot
be claimed as CBI. Comments received through the Web site will waive
any CBI claims for the information submitted. For information on
submitting CBI, see the Confidential Business Information section.
DOE processes submissions made through regulations.gov before
posting them online. Normally, comments will be posted within a few
days of being submitted. However, if large volumes of comments are
processed simultaneously, your comment may not be viewable for up to
several weeks. Please keep the comment tracking number that
regulations.gov provides after you have successfully uploaded your
comment.
Submitting comments via e-mail, hand delivery, or mail. Comments
and documents submitted via email, hand delivery, or mail also will be
posted to regulations.gov. If you do not want your personal contact
information to be publicly viewable, do not include it in your comment
or any accompanying documents. Instead, provide your contact
information on a cover letter. Include your first and last names, email
address, telephone number, and optional mailing address. The cover
letter will not be publicly viewable as long as it does not include any
comments.
Include contact information each time you submit comments, data,
documents, and other information to DOE. E-mail submissions are
preferred. If you submit via mail or hand delivery, please provide all
items on a CD, if feasible. It is not necessary to submit printed
copies. No telefacsimiles (faxes) will be accepted.
Comments, data, and other information submitted to DOE
electronically should be provided in PDF (preferred), Microsoft Word or
Excel, WordPerfect, or text (ASCII) file format. Provide documents that
are not secured, are written in English, and are free of any defects or
viruses.
[[Page 65626]]
Documents should not contain special characters or any form of
encryption and, if possible, they should carry the electronic signature
of the author.
Campaign form letters. Please submit campaign form letters by the
originating organization in batches of between 50 and 500 form letters
per PDF, or as one form letter with a list of supporters' names
compiled into one or more PDFs. This reduces comment processing and
posting time.
Confidential Business Information. Pursuant 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 via
email, postal mail, or hand delivery two well-marked copies: one copy
of the document marked confidential including all the information
believed to be confidential, and one copy of the document marked non-
confidential with the information believed to be confidential deleted.
Submit these documents via email or on a CD, if feasible. DOE will make
its own determination about the confidential status of the information
and treat it according to its determination.
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 has previously been made available to others without
obligation concerning its confidentiality; (5) an explanation of the
competitive injury to the submitting person which 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.
It is DOE's policy that all comments may be included in the public
docket, without change and as received, including any personal
information provided in the comments (except information deemed to be
exempt from public disclosure).
B. Issues on Which DOE Seeks Comment
Although comments are welcome on all aspects of this rulemaking,
DOE is particularly interested in receiving comments on the following
issues:
1. The proposed equation for the calculation of a system's off-mode
rating;
2. An appropriate scaling factor to account for larger units
requiring a larger crankcase heater due to bigger compressors and
larger refrigerant volume;
3. The proposed equation to adjust crankcase heater power draw for
systems with multiple compressors;
4. The estimate of the number of small entities that may be
impacted by the proposed test procedure;
5. The estimate of the impact of the proposed test procedure
amendments on small entities and its conclusion that this impact is not
significant.
VI. Approval of the Office of the Secretary
The Secretary of Energy has approved publication of this SNOPR.
List of Subjects in 10 CFR Part 430
Administrative practice and procedure, Confidential business
information, Energy conservation test procedures, Household appliances,
Imports, Intergovernmental relations, Small businesses.
Issued in Washington, DC, on September 29, 2011.
Kathleen B. Hogan,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency, Office of Technology
Development, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
For the reasons set forth in the preamble, DOE proposes to amend
part 430 of chapter II, subchapter D, of title 10 of the 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.
Appendix M [Amended]
2. Appendix M to subpart B of part 430 is amended as follows:
a. In section 1, Definitions, by revising sections 1.13 through
1.51:
b. In section 2, Testing Conditions, by adding paragraph d. in
section 2.2.
c. In section 3,Testing Procedures, by:
i. Revising section 3.1;
ii. Adding sections 3.13 through 3.13.4.9.
d. In section 4, Calculations of Seasonal Performance Descriptors,
by:
i. Adding sections 4.2.6 through 4.2.6.2.4;
ii. Revising section 4.3.1.
