[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 87 (Tuesday, May 5, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 26626-26633]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-08853]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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 

  Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 87 / Tuesday, May 5, 2020 / Proposed 
Rules  

[[Page 26626]]



DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

10 CFR Part 431

[EERE-2019-BT-TP-0041]
RIN 1904-AE57


Energy Conservation Program: Test Procedure for Commercial Warm 
Air Furnaces

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

ACTION: Request for information.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is initiating a data 
collection process through this request for information (RFI) to 
consider whether to amend DOE's test procedure for commercial warm air 
furnaces, in large part by updating references to the most recent 
versions of the relevant industry test standards. DOE also seeks 
information on any additional topics that may assist with DOE's 
decision whether to conduct a future test procedure rulemaking, 
including whether amended test procedures would more accurately or 
fully comply with the requirement that they be reasonably designed to 
produce test results that measure energy efficiency of commercial warm 
air furnaces during a representative average use cycle, and not be 
unduly burdensome to conduct. DOE welcomes written comments from the 
public on any subject within the scope of this document (including 
topics not raised in this RFI), as well as the submission of data and 
other relevant information.

DATES: Written comments and information are requested and will be 
accepted on or before June 4, 2020.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are encouraged to submit comments using 
the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov. Follow 
the instructions for submitting comments. Alternatively, interested 
persons may submit comments, identified by docket number EERE-2019-BT-
TP-0041 and/or RIN 1904-AE57, by any of the following methods:
    1. Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow 
the instructions for submitting comments.
    2. Email: To [email protected]. Include docket number 
EERE-2019-BT-TP-0041 and/or RIN 1904-AE57 in the subject line of the 
message.
    3. Postal Mail: Appliance and Equipment Standards Program, U.S. 
Department of Energy, Building Technologies Office, Mailstop EE-5B, 
1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone: 
(202) 287-1445. If possible, please submit all items on a compact disc 
(CD), in which case it is not necessary to include printed copies.
    4. Hand Delivery/Courier: Appliance and Equipment Standards 
Program, U.S. Department of Energy, Building Technologies Office, 950 
L'Enfant Plaza SW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20024. Telephone: (202) 
287-1445. If possible, please submit all items on a CD, in which case 
it is not necessary to include printed copies.
    No telefacsimilies (faxes) will be accepted. For detailed 
instructions on submitting comments and additional information on this 
process, see section III of this document.
    Docket: The docket for this activity, which includes Federal 
Register notices, comments, and other supporting documents/materials, 
is available for review at http://www.regulations.gov. All documents in 
the docket are listed in the http://www.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.
    The docket web page can be found at: https://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/standards.aspx?productid=49&action=viewlive. The docket web page 
contains instructions on how to access all documents, including public 
comments, in the docket. See section III of this RFI for information on 
how to submit comments through http://www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Stephanie Johnson, U.S. Department 
of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building 
Technologies Office, EE-5B, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 
20585-0121. Telephone: (202) 287-1943. Email: 
[email protected].
    Mr. Eric Stas, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the General 
Counsel, GC-33, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585-0121. 
Telephone: (202) 586-5827. Email: [email protected].
    For further information on how to submit a comment or review other 
public comments and the docket, contact the Appliance and Equipment 
Standards Program staff at (202) 287-1445 or by email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Table of Contents

I. Introduction
    A. Authority and Background
    B. Rulemaking History
II. Request for Information
    A. Scope and Definitions
    B. Test Procedure
    1. Updates to Industry Standards
    a. UL 727
    b. ANSI Z21.47
    c. ANSI/ASHRAE 103
    d. HI BTS-2000
    2. Thermal Efficiency
    3. Input Rate Tolerance
    4. Flue Temperature Measurement in Models With Multiple Vent 
Hoods
    5. Flue Temperature Measurement in Models With Vent Space 
Limitations
    6. Electrical Consumption
    C. Other Test Procedure Topics
III. Submission of Comments

I. Introduction

    Commercial warm air furnaces are included in the list of ``covered 
equipment'' for which DOE is authorized to establish and amend energy 
conservation standards and test procedures. (42 U.S.C. 6311(1)(J)) 
DOE's test procedures for commercial warm air furnaces are prescribed 
at Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) section 431.76 (10 
CFR 431.76). The following sections discuss DOE's authority to 
establish and amend test procedures for commercial warm air furnaces, 
as well as relevant background information regarding DOE's 
consideration of test procedures for this equipment.

[[Page 26627]]

