[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 216 (Thursday, November 9, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 52024-52036]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-24381]


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FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

16 CFR Part 305

[RIN 3084-AB15]


Energy Labeling Rule

AGENCY: Federal Trade Commission (``FTC'' or ``Commission'').

ACTION: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: The Commission proposes to amend the Energy Labeling Rule 
(``Rule'') by updating ranges of comparability and unit energy cost 
figures on EnergyGuide labels for dishwashers, furnaces, room air 
conditioners, and pool heaters. The Commission also proposes to set a 
compliance date for EnergyGuide labels on room air conditioner boxes.

DATES: Comments must be received by December 4, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Interested parties may file a comment online or on paper by 
following the instructions in the Request for Comment part of the 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section

[[Page 52025]]

below. Write ``Energy Label Ranges, Matter No. R611004'' on your 
comment, and file your comment online at https://ftcpublic.commentworks.com/ftc/labelranges by following the 
instructions on the web-based form. If you prefer to file your comment 
on paper, mail your comment to the following address: Federal Trade 
Commission, Office of the Secretary, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Suite 
CC-5610 (Annex E), Washington, DC 20580, or deliver your comment to the 
following address: Federal Trade Commission, Office of the Secretary, 
Constitution Center, 400 7th Street SW., 5th Floor, Suite 5610 (Annex 
E), Washington, DC 20024.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Hampton Newsome, (202) 326-2889, 
Attorney, Division of Enforcement, Bureau of Consumer Protection, 
Federal Trade Commission, Room CC-9528, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., 
Washington, DC 20580.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The Commission issued the Energy Labeling Rule (``Rule'') in 
1979,\1\ pursuant to the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 
(EPCA).\2\ The Rule requires energy labeling for major home appliances 
and other consumer products to help consumers compare competing models. 
It also contains labeling requirements for refrigerators, refrigerator-
freezers, freezers, dishwashers, water heaters, clothes washers, room 
air conditioners, furnaces, central air conditioners, heat pumps, 
plumbing products, lighting products, ceiling fans, and televisions.
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    \1\ 44 FR 66466 (Nov. 19, 1979).
    \2\ 42 U.S.C. 6294. EPCA also requires the Department of Energy 
(DOE) to develop test procedures that measure how much energy 
appliances use, and to determine the representative average cost a 
consumer pays for different types of energy.
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    The Rule requires manufacturers to attach yellow EnergyGuide labels 
to many covered products and prohibits retailers from removing these 
labels or rendering them illegible. In addition, it directs sellers, 
including retailers, to post label information on Web sites and in 
paper catalogs from which consumers can order products. EnergyGuide 
labels for most covered products contain three key disclosures: 
Estimated annual energy cost, a product's energy consumption or energy 
efficiency rating as determined by DOE test procedures, and a 
comparability range displaying the highest and lowest energy costs or 
efficiency ratings for all similar models. For cost calculations, the 
Rule specifies national average costs for applicable energy sources 
(e.g., electricity, natural gas, oil) as calculated by DOE. Under the 
Rule, the Commission periodically updates comparability range and 
annual energy cost information based on manufacturer data submitted 
pursuant to the Rule's reporting requirements.\3\ The Rule sets a five-
year schedule for updating range of comparability and annual energy 
cost information.\4\
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    \3\ 16 CFR 305.10.
    \4\ 16 CFR 305.10.
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II. Proposed Amendments

    As discussed below, the Commission proposes to update comparability 
ranges (Appendices A-J to Part 305) and national average energy cost 
figures (Appendix K to Part 305) for several product categories 
consistent with the Rule's five-year schedule. This document also 
contains changes to EnergyGuide label location for room air 
conditioners previously announced by the Commission.\5\
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    \5\ The amendments include minor clarifying language to section 
305.10(c) regarding the placement of energy cost information on the 
labels for certain models that have energy costs falling outside of 
the current ranges. The amendments also include changes to correct 
rule language in section 305.5 (obsolete reference to LED bulbs), 
section 305.8 (reference to the timing of reporting requirements), 
section 305.12 (sample label references for central air conditioners 
labels), and section 305.16 (plumbing disclosures).
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A. Comparability Range and Energy Cost Revisions

