[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 142 (Monday, July 25, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 48620-48646]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-17139]



[[Page 48619]]

Vol. 81

Monday,

No. 142

July 25, 2016

Part V





 Department of Energy





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10 CFR Parts 429 and 430





 Energy Conservation Program: Test Procedures for Ceiling Fans; Final 
Rule

  Federal Register / Vol. 81 , No. 142 / Monday, July 25, 2016 / Rules 
and Regulations  

[[Page 48620]]


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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: Test Procedures for Ceiling Fans

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is issuing a final rule to 
amend the test procedures for ceiling fans. DOE is establishing an 
integrated efficiency metric for ceiling fans, based on airflow and 
power consumption at high and low speed for low-speed small-diameter 
ceiling fans; at high speed for high-speed small-diameter ceiling fans; 
and at up to five speeds for large-diameter ceiling fans. The 
integrated efficiency metric also accounts for power consumed in 
standby mode. DOE is also adopting new test procedures for large-
diameter ceiling fans, multi-mount ceiling fans, ceiling fans with 
multiple fan heads, and ceiling fans where the airflow is not directed 
vertically, and clarifying when these methods must be conducted. 
Additionally, DOE is adopting the following changes to the current test 
procedure: Eliminating the test cylinder from the test setup; 
specifying the method of measuring the distance between the ceiling fan 
blades and the air velocity sensors during testing; specifying the fan 
configuration during testing for ceiling fans that can be mounted in 
more than one configuration; specifying the test method for ceiling 
fans with heaters; specifying that a ceiling fan is not subject to the 
test procedure if the plane of rotation of the ceiling fan's blades 
cannot be within 45 degrees of horizontal; specifying that centrifugal 
ceiling fans are not subject to the test procedure; specifying that all 
small-diameter ceiling fans must be mounted directly to the real 
ceiling for testing; revising the allowable measurement tolerance for 
air velocity sensors; revising the allowable mounting tolerance for air 
velocity sensors; revising the testing temperature requirement; 
requiring measurement axes to be perpendicular to walls; specifying the 
position of air conditioning vents and doors during testing; specifying 
operation of room conditioning equipment; specifying the power source 
and how power measurements are to be made; and specifying stable 
measurement criteria and a method for determining stability.

DATES: The effective date of this rule is August 24, 2016. The final 
rule changes will be mandatory for representations made with respect to 
the energy use or efficiency of ceiling fans starting January 23, 2017. 
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in this 
rule was approved by the Director of the Federal Register on August 24, 
2016.

ADDRESSES: The docket, which includes Federal Register notices, public 
meeting attendee lists and transcripts, comments, and other supporting 
documents/materials, is available for review at regulations.gov. All 
documents in the docket are listed in the regulations.gov index. 
However, some documents listed in the index, such as those containing 
information that is exempt from public disclosure, may not be publicly 
available.
    A link to the docket Web page can be found at: http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=EERE-2013-BT-TP-0050. This Web 
page will contain a link to the docket for this document on the 
regulations.gov site. The regulations.gov Web page will contain simple 
instructions on how to access all documents, including public comments, 
in the docket.
    For further information on how to review the docket, contact Ms. 
Lucy deButts at (202) 287-1604 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-33, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585-
0121. Telephone: (202) 586-7796. Email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This final rule incorporates by reference 
into part 430 the following industry standards:
    (1) ANSI/AMCA Standard 230-15, (``AMCA 230-15''), ``Laboratory 
Methods of Testing Air Circulating Fans for Rating and Certification,'' 
ANSI approved October 16, 2015.
    (2) IEC 62301, (``IEC 62301-U''), ``Household electrical 
appliances--Measurement of standby power,'' (Edition 2.0, 2011-01).
    You can obtain copies of ANSI/AMCA Standard 230-15 from the 
American National Standards Institute, 25 W. 43rd Street, 4th Floor, 
New York, NY 10036, 212-642-4900, or www.ansi.org. You can obtain 
copies of IEC 62301:2011 from the International Electrotechnical 
Commission, 3, rue de Varemb[eacute], P.O. Box 131, CH--1211 Geneva 
20--Switzerland, or https://webstore.iec.ch.
    For a further discussion of these standards, see section IV.M.

Table of Contents

I. Authority and Background
II. Synopsis of the Final Rule
III. Discussion
    A. Scope of Applicability
    1. Clarification of the Statutory Definition of a Ceiling Fan
    2. Ceiling Fans Not Subject to the Test Procedure
    3. Definitions of Low-Speed Small-Diameter, High-Speed Small-
Diameter, and Large-Diameter Ceiling Fans
    4. Definitions of Hugger, Standard, Multi-Mount, Highly-
Decorative, Belt-Driven, and Very-Small-Diameter Ceiling Fans
    B. Compliance Date
    C. Existing Test Procedure
    D. Integrated Efficiency Metric
    1. Low-Speed Small-Diameter Ceiling Fans
    2. High-Speed Small-Diameter Ceiling Fans
    3. Large-Diameter Ceiling Fans
    E. Modifications to Existing Test Procedure
    1. Required Testing Speeds for Low-Speed Small-Diameter and 
High-Speed Small-Diameter Ceiling Fans
    2. Elimination of Test Cylinder From Test Setup and 
Specification of Effective Area
    3. Specification of Method of Measuring the Distance Between 
Ceiling Fan Blades and Air Velocity Sensors During Testing
    4. Specification of Fan Configuration During Testing
    5. Specification of Test Method for Ceiling Fans With Heaters
    6. Specification on Mounting Fans to Real Ceiling for Testing
    7. Revised Allowable Measurement Tolerance for Air Velocity 
Sensors
    8. Revised Allowable Mounting Tolerance for Air Velocity Sensors
    9. Specifications To Reduce Testing Variation
    10. Revised Testing Temperature Requirement
    11. Specification of Air Delivery Room Doors and Air 
Conditioning Vents
    12. Specification of Power Source and Measurement
    13. Specification of Blade Span Measurement
    F. Additional Test Methods
    1. Test Method for Large-Diameter Ceiling Fans
    2. Test Method for Multi-Mount Ceiling Fans
    3. Test Method for Ceiling Fans With Multiple Fan Heads
    4. Test Method for Ceiling Fans Where the Airflow Is Not 
Directed Vertically
    5. Test Method for Power Consumption in Standby Mode
    G. Certification and Enforcement
IV. Procedural Issues and Regulatory Review
    A. Review Under Executive Order 12866
    B. Review Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act

[[Page 48621]]

    1. Description of the Need For, and Objectives of, the Rule
    2. Description of Significant Issues Raised by Public Comment
    3. Description of Comments Submitted by the Small Business 
Administration
    4. Description of Estimated Number of Small Entities Regulated
    5. Description of the Projected Compliance Requirements of the 
Final Rule
    6. Description of Steps Taken To Minimize Impacts to Small 
Businesses
    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
    M. Description of Materials Incorporated by Reference
    N. Congressional Notification
V. Approval of the Office of the Secretary

I. Authority and Background

    Title III of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (42 
U.S.C. 6291, et seq.; ``EPCA'' or, ``the Act'') sets forth a variety of 
provisions designed to improve energy efficiency. Part B of title III, 
which for editorial reasons was redesignated as Part A upon 
incorporation into the U.S. Code (42 U.S.C. 6291-6309, as codified), 
establishes the ``Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products 
Other Than Automobiles.'' These consumer products include ceiling fans, 
the subject of this document. (42 U.S.C. 6291(49), 6293(b)(16)(A)(i) 
and (B), and 6295(ff))
    Under EPCA, the 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 (1) certifying to DOE that 
their products comply with the applicable energy conservation standards 
adopted under EPCA, and (2) making representations about the efficiency 
of those products. Similarly, DOE must use these test procedures to 
determine whether the products comply with any relevant standards 
promulgated under EPCA. (42 U.S.C. 6295(s))
    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 must be reasonably designed to produce test results that 
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))
    EPCA established energy conservation standards (design 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, 
EPCA requires 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.''
    EPCA requires DOE, at least once every 7 years, to 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)) The final 
rule resulting from this rulemaking will satisfy this requirement.
    In addition, for covered products with test procedures that do not 
fully account for standby-mode and off-mode energy consumption, EPCA 
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. 
This test procedure rulemaking addresses standby-mode and off-mode 
power consumption.
    DOE is concurrently conducting an energy conservation standards 
rulemaking for ceiling fans.\1\ On September 29, 2014, DOE published in 
the Federal Register a Notice of Public Meeting and Availability of the 
Preliminary Technical Support Document for the energy conservation 
standards rulemaking for ceiling fans. 79 FR 58290. DOE held the 
preliminary analysis public meeting on November 19, 2014. DOE requested 
feedback in the preliminary analysis 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. Some of the 
comments that DOE received related to the test procedure for ceiling 
fans were addressed in the test procedure SNOPR (80 FR 31487 (Jun. 3, 
2015)), and the remaining comments are addressed throughout this final 
rule. The ceiling fan energy conservation standards NOPR was published 
on January 13, 2016, and the associated public meeting was held on 
February 3, 2016. (81 FR 1688) DOE received comments on the standards 
NOPR pertaining to various aspects of the test procedure, particularly 
regarding definitions of ceiling fan types, and these comments are also 
addressed throughout this final rule.
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    \1\ The ceiling fan energy conservation standard rulemaking 
information is available at regulations.gov under docket number 
EERE-2012-BT-STD-0045.
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II. Synopsis of the Final Rule

    This final rule amends DOE's current test procedures for ceiling 
fans contained in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix U; 10 CFR 
429.32; and 10 CFR 430.23(w). This final rule: (1) Specifies new test 
procedures for large-diameter ceiling fans, multi-mount ceiling fans, 
ceiling fans with multiple fan heads, and ceiling fans where the 
airflow is not directed vertically, and (2) adopts the following 
changes to the current test procedure: (a) Low-speed small-diameter 
ceiling fans must be tested at high and low speeds; (b) high-speed 
small-diameter ceiling fans must be tested at high speed only; (c) 
large-diameter ceiling fans must be tested at

[[Page 48622]]

up to five speeds; (d) a test cylinder is not to be used during 
testing; (e) fans that can be mounted at more than one height are to be 
mounted in the configuration that minimizes the distance between the 
fan blades and the ceiling; (f) any heater installed with a ceiling fan 
is to be switched off during testing; (g) small-diameter ceiling fans 
must be mounted directly to the real ceiling; (h) the allowable 
measurement tolerance for air velocity sensors is 5%; (i) 
the allowable mounting distance tolerance for air velocity sensors is 
1/16''; (j) the air delivery room must be at 70 F 5 F during testing; (k) air delivery room doors and air 
conditioning vents must be closed and forced-air conditioning equipment 
turned off during testing; (l) small-diameter ceiling fans capable of 
being operated on both single- and multi-phase power must be tested 
with single-phase power, and large-diameter ceiling fans capable of 
being operated on both single- and multi-phase power must be tested 
with multi-phase power; (m) any fan rated for operation either at 120 V 
or at 240 V must be tested at that voltage, otherwise a fan must be 
tested at its lowest rated voltage or the mean of its lowest rated 
voltage range; (n) measurement axes must be perpendicular to test room 
walls; and (o) measurement stabilization requirements must be met for a 
valid test (i.e., average air velocity for all axes for each sensor 
must be within 5% and average electrical power measurement must be 
within 1% for successive measurements).\2\ DOE also determines that 
belt-driven ceiling fans, centrifugal ceiling fans, oscillating ceiling 
fans, and ceiling fans for which the plane of rotation of the fan 
blades cannot be within 45 degrees of horizontal are not subject to 
this final rule.
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    \2\ This provision allows for in-axis variation amongst sensors 
while making sure the measurement as a whole is stable.
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    Additionally, to support the ongoing energy conservation standards 
rulemaking for ceiling fans, this final rule establishes test 
procedures for an integrated efficiency metric measured in cubic feet 
per minute per watt (CFM/W) that is applicable to all ceiling fans for 
which DOE has proposed energy conservation standards.\3\ In this final 
rule, DOE also addresses standby mode and off-mode power consumption 
for ceiling fans. (42 U.S.C. 6295(gg)(2)(A) and (3))
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    \3\ The docket for the concurrent ceiling fans energy 
conservation standards rulemaking is located here: http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=EERE-2012-BT-STD-0045.
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III. Discussion

A. Scope of Applicability

    EPCA defines a ``ceiling fan'' as ``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)) The test procedures described in this 
final rule apply to any product meeting this definition, including 
applications where large airflow volume may be needed and highly 
decorative fans (as discussed in section III.A.4.), except for belt-
driven ceiling fans, centrifugal ceiling fans, oscillating ceiling 
fans, or ceiling fans whose blades' plane of rotation cannot be within 
45 degrees of horizontal (see Section III.A.2). All fans that meet the 
statutory definition of a ceiling fan are ceiling fans and do not fall 
within the scope of the rulemaking under consideration for commercial 
and industrial fans and blowers.\4\
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    \4\ https://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=EERE-2013-BT-
STD-0006.
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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). However, in the test procedure 
final rule for ceiling fan light kits (CFLKs), DOE reinterpreted the 
definition of ceiling fan to include hugger fans and clarified that the 
definition also includes fans capable of producing large volumes of 
airflow. 80 FR 80209 (Dec. 24, 2015)
2. Ceiling Fans Not Subject to the Test Procedure
    In the October 2014 test procedure NOPR, DOE proposed that 
centrifugal ceiling fans (commonly referred to as ``bladeless'' ceiling 
fans) would not be required to test such fans according to the ceiling 
fan test procedure, which would not accurately measure the energy 
efficiency of such fans. ALA supported this proposal, and DOE received 
no comments expressing disagreement. (ALA, No. 8 at p. 1) DOE is 
defining a centrifugal ceiling fan as a ceiling fan for which the 
primary airflow direction is in the same plane as the rotation of the 
fan blades. In this final rule, DOE is not requiring manufacturers of 
centrifugal ceiling fans to test such fans according to the test 
procedure.
    In the ceiling fans test procedure supplemental notice of proposed 
rulemaking (SNOPR) published on June 3, 2015, DOE proposed that 
manufacturers are not required to test ceiling fans pursuant to the 
test procedure if the plane of rotation of the ceiling fan's blades 
cannot be within 45 degrees of horizontal, as the test procedure is not 
designed to provide accurate performance data for such fans. 80 FR 
31487. In response to this proposal, Big Ass Solutions (BAS) suggested 
DOE base this exemption on the direction of discharge for the majority 
of the airflow rather than on the plane of rotation of the ceiling 
fan's blades. (BAS, No. 13 at pp. 1-2) \5\ BAS also provided two 
examples of ceiling fans for which the blades have a horizontal plane 
of rotation, but for which the proposed test procedure would not 
adequately evaluate the ceiling fan's performance due to the direction 
of the majority of the airflow not being vertically downward. (Id.)
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    \5\ A notation in this form provides a reference for information 
that is in the docket of DOE's rulemaking to develop test procedures 
for ceiling fans (Docket No. EERE-2013-BT-TP-0050), which is 
maintained at www.regulations.gov. This notation indicates that the 
statement preceding the reference is document number 13 in the 
docket and appears at pages 1-2 of that document.
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    DOE considers the two example ceiling fans BAS provided to be 
centrifugal ceiling fans, which DOE has separately determined will not 
be subject to this final rule. Therefore, DOE maintains that ceiling 
fans whose blades' plane of rotation cannot be within 45 degrees of 
horizontal will not be subject to this final rule.
    In the concurrent ceiling fans energy conservation standards NOPR, 
DOE has proposed to define belt-driven ceiling fans as ceiling fans 
with a series of one or more fan heads, each driven by a belt connected 
to one or more motors. However, in the energy conservation standards 
NOPR, DOE does not propose standards for belt-driven ceiling fans, 
based on the limited number of basic models and lack of available data. 
Therefore, although DOE is investigating appropriate test procedures 
for belt-driven ceiling fans, such fans will not be subject to the test 
procedure adopted here.
    DOE has observed that there are ceiling fans capable of 
oscillating, either through an oscillation of the axis of rotation of 
individual fan heads or a rotation in position amongst multiple fan 
heads. Such fans can be tested according to the appropriate proposed 
test procedures for ceiling fans with tilt and/or multi-headed fans if 
the axis of rotation of the fan blades can remain in a fixed position 
relative to the ceiling (e.g., by switching off the oscillating 
feature). However, DOE recognizes that not all ceiling fans capable of 
oscillating can meet this requirement. In this final