A. Authority and Background

    The Energy Policy and Conservation Act, as amended (EPCA),\1\ among 
other things, authorizes DOE to regulate the energy efficiency of a 
number of consumer products and certain industrial equipment. (42 
U.S.C. 6291-6317) Title III, Part C \2\ of EPCA, Public Law 94-163 (42 
U.S.C. 6311-6317, as codified), added by Public Law 95-619, Title IV, 
section 441(a), established the Energy Conservation Program for Certain 
Industrial Equipment, which sets forth a variety of provisions designed 
to improve energy efficiency. This equipment includes commercial warm 
air furnaces, which are the subject of this RFI. (42 U.S.C. 6311(1)(J))
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    \1\ All references to EPCA in this document refer to the statute 
as amended through America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018, 
Public Law 115-270 (Oct. 23, 2018).
    \2\ For editorial reasons, upon codification in the U.S. Code, 
Part C was redesignated Part A-1.
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    The energy conservation program under EPCA consists essentially of 
four parts: (1) Testing, (2) labeling, (3) Federal energy conservation 
standards, and (4) certification and enforcement procedures. Relevant 
provisions of EPCA specifically include definitions (42 U.S.C. 6311), 
energy conservation standards (42 U.S.C. 6313), test procedures (42 
U.S.C. 6314), labeling provisions (42 U.S.C. 6315), and the authority 
to require information and reports from manufacturers (42 U.S.C. 6316).
    Federal energy efficiency requirements for covered equipment 
established under EPCA generally supersede State laws and regulations 
concerning energy conservation testing, labeling, and standards. (42 
U.S.C. 6316(a) and (b); 42 U.S.C. 6297) DOE may, however, grant waivers 
of Federal preemption in limited circumstances for particular State 
laws or regulations, in accordance with the procedures and other 
provisions of EPCA. (42 U.S.C. 6316(b)(2)(D); 42 U.S.C. 6297)
    The Federal testing requirements consist of test procedures that 
manufacturers of covered equipment must use as the basis for: (1) 
Certifying to DOE that their equipment complies with the applicable 
energy conservation standards adopted pursuant to EPCA (42 U.S.C. 
6316(b); 42 U.S.C. 6296), and (2) making representations about the 
efficiency of that equipment (42 U.S.C. 6314(d)). Similarly, DOE uses 
these test procedures to determine whether the equipment complies with 
relevant standards promulgated under EPCA.
    Under 42 U.S.C. 6314, the statute sets forth the criteria and 
procedures DOE must follow when prescribing or amending test procedures 
for covered equipment. EPCA requires that any test procedures 
prescribed or amended under this section must be reasonably designed to 
produce test results which reflect energy efficiency, energy use, or 
estimated annual operating cost of a given type of covered equipment 
during a representative average use cycle and requires that test 
procedures not be unduly burdensome to conduct. (42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(2))
    If DOE determines that a test procedure amendment is warranted, it 
must publish proposed test procedures in the Federal Register and offer 
the public an opportunity to present oral and written comments on them. 
(42 U.S.C. 6314(b))
    EPCA requires that the test procedures for commercial warm air 
furnaces be those generally accepted industry testing procedures or 
rating procedures developed or recognized by the Air-Conditioning, 
Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) or by the American Society 
of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), as 
referenced in ASHRAE Standard 90.1, ``Energy Standard for Buildings 
Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings'' (ASHRAE Standard 90.1). (42 
U.S.C. 6314(a)(4)(A)) If such an industry test procedure or rating 
procedure is amended, DOE must amend its test procedure to be 
consistent with the amended industry test procedure or rating 
procedure, unless DOE determines, by rule published in the Federal 
Register and supported by clear and convincing evidence, that the 
amended test procedure would not meet the requirements in 42 U.S.C. 
6314(a)(2) and (3) related to representative use and test burden, in 
which case DOE may establish an amended test procedure that does 
satisfy those statutory provisions. (42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(4)(B) and (C))
    In addition, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA 
2007), Public Law 110-140, amended EPCA to require that, at least once 
every 7 years, DOE evaluate test procedures for each type of covered 
equipment, including commercial warm air furnaces that are the subject 
of this RFI, to determine whether amended test procedures would more 
accurately or fully comply with the requirements for the test 
procedures to not be unduly burdensome to conduct and be reasonably 
designed to produce test results that reflect energy efficiency, energy 
use, and estimated operating costs during a representative average use 
cycle. (42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(1)) In addition, if the Secretary determines 
that a test procedure amendment is warranted, the Secretary must 
publish proposed test procedures in the Federal Register and afford 
interested persons an opportunity (of not less than 45 days' duration) 
to present oral and written data, views, and arguments on the proposed 
test procedures. (42 U.S.C. 6314(b)) If DOE determines that test 
procedure revisions are not appropriate, DOE must publish its 
determination not to amend the test procedures. (42 U.S.C. 
6314(a)(1)(A)(ii))
    DOE is publishing this RFI to collect data and information to 
inform its decision in satisfaction of its statutory requirements.

B. Rulemaking History

    DOE's current test procedure for commercial warm air furnaces is 
codified at 10 CFR 431.76. It incorporates by reference at 10 CFR 
431.75 certain sections of two industry standards for testing gas-fired 
commercial warm air furnaces: American National Standards Institute 
(ANSI) Z21.47-2012, ``Standard for Gas-fired Central Furnaces'' (ANSI 
Z21.47-2012), which is used for all types of gas-fired commercial warm 
air furnaces; and ANSI/American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and 
Air-conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Standard 103-2007, ``Method of 
Testing for Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency of Residential Central 
Furnaces and Boilers,'' which is specifically for testing condensing 
gas-fired commercial warm air furnaces. For oil-fired commercial warm 
air furnaces, the test procedure also incorporates by reference certain 
sections of two industry standards: Underwriters Laboratories (UL) 
standard UL 727-2006 ``Standard for Safety Oil-Fired Central Furnaces'' 
(UL 727-2006),\3\ and Hydronics Institute Division of AHRI (HI) BTS-
2000 ``Method to Determine Efficiency of Commercial Space Heating 
Boilers'' (HI BTS-2000).
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    \3\ UL 727-1994 is also incorporated by reference in 10 CFR 
431.75; however, the test method specified in 10 CFR 431.76 only 
references UL-2006. Both UL 727-1994 and UL 727-2006 were 
incorporated by reference in 10 CFR 431.75 as part of the May 2012 
final rule because prior to the compliance date of May 13, 2013, 
either version of the UL 727 could be used. 77 FR 28928, 28987 (May 
16, 2012).
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    DOE first codified a test procedure for commercial warm air 
furnaces in a final rule published on October 21, 2004. 69 FR 61916 
(October 2004 final rule). For gas-fired commercial warm air furnaces, 
the October 2004 final rule incorporated by reference the most up-to-
date industry test procedure referenced in ASHRAE 90.1 at the time, 
which was

[[Page 26628]]