The additions and revisions read as follows:
Appendix M to Subpart B of Part 430--Uniform Test Method for Measuring
the Energy Consumption of Central Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps
* * * * *
1.13 Blower coil unit means a residential central air
conditioner or heat pump where the indoor-side refrigerant-to-air
heat exchanger coil is packaged in the same cabinet as the indoor
blower. All single-packaged units are blower coil units; split-
system units may be either blower coil units or coil-only units.
1.14 CFR means Code of Federal Regulations.
1.15 Coefficient of Performance (COP) means the ratio of the
average rate of space heating delivered to the average rate of
electrical energy consumed by the heat pump. These rate quantities
must be determined from a single test or, if derived via
interpolation, must be tied to a single set of operating conditions.
COP is a dimensionless quantity. When determined for a ducted unit
tested without an indoor fan installed, COP must include the section
3.7, 3.8, and 3.9.1 default values for the heat output and power
input of a fan motor.
1.16 Coil-only unit means a split-system residential central air
conditioner or split-system heat pump where the indoor section
includes a refrigerant-to-air heat exchanger coil but not a blower
(fan). Coil-only units are designed to be installed and used in
combination with a furnace or a modular blower.
1.17 Constant-air-volume-rate indoor fan means a fan that varies
its operating speed to provide a fixed air-volume-rate from a ducted
system.
1.18 Continuously recorded, when referring to a dry bulb
measurement, means that the specified temperature must be sampled at
regular intervals that are equal to or less than the maximum
intervals specified in section 4.3 part ``a'' of ASHRAE Standard
41.1-86 (RA 01). If such dry bulb temperatures are used only for
test room control, it means that one samples at regular intervals
equal to or less than the maximum intervals specified in section 4.3
part ``b'' of the same ASHRAE Standard. Regarding wet bulb
temperature, dew point temperature, or relative humidity
measurements, continuously recorded means that the measurements must
be made at regular intervals that are equal to or less than 1
minute.
1.19 Cooling load factor (CLF) means the ratio having as its
numerator the total cooling delivered during a cyclic operating
interval consisting of one ON period and one OFF period. The
denominator is the total cooling that would be delivered, given the
same ambient conditions, had the unit operated continuously at its
steady-state space cooling capacity for the same total time (ON +
OFF) interval.
1.20 Crankcase heater includes all devices and mechanisms for
intentionally generating heat within and/or around the compressor
sump volume to minimize the diluting of the compressor's refrigerant
oil by condensed refrigerant.
1.21 Cyclic Test means a test where the unit's compressor is
cycled on and off for
[[Page 65627]]
specific time intervals. A cyclic test provides half the information
needed to calculate a degradation coefficient.
1.22 Damper box means a short section of duct having an air
damper that meets the performance requirements of section 2.5.7.
1.23 Degradation coefficient (CD) means a parameter used in
calculating the part load factor. The degradation coefficient for
cooling is denoted by CDc. The degradation coefficient for heating
is denoted by CDh .
1.24 Demand-defrost control system means a system that defrosts
the heat pump outdoor coil only when measuring a predetermined
degradation of performance. The heat pump's controls monitor one or
more parameters that always vary with the amount of frost
accumulated on the outdoor coil (e.g., coil to air differential
temperature, coil differential air pressure, outdoor fan power or
current, optical sensors, etc.) at least once for every ten minutes
of compressor ON-time when space heating. One acceptable alternative
to the criterion given in the prior sentence is a feedback system
that measures the length of the defrost period and adjusts defrost
frequency accordingly.\9\ In all cases, when the frost parameter(s)
reaches a predetermined value, the system initiates a defrost. In a
demand-defrost control system, defrosts are terminated based on
monitoring a parameter(s) that indicates that frost has been
eliminated from the coil.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\9\ Systems that vary defrost intervals according to outdoor
dry-bulb temperature are not demand defrost systems.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
A demand-defrost control system, which otherwise meets the above
requirements, may allow time-initiated defrosts if, and only if,
such defrosts occur after 6 hours of compressor operating time.
1.25 Design heating requirement (DHR) predicts the space heating
load of a residence when subjected to outdoor design conditions.
Estimates for the minimum and maximum DHR are provided for six
generalized U.S. climatic regions in section 4.2.
