[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 201 (Friday, October 17, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 62522-62548]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-22883]



[[Page 62521]]

Vol. 79

Friday,

No. 201

October 17, 2014

Part II





Department of Energy





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10 CFR Parts 429 and 430





 Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products: Test Procedure for 
Ceiling Fans; Proposed Rule

  Federal Register / Vol. 79 , No. 201 / Friday, October 17, 2014 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 62522]]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

10 CFR Parts 429 and 430

[Docket No. EERE-2013-BT-TP-0050]
RIN 1904-AD10


Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products: Test Procedure 
for Ceiling Fans

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

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking and announcement of public 
meeting.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) proposes to reinterpret 
the statutory definition of a ceiling fan to include hugger ceiling 
fans and to amend its test procedure for ceiling fans established under 
the Energy Policy and Conservation Act. The proposed test procedure 
would establish an integrated efficiency metric for ceiling fans, based 
on the airflow and power consumption at low and high speed for low-
volume ceiling fans, and at high speed for high-volume ceiling fans 
(where volume refers to airflow volume). The proposed efficiency metric 
would also account for power consumed in standby mode. The proposed 
test procedure amendments also include new test methods for high-volume 
ceiling fans, multi-mount ceiling fans, ceiling fans with multiple fan 
heads, and ceiling fans where the airflow is not directed vertically, 
as well as power consumption in standby mode. In addition, the proposed 
test procedure would: Clarify that only high and low speeds are to be 
tested for low-volume ceiling fans; eliminate the requirement to test 
with a test cylinder; add a false ceiling; clarify the distance between 
the ceiling fan blades and the air velocity sensors during testing; 
clarify the fan configuration during testing for low-volume ceiling 
fans; clarify the test method for ceiling fans with heaters; and revise 
the allowable tolerance for air velocity sensors. DOE is also 
announcing a public meeting to discuss and receive comments on issues 
presented in this test procedure rulemaking.

DATES: Meeting: DOE will hold a public meeting on Wednesday, November 
19, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., in Washington, DC. The meeting will also be 
broadcast as a webinar. See section V, ``Public Participation,'' for 
webinar registration information, participant instructions, and 
information about the capabilities available to webinar participants.
    Comments: DOE will accept comments, data, and information regarding 
this notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) before and after the public 
meeting, but no later than December 31, 2014. See section V, ``Public 
Participation,'' for details.

ADDRESSES: The public meeting will be held at the U.S. Department of 
Energy, Forrestal Building, Room 6E-069, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., 
Washington, DC 20585. To attend, please notify Ms. Brenda Edwards at 
(202) 586-2945. Please note that foreign nationals visiting DOE 
Headquarters are subject to advance security screening procedures. Any 
foreign national wishing to participate in the meeting should advise 
DOE as soon as possible by contacting Ms. Edwards to initiate the 
necessary procedures. Please also note that any person wishing to bring 
a laptop into the Forrestal Building will be required to obtain a 
property pass. Visitors should avoid bringing laptops, or allow an 
extra 45 minutes. Persons may also attend the public meeting via 
webinar. For more information, refer to section V, ``Public 
Participation,'' near the end of this notice.
    Interested persons are encouraged to submit comments using the 
Federal eRulemaking Portal at www.regulations.gov. Follow the 
instructions for submitting comments. Alternatively, interested persons 
may submit comments, identified by docket number EERE-2013-BT-TP-0050 
and/or regulatory information number (RIN) number 1904-AD10, by any of 
the following methods:
    1. Email: [email protected]. Include the docket number EERE-
2013-BT-TP-0050 and/or RIN 1904-AD10 in the subject line of the 
message. Submit electronic comments in WordPerfect, Microsoft Word, 
PDF, or ASCII file format, and avoid the use of special characters or 
any form of encryption.
    2. Postal Mail: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department of Energy, 
Building Technologies Office, Mailstop EE-5B, 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.
    3. Hand Delivery/Courier: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department of 
Energy, Building Technologies Office, 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.
    Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency name 
and docket number and/or RIN for this rulemaking. No telefacsimilies 
(faxes) will be accepted. For detailed instructions on submitting 
comments and additional information on the rulemaking process, see 
section V of this document (Public Participation).
    Docket: The docket, which includes Federal Register notices, public 
meeting attendee lists and transcripts, comments, and other supporting 
documents/materials, is available for review at www.regulations.gov. 
All documents in the docket are listed in the 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/rulemaking.aspx/
ruleid/65. This Web page contains a link to the docket for this notice 
on the www.regulations.gov site. The www.regulations.gov Web page 
contains simple instructions on how to access all documents, including 
public comments, in the docket. See section V, ``Public 
Participation,'' for information on how to submit comments through 
www.regulations.gov.
    For further information on how to submit a comment, review other 
public comments and the docket, or participate in the public meeting, 
contact Ms. Brenda Edwards at (202) 586-2945 or by email: 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Lucy deButts, U.S. Department of 
Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building 
Technologies Office, EE-2J, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, 
DC 20585-0121. Telephone: (202) 287-1604. Email: 
[email protected].
    Ms. Elizabeth Kohl, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the 
General Counsel, GC-71, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC, 
20585-0121. Telephone: (202) 586-7796. Email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Table of Contents

I. Authority and Background
II. Summary of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
III. Discussion
    A. Scope of Applicability
    B. Effective Date and Compliance Date
    C. Existing Test Procedure
    D. Proposed Metric
    E. Other Proposed Modifications to Current Test Procedure
    F. Proposed Additional Test Methods
    G. Certification and Enforcement
IV. Procedural Issues and Regulatory Review
    A. Review Under Executive Order 12866
    B. Review Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act

[[Page 62523]]

    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 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. Attendance at the Public Meeting
    B. Procedure for Submitting Requests To Speak and Prepared 
General Statements for Distribution
    C. Conduct of the Public Meeting
    D. Submission of Comments
    E. Issues on Which DOE Seeks Comment
VI. Approval of the Office of the Secretary

I. Authority and Background

    Title III, Part B \1\ 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) sets forth a variety of provisions designed to improve 
energy efficiency and established the Energy Conservation Program for 
Consumer Products Other Than Automobiles.\2\ These include ceiling 
fans, the subject of this proposed rulemaking. (42 U.S.C. 6291(49), 
6293(b)(16)(A)(i), and 6295(ff))
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    \1\ For editorial reasons, upon codification in the U.S. Code, 
Part B was redesignated as Part A.
    \2\ All references to EPCA in this document refer to the statute 
as amended through the American Energy Manufacturing Technical 
Corrections Act (AEMTCA), Public Law 112-210 (Dec. 18, 2012).
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    Under EPCA, this energy conservation program consists essentially 
of four parts: (1) Testing; (2) labeling; (3) Federal energy 
conservation standards; and (4) certification and enforcement 
procedures. 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 the applicable energy 
conservation standards adopted pursuant to EPCA and for making other 
representations about the efficiency of those products. (42 U.S.C. 
6293(c) and 6295(s)) Similarly, DOE must use these test requirements to 
determine whether the products comply with any relevant standards 
promulgated under EPCA. (42 U.S.C. 6295(s))

A. General Test Procedure Rulemaking Process

    Under 42 U.S.C. 6293, EPCA sets forth the criteria and procedures 
that DOE must follow when prescribing or amending test procedures for 
covered products, including ceiling fans. EPCA provides that any test 
procedures prescribed or amended under this section shall be reasonably 
designed to produce test results which measure energy efficiency, 
energy use, or estimated annual operating cost of a covered product 
during a representative average use cycle or period of use, and must 
not be unduly burdensome to conduct. (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(3))
    In addition, if DOE determines that a test procedure amendment is 
warranted, it must publish proposed test procedures and offer the 
public an opportunity to present oral and written comments on them. (42 
U.S.C. 6293(b)(2)) Finally, in any rulemaking to amend a test 
procedure, DOE must determine to what extent, if any, the proposed test 
procedure would alter the measured energy efficiency of any covered 
product as determined under the existing test procedure. (42 U.S.C. 
6293(e))
    The Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT 2005), Public Law 109-58, 
amended EPCA and established energy conservation standards for ceiling 
fans, as well as requirements for the ceiling fan test procedure. (42 
U.S.C. 6295(ff) and 6293(b)(16)(A)(1)) Specifically, these amendments 
required that test procedures for ceiling fans be based on the ``Energy 
Star Testing Facility Guidance Manual: Building a Testing Facility and 
Performing the Solid State Test Method for ENERGY STAR Qualified 
Ceiling Fans, Version 1.1.'' Id. The current DOE ceiling fan test 
procedure, based on that source, was published in a 2006 final rule (71 
FR 71341 (Dec. 8, 2006)), which codified the test procedure in DOE's 
regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 10 CFR 
430.23(w) and 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix U, ``Uniform Test 
Method for Measuring the Energy Consumption of Ceiling Fans.''
    The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA 2007), 
Public Law 110-140, amended EPCA to require that at least once every 7 
years, DOE must conduct an evaluation of the test procedures for all 
covered products and either amend the test procedures (if the Secretary 
determines that amended test procedures would more accurately or fully 
comply with the requirements of 42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(3)) or publish a 
determination in the Federal Register not to amend them. (42 U.S.C. 
6293(b)(1)(A)) Pursuant to this requirement, DOE must review the test 
procedures for ceiling fans not later than December 19, 2014 (i.e., 7 
years after the enactment of EISA 2007). Thus, the final rule resulting 
from this rulemaking will satisfy the requirement to review the test 
procedures for ceiling fans within 7 years of the enactment of EISA 
2007.
    In addition, for covered products with test procedures that do not 
fully account for standby-mode and off-mode energy consumption, EISA 
2007 directs DOE to amend its test procedures to do so with such energy 
consumption integrated into the overall energy efficiency, energy 
consumption, or other energy descriptor, if technically feasible. (42 
U.S.C. 6295(gg)(2)(A)) If an integrated test procedure is technically 
infeasible, DOE must prescribe a separate standby-mode and off-mode 
test procedure for the covered product, if technically feasible. Id. 
The current DOE ceiling fan test procedure, published in a 2006 final 
rule (71 FR 71341 (Dec. 8, 2006)), did not address standby mode or off 
mode. This test procedure rulemaking fulfills the statutory requirement 
to address standby-mode and off-mode power consumption.

B. Concurrent Standards Rulemaking

    DOE is concurrently conducting an energy conservation standards 
rulemaking for ceiling fans. On March 15, 2013, DOE published in the 
Federal Register a Notice of Public Meeting and Availability of the 
Framework Document to initiate the energy conservation standard 
rulemaking for ceiling fans. (78 FR 16443 (Mar. 15, 2013)). DOE held 
the framework public meeting on March 22, 2013. DOE requested feedback 
in the framework document and received both written comments and 
comments at the public meeting from interested parties on many issues 
related to test methods for evaluating the airflow and electrical 
consumption performance of ceiling fans. Comments related to the test 
procedure for ceiling fans are addressed throughout this notice.
    DOE invites comments on all aspects of the existing test procedures 
for ceiling fans.

II. Summary of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

    In this NOPR, DOE proposes to reinterpret the statutory definition 
of a ceiling fan to include hugger ceiling fans and to amend the 
current test procedure for ceiling fans as follows:
    (1) Specify an efficiency metric;
    (2) Clarify that low-volume ceiling fans should be tested at low 
and high speeds;
    (3) Eliminate the requirement to use a test cylinder;
    (4) Add a false ceiling to the experimental setup for low-volume 
ceiling fans;

[[Page 62524]]

    (5) Clarify the required distance between the ceiling fan blades 
and the air velocity sensors;
    (6) Clarify the appropriate fan configuration during testing for 
low-volume ceiling fans;
    (7) Clarify the test method for ceiling fans with heaters;
    (8) Revise the allowable tolerance for air velocity sensors used 
during testing;
    (9) Add a test method for high-volume ceiling fans;
    (10) Add a test method for multi-mount ceiling fans;
    (11) Add a test method for multi-headed ceiling fans;
    (12) Add a test method for ceiling fans where the airflow is not 
directed vertically; and
    (13) Add a test method for power consumption in standby mode.
    The following paragraphs summarize these proposed changes, with 
further detail provided in section III (Discussion).

Establishment of an Efficiency Metric

    In general, DOE proposes to establish the metric for ceiling fan 
efficiency based on measured air flow and energy consumption. For low-
volume ceiling fans (where volume refers airflow volume), ceiling fan 
efficiency would be determined based on the weighted average of airflow 
and power consumption at high and low speeds. For high-volume ceiling 
fans, ceiling fan efficiency would be determined based on airflow and 
power consumption at high speed only. (See section III.A.2 for 
definitions of ``low-volume ceiling fan'' and ``high-volume ceiling 
fan''.) The metric for ceiling fan efficiency would also include any 
power consumption in standby mode. Because DOE's research suggests that 
there is no off-mode power consumption for ceiling fans, DOE is not 
proposing to include off-mode power in the efficiency metric, or to 
require off-mode testing.

Clarification That Low-Volume Ceiling Fans Are To Be Tested At High and 
Low Fan Speeds

    As noted in the previous paragraph, DOE proposes to clarify that 
testing is required at high and low speeds for low-volume ceiling fans. 
For high-volume ceiling fans, where the available fan speeds are often 
continuous instead of discrete, DOE proposes to test only at high 
speed.

Elimination of the Requirement for a Test Cylinder To Be Used During 
Testing

    DOE proposes to eliminate the requirement to use a test cylinder 
while conducting airflow measurements. The positioning of the ceiling 
fan and the air velocity sensors would remain the same as in the 
current test procedure but without a test cylinder between them. The 
same effective area and number of sensors as in the current test 
procedure would be used to calculate the airflow of a low-volume 
ceiling fan.

Addition of a False Ceiling to the Experimental Setup

    For all low-volume ceiling fans, DOE proposes to add a test set-up 
requirement for a false ceiling directly above the ceiling fan during 
testing. This is intended to simulate real life usage conditions more 
accurately and provide an equitable basis of comparison across low-
volume ceiling fans. The length and breadth of the false ceiling would 
be required to be at least 8 inches larger than the blade span of the 
ceiling fan being tested.

Clarification of the Distance Between the Ceiling Fan Blades and the 
Air Velocity Sensors

    DOE proposes to modify its instructions for determining the 
appropriate vertical position of a low volume ceiling fan in relation 
to the air velocity sensors. More specifically, DOE proposes that such 
position be determined at the lowest point on the ceiling fan blades 
(i.e., the point on the ceiling fan blade that is farthest from the 
ceiling), rather than ``the middle of the fan blade tips'', as is 
currently required. DOE is proposing this change because it may be 
unclear how the ``middle of blade tip'' measurement should be made for 
ceiling fans having non-flat or unusually shaped blades.

Clarification of the Appropriate Fan Configuration During Testing for 
Low-Volume Ceiling Fans

    DOE proposes to clarify that if more than one mounting option is 
included with a fan that would meet the definition of a standard low-
volume ceiling fan, that ceiling fan should be tested in the 
configuration with the smallest distance between the ceiling and the 
lowest part of the fan blades. Similarly, if more than one mounting 
option is included with a fan that would meet the definition of a 
hugger low-volume ceiling fan, that ceiling fan should be tested in the 
configuration with the smallest distance between the ceiling and the 
lowest part of the fan blades. DOE seeks comment and data on how these 
fans are configured in the field.

Clarification of the Test Method for Ceiling Fans With Heaters

    DOE proposes to clarify that ceiling fans with heaters integrated 
into or sold packaged with the fan should be tested with the heater 
installed but turned off during testing.

Revision of the Allowable Tolerance for Air Velocity Sensors Used 
During Testing

    DOE proposes to revise the allowable accuracy tolerance for air 
velocity sensors used during testing of low-volume ceiling fans from 
1 percent to 5 percent, based on testing 
results that indicate that the accuracy of the airflow measurement is 
not affected by this difference in tolerance.

Addition of a Test Method for High-Volume Ceiling Fans

    DOE proposes to base the test method for high-volume ceiling fans 
on ANSI/AMCA Standard 230-12, ``Laboratory Methods of Testing Air 
Circulating Fans for Rating and Certification'' (AMCA 230 \3\), with 
some modifications to the specified room dimensions to allow for 
testing of ceiling fans up to 24 feet in diameter.
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    \3\ Air Movement and Control Association International, Inc. 
ANSI/AMCA Standard 230-12: Laboratory Methods of Testing Air 
Circulating Fans for Rating and Certification. 2010. Arlington 
Heights, IL. (Last accessed February 24, 2014) https://www.amca.org/store/item.aspx?ItemId=37.
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Addition of a Test Method for Multi-Mount Ceiling Fans

    DOE proposes to test low-volume multi-mount ceiling fans in two 
configurations: (1) In the standard configuration that minimizes the 
distance between the ceiling and the lowest part of the fan blades, and 
(2) in the hugger configuration that minimizes the distance between the 
ceiling and the lowest part of the fan blades.

Addition of a Test Method for Multi-Headed Ceiling Fans

    DOE proposes to test low-volume, multi-headed ceiling fans by 
positioning the fan such that one fan head is centered in the test set-
up and then testing that head in the same manner as all other low-
volume ceiling fans. If the ceiling fan includes more than one type of 
ceiling fan head, then at least one of each unique type should be 
tested. The airflow for the ceiling fan at a given speed can be 
determined by multiplying the airflow of a measured fan head by the 
number of ceiling fan heads of that type and summing over all types 
included in the ceiling fan. The power consumption at a given speed 
should be

[[Page 62525]]

measured separately, with all ceiling fan heads turned on.

Addition of a Test Method for Ceiling Fans Where the Airflow Is Not 
Directed Vertically

    For low-volume ceiling fans where the airflow is not directed 
vertically, DOE proposes to clarify that the ceiling fan head should be 
adjusted such that the airflow is directed as vertically downward as 
possible prior to testing. If the airflow is still not vertical, the 
air velocity results from an offset series of sensors would be 
substituted for the typical symmetric set to calculate total airflow.

