Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 101 (Wednesday, May 25, 2022)

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 101 (Wednesday, May 25, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 31754-31783]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-11126]

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FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

16 CFR Part 305

[3084-AB15]

Energy Labeling Rule

AGENCY: Federal Trade Commission.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Trade Commission (``FTC'' or ``Commission'')
proposes routine updates to comparability range information on
EnergyGuide labels for televisions, refrigerators and freezers,
dishwashers, water heaters, room air conditioners (ranges only),
clothes washers, furnaces, and pool heaters in the Energy Labeling Rule
(``Rule''). The proposed amendments also contain a minor, clarifying
change to requirements for determining room air conditioner capacity.

DATES: Comments must be received by July 11, 2022.

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 below. Write ``Range Updates, Matter
No. R611004'' on your comment, and file your comment online at https://www.regulations.gov/, 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, Mail Stop H-144, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC
20580.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Hampton Newsome, (202) 326-2889,
Attorney, Division of Enforcement, Bureau of Consumer Protection,
Federal Trade Commission, 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 websites 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

[[Page 31755]]

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) based on DOE estimates. 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. The Rule sets a five-year
schedule for updating range of comparability and annual energy cost
information.\3\ Pursuant to that schedule the Commission proposes the
following amendments.
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\3\ 16 CFR 305.12.
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II. Proposed Amendments

As discussed below, the Commission proposes to update comparability
ranges and national average energy cost figures (Appendix K1 and K2)
for several product categories consistent with the Rule's five-year
schedule. The proposed amendments also update Sec. 305.10 to clarify
that manufacturers must determine capacity for room air conditioners
using current DOE requirements.

A. Comparability Range and Energy Cost Revisions

In accordance with the Rule's five-year schedule for comparability
range updates (Sec. 305.12), this Document proposes revisions to the
comparability range and energy cost information in the Rule's
appendices for televisions, refrigerators and freezers, dishwashers,
water heaters, room air conditioners (ranges only), clothes washers,
furnaces, and pool heaters.\4\ In addition, the Commission proposes
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.\5\ Specifically, the
proposed amendments update the energy cost tables in Appendix K1 and
K2.\6\ This document also contains proposed conforming changes to the
sample labels in the Rule's appendices to reflect the new range and
cost information.
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\4\ 16 CFR 305.12. The capacity categories in the Room Air
Conditioner table (Appendix E) have been slightly adjusted to
reflect changes in the size distribution in DOE current model data.
\5\ 87 FR 12681 (March 7, 2022) (DOE publication for
``Representative Average Unit Costs of Energy''). Fuel costs in the
FTC tables in Appendix K1 and K2 are rounded to the nearest cent.
\6\ Applicable energy cost figures for televisions appear in
section 305.25.
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Pursuant to 305.12, manufacturers must begin using this information
on new product labels within 90 days after publication of a final
notice announcing updated ranges for specific products.\7\
Manufacturers do not have to relabel products labeled prior to the
effective date of the changes. For room air conditioners, the
Commission proposes setting an October 1, 2022 effective date for those
ranges because this label must appear on product boxes, and such
package changes can require additional planning and coordination. The
proposed October date coincides with the annual production cycle (i.e.,
the cooling season) for those products.
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\7\ Under EPCA (42 U.S.C. 6294(c)(1)(B)), manufacturers must use
updated range data beginning 60 days after final ranges are
published unless the Commission provides for a later date. Section
305.12(b) has a period of 90 days.
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The Commission does not propose amending range and cost information
for central air conditioner and portable air conditioner labels because
the Commission recently updated those ranges.\8\ Additionally, the
Commission does not propose changing the cost figure for room air
conditioner labels because such a change would make room air
conditioner labels inconsistent with cost information on portable air
conditioners, a similar product category. Accordingly, the electricity
cost figure ([cent]13/kWh) for those two categories appear in Appendix
K2 and has been used to create the room air conditioner ranges
(Appendix E) in the proposed amendments.
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\8\ See 86 FR 9274 (Feb. 12, 2021) (portable air conditioners);
86 FR 57985 (Oct. 20, 2021) (central air conditioners). Because the
amendments in those documents are scheduled to become effective on
October 1, 2022 and January 1, 2023--after the likely effective date
for the amendments proposed in this document--the Commission will
make technical, conforming changes to the instructions in those
documents as necessary to ensure consistency (e.g., Appendices E and
K).
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B. Capacity Determinations for Room Air Conditioners