    In accordance with the Rule's five-year schedule for label updates, 
the Commission publishes proposed revisions to the comparability range 
and energy cost information for dishwashers, furnaces, pool heaters, 
and room air conditioners.\6\ The comparability ranges (i.e., scales) 
show the highest and lowest energy costs or energy efficiency ratings 
of models similar to the labeled product. The Commission derives these 
ranges from annual data submitted by manufacturers. In addition, the 
Commission is updating the average energy cost figures manufacturers 
must use to calculate a model's estimated energy cost for the label 
based on national average cost figures published by DOE.\7\ To effect 
these changes, the Commission proposes amendments to the applicable 
tables in the Rule's appendices. Manufacturers must begin using this 
new information on product labels within 90 days after publication of a 
final rule in this proceeding. Manufacturers do not have to relabel 
products labeled prior to the effective date. The Commission also 
proposes amending the energy cost tables in Appendix K to clarify the 
cost applicable to various covered products.\8\
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    \6\ 16 CFR 305.10. This document also proposes to update the 
sample labels in the Rule's appendices to reflect the new range and 
cost information and to include the minor label content changes 
discussed in this document.
    \7\ 82 FR 21213 (May 5, 2017) (DOE notice for ``Representative 
Average Unit Costs of Energy'').
    \8\ Applicable energy cost figures for ceiling fans, lighting 
products, and televisions appear in sections 305.13 (effective 
September 17, 2018), 305.15, and 305.17 respectively.
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    The Commission does not propose amending range and cost information 
for EnergyGuide labels for refrigerators, freezers, clothes washers, 
water heaters, central air conditioners, and televisions because label 
information for these products has been updated recently.\9\ Changing 
labels for these products again would unnecessarily burden 
manufacturers and potentially confuse consumers by introducing new 
label information in the marketplace so soon after recent changes.\10\
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    \9\ See 81 FR 63634 (Sept. 15, 2016) (new range information for 
refrigerators and freezers, water heaters, and central air 
conditioners effective June 12, 2017); 81 FR 7201 (Feb. 11, 2016) 
(new ranges for clothes washers effective May 11, 2016); and 80 FR 
16259 (Mar. 27, 2015) (updated ranges for televisions effective July 
15, 2015).
    \10\ The Commission followed a similar approach during the last 
cycle of range and cost updates. See 78 FR 1779 (Jan. 9, 2013).
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B. Room Air Conditioner Labels on Packages

    The proposed amendments also set a compliance date for changes to 
room air conditioner labels previously announced by the Commission. In 
2015, the Commission announced final amendments to require labels on 
room air conditioner boxes and replace the EER (``Energy Efficiency 
Ratio'') disclosure with CEER (``Combined Energy Efficiency Ratio'') 
(80 FR 67285, 67292-3 (Nov. 2, 2015)). However, to reduce burden on 
manufacturers that use both the U.S. and Canadian labels, the 
Commission delayed a compliance date announcement until Natural 
Resources Canada (NRCan), which administers the Canadian EnerGuide 
labeling program, had announced similar provisions. On December 28, 
2016, NRCan published regulatory amendments providing manufacturers the 
option to print the EnerGuide label on packaging (Canada Gazette, Vol. 
150, No. 26 (Dec. 28, 2016)) in lieu of affixing the EnerGuide label to 
the product. Thus, now it is appropriate to announce a compliance date.
    To ensure ample time for manufacturers to redesign packaging, the 
Commission proposes to set an effective date of October 1, 2018. This 
date should coincide with the beginning of the product season giving