1.26 Dry-coil tests are cooling mode tests where the wet-bulb
temperature of the air supplied to the indoor coil is maintained low
enough that no condensate forms on this coil.
1.27 Ducted system means an air conditioner or heat pump that is
designed to be permanently installed equipment and delivers
conditioned air to the indoor space through a duct(s). The air
conditioner or heat pump may be either a split system or a single-
packaged unit.
1.28 Energy efficiency ratio (EER) means the ratio of the
average rate of space cooling delivered to the average rate of
electrical energy consumed by the air conditioner or heat pump.
These rate quantities must be determined from a single test or, if
derived via interpolation, must be tied to a single set of operating
conditions. EER is expressed in units of
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP24OC11.066
When determined for a ducted unit tested without an indoor fan
installed, EER must include the section 3.3 and 3.5.1 default values
for the heat output and power input of a fan motor.
1.29 Heating load factor (HLF) means the ratio having as its
numerator the total heating delivered during a cyclic operating
interval consisting of one ON period and one OFF period. The
denominator is the total heating that would be delivered, given the
same ambient conditions, if the unit operated continuously at its
steady-state space heating capacity for the same total time (ON plus
OFF) interval.
1.30 Heating seasonal performance factor (HSPF) means the total
space heating required during the space heating season, expressed in
Btu's, divided by the total electrical energy consumed by the heat
pump system during the same season, expressed in watt-hours. The
HSPF used to evaluate compliance with the Energy Conservation
Standards (see 10 CFR 430.32(c), subpart C) is based on Region IV,
the minimum standardized design heating requirement, and the
sampling plan stated in 10 CFR 430.24(m), subpart B.
1.31 Heat pump having a heat comfort controller means equipment
that regulates the operation of the electric resistance elements to
assure that the air temperature leaving the indoor section does not
fall below a specified temperature. This specified temperature is
usually field adjustable. Heat pumps that actively regulate the rate
of electric resistance heating when operating below the balance
point (as the result of a second stage call from the thermostat) but
do not operate to maintain a minimum delivery temperature are not
considered as having a heat comfort controller.
1.32 Mini-split air conditioners and heat pumps means systems
that have a single outdoor section and one or more indoor sections.
The indoor sections cycle on and off in unison in response to a
single indoor thermostat.
1.33 Multiple-split air conditioners and heat pumps means
systems that have two or more indoor sections. The indoor sections
operate independently and can be used to condition multiple zones in
response to multiple indoor thermostats.
1.34 Non-ducted system means an air conditioner or heat pump
that is designed to be permanently installed equipment and directly
heats or cools air within the conditioned space using one or more
indoor coils that are mounted on room walls and/or ceilings. The
unit may be of a modular design that allows for combining multiple
outdoor coils and compressors to create one overall system. Non-
ducted systems covered by this test procedure are all split systems.
1.35 Part-load factor (PLF) means the ratio of the cyclic energy
efficiency ratio (coefficient of performance) to the steady-state
energy efficiency ratio (coefficient of performance). Evaluate both
energy efficiency ratios (coefficients of performance) based on
operation at the same ambient conditions.
1.36 Seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) means the total
heat removed from the conditioned space during the annual cooling
season, expressed in Btu's, divided by the total electrical energy
consumed by the air conditioner or heat pump during the same season,
expressed in watt-hours. The SEER calculation in section 4.1 of this
appendix and the sampling plan stated in 10 CFR 429.16, subpart B
are used to evaluate compliance with the Energy Conservation
Standards. (See 10 CFR 430.32(c), subpart C.)
1.37 Single-packaged unit means any central air conditioner or
heat pump that has all major assemblies enclosed in one cabinet.
1.38 Small-duct, high-velocity system means a system that
contains a blower and indoor coil combination that is designed for,
and produces, at least 1.2 inches (of water) of external static
pressure when operated at the full-loadair volume rate of 220-350
cfm per rated ton of cooling. When applied in the field, small-duct
products use high-velocity room outlets (i.e., generally greater
than 1000 fpm) having less than 6.0 square inches of free area.
1.39 Split system means any air conditioner or heat pump that
has one or more of the major assemblies separated from the others.
1.40 Standard Air means dry air having a mass density of 0.075
lb/ft\3\.