Finally, the proposed amendments update Sec. 305.10 to clarify
that manufacturers must determine capacity for room air conditioners
using current DOE requirements. Specifically, the amendment eliminates
obsolete text related to rounding and updates references to existing
DOE requirements for capacity determinations. The Commission proposes
making the change effective on October 1, 2022 to coincide with the
effective date of the Commission's previously published requirements
for EnergyGuide labels for portable air conditioners.\9\
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\9\ 86 FR 9274 (Feb. 12, 2022).
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III. Request for Comment

The Commission seeks comment on the amendments proposed in this
document. You can file a comment online or on paper. For the Commission
to consider your comment, we must receive it on or before July 11,
2022. Write ``Range Updates, Matter No. 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 website https://www.regulations.gov.
Because of the public health emergency in response to the COVID-19
outbreak and the agency's heightened security screening, postal mail
addressed to the Commission will be subject to delay. We strongly
encourage you to submit your comments online through the https://www.regulations.gov website. To ensure the Commission considers your
online comment, please follow the instructions on the web-based form.
If you file your comment on paper, write ``Range Updates, Matter
No. R611004'' on your comment and on the envelope, and mail your
comment to the following address: Federal Trade Commission, Office of
the Secretary, Mail Drop H-144, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington,
DC 20580.
Because your comment will be placed on the public record, you are
solely responsible for making sure your comment does not include any
sensitive or confidential information. Your comment should not contain
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 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 ``[t]rade secret or any commercial or financial
information which . . . is privileged or confidential''--as provided in
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 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,''

[[Page 31756]]

and must comply with FTC Rule 4.9(c), 16 CFR 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 publicly at www.regulations.gov--as legally required by FTC
Rule 4.9(b), 16 CFR 4.9(b)--we cannot redact or remove your comment,
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 FTC website to read this document and the news release
describing it. The FTC Act and other laws 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 it receives on or before July 11, 2022. For
information on the Commission's privacy policy, including routine uses
permitted by the Privacy Act, see https://www.ftc.gov/siteinformation/privacypolicy.
Because written comments appear adequate to present the views of
all interested parties, the Commission has not scheduled an opportunity
for presentation of oral comments 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
request, on or before July 11, 2022, in the form of a written comment
that describes the issues on which the party wishes to speak. If no
oral presentations are scheduled, 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 February
29, 2024 (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 Regulatory Flexibility Act (``RFA''), 5 U.S.C. 601-612,
requires that the Commission conduct an analysis of the anticipated
economic impact of the proposed amendment on small entities. The RFA
requires that the Commission provide an Initial Regulatory Flexibility
Analysis (``IRFA'') with a rule unless the Commission certifies that
the rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities. 5 U.S.C. 605. The proposed amendments merely
implements routine updates to comparability range information and other
minor clarifications. The proposed amendments do not significantly
change the substance or frequency of the Rule's 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 will not have a significant economic
impact on a substantial number of small entities.

List of Subjects in 16 CFR Part 305

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

For the reasons stated above, the Commission proposes to amend part
305 of title 16 of the Code of Federal Regulations 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. 305.10, revise paragraph (f) to read as follows:

Sec. 305.10 Determinations of capacity.