[[Page 48623]]

rule, DOE is defining an ``oscillating ceiling fan'' as ``a ceiling fan 
containing one or more fan heads for which the axis of rotation of the 
fan blades cannot remain in a fixed position relative to the ceiling. 
Such fans have no inherent means by which to disable the oscillating 
function separate from the fan blade rotation.'' Although DOE is 
investigating appropriate test procedures for oscillating ceiling fans, 
fans with an oscillating function that cannot remain in a fixed 
position relative to the ceiling will not be subject to the test 
procedures adopted here. For the purpose of this test procedure, multi-
head ceiling fans for which the fan will not oscillate if fan blades 
are only installed on one fan head do not meet the definition of 
``oscillating fan'' and are subject to the test procedure established 
by this final rule. For this rulemaking, because the airflow 
measurement for multi-head fans is to be taken with the fan blades 
installed on only one fan head, such ceiling fans are not considered 
oscillating ceiling fans, and are therefore subject to the test 
procedures adopted here.
3. Definitions of Low-Speed Small-Diameter, High-Speed Small-Diameter, 
and Large-Diameter Ceiling Fans
    In the October 2014 test procedure NOPR, DOE proposed definitions 
for low-volume and high-volume ceiling fans based on airflow volume, 
blade span, blade edge thickness, and the maximum tip speed of the fan 
blades. Furthermore, in the test procedure SNOPR, DOE proposed 
different test procedures for low-volume ceiling fans, high-volume 
ceiling fans with blade spans less than or equal to seven feet, and 
high-volume ceiling fans with blade spans greater than seven feet. 
Specifically, DOE proposed to test all ceiling fans with blade spans 
less than or equal to seven feet (i.e., both low-volume ceiling fans 
and high-volume ceiling fans with blade spans less than or equal to 
seven feet) using a test procedure based on version 1.1 of the ENERGY 
STAR test method, while all high-volume ceiling fans with blade spans 
greater than seven feet would be tested using a modified version of the 
AMCA 230-12 test procedure. DOE further proposed that high-volume 
ceiling fans with blade spans less than or equal to seven feet would be 
tested at only high speed, whereas other ceiling fans with blade spans 
less than or equal to seven feet (i.e., low-volume ceiling fans) would 
be tested at both high and low speeds. DOE proposed this change to 
harmonize the DOE test procedure with accepted industry testing 
practices, and DOE received no stakeholder feedback in disagreement 
with this approach.
    In this final rule, DOE is employing different terminology to 
delineate fans that were previously known as low-volume, high-volume 
small-diameter, and high-volume. To maintain consistency with the 
definitions proposed in the concurrent ceiling fans energy conservation 
standards rulemaking, DOE is defining the following categories of 
ceiling fans for use in this final rule: (1) A ``large-diameter ceiling 
fan'' is a ceiling fan that is greater than seven feet in diameter; (2) 
A ``small-diameter ceiling fan'' is a ceiling fan that is less than or 
equal to seven feet in diameter; (3) A ``low-speed small-diameter 
ceiling fan'' is a small diameter ceiling fan that meets both 
requirements in Table 1; and (4) A ``high-speed small-diameter ceiling 
fan'' is a small diameter ceiling fan that fails to meet at least one 
of the requirements in Table 1. Table 1 indicates maximum speed tip for 
low-speed small-diameter ceiling fans, depending 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. Given the definitions and the requirements 
set forth in Table 1, DOE notes that any small-diameter ceiling fan 
with blade edge thickness less than 3.2 mm is necessarily a high-speed 
small-diameter (HSSD) ceiling fan. DOE also notes that, in response to 
the ceiling fan energy conservation standards NOPR, ALA provided minor, 
clarifying edits to the definitions of several fan types, including 
high-speed small diameter ceiling fans, standard ceiling fans and 
hugger ceiling fans. (ALA, No. 137 \6\ at pp. 4-5) These edits have 
been incorporated into the definitions in this final rule.
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    \6\ This document was submitted to the docket of DOE's 
rulemaking to develop energy conservation standards for ceiling fans 
(Docket No. EERE-2012-BT-STD-0045).

                          Table 1--UL 507 Blade Thickness and Maximum Tip Speed Limits
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 Thickness (t) of edges of      Maximum speed at tip of blades
                                                          blades             -----------------------------------
             Airflow direction *             --------------------------------                       (feet per
                                                   (mm)           (Inch)            (m/s)            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.

4. Definitions of Hugger, Standard, Multi-Mount, Highly-Decorative, 
Belt-Driven, and Very-Small-Diameter Ceiling Fans
    In the October 2014 test procedure NOPR, DOE proposed 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.'' Furthermore, DOE 
proposed to define standard and multi-mount ceiling fans as ``a ceiling 
fan where the lowest point on the fan blades is more than ten inches 
from the ceiling'' and ``a ceiling fan that can be mounted in both the 
standard and hugger ceiling fan configurations,'' respectively. 
Stakeholders did not object to the 10-inch threshold specified in the 
October 2014 test procedure NOPR, but DOE did receive comments from 
Emerson and Westinghouse Lighting asking for the inclusion of a blade 
warpage tolerance. (Emerson, Public Meeting Transcript, No. 83 at pp. 
86-87; Westinghouse Lighting, Public Meeting Transcript, No. 83 at p. 
89) DOE understands the concern put forth by Emerson and Westinghouse 
Lighting, but DOE

[[Page 48624]]

concludes that a specific distance needs to be selected to provide a 
clear division between the product classes for hugger and standard 
ceiling fans. For example, DOE found that standard ceiling fans on the 
market have a median distance of 12 inches from the ceiling to the fan 
blades; therefore, increasing the 10-inch distance by way of a blade 
warpage tolerance could result in the miscategorization of ceiling 
fans.
    DOE also proposed regulatory definitions for hugger and standard 
ceiling fans and other low-speed small-diameter (LSSD) ceiling fans as 
part of the ceiling fans energy conservation standards rulemaking. 
Under the proposed definitions, a hugger ceiling fan is ``a ceiling fan 
that is not a very small-diameter ceiling fan, highly-decorative 
ceiling fan or belt-driven ceiling fan; and where the lowest point on 
fan blades is <= 10 inches from the ceiling; and has a blade thickness 
of >=3.2 mm at the edge and a maximum tip speed <= the applicable limit 
in the table in this definition,'' and a standard ceiling fan is ``a 
ceiling fan that is not a very small-diameter ceiling fan, highly-
decorative ceiling fan or belt-driven ceiling fan; and where the lowest 
point on fan blades is >10 inches from the ceiling; and has a blade 
thickness of >=3.2 mm at the edge and a maximum tip speed <= the 
applicable limit in the table in this definition.'' (81 FR 1688 
(January 13, 2016)) In both of these definitions, the table referenced 
is Table 1 above. DOE finalizes these definitions, with minor 
clarifying edits suggested by ALA (ALA, No. 137 \7\ at pp. 4-5), in 
this rulemaking. DOE also defines a multi-mount ceiling fan as ``a 
ceiling fan that can be mounted in the configurations associated with 
the definitions of both standard and hugger ceiling fans,'' consistent 
with the proposed definition in the October 2014 test procedure NOPR.
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    \7\ This document was submitted to the docket of DOE's 
rulemaking to develop energy conservation standards for ceiling fans 
(Docket No. EERE-2012-BT-STD-0045).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DOE also proposed regulatory definitions for highly-decorative, 
belt-driven, and very-small diameter ceiling fans as part of the energy 
conservation standards rulemaking. Because the hugger and standard 
ceiling fan definitions finalized here invoke these terms, DOE is 
addressing any comments related to the definitions of these terms here. 
DOE proposed to define a highly-decorative ceiling fan as ``a ceiling 
fan with a maximum rotational speed of 90 RPM and less than 1,840 CFM 
airflow at high speed;'' a belt-driven ceiling fan as ``a ceiling fan 
with a series of one or more fan heads, each driven by a belt connected 
to one or more motors;'' and a very-small-diameter ceiling fan as ``a 
ceiling fan that is not a highly-decorative ceiling fan or belt-driven 
ceiling fan; and has one or more fan heads, each of which has a blade 
span of 18 inches or less.''
    ALA did not oppose the inclusion of RPM and CFM in the highly-
decorative ceiling fan definition. (ALA, No. 137 \8\ at p. 6) However, 
BAS commented that the proposed definition for highly-decorative fans 
should be based on tip speed, rather than a combination of RPM and CFM. 
According to BAS, using RPM as a basis for the definition without 
incorporating blade span limits smaller-diameter fans more than larger-
diameter fans. BAS added that the use of tip speed rather than RPM is 
consistent with the definitions for standard and hugger fans, and RPM 
and blade span measurements are generally easier to make than airflow 
measurements for highly-decorative fans. BAS therefore suggests DOE 
adopt a definition requiring that only highly-decorative ceiling fans 
have tip speeds less than or equal to 700 feet per minute. (BAS, No. 
138 \9\ at pp. 2-4)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \8\ This document was submitted to the docket of DOE's 
rulemaking to develop energy conservation standards for ceiling fans 
(Docket No. EERE-2012-BT-STD-0045).
    \9\ This document was submitted to the docket of DOE's 
rulemaking to develop energy conservation standards for ceiling fans 
(Docket No. EERE-2012-BT-STD-0045).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DOE understands BAS's concern regarding the potential for 
disproportionate impact on fans of different diameters if RPM is the 
sole criterion for determining whether a ceiling fan is highly-
decorative, but it is for this reason that a maximum airflow 
requirement is also part of the definition of a highly-decorative 
ceiling fan. In regard to BAS's comment that basing the definition of 
highly-decorative ceiling fans off of tip speed rather than RPM is 
consistent with the definition for standard and hugger fans, DOE notes 
that the tip speed limits in the standard and hugger ceiling fan 
definitions that delineate those fans from high-speed small-diameter 
ceiling fans are drawn from UL Standard 507 and based on safety 
considerations for fans installed in the residential sector. EPCA 
describes highly-decorative ceiling fans as ceiling fans for which air 
movement performance is a secondary design feature; therefore, the 
criteria are different for highly-decorative ceiling fans and including 
an airflow limit in the definition for highly-decorative ceiling fans 
is consistent with the statutory intent. (42 U.S.C. 6295(ff)(6)(B)(ii)) 
Furthermore, BAS did not elaborate on the statement that measuring the 
airflow of highly-decorative fans is more difficult than measuring RPM 
and blade span, and no other stakeholders expressed concern with 
measuring the airflow of highly-decorative fans. Therefore, DOE is 
finalizing the definition of a highly-decorative ceiling fan as ``a 
ceiling fan with a maximum rotational speed of 90 RPM and less than 
1,840 CFM airflow at high speed, as determined by sections 3 and 4 of 
appendix U.''
    DOE notes that efficiency performance standards have not been 
proposed for highly-decorative ceiling fans in the concurrent energy 
conservation standards rulemaking (81 FR 1688 (January 13, 2016)). If 
DOE does not establish performance standards for highly-decorative 
fans, manufacturers would continue to submit certification reports to 
DOE for such fans with respect to the statutory design standards. Both 
DOE and manufacturers would determine whether a fan met the definition 
of a highly decorative fan using the final test procedure, though 
manufacturers would not be required to submit the supporting 
information, including any test data, that supports their highly 
decorative classification as part of their certification submission to 
DOE. In addition, manufacturers would be required to test highly-
decorative fans according to the test procedure established in this 
final rule to make representations of the energy efficiency of such 
fans (e.g., for the EnergyGuide label).
    The CA IOUs recommended that DOE include in the proposed definition 
of belt-driven ceiling fans that belt-driven ceiling fans have one or 
more motors located outside of the fan head. (CA IOUs, No. 
144[hairsp]\10\ at p. 1) To reduce potential regulatory ambiguity, DOE 
is finalizing the definition of a belt-driven ceiling fan as ``a 
ceiling fan with a series of one or more fan heads, each driven by a 
belt connected to one or more motors that are located outside of the 
fan head.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \10\ This document was submitted to the docket of DOE's 
rulemaking to develop energy conservation standards for ceiling fans 
(Docket No. EERE-2012-BT-STD-0045).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DOE received no comments in the proposed definition of very-small-
diameter ceiling fans; therefore, DOE is finalizing the definition of a 
very-small-diameter ceiling fan as ``a ceiling fan that is not a 
highly-decorative ceiling fan or belt-driven ceiling fan; and has one 
or more fan heads, each of which has a blade span of 18 inches or 
less.''

[[Page 48625]]

B. Compliance Date

    In the October 2014 test procedure NOPR, DOE proposed a compliance 
date 180 days after the publication of any final amended test 
procedures in the Federal Register. ALA urged DOE to not require use of 
a revised ceiling fans test procedure until the compliance date of the 
energy conservation standards established by the ongoing standards 
rulemaking, because DOE's revised test procedure will require 
manufacturers to retest every basic model of ceiling fan currently on 
the market. Additionally, DOE regulations already contain a test 
procedure for ceiling fans that can continue to be used up to the 
compliance date of the new ceiling fan efficiency standards. (ALA, No. 
14 at p. 2)
    This final rule, which would amend appendix U to Subpart B of 10 
CFR 430, would not affect a manufacturer's ability to comply with 
current energy conservation standards, because DOE does not currently 
have performance-based standards for ceiling fans as measured by the 
airflow efficiency. As a result, manufacturers will not need time to 
re-design and re-tool their ceiling fans to meet any energy 
conservation standards based on the updated test procedures. The key 
requirement manufacturers will need to meet prior to the compliance 
date of the concurrent ceiling fan energy conservation standards is the 
requirement that any representations of ceiling fan efficiency be based 
on the test procedures set forth in this final rule on and after the 
compliance date of this final rule. Because re-tooling and re-design of 
ceiling fans will not be required, a compliance date 180 days after the 
publication of this final rule in the Federal Register will give 
manufacturers enough time to have their ceiling fans tested to meet the 
representation requirement.
    Manufacturers are 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 establishes minimum energy conservation standards for 
ceiling fans based on airflow efficiency in the concurrent energy 
conservation standards rulemaking, manufacturers will be required to 
use the revised appendix U for determining compliance with any amended 
standards.
    With respect to hugger fans, compliance with requirements related 
to the ceiling fan reinterpretation (see Section III.A.1) was discussed 
in the CFLK test procedure final rule. 80 FR 80209 (Dec. 24, 2015) As 
discussed in that rulemaking, DOE will not assert civil penalty 
authority for violations of the applicable standards arising as a 
result of the reinterpretation of the ceiling fan definition before 
June 26, 2017.

C. Existing Test Procedure

    DOE's test procedure for ceiling fans is codified in appendix U to 
subpart B of part 430 of Title 10 of the CFR; 10 CFR 429.32; and 10 CFR 
430.23(w). The current DOE test procedure references the ``ENERGY 
STAR[supreg] Testing Facility Guidance Manual: Building a Testing 
Facility and Performing the Solid State Test Method for ENERGY STAR 
Qualified Ceiling Fans,'' version 1.1.\11\ ENERGY STAR has since 
revised its test procedure, creating version 1.2 of ENERGY STAR's 
guidance manual.\12\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. ENERGY STAR[supreg] 
Testing Facility Guidance Manual: Building a Testing Facility and 
Performing the Solid State Test Method for ENERGY STAR Qualified 
Ceiling Fans: Version 1.1. 2002. (Last accessed October 9, 2015.) 
https://www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/manuf_res/downloads/ceiltestfinal.pdf.
    \12\ U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. ENERGY STAR[supreg] 
Laboratory Guidance Manual: Building a Testing Facility and 
Performing the Solid State Test Method for ENERGY STAR Qualification 
of Ceiling Fans: Version 1.2. 2011. (Last accessed October 9, 2015.) 
http://www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/manuf_res/downloads/Ceiling_Fan_Laboratory_Guidance_Manual.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Although certain proposals in this rulemaking are consistent with 
version 1.2 of the ENERGY STAR test procedure, including test room 
dimensions and associated tolerances, DOE has proposed no modification 
to the 15-minute ceiling fan warm-up time specified in the current DOE 
test procedure, which is in accordance with the specifications of 
version 1.1 (as opposed to the 30-minute warm-up time before low speed 
specified in version 1.2). On this issue, the People's Republic of 
China (P.R. China) commented that International Electrotechnical 
Commission (IEC) standard 60879:1986, Performance and Construction of 
Electric Circulating Fans and Regulators, requires a warm-up time of 
two hours to achieve steady-state conditions at the test voltage. (P.R. 
China, No. 17 at p. 3)
    DOE determined, however, that a 15-minute warm-up time for testing 
is sufficient to bring the fan's performance into near-steady-state 
conditions while still keeping test burden (in this case, time) to a 
minimum. Therefore, DOE has retained the 15-minute warm-up time in this 
final rule.

D. Integrated Efficiency Metric

    DOE is applying a single metric based on airflow efficiency to all 
ceiling fans required to be tested according to the procedure 
established in this final rule (see Section III.A.2 for a discussion of 
ceiling fans not required to be tested). Airflow efficiency appears to 
be a nearly-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, as measured in watts (W). Additionally, in accordance with 
the proposal in the October 2014 test procedure NOPR, DOE is amending 
10 CFR 429.32 to provide sampling requirements for determining the 
represented values for ceiling fans.
    Stakeholders generally agreed with DOE's test procedure NOPR 
proposal to use airflow efficiency as the efficiency metric for ceiling 
fans; however, MacroAir suggested DOE use fan efficiency--the amount of 
wind power produced by the fan divided by the power consumption of the 
fan--instead. (MacroAir, No. 6 at pp. 1-4) Part of MacroAir's argument 
for using fan efficiency as opposed to airflow efficiency is that fan 
efficiency does not overly inflate when revolutions per minute (RPM) 
are reduced, whereas airflow efficiency tends to be higher at lower fan 
speeds. DOE analyzed reports from testing over 30 ceiling fans in early 
2014 and found that while airflow efficiency does tend to be lower at 
higher RPM, the reverse is true for fan efficiency: Fan efficiency 
tends to be lower at lower RPM and higher at higher RPM. Therefore, in 
the same way that manufacturers could opt to add more lower-RPM speeds 
on their ceiling fans to increase their overall airflow efficiency, 
manufacturers could opt to remove lower-RPM speeds on their ceiling 
fans to increase their overall fan efficiency. DOE notes that lower-RPM 
speeds consume less energy than higher-RPM speeds, and the removal of 
lower-RPM speeds eliminates the ability of consumers to use lower 
speeds when appropriate. Additionally, the fan efficiency calculation 
provided by MacroAir incorporates blade span as an input, which could 
result in unintentional market shifts (in this case, toward smaller 
blade spans). Because airflow efficiency is the metric accepted by the 
majority of the ceiling fan industry, DOE is using airflow efficiency 
as the basis of the integrated efficiency metric for ceiling fans in 
this final rule.
    With regard to the integrated efficiency metric, BAS and ALA 
commented that the metric should incorporate the effect of energy-
saving controls (e.g., occupancy sensors) intended to reduce the amount 
of time a ceiling fan is operated in active mode.