Addition of a Test Method for Power Consumption in Standby Mode

    DOE proposes to add a test method for measuring the power 
consumption of ceiling fans in standby mode. This test method would be 
applicable to both low and high-volume ceiling fans.

III. Discussion

A. Scope of Applicability

    The test procedures described in this notice are proposed to apply 
to all ceiling fans. According to the statutory definition, a ``ceiling 
fan'' is ``a non-portable device that is suspended from a ceiling for 
circulating air via the rotation of fan blades.'' (42 U.S.C. 6291(49)) 
This includes ceiling fans for all applications, including applications 
where large airflow volume may be needed. The test procedures do not 
apply to air circulators (or air-circulating fan heads) that are 
typically mounted on a pedestal but could also include wall, ceiling, 
or I-beam mounting brackets. Such air-circulating fan heads are defined 
in section 5.1.1 of AMCA 230.\3\
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    \3\
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1. Clarification of the Statutory Definition of a Ceiling Fan
    DOE previously interpreted the definition of a ceiling fan such 
that it excluded certain types of ceiling fans commonly referred to as 
hugger fans. 71 FR 71343 (Dec. 8, 2006). Hugger ceiling fans are 
typically understood to be set flush to the ceiling (e.g., mounted 
without a downrod). The previous interpretation exempted hugger fans 
from standards on the basis that they are set flush to the ceiling. DOE 
has reconsidered the validity of this distinction and is proposing a 
determination that ``suspended from the ceiling'' does not depend upon 
whether the unit is mounted with a downrod. The concept of suspension 
does not require any length between the object and the point of 
support. This interpretation more accurately reflects the statutory 
definition and does not draw an artificial distinction between units 
that serve the same functional purpose. This is also in line with the 
scope of CAN/CSA-C814-10, which includes hugger fans.
    Hugger fans generally are indistinguishable from other types of 
ceiling fans in that they move air via rotation of fan blades, are 
intended to improve comfort, and are rated on their ability to move air 
(as measured in cubic feet per minute). Under this reinterpretation, a 
multi-mount ceiling fan, i.e., a ceiling fan which can be mounted in 
both the hugger and standard ceiling fan configurations, would also 
fall under the definition of a ceiling fan. In response to the 
Framework Document for the ceiling fan energy conservation standards 
rulemaking, several commenters, including the American Lighting 
Association (ALA), the Appliance Standards Awareness Project (ASAP), 
the National Consumer Law Center (NCLC), the National Resources Defense 
Council (NRDC), and the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) 
supported DOE's proposed reinterpretation. (ALA, No. 39 \4\ at p. 3; 
ASAP-NCLC-NEEA-NRDC, No. 14 at p. 4) DOE received no comments objecting 
to its proposed reinterpretation. DOE proposes that any ceiling fan 
sold with the option of being mounted in either a hugger configuration 
or a standard configuration would also be included within the ``ceiling 
fan'' definition.
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    \4\ Hereafter, all ALA comments from EERE-2012-BT-STD-0045-0039 
reference the powerpoint presentation included in that docket 
number, unless otherwise noted.
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    Under DOE's proposed reinterpretation, DOE would consider the 
following fans to be explicitly covered under the definition of 
``ceiling fan'' in 10 CFR 430.2:

    1. Fans suspended from the ceiling using a downrod or other 
means of suspension such that the fan is not mounted directly to the 
ceiling;
    2. Fans suspended such that they are mounted directly or close 
to the ceiling; and
    3. Fans sold with the option of being suspended with or without 
a downrod.

    In the Framework Document for the ceiling fan energy conservation 
standards rulemaking, DOE considered interpreting ceiling fans without 
external blades as meeting the statutory definition of a ceiling fan 
and asked for comment on this issue. (78 FR 16443 (Mar. 15, 2013)) ALA 
agreed that the definition of ``ceiling fan'' may cover ceiling fans 
without external blades, but ALA advised DOE to delay including these 
fans in this rulemaking until new test procedures are developed to 
appropriately test the performance of these fans. (ALA, No. 39 at p. 3) 
At this time, DOE takes no position on whether centrifugal fans 
(commonly referred to as ``bladeless'' ceiling fans) fit within the 
EPCA definition of a ceiling fan. DOE may consider this issue in a 
future rulemaking proceeding.
    Although the Framework Document did not specifically discuss 
ceiling fans capable of producing large volumes of airflow, such as 
those ceiling fans typically used in non-residential applications, DOE 
clarifies that any ceiling fan that meets the statutory definition is 
considered a covered product for which the test methods in this 
rulemaking apply.\5\ (78 FR 16443 (Mar. 15, 2013)) Ceiling fans capable 
of producing large volumes of airflow are functionally similar to 
ceiling fans that produce less airflow and meet the definition of a 
ceiling fan, in that they are suspended from the ceiling, are 
nonportable, and produce airflow via the rotation of fan blades. 
Therefore, DOE clarifies that ceiling fans capable of producing large 
volumes of airflow are considered covered products.
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    \5\ The EPCA definition of a consumer product includes products 
of a type that, to any significant extent, are distributed in 
commerce for personal use, without regard to whether a particular 
article is in fact distributed in commerce for personal use. 42 
U.S.C. 6291(1) Therefore, any product that meets the definition of a 
ceiling fan, even those fans used in non-residential applications, 
are considered covered products for which DOE can establish a test 
procedure.
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    DOE notes that the proposed changes in interpretation of the 
ceiling fan definition discussed above would result in the 
applicability of the design standards set forth in EPCA at 42 U.S.C. 
6295(ff)(1) to the following types of fans 30 days after the 
publication of any final test procedure adopting such changes in 
interpretation:

    1. Fans suspended from the ceiling using a downrod or other 
means of suspension such that the fan is not mounted directly to the 
ceiling;
    2. Fans suspended such that they are mounted directly or close 
to the ceiling;
    3. Fans sold with the option of being suspended with or without 
a downrod; and
    4. Fans capable of producing large volumes of airflow.

    Because ceiling fan light kits are defined as ``equipment designed 
to provide light from a ceiling fan that can be integral, such that the 
equipment is attached to the ceiling fan prior to the time of retail 
sale; or attachable, such that at the time of retail sale the equipment 
is not physically attached to the ceiling fan, but may be included

[[Page 62526]]

inside the ceiling fan at the time of sale or sold separately for 
subsequent attachment to the fan'' (42 U.S.C. 6291(50)(A), and (B)), 
DOE notes that light kits attached to any of the four fan types listed 
above would be covered ceiling fan light kits under these proposed 
changes in interpretation.
    In the concurrent energy conservation standards rulemaking for 
ceiling fans, DOE is considering a separate product class for highly 
decorative ceiling fans that would be exempt from performance 
standards. The current design standards specified in EPCA would still 
apply to such fans.
2. Definitions of Low-Volume and High-Volume Ceiling Fans
    DOE proposes to define a ``low-volume ceiling fan'' as ``a ceiling 
fan that: (1) Is less than or equal to 7 feet in diameter, and has a 
blade thickness greater than or equal to 3.2 mm at the edge and a 
maximum tip speed less than or equal to the limit in Table 1; or (2) 
has a maximum airflow volume less than or equal to 5,000 CFM.''
    DOE proposes to define a ``high-volume ceiling fan'' as ``a ceiling 
fan that: (1) Is greater than 7 feet in diameter, or has a blade 
thickness of less than 3.2 mm at the edge or a maximum tip speed that 
exceeds the threshold in Table 1; and (2) has a maximum airflow volume 
greater than 5,000 CFM.''
    Table 1 indicates maximum speed tip for low-volume ceiling fans, 
dependent on blade thickness. The values in Table 1 are based on the 
Underwriters Laboratory (UL) ceiling fan safety standard (UL Standard 
507-1999, ``UL Standard for Safety for Electric Fans'') which 
designates maximum fan tip speeds (for a given thicknesses at the edge 
of the blades) that are safe for use in applications where the distance 
between the fan blades and the floor is 10 feet or less.\6\
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    \6\ Underwriters Laboratories Inc. UL Standard for Safety for 
Electric Fans, UL 507. 1999. Northbrook, IL. (Last accessed February 
24, 2014) http://www.comm-2000.com/ProductDetail.aspx?UniqueKey=8782.

                          Table 1--Low-Volume Ceiling Fans, 7 Feet or Less in Diameter
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Thickness (t) of edges of blades         Maximum speed at tip of blades
       Airflow direction *       -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          Mm                (inch)                m/s          (feet per minute)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Downward-Only...................     4.8 > t >= 3.2   (\3/16\ > t >= \1/               16.3              (3200)
                                                                    8\)
Downward-Only...................           t >= 4.8       (t >= \3/16\)                20.3              (4000)
Reversible......................     4.8 > t >= 3.2   (\3/16\ > t >= \1/               12.2              (2400)
                                                                    8\)
Reversible......................           t >= 4.8       (t >= \3/16\)                16.3              (3200)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* The ``downward-only'' and ``reversible'' airflow directions are mutually exclusive; therefore, a ceiling fan
  that can only produce airflow in the downward direction need only meet the ``downward-only'' blade edge
  thickness and tip speed requirements and a ceiling fan that can produce airflow in the downward and upward
  directions need only meet the ``reversible'' requirements.

3. Definition of Hugger Ceiling Fan
    In the Framework Document for the ceiling fan energy conservation 
standards rulemaking, DOE considered establishing a definition for 
hugger ceiling fans. (78 FR 16443 (Mar. 15, 2013)) Specifically, DOE 
stated it would consider defining a hugger ceiling fan: as ``a ceiling 
fan where the average vertical distance between the fan blades and the 
ceiling fan is no more than [a specified number of] inches''. DOE 
received several comments on the Framework Document regarding this 
definition. Most commenters, with the exception of ALA, were generally 
supportive of the proposed definition.
    The California investor-owned utilities, including the Pacific Gas 
and Electric Company, Southern California Edison, the San Diego Gas and 
Electric Company, and the Southern California Gas Company (hereafter 
the ``CA IOUs'') agreed with the definition. (CA IOUs, No. 45 at p. 2) 
Hunter, during the public meeting for the Framework Document, suggested 
that DOE consider specifying the definition in terms of maximum blade 
distance instead of average blade distance from the ceiling. (Hunter, 
No. 9 at p. 32) Big Ass Fans (BAF) suggested that DOE consider a 
minimum vertical distance between the fan blades and ceiling not 
exceeding 10 inches. (BAF, No. 43 at p. 2) In contrast, ALA disagreed 
with DOE's assertion that the primary point of differentiation is that 
hugger fans are ``safe to use in rooms with low ceilings'', believing 
that this definition is misleading and open to interpretation. Instead 
ALA proposed defining a hugger fan as a fan ``where the only option is 
for the motor to be directly mounted to the ceiling''. (ALA, No. 39 at 
p. 3-4)
    In determining an appropriate boundary between hugger and standard 
ceiling fans, an analysis was conducted of all ceiling fans available 
from Hansen Wholesale, an online wholesaler that sells a wide variety 
of ceiling fan brands. Ninety percent of ceiling fans described as 
hugger fans had blades that were an average distance of nine inches or 
less from the ceiling, suggesting that nine inches may be an 
appropriate threshold. By contrast, half of all ceiling fans that were 
described as standard ceiling fans had blades that were an average 
distance of twelve inches or less from the ceiling, suggesting that a 
higher threshold may result in the categorization of significant 
numbers of standard ceiling fans as hugger ceiling fans.
    Additionally, DOE agrees with Hunter that the maximum distance 
between the blades and the ceiling, instead of average distance, may be 
a more appropriate metric when considering whether a ceiling fan is 
safe to operate in a room with a low ceiling. Therefore, DOE is 
proposing to define a hugger ceiling fan in terms of the vertical 
distance between the ceiling and the lowest point on the fan blades. To 
account for the additional vertical distance between the average 
vertical position of the fan blades and the lowest point on the fan 
blades, DOE is proposing a modification to the vertical distance 
specified in the definition. Based on DOE's analysis, one additional 
inch is appropriate given the typical width and pitch of a fan blade. 
Therefore, DOE is proposing to define a hugger ceiling fan as ``a 
ceiling fan where the lowest point on the fan blades is no more than 
ten inches from the ceiling.''
4. Definitions of Standard Ceiling Fan and Multi-Mount Ceiling Fan
    In accordance with the definition of a hugger ceiling fan, DOE is 
proposing to define a standard ceiling fan as ``a ceiling fan where the 
lowest point on the fan blades is more than ten inches from the 
ceiling.'' A multi-mount ceiling fan would be defined as ``a ceiling 
fan that can be mounted in both the

[[Page 62527]]

standard and hugger ceiling fan configurations.''
    DOE proposes to clarify that ceiling fans exist that can be mounted 
at more than one height, but that do not include at least one mounting 
option that meets that hugger ceiling fan definition and one option 
that meets the standard ceiling fan definition, would not meet the 
definition of a multi-mount fan (e.g., a ceiling fan where all mounting 
options result in the lowest point on the fan blades being more than 
ten inches from the ceiling would be classified as a standard ceiling 
fan). Such fans would be tested as described in section III.E.5, 
whereas multi-mount fans would be tested as described in section 
III.F.2.

B. Effective Date and Compliance Date

    DOE is proposing amendments to its ceiling fan test procedure in 
Appendix U that would alter the way ceiling fans are currently tested 
and the dates for use of the test procedures. Because DOE does not 
currently have performance-based standards for ceiling fans as measured 
by the airflow efficiency, the proposals for Appendix U would not 
affect a manufacturer's ability to comply with current energy 
conservation standards.
    Manufacturers would be required to use the revised Appendix U for 
representations of ceiling fan efficiency 180 days after the 
publication of any final amended test procedures in the Federal 
Register. If DOE were to establish minimum energy conservation 
standards for ceiling fans as measured in airflow efficiency in the 
concurrent energy conservation standards rulemaking, manufacturers 
would be required to use the revised Appendix U for determining 
compliance with any amended standards.
    DOE notes that the proposed changes in interpretation of the 
ceiling fan definition discussed above would result in the 
applicability of the design standards set forth in EPCA at 42 U.S.C. 
6295(ff)(1) to the following types of fans 30 days after the 
publication of any final test procedure adopting such changes in 
interpretation:

    1. Fans suspended from the ceiling using a downrod or other 
means of suspension such that the fan is not mounted directly to the 
ceiling;
    2. Fans suspended such that they are mounted directly or close 
to the ceiling;
    3. Fans sold with the option of being suspended with or without 
a downrod; and
    4. Fans capable of producing large volumes of airflow.

    In the concurrent energy conservation standards rulemaking for 
ceiling fans, DOE is considering a separate product class for highly 
decorative ceiling fans that would be exempt from performance 
standards. The current design standards specified in EPCA would still 
apply to such fans.
    To ensure that any amended energy conservation standards developed 
in the ongoing ceiling fan standards rulemaking account for any changes 
to the test procedure, DOE is proposing to consider standards based on 
the measured ceiling fan efficiency generated by the test procedure 
proposed in this rulemaking.

C. Existing Test Procedure

    As noted above, DOE's test procedure for ceiling fans is codified 
at 10 CFR 430.23(w) and 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix U. The 
current DOE test procedure references the ``ENERGY STAR Testing 
Facility Guidance Manual: Building a Testing Facility and Performing 
the Solid State Test Method for ENERGY STAR Qualified Ceiling Fans,'' 
version 1.1. DOE notes that ENERGY STAR has since revised its test 
procedure, creating version 1.2 of ENERGY STAR's guidance manual. DOE's 
proposed test procedure is consistent with the EPCA requirement that 
the test procedure for ceiling fans be based on version 1.1, but the 
proposal set forth in this rule adopts portions of version 1.2 as 
appropriate.
    There are some slight differences between the proposed DOE test 
procedure and the ENERGY STAR test procedure. For instance, DOE 
proposes no modification in today's rule to the ceiling fan warm-up 
time at a given fan speed. This means that the warm-up time in the 
proposed DOE test procedure is the same as the 15 minute warm-up time 
specified in the current DOE test procedure (and not the 30 minute 
warm-up time before low speed specified in the ENERGY STAR test 
procedure v1.2).