* * * * *
(f) Room air conditioners and portable air conditioners. The
capacity for room air conditioners and portable air conditioners shall
be determined according to 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, with rounding
determined in accordance with 10 CFR part 430.
* * * * *
0
3. In Sec. 305.25, revise paragraphs (f)(4) and (5) to read as
follows:

Sec. 305.25 Television labeling.

* * * * *
(f) * * *
(4) Estimated annual energy costs determined in accordance with
this part and based on a usage rate of 5 hours in on mode and 19 hours
in standby (sleep) mode per day and an electricity cost rate of 14
cents per kWh.
(5) The applicable ranges of comparability for estimated annual
energy costs based on the labeled product's diagonal screen size,
according to the following table:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual energy cost ranges for
televisions
Screen size (diagonal) -------------------------------
Low High
------------------------------------------------------------------------
16-20'' (16.0 to 20.49'')............... $5 $6
21-23'' (20.5 to 23.49'')............... 4 9
24-29'' (23.5 to 29.49'')............... 3 10
30-34'' (29.5 to 34.49'')............... 5 16
35-39'' (34.5 to 39.49'')............... 9 17
40-44'' (39.5 to 44.49'')............... 7 28
45-49'' (44.5 to 49.49'')............... 8 34
50-54'' (49.5 to 54.49'')............... 10 37
55-59'' (54.5 to 59.49'')............... 9 47
60-64'' (59.5 to 64.49'')............... 13 37

[[Page 31757]]

65-69'' (64.5 to 69.49'')............... 13 101
69.5'' or greater....................... 7 160
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
0
4. Revise appendices A1 through A9 to Part 305 to read as follows:

Appendix A1 to Part 305--Refrigerators With Automatic Defrost

Range Information
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Range of estimated annual
Manufacturer's rated total refrigerated operating costs (dollars/year)
volume in cubic feet -------------------------------
Low High
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than 10.5.......................... $20 $45
10.5 to 12.4............................ 28 40
12.5 to 14.4............................ 33 47
14.5 to 16.4............................ 33 46
16.5 to 18.4............................ 38 52
18.5 to 20.4............................ 42 50
20.5 to 22.4............................ 35 57
22.5 to 24.4............................ 51 59
24.5 to 26.4............................ (*) (*)
26.5 to 28.4............................ (*) (*)
28.5 and over........................... (*) (*)
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Appendix A2 to Part 305--Refrigerators and Refrigerator-Freezers With
Manual Defrost

Range Information
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Range of estimated annual
Manufacturer's rated total refrigerated operating costs (dollars/year)
volume in cubic feet -------------------------------
Low High
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than 10.5.......................... $11 $46
10.5 to 12.4............................ (*) (*)
12.5 to 14.4............................ (*) (*)
14.5 to 16.4............................ (*) (*)
16.5 to 18.4............................ (*) (*)
18.5 to 20.4............................ (*) (*)
20.5 to 22.4............................ (*) (*)
22.5 to 24.4............................ (*) (*)
24.5 to 26.4............................ (*) (*)
26.5 to 28.4............................ (*) (*)
28.5 and over........................... (*) (*)
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Appendix A3 to Part 305--Refrigerator-Freezers With Partial Automatic
Defrost

[[Page 31758]]

14.5 to 16.4............................ (*) (*)
16.5 to 18.4............................ 53 53
18.5 to 20.4............................ 48 55
20.5 to 22.4............................ (*) (*)
22.5 to 24.4............................ (*) (*)
24.5 to 26.4............................ (*) (*)
26.5 to 28.4............................ (*) (*)
28.5 and over........................... (*) (*)
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Appendix A4 to Part 305--Refrigerator-Freezers With Automatic Defrost
With Top-Mounted Freezer No Through-the-Door Ice