[[Page 48626]]

(BAS, Public Meeting Transcript, No. 5 at p. 145; ALA, Public Meeting 
Transcript, No. 5 at pp. 150-151) Results from a Lawrence Berkeley 
National Laboratory (LBNL) survey of the residential sector \13\ showed 
that ceiling fans are operated in unoccupied spaces more than 40% of 
the time, on average, suggesting significant potential energy savings 
for controls. However, DOE is unaware of any similar data for the 
commercial or industrial sectors, or any data quantifying the actual 
decrease in energy consumption from the use of ceiling fan controls and 
sensors. Finally, ceiling fan sensors and controls are an emerging 
technology, and such devices are currently rare, so it is difficult to 
anticipate which controls may actually reduce energy use, or how much 
energy use may be saved by a particular control or sensor type. Given 
this, DOE has not considered measuring the energy savings of controls 
or sensors in this final rule.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \13\ Kantner, C. L. S., S. J. Young, S. M. Donovan, and 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. 
(Last accessed October 13, 2015.) http://www.escholarship.org/uc/item/3r67c1f9.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. Low-Speed Small-Diameter Ceiling Fans
    To apply a single energy efficiency metric to LSSD ceiling fans, 
DOE is using a weighted average of the airflow and power consumption at 
high and low fan speeds, defined as the highest available and lowest 
available speeds, respectively. While most LSSD ceiling fans have one 
or more speeds between high and low, DOE is using only high and low 
speed in the metric to limit test burden and avoid confusion regarding 
the definition of medium speed for ceiling fans with more than three 
speeds.
    In the October 2014 test procedure NOPR, DOE proposed to use hours-
of-use results from a Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) 
survey of U.S. ceiling fan owners to weight the low and high speed test 
results in the efficiency metric calculation for LSSD ceiling fans.\14\ 
The LBNL survey indicated these ceiling fans are operated on high 
setting 41% of the time and on low setting 22% of the time. In 
response, the American Lighting Association (ALA) requested that DOE 
use data from an AcuPOLL survey indicating different hours of use--
specifically, that ceiling fans are operated only 26% of the time on 
high setting and 36% of the time on low setting.\15\ (ALA, No. 8 at p. 
6) Hunter Fan Company (Hunter) also asked DOE to review the hours-of-
use assumptions in light of the AcuPOLL survey results, especially 
because energy consumption at medium speed is typically less than the 
mid-point in energy consumption between high and low speeds. (Hunter, 
Public Meeting Transcript, No. 83 at pp. 15, 104) ALA again submitted a 
comment in response to the TP SNOPR asking that DOE use the AcuPOLL 
data for the LSSD ceiling fans efficiency metric weighting. (ALA, No. 
14 at p. 6)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \14\ Kantner, et al. (2013), op. cit.
    \15\ AcuPOLL[supreg] Precision Research, Inc. Survey of Consumer 
Ceiling Fan Usage and Operations. 2014.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In light of ALA's and Hunter's comments and the AcuPOLL survey 
results, DOE compared the LBNL and AcuPOLL survey results and concluded 
that both surveys are relevant sources of information that should be 
taken into account to determine the fraction of time spent at each fan 
speed. DOE therefore estimated that the fraction of time LSSD ceiling 
fans were operated at each speed was equal to the simple average of the 
fractions reported by the LBNL and AcuPOLL surveys: 33% on high speed, 
38% on medium speed, and 29% on low speed. When normalized to 100%, the 
fractions for high and low speed are 53% and 47%, respectively. DOE is 
weighting the high and low speed test results for LSSD ceiling fans 
based on these normalized fractions. Therefore, for calculating the 
overall efficiency for LSSD ceiling fans, DOE apportions the following 
daily operating hours (based on an overall daily usage of 6.4 hours per 
day, as proposed in the October 2014 test procedure NOPR): 3.4 hours at 
high speed, 3.0 hours at low speed, and 17.6 hours in off or standby 
mode.
    The CA IOUs supported DOE's use of airflow efficiency as the metric 
for ceiling fan efficiency, but are concerned that DOE's proposal to 
test LSSD ceiling fans at low speed and high speed may not be specific 
enough. In particular, the CA IOUs suggest DOE require testing of 
ceiling fans at speeds that provide a specific airflow, which allows 
for a more direct comparison of the utility provided by ceiling fans. 
(CA IOUs, No. 15 at pp. 1-3) This suggestion aligned with comments made 
by BAS and Fanimation regarding HSSD and large-diameter ceiling fans 
during the October 2014 test procedure NOPR public meeting. (BAS, 
Public Meeting Transcript, No. 5 at pp. 106-108; Fanimation, Public 
Meeting Transcript, No. 5 at p. 110) DOE concluded that, while airflow 
is the main utility provided by ceiling fans, consumers of LSSD ceiling 
fans are unlikely to select a particular ceiling fan setting based on 
the specific amount of airflow that speed provides; instead, because 
LSSD ceiling fans typically have a small number of discrete speeds, 
consumers are expected to select the setting based on an imprecise 
determination of whether a given setting is providing too much or too 
little airflow. DOE also notes that as a consequence of LSSD ceiling 
fans having discrete speeds, precise airflow comparisons between 
different LSSD ceiling fans is impossible. Test burden would be added 
by having to test all available speed settings to determine which 
settings most closely align with the chosen airflow values. Therefore, 
in this final rule DOE is requiring all LSSD ceiling fans to be tested 
at their lowest and highest speed settings, regardless of the airflow 
volume provided at those settings.
2. High-Speed Small-Diameter Ceiling Fans
    For reasons set forth in the test procedure SNOPR, DOE proposed in 
the SNOPR to test all ceiling fans with blade spans less than or equal 
to seven feet according to a test procedure based on air velocity 
sensor measurements (i.e., as in the ENERGY STAR test procedure), with 
the caveat that HSSD fans would still be tested only at high speed. BAS 
and ALA supported testing HSSD fans at high speed only. (BAS, No. 13 at 
p. 2; ALA, No. 14 at p. 6) DOE is keeping the proposal to test HSSD 
fans only at high speed because they typically do not have discrete 
speeds, and therefore speeds other than high may not be well defined. 
Additionally, DOE does not have enough information to estimate a 
distribution of time spent at speeds other than high speed for the 
efficiency metric for HSSD ceiling fans.
    In the October 2014 test procedure NOPR, DOE proposed operating 
hours for HSSD ceiling fans of 12 hours per day. No stakeholders 
indicated disagreement with the SNOPR testing proposal nor the NOPR's 
proposed operating hours for HSSD fans; therefore, for calculating the 
overall efficiency for these ceiling fans, DOE apportions the following 
daily operating hours: 12 hours at high speed and 12 hours in off or 
standby mode.
3. Large-Diameter Ceiling Fans
    In the test procedure SNOPR, DOE proposed to test all large-
diameter ceiling fans at five equally-spaced speeds: 100% (max speed), 
80%, 60%, 40%, and 20%. The SNOPR also proposed that each speed other 
than 100% is given a tolerance of 1% of the average 
measured RPM at 100% speed.

[[Page 48627]]

BAS and AMCA commented that if testing at multiple speeds is required, 
the tolerance should be revised to be the greater of 2 RPM and 1% of the average measured RPM at 100% speed. (BAS, No. 13 at p. 
8; AMCA, No. 140 \16\ at p. 2) The tolerance DOE proposed in the SNOPR 
would mean that the RPM tolerance for fans that only achieve 50 RPM at 
high speed would be 0.5 RPM.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \16\ This document was submitted to the docket of DOE's 
rulemaking to develop energy conservation standards for ceiling fans 
(Docket No. EERE-2012-BT-STD-0045).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DOE has concluded that the proposed tolerance may be too stringent, 
and perhaps not measurable, given the measurement tolerance of the test 
lab equipment. On the other hand, BAS's suggested tolerance means in 
practice that the 2 RPM tolerance would be in effect for any large-
diameter ceiling fans that provide 200 RPM or less on high speed (which 
is a significant fraction of the large-diameter ceiling fan market). 
According to BAS's proposal, a ceiling fan that only provides 50 RPM at 
high speed would have a tolerance of 4% of the average 
measured RPM at high speed, which DOE believes may be insufficient to 
ensure repeatability in test measurements. Therefore, in this final 
rule, DOE specifies an RPM tolerance of the greater of 1 RPM and 1% of the average measured RPM at 100% speed.
    In the test procedure SNOPR, to weight the performance results of 
the ceiling fans at each of the five speeds, DOE took a simple average 
of hours-of-use estimates provided by BAS and MacroAir. In doing so, 
DOE assumed that BAS agreed with DOE's estimate in the October 2014 
NOPR of 12 hours of active mode operation per day. (BAS, No. 13 at pp. 
5-6) BAS took issue with DOE's assumption and, therefore, disagreed 
with DOE's overall active mode estimate of 15 hours per day, calculated 
using a simple average of the 12 hours assumed from BAS and the 18 
hours of active mode operation submitted by MacroAir. Id. DOE received 
no new operating hours estimates that could be used to calculate an 
alternative active mode operation time for large-diameter ceiling fans; 
however, based on BAS's comment and the lack of available large-
diameter hours-of-use data, DOE has determined that using the active 
mode time of 12 hours per day originally proposed in the October 2014 
test procedure NOPR is the most appropriate and representative 
estimate. As a result, DOE retains the 12 hours of daily active-mode 
operation for large-diameter ceiling fans proposed in the October 2014 
test procedure NOPR.
    In response to the SNOPR, BAS suggested that DOE require testing 
only at high speed for large-diameter ceiling fans. (BAS, No. 13 at p. 
8) BAS also provided examples of multiple large-diameter fans that are 
unable to operate at those five equally-spaced speeds; therefore, BAS 
suggests that if testing at multiple speeds is required, DOE report the 
results of each tested speed separately. (BAS, No. 13 at pp. 4-5) The 
California investor-owned utilities (CA IOUs) suggested reporting the 
airflow and power draw of each of the speeds tested, in addition to the 
weighted airflow efficiency. (CA IOUs, No. 15 at pp. 1-3) BAS added 
that no reputable source of hours-of-use data exist for large-volume 
ceiling fans, which would be required to calculate the weighted airflow 
efficiency of the ceiling fan if such fans are tested at five speeds. 
(BAS, No. 13 at pp. 5-6)
    While hours-of-use for large-diameter ceiling fans have not been 
well-studied, a more representative ceiling fan efficiency can be 
calculated by testing large-diameter ceiling fans at multiple speeds 
and weighting all those speeds equally (when compared to calculating 
the efficiency at only high speed). Therefore, as explained in more 
detail in Section III.F.1, DOE will require testing of large-diameter 
ceiling fans at up to five speeds. For calculating a ceiling fan's 
overall efficiency, the calculated efficiency at each tested speed will 
be apportioned active mode operating hours equally (e.g., if five 
speeds are tested, each speed is given 20% of the overall daily 
operating hours).

E. Modifications to Existing Test Procedure

1. Required Testing Speeds for Low-Speed Small-Diameter and High-Speed 
Small-Diameter Ceiling Fans
    As discussed in Section III.D.1, DOE is requiring all LSSD ceiling 
fans to be tested at high and low speeds. DOE has concluded that this 
approach will yield a more representative airflow efficiency than 
testing only at high speed, while limiting test burden and avoiding 
confusion regarding the definition of medium speed for ceiling fans 
with more than three speeds. In the test procedure SNOPR, DOE proposed 
to test LSSD ceiling fans at high speed first, and then to test them at 
low speed. BAS suggested DOE reverse this proposal, requiring low speed 
to be tested prior to high speed to reduce the likelihood of entrained 
air affecting the test results. (BAS, No. 13 at p. 7) In light of BAS's 
suggestion, and because DOE has concluded that there is no compelling 
reason to test at high speed first, in this final rule, DOE specifies 
that LSSD ceiling fans be tested at low speed first, and then high 
speed.
    As discussed in Section III.D.2, DOE is requiring all HSSD fans to 
be tested at high speed only.
2. Elimination of Test Cylinder From Test Setup and Specification of 
Effective Area
    In the October 2014 test procedure NOPR, DOE proposed to eliminate 
the current test procedure requirement to use a test cylinder while 
conducting airflow measurements. Under the proposed rule, 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. Additionally, 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; specifically, to measure the 
airflow using enough air velocity sensors to record air delivery within 
a circle 8 inches larger in diameter than the blade span of the ceiling 
fan being tested.
    DOE received unanimous agreement from stakeholders regarding the 
proposal to eliminate the test cylinder from the test setup. (Hunter, 
Public Meeting Transcript, No. 83 at pp. 124-125; Fanimation, Public 
Meeting Transcript, No. 83 at p. 125; BAS, No. 88 at p. 52; American 
Lighting Association, No. 8 at p. 8) According to DOE testing,\17\ as 
well as comments from BAS and Hunter regarding their in-house testing, 
testing with a cylinder does not result in any significant difference 
in measured efficiency when compared to testing without the cylinder in 
place; furthermore, testing without a cylinder in place is more 
representative of typical usage conditions. (BAS, Public Meeting 
Transcript, No. 83 at p. 124; Hunter, Public Meeting Transcript, No. 83 
at pp. 124-125) Therefore, in this final rule DOE has eliminated the 
test cylinder from the test setup.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \17\ U.S. Department of Energy-Office of Energy Efficiency and 
Renewable Energy. Ceiling Fan Test Procedure Development Testing 
Final Report, Part 1: Energy Conservation Program for Consumer 
Products: Ceiling Fans. 2014. (Last accessed November 5, 2015.) 
http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=EERE-2013-BT-TP-0050-
0002.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In regard to the effective area and the number of air velocity 
sensors to use during testing, ALA conducted testing according to the 
test procedure proposed in the SNOPR and commented that including 
airflow measurements outside the limits of the proposed sensor setup 
would provide a more

[[Page 48628]]