D. Proposed Metric

    DOE proposes to apply a metric, ceiling fan efficiency, to all 
ceiling fans. The metric would be based on airflow efficiency and would 
account for variations in fan design, fan speeds, and typical usage 
patterns. Airflow efficiency appears to be a universal metric used to 
describe the efficiency of ceiling fans and consists of airflow, i.e., 
the service provided by a ceiling fan, as measured in cubic feet per 
minute (CFM), divided by power consumption, which is measured in watts 
(W).
1. Low-Volume Fans
    For low-volume ceiling fans, DOE is proposing to calculate ceiling 
fan efficiency based on the weighted average of airflow and power 
consumption at high and low fan speeds.
    The Framework Document for the ceiling fan energy conservation 
standards rulemaking requested comment on defining ``high,'' 
``medium,'' and ``low'' speeds. (78 FR 16443 (Mar. 15, 2013)) Few 
comments were received on this topic, but the American Lighting 
Association (ALA) suggested defining ``high'' as the highest available 
fan speed and ``low'' as the lowest available fan speed. (ALA, No. 39 
at p. 2) \7\ These suggested definitions appear reasonable, and DOE 
proposes to define ``high speed'' as the highest available speed, and 
to define ``low speed'' as the lowest available speed. Most low-volume 
ceiling fans have one or more speeds between high and low, but DOE 
proposes to measure only high and low speeds to limit the testing 
burden and avoid confusion regarding the definition of medium speed for 
ceiling fans with more than three speeds.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ A notation in this form provides a reference for information 
that is in the docket of DOE's rulemaking to develop energy 
conservation standards for ceiling fans and ceiling fan light kits 
(Docket No. EERE-2012-BT-STD-0045), which is maintained at 
www.regulations.gov. This notation indicates that the statement 
preceding the reference is document number 39 in the docket for the 
ceiling fan and ceiling fan light kits energy conservation standards 
rulemaking and appears at page 2 of that document.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DOE proposes to weight airflow and power consumption at high and 
low speeds in the ceiling fan efficiency metric for low-volume ceiling 
fans according to mean national hours of operation per day at each 
speed.
2. High-Volume Ceiling Fans
    For high-volume ceiling fans, DOE proposes to calculate ceiling fan 
efficiency based on measured airflow and power consumption at high 
speed. High-volume ceiling fans are often not equipped with discrete 
speeds (e.g., low, medium, and high). Instead, high-volume ceiling fans 
may have a speed controller that is continuously adjustable. Given that 
speeds other than high may be ill-defined, DOE is proposing to test 
high-volume ceiling fans at high speed only.
3. Incorporating Standby Power Consumption
    DOE is also addressing standby-mode and off-mode power consumption 
of ceiling fans in this NOPR. For both low and high-volume ceiling 
fans, DOE proposes to integrate standby-mode power consumption into the 
ceiling fan efficiency metric, as required by EPCA. (42 U.S.C. 
6295(gg)(2)(A)) EPCA defines ``standby mode'' as the condition in

[[Page 62528]]

which an energy-using product: is connected to a main power source, and 
offers one or more of the following user-oriented or protective 
functions: (1) The ability to facilitate the activation or deactivation 
of other functions (including active mode) by remote switch (including 
remote control), internal sensor, or timer; and (2) continuous 
functions, including information or status displays (including clocks), 
or sensor-based functions. (42 U.S.C. 6295(gg)(1)(A)(iii)) ``Off mode'' 
is the condition in which the ceiling fan is connected to a main power 
source and is not providing any standby or active mode function. (42 
U.S.C. 6295(gg)(1)(A)(ii))
    DOE is proposing a test method for measuring standby power 
consumption in both low-volume and high-volume fans (see section 
III.F.5). DOE proposes to incorporate the standby power value obtained 
from this test into the overall efficiency metric for the ceiling fan.
    DOE proposes to perform the standby-mode test immediately following 
the active mode test. For those ceiling fans packaged with a light kit, 
this means that the light kit will still be attached during standby-
mode testing, i.e., the configuration will be the same as for active 
mode testing. In the framework document, DOE proposed to assign all 
standby power consumption from a ceiling fan with a ceiling fan light 
kit to the ceiling fan only. Further research has indicated that for 
the typical configuration in which a remote device controls a ceiling 
fan paired with a ceiling fan light kit, the remote provides equal 
service to each device--the ability to turn on/off/adjust--and it 
requires no more or less energy to provide that service for the ceiling 
fan light kit than for the ceiling fan. The energy required to provide 
that service depends on the nature of the remote receiver, and not on 
the features of the ceiling fan or ceiling fan light kit. This would 
suggest that if a ceiling fan and a ceiling fan light kit share a 
remote, it would be appropriate to attribute half of the standby power 
to the ceiling fan. To include standby power consumption in the 
efficacy metric of a ceiling fan light kit, however, would be 
technically infeasible, because doing so would cause the efficacy of 
the ceiling fan light kit to differ from the efficacy of the lamps in 
the light kit. Therefore, to account for this standby power 
consumption, DOE proposes to attribute all the standby power 
consumption of a ceiling fan with a ceiling fan light kit to the 
ceiling fan only. DOE requests comments on this approach.
    Because DOE research and feedback from manufacturers indicates that 
there is no off-mode power consumption for these products, DOE is 
proposing not to include off-mode power in the ceiling fan efficiency 
metric.
4. Operating Hours
    At the public meeting on the Framework Document, Fanimation 
commented that most consumers use their [low-volume] ceiling fan at low 
or medium speed, citing a social media poll. (Fanimation, No. 9 at 
p.68) In written comments on the Framework Document, Capital Lighting 
stated that the typical user operates a ceiling fan at low or medium 
speed. (Capital Lighting, No. 27 at p. 3) Progress Lighting also 
commented that high speed is not the most common mode of operation. 
(Progress Lighting, No. 6 at p. 2) Hunter Fans and ALA both cited an 
AcuPOLL[supreg] Precision Research, Inc. survey submitted by ALA and 
commissioned by Hunter, which reports that low is the typical operating 
speed of about 30 percent of ceiling fans, that medium is the typical 
speed of about 50 percent of ceiling fans, and that high is the typical 
speed of about 20 percent of ceiling fans. (ALA, No. 39 at p. 2 and 
Hunter, No. 37 at p.3)
    A report on ceiling fan energy use (the Lawrence Berkeley National 
Laboratory (LBNL) titled ``Ceiling Fan and Ceiling Fan Light Kit Use in 
the U.S.'' \8\) suggests, however, that high speed may be the most 
commonly used speed. In the LBNL survey, a representative sample of 
more than 2,500 ceiling fan users were asked to break down the fraction 
of ceiling fan on-time spent at each speed, and the responses indicated 
that in aggregate, high is the most commonly used speed (on average 41% 
of the time a fan is in operation), and low is the least commonly used 
speed (on average 22% of the time a fan is in operation). By contrast, 
the AcuPOLL survey did not inquire into the fraction of time spent at 
each speed, instead asking respondents for a single ``typical'' speed. 
Therefore, the LBNL survey provides a more disaggregated dataset on 
which DOE can base its usage profile. DOE proposes to use the daily 
national-average hours of operation reported in LBNL's survey as the 
basis for weighting energy consumption at high and low speed (see Table 
2). To convert the values reported at high, medium, and low in LBNL's 
survey to high and low speed only, DOE allocated the operating hours 
reported for medium speed to high and low speeds using the ratio of 
time spent at high and low speeds. DOE seeks comment on its proposed 
operating hours for calculating ceiling fan efficiency for low-volume 
ceiling fans.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \8\ Kantner, C.L.S., S.J. Young, S.M. Donovan, K. Garbesi. 
Ceiling Fan and Ceiling Fan Light Kit Use in the U.S.--Results of a 
Survey on Amazon Mechanical Turk (2013) Lawrence Berkeley National 
Laboratory: Berkeley, CA. Report No. LBNL-6332E.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    For ceiling fans that operate in standby mode, DOE assumes that the 
ceiling fan is always activated by remote and is, therefore, assumed to 
never be ``off.'' This assumption is likely to have little impact on 
measured ceiling fan efficiency, because it is DOE's understanding that 
the majority of ceiling fans with built-in remotes do not include 
built-in on/off switches and so cannot be placed into off mode. 
Therefore, this split between standby and off mode is rarely, if ever, 
applicable.
    To estimate the hours of operation data for high-volume ceiling 
fans, DOE used feedback from manufacturers indicating that, while the 
hours of operation may vary significantly across industry and 
application (e.g., warehouses or manufacturing facilities), 12 hours 
per day spent in active mode may be a representative value. DOE, 
therefore, proposes to assume 12 hours of daily operation in active 
mode for high-volume ceiling fans. DOE seeks comment and any available 
data on operating hours for high-volume ceiling fans.

  Table 2--Daily Operating Hours for Calculating Ceiling Fan Efficiency
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           No standby      With standby
------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Daily Operating Hours for Low-Volume Ceiling Fans
------------------------------------------------------------------------
High Speed............................              4.2              4.2
Low Speed.............................              2.2              2.2
Standby Mode..........................              0.0             17.6

[[Page 62529]]

 
Off Mode..............................             17.6              0
------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Daily Operating Hours for High-Volume Ceiling Fans
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Active Mode...........................             12.0             12.0
Standby Mode..........................              0.0             12.0
Off Mode..............................             12.0              0
------------------------------------------------------------------------

5. Metric for Ceiling Fan Efficiency
    DOE proposes the following equations to determine ceiling fan 
efficiency.
    Low-volume ceiling fans:
    [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP17OC14.004
    

Where:

CFMi = airflow at a given speed,
OHi = operating hours at a given speed,
Wi = power consumption at a given speed,
H = high speed,
L = low speed,
OHSb = operating hours in standby mode, and
WSb = power consumption in standby mode.

    DOE is not aware of any low-volume ceiling fans with continuously 
variable speed control currently on the market. If such ceiling fans 
are manufactured in the future, DOE will consider amendments to the 
test procedure to accommodate these fans, where other speeds may not be 
well-defined, as needed.
    High-volume ceiling fans:
    [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP17OC14.005
    

Where:

CFMH = airflow at high speed,
OHA = operating hours in active mode,
WH = power consumption at high speed,
OHSb = operating hours in standby mode, and
WSb = power consumption in standby mode.

6. Power Factor
    DOE received a comment in response to the Framework Document from 
PG&E, SCGC, SDG&E, and SCE (CA IOUs) stating that evaluation of power 
factor should be included in the test procedure for ceiling fans due to 
the impact of power factor on power quality and transmission efficiency 
of the electric grid. CA IOUs also commented that the significance of 
power factor increases as brushless permanent magnet motors become more 
popular. (CA IOUs, No. 12 at p.5) DOE acknowledges that phase shifts 
introduced into the grid by loads could theoretically increase power 
production and transmission system demands. However, it is the net 
impact of many loads that ultimately determines the impact, which in 
turn depends on a dynamically changing load mix. DOE is not aware of 
field data quantifying the impact of power factor on the electric grid. 
DOE is not proposing a change in the test procedure to account for 
power factor.

E. Other Proposed Modifications to Current Test Procedure

1. Clarification That Low-Volume Ceiling Fans Should be Tested at High 
and Low Speeds
    DOE proposes to require testing at high and low fan speeds for low-
volume ceiling fans because low-volume ceiling fans typically have more 
than one speed setting that may be selected by the consumer. Such an 
approach would allow the ceiling fan efficiency metric to be 
representative of average use. The current DOE test procedure for 
ceiling fans allows for testing at all available fan speeds but does 
not specify how many speeds should be tested. In the Framework Document 
for the ceiling fans energy conservation standards rulemaking, DOE 
considered testing at one or multiple ceiling fan speeds and sought 
comment. A number of commenters weighed in on this subject, with some 
in favor of testing at multiple speeds and others in favor of testing 
at a single speed.
    The Appliance Standards Awareness Project (ASAP), the National 
Consumer Law Center (NCLC), the National Resources Defense Council 
(NRDC), and the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) commented 
that DOE should develop a test procedure that includes measurements of 
airflow efficiency at multiple fan speeds. These commenters presented 
ENERGY STAR data at different fan speeds, arguing that airflow 
efficiency at a given speed is not necessarily a good predictor of 
airflow efficiency at other speeds. (ASAP, NCLC, NRDC, and NEEA, No. 14 
at pp. 4-5) ALA commented that the assumption is being made that the 
testing mentioned is for ENERGY STAR qualification; if that assumption 
is true, then high is the only speed that needs to be tested because it 
is always the least efficient of the speeds. (ALA, No. 39 at p.11) 
Progress Lighting noted that testing at multiple speeds is already 
required by both Energy Star and California Title 20. (Progress 
Lighting, No. 6 at p.3)
    In assessing how many speeds should be tested, DOE notes that data 
from Hunter Fans (included in a 2004 report by Pacific Gas and Electric 
(PG&E), ``Analysis of Standards Options For Ceiling Fans'') suggest 
that high speed is usually, but not always, the least-efficient speed. 
For 4 out of 26 ceiling fans tested, low speed was actually the least-
efficient speed setting, and the

[[Page 62530]]

variability of efficiency at low speed was significantly larger than at 
high speed, suggesting more opportunity for improvement in efficiency 
at low speed.
    DOE is obligated to have a test procedure that reflects ``a 
representative average use cycle or period of use'', but which is not 
``unduly burdensome to conduct''. (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(3)) Testing at 
more than one speed allows for a more representative indication of 
ceiling fan efficiency and increases the usefulness of efficiency 
labels for consumers. Additionally, as high speed is not always the 
least-efficient speed, DOE proposes to test at both high and low 
speeds. The proposed approach would limit the test burden and maintain 
a consistent test burden for all low-volume ceiling fans, the vast 
majority of which have between three and six speeds. Testing 
specifically at the highest and lowest available speeds, instead of at 
three speeds, would also avoid any ambiguity regarding the definition 
of medium speed for ceiling fans with more than three speeds. DOE 
requests comment on testing low-volume ceiling fans at the highest and 
lowest fan speeds.
2. Elimination of the Requirement for a Test Cylinder To Be Used During 
Testing
    A test cylinder is included in the experimental setup of the 
current DOE test procedure for ceiling fans. Its intended purpose is to 
control the direction of airflow. During the public meeting for the 
Framework Document in the ceiling fans energy conservation standards 
rulemaking, Hunter Fans commented that there was little variation in 
airflow test results regardless of whether a test cylinder was used 
when conducting testing under the DOE test procedure. (Hunter, No. 9 at 
p.56) In a written comment on the Framework Document, ALA stated that: 
(1) Test results from a certified laboratory found that the measured 
CFM (cubic feet per minute) [at high speed] on 28 different test 
samples (various diameters) using the specified cylinder (with a 
diameter 8'' larger than the fan diameter) vs. no cylinder at all 
varied on average by 1.1 percent without the use of the cylinder; (2) 
the standard deviation was 1.0 percent and the max/min was 3.1/0.1 
percent respectively; (3) based on these data, the manufacturers 
suggest that use of the cylinder should not be required. (ALA, No. 39 
at p.9)
    To determine the effect of the test cylinder on airflow 
measurements, DOE conducted testing on three ceiling fans both with and 
without a test cylinder. The 44-inch, 52-inch, and 56-inch ceiling fans 
used were tested at all three available speeds. The airflow 
measurements indicated a difference of 2-10 percent between the two 
testing scenarios, but there was no consistent dependence on ceiling 
fan size or fan speed. The calculated variance of the measurement data, 
however, was almost 20 percent lower overall when testing without a 
test cylinder, suggesting that testing without a cylinder is a 
statistically less noisy approach to measuring airflow. This difference 
in measurement error could perhaps be due to turbulence created by the 
interaction of the airflow with the side of the test cylinder.
    Because testing without a test cylinder appears to be a more 
accurate approach to measuring airflow and more closely simulates 
installed usage conditions than with a cylinder in place, DOE proposes 
to eliminate the requirement to test with a test cylinder. This reduces 
test burden for manufacturers who may want to introduce new ceiling fan 
sizes and would otherwise have to pay for a new test cylinder, as well 
as reducing potential market distortions that would favor ceiling fans 
at sizes corresponding to existing test cylinders. Additionally, this 
would more closely harmonize with the test procedure for high-volume 
ceiling fans (see section III.F.1), which does not include a test 
cylinder.
    DOE proposes that the effective area and the number of sensors used 
to measure airflow for a given ceiling fan would still be the same as 
in the current test procedure--that is, the effective area over which 
airflow is calculated would be a circle 8 inches larger in diameter 
than the fan blade span. The distance between the ceiling fan blades 
and the air velocity sensors also would not change. The test cylinder 
would simply not be installed prior to testing.
3. Addition of a False Ceiling to the Experimental Set-Up
    In the Framework Document, DOE suggested investigating 
methodologies for testing hugger ceiling fans (i.e., fans mounted very 
close to the ceiling) and mentioned the existence of a hugger fan test 
method in CAN/CSA-C814-10, ``Energy Performance of Ceiling Fans,'' 
which includes a false ceiling in the test set-up.\9\ The comments 
received on this topic were generally in favor of testing with a false 
ceiling, although Big Ass Fans commented that it is important to 
maintain the same distance between the ceiling fan blades and the test 
sensors as in a standard test set-up for low-volume ceiling fans to 
ensure an appropriate measurement for comparison to a standard low-
volume ceiling fan. (BAF, No. 43 at p.2)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ Canadian Standards Association. CAN/CSA-C814-10--Energy 
Performance of Ceiling Fans. 2010. (Last accessed February 24, 2014) 
http://shop.csa.ca/en/canada/energy-efficiency/cancsa-c814-10/invt/27005372010.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DOE conducted testing on ceiling fans advertised as hugger fans 
both with and without a false ceiling in place. Having a false ceiling 
in place for these fans resulted in a 30-percent to 50-percent decrease 
in measured airflow compared to testing without a false ceiling. One 
ceiling fan was tested in both the hugger and standard configurations 
with a false ceiling in place, in addition to being tested without a 
false ceiling. For this fan, a 50-percent reduction in airflow was 
found in the hugger configuration with the false ceiling in place when 
compared to the airflow from the same fan without a false ceiling. When 
tested in the standard configuration with the false ceiling in place, a 
35-percent reduction in airflow was still observed when compared to the 
airflow from the same fan without a false ceiling. The implication was 
that the presence of a false ceiling had a larger impact on airflow 
than switching from the standard to the hugger configuration.
    Using a false ceiling when testing all low-volume ceiling fans is 
more representative of actual ceiling fan use in a home, where fans are 
mounted directly to the ceiling. Using a different experimental setup 
for hugger fans than for other low-volume ceiling fans would also 
affect efficiency representations on the labels of different types of 
ceiling fans and result in market representations of ceiling fan 
efficiency that cannot be readily compared. Such an approach would 
potentially put fans tested with a false ceiling (such as hugger or 
multi-mount ceiling fans) at a competitive disadvantage compared to 
standard ceiling fans. While this change to the test procedure would 
involve a one-time test burden for testing facilities to install a 
false ceiling, it should not result in an additional cost per test 
thereafter.
    DOE also compared the effect on airflow measurements of having a 
false ceiling in place that was 8 inches versus 16 inches larger in 
width and breadth than the blade span of the ceiling fan. DOE found no 
appreciable reduction in airflow with a larger false ceiling in place. 
This implies that a false ceiling 8 inches larger than the blade span 
of a ceiling fan is sufficiently large to approximate a ceiling.
    DOE proposes to test all low-volume ceiling fans with the addition 
of a false ceiling directly above the ceiling fan. The distance between 
the lowest point on the ceiling fan blades and the air velocity sensors 
should be the same as