ANSI Z21.47-1998, ``Gas-Fired Central Furnaces.'' 69 FR 61916, 61917, 
61940 (Oct. 21, 2004). DOE also incorporated by reference certain 
provisions from ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 103-1993, ``Method of Testing for 
Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency of Residential Central Furnaces and 
Boilers,'' for calculating the effect of condensing operation on 
efficiency. Id. For oil-fired commercial warm air furnaces, the October 
2004 final rule incorporated by reference UL Standard 727-1994 
``Standard for Safety Oil-Fired Central Furnaces'' (UL 727-1994), which 
was the most up to date version of the UL 727 test procedure at the 
time. Id. DOE determined that UL 727-1994 did not provide a procedure 
for calculating the percent flue loss of the furnace, which is 
necessary in calculating the thermal efficiency. 69 FR 61916, 61920 
(Oct. 21, 2004). Therefore, DOE also incorporated by reference 
provisions from HI BTS-2000, ``Method to Determine Efficiency of 
Commercial Space Heating Boilers,'' to calculate the flue loss for oil-
fired commercial warm air furnaces. 69 FR 61916, 61917, 61940 (Oct. 21, 
2004).
    DOE further amended the test procedure for commercial warm air 
furnaces in a final rule published on May 16, 2012 (May 2012 final 
rule), which updated the test procedure to incorporate by reference the 
latest versions of the industry standards at the time, as referenced in 
ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2010 (i.e., ANSI Z21.47-2006 and UL 727-2006 for 
gas-fired and oil-fired commercial warm air furnaces, respectively).\4\ 
77 FR 28928, 28987. In the May 2012 final rule, DOE determined that the 
changes in the updated test procedures for gas-fired and oil-fired 
commercial warm air furnaces did not substantially impact the 
measurement of energy efficiency and should be adopted to comply with 
the provisions set forth in EPCA. 77 FR 28928, 28944 (May 16, 2012).
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    \4\ Compliance with the updated industry test procedures that 
were incorporated by reference was required beginning on May 13, 
2013, before which time, the previous or updated versions of the 
industry test procedures incorporated by reference could be used. 77 
FR 28928, 28935 (May 16, 2012).
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    DOE most recently amended the test procedure for commercial warm 
air furnaces in a final rule published on July 17, 2015, which updated 
the test procedure for gas-fired commercial warm air furnaces to 
incorporate by reference the latest version of the industry standard 
available at the time, ANSI Z21.47-2012. 80 FR 42614 (July 2015 final 
rule). More specifically, DOE determined in the July 2015 final rule 
that the specific changes between ANSI Z21.47-2006 and ANSI Z21.47-2012 
did not include any updates in the sections referenced by the DOE test 
procedure that would impact the test method, and, therefore, adopted 
the updated industry standard as required by EPCA. 80 FR 42614, 42620, 
42663 (July 17, 2015). At the time of the July 2015 final rule, UL 727-
2006 was still the most recent version of that standard and referenced 
in ASHRAE 90.1-2013, so DOE did not amend its test procedure for oil-
fired commercial warm air furnaces. The July 2015 final rule also 
updated to the most recent version of ANSI/ASHRAE 103 at the time 
(i.e., ANSI/ASHRAE 103-2007). Id.

II. Request for Information

    In the following sections, DOE has identified a variety of issues 
on which it seeks input to aid in the development of the technical and 
economic analyses regarding whether amended test procedures for 
commercial warm air furnaces would be warranted. More specifically, DOE 
seeks to determine whether to update the references in the commercial 
warm air furnace test procedure to the most recent versions of the 
incorporated industry standards, or whether such an update would not 
meet the requirements in EPCA that test procedures: (1) Be reasonably 
designed to produce test results which reflect energy efficiency, 
energy use, and estimated operating costs of a type of industrial 
equipment (or class thereof) during a representative average use cycle; 
and (2) not be unduly burdensome to conduct. (42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(2) and 
(4)(B)) DOE is also requesting comment on any opportunities to 
streamline and simplify testing requirements for commercial warm air 
furnaces.
    Further, the Department recently published an RFI regarding test 
procedures across the full range of consumer products and industrial 
equipment that fall under its regulatory authority pursuant to EPCA. 84 
FR 9721 (March 18, 2019). In that RFI, DOE noted that, over time, many 
of DOE's test procedures have been amended to account for products' and 
equipment's increased functionality and modes of operation. DOE's 
intent in issuing that RFI was to gather information to ensure that the 
inclusion of measurement provisions in its test procedures associated 
with such increased functionality has not inadvertently compromised the 
measurement of representative average use cycles or periods of use, and 
made some test procedures unnecessarily burdensome. Although the 
comment period on the March 2019 RFI has since closed, DOE seeks 
comment on this issue as it specifically pertains to the test procedure 
for commercial warm air furnaces, which are the subject of this current 
RFI.
    DOE seeks comment on whether there have been changes in product 
testing methodology or new products on the market since the last test 
procedure update that may create the need to make amendments to the 
test procedure for commercial warm air furnaces. Specifically, DOE 
seeks data and information that could enable the agency to propose that 
the current test procedure produces results that are representative of 
an average use cycle for the product and is not unduly burdensome to 
conduct, and, therefore, does not need amendment. DOE also seeks 
information on whether an existing private sector-developed test 
procedure would produce such results and should be adopted by DOE 
rather than DOE establishing its own test procedure, either entirely or 
by adopting only certain provisions of one or more private sector-
developed tests.
    Additionally, DOE welcomes comments on other issues relevant to the 
conduct of this process that may not be specifically identified 
elsewhere in this document. In particular, DOE notes that under section 
1 of Executive Order 13771, ``Reducing Regulation and Controlling 
Regulatory Costs,'' Executive Branch agencies such as DOE are directed 
to manage the costs associated with the imposition of expenditures 
required to comply with Federal regulations. See 82 FR 9339 (Feb. 3, 
2017). Consistent with that Executive Order, DOE encourages the public 
to provide input on measures DOE could take to lower the cost of its 
test procedure regulations applicable to commercial warm air furnaces 
consistent with the requirements of EPCA.

A. Scope and Definitions

    This RFI covers commercial warm air furnaces. EPCA defines ``warm 
air furnace'' as a self-contained oil- or gas-fired furnace designed to 
supply heated air through ducts to spaces that require it and includes 
combination warm air furnace/electric air conditioning units but does 
not include unit heaters and duct furnaces. (42 U.S.C. 6311(11)(A)) 
EPCA established energy conservation standards for commercial warm air 
furnaces with a capacity at or above 225,000 Btu/h. (42 U.S.C. 
6313(a)(4)(A)-(B)) DOE codified the statutory definition of ``warm air 
furnace'' at 10 CFR 431.72. Additionally, based on the EPCA-established 
energy conservation standards, DOE established a definition of 
``commercial warm air furnace'' as a

[[Page 26629]]

warm air furnace that is industrial equipment, and that has a capacity 
(rated maximum input) of 225,000 Btu/h or more. Id. Additionally, the 
scope of the test procedure for commercial warm air furnaces is 
``commercial warm air furnaces with a rated maximum input of 225,000 
Btu per hour or more.'' 10 CFR 431.76(a).