Range Information
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Range of estimated annual
Manufacturer's rated total refrigerated operating costs (dollars/year)
volume in cubic feet -------------------------------
Low High
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than 10.5.......................... $40 $62
10.5 to 12.4............................ 43 61
12.5 to 14.4............................ 44 64
14.5 to 16.4............................ 45 66
16.5 to 18.4............................ 49 70
18.5 to 20.4............................ 48 72
20.5 to 22.4............................ 51 76
22.5 to 24.4............................ 58 78
24.5 to 26.4............................ 66 81
26.5 to 28.4............................ (*) (*)
28.5 and over........................... (*) (*)
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Appendix A5 to Part 305--Refrigerator-Freezers With Automated Defrost
With Side-Mounted Freezer No Through-the-Door Ice

Range Information
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Range of estimated annual
Manufacturer's rated total refrigerated operating costs (dollars/year)
volume in cubic feet -------------------------------
Low High
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than 10.5.......................... $54 $82
10.5 to 12.4............................ (*) (*)
12.5 to 14.4............................ 39 40
14.5 to 16.4............................ 49 65
16.5 to 18.4............................ 69 70
18.5 to 20.4............................ 66 70
20.5 to 22.4............................ 70 101
22.5 to 24.4............................ 78 105
24.5 to 26.4............................ 80 109
26.5 to 28.4............................ 91 113
28.5 and over........................... 84 118
------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 31759]]

Appendix A6 to Part 305--Refrigerator-Freezers With Automatic Defrost
With Bottom-Mounted Freezer Without No Through-the-Door Ice

Range Information
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Range of estimated annual
Manufacturer's rated total refrigerated operating costs (dollars/year)
volume in cubic feet -------------------------------
Low High
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than 10.5.......................... $42 $73
10.5 to 12.4............................ 47 79
12.5 to 14.4............................ 50 77
14.5 to 16.4............................ 53 85
16.5 to 18.4............................ 60 86
18.5 to 20.4............................ 60 91
20.5 to 22.4............................ 62 94
22.5 to 24.4............................ 65 98
24.5 to 26.4............................ 74 96
26.5 to 28.4............................ 67 95
28.5 and over........................... 91 101
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Appendix A7 to Part 305--Refrigerator-Freezers With Automatic Defrost
With Bottom-Mounted Freezer With Through-the-Door Ice Service

Range Information
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Range of estimated annual
Manufacturer's rated total refrigerated operating costs (dollars/year)
volume in cubic feet -------------------------------
Low High
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than 10.5.......................... (*) (*)
10.5 to 12.4............................ (*) (*)
12.5 to 14.4............................ (*) (*)
14.5 to 16.4............................ (*) (*)
16.5 to 18.4............................ $80 $90
18.5 to 20.4............................ 83 98
20.5 to 22.4............................ 91 103
22.5 to 24.4............................ 77 106
24.5 to 26.4............................ 89 109
26.5 to 28.4............................ 83 112
28.5 and over........................... 90 113
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Appendix A8 to Part 305--Refrigerator-Freezers With Automatic Defrost
With Side-Mounted Freezer With Through-the-Door Ice Service

Range Information
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Range of estimated annual
Manufacturer's rated total refrigerated operating costs (dollars/year)
volume in cubic feet -------------------------------
Low High
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than 10.5.......................... (*) (*)
10.5 to 12.4............................ (*) (*)
12.5 to 14.4............................ (*) (*)
14.5 to 16.4............................ (*) (*)
16.5 to 18.4............................ $87 $88
18.5 to 20.4............................ 78 110
20.5 to 22.4............................ 72 109
22.5 to 24.4............................ 76 115
24.5 to 26.4............................ 81 116

[[Page 31760]]

26.5 to 28.4............................ 89 122
28.5 and over........................... 104 124
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Appendix A9 to Part 305--All Refrigerators and Refrigerator-Freezers