1.41 Steady-state test means a test where the test conditions
are regulated to remain as constant as possible while the unit
operates continuously in the same mode.
1.42 Temperature bin means the 5 [deg]F increments that are used
to partition the outdoor dry-bulb temperature ranges of the cooling
(>= 65 [deg]F) and heating (< 65 [deg]F) seasons.
1.43 Test condition tolerance means the maximum permissible
difference between the average value of the measured test parameter
and the specified test condition.
1.44 Test operating tolerance means the maximum permissible
range that a measurement may vary over the specified test interval.
The difference between the maximum and minimum sampled values must
be less than or equal to the specified test operating tolerance.
1.45 Time adaptive defrost control system is a demand-defrost
control system (see definition 1.24) that measures the length of
[[Page 65628]]
the prior defrost period(s) and uses that information to
automatically determine when to initiate the next defrost cycle.
1.46 Time delay switch or relay means, with respect to off-mode
testing, a device that controls the crankcase heater and prevents
the crankcase heater from turning on until the unit has been off for
a specified amount of time.
1.47 Time-temperature defrost control systems initiate or
evaluate initiating a defrost cycle only when a predetermined
cumulative compressor ON-time is obtained. This predetermined ON-
time is generally a fixed value (e.g., 30, 45, 90 minutes) although
it may vary based on the measured outdoor dry-bulb temperature. The
ON-time counter accumulates if controller measurements (e.g.,
outdoor temperature, evaporator temperature) indicate that frost
formation conditions are present, and it is reset/remains at zero at
all other times. In one application of the control scheme, a defrost
is initiated whenever the counter time equals the predetermined ON-
time. The counter is reset when the defrost cycle is completed.
In a second application of the control scheme, one or more
parameters are measured (e.g., air and/or refrigerant temperatures)
at the predetermined, cumulative, compressor ON-time. A defrost is
initiated only if the measured parameter(s) falls within a
predetermined range. The ON-time counter is reset regardless of
whether a defrost is initiated. If systems of this second type use
cumulative ON-time intervals of 10 minutes or less, then the heat
pump may qualify as having a demand defrost control system (see
definition 1.24).
1.48 Triple-split system means an air conditioner or heat pump
that is composed of three separate components: An outdoor fan coil
section, an indoor fan coil section, and an indoor compressor
section.
1.49 Two-capacity (or two-stage) compressor means an air
conditioner or heat pump that has one of the following:
(1) A two-speed compressor,
(2) Two compressors where only one compressor ever operates at a
time,
(3) Two compressors where one compressor (Compressor 1)
operates at low loads and both compressors (Compressors 1
and 2) operate at high loads but Compressor 2
never operates alone, or
(4) A compressor that is capable of cylinder or scroll
unloading.
For such systems, low capacity means:
(1) Operating at low compressor speed,
(2) Operating the lower capacity compressor,
(3) Operating Compressor 1, or
(4) Operating with the compressor unloaded (e.g., operating one
piston of a two piston reciprocating compressor, using a fixed
fractional volume of the full scroll, etc.).
For such systems, high capacity means:
(1) Operating at high compressor speed,
(2) Operating the higher capacity compressor,
(3) Operating Compressors 1 and 2, or
(4) Operating with the compressor loaded (e.g., operating both
pistons of a two-piston reciprocating compressor, using the full
volume of the scroll).
1.50 Two-capacity, northern heat pump means a heat pump that has
a factory or field-selectable lock-out feature to prevent space
cooling at high-capacity. Two-capacity heat pumps having this
feature will typically have two sets of ratings, one with the
feature disabled and one with the feature enabled. The indoor coil
model number should reflect whether the ratings pertain to the
lockout enabled option via the inclusion of an extra identifier,
such as ``+LO.'' When testing as a two-capacity, northern heat pump,
the lockout feature must remain enabled for all tests.
1.51 Wet-coil test means a test conducted at test conditions
that typically cause water vapor to condense on the test unit
evaporator coil.
2.2. * * *
* * * * *
d. When testing coil-only residential central air conditioners
and heat pumps, install a toroidal type transformer to power the
low-voltage components of the coil-only system. The manufacturer
shall designate any additional specification for this transformer.