B. Test Procedure

    DOE uses thermal efficiency as the metric for measuring the energy 
efficiency of commercial warm air furnaces. 10 CFR 431.76 (in which 
``thermal efficiency'' is abbreviated as ``TE''). Thermal efficiency is 
defined and calculated as 100 percent minus the percent flue loss, as 
determined using the test procedures described in 10 CFR 431.76 and 10 
CFR 431.72. The test procedure for commercial warm air furnaces 
includes provisions for testing steady-state efficiency.\5\ The test 
procedure also specifies the test set-ups for gas-fired and oil-fired 
commercial warm air furnaces, through reference to certain sections of 
ANSI Z21.47 \6\ and UL 727-2006 for gas and oil furnaces, respectively. 
10 CFR 431.76(c)(1) and (2), respectively. The test set-up for oil-
fired commercial warm air furnaces also includes a reference to HI BTS-
2000 for conducting a fuel oil analysis during test setup. 10 CFR 
431.76(c)(2). In addition, the test procedure includes requirements for 
measuring the carbon dioxide (CO2) in the flue of oil-fired 
furnaces during testing,\7\ and for measuring the condensate of 
condensing gas-fired commercial warm air furnaces.\8\ 10 CFR 
431.76(d)(1) and (2), respectively. The procedure for measuring 
condensate of condensing gas-fired furnaces references certain 
provisions of ANSI/ASHRAE 103.\9\ 10 CFR 431.76(d)(2). Finally, the 
test procedure includes provisions for calculating thermal efficiency, 
which reference certain provisions of ANSI Z21.47 (for gas-fired warm 
air furnaces), certain provisions of HI BTS-2000 (for oil-fired 
commercial warm air furnaces), and certain provisions of ASHRAE 103 
(for condensing gas-fired commercial warm air furnaces). 10 CFR 
431.76(e)-(f).
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    \5\ Test measurements are taken once steady-state (or 
equilibrium) operation has been achieved, as indicated by 
temperature changes in the flue gas of not more than  5 
[deg]F ( 3 [deg]C) between readings 15 minutes apart. 
See paragraph (c)(1) of 10 CFR 431.76, which references the 
requirements of section 2.39 of ANSI Z21.47-2012, for gas-fired 
commercial furnaces, and paragraph (c)(2) of 10 CFR 431.76, which 
specifies steady-state conditions for oil-fired furnaces.
    \6\ As noted, the current commercial warm air furnace test 
procedure references the 2012 version of ANSI Z21.47. 10 CFR 
431.75(b)(1).
    \7\ The CO2 concentration is one of the measurements 
used to calculate the loss in dry flue gases, which is summed with 
the loss due to moisture to calculate the flue loss. Flue loss is 
subtracted from 100 to calculate thermal efficiency.
    \8\ The condensate measurement is used to calculate the latent 
heat gain from the condensation of the water vapor in the flue gas, 
and the heat loss due to the hot condensate flowing down the drain, 
as specified in sections 11.3.7.1 and 11.3.7.2 of ASHRAE 103-2007. 
These values are used to adjust the thermal efficiency to account 
for condensing operation.
    \9\ As noted, the current commercial warm air furnace test 
procedure references the 2007 version of ASHRAE 103. 10 CFR 
431.75(c)(1).
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1. Updates to Industry Standards
    Since publication of the July 2015 final rule, updated versions of 
the industry test procedures that are incorporated by reference have 
been published. An updated version of UL 727 was published on January 
31, 2018 (UL 727-2018). An updated version of ANSI Z21.47 was published 
by the CSA Group \10\ in November 2016 (ANSI Z21.47-2016). An updated 
version of ANSI/ASHRAE 103 was published in 2017 (ANSI/ASHRAE 103-
2017). HI BTS-2000 was initially developed by the Hydronics Institute 
of the Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association (GAMA). In 2008, GAMA 
merged with the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI) to 
form the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI). 
After merging, AHRI was responsible for the HI BTS-2000 standard. In 
2015, AHRI renamed the standard as AHRI 1500 (AHRI 1500-2015) and a 
made number of changes that are discussed in section II.B.1.d of this 
document.
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    \10\ ANSI Z21.47 is published by the CSA Group, and is 
synonymous with CSA 2.3-2016.
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    As discussed, EPCA requires that when the relevant industry 
standards are amended, DOE must update its test procedure to be 
consistent with the amended industry test procedure, unless DOE 
determines, by rule published in the Federal Register and supported by 
clear and convincing evidence, that the amended test procedure would 
not meet the requirements in 42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(2) and (3) related to 
representative use and test burden. (42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(4)(B) and (C)) 
Having been triggered under this provision of EPCA, DOE is evaluating 
the updated industry standards and whether an amended Federal test 
procedure that references the updated industry standards would be 
reasonably designed to produce test results which reflect the energy 
efficiency of commercial warm air furnaces during a representative 
average use cycle, and not be unduly burdensome to conduct. (Because 
DOE is also obligated under EPCA to conduct a comprehensive review of 
its test procedures for covered industrial equipment at least once 
every seven years (42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(1)), the Department is also 
entertaining comments and recommendations for changes to any other 
aspect of the commercial warm air furnaces test procedure. See section 
II.C of this document for further details.)
a. UL 727
    The commercial warm air furnaces test method at 10 CFR 431.76 
requires use of those procedures contained in UL 727-2006 that are 
relevant to the steady-state efficiency measurement (i.e., sections 1 
through 3; 37 through 42 (except for sections 40.4 and 40.6.2 through 
40.6.7); 43.2; and 44 through 46). DOE has performed an initial review 
of the differences between UL 727-2006 and UL 727-2018 and notes that 
much of the test standard did not change when it was updated from UL 
727-2006 to UL 727-2018. DOE identified only two updates that may 
affect the test procedure--one related to thermocouple tolerance and 
the other related to building code references in the scope section. 
These updates are discussed in detail in the proceeding paragraphs. In 
addition to the updates DOE has identified, DOE is seeking comment on 
whether any other changes or updates made in UL 727-2018 would impact 
the sections referenced by DOE, and whether DOE should adopt those 
updates.
    Issue 1: DOE seeks comment regarding the differences between the 
sections of UL 727-2006 and UL 727-2018 that are relevant to the DOE 
test procedure. Specifically, DOE seeks comment on whether any other 
differences would impact the representativeness or test burden of the 
DOE commercial warm air furnaces test procedure, if adopted.
Thermocouple Tolerance
    Section 40.6.1 of UL 727-2018, which pertains to temperature 
measurements using potentiometers and thermocouples, has different 
language from UL 727-2006 and incorporates different ANSI references. 
Specifically, UL 727-2006 requires that the thermocouple wire conform 
to the requirements specified in the Initial Calibration Tolerances for 
Thermocouples table (i.e., Table 8) in International Society of 
Automation (ISA) standard MC96.1, ``Temperature-Measurement 
Thermocouples'' (ANSI/ISA MC96.1). In contrast, UL 727-2018 states that 
the thermocouple wire must conform to the requirements specified