accurate representation of the airflow for many small-diameter ceiling 
fans. (ALA, No. 18 at p. 2) Therefore, ALA suggested DOE modify the 
proposed test procedure for all small-diameter ceiling fans to 
incorporate data from 12 air velocity sensors per sensor arm, spaced at 
4-inch intervals, and incorporate the airflow data only from sensors 
recording an average airflow of more than 40 feet per minute (fpm). If 
DOE declined to adopt this approach, ALA suggested that DOE use enough 
air velocity sensors per sensor arm to record air delivery within a 
circle 24 inches larger in diameter than the blade span of the ceiling 
fan being tested. (ALA, No. 18 at pp. 2-3)
    DOE appreciates ALA's concern that more airflow sensors should be 
used to characterize small-diameter ceiling fans now that a test 
cylinder is not required. In regard to requiring 12 sensors for all 
fans, DOE concluded that this approach would not provide a 
representative comparison between larger and smaller ceiling fans. This 
is because the airflow efficiency for all small-diameter ceiling fans 
would be evaluated across the same effective area, despite ceiling fan 
guides consistently recommending that consumers scale the size of a 
ceiling fan to the size of a room (e.g., installing larger ceiling fans 
in larger spaces), making such a comparison unlikely to be 
representative of typical use.
    In regards to the 40 fpm minimum, DOE conducted testing to 
determine the effect ALA's proposal would have on a fan's measured 
airflow efficiency. Across nearly 40 fans DOE tested, no sensors 
recorded an average velocity less than 40 fpm while the fan was 
operating at high speed; however, average measurements below 40 fpm 
were observed for some ceiling fans while operating at low speed. 
Therefore, either the airflow efficiency of some ceiling fans would be 
calculated using a different effective area at high speed compared to 
low speed--which DOE believes would not be representative of typical 
use, as an installed ceiling fan is intended to service the same area 
regardless of the fan speed setting at which it is operating at a given 
time--or all sensors specified for a given ceiling fan should be used, 
because all sensors were required when taking the measurement at high 
speed. Furthermore, the test results showed that for many fans 
operating at low speed, a discontinuous set of sensors would meet the 
40 fpm average airflow requirement (e.g., sensors 1 and 3 would meet 
the 40 fpm requirement, but not sensor 2). However consumers expect 
airflow service from a ceiling fan over a continuous area; a 
discontinuous set of measurements would not be representative of the 
service provided by a ceiling fan. Additionally, imposing a 40 fpm 
sensor threshold could present test repeatability issues, especially in 
cases where one or more sensors measure an average airflow near 40 fpm. 
For example, a subset of sensors meets the threshold in one test, but 
in a subsequent test on the same fan a different subset of sensors 
meets the threshold. DOE also notes that the definition for highly-
decorative ceiling fans finalized in this rule is based in part on 
airflow (as measured using the SNOPR proposal), so incorporating this 
40 fpm threshold could affect whether certain fans are categorized as 
highly-decorative.
    In regard to ALA's alternate proposal of using enough airflow 
sensors to record air delivery within a circle 24 inches larger in 
diameter than the blade span of the ceiling fan being tested, DOE notes 
that in practice this would result in adding two extra airflow sensors 
per sensor arm to the number of sensors specified in the SNOPR, 
regardless of blade span. This also increases by two the total number 
of sensors required to be installed in the experimental set up to be 
able to accommodate testing of the largest small-diameter ceiling fans. 
Requiring two additional sensors be used during testing may therefore 
add additional cost burden on the order of $1,000 per sensor to the 
test procedure without clear evidence that this would result in a more 
representative measurement.
    Therefore, in this final rule DOE has not implemented the proposals 
set forth by ALA regarding the number of air velocity sensors to be 
used in the airflow measurement, but requires the usage of the same 
number of sensors for measuring airflow of small-diameter ceiling fans 
that was set forth in the TP SNOPR. The number of the sensors being 
finalized in this test procedure final rule is in line with the number 
of sensors required by the current DOE and Energy Star test procedures 
for ceiling fans. Additionally, test labs are already accustomed to 
testing ceiling fans per the current DOE and Energy Star test 
procedures, and so retaining the same number of sensors in this final 
rule would not add any additional test burden.
3. Specification of Method of Measuring the Distance Between Ceiling 
Fan Blades and Air Velocity Sensors During Testing
    In the October 2014 test procedure NOPR, DOE proposed to specify 
that the appropriate vertical position of LSSD ceiling fans in relation 
to the air velocity sensors should be determined by the position of the 
lowest point on the ceiling fan blades, rather than ``the middle of the 
fan blade tips.'' DOE proposed this because it may be unclear how the 
``middle of blade tip'' measurement specified in the previous test 
procedure should be made for ceiling fans having non-flat or unusually 
shaped blades. BAS expressed agreement with this proposal, and no 
stakeholders expressed disagreement. (BAS, Public Meeting Transcript, 
No. 83 at p. 132)
    Additionally, DOE notes that because HSSD ceiling fans are required 
to be tested according to the same test procedure prescribed for LSSD 
ceiling fans, with the exception that only high speed will be tested 
for HSSD fans (see the discussion in Section III.D.2), this 
clarification also applies to testing HSSD ceiling fans. DOE, 
therefore, requires that the appropriate vertical position for LSSD and 
HSSD ceiling fans (hereinafter collectively referred to as small-
diameter ceiling fans) in relation to the air velocity sensors be 
determined by the position of the lowest point on the ceiling fan 
blades.
4. Specification of Fan Configuration During Testing
    In the October 2014 test procedure NOPR, DOE proposed that if a fan 
has more than one mounting option that would meet the configuration 
associated with the definition of a standard ceiling fan (see section 
III.A.4), that ceiling fan should be tested in the configuration with 
the smallest distance between the ceiling and the lowest point of the 
fan blades. Similarly, if a fan has more than one mounting option that 
would meet the configuration associated with the definition of a hugger 
ceiling fan (see section III.A.4), that ceiling fan should be tested in 
the configuration with the smallest distance between the ceiling and 
the lowest point of the fan blades. DOE received general agreement with 
this proposal from Westinghouse Lighting, because all ceiling fans 
would receive equitable treatment (i.e., tested in the same relative 
configuration). (Westinghouse Lighting, Public Meeting Transcript, No. 
83 at pp. 132-134) Therefore, in this final rule DOE adopts the 
proposal from the October 2014 test procedure NOPR: Small-diameter 
ceiling fans that can be mounted in more than one configuration that 
meets the standard or hugger ceiling fan definition are required to be 
tested in the configuration that minimizes the distance between the 
ceiling and lowest part of the fan blades.

[[Page 48629]]

5. Specification of Test Method for Ceiling Fans With Heaters
    In the October 2014 test procedure NOPR, DOE proposed that during 
testing any heater packaged with a ceiling fan should be installed, 
because an object hanging directly below the fan blades might affect 
airflow, but switched off. The single stakeholder comment DOE received 
from Hunter on this proposal was supportive. (Hunter, Public Meeting 
Transcript, No. 83 at pp. 135) Therefore, DOE requires any heaters 
packaged with ceiling fans to be installed but switched off during 
testing.
6. Specification on Mounting Fans to Real Ceiling for Testing
    In the test procedure SNOPR, DOE proposed to require that all 
small-diameter ceiling fans be mounted to the real ceiling (rather than 
a false ceiling) for testing. One of the reasons that DOE cited for 
this proposal was data supplied by BAS in response to the October 2014 
test procedure NOPR indicating a decrease in measured efficiency 
performance when a ceiling fan is mounted to a false ceiling rather 
than a real ceiling. (BAS, Public Meeting Transcript, No. 5 at pp. 125-
126) Other stakeholders expressed agreement with mounting ceiling fans 
to the real ceiling during testing in the test procedure NOPR public 
meeting. (Fanimation, Public Meeting Transcript, No. 5 at pp. 129; 
Minka Group, Public Meeting Transcript, No. 5 at pp. 129) However, ALA 
requested DOE conduct further testing at an independent test lab to 
confirm the results supplied by BAS before finalizing a requirement to 
test with the ceiling fans mounted to the real ceiling. (ALA, No. 14 at 
pp. 4-5)
    DOE performed additional testing of ceiling fans provided by a 
number of manufacturers in December 2015. For this testing, DOE mounted 
the ceiling fan to the real ceiling, and adjusted the height of the air 
velocity sensors, as proposed in the SNOPR. DOE testing confirmed a 
decrease in measured efficiency when a ceiling fan is mounted to a 
false ceiling rather than a real ceiling. Based on the testing, DOE 
concludes that no significant additional test burden will be added by 
testing ceiling fans mounted to the real ceiling and adjusting the 
height of the air velocity sensors, relative to mounting the ceiling 
fans to a false ceiling, keeping the air velocity sensors stationary, 
and adjusting the height of the false ceiling. There is a one-time cost 
needed to set up the sensor arms such that the height of the air 
velocity sensors can be adjusted for all ceiling fans. However, once 
this has been set-up, there is no additional test burden. Additionally, 
testing ceiling fans mounted to the real ceiling is more representative 
of actual use than testing the ceiling fans mounted to a false ceiling. 
For these reasons, DOE requires mounting the ceiling fan to the real 
ceiling for testing small-diameter ceiling fans. DOE notes that because 
HSSD ceiling fans are required to be tested according to the same test 
procedure prescribed for LSSD ceiling fans, with the exception that 
only high speed will be tested for HSSD fans (see the discussion in 
Section III.D.2), this requirement applies to all small-diameter 
ceiling fans.
7. Revised Allowable Measurement Tolerance for Air Velocity Sensors
    In the October 2014 test procedure NOPR, DOE proposed to change the 
air velocity sensor measurement tolerances from the current test 
procedure (based on ENERGY STAR guidance manual v1.1) value of 1% to 
5%, the stringency required by ENERGY STAR guidance manual v1.2. Hunter 
and ALA supported this proposal, and no stakeholders opposed the 
proposal. (Hunter, Public Meeting Transcript, No. 83 at p. 136; ALA, 
No. 8 at p. 8) Therefore, DOE requires an air velocity sensor 
measurement tolerance not to exceed 5% for testing small-diameter 
ceiling fans. It is worth noting that the ENERGY STAR guidance manuals 
explicitly list ``suggested equipment'', including air velocity 
sensors, to be used for ENERGY STAR testing. The test procedure 
established by this final rule includes equipment specifications, 
including tolerances, but does not list specific equipment. Note that 
some ``suggested equipment'' in the ENERGY STAR guidance manuals may 
not meet the equipment specifications included in this test procedure, 
so testing laboratories should check their equipment and ensure that it 
is capable of meeting the specifications being adopted in this final 
rule.
8. Revised Allowable Mounting Tolerance for Air Velocity Sensors
    The proposed regulatory text for testing small-diameter ceiling 
fans in the test procedure SNOPR required mounting the air velocity 
sensors every four inches along each sensor arm, as specified in the 
current ENERGY STAR test procedure. BAS suggested DOE alter this 
requirement to specify a tolerance of 1/16''. (BAS, No. 13 at p. 6) DOE 
agrees that having a specified tolerance for the air velocity sensor 
mounting interval is useful and would not significantly alter the 
measured test results; therefore, in this final rule DOE specifies the 
air velocity sensors be mounted every 4''  1/16'' along the 
sensor arm.
9. Specifications To Reduce Testing Variation
    ALA commented that there are problems with variation in the results 
of DOE's proposed ceiling fan test procedure that will raise the cost 
of manufacturer compliance. ALA's members observed these issues by 
testing the same ceiling fan at different test labs and by testing 
identical ceiling fans at the same test lab. According to ALA, separate 
tests of the same ceiling fan at different test labs produced test 
results that vary by as much as 31 percent; and separate tests of 
identical ceiling fans at the same test lab produced results that vary 
by as much as 15 percent. ALA stated that the variability in test 
results is beyond commercially reasonable tolerances for ceiling fan 
manufacturers. They concluded that these problems will effectively 
require manufacturers to adopt much larger-than-customary ``safety 
factors'' in their ceiling fan design and development processes to 
ensure that the significant variation in test results will not result 
in finding of noncompliance by DOE. (ALA, No. 139 at pp. 5-6)
    Lutron commented that while they do not manufacture ceiling fans, 
they agree with the concerns of the fan industry with regard to the 
impact of changing test procedures and the concerns over data 
consistency. (Lutron, No. 141 at p. 3)
    In response to these concerns, DOE conducted a thorough review of 
all available test data to identify opportunities to decrease testing 
variation. During this review, DOE found that sudden temperature 
variations in the test room are the primary driver of test result 
variations. The hot-wire anemometer sensors typically used to measure 
air velocity sense a change in temperature induced by the flow of air. 
Hot-wire anemometer sensors must have the ability to store heat, a 
property known as thermal mass, to make such measurements. The rate at 
which a hot-wire anemometer loses stored heat to air flowing at a given 
velocity is fixed based on the hot-wire anemometer's physical and 
material properties. If the rate at which the hot-wire anemometer loses 
stored heat is different than the rate at which the temperature in the 
test room is changing, the measurements of that hot-wire anemometer 
will vary. While the hot-wire anemometers typically have temperature 
compensating functions, the thermal mass of a hot-wire

[[Page 48630]]

anemometer is not capable of compensating for sudden changes. In the 
context of this test procedure, the air velocity measured by a sensor 
may vary markedly if the temperature in the test room has changed 
significantly and quickly between measurements. Consequently, test 
results may vary significantly.
    DOE considered many options to address the temperature control and 
air velocity measurement issues, including alternative air velocity 
sensors and changes to test room specifications related to temperature 
control. DOE determined that hot-wire anemometers are still the 
preferred sensor for air velocity measurements. DOE did not find an 
alternative air velocity measurement sensor type or apparatus that 
would produce significantly better air velocity measurements at similar 
cost, effectiveness, or industry familiarity. In addition, changes to 
the test room specifications related to temperature control could 
result in additional test burden due to capital investment in new 
equipment or test room renovations. Ultimately, DOE found in its review 
of available test data that average air velocity measurements did not 
vary significantly between axes for all tests. This leads DOE to 
believe that reducing variation is achievable without using alternative 
air velocity sensors or specifying significant changes to the test room 
and equipment. Instead, in this final rule, DOE is adopting the 
following provisions to minimize test procedure output variation:
     Specifying criteria for air velocity and power 
measurements that indicate stable measurements.
     Require measurement axes be perpendicular to test room 
walls.
     Require forced-air space conditioning equipment be turned 
off during air velocity measurements, but allow for conditioning 
equipment that does not supply air to the test room, such as radiant 
conditioning equipment, to be left on.
     Require voltage be measured within 6 inches of connection 
supplied with fan.
    These provisions are modifications to those proposed in the June 
2015 test procedure SNOPR. The June 2015 SNOPR proposed air velocity 
and power measurements and tolerances on each. A lab should be able to 
measure air velocity and power in the same way it would have per the 
test procedure proposed in the SNOPR. 80 FR 31500-31502 (June 3, 2015) 
The stability criteria established by this final rule specify that air 
velocity and power be measured until variation in those measurements is 
satisfactorily limited. The SNOPR proposed axes be perpendicular to 
walls or directed into corners. 80 FR 31500, 31501 (June 3, 2015) This 
document maintains the requirement for axes perpendicular to walls but 
disallows axes directed into the corners because of a higher degree of 
observed output variation when using this configuration. The SNOPR 
proposed to turn off space-conditioning equipment during air velocity 
measurements. 80 FR 31501 (June 3, 2015) This document maintains that 
requirement for forced-air equipment, but allows non-forced-air 
equipment to remain on. This allowance is a zero-burden method for 
improving temperature control and in turn, minimizing test result 
variation. The SNOPR proposed voltage measurements. 80 FR 31501 (June 
3, 2015) This document clarifies where this measurement should be taken 
to minimize test result variation. DOE does not expect these provisions 
to change measured efficiency, only improve measurement repeatability. 
Also, DOE does not expect these provisions to result in significant 
increases in test burden.
    In this final rule, DOE is establishing stability criteria to 
minimize test result variation. These stability criteria are in terms 
of acceptable air velocity and power measurement variation. Subsequent 
measurements must be made until stable measurements are achieved. 
Stable measurements are achieved when: (1) The average air velocity for 
all axes for each sensor varies by less than 5% compared to the average 
air velocity measured for that same sensor in a successive set of air 
velocity measurements, and (2) average power consumption varies by less 
than 1% in a successive set of power consumption measurements. 
Variations that do not meet those criteria indicate that a significant 
change in temperature likely occurred during the test and results will 
vary too significantly. DOE is adopting a provision that measurements 
that do not meet the definition of stable measurements are prohibited 
from being used in the test result. Instead, this final rule specifies 
that the measurement of air velocity and power be repeated until stable 
measurements are achieved. DOE understands that this will result in 
tests that require at least two iterations of measurements in each axis 
for each speed tested to achieve stable measurements and a valid test. 
These iterations represent additional test time and therefore burden. 
Each additional axis is 100 additional seconds plus the time it may 
take a sensor arm to travel to another axis if a single, sweeping 
sensor arm is being used. DOE estimates additional measurements to meet 
stability criteria to be less than 10 minutes total for four additional 
axes of measurements (i.e., one additional iteration). Even if two 
additional measurements in all 4 axes are necessary for each speed, 40 
minutes (two iterations multiplied by 10 minutes multiplied by two 
speeds) of additional test time is not a significant increase in 
overall test time which is roughly 3 hours including set up and warm up 
periods and one iteration of air velocity and power measurements per 
speed tested. DOE recognizes that some labs may need to make 
investments in facility upgrades to improve temperature control to meet 
these stability criteria. These upgrades could include low-cost 
weatherization techniques like adding weather stripping to test-room 
doors or adding insulation, or more costly improvements like switching 
from forced-air to non-forced-air space-conditioning equipment. DOE 
testing indicates that these stability requirements can be met in labs 
that performed testing per the test procedure proposed in the SNOPR and 
the ENERGY STAR test procedure using forced-air conditioning equipment. 
Therefore, these stability provisions do not require significant 
investment in changes to the lab set up compared to test procedures 
that the industry is already using.
    Requiring measurement axes to be perpendicular to test room walls 
will reduce air swirl patterns that can occur in test room corners and 
potentially lead to unstable test measurements. This provision should 
not result in any additional test burden because no additional time or 
materials are needed.
    Requiring forced-air space conditioning equipment be turned off 
during air velocity measurements, but allowing for conditioning 
equipment that does not supply air to the test room to be left on, is 
similar to what DOE proposed in the SNOPR. The difference in the 
provision being adopted in this final rule and the SNOPR proposal is 
that forced-air and non-forced air space conditioning equipment are 
differentiated and non-forced air space conditioning equipment can be 
left on during air velocity measurements. Allowing non-forced air space 
conditioning equipment to operate during air velocity measurements will 
help keep test room temperature conditions stable. Allowing forced-air 
space conditioning equipment to remain on during air velocity 
measurements may also help keep test room temperature stable, but the 
air supplied