[[Page 52026]]

manufacturers ample time to comply without undue burden. However, 
manufacturers may begin using labels on packages immediately after the 
Commission publishes final amendments to the ranges.\11\ Consistent 
with the Rule's schedule for range updates (Sec.  305.10), this 
document includes proposed comparability range updates for room ACs and 
amendments to transition from the EER to CEER disclosure on the label. 
Under the Commission's rules, new ranges must appear on labels within 
90 days (Sec.  305.10) following publication of the final range 
amendments. In meeting the 90-day requirement, room AC manufacturers 
may either update their existing adhesive labels affixed to the unit 
itself or transition to the box labels.
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    \11\ The Commission is also updating the label to include CEER 
disclosures in place of EER as also announced in the November 2, 
2015 Rule (80 FR 67285, 67292-3).
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III. Request for Comment

    You can file a comment online or on paper. For the Commission to 
consider your comment, we must receive it on or before December 4, 
2017. Write ``Energy Label Ranges, Matter R611004'' on your comment. 
Your comment--including your name and your state--will be placed on the 
public record of this proceeding, including, to the extent practicable, 
on the public Commission Web site, at https://www.ftc.gov/policy/public-comments.
    Postal mail addressed to the Commission is subject to delay due to 
heightened security screening. As a result, we encourage you to submit 
your comments online. To make sure that the Commission considers your 
online comment, you must file it at https://ftcpublic.commentworks.com/ftc/labelranges, by following the instructions on the web-based form. 
If this document appears at https://www.regulations.gov, you also may 
file a comment through that Web site.
    If you prefer to file your comment on paper, write ``Energy Label 
Ranges, Matter R611004'' on your comment and on the envelope, and mail 
your comment to the following address: Federal Trade Commission, Office 
of the Secretary, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Suite CC-5610 (Annex E), 
Washington, DC 20580, or deliver your comment to the following address: 
Federal Trade Commission, Office of the Secretary, Constitution Center, 
400 7th Street SW., 5th Floor, Suite 5610 (Annex E), Washington, DC 
20024. If possible, submit your paper comment to the Commission by 
courier or overnight service.
    Because your comment will be placed on the publicly accessible FTC 
Web site at https://www.ftc.gov, you are solely responsible for making 
sure that your comment does not include any sensitive or confidential 
information. In particular, your comment should not include any 
sensitive personal information, such as your or anyone else's Social 
Security number; date of birth; driver's license number or other state 
identification number, or foreign country equivalent; passport number; 
financial account number; or credit or debit card number. You are also 
solely responsible for making sure that your comment does not include 
any sensitive health information, such as medical records or other 
individually identifiable health information. In addition, your comment 
should not include any ``trade secret or any commercial or financial 
information which . . . is privileged or confidential''-as provided by 
Section 6(f) of the FTC Act, 15 U.S.C. 46(f), and FTC Rule 4.10(a)(2), 
16 CFR 4.10(a)(2)-including in particular competitively sensitive 
information such as costs, sales statistics, inventories, formulas, 
patterns, devices, manufacturing processes, or customer names.
    Comments containing material for which confidential treatment is 
requested must be filed in paper form, must be clearly labeled 
``Confidential,'' and must comply with FTC Rule 4.9(c). In particular, 
the written request for confidential treatment that accompanies the 
comment must include the factual and legal basis for the request, and 
must identify the specific portions of the comment to be withheld from 
the public record. See FTC Rule 4.9(c). Your comment will be kept 
confidential only if the General Counsel grants your request in 
accordance with the law and the public interest. Once your comment has 
been posted on the public FTC Web site--as legally required by FTC Rule 
4.9(b)--we cannot redact or remove your comment from the FTC Web site, 
unless you submit a confidentiality request that meets the requirements 
for such treatment under FTC Rule 4.9(c), and the General Counsel 
grants that request.
    Visit the Commission Web site at https://www.ftc.gov to read this 
document and the news release describing it. The FTC Act and other laws 
that the Commission administers permit the collection of public 
comments to consider and use in this proceeding, as appropriate. The 
Commission will consider all timely and responsive public comments that 
it receives on or before December 4, 2017. You can find more 
information, including routine uses permitted by the Privacy Act, in 
the Commission's privacy policy, at: https://www.ftc.gov/site-information/privacy-policy.
    Because written comments appear adequate to present the views of 
all interested parties, the Commission has not scheduled an oral 
hearing regarding these proposed amendments. Interested parties may 
request an opportunity to present views orally. If such a request is 
made, the Commission will publish a document in the Federal Register 
stating the time and place for such oral presentation(s) and describing 
the procedures that will be followed. Interested parties who wish to 
present oral views must submit a hearing request, on or before November 
24, 2017, in the form of a written comment that describes the issues on 
which the party wishes to speak. If there is no oral hearing, the 
Commission will base its decision on the written rulemaking record.

