[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 222 (Friday, November 16, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68752-68754]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-27927]


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

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

[Case No. CAC-039]


Decision and Order Granting a Waiver Granted to Fujitsu General 
Limited From the Department of Energy Commercial Package Air 
Conditioner and Heat Pump Test Procedures

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

ACTION: Decision and Order.

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

SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) gives notice of the 
decision and order (Case No. CAC-039) that grants Fujitsu General 
Limited (Fujitsu) a waiver from the DOE commercial package air-source 
central air conditioners and heat pumps test procedures for determining 
the energy consumption set forth in its petition for waiver. Under 
today's decision and order, Fujitsu shall be required to test and rate 
its AIRSTAGE V-II multi-split heat pump with a capacity of 264,000 Btu/
h, and specified compatible indoor units using American National 
Standards Institute (ANSI)/Air-conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration 
Institute (AHRI) Standard 1230, as adopted in DOE's final rule dated 
May 16, 2012.

DATES: This Decision and Order is effective November 16, 2012 through 
May 12, 2013.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Bryan Berringer, U.S. Department 
of Energy, Building Technologies Program, Mailstop EE-2J, 1000 
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone: (202) 
586-0371. Email: [email protected].
    Ms. Elizabeth Kohl, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the 
General Counsel, Mail Stop GC-71, Forrestal Building, 1000 Independence 
Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585-0103. Telephone: (202) 586-7796. 
Email: mailto:[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DOE issues notice of this Decision and Order 
in accordance with Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) 
431.401(f)(4). In this Decision and Order, DOE grants Fujitsu a waiver 
for the Airstage V-II multi-split equipment specified in its waiver 
submitted on December 16, 2011. Fujitsu must test and rate this 
equipment using ANSI/AHRI 1230, as adopted in DOE's final rule dated 
May 16, 2012 (77 FR 28928), as the alternative test procedure. DOE's

[[Page 68753]]

final rule specifies use of ANSI/AHRI 1230, but omits sections 5.1.2 
and 6.6.
    Today's decision requires Fujitsu to make representations 
concerning the energy efficiency of this equipment consistent with the 
provisions and restrictions of the alternate test procedure in the 
Decision and Order below, and the representations must fairly disclose 
the test results. (42 U.S.C. 6314(d)) The same standard applies to 
distributors, retailers, and private labelers when making 
representations of the energy efficiency of this equipment.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on November 9, 2012.
Kathleen B. Hogan,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and 
Renewable Energy.

Decision and Order

    In the Matter of: Fujitsu General Limited (Fujitsu) (Case No. CAC-
039).