[[Page 62531]]

in the current DOE test procedure. The length and breadth of the false 
ceiling should be at least 8 inches larger than the blade span of the 
ceiling fan. DOE seeks comment on its proposal to add a false ceiling 
to the experimental setup for all low-volume ceiling fan testing.
4. Clarification of the Distance Between the Ceiling Fan Blades and the 
Air Velocity Sensors
    As the Framework Document for the ceiling fans energy conservation 
standard rulemaking notes, the test set-up for the current DOE test 
procedure assumes that ceiling fan blades are reasonably flat.\10\ The 
test procedure specifies that a test cylinder is to be hung below the 
ceiling fan such that there is a 6-inch vertical gap between the middle 
of the fan blade tips and the top of the test cylinder. Without a test 
cylinder in place, this is effectively a specification of the vertical 
gap between the middle of the fan blade tips and the heads of the air 
velocity sensors. It may be unclear as to how the ``middle of blade 
tip'' measurements should be made for fans having non-flat blades or 
unusual shapes.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \10\ U.S. Department of Energy--Office of Energy Efficiency and 
Renewable Energy. Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products: 
Framework Document: Energy Efficiency Program for Consumer Products: 
Energy Conservation Standards for Ceiling Fans and Ceiling Fan Light 
Kits. March 2013. Washington, DC http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=EERE-2012-BT-STD-0045-0002.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    ALA commented in response to the Framework Document that: (1) The 
manufacturers suggest maintaining the same test methodology regardless 
of blade shape; (2) while nontraditional blade shapes may affect 
airflow, they should not be tested differently based on improved or 
reduced airflow capability; and (3) changing the test method based on 
blade shape could potentially create advantages or disadvantages, so a 
uniform method is suggested. (ALA, No. 39 at p.9)
    DOE performed tests to assess the impact of measuring airflow using 
a vertical distance measured from the bottom of the blade tip compared 
to a vertical distance measured from the middle of the blade tip. 
Airflow was measured for two 52-inch fans on low, medium, and high 
speeds in the two different vertical distance configurations. One fan 
was chosen specifically for having a nontraditional curved blade shape 
with an ambiguous middle of the blade tip. Testing for both fans 
indicated that measurements of airflow using the two configurations 
were consistent to within 3 percent on medium and high speeds and 6 
percent on low speed. Therefore, to avoid the potential ambiguity of 
the phrase ``middle of blade tip,'' DOE proposes to instead define the 
vertical gap in terms of the distance between the lowest point on the 
ceiling fan blades and the heads of the air velocity sensors. This 
would apply to all low-volume ceiling fan blades to ensure a congruent 
test for airflow.
5. Clarification of the Appropriate Fan Configuration During Testing 
for Low-Volume Ceiling Fans
    DOE research indicates that a number of low-volume ceiling fans can 
be mounted at more than one height while still being classified as 
either a standard or hugger ceiling fan (rather than meeting DOE's 
definition of a multi-mount fan). As an example, a ceiling fan that can 
be mounted at three different heights, all of which result in the 
lowest point on the fan blades being more than ten inches from the 
ceiling, would be classified as a standard ceiling fan. Therefore, DOE 
proposes to clarify that if more than one mounting option is included 
with a fan that would meet the definition of a standard low-volume 
ceiling fan, that ceiling fan should be tested in the configuration 
with the smallest distance between the ceiling and the lowest part of 
the fan blades. Similarly, if more than one mounting option is included 
with a fan that would meet the definition of a hugger low-volume 
ceiling fan, that ceiling fan should be tested in the configuration 
with the smallest distance between the ceiling and the lowest part of 
the fan blades. DOE seeks data and comment on how these fans are 
actually configured in the field.
6. Clarification of the Test Method for Ceiling Fans With Heaters
    The Framework Document for the ceiling fans energy conservation 
standards rulemaking noted that some ceiling fans are sold with 
combined heating elements, although the extent to which such heaters 
are used is unclear.\10\ DOE preliminarily concluded that it would not 
consider the power consumption by the heater in the rulemaking and 
asked for comment. The only comment received on this topic supported 
DOE's planned approach. (ALA, No. 39 at p. 11) DOE proposes to clarify 
that during testing, any ceiling fan packaged with a heater should be 
tested with the heater in place (representative of the configuration 
when the fan is used by a consumer) but switched off.
7. Revision of the Allowable Tolerance for Air Velocity Sensors Used 
During Testing
    As noted in the Framework Document for the ceiling fans energy 
conservation standard rulemaking, the current DOE test procedure 
incorporates by reference ENERGY STAR guidance manual v1.1, which 
requires air speed sensors with an accuracy of +/- 1 percent or better. 
ENERGY STAR guidance manual v1.2, however, requires air speed sensors 
with an accuracy of only +/- 5 percent or better. The Framework 
Document suggested that the appropriate tolerance may need to be 
reevaluated.\10\
    ALA commented that ceiling fan manufacturers are of the opinion 
that the accuracy sensor specified in the current ENERGY STAR guidance 
manual (+/- 5%) is acceptable, but they recommended that a test fan be 
distributed among all laboratories certified to perform DOE's ceiling 
fan test procedure and that testing be conducted to ensure that all of 
the labs correlate. (ALA, No. 39 at p. 7)
    To determine whether sensor accuracy affects airflow measurements, 
DOE compared the variation in mean air speeds when testing with sensors 
with different accuracy ratings and investigated the variation in raw 
air speed readings from a single sensor type. First, DOE compared the 
average air speeds reported by two different test laboratories for the 
same ceiling fan. One laboratory used sensors matching the tolerance 
allowed by ENERGY STAR guidance manual v1.2: the maximum of 5 percent 
of the reading or 1 percent of the full-range sensor accuracy. The 
other laboratory used sensors with a better accuracy: the maximum of 2 
percent of the reading or 0.5 percent of the selected range. If the 
uncertainty in mean air speed was due to sensor accuracy, the ratio of 
the standard errors between the labs should have been similar to the 
ratio of sensor accuracies (i.e., 5:2). DOE found, however, that both 
laboratories had a similar standard error of mean air speed, which 
significantly exceeded the expected error due to sensor accuracy. 
Second, DOE investigated the coefficients of variation for raw air 
speed measurements from several ceiling fans tested in a single 
laboratory. The coefficients of variation were approximately ten times 
greater than would be expected if the measurement uncertainty came only 
from the sensor accuracy.
    Based on these analyses, DOE concluded that the variation in 
measured air speed was not greatly affected by the accuracy of the 
sensors

[[Page 62532]]

used in the two test laboratories. As a result, there appears to be no 
reason to require the use of sensors with accuracy better than +/- 5 
percent of the reading. Accordingly, DOE proposes to change the sensor 
tolerances from the current test procedure value of 1 percent to 5 
percent.

F. Proposed Additional Test Methods

1. Addition of a Test Method for High-Volume Ceiling Fans
    High-volume ceiling fans (where volume refers to airflow volume) 
are typically offered in a range of diameters from 36 inches to 24 
feet. The large size of some high-volume ceiling fans cannot be 
accommodated by existing ceiling fan test facilities for low-volume 
ceiling fans without significant modifications. In some cases, the 
ceiling fans would simply not fit into the test room.
    AMCA 230, ``Laboratory Methods of Testing Air Circulating Fans for 
Rating and Certification,'' is the industry test procedure for high-
volume ceiling fans. The test procedure describes a ceiling fan hung 
from a load cell. When the ceiling fan is turned on, the measured 
change in force on the load cell allows thrust to be calculated, and 
AMCA 230 provides an equation for calculating airflow based on thrust. 
This is a different approach than the current DOE test procedure for 
low-volume ceiling fans, which measures air velocity directly. Given 
the large dimensions of some high-volume ceiling fans, an approach 
based on AMCA 230 (requiring only a load cell) appears to be more 
practical than an approach based on the current DOE test procedure for 
low-volume ceiling fans, which requires an array of sensors.
    The latest version of the AMCA 230 test procedure (AMCA 230-12) 
specifies that it is to be applied to ceiling fans 6 feet in diameter 
or smaller. A previous version of AMCA 230 (AMCA 230-07), however, 
allows for testing larger ceiling fans with no restriction on fan size, 
using a modified version of the test procedure. In the modified 
version, the restrictions on the room dimensions with respect to the 
fan size are relaxed and not specified. Even for those ceiling fans 
with diameters in the 20-24 feet range, performance specifications 
(such as airflow and airflow efficiency) can be found on Web sites and 
in manuals of several manufacturers, suggesting that it is possible to 
test ceiling fans with large diameters.
    For ceiling fans up to 24 feet in diameter, DOE proposes testing 
high-volume ceiling fans in keeping with industry practice, using a 
test procedure based on AMCA 230-12, and incorporating AMCA 230-12 by 
reference. It appears plausible to test even large high-volume ceiling 
fans according to such a test procedure, with some modification to the 
specified room dimensions. DOE proposes to modify the specified room 
dimensions for high-volume ceiling fans in the following ways: (1) The 
minimum distance between the ceiling and the blades of a ceiling fan 
being tested is 44 inches for all blade diameters, (2) ceiling fans 
larger than 6 feet in diameter must have a 20 foot clearance between 
the floor and the blades of the fan being tested, and (3) for ceiling 
fans larger than 6 feet in diameter, the minimum distance between the 
centerline of a ceiling fan being tested and walls and large 
obstructions all around is half the ceiling fan blade span plus 10 
feet. The proposed requirement for a minimum distance between the 
ceiling and the blades would mean that even the largest ceiling fans, 
at 24 feet in diameter, would have a clearance of at least 15 percent 
of the fan blade diameter, and that the clearance will be roughly 
equivalent to the clearance for low-volume ceiling fans. The proposed 
minimum clearance between the blades and the floor is based on the 
typical installation environment for fans larger than 6 feet in 
diameter. Distances greater than 20 feet could impose testing burden by 
requiring very tall testing rooms. Additionally, a distance of 20 feet 
between the floor and the fan blades is one of the distances 
recommended by researchers on this topic.\11\ The proposed minimum 
clearance laterally about the blades is designed to balance the need 
for unobstructed airflow patterns in the room with not requiring a 
testing facility that would be excessively burdensome to create. DOE 
seeks comment on these proposed changes to the room specifications.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ Rohles, F.H., Jr., J.E. Laviana, T.E. Shrimplin, Assessing 
Air Velocities from the Industrial Ceiling Fan (1986). ASHRAE 
Transactions, vol. 92, pt. 1A: San Francisco, CA.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DOE is not aware of any third-party testing facility that currently 
tests large-diameter, high-volume ceiling fans. The large amount of 
space required to conduct the proposed test procedure may be the 
primary constraint in establishing such a test facility. For example, 
the proposed room requirements for a ceiling fan 24 feet in diameter 
are a room that is at least 44 feet square, that is free of large 
obstructions, and has a ceiling height of approximately 24 feet. DOE 
requests information on how manufacturers currently test large-
diameter, high-volume ceiling fans, as well as the availability of 
suitable third-party testing facilities that can conduct the proposed 
test procedure and the ability to develop such facilities.
2. Addition of a Test Method for Low-Volume Multi-Mount Ceiling Fans
    DOE is proposing to define multi-mount ceiling fans as ceiling fans 
that can be mounted in both the standard and hugger ceiling fan 
configurations (see Section III.A.4). The Framework Document for the 
ceiling fans energy conservation standards rulemaking suggested that 
multi-mount ceiling fans should be tested with the fan installed in the 
hugger configuration. (78 FR 16443 (Mar. 15, 2013))
    ALA commented that multi-mount ceiling fans should be tested in the 
standard ceiling fan configuration. ALA cited the AcuPOLL survey, which 
indicates that 73 percent of multi-mount ceiling fans are installed in 
the standard configuration. (ALA, No. 39 at pp.8-9) ALA also suggested 
that, if needed, a statement can be added to show which configuration 
was used for the CFM test. King of Fans (KOF) commented that it does 
not agree with testing the multi[hyphen]mount fans in the hugger/flush 
mount configuration, as it can make the multi[hyphen]mount fans (which 
provide a consumer benefit) noncompetitive with fans that do not have 
the flush mount option, at least in terms of reported energy 
efficiency. KOF stated that testing multi-mount fans in this manner 
would cause the CFM ratings to be affected, which may in turn cause a 
customer to default to a higher-rated CFM product; this would put the 
multi[hyphen]mount fans at a competitive disadvantage. (KOF, No.42 at 
p.1) Progress Lighting also commented that multi-mount ceiling fans 
should be tested in the standard configuration, stating that customized 
configurations have many variables that cannot be controlled for in the 
analysis. (Progress Lighting, No. 6 at pp.2-3)
    On the other hand, CA IOUs suggested establishing two performance 
standards for multi-mount ceiling fans: (1) one for when the fan is in 
the hugger position (same as the hugger product class standard), and 
(2) another for when the fan is in a standard position. (CA IOUs, No. 
12 at p. 2)
    Since multi-mount ceiling fans can be installed in either standard 
or hugger configuration, DOE proposes to test low-volume multi-mount 
ceiling fans in both configurations: (1) In the configuration that 
meets the definition of a standard ceiling fan, while minimizing the 
distance the ceiling and the lowest part of the fan blades, and (2) in 
the configuration that meets the definition

[[Page 62533]]

of a hugger ceiling fan, while minimizing the distance between the 
ceiling and the lowest part of the fan blades. DOE seeks comment on 
whether manufacturers should be required to test multi-mount ceiling 
fans in the standard configuration, hugger configuration, both 
configurations, or all configurations for which they are capable of 
being installed.
3. Addition of a Test Method for Multi-Headed Ceiling Fans
    In the Framework Document for the ceiling fans standards 
rulemaking, DOE discussed the challenges presented regarding testing of 
multi-head ceiling fans.\10\ One challenge is that the variable 
geometry of multi-head fans may make it difficult to compare test 
results among either different types of multi-head ceiling fans or 
between multi-head fans and fans with a single head. Another challenge 
is that the effective blade span of some multi-head ceiling fans may 
exceed the area that can currently be tested with air velocity sensors. 
DOE stated that it was considering testing only one of the ceiling fan 
heads, with the other fan head motors turned off, and treating the fan 
head like a standard single-head ceiling fan. The airflow and power 
consumption associated with one head could then be multiplied by the 
number of fan heads in the multi-head ceiling fan. DOE asked for 
comment on this approach. Comments on the Framework Document were 
generally in favor of testing a single fan head for a multi-head fan, 
with some exceptions.
    In its comments, Fanimation recommended that DOE test only one of 
the ceiling fan heads, with the other fan head motors turned off, 
treating the fan head like a standard single-head ceiling fan. 
Fanimation further suggested that: (1) The airflow and airflow 
efficiency could be rated for the individual head, and (2) the total 
airflow for multiple heads could be determined by multiplying the 
airflow from one fan by the number of heads, assuming all are of equal 
construction and diameter. Fanimation concluded that no alternative 
testing strategy is necessary and that testing multiple fan heads would 
be overly burdensome. (Fanimation, No. 32 at p. 3) ALA commented that, 
provided the fan blades of each fan head turn at approximately the same 
RPM (revolutions per minute), it suggests measuring the CFM of one fan 
head and multiplying the results times the total number of fan heads. 
(ALA, No. 39 at p.10)
    ASAP, NCLC, NRDC, and NEEA commented that one potential approach 
would be for manufacturers to certify that the fan heads that are not 
tested do not have any characteristics that are different from those of 
the tested fan head that affect efficiency (similar to the language 
used for determining ``basic models''). Furthermore, ASAP, NCLC, NRDC, 
and NEEA suggested that, for the case where individual fan heads do 
have different characteristics that affect efficiency, multiple fan 
heads would need to be tested. (ASAP, NCLC, NRDC, and NEEA, No. 14 at 
p. 4)
    CA IOUs recommended conducting testing with multiple fan heads 
running simultaneously to account for interactive effects, stating that 
testing only one fan head could be overlooking a significant drop in 
fan performance that DOE should take into account. (CA IOUs, No 12 at 
p.3)
    To assess the impact of measuring airflow and power consumption 
based on a single fan head versus more than one head operating 
simultaneously, DOE conducted a series of tests on a multi-head ceiling 
fan with two identical fan heads. The ceiling fan system was first 
tested with both fan heads operating simultaneously, with the midpoint 
of the fan system centered where the four sensor axes meet. The fan 
heads were oriented along the A-C sensor axis and faced straight 
downwards. Next, with the ceiling fan system still in the same position 
and orientation, DOE measured the results for each individual fan head 
with the other fan head turned off via a switch on the center housing 
of the fan. In addition to airflow measurements, DOE recorded the power 
consumption of the fan system for each test.
    Overall, the airflow velocity profile for the two fan heads turned 
on simultaneously was roughly similar to the sum of testing each fan 
head individually. Tests with individual fan heads produced more 
airflow along the outermost sensors along the A-C axis. Both heads 
running simultaneously directed more air towards the center of the 
system. Compared to the sum of measurements from individual fan heads, 
the test done with both heads running simultaneously measured 7-20 
percent less total airflow, depending on fan speed.
    However, DOE notes that multi-head ceiling fans are designed to 
provide airflow over a larger area than single-head fans. When testing 
multiple fan heads simultaneously, it is unclear whether the airflow 
measurements made by sensors designed to capture the airflow of an 
individual fan head is an adequate representation of the airflow that 
consumers with a multi-head fan may experience. Unlike a single-head 
ceiling fan, which is centered on the meeting point of the four sensor 
axes, the individual fan heads of a multi-head fan are displaced from 
where the sensor axes meet, and airflow may not be adequately measured 
because the sensors are no longer directly beneath the fan heads. This 
will likely underestimate the airflow directly underneath the fan 
heads. This problem would be compounded for multi-head fans with more 
than two fan heads. This suggests that testing an individual fan head, 
and multiplying by the number of fan heads, may yield a more 
representative measurement.
    Additionally, DOE recognizes that testing large multi-head fans 
with all fan heads operating simultaneously is not feasible due to the 
size constraints of testing facilities and the number of sensors 
required to adequately measure the fan's velocity profile. In light of 
this testing constraint, and the possibility that the sensor apparatus 
will not yield representative results because it is designed to measure 
airflow near the intersection of the sensor axes, DOE proposes to test 
multi-headed ceiling fans by testing a single fan head, with the fan 
head in the same position as when a fan with a single head is tested, 
such that it is directly over sensor 1 (i.e., at the center of the test 
set-up, where the four sensor axes meet). This can be accomplished by 
either offsetting the entire false ceiling, or the multi-head fan with 
respect to the false ceiling, as long as the requirement that the false 
ceiling extend at least 8 inches beyond the blade span of the centered 
fan head is maintained. Supporting chains, wires, or ropes may be used 
to keep the false ceiling level, if the multi-head ceiling fan is 
offset with respect to the false ceiling. The distance between the air 
velocity sensors and the fan blades of the centered fan head should be 
the same as for all other low-volume ceiling fans. Switching on only 
the centered fan head, the airflow measurements should be made in the 
same manner as for all other low-volume ceiling fans.
    If a multi-head ceiling fan includes more than one type of ceiling 
fan head, then at least one of each unique type should be tested. 
Differences in fan head construction such as housing, blade pitch, or 
motor could affect air movement or power consumption and would 
constitute a different type of fan head. If all the fan heads are of 
the same type, then only one fan head needs to be tested. The airflow 
at a given speed should be measured for an individual head, and total 
airflow determined by multiplying the results by the number of fan 
heads of each type.
    DOE also assessed the potential for measuring the power consumption 
of a