Range Information
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Range of estimated annual
Manufacturer's rated total refrigerated operating costs (dollars/year)
volume in cubic feet -------------------------------
Low High
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than 10.5.......................... $11 $82
10.5 to 12.4............................ 28 79
12.5 to 14.4............................ 33 77
14.5 to 16.4............................ 33 84
16.5 to 18.4............................ 38 90
18.5 to 20.4............................ 42 110
20.5 to 22.4............................ 35 109
22.5 to 24.4............................ 51 115
24.5 to 26.4............................ 66 116
26.5 to 28.4............................ 67 122
28.5 and over........................... 84 124
------------------------------------------------------------------------

0
5. Revise appendices B1 through B3 to Part 305 to read as follows:

Appendix B1 to Part 305--Upright Freezers With Manual Defrost

Range Information
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Range of estimated annual
Manufacturer's rated total refrigerated operating costs (dollars/year)
volume in cubic feet -------------------------------
Low High
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than 5.5........................... $18 $43
5.5 to 7.4.............................. 35 47
7.5 to 9.4.............................. 34 40
9.5 to 11.4............................. 36 36
11.5 to 13.4............................ (*) (*)
13.5 to 15.4............................ 42 47
15.5 to 17.4............................ 49 51
17.5 to 19.4............................ (*) (*)
19.5 to 21.4............................ 49 56
21.5 to 23.4............................ (*) (*)
23.5 to 25.4............................ (*) (*)
25.5 to 27.4............................ (*) (*)
27.5 to 29.4............................ (*) (*)
29.5 and over........................... (*) (*)
------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 31761]]

Appendix B2 to Part 305--Upright Freezers With Automatic Defrost

Range Information
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Range of estimated annual
Manufacturer's rated total refrigerated operating costs (dollars/year)
volume in cubic feet -------------------------------
Low High
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than 5.5........................... $37 $63
5.5 to 7.4.............................. (*) (*)
7.5 to 9.4.............................. 44 69
9.5 to 11.4............................. 44 67.20
11.5 to 13.4............................ 54 79
13.5 to 15.4............................ 54 85
15.5 to 17.4............................ 58 89
17.5 to 19.4............................ 62 84
19.5 to 21.4............................ 63 91
21.5 to 23.4............................ 101 104
23.5 to 25.4............................ (*) (*)
25.5 to 27.4............................ (*) (*)
27.5 to 29.4............................ (*) (*)
29.5 and over........................... (*) (*)
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Appendix B3 to Part 305--Chest Freezers and All Other Freezers

Range Information
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Range of estimated annual
Manufacturer's rated total refrigerated operating costs (dollars/year)
volume in cubic feet -------------------------------
Low High
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than 5.5........................... $19 $32
5.5 to 7.4.............................. 31 36
7.5 to 9.4.............................. 27 37
9.5 to 11.4............................. 28 35
11.5 to 13.4............................ 35 38
13.5 to 15.4............................ 39 42
15.5 to 17.4............................ 38 46
17.5 to 19.4............................ 46 47
19.5 to 21.4............................ 50 53
21.5 to 23.4............................ 48 55
23.5 to 25.4............................ 59 59
25.5 to 27.4............................ (*) (*)
27.5 to 29.4............................ (*) (*)
29.5 and over........................... (*) (*)
------------------------------------------------------------------------

0
6. Revise appendices C1 and C2 to Part 305 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............................... $14 $32
------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 31762]]

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.............................. $28 $43
------------------------------------------------------------------------

0
7. Revise appendices D1 through D5 to Part 305 to read as follows:

Appendix D1 to Part 305--Water Heaters--Gas

Range Information
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Range of estimated annual energy costs (dollars/year)
---------------------------------------------------------------
Capacity (first hour rating in gallons) Natural gas ($/year) Propane ($/year)
---------------------------------------------------------------
Low High Low High
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
``Very Small''--less than 18.................... (*) (*) (*) (*)
``Low''--18 to 50.9............................. $162 $172 (*) (*)
``Medium''--51 to 74.9.......................... 227 300 $460 $606
``High''--over 75............................... 227 336 460 679
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Appendix D2 to Part 305--Water Heaters Electric