I. Background and Authority

    Title III, Part C of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 
(EPCA), Pub. L. 94-163 (42 U.S.C. 6311-6317), established the Energy 
Conservation Program for certain industrial equipment, which includes 
commercial air conditioning equipment, the focus of this decision and 
order.\1\ Part C specifically includes definitions (42 U.S.C. 6311), 
test procedures (42 U.S.C. 6314), labeling provisions (42 U.S.C. 6315), 
energy conservation standards (42 U.S.C. 6313), and the authority to 
require information and reports from manufacturers (42 U.S.C. 6316). 
With respect to test procedures, Part C authorizes the Secretary of 
Energy (the Secretary) to prescribe test procedures that are reasonably 
designed to produce results that measure energy efficiency, energy use, 
and estimated annual operating costs, and that are not unduly 
burdensome to conduct. (42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(2))
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ For editorial reasons, upon codification in the U.S. Code, 
Part C was re-designated Part A-1.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    For commercial package air-conditioning and heating equipment, EPCA 
provides that ``the test procedures shall be those generally accepted 
industry testing procedures or rating procedures developed or 
recognized by the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute [ARI] or 
by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning 
Engineers [ASHRAE], as referenced in ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1 and in 
effect on June 30, 1992.'' (42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(4)(A)) If the industry 
test procedure for commercial package air-conditioning and heating 
equipment is amended, EPCA directs the Secretary to amend the 
corresponding DOE test procedure unless the Secretary determines, by 
rule and based on clear and convincing evidence, that such a modified 
test procedure does not meet the statutory criteria set forth in 42 
U.S.C. 6314(a)(2) and (3). (42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(4)(B))
    On December 8, 2006, DOE published a final rule adopting test 
procedures for commercial package air-conditioning and heating 
equipment, effective January 8, 2007. 71 FR 71340. Table 1 to Title 10 
of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) 431.96 directs 
manufacturers of commercial package air conditioning and heating 
equipment to use the appropriate procedure when measuring energy 
efficiency of this equipment. For commercial package air-source 
equipment with capacities between 65,000 and 760,000 Btu/h, ARI 
Standard 340/360-2004 is the applicable test procedure.
    DOE's regulations for covered products and equipment permit a 
person to seek a waiver from the test procedure requirements for 
covered commercial equipment if at least one of the following 
conditions is met: (1) The petitioner's basic model contains one or 
more design characteristics that prevent testing according to the 
prescribed test procedures; or (2) the prescribed test procedures may 
evaluate the basic model in a manner so unrepresentative of its true 
energy consumption as to provide materially inaccurate comparative 
data. 10 CFR 431.401(a)(1). Petitioners must include in their petition 
any alternate test procedures known to the petitioner to evaluate the 
basic model in a manner representative of its energy consumption. 10 
CFR 431.401(b)(1)(iii). The Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency 
and Renewable Energy (Assistant Secretary) may grant a waiver subject 
to conditions, including adherence to alternate test procedures. 10 CFR 
431.401(f)(4). Waivers remain in effect according to the provisions of 
10 CFR 431.401(g).
    On December 16, 2011, Fujitsu submitted a petition for waiver from 
the DOE test procedure applicable to commercial package air-source and 
water-source central air conditioners and heat pumps set forth in 10 
CFR 431.96. Fujitsu requested the waiver for specified basic model of 
Fujitsu AIRSTAGE V-II multi-split heat pump with a capacity of 264,000 
Btu/h, and specified compatible indoor units. The applicable test 
procedure for these heat pumps is ARI 340/360-2004. Manufacturers are 
directed to use these test procedures pursuant to Table 1 of 10 CFR 
431.96. Fujitsu seeks a waiver from the applicable test procedures 
under 10 CFR 431.96 on the grounds that its AIRSTAGE V-II multi-split 
heat pumps contain design characteristics that prevent testing 
according to the current DOE test procedures. Fujitsu requested that 
DOE allow it to test and rate its Airstage V-II multi-split heat pump 
with a capacity of 264,000 Btu/h, and specified compatible indoor units 
according to the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/Air-
conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) Standard 1230-
2010: Performance Rating of Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) Multi-Split 
Air-Conditioning and Heat Pump Equipment (AHRI 1230).
    On May 16, 2012, DOE published a final rule (77 FR 28928) adopting 
American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning 
Engineers (ASHRAE) Standard 90.1-2010 (ASHRAE final rule). The ASHRAE 
final rule incorporated by reference ANSI/AHRI 1230-2010 but omits 
sections 5.1.2 and 6.6 for the products addressed in this waiver 
request. The rule was effective on July 16, 2012 and requires use of 
the test procedure on or after May 13, 2013. This decision and order 
(D&O) requires Fujitsu to use ANSI/AHRI 1230-2010 as addressed in the 
DOE's May 16, 2012 final rule (77 FR 28928) to test and rate specified 
models in order to be consistent with future test procedure 
requirements.