[[Page 62534]]

single fan head, and then multiplying by the total number of fan heads 
to determine total power consumption. DOE found that the power 
consumption measured for one individual fan head was 75 percent of the 
power consumption measured when both fan heads operated simultaneously. 
As such, measuring the power consumption of one fan head and 
multiplying by the number of fan heads would significantly overestimate 
the power consumption of both fan heads operating simultaneously. 
Therefore, the power consumption at a given speed should be measured 
with all ceiling fan heads turned on. It is not necessary to measure 
power consumption at multiple airflow sensor arm positions, however. An 
average over 100 seconds with the sensor arm in any position is 
sufficient, given the relatively low variability of the wattage 
measurement.
    The effective blade span for a multi-head ceiling fan is the blade 
span of an individual fan head, if all fan heads are the same size. If 
the fan heads are of varying sizes, the effective blade span is the 
blade span of the largest fan head.
4. Addition of a Test Method for Ceiling Fans Where the Airflow Is Not 
Directed Vertically
    As noted in the Framework Document for the ceiling fans standards 
rulemaking, DOE has observed that some ceiling fans on the market can 
be oriented in various positions that direct the airflow and that 
sometimes the fans cannot be oriented such that airflow is directed 
straight down (i.e., the typical configuration).\10\ A non-vertical 
orientation could result in some of the airflow produced being 
undetected by the airflow sensors directly beneath the ceiling fan. In 
response to the Framework Document, ALA commented that: (1) The 
manufacturers recommend that the velocity of the air must be measured 
perpendicular to the flow of the air, and (2) if a ceiling fan, 
installed as intended, is constructed such that the airflow is not 
directed vertically, then steps must be taken through special fixtures 
or other acceptable means to position the fan head so that the airflow 
is directed vertically for measurement purposes. (ALA, No. 39 at p. 11)
    Regarding this issue, DOE conducted tests of a fan head with an 
adjustable tilt to explore the impact of measuring airflow at an angle 
other than directly downward. In comparison to airflow measurements of 
the fan head directed straight down, tilting the fan head at a 15-
degree angle along the A-axis shifted the velocity profile along the A-
C axis and reduced the airflow measured along the B-D axis. Average 
measurements from all four sensor axes result in airflow measurements 
that are 6-17 percent lower than that measured directly downward, 
depending on fan speed. The systematically lower measurements are not 
unexpected, since most of the airflow in the tilted configuration was 
offset from the center of the four axes along the A-axis. Due to 
constraints on the arrangement of the sensor axes, sensors are not in 
an appropriate position to measure airflow in the direction 
perpendicular to the A-C axis. However, DOE found that using average 
measurements from only those sensors which maximize airflow along the 
A-C axis improved agreement with measurements of the fan directed 
straight down to within 2-10 percent. This calculation assumes that, if 
sensors were placed in the appropriate positions along the orthogonal 
axis, the airflow measurements would be the same as along the A-C axis.
    For ceiling fans where the airflow is not directed vertically, DOE 
proposes to clarify that the ceiling fan head should be adjusted such 
that the airflow is as vertical as possible prior to testing so that 
the measured airflow is representative of airflow in the direction the 
fan head faces during normal operation. The distance between the lowest 
point on the blades and the air velocity sensors should be the same as 
for all other low-volume ceiling fans. For ceiling fans where a fully 
vertical orientation of airflow cannot be achieved, DOE proposes to 
orient the ceiling fan such that any remaining tilt is aligned along 
one of the four sensor axes. Instead of measuring the air velocity for 
only those sensors directly beneath the ceiling fan, the air velocity 
should be measured at all sensors along that axis, as well as the axis 
oriented 180 degrees with respect to that axis. Using the same total 
number of sensors as would be utilized if the airflow was directly 
downward, the airflow should be calculated based on the continuous set 
of sensors with the largest air velocity measurements. For example, if 
the tilt is oriented along axis A, air velocity measurements should be 
taken for all sensors along the A-C axis. The air velocity measurements 
would normally be drawn from a symmetric set of sensors for each axis, 
but because of the tilt, the air velocity may be maximized for a set of 
sensors offset by several sensor positions along the A axis. See Figure 
1 for an example. The air velocity results from that offset series of 
sensors would be substituted for the typical symmetric set in order to 
calculate total airflow, for both the A-C axis as well as the B-D axis. 
The effective area used to calculate airflow would be the same as for 
an untilted ceiling fan with the same blade span.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP17OC14.006


[[Page 62535]]


    Given that many of the ceiling fans that cannot achieve vertical 
airflow are multi-headed fans, using an adjustable mount to achieve a 
vertical orientation may be experimentally impractical. Additionally, 
making significant adjustments to the tilt beyond what the ceiling fan 
is capable of achieving when installed may not provide an accurate 
representation of expected airflow to a potential consumer. For ceiling 
fans that cannot achieve vertical airflow, directing the airflow as 
downward as possible, even if the airflow is not vertical, may be the 
most realistic representation of expected airflow for potential 
consumers.

5. Addition of a Test Method for Power Consumption in Standby Mode

    DOE proposes to add standby-mode power consumption testing for low-
volume and high-volume ceiling fans. Specifically, standby-mode testing 
would be applicable to any ceiling fan sold with hardware to maintain 
any of the standby functions defined in 42 U.S.C. 
6295(gg)(1)(A)(iii)(II).
    For low-volume ceiling fans, DOE's research suggests that standby 
mode typically exists for only those low-volume ceiling fans that 
include a radio frequency (RF) receiver to facilitate interaction with 
a remote controller. DOE understands that high-volume ceiling fans, on 
the other hand, often have power consumption in standby mode even if 
they do not include a remote control: For example, if they utilize a 
variable frequency drive (VFD) to control the speed of the motor. 
Standby testing would be required, and included in the metric, for any 
high-volume ceiling fan with a VFD, as well as any high-volume ceiling 
fan with a remote control. DOE requests comment on this approach.
    For both low and high-volume ceiling fans, the standby test would 
be performed following testing in active mode and would require putting 
the ceiling fan in standby mode (if controlled by a remote control or 
other sensor) and measuring the input power draw. As required by 42 
U.S.C. 6295 (gg)(2)(A), DOE considered the most current versions of 
Standards 62301 and 62087 of the International Electrotechnical 
Commission (IEC) as a basis for standby-mode testing. DOE considered 
IEC 62087 and determined that it is not applicable to ceiling fans.\12\ 
DOE also considered IEC 62301 (Edition 2.0, 2011-01). IEC 62301 would 
require the addition of at least 40 minutes to the test procedure for 
those fans subject to standby testing. Because this may result in an 
excessive test burden for these ceiling fans, DOE proposes to 
incorporate IEC 62301 by reference, but reduce the interval of time 
over which testing occurs, as well as the period of time prior to 
standby testing. DOE proposes to wait three minutes after active mode 
functionality has been switched off to begin the standby-mode test and 
then to collect data for 100 seconds. By that point in the test 
procedure, the ceiling fan will have already been energized for over 30 
minutes for the active mode test (15 minute warm-up plus more than 15 
minutes for each speed tested), so DOE believes additional warm-up time 
is unnecessary. The 100 second duration for standby-mode testing 
matches the requirement for active mode testing at each sensor arm 
position.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \12\ IEC 62087 is applicable to television sets, video recording 
equipment, set top boxes, audio equipment and multifunction 
equipment for consumer use.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Standby power consumed by low-volume ceiling fans appears to be 
fairly minimal. DOE conducted standby power testing on four low-volume 
ceiling fans with remote control receivers and found an average standby 
power consumption of approximately 0.81 watts. Additionally, ALA 
provided comments to the Framework Document indicating that low-volume 
ceiling fans with wireless remote controls typically have standby power 
consumption of 1.4W. (ALA, 39 at pg.13) Given that standby power 
consumption is fairly minimal, but does require some additional 
testing, an alternative approach to accounting for standby power 
consumption would be to use a representative value, such as the 1.4 W 
estimate provided by ALA. However, the additional testing for standby 
mode would take less than 5 minutes, be conducted immediately after 
active mode testing, and requires no additional equipment, so the 
testing burden would be minimal. DOE requests comment on its approach 
to standby-mode testing and the appropriateness of testing standby 
power for ceiling fans.
    In the Framework Document for the ceiling fans energy conservation 
rulemaking, DOE said that it understands that ceiling fans have no off-
mode power consumption, and thus off-mode power consumption would not 
need to be included in the test procedure or in the metric, and asked 
for comment.\10\ DOE received no comments indicating that there was any 
off-mode power consumption for ceiling fans but did receive a comment 
affirming that there is no off-mode power consumption for ceiling fans, 
with ALA commenting that ceiling fans consume 0W in off mode. (ALA, No. 
39 at p.13) Zero power consumption in off mode is also supported by the 
UL safety standard for electrical fans (UL 507), which covers ceiling 
fans, and which says that fans must include an air-gap switch which 
would open the circuit and provide no off-mode power consumption.6 
Because there appears to be no off-mode energy consumption for ceiling 
fans, DOE proposes not to conduct testing of off-mode power 
consumption.

G. Certification and Enforcement

    Ceiling fan manufacturers must submit certification reports on 
products before they are distributed in commerce per 10 CFR 429.12. 
Components of similar design may be substituted without additional 
testing, if the substitution does not affect the energy consumption of 
the ceiling fan. (10 CFR 429.11) Ceiling fan certification reports must 
follow the product-specific sampling and reporting requirements 
specified in 10 CFR 429.32. If any amended test procedures are 
finalized, and consistent with the dates specified for use in section 
III.B., ceiling fan manufacturers would be required to calculate 
ceiling fan efficiency utilizing the calculations provided in revised 
Appendix U and follow the reporting requirements provided at 10 CFR 
429.32 for each ceiling fan model.
    As discussed in sections III.A.1. and III.B., the proposed changes 
in interpretation of the ceiling fan definition discussed above would 
result in the applicability of the design standards set forth in EPCA 
at 42 U.S.C. 6295(ff)(1) to the following types of fans 30 days after 
the publication of any final test procedure adopting such changes in 
interpretation:

    1. Fans suspended from the ceiling using a downrod or other 
means of suspension such that the fan is not mounted directly to the 
ceiling;
    2. Fans suspended such that they are mounted directly or close 
to the ceiling;
    3. Fans sold with the option of being suspended with or without 
a downrod; and
    4. Fans capable of producing large volumes of airflow.

    In the concurrent energy conservation standards rulemaking for 
ceiling fans, DOE is considering creating a separate product class for 
highly decorative ceiling fans that would be exempt from performance 
standards. The current design standards specified in EPCA would still 
apply to such fans.

IV. Procedural Issues and Regulatory Review

A. Review Under Executive Order 12866

    The Office of Management and Budget has determined that test 
procedure

[[Page 62536]]

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 regulatory 
action was not subject to review under the Executive Order by the 
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) in the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB).

B. Review Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) requires 
preparation of a regulatory flexibility analysis (RFA) for any rule 
that by law must be 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, to ensure that the 
potential impacts of its rules on small entities are properly 
considered during the DOE rulemaking process. (68 FR 7990 (Feb. 19, 
2003)). DOE has made its procedures and policies available on the 
Office of the General Counsel's Web site: http://energy.gov/gc/office-general-counsel.
    DOE reviewed today's proposed rule under the provisions of the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) and the policies and procedures 
published on February 19, 2003. The proposed rule prescribes test 
procedure amendments that would be used to determine compliance with 
any amended energy conservation standards that DOE may prescribe for 
ceiling fans. As discussed in more detail below, DOE found that 
although the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requires testing of ceiling 
fans, because DOE does not currently require efficiency testing of 
ceiling fans, all manufacturers, including small manufacturers, could 
potentially experience a financial burden if new testing becomes 
required as a result of the concurrent energy conservation standards 
rulemaking. While examining this issue, DOE determined that it could 
not certify that the proposed rule, if promulgated, would not have a 
significant effect on a substantial number of small entities. 
Therefore, DOE has prepared an initial regulatory flexibility analysis 
(IRFA) for this rulemaking. The IRFA describes potential impacts on 
small businesses associated with ceiling fan testing requirements. DOE 
seeks comment on the discussion below and will develop a final 
regulatory flexibility analysis (FRFA) for any final test procedures 
developed in this test procedure rulemaking.
    DOE has transmitted a copy of this IRFA to the Chief Counsel for 
Advocacy of the Small Business Administration for review.
    (1) Description of the reasons why action by the agency is being 
considered.
    A description of the reasons why DOE is considering this test 
procedure are stated elsewhere in the preamble and not repeated here.
    (2) Succinct statement of the objectives of, and legal basis for, 
the proposed rule.
    The objectives of and legal basis for the proposed rule are stated 
elsewhere in the preamble and not repeated here.
    (3) Description of and, where feasible, an estimate of the number 
of small entities to which the proposed rule will apply.
    For the manufacturers of the covered ceiling fan products, the 
Small Business Administration (SBA) has set a size threshold, which 
defines those entities classified as ``small businesses'' for the 
purposes of the statute. DOE used the SBA's small business size 
standards to determine whether any small entities would be subject to 
the requirements of the rule. 13 CFR part 121. The size standards are 
listed by North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 
and industry description and are available at: http://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/Size_Standards_Table.pdf. Ceiling fan manufacturing 
is classified under NAICS code 335210, ``Small Electrical Appliance 
Manufacturing'' or NAICS code 333412, ``Industrial and Commercial Fan 
and Blower Manufacturing.'' The SBA sets a threshold for NAICS 
classification for 335210 and 333412 of 750 employees or less and 500 
employees or less, respectively.\13\ DOE reviewed ALA's list of ceiling 
fan manufacturers,\14\ the ENERGY STAR Product Databases for Ceiling 
Fans,\15\ the California Energy Commission's Appliance Database for 
Ceiling Fans,\16\ and the Federal Trade Commission's Appliance Energy 
Database for Ceiling Fans.\17\ Based on this review, using data on the 
companies for which DOE was able to obtain information on the numbers 
of employees, DOE estimates that there are between 25 and 35 small 
business manufacturers of low-volume ceiling fans. To determine the 
number of small business manufacturers of high-volume ceiling fans, DOE 
reviewed SBA's Web site, high-volume ceiling fan manufacturers Web 
sites, and company reports from Hoovers.com, in addition to speaking 
with industry experts. Based on this review, DOE estimates that there 
are between 15 and 25 small business manufacturers of high-volume 
ceiling fans. DOE invites interested parties to comment on the 
estimated number of small business manufacturers of ceiling fans.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \13\ U.S. Small Business Administration, Table of Small Business 
Size Standards (August 22, 2008) (Available at: http://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/Size_Standards_Table.pdf).
    \14\ The American Lighting Association, list of Manufacturers & 
Representatives (Available at: http://www.americanlightingassoc.com/Members/Resources/Manufacturers-Representatives.aspx).
    \15\ The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. 
Department of Energy, ENERGY STAR Ceiling Fans--Product Databases 
for Ceiling Fans (Available at: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=find_a_product.showProductGroup&pgw_code=CF).
    \16\ The California Energy Commission, Appliance Database for 
Ceiling Fans (Available at: http://www.appliances.energy.ca.gov/QuickSearch.aspx).
    \17\ The Federal Trade Commission, Appliance Energy Databases 
for Ceiling Fans (Available at: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/edcams/eande/appliances/ceilfan.htm).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (4) Description of the projected compliance requirements of the 
proposed rule.
    In this test procedure NOPR, DOE proposes to reinterpret the 
statutory definition of a ceiling fan to include hugger ceiling fans. 
DOE also proposes that high-volume fans meet the definition of a 
ceiling fan. The proposed changes in interpretation of the ceiling fan 
definition discussed above would result in the applicability of the 
design standards set forth in EPCA at 42 U.S.C. 6295(ff)(1) to the 
following types of fans 30 days after the publication of any final test 
procedure adopting such changes in interpretation:

    1. Fans suspended from the ceiling using a downrod or other 
means of suspension such that the fan is not mounted directly to the 
ceiling;
    2. Fans suspended such that they are mounted directly or close 
to the ceiling;
    3. Fans sold with the option of being suspended with or without 
a downrod; and
    4. Fans capable of producing large volumes of airflow.