[[Page 48631]]

to the room from this equipment can interfere with air velocity 
measurements. Any lab already using non forced-air space conditioning 
equipment should not experience additional burden from this provision. 
Through testing, DOE also determined that labs that use forced-air 
conditioning equipment can produce stable test results despite turning 
off the forced-air equipment. Such facilities will also not require 
additional time or materials to test as a result of this provision.
    Requiring test voltage be measured within 6 inches of the 
connection supplied with the fan avoids variations in measurements that 
may result from measuring voltage at varying distances from the 
supplied connection. Wires have losses that are proportional to length. 
Consequently, a voltage measurement taken 12 inches from the supplied 
connection will be different than a measurement taken 6 inches from the 
supplied connection. Putting limits on the distance of the voltage 
measurement will minimize differences in test results that may 
otherwise result between test labs or iterations of the test in a given 
lab.
10. Revised Testing Temperature Requirement
    In the test procedure SNOPR, the proposed regulatory text for 
testing small-diameter ceiling fans required the air delivery room 
temperature be kept at 76 F  2 F during testing, which is 
in line with the current DOE test procedure for ceiling fans (which is 
based on the ENERGY STAR test procedure v. 1.1). BAS suggested DOE 
update this requirement to 70 F  5 F, which aligns with the 
ENERGY STAR test procedure v. 1.2. BAS indicated that tightening the 
air temperature requirements results in significant burden on the test 
lab, and also noted that the anemometers and associated software used 
by the test labs automatically correct for changes in temperature and 
humidity. (BAS, No. 13 at p. 7) DOE has concluded that relaxing the 
temperature requirement from 76 F  2 F to 70 F  
5 F will not significantly impact the measured test results if stable 
measurement criteria are achieved and will align with the requirements 
of the current industry-standard test procedure; therefore, in this 
final rule, DOE specifies the air delivery room temperature to be 70 F 
 5 F during testing. Stable measurement criteria are 
described in more detail in section III.E.9.
11. Specification of Air Delivery Room Doors and Air Conditioning Vents
    The proposed regulatory text for testing of small-diameter ceiling 
fans in the test procedure SNOPR indicates that the air delivery room's 
air conditioning vents must be closed three minutes prior to and during 
testing. BAS suggested DOE update this language to indicate that air 
delivery room doors should also be closed during testing, but that the 
air conditioning vents and doors may be open between test sessions to 
maintain space conditions. (BAS, No. 13 at p. 7) DOE agrees with BAS's 
suggestion, and notes that further down in that same section of the 
regulatory text the procedure requires the test lab to ``close all 
doors and vents.'' In this final rule, DOE requires that all doors and 
vents must be closed three minutes prior to and during testing, but 
that they may be opened when testing is not taking place (e.g., between 
testing different speeds of a ceiling fan, or between testing different 
ceiling fans) to maintain space conditions. Better maintaining space 
conditions by allowing doors and vents to be open as often and long as 
possible except for three minutes prior and during testing will 
facilitate achieving the stability criteria established by this 
document, as discussed in section III.E.9.
12. Specification of Power Source and Measurement
    The proposed regulatory text for testing all fans in the test 
procedure SNOPR instructs the test lab to measure power consumption of 
the fan, but it does not specify how the fan power should be measured 
in the case of fans operated with multi-phase electricity. BAS 
suggested DOE specify that active (real) power be measured in all 
phases simultaneously, as many large-diameter ceiling fans are operated 
with three-phase electricity. (BAS, No. 13 at p. 8) DOE agrees with 
BAS's suggestion, which will alleviate any confusion from measuring 
power consumption of fans utilizing multi-phase electricity. DOE also 
notes that this requirement aligns with the power measurement 
requirements set forth in AMCA 230-15. In this final rule, DOE 
specifies that active (real) power must be measured simultaneously in 
all phases for all ceiling fans required to be tested using the test 
procedure.
    The test procedure SNOPR also instructs that the tests be conducted 
with the fan connected to a supply circuit with a specific voltage 
according to the fan's rating (120 V or 240 V), but it does not specify 
how to test fans that are rated for use with both single-phase and 
multi-phase electricity. AMCA and BAS made the following suggestions: 
(1) Test voltage at the rated voltage of the variable-speed device, or 
the rated voltage of the motor if no variable-speed control exists; (2) 
test the fan at the mean input voltage if a voltage range is specified; 
(3) test and rate fans capable of operating with single- and multi-
phase power under both conditions; and (4) test fans with multiple 
voltage ranges, but the same phase power, at the mean of the lowest 
input voltage range. (AMCA, No. 140 at p. 3; BAS, No. 138 at pp. 16-20) 
\18\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \18\ Both documents were submitted to the docket of DOE's 
rulemaking to develop energy conservation standards for ceiling fans 
(Docket No. EERE-2012-BT-STD-0045).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DOE appreciates the comments received regarding test input voltage, 
and agrees that a provision should be made to test certain fans that 
are not rated for use with 120 V or 240 V. DOE also agrees that if 
multiple voltage ranges are specified for a given ceiling fan, the 
ceiling fan should be tested according to the lower voltage range. DOE 
therefore finalizes the following supply voltage requirements for all 
tested ceiling fans: The supply voltage must be: (1) 120 V if the 
ceiling fan's minimum rated voltage is 120 V or the lowest rated 
voltage range contains 120 V, (2) 240 V if the ceiling fan's minimum 
rated voltage is 240 V or the lowest rated voltage range contains 240 
V, or (3) the ceiling fan's minimum rated voltage (if a voltage range 
is not given) or the mean of the lowest rated voltage range, in all 
other cases.
    In regard to the comments about testing and rating ceiling fans 
that can be operated on both single- and multi-phase power under both 
conditions, DOE has determined that LSSD and HSSD fans are typically 
operated on single-phase circuits whereas large diameter fans are 
typically operated on multi-phase circuits. Therefore, DOE specifies in 
this final rule that LSSD and HSSD fans capable of operating with 
single- and multi-phase power be tested with single-phase power, and 
large diameter fans capable of operating with single- and multi-phase 
power be tested with multi-phase power. DOE will further allow 
manufacturers to test such fans in the other configuration (i.e., using 
multi-phase power for LSSD and HSSD fans and single-phase power for 
large diameter fans) and make representations of efficiency associated 
with both single and multi-phase electricity if a manufacturer desires 
to do so, but the test results in this configuration will not be valid 
to assess

[[Page 48632]]

compliance with any amended energy conservation standard. DOE also 
clarifies that any ceiling fan rated to operate on only single-phase 
power must be tested and rated at single-phase power. Similarly, any 
ceiling fan rated to operate on only multi-phase power must be tested 
and rated at multi-phase power.
13. Specification of Blade Span Measurement
    The proposed regulatory text for testing all fans in the test 
procedure SNOPR instructs the test lab to conduct the appropriate test 
procedure based, in part, on the blade span of the ceiling fan, but it 
does not clearly articulate if or how the blade span is to be measured. 
BAS suggested that the blade span of a particular ceiling fan be 
determined as follows: (1) The blade span should be defined as the 
diameter of the largest circle swept by any part of the fan blade 
assembly, including any blade attachments; and (2) The rated blade span 
of a particular ceiling fan should be the average or the larger of the 
measured blade spans of the multiple samples required for testing. 
(BAS, No. 138 \19\ at pp. 16-17) DOE concludes that the blade span of a 
ceiling fan is the diameter of the largest circle swept by any part of 
the fan blade assembly, including any blade attachments. Furthermore, 
DOE agrees that the average measured blade span of the tested ceiling 
fan samples, rounded to the nearest inch, be used for determining a 
ceiling fan's product class and the number of air velocity sensors 
required (in the case of an LSSD fan), rather than using the ceiling 
fan's rated blade span (which in some cases may not be publicly 
advertised). Therefore, for the purposes of this final rule test 
procedure, DOE requires that the blade span of a ceiling fan be the 
average of the measurements of the diameter of the largest circle swept 
by any part of the fan blade assembly (including any blade attachments) 
of the tested samples, rounded to the nearest inch.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \19\ This document was submitted to the docket of DOE's 
rulemaking to develop energy conservation standards for ceiling fans 
(Docket No. EERE-2012-BT-STD-0045).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

F. Additional Test Methods

1. Test Method for Large-Diameter Ceiling Fans
    In the October 2014 test procedure NOPR, DOE proposed to 
incorporate AMCA 230-12 by reference. An updated version of AMCA 230 
published on October 16, 2015. DOE is incorporating by reference AMCA 
230-15 in this final rule. The test procedure specified in AMCA 230-15 
is fundamentally equivalent to the test procedure specified in AMCA 
230-12 (i.e., both test procedures use thrust, as measured by a load 
cell, to determine a ceiling fan's airflow), with a few notable 
differences: (1) AMCA 230-15 is applicable to ceiling fans of all blade 
spans, whereas AMCA 230-12 was only applicable to ceiling fans with 
blade spans less than or equal to 6 feet; (2) AMCA 230-15 specifies the 
number of speeds to test, whereas AMCA 230-12 did not provide such a 
specification; and (3) AMCA 230-15 has updated test room dimensions 
relative to AMCA 230-12. In the test procedure SNOPR, DOE proposed to 
limit the applicable blade span to less than or equal to 24 feet, to 
align with the anticipated number of speeds to test to be specified in 
AMCA 230-15, and to align with the anticipated test room dimensions to 
be specified in AMCA 230-15. (Anticipated changes to AMCA 230 were 
based on comments from AMCA (AMCA, No. 84 \20\ at p. 2.))
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \20\ This document was submitted to the docket of DOE's 
rulemaking to develop energy conservation standards for ceiling fans 
(Docket No. EERE-2012-BT-STD-0045).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In regard to the test procedure SNOPR proposal to limit the blade 
span applicable for testing to 24 feet, BAS suggested that DOE not have 
a maximum blade span limit at all, which would align with AMCA 230-15. 
(BAS, No. 13 at p. 7) DOE notes that it is currently unaware of any 
commercially-available large-diameter fans with blade spans greater 
than 24 feet. Because larger ceiling fans are not currently 
commercially available, DOE cannot confirm that that the test procedure 
will produce reliable results for fans larger than 24 feet in diameter. 
In addition, DOE prefers to align the scope of the test procedure with 
the scope of the concurrent energy conservation standards rulemaking 
for ceiling fans, which includes fans with blade spans less than or 
equal to 24 feet. Therefore, in this final rule DOE confirms that the 
test procedure is applicable to ceiling fans up to 24 feet in diameter.
    BAS supported the test room dimensions proposed in the SNOPR and no 
stakeholders expressed disagreement. (BAS, No. 13 at p. 6) In this 
final rule DOE requires the following test room dimensions for large-
diameter ceiling fans: (1) The minimum distance between the ceiling and 
the blades of a ceiling fan being tested shall be 40% of the ceiling 
fan blade span; (2) the minimum distance between the floor and the 
blades of the fan shall be the larger of 80% of the ceiling fan blade 
span or 4.6 m; \21\ and (3) the minimum distance between the centerline 
of a ceiling fan and walls and/or large obstructions is 150% of the 
ceiling fan blade span.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \21\ In the SNOPR, DOE proposed a minimum distance between the 
floor and the blades of the ceiling fan as the larger of 80% of the 
ceiling fan blade span or 15 feet, based on comments submitted by 
BAS and AMCA indicating this would be the requirement set forth in 
AMCA 230-15. However, the AMCA 230-15 requirement indicates 80% of 
the ceiling fan blade span or 4.6 m for this requirement. 4.6 m is 
approximately 15.1 feet, so the difference between the SNOPR 
proposal and AMCA 230-15 is trivial.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DOE also notes that the efficiency metric for large-diameter 
ceiling fans is to be calculated based on the fan efficiency at up to 
five speeds (see the discussion provided in Section III.D.3). Table 2 
provides the requirements for selecting which speeds to test and how to 
weight the efficiency results at each tested speed for calculating the 
weighted efficiency metric.\22\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \22\ The percentages in the final row of the ``Which Speeds to 
Test'' column in Table 2 are based on the RPM at the fastest speed 
setting (e.g., 80% speed corresponds to 80% of the measured RPM at 
the fastest speed).

                          Table 2--Requirements for Testing Large-Diameter Ceiling Fans
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                              Efficiency metric
           Available speeds             Number of speeds to test    Which speeds to test     weighting for each
                                                                                                speed ** (%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.....................................  All.....................  All.....................                   100
2.....................................  All.....................  All.....................                    50
3.....................................  All.....................  All.....................                    33
4.....................................  All.....................  All.....................                    25
5.....................................  All.....................  All.....................                    20
6+ (discrete).........................  5.......................  5 fastest speeds........                    20

[[Page 48633]]

 
Infinite (continuous) *...............  5.......................  100% (max) speed........                    20
                                                                  80% speed...............
                                                                  60% speed...............
                                                                  40% speed...............
                                                                  20% speed...............
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* This corresponds to a ceiling fan, such as a ceiling fan with a variable-frequency drive (VFD), which operates
  over a continuous (rather than discrete) range of speeds.
** All tested speeds are to be weighted equally. Therefore, the weighting shown here for a ceiling fan with
  three available speeds is approximate.

    Therefore, DOE requires all large-diameter ceiling fans to be 
tested according to AMCA 230-15, but with the modification that the 
number of speeds to be tested is as set forth in Table 2.
2. Test Method for Multi-Mount Ceiling Fans
    Because multi-mount ceiling fans can be installed in configurations 
associated with both standard and hugger ceiling fans, DOE proposed in 
the October 2014 test procedure NOPR to test multi-mount ceiling fans 
in both configurations: (1) In the configuration associated with 
standard ceiling fans, while minimizing the distance between the 
ceiling and the lowest part of the fan blades, and (2) in the 
configuration associated with hugger ceiling fans, while minimizing the 
distance between the ceiling and the lowest part of the fan blades. DOE 
received feedback from BAS indicating agreement with this proposal. 
(BAS, Public Meeting Transcript, No. 83 at p. 81) However, ALA 
suggested DOE revise this proposal to allow manufacturers to choose to 
test multi-mount fans in either both configurations or only the 
configuration associated with hugger ceiling fans, as that 
configuration should provide a conservative measured efficiency when 
compared to the efficiency measurement in the configuration associated 
with standard ceiling fans. (ALA, No. 8 at p. 8)
    AcuPoll survey data submitted by ALA suggest that a significant 
fraction of multi-mount ceiling fans are installed in the configuration 
associated with hugger fans and a significant fraction are installed in 
the configuration associated with standard fans, and DOE cannot know 
the installation configuration a priori.\23\ Because consumers may 
install multi-mount fans in either configuration, DOE believes testing 
these fans in both configurations provides the most representative 
measurement of efficiency.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \23\ AcuPOLL[supreg] Precision Research, Inc. Survey of Consumer 
Ceiling Fan Usage and Operations. 2013.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

3. Test Method for Ceiling Fans With Multiple Fan Heads
    In the October 2014 test procedure NOPR, DOE proposed to test 
ceiling fans with multiple fan heads according to the following: (1) A 
single fan head is to be tested, 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); (2) the effective blade span is the blade span of an 
individual fan head (if all fan heads are the same size) or the blade 
span of the largest fan head (if the fan heads are of various sizes); 
(3) the distance between the air velocity sensors and the fan blades of 
the centered fan head should be the same as for all other small-
diameter ceiling fans; (4) the airflow measurements should be made in 
the same manner as for all other LSSD ceiling fans, but with only the 
centered fan head switched on; (5) at least one of each unique category 
of fan head is to be tested for ceiling fans that include more than one 
category of fan head (if all the fan heads are the same, then only one 
fan head needs to be tested); (6) the total airflow is to be determined 
by multiplying the airflow results of an individual fan head by the 
number of fan heads of that category (and summing over all of the 
categories of heads); (7) the power consumption at a given speed is to 
be measured with all fan heads switched on.
    In response, multiple stakeholders expressed agreement with DOE's 
proposal. (Fanimation, Public Meeting Transcript, No. 83 at p. 138; 
Matthews Fan Company, Public Meeting Transcript, No. 83 at p. 138; 
Minka Group, Public Meeting Transcript, No. 83 at p. 138; ALA, No. 8 at 
p. 8) Therefore, DOE requires all multi-head ceiling fans to be tested 
in accordance with the aforementioned provisions proposed in the 
October 2014 test procedure NOPR.
4. Test Method for Ceiling Fans Where the Airflow Is Not Directed 
Vertically
    In the October 2014 test procedure NOPR, for ceiling fans where the 
airflow is not directed vertically, DOE proposed to adjust the ceiling 
fan head such that the airflow is as vertical as possible and oriented 
along one of the four sensor axes. In this proposal, the distances 
between the lowest point on the fan blades and the air velocity sensors 
should be the same as for all other LSSD ceiling fans. Then, 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 
the axis for which the airflow is oriented, 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. The effective 
area used to calculate airflow under this proposal would be the same as 
for an un-tilted ceiling fan with the same blade span.
    In response to this proposal, Fanimation expressed agreement, and 
no other stakeholders provided comment. (Fanimation, Public Meeting 
Transcript, No. 83 at p. 140) In this final rule, DOE requires ceiling 
fans where the airflow is not directed vertically to be tested in 
accordance with the aforementioned provisions proposed in the October 
2014 test procedure NOPR.
5. Test Method for Power Consumption in Standby Mode
    In the 2014 test procedure NOPR, DOE proposed to add standby mode 
power consumption testing for all ceiling fans sold with hardware to 
maintain any of the standby functions defined in 42 U.S.C. 
6295(gg)(1)(A)(iii)(II) either (1) installed

[[Page 48634]]

in the body of the ceiling fan, or the ceiling fan light kit packaged 
with it, prior to sale, or (2) packaged with the ceiling fan, and which 
is the sole means of operating the ceiling fan. DOE proposed to perform 
the standby test following the active mode test in accordance with the 
procedure in IEC standard 62301:2011. Because IEC 62301:2011 would add 
at least 40 minutes to the test procedure for ceiling fans subject to 
standby mode testing, DOE proposed to reduce the IEC 62301:2011-
specified interval of time over which testing occurs and period of time 
prior to conducting the standby testing. Specifically, DOE proposed to 
wait three minutes after active mode functionality has been switched 
off to begin the standby mode test and then to collect power 
consumption data in standby mode for 100 seconds.
    All stakeholders expressed agreement with DOE's proposal to include 
standby testing. However, BAS noted that the proposed method of 
incorporating standby power losses into the airflow efficiency metric 
could penalize very efficient ceiling fans while boosting the 
efficiency of lower-efficiency ceiling fans, and BAS provided example 
data for support. (BAS, Public Meeting Transcript, No. 5 at pp. 100-
102)
    DOE appreciates BAS's review of the proposed method for 
incorporating standby loss into the airflow efficiency metric; however, 
DOE notes that BAS's assertion that high-efficiency ceiling fans are 
disproportionately penalized for any standby consumption is based on a 
comparison of the measured efficiency calculated using the existing 
ENERGY STAR test procedure and the measured efficiency calculated using 
the test procedure proposed in the October 2014 test procedure NOPR. 
Using this comparison, BAS found that an efficient ceiling fan having 
1.5 W of power consumption in standby mode has a calculated efficiency 
approximately 13% lower than the efficiency calculated using the 
current ENERGY STAR test method. BAS also found that less efficient 
ceiling fans with standby power consumption actually received an 
increase in calculated efficiency using the proposed test method. When 
comparing the measured efficiency using the proposed test method with 
and without standby, however, DOE concluded that all ceiling fans with 
standby power consumption receive an efficiency penalty relative to the 
calculated efficiency assuming no standby power consumption. DOE notes 
that this approach penalizes more efficient ceiling fans more than less 
efficient ceiling fans for an equal amount of standby power 
consumption; however, this reflects the fact that equivalent standby 
power consumption represents a larger fraction of the overall power 
consumption for more efficient ceiling fans. In other words, the effect 
of including standby power consumption for a more efficient fan is not 
greater in absolute terms, but rather greater only relative to the 
energy used by that fan in active mode. This is a result of 
incorporating standby mode into any integrated efficiency metric, as 
required by 42 U.S.C. 6295(gg)(2). Therefore, DOE retains the method 
proposed in the October 2014 test procedure NOPR for incorporating 
standby power consumption into the integrated efficiency metric.