If the manufacturer does not so designate, use a transformer having
the following features: a nominal V-amp rating that results in the
transformer being loaded from 25 and 90 percent based on the highest
power value expected and then confirmed during the off-mode test;
designed to operate with a primary input of 230 V, single phase, 60
Hz; and that provides an output voltage that is within the allowed
range for each low-voltage component. The power consumption of the
lab-added low-voltage transformer, and the components connected to
it, must be measured as part of the total system power consumption
during the off-mode tests. This total system power for the coil-only
unit, however, must then be reduced by the power consumed by the
lab-added transformer when no load is connected to it.
* * * * *
3.1 General Requirements. a. If, during the testing process, an
equipment set-up adjustment is made that would alter the performance
of the unit when conducting an already completed test, then repeat
all tests affected by the adjustment. For cyclic tests, instead of
maintaining an air volume rate for each airflow nozzle, maintain the
static pressure difference or velocity pressure during an ON period
at the same pressure difference or velocity pressure as measured
during the steady-state test conducted at the same test conditions.
b. Use the testing procedures in this section to collect the
data used for calculating:
1. Performance metrics for residential central air conditioners
and heat pumps during the cooling season;
2. Performance metrics for heat pumps during the heating season;
and
3. Power consumption metric(s) for residential central air
conditioners and heat pumps during the off-mode season(s). For
residential central air conditioners, the off-mode seasons are the
shoulder seasons that separate the cooling and heating seasons and
the entire heating season. For residential heat pumps, the shoulder
season is the only off-mode season.
* * * * *
3.13 Laboratory testing to determine off-mode average power
ratings.
3.13.1 Determine if the residential central air conditioner or
heat pump has a compressor crankcase heater (see definition 1.20).
If so equipped, determine from the manufacturer if the compressor
crankcase heater's on/off operation is regulated or is unregulated,
with the heater operating continuously when the compressor is off.
Also determine from the manufacturer if the crankcase heater is
regulated with a time delay relay (see definition 1.46) or has
thermostat sensor located on the compressor shell. Use Table 17 to
determine the required test methods based on the presence of a
crankcase heater and how it is controlled.
3.13.2 For residential central air conditioners or heat pumps
not having a compressor crankcase heater or having a crankcase
heating which is unregulated, conduct the following off-mode test.
3.13.2.1 Configure the controls of the residential central air
conditioner or heat pump to mimic the operating mode as if connected
to a building thermostat that is set to the OFF position. No
requirements are placed on the ambient conditions within the indoor
and outdoor test rooms. The room conditions are allowed to change
for the duration of this particular test.
3.13.2.2 After the controls have been configured, wait at least
2 minutes. Then integrate the power consumption of the residential
central air conditioner or heat pump over a 5-minute interval. This
integrated power consumption must include the power consumed by the
low-voltage transformer and the low-voltage components connected to
it. Calculate the average power consumption rate for the integration
interval and designate it as P1x.
3.13.2.3 Coil-only system (see definition 1.16) power
adjustment: Disconnect all low-voltage wiring from the low-voltage
transformer and integrate the power consumption of the fully
unloaded transformer over a 5-minute interval. Calculate the average
power consumption rate for the integration interval and designate it
as Px.
3.13.2.4 Blower-coil system (see definition 1.13) power
adjustment: If tested and rated with a specific furnace or specific
modular blower, measure only the power supplied to the furnace or
modular blower while idle (e.g., disconnect the low-voltage wiring
for the components housed in the residential central air conditioner
parts of the system from the transformer) and integrate this power
over a 5-minute interval. Calculate the average power consumption of
the fully unloaded transformer, idle furnace, or idle modular blower
over the integration interval and designate it as Px.
3.13.2.5 For both coil-only and blower-coil systems with a
single compressor: To calculate P1, the off-mode power solely
attributable to the residential central air conditioner or heat
pump, subtract this average power consumption (Px) from the
previously calculated overall system average power (P1x):
[[Page 65629]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP24OC11.067
3.13.2.6 For both coil-only and blower-coil systems with
multiple compressors: To calculate P1, the off-mode power solely
attributable to the residential central air conditioner or heat pump
at 82 [deg]F, first disconnect the crankcase heater and then record
the overall system power draw with the disconnected crankcase heater
as P1D. Next, calculate an average power draw on a per compressor
basis by dividing the difference between the overall system power
draws (P1X and P1D). Then combine this difference with the previous
recorded P1D:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP24OC11.068
3.13.2.7 Round P1 to the nearest integer wattage value and
record this rounded value as both P2 and P1. If the resulting P2 and
P1 are each less than 1 watt, assign each of them the value of zero.