IV. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The current Rule contains recordkeeping, disclosure, testing, and 
reporting requirements that constitute information collection 
requirements as defined by 5 CFR 1320.3(c), the definitional provision 
within the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations that 
implement the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). OMB has approved the 
Rule's existing information collection requirements through November 
30, 2019 (OMB Control No. 3084 0069). The proposed amendments do not 
change the substance or frequency of the recordkeeping, disclosure, or 
reporting requirements and, therefore, do not require further OMB 
clearance.

V. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The provisions of the Regulatory Flexibility Act relating to a 
Regulatory Flexibility Act analysis (5 U.S.C. 603-604) are not 
applicable to this proceeding because the proposed amendments do not 
impose any new obligations on entities regulated by the Energy Labeling 
Rule. As explained elsewhere in this document, the proposed amendments 
do not significantly change the substance or frequency of the 
recordkeeping, disclosure, or reporting requirements. Thus, the 
amendments will not have a ``significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities.'' 5 U.S.C. 605. The Commission 
has concluded, therefore, that a regulatory flexibility analysis is not 
necessary, and certifies, under Section 605 of the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 605(b)), that the proposed amendments

[[Page 52027]]

will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of 
small entities.

VI. Proposed Rule Language

List of Subjects in 16 CFR Part 305

    Advertising, Energy conservation, Household appliances, Labeling, 
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

    For the reasons set out above, the Commission proposes to amend 16 
CFR part 305 as follows:

PART 305--ENERGY AND WATER USE LABELING FOR CONSUMER PRODUCTS UNDER 
THE ENERGY POLICY AND CONSERVATION ACT (``ENERGY LABELING RULE'')

0
1. The authority citation for Part 305 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  42 U.S.C. 6294.

0
2. In Sec.  305.5, remove paragraph (c) and redesignate paragraph (d) 
as paragraph (c).
0
3. In Sec.  305.8, revise paragraph (c) to read as follows:


Sec.  305.8   Submission of data.

* * * * *
    (c) All information required by paragraph (a)(1) through (a)(3) of 
this section must be submitted for new models prior to any distribution 
of such model. Models subject to design or retrofit alterations which 
change the data contained in any annual report shall be reported in the 
manner required for new models. Models which are discontinued shall be 
reported in the next annual report.
0
4. In Sec.  305.10, paragraphs (a) and (b) are revised and paragraph 
(c)(3) is added to read as follows:


Sec.  305.10  Ranges of comparability on the required labels.