[[Page 26630]]

in the Tolerance on Initial Values of Electromagnetic Force (EMF) 
Versus Temperature tables (i.e., Tables 1-3) in ANSI/American Society 
for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard E230/E230M, ``Standard 
Specification and Temperature-Electromotive Force (emf) Tables for 
Standardized Thermocouples,'' (ANSI/ASTM E230/E230M). The thermocouple 
requirements in each standard are only applicable to the range of 
temperatures associated with the specified types of thermocouple. Based 
on an initial review of ANSI/ASTM E230/E230M, the temperature ranges to 
which the requirements apply differ from the temperature ranges 
specified in MC96.1 for certain thermocouple wires. ANSI/ASTM E230/
E230M also specifies temperature ranges and requirements for 
thermocouple types C, N, and mineral-insulated metal-sheathed E type, 
which are not include in ANSI/ISA MC96.1. Furthermore, tolerances on 
initial values of EMF versus temperature for extension wires and 
compensating extension wires in ANSI/ASTM E230/E230M (i.e., Tables 2 
and 3) have been added to the requirements specified by section 40.6.1 
of UL 727-2018.
    Issue 2: DOE seeks comment on whether the additions and changes to 
thermocouple and thermocouple extension wire requirements would impact 
the representativeness of the measured test results or test burden of 
the DOE commercial warm air furnaces test procedure, if adopted.
    Issue 3: DOE seeks comment on why section 40.6.1 in UL Standard 727 
was changed from referencing ANSI/ISA MC96.1 in UL 727-2006, to ANSI/
ASTM E230/E230M in UL 727-2018. DOE requests input on the perceived 
benefits and/or drawbacks of such change.
Building Code References in Scope Section
    DOE notes that the language for the scope of the UL 727-2018 test 
standard has been changed in section 1.3, as compared to UL 727-2006. 
Section 1.3 in UL 727-2006 references the National Fire Protection 
Association (NFPA) Standard for Installation of Oil-Burning Equipment, 
NFPA 31, and codes such as the Building Officials Code Administrators 
International (BOCA) National Mechanical Code, the State Building Code 
Council (SBCC) Standard Mechanical Code, and the International 
Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) Uniform 
Mechanical Code for requirements for the installation and use of oil-
burning equipment which are to be utilized in conjunction with the 
standard. In contrast, section 1.3 of UL 727-2018 references the 
National Fire Protection Association Standard for Installation of Oil-
Burning Equipment, NFPA 31, the International Mechanical Code, and the 
Uniform Mechanical Code for the requirements for installation and use.
    DOE defines the scope for the testing of commercial warm air 
furnaces in 10 CFR 431.76(a), which is independent from the scope 
defined by UL-727-2006 (i.e., the scope of the DOE test procedure is 
dictated by the scope provision at 10 CFR 431.76(a)). Although DOE 
references the scope (Section 1) of UL 727-2006 in its test provisions 
at 10 CFR 431.76(c)(2), only the procedures within UL 727-2006 that are 
pertinent to the measurement of the steady-state efficiency are to be 
included in the DOE test procedure. 10 CFR 431.76 (b). Therefore, any 
provisions within the scope of UL 727-2006 that do not relate to the 
measurement of the steady-state efficiency do not apply to the DOE test 
procedure.
    Issue 4: DOE seeks comment on whether there is a need to identify 
more specifically the provisions of UL 727-2006 that apply to the DOE 
test procedure.
b. ANSI Z21.47
    The test method in 10 CFR 431.76 for gas-fired commercial warm air 
furnaces requires use of procedures contained in ANSI Z21.47-2012 that 
are relevant to the steady-state efficiency measurement (i.e., sections 
1.1, 2.1 through 2.6, 2.39, and 4.2.1 of ANSI Z21.47-2012). 10 CFR 
431.76(c)(1). DOE notes that the majority of the test standard did not 
change when it was updated from ANSI Z21.47-2012 to ANSI Z21.47-2016. 
The revisions that were made were mostly editorial in nature, including 
moving section 2 in ANSI Z21.47-2012 to section 5 in ANSI Z21.47-2016, 
among other structural changes. In reviewing the two versions of the 
standard, DOE identified one apparent typographical error, which is 
discussed subsequently.
    Issue 5: DOE seeks comment regarding any differences between 
Z21.47-2012 and Z21.47-2016 that are relevant to the DOE test 
procedure. For any relevant differences other than those already 
identified by DOE, DOE seeks comment on how such changes or updates 
would impact the representativeness of measurements and the test burden 
of the DOE commercial warm air furnaces test procedure, if adopted.
Typographical Error
    Section 2.3.2(c) of ANSI Z21.47-2012 and the corresponding section 
5.3.2(c) of ANSI Z21.47-2016 provide installation requirements for 
horizontal furnaces. Section 5.3.2(c)(iii) of ANSI Z21.47-2016 appears 
to contain a typographical error by referencing ``Figure 4, Enclosure 
types for alcove and closet installation tests for horizontal 
furnaces.'' Rather, the title of Figure 4 in ANSI Z21.47-2016 is 
``Enclosure types for alcove and closet installation tests for up-flow 
and down-flow furnaces,'' and as titled, Figure 4 applies only to up-
flow and down-flow furnaces. The applicable reference in section 
5.3.2(c)(iii) of ANSI Z21.47-2016 should be to Figure 5, ``Enclosed 
types for alcove and closet installation tests for horizontal 
furnaces.''
    Issue 6: DOE seeks comment on whether section 5.3.2(c)(iii) of ANSI 
Z21.47-2016 should refer to Figure 5 in the test procedure, rather than 
Figure 4.
c. ANSI/ASHRAE 103
    DOE's test procedure for gas-fired condensing commercial warm air 
furnaces references sections 7.2.2.4, 7.8, 9.2, 11.3.7.1 and 11.3.7.2 
of ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 103-2007. 10 CFR 431.76. DOE did not identify 
any substantive changes in the sections currently referenced by the DOE 
test procedure in the update from ANSI/ASHRAE 103-2007 to ANSI/ASHRAE 
103-2017, but DOE seeks further comment on this issue.
    Issue 7: DOE seeks comment as to whether any of the differences 
between sections 7.2.2.4, 7.8, 9.2, 11.3.7.1 and 11.3.7.2 of ANSI/
ASHRAE 103-2007 and ANSI/ASHRAE 103-2017 are relevant to the DOE test 
procedure, and if so, how such differences would impact the 
representativeness of measurements and the associated impact on test 
burden of the DOE commercial warm air furnaces test procedure, if 
adopted.
d. HI BTS-2000
    DOE's test procedure for oil-fired commercial warm air furnaces 
references sections of HI BTS-2000 that are relevant to the fuel oil 
analysis and calculating percent flue loss (i.e., sections 8.2.2, 
11.1.4, 11.1.5, and 11.1.6.2). 10 CFR 431.76(c)(2) and (e)(2), DOE 
identified two substantive changes in the sections referenced by the 
DOE test procedure in the update from HI BTS-2000 to AHRI 1500-2015 
regarding fuel oil analysis and calculation of flue loss. These updates 
are discussed in detail in the following paragraphs. In addition to the 
updates DOE has identified, DOE seeks comment on whether any other 
differences between BTS-2000 and AHRI 1500-2015 would impact the 
sections referenced by DOE,