Range Information
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capacity Range of estimated annual
----------------------------------------- energy costs (dollars/year)
-------------------------------
First hour rating Low High
------------------------------------------------------------------------
``Very Small''--less than 18............ (*) (*)
``Low''--18 to 50.9..................... $90 $357
``Medium''--51 to 74.9.................. 154 630
``High''--over 75....................... 173 747
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Appendix D3 to Part 305--Water Heaters--Oil

Range Information
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capacity Range of estimated annual
----------------------------------------- energy costs (dollars/year)
-------------------------------
First hour rating Low High
------------------------------------------------------------------------
``Very Small''--less than 18............ (*) (*)
``Low''--18 to 50.9..................... (*) (*)
``Medium''--51 to 74.9.................. (*) (*)
``High''--over 75....................... $625 $686
------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 31763]]

Appendix D4 to Part 305--Water Heaters--Instantaneous--Gas

Range Information
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capacity Range of estimated annual energy costs (dollars/year)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Natural Gas ($/year) Propane ($/year)
Capacity (maximum flow rate); gallons per minute ---------------------------------------------------------------
(gpm) Low High Low High
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
``Very Small''--less than 1.6................... $24 $30 $50 $61
``Low''--1.7 to 2.7............................. (*) (*) (*) (*)
``Medium''--2.8 to 3.9.......................... 183 216 370 437
``High''--over 4.0.............................. 210 253 427 511
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Appendix D5 to Part 305--Water Heaters--Instantaneous--Electric

Range Information
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capacity Range of estimated annual
----------------------------------------- energy costs (dollars/year)
Capacity (maximum flow rate); gallons -------------------------------
per minute (gpm) Low High
------------------------------------------------------------------------
``Very Small''--less than 1.6........... $82 $90
``Low''--1.7 to 2.7..................... (*) (*)
``Medium''--2.8 to 3.9.................. (*) (*)
``High''--over 4.0...................... (*) (*)
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

Appendix E1 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 $46
6,000 to 7,999 Btu.................. 47 69
8,000 to 13,999 Btu................. 49 121
14,000 to 19,999 Btu................ 91 169
20,000 to 27,999 Btu................ 147 287
28,000 and more Btu................. 275 380
Without Reverse Cycle and without
Louvered Sides:
Less than 8,000 Btu................. (*) (*)
8,000 to 10,999 Btu................. 73 102
11,000 to 13,999 Btu................ 107 140
14,000 to 19,999 Btu................ 144 162
20,000 and more Btu................. (*) (*)
With Reverse Cycle and with Louvered 79 230
Sides..................................
With Reverse Cycle, without Louvered 81 117
Sides..................................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

0
9. Revise appendices F1 and F2 to Part 305 to read as follows:

[[Page 31764]]

Appendix F1 to Part 305--Standard Clothes Washers

``Standard'' includes all household clothes washers with a tub
capacity of 1.6 cu. ft. or more.

Range Information
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Range of estimated annual
operating costs (dollars/year)
Capacity ---------------------------------
Low High
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Standard.............................. $33 $137
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Appendix F2 to Part 305--Compact Clothes Washers

``Compact'' includes all household clothes washers with a tub
capacity of less than 1.6 cu. ft.

Range Information
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Range of estimated annual
operating costs (dollars/year)
Capacity ---------------------------------
Low High
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Compact............................... $25 $47
------------------------------------------------------------------------

0
10. Revise appendices G1 through G8 to Part 305 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 99.0
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

------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 (*) (*)
------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 31765]]

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

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

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

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

Appendix G6 to Part 305--Boilers--(Gas)

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Range of annual fuel
utilization efficiencies
Type (AFUEs)
-------------------------------
Low High
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gas Boilers (except steam)--All 84.0 96.4
Capacities.............................
Gas Boilers (steam)--All Capacities..... 82 83.4
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Appendix G7 to Part 305--Boilers--(Oil)