    (a) Range of estimated annual energy costs or energy efficiency 
ratings. The range of estimated annual operating costs or energy 
efficiency ratings for each covered product (except televisions, 
ceiling fans, fluorescent lamp ballasts, lamps, metal halide lamp 
fixtures, showerheads, faucets, water closets and urinals) shall be 
taken from the appropriate appendix to this part in effect at the time 
the labels are affixed to the product. The Commission shall publish 
revised ranges in the Federal Register in 2022. When the ranges are 
revised, all information disseminated after 90 days following the 
publication of the revision shall conform to the revised ranges. 
Products that have been labeled prior to the effective date of a 
modification under this section need not be relabeled.
    (b) Representative average unit energy cost. The Representative 
Average Unit Energy Cost to be used on labels as required by Sec.  
305.11 and disclosures as required by Sec.  305.20 are listed in 
appendices K1 and K2 to this part. The Commission shall publish revised 
Representative Average Unit Energy Cost figures in the Federal Register 
in 2022. When the cost figures are revised, all information 
disseminated after 90 days following the publication of the revision 
shall conform to the new cost figure.
    (c) * * *
    (3) For refrigerator and refrigerator-freezer labels:
    (i) If the model's energy cost falls outside of either or both 
ranges on the label, include the language in paragraph (c)(2) of this 
section.
    (ii) If the model's energy cost only falls outside of the range for 
models with similar features, but is within the range for all models, 
include the product on the scale and place a triangle below the dollar 
value.
    (iii) If the model's energy cost falls outside of both ranges of 
comparability, omit the triangle beneath the yearly operating cost 
value.
0
5. Amend Sec.  305.11 by republishing paragraph (d) introductory text 
and adding paragraph (d)(3) to read as follows:


Sec.  305.11   Labeling for refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, 
freezers, dishwashers, clothes washers, water heaters, room air 
conditioners, and pool heaters.

* * * * *
    (d) Label types. Except as indicated in paragraph (d)(3) of this 
section, the labels must be affixed to the product in the form of an 
adhesive label or a hang tag as follows:
* * * * *
    (3) Package labels for certain products. Labels for electric 
instantaneous water heaters shall be printed on or affixed to the 
product's packaging in a conspicuous location. Labels for room air 
conditioners produced on or after October 1, 2018 shall be printed on 
or affixed to the principal display panel of the product's packaging.
* * * * *
0
6. In Sec.  305.12, revise paragraphs (g)(12)(ii), (g)(13)(ii), and 
(g)(14)(ii) to read as follows:


Sec.  305.12  Labeling for central air conditioners, heat pumps, and 
furnaces.

* * * * *
    (g) * * *
    (12) * * *
    (iii) A map appropriate for the model and accompanying text as 
illustrated in the sample label 7 in appendix L.
* * * * *
    (13) * * *
    (ii) A map appropriate for the model and accompanying text as 
illustrated in the sample label 7 in appendix L.
* * * * *
    (14) For any single-package air conditioner with a minimum EER 
below 11.0, the label must contain the following regional standards 
information:
    (ii) A map appropriate for the model and accompanying text as 
illustrated in the sample label 7 in appendix L.
* * * * *
0
7. Amend Sec.  305.16 by removing paragraph (a)(5).
0
8. Appendix C1 to Part 305 is revised to read as follows:

Appendix C1 to Part 305--Compact Dishwashers

Range Information

    ``Compact'' includes countertop dishwasher models with a 
capacity of fewer than eight (8) place settings. Place settings 
shall be in accordance with appendix C to 10 CFR part 430, subpart 
B. Load patterns shall conform to the operating normal for the model 
being tested.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Range of estimated annual
                                            energy costs (dollars/year)
                Capacity                 -------------------------------
                                                Low            High
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Compact.................................             $17             $27
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 52028]]

0
9. Appendix C2 to Part 305 is revised to read as follows:

Appendix C2 to Part 305--Standard Dishwashers

Range Information

    ``Standard'' includes dishwasher models with a capacity of eight 
(8) or more place settings. Place settings shall be in accordance 
with appendix C to 10 CFR part 430, subpart B. Load patterns shall 
conform to the operating normal for the model being tested.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Range of estimated annual
                                            energy costs (dollars/year)
                Capacity                 -------------------------------
                                                Low            High
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Standard................................             $26             $40
------------------------------------------------------------------------

0
10. Appendix E to Part 305 is revised to read as follows:

Appendix E to Part 305--Room Air Conditioners

Range Information

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Range of estimated annual
Manufacturer's rated cooling capacity in    energy costs (dollars/year)
                Btu's/hr                 -------------------------------
                                                Low            High
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Without Reverse Cycle and with Louvered
 Sides:
    Less than 6,000 Btu.................             $40             $53
    6,000 to 7,999 Btu..................              48              72
    8,000 to 13,999 Btu.................              65             127
    14,000 to 19,999 Btu................             115             182
    20,000 and more Btu.................             189             386
Without Reverse Cycle and without
 Louvered Sides:
    Less than 6,000 Btu.................               *               *
    6,000 to 7,999 Btu..................              58              80
    8,000 to 13,999 Btu.................              69             147
    14,000 to 19,999 Btu................             117             158
    20,000 and more Btu.................               *               *
With Reverse Cycle and with Louvered                  68             238
 Sides..................................
With Reverse Cycle, without Louvered                   *               *
 Sides..................................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* No sufficient data submitted.

0
11. Revise Appendices G1, G2, G3, G4, G5, G6, G7, and G8 to read as 
follows:

Appendix G1 to Part 305--Furnaces--Gas

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               Range of annual fuel
                                             utilization efficiencies
              Furnace type                            (AFUEs)
                                         -------------------------------
                                                Low            High
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Non-Weatherized Gas Furnaces--All                   80.0            98.7
 Capacities.............................
Weatherized Gas Furnaces--All Capacities            81.0            95.0
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Appendix G2 to Part 305--Furnaces--Electric

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        Range of annual fuel utilization
                                              efficiencies (AFUEs)
             Furnace type              ---------------------------------
                                              Low              High
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Electric Furnaces--All Capacities.....           100.0            100.0
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Appendix G3 to Part 305--Furnaces--Oil

[[Page 52029]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               Range of annual fuel
                                             utilization efficiencies
                  Type                                (AFUEs)
                                         -------------------------------
                                                Low            High
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Non-Weatherized Oil Furnaces--All                   83.0            96.7
 Capacities.............................
Weatherized Oil Furnaces--All Capacities            78.0            83.0
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Appendix G4 to Part 305--Mobile Home Furnaces--Gas

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               Range of annual fuel
                                             utilization efficiencies
                  Type                                (AFUEs)
                                         -------------------------------
                                                Low            High
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mobile Home Gas Furnaces--All Capacities            80.0            97.3
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Appendix G5 to Part 305--Mobile Home Furnaces--Oil

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               Range of annual fuel
                                             utilization efficiencies
                  Type                                (AFUEs)
                                         -------------------------------
                                                Low            High
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mobile Home Oil Furnaces--All Capacities            80.0            87.0
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Appendix G6 to Part 305--Boilers (Gas)

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               Range of annual fuel
                                             utilization efficiencies
                  Type                                (AFUEs)
                                         -------------------------------
                                                Low            High
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gas Boilers (except steam)--All                     82.0            96.8
 Capacities.............................
Gas Boilers (steam)--All Capacities.....            80.4            83.4
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Appendix G7 to Part 305--Boilers (Oil)

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               Range of annual fuel
                                             utilization efficiencies
                  Type                                (AFUEs)
                                         -------------------------------
                                                Low            High
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oil Boilers--All Capacities.............            84.0            90.0
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Appendix G8 to Part 305--Boilers (Electric)

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               Range of annual fuel
                                             utilization efficiencies
                  Type                                (AFUEs)
                                         -------------------------------
                                                Low            High
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Electric Boilers--All Capacities........             100             100
------------------------------------------------------------------------

0
12. Appendices J1 and J2 are revised to read as follows:

Appendix J1 to Part 305--Pool Heaters--Gas

Range Information

[[Page 52030]]



----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              Range of thermal efficiencies (percent)
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
     Manufacturer's rated heating capacities                Natural gas                       Propane
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        Low            High             Low            High
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All capacities..................................            82.0            96.0            82.0            96.0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Appendix J2 to Part 305--Pool Heaters--Oil

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Range of thermal
                                                 efficiencies (percent)
    Manufacturer's rated heating capacities    -------------------------
                                                    Low          High
------------------------------------------------------------------------
All capacities................................         (*)          (*)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* No data submitted.