G. Certification and Enforcement

    Ceiling fan manufacturers must submit certification reports for 
each basic model before it is 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. Consistent with the 
dates specified for use in section III.B, ceiling fan manufacturers are 
required to calculate ceiling fan efficiency utilizing the calculations 
provided in revised appendix U. Upon the compliance date of any amended 
energy conservation standards for ceiling fans, manufacturers would be 
required to follow the revised reporting requirements provided at 10 
CFR 429.32 for each ceiling fan basic model.

IV. Procedural Issues and Regulatory Review

A. Review Under Executive Order 12866

    The Office of Management and Budget has determined that test 
procedure rulemakings do not constitute ``significant regulatory 
actions'' under section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866, Regulatory 
Planning and Review, 58 FR 51735 (Oct. 4, 1993). Accordingly, this 
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 that 
when an agency promulgates a final rule under 5 U.S.C. 553, after being 
required by that section or any other law to publish a general notice 
of proposed rulemaking, the agency shall prepare a final regulatory 
flexibility analysis (FRFA). As required by Executive Order 13272, 
``Proper Consideration of Small Entities in Agency Rulemaking,'' 67 FR 
53461 (August 16, 2002), DOE published procedures and policies on 
February 19, 2003 to ensure that the potential impacts of its rules on 
small entities are properly considered during the DOE rulemaking 
process. 68 FR 7990. 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 this final rule under the provisions of the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act and the policies and procedures published on February 
19, 2003. The final 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. DOE has 
prepared a final regulatory flexibility analysis (FRFA) for this 
rulemaking. The FRFA describes potential impacts on small businesses 
associated with ceiling fan testing requirements.
    DOE has transmitted a copy of this FRFA to the Chief Counsel for 
Advocacy of the Small Business Administration for review.
1. Description of the Need For, and Objectives of, the Rule
    A description of the need for, and objectives of, the rule is set 
forth elsewhere in the preamble and not repeated here.
2. Description of Significant Issues Raised by Public Comment
    DOE received no comments specifically on the initial regulatory 
flexibility analysis prepared for this rulemaking. Comments on the 
economic impacts of the rule are discussed elsewhere in the preamble 
and did not necessitate changes to the analysis required by the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act.
3. Description of Comments Submitted by the Small Business 
Administration
    The Small Business Administration did not submit comments on DOE's 
proposed rule.
4. Description of Estimated Number of Small Entities Regulated
    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

[[Page 48635]]

determine whether any small entities would be subject to the 
requirements of the rule. See 13 CFR part 121. The size standards are 
listed by North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 
and industry description and are available at: https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/files/Size_Standards_Table.pdf. Ceiling fan 
manufacturing is classified under NAICS code 335210, ``Small Electrical 
Appliance Manufacturing.'' The SBA sets a threshold for NAICS 
classification for 335210 of 1,500 employees or less.\24\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \24\ 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).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DOE reviewed ALA's list of ceiling fan manufacturers,\25\ the 
ENERGY STAR Product Databases for Ceiling Fans,\26\ the California 
Energy Commission's Appliance Database for Ceiling Fans,\27\ and the 
Federal Trade Commission's Appliance Energy Database for Ceiling 
Fans.\28\ Based on this review, using data on the companies for which 
DOE was able to obtain information on the numbers of employees, DOE 
identified 66 companies that sell ceiling fans covered by this test 
procedure. 25 of these companies are large businesses with more than 
1,500 total employees. DOE determined that of the remaining 41 
companies with less than 1,500 employees, only six companies are small 
businesses that maintain domestic production facilities. Of the six 
small ceiling fan businesses, four manufacture HSSD ceiling fans and 
three manufacture large-diameter ceiling fans.\29\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \25\ The American Lighting Association, list of Manufacturers & 
Representatives (Available at: http://www.americanlightingassoc.com/Members/Resources/Manufacturers-Representatives.aspx).
    \26\ 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/products/certified-products/detail/ceiling-fans).
    \27\ The California Energy Commission, Appliance Database for 
Ceiling Fans (Available at: http://www.appliances.energy.ca.gov/QuickSearch.aspx).
    \28\ The Federal Trade Commission, Appliance Energy Databases 
for Ceiling Fans (Available at: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/edcams/eande/appliances/ceilfan.htm).
    \29\ These numbers do not add up to six because one company 
manufacturers both types of ceiling fans.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

5. Description of the Projected Compliance Requirements of the Final 
Rule
a. Additional Fans Required To Be Tested
    In the ceiling fan light kit test procedure final rule, DOE 
reinterpreted the EPCA definition of ceiling fan to include hugger fans 
and stated that ceiling fans that produce large volumes of airflow 
(i.e., large-diameter ceiling fans) also meet the EPCA definition. 80 
FR 80209 (Dec. 24, 2015) The changes in interpretation of the ceiling 
fan definition discussed above 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 the ceiling 
fan light kit final test procedure, which is January 25, 2016. 80 FR 
80209 (Dec. 24, 2015).
    DOE research indicates that all ceiling fans currently on the 
market, including large-diameter ceiling fans, appear to meet the EPCA 
design standards. For large-diameter ceiling fans, DOE searched for 
product specifications on the Web sites of manufacturers of large-
diameter ceiling fans and from Web sites of retailers of HSSD ceiling 
fans. Only one large-diameter ceiling fan model was found with a light 
kit, and the fan controls were separate from the lighting controls for 
that fan. Most large-diameter ceiling fans appeared to be capable of 
operating at more than one speed (typically with an adjustable speed 
control).
    Based on this research, DOE does not expect any cost of complying 
with the design requirements for small business manufacturers of large-
diameter ceiling fans. DOE discusses the costs of testing in the 
following section.
b. Projected Testing Costs
    DOE establishes test procedures that measure energy efficiency or 
energy use of a representative average use cycle for a given product, 
and that are not unduly burdensome to conduct. 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 final test procedure on small ceiling fan manufacturers of HSSD 
and large-diameter ceiling fans 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 HSSD and large-diameter ceiling fans is 
discussed in further detail below.
High-Speed Small-Diameter Ceiling Fans
    DOE estimated the cost to test HSSD ceiling fans, 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 final test procedure, and the changes in cost 
associated with the key differences between the two test procedures. 
DOE expects that the following modifications would impose a change in 
test burden compared to the current ENERGY STAR test procedure: (1) The 
requirement to test at only one fan speed instead of three speeds; (2) 
the elimination of the requirement to use a test cylinder; (3) the 
requirement to mount the ceiling fan to the real ceiling; (4) the 
reduced warm up time before testing at low speed, (5) the requirement 
to conduct standby-mode testing, and (6) specifying criteria for air 
velocity and power measurements that indicate stable measurements. In 
total, DOE estimates that these changes reduce the typical time to 
perform the final test procedure by one hour compared to the ENERGY 
STAR test procedure, as described below.
    (1) Testing at only one speed instead of three yields a total test 
time that is approximately 70 minutes shorter than the ENERGY STAR test 
procedure. DOE specifies that only high speed is to be tested. Based on 
test quotes from third-party labs, DOE estimates that the average cost 
for each speed is $87.50 per speed. Therefore, testing at only one 
speed instead of three reduces the total test cost by $175 per ceiling 
fan.
    (2) Not requiring use of a test cylinder 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 $2,000-3,000 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 final 
test procedure relative to ENERGY STAR's test procedure for all HSSD 
ceiling fans, because time is not required to put a test cylinder in 
place for each test (estimated to take 15 minutes).
    (3) Requiring mounting ceiling fans to the real ceiling involves a 
one-time lab cost for a mechanism that allows for the adjustment of the 
height of the air velocity sensors to keep the distance between the 
bottom of the fan blades and the air velocity sensor heads at a 
specified vertical distance (43 inches). Based on the materials 
employed and test quotes from third-party labs, DOE estimates the one-
time cost to construct a mechanism to allow for the

[[Page 48636]]

adjustment of the height of the air velocity sensors is less than 
$2,000. Once the mechanism is constructed, it can be used to test all 
HSSD ceiling fans, and therefore does not add substantial test cost 
thereafter.
    (4) Requiring 15 minutes of warm up time before testing at low 
speed compared to 30 minutes in the ENERGY STAR test procedure further 
reduces the relative amount of time required for DOE's final test 
procedure by 15 minutes.
    (5) Requiring standby-mode testing for ceiling fans with standby 
functionality yields an additional cost for such fans. Using the quotes 
provided by third-party testing facilities, DOE estimates that the 
standby test for all ceiling fans with standby functionality costs $200 
per basic model.
    (6) Specifying criteria for air velocity and power measurements 
that indicate stable measurements may increase test time and require 
one-time capital costs. If stability criteria are not met after taking 
air velocity and power measurements in each axis, these measurements 
must be repeated until stability criteria are met. Measurements in each 
additional axis is 100 additional seconds plus the time it may take a 
sensor arm to travel to another axis if a single, sweeping sensor arm 
is being used. DOE estimates this to be less than 10 minutes total if 
four additional axes of measurements are needed to meet stability 
criteria. Even if four additional measurements in all four axes are 
necessary, only 40 minutes of additional test time would be required. 
DOE recognizes that some labs may need to make investments in facility 
upgrades to improve temperature control to meet these stability 
criteria. These upgrades could include low-cost weatherization 
techniques like adding weather stripping to test-room doors or adding 
insulation. More costly improvements, like switching from forced-air to 
non-forced-air space-conditioning equipment, are unlikely but may be 
necessary. Even the most costly upgrade of adding insulation and 
switching to a non-forced-air conditioning system would only be a one-
time cost on the order of $5,000. Once these upgrades to the test room 
are completed, they can be used to test all HSSD ceiling fans, and 
therefore do not add substantial test cost thereafter.
    In addition, DOE expects that the following modifications as 
described in section III.E would impose no additional test burden 
compared to the current ENERGY STAR test procedure: (7) Specifying that 
the vertical position in relation to the air velocity sensors be 
determined by the position of the lowest point on the ceiling fan 
blades, (8) specifying that ceiling fans should be tested in the 
configuration that minimizes the distance between the ceiling and the 
lowest part of the fan blades, (9) requiring that any heaters packaged 
with ceiling fans to be installed but switched off during testing, (10) 
revised allowable measurement tolerance for air velocity sensors, (11) 
revised allowable mounting tolerance for air velocity sensors, (12) 
revised testing temperature requirement, (13) requiring that all doors 
and vents must be closed during testing, (14) specifying that active 
(real) power must be measured simultaneously in all phases, (15) 
requiring measurement axes be perpendicular to test room walls, (16) 
require forced-air space conditioning equipment be turned off during 
air velocity measurements, but allow for conditioning equipment that 
does not supply air to the test room, such as radiant conditioning 
equipment, to be left on, and (17) requiring voltage be measured within 
6 inches of connection supplied with fan.
    Based on all of the differences between the final test procedure 
and the ENERGY STAR test procedure, and estimates from third-party 
testing facilities of the labor costs associated with these 
differences, DOE estimates that the final test procedure for HSSD 
ceiling fans will cost $1,325 on average per basic model, once the 
mechanism for the adjustment of the height of the air velocity sensors 
is constructed, and the insulation and non-forced-air conditioning 
system is added, if necessary. DOE did not find accurate data on the 
percentage of HSSD ceiling fans with standby capability, though DOE 
located some HSSD ceiling fans without standby capability in Web 
searches. To provide a conservative cost estimate, DOE made the 
assumption that all HSSD ceiling fans should be tested for standby 
power. Using the standby test quote of $200 per basic model, DOE 
estimates that the total test cost for the final test procedure and 
standby testing for single-headed HSSD ceiling fans will be $1,525.
    For the four small business manufacturers of HSSD ceiling fans that 
DOE identified, the number of basic models produced per manufacturer 
varies significantly from one to approximately 30. Therefore, based on 
the test cost per ceiling fan basic model, the testing cost in the 
first year would range from approximately $1,525 to $45,750 for small 
manufacturers of HSSD 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.
    In response to stakeholder comments, DOE considered alternatives to 
the test procedure established by this final rule. Specifically, DOE 
considered requiring additional sensors for HSSD fan testing. DOE found 
that additional sensors would cost an estimated $1,000 per sensor 
added, but found no evidence that additional sensors would improve how 
well the test procedure represents an HSSD fan's typical energy use. 
Consequently, DOE decided not to adopt provisions for additional 
sensors.
Large-Diameter Ceiling Fans
    DOE estimated the cost to test a large-diameter 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 test procedure on large-diameter 
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 $4,500. Based on test quotes, DOE 
estimates that the test procedure for large-diameter ceiling fans will 
cost manufacturers on average $7,500 per basic model for testing at up 
to five speeds. Using the standby test quote of $200 per basic model, 
DOE estimates that the total test cost for the final test procedure and 
standby testing for a large-diameter ceiling fans will be $7,700.
    For the three small business manufacturers of large-diameter 
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 $7,700 to $231,000 for small 
manufacturers of large-diameter 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.
6. Description of Steps Taken To Minimize Impacts to Small Businesses
    DOE considered a number of industry and governmental test 
procedures that measure the efficiency of ceiling fans to develop the 
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.

[[Page 48637]]

    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, ceiling fans less than or equal to 7 feet in diameter, have 
historically been tested according to the air-velocity sensor based 
approach. Large-diameter 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 large-diameter 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. Therefore, DOE adopted the less 
burdensome approach in this final rule.
    DOE also adopted a number of other measures in this final rule that 
will minimize impacts to small businesses: (1) Retaining the 15-minute 
warm-up time (see section III.C); (2) Eliminating the test cylinder 
from the test setup for HSSD ceiling fans (see section III.E.1); (3) 
Mounting HSSD ceiling fans to the real ceiling, rather than a false 
ceiling, for testing (see section III.E.6); (4) Relaxing the allowable 
measurement tolerance for the air velocity sensors used in testing HSSD 
ceiling fans (see section III.E.7); and (5) Relaxing the test room 
temperature tolerance (see section III.E.9).

C. Review Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995

    Manufacturers of ceiling fans must certify to DOE that their 
products comply with any applicable energy conservation standards. In 
certifying compliance, manufacturers must first obtain test data for 
their products according to the DOE test procedures, including any 
amendments adopted for those test procedures 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. See 
generally 10 CFR part 429. The collection-of-information requirement 
for the certification and recordkeeping is subject to review and 
approval by OMB under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). This 
requirement has been approved by OMB under OMB control number 1910-
1400. Public reporting burden for the certification is estimated to 
average 30 hours per response, including the time for reviewing 
instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and 
maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the 
collection of information.
    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 final rule, DOE amends its test procedure for ceiling fans 
to more accurately measure the energy consumption of these products. 
DOE has determined that this rule falls into a class of actions that 
are categorically excluded from review under the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and DOE's implementing 
regulations at 10 CFR part 1021. Specifically, this rule amends an 
existing rule without affecting the amount, quality or distribution of 
energy usage, and, therefore, will 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 environmental impact statement is 
required.

E. Review Under Executive Order 13132

    Executive Order 13132, ``Federalism,'' 64 FR 43255 (August 4, 
1999), imposes certain requirements on agencies formulating and 
implementing policies or regulations that preempt State law or that 
have Federalism implications. The Executive Order requires agencies to 
examine the constitutional and statutory authority supporting any 
action that would limit the policymaking discretion of the States and 
to carefully assess the necessity for such actions. The Executive Order 
also requires agencies to have an accountable process to ensure 
meaningful and timely input by State and local officials in the 
development of regulatory policies that have Federalism implications. 
On March 14, 2000, DOE published a statement of policy describing the 
intergovernmental consultation process it will follow in the 
development of such regulations. 65 FR 13735. DOE has examined this 
final rule and determined that it will 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 this final 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

    When reviewing existing regulations or promulgating new 
regulations, section 3(a) of Executive Order 12988, ``Civil Justice 
Reform,'' 61 FR 4729 (Feb. 7, 1996), imposes on Federal agencies the 
general duty to adhere to the following requirements: (1) Eliminate 
drafting errors and ambiguity; (2) write regulations to minimize 
litigation; (3) provide a clear legal standard for affected conduct 
rather than a general standard; and (4) promote simplification and 
burden reduction. Section 3(b) of Executive Order 12988 specifically 
requires that Executive agencies make every reasonable effort 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 
determined that, to the extent permitted by law, this final 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. Pub. L. 104-4, sec. 201 (codified at 2 U.S.C. 1531). 
For a 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

[[Page 48638]]

$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 small governments. On March 18, 1997, DOE published a statement 
of policy on its process for intergovernmental consultation under UMRA. 
62 FR 12820; also available at http://energy.gov/gc/office-general-counsel. DOE examined this final rule according to UMRA and its 
statement of policy and determined these requirements do not apply 
because the rule contains neither an intergovernmental mandate nor a 
mandate that may result in the expenditure of $100 million or more in 
any year.