    DOE research indicates that all ceiling fans currently on the 
market, including hugger ceiling fans and high-volume ceiling fans, 
appear to meet the EPCA design standards. DOE conducted an analysis of 
Hansen Wholesale, an online wholesaler that sells over 2000 models of 
ceiling fans, including a wide variety of ceiling fan brands. Hansen 
Wholesale provides product specifications on its Web site, including 
the number of speeds and whether a ceiling fan is reversible. DOE 
examined all of the ceiling fans that were self-identified as hugger 
ceiling fans and found that they all had fan controls separate from

[[Page 62537]]

lighting controls, were capable of being operated at more than one 
speed, and were capable of being operated in reverse.
    For high-volume ceiling fans, DOE searched for product 
specifications on the Web sites of manufacturers of high-volume large-
diameter ceiling fans and from Web sites of retailers of high-volume 
small-diameter ceiling fans. Only one high-volume ceiling fan was found 
with a light kit, and the fan controls were separate from the lighting 
controls for that fan. All high-volume ceiling fans appeared to be 
capable of operating at more than one speed (typically with an 
adjustable speed control). High-volume ceiling fans are primarily sold 
for industrial purposes and are therefore not subject to the 
requirement to be capable of operating in reverse.
    Based on this research, DOE does not expect any cost of complying 
with the design requirements for manufacturers of hugger or high-volume 
ceiling fans.
    DOE proposes measures to limit the burden of testing on all 
manufacturers, including small business manufacturers, while providing 
a representative measurement of ceiling fan efficiency for consumers. 
Low-volume ceiling fans (excluding hugger fans) are currently required 
to test at high speed due to FTC's labeling requirement for ceiling 
fans. As discussed in more detail elsewhere in the preamble, DOE 
proposes to specify that low speed is to be tested as well as high 
speed to have a test procedure that is representative of typical use. 
DOE estimates that the cost to test at low speed, in addition to high 
speed, represents an additional cost of $75 (or $150 per basic model) 
above the high-speed test cost.
    DOE notes that if the concurrent rulemaking regarding energy 
conservation standards for ceiling fans results in efficiency 
performance standards, DOE would require testing for certification of 
two ceiling fans per basic model, the minimum sample size required by 
10 CFR 429.11. To determine the potential cost of the proposed test 
procedure on small ceiling fan manufacturers under a potential energy 
conservation standard for ceiling fans, DOE estimated the cost of 
testing two ceiling fans. The cost of testing was then multiplied over 
the estimated number of basic models produced by a small manufacturer. 
The estimated cost of testing is discussed in further detail below.
    In today's test procedure proposal, DOE has proposed to reinterpret 
the statutory definition of a ceiling fan such that it would include 
hugger ceiling fans. The proposed test method for hugger ceiling fans 
would be the same as the proposed test method for all other low-volume 
ceiling fans.
    DOE estimated the cost to test a low-volume ceiling fan based on 
estimates from third-party testing facilities of the cost to perform 
the current ENERGY STAR test procedure for ceiling fans, which is 
similar to DOE's proposed test procedure, and the changes in cost 
associated with the key differences between the two test procedures. 
DOE's proposed test procedure for low-volume ceiling fans differs from 
the current ENERGY STAR test procedure in that it (1) requires testing 
at only two fan speeds instead of three, (2) requires the use of a 
false ceiling, (3) does not require the use of a test cylinder, (4) 
requires less warm up time before testing at low speed, and (5) 
requires standby-mode testing.
    In aggregate, DOE estimates that these differences will result in a 
lower test cost for the proposed DOE test procedure for low-volume 
ceiling fans when compared to the ENERGY STAR test procedure for 
ceiling fans. Testing at only two speeds instead of three yields a 
total test time that is approximately 35 minutes shorter than the 
ENERGY STAR test procedure. The proposed test procedure would also add 
a false ceiling to the experimental setup which, as discussed in 
section III.E.3, requires a one-time lab cost to install a false 
ceiling in a testing facility. Based on the materials employed and test 
quotes from third-party labs, DOE estimates the cost to construct and 
install a false ceiling is $1000 or less. Because the same false 
ceiling could be used to test all low-volume ceiling fans, the false 
ceiling could be left in place and would not add substantial test cost 
thereafter.
    DOE's proposed test procedure, which would not require use of a 
test cylinder, also eliminates any potential costs associated with 
purchasing new test cylinders. If the test procedure required the use 
of test cylinders, then a new cylinder would be necessary to test any 
ceiling fan with a diameter that does not correspond to one of the 
cylinders in a test lab's existing inventory. Based on discussions with 
third-party testing facilities, DOE estimates that new test cylinders 
would cost approximately $2000-3000 per cylinder. By not using a 
cylinder, these costs will be avoided. Not requiring a test cylinder 
also shortens the test time of DOE's proposed test procedure relative 
to ENERGY STAR's test procedure for all low-volume ceiling fans, 
because time is not required to put a test cylinder in place for each 
test (estimated to take 15 minutes). Additionally, DOE's proposed test 
procedure only requires 15 minutes of warm up time before testing at 
low speed compared to 30 minutes in the ENERGY STAR test procedure, 
further reducing the relative amount of time required for DOE's 
proposed test procedure by 15 minutes. In total, DOE estimates that the 
typical time to perform the proposed test procedure will be shorter by 
65 minutes compared to ENERGY STAR's test procedure.
    DOE's proposed test procedure does add a requirement for standby-
mode testing, for ceiling fans with standby functionality. However, as 
noted in section III.F.5, the additional testing for standby would take 
less than 5 minutes, be conducted immediately after active mode 
testing, and requires no additional equipment, so the testing burden 
would be minimal.
    Based on all of these differences with respect to the ENERGY STAR 
test procedure, and estimates from third-party testing facilities of 
the labor costs associated with these differences, DOE estimates that 
the proposed test procedure for low-volume ceiling fans will cost 
between $600 and $1800 per test, for a total of $1200 to $3600 per 
basic model of ceiling fan for standard and hugger ceiling fans. For 
multi-mount ceiling fans, DOE estimates that the test cost will be 
approximately double the cost for standard and hugger ceiling fans. DOE 
also estimates that multi-mount ceiling fans represent approximately 
20% of ceiling fan basic models for small business manufacturers. The 
test method for multi-head ceiling fans may require somewhat more time 
to set up compared to the time required for a single-headed fan, and 
DOE estimates the cost to be between $1300 and $2000 per test, or $2600 
to $4000 per basic model. However, DOE notes that multi-head ceiling 
fans appear to represent 5% or less of ceiling fan basic models for 
small business manufacturers. Based on best estimates from third party 
testing facilities, DOE estimates that a typical test for a single-
headed ceiling fan would cost approximately $950, or $1900 per basic 
model for standard or hugger ceiling fans, and $3800 per basic model 
for multi-mount ceiling fans.
    For the approximately 30 small business manufacturers of low-volume 
ceiling fans that DOE identified, the number of basic models produced 
per manufacturer varies significantly from one to approximately 80. 
Therefore, based on the test cost per ceiling fan basic model, the 
testing cost in the first year would range from approximately $1900 to 
$182,400 for small manufacturers of ceiling fans. DOE expects this cost 
to be lower in

[[Page 62538]]

subsequent years because only new or redesigned ceiling fan models 
would need to be tested.
    DOE estimated the cost to test a high-volume ceiling fan based on 
discussions with testing facilities capable of performing the AMCA 230 
test procedure as well as cost estimates based on the time and labor 
costs necessary to perform the proposed test procedure on larger high-
volume ceiling fans. DOE estimates that the one-time cost for a lab to 
buy a load-cell, a fabricated load-cell frame, power meter, and one air 
velocity sensor is approximately $4500. DOE estimates that the proposed 
test procedure for high-volume ceiling fans will cost manufacturers 
between $1000 and $3500 per test, for a total of $2000 to $7000 per 
basic model of ceiling fan. Based on the mid-point of the testing 
range, DOE estimates that the typical test would cost $2250 per test, 
or $4500 per basic model.
    For the approximately 15-25 small business manufacturers of high-
volume ceiling fans that DOE identified, the number of basic models 
produced per manufacturer varies from one to 30. Therefore, based on 
the test cost per ceiling fan basic model, the testing cost in the 
first year would range from approximately $4500 to $135,000 for small 
manufacturers of high-volume ceiling fans. DOE expects this cost to be 
lower in subsequent years because only new or redesigned ceiling fan 
models would need to be tested.
    DOE used company reports from Hoovers.com, information from 
manufacturers' Web sites and feedback from manufacturers to estimate 
the revenue for the small business manufacturers of low and high-volume 
ceiling fans identified. The median revenue of the small business 
manufacturers of low-volume ceiling fans is approximately $15M. 
Relative to the median revenue for a small business manufacturer, the 
total testing cost ranges from 0.01 percent to 1 percent of the median 
revenue. The median revenue of the small business manufacturers of 
high-volume ceiling fans is approximately $8M. Relative to the median 
revenue for a small business manufacturer of high-volume ceiling fans, 
the total testing cost ranges from 0.05 percent to 1.5 percent of the 
median revenue.
    For both low and high-volume ceiling fans, DOE does not expect that 
small manufacturers would necessarily have fewer basic models than 
large manufacturers, because ceiling fans are highly customized 
throughout the industry. A small manufacturer could have the same total 
cost of testing as a large manufacturer, but this cost would be a 
higher percentage of a small manufacturer's annual revenues. DOE 
requests comments on its analysis of burden to small businesses for 
testing ceiling fans according to the proposed test procedure.
    (5) Relevant Federal rules which may duplicate, overlap or conflict 
with the proposed rule.
    DOE is not aware of any other Federal rules that would duplicate, 
overlap or conflict with the rule being proposed.
    (6) Description of any significant alternatives to the proposed 
rule.
    DOE considered a number of industry and governmental test 
procedures that measure the efficiency of ceiling fans to develop the 
proposed test procedure in today's rulemaking. There appear to be two 
common approaches to testing ceiling fans: An approach based on using 
air velocity sensors to calculate airflow, such as the current DOE test 
procedure for ceiling fans, ENERGY STAR's test procedure, and CAN/CSA-
C814-10, and an approach based on using a load cell to measure thrust, 
such as AMCA 230.
    In principle, either approach could be used to measure the airflow 
efficiency of all ceiling fans, but maintaining consistency with 
industry practice would minimize test burden for all ceiling fan 
manufacturers. Though a load-cell based approach appears to be a 
potentially simpler method of estimating airflow efficiency, in 
industry, low-volume ceiling fans have historically been tested 
according to the air-velocity sensor based approach. High-volume 
ceiling fans, on the other hand, have historically been tested 
according to the load-cell based approach. It also appears to be cost-
prohibitive to scale up the air-velocity sensor based approach to the 
larger diameter high-volume ceiling fans currently on the market given 
the number of sensors that would be required to cover ceiling fans 24 
feet in diameter and the cost of constructing an appropriate rotating 
sensor arm.
    DOE seeks comment and information on any alternative test methods 
that, consistent with EPCA requirements, would reduce the economic 
impact of the rule on small entities. DOE will consider the feasibility 
of such alternatives and determine whether they should be incorporated 
into the final rule.

C. Review Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995

    Manufacturers of ceiling fans must certify to DOE that their 
products comply with all applicable energy conservation standards. In 
certifying compliance, manufacturers must test their products according 
to the DOE test procedure for ceiling fans, including any amendments 
adopted for the test procedure on the date that compliance is required. 
DOE has established regulations for the certification and recordkeeping 
requirements for all covered consumer products and commercial 
equipment, including ceiling fans. 76 FR 12422 (Mar. 7, 2011). This 
rule contains a collection-of-information requirement that is subject 
to review and approval by OMB under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). 
This requirement has been approved by OMB under control number 1910-
1400. The public reporting burden for certification for energy and 
water conservation standards 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. Send comments 
regarding this burden estimate, or any other aspect of this data 
collection, including suggestions for reducing the burden, to DOE (see 
ADDRESSES) and by email to [email protected]. Notwithstanding 
any other provision of the law, no person is required to respond to, 
nor shall any person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply 
with, a collection of information subject to the requirements of the 
PRA, unless that collection of information displays a currently valid 
OMB Control Number.

D. Review Under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969

    In this proposed rule, DOE proposes test procedure amendments that 
it expects will be used to develop and implement future energy 
conservation standards for ceiling fans. DOE has determined that this 
rule falls into a class of actions that are categorically excluded from 
review under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 
4321 et seq.) and DOE's implementing regulations at 10 CFR part 1021. 
Specifically, this proposed rule would amend the existing test 
procedures without affecting the amount, quality, or distribution of 
energy usage, and, therefore, would not result in any environmental 
impacts. Thus, this rulemaking is covered by Categorical Exclusion A5 
under 10 CFR part 1021, subpart D, which applies to any rulemaking that 
interprets or amends an existing rule without changing the 
environmental effect of that rule. Accordingly, neither an 
environmental assessment nor an

[[Page 62539]]

environmental impact statement is required.

E. Review Under Executive Order 13132

    Executive Order 13132, ``Federalism,'' 64 FR 43255 (Aug. 10, 1999), 
imposes certain requirements on Federal 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 (Mar. 14, 2000)). DOE has 
examined this proposed rule and has tentatively determined that it 
would not have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the 
relationship between the national government and the States, or on the 
distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of 
government. EPCA governs and prescribes Federal preemption of State 
regulations as to energy conservation for the products that are the 
subject of today's proposed rule. States can petition DOE for exemption 
from such preemption to the extent, and based on criteria, set forth in 
EPCA. (42 U.S.C. 6297(d)) No further action is required by Executive 
Order 13132.

F. Review Under Executive Order 12988

    Regarding the review of existing regulations and the promulgation 
of new regulations, section 3(a) of Executive Order 12988, ``Civil 
Justice Reform,'' 61 FR 4729 (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. Regarding the review required by section 3(a), 
section 3(b) of Executive Order 12988 specifically requires that 
Executive agencies make every reasonable effort to ensure 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 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 tentatively 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) 
requires each Federal agency to assess the effects of Federal 
regulatory actions on State, local, and Tribal governments and the 
private sector. Public Law 104-4, sec. 201 (codified at 2 U.S.C. 1531). 
For a proposed regulatory action likely to result in a rule that may 
cause the expenditure by State, local, and Tribal governments, in the 
aggregate, or by the private sector of $100 million or more in any one 
year (adjusted annually for inflation), section 202 of UMRA requires a 
Federal agency to publish a written statement that estimates the 
resulting costs, benefits, and other effects on the national economy. 
(2 U.S.C. 1532(a), (b)). The 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 them. On March 18, 1997, DOE published 
a statement of policy on its process for intergovernmental consultation 
under UMRA. (62 FR 12820 (Mar. 18, 1997)). (This policy is also 
available at http://energy.gov/gc/office-general-counsel.) DOE examined 
today's proposed rule according to UMRA and its statement of policy and 
has tentatively determined that the rule contains neither an 
intergovernmental mandate, nor a mandate that may result in the 
expenditure by State, local, and Tribal governments, in the aggregate, 
or by the private sector, of $100 million or more in any year. 
Accordingly, no further assessment or analysis is required under UMRA.

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

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

I. Review Under Executive Order 12630

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

J. Review Under 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 Federal agencies to review 
most disseminations of information to the public under information 
quality guidelines established by each agency pursuant to general 
guidelines issued by OMB. OMB's guidelines were published at 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 
at OMB, a Statement of Energy Effects for any proposed significant 
energy action. A ``significant energy action'' is defined as any action 
by an agency that promulgates or is expected to lead to promulgation of 
a final rule, and that: (1) Is a significant regulatory action under 
Executive Order 12866, or any successor order; and (2) is likely to 
have a significant adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use 
of energy; or (3) is designated by the Administrator of OIRA as a 
significant energy action. For

[[Page 62540]]

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 to amend the test procedure for measuring 
the energy efficiency of ceiling fans is not a significant regulatory 
action under Executive Order 12866 or any successor order. Moreover, it 
would not have a significant adverse effect on the supply, 
distribution, or use of energy, nor has it been designated as a 
significant energy action by the Administrator of OIRA. Therefore, it 
is not a significant energy action, and, accordingly, DOE has not 
prepared a Statement of Energy Effects for this rulemaking.

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; 42 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.), DOE must comply with all laws 
applicable to the former Federal Energy Administration, including 
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 (Pub. L. 95-70). (15 U.S.C. 788; FEAA) Section 32 
essentially provides in relevant part that, where a proposed rule 
authorizes or requires 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 proposed rule would incorporate testing methods contained 
in the following commercial standard: ANSI/AMCA Standard 230-12, 
``Laboratory Methods of Testing Air Circulating Fans for Rating and 
Certification.'' The Department has evaluated this standard and is 
unable to conclude whether it fully complies with the requirements of 
section 32(b) of the FEAA, (i.e., that it was developed in a manner 
that fully provides for public participation, comment, and review). DOE 
will consult with the Attorney General and the Chairman of the FTC 
concerning the impact on competition of requiring manufacturers to use 
the test methods contained in this standard prior to prescribing a 
final rule.

V. Public Participation

A. Attendance at the Public Meeting

    The time, date and location of the public meeting are listed in the 
DATES and ADDRESSES sections at the beginning of this document. If you 
plan to attend the public meeting, please notify Ms. Brenda Edwards at 
(202) 586-2945 or [email protected]. As explained in the 
ADDRESSES section, foreign nationals visiting DOE Headquarters are 
subject to advance security screening procedures. Any foreign national 
wishing to participate in the meeting should advise DOE of this fact as 
soon as possible by contacting Ms. Brenda Edwards to initiate the 
necessary procedures.
    In addition, you can attend the public meeting via webinar. Webinar 
registration information, participant instructions, and information 
about the capabilities available to webinar participants will be 
published on DOE's Web site at: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/rulemaking.aspx/ruleid/65. Participants are 
responsible for ensuring their systems are compatible with the webinar 
software.