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Range of annual fuel utilization
efficiencies (AFUEs)
Type ---------------------------------
Low High
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oil Boilers--All Capacities........... 85 88.2
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Appendix G8 to Part 305--Boilers--(Electric)

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

0
11. Revise appendices J1 and J2 to read as follows:

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

Range Information
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Range of thermal efficiencies (percent)
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Manufacturer's rated heating capacities Natural Gas Propane
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Low High Low High
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All capacities.............................. 82.0 95.0 82.0 95.0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 31766]]

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

Range Information
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Range of thermal efficiencies
(percent)
Manufacturer's rated heating capacities -------------------------------
Low High
------------------------------------------------------------------------
All capacities.......................... (*) (*)
------------------------------------------------------------------------

0
12. Revise appendices K1 and K2 to read as follows:

Appendix K1 to Part 305--Representative Average Unit Energy Costs for
Refrigerators, Refrigerator-Freezers, Freezers, Clothes Washers,
Dishwashers, 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 this Part for refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers,
freezers, clothes washers, dishwashers, and water heaters. This Table
is based on information published by the U.S. Department of Energy in
2022.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
In commonly As required by DOE test
Type of energy used terms procedure
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Electricity.................. [cent]14/kWh $.1400/kWh
\1\ \2\.
Natural Gas.................. $1.21/therm $0.00001209/Btu \4\
\3\, $12.6/MCF
\5\ \6\.
No. 2 heating oil............ $3.45/gallon $0.00002511/Btu
\7\.
Propane...................... $223/gallon \8\ $0.00002446/Btu
Kerosene..................... $4.01/gallon $0.00002973/Btu
\9\.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ kWh stands for kiloWatt hour.
\2\ 1 kWh = 3,412 Btu.
\3\ 1 therm = 100,000 Btu. Natural gas prices include taxes.
\4\ Btu stands for British thermal unit.
\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 1,039 Btu.
\7\ For the purposes of this table, one gallon of No. 2 heating oil has
an energy equivalence of 13,738 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.

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

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

* * * * *
0
15. In appendix L, revise prototype labels 1, 2, 8, 9, 10, and sample
labels 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 9A, 14, 15, and 16 to read as follows
* * * * *
BILLING CODE 6750-01-P

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By direction of the Commission.
April J. Tabor,
Secretary.

Dissenting Statement of Commissioner Christine S. Wilson

Today the Commission announces proposed required updates to the
compatibility ranges in the Energy Labeling Rule. Since 2015, the
Commission has sought comment on provisions of this Rule on several
occasions and has made numerous amendments to the Rule.\1\ On each
occasion, I have urged the Commission to seek comment on the more
prescriptive aspects of this Rule. My concerns about the highly
prescriptive nature of this Rule are detailed in my prior dissents.\2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\1\ See 81 FR 62861 (Sept. 12, 2016) (seeking comment on
proposed amendments regarding portable air conditioners, ceiling
fans, and electric water heaters); 84 FR 9261 (Mar. 14, 2019)
(proposing amendments to organize the Rule's product descriptions);
85 FR 20218 (Apr. 10, 2020) (seeking comment on proposed amendments
regarding central and portable air conditioners).
\2\ See Dissenting Statement of Commissioner Christine S. Wilson
on the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: Energy Labeling Rule (Dec. 10,
2018) (expressing my view that the Commission should seek comment on
the prescriptive labeling requirements), https://www.ftc.gov/public-statements/2018/12/dissenting-statement-commissioner-christine-s-wilson-notice-proposed; Dissenting Statement of Commissioner
Christine S. Wilson on the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: Energy
Labeling Rule (Oct. 22, 2019) (urging the Commission to seek comment
on the labeling requirements), https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/public_statements/1551786/r611004_wilson_dissent_energy_labeling_rule.pdf; Dissenting
Statement of Commissioner Christine S. Wilson on the Notice of
Proposed Rulemaking: Energy Labeling Rule (Dec. 22, 2020), https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/public_statements/1585242/commission_wilson_dissenting_statement_energy_labeling_rule_final12-22-2020revd2.pdf; Dissenting Statement of Commissioner Christine S.
Wilson on the Notice of Amendments to the Energy Labeling Rule (Oct.
6, 2021), https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/public_statements/1597166/commission_wilson_dissenting_statement_energy_labeling_rule_2021-10-04_final.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