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

    DOE has determined, under Executive Order 12630, ``Governmental 
Actions and Interference with Constitutionally Protected Property 
Rights'' 53 FR 8859 (March 18, 1988), that this regulation will 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 agencies to review most 
disseminations of information to the public under guidelines 
established by each agency pursuant to general guidelines issued by 
OMB. OMB's guidelines were published at 67 FR 8452 (Feb. 22, 2002), and 
DOE's guidelines were published at 67 FR 62446 (Oct. 7, 2002). DOE has 
reviewed this final 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 OMB, 
a Statement of Energy Effects for any significant energy action. A 
``significant energy action'' is defined as any action by an agency 
that promulgated or is expected to lead to promulgation of a final 
rule, and that: (1) Is a significant regulatory action under Executive 
Order 12866, or any successor order; and (2) is likely to have a 
significant adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use of 
energy; or (3) is designated by the Administrator of OIRA as a 
significant energy action. For any significant energy action, the 
agency must give a detailed statement of any adverse effects on energy 
supply, distribution, or use if the regulation is implemented, and of 
reasonable alternatives to the action and their expected benefits on 
energy supply, distribution, and use.
    This 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. 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.

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), DOE must comply with section 32 of the 
Federal Energy Administration Act of 1974, as amended by the Federal 
Energy Administration Authorization Act of 1977. (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 Federal Trade Commission 
(FTC) concerning the impact of the commercial or industry standards on 
competition.
    The final rule incorporates testing methods contained in the 
following commercial standards: ANSI/AMCA Standard 230-15, ``Air 
Movement and Control Association Laboratory Methods of testing Air 
Circulating Fans for Rating and Certification'' and IEC 62301:2011, 
``Household Electrical Appliances--Measurement of Standby Power.'' The 
Department has evaluated these standards and is unable to conclude 
whether they fully comply with the requirements of section 32(b) of the 
FEAA (i.e., whether they were developed in a manner that fully provides 
for public participation, comment, and review.) DOE has consulted with 
both the Attorney General and the Chairman of the FTC about the impact 
on competition of using the methods contained in these standards and 
has received no comments objecting to their use.

M. Description of Materials Incorporated by Reference

    In this final rule, DOE is incorporating by reference specific 
sections of the following industry standards: (1) ANSI/AMCA Standard 
230-15 (``AMCA 230-15''), ``Air Movement and Control Association 
Laboratory Methods of Testing Air Circulating Fans for Rating and 
Certification,'' and (2) IEC 62301-U (Edition 2.0, 2011-01), 
``Household Electrical Appliances--Measurement of Standby Power.''
    AMCA 230-15 is an industry-standard test procedure for measuring 
the airflow efficiency of commercial and industrial ceiling fans. The 
test procedure in this final rule references Section 3 through Section 
9 of AMCA 230-15 (except sections 5.1 and 9.5 and Test Figures 2 and 
3), which specify the test apparatus, general instructions, procedure, 
and calculations for measuring airflow efficiency. AMCA 230-15 is 
available from the American National Standards Institute, 25 W. 43rd 
Street, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, 212-642-4900, or www.ansi.org.
    IEC 62301-U is an industry-standard test procedure for measuring 
the standby power draw of electrical appliances (including ceiling 
fans). The test procedure in this final rule references Section 4.3.1 
through Section 5.3.2 of IEC 62301-U (except sections 5.1 and 5.2), 
which specify the test apparatus, general instructions, procedure and 
calculations for measuring standby power consumption. Copies of IEC 
62301-U are available from the International Electrotechnical

[[Page 48639]]

Commission, 3, rue de Varemb[eacute], P.O. Box 131, CH-1211 Geneva 20-
Switzerland, or https://webstore.iec.ch.

N. Congressional Notification

    As required by 5 U.S.C. 801, DOE will report to Congress on the 
promulgation of this rule before its effective date. The report will 
state that it has been determined that the rule is not a ``major rule'' 
as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).

V. Approval of the Office of the Secretary

    The Secretary of Energy has approved publication of this final 
rule.

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 July 6, 2016.
Kathleen B. Hogan,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and 
Renewable Energy.
    For the reasons stated in the preamble, DOE amends 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 testing, in conjunction with the 
following sampling provisions:
    (1) The requirements of Sec.  429.11 are applicable to ceiling 
fans; and
    (2) For each basic model of ceiling fan selected for testing, a 
sample of sufficient size must be randomly selected and tested to 
ensure that--
    (i) Any represented value of the efficiency or airflow is less than 
or equal to the lower of:
    (A) The mean of the sample, where:
    [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR25JY16.001
    
    And x is the sample mean; n is the number of samples; and 
xi is the ith sample; or
    (B) The lower 90 percent confidence limit (LCL) of the true mean 
divided by 0.9, where:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR25JY16.002

    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
    (ii) Any represented value of the wattage is greater than or equal 
to the higher of:
    (A) The mean of the sample, where:
    [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR25JY16.003
    
    And x is the sample mean; n is the number of samples; and 
xi is the ith sample; or
    (B) The upper 95 percent confidence limit (UCL) of the true mean 
divided by 1.1, where:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR25JY16.004

    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 this subpart).
* * * * *

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 revising the definition for ``ceiling 
fan'' to read as follows:


Sec.  430.2  Definitions.

* * * * *
    Ceiling fan means a nonportable device that is suspended from a 
ceiling for circulating air via the rotation of fan blades. For all 
other ceiling fan-related definitions, see appendix U to this subpart.
* * * * *
0
5. Section 430.3 is amended by adding paragraphs (b)(3) and (p)(6) to 
read as follows:


Sec.  430.3  Materials incorporated by reference.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (3) ANSI/AMCA Standard 230-15 (``AMCA 230-15''), ``Laboratory 
Methods of Testing Air Circulating Fans for Rating and Certification,'' 
ANSI approved October 16, 2015, IBR approved for appendix U to this 
subpart, as follows:
    (i) Section 3--Units of Measurement;
    (ii) Section 4--Symbols and Subscripts; (including Table 1--Symbols 
and Subscripts);
    (iii) Section 5--Definitions (except 5.1);
    (iv) Section 6--Instruments and Section Methods of Measurement;
    (v) Section 7--Equipment and Setups (except the last 2 bulleted 
items in 7.1--Allowable test setups);
    (vi) Section 8--Observations and Conduct of Test;
    (vii) Section 9--Calculations (except 9.5); and
    (viii) Test Figure 1--Vertical Airflow Setup with Load Cell 
(Ceiling Fans).
* * * * *
    (p) * * *
    (6) IEC 62301 (``IEC 62301-U''), Household electrical appliances--
Measurement of standby power, (Edition 2.0, 2011-01), IBR approved for 
appendix U to this subpart, as follows:
    (i) Section 4.3--General conditions for measurements: Power supply: 
Section 4.3.1--Supply voltage and frequency (first paragraph only),
    (ii) Section 4.3--General conditions for measurements: Power 
supply: Section 4.3.2--Supply voltage waveform;
    (iii) Section 4.4--General conditions for measurements: Power 
measuring instruments;
    (iv) Section 5.3--Measurements: Procedure: Section 5.3.1--General 
(except the last bulleted item), and
    (v) Section 5.3--Measurements: Procedure: Section 5.3.2--Sampling 
method (first two paragraphs and Note 1).
* * * * *

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.

* * * * *

[[Page 48640]]

    (w) Ceiling fans. Measure the efficiency of a ceiling fan, 
expressed in cubic feet per minute per watt (CFM/W), in accordance with 
appendix U to this subpart.
* * * * *

0
7. Appendix U to subpart B of part 430 is added to read as follows:

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

    Prior to January 23, 2017, manufacturers must make any 
representations with respect to the energy use or efficiency of 
ceiling fans as specified in Section 2 of this appendix (other than 
hugger ceiling fans, multi-mount ceiling fans in the hugger 
configuration, and large-diameter ceiling fans) in accordance with 
the results of testing pursuant either to this appendix, or to the 
applicable test requirements set forth in 10 CFR parts 429 and 430, 
as they appeared in the 10 CFR parts 200 to 499 edition revised as 
of January 1, 2016. On or after January 23, 2017, manufacturers of 
ceiling fans, as specified in Section 2 of this appendix, 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. 20% speed means the ceiling fan speed at which the blade 
RPM are measured to be 20% of the blade RPM measured at high speed.
    1.2. 40% speed means the ceiling fan speed at which the blade 
RPM are measured to be 40% of the blade RPM measured at high speed.
    1.3. 60% speed means the ceiling fan speed at which the blade 
RPM are measured to be 60% of the blade RPM measured at high speed.
    1.4. 80% speed means the ceiling fan speed at which the blade 
RPM are measured to be 80% of the blade RPM measured at high speed.
    1.5. Airflow means the rate of air movement at a specific fan-
speed setting expressed in cubic feet per minute (CFM).
    1.6. Belt-driven ceiling fan means a ceiling fan with a series 
of one or more fan heads, each driven by a belt connected to one or 
more motors that are located outside of the fan head.
    1.7. Blade span means the diameter of the largest circle swept 
by any part of the fan blade assembly, including any blade 
attachments.
    1.8. 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).
    1.9. Centrifugal ceiling fan means a ceiling fan for which the 
primary airflow direction is in the same plane as the rotation of 
the fan blades.
    1.10. High speed means the highest available ceiling fan speed, 
i.e., the fan speed corresponding to the maximum blade revolutions 
per minute (RPM).
    1.11. High-speed small-diameter ceiling fan means a small-
diameter ceiling fan that is not a very-small-diameter ceiling fan, 
highly-decorative ceiling fan or belt-driven ceiling fan and that 
has a blade thickness of less than 3.2 mm at the edge or a maximum 
tip speed greater than the applicable limit specified in the table 
in this definition.

                       High-Speed Small-Diameter Ceiling Fan Blade and Tip Speed Criteria
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     Thickness (t) of edges of          Tip speed threshold
                                                              blades             -------------------------------
                Airflow direction                --------------------------------                    feet per
                                                        Mm             inch             m/s           minute
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Downward-only...................................  4.8 > t >= 3.2  3/16 > t >= 1/            16.3           3,200
                                                                               8
Downward-only...................................        t >= 4.8       t >= 3/16            20.3           4,000
Reversible......................................  4.8 > t >= 3.2  3/16 > t >= 1/            12.2           2,400
                                                                               8
Reversible......................................        t >= 4.8       t >= 3/16            16.3           3,200
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    1.12. Highly-decorative ceiling fan means a ceiling with a 
maximum rotational speed of 90 RPM and less than 1,840 CFM airflow 
at high speed, as determined by sections 3 and 4 of this appendix.
    1.13. Hugger ceiling fan means a low-speed small-diameter 
ceiling fan that is not a very-small-diameter ceiling fan, highly-
decorative ceiling fan or belt-driven ceiling fan; for which the 
lowest point on the fan blades is less than or equal to 10 inches 
from the ceiling.
    1.14. Large-diameter ceiling fan means a ceiling fan that is 
greater than seven feet in diameter.
    1.15. Low speed means the lowest available ceiling fan speed, 
i.e., the fan speed corresponding to the minimum, non-zero, blade 
RPM.
    1.16. Low-speed small-diameter ceiling fan means a small-
diameter ceiling fan that 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 applicable limit specified in the table in this 
definition.

                        Low-Speed Small-Diameter Ceiling Fan Blade and Tip Speed Criteria
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     Thickness (t) of edges of          Tip speed threshold
                                                              blades             -------------------------------
                Airflow direction                --------------------------------                    feet per
                                                        Mm             inch             m/s           minute
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reversible......................................  4.8 > t >= 3.2  3/16 > t >= 1/            12.2           2,400
                                                                               8
Reversible......................................        t >= 4.8       t >= 3/16            16.3           3,200
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    1.17. Multi-head ceiling fan means a ceiling fan with more than 
one fan head, i.e., more than one set of rotating fan blades.
    1.18. Multi-mount ceiling fan means a low-speed small-diameter 
ceiling fan that can be mounted in the configurations associated 
with both the standard and hugger ceiling fans.
    1.19. Oscillating ceiling fan means a ceiling fan containing one 
or more fan heads for which the axis of rotation of the fan blades 
cannot remain in a fixed position relative to the ceiling. Such fans 
have no inherent means by which to disable the oscillating function 
separate from the fan blade rotation.
    1.20. Small-diameter ceiling fan means a ceiling fan that is 
less than or equal to seven feet in diameter.
    1.21. Standard ceiling fan means a low-speed small-diameter 
ceiling fan that is not a very-small-diameter ceiling fan, highly-
decorative ceiling fan or belt-driven ceiling fan; for which the 
lowest point on fan blades is greater than 10 inches from the 
ceiling.
    1.22. Total airflow means the sum of the product of airflow and 
hours of operation at all tested speeds. For multi-head fans, this 
includes the airflow from all fan heads.
    1.23. Very-small-diameter ceiling fan means a small-diameter 
ceiling fan that is not a highly-decorative ceiling fan or belt-
driven ceiling fan; and has one or more fan heads, each of which has 
a blade span of 18 inches or less.
    2. Scope:
    The provisions in this appendix apply to ceiling fans except:
    (1) Ceiling fans where the plane of rotation of a ceiling fan's 
blades is not less than or

[[Page 48641]]

equal to 45 degrees from horizontal, or cannot be adjusted based on 
the manufacturer's specifications to be less than or equal to 45 
degrees from horizontal;
    (2) Centrifugal ceiling fans;
    (3) Belt-driven ceiling fans; and
    (4) Oscillating ceiling fans.
    3. General Instructions, Test Apparatus, and Test Measurement:
    The test apparatus and test measurement used to determine energy 
performance depend on the ceiling fan's blade span. For each tested 
ceiling fan, measure the lateral distance from the center of the 
axis of rotation of the fan blades to the furthest fan blade edge 
from the center of the axis of rotation, and multiply this distance 
by two. The blade span for a basic model of ceiling fan is then 
calculated as the arithmetic mean of this distance across each 
ceiling fan in the sample, rounded to the nearest inch.
    3.1. General instructions.
    3.1.1. Record measurements at the resolution of the test 
instrumentation. Round off calculations to the number of significant 
digits present at the resolution of the test instrumentation, except 
for blade span, which is rounded to the nearest inch. Round the 
final ceiling fan efficiency value to the nearest whole number as 
follows:
    3.1.1.1. 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
    3.1.1.2. A fractional number below the midpoint between the two 
consecutive whole numbers shall be rounded down to the lower of the 
two whole numbers.
    3.1.2. For multi-head ceiling fans, the effective blade span is 
the blade span (as specified in section 3) 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 (as 
specified in section 3) of the largest fan head.
    3.2. Test apparatus for low-speed small-diameter and high-speed 
small-diameter ceiling fans: All instruments are to have accuracies 
within 1% of reading, except for the air velocity 
sensors, which must have accuracies within 5% of reading 
or 2 feet per minute (fpm), whichever is greater. Equipment is to be 
calibrated at least once a year to compensate for variation over 
time.
    3.2.1. Air Delivery Room Requirements
    (1) The air delivery room dimensions are to be 20  
0.75 feet x 20  0.75 feet with an 11  0.75 
foot-high ceiling. The control room shall be constructed external to 
the air delivery room.
    (2) The ceiling shall be constructed of sheet rock or stainless 
plate. The walls must be of adequate thickness to maintain the 
specified temperature and humidity during the test. The paint used 
on the walls, as well as the paint used on the ceiling 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).
    (3) The room must not have any 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.
    3.2.2. Equipment Set-Up
    (1) Make sure the transformer power is off. Hang the ceiling fan 
to be tested directly from the ceiling, according to the 
manufacturer's installation instructions. Hang all non-multi-mount 
ceiling fans in the fan configuration that minimizes the distance 
between the ceiling and the lowest point of the fan blades. Hang and 
test multi-mount fans in two configurations: The configuration 
associated with the definitions of a standard fan that minimizes the 
distance between the ceiling and the lowest point of the fan blades 
and the configuration associated with the definition of a hugger fan 
that minimizes the distance between the ceiling and the lowest point 
of the fan blades.
    (2) Connect wires as directed by manufacturer's wiring 
instructions. Note: Assemble fan prior to the test; lab personnel 
must follow the instructions provided with the fan by the fan 
manufacturer. Balance the fan blade assembly in accordance with the 
manufacturer's instructions to avoid excessive vibration of the 
motor assembly (at any speed) during operation.
    (3) With the ceiling fan installed, adjust the height of the air 
velocity sensors to ensure the vertical distance between the lowest 
point on the ceiling fan blades and the air velocity sensors is 43 
inches.
    (4) 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 must be perpendicular to the four walls of the room. See 
Figure 1 of this appendix.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR25JY16.005

    (5) Minimize the amount of exposed wiring. Store all sensor lead 
wires under the floor, if possible.
    (6) Place the sensors at intervals of 4  0.0625 
inches 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. Use enough sensors to record air delivery within a 
circle 8 inches larger in diameter than the blade span of the 
ceiling fan being tested. The experimental set-up is shown in Figure 
2 of this appendix.