[[Page 26631]]

and if DOE should adopt those updates and why.
    Issue 8: DOE seeks comment regarding whether any of the differences 
between sections 8.2.2, 11.1.4, 11.1.5, and 11.1.6.2 of HI BTS-2000 and 
AHRI 1500-2015 are relevant to the DOE test procedure, and if so, how 
such differences would impact the representativeness of measurements 
and the associated test burden of the DOE commercial warm air furnaces 
test procedure, if adopted.
Fuel Oil Analysis Requirements
    DOE's test procedure for oil-fired commercial warm air furnaces 
includes fuel oil analysis requirements (10 CFR 431.76(c)(2)) which 
reference section 8.2.2 of BTS-2000. Section C3.2.1.1 of ANSI/AHRI 
1500-2015 (previously section 8.2.2 of BTS-2000) specifies different 
fuel oil analysis requirements (i.e., heating value analyzed per ASTM 
D240-09 \11\ or ASTM D4809-09a,\12\ hydrogen and carbon content 
analyzed per ASTM D5291-10,\13\ and density and American Petroleum 
Institute (API) gravity[thinsp]analyzed per ASTM D396-14a \14\) than 
are required in section 8.2.2 of BTS-2000 (i.e., heat value, hydrogen 
and carbon content, density and API gravity analyzed per ASTM D396-90 
\15\).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ ASTM D240-09, ``Standard Test Method for Heat of Combustion 
of Liquid Hydrocarbon Fuels by Bomb Calorimeter'' (ASTM D240-09).
    \12\ ASTM D4809-09a, ``Standard Test Method For Heat Of 
Combustion Of Liquid Hydrocarbon Fuels By Bomb Calorimeter 
(Precision Method)'' (ASTM D4809-09a).
    \13\ ASTM D5291-10, ``Standard Test Methods for Instrumental 
Determination of Carbon, Hydrogen, and Nitrogen in Petroleum 
Products and Lubricants'' (ASTM D5291-10).
    \14\ ASTM D396-14a, ``Standard Specification for Fuel Oils'' 
(ASTM D396-14a).
    \15\ ASTM D396-90, ``Standard Specification for Fuel Oils'' 
(ASTM D396-90).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Issue 9: DOE seeks comment on the fuel oil analysis requirements in 
AHRI 1500-2015 and BTS-2000. Specifically, DOE seeks comment regarding 
whether the differences between the two would yield different results 
during testing and the merits of potentially adopting the fuel oil 
analysis requirement of AHRI 1500-2015.
    Issue 10: DOE seeks comment on whether adopting AHRI 1500-2015 
would add or reduce burden to the current testing requirements of the 
DOE commercial warm air furnaces test procedure.
Calculation of CO2 in Flue Gas Losses
    Section 11.1.4 of BTS-2000 requires that the CO2 value 
used in the calculation of the dry flue gas loss for oil must be the 
measured CO2. In addition, the DOE test procedure in 10 CFR 
431.76(d) requires that CO2 must be measured. Section C7.2.4 
of AHRI 1500 (previously Section 11.1.4 in BTS-2000) includes the 
option to calculate CO2 using the measured O2 
value instead of directly measuring the CO2 value.
    Issue 11: DOE seeks comment on whether the option to calculate 
CO2 in AHRI 1500-2015 yields different testing results 
compared to using the measured value, as required by the current DOE 
test method for commercial warm air furnaces.
    Issue 12: DOE also seeks comment on whether it should adopt 
provisions within AHRI 1500-2015 that allow for measuring O2 
and calculating CO2 therefrom (instead of measuring 
CO2) with respect to the flue loss calculation, as well as 
the rationale.
2. Thermal Efficiency
    As previously stated, the energy efficiency metric for commercial 
warm air furnaces is thermal efficiency. Thermal efficiency for a 
commercial warm air furnace is defined and calculated as 100 percent 
minus the percent flue loss determined using the test procedures 
described in 10 CFR 431.76. 10 CFR 431.72. A test method and 
calculations for determining the jacket loss percentage (i.e., the 
hourly heat loss through the jacket divided by the hourly input and 
multiplied by 100) are included in section 2.39 of ANSI Z21.47-2012 
(and the corresponding section 5.40 of ANSI Z21.47-2016), but the 
jacket loss percentage is not included in the equation used to 
calculate thermal efficiency.\16\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \16\ Although the jacket loss is not used in the calculation of 
thermal efficiency, section 2.39 of ANSI Z21.47-2012 and section 
5.40 of ANSI Z21.47-2016 require a maximum jacket loss of 1.5 
percent for any furnace not covered by ``Federal Energy Acts'' 
(i.e., not regulated by DOE). Therefore, the 1.5 percent jacket loss 
requirement is not included as part of the DOE test procedure.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Issue 13: DOE seeks comment on whether jacket loss should be 
accounted for in the calculation of thermal efficiency. Specifically, 
DOE seeks information and data on whether and to what extent inclusion 
of jacket loss would provide results that would more appropriately 
reflect energy efficiency during a representative average use cycle. 
DOE also requests information and data as to the test burden that would 
be associated with potential inclusion of jacket loss as part of the 
DOE commercial warm air furnaces test procedure.
3. Input Rate Tolerance
    DOE's test procedure for gas-fired commercial warm air furnaces 
references the test method in ANSI Z21.47, which requires that the test 
be conducted at normal inlet pressure and at 100 percent of normal 
input rate (i.e., the maximum hourly Btu input rating specified by the 
manufacturer). 10 CFR 431.76(c)(1). DOE notes that no tolerance is 
provided on the input rate, so when taken literally, this provision 
could be interpreted to require that the firing rate be exactly 100 
percent of the nominal input rate. DOE further notes that other types 
of fossil-fuel-fired equipment such as commercial packaged boilers, 
commercial water heaters, residential water heaters, residential 
furnaces, and residential boilers require the input rate during testing 
to be within 2 percent of the nameplate input rate. DOE 
seeks comment on whether a tolerance on input rate is necessary for 
gas-fired commercial warm air furnaces, and if so, what tolerance would 
be appropriate.
    Issue 14: DOE seeks comment on whether industry uses a tolerance 
when testing to ANSI Z21.47, and if so, what tolerance is used. DOE 
requests comment on whether a tolerance should be specified for the 
input rate during testing of gas-fired commercial warm air furnaces, 
and if so, what tolerance would be appropriate.
4. Flue Temperature Measurement in Models With Multiple Vent Hoods
    Section 2.16 of ANSI Z21.47-2012 and section 5.16 of ANSI Z21.47-
2016 both state that the flue gas temperatures shall be measured in the 
vent pipe using nine individual thermocouples placed in specific 
locations. DOE notes that neither DOE's test procedure nor the ANSI 
Z21.47 test procedure specifies how to perform the flue temperature 
measurement if a unit has multiple vent hoods. DOE is aware of models 
on the market with two vent hoods through which combustion exhaust 
gases exit.
    Issue 15: DOE seeks comment on how testing of commercial warm air 
furnaces with more than one vent hood are currently tested and whether 
it should consider adding provisions in the DOE test procedures to 
address measuring the flue gas temperature of a unit with multiple vent 
hoods. If so, DOE seeks comment on how best to measure flue gas 
temperature in such units.
5. Flue Temperature Measurement in Models With Vent Space Limitations
    Section 2.16 of ANSI Z21.47-2012 and section 5.16 of ANSI Z21.47-
2016 both state that the flue gas temperatures shall be measured in the 
vent pipe using nine individual thermocouples placed in specific 
locations; however, these sections do not provide guidance on