3.13.3 For residential central air conditioners or heat pumps
having a compressor crankcase heater whose on/off operation is
regulated, but according to the manufacturer does not have either a
time delay switch (see definition 1.46) controlling the crankcase
heater or a temperature sensor for the crankcase heater located on
the compressor shell.
3.13.3.1 Configure the controls of the residential central air
conditioner or heat pump to mimic the operating mode as if connected
to a building thermostat that is set to the OFF position. Position a
lab-added temperature sensor in the air between 2 and 6 inches from
the crankcase heater temperature sensor. For this off-mode test and
the one that follows at 57 [deg]F, use this lab-added temperature
sensor to measure the outdoor dry bulb temperature. Conduct these
tests following the steady state `B' test and maintain an indoor dry
bulb temperature of between 75 [deg]F and 85 [deg]F during the off-
mode tests.
3.13.3.2 After the controls have been configured, wait at least
2 minutes. Then integrate the power consumption of the residential
central air conditioner or heat pump over a 5-minute interval. This
integrated power consumption must include the power consumed by the
low-voltage transformer and the low-voltage components connected to
it. Calculate the average power consumption rate for the integration
interval and designate it as P1X.
3.13.3.3 Coil-only system (see definition 1.16) power
adjustment: Reduce the overall system off-mode power measurement,
P1x, by the power supplied to components not part of the residential
central air conditioner or heat pump. Disconnect all low-voltage
wiring from the low-voltage transformer and integrate the power
consumption of the fully unloaded transformer over a 5-minute
interval. Calculate the average power consumption rate for the
integration interval and designate it as PX.
3.13.3.4 Blower-coil system (see definition 1.13) power
adjustment: If tested and rated with a specific furnace or specific
modular blower, measure only the power supplied to the furnace or
modular blower while idle (e.g., disconnect the low-voltage wiring
for the components housed in the residential central air conditioner
parts of the system from the transformer) and integrate this power
over a 5-minute interval. Calculate the average power consumption of
the fully unloaded transformer, idle furnace, or idle modular blower
over the integration interval and designate it as PX.
3.13.3.5 For both coil-only and blower-coil systems with a
single compressor: To calculate P1, the off-mode power solely
attributable to the residential central air conditioner or heat pump
at 82 [deg]F, subtract this average power consumption (PX) from the
previously calculated overall system average power (P1X) and round
P1 to the nearest integer wattage value:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP24OC11.069
3.13.3.6 Continue to maintain an indoor dry bulb temperature of
between 75 [deg]F and 85 [deg]F, but decrease the outdoor
temperature until the lab-added temperature sensor achieves an
outdoor ambient dry bulb temperature of 57 [deg]F, +/- 2 [deg]F for
at least 5 minutes. Then integrate the power consumption of the
residential central air conditioner or heat pump over a 5-minute
interval. Calculate the average power consumption rate for the
integration interval and designate it as P2.
3.13.3.7 After the controls have been configured, wait at least
2 minutes. Then integrate the power consumption of the residential
central air conditioner or heat pump over a 5-minute interval. This
integrated power consumption must include the power consumed by the
low-voltage transformer and the low-voltage components connected to
it. Calculate the average power consumption rate for the integration
interval and designate it as P2X.
3.13.3.8 For both coil-only and blower-coil systems with a
single compressor: To calculate P2, the off-mode power solely
attributable to the residential central air conditioner or heat pump
at 57 [deg]F, subtract this average power consumption (PX) from the
previously calculated overall system average power (P2X) and round
P2 to the nearest integer wattage value:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP24OC11.070
3.13.3.9 For both coil-only and blower-coil systems with
multiple compressors: To calculate P2, the off-mode power solely
attributable to the residential central air conditioner or heat pump
at 57 [deg]F, first calculate an average power draw on a per
compressor basis by dividing the difference between the overall
system power draws (P1X and P2X). Then combine this value with the
previously determined P1, and round P2 to the nearest integer
wattage value:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP24OC11.071
3.13.4 For residential central air conditioners or heat pumps
having a compressor crankcase heater whose on/off operation is
regulated and, according to the manufacturer, has either a time
delay switch (see definition 1.46) controlling the crankcase heater
or a temperature sensor for the crankcase heater located on the
compressor shell.