B. Procedure for Submitting Requests To Speak and Prepared General 
Statements for Distribution

    Any person who has an interest in the topics addressed in this 
notice, or who is representative of a group or class of persons that 
has an interest in these issues, may request an opportunity to make an 
oral presentation at the public meeting. Such persons may hand-deliver 
requests to speak to the address shown in the ADDRESSES section at the 
beginning of this notice of proposed rulemaking between 9 a.m. and 4 
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Requests may also 
be sent by mail or email to Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department of 
Energy, Building Technologies Office, Mailstop EE-5B, 1000 Independence 
Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121, or [email protected]. 
Persons who wish to speak should include in their request a computer 
diskette or CD-ROM in WordPerfect, Microsoft Word, PDF, or text (ASCII) 
file format that briefly describes the nature of their interest in this 
rulemaking and the topics they wish to discuss. Such persons should 
also provide a daytime telephone number where they can be reached.
    DOE requests persons selected to make an oral presentation to 
submit an advance copy of their statements at least one week before the 
public meeting. DOE may permit persons who cannot supply an advance 
copy of their statement to participate, if those persons have made 
advance alternative arrangements with the Building Technologies Office. 
As necessary, requests to give an oral presentation should ask for such 
alternative arrangements.
    Any person who has plans to present a prepared general statement 
may request that copies of his or her statement be made available at 
the public meeting. Such persons may submit requests, along with an 
advance electronic copy of their statement in PDF (preferred), 
Microsoft Word or Excel, WordPerfect, or text (ASCII) file format, to 
the appropriate address shown in the ADDRESSES section at the beginning 
of this notice of proposed rulemaking. The request and advance copy of 
statements must be received at least one week before the public meeting 
and may be emailed, hand-delivered, or sent by mail. DOE prefers to 
receive requests and advance copies via email. Please include a 
telephone number to enable DOE staff to make a follow-up contact, if 
needed.

C. Conduct of the Public Meeting

    DOE will designate a DOE official to preside at the public meeting 
and may also use a professional facilitator to aid discussion. The 
meeting will not be a judicial or evidentiary-type public hearing, but 
DOE will conduct it in accordance with section 336 of EPCA (42 U.S.C. 
6306). A court reporter will be present to record the proceedings and 
prepare a transcript. DOE reserves the right to schedule the order of 
presentations and to establish the procedures governing the conduct of 
the public meeting. There shall not be discussion of proprietary 
information, costs or prices, market share, or other commercial matters 
regulated by U.S. anti-trust laws. After the public meeting, interested 
parties may submit further comments on the proceedings, as well as on 
any aspect of the rulemaking, until the end of the comment period.
    The public meeting will be conducted in an informal, conference 
style. DOE will present summaries of comments received before the 
public meeting, allow time for prepared general statements by 
participants, and encourage all interested parties to share their views 
on issues affecting this rulemaking. Each participant will be allowed 
to make a general statement (within time limits determined by DOE), 
before the discussion of specific topics. DOE will allow, as time 
permits, other participants to comment briefly on any general 
statements.

[[Page 62541]]

    At the end of all prepared statements on a topic, DOE will permit 
participants to clarify their statements briefly and comment on 
statements made by others. Participants should be prepared to answer 
questions by DOE and by other participants concerning these issues. DOE 
representatives may also ask questions of participants concerning other 
matters relevant to this rulemaking. The official conducting the public 
meeting will accept additional comments or questions from those 
attending, as time permits. The presiding official will announce any 
further procedural rules or modification of the above procedures that 
may be needed for the proper conduct of the public meeting.
    A transcript of the public meeting will be included in the docket, 
which can be viewed as described in the Docket section at the beginning 
of this notice and will be accessible on the DOE Web site. In addition, 
any person may buy a copy of the transcript from the transcribing 
reporter.

D. Submission of Comments

    DOE will accept comments, data, and information regarding this 
proposed rule before or after the public meeting, but no later than the 
date provided in the DATES section at the beginning of this proposed 
rule. Interested parties may submit comments using any of the methods 
described in the ADDRESSES section at the beginning of this notice.
    Submitting comments via www.regulations.gov. The 
www.regulations.gov Web page 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. Otherwise, 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 www.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 
www.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 www.regulations.gov before 
posting. Normally, comments will be posted within a few days of being 
submitted. However, if large volumes of comments are being processed 
simultaneously, your comment may not be viewable for up to several 
weeks. Please keep the comment tracking number that www.regulations.gov 
provides after you have successfully uploaded your comment.
    Submitting comments via email, hand delivery/courier, or mail. 
Comments and documents submitted via email, hand delivery/courier, or 
mail also will be posted to www.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 in 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. If you submit via mail or hand 
delivery/courier, please provide all items on a CD, if feasible, in 
which case 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, written in English, and are free of any defects or 
viruses. 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 to 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/courier 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).

E. Issues on Which DOE Seeks Comment

    Although DOE welcomes comments on any aspect of this proposal, DOE 
is particularly interested in receiving comments and views of 
interested parties concerning the following issues:

    1. DOE is reinterpreting the statutory definition of a ceiling 
fan to include hugger ceiling fans and clarifying that the 
definition includes multi-mount ceiling fans. DOE notes that CFLKs 
attached to hugger ceiling fans would become covered CFLKs under 
this reinterpretation. DOE invites comment on this reinterpretation 
and clarification.
    2. DOE is also clarifying that high-volume ceiling fans are 
considered ceiling fans and covered under this rulemaking. DOE 
invites comment on this clarification.
    3. DOE is proposing interpreting centrifugal fans to fall 
outside of the scope

[[Page 62542]]

of this rulemaking. DOE invites comment on this interpretation.
    4. DOE invites comment on the proposed definitions for low-
volume ceiling fans, high-volume ceiling fans, hugger ceiling fans, 
standard ceiling fans, and multi-mount ceiling fans.
    5. DOE seeks comment on its proposed approach to incorporate 
standby power consumption into the ceiling fan efficiency metric.
    6. DOE seeks comment on its proposed approach to assign all 
standby power consumption for a remote receiver that controls both a 
ceiling fan and light kit to the ceiling fan.
    7. DOE seeks comment on its proposed operating hours for 
calculating ceiling fan efficiency for low-volume ceiling fans.
    8. DOE seeks comment and any available data on operating hours 
for high-volume ceiling fans.
    9. DOE seeks comment on its proposed approach to test at high 
and low speed for low-volume ceiling fans.
    10. DOE seeks comment on its proposed approach to test high-
volume fans at high speed only.
    11. DOE seeks comment on its proposal to add a false ceiling to 
the experimental setup for all low-volume ceiling fan testing.
    12. DOE seeks comment and data on how ceiling fans with more 
than one mounting option that would meet the definition of a 
standard ceiling fan are configured in the field. DOE also seeks 
comment and data on how hugger ceiling fans with more than one 
mounting option are configured in field.
    13. DOE seeks comment on the proposed modifications to the 
testing room dimensions for high-volume ceiling fans. DOE 
specifically requests information on how manufacturers currently 
test large-diameter, high-volume ceiling fans, as well as the 
availability of suitable third-party testing facilities that can 
conduct the proposed test procedure and the ability to develop such 
facilities.
    14. DOE seeks comment on whether manufacturers should be 
required to test multi-mount ceiling fans in the standard 
configuration, hugger configuration, both configurations, or all 
configurations for which they are capable of being installed.
    15. DOE invites interested parties to comment on the estimated 
number of small business manufacturers of ceiling fans.
    16. DOE requests comment on whether there are currently any 
hugger ceiling fan or high-volume ceiling fan features that are not 
in compliance with EPCA design standards for ceiling fans.
    17. DOE requests comments on its analysis of burden to small 
businesses for testing ceiling fans according to the proposed test 
procedure.
    18. DOE seeks comment and information on any alternative test 
methods that, consistent with the statutory requirements, would 
reduce the economic impact of the rule on small entities.
    19. Several comments were received in response to the Framework 
Document for the ceiling fans energy conservation standards 
rulemaking suggesting that the testing could be improved if there 
were inter-lab calibration between testing facilities. DOE seeks 
comment on how calibration between testing facilities could be 
facilitated.

VI. Approval of the Office of the Secretary

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

List of Subjects

10 CFR Part 429

    Confidential business information, Energy conservation, Household 
appliances, Imports, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

10 CFR Part 430

    Administrative practice and procedure, Confidential business 
information, Energy conservation, Household appliances, Imports, 
Incorporation by reference, Intergovernmental relations, Small 
businesses.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on September 19, 2014.
Kathleen B. Hogan,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and 
Renewable Energy.

    For the reasons stated in the preamble, DOE proposes to amend parts 
429 and 430 of Chapter II, Subchapter D of Title 10, Code of Federal 
Regulations, as set forth below:

PART 429--CERTIFICATION, COMPLIANCE, AND ENFORCEMENT FOR CONSUMER 
PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT

0
1. The authority citation for part 429 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6291-6317.

0
2. Section 429.32 is amended by revising paragraph (a) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  429.32  Ceiling fans.

    (a) Determination of represented value. Manufacturers must 
determine the represented value, which includes the certified rating, 
for each basic model of ceiling fan by:
    (1) Units to be tested.
    (i) The requirements of Sec.  429.11 are applicable to ceiling 
fans; and
    (ii) For each basic model of ceiling fan selected for testing, a 
sample of sufficient size shall be randomly selected and tested to 
ensure that--
    (A) Any represented value of the efficiency or airflow shall be 
less than or equal to the lower of:
    (1) The mean of the sample, where:
    [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP17OC14.007
    
    And x is the sample mean; n is the number of samples; and 
xi is the ith sample; or
    (2) The lower 90 percent confidence limit (LCL) of the true mean 
divided by 0.9, where:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP17OC14.008

    And x is the sample mean; s is the sample standard deviation; n is 
the number of samples; and t0.90 is the t statistic for a 
90% one-tailed confidence interval with n-1 degrees of freedom (from 
Appendix A to subpart B); and
    (B) Any represented value of the wattage shall be greater than or 
equal to the higher of:
    (1) The mean of the sample, where:
    [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP17OC14.009
    
    And x is the sample mean; n is the number of samples; and 
xi is the ith sample; or
    (2) The upper 95 percent confidence limit (UCL) of the true mean 
divided by 1.1, where:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP17OC14.010

    And x is the sample mean; s is the sample standard deviation; n is 
the number of samples; and t0.95 is the t statistic for a 
95% one-tailed confidence interval with n-1 degrees of freedom (from 
Appendix A to subpart B).
    (2) [Reserved]
* * * * *

PART 430--ENERGY CONSERVATION PROGRAM FOR CONSUMER PRODUCTS

0
3. The authority citation for part 430 continues to read as follows:

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

0
4. Section 430.2 is amended by adding the definitions for ``high-volume 
ceiling fan,'' ``hugger ceiling fan,'' ``low-volume ceiling fan,'' 
``multi-mount ceiling fan,'' and ``standard ceiling fan'' in 
alphabetical order to read as follows:


Sec.  430.2  Definitions.

* * * * *
    High-volume ceiling fan means a ceiling fan that:
    (1) Is greater than 7 feet in diameter; or
    (2) Has a blade thickness of less than 3.2 mm at the edge or a 
maximum tip

[[Page 62543]]

speed that exceeds the threshold in the table in the definition of low-
volume ceiling fan in this section and has a maximum airflow volume 
greater than 5,000 CFM.
* * * * *
    Hugger ceiling fan means a ceiling fan where the lowest point on 
the fan blades is no more than ten inches from the ceiling.
* * * * *
    Low-volume ceiling fan means a ceiling fan that:
    (1) Is less than or equal to 7 feet in diameter; and
    (2) Has a blade thickness greater than or equal to 3.2 mm at the 
edge and a maximum tip speed less than or equal to the limit in the 
table in this definition, or has a maximum airflow volume less than or 
equal to 5,000 CFM.

                               Low-Volume Ceiling Fans, 7 Feet or Less in Diameter
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Thickness (t)  of edges of blades        Maximum speed  at tip of blades
       Airflow Direction *       -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          Mm                (inch)                m/s          (feet per minute)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Downward-Only...................     4.8 > t >= 3.2   (3/16 > t >= 1/8)                16.3              (3200)
Downward-Only...................           t >= 4.8         (t >= 3/16)                20.3              (4000)
Reversible......................     4.8 > t >= 3.2   (3/16 > t >= 1/8)                12.2              (2400)
Reversible......................           t >= 4.8         (t >= 3/16)                16.3              (3200)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* The ``downward-only'' and ``reversible'' airflow directions are mutually exclusive; therefore, a ceiling fan
  that can only produce airflow in the downward direction need only meet the ``downward-only'' blade edge
  thickness and tip speed requirements and a ceiling fan that can produce airflow in the downward and upward
  directions need only meet the ``reversible'' requirements.

* * * * *
    Multi-mount ceiling fan means a ceiling fan that can be mounted in 
both the standard and hugger ceiling fan configurations.
* * * * *
    Standard ceiling fan means a ceiling fan where the lowest point on 
the fan blades is more than ten inches from the ceiling.
* * * * *
0
5. Section 430.3 is amended by:
0
a. Adding paragraph (d)(19); and
0
b. Removing in paragraph (o)(4), ``appendices C1, D1, D2, G, H, I, J2, 
N, O, P, and X to subpart B'' and adding in its place, ``appendices C1, 
D1, D2, G, H, I, J2, U, N, O, P, and X to subpart B of this part''.
    The addition reads as follows:


Sec.  430.3  Materials incorporated by reference.

* * * * *
    (d) * * *
    (19) ANSI/AMCA 230-12 (``AMCA 230''), Air Movement and Control 
Association Laboratory Methods of Testing Air Circulating Fans for 
Rating and Certification, approved February 22, 2012, IBR approved for 
appendix U to subpart B of this part.
* * * * *
0
6. Section 430.23 is amended by revising paragraph (w) to read as 
follows:


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

* * * * *
    (w) Ceiling fans. The efficiency of a ceiling fan, expressed in 
cubic feet per minute per watt (CFM/watt), shall be measured in 
accordance with sections 2.3, 2.5, 2.6 and 3 of appendix U to subpart B 
of this part.
* * * * *
0
7. Appendix U to subpart B of part 430 is revised to read as follows:

Appendix U To Subpart B of Part 430--Uniform Test Method for Measuring 
the Energy Consumption of Ceiling Fans

    After [DATE 30 DAYS AFTER PUBLICATION OF THE FINAL RULE IN THE 
Federal Register] and prior to [DATE 180 DAYS AFTER PUBLICATION OF 
THE FINAL RULE IN THE Federal Register], manufacturers must make any 
representations with respect to the energy use or efficiency of 
ceiling fans, except hugger ceiling fans, multi-mount ceiling fans 
in the hugger configuration, and high-volume ceiling fans, as 
defined in 10 CFR 430.2 in accordance with the results of testing 
pursuant to this Appendix U or the procedures in Appendix U as it 
appeared at 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, Appendix U, in the 10 CFR 
parts 200 to 499 edition revised as of January 1, 2014. After [DATE 
180 DAYS AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE FINAL RULE], manufacturers 
of ceiling fans must make any representations with respect to energy 
use or efficiency in accordance with the results of testing pursuant 
to this appendix.
    1. Definitions:
    1.1. Airflow means the rate of air movement at a specific fan-
speed setting expressed in cubic feet per minute (CFM).
    1.2. Ceiling fan efficiency means the ratio of the total airflow 
to the total power consumption, in units of cubic feet per minute 
per watt (CFM/W).
    1.3. High speed means the highest available ceiling fan speed.
    1.4. Low speed means the lowest available ceiling fan speed.
    1.5. Multi-head ceiling fan means a ceiling fan with more than 
one fan head, i.e., more than one set of rotating fan blades.
    1.6. Total airflow means the following: For low-volume ceiling 
fans, total airflow means the sum of the product of airflow and 
hours of operation at high and low speeds. For high-volume ceiling 
fans, total airflow is the product of airflow at high speed and the 
hours of operation in active mode.
    2. General Instructions, Test Apparatus, and Test Measurement: 
General instructions apply to characterizing the energy performance 
of both low-volume and high-volume ceiling fans. The test apparatus 
and test measurement used to characterize energy performance depend 
on whether the ceiling fan is low volume or high volume.
    2.1. General instructions: Record measurements at the resolution 
of the test instrumentation. Round off calculations to the same 
number of significant digits as the previous step. Round the final 
ceiling fan efficiency value to the nearest whole number as follows:
    2.1.1. A fractional number at or above the midpoint between the 
two consecutive whole numbers shall be rounded up to the higher of 
the two whole numbers; or
    2.1.2. A fractional number below the midpoint between the two 
consecutive whole numbers shall be rounded down to the lower of the 
two whole numbers.

    For multi-head ceiling fans, the effective blade span is the 
blade span of an individual fan head, if all fan heads are the same 
size. If the fan heads are of varying sizes, the effective blade 
span is the blade span of the largest fan head.
    2.2. Test apparatus for low-volume ceiling fans: All instruments 
are to have tolerances within 1% of reading, except for 
the air velocity sensors, which should have tolerances within 5% of reading. Equipment is to be calibrated at least once a 
year to compensate for variation over time.
    2.2.1. Air Delivery Room Requirements: The air delivery room 
dimensions are to be 20 0.75 ft. x 20 0.75 
ft. with an 11 0.75 ft. high ceiling. The control room 
shall be constructed external to the air delivery room.
    The ceiling shall be constructed of sheet rock or stainless 
plate. The walls shall be of adequate thickness to maintain the 
specified temperature and humidity during the test.