0
13. Appendix K to Part 305 is removed and Appendices K1 and K2 are 
added to read as follows:

Appendix K1 to Part 305--Representative Average Unit Energy Costs for 
Refrigerators, Refrigerator-Freezers, Freezers, Clothes Washers, and 
Water Heater Labels

    This Table contains the representative unit energy costs that 
must be utilized to calculate estimated annual energy cost 
disclosures required under sections 305.11 and 305.20 for 
refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, freezers, clothes washers, and 
water heaters. This Table is based on information published by the 
U.S. Department of Energy in 2013.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Type of energy                    In commonly used terms        As required by DOE test procedure
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Electricity..............................  [cent]12.00/kWh 2 3.............  $.1200/kWh.
Natural Gas..............................  $1.09/therm,\4\ $11.12/MCF 5 6..  $0.0000109/Btu.
No. 2 heating oil........................  $3.80/gallon \7\................  $0.00002740/Btu.
Propane..................................  $2.41/gallon \8\................  $0.00002639/Btu.
Kerosene.................................  $4.21/gallon \9\................  $ 0.00003119/Btu.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Btu stands for British thermal unit.
\2\ kWh stands for kiloWatt hour.
\3\ 1 kWh = 3,412 Btu.
\4\ 1 therm = 100,000 Btu. Natural gas prices include taxes.
\5\ MCF stands for 1,000 cubic feet.
\6\ For the purposes of this table, 1 cubic foot of natural gas has an energy equivalence of 1,023 Btu.
\7\ For the purposes of this table, 1 gallon of No. 2 heating oil has an energy equivalence of 138,690 Btu.
\8\ For the purposes of this table, 1 gallon of liquid propane has an energy equivalence of 91,333 Btu.
\9\ For the purposes of this table, 1 gallon of kerosene has an energy equivalence of 135,000 Btu.

Appendix K2 to Part 305--Representative Average Unit Energy Costs for 
Dishwasher and Room Air Conditioner Labels

    This Table contains the representative unit energy costs that 
must be utilized to calculate estimated annual energy cost 
disclosures required under sections 305.11 and 305.20 for 
dishwashers and room air conditioners. This Table is based on 
information published by the U.S. Department of Energy in 2017.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Type of energy                    In commonly used terms        As required by DOE test procedure
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Electricity..............................  [cent]13.00/kWh 2 3.............  $.1300/kWh.
Natural Gas..............................  $1.05/therm \4\ or$10.86/MCF 5 6  $0.00001052/Btu.
No. 2 Heating Oil........................  $2.59/gallon \7\................  $0.00001883/Btu.
Propane..................................  $1.53/gallon \8\................  $0.00001672/Btu.
Kerosene.................................  $3.01/gallon \9\................  $0.00002232/Btu.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Btu stands for British thermal units.
\2\ kWh stands for kilowatt hour.
\3\ 1 kWh = 3,412 Btu.
\4\ 1 therm = 100,000 Btu.
\5\ MCF stands for 1,000 cubic feet.
\6\ For the purposes of this table, one cubic foot of natural gas has an energy equivalence of 1,032 Btu.
\7\ For the purposes of this table, one gallon of No. 2 heating oil has an energy equivalence of 137,561 Btu.
\8\ For the purposes of this table, one gallon of liquid propane has an energy equivalence of 91,333 Btu.
\9\ For the purposes of this table, one gallon of kerosene has an energy equivalence of 135,000 Btu.

* * * * *
0
14. In Appendix L, revise sample labels 3 and 4, add sample label 6, 
and revise sample labels 9, and 9A to read as follows:
* * * * *
BILLING CODE 6750-01-P

[[Page 52031]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP09NO17.017

* * * * *

[[Page 52032]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP09NO17.018

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    By direction of the Commission.
Donald S. Clark,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2017-24381 Filed 11-8-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6750-01-C