3.13.4.1 Configure the controls of the residential central air
conditioner or heat pump to mimic the operating mode as if connected
to a building thermostat that is set to the OFF position. Position a
lab-added temperature sensor in the air between 2 and 6 inches from
the crankcase heater temperature sensor. For this off-mode test and
the one that follows at 57 [deg]F, use this lab-added temperature
sensor to measure the outdoor dry bulb temperature. Conduct these
tests before any other tests and maintain an indoor dry bulb
temperature of between 75 [deg]F and 85 [deg]F during the off-mode
tests.
3.13.4.2 After the controls have been configured, wait at least
2 minutes. Then integrate the power consumption of the residential
central air conditioner or heat pump over a 5-minute interval. This
integrated power consumption must include the power consumed by the
low-voltage transformer and the low-voltage components connected to
it. Calculate the average power consumption rate for the integration
interval and designate it as P1X.
3.13.4.3 Coil-only system (see definition 1.16) power
adjustment: Reduce the overall system off-mode power measurement,
P1X, by the power supplied to components not part of the residential
central air conditioner or heat pump. Disconnect all low-voltage
wiring from the low-voltage transformer and integrate the power
consumption of the fully unloaded transformer over a 5-minute
interval. Calculate the average power consumption rate for the
integration interval and designate it as PX.
3.13.4.4 Blower-coil system (see definition 1.13) power
adjustment: If tested and rated with a specific furnace or specific
modular blower, measure only the power supplied to the furnace or
modular blower while idle (e.g., disconnect the low-voltage wiring
for the components housed in the residential central air conditioner
parts of the system from the transformer) and integrate this power
over a 5-minute interval. Calculate the average power consumption of
the fully unloaded transformer, idle furnace, or idle modular blower
over the integration interval and designate it as PX.
3.13.4.5 For both coil-only and blower-coil systems: To
calculate P1, the off-mode power solely attributable to the
residential central air conditioner or heat pump at 82 [deg]F,
subtract this average power consumption (PX) from the previously
calculated overall system
[[Page 65630]]
average power (P1X) round P1 to the nearest integer wattage value:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP24OC11.072
3.13.4.6 Continue to maintain an indoor dry bulb temperature of
between 75 [deg]F and 85 [deg]F, but decrease the outdoor
temperature until the lab-added temperature sensor achieves an
outdoor ambient dry bulb temperature of 57 [deg]F, +/-2 [deg]F for
at least 5 minutes. Then integrate the power consumption of the
residential central air conditioner or heat pump over a 5-minute
interval. Calculate the average power consumption rate for the
integration interval and designate it as P2.
3.13.4.7 After the controls have been configured, wait at least
2 minutes. Then integrate the power consumption of the residential
central air conditioner or heat pump over a 5-minute interval. This
integrated power consumption must include the power consumed by the
low-voltage transformer and the low-voltage components connected to
it. Calculate the average power consumption rate for the integration
interval and designate it as P2X.
3.13.4.8 For both coil-only and blower-coil systems with a
single compressor: To calculate P2, the off-mode power solely
attributable to the residential central air conditioner or heat pump
at 57 [deg]F, subtract this average power consumption (PX) from the
previously calculated overall system average power (P2X) and round
P2 to the nearest integer wattage value:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP24OC11.073
3.13.4.9 For both coil-only and blower-coil systems with
multiple compressors: To calculate P2, the off-mode power solely
attributable to the residential central air conditioner or heat pump
at 57 [deg]F, first calculate an average power draw on a per
compressor basis by dividing the difference between the overall
system power draws (P1X and P2X). Then combine this with the
previously determined P1, and round P2 to the nearest integer
wattage value:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP24OC11.074
4. * * *
* * * * *
4.2.6 Off-mode seasonal power and energy consumption
calculations.