[[Page 62544]]

The paint used on the walls, as well as the wall material, must be 
of a type that minimizes absorption of humidity and that keeps the 
temperature of the room constant during the test (e.g., oil-based 
paint).
    The room shall have no ventilation other than an air 
conditioning and return system used to control the temperature and 
humidity of the room. The construction of the room must ensure 
consistent air circulation patterns within the room. Vents must have 
electronically-operated damper doors controllable from a switch 
outside of the testing room.
    2.2.2. Equipment Set-Up: Hang the ceiling fan to be tested 
directly from a false ceiling, according to the manufacturer's 
installation instructions. All standard and hugger ceiling fans 
shall be hung in the fan configuration that minimizes the distance 
between the false ceiling and the fan blades. Multi-mount fans shall 
be hung and tested in two configurations: in the configuration that 
meets the definition of a standard ceiling fan, while minimizing the 
distance the ceiling and the lowest part of the fan blades; and in 
the configuration that meets the definition of a hugger ceiling fan, 
while minimizing the distance between the ceiling and the lowest 
part of the fan blades. The length and breadth of the false ceiling 
must be at least 8 inches larger than the blade span of the ceiling 
fan. If a false ceiling is at least 8 inches larger than the blade 
span of the largest low-volume ceiling fan that will be tested by a 
testing facility, the same false ceiling may be used for all fans. 
The thickness of the false ceiling must be sufficient to maintain a 
flat bottom surface or be supported by additional structural 
fixtures or stiffeners on the top surface to maintain that shape. 
The false ceiling may be made of more than one piece, provided that 
the pieces are joined together such that the bottom surface is 
smooth. The false ceiling is to be constructed of heavy-duty plywood 
or drywall, or a material with similar surface roughness. The false 
ceiling must be level when the ceiling fan is suspended from it.
    Hang the false ceiling from an actuator hanging system, which 
supports the weight of both the false ceiling and the ceiling fan 
and controls the height of the false ceiling such that the distance 
between the fan blades and the air velocity sensors can be adjusted 
through automatic (motor-driven) action.
    Either a rotating sensor arm or four fixed sensor arms can be 
used to take airflow measurements along four axes, labeled A-D. Axes 
A, B, C, and D are at 0, 90, 180, and 270 degree positions. Axes A-D 
can be designated either by using the four walls or four corners of 
the room. See Figure 1 of this appendix.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP17OC14.011

    The amount of exposed wiring must be minimized. All sensor lead 
wires must be stored under the floor, if possible.
    The sensors shall be placed at exactly 4-inch intervals along a 
sensor arm, starting with the first sensor at the point where the 
four axes intersect. Do not touch the actual sensor prior to 
testing. Enough sensors shall be used to record air delivery within 
a circle 8 inches larger in diameter than the blade span of the 
ceiling fan being tested. A proper experimental set-up is shown in 
Figure 2 of this appendix.

[[Page 62545]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP17OC14.012

    Table 1 of this appendix shows the appropriate number of sensors 
needed per each of four axes (including the first sensor at the 
intersection of the axes) for each fan size.

 Table 1 to Appendix U to Subpart B of Part 430: Sensor Selection Guide
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              Number of
                 Fan blade span * (inches)                     sensors
------------------------------------------------------------------------
36.........................................................            6
42.........................................................            7
44.........................................................            7
48.........................................................            7
52.........................................................            8
54.........................................................            8
56.........................................................            8
60.........................................................            9
72.........................................................           10
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* The fan sizes listed are intended simply to be illustrative and do not
  restrict which ceiling fan sizes can be tested.

    An RPM (revolutions per minute) meter, or tachometer, should be 
installed hanging from the ceiling and passing through the false 
ceiling so that the RPM of the ceiling fan blades can be measured 
during testing.
    Use an RMS sensor capable of measuring power with an accuracy of 
1% to measure ceiling fan power consumption. Prior to 
testing, the test laboratory must verify the performance of the 
sensor and sensor software to be used during the test.
    2.2.3. Multi-Head Ceiling Fan Test Set-Up: Multi-headed ceiling 
fans are to be hung from the false ceiling such that one of the 
ceiling fan heads is directly over sensor 1 (i.e., at the 
intersection of axes A, B, C, and D). This can be achieved by either 
offsetting the entire false ceiling, or the multi-head fan with 
respect to the false ceiling, as long as the requirement that the 
false ceiling extend at least 8 inches beyond the blade span of the 
centered fan head is maintained. Supporting chains, wires, or ropes 
may be used to keep the false ceiling level if the multi-head 
ceiling fan is offset with respect to the false ceiling. The 
distance between the lowest point on the fan blades of the centered 
fan head and the air velocity sensors is to be such that it is the 
same as for all other low-volume ceiling fans (see Figure 2 of this 
appendix). Switching on only the centered fan head, the airflow 
measurements are to be made in the same manner as for all other low-
volume ceiling fans. The power consumption measurements are to be 
made separately, with all fan heads on.
    2.2.4. Test Set-Up for Ceiling Fans With Airflow Not Directly 
Downward: For ceiling fans where the airflow is not directly 
downward, the ceiling fan head is to be adjusted such that the 
airflow is as vertical as possible prior to testing. The distance 
between the lowest point on the blades and the air velocity sensors 
should be the same as for all other low-volume ceiling fans. For 
ceiling fans where a fully vertical orientation of airflow cannot be 
achieved, the ceiling fan is to be oriented such that any remaining 
tilt is aligned along one of the four sensor axes. Instead of 
measuring the air velocity for only those sensors directly beneath 
the ceiling fan, the air velocity is to be measured at all sensors 
along that axis, as well as the axis oriented 180 degrees with 
respect to that axis. For example, if the tilt is oriented along 
axis A, air velocity measurements are to be taken for all sensors 
along the A-C axis. No measurements would need to be taken along the 
B-D axis in this case.
    2.3. Active mode test measurement for low-volume ceiling fans.
    2.3.1. Test conditions to be followed when testing:
     The temperature and humidity setting shall be 76 
degrees 2 degrees Fahrenheit and 50% 5% 
relative humidity. These shall be held constant during the entire 
test process.
     Allow the sensors to be turned on and the fan to run 
for 15 minutes at each fan speed/setting before taking readings.
     If present, the ceiling fan light fixture is to be 
installed but turned off during testing.
     If present, any heater is to be installed but turned 
off during testing.
     The tests shall be conducted with the fan connected to 
a supply circuit with a voltage of (a) 120 V for fans rated on the 
nameplate from 105 to 125 V; and (b) 240 V for fans rated on the 
nameplate from 208 to 250 V. The test voltage shall not vary by more 
than 1% during the tests.
     The test shall be conducted with the fan connected to a 
supply circuit at the rated frequency.
     Air conditioning vents shall be closed during testing.

[[Page 62546]]

    2.3.2. Airflow and Power Consumption Testing Procedure: Measure 
the airflow (CFM) and power consumption (watt) for low-volume 
ceiling fans at high and low speed.
    Step 1: Make sure the transformer power is off. Hang fan at the 
actuator hanging system, and connect wires as directed by 
manufacturer's wiring instructions. Note: Assemble fan prior to the 
test; lab personnel must follow the instructions provided by the fan 
manufacturer. The fan blade assembly shall be balanced in accordance 
with the manufacturer's instructions to avoid excessive vibration of 
the motor assembly (at any speed) during operation.
    Step 2: Adjust the actuator such that the lowest point on the 
fan blades is 43 inches above the height of the sensor heads. If 
necessary, use the hoist's toggle switch and adjust height.
    Step 3: Set the first sensor arm (if using four fixed arms) or 
single sensor arm (if using a single rotating arm) to the 0 degree 
Position (Axis A). If necessary, use marking as reference. If using 
a single rotating arm, adjust the sensor arm alignment until it is 
at the 0 degree position by remotely controlling the antenna 
rotator.
    Step 4: Set software up to read and record air velocity, 
expressed in feet per minute (FPM) in 1 second intervals. 
(Temperature does not need to be recorded in 1 second intervals.) 
Record current barometric pressure.
    Step 5: Allow test fan to run 15 minutes at rated voltage and at 
blade speed to be tested. Turn off all environmental conditioning 
equipment entering the chamber (e.g., air conditioning), close all 
doors and vents, and wait an additional 3 minutes prior to starting 
test session.
    Step 6: Begin recording readings. Take 100 readings (100 seconds 
run-time) and save these data.
    Step 7: Similarly, take 100 readings (100 seconds run-time) for 
Axes B, C, and D; save these data as well. If using four fixed 
sensor arms, the readings for all sensor arms should be taken 
simultaneously.
    Step 8: Repeat steps 3 through 7 above for the remaining fan 
speed. Note: Ensure that temperature and humidity readings are held 
within the required tolerances for the duration of the test (all 
tested speeds). It may be helpful to turn on environmental 
conditioning equipment between test sessions to ready the room for 
the following speed test.
    Step 9: If testing a multi-mount ceiling fan, repeat steps 1 
through 8 with the ceiling fan hung in the configuration (either 
hugger or standard) not already tested.
    If a multi-head ceiling fan includes more than one type of 
ceiling fan head, then test at least one of each unique type. A fan 
head with different construction that could affect air movement or 
power consumption, such as housing, blade pitch, or motor, would 
constitute a different type of fan head.
    Measure power input at a point that includes all power-consuming 
components of the ceiling fan (but without any attached light kit or 
heater energized). Measure power continuously at the rated voltage 
that represents normal operation over the time period for which the 
airflow test is conducted for each speed, and record the average 
value of the power measurement at that speed in watts (W).
    Measure ceiling fan power consumption simultaneously with the 
airflow test, except for multi-head ceiling fans. For multi-head 
ceiling fans, measure power consumption at each speed continuously 
for 100 seconds with all fan heads turned on, and record the average 
value at each speed in watts (W).
    2.4. Test apparatus for high-volume ceiling fans: The test 
apparatus and instructions for testing high-volume ceiling fans 
shall conform to the requirements specified in Section 3 (``Units of 
Measurement''), Section 4 (``Symbols and Subscripts''), Section 5 
(``Definitions''), Section 6 (``Instruments and Methods of 
Measurement''), and Section 7 (``Equipment and Setups'') of the Air 
Movement and Control Association (AMCA) International's ``AMCA 230: 
Laboratory Methods of Testing Air Circulating Fans for Rating and 
Certification,'' February 22, 2012 (incorporated by reference, see 
Sec.  430.3), with the following modifications:
    2.4.1. The test procedure is applicable to high-volume ceiling 
fans up to 24 feet in diameter.
    2.4.2. A ``ceiling fan'' is defined as in 10 CFR 430.2.
    2.4.3. For all ceiling fans, the minimum distance between the 
ceiling and the blades of a ceiling fan being tested is 44 inches.
    2.4.4. For a ceiling fan larger than 6 feet in diameter, the 
clearance between the floor and the blades of a ceiling fan being 
tested is 20 feet.
    2.4.5. For a ceiling fan larger than 6 feet in diameter, the 
minimum distance between the centerline of a ceiling fan being 
tested and the walls and large obstructions all around is half the 
ceiling fan blade span plus 10 feet.
    2.5. Active mode test measurement for high-volume ceiling fans: 
Calculate the airflow (CFM) and measure the power consumption (watt) 
for ceiling fans at high speed, in accordance with the test 
requirements specified in Section 8 (``Observations and Conduct of 
Test'') and Section 9 (``Calculations'') of AMCA 230 (incorporated 
by reference, see Sec.  430.3), with the following modifications:
    2.5.1. Measure power consumption at a point that includes all 
power-consuming components of the ceiling fan (but without any 
attached light kit or heater energized).
    2.5.2. Measure power consumption continuously at the rated 
voltage that represents normal operation over the time period for 
which the load differential test is conducted.
    2.6. Test measurement for standby power consumption: Standby 
power consumption must be measured for both low and high-volume 
ceiling fans that offer one or more of the following user-oriented 
or protective functions:
     The ability to facilitate the activation or 
deactivation of other functions (including active mode) by remote 
switch (including remote control), internal sensor, or timer.
     Continuous functions, including information or status 
displays (including clocks), or sensor-based functions.
    Standby power consumption must be measured after completion of 
the airflow test for low-volume ceiling fans, or the load 
differential test for high-volume ceiling fans, and after the active 
mode functionality has been switched off (i.e., the rotation of the 
ceiling fan blades is no longer energized). The ceiling fan must 
remain connected to the main power supply and be in the same 
configuration as in active mode (i.e., any ceiling fan light fixture 
should still be attached). Measure standby power consumption 
according to IEC 62301 (incorporated by reference; see Sec.  430.3) 
with the following modifications:
    2.6.1. Allow 3 minutes between switching off active mode 
functionality and beginning the standby power test. (No additional 
time before measurement is required.)
    2.6.2. Measure power consumption continuously for 100 seconds, 
and record the average value of the standby power measurement in 
watts (W).
    3. Calculation of Ceiling Fan Efficiency From the Test Results: 
The efficacy of a ceiling fan is the ceiling fan efficiency (as 
defined in section 1 of this appendix).
    Using the airflow and power consumption measurements from 
section 2, calculate ceiling fan efficiency for a low-volume ceiling 
fan as follows:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP17OC14.013

Where:

CFMi = airflow at a given speed,
OHi = operating hours at a given speed,
Wi = power consumption at a given speed,
H = high speed,
L = low speed,
OHSb = operating hours in standby mode, and
WSb = power consumption in standby mode.

    Using the airflow and power consumption measurements from 
section 3, calculate ceiling fan efficiency for a high-volume 
ceiling fan as follows:

[[Page 62547]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP17OC14.014

Where:

CFMH = airflow at high speed,
OHA = operating hours in active mode,
WH = power consumption at high speed,
OHSb = operating hours in standby mode, and
WSb = power consumption in standby mode.

    Table 2 of this appendix specifies the daily hours of operation 
to be used in calculating ceiling fan efficiency:

  Table 2 to Appendix U to Subpart B of Part 430: Daily Operating Hours
                 for Calculating Ceiling Fan Efficiency
------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Daily Operating Hours for Low-Volume Ceiling Fans
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            No standby     With standby
------------------------------------------------------------------------
High Speed..............................             4.2             4.2
Low Speed...............................             2.2             2.2
Standby Mode............................             0.0            17.6
Off Mode................................            17.6             0.0
------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Daily Operating Hours for High-Volume Ceiling Fans
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               No standby            With
                                                                   standby
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Active Mode.............................            12.0            12.0
Standby Mode............................             0.0            12.0
Off Mode................................            12.0             0.0
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The effective area corresponding to each sensor is to be 
calculated with the following equations:
    For sensor 1, the sensor located directly underneath the center 
of the ceiling fan, the effective width of the circle is 2 inches, 
and the effective area is:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP17OC14.015

    For the sensors between sensor 1 and the last sensor used in the 
measurement, the effective area has a width of 4 inches. If a sensor 
is a distance d, in inches, from sensor 1, then the effective area 
is:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP17OC14.016

    For the last sensor, the width of the effective area depends on 
the horizontal displacement between the last sensor and the point on 
the ceiling fan blades furthest radially from the center of the fan. 
The total area included in an airflow calculation is the area of a 
circle 8 inches larger in diameter than the ceiling fan blade span.
    Therefore, for example, for a 42-inch ceiling fan, the last 
sensor is 3 inches beyond the end of the ceiling fan blades. Because 
only the area within 4 inches of the end of the ceiling fan blades 
is included in the airflow calculation, the effective width of the 
circle corresponding to the last sensor would be 3 inches. The 
calculation for the effective area corresponding to the last sensor 
would then be:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP17OC14.017

    For a 46-inch ceiling fan, the effective area of the last sensor 
would have a width of 5 inches, and the effective area would be:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP17OC14.018

    3.1.1. Ceiling fan efficiency calculations for multi-head 
ceiling fans: To determine the airflow at a given speed for a multi-
head ceiling fan, measure the airflow for each fan head. Repeat for 
each fan head. Testing of each fan head is not required if the fan 
heads are essentially identical (i.e., do not have differences in 
construction such as housing, blade pitch, or motor could affect air 
movement or power consumption); instead, the measurements for one 
fan head can be used for each essentially identical fan head.

[[Page 62548]]

Sum the measured airflow for each fan head included in the ceiling 
fan. The power consumption is the measured power consumption with 
all fan heads on.
    Using the airflow and power consumption measurements from 
section 2 of this appendix, calculate ceiling fan efficiency for a 
low-volume, multi-head ceiling fan as follows:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP17OC14.019

Where:

CFMi = sum of airflow at a given speed for each head,
OHi = operating hours at a given speed,
Wi = total power consumption at a given speed,
H = high speed,
L = low speed,
OHSb = operating hours in standby mode, and
WSb = power consumption in standby mode.
    3.1.2. Ceiling fan efficiency calculations for ceiling fans with 
airflow not directly downward: Using a set of sensors that cover the 
same diameter as if the airflow was directly downward, the airflow 
at each speed should be calculated based on the continuous set of 
sensors with the largest air velocity measurements. This continuous 
set of sensors should be along the axis that the ceiling fan tilt is 
directed in (and along the axis that is 180 degrees from the first 
axis). For example, a 42-inch fan tilted toward axis A may create 
the pattern of air velocity shown in Figure 3 of this appendix. As 
shown in Table 1 of this appendix, a 42-inch fan would normally 
require 7 active sensors. However because the fan is not directed 
downward, all sensors must record data. In this case, because the 
set of sensors corresponding to maximum air velocity are centered 3 
sensor positions away from the sensor 1 along the A axis, substitute 
the air velocity at A axis sensor 4 for the average air velocity at 
sensor 1. Take the average of the air velocity at A axis sensors 3 
and 5 as a substitute for the average air velocity at sensor 2, take 
the average of the air velocity at A axis sensors 2 and 6 as a 
substitute for the average air velocity at sensor 3, etc. Lastly, 
take the average of the air velocities at A axis sensor 10 and C 
axis sensor 4 as a substitute for the average air velocity at sensor 
7. Any air velocity measurements made along the B-D axis are not 
included in the calculation of average air velocity.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP17OC14.020

[FR Doc. 2014-22883 Filed 10-16-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P