II. Fujitsu's Petition for Waiver: Assertions and Determinations

    In its December 16, 2011 petition, Fujitsu seeks a waiver from the 
applicable test procedures under 10 CFR 431.96 on the grounds that its 
AIRSTAGE V-II multi-split heat pumps contain design characteristics 
that prevent testing according to the current DOE test procedures. 
Specifically, Fujitsu asserts that the two primary factors that prevent 
testing of its AIRSTAGE V-II multi-split variable speed products are 
the same factors stated in the waivers that DOE granted to Mitsubishi 
Electric & Electronics America USA, Inc. (Mitsubishi) and other 
manufacturers for similar lines of commercial multi-split air-
conditioning systems:
     Testing laboratories cannot test products with so many 
indoor units; and
     There are too many possible combinations of indoor and 
outdoor units to test. See, e.g., 72 FR 17528 (April 9, 2007) 
(Mitsubishi); 76 FR 19069 (April 6, 2011) (Daikin); 76 FR 19078 (April 
6, 2011) (Mitsubishi); 76 FR 31951 (June 2, 2011) (Carrier); 76 FR

[[Page 68754]]

50204 (August 12, 2011) (Fujitsu General Limited); 76 FR 65710 (October 
24, 2011) (Mitsubishi).
    The AIRSTAGE V-II systems have operational characteristics similar 
to the commercial multi-split products manufactured by other 
manufacturers. As indicated above, DOE has already granted waivers for 
these products. The AIRSTAGE V-II system consists of multiple indoor 
units connected to an air-cooled outdoor unit. These multi-splits are 
used in zoned systems where an outdoor or water-source unit can be 
connected with up to 45 separate indoor units, which need not be the 
same models. According to Fujitsu, the various indoor and outdoor 
models can be connected in a multitude of configurations, with many 
thousands of possible combinations. Consequently, Fujitsu requested 
that DOE grant a waiver from the applicable test procedures for its 
AIRSTAGE V-II product designs until a suitable test method is 
prescribed.
    For the reasons discussed above, and because DOE prescribed ANSI/
AHRI 1230 as the alternate test procedure in waivers granted to other 
manufacturers (including the grant of Fujitsu's interim waiver request 
(77 FR 13107, Mar. 5, 2012)), DOE determined that the equipment 
specified in Fujitsu's December 16, 2011 petition contains design 
characteristics that prevent testing according to the DOE test 
procedure, and that allowing Fujitsu to use as an alternate test 
procedure ANSI/AHRI 1230, as adopted in DOE's final rule dated May 16, 
2012 (77 FR 28928), addresses these testing difficulties.
Consultations With Other Agencies
    DOE consulted with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) staff 
concerning the Fujitsu petition for waiver. The FTC staff did not have 
any objections to granting a waiver to Fujitsu.

III. Conclusion

    After careful consideration of all the material that was submitted 
by Fujitsu and consultation with the FTC staff, it is ordered that:
    (1) The petition for waiver submitted by Fujitsu (Case No. CAC-039) 
is hereby granted as set forth in the following paragraphs.
    (2) Fujitsu shall be required to test and rate the following basic 
model groups according to the alternate test procedure set forth in 
paragraph (3) of this section.


 
           Add-on system  models                   (Module models)
 
AOUA264RLBVG..............................  (AOUA72RLBV + AOUA96RLBV +
                                             AOUA96RLBV)
 

    With nominal cooling capacity of 264,000 Btu/h.
    Compatible indoor units for the above listed outdoor units:

Compact cassette:
    AUUA7RLAV, AUUA9RLAV, AUUA12RLAV, AUUA14RLAV, AUUA18RLAV and 
AUUA24RLAV with nominal cooling capacities of 7,500, 9,500, 12,000, 
14,000, 18,000 and 24,000 Btu/hr respectively
Cassette:
    AUUB30RLAV and AUUB36RLAV with nominal cooling capacities of 
30,000 and 36,000 Btu/hr respectively
Slim cassette:
    AUUB18RLAV and AUUB24RLAV with nominal cooling capacities of 
18,000 and 24,000 Btu/hr respectively
Compact wall mounted:
    ASUA7RLAV, ASUE7RLAV, ASUA9RLAV, ASUE9RLAV, ASUA12RLAV, 
ASUE12RLAV, ASUA14RLAV and ASUE14RLAV with nominal cooling 
capacities of 7,500, 7,500, 9,500, 9,500, 12,000, 12,000, 14,000 and 
14,000 Btu/hr respectively
Wall mounted:
    ASUB18RLAV and ASUB24RLAV with nominal cooling capacities of 
18,000 and 24,000 Btu/hr respectively
Floor/Ceiling (Universal):
    ABUA12RLAV, ABUA14RLAV, ABUA18RLAV and ABUA24RLAV with nominal 
cooling capacities of 12,000, 14,000, 18,000, 24,000 Btu/hr 
respectively
Ceiling:
    ABUA30RLAV and ABUA36RLAV with nominal cooling capacities of 
30,000 and 36,000 Btu/hr respectively
Slim duct:
    ARUL7RLAV, ARUL9RLAV, ARUL12RLAV, ARUL14RLAV and ARUL18RLAV with 
nominal cooling capacities of 7,500, 9,500, 12,000, 14,000 and 
18,000 Btu/hr respectively
Middle static pressure duct:
    ARUM24RLAV, ARUM30RLAV, ARUM36RLAV, ARUM48RLAV and ARUM54RLAV 
with nominal cooling capacities of 24,000, 30,000, 36,000, 48,000 
and 54,000 Btu/hr respectively
High static pressure duct:
    ARUH36RLAV, ARUH48RLAV, ARUH54RLAV, ARUH60RLAV, ARUH72RLAV, 
ARUH90RLAV and ARUH96RLAV with nominal cooling capacities of 36,000, 
48,000, 60,000, 72,000, 90,000 and 96,000 Btu/hr respectively

    (3) Fujitsu shall not be required to test the products listed in 
paragraph (2) of this section according to the test procedure for 
commercial package air conditioners and heat pumps prescribed by DOE at 
10 CFR 431.96 (ARI Standard 340/360-2004 (incorporated by reference in 
10 CFR 431.95(b)(2)-(3)), but instead shall use as the alternate test 
procedure ANSI/AHRI 1230-2010 as adopted in DOE's final rule dated May 
16, 2012 (77 FR 28928).
    (4) Representations. In making representations about the energy 
efficiency of its Airstage V-II multi-split equipment, for compliance, 
marketing, or other purposes, Fujitsu must fairly disclose the results 
of testing under the DOE test procedure in a manner consistent with the 
provisions outlined below:
    (i) For multi-split combinations tested in accordance with this 
alternate test procedure, Fujitsu may make representations based on 
those test results.
    (ii) For multi-split combinations that are not tested, Fujitsu may 
make representations based on the testing results for the tested 
combination and that are consistent with one of the following methods:
    (a) Rating of non-tested combinations according to an alternative 
rating method approved by DOE; or
    (b) Rating of non-tested combinations having the same outdoor unit 
and all non-ducted indoor units shall be set equal to the rating of the 
tested system having all non-ducted indoor units.
    (c) Rating of non-tested combinations having the same outdoor unit 
and all ducted indoor units shall be set equal to the rating of the 
tested system having all ducted indoor units. To be considered a ducted 
unit, the indoor unit must be intended to be connected with ductwork 
and have a rated external static pressure capability greater than zero 
(0).
    (d) Rating of non-tested combinations having the same outdoor unit 
and a mix of non-ducted and ducted indoor units shall be set equal to 
the average of the ratings for the two required tested combinations.
    (5) This waiver amendment shall remain in effect from the date this 
Decision and Order is issued, consistent with the provisions of 10 CFR 
431.401(g). Compliance with the ASHRAE final rule, (77 FR 28928, May 
16, 2012), is required as of May 13, 2013. Therefore, this Decision and 
Order is valid through May 12, 2013. Beginning on May 13, 2013, all 
manufacturers must use the ASHRAE procedures to determine the energy 
use of this type of equipment.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on November 9, 2012.
Kathleen B. Hogan,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and 
Renewable Energy.
[FR Doc. 2012-27927 Filed 11-15-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P