[[Page 26632]]

how to measure the flue gas temperature if the vent size constrains the 
space where the thermocouples are to be placed. Specifically, a vent 
may be so small (if, for example, a unit has multiple vents) that it is 
not practical to place all nine thermocouples as instructed in sections 
2.16 and 5.16 of ANSI Z21.47-2012 and ANSI Z21.47-2016 respectively. 
During testing of one unit, DOE found that placing more than four 
thermocouples in a particularly small vent hood was not practical due 
to space limitations.
    Issue 16: DOE seeks comment on how testing of commercial warm air 
furnaces with vent size constraints are currently tested and whether it 
should consider adding provisions in the DOE test procedures to address 
measuring the flue gas temperature when space limitations preclude the 
use of nine thermocouples. If so, DOE seeks comment on how best to 
measure flue gas temperature in such units.
6. Electrical Consumption
    Currently, the DOE test procedure for commercial warm air furnaces 
does not include any measurement of electrical consumption in its 
determination of the efficiency of commercial warm air furnaces, 
including electrical consumption of blowers/fans, controls, or other 
auxiliary electrical consumption. To the extent that commercial warm 
air furnaces are typically part of a single package that also includes 
air conditioning equipment, and the test method and metric for 
commercial air-conditioning equipment (i.e., integrated energy 
efficiency ratio (IEER)) accounts for the electrical consumption of the 
blower, the blower consumption has not been included in the commercial 
furnaces test method. However, any auxiliary electrical consumption 
associated only with the furnace operation when heating is not 
accounted for in any metric. DOE seeks comment on whether including the 
electrical consumption of a commercial warm air furnace (i.e., the 
blower and/or auxiliary electrical energy use due to, for example, 
controls or an inducer fan) as part of DOE's efficiency metric would be 
appropriate.
    Issue 17: DOE seeks comment on whether DOE should consider 
including the electrical consumption of commercial warm air furnaces in 
the commercial warm air furnace efficiency metric or test procedure, 
including the merits and burdens of such approach. If so, DOE seeks 
comment on which components' electrical consumption would be 
appropriate to include, noting that the electrical consumption of the 
commercial warm air furnace blower is typically factored into other 
commercial equipment efficiency metrics and test procedures.

C. Other Test Procedure Topics

    In addition to the issues identified earlier in this document, DOE 
welcomes comment on any other aspect of the existing test procedures 
for commercial warm air furnaces. As noted, DOE recently issued an RFI 
to seek more information on whether its test procedures are reasonably 
designed, as required by EPCA, to produce results that measure the 
energy use or efficiency of a product during a representative average 
use cycle or period of use. 84 FR 9721 (March 18, 2019). DOE seeks 
comment on this issue as it specifically pertains to the test procedure 
for the commercial warm air furnaces that are the subject of this 
current RFI.
    As noted above, DOE also requests comments on whether potential 
amendments based on the issues discussed would result in a test 
procedure that is unduly burdensome to conduct, particularly in light 
of any new products on the market since the last test procedure update. 
If commenters believe that any such potential amendments, if adopted, 
would result in a procedure that is, in fact, unduly burdensome to 
conduct, DOE seeks information on whether an existing private sector-
developed test procedure would be more appropriate or other avenues for 
reducing the identified burdens while advancing improvements to the 
commercial warm air furnaces test procedure. DOE also requests comment 
on the benefits and burdens of adopting, without modification, any 
industry/voluntary consensus-based or other appropriate test procedure.
    Additionally, DOE requests comment on whether the existing test 
procedures limit a manufacturer's ability to provide additional 
features to purchasers of commercial warm air furnaces. DOE 
particularly seeks information on how the test procedures could be 
amended to reduce the cost of new or additional features and make it 
more likely that such features are included on commercial warm air 
furnaces, while still meeting the requirements of EPCA.
    DOE also requests comments on the impact of any potential 
amendments to the existing test procedures on manufacturers, including 
small businesses.
    Finally, DOE recently published an RFI on the emerging smart 
technology appliance and equipment market. 83 FR 46886 (Sept. 17, 
2018). In that RFI, DOE sought information to better understand market 
trends and issues in the emerging market for appliances and commercial 
equipment that incorporate smart technology. DOE's intent in issuing 
the RFI was to ensure that DOE did not inadvertently impede such 
innovation in fulfilling its statutory obligations in setting 
efficiency standards for covered products and equipment. DOE seeks 
comments, data, and information on the issues presented in the RFI as 
they may be applicable to the commercial warm air furnaces that are the 
subject of this RFI.