4.2.6.1.1 For residential central air conditioners and heat
pumps with a cooling capacity of less than 36,000 Btu/h, determine a
systems off-mode rating, PW,OFF, by using the following
equation:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP24OC11.075
4.2.6.1.2 For residential central air conditioners and heat
pumps with a cooling capacity of greater than 36,000 Btu/h,
calculate the capacity scaling factor according to:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP24OC11.076
Where,
Qc(95) = the total cooling capacity at the A or
A2 Test condition.
Then, average the off-mode power ratings and divide by the scaling
factor to determine a system's off-mode rating:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP24OC11.077
4.2.6.2.1 For the shoulder seasons. Calculate the off-mode
energy consumption for the shoulder season, E1, using
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP24OC11.085
Where P1 is determined as specified in section 3.13 and the SSH are
provided in Table 19 for the six generalized climatic regions along
with the national average rating values.
Table 19--Representative Cooling and Heating Load Hours and the Corresponding Set of Seasonal Hours for Each Generalized Climatic Region
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cooling load Heating load Cooling season Heating season Shoulder season
Climatic region hours CLHR hours HLHR hours CSHR hours HSHR hours SSHR
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I............................................................. 2400 750 6731 1826 203
II............................................................ 1800 1250 5048 3148 564
III........................................................... 1200 1750 3365 4453 942
IV............................................................ 800 2250 2244 5643 873
Rating Values................................................. 1000 2080 2805 5216 739
V............................................................. 400 2750 1122 6956 682
VI............................................................ 200 2750 561 6258 1941
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.2.6.2.2 For the heating season--residential central air
conditioners only. Calculate the off-mode energy consumption of a
residential central air conditioner during the heating season, E2,
using
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP24OC11.078
Where P1 is determined as specified in section 4.2.6.2 and the HSH
are provided in Table 19 for the six generalized climatic regions
along with the national average rating values.
4.2.6.2.3 For residential central air conditioners only.
Calculate the annual off-mode energy consumption of a residential
central air conditioner ETOTAL, using
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP24OC11.079
4.2.6.2.4 For residential heat pumps only, the annual off-mode
energy consumption of a residential central air conditioner ETOTAL
equals E1.
* * * * *
4.3.1 Calculation of actual regional annual performance factors
(APFA) for a particular location and for each
standardized design heating requirement.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP24OC11.080
[[Page 65631]]
Where,
CLHA = the actual cooling hours for a particular location
as determined using the map given in Figure 3, hr;
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP24OC11.081
the space cooling capacity of the unit as determined from the A or
A2 Test, whichever applies, Btu/h;
HLHA = the actual heating hours for a particular location
as determined using the map given in Figure 2, hr;
DHR = the design heating requirement used in determining the HSPF;
refer to section 4.2 and definition 1.22, Btu/h;
C = defined in section 4.2 following Equation 4.2-2, dimensionless;
SEER = the seasonal energy efficiency ratio calculated as specified
in section 4.1, Btu/W[middot]h;
HSPF = the heating seasonal performance factor calculated as
specified in section 4.2 for the generalized climatic region that
includes the particular location of interest (see Figure 2), Btu/
W[middot]h. The HSPF should correspond to the actual design heating
requirement (DHR), if known. If it does not, it may correspond to
one of the standardized design heating requirements referenced in
section 4.2;
P1 = the off-mode power consumption taken at 82 [deg]F, as
determined in section 3.13, W, and
P2 = the off-mode power consumption taken at 57 [deg]F, as
determined in section 3.13, W.
Evaluate the HSH using
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP24OC11.082
Where TOD and nj/N are listed in Table 19 and depend on the location
of interest relative to Figure 2. For the six generalized climatic
regions, this equation simplifies to the following set of equations:
Region I HSH = 2.4348 x HLH
Region II HSH = 2.5182 x HLH
Region III HSH = 2.5444 x HLH
Region IV HSH = 2.5078 x HLH
Region V HSH = 2.5295 x HLH
Region VI HSH = 2.2757 x HLH
Evaluate the shoulder season hours using
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP24OC11.083
Where,
CSH = the cooling season hours calculated using CSH = 2.8045 x CLH.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2011-25813 Filed 10-21-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P