[[Page 48642]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR25JY16.006

    (7) 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 common fan sizes.

    Table 1 to Appendix U to Subpart B of Part 430: Sensor Selection
                              Requirements
------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Fan blade span * (inches)                Number of sensors
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       36                                    6
                       42                                    7
                       44                                    7
                       48                                    7
                       52                                    8
                       54                                    8
                       56                                    8
                       60                                    9
                       72                                   10
                       84                                   12
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* The fan sizes listed are illustrative and do not restrict which
  ceiling fan sizes can be tested.

    (8) Install an RPM (revolutions per minute) meter, or 
tachometer, to measure RPM of the ceiling fan blades.
    (9) Use an RMS sensor capable of measuring power with an 
accuracy of 1% to measure ceiling fan power consumption. 
If the ceiling fan operates on multi-phase power input, measure the 
active (real) power in all phases simultaneously. Measure test 
voltage within 6'' of the connection supplied with the ceiling fan.
    (10) Complete any conditioning instructions provided in the 
ceiling fan's instruction or installation manual must be completed 
prior to conducting testing.
    3.2.3. Multi-Head Ceiling Fan Test Set-Up
    Hang a multi-headed ceiling fan from the ceiling such that one 
of the ceiling fan heads is centered directly over sensor 1 (i.e., 
at the intersection of axes A, B, C, and D). The distance between 
the lowest point any of the fan blades of the centered fan head can 
reach and the air velocity sensors is to be such that it is the same 
as for all other small-diameter ceiling fans (see Figure 2 of this 
appendix). If the multi-head ceiling fan has an oscillating function 
(i.e., the fan heads change their axis of rotation relative to the 
ceiling) that can be switched off, switch it off prior to taking 
airflow measurements. If any multi-head fan does not come with the 
blades preinstalled, install fan blades only on the fan head that 
will be directly centered over the intersection of the sensor axes. 
(Even if the fan heads in a multi-head ceiling fan would typically 
oscillate when the blades are installed on all fan heads, the 
ceiling fan is subject to this test procedure if the centered fan 
head does not oscillate when it is the only fan head with the blades 
installed.) If the fan blades are preinstalled on all fan heads, 
measure airflow in accordance with section 3.3 except only turn on 
the centered fan head. Measure the power consumption measurements 
are to be made separately, with the fan blades installed on all fan 
heads and with any oscillating function, if present, switched on.
    3.2.4. Test Set-Up for Ceiling Fans with Airflow Not Directly 
Downward
    For ceiling fans where the airflow is not directly downward, 
adjust the ceiling fan head such that the airflow is as vertical as 
possible prior to testing. For ceiling fans where a fully vertical 
orientation of airflow cannot be achieved, orient the ceiling fan 
(or fan head, if the ceiling fan is a multi-head 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 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. All other aspects of test set-up 
remain unchanged from sections 3 through 3.2.2.
    3.3. Active mode test measurement for low-speed small-diameter 
and high-speed small-diameter ceiling fans.
    3.3.1. Test conditions to be followed when testing:
    (1) Maintain the room temperature at 70 degrees  5 
degrees Fahrenheit and the room humidity at 50%  5% 
relative humidity during the entire test process.
    (2) If present, the ceiling fan light fixture is to be installed 
but turned off during testing.
    (3) If present, any heater is to be installed but turned off 
during testing.
    (4) If present, turn off any oscillating function causing the 
axis of rotation of the fan head(s) to change relative to the 
ceiling during operation prior to taking airflow measurements. Turn 
on any oscillating function prior to taking power measurements.
    (5) The supply voltage shall be:
    (i) 120 V if the ceiling fan's minimum rated voltage is 120 V or 
the lowest rated voltage range contains 120 V,

[[Page 48643]]

    (ii) 240 V if the ceiling fan's minimum rated voltage is 240 V 
or the lowest rated voltage range contains 240 V, or
    (iii) The ceiling fan's minimum rated voltage (if a voltage 
range is not given) or the mean of the lowest rated voltage range, 
in all other cases. The test voltage shall not vary by more than 
1% during the tests.
    (6) Test ceiling fans rated for operation with only a single- or 
multi-phase power supply with single- or multi-phase electricity, 
respectively. Measure active (real) power in all phases continuously 
when testing. Test ceiling fans capable of operating with single- 
and multi-phase electricity with single-phase electricity. DOE will 
allow manufacturers of ceiling fans capable of operating with 
single- and multi-phase electricity to test such fans with multi-
phase power and make representations of efficiency associated with 
both single and multi-phase electricity if a manufacturer desires to 
do so, but the test results in the multi-phase configuration will 
not be valid to assess compliance with any amended energy 
conservation standard.
    (7) Conduct the test with the fan connected to a supply circuit 
at the rated frequency.
    (8) 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).
    3.3.2. Airflow and Power Consumption Testing Procedure:
    Measure the airflow (CFM) and power consumption (W) for HSSD 
ceiling fans until stable measurements are achieved, measuring at 
high speed only. Measure the airflow and power consumption for LSSD 
ceiling fans until stable measurements are achieved, measuring first 
at low speed and then at high speed. Airflow and power consumption 
measurements are considered stable if:
    (1) The average air velocity for all axes for each sensor varies 
by less than 5% compared to the average air velocity measured for 
that same sensor in a successive set of air velocity measurements, 
and
    (2) Average power consumption varies by less than 1% in a 
successive set of power consumption measurements. These stability 
criteria are applied differently to ceiling fans with airflow not 
directly downward. See section 4.1.2 of this appendix.
    Step 1: 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 a 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 2: 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 3: Allow test fan to run 15 minutes at rated voltage and at 
high speed if the ceiling fan is an HSSD ceiling fan. If the ceiling 
fan is an LSSD ceiling fan, allow the test fan to run 15 minutes at 
the rated voltage and at low speed. Turn off all forced-air 
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 4: Begin recording readings. Take 100 airflow velocity 
readings (100 seconds run-time) and save these data. If using a 
rotating sensor arm, this is axis A. For all fans except multi-head 
fans and fans capable of oscillating, measure power during the 
interval that air velocity measurements are taken. Record the 
average value of the power measurement in watts (W).
    Step 5: Similarly, take 100 air velocity readings (100 seconds 
run-time) for Axes B, C, and D; save these data as well. Measure 
power as described in Step 4. If using four fixed sensor arms, take 
the readings for all sensor arms simultaneously.
    Step 6: Repeat Steps 4 and 5 until stable measurements are 
achieved.
    Step 7: Repeat steps 1 through 6 above on high fan speed for 
LSSD ceiling fans. Note: Ensure that temperature and humidity 
readings are maintained within the required tolerances for the 
duration of the test (all tested speeds). Forced-air environmental 
conditioning equipment may be used and doors and vents may be opened 
between test sessions to maintain environmental conditions.
    Step 8: If testing a multi-mount ceiling fan, repeat steps 1 
through 7 with the ceiling fan in the ceiling fan configuration 
(associated with either hugger or standard ceiling fans) not already 
tested.
    If a multi-head ceiling fan includes more than one category of 
ceiling fan head, then test at least one of each unique category. 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 category of fan head.
    Step 9: For multi-head ceiling fans, measure active (real) power 
consumption in all phases simultaneously at each speed continuously 
for 100 seconds with all fan heads turned on, and record the average 
value at each speed in watts (W).
    For ceiling fans with an oscillating function, measure active 
(real) power consumption in all phases simultaneously at each speed 
continuously for 100 seconds with the oscillating function turned 
on. Record the average value of the power measurement in watts (W).
    For both multi-head ceiling fans and fans with an oscillating 
function, repeat power consumption measurement until stable power 
measurements are achieved.
    3.4. Test apparatus for large-diameter ceiling fans:
    The test apparatus and instructions for testing large-diameter 
ceiling fans must conform to the requirements specified in sections 
3 through 7 of AMCA 230-15 (incorporated by reference, see Sec.  
430.3), with the following modifications:
    3.4.1. The test procedure is applicable to large-diameter 
ceiling fans up to 24 feet in diameter.
    3.4.2. A ``ceiling fan'' is defined as in 10 CFR 430.2.
    3.4.3. The supply voltage shall be (1) 120 V if the ceiling 
fan's minimum rated voltage is 120 V or the lowest rated voltage 
range contains 120 V, (2) 240 V if the ceiling fan's minimum rated 
voltage is 240 V or the lowest rated voltage range contains 240 V, 
or (3) the ceiling fan's minimum rated voltage (if a voltage range 
is not given) or the mean of the lowest rated voltage range, in all 
other cases.
    3.4.4. Test ceiling fans rated for operation with only a single- 
or multi-phase power supply with single- or multi-phase electricity, 
respectively. Test ceiling fans capable of operating with single- 
and multi-phase electricity with multi-phase electricity. DOE will 
allow manufacturers of ceiling fans capable of operating with 
single- and multi-phase electricity to test such fans with single-
phase power and make representations of efficiency associated with 
both single and multi-phase electricity if a manufacturer desires to 
do so, but the test results in the single-phase configuration will 
not be valid to assess compliance with any amended energy 
conservation standard.
    3.5. Active mode test measurement for large-diameter ceiling 
fans:
    (1) Calculate the airflow (CFM) and measure the active (real) 
power consumption (W) in all phases simultaneously for ceiling fans 
at the speeds specified in Table 2.

       Table 2 to Appendix U to Subpart B of Part 430--Speeds To Be Tested for Large-Diameter Ceiling Fans
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Efficiency
                                                                                                      metric
            Available speeds               Number of speeds to test      Which speeds to test      weighting for
                                                                                                   each speed **
                                                                                                        (%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.......................................  All.......................  All.......................             100
2.......................................  All.......................  All.......................              50
3.......................................  All.......................  All.......................              33
4.......................................  All.......................  All.......................              25
5.......................................  All.......................  All.......................              20
6+ (discrete)...........................  5.........................  5 fastest speeds..........              20

[[Page 48644]]

 
Infinite (continuous) *.................  5.........................  High speed................              20
                                                                      80% speed.................
                                                                      60% speed.................
                                                                      40% speed.................
                                                                      20% speed.................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* This corresponds to a ceiling fan, such as a ceiling fan with a variable-frequency drive (VFD) that operates
  over a continuous (rather than discrete) range of speeds.
** All tested speeds are to be weighted equally. Therefore, the weighting shown here for a ceiling fan with
  three available speeds is approximate.

    (2) When testing at speeds other than high speed (i.e., X% speed 
where X is 80, 60, 40, or 20) for ceiling fans that can operate over 
an infinite number of speeds (e.g., ceiling fans with VFDs), ensure 
the average measured RPM is within the greater of 1% of the average 
RPM at high speed or 1 RPM. For example, if the average measured RPM 
at high speed is 50 RPM, for testing at 80% speed the average 
measured RPM should be between 39 RPM and 41 RPM. If the average 
measured RPM falls outside of this tolerance, adjust the ceiling fan 
speed and repeat the test. Calculate the airflow and measure the 
active (real) power consumption in all phases simultaneously in 
accordance with the test requirements specified in sections 8 and 9, 
AMCA 230-15 (incorporated by reference, see Sec.  430.3), with the 
following modifications:
    3.5.1. Measure active (real) power consumption in all phases 
simultaneously at a point that includes all power-consuming 
components of the ceiling fan (but without any attached light kit or 
heater energized).
    3.5.2. Measure active (real) power consumption in all phases 
simultaneously continuously at the rated voltage that represents 
normal operation over the time period for which the load 
differential test is conducted.
    3.6. Test measurement for standby power consumption.
    (1) Measure standby power consumption if the ceiling fan offers 
one or more of the following user-oriented or protective functions:
    [ballot] [ballot]o The ability to facilitate the activation or 
deactivation of other functions (including active mode) by remote 
switch (including remote control), internal sensor, or timer.
    [ballot] Continuous functions, including information or status 
displays (including clocks), or sensor-based functions.
    (2) Measure standby power consumption after completion of active 
mode testing 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 sections 4 and 5.3.1 
through 5.3.2 of IEC 62301-U (incorporated by reference, see Sec.  
430.3) with the following modifications:
    3.6.1. Allow 3 minutes between switching off active mode 
functionality and beginning the standby power test. (No additional 
time before measurement is required.)
    3.6.2. Simultaneously in all phases, measure active (real) power 
consumption continuously for 100 seconds, and record the average 
value of the standby power measurement in watts (W).
    3.6.3. Determine power consumption according to section 5.3.2 of 
IEC 62301-U, or by using the following average reading method. Note 
that a shorter measurement period may be possible using the sample 
method in section 5.3.2 of IEC 62301-U.
    (1) Connect the product to the power supply and power measuring 
instrument.
    (2) Select the mode to be measured (which may require a sequence 
of operations and could require waiting for the product to 
automatically enter the desired mode) and then monitor the power.
    (3) Calculate the average power using either the average power 
method or the accumulated energy method. For the average power 
method, where the power measuring instrument can record true average 
power over an operator selected period, the average power is taken 
directly from the power measuring instrument. For the accumulated 
energy method, determine the average power by dividing the measured 
energy by the time for the monitoring period. Use units of watt-
hours and hours for both methods to determine average power in 
watts.
    4. Calculation of Ceiling Fan Efficiency From the Test Results:
    (1) The efficacy of a ceiling fan is the ceiling fan efficiency 
(as defined in section 1 of this appendix). Calculate two ceiling 
fan efficiencies for multi-mount ceiling fans: One efficiency 
corresponds to the ceiling fan mounted in the configuration 
associated with the definition of a hugger ceiling fan, and the 
other efficiency corresponds to the ceiling fan mounted in the 
configuration associated with the definition of a standard ceiling 
fan.
    (2) Calculate fan efficiency using the average of both sets of 
airflow and power measurements from the successive sets of 
measurements that meet the stability criteria.
    (3) To calculate the measured airflow for HSSD and LSSD ceiling 
fans, multiply the average air velocity measurement at each sensor 
from section 3.3 of this appendix (for high speed for HSSD ceiling 
fans, and for high and low speeds for LSSD ceiling fans) with the 
sensor's effective area (explained below), and then sum the products 
to obtain the overall measured airflow at the tested speed. Using 
the airflow and the power consumption measurements from sections 3.3 
and 3.5 of this appendix (for all tested settings for large-diameter 
ceiling fans) calculate the efficiency for any ceiling fan as 
follows:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR25JY16.007

Where:

CFMi = airflow at speed i,
OHi = operating hours at speed i,
Wi = power consumption at speed i,
OHSb = operating hours in standby mode, and
WSb = power consumption in standby mode.

    (4) Table 3 of this appendix specifies the daily hours of operation 
to be used in calculating ceiling fan efficiency:

[[Page 48645]]



  Table 3 to Appendix U to Subpart B of Part 430--Daily Operating Hours
                 for Calculating Ceiling Fan Efficiency
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            No standby     With standby
------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Daily Operating Hours for LSSD Ceiling Fans
------------------------------------------------------------------------
High Speed..............................             3.4             3.4
Low Speed...............................             3.0             3.0
Standby Mode............................             0.0            17.6
Off Mode................................            17.6             0.0
------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Daily Operating Hours for HSSD Ceiling Fans
------------------------------------------------------------------------
High Speed..............................            12.0            12.0
Standby Mode............................             0.0            12.0
Off Mode................................            12.0             0.0
------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Daily Operating Hours for Large-Diameter Ceiling Fans
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Active Mode *...........................            12.0            12.0
Standby Mode............................             0.0            12.0
Off Mode................................            12.0             0.0
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* The active mode hours must be apportioned equally across the number of
  active mode speeds tested (e.g., if four speeds are tested, 25% of the
  active mode hours are apportioned to each speed).

    (5) Calculate the effective area corresponding to each sensor used 
in the test method for small-diameter ceiling fans with the following 
equations:
    (6) 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] TR25JY16.008

    (7) 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] TR25JY16.009

    (8) 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 (as 
specified in section 3 of this appendix).
    (9) 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] TR25JY16.010

    (10) 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] TR25JY16.011

    4.1.1. Ceiling fan efficiency calculations for multi-head ceiling 
fans
    To determine the airflow at a given speed for a multi-head ceiling 
fan, sum the measured airflow for each fan head included in the ceiling 
fan (a single airflow measurement can be applied to identical fan 
heads, but at least one of each unique fan head must be tested). The 
power consumption is the measured power consumption with all fan heads 
on. Using the airflow and power consumption measurements from section 
3.3 of this appendix, calculate

[[Page 48646]]

ceiling fan efficiency for a multi-head ceiling fan as follows:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR25JY16.012

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,
OHSb = operating hours in standby mode, and
WSb = power consumption in standby mode.

    4.1.2. 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 were 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 must 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. Stability criteria 
apply after these substitutions. For example, air velocity stability at 
sensor 7 are determined based on the average of average air velocity at 
A axis sensor 10 and C axis sensor 4 in successive measurements. Any 
air velocity measurements made along the B-D axis are not included in 
the calculation of average air velocity.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR25JY16.013

[FR Doc. 2016-17139 Filed 7-22-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6450-01-P