III. Submission of Comments

    DOE invites all interested parties to submit in writing by June 4, 
2020, comments and information on matters addressed in this document 
and on other matters relevant to DOE's consideration of amended test 
procedures for commercial warm air furnaces. These comments and 
information will aid in the development of a test procedure NOPR for 
commercial warm air furnaces, if DOE determines that amended test 
procedures may be appropriate for this equipment. After the close of 
the comment period, DOE will review the public comments received and 
may begin collecting data and conducting the analyses discussed in this 
RFI.
    Submitting comments via http://www.regulations.gov. The http://www.regulations.gov web page requires you to provide your name and 
contact information. Your contact information will be viewable to DOE 
Building Technologies staff only. Your contact information will not be 
publicly viewable except for your first and last names, organization 
name (if any), and submitter representative name (if any). If your 
comment is not processed properly because of technical difficulties, 
DOE will use this information to contact you. If DOE cannot read your 
comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for 
clarification, DOE may not be able to consider your comment.
    However, your contact information will be publicly viewable if you 
include it in the comment or in any documents attached to your comment. 
Any information that you do not want to be publicly viewable should not 
be included in your comment, nor in any document attached to your 
comment. Persons viewing comments will see only first and last names, 
organization names, correspondence containing comments, and any 
documents submitted with the comments.
    Do not submit to http://www.regulations.gov information for which 
disclosure is restricted by statute, such as trade secrets and 
commercial or

[[Page 26633]]

financial information (hereinafter referred to as Confidential Business 
Information (CBI)). Comments submitted through http://www.regulations.gov cannot be claimed as CBI. Comments received through 
the website will waive any CBI claims for the information submitted. 
For information on submitting CBI, see the Confidential Business 
Information section.
    DOE processes submissions made through http://www.regulations.gov 
before posting. Normally, comments will be posted within a few days of 
being submitted. However, if large volumes of comments are being 
processed simultaneously, your comment may not be viewable for up to 
several weeks. Please keep the comment tracking number that http://www.regulations.gov provides after you have successfully uploaded your 
comment.
    Submitting comments via email, hand delivery/courier, or postal 
mail. Comments and documents submitted via email, hand delivery/
courier, or postal mail also will be posted to http://www.regulations.gov. If you do not want your personal contact 
information to be publicly viewable, do not include it in your comment 
or any accompanying documents. Instead, provide your contact 
information in a cover letter. Include your first and last names, email 
address, telephone number, and optional mailing address. The cover 
letter will not be publicly viewable as long as it does not include any 
comments.
    Include contact information each time you submit comments, data, 
documents, and other information to DOE. If you submit via postal mail 
or hand delivery/courier, please provide all items on a CD, if 
feasible, in which case it is not necessary to submit printed copies. 
No telefacsimiles (faxes) will be accepted.
    Comments, data, and other information submitted to DOE 
electronically should be provided in PDF (preferred), Microsoft Word or 
Excel, WordPerfect, or text (ASCII) file format. Provide documents that 
are not secured, written in English, and free of any defects or 
viruses. Documents should not contain special characters or any form of 
encryption, and, if possible, they should carry the electronic 
signature of the author.
    Campaign form letters. Please submit campaign form letters by the 
originating organization in batches of between 50 to 500 form letters 
per PDF or as one form letter with a list of supporters' names compiled 
into one or more PDFs. This reduces comment processing and posting 
time.
    Confidential Business Information. Pursuant to 10 CFR 1004.11, any 
person submitting information that he or she believes to be 
confidential and exempt by law from public disclosure should submit via 
email, postal mail, or hand delivery/courier two well-marked copies: 
One copy of the document marked ``confidential'' including all the 
information believed to be confidential, and one copy of the document 
marked ``non-confidential'' with the information believed to be 
confidential deleted. Submit these documents via email or on a CD, if 
feasible. DOE will make its own determination about the confidential 
status of the information and treat it according to its determination.
    It is DOE's policy that all comments may be included in the public 
docket, without change and as received, including any personal 
information provided in the comments (except information deemed to be 
exempt from public disclosure).
    DOE considers public participation to be a very important part of 
the process for developing test procedures and energy conservation 
standards. DOE actively encourages the participation and interaction of 
the public during the comment period in each stage of this process. 
Interactions with and between members of the public provide a balanced 
discussion of the issues and assist DOE in the process. Anyone who 
wishes to be added to the DOE mailing list to receive future notices 
and information about this process should contact Appliance and 
Equipment Standards Program staff at (202) 287-1445 or via email at 
[email protected].

Signing Authority

    This document of the Department of Energy was signed on February 
21, 2020, by Alexander N. Fitzsimmons, Deputy Assistant Secretary for 
Energy Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, pursuant to 
delegated authority from the Secretary of Energy. That document with 
the original signature and date is maintained by DOE. For 
administrative purposes only, and in compliance with requirements of 
the Office of the Federal Register, the undersigned DOE Federal 
Register Liaison Officer has been authorized to sign and submit the 
document in electronic format for publication, as an official document 
of the Department of Energy. This administrative process in no way 
alters the legal effect of this document upon publication in the 
Federal Register.

    Signed in Washington, DC, on April 22, 2020.
Treena V. Garrett,
Federal Register Liaison Officer, U.S. Department of Energy.
[FR Doc. 2020-08853 Filed 5-4-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6450-01-P