**Notes from the Energy Star® Ceiling Fan Stakeholders Conference Call**

**May 11, 2001**

The following organizations were represented on the call:

Air Cool

Angelo Brothers

Crest Fans

Emerson Electric

Hunter Fan

Modern Fan

SMC Marketing

Lowe's

EPA

NRDC

Ecos Consulting

The call began with introductions of participants and an overview by
Noah Horowitz of NRDC regarding the current status of the process.

[Retailer Outreach]{.underline} - Chris Calwell of Ecos Consulting
reviewed the results of recent meetings with Home Depot and Lowe's. Both
retailers expressed substantial interest in an Energy Star® labeling
program for energy efficient ceiling fans. Home Depot was not convinced
that noise should be a major component of the specification, while
Lowe's felt that it was very important and should be included. Both
retailers provided valuable input regarding the inclusion of efficient
lighting, warranty periods, testing processes, etc.

[Fan Testing Results to Date]{.underline} - Chris Calwell and Vin Mehta
of Hunter Fan next discussed the results of Hunter's testing of 26
ceiling fan models. While wide efficiency differences were observed
among different models, especially on low and medium speeds, blade
diameter and number did not appear to be the main cause of those
differences. Marshall Brown from Hunter noted that fan motors were often
exhibiting low power factor at medium and low speeds, which can, in some
circumstances, cause their power consumption to appear higher to
electric utilities than is being recorded by a watt-meter. Hunter agreed
to measure and report both apparent power (watts) and true power
(volt-amps) when conducting fan tests at its facility. This should help
us determine if the spec should address CFM/watt or CFM/volt-amp when
measuring efficiency.

The manufacturers on the call agreed that the current test results may
be shared with other interested parties, including retailers.

[Additional Fan Testing]{.underline} - Lowe's expressed an interest in
gathering data on additional fan models that it sells before our next
meeting. Likewise, a number of manufacturers that have recently begun
participating in our meetings plan to submit fans for testing as well.
Hunter agreed to conduct that testing, as long as all models that need
to be tested reach their facility by May 25. Manufacturers are welcome
to ship their fans directly to Vin Mehta at Hunter or make an
appointment to visit Hunter with their fans. His number is 901-248-2211
and the address for shipping is:

Attn. Vin Mehta

Hunter Fan Company

2546 Frisco Ave

Receiving door \# 5

Memphis TN 38114

[Test Method]{.underline} - Noah Horowitz next conducted a discussion
regarding the test method itself. **The group agreed that the solid
state method proposed by Hunter is working as intended and should be the
basis for future measurement by independent laboratories**. Chris
Calwell noted that ITS, UL, and Omni Test Laboratories had all expressed
interest in providing independent testing services for the fan industry
using that new method. Lowe's offered to provide the names of additional
laboratories that may be interested. Home Depot subsequently provided
two more names -- Consumer Testing Laboratories (CTL) and Merchandise
Testing Laboratories (MTL), which Chris Calwell will be contacting. The
group asked that testing labs be contacted in both Asia and the U.S.,
since lab services will be needed in both regions.

[Noise]{.underline} - The group discussed how noise should be addressed
in the specification, but could not reach agreement on a recommended
course of action. Most of the parties agreed that noise was worth
addressing substantially over the long term. However some felt the near
term spec should omit the issue, while others felt a basic noise
specification should be included in the near term until something more
comprehensive can be developed. Hunter, Lowe's, SMC, and Ecos Consulting
agreed to conduct an additional conference call on that topic and report
back to the group with recommendations.

[Next Steps]{.underline} - Chris Calwell outlined a timetable for next
steps, roughly as follows:

-   2^nd^ manufacturer conference call (for those who couldn't attend on
    May 11) -- May 16

-   Deadline for receipt of fans at Hunter for 2^nd^ phase of testing --
    May 28

-   Calls and meetings with independent test labs regarding new test
    method -- late May/early June

-   Circulation of revised draft spec and new test data to stakeholders
    -- June 13

-   Meeting to finalize Energy Star spec in Dallas -- June 25 (9 a.m. to
    4 p.m.)

-   Deadline for EPA to receive signed Memorandum of Understanding from
    manufacturers wishing to be charter partners -- approximately August
    6

-   Proposed program kickoff for trade press (at the National Hardware
    Show in Chicago) -- August 13

-   Proposed program launch date for consumer press and appearance of
    labeled products in stores -- January 2002

> Pam Freedman of Ecos Consulting will be selecting a location for the
> Dallas meeting and notifying stakeholders of the details shortly.