In March 2020, we sought comment on some of the more prescriptive
provisions of the Energy Labeling Rule \3\ and received many
interesting and thoughtful comments.\4\ Rather than act on these
comments or proposals, though, the Commission chose to finalize only
proposals necessary to conform to Department of Energy changes.\5\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\3\ See Concurring Statement of Commissioner Christine S. Wilson
on the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: Energy Labeling Rule (Mar. 20,
2020), https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/public_statements/1569815/r611004_wilson_statement_energy_labeling.pdf.
\4\ See, e.g., Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration
Institute (AHRI) Comment (#33-09), available at: https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=FTC-2020-0033-0009; Association of
Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) Comment (#33-04), available at:
https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=FTC-2020-0033-0004; Goodman
Manufacturing Comment (#33-08), available at: https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=FTC-2020-0033-0008.
\5\ See Dissenting Statement of Commissioner Christine S. Wilson
on Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: Energy Label Rule (Dec. 22, 2020),
https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/public_statements/1585242/commission_wilson_dissenting_statement_energy_labeling_rule_final12-22-2020revd2.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Today, we again make necessary changes to the Rule but fail to take
the opportunity to revisit the Rule's highly prescriptive requirements.
I acknowledge that the FTC is required to publish an Energy Labeling
Rule, that manufacturers are required to post an Energy Label on their
products and that consumers likely benefit from some uniformity of
information in these labels. But it is unnecessary for our labeling
guidance to include highly prescriptive requirements that detail the

[[Page 31783]]

trim size dimensions for labels, including the precise width (between 5
\1/4\'' to 5 \1/2\'') and length (between 7 \3/8\'' and 7 \5/8\''); the
number of picas for the copy set (between 27 and 29); the type style
(Arial) and setting; the weight of the paper stock on which the labels
are printed (not less than 58 pounds per 500 sheets or equivalent); and
a suggested minimum peel adhesive capacity of 12 ounces per square
inch.\6\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\6\ See e.g., 16 CFR 305.13, 305.20 (specifying such
requirements for refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, freezers,
dishwashers, clothes washers, water heaters, room air conditioners,
and pool heaters (305.13) and for central air conditioners, heat
pumps, and furnaces (305.20)).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Notice we issue today includes 13 pages of prototype labels,
complete with the array of requirements described above. For example,
Prototype Label 10 for Vertical Rectangular Television Labels specifies
not only the categories of information to be displayed, but also the
precise font and size in which that information is to be printed. The
Estimated Yearly Energy Cost must appear in 12/14.4 Arial Narrow Bold.
And while the phrase ``US Government'' at the top of the label must be
printed in \7/9\ pt Arial Narrow, ``visitftc.gov/energy'' at the bottom
must be printed in 8 pt Arial Narrow. As I have indicated on previous
occasions, we could identify the categories of information to be
disclosed clearly and conspicuously, and then allow companies to create
appropriate labels.
Once again, I urge the Commission to act on the comments we
received in 2020, eliminate the more prescriptive aspects of the Rule,
and maximize the positive impact of this Rule for consumers. As long as
we are statutorily mandated to maintain this Rule, we should endeavor
to make it beneficial for consumers and competition.
Regrettably, the Commission once again has chosen to forego this
route, instead making only minor changes to the Rule necessary for
conformity. Accordingly, I dissent.

[FR Doc. 2022-11126 Filed 5-24-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